winecoff8902

I plan to take my teenage boys, 15 and 17 to Ireland in August. I have read all the forums about traveling with kids but usually this is young children. We have to fly into Dublin but from there we are pretty flexible. We don't mind sharing beds (and really prefer B & B's). Here is what I have been told to do....but would love to get some more information before I go.
Stay at Smarmore Castle Hotel for a couple of days and from there go to Trim Castle and Newgrange.
Take in Ashford Castle and Ireland's School of Falconry.
Take the cruise to the Cliffs of Moher, visit Loop Head and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
I was also told to check out the Aran Mhor Island.
Only one of my children is interested in history and the other will get bored pretty quick going through cathedrals.
Also, these are teenage boys who EAT a lot and I have heard that food is very expensive in Ireland. Help!

jaja

Here's my story about taking the grandsons: http://www.travelpod.com/members/jjarnold . Click on Granny and the Gossoons Irish Adventure.

Many of the things you have had suggested are things we did. Loop Head is good for a while but not much to do there once you take a gazillion pictures and scare Mom by seeing how close to the Atlantic you can get without actually falling in. Just got back from there with granddaughters. Think about Clonmacnoise; if your timing is right you can take a Viking cruise down the Shannon from Athlone. If in Kerry take them on the Gap of Dunloe tour. Lots to do and see in west part of County Cork. I hope to have another blog about that up soon. Cahir and Ross Castles and the Rock of Cashel will appeal to the historian. Strokestown House and Famine Museum also.

Food: eat pub food and fill them up at c-stores with sandwiches, chips and sodas (not too many choices of sodas)and good Cadbury's chocolate. Many of the c-stores have hot items too. Hit the grocery stores (don't expect Super WalMart but the chains are fun to check out) and buy picnic supplies. Buy one bottle of water each and then refill daily at your lodging.

Back later if I think of more, and I'm sure I will.

Tony2phones

What is you actual Itinerary and what (apart form girls and getting away with as much as possible) are the boys interests? If you are planning on staying near the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin then take the Cliffs-Inis Oirr cruise rather than head for the big Island. The Bird of Prey Centre at Ailwee Cave by Balyvaughan might be an alternative to Ashford Castle (unless you are staying at Ashford)

Food can be had at reasonable prices and good food at that. Make sure they get a good breakfast and top them up at fuel stops which have Deli type counters. Buy bottled water it's cheap enough and be careful with tap water, some places will have warning signs by taps as Water might be stored in Tanks and whilst checked weekly for things like Legionnaires by law and is perfectly safe, warnings are mandatory.

Come back with an itinerary on here or TripAdvisor and I will try and give some other pointers.

longhorn55

1. Food is expensive in Ireland, so I recommend staying in B&B's (as you indicated you wanted to do) so your boys can fill themselves up on a big Irish breakfast each morning. Then pick up snacks and picnic items in the supermarkets (we especially liked SuperValu) for a light lunch. Then you could take advantage of Early Bird specials for dinner or pubs or fish-and-chips shops. (One of our best, and least expensive, meals on our recent trip to Ireland was the fish-and-chips that were prepared right in front of us as we waited.)

2. Spend part of your vacation "sightseeing" by hiking or biking. We spent about half of our time on our most recent trip by hiking in the west and really enjoyed seeing the scenery without the crowds. Not only will you get to see some parts of Ireland that few visitors see, but it will give you a chance to spend time alone with your sons. (As the mother of a 20-y-o son, I relish the time we have to talk and do things together.) So, instead of taking a tour of the Gap of Dunloe, hike it or bike it. Take a trip to Inishmore (which we loved) and bike it--they have loads of bikes for rent. Look at the website below for some good hikes in the Shannon region. We did the Caher Valley Loop Walk through part of the Burren and the views were amazing! Another good source for hiking suggestions is the book: "Lonely Planet Walking in Ireland" which I found at our library.
http://www.shannonregiontrails.ie/Fi...ing/LoopWalks/

3. Finally, when we were in Dublin in 2009, the two things my then-18 year old son enjoyed best were: 1) tour of Kilmainham Gaol and 2) the Historical Walking Tour of Dublin http://www.historicalinsights.ie/

Cowboy1968

You already got some great advice.
If your boys are into sports, it could be fun to watch a hurling or rugby match. Not sure about when they play, though.

winecoff8902

Thank you so much. The boys are into swimming and lacrosse but I think the hiking and biking would be perfect for them. I'm nervous about driving but read all the forums about insurance etc. Love the advise about sandwiches etc. as well as the fish and chips. If you think of anything else please. I will post our itinerary as soon as I get it worked out.

nytraveler

Soft drinsk are especially expensive and come in eensy weensy can. With 2 teens you could easily spend $50 a day on sodas alone. Get them used to drinking water and fill up at your hotels - and wherever you can find during the day.

Agree that you should shop for snacks, extra sandwiches (also small by US standards) in markets to fill in the corners.

(I know when my brother was a teen he could empty the fridge in a couple of hours. When we traveled my mom always brought a large cooler and he would easily go through several large sodas, 4 or 5 extra sandwiches plus chips and sweets - on top of 3 full meals. (He did grow 7" and gain 40 pounds - still slim - in a year.)

longhorn55

On our two trips to Ireland, we beat the price of soda by taking Crystal Lite "To Go" packets. They are small and can fit anywhere in your luggage. Since we're not so fond of plain water, we just added it to the water bottles we filled each morning before we set out.

Tony2phones

A 2ltr bottle of Coke from Lidle or Aldi costs 55c and is perfectly drinkable their lemonade is the same price. If they are into Lacrosse get them to a GAA match somewhere (Wherever)you are going Hurling is the fastest field sport around sort of Ice hockey on grass. The waters might be a bit cold for them over here but there are Leisure centres in many towns with pools and they could try their hand at scuba if yo are near one of the centres. Surfing is big on the west coast as well if you are in the right place at the right time.

flpab

Lahinch, south of Doolin and the cliffs is the surfing capital of Ireland. I second the Lacrosse game. Lahinch is a great stop. there are fast food places like McDonalds in the major citys but pub grub is my fav. They are allowed in pubs in Ireland. We always buy bread, cheese, fruit and sit in some lovely park for lunch. I would take them to Newgrange, it was so moving. Have them watch Michael Collins and that will give them a quick Irish history lesson. They are so lucky, I had to wait many years to go my first time.

flpab

http://www.irelandlacrosse.ie/home/

derry

HI!! yes, your sons are very lucky!! - DUBLIN-Dublin Castle, Guiness or Jaimesons, Trinity College /ROCK OF CASHEL - KINSALE was interesting - had a narrated tour of the fort and then at night a "ghost tour"(on you-tube) WEST COAST - the BURREN, do some cliffs - Sleive League were great, for your sons - maybe some fishing? - try and catch some "traditional" music - DINGLE PENINSULA is beautiful! - maybe a "football/socceer" match? - NORTH - walking tour of DERRY - GIANTS CAUSEWAY - tour of murals in BELFAST - have fun - enjoy!!

derry

ps - if they are interested in the history of flight, you may want to check out the "FLYING BOAT MUSEUM"