Planning an Ireland trip with kids? This is the real outline of our entire trip, not the Instagram highlight reel. We took our family on a 9-day Ireland road trip, and I’ll tell you what worked, what didn’t, what our family loved, and what you should know before you plan your own Ireland itinerary.
You might notice right away that we skipped some of Ireland’s most famous locations: Dublin, the Blarney Stone, and the Cliffs of Moher. You’ll read more about why we skipped the cliffs further down. We left Dublin right away because, in all my research, a common theme in people’s real experiences was that Dublin was often the least favorite part of their trip. The Blarney Stone wasn’t a priority for us, but if we had wanted to see it, we would have squeezed it in while traveling from Cobh to Kenmare.
You can add any of these stops to your Ireland road trip if they’re important to you. Read on to see what sounds like a good fit for your family!
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Why an Ireland Road Trip is Perfect for Families
Ireland is one of those special destinations that genuinely works for every age. The landscapes are dramatic enough to impress adults and wide-open for kids to run free. Irish people are warm and patient with families. The distances between towns are manageable. And there's a perfect mix of history, nature, music, and animals that will engage everyone.
A road trip is the best way to explore Ireland because you need a car to get to the best places (you won’t find train connections) and having the flexibility of your own vehicle works better for families than a big bus tour. That said, driving in Ireland with kids requires planning and patience. The roads are narrow, driving can be a little stressful, and everyone will have a limit. This itinerary is built with that reality in mind.
In 9 days in Ireland you can cover a lot, but it’s not truly enough time to do it all. So know and accept that going in and just tell yourself that whatever you don’t get to on the first trip, you’ll get to on a return trip.
Practical Ireland Tips
Rent a car: This is really the best way to get around the island. Public transport won't get you to most of the places on this list. Book in advance and be prepared for left-side driving on very narrow roads.
Build in buffer time: Google Maps driving times in Ireland are often optimistic. Add some buffer time, especially on rural roads.
Pack for all weather: It will rain, just accept it. Waterproof layers and shoes for everyone are a must.
Break up the drives: Long and multiple car days with kids require stops for getting wiggles out. There’s plenty of places for fun stops along the way.
Self-catering accommodations: Mid-trip especially, having a kitchen, your own space, and a washing machine is worth it. Our Dingle apartment was our favorite accommodation for the whole trip.
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The Full 9-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 — Dublin Arrival & Cobh
Day 1 is purely logistical but sets you up for the rest of the trip. We flew into Dublin, picked up our rental car, and drove approximately 3 hours south to Cobh (pronounced "Cove"), a colorful harbor town in County Cork most famous for being the last port of call for the Titanic before she set out to sea.
Options for stops along the way:
Rock of Cashel-one of Ireland’s most notable landmarks, a well-preserved medieval castle and church remains.
Rock of Dunmase-an old castle ruin that’s more of a local favorite than a big tourist draw. Plenty of space for kids to run, jump, and climb.
I had planned to stop at the Rock of Dunmase, but delays getting our rental car put us behind schedule. We opted to go straight to Cobh to get everyone a relaxed evening. We got to Cobh with just enough time to check in, grab dinner, and head to bed for our first full day in Ireland.
Stay 1 night in Cobh.
We stayed in this hotel, it had parking and was right across the street from the Titanic Experience. Cobh doesn’t have a lot of hotel options, so if you are struggling to find something here, look into Cork.
Search for Hotels in Cobh:
Day 2 in Cobh was a great mix of history and local charm. We started with breakfast at Cuppacity Coffee — plenty of options including bagel sandwiches, a budget and family-friendly spot. From there we wandered through the Cobh Farmer's Market (Saturdays only, don't miss it if your timing lines up), then headed to the Titanic Experience, which is genuinely fascinating and well done for kids old enough to understand the history. We also found the famous Deck of Cards viewing spot, a colorful row of houses stacked up the hillside that makes for a great photo stop.
Visiting the Titanic Experience
This was the main draw for us to visit Cobh. Cobh was the last stop for Titanic before it set sail. The Titanic Experience walks you through what it would have been like on the ship. It’s not exactly a museum, but it’s more of a tour that guides you through the boarding, state rooms, and sinking of the ship.
Each person is given a ticket with a real person’s identity. Some of the passenger names and stories are told on the tour so listen to see if the guide talks about you. At the end of the tour you can look up your passenger and see whether they were rescued or if they perished at sea.
Practical info
There is no parking! Come early so you have time to street park and walk.
There wasn’t a toilet, go before your tour.
The gift shop was selling cold drinks.
Buy your ticket online before you go.
Deck of Cards viewpoint.
