10-12 days Ireland itinerary with a todler
Apr 5th, 2006, 01:17 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
10-12 days Ireland itinerary with a todler
Hi - I just posted this in Europe board, but I think this board would be more appropriate.
We are planning our first trip to Ireland in the fall with our 2 year old. He is really easy to travel with, so that's not a problem, but I am a little worried about the hikes - since a lot of activities are outdoors, how easy it is to do with a stroller?
Also, if we are flying to Shannon - how far is the drive to Galway? We definitely want to see Galway, so should we stay in Ennis as a base and see Galway, Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands, Bunnratty, or stay in Galway?
Our plan is then to go south and see Dingle, Killarney, Kenmare, do a ring of Kerry drive, Bantry.
Then, probably stay in Kinsale and see Cork and Blarney. Then, drive to Dublin via Kilkenny with a stop in Caher and Cashel. And, fly back to the US from Dublin.
I know it seems like a lot, and on top of it with a baby, but we do travel quick. For example, we did Prague and Budapest in one week, and managed to do some side trips. So, I guess to sum it all up - instead of packing and unpacking every night, are there some base towns we can stay at (may be 3 or 4) and take day trips? And, how doable is a trip with a toddler in a stroller?
Thanks so much in advance for the help.
We are planning our first trip to Ireland in the fall with our 2 year old. He is really easy to travel with, so that's not a problem, but I am a little worried about the hikes - since a lot of activities are outdoors, how easy it is to do with a stroller?
Also, if we are flying to Shannon - how far is the drive to Galway? We definitely want to see Galway, so should we stay in Ennis as a base and see Galway, Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands, Bunnratty, or stay in Galway?
Our plan is then to go south and see Dingle, Killarney, Kenmare, do a ring of Kerry drive, Bantry.
Then, probably stay in Kinsale and see Cork and Blarney. Then, drive to Dublin via Kilkenny with a stop in Caher and Cashel. And, fly back to the US from Dublin.
I know it seems like a lot, and on top of it with a baby, but we do travel quick. For example, we did Prague and Budapest in one week, and managed to do some side trips. So, I guess to sum it all up - instead of packing and unpacking every night, are there some base towns we can stay at (may be 3 or 4) and take day trips? And, how doable is a trip with a toddler in a stroller?
Thanks so much in advance for the help.
Apr 5th, 2006, 07:06 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ttt for yn10
Traveled w/ a 14 month old in Ireland a few (many? 8 years) moons ago and we did bring a stroller but mostly stayed with family so I am not a ton of help here.
I will tell you that the Irish are very child friendly.
Traveled w/ a 14 month old in Ireland a few (many? 8 years) moons ago and we did bring a stroller but mostly stayed with family so I am not a ton of help here.
I will tell you that the Irish are very child friendly.
Apr 6th, 2006, 04:39 AM
#3
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi yn10, just so you know this is the Europe Board and your original post is here too so make sure to check it for replies also. I can't comment on travel with a toddler but in planning our upcoming trip found the following link very helpful in terms of figuring out distances/driving times http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/. According to this site, Shannon to Galway is a little over one hour and Shannon to Ennis is only 20 minutes. I have not been to either Ennis or Galway so others will have to comment on which would be more appropriate for your needs. As for other bases and for what you want to cover, I would think Kenmare or Killarney, Cork or Kinsale area and then Dublin via Cashel would spread you out enough but allow you to do day trips from each 'hub'. The experts will be able to give you more specific advice but maybe that will give you a start - the hardest part in trip planning for me!
Apr 6th, 2006, 06:06 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We just returned home after 12 days in Ireland with our 15 month old. I'll be posting a trip report sooner or later, but I thought I'd let you in on a few things we learned.
We took an umbrella stroller and a backpack for our son. The backpack was great for us b/c it is an internal frame that you can use as a regular backpack/diaper bag or unzip the center pocket and use it to carry the toddler as well. You could google Deuter kangakid Child backpack for more info on the one we used. It was perfect for us, but I'm not sure what the age/weight restrictions are on the pack.
You would probably need a pretty sturdy stroller for outdoor use. We used ours at places with paved paths like Kylemore Abbey, but often the paths were cobblestone or unpaved.
As for traveling around Ireland, aaroadwatch.ie helped a lot with planning, as well as taking a lot of the stress off the navigator if you print out directions before you go. Our son napped while we drove from place to place and that worked out well for us. I think your idea of staying in base areas for several nights is great. We did a little too much one night stays and found that we weren't getting our days started until almost 11:00 after breakfast and repacking the car in the morning. It seems like everything takes so much longer when traveling with a toddler.
