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Ireland with kids
Posted on 8/17/23 at 11:57 am
Posted on 8/17/23 at 11:57 am
Trying to decide if this is a good idea or not. We're looking into a Thanksgiving trip with our 4 kids. Ages 1.5, 6, 8, and 10. Obviously, the 1.5 year old is what's making me nervous. We travel a lot and drag our kids everywhere and they always love it. Our six year old hiked The Narrows this summer and loved it so our older 3 are down for whatever we throw at them. That said, we haven't done a big trip with the baby yet (he has flown before and is a good flyer). My question isn't if you would do it (b/c that'll be different for everyone's situation) but if you did do it, what would your itinerary look like? We've never been to Ireland, so appreciate any all recommendations. I'm also assuming we'd be able to rent some type of passenger van, correct me if I'm wrong on that.
Posted on 8/17/23 at 12:14 pm to Tigers13
Four kids with one under two sounds like a lot for Dublin. However, get out of the City and Ireland is a beautiful country with wonderful people. If your family enjoys history and outdoor activities, go for it. Again, I would limit my time in the city and might skip it altogether with the exception of the airport. I would fly into Dublin, rent a van, and head south and west. First stop might be Glendalough for some light hiking in the Wicklow mountains. Just west of there you would Kilkenny which is an awesome small town that little ones could walk the street with you and not get completely worn out. After that, Rock of Cashel was very interesting for a day trip and then you could head slight north to Limerick with some cool family friendly attractions and a great "old city". I would then head west to Doolin for a visit to the Cliffs of Mohr. Finally, head South to Dingle for a few nights as it is a great little town with an amazing coast. You could do 1-2 nights in each of these places and stretch Dingle to 3 nights for a great 10 day trip.
Posted on 8/17/23 at 12:57 pm to Tigers13
I second getting out of Dublin. Also, look at flying into Shannon (SNN) instead, that's where I flew into both times. It's basically on the Ring of Kerry where you'll probably go anyway.
Be careful with renting large vehicles. I rented a Nissan Micra and getting through some underpasses was... interesting. You don't have a choice, but plan your routes carefully.
Cliffs of Moher
Galway is just a cool city, and it's seaside.
Kylemore Abbey (the scenery to get there is 50% of the fun)
The Rock of Cashel
Ring of Kerry
Don't pick too much stuff to create a hard itinerary out of. There are odd bits of castles, towers and fortifications in the middle of nowhere that your kids will probably make you pull over for.
If you were going near the warm season, planning some picnic lunches outdoors would have been a fine idea.
Also, roll into any town, stop for lunch at a pub with the kids. The Irish will know you're from out of town, and they will want to know all about you and why you've come. There will be no shortage of suggestions from the locals in small/mid sized towns.
Be careful with renting large vehicles. I rented a Nissan Micra and getting through some underpasses was... interesting. You don't have a choice, but plan your routes carefully.
Cliffs of Moher
Galway is just a cool city, and it's seaside.
Kylemore Abbey (the scenery to get there is 50% of the fun)
The Rock of Cashel
Ring of Kerry
Don't pick too much stuff to create a hard itinerary out of. There are odd bits of castles, towers and fortifications in the middle of nowhere that your kids will probably make you pull over for.
If you were going near the warm season, planning some picnic lunches outdoors would have been a fine idea.
Also, roll into any town, stop for lunch at a pub with the kids. The Irish will know you're from out of town, and they will want to know all about you and why you've come. There will be no shortage of suggestions from the locals in small/mid sized towns.
Posted on 8/17/23 at 2:58 pm to Tigers13
Flew to Ireland with my one-year-old niece last august. It will be really really cold in Thanksgiving. Keep in mind flying overseas with that many kids in wintertime you will need a lot of bags and if you rent a car the cars in Ireland are small. So rent the biggest vehicle available, but also know the roads in Ireland are small especially if you get out to the countryside. Expect a few white-knuckle experiences when driving on the other side of the road.
