Day Trip from Ashford Castle- Clifden or Westport?
Sep 27th, 2008, 07:04 AM
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Day Trip from Ashford Castle- Clifden or Westport?
Hi
My wife and two kids ( age 9 and 7) and in-laws will be staying at Ashford castle for a few days as part of a larger trip to Ireland. I am working on my itinerary and deciding over two options for a day trip: the first, a drive to Westport through Louisburgh and drive the Doolough Valley ; the second option, a drive to Clifden through Connemara Nat Park.
I assume I can't do both in one day - and I'd prefer to not set a breakneck pace.
Which do you think is a better trip - keep in mind with kids?
Thanks for all advice
Jim
My wife and two kids ( age 9 and 7) and in-laws will be staying at Ashford castle for a few days as part of a larger trip to Ireland. I am working on my itinerary and deciding over two options for a day trip: the first, a drive to Westport through Louisburgh and drive the Doolough Valley ; the second option, a drive to Clifden through Connemara Nat Park.
I assume I can't do both in one day - and I'd prefer to not set a breakneck pace.
Which do you think is a better trip - keep in mind with kids?
Thanks for all advice
Jim
Sep 27th, 2008, 08:07 AM
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Jim,
I think a lot depends on your kids and what they like (or don't like) to do. Westport has a fun house you can take them to where there is a big playground, fun rides, an animal and bird park... a lot of things all rolled into one. But it's also rather touristy and not exactly the sort of place you visit Ireland for (though I'm sure there will be plenty of other parents and kids there)
http://www.dochara.com/play/all/westport-house.php
http://www.westporthouse.ie/
As for other things to you, you can take them to climb Crough Patrick or a boat ride out to Clare Island, perhaps a visit to Irish Museum of Country Life which is out the Doolough Valley way.
Or there's Galway and Connemara (my personal fav.) Plenty to see and do here including a boat ride up the only fjord in Ireland, stop in Connemara National Park and go for a walk/hike, have a picnic or play on the kids' equipment there. Plenty of lovely, secluded beaches once you get further south and closer to Galway, or even Leisureland just outside of Galway town to swim and play in.
In fact, if you want a good list of fun things to take kids to in Ireland then look here:
http://www.dochara.com/play/ireland-for-kids/
Sorry this is not a "do it this way" sort of post but I hope that I have given you a few option to consider and I'm sure you will make the best choice for your family. As long as kids have a few activities planned it's hard to not have a good time in Ireland.
Safe travels,
Wendy
I think a lot depends on your kids and what they like (or don't like) to do. Westport has a fun house you can take them to where there is a big playground, fun rides, an animal and bird park... a lot of things all rolled into one. But it's also rather touristy and not exactly the sort of place you visit Ireland for (though I'm sure there will be plenty of other parents and kids there)
http://www.dochara.com/play/all/westport-house.php
http://www.westporthouse.ie/
As for other things to you, you can take them to climb Crough Patrick or a boat ride out to Clare Island, perhaps a visit to Irish Museum of Country Life which is out the Doolough Valley way.
Or there's Galway and Connemara (my personal fav.) Plenty to see and do here including a boat ride up the only fjord in Ireland, stop in Connemara National Park and go for a walk/hike, have a picnic or play on the kids' equipment there. Plenty of lovely, secluded beaches once you get further south and closer to Galway, or even Leisureland just outside of Galway town to swim and play in.
In fact, if you want a good list of fun things to take kids to in Ireland then look here:
http://www.dochara.com/play/ireland-for-kids/
Sorry this is not a "do it this way" sort of post but I hope that I have given you a few option to consider and I'm sure you will make the best choice for your family. As long as kids have a few activities planned it's hard to not have a good time in Ireland.
Safe travels,
Wendy
Sep 27th, 2008, 12:49 PM
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doo lough valley was one of our favorite scenic drives.
I would suggest heading first towards aasleagh falls where we all enjoyed getting out and exploring. We also saw some cute sheep.
If you wanted to stretch it a bit you could go to kylemore abbey.
Then on through the doo lough valley along the lakes that are breathtaking. the stops to see the monuments for the famine trail were interesting to the adults and opportunities for the kids to explore and hunt down more sheep.
At the base of Croagh Patrick you have the famine ship sculpture, then a gift shop and you can walk up a bit to the statue of St. Patrick.
Then you could go on to the pretty little town of Westport for lunch before heading back.
We visited in June and had the advantage of long days...we started from westport and were able to tour croagh patrick, doo lough valley, aasleagh falls, kylemore abbey, part of the sky road, thru clifden then along the coast to roundstone and then back to westport...it was a long day...but a great one.
I would suggest heading first towards aasleagh falls where we all enjoyed getting out and exploring. We also saw some cute sheep.
If you wanted to stretch it a bit you could go to kylemore abbey.
Then on through the doo lough valley along the lakes that are breathtaking. the stops to see the monuments for the famine trail were interesting to the adults and opportunities for the kids to explore and hunt down more sheep.
At the base of Croagh Patrick you have the famine ship sculpture, then a gift shop and you can walk up a bit to the statue of St. Patrick.
Then you could go on to the pretty little town of Westport for lunch before heading back.
We visited in June and had the advantage of long days...we started from westport and were able to tour croagh patrick, doo lough valley, aasleagh falls, kylemore abbey, part of the sky road, thru clifden then along the coast to roundstone and then back to westport...it was a long day...but a great one.
