mapesfamily

My husband and I are taking our kids (13 year old daughter, 11 & 9 year old sons) to Ireland for the first time in June 2013. They have never travelled overseas so it will a completely new experience for them.

We are flying in and out of Shannon. (Our daughter's name is Clare and we wanted the first place she touched was in "her" county) We decided to book self-catering cottages since it was more economical for a family of 5. Our plan is to use these as our home base and tour from there. We are staying 6 nights in Clifden, County Galway and 8 nights just outside of Kilkenny.

I love to schedule every minute of every day but I controlled my natural tendencies in this case. I haven't made any plans. None. I want to be open to enjoy things that we may just happen upon. Does any one have any suggestions for families in these regions?

What kind of clothes should we pack? We are renting a station wagon but we still need to be careful with the amount of things that we bring. Are there Laundromats around if our cottages don't have facilities?

amer_can

The ocean breezes will have a cooling affect so squall jackets will probably do, both for wind and rain. Sweater, long and ss sleeve tees, jeans, shorts/capris, sneakers with support, sox, underwear, flats or sandals, bathing suits, although the sea will be cold the kids will have to try as mine did at Xmas in Spain LOL!!!There is a seal rescure area around Clifden so google it and see where..Interesting for all!! Put everything into carryons..You can do it just roll the items and pack the corners. Don't over pack as you can pick up whatever you might need there. Your station wagon will probably be the size of a Ford Focus so be aware of baggage size. No one will notice wrinkles, if any. No one will take notice of your clothes. Shampoo works well for rinsing out things and grease spots. Don't know about laundromats but I'm sure there are some. Clifden is not that small a place so probably it will have. In carryons..NO large containers of stuff.. Dollar store ponchos would be a good idea..Ireland of the heavy droplets you know but you amy not need them (hopefully) If you are checking bags then make sure you have a change of clothes in your carry on in case a bag (bags) go astray. Everyone should be expected to look after their own stuff, carry their own bag and roll with the disappointments that might come your way. Electronics may cause sharing problems but you know your kids. Be sure you have the correct plug in for Ireland for recharging. You will have time for the kids to check a few points of history..ie:Cuchalin (sp),Brian Boro,famines, sheep with painted rumps,giant wild rhubarb, oh there is so much to check out and enjoy.. Happy Trails..or in this case paths!!

worldinbetween

We stayed in Ireland one summer with our kids during a time when we were moving from North Carolina to Colorado and were between homes. One thing the kids loved (they were a bit younger than yours )... Was to drop in on the community sporting events (I am an American... It was a bit like dropping into a high school football game). They are pretty ubiquitous... Even in the small town we stayed in.

It was fun... Mingling and learning new sports like hurling and Gaelic football.

We go to Ireland a good bit ( the Callahan family, husband Patrick)... And we have always had a washer/dryer combo...so I assume that is quite common.

indy_dad

We spent some time in Killarney, Dingle and Galway. See if any of our activities strike you (and are feasible from you location).

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/ireland.html

mapesfamily

I love the idea of dropping in and watching community sporting events. I hadn't thought of it but it is a great way to expose the kids to new things and it is always amazing how children will make friends with other kids...no matter where they are.

I didn't know that there was a seal rescue place. I will definitely look that up since my kids love that kind of thing. You are right about my kids wanting to go in the ocean no matter what the temperature. (They went swimming...albeit for only 5 minutes...in Alaska!) Their classmates have been giving them a hard time about going to Ireland instead of the beach (Here in Virginia everyone seems to go to Myrtle Beach for summer vacation). I told them to explain that they are going to the same ocean....just the other side of it!

Killarney hadn't been on our radar but after seeing your pictures, I am going to investigate. The idea of touring the sheep farm would be something that would appeal to all.

Thanks for all of the information so far!!

Jody_Halsted

We travel to Ireland often and were just in Connemara last June, and have visited the Killarney region a few times (returning to Dingle next month, in fact).

Connemara is a wonderful area, kind of the "wild west" of Ireland. Clifden is a lovely town and the pubs always have live music-so be sure to take the kids in. My girls (ages 8 & 6) danced the night away at J Conneelly's last summer.

