Thinking of Ireland for the kids' intro to Europe--feedback?

We took the childen to the UK in 2007 when they were 4, 9, and 11. They loved it. We talked a lot about what to expect including the good stuff (castles and cathedrals, different accents and money, etc) and the bad stuff (no hotels with pools and no amusement parks)

They were still excited to go - especially to experience something they knew few children their age get to do. For us, the experience was so rewarding that we have managed to take the childfren to Europe every summer since. This year will be trip #4. We squeeze the household budget the other 11 months of the year to make it happen.

Wherever you go I STRONGLY recommend organizing your trip to include at least one week-long cottage rental in one location with day trips. This gives them the feeling of having a "home", lots of room, the ability to play outside and not be hushed all the time like they are in hotels. Plus it's cheaper!

They had a fantastic time and yours will, too. I think the UK might be slightly more interesting for children than Ireland, but only slightly. Ireland would be fun, too.

Taking the children is an incredible gift.

We started taking our kids to Europe around the age of 9-11. They enjoyed Ireland (Cliffs of Morhe esp.) but LOVED Scotland and London. Windsor castle and the Tower were our son's favorite- the weapons and armor displays. Daughter loved the markets (Covent Garden and Camden Locks). They both loved the Highlands- mother nature and all. The main thing when traveling with children is to PACE things. Build in time to be flexible- if they are loving something- stay longer, if hating, leave early. Be willing to stop at a park or a meadow and just let them "be". Don't try to pack too much into any one day.

I've taken kids to Ireland from ages 3 onward. Every age loved the animals (sheep in the roads, lambs in the fields, the donkey sanctuary in Liscarroll) and the castles. And they all loved shopping. Younger kids, too, like a chance to just play on a playground, perhaps meeting local kids along the way. Kids the ages of yours liked seeing the different road signs and different products at the grocery store. In short, you don't have plan special activities for them - they will like it all.

From personal experince with a child the age of your eldest, Ireland can get a bit boring for the kids. Not saying it isn't worth the experience -- it is, especially if there is an ancestral tie you can pursue, but I'd consider building in something else too (like London as you suggested).

Lots of the things you would appreciate -- the natural scenery, the people, the pubs can be lost a bit on kids. Don't get me wrong, it is well worth the experience for them, but by day 5 the charm may wear off for the kids.

Of course, YMMV.

We took our kids to Ireland this summer and met up with my sister and her kids. 7 kids in all, ages ranging from 17 to 3. We had a cottage in Doolin for a week and then rented townhouses in Dublin for a couple of days. We went in June, my kids get out of school around Memorial day, so prices were a bit lower and crowds were a bit less than July/August.

We had a wonderful time with them. We explored the Burren, went to the Cliffs of Moher, took a ferry to the Aran Islands, went to Bunratty (which the kids liked, since it was the first castle that wasn't "broken", and the folk park has an old-time candy store), and did some more exploring on the coast before heading off to Dublin. We also took them into pubs, not so much for sessions, but there were some in Doolin that didn't seem to mind the kids being there for a bit after 9.

Having a cottage was great, since we got to cook our own meals and have a washer/dryer and more space to spread out. After a day of sightseeing, eating out wasn't very relaxing, plus prices have gotten pretty steep over there.

Ice cream breaks in the afternoons are a must. There's not a lot of playgrounds over there, though, not that I found, anyway. Germany and Austria have a ton, though.

There is so much to do in Ireland with kids - you could spend a month in Dublin alone!

Check out this website: http://www.visitdublin.com/ They have a see and do section just for kids, and there are lots of things to do that are free. If you have an mp3 player (iPod) you can download free iWalks that are guided tours around different places in Ireland - you can go when you want, stop for a break to eat, play, run around when you want, and continue at your own pace - perfect for kids! I also highly recommend the Dublin Zoo. Also there are lots of castles - always fun for kids. And the megalithic tomb, Newgrange, is older than the Great Pyramids (check it out at knowth.com) and will be fun and fascinating for the whole family.

Have fun!