Kit,

Welcome to my forum! It sounds like a fun trip. Will you be spending all your time in Co. Roscommon? What airport will you be arriving and departing from?

Take a look at my Self-catering page. Most rentals go from Sat to Sat. That page will fill you in on other details.

Many hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses accept toddlers and provide cribs (called cots in Ireland).

Give us some more details so we can help.

Michele

The nearest that you will find to a Zoo would be in Belfast or Dublin. Both are fantastic Zoos. There are a few petting farms scattered about. Galway would be a good place to go with a toddler, as the Atlantaquaria is there. as well as a small amusement type fun park. In Dublin you have a wonderful museum for children, Imaginosity, The Viking Splash Tours and Phoenix Park. Dublinia and VIking World might be a little much for a toddler.

In Roscommon town, they have the lovely park, no playground facilities, just outside the ruins of Roscommon Castle. Just outside of Boyle is Lough Key Forest Park and its Adventure Kingdom, which is a playland for kids. In Athlone, you have the Glendeer Pet Farm, which would be a fun day out for the little one.

If you depart from Shannon, you could spend the last night in Bunratty and take in the Bunratty Folk Park. They have an early dinner at the Corn Barn there which would be entertaining for the adults and the child.

I would suggest flying into Dublin, staying for 2 days, then pick up your rental and travel to Roscommon for two days, then travel to Galway for two days, spend your last night in Bunratty and depart from Shannon.

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

Hi KItbug,
I would like to recommend self catering for part of your trip.  I have traveled to Ireland with my grandchildren since they were one and three ( now 13 &15) and we have found self catering the best way to go with kids.

We now always include a stay at the cottages at Kennedy's Pet Farm in Killarney.  These cottages sit on the same property of the well run extensive pet farm but out of sight.  The area is very scenic, the houses spacious, spotless and well equipped.  The  area is central to a number of day trips. The owner, Noreen, is very personable and helpful

Even as the kids grow older they love the farm.  My most recent journey to Ireland was with three older women and we still stayed at the cottages and loved them anew!

Take a look
http://www.killarneypetfarm.com/

Thanks to all for your advice.  We have our trip set!  We have a small apartment in Dublin, then to Boyle - Forest Park, old McGreevy territory, then to Dan O'Hara's and back to Dublin to fly out to Norway.  Next day to Vermont.

Not enough time!  This will mean another trip someday!  My family is from Roscommon and Cork.  My husband's is Mayo (not to mention Yorkshire and Bern).  We just want to "see" the land, hear some music and soak it up.

This site is bookmarked for future use! Thanks again.