The biggest highlight of this summer was our Ireland family vacation. If you are into fun, fast-paced trips, and love making the most of your time at a new destination – this 8-day itinerary for Ireland is for you.

• This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read my disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

8 Days in Ireland Itinerary with Kids

About our Ireland family vacation

To begin with, Ireland has always been one of the places in Europe that I wanted to visit the most. Therefore, this summer our whole family was excited about making this trip happen.

My kids haven’t taken a plane since the pandemic (although we have done two Mediterranean Cruises together and traveled extensively across Spain in search of new child-friendly destinations). My husband wanted to celebrate his Bday with a memorable getaway. As for me, I have always been mesmerized by the Celtic myths, mysterious Irish castles, and ancient ruins. So, even planning an Ireland family vacation felt special, since there were so many things we wanted to experience on this trip. I have tried to include a bit of everything into this 8-day Itinerary for Ireland: museums, nature, castles, places for the kids, a few guided tours, and even a mini road trip.

Nevertheless, those of you who have more than one week for this Ireland trip – can still easily use my itinerary, just without any rush.

Is Ireland child-friendly?

Ireland is much more child-friendly than I ever expected. As parents, we usually opt for obvious family-friendly holidays, like a Mediterranean cruise or a beach getaway to Spain. The Emerald Isle is renowned for its scenic cliffs, endless greenery, and mysterious castles. However, since it often rains, I had my doubts about whether my kids would enjoy it.

To my surprise, they absolutely loved it! For me, Ireland definitely felt like one of the most child-friendly countries in Europe. You can read more of my personal impressions on visiting Ireland with kids in this post.

The Map of our 8-day Itinerary in Ireland

For your convenience, here’s a link to our 8-day Ireland itinerary on Google Maps, in case you want to save it and adapt it for your future Ireland vacation.

8-day Itinerary for Ireland with Kids

Day 1 – Dublin

I bet almost every Emerald Isle itinerary starts in Dublin. As the capital and largest city in the country, it’s one of the first places to visit in Ireland. Dublin is also home to the country’s busiest international airport. However, I personally preferred flying into Belfast; the airport was much smaller, and we got through security quickly.

Dublin is one of the most unique cities in Europe, renowned for its pubs and celebrated in world literature by James Joyce. While many might think of U2 as the most famous thing to come from Ireland, Dublin offers much more.

The city is easy to explore on foot, as the 6 square kilometers around the River Liffey contain most of its museums and landmarks. We stayed at the Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane, and our family vacation in Ireland began with a relaxing walk along the River Liffey toward the city center. A popular alternative to walking is the River Liffey Sightseeing Cruise. If you plan to stay in Dublin for a few days and want to see it all, consider getting the Go City All-Inclusive Pass, which grants access to over 40 attractions.

The Arc

The first place we visited in Dublin was The Arc, a cultural center for children aged 4 to 14. During our family trip to Ireland, there was a free temporary exhibition dedicated to the animated movie Wolfwalkers. It was such a fantastic opportunity to step into the world of hand-drawn animation. I loved getting a glimpse of the extensive work involved in creating Wolfwalkers. My girls were even given paper and pencils to try drawing the main characters themselves!

Hairy Lemon

Since this 8-day Itinerary for Ireland was initially planned as a child-friendly one, we knew that the Irish pub culture would need to wait for the next trips (kids are not allowed after 9 p.m. inside the pubs). But we still wanted to have at least a nice lunch in a trendy local pub, so we picked Hairy Lemon. Both the food and service were great. I really enjoyed their Irish stew, and the kids tried Fish&Chips for the first time in their lives.

St.Patrick´s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks in Dublin, renowned for its association with writer and satirist Jonathan Swift, who served as dean there. Construction on St. Patrick’s Cathedral began in 1190, but it is believed that St. Patrick himself preached at this site centuries earlier. Inside the cathedral, there were numerous activities for children, so our whole family enjoyed the visit.

However, my husband was more captivated by the giant souvenir shop, stating that the place felt more like a massive fair than a religious site. We entered without a prior booking, but depending on the season, it may be wise to secure your entrance in advance.

The Library of Trinity College Dublin

The Library of Trinity College Dublin is one of the most visited places in Dublin (prior booking is required).