We also found the famous Deck of Cards viewing spot, a colorful row of houses stacked up the hillside that makes for a great photo stop. You can find it on Google Maps, there are a couple viewing options. The one we went to is a private garden and a few euros donation is requested if you visit.
In the afternoon we made the 1.5-hour drive to Kenmare, stopping at a waterfall along the way, a good chance to stretch legs and let the kids burn some energy. We had dinner at PF McCarthy's in Kenmare, attempted to “split the G” with a pint of Guinness. The goal: take one long drink and get the beer level to split the "G" in the Guinness logo exactly in half. I failed miserably but it was fun to try anyway.
Stay the next 3 nights in Kenmare.
We didn’t love our Kenmare apartment (last minute booking), so I found some other places in the area for you to check out:
Search for Hotels in Kenmare:
Day 3 — Ring of Kerry (The Unconventional Version)
The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland's most famous drives and Day 3 threw us a curveball. The weather did not cooperate, so we ended up driving the Ring in a way that we wouldn’t recommend.
A note on clockwise vs. counterclockwise: Most travel guides recommend driving the Ring of Kerry clockwise because tour buses travel counterclockwise, so you avoid getting stuck behind them. However, going clockwise means you may occasionally come head-to-head with a bus on a narrow road and need to reverse to a pullout spot. We did it this way, in bad weather, and lived to tell the tale.
If we had an ideal weather day, these are the stops we would’ve made along the ring and we would have done it in one day:
Sneem — a charming, colorful village worth a wander
Derrynane Beach — stunning and wild coastal scenery
Waterville — a lovely town with great food options
Kerry Cliffs — dramatic and absolutely worth it (more on this in Day 4)
A boat trip from Portmagee to the Skellig Islands and Puffin Island (only possible certain times of year)
Killarney — a great base town to end the loop
We set out from Kenmare and made it to Derrynane Beach first. Our kids loved running around and climbing on rocks looking for sea creatures. They were happy and entertained without us doing a thing. But the weather was VERY windy and eventually we walked back to the car and the rain started.
From there, we drove into Waterville and stopped at the Beachcomber Cafe to try and wash sand out of one kid’s eye. We also grabbed a table to reset with hot drinks and pancakes. However, while we were sitting here, we realized that our next intended stop, the Kerry Cliffs, were closed for the day due to weather. We did make our way to the Skellig Gift Shop for some souvenirs before taking a detour.
At this point we decided to alter our plan since the weather would make it too hard to see the other things on the Ring. We cut through the middle of the Ring of Kerry to go to Killarney. Driving this cut-through route was a little nerve wracking. The road was very narrow, some blind turns, and much of it was in the middle of nowhere and we had no phone service. A bit harrowing, so we would recommend staying on the Ring road.
Killarney is a fun city with a lot of Irish charm. We ate at Quillan's and went shopping in some of the local shops. We also made the requisite Ireland trip stop at Murphy’s Ice Cream. You can find several locations in Ireland, it originated in Dingle. It serves up some uniquely Irish flavors like Irish brown bread, chocolate whiskey, and Dingle sea salt.
On Murphy's Ice Cream: At €6.50 per cone it's a fun one-time experience but not an everyday stop. Our honest recommendation is to try it once, then get a classic "99 cone" — soft serve with a chocolate flakes — from any local shop for the rest of your trip. Much more budget-friendly for a family.
As we were driving back to Kenmare, the sun was out, so we made the quick decision to stop at Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park for a quick walk up to see the falls. The hike to the waterfall only takes about 10 minutes of walking through vivid green and mossy forest. It kind of feels like you might see a fairy pop out at any moment. The waterfall is an easy and beautiful stop to make.
If you want to hike more, there are longer trails you can take. Check the trail map at the entrance to pick your perfect route.
Day 4 — Kerry Cliffs, Waterville & Kissane Farms (Our Favorite Day)
Day 4 started with unfinished business from the day before. The weather was better today so since the Kerry Cliffs had been closed on our first attempt, we went back — and it was absolutely worth it.
One important note: We (again) tried to take a shortcut through the middle of the Ring of Kerry to get there. Don't do this. The driving was even more difficult than the day before. Stick to the ring road.
Kerry Cliffs entry is €5 per person. No video does justice to how dramatic and powerful the coastline is here. It was one of the most impressive natural sights of the entire 9 days in Ireland. Do not skip it! You can walk to 3-4 different view points to see the cliffs from different angles. Even our kids enjoyed seeing this and having the open space to run around.
For lunch we stopped at The Lobster Bar in Waterville and it was genuinely great! If you're driving the Ring of Kerry this is a highly recommended lunch stop.
The next activity made our entire trip.
