We continue to believe that in the future the borders will be open, airplanes will cross oceans, people will fill restaurants, and we will all get out our passports.
As for now, take a peek at these pictures to inspire your next big adventure!
Ireland Itinerary
Ireland Itinerary
Since my husband is part Irish, Ireland was a trip we’d been wanting to take for years. We had such a great time poking around the country and exploring it’s wild coastline. We did this trip in May 2018 and we had beautiful weather…60’s -70’s each day and it only rained once. The locals told us this was unheard of. Here is our Ireland itinerary for a perfect week.
Happy planning!
How was the driving in Ireland?
Driving was insane! Cars drive on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right side of the car. As if that is not bad enough, I can’t stress how narrow the roads are. Lots of people told us that before we went…actually everyone mentioned it…and I can see why. My neck hurt at the end of the day from leaning to the right the whole time. I could never drive there but my husband looked like a pro.
Where do you fly in to Ireland?
The best place to fly in is Dublin Airport (DUB), which services the eastern counties, Cork Airport (ORK), servicing the southern counties, and Shannon Airport (SNN), serving the western
Jerpoint Abbey & Rock of Cashel
Two spots you must visit when traveling to Ireland is Jerpoint Abbey and Rock of Cashel. You have to see these gorgeous spots!
10 Tips for Doing Blarney Castle with Kids
10 Tips for Doing Blarney Castle with Kids
I’ve always had ‘Kiss the Blarney Stone’ on my Travel Bucket List, but I had no idea how terrifying it would be. I thought you walked up to a boulder and gave it a peck. I had no idea you first had to walk up a ton of claustrophobic winding stairs up to the rooftop of a castle. Then you sit down with your back facing the stone, scoot back, lie down, grab two bars for dear life, and then have a panic attack (Oh wait…maybe that’s just me). My kids and husband were not scared at all. In fact, they thought it was really fun. There are bars that prevent you from falling but my brain couldn’t wrap itself around that concept. I was counting down the seconds until it was over since I hate heights. Don’t even get me started on the fact that a million people before me had also kissed that stone. I don’t even like putting my hands on railings, never mind put my lips on it. So, I gave the rock a nice little air kiss. That counts doesn’t it?
But really, I’m glad we did it and I could not imagine having backed out since it’s a once in a lifetime thing to do in Ireland. That said, here are 10 tips for doing Blarney Castle with your kiddos.
10 Tips for Doing the Cliffs of Moher with Kids
Tips for Doing the Cliffs of Moher with Kids
The Cliffs of Moher is Ireland’s most visited natural attraction and should be on your Ireland itinerary. These dramatic works of nature rise over 700 feet at the highest point and span five miles over the Atlantic Ocean. We rented a house in Doolin so we were near the cliffs and they didn’t disappoint. Kids will love to see the cliffs and as long as you’re careful, it’s a perfectly safe activity to do together. The following are 10 tips for doing the Cliffs of Moher with kids:
WEAR SENSIBLE SHOES
There are loose rocks, patches of mud, and dirt paths for you to walk on so you’ll want to wear sensible shoes. Hiking boots are ideal but sneakers are fine. I would avoid flip flops and shoes with heels.
Newpark Hotel
Newpark Hotel
Tucked away in the Irish countryside, Kilkenny is about an hour’s drive from Dublin. It’s a great stopping point to visit Jerpoint Abbey and, of course, Kilkenny Castle. Located on the edge of Kilkenny City, the Newpark Hotel offers the perfect place to call home while exploring the area. The hotel rests on 40 acres of beautiful parkland and there are endless things for families to do together.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
We like to expose the girls to the history of the country we’re visiting (especially if we are taking them out of school) and we were lucky that our first day in Ireland could include a visit to Bunratty Folk Park. Set on 26 acres, the park features over 30 buildings that depicts what life was like in Ireland over a century ago. Traditional jobs and crafts are represented such as pottery, fishing, the forge, milling, farming, and printing. You can walk in each of these buildings and get a peek at their everyday lives since all the buildings are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at the time. Some of our favorite areas included:
Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
Pulling the kids from school always includes a little guilt…until you introduce them to culture they can’t learn from reading in a book. Our first taste of Irish culture was by attending a medieval banquet in Bunratty Castle.
We chose the 5:30 banquet since we knew we’d be jet lagged and it would have to be an early night. First, we were taken into the Great Hall for an introduction to the castle. We were greeted by people dressed in beautiful medieval clothes who played their part so well you immediately felt like you were transported in time.