It contains one of Ireland’s greatest treasures – the Book of Kells, created by monks around 800 AD. The kids were really excited to see it, especially after we watched The Secret of Kells (2009) together. However, I have to admit that as a bookworm and Harry Potter fan, I was even more excited to see the College Library with its magnificent barrel-roofed Long Hall. So, you can imagine how disappointed I was to discover that the library was empty due to their Old Library Redevelopment Project. I wish I had known this before buying tickets, especially since the entrance fee was €18.50 per adult.

The Bank

For dinner, we headed to another popular food&drinks spot in Dublin – The Bank on College Green. Here, the name speaks for itself. Back in 1892, the building was acquired by Belfast Bank. Nowadays, the central banking hall with its Franco-Scottish interiors is a trendy bar and restaurant. While the menu was very brief, I really enjoyed their Irish Seafood Chowder (a traditional creamy seafood soup).

Unique Dublin Tours

If you want to make the most of your day in Dublin, booking a tour with the local guide might be an amazing idea. Check out:

• Dublin Walking Street Food Tour (check availability)
• Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour (check availability)
• Dublin Afternoon Tea Vintage Bus Trip (check availability)
• Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour (check availability)
• River Liffey Sightseeing Cruise (check availability)
• Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour with Tastings (check availability)
• Generation Pub Crawl (check availability)
• Music and Dance Show at The Irish House Party (check availability)

Experiences that I regret missing out and will definitely try on my next Ireland family vacation – Traditional Irish Dance Class, Mythology and Folklore Walking Tour, and Dublin Literary Pub Crawl. Of course, beer lovers can’t miss Guinness Storehouse.

Day 2 – Ireland Road Trip

While one could easily spend a few days in the city of Dublin, we had a packed schedule for our eight days in Ireland. So, on the second day of our family vacation, after breakfast at the charming café Nutbutter in Grand Canal Docks (where I embraced my inner porridge lover), we rented a car to embark on a three-day road trip across the island. We initially hesitated about renting a car in Ireland, as the only time we had ever driven on the left side of the road was in Cyprus years ago.

However, it turned out to be easier than I expected, especially since we avoided crossing through big cities with heavy traffic. The biggest challenge of driving in Ireland for me turned out to be its narrow countryside roads. At one point, we even scratched the car and had to use travel insurance for the first time in our lives. Throughout our vacation, we didn’t feel the need for a 4×4; in fact, I found that the smaller the car, the easier it was to navigate around.

Athlone Castle

Our first stop on the road was Athlone Castle, which we initially picked only because it was on the road to the Cliffs of Moher. But all of our family enjoyed this landmark so much. By the way, during our visit, we had our first encounters with friendly Irish people. While desperately searching for parking spots (there was some kind of event happening in Athlone when we visited), we almost gave up hope. Just then, one of the locals waved us over to indicate a spot he had just vacated. Surprisingly, the 13th-century Athlone Castle became one of the highlights of our family vacation in Ireland for the kids. It featured numerous interactive panels, folk artifacts, and even medieval costumes for them to dress up in!

Cliffs of Moher

One of my personal highlights of this 8-day itinerary in Ireland was visiting the Cliffs of Moher. As much as I love talking about the stunning cliffs in Spain, those in Ireland were the one and only for me. These dramatic 214-meter-high cliffs, facing the might of the Atlantic Ocean, feature horizontal layers of flagstones that extend for 8 kilometers from Hag’s Head to beyond O’Brien’s Tower. The Cliffs of Moher are open year-round, but the winds are typically high during the winter months. We arrived around 4 p.m., and it was honestly not too crowded. While the Cliffs of Moher are a natural wonder accessible to everyone, the only nearby parking costs 12 euros per person (not per car). I honestly felt it was worth it.

If you prefer not to drive in Ireland, there are plenty of organized tours to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin.

After spending a few hours at the cliffs, we headed to our next road trip stop: Longcourt House Hotel in the small town of Newcastle West. This was probably the nicest hotel of our family vacation in Ireland. However, I didn’t like that they only accepted card payments (a common practice among most hotels in Ireland, by the way) – clients should always have multiple payment options available. Several remote restaurants we visited on our journey across Ireland had issues with their payment terminals, so you can never fully rely on card payments. Generally, I recommend having a card for hotels and landmarks, as well as some extra cash with you (euros for the Republic of Ireland and pounds for Northern Ireland).

