summersalt5

I am planning a family trip to Ireland for 10 days with two young kids (2.5 and nearly 4) for next May. Would love some feedback on our itinerary as we try to get an idea of what to do. We would like to stay in 3 "bases" and and do day trips, since that's easier on the kids...i.e. slow travel. They are great on long car rides, but we realize we can't see everything and would prefer to take it easy and enjoy where we are. We would like to do activities that we enjoy but are kid friendly so the kids aren't miserable. Or mix in kid-friendly activities like a scenic drive + stop at a playground/farm.

Questions:
1) When we visit Kerry, Should we stay in Dingle for 3 days, Kenmare for 3 days, or Killarney for 3-4 days? Sounds like Killarney is super touristy which turns me off, and have heard raves about Dingle, so thinking to stay the whole time in Dingle and just skip the ROK/ Kenmare/Killarney area. Or we could stay in Kenmare (but then would skip Dingle)

2) Any ideas of where to stay in the Cork area as a base? would love recommendations for hotels or B&B's.

3) Is this itinerary do-able? Anything we should consider or re-consider?

4) any recommendations for (young) kid friendly activities in any of these places?

5) Where can we see Irish step dancing near any of these places??


Day 1: Arrive in Shannon airport, drive to Cork area
Day 1-4: Stay in Cork area for 3 nights (visit Kinsale, Cobh, etc)
Day 4: Drive to Dingle. Break it up with a visit in Killarney on the way to explore Killarney NP (Jaunting cart ride?)
Day 4 - 7: Stay in Dingle for 3 nights. Greenmount or Castlewood House (Slea Head, dolphin, bike ride, Inch beach, aquarium, pottery)
Day 7: Drive to Clare. Break it up with a visit to Bunratty or Adare.
Day 7-10: Stay in Clare for 4 nights. Stay at Gregans Hotel. (Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, Burren, maybe daytrip to Galway).
Day 10: Fly home out of Shannon

Thanks!

jaja

In Kerry the kids would like the Kerry Bog Village. There is Muckross Traditional Farms inside Killarney National Park. The kids are probably too young to appreciate a Hawk Walk.
Perhaps the toy trains at the windmill in Blennerville. And at Mulcahy Pottery on the Dingle Peninsula one can throw one's own pot. 4 year old might like that.
Rathbaun Farms in Ardrahan has sheepdogs working, sheep shearing and cow milking. Also make-your-own scones!

TipperaryGirl

Hi,

Your itinerary sounds very manageable.
I have kids of similar ages and think limiting every drive to less than 2 hours is key. Gregans Castle is amazing - very jealous.
Fota Island Hotel is a nice spot for families. There is a really great wildlife park and it's close to Cobh for the titanic experience, but also convenient for Cork city.
A brilliant website for finding family friendly activities is www.inspireme.ie. You might find some family friendly events going on that could appeal. Good for field days, fairs and that sort of thing.
Also check out Hazel Mountain Chocolate in Clare - a divine handmade chocolate factory.

Enjoy!