Everywhere we went people were very receptive of our son and he enjoyed the attention immensely. He was a great little traveler and we were very thankful.
One highlight of our trip that you may be interested in since you'll be in the Shannon area was the Bunratty Medieval Banquet. They have a limited number of high chairs and the "lords and ladies" serving food, singing, and stopping to talk with our son every time they walked by kept our son entertained for the full 2 1/2 hour dinner and show. The folk park was nice too (though rainy). They have a playground, farm animals and red deer, a nice tea room, and a variety of new sights to intrigue the wee ones.
Finally, we were really glad we took our baby monitors with us. We could then relax in the b and b lounge while baby went to sleep or enjoy breakfast while baby slept in.
We really enjoyed our time in Ireland as a family and hope you do too!
We took an umbrella stroller and a backpack for our son. The backpack was great for us b/c it is an internal frame that you can use as a regular backpack/diaper bag or unzip the center pocket and use it to carry the toddler as well. You could google Deuter kangakid Child backpack for more info on the one we used. It was perfect for us, but I'm not sure what the age/weight restrictions are on the pack.
You would probably need a pretty sturdy stroller for outdoor use. We used ours at places with paved paths like Kylemore Abbey, but often the paths were cobblestone or unpaved.
As for traveling around Ireland, aaroadwatch.ie helped a lot with planning, as well as taking a lot of the stress off the navigator if you print out directions before you go. Our son napped while we drove from place to place and that worked out well for us. I think your idea of staying in base areas for several nights is great. We did a little too much one night stays and found that we weren't getting our days started until almost 11:00 after breakfast and repacking the car in the morning. It seems like everything takes so much longer when traveling with a toddler.
Everywhere we went people were very receptive of our son and he enjoyed the attention immensely. He was a great little traveler and we were very thankful.
One highlight of our trip that you may be interested in since you'll be in the Shannon area was the Bunratty Medieval Banquet. They have a limited number of high chairs and the "lords and ladies" serving food, singing, and stopping to talk with our son every time they walked by kept our son entertained for the full 2 1/2 hour dinner and show. The folk park was nice too (though rainy). They have a playground, farm animals and red deer, a nice tea room, and a variety of new sights to intrigue the wee ones.
Finally, we were really glad we took our baby monitors with us. We could then relax in the b and b lounge while baby went to sleep or enjoy breakfast while baby slept in.
We really enjoyed our time in Ireland as a family and hope you do too!
Apr 6th, 2006, 07:58 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks all for your responses.
Cristi - what are some of the b&b that you stayed at? Were the rooms big enough to put a pack-n-play? Also, did you carry one with you or just rented cribs there?
Thanks a lot.
We'll definitely do the Bunratty Banquet - we kind of like the cheezy touristy stuff anyway, and looking at their website I thought it would be a great thing to do with our son.
Cristi - what are some of the b&b that you stayed at? Were the rooms big enough to put a pack-n-play? Also, did you carry one with you or just rented cribs there?
Thanks a lot.
We'll definitely do the Bunratty Banquet - we kind of like the cheezy touristy stuff anyway, and looking at their website I thought it would be a great thing to do with our son.
Apr 6th, 2006, 11:05 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just posted the first part of my trip report and it focuses on the places we stayed. Click on my name to find it.
When I was looking for places to stay I asked if places had a cot for our son and told them his age. No one charged a fee for the cot and he stayed free at all of the places we stayed. The "cots" provided were Graco pack 'n plays or similar alternatives. Some rooms had more floor space than others. I tried to mention space and toddler-friendly environments in my trip report. Feel free to ask more specific questions after you read it.
Also, all of our hostesses were happy to serve him breakfast (egg, cereal, fruit, milk, whatever) at no additional cost. The one thing I might suggest you take is a travel booster seat. We were really glad to have it as only two of our b and b's had high chairs. We got one at Target with an inflatable seat that worked well and didn't take up too much space.
When I was looking for places to stay I asked if places had a cot for our son and told them his age. No one charged a fee for the cot and he stayed free at all of the places we stayed. The "cots" provided were Graco pack 'n plays or similar alternatives. Some rooms had more floor space than others. I tried to mention space and toddler-friendly environments in my trip report. Feel free to ask more specific questions after you read it.
Also, all of our hostesses were happy to serve him breakfast (egg, cereal, fruit, milk, whatever) at no additional cost. The one thing I might suggest you take is a travel booster seat. We were really glad to have it as only two of our b and b's had high chairs. We got one at Target with an inflatable seat that worked well and didn't take up too much space.