Day 3 – Ireland Road Trip

Ross Castle

Our morning started with a traditional Irish Breakfast at the restaurant of Longcourt House Hotel. Afterward, we drove all the way to the Killarney National Park. I definitely plan to return one day to drive the famous Ring of Kerry. But even getting a quick sneak peek of several local landmarks was worth making a stop in the area. A few popular experiences to book here are Private horse carriage tour of Killarney National Park and Ring of Kerry Full-Day Tour from Killarney.

First thing in the morning, we headed to Ross Castle, a grand example of a medieval Irish stronghold. It was likely built in the 15th century by one of the O’Donoghue Ross tribal chieftains. Boats from here take you to Innisfallen Island in the middle of Lough Leane (be sure to book ahead during the high season). Since we had only planned a quick stop at Ross Castle, we arrived before it opened at around 9 a.m. The views were incredibly serene, and suddenly, we were approached by a group of local deer. This was one of the most magical moments of our Irish road trip.

Torc Waterfall

Only 9 km away from Ross Castle, we enjoyed another must-visit spot in Killarney National Park: Torc Waterfall. Initially, I was a bit concerned about parking since I had read online that it could be difficult to find a spot. However, since it was still relatively early (around 10 a.m.), we easily found a place to leave our car.

We then walked a few minutes through the enchanting forest toward the Torc Waterfall. I truly enjoyed this natural setting – there were several hiking trails around the waterfall area, which would have been great to explore if we had more time in Killarney National Park.

Muckross House

The last stop before lunch was Muckross House, a splendid estate and 19th-century Victorian museum. Since it was different from all the other places we had planned for our family holidays in Ireland, I was excited to explore the interiors. The tour cost €9 per person, and even the kids loved the furniture and decor. There was a small child-friendly table with pencils and activity sheets that included quizzes about the history of Muckross House.

Muckross House is currently owned by the state, but it used to belong to the Herbert family before being purchased by Lord Ardilaun. In 1910, it was bought again by a wealthy American, William Bowers Bourn, as a wedding present for his only daughter, Maud. After her death in 1932, the family sold the property to the state, as maintaining it had become too large an undertaking for any private individual. Interestingly, in 1861, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert stayed at Muckross House during their trip to Ireland.

After visiting the Muckross House we drove to the restaurant The Kerry Way for lunch and then headed to our last stop of the day – Blarney Castle & Gardens.

Blarney Castle & Gardens

If I were to pick only one place to visit during this Ireland family vacation – I´d go with Blarney Castle & Gardens. You can easily spend the whole day here, but in our case, we only had an afternoon to enjoy this beautiful place. If you plan to visit Blarney Castle & Gardens in the morning, be sure to book in advance, as it is one of the most popular attractions on the Emerald Isle. Before planning this trip to Ireland, I had honestly never heard of Blarney and had no idea it was one of the country’s most iconic destinations. According to tradition, you can gain the gift of “blarney” by kissing the Blarney Stone. Just be prepared to keep an eye on your kids as they scramble to the top of the castle! The lines to kiss the stone can be quite long, but since we arrived just an hour and a half before closing time, our family almost had the place to ourselves.

Although I usually enjoy following local legends and superstitions, we didn’t end up kissing the stone. Many believe that kissing the Blarney Stone gives you the ability to talk your way out of any difficult situation. The term “blarney” was coined by Queen Elizabeth I, who remarked that the castle’s owner was speaking nothing but “blarney” as he tried to avoid fulfilling her demands. I can’t stress enough how much I loved the surrounding 1,000 acres of woodlands and gardens.

My kids couldn’t stop playing fairies inspired by Cicely Mary Barker’s books! While at Blarney Castle & Gardens, I also followed another local legend about the Wishing Steps. According to the tradition, you’re supposed to walk down the steps and then back up with your eyes closed, making a wish that the Blarney Witch will grant within a year.

After this magical afternoon at Blarney Castle & Gardens, we headed to our hotel Jury Inn in Cork. After the check-in, we went for dinner and walked around the city center of Cork. Popular activities in Cork include Guided Historical Walking Tour and Midleton Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tasting.

