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Post Info TOPIC: Ireland with a 10-year old!
csjwriter


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Ireland with a 10-year old!
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Hi Michele & everyone,


Happy New Year!  My wife, my 10-year old son and myself will be visiting Ireland March 30-April 5.  My wife and I visited in 1994 for our honeymoon and have not been back since.  In '94 we flew into Shannon and only visited the west - from Ballybunion up to Killybegs.  This time we're planning to spend Thursday, Friday & Saturday in Dublin, then head west for Sunday, Monday & Tuesday starting in Connemara (we have sort of a sentimental attachment to Joyce Country in Maam Cross).  I am trying to figure out what area we can explore on Monday and Tuesday before we depart on Wednesday morning from Dublin.  In your opinion, is this too short a trip to visit the Aran Islands or the Dingle Peninsula?  Are there better areas to take a child?  What might be the best town in which to stay Tuesday night halfway between the west and Dublin airport?  Fortunately, a previous posting suggests Athlone, but if we end up further south, maybe Kilkenny?   Can you recommend a website for bed and breakfast bookings?  So far I have been getting info from Irelandwest.ie.  B&Bs are pricier than I remember ($100 a night?  Can that be right?)  I am also trying to figure out the most reasonably priced accommodation in the Dublin 2 area, which seems like the section to stay in if you're only in town for 3 days (someone correct me if I'm wrong).


Any info you can provide would be enormously helpful.  Thanks!


Chris



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Michele Erdvig


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Chris,



Welcome to the forum. You don't have a great deal of time in Ireland so I am tempted to recommend that you stick closer to the east coast. Is going to Connemara a must on this trip? By flying into and out of Dublin and having to do the west that means two days of cross-country driving. Plus you will have to spend your last night near Dublin. Perhaps saving the west for another trip when you have more time or can fly into Shannon would make sense.



Tell me more about what you want to see and do. What is your son interested in?



B&Bs run around 35 euro per person. That is around $84 per night for two people. Go to my "Links" page for accommodations and click on "Town & Country" & "Friendly Homes" for B&Bs.



For Dublin take a look at Jury's Inn Christchurch. They have room rates that accommodate three people and are well-priced. This is not a super deluxe, 5-star place to stay but has generic accommodations that are clean, safe and in a good area for seeing Dublin.



Give me more info so I can help.



Michele



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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csjwriter


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Thanks very much for responding.  Yeah, the limited time I've chosen for our trip is starting to gnaw at me.  I could not pass up the amazing Aer Lingus sale from LAX to Dublin, but we couldn't get away from work any longer!  Exploring the east coast may be our only solution.


My son used to be enamored with castles, but now he's into music and sports.  He had a great time this past summer exploring New York City for the 1st time & visiting the Grand Canyon & Lake Havasu.  He simply likes to see new places.  I'm sure he will enjoy historical sights in Ireland.  Is it true kids can get in to pubs?  I'd love to expose him to the music and dance.


We'd like to explore historical and literary haunts in Dublin, & in the countryside perhaps stay at a farmhouse & see castles & forts & coastline.  We're an open book when it comes to the east coast.  It is mandatory that we visit a quintessential Irish Village.  And discover the secret of Roan Inish.


I came across Jurys Inn in my research - nice to hear a good review - will definitely look into it.  We have a car the entire time (another great deal).


Look forward to your suggestions,


Chris



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Michele Erdvig


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Chris,


A little time in Ireland is better than none at all. Just use common sense in making the best of the few days you do have and it will be a wonderful trip. Some great areas to explore in the east are Co. Wicklow and Kilkenny. I think you would be very happy spending your time there and in Dublin. Follow these links for more on those areas:


http://www.wicklow.ie/tourism/


http://www.kilkennytourism.ie/


You can see castles in Kilkenny and Cahir. Glendalough is fantastic, full of history and beauty. You might enjoy the village of Avoca where the TV series Ballykissangel was filmed. There is plenty of coastline in Wicklow as well as mountains and gardens. Take a look and see what you think.


Michele



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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csjwriter


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RE: Ireland with a 10-year old, This Wednesday!
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Thanks to everyone so much for providing such great information on this site.  Fortunately, since I last wrote, I have been able to have some of my questions answered by doing a search of previous topics.  Very handy.


My wife, my son and I are off to Dublin from LAX this Wednesday.  We ended up reserving a room at the Jurys Inn Parnell Square, as the one in Christchurch has been booked for quite a while.  We plan to follow many of this site's suggestions for things to do in Dublin, until we leave for the southeast on Sunday morning, visiting Glendalough, Avoca, Cashel & Killkenny.


My last minute question is this:  of the towns we are visiting, which might be the best to stay overnight in?  We have no B&B reservations - I don't believe we need them this time of year.  We're looking forward to seeing Killkenny, but I have a feeling it might be too busy a city in which to stay.  We'd like a total contrast to Dublin.  2 separate B&Bs in 2 separate towns.


Also, Tuesday night we'd like to stay maybe 30 minutes from the Dublin airport in a quaint town - our flight leaves at 11 am - someone mentioned The Reefs in Skerries - any thoughts?


Most of all, we're looking forward to the gloomy Irish weather predicted for this coming week!  Who needs L.A.!


Chris



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Michele Erdvig


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RE: Ireland with a 10-year old!
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Chris,


Bon Voyage! If you want to stay out in the country then try Glendalough. It is a beautiful setting in the middle of the Wicklow Mountains. Kilkenny is actually my favorite city in Ireland. Just the right size, beautiful setting, very historic. Cashel is another town I like. It is more of a small workaday type place.


Depending on when you will be in the areas, will determine whether you will find good accommodations. Glendalough and Kilkenny tend to be busy on weekends.


I think that Skerries is too far from the airport if you depart at 11 am. You should probably be at the airport at no later than 8:30. There have been delays at Dublin Airport so check with your airline on when you should arrive. Also you must turn in your car. Malahide is a nice village and about 15 minutes from the airport (with no traffic). During rush hour I would give it longer. Swords is also nearby.


I hope you all have a great trip. Let us hear from you when you get back. We would enjoy knowing a bit about how your trip went.


Michele



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
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