My Fiance and I would love to take our 4 kids (13-9) on a "FamilyMoon" to Ireland this summer. Any useful tips

Question

B&B's accomodate a family of 6? when are rates for airfare best in the summertime? How strong is the dollar right now?
Rental minivans available?

Answer 1

We found fall airfares cheaper then the summer (high season). We went to Dublin this past fall (Nov 18-25, thanksgiving week) and our airfare was a little over $350 roundtrip per person (from Philadelphia). We stayed at the Comfort Inn Parnell Square and though we booked a triple room we had 2 double and 1 single bed so we couldve fit 5 people in there! Traveling over Thanksgiving week was a real deal, if you can do it I would consider holding off until then. If you stay in Dublin, there will be no need for a car. Most of the city is walkable and there is a tour bus that you can get on if you dont want to walk to some of the further sights.

Answer 2

Dublin is a great family city. Instead of a B& B, you can rent a house. The public transportatin in Dublin is both safe and reliable. I wouldn't suggest driving. It is totally unnessessary.
Check out the "hop on, hop off" self paced bus tour. It costs around 15 USD, and is good for 24hrs. This is great for familys . It has all kinds of great stops, including museums, famous churches, (Who hasn't heard of St. Patricks cathedral?) and the Dublin Zoo. Then take another bus tour (about 30 USD, per person to get out of the city for the day. The Wicklow Mountains are amazing. I have also heard that the "Castles" tour is beautiful.
The U.S dollar, is unfortunatly not very strong at all, but in my experience, Ireland seems to be the cheapest place in Europe to fly into. Check out Aerlingus, for a good flight deal. Have Fun!

Answer 3

Just stay in any coastal village. I live in the north and sometims just go with the wife and kid and stay for the heck of it [in a coastal BandB]. Anyhows, it's about, I dunno, maybe [and I understand the conversion rate having a lot of American friends] maybe 300-500 Dollars for the whole family for a week....... Airline, just try online- my wife does it all the time to fly home to SouthAfrica. She finds it easy and her neice married a Canadian chap and they all find it easy to commute [or fly] around the world.