So I'm purely speculating and daydreaming...trying to figure out how much a trip to Ireland would cost to take my two kids with me in a few years. Airfare and car rental I can kind of guess from previous experiences as well as doing searches online. We'd probably go in a little bit of the "off" season to save a bit of money. Lodging is what I started wondering about. I think being based in an apartment or cottage for a week would be a good decision in terms of cost, but I didn't know if there was anywhere "central" where we could stay and still be able to do day trips easily to some of the big sites. Has anyone done this and felt like they had good access to the country? Then again, maybe we would have to do something like 3-night stays in three places in order to have better access to certain regions. I'd love to go back to N. Ireland and I don't think you could do that from a central location in RoI. I also enjoyed Galway, and would love to explore Donegal or Connemara, though I would worry about entertaining my kids in less populous areas. Anyway...just daydreaming, but I'd love to hear from other families who brought children (mine are currently 6, I don't know if we'd go before they were maybe 10 or 12). What were your kids' favorite sites and things to do? What time of year did you go? What were your lodging experiences?
Posted by
OP
Omaha, NE
134 posts
Nope, never taken the kids overseas yet. They've been on lots of road trips from 6-8 hours. I think next summer we may venture somewhere further and we'll see how that goes. I was just really in daydream mode, trying to start to put a price to the dreams. :)
Posted by
Jericho, Vermont, USA
143 posts
Hi - Have you considered doing a home exchange? We have done 8 very successful exchanges, to England, Ireland and Scotland. By having a free place to stay and a free car to use (we usually exchange cars too), it saves a HEAP of money. In aiddtion, it is MUCH nicer to stay in a home rather than a rented place or hotel or B&B. Check out homeexchange.com to see some of the thousands of places available. Send me an email if you have more questions about this. Julia
Posted by
OP
Omaha, NE
134 posts
Julia -
That is a GREAT idea! I guess I've just always thought, "who would want to use my home in Omaha, NE?" But maybe it's something to look into!
Posted by
Bradenton
4 posts
We took our two grandsons three summers ago to Ireland; their ages were 10 and 12. We stayed at B&B's and had no trouble finding family suites with two bedrooms. No problems finding enough places to visit which were exciting to the boys. We flew in and out of Shannon from Boston. On our way to Clifden we stopped at Aughnanure Castle and stayed at The Clifden Farm House B&B. Drove to Roundstone Harbor, a quaint fishing village and different terrain, and to the Heather Lodge B&B. Then toward Connemara National Park and climbed Diamond Hill and saw Connemara ponies in the meadows. Drove to Westport, County Mayo amd saw mussel farming, and peat bogs, and onward to Croagh Patrick Mountain where St. Patrick drove the snakes to the sea; many people walked the mountain; saw the "Coffin Ship". Left for Killarney; went through Killarney National Park and visited Muckross Traditional Farms. Drove to Kenmare and stayed at O'Sheas Farm House B&B; and to the Ring of Kerry Loop. Always ate at pubs and gradsons loved the food. There are stone round forts on the Ring of Kerry to climb and beautiful scenery; even swimming in places if you want. Took the Skellig Ring Loop to Ballinskelligs; didn't like our B&B so won't mention that one. Left Kenmare for Kinsale toward Cork. Stayed at the Rivermount Inn B&B (the most beautiful place), loved Kinsale and the five star fort. I can go on and on as we all just loved Ireland and want to go back soon.
Pat