While I am always on the look out for new attractions and activities to share across Ireland it pays to revisit sites I’ve spent time at in the past. This fall the girls and I returned to the Cliffs of Moher. While we had seen the cliffs from a cruise in 2013, we hadn’t been on top…
Knappogue Castle, owned and managed by Shannon Heritage, was once open for public tours. Though the walled garden is still available to visitors, there are only two ways into the castle: the nightly Medieval Banquet from April – October or via castle rental, for an event or lodging. During our 3 night stay at Knappogue…
Recorded: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 7 pm CST In this episode, Jody introduces herself and gives the listeners a brief overview of the history, purpose and the many useful features available on the Ireland Family Vacations website. CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON below to listen. Stream our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher, Libsyn and Google Play Music. Show Notes: (Click…
Donkey Sanctuary, nestled in County Cork. The sanctuary is free to visit and a favorite of families. Ireland vacation tips | Ireland travel | IrelandFamilyVacations.com[/caption] I would have never known about The Donkey Sanctuary had it not been for the helpful advice of Miriam at The Old Bank B&B in Bruff. Miriam arranged for Fergal…
Few drives in Ireland are as breath-taking as the Sky Road in Clifden. We experienced this first hand as we made our way to Ocean Villa B&B, our first lodging in Clifden. We were unprepared for the feeling that we could easily drop over the edge of the road- or the thrill that accompanied the views…
Ireland Family Vacations reader question: Are there B&Bs that can accommodate a family of 4 in one room? Answer: Yes, you’ll find many B&B accommodations for families with rooms spacious enough for a family of 4 in Ireland. What you want to look for is a ‘family room’. These rooms are usually a bit larger to accommodate…
My husband Doug is annoyingly difficult to buy gifts for. He never ‘wants’ anything, doesn’t ‘need’ anything that he hasn’t purchased himself, and, most frustratingly, guesses what a gift is before he opens it. I hate buying gifts for him! But last year I found a gift that was perfect! It has long been our…
Ireland is a land where magic shimmers over each hill, just ahead – if you could only catch it. It pulls you forward, off the quick motorways and onto the slower, narrower roads lined with stone walls and hedgerows. It’s an unhurried pace Ireland draws you to, and you’re well to heed it, as rushing only leads…
If you’re anything like me, your smart phone is your main mode of communication, the camera you use most often, and your entertainment center. So when you travel you want to use it just like you do at home. There’s only one problem – the cost. It’s not cheap to use your smart phone in…
Reader Question: If you had to choose one side of the island for your first visit, which would it be? This is a great question, though it is much like asking a parent which child is their favorite. I love it all! So which ‘side’ of Ireland for a first vacation? That may be entirely dependent…
Best Group Itinerary in Ireland? Having been to Ireland so many times with kids, what would be your recommendation on the best itinerary for our group? I think this is the hardest for us to decide in looking at everything. They all seem great, but we realize that it is hard to do everything in…
The Burren, famous for its barrenness, is one of the most unique places in Ireland. Its limestone terrain, hardy vegetation, and rugged animals, both wild and domestic, make the Burren a contrast. Barren limestone gives way to open grazing land. The limestone cliffs drop abruptly into the ocean. And beauty appears out of nowhere. Too often…
A falconry experience in Ireland is not to be missed. During our stay at Mount Falcon we had the opportunity to join Jason Deasey, the owner of the Falconry at Mount Falcon, and his adorable Hungarian Vizsla, Chili, on a hawk walk. The mews at Mount Falcon are located in the circle of Woodland Lodges in…
If the owners of Mount Falcon Estate would let me live in one of their Woodland Lodges I would move in tomorrow. My family arrived after a day spent in the tight quarters of our rental car. From Westport we drove Mayo’s untamed portion of the Wild Atlantic Way, wind and rain alternating their battering of us as we drove…
My husband and I have a running joke about titles. British titles, to be exact. Once upon a time, in Merry Olde England, the name of Halstead had a title before it. Now, my husband comes from the line of a 3rd or 4th son, so that withered branch of the family moved to The…
It’s a splurge, to be sure, but if your Ireland vacation won’t be complete without an Ireland castle hotel on the itinerary you can’t beat a stay at Ashford Castle. While I was planning our fall 2014 trip to Ireland, our dates happened to coincide with Halloween. It was only a few days prior that I…
Please note: The original Doolin Hostel is now the Doolin Inn. Read my Doolin Inn review here. The Doolin Hostel is now in the building across the road and while still a very nice hostel which features dorm & private rooms and a complimentary continental breakfast each morning, the information in this article is not…
When planning your Ireland family vacation it’s very easy to fall into what I call a ‘lodging rut’. To put it simply, a ‘lodging rut’ is when you think that your trip can have only one type of lodging, be it hotel, B&B, or self catering cottage. Depending on the length of your trip, your…
It’s fair to say I do quite a bit of packing for travel. And, while I tend toward over-packing (especially when we are driving to destinations), I do try to keep my packing for Ireland a bit lighter. Our most recent trip, however, had a mix of activities – from outdoor pursuits which required warm gear,…
Enclosed by high walls and water, Enniskillen Castle feels every bit the intimidating stronghold it was built to be. Once inside, however, the feeling is quite different, with exploration waiting around each corner. Built nearly 600 years ago by the Maguires, Enniskillen Castle was important for its strategic placement at the juncture of Upper and Lower…