We honestly didn’t click with the city of Cork. It was Thursday around 8 p.m. and the main street was full of drunk people (to the extent that some could barely walk). I don’t know whether it was our luck, or that was what a regular evening in Cork looked like. One of our Irish guides had once made a joke that there was a nasty rumor about the Irish drinking a lot – so not true, since the Irish always spill most of it. Anyway, if I will get a chance to visit Cork again, I plan to use it to make a Full-Day Guided Tour to Dingle Peninsula.

Day 4 – Ireland Road Trip

On the last day of our Ireland Road trip, we were supposed to return to Dublin and leave a car at the airport. But we still had a whole day for sightseeing.

Cahir Castle

First thing in the morning we headed to Cahir Castle, one of Ireland´s largest and best-preserved castles. It was founded by Conor O´Brien in 1142 and passed on to the Butler family in 1375. The Cahir Castle has survived nearly intact through centuries, largely because it surrender to Cromwell in 1650 without a fight. Kids really enjoyed the Cahir Castle Siege 1599 in miniature, where certain areas were lightened up after pressing the button.

Rock of Cashel

If I were to pick my second favorite place for any Ireland travel itinerary, it would be the Rock of Cashel. This landmark boasts the most impressive cluster of medieval buildings in Ireland.

According to legend, St. Patrick himself came here to convert a local king to Christianity. Since the 9th century, Cashel even rivaled Tara as Ireland’s center of power. This prominence lasted until the 10th century when the local clan was defeated by the O’Briens, and in 1101, the king gifted this site to the Church. It became a significant ecclesiastical center until Cromwell’s army killed 3,000 Catholic devotees here in 1647.

Kilkenny

Our last stop on the road to Dublin was the picturesque town of Kilkenny, considered one of the most attractive medieval towns in Ireland. Here, we enjoyed lunch at Kyteler’s Inn, a local medieval tavern dating back to 1324. However, I was a bit disappointed that everyone was seated in the Courtyard Bar during the day (however, to access the restrooms, you will walk through their medieval tavern room, which was really cool). Kilkenny turned out to be more touristy than we expected. While walking around the center, we stopped at a local bookshop, Khans Books Limited, where I picked up a coloring Book of Kells for the kids, along with a few new reads for the road.

One of the top local landmarks is Kilkenny Castle. However, as it was really busy with visitors, we decided to hit the road back to Dublin a bit earlier to get some rest before the next few days. In Kilkenny, you have a few interesting guided tour options – Kilkenny’s Artistic Charm & Hidden Stories Tour and Kilkenny Romance: Castles, Legends & Love Tour.

After arriving at the Dublin Airport we left the rented car and headed to Maldon Dublin Airport Hotel. The plan was to take the bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast the next evening (after the Boyne Valley Tour). But things got a bit complicated…

Day 5 – Boyne Valley Organized Tour

While I usually prefer traveling independently, for this Ireland family vacation we thought of reducing the days of driving and booking a few organized tours instead. I initially thought of Newgrange Tour, but it was sold out (even though I was booking a few months before the actual trip: so maybe, should have done it earlier). But another exciting alternative we found was The Celtic Boyne Valley Tour.

For the Boyne Valley Tour, I was a bit concerned about the kids since they don’t always have the patience to listen to guides discussing history. However, the entire experience turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable. Our local guide, David, was extremely knowledgeable, and we learned a great deal about Irish culture and history. There were plenty of discussions on the bus while the kids were busy painting, which made it easy. At times, I even found myself translating a few stories and legends for the little ones, as they are still learning English. During this Celtic Tour, we explored the Boyne Valley in County Meath, the historical seat of the high kings of Ireland. We made stops at the Neolithic tombs of Loughcrew, the Hill of Tara, Trim Castle, and Fore Abbey.

The only drawback of the day was the weather. For the first time on this family vacation in Ireland, I realized just how lucky we had been with the weather before. Unfortunately, heavy Irish rain caught us at the Hill of Tara. We were all wearing waterproof boots, pants, and jackets, and I even had an umbrella. However, since it was also windy, the raindrops seemed to come from every direction, and everyone got wet. Our guide reassured us that he had done the same tour in worse conditions…

While I was preparing our 8-day itinerary for Ireland, I read countless travel stories, most of which included lines like, “We planned to do this, but it started to rain.” At first, I didn’t understand the fuss. I thought, “You have waterproof gear, so what’s the problem?” But now, after this personal experience, I truly understand how the Irish rains can be.