Kissane Farms Sheepdog Demonstration sits on the Ring of Kerry between Killarney and Kenmare. We weren't sure what to expect walking in, whether it would be a cheesy tourist stop or actually worthwhile but it exceeded every expectation. Their sheepdog Taff was incredibly athletic and precise, the farmer was knowledgeable and gave an engaging talk, and our kids loved it the whole time.
We learned so much about the dogs, the sheep, and the training process. After the demonstration we went to the barn and got to hold baby lambs and the sheepdog puppies. I’m not sure who loved it more, me or the kids. It was the single best activity of our entire 9-day Ireland trip if you ask me and three other members of my family.
There are sheep farms across Ireland, but we can personally and wholeheartedly vouch for Kissane Farms. The TODAY SHOW agreed with us when it visited in the fall of 2026! If you're traveling Ireland with kids, make sure you plan a stop!
Day 5 — Muckross Abbey to Dingle
Day 5 was a transition day where we moved from Kenmare to Dingle. We added in one more stop in Killarney National Park before moving on.
Our first stop was Muckross Abbey, part of the Muckross Estate inside Killarney National Park. The abbey is completely free to visit (tickets are only required for the house or the traditional farm). The farm looked really fun but was closed on the day we had available. I would’ve loved to go there, hopefully on a future visit.
Walking through the abbey feels a bit magical. There's something about these old open-air churches that no fancy estate can replicate. It was also a great chance for the kids to run around and burn some energy before getting back in the car to start our next drive.
Jaunting cars: All over Killarney you will see jaunting cars, or a horse and buggy. They offer to take you to various places for a fee. You can (and should) negotiate with them for your fare. We had two of them bidding to give us a ride to the abbey but the walk was short, so we declined.
Pro tip for families: If your Ireland itinerary involves a lot of driving (and it will) building in stops like Muckross Abbey is essential. Free, beautiful, and a natural energy release for little ones.
We arrived in Dingle for lunch, wandered the town, and made the call to skip Murphy's and go for 99 cones instead. We checked into our self-catering apartment — our favorite accommodation of the entire trip, right next to the grocery store and walkable to everything in town. We did a simple pizza night at home, then walked down to the Dingle Pub for a night of traditional Irish music.
Trad music in pubs: This is a must-do in Ireland. Kids are welcome in the pubs usually until about 9:00 PM. Some pubs also have a restaurant where you can get a table and eat instead of feeling like you’re squished into the bar area. Many places we asked didn’t have live music until later in the evening. So if this is important to you, you might need to call a few places to find out who has live music earlier in the night.
Stay 2 nights in Dingle.
Our self-catering apartment in Dingle was our favorite of all our accommodations. Having space, a kitchen, and a home base mid-trip was exactly what our family needed. For families doing a multi-day Ireland road trip, we strongly recommend mixing hotels with self-catering apartments.
Here’s a few more picks:
Search for Hotels in Dingle:
Day 6 — Falconry, Dunquin Pier & the €2.50 Petting Farm
Day 6 might be the most activity-packed day of the whole trip.
We started just 10 minutes from Dingle town at Kingdom Falconry. The staff brought out falcons and owls, talked our group through the birds, and gave everyone a glove and multiple chances to have a bird fly directly to them — a small piece of raw meat on your glove, the bird is called, and it lands right on your arm. Our oldest child declared this her favorite activity of the entire 9-day trip (high praise given what came before). The weather went from sunshine to pouring rain and back again during our visit, but the birds were entertaining enough that we all pushed through.
We loved getting a close up look at these beautiful birds, and learning more about them.
For lunch we tried to get into Fishbox in Dingle but the wait for a group of five was nearly 2 hours. We walked down the street to Adam’s pub instead and it was a genuinely delicious pub lunch. Lesson learned: make a reservation when you can!
The afternoon sun came out for our drive to Dunquin Pier on the Dingle Peninsula, and the timing was perfect. The water was a gorgeous shade of blue. The views are among the most dramatic we saw in all of Ireland. The kids were happy with the crashing waves and watching birds while we just stood and took it all in.
Important safety note for families: There are unprotected cliff edges at the top of Dunquin Pier. Keep a very close eye on children up there. I hate the cliff edges, I can’t stand having my kids within 15 feet of them.
On the way back we made a spontaneous stop at a small petting farm (Lios Stone Circle & Animal Feeding) and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip. For just €2.50 per person you receive a container of food and free rein to walk around feeding llamas, sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses. Several animals roam completely free around the farm, and there were baby lambs wandering about. An absolute hit with the whole family and possibly the best value activity in all of Ireland.
Day 7 — Dingle to Galway via Ballybunion & Adare
Day 7 was the longest driving day of the trip and required some tough itinerary calls that are worth knowing about before you plan your own.
