Well we made it make alive and unscathed from Dublin, Edinburgh and London. I was with my 2 teens (14-girl/15-boy(he turned 16 in London). Husband was unable to go with us so it was just the 3 of us.
We started in Dublin on the 15th and stayed at the Grafton Capitol. Perfect room and noise level was fine at night w/ the bar downstairs. Everyone was very helpful and some of the best breakfast of the trip.
We arrived in the afternoon and went aroudn Grafton street area..we ended up back in the hotel room and my kids were asleep by about 5pm. I felt like I needed to wake them up and keep them going-I mean you can't sleep on holiday right? Well..luckily I let them sleep until the next morning. I met a friend from work and we visited some pubs and listened to local music-felt safe on my own and with the kids sleeping. I rented a phone from travelcell. I felt safe everywhere we went-even the anti-Bush in London-right by out hotel-more on that later.
Next day we did the bus tour-weather was great both days. We did Kilamane Gaol-very educational and the kids liked it although they thought is was a little lone. We went upstairs to the tea room and had hot chocolate and cakes before we left. That is the kind of thing that I would not normally do at home-I did lots of that stopping food/snacks/rest as needed..proved to be wise-happier kids and Mom.
Speaking of food-I know lots is written about this subject about not doing American places in Europe etc..well we did a bit of both. I think that the kids like to compare the similarities and differences. I also did sandwiches from the small stores-really good in Dublin and did not hassle with more formal settings-although with my husband I would have..a trade off I think..
Ok-we went to Parnell Square and took my daughter to Pennys..they had the best prices there and quality was good. We did not buy a bunch of touristy stuff cause you can get that anywhere these days..so she did purses..
Next day we went on a tour to Wicklow Mountains and that was great-9:30-5:30. Driver was ok..not the best I have had-he just fills in and seemed to just be doing what he must-no extra. Worthwhile overall.
Our Flight to Edinburgh was at 8:30pm-smartest flight plan I had. You know how you always try to get early flights etc..well-compared to the other flights..this was way better and I will book that way in the future with the kids.
We ended up at our hotel at 10pm-the Carlton-awesome and huge room. Prepaid on orbitz-best rate. We walked around for about an hour and then went to bed-so beautiful there..
Ok-gotta run but will try and post more tomorrow..let me know if you have any questions so far..
Thanks
PS: we did the travel inn county hall (London)-I expected way less then what we received-most helpful there and large rooms-just in case you are trying to book now..and we were rarely there anyway-very quiet at night..ok bye for now

MOre please, Ma'm!

Well..Tuesday morning we headed out in Edinburgh..the kid's wanted to eat at princess mall-fine w/ me..and then off on a bus tour. We did the castle and Greyfriars Bobby..grase market etc..weather was nice still. The first of the protests started on Wednesday in Edinburgh..Anti-Bush sentiment all over. We went to the protests and people did not hate us..just out leader..lots to see there..Kids loved the Edinburgh Dungeon..prebooked lastminute.com.
So we left early thurs morning for London..We took the Gatwick Express to Victoria (22GPB)and then a cab to hotl (7GPB)too early to check in so we went down to the London Eye-I had prebooked that on last minute.com..Went to Buckingham palace etc-police out everywhere..protests began about 2pm-we went to Trafalgar square and watched for a bit..the march went on til late in the evening..lots of activity.
Kids were exhausted again and I let them sleep (travel inn-county hall)while I met some friends over in Covent Gardens. Next day we went to the 1/2 price ticket booth and got tickets for Blood Brothers..it was sooooo good-kids loved it too..wow what a performance. We also went to the movies there (pouring down rain) I hesitated cause I thought they can do that at home..I was wrong..the theatre was fantastic and the experience was quite different then what we are used too..we walked all over lecister square/covent garden.
Saturday we did the Bus tour and also a rainy day..London Dungeon-kids yes-me yuck. Tower of London-china town-usual.
Sunday we went to the Science Museum-son wanted to see Lord of the Rings-we did Harrods (took the train everywhere this day)and then went back to lecister square that evening and checked out the sights at night..
We left Monday..sad to go..loved it..
So some tips..
1. Don't worry about what to wear-it is mixed..white trainers whatever..None of us had them but many did.
2. Food-keep it simple and don't wait when you know the kids are hungry..just grab something to hold them over.
3. Use ATM's in the airports or all over for cash.
4. pack less then you think..as usual..
5. Ryanair weighs your bags all together and will charge you if over..really.
6. I love my kids..but it was tough 10 days together..non-stop. So compromise-I let my son go to the arcade one day while I shopped w/ my daughter-again-it was nothing like the arcades at home-and part of what I love about travel is the day to day life..
7. Bring Fabreze-works
What else? I was in Ireland, Spain and London in August on my own..still lots to see and the trips were very different w/ and w/out kids.
Please ask if I can be of help-I appreciate all the help I received here..

Hi buffyhart~ great report--quick question--your experience with waiting to get tickets at the 1/2 price booth for blood brothers--was that a good decision--did they have plenty of availability?? is it easy to do?? I plan on going on a tuesday nite--what do you think?? Thanks!! Ladybug

Hi-we had no problem at all getting tickets. They were in row H which was quite close-about 22GPB each I think. This play has been around for quite awhile so I think you would be fine. We did not make it to the booth until about 11:30pm and the line had about 10-15 people and moved very quickly.
I really loved this play-I keep telling everyone about it-you will have to let me know what you think when you return.
The acting was brilliant and I laughed and cried..all the emotions involved!
By the way-the dress is very casual..they told us at the booth and when we went people were wearing jeans-to dresses.
Good Luck!

Can you tell me the name of the company you took the Wicklow Mountains tour with? How did you book? We are planning to take a tour while we are there in the end of December.

Please and thanks! Kristy

Hi-You can go to the Tourism office in Dublin-super easy to get too. All the hotels have brochures.
We used Over the Top tours-1 800 484852 for reservation www.overthtoptours.com. Wicklow and Glendalough. I was not all that impressed with our guide-no one on our tour was actually. He says that he is Pierce Brosnan's brother..who knows. He seemed bored with it all-just fills in-not the regular guy. The people on the other bus loved their guy. It was still a good event. 24Euros each-worth it.
Anyway-to do it again-we would not have done Glendalough-it was too long of a stop for the monestary. The rest was great. I would suggest that you go with one of the companies that you can get a smaller bus with. The company I would have used-now that I know-is the Wild bus tours.
By the way-one tour I missed and would have loved to have done is on Sundays-I think it is also the Wild tours-they go from Dublin to Belfast-I regret not doing that one but did not find out about it until sunday afternoon..just a thought for you.
Let me know if you have any other questions and enjoy yourself!
Buffy