Despite the bad weather, the day didn’t end on a sour note. After our tour, which concluded around 5 p.m., we were supposed to pick up our suitcase and take a bus back to Belfast. To our surprise, there were no tickets available online. Due to a local football game, everything was sold out, and the city’s public transport was overwhelmed. This turned out to be the most stressful moment of our family vacation in Ireland.

Since there were no bus or train tickets to Belfast available online, we took a taxi to the train station and bought tickets there. At the info desk, they warned us that the train would be extremely full ( everyone was returning home after the game in Dublin). I was already imagining sitting on the suitcases with the kids during the ride, but it had turned out surprisingly well. I could even say that we enjoyed traveling from Dublin to Belfast by train more than we did by bus (as it was way more spacious).

After arriving in Belfast, we took a taxi to the Leonardo Hotel. At the Belfast train station, they had an interesting taxi-call system: there was a public phone that would automatically connect you to the operations center, allowing them to send a taxi under your name. My first impression of the night in Belfast was honestly a bit alarming. At our hotel, there was a double security check at the entrance, which I don’t recall experiencing anywhere else in Europe. This prompted me to start researching online whether Belfast was actually safe.

Day 6 – Northern Ireland Organized Tour

The following day, we woke up feeling very relaxed since we had booked a Northern Ireland tour that started around 10 a.m.

As early birds, we had plenty of time for an excellent breakfast in Belfast before the tour. During breakfast, I began to appreciate the beautiful architecture of Belfast. While Dublin’s city center is characterized by its lively pubs and small, colorful buildings, the facades of Belfast were tall and sophisticated. The tour bus picked us up near the hotel, and we headed to our first stop in Northern Ireland: The Dark Hedges, one of the iconic filming locations for Game of Thrones.

The Dark Hedges is an avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road. My kids were captivated by the mysterious legend surrounding this place: it is said that the hedges are often visited by a local ghost known as the Grey Lady, who flits across the road from tree to tree.

Our next stop of the day was Giants Causeway – one of the most-visited landmarks in Northern Ireland and a World Heritage Site (as well as a GOT filming location).

Once there, it was clear that the Giant’s Causeway is the number one local tourist attraction. We spent about an hour and a half exploring the polygonal columns of layered basalt rocks and caves, which were formed by a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. There was a bus taking travelers to the Giant’s Causeway from the visitor center, but we opted for a 15-minute walk since there was a long line for the bus, and none of us wanted to wait.

The Giant’s Causeway is also known for the ancient local legend of Finn McCool. My kids enjoyed it so much that I later bought them a book about it in Belfast. Overall, both The Dark Hedges and the Giant’s Causeway were much more touristy than anything else we had visited during our seven days in Ireland. This surprised me – I would have honestly placed my bets on The Cliffs of Moher being the most-visited site on the Emerald Isle.

The last stop on our Northern Ireland tour was Dunluce Castle, the dramatic ruins perched on a rocky chalk headland, dating from the 15th and 17th centuries.

Since the tour ended up around 4 p.m. we still had some time to walk around Belfast’s city center. Here, I shopped for souvenirs at Carrolls Irish Gifts. It was not any more budget-friendly than the usual airport souvenirs. But I loved the wide variety. Also, we made a stop at a local bookshop Waterstones (which I loved so much) for new Irish children’s books.

Days 7-8 – Belfast

During the last two days of our 8-day itinerary in Ireland, we explored the city of Belfast. Since we had an evening flight on our final day, we actually only had one and a half days to enjoy the city, but we still managed to enjoy it. Our first stop was the W5 Museum, one of the coolest interactive museums I have ever visited. I was honestly impressed by W5; we could barely drag the kids out because they were having such a blast and didn’t want to leave! Also, due to this museum, we ended up seeing less of Belfast than we had planned. However, since it was the last day of a fast-paced vacation, we didn’t really want to rush through any more sights. You can check more details via my IG Highlight Ireland.

Other must stops in Belfast are definitely the Titanic Museum, Ulster Museum and the Botanic Gardens. We did not get to visit Crumlin Road Gaol and Grand Opera House in Belfast, but these would be great stops in the city if traveling without kids.

