Hello, we are looking to venture to Ireland in June 2015. We will have approximately 10-12 days to explore. Yes, we want to see sites, but we also want to experience the area. Being that we are taking our 11 year old, we are perplexed about travel and accommodations. Please provide any HONEST responses that you are able. Thank you !
#1 Don't want to see Ireland thru glass on a crowded bus, I was looking into something like Wolfhound tours ??
#2 Unsure about accommodations since there are 3 of us and we don't want our daughter in a totally separate room, what would be best...B&Bs, hotels any castle recommendations?
#3 Self drive is no go in our travel world (it gets one of us very frustrated and irritable) ...what options are there that don't cost an arm and a leg
#4 What is the general rule about kids in pubs? No we don't want our daughter surrounded by anything inappropriate but we do want to experience the music
#5 Are there any sites that you all would consider a MUST See?
Welcome to the forum. Since you will not drive you could consider trains and buses on your own. If you decide to do that some good bases are Dublin, Galway and Killarney. From those places you can pick up individual day tours to many areas. Also take a look at Railtours, Vagabond and Driftwood.
For accommodations you will want to request a family room at B&Bs or hotels. They all have different layouts but will have at a minimum a double and twin bed. For castle hotels see my Castle page.
No kids in pubs after 9 pm off season or 10 pm during the season. Since music sessions usually start late you will want to find pubs that have daytime music or venues that allow children like Kate Kearney's Cottage outside Killarney.
I haven't traveled with Wolfhound Tours, but have met them twice at some very unique spots... places most tours don't even consider visiting. That impressed me... they are for more active groups (people willing to go more the trails and hiking across fields kind of trip). They tend to give you more time to get out and explore when you visit sites with them.
There are a lot of family rooms available at B&Bs (usually 2 or 3 beds in the room), so that is perfect for a family like yours... hotels work as well.
Deros Tours, in Killarney, offers numerous trips. They also offer private tours and drivers. http://derostours.com/new/
Irish Rail has direct connections to Killarney and Galway, but the link between Killarney and Galway involves transfers and delays. Deros, or ANY Hackney service could incorporate some tourist stops, to 'break up' the journey.
Were it ME, I would 'splurge' on having a driver for the journey from Killarney to Galway, as that is the one trip that is poorly served by Public Transit. Along the way, possible stops include Adare, Bunratty, Limerick Castle and the Hunt Museum -- OR Listowel, the Shannon Ferry, Cliffs of Moher and some of the Burren -- Depending upon your route.
While IN Killarney, there is a Shuttle Bus, taxis and Horse-drawn traps to get you around -- plus, the town, itself, is VERY 'walk-able'.