Anonymous wrote:Planning a trip this summer to Ireland with 14DS and 11DD. Dh and I have been to Ireland before, but kids have not. We have to go to Cork for 2 days for a family wedding (which is how this trip came about).
We will likely hit Dublin, Cork, Killarney, and then maybe work our way up to Northern Ireland. Planning to spend a couple of weeks. We will get a rental car.
Our kids are pretty open to everything and we typically shoot for a balanced itinerary. We like parks and museums, theater and hiking, guided tours and diy tours, history and art, touristy things and more out of the box things, etc. Kids love trying new foods. DH loves whiskey.
Would love recommendations of things your kids absolutely loved or hated.
Hitting all these places will be a lot of driving, but there is definitely plenty to see.
Dublin: Do a hop on/off bus tour so see stuff like Trinity College, Guinness, Dublin Castle, St. Patricks, etc. Take the Dart to Howth for some great good and hikes. Go to a trad pub for dinner and Irish dancing.
Cork: West Cork has lots of lovely little villages, great scenery and lots of artists working out to the homes.
Killarney: Do the entire walk through the Gap of Dunloe. There are tours that will take you to the lake crossing, then you hike down to Kate Kearney's Cottage, get some lunch and a pint and get a taxi or shuttle back to Killarney. Go surfing on Inch Beach on the way to Dingle. Do the sea safari in Dingle. Visit a sheep farm and watch the working dogs in action.
From Killarney/Cork to NI is a long trip up the west coast. It isn't my favorite. Alternatively go back to Dublin, and head north. Highly recommend Newgrange and all the sites around there. Lots to see in Belfast, Derry and Donegal.
Bring rain gear, fleece, shorts and a good attitude.