Any suggestions for touring Ireland with 3 children?

Question

Every year we travel from Glasgow to Donegal where we spend 3 weeks with family and friends.
This year we like to travel and see more of Ireland. Our children's ages make it difficult to do some things that please all (2yrs, 7yrs and 15yrs) but any suggestions on places/events that might be fun-filled - and appeal to a toddler and/or a teenager would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi there, I am from Ballybofey in Donegal. Here is a website link I have googled for you. It is a child friendly activities and attractions website for touring Ireland. I hope this helps. You can google other searches to find more information.

http://www.dochara.com/play/ireland-for-kids/

Answer 2

Beaches. There are many in the SW, look out for the flags and pay attention to lifeguard instructions and you'll be fine. Lots of beaches also have surfing, fun for the two older kids.

Castles. Bunratty does a family pass and it's really good for kids of all ages, because they also have farm animals there. It's a good day out, and you can also go into the castle. Best to get there early in the day, beat the tour buses.

Other castles: St John's in Limerick, Cashel, Cahir castle.

Caves: Crag Cave near Castleisland, County Kerry, is supposed to be good. Also the Ailwee Caves in Clare, those I can recommend. Good rainy day activities.

Weather permitting, a day trip to the Aran islands might be good. Rough seas though.

You could also try a day on Cape Clear or Sherkin, in County Cork. Cape Clear is a bit hilly and might be tiring for the little legs and doesn't have great beaches, but the views are stunning.

Most large towns have swimming pools and cinemas, if you need something else to do on a wet day. The main cinema chain in Ireland is the Omniplex chain, there are a couple of Storm cinemas around too.

Answer 3

Not sure how it would work out with a 2 yr old, but I once did a horse drawn gypsy caravan holiday around the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry SW Ireland. It was an absolutely fab week and you don't need to know a thing about horses! You get full tuition before you set off on how to work everything, all the horse food and tack are on the caravan and you get given a route to follow tailored to your own requirements. Also, the horse know the routes so well, you don't really need to worry about anything. If you are riders you can also take an extra riding horse, great for cantering along the beaches etc. I wouldn't say the caravans are exactly luxurious but they are fully equiped and comfortable. Plus, every camp site is next to a pub!

Answer 4

Port Rush, it's not far off from Donegal. It's full of things for kids from what i've been told. There's of course the Giant's causeway, but you've probably been there already as well as the carrick a rede rope bridge. although i'd not suggest taking the wee one to the rope bridge. The walk up is nice but the bridge would probably be too scary for them.

Answer 5

In Dublin(city)
1.viking splash tours dublin-its an exciting tour of the city.You go on borad a WW2 vehicle and let the costume guides tell you about the great sights .You then drive inton the Grand Canal Harbour to continue your tour by water.Don't worry,you won't get wet.departure points are 64-65 patrick street(close to St. Patricks Cathedral),St Stephen's Green North.tours are every 30 mins.you can buy tickets at departure points.there is 30% discounts off adult price for 10am tour only if booked at least one day in advance.

2.Trinity College i.e. the book of kells-visit the world famous 8th century illuminated manuscript which features the 4 Gospels.The Libary's Long Room is also spectacular as it is 200 feet in length.It houses 200,000 of irelands most important books.be prepared to queue but it goes fast.

3-Dublin Castle-It was built between 1204 and 1224 and was the seat of English rule and goverment untill 1922.It is used for state functions and is open to the puplic.

4.Ha'penny bridge-this is a well known and loved symbol of Dublin.It became known as the ha'penny bridge cos of the toll people used to be charged to walk across it.

5-Dublin Writers Museum-it displays collections of rare editions used by artists.

Killkenny
1.Kells-a tiny medival village in the Nore vally renowed of its beuty and authenticity.

2-Killkenny City-visit the lovely city and its castle.

Wicklow
1.Glendalough-the town has become one of the most visited sites fo wicklow.the 6 century manastic settlement is the most important of its kind in Ireland.Access to the site is free.

Meath
1.Newgrange-a lovely passage tomb that was made in the megalithic times.you have to go and see it if you are coming to ireland .also visit knowth and dowth.they are in the same place.

Cork
1.Cork city-the city is great for shopping.you can also go and see Shandon-north of the river lee,the shandon area represents corks eighteenth century status as the most important port in Europe dariy produts.

St Annes Shandon-this can be seen anywhere in the city.climb the tower for breathtaking views and take the opportunity to ring the churchh bells.

Cork City Gaol-its only a 30 mins walk from the city centre.an interactive tour takes you through teh prision.

Cobh(in cork)
1.The queenstown Story-2.5 million people sailed from cobh to america.the hertiage centre recalls this part of the history.

Blarney(in cork)
1.Blarney Castle-climb the castle and kiss the blarney stone which is said to give you the gift of the gab.

Kerry
1.the ring fo kerry-the 110-mile ring of kerry is famous for some of the most beutiful scenery in the world.you can drive around in a day.a would take a bus tour if i were you but choose a good one.

Clare
1.the cliffs of moher-they are without a doubt a spectaculr sight in the county.a 700ft drop of sheer cliff face of black shale and sandstone that together with the raging Atlantic below and the wheeling ,screaming birds in the sky provides one of the most hauting images found in ireland.be sure not to be blown of the edge!!Stay back form the side.

2.The Burren-this and area of unique natural beuty.miles of limestone slabls hide a myriad of undergroun rivers and lakes and above ground a huge varity of Artic,Alpine and Mediterranen plants can be found.DO NOT PICK ANY!!!!

3.Bunratty-go to the folk park and live the experience of how life was in ireland.local women bake bread and spin wool in the reconstruced farmsteads by open fires.go the Bunratty Castle-mediaeval banquets are one of the main attractions at the beutifully restored Bunratty Castle.BOTH ARE A MUST SEE!!!

Galway
1.Galway city-a lively spot people all over the globe come to this city.you have to visit this city.

2.Connemara-a vast area west of Galway City,has some of the most beutiful and dramatic scenery in ireland.It is a landscape of dry-stone walls,tiny fields and isilated framsteads

3.Arran Islands-3 islands make up the group know as the Aran Islands;inismore (the largest),Inismaan and Inissheer (the smallest of the 3)The islands are an examle of the sucessful preservation of a culture and language that has largely resisted the changes of the 20th century.

Ireland is a great country and there are loads more things to do.the above are just a few i could think of at the top of my head.I love ireland(and not just because i'm irish (and live in ireland)).i would suguest rent a car cos otherwise it will be impossible to see everything.

The best out fo the bunch are i.e. the most memorable :
viking splash tour
book of kells (line may be long but if you go to ireland it is one of those things you have to do)
Glendolaugh
Newgrange and knowth and dowth
blarney castle
ring of kerry(another must see)
the cliffs of moher
bunratty caslte
the burren
galway city
the arran islands

Answer 6

The Regattta's are a lot of fun but don't know the timetables for them....along with the races there's a lot of fun events for kids to take part in.....

I only know of the ones in Cork, Kinsale & Schull being the best....

Answer 7

im just back from dublin with my four children. take them to Clara Lara in Wicklow if you get the chance. there is something for all the family and you all will have a great day out.

Answer 8

Bring rain coats!