Ireland with a 2 y.o. for

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Ireland with a 2 y.o. for

Wellsley · Guru

Hello Nadia,

I would do some research on Ireland and make a list of things and places you would like to see and do. Then decide if it can be done with a two year old without to much difficulty. If you iron down where you want to go it will be easier to advise where to stay. Also where are you entering Ireland? There are many guide books out there and I would suggest buying a few.

http://www.irelanddreamtrip.com/order_book.html

Here are some sites to get some info. You won't be able to do every thing but this will give you some idea's. Once you decide what is most important to you than we can help you fill in the blanks.

http://goireland.about.com/od/preparingyourtrip/tp/top10sights.htm

http://www.myguideireland.com/top-10-places-to-visit-in-ireland

http://www.irishcentral.com/travel/IrishCentrals-top-10-sites-in-Ireland-41098302.html?page=1

http://chooseireland.com/featured/irelands-top-ten-attractions/

http://www.destination360.com/europe/ireland/things-to-do

Frank

-- Edited by Wellsley on Friday 6th of May 2011 07:59:19 AM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Sounds like you would be well advised to FORGO the traditional 'Green Blur Curcuit' and opt to 'Park and Loop'. cry cry

The GOOD news is that you came to the RIGHT place -- biggrin But, we will need a bit more info as to your interests, in order to properly advise you. For example -- are you more interested in scenery, archiological/historic buildings, museums ... etc. ???

MOST of us here are experienced proponents of Extended Stay Touring (Think ' 2-3 days per stop). With 2 1/2 weeks, you should STILL have a reasonable opportunity to see a significant portion of the country.

June/July will be a busy time -- Tourist-wise, and you will need to pre-book rooms, due to the size/nature of your travel party.

Check out Michele's Info Pages, make up a list of things that strike your fancy and let us know ...

We LOVE to help! biggrin biggrin

Bob

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Thank you, Frank and Bob!

We are still in the early research state but I know the time is passing by fast and we need to at least secure hotels and such. I am really glad I found this forum too!

Day 1 - We are flying into Dublin, arriving on Saturday, June 18th, in the morning. With a two-year old, it means we are going straight to the hotel to drop off our bags, have a quick meal, and then a (most likely long) nap. In the afternoon we can walk around and take in the sites. Maybe walk into St. Patricks Cathedral, if we are close enough...

Day 2 - On Sunday, depending on what is open when, and it sounds like many things aren't open before noon, we can wonder around Trinity College and in the afternoon, the Dublin Castle, a museum or the Botanical Gardens, perhaps.

We were thinking of staying in Dublin for the first three nights, if not four.
I would like to visit the National Museum and the National Gallery of Ireland, at the very least, in terms of museums in Dublin. The Hugh Lane Gallery of Modern Art is optional, as is the Irish Museum of Modern Art. We can go if we have a lot of rainy days. But museums are hard with a toddler and we also don't lack for world-class museums where we live. I would not want to miss the Trinity College and the Book of Kells. The Guinness Storehouse and the Old Jameson Distillery are optional in my book but may be it is not for my husband. I haven't checked. Dublin Zoo sounds like fun but I don't know if we will really have the time.

If we can do half-day trips, perhaps we should stay in Dublin longer. Can we go to see the Malahide Castle, for insance, just for a few hours or is this an all-day adventure?

What caught my fancy, in no particular order and without regard for driving right now, are these:

Russborough
Glendalough
Blarney Castle
The Rock of Cashel
Clonmacnoise
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
The Burren
Aran Islands
Cliffs of Moher
The Ring of Kerry and the Lakes of Killarney
Connemara
Sligo and Area
Boyne Valley
The Giant's Causeway

Oi, I am all over the place... Now to make sense of it all and select appropriately.

Nadia

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Okay... I spent some time looking at all this and here is a sample itinerary. Can you take a look and see if this makes sense?

Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5(AM) - Dublin (4 nights)
Day 5(AM) - drive to Russborough, sightsee a little, nap at the hotel, sight-see aome more (1 night)
Day 6(AM) - Glendalough in the morning, nap while driving to Kilkenny - Question: How much time should I budget for Glendalough?
Day 6(PM), 7, 8(AM) - Kilkenny (2 nights)
Day 8(PM), 9, 10, 11(AM) - nap while driving to Killarney, Killarney (3 nights)
Day 11 (PM)12, 13(AM) - nap while driving to Galway, Galway (2 nights)
Day 13 (PM), 14, 15(AM) - nap while driving to Clonmacnoise, Clonmacnoise (2 nights)
Day 15(PM), 16, 17(AM) - nap while driving to Newgrange, Newgrange (2 nights)
Day 17 (PM) -nap while driving to Dublin, maybe stop in Malahide on the way, hotel near the airport (1 night)
Day 18 - we leave in the morning, our flight is around 10:30 AM

Should we spend more time in any of the above places and cut out others in favor of longer stops? What do you think about naps on the road? We need at least a two hour drive for a decent nap. (That is the part I am concerned with the most because, let's face it - when a nap is missed a toddler turns into a monster and then fun for everyone is forfeit.)

-- Edited by MattNadiaNYC on Friday 6th of May 2011 11:33:31 AM

-- Edited by MattNadiaNYC on Friday 6th of May 2011 11:41:05 AM

CowboyCraic · Guru

Nadia,

Traveling with a two-year-old, keep in mind that they will be unsettled by the long plane trip, time change, scenery change, and other stimulants.

I would suggest:

Dublin (4 nights)

Kilkenny (3 nights)

Killarney (4 nights)

Galway (3 nights)

Belfast (2 nights)

Dublin (1 Night)

This would give you good bases from which to see most of what you want to see without moving the wee one around so much. You might want to consider looking at short-break offers in self-catering for your 3 & 4 night stays, as that would give you room to let the wee one blow off steam, as well.

On one of your full days in Dublin, perhaps the Monday, you could look to take a tour up to NewGrange and the Boyne. Most museums are closed on Mondays in Dublin. You could also visit NewGrange on your way from Belfast to Dublin. Belfats is an excellent base for seeing the Giant's Causeway.

You are right, nailing down lodging now is pertinent. June begins the Festival season for most of Ireland.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

You don't mention budget, but your intrest list DOES open up some possibilities. It really ISN'T all THAT far-flung, either:

Do-able from Dublin -- BUT, you'll need to VERIFY that they will allow a 2 Year Old ...):

You will NOT want a car, unless you stay well OUT of City Center. Parkings expensive, hard to find and traffic is better suited to residents and the Criminally Insane ... biggrin

Blessington Glendalough, Avoca, Powerscourt and other parts of Wicklow, Tara, Brui na Boinne, Newgrange -- I've heard great things about Mary Gibbon's Tours.

Dublin has excellent transport options -- Bus, Train, DART and Luas

From Galway: Connemara, Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and Aran Islands are all reachable. You WOULD want a car for some/all as it would afford you maximum Freedom to stop when and where needed to accommodate the little one, but there ARE numerous dy tours available: http://www.failtetours.com/ http://www.lallytours.com/ http://www.galwaytourcompany.com/gtc/daytours.jsp http://www.healytours.ie/ .

Killarney is also a good base area. You can self-tour MUCH of it, but DEROS TOURS offers a number of appealing day trips, like Dingle and Gap of Dunloe. Dunno if the FULL Ring of Kerry would work with a toddler though ---

Ross Castle Torc Falls, Muckross House / Gardens / Traditional Farms would probably be a big hit, though.

SOMEWHAT problimatical would be Sligo and the Giant's Causeway, but they are PROBABLY still do-able.

Off the TOP of My Head, as a VERY Rough Draft, I would say:

4 days --Dublin --

1 Overnight in Cashel/Cahir .to see THE Rock, Hore Abbey, Cahir Castle and Swiss Cottage -- and 'Break Up' the trip to Killarney --

4 nights in Killarney --

1 night in Doolin (or there-about). NOT my favorite destination -particularly in June/July -- but a good mid-point, considering the little one --for the Cliffs and Burren --

3 nights Galway -- Connemara, Aran Islands

2 Nights in/around Sligo

1 night mid-way back to Dub -- 'Pick up' Clonmacnisce and/or Strokestown, enroute

Last night in Dublin

Bob

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Bit,

You are infinitely right about our toddler being unsettled though I hope he catches on quickly. I wish it were different but I guess we only have another 4-5 years to wait until he grows into a hassle-free travel companion. :)

So, do you think it is a worthwhile drive to Belfast to Galway and bypass Clonmacnoise? I was ready to exclude Northern Ireland for now and make it a separate trip in the future. AA route planner told me it will take over 4 hours. If we are there mostly for the Giant's Causeway, is it worth a dash like that?

