Multi-Generation Family Trip to Ireland 2026 Advice?

Our extended family of eight explored Ireland by two autos. Wonderful trip. A brief check of rates next summer indicates that renting two economical autos is far cheaper than renting a single van. Surely, at least two of your five adults are licensed drivers.

I would schedule 2 vehicles: Adults and children have different things that suit them. Some may want to stay a while at one stop and not be stranded, while the others want to play golf, etc, Some of the Adults may want to go out in the evening, while the children go to a movie, etc. Also is sometimes hard to find parking for a big vehicle. A friend of mine went on a small group van tour in Ireland with a professional guide and had a great time with special cultural experience stops, which actually might save money. Good Luck!

Driving in Ireland is harrowing enough without driving a large vehicle. There's a reason that parked cars on the side of the road have their outside mirrors tucked in. If I were in your shoes, I would rent at least two small vehicles.

Great advice from all posts. All of the adults are licensed drivers, but not everyone chooses to drive and my daughter likes us all to be together, so it creates a bit of a problem. We traveled for 3 weeks in Scotland and drove all over the place including single track roads with our son-in-law doing most of the driving in a 9 passenger vehicle. It worked out fine. That being said, I do like the points you’ve made about having more freedom to split up. Definitely something to seriously consider. What I’m looking for is suggestions about is ideas about itineraries, accommodations and other bits. Many thanks to all!! Kind regards, Pamela

With such a large group, accommodation would seem to be the biggest issue. My advice for that is to do a search of the whole country on AirBnB (or booking.com or VRBO, whatever you prefer) that filters for all of your requirements. I just did such a search with min 3BR, 3BA, kitchen, parking, $400/night, available for a week in July 2026. I came up with 160 properties, including a farm stay that's near Newgrange, Tara, etc., as well as this beauty with breath-taking sea views:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/35628022?adults=5&children=4&location=Ireland&search_mode=regular_search&amenities%5B%5D=9&amenities%5B%5D=8&check_in=2026-07-06&source_impression_id=p3_1763407699_P3DizJd3hgAGempf&previous_page_section_name=1001&federated_search_id=0afe6b3e-2fdb-45cb-a5c0-ef0d0af827d5&guests=1&check_out=2026-07-13

Hey there! July is a great time of year to visit Ireland. Some ideas for your multi generational family:
1) Killarney: lots to do for everyone in this area including Jaunting carts, boating on the lake, hiking (well, really just walking not hiking ) in the park, castle(s).
2) Galway: day trip to Doolin (Doolin Cave/Pol an Ionain, Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands,) the Burren (more hiking/walking) and you can take a tour of Hazel Mountain Chocolate shop's bean to bar factory in the Burren, take a day trip to Cong and do a Hawk Walk at the Ireland School of Falconry (on the grounds of Ashford Castle).
3) Dingle: visit Inch Beach, Dingle Sheepdog Demonstrations (https://dinglesheepdogs.com/), ice cream at Murphy's, maybe a bit of whiskey or gin tasting for adults at Dingle Distillery

I'm sure there is so much more but this is what comes to mind for me. I'd also do some research about fairies as they are a unique part of the Irish culture with fairy gardens throughout forests and fields. Often these activities are fun for the whole family and you learn a bit more about the Irish culture.
Happy planning and enjoy your trip!

One Option for Killarney might be the Holiday Homes on the Ground of the Castlerosse Hotel in Killarney

Think its great for Families with Kids

Breakfast and/or Dinner can be booked at the Hotel short walking distance from the Holiday Homes and Golf Lodges
Hotel has an indoor pool and a 9 hole Golf Course as well as a Golf Course nearby

Do daytrips around the Ring of Kerry and Gap of Dunloe

Horseback Riding at Rossbeigh and/or Derrynane Beach on the RoK

Boatrip from Knightstown on Valentia Island
Dont forget to have Icecream on the way
See the Lighthouse
Have lunch in the Bridge Bar at Portmagee or the Royal Valentia Hotel in Knightstown

A stop on the way from Killarney to Valentia Island is Kells Bay House and Gardens

Its a 1,5 hrs scenic drive from Killarney to Valentia Island which can be reach from the mainland either by 10 minute Car Ferry Trip from Reenard Point (Good Seafood restaurant) near Caherciveen
or over the Bridge near Portmagee

Go to Ballinskelligs Beach via Finians Bay (Chocolate Factory)
Watch chocolate made and taste it

So many more to see and do in and around Killarney not only for kids

Oh just in case you want to spent a week in Knightstown in a Holiday Home for 9 people
See this house at dreamireland
Contact them for shorter stay

When a week is ok with you see also Kerry Coastal Cottages which do offer Holiday Homes in the Region
We book with them when staying in Kerry several times in spring

We took our kids and grand kids (6 &9) to Ireland two years ago. Things everyone enjoyed included a rib boat ride to the Blasket Islands where we saw dolphins, puffins and seals and then we did a raptor encounter in Dingle. In Killarney we explored castles and did a carriage ride back to a waterfall then a sheep dog demonstration. In Kilkenny we did the Smithwicks Brewery tour where the kids got to stir the oats in the brewing process and we explored the castle. It was a great time for everyone.