Best time to visit Ireland

Typically, late spring and early autumn are considered the best times for getaways in Europe. However, our 8-day itinerary took place at the beginning of July, and overall, it was an enjoyable experience.

Perhaps it’s because I live on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, where summer brings an overwhelming number of tourists, but I didn’t feel the same summer rush during my trip to Ireland. Of course, Dublin wasn’t empty – it’s a popular city break destination for Europeans – but it was still manageable (nothing like the crowds in Madrid or Barcelona during the summer months). To my surprise, I found that summer was actually a great time to visit Ireland.

Popular Ireland Souvenirs

I don’t remember bringing back so many souvenirs from any of my recent trips! Our family loved the Ireland vacation so much that we wanted to bring a piece of the Emerald Isle back home to Spain. In addition to local souvenir shops and Irish books, I discovered some unique craftspeople, many of whom ship internationally.You can check out my ultimate list of the best Irish souvenirs in this post.

Best time to visit Ireland

Typically, late spring and early autumn are considered the best times for getaways in Europe. However, our 8-day itinerary took place at the beginning of July, and overall, it was an enjoyable experience.

Perhaps it’s because I live on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, where summer brings an overwhelming number of tourists, but I didn’t feel the same summer rush during my trip to Ireland. Of course, Dublin wasn’t empty – it’s a popular city break destination for Europeans – but it was still manageable (nothing like the crowds in Madrid or Barcelona during the summer months). To my surprise, I found that summer was actually a great time to visit Ireland.

How much time do you need in Ireland

To see most of Ireland’s landmarks, you’d ideally need 2-3 weeks. However, this 8-day itinerary felt like a great way to get a first impression of the country. Although Ireland is relatively small and you can cover a lot of ground in just 8 days, if you only have one week, you’ll need to prioritize your stops and skip some national landmarks. That said, it’s absolutely doable!

We visited Ireland with our kids (aged 4 and 5) and had an amazing time on the road. In fact, for family trips, I’ve come to prefer shorter journeys, as we all seem to feel less tired and enjoy the experience more.

In this post, you’ll find our 8-day itinerary for Ireland, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland – an ambitious travel plan for just 8 days, but one I don’t regret!

Unique hotels to stay in Ireland

During my research, I discovered many cool places to stay and marked them for future trips to the Emerald Isle: Lough Mardal Lodge, Cosy stone built Thatch Cottage, Rural Tipperary bordering Kilkenny, Beautifully Restored Cottage, Roundwood House, Country lodge rental with wood burning stove.

Here are a few cute glamping places: Castledarcy Glamping, Ceide Glamping and Gateway Glamping.

Especially great for traveling with kids (as they offer rooms for 4 people) are: The West Cork Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, Dun Aonaigh with spectacular mountain views. Enjoy a peaceful country retreat, Cabra Castle Hotel, Castlemartyr Resort, The Killeshin Hotel.

How to get to Ireland

The best way to reach Ireland is by finding flights to either Belfast or Dublin. You can find the best deals with Skyscanner, WayAway, and Kiwi. From the States, there are seasonal flights to Londonderry (or Derry), but locals generally don’t recommend this option. One taxi driver shared a story about how he once drove an American couple from Dublin to Derry because of a mix-up with their car booking. They had to take a taxi for €600 to avoid missing their flight home!

The idea for our family vacation to Ireland came about by chance while we were comparing our Europe bucket list to current flight deals. We found budget flights to Belfast in Northern Ireland and decided it was time to make our dream trip a reality. Although our flight landed in Belfast, we immediately took a bus to Dublin, planning to leave Northern Ireland for the end of our 8-day itinerary.

Driving in Ireland

We booked a car through DiscoverCars, one of the largest comparison sites featuring many local and international providers, which was convenient. Keep in mind that Ireland is known for its narrow countryside roads, so having insurance is essential. During our trip, we accidentally scratched the rental car (we’re still not sure when it happened), but fortunately, we had full coverage.

Cars on the island of Ireland drive on the left-hand side of the road, similar to the UK and Cyprus, but unlike the rest of Europe. If this is your first time driving in Ireland, you might want to purchase the Tripiamo Driving in Ireland Guide to be fully prepared for your trip.

