Travel in Ireland with a toddler?

Question

I am hoping to go on a trip to Ireland sometime next year and would like to take my toddler (he'll be 3 in May). Would a guided tour or a self-drive trip be better? I've always been one to do things on my own, but I'm a little concerned with a little one in tow, esp if it's just him and me. So any suggestions on what areas are toddler-friendly, what type of trip would tend to work better, etc. would be great!

Answer 1

It may be a bit difficult driving around Ireland if you have never being berfore and don't know your way. If you pick a few cities to hit try to find out what tours you can go on before you go. Alot of hotels will have child minding faciltiys if you need a break for some time to relax on your own. Bare in mind that must pubs in Ireland will not allow children after 7pm.

Check out a few of the Irish web sites for tourism.

www.ireland.ie

Answer 2

HI, I just returned from a glorious week in Ireland. I stayed in Dublin for 2 days and then rented a car and drove the countryside, visiting The Ring of Kerry, The River Shannon, Adare Village, Killarney and Cork.

It was a great and relaxing trip. But I can't imagine driving it with a toddler, not unless you had 1 extra person to help out. The drive, although magical, can also be iffy...sometimes narrow and winding roads make it hard to get by, and if you have to constantly be paying attention to a 3-year-old, that might make it dangerous for you and the baby!

I say go, but only if you can get a friend to come with you to sort of entertain the baby and keep you company as well. Or book the guided tour (although I hate to be herded around in a bus).

Good luck! Ireland is absolutely gorgeous!

Answer 3

think you should take him on aboat trip where they fish along the coast i sure he be amused with the fishes!!!!.... also anywhere really you have plenty of parks, playground, and loads of tours suitable for a toddler his age...so head over and dont worry you'll find something that he will enjoy... ireland isnt a bad spot and i live here...

Answer 4

if I was you I would hire a car that way the child doesn't feel restrained,and that way if the child needs to run around for awhile you can find a spot and let him do so,where as if you were on a bus tour you wouldn't be able to.Most places in Ireland are very child friendly,whether it's a restaurant,pub or a hotel.hope you have a great holiday.Take care.

Answer 5

While I do think you'll need a car to get around (public transport is c**p here), I think you'd be better to head to somewhere that has a lot to do within one periphery - Kerry is ideal. I spent my childhood summers there, and it offers so much for a tourist to do without requiring too much travelling.

You MUST take your child to see Fungi, the dolphin. It's a boat trip (nothing too fancy) from Dingle/ An Daingean, which is a nice little Irish-speaking tow. There's always loads of children on the little boat.

Kerry is the most south-western county in Ireland, and has some spectacular views of the Atlantic, like from Mizen Head. The beaches are lovely too, but the water is FREEZING!

Also, because you can't trust Irish weather, the Aquadome is a small indoor aquatic center in Tralee, a nice little town in Kerry.

Enjoy it, both of you! h**l, I might head down there myself this summer!