And self-catering would also be quite nice. Ollie is used to eating out but sometimes he is certainly not restaurant material.

Bob,

Absolutely, we will be sans a car in Dublin. I thought we'd pick it up on the way out and drop off a the airport, if possible. Budget is a good question. I think one can get a car for under a $1000 for the whole trip, excluding Dublin. This leaves us with hotel charges and the likes. If we can keep the rest around $300/day for the whole party, we should be alright. I have not looked at hotels, of course, and that would make all the difference. We do have three adults.

For day tours, the problem is that I don't think they would allow for a mid-day nap. That is the most bothersome thing about toddlers. :) It means we have to be close enogh for a nap at the hotel or have to drive far enough for a couple of hours without interruption. We could certainly take turns some times and have two people go off on a tour while one stays close to the hotel with the kid. That may be a thought to consider in a few cases.

And thank you for all the links!

Wellsley · Guru

Nadia,

I like your idea of staying in Dublin for four nights. If you get tired you can always go back to your room. You can pick some thing to see in the morning go back take a nap and then see more in the afternoon and so on. There is alot to see and you will never see it all, but you should have enough time to see the things you that are most important to you.

http://www.dublintourist.com/maps/dublin_city_-_flash_version.shtml

http://www.dublintours.net/?event=offer.detail&offerId=13456

Michele will respond before long she is full of info. Check out her hot deals for lodging it will save you money and you can rest assure they will be good places to stay. Traveling with a 2 year old can be difficult but if you plan well you will have a great trip. You've got a good start. Nail down where you're going to stay and make those reservation ASAP

Frank

CowboyCraic · Guru

Nadia,

If you can forgo the North for another trip, it would be well worth it to do so. I would leave Sligo for that next trip, as well. You could add an extra night to Kilkenny & Galway, if you did. You can see Clonmacnoise on your way to Dublin on that last day.

I have some family friendly self-catering suggestions, if you are interested. It really is best with a toddler.

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Frank,

I figured that in any city there is always something to do. If nothing else, it is nice to stick around and soak up the atmosphere. And that would help everyone acclimate and figure out what schedule Ollie decides to follow. I am wondering if he will just wake up later and go to sleep later because of the time difference. That would not be the worst thing in the world because we can then see some of the "night life". But I am okay with getting up early as well. Here, he usually is awake by 7 am which would give us a nice early start.

Bit,
I'd love suggestions on self-catering accommodations for a family. Thank you!

Nadia

CowboyCraic · Guru

Nadia,

Here ya go:

Kilkenny:

Wallslough Village

Berkley House

Killarney:

Old Killarney Village

Woodland Cottages at CastleRosse

Muckross Holiday Village

Galway:

Corrib Village

Shannon Oaks

Dublin:

Augustine Apartments

MattNadiaNYC · Member

This is awesome! Thank you very-very much!

We are going to work on the itinerary over the weekend and I am hoping to post an update on Monday, hopefully even with lodgings.

stewh · Guru

The self-catering option is our preferred method of travel in Ireland. The controllable pace and freedom re: meals etc. would, I think make traveling with a 2 year-old much more fun. There are loads of self-catering options throughout most of Ireland. Google is your friend. Our particular preference is to stay in a village setting but you have many choices. Ger Foley of O'Donnabhains has a number of 'Holiday Homes' in the great town of Kenmare. We've stayed at the Guesthouse but not the self-catering

http://www.odonnabhains.com/

have a great trip

Michele Erdvig · Host

Nadia,

Welcome to the forum. I see that your planning is already well underway with the help of everyone here. Since you have 2 1/2 weeks I strongly suggest you think of two self-catering rentals in different areas. Spend your first several days in Dublin, then a week in Kenmare or Killarney and a week elsewhere. Perhaps Co. Clare, Galway or Wicklow. You won't get to see everything on your list but your vacation will be much easier if you have a whole cottage or or apartment to yourself. Plus you can cook simple meals.

Take a look at my Self-catering page for some suggestions.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Just a note that Shannon Oaks suggested by Bit is down by me in Portumna, in fact the maintenance man and a receptionist live within shouting distance. Whilst the accommodation might be suitable, I don't think the location would be ideal for Galway.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Thanks for that, Tony. It has been a while since I stayed there and couldn't recall if that was the one in Portumna. My favorite is the Corrib Village, as I've had teh pleasure of staying there a few times.

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Thank you, everyone.