Facts to know about Ireland

• On the island of Ireland, there are two countries: the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• The Republic of Ireland is a member of the EU, while Northern Ireland is part of the UK. This means you’ll use euros in the Republic of Ireland and pounds in Northern Ireland.
• Although there’s currently no border control between the two, visa requirements may vary depending on your nationality.
• Be aware that if you rent a car in one country and return it in the other, additional fees may apply.

Best tours in Ireland

During our family vacation in Ireland, we enjoyed the Northern Ireland Tour and the Celtic Boyne Valley Tour. Both were a great fit for us, as we were able to see many new places without having to walk non-stop or stay on the bus for too long.

However, there are a few tours I wish we could have done, like Newgrange, but those were already fully booked two months before our trip. Therefore, I recommend booking tours and experiences in advance; many of them on Viator have a free cancellation policy, so you’ll secure a seat while keeping your options open. You can also book your Ireland activities and tours with my 5% discount code ‘ATC5’ via Tiqets here (discount not applicable on combos and bundles).

• Newgrange Tour (check availability)
• Fastnet Rock Lighthouse and Cape Clear Island Tour (check availability)
• Irish Music and Dance Show with Dance Lesson (check availability)
• The Ultimate Skellig Coast Cruise Tour (check availability)
• Dublin Mythology and Folklore Walking Tour (check availability)
• Dublin Local Food Tour (check availability)
• From Galway: Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher Day Cruise (check availability)
• Game of Thrones Studio Tour (check availability)
• Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour (check availability)

If I get a chance to visit the Emerald Isle without kids (or perhaps, when they grow up a bit) – I would not miss the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Irish Music and Dance Show with Dance Lesson, and Dublin Mythology and Folklore Walking Tour (even though my girls adore myths&legends, I felt like walking non-stop across Dublin might feel a bit exhausting for them). Also, I would not miss the Skellig Coast and the Aran Islands Cruise, if we were to spend more than 8 days in Ireland.

What is unique about Ireland?

Ireland is a unique travel destination for both history lovers and nature enthusiasts. The country is renowned for its endless greenery and enchanting rural landscapes, as well as its numerous castles and unmatched Celtic cultural heritage.

Stunning landscapes

First of all, Ireland is an extremely beautiful country. Its unique landscapes were featured in numerous iconic movies. You can watch them to fuel your wanderlust: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Princess Bride ( filmed – The Cliffs of Moher), Braveheart ( filmed – Trim Castle), Star Wars (filmed – Skellig Islands), Saving Private Ryan (filmed at Curracloe Beach), P.S I love you ( filmed – County Wicklow’s Blessington, Sally Gap, and Dublin).

As to the TV Shows – Normal People ( filmed – Sligo and Dublin), The Vikings (filmed – County Wicklow), and of course, there are lots of Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland.

Celtic cultural heritage

Ireland is known for its unmatched Celtic heritage since Romans have never conquered it (unlike the rest of Europe). Most of the things we know today about the lifestyle of the Celtic people are actually based on what Romans wrote about them (let´s take for instance, Julius Cesar´s memoirs of the Gallic Wars).

Most European countries today, for instance Spain, are full of Roman Ruins and legendary battle stories (like the one of Numancia in Soria), but the Celtic People of Europe were absorbed by The Roman Empire at some point (some destroyed, others conquered). But in Ireland, those original Celtic traditions have always been a part of national folklore and were passed through myths and legends to the next generations. A few Celtic landmarks we visited on this Ireland family vacation were absolutely unique – the Boyne Valley and The Rock of Cashel.

Irish roots

There are more people with Irish ancestry outside Ireland than in it. Chances are high that you (or someone you know or admire) might have Irish roots. Ireland has lately got trendy thanks to genetic tests. Throughout the complicated and dramatic history of the Emerald Isle, many locals were forced to immigrate across the globe.

As a result, today some of the biggest politics and pop icons have Irish roots. Traveling to Ireland to discover the land of your ancestors has a unique personal touch. Plus, there’s a new interesting Dublin museum on this topic – The Museum of Immigration.

