Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Top 10 in Ireland

Ah Padraig, you never fail to amuse. "Quick dear, that smart Irish guy said we should go kiss the stone" hehehe ...

Please don't do as Padraig is suggesting you might, especially with kids. So many folks do that and Irelansd is so much better enjoyed at a slow pace. Here are some thoughts in no particular order.

In Dublin, I would normally suggest Kilmainham, but it's a pretty dark history. I don't know, I don't have kids (other than myself) so I don't know how they would handle it. The Viking Splash tour might be fun for them. I've never done it. There is also Dublinia which tells the history of Viking Dublin http://www.dublinia.ie/. It was pretty dry when I visted quite a few years ago, but I understand it has been livened up a bit for the youngsters. There was, for a short time, something similar to York's Jorvik Center, but that died. It was fun for kids.

I think Kilkenny is a nice choice, but especially on weekends, it is a little carzy in the evening w/ stag and hen parties. It's a nice medieval city and I think I can still find a well done walking tour. The castle there is furnished and contains an art gallery. You can only do guided tours, but they are interesting. May not be as exciting for youngsters.

Blarney Castle - no no no no
Cahir Castle - yes, this is a well preserved and restored castle that the kids would think is very cool. Totally different from Kilkenny Castle. The Rock of Cashel is spectacular and may hold some interest for the entire family. The 1st view of it approaching from the north is pretty impresive and generally, the views from a distance are as exciting as those upclose or going inside.

Gap of Dunloe is beautiful, but it is a long day outside, roughly 10-4. Not sure how well a 5 yo would handle that. It involves a bit of walking, a jaunting car ride that the kids would like, a boat ride that ends up at a castle, the boat ride can sometimes get a bit wet and choppy on the big lake. Without the jauting car, it's a 7-8 mile hike.

Kenmare is a beautiful village, which will probably be fairly crowded in August (as will most of Ireland). Lots of nice shops and pubs, a megalithic stone circle right in the middle of town and the seafari cruise which could be interesting. The Inchaquin falls are not far off on the Beara Peninsula nd right after a rain are very impressive. They sit at the top of a beautiful glen that looks out to the Kenmare River/Bay. There are some short hikes in the area. It's on private property, so you have to pay the owners a small fee and perhaps have a cup of tea at the end of your walk. There are a few Ringforts along the RoK that are inetersting.

The Dolphin boat tour and the Dingle Peninsula are good suggestions. Dingle has an aquarium that I have never visited. Have no idea if it's nice. The Dingle peninsula is loaded with antiquities and is very compact so you can see a lot preatty easily. The Slea Head drive will take you through all sorts of ooohs and ahhhs.

Staying at a Farmhouse B&B could be fun too. I think fishing villages like Kinsale and Dingle would be fun or get crazy and stay somewhere really small like Baltimore. There are boat trips from there out to Sherkin and Clear Island.

The Cliffs of Moher has a brand new shiny visitor center which they did their best to creat not destroying the surrounding envirnonment. They did a good job, but walking along the cliffs very any distance is no longer an option unless you want to brazenly ingnore the private property signs and notice about a raging bull that will eat you and then spit your less tasty parts off a cliff. It is a beautiful sight though midday is absolutely packed w/ tour buses. I would suggest 1st thing or last thing for the Cliffs.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park may be fun for the the family. I've never been a huge fan of the Folk Park though many are. There is a castle banquet in the evening (it books up very quickly) and also something called a "Traditional Irish Night" at the corn barn. The latter may be a better option for kids. Also near there is Craggaunowen just north of Bunratty that would be very interesting. Visit shannonheritage.com for lots of info on things in the Shannon region.

This isn't really a list of top 10 but like Padraig, I'm not a list checker. Hope it's helpful.

Bill