We accidentally ended up on Connor Pass leaving Dingle — a mountain pass known for dramatic scenery and a reputation for challenging driving. We were initially nervous but found it far more manageable than our drives through the Ring of Kerry. If you end up on it, take it slow and enjoy the views.
Our first planned stop was Ballybunion Beach in County Kerry. We walked the beach, explored the sea cliffs, and then a friendly local with two bulldogs told us not to miss the cliff walk loop at the top. We went up, despite the rain, and were completely glad we did. Ireland's coastline is dramatic in any weather. This stop at Ballybunion is a perfect, under-the-radar spot. Highly recommend it!
For lunch we stopped in Adare, a picturesque village in County Limerick famous for its thatched roof cottages. The rain kept us from exploring as much as we'd have liked, but it's a charming and very easy stop on the drive north.
What we skipped and why — real talk:
We had originally planned to stop at the Cliffs of Moher on this day. We cut it. The driving times were longer than we'd realized, everyone was genuinely burnt out from being in the car, and the weather was awful. Forcing the issue would have just added to the exhaustion. The Cliffs will be there for our next trip.
We also considered Bunratty Castle and Folk Park but skipped it since it's a ticketed attraction and we weren't confident we'd get good value in the rain with tired kids.
Knowing what to cut on a family road trip is just as important as knowing what to add.
We ended the day at a Maldron Hotel just outside Galway — a family-friendly Irish hotel chain worth knowing about. They had a dedicated kids room which was a lifesaver at the end of a long day. Our honest advice: it's a solid budget-friendly base, but plan on eating out. The on-site food is more convenient than impressive.
Stay 2 nights in Galway.
Take a look at these other options in Galway:
Days 8 & 9 — Galway & The Journey Home
Our last full day in Ireland was slow, wandering, and exactly what we needed at the end of our trip.
We had originally considered using this day to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Originally I thought the cliffs were much closer to Galway than they were in reality. By Day 8, nobody wanted to get back in the car for another long drive. We made the call to stay in Galway and just be in the city. No regrets.
Sometimes listening to your family's energy levels is one of the most important skills in traveling with kids. And not going this time means we certainly have a few reasons to go back to Ireland. Always good to have a little unfinished business.
Galway is made for wandering. We happily meandered up and down streets and in and out of shops. A few of the highlights from our day:
🧶 Wool Sweater Shopping — Non-negotiable in Ireland. Galway has excellent options, I dare you to just get one.
🍕 Dough Bros — One of the best meals of the entire trip. The Tikka Masala pizza was unexpectedly incredible. Don't let the casual vibes fool you — this place is special.
📚 Charlie Byrne's Bookshop — A wonderfully charming, beloved independent bookshop. A must for any book lover in the family.
🍬 Aunty Nellie's Sweet Shop — Like you stepped into an old time candy shop, straight out of Willy Wonka.
💄 Boots — Our daughter had been looking forward to this one the whole trip. Only a must for the skincare and beauty lovers in your group.
If we had more time, we would have added a day trip to the Aran Islands from Galway. This day trip came highly recommended to me by several people I trust. I wish it would’ve worked for us but it just felt like more than everyone wanted to take on. It's high on the list for our next visit.
Day 9 was reserved for our journey home. We had an easy 2 hour 45 minute drive back to Dublin. But then our flight was canceled after sitting on the tarmac for two hours due to a wind storm. One more unplanned extra night near Dublin Airport, but we eventually made it back home.
I feel like we got to do a lot on this trip and saw some great places. As usual, it made me realize how much more there is to see and do in Ireland and somehow one full week was not enough!
What We'd Do Differently
Every honest travel guide should have this section. This trip wasn’t perfect, we had bumps along the way, but I want to share them to help you try to avoid these “mistakes” to make your trip even better than ours was. If we had to do it again, this is what we would tweak:
Allow more time in Galway — Two nights felt tight. Three would have been ideal.
Add the Aran Islands — A day trip from Galway we simply ran out of time for.
Revisit the Ring of Kerry in good weather — We'd stop at Sneem, Derrynane Beach, and take the Portmagee boat trip to the Skellig Islands.
Book restaurant tables in advance — The Fishbox wait in Dingle was a reminder that popular spots fill up fast, even outside of the high season
Stick to the Ring Road — Never cut through the middle. Just don't.
What to Pack for Ireland
The most important thing you should know about Ireland is that the weather can be tough anytime of year. Expect rain at some point of your trip, you definitely need appropriate clothes and shoes. You can see my shoppable packing list here. Everyone should bring these items:
Sunglasses for when that gorgeous Irish sun finally comes out
Quick Links for Seamless Travel
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Have questions about our Ireland trip? Leave them in the comments below!