Ireland with Kids: The Ultimate Bucket List (+ Tips for Making the Most of Your Family Trip)

Based on our epic 8-day adventure in Ireland, I’d love to highlight a few experiences that I was glad to share with my kids, as well as some others I wish I had planned but only discovered once in Ireland. These activities were not only enjoyable for the whole family but, above all, incredibly unique and culturally enriching for the little ones:

• First of all, book tours and family activities early. For major sights like Newgrange, it’s best to book at least 6 months in advance. We tried booking 3 months ahead, but everything was sold out, so we were only able to get a tour to the Hill of Tara and Boyne Valley. For places like the Cliffs of Moher, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Book of Kells at Trinity College, we booked tickets a few days in advance, and it worked out fine.
• Pack layers, waterproof comfortable shoes, and a sturdy yet compact umbrella. During our 8 days in Ireland, it rained a little every single day.
• Watch Irish animated movies like Wolfwalkers, The Secret of Kells, and Song of the Sea (I literally loved these as much as my kids did).
• Before your trip, show your kids coffee table books with photos of Ireland online to spark their wanderlust. Parents often don’t involve children in planning, but as someone once said, “You live every trip 3 times: once when you plan it, once when you travel it, and again when you recall it through photos or notes.” So, I always try to inspire my kids by building anticipation about seeing a new country.
• Read Irish legends before or during your trip to Ireland (for a full list of books, check out this post). For example, read The Giants’ Causeway Tale before visiting the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
• Check out the most iconic landmarks Ireland is globally known for. Even if you can’t see everything during your 8-day trip, exploring places that appear on every Irish postcard is a must: the Cliffs of Moher, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Book of Kells, and the Blarney Castle and Stone.
• Visit at least a few Irish castles – Blarney and Cahir were our favorites. I also picked up a few engaging books about life inside medieval castles to spark the kids’ imaginations even more.
• Learn more about Irish history by visiting at least one of its ancient historical sites, like Newgrange, the Hill of Tara, the Boyne Valley, or the Irish National Heritage Park. I wouldn’t say that every kid will enjoy a ruins-packed itinerary, but I always try to show them at least one to highlight how ancient the place is and talk about how people used to live.
• Include a few child-focused places and activities in your Ireland itinerary. In Dublin, consider visiting the Ark, the Natural History Museum, or the Dublin Zoo. In Belfast, check out W5, the Belfast Zoo, and Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory.
• Explore Ireland’s nature, animals, and wildlife at places like Fota Wildlife Park or the National Aquarium.
• If you have active kids who don’t have the patience for tours or long drives, make sure to tire them out with active and adventurous parks. Consider visiting places like Castlecomer Discovery Park, Clara Lara, Emerald Park, the Kildare Maze, Wildlands, or Gortin Glen Forest Park. When my girls were smaller I used to bringing an agility ladder on long road trips among other essentials (there are plenty of YouTube videos with ideas for children’s agility ladder activities). It helped my kids jump and move during stops, which made a huge difference in their behavior inside the car (they would burn off some energy and feel more relaxed and well-behaved throughout the day).

Is Ireland worth visiting?

Ireland has become one of my all-time favorite destinations after just this one trip. Surprisingly, my kids loved it too – it’s still one of the countries they ask me to visit again. So, you’ll definitely find more of our Irish adventures on the blog! This time we visited Ireland in July, but I would love to explore the country during other seasons.

Overall, I was really happy with how our 8-day itinerary for Ireland turned out. It was definitely a fast-paced trip, but aside from the Dublin-Belfast return journey, everything went smoothly. We got to experience both driving and organized tours, try local foods, and explore some of the country’s most iconic landmarks.

For me, Ireland felt like a very family-friendly destination, equally great for both adults and little ones. The most crowded landmarks were in Northern Ireland. Yet, I personally felt that Belfast had the most engaging attractions for kids, even more so than Dublin. I would definitely love to return for a city break in Belfast soon to explore more.

Pin it:

For more travel tips check my Pinterest boards Europe Travel and Ireland.

• Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda, Booking, and Hotellook
• Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
• Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
• Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
• For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
• Audio guides: Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
• Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner, WayAway, and Kiwi
• Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
• Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Trainline, Busbud, and Omio
• Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Rental Cars and Discover Cars
• Top E-Sim: To avoid roaming fees, I like Saily (use AtLifestyleCrossroads for for a 5% discount)
• Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
• Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
• Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
• Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
• Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
• Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
• Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
• For Bloggers: To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22
• Website Owners: For hosting services, I work with and recommend Lyrical Host (get 10% off with my code ATC10)