Connemara National Park is a terrific day out, as is a drive to Cong and along Lough Corrib. Kylemore Abbey is beautiful from the outside, but a bit of a let-down inside as it has been with the nuns for so many years now. A couple of the rooms are all you can see, but they are grand. The grounds are amazing, though, and if your family enjoys being active you may want to do a hike up the mountain behind- I'm sure the view is incredible.

A bit farther inland to county Offaly... Birr Castle is incredible. The world's largest telescope (for nearly a century- until the mid-1900s0 still stands and the science center is really interesting and fun for kids. The grounds are absolutely amazing. Not far from here is Lough Boora, with an incredible sculpture park. And Clonmacnoise, a monastic village with 2 round towers and 3 or 4 high crosses.

It is a long drive from Clifden to Killarney; do you plan to stop at the Cliffs of Moher? If the day is fine... before you leave get online and see about booking a Cliffs boat cruise out of Doolin. It's an entirely new way to see the Cliffs.

Killarney is the hub of SouthWest Ireland tourism and you'll find plenty to do. In my opinion, skip the Ring of Kerry and head to Dingle. It's just less commercial. (We'll be in May- I would invite you to join me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/IrelandFamilyVacations... I'll be posting photos and such as we travel through Ireland next month)

Just north of Killarney is the Ballyhoura Region. Often overlooked but so full of interesting stuff. Lough Gur is an incredible area- the largest stone circle in Ireland is there, as well as megalithic tombs and more recent history. And the Donkey Sanctuary in Mallow is a must for families- it's free to visit and the donkeys are so cute!

I could go on and on... and have probably written too much as it is. the website IrelandWithKids.com has loads of info you might find helpful. Also, get the Ireland Are We There Yet app; created by a Galway native, it's filled with loads of family friendly activities.

Jody_Halsted

And the laundries- there is one in Clifden and in Killarney. I have used both and they do a lovely job. Pack light, don't bring too many summer clothes as the weather will be cooler than Virginia and don't forget warm socks.

Jody_Halsted

Somehow I read Kilkenny as Killarney. Sorry.
We will be in the area for a few days in May, and have visited before. Also a very good base for daytrips.

irishface

From clifden you might want to visit Inishboffin Island, The boat leaves from Cleggan. It is quiet and there are several hidden beaches. Pack a picnic lunch as there was only one eating place when I was there a few years ago. You will also be close enough to Rosseveal for a trip to the Aran Islands. I wished I had my bathing suit the last time I was there (and it was well beyond the age when I went in swimming in variouus places just to be able to say that I did it.) However, I have also been there when I was glad to have a sweater and jacket.

Near Kilkenny there is Hook Head Light House, a good day trip combined with some beaches in the area. The water is apt to be warmer there than off the Clifden area. Fota Island near Cobh has a wildlife park which is run by a zoological society. Many of the animals are close enough to interact with humans. The larger animals are in enclosures large enough for them to roam. The cheetahs and other cats are fenced in but still have some room to roam. Cobh was the last stop of the illfated Titanic and there are displays relevant. In New Ross is the recreated ship Dunbrody. As you go in you are given a ticket so that you can find the space you would occupy. Makes you realize economy seats for a few hours on the plane over are not so bad. The docent explains about the ship which plied the seas in mid 19th century (passengers to America and lumber on the return trip, so it was cleaner than many but no less crowded) The docent makes it come alive and realize how lucky we have it! Jerpoint Abbey ruins are in the area, as is a dolmen (ancient burial tomb), folk village near Wexford--recreated dwellings through Irish history, Kilmore Quay is a pretty village of thatched cottages with trips out to the Saltee Islands for bird watching, Glendalough up in the Wicklow Hills could be a day trip from Kilkenny (hiking opportunities, ruins to explore, good visitor center with geologic and historical interpretative displays). Lots more, but your week is already full.

mapesfamily

I didn't know about the Dunbrody ship. I am really excited to go there. My kids aren't thrilled by traditional museums but I think that it will be the right mix of hands-on history. My daughter starts high school next year and claims to hate history. I am hoping that this trip will give her a new appreciation.

