2 weeks in Ireland with kids

[treehugger]

suggestions?

what must we see?

plan, vaguely, is rent a car, drive to Liverpool, take the ferry to Belfast, then spend a couple weeks in Ireland. I don't mind driving large distances. We want to ride horses at some point, at least my daughter does, so I will go with her. We want to relax, a bit, but I'm not sure we really know how to do that. I did think of renting a place by the beach for the time, but I think we'd get bored. We're city folk! What were your favourite things?

[HalcyonDaze]

Giant's causeway for the kids - a bit of walking, but they'd enjoy it.

How do they go with wibbly wobbly bridges? Carrick-a-rede could be good if they aren't scared.


Beach holiday - either go hippyish on the Dingle penisula, or I really loved my time in Waterville (great swimming). But that was years and years ago, so the place could easily have changed.

Eta-from waterville I did a boat trip out to one of the Skellig Isles - not sure how your kids go on boats, or if there is an age limit on the trip, but that was fascinating.

[treehugger]

thanks will look into these. The kids have never been on any sort of boat, I've only been on the ferry a couple of times (to Dublin... 20 years ago!) so that might be quite exciting.

I've hear Connemara is really good - any thoughts?

[thelittlesthobo]

Tree without knowing your budget there are loads of kids attractions around the country. There are also loads of B&B's and self catering cottages. B&B's you don't necessarily have to book - unless you want a specific one in a specific location. Cottages are something you would probably need to book.

I've stayed in cottages in Rossnowlagh (Co. Donegal) and PortMagee (Co. Kerry) and I really enjoy it.

For kids
East Coast
Tayto Park is meant to be good - though I've never been there
Dublin Zoo
Clara Lara in Wiclow
The Hertiage Park in WExford
Curracloe Beach in Wexford is a lovely beach
Dunncannon is a lovely child friendly beach - very slow tide safe for swimming - where we went all the time as kids

West Coast
Delphi Mountain Lodge springs to mind

Horse riding - everywhere.

There are lots of places that you could get a surfing lesson - most of the west coast Donegal, Sligo, Galway, Clare, Kerry and Cork as well as Tramore in Waterford - South/SouthEast Coast.


Newgrange in Co. Meath is pretty cool


If you have a couple of weeks, then I think I would probably book a cottage somewhere for a week near a beach and then spend the rest of the time pottering around.

[treehugger]

Thank you hobo.

Budget is as cheap as possible while still being somewhat comfortable... I guess 2000 max all in. We're planning on staying at airbnb places to cut costs and so we can eat at 'home'. I think a week by the beach sounds fab... am going to look up Wexford.

[Liiisa]

Ireland was so nice - I want to go back!

I'll contribute this:

In case you want to go to Galway and have trouble finding an airbnb that suits, I just have to mention the following B&B: kilcullenhouse.com. These people were SO lovely and interesting that I would go back to Ireland just to stay there. It's a cool arty place, not expensive, and they also have little kids so I'm sure your kids would be welcome and happy there.

[treehugger]

have just sent them an email, thank you Liiisa. The older I get the more I just want to have somewhere comfy and friendly to stay when I travel.

[Liiisa]

Awww, I'm so glad, I hope you get to stay there. Tell them Lisa who stayed there in 2011 misses them!

[treehugger]

I will do! thank you again, crossing fingers

[Tulipana]

Ireland is lovely. I think Wicklow and Bray will probably do nicely for kids!