We are in the early stages of planning a 3 week trip to Ireland for July 2027 and would truly appreciate any suggestions for an itinerary that begins and ends in Dublin. It would be best if we could explore using 4 bases, maybe 5 - 6 nights a piece. I have a reservation already for 7 nights in Killarney, but I do have the ability to cancel if need be. Just wondering if 7 nights may be too much. I'd also like to somehow include Roscrea, Tipperary, which is where my maternal grandparents/great grandparents came from. I was thinking we could start off in Dublin for 2 nights and then end somewhere close to the airport before our flight home. I think we would want to do a loop starting in Dublin, maybe stop in Roscrea enroute to Kinsale stay in Kinsale for 2 nights, then on to Killarney. After that we'd like to head north ... Galway/Connemara?, Donegal?... not sure yet. Our multi-generational group includes 5 adults and 4 children (ages: 4, 7, 10 and 11 by the time of our trip). The children love hiking, fishing, animals, and cultural activities. Any advise would be most appreciated. Many thanks for your time and consideration. Kind regards, Pamela
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
9356 posts
On one of our trips, which was mostly northerly-oriented, our last stay was in Trim. It was relatively close to the Dublin airport for dropping off our rental car the morning before our flight home, and has its own castle.
More important for us (a couple with no kids on the trip), Trim was a good base for seeing Newgrange and other Neolithic sights, plus the Hill of Tara. I don’t know whether those would be on your agenda.
Galway, by the way, is my favorite city in Ireland. And will you be traveling by rented cars/vans, rather than by public transportation (train/bus/supplemented by taxi)? Either comes with its own logistical and planning considerations. Bigger isn’t exactly better, if you’re driving in Ireland.
While Dublin, Roscrea, Killarney, and Galway have train stations, Kinsale and Trim don’t. You could drive to them, go by bus, or go by train to a nearby town, then reach them by bus from there.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
9356 posts
I see now that you had a thread a year ago about doing this trip in 2026 - I guess it got postponed until next year. Driving (like was done earlier in Scotland) was discussed.
That earlier thread mentioned that the children would be ages 4, 7, 10 and 11 in 2026, but that’s also what you mention above, for the summer of 2027. Not that any of that is probably critical for planning of this 2027 trip, but I did notice it. I hope that everybody enjoys Ireland - that’s pretty much guaranteed!
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thanks Cyn! I just edited the post with new details about the group size and ages of the children. Yes, our trip was postponed due to a death in our family...note we are now a group of eight. I decided to post again to see if anyone has any additional suggestions to share and was happy to read your recommendations. Thank you again!