A land full of magic and lore, Ireland is a wonderful destination for families with children of any age. This island country has so much to offer, with breathtaking landscapes everywhere and the most friendly, and welcoming people anywhere. And with it’s rich history and culture, it won’t take you long to understand why the locals declare this “the best island in the world”!
Ireland provides the backdrop for a magical and unforgettable family vacation
Breathtaking natural scenery and fairy tale castles will enchant any family who decides to vacation in Ireland. And if you have any irish ancestry, this country will come even more alive for you! Logistics are also simple: For example, getting there is easy (especially from the East coast), with 5-6 hour direct flights. Also, since everyone speaks English, it will be easy to hit the ground running! Ireland is also an easy place to do a “self drive” vacation, which will allow you to sightsee on your own schedule. Or you can relax and hire a professional driver, who will also share local stories and insider tips with you.
Give your kids the opportunity to plan your family’s Ireland vacation
Getting kids fully involved in the travel planning will ensure an even better, and more connected trip for your family. Here are some tips to get you started:
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-to-plan-a-family-trip-to-ireland
The best time to visit Ireland is April through October, which will give you the best chance of sunny days and mild to warm weather. A good first time itinerary would be to fly into Dublin and visit the “sunny southwest” areas of Kerry, Limerick, and Clare counties. Your family will see and experience some of Ireland’s most magical places, history, and culture in these counties. Highlights will include Killarney National Park and Ross Castle, the Dingle Peninsula, quaint villages and ‘rambling houses’, Bunratty Castle, Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher, and Dublin.
Some Ireland “Must Dos”
- Sing with the locals in an Irish Pub. Pub is short for public house, and in Ireland these truly are places where everyone gathers for food, music, and company. Many feature live music and you will find lots of clapping, singing and dancing!
- Sleep in a Castle. Although it may be a splurge, talk about Unforgettable!
- Visit Dingle, County Kerry. National Geographic called it one of the “most beautiful places on earth”. Do we need to say more?
- Ride a ‘Jaunting cart’ through Killarney National Park
- See the Cliffs of Moher (Ireland’s most famous attraction)
- Visit Ireland’s most famous prison, Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin
