Which do you recommend for a family of 5 spending two weeks in Ireland?

It may be more cost effective to rent a self-catering house. You will have to cook your own breakfast though. At B&Bs the breakfast is included in the cost. Choose your locations carefully. When are you going?

Irisheyes,
We don't mind making our own breakfast, so that's not a problem. Yes, the locations! We are leaning toward Dingle and Ballyvaughan as our two bases, but are still open to ideas. Any comment?

Those two locations sound good to me. Lots to do in each place.

Definately self catering - even if you eat most meals out you have so much more flexibility - with meals, somewhere to return to in the often inclement Irish weather, ability to wash your clothes etc. Many B & B's don't cater too well to family groups and unless they have a guest lounge there is often nowhere to sit other than the bed.

Self catering is great for a group, but you do miss something of the local experience this way.

By staying in a B&B or a small inn you will be interacting more with the host/hostess and other guests, the host/hostess will give you great tips on what's up in the village and point you to the best pubs for music or trails for hikes. Sometimes these are not mentioned at the tourist office, but kept "under the jacket", because the tourism office will point out the places that cater to tourists not locals, and that can be a big distinction.

You may meet guests from other parts of the world to trade stories with.

There is nothing as much fun as sitting around the peat fire at night recounting your day with your Irish Host/hostess. There may be impromptu music & singing, you never know what fun you'll encounter of an evening in Ireland.

By staying together you are in danger of traveling in what I call the "American bubble". You'll have a wonderful time together, but may miss the depth of the experience.

I really enjoyed the self catering at www.shamrockcottages.org. My sisters and I stayed in a lovely cottage on the ROK and paid about $300 for the week. The owners lived in the house nextdoor and would start a fire for us each night. Enjoy.

Normaloney, thank you.
Has anyone used Trident Holiday Homes for a self catering? Or recommend another company (or NOT recommend!)?
Thanks!

I used Trident homes a few years back and we were pleased with them, no complaints.

One of the great part about irish b&bs is the breakfasts. Ususally they are huge, really well cooked and full of variety. Perhaps you could rent for 10 days or so but sample the B&Bs on the way to your accommodation?