So far the itinerary looks like this:

Dublin (4 nights)
Kilkenny (3 nights)
Killarney (4 nights)
Galway (3 nights)
then unknown for a couple of nights...
Dublin (1 Night)

I am almost wondering if we should not make Galway a five-nighter or split the two between Killarney and Galway, as in 5 nights at Killarney and 4 nights at Galway.

We booked accommodations in Dublin at the beginning and the end of the trip but are still in the process of securing places to stay elsewhere. Not surprisingly, some places are already unavailable.

I will post an update once everything is finalized.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Nadia

-- Edited by MattNadiaNYC on Monday 9th of May 2011 03:40:43 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Nadia,

There is plenty to see and do from both Galway and Killarney. Plus the drive from Galway to Dublin is only about three hours. I vote for more days in each place.

Michele

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Thank you, Michele! We've decided to do just that. We'll have 5 nights at Killarney and 4 at Galway. Now Kilkenny is booked. We are in the process of finalizing Killarney and looking into Galway. And getting more and more impatient to be in Ireland. :)

Now, one more question that is unrelated to itinerary - phones. I have a quad band phone from a carrier that allows me to switch a SIM card so I can do that and just continue using it. I know I've seen SIM card vending machines in the airports in London. Do they exist in Dublin airport as well? If not, where do I get one? We may also want to pick up a prepaid phone. What is the best (an dconvenient) place in Dublin to do that at?

-- Edited by MattNadiaNYC on Tuesday 10th of May 2011 11:10:04 AM

tony2phones · Guru

You can get Vodafone Sim cards at Dublin Airport but your best bet is to get a Tesco sim at one of their many supermarkets. For quality of connection and tarrifs they cannot be beaten on the Island.

http://www.tescomobile.ie/

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Thank you, Tony! I just noticed a phone thread at the very top of the list and have been reading it: http://ireland.activeboard.com/t41010749/cell-phones/?r=399058. It does seem like we should just go with Tesco.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Nadia,

I brought the phone post back up on top of the forum for you. Hope it helps.

Michele

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Hello again, everyone!

We are finally semi-ready for our trip. At least all accommodations are booked and our car is reserved. Now I have a couple more questions, of course. I will post our itinerary first though and ask after.

Dublin (4 nights) at Christchurch Hall Apartments (unfortunately Augustine Apartments were no longer available when we were booking)
Kilkenny (3 nights) at Blanchville House
Killarney (5 nights) at Killarney Country Club
Galway (4 nights) at Corrib Village
Dublin (1 night) at Bewleys Hotel Dublin Airport

We've rented our car through autoeurope.com and I will be sure to post our experience on the car rentals thread.

Now for the questions:

1. We are due to land in Dublin around 8:30 AM local time. Since we are arriving in Dublin after just a short 6 hour overnight flight everyone, but especially a certain 2 year old whose usual night sleep is 10 (if not more) hours and who is used to a two hour nap around noon, will be very tired. Unfortunately the check-in time at the apartments is not until 14:30. There is a possibility of an early check-in but it depends on the occupancy the night before and therefore cannot be guaranteed. To make matters worse, they do not have luggage storage at Christchurch Hall Apartments. The closest place to leave luggage on arrival is at the Augustine Apartments nearby, where they do have luggage lockers, but they are also subject to availability. Assuming worst case scenario - no early check-in and no luggage storage available - where can we go for the next 4 - 5 hours, outside or inside, in case of bad weather, where we can have a stroller so that Ollie can have a chance to sleep and where I may have a chance to nurse him discreetly (he normally does not nurse during the day but if he is having a difficult one, he may ask) and where we can also check our luggage? And hopefully not too far from the apartments either... A museum? Which one?

2. More of the same - where can we grab lunch on that first day, assuming we may have a few pieces of luggage in tow?

3. Where is a good place to buy diapers? We plan on taking enough to last us the first 4 - 5 days so it may not need to be in Dublin but by the time we get to Kilkenny, we should be in dire need of such things.

Thank you in advance, once again,

Nadia (and Matt and Ollie)

tony2phones · Guru

Get a bus from the Airport to Busáras Central Bus station which has Left Luggage facilities (at a small cost). Dublin Zoo might also have an offer based on your bus tickets. Lots of small cafés around Dublin for lunch and all are required to display charges on a menu outside so no nasty shocks if you wander in and sit down. Tesco do Pampers nappies/Diapers as do Dunns (I think) Aldi and Lidle have own brand's and a new store opening in Kilkenny.