Thanks for all of your help. Every time I re-read through all of the suggestions, I realize that 2 weeks isn't nearly enough time in Ireland. Hopefully, it will be enough to ignite a new perspective and passion in my children.

amer_can

Irishface sets it out nicely for you..You are right 2 weeks isn't enough and I would venture 2 lifetimes wouldn't do it either..Each turn in the road introduces a new facet of the (hated by your daughter)history..If there is any Irish in your background this country will lay open a whole new world and if there is none you may want to apply for adoption. The dolman imformation and rheir formation as astonishing. You are able to amp stright lines from the far European southern Iberian Peninsula through Ireland..Amazing. We have seen them in
Spain, Drome valley in France,Portugal and of course all across Ireland.

jaja

Just to add to the mix...there are a number of places where your kids (and the adults) can fly hawks and meet up with a number of other interesting birds. Try http://www.dublinfalconry.com/
www.falconryofireland.com/hawk.htm
http://www.falconry.ie/hawk-walk
and there may be others. My grandsons are still talking about their experience in 2009.

mapesfamily

We do have a fair bit of Irish in my family background. (My great-grandparents left in 1915, they returned for a year long visit so my grandfather attended kindergarten in Dublin.

I hadn't heard about the hawks. I will have to check that out.

I had read a blog post about hunting for faeries with your kids by above commenter Jody_Halstead on her website. It inspired me to work on something for my kids.

My kids are a little older (13 year old daughter, 11 & 9 year old sons) so I can only imagine the eye rolls that Clare would offer if I told her we were going to look for evidence of faeries. Instead I am making an extensive scavenger hunt for my kids. It ranges from getting an autograph from a musician, picture of themselves doing a jig, why are there so many round towers, what is so special about peat that it can burn, questions about the potato famine, etc. I am hoping that it will keep them engaged and give them reasons to talk to and interact with local people and notice their surroundings. Maybe even to make history a little interesting and fun.

Does anyone have good questions or tasks for the kids to find answers to?

My ultimate hope....may be unrealistic....is to take their responses, discoveries and photos and make it into a photo memory book.

jaja

After my latest visit with a daughter and 2 granddaughters I wrote up, using my journal and pictures from all four of us, a book that I self-published using Blurb (Book Smart). It was a good bit of work but a labor of love and the recipients loved it.

Tony2phones

For the Connemara, Clifden stay..(Where are you staying?) There are lots of options. For the Hawk walk commented above http://connemarahawkwalks.com/ The national park has lots of interest but there are a multitude of options using Clifden as a base. There are a few events round and about in June (what dates?)that might be of interest and there will be life in the local bars.
Couple of links that might be of interest. http://ireland.activeboard.com/t5005...-galway-route/
http://goo.gl/maps/PyPpO

mapesfamily

We are renting a townhome at the Coastguard Station on Sky Road. I will checkout the hawk walks. We arrive on June 2nd and stay through the 8th. I heard that the Bog Festival will be going on at the national park when we first get there. We were planning to try to go to that.

Tony2phones

Love the Coastguard station have stayed there a couple of times, great to look at the bay in the morning and sunset. Only fault I have is it's a long walk back from Town at night so drive down, Cab back and walk down to collect the car in the morning. You can see Clifden Castle from the Fork and it's easy to walk down from the triangle. You will find my take on the Castle and the D'Arcy Memorial in Ireland travel Kit along with many other contributions http://www.irelandtravelkit.com/clif...county-galway/
Word of warning for Monday the 3rd The 10k Sky road run will be taking place so unsure of road closure times.

mapesfamily

Thanks for the heads up on the run. I didn't know about it. Maybe we will go out along the road and cheer for the runners! I had heard that Bog Week was concluding on the 3rd in Letterfrack and were thinking of checking it out. Is it worthwhile? I absolutely LOVED the pictures of Clifden Castle. I can only begin to imagine the fun that my kids will have exploring that.

Tony2phones

Just another point,forgot to mention there are washing/drying machines available in the outside block at the Coastgard Station .

mapesfamily

You all have provided so many good ideas for our time in Clifden and Kilkenny. We are spending our final day/night in East Clare. I know that East Clare isn't the normal spot for a tourist but it looked nice and had accommodations for a family of 5. I was wondering if there are any suggestions as to the best way to spend the day.