jenmike
Unregistered User
(10/2/03 2:20 pm)

Itererary for June

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Now that I know we are renting a large vehicle and flying into Dublin and out of Shannon, are there any suggestions of the neatest places to see? I'm thinking of driving North-Northwest from Dublin (Donegal and/or Sligo) and then wind down to Shannon.

I do not want to do a whirlwind, see-all-you-can-in-14-days kind of tour because the kids (and I) would be miserable. Plus it may be our first trip to Ireland but we're really hoping it won't be the last!

Any suggestions of great places to see, stay,or eat would be extremely helpful. What are some of your favorites?
Thanks,
Jen

garyvol
Unregistered User
(10/3/03 5:44 am)

the plan

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Now that you've figured you are flying into Dublin and flying out of Shannon, it is typically a good idea to:
1- make B&B reservations for the flyin city (greater Dublin) and then for nite before near the Shannon airport.
2-figiure how far you can travel the 1st day upon arrival. Jet lag usually kicks in.

I cannot help on the north frontier of Ireland. I figure that will be for my next visit.

The rest of Queen Michele's Court will probably have some good ideas.
-gary

Dude
Unregistered User
(10/3/03 7:41 pm)

Places to go, things to see

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Michele's book will have loads of ideas, but here were some of my favorites from three trips:
Newgrange
Hill of Tara
Belleek (Michele won't let you miss that one!)
Queen Maeve's grave
Carrowmore
Croagh Patrick
Glencar Lake waterfall
Killary Harbour
Kylemore Abbey
Aughnanure Castle
Cliffs of Moher
Craggaunowen Project
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Connemara Visitor's Center
Lough Key Forest Park
Passage graves in the Bricklieve Mountains
The Lake Isle of Innisfree
Thoor Ballylee and Coole Demesne

You won't work all these in but you can pick and choose, and go back often!

Anita
Unregistered User
(10/3/03 8:10 pm)

some suggestions

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I didn't get to anywhere near enough of the north of Ireland that I wanted to but I did spend a few days in Belfast and journeyed up to the Giant's Causeway. The Causeway is a must see if you are going north. I would also highly recommend Newgrange, Hill of Tara, Monasterboice. Kylemore Abbey and the Connemara, Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher. I wish I had gotten to the Beleek factory, my cousin was there and loved it.

Allison
Unregistered User
(10/3/03 8:31 pm)

kids & travel

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You will be spending quite a bit of time in the car with your kids. Ireland is full of history and beautiful scenery, but a lot of that is not going to be appreciated by a 7 or 9 year old.

Try to vary the things you see and do to keep the kids interested. My kids enjoyed Bunratty Folk Park and the cliffs of Moher. They thought it was cool to climb the stairs to the top of Blarney Castle, where, yes, they kissed the Blarney Stone. (Personally, once I looked over the edge of the Castle, I was unable to release my grip on the stone bench whereupon I remained glued until it was time to descend.) Blarney is south of where it sounds like you plan to travel, though.

If you go through Galway, spend an afternoon or evening in Salthill, in Galway. Leisureworld is there with lots of kid-oriented fun.

The Aran Islands would be great fun for the kids. My boys enjoyed the boat ride out, and once there, we rented bikes to ride around our island. There are some smaller cliffs on the islands that are good for exploring.

(We were guilty some years ago on our first trip of not doing more interesting things for our then 13 and 16 year old sons, although they do have some great memories!)

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1874
(10/3/03 10:11 pm)
 
Re: Itinerary for June

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Hi Jen,

Excellent ideas from everyone. However, I really think that there are more attractions for the kids in the southwest and west of Ireland than the extreme northwest. This is the time to go to your local library and check out everything on Ireland. Skim through them. Look at photo books and guidebooks. Some may be slightly out of date but will give you ideas. Once you zero in on what you like buy a few guides that you feel comfortable with.

There are several books specifically about traveling to Ireland with kids. But remember that you should not cater exclusively to the children but break up the time with the adults in mind also. It is a balancing act that will make you all happy in the long run.

Michele

Mbarnes
Unregistered User
(10/4/03 7:09 am)

books on traveling with kids

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Michele, I saw your posting that said there were books out there for traveling with children, do you reccommend one over another??

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1881
(10/4/03 1:01 pm)
Rep
Re: books on traveling with kids

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Hi Mbarnes,

No, I really don't have a favorite. I suggest browsing through the reviews at Barnes and Nobel and Amazon to see what they say and whether there are reader reviews. Your library may be able to get them for you via inter-library loan.

Michele