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Thanks, Tony. I will check out the Zoo. My worry is that with our luck, it will be raining. And I would love for Ollie to actually be conscious in the Zoo too. He loves the one here and I think he'd enjoy the one in Dublin.

He will not care as much for a museum, which is why I was considering it, and may stay asleep, if they allow strollers. Adults will be more likely to enjoy a museum (though my husband has been known to fall asleep in one after a transatlantic flight on occasion as well).

Bus station to leave luggage is one idea, though it will be a hike to go back and retrieve said luggage once we are actually able to check in. Would there be anywhere for us to walk around that is not too far from the station itself? Then it will be easier to get to our luggage when it is time to go "home" and we can just cab it from there.

If worse comes to worse, it will be just one miserable day. We'll live through it, no biggie. I just like to be prepared.

-- Edited by MattNadiaNYC on Tuesday 24th of May 2011 09:41:12 AM

tony2phones · Guru

I am a long way from being a Dublin expert but a couple of sites you might look at are

http://www.living-dublin.com/things-to-do-in-dublin/

http://www.imaginosity.ie/imaginosity/index.php

MattNadiaNYC · Member

Thank you, again, Tony! You are more of a Dublin expert than I am. :)

For now I am exploring the National Gallery as an option. If they have a place to store luggage, we are in business. They open at 9:30 AM, which is awesome, and allow strollers (aka buggies). I wrote to them asking about luggage and if there is a designated place to nurse.

If that fails, the Archaeology branch of the National Museum is an option. They have luggage storage and their cafe is described as "a breast-feeding friendly location" (which is awesome). They open at 10 am. I wrote to them regarding allowing strollers . Wheelchairs are okay but strollers specifically are not mentioned. And I asked if there is any restriction on the size of luggage.

I'll update to tell you what they said. And if it is nice outside, we can go there for a little and then walk around the town too. It will be easier to be in the daylight.

MattNadiaNYC · Member

FYI:
Here is the update for each of the museums. In summary, the National Gallery seems to allow a certain amount of travel luggage. It appears to be the better option as the National Museum cannot "facilitate travel luggage". Of course I am just hoping that we can check in early. That would be by far the best option. In any case, here are the letters I received, if anyone is interested in details:

Good morning Nadia,

Yes, it is possible to deposit your luggage here while you are in the gallery providing the pieces are not too numerous. Regarding places to feed your child, we dont have any designated site, there is a rasonably discreet area at the entrance level which the Information staff can direct you to, otherwise, if you are visiting after 2pm, there is a quiet café area upstairs. I would point out that after mid-June we will be introducing a (free) ticketing system to control numbers as parts of the gallery are closed for renovation. See our website www.nationalgallery.ie for further details.

I hope you enjoy your visit,

Best regards

Barry Carroll
Riarthóir an Deasc Eolais
Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann
Information Desk Administrator
National Gallery of Ireland
Tel: 01 6615133 Ext. 3593/4510
R-phost: bcarroll@ngi.ie

_________________________________________________________
Dear Nadia,

Yes of course strollers are allowed in all our museums, although in National Museum of Ireland- Archaeology, Kildare Street and National Museum of Ireland- Natural History, Merrion Street, there are no lifts to the second floors. This is unfortunately due to the age of the buildings and lack of funding to install lifts.

All museums have also got child friendly reading and resource rooms and there are also family self guided brochures available which include childrens activity sheets etc.

The National Museum of Ireland- Archaeology again unfortunately due to its size restrictions can only take in some baggage and coats and cant facilitate for travel luggage. Your hotel would happily take in your luggage into their luggage store room prior to your check-in.

Also for your information- all our floor plans and guidebooks are only available in Irish and English in the Museums but they are currently available online in multiple languages for you to download- please follow the below link for those to National Museum of Ireland- Archaeology

http://www.museum.ie/en/info/other-language-visitors-national-museum-ireland-archaeology.aspx

and the below link is to information for families and children

http://www.museum.ie/en/info/families-children-national-museum-ireland-archaeology.aspx

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and I hope you enjoy your visit.

Kind Regards,

Beth

Beth Campbell
Marketing Intern
Marketing Department
National Museum of Ireland
Collins Barracks
Dublin 7

Tel: + 353 1 677 7444
Tel Direct Line: + 353 1 648 6428
Email: bcampbell@museum.ie
www.museum.ie