Ireland with the family at the end of August! Why choose Ireland? To immerse ourselves in English as a family. I initially considered a structured family English course, perhaps in Malta, but quickly abandoned the idea. The Ireland plan emerged unexpectedly, fueled by rave reviews of its stunning landscapes—we booked it on the spot.
Trip organization was a rush, so I enlisted Isabelle (highly recommended for her expertise in crafting seamless itineraries) to design our route and secure B&Bs. In the third week of August, we embarked on a family road trip in Ireland. Here's the full story from our experienced family travels.
First impression: it's incredibly green.
Second reality: it's raining every day.
Third takeaway: it truly is breathtaking.
Irish people are warm and incredibly kid-friendly. And the local beers? Divine. (A little side note from a travel veteran!)
Paris-Dublin-Paris: We selected Transavia for its convenient Orly departure, closer to home. Tickets cost around €650, booked in advance—planning ahead pays off, as any seasoned traveler knows.
On arrival, we rented a car from Enterprise Rent-a-Car at the airport. Pro tip: Review your insurance (e.g., VISA PREMIER card coverage) before adding extras.
Driving on the left? Daunting at first, with bilingual English/Gaelic signs adding stress. It took a few days to adjust. I played navigator (passenger seat all week), channeling Gad Elmaleh's GPS humor: "Yes, that's the right lane—great job!" or "No signal here..." Shoutout to Google Maps for saving the day.
Research warned us: Irish B&Bs prioritize cleanliness over spacious French-style rooms. Spot on—rooms were tiny (perfect for brushing teeth in the shower!), but immaculate with ample towels. Note: Separate hot/cold taps are the norm, no mixer faucets.
We booked two rooms per stop—after a full day in the car, we needed space from our amazing kids. Breakfasts featured pudding and porridge (cue kids' funny faces), but we always scored buttery toast with marmalade.
Our B&Bs averaged 2-star quality (€70-80/night). For superior breakfasts, splurge on 3-stars if your budget allows.
I skimmed Isabelle's suggested route but finalized details spontaneously. Day one in Dublin felt aimless—we wandered to beautiful castles. By Cork, freestyle touring proved unsustainable, so we planned via B&B WiFi and our trusty Green Guide. Key lesson: Ireland's 'must-sees' require tough choices. We limited drives by changing regions every two days.
One suitcase per room: Long-sleeved tops, 1-2 short sleeves for rare sunny moments, K-Way rain jackets, walking shoes. English plug adapters (one per room). Kids managed their Eastpacks; we used hiking backpacks. Pharmacies are plentiful—no need to overpack meds.
Mission accomplished! A week of chatting with locals, restaurant staff, even a hitchhiker, plus guided tours (like 2 hours in Kinsale). We absorbed words from brochures and conversations—immersion at its best for families.
Ready for the details?
Day 1: Evening arrival in Dublin. Dinner near our guest house (hotel-like) and early sleep.
Day 2: Morning/noon in Dublin center. Parked the car (city driving/parking is chaotic) and bused in. Note: €7 for a family one-way without Leap Card—buy passes next time!
Dublin Castle and gardens: A hit with all ages. Engaging intro to Irish history; French flyers available, no audio guides needed.
Afternoon drive to Mallow B&B (25km north of Cork).
Day 3: Morning at Blarney Castle and expansive park (stunning even in rain), lunch nearby, then Cork.
Teen tackling the Wishing Steps 'witch challenge'—backwards, blindfolded, 28 times in the rain. Heart-stopping for parents!
Cork
Cork was skippable compared to later stops, but Kinsale (Day 4) stole the show.
Day 4: Kinsale and Charles Fort, then to Killarney (B&B in Castlemaine—spacious 160cm bed, cool reception otherwise).
Walk the magical 2km Skilly Walk from Kinsale to Charles Fort—worth the entry fee for panoramic views.
View from Skilly Road between Kinsale and Charles Fort 
Kinsale's colorful houses… 
Day 5: Killarney National Park. Opted for bikes (20km loop) from a top rental—light bikes, park map provided. Wide roads lead to trails; watch for pedestrians and jaunting cars. Stops: Muckross Abbey, Muckross House, lake loop, Ross Castle. Picnic-friendly; tea room by the lake.
Horse-drawn carriages available 
Muckross Lake 
Muckross Abbey – Killarney
Muckross House – Killarney National Park 
Ross Castle 
Post-ride ice cream at Murphy’s Ice Cream in Killarney—welcoming spot, perfect flavors.
Day 6: Tralee's excellent Kerry Museum (free for kids)—sparse crowds, comprehensive Irish history from prehistory.
Lunch at Quinlans Fish & Chips—fresh, delicious; kids loved it. Cozy fishmonger vibe (no beer, alas).
Skipped Blennerville Windmill; drove to Galway (Salthill B&B with promenade).
Salthill sunset…
Day 7: Connemara—my favorite! Bike plan in Clifden failed (no small bikes), so hiked 7km in Connemara National Park to Diamond Hill summit (442m, 1.5hrs)—epic views.
Diamond Hill
Summit panoramas…
Detour to Gurteen Bay beach—paradise, especially under clearing skies.
Secluded sands, ocean gaze…
Day 8: Back to Dublin. Dodged rain en route; biked Phoenix Park (traffic-heavy but worthwhile). Surprise: Fallow deer!
Day 9: 2-hour French-guided Dublin tour (book ahead)—captivating history at Trinity College, Old Parliament, Dublin Castle, City Hall, Temple Bar. Kids loved the French explanations. Transformed my view of Dublin!
St Patrick's Cathedral 
Evening flight home—1.5 hours to Orly, then customs queues. Welcome back!
We skipped icons like Cliffs of Moher (3-hour detour). Hindsight: Focus west, shorter drives. Prep better next time! Next up: Sri Lanka for hubby's 40th.
For Northern Ireland tips, check Maman Voyage's article.
Book Dublin stays here.
