Traveling to Ireland this June with family members, including our 13 year old nephew and 16 year old niece, and would like to hear about some alternative evening activities for them and their parents...we will be happily enjoying pubs/music!

We need suggestions for the following places: westport, just north of letterkenny, doolin, dingle, kenmare

we have already looked into daytime activities, horeseback riding and golfing...would like to hear about any personal experiences in these areas.

thanks

57 days until we leave for Ireland!

I can't recommend any alternate activities. But I can tell you that we were in Galway, Westport and Ennis last month with our 16 year old. He went to the pubs with us every night and really enjoyed the music. He was not the only "under 18" we saw. In fact, in one of the pubs in Westport there were quite young kids there until very late.

Again, I know that's not what you were asking for. But just in case it helps...

Hi Chip -57 days away! That sounds wonderful - you're going to several of my favorite places.

Evening activities - pubs. Depending on the child, they might think listening to music in a pub is terrific. There's also pool tables in some pubs. I'd definitely try taking the kids to the pubs if they're willing. It gives them something to tell their friends about later!

Westport and Letterkenny do have movie theaters so if they haven't seen everything that's playing right now, they can see the American movies in Ireland.

thanks for the replies...

unfortunately my niece has already expressed her concern to her mother that she would not like going to pubs and listening to music every night (she knows her aunt and uncle too well!)...don't know where this kid came from??

I was hoping there might be some late afternoon or night tours (like the ghost tour we took in kinsale), sights open late or fun to explore late afternoon or evening(in trim we could walk around the castle grounds even though inside was closed), or if any of the harbor areas have activities or are just nice to walk around in the evening.

I know dingle has boat tours...not sure how late they run?

Our last visit we lucked out in Kenmare and they were having a music festival and had some rides set up on the edge of town...not sure if they have this every year in late June...I know some of these music contests are rotated in some areas...does anyone know about this?

also I know I read about a music (not sure if it includes dance?) performance in a church in dingle...but I think it is only on certain days. Anyone go to this or know about it?

The daylight time will be nice and long in June so I was hoping to get suggestions of fun sights to explore in these towns.

Any ideas how late shops stay open?

Can you rent bikes in any of these towns...any experience/info?

Thanks for any help/info you can provide. They are kind of looking to us to provide info for the trip...I just don't want to be stuck on a trip with grumpy teens.

Check out the schedule at the Glor Music Centre in Ennis, which isn't that far from Doolin. It has classes, shows, plays, performances, etc.

Chip I should mention that we often had a late dinner, so we'd finish by 9:30 or so and then home to rest. That usually took care of the evening entertainment. When the rest of us went out our 13 year old usually just watched TV or read his book and was content. He bought a number of books on the trip - loved the Irish bookstores. There's no evening shopping - I think most shops close at around 6 or so.

Chip

Kids here can go swimming in local community swimming pools,or the Cinema, or horse riding. If your children like to walk there are some lovely forest walks, or take a ball to the local park and have fun, go to the beach and play games, get the kids to take their tennis gear with them, or play pitch & putt at the local course. Remember the day light hours are good in June so you will be able to do all these activities until around 10pm.