Belfast was a lovely town I would drive up there and spend two or three days. Giants causeway is close as well. Theres some bus tours that we took my one-year-old niece on from there to visit several of the sites. I would recommend that instead of driving yourself to the sites up there.
Dublin great city. I would get a hotel downtown, So you can walk/ stroller everywhere. A hotel on or near St. Stephens green would be ideal. Walking distance to Grafton Street where all the nice shops and restaurants are. This area is also where several of the museums are as well as Trinity College.
Galway is definitely another city to spend a few nights if you can make it, and if you stay there you can make a quick trip to the cliffs of moher a must stop. (Note. Cliffs of Moher will be ver very cold this time of year with the breeze/wind off the Atlantic)
Belfast was a lovely town I would drive up there and spend two or three days. Giants causeway is close as well. Theres some bus tours that we took my one-year-old niece on from there to visit several of the sites. I would recommend that instead of driving yourself to the sites up there.
Dublin great city. I would get a hotel downtown, So you can walk/ stroller everywhere. A hotel on or near St. Stephens green would be ideal. Walking distance to Grafton Street where all the nice shops and restaurants are. This area is also where several of the museums are as well as Trinity College.
Galway is definitely another city to spend a few nights if you can make it, and if you stay there you can make a quick trip to the cliffs of moher a must stop. (Note. Cliffs of Moher will be ver very cold this time of year with the breeze/wind off the Atlantic)
This post was edited on 8/17/23 at 3:00 pm
Posted on 8/17/23 at 5:12 pm to Tigers13
I think Ireland is a great trip for the family. We took our 2 kids last summer, ages 9&10. Taking 4 including one under 2 is a little tougher logistically.
As someone said, you will need a large vehicle to carry your luggage, but anything too large and you will have trouble getting around, parking, etc. Try to get an automatic if possible.
We enjoyed our trip immensely. We landed in Dublin and left that day and stayed 2 nights each in Galway, Dingle, Killarney, and Dublin. Dublin was by far our least favorite. The countryside and the people are wonderful. Try to find a few old castles/stone forts to stop during your drives.
The Cliffs of Moher are awesome, it will be cold and windy as hell.
We took a jaunting car through the Gap of Dunloe one afternoon. Very cool experience.
As someone said, you will need a large vehicle to carry your luggage, but anything too large and you will have trouble getting around, parking, etc. Try to get an automatic if possible.
We enjoyed our trip immensely. We landed in Dublin and left that day and stayed 2 nights each in Galway, Dingle, Killarney, and Dublin. Dublin was by far our least favorite. The countryside and the people are wonderful. Try to find a few old castles/stone forts to stop during your drives.
The Cliffs of Moher are awesome, it will be cold and windy as hell.
We took a jaunting car through the Gap of Dunloe one afternoon. Very cool experience.
Posted on 8/17/23 at 6:48 pm to Tigers13
The mention of Killarney reminded me of the music. If you can, find a pub that has live traditional Irish music in it. Everyone sings along, it's kid friendly, and just an awesome time.
This is an outdoor example, but being winter, you'll be inside, smelling a peat fire that keeps the place warm...
I'm jealous.
This is an outdoor example, but being winter, you'll be inside, smelling a peat fire that keeps the place warm...
I'm jealous.
Posted on 8/18/23 at 9:54 am to Tigers13
If you don't mind answering how much is this trip costing? I have 4 all under 10 and we have been talking about a Europe trip but always dismiss it as just costing too much. I am pushing Europe over Disney.
Posted on 8/18/23 at 10:10 am to Dizz
quote:
I am pushing Europe over Disney.
If at all possible- do this
ETA- We travelled in 2022 - MSY-DUB
5/20 - 5/29
2 adults
2 kids
United Premium+ for all legs
Rental Car
8 nights in hotels
$8k
It can be done for much cheaper, but we do tend to splurge
This post was edited on 8/18/23 at 10:14 am
Posted on 8/18/23 at 1:15 pm to Dizz
Flights are pretty inexpensive right now. We haven’t priced out anything else yet.
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