Port and Financial District in Dublin, Ireland

The Magic of Ireland Kid Friendly Vacation

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Ireland

Places Visited

Dublin, County Galway, Kylemore Abbey, Cong

Suggested Duration

9 Days

From dolphin sightings to stories of pirates, sleeping in castles to family cycling, the array for activities alongside the culture of traditional storytelling of Ireland captures the imagination and interest of all ages. Together you will feel the wind in your hair and discover a country that takes you back to the basic joys of life with an emphasis on family and togetherness. Handcrafted for travel with young children, this luxury tour is all about uninterrupted time together in a country that...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Go on a safari looking for dolphins and seals along Ireland’s wondrous Atlantic coast
  • Learn about the Vikings in Dublin and how to be a sheepherder in County Galway
  • Spend quiet family time on remote, windswept beaches, such as Ballyconneely
  • Sleep in two mythical castles as your children live out their imagination as if from a fairytale
  • Go cycling and horseback riding across the incomparably green landscapes of rural Ireland
  • Spend a day on the island of Inishbofin, where there are tales of forts, pirates and remains from the Bronze Age
  • Listen to one of Ireland’s traditional storytellers as they weave a captivating tale enjoyed by children and adults alike
  • Explore literary Dublin and follow in the footsteps of Joyce, but also explore some more child-friendly sights in the capital

Detailed Description

Ireland brings a lovely balance if you are traveling with children, and there is a variety of things to do and enough to keep different ages interested without being too focused on the kids. Locals are warm and welcoming, the country is small and easy to get around, and while it may appear exotic, Ireland is not a threatening otherworldly destination when you have the eyes of a young child. The cities are small, the landscapes are open, and you are never far from a place where you can be alone as a family. Time together is what this handcrafted vacation is all about. Taking you back to basics, the tour ensures the space and the freedom needed so that your family can come together, away from the stresses of every day and the rest of the world.

Imagine lonely beaches where you can play in the sand and dip your toes in timid Atlantic surf, and think of cycling through green valleys and walking around ruined monasteries. Your days can include picnic hampers and leisurely nights in castles, learning to be a shepherd, and searching for dolphins and seals, and when you do spend time with other people, the Irish add something new to the experience. Listen to storytellers in traditional venues, experience folk music, and dancing, learn to play the drums, and meet people in small villages. By taking it slow and keeping it easy, you will likely meet with Irish families before retiring to the private world of castle accommodation and rural Ireland.

This vacation for families is designed across three distinctive bases. Begin as you spend several nights in Dublin, and then travel to County Galway. Enjoy the next few nights in a legendary Connemara castle before a short ride to Cong, on the border of County Galway and County Clare. Here you will enjoy another castle with your experience including falconry on the lawn as well as a gala dinner. If you are with kids, then the next few nights will be enough to take in the capital city of Dublin, and then the remaining five nights are spent in rural Ireland, where there is a wide choice over what you do and experience. You can escape as a family and life is so much simpler when there is nothing but you and your loved ones.

Tour Dublin the next day with a James Joyce inspired walk followed by a more child-friendly way of discovering the capital, Irish storytelling. Wake the next morning to find out about the Vikings, visit a quiet beach, and walk or cycle through a city park looking for deer. From there, it is just over a three-hour drive across Ireland to County Galway, the only significant amount you will spend in a vehicle, but with this being Ireland, there are some beautiful places to stop on route to your castle. Dolphins and seals and pirates are the focus the following day, with a boat tour and trip to Inishbofin Island. Move next to a day spent at a drumming workshop, and then an afternoon of horseback riding or cycling, or both if you would like.

By now, you will have all settled into the rhythm of the experience. There are activities to enjoy and many things to do, but nothing is rushed in Ireland, and your itinerary will run at your pace. Stories of Benedictine monks and shepherds abound as you switch castles, with hawks and eagles now part of the daily scenery. This part of Ireland is famous for its coastline, and there will be time to visit the legendary cliffs, as well as to step onto the golden beaches with your footprints the only ones seen. As you take a picnic to a viewpoint and feel the wind through your hair, you’ll know that Ireland has provided one of the best feelings in life, just you and your children and not another care in the world.

Starting Price

$5,900 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.86 stars based on 449 reviews.

Ireland, Scotland Family Vacation Review: Ring of Kerry,...

We had an absolutely magnificent trip to Ireland and Scotland, beautifully planned and organized by Zicasso's travel company. The communication with our agent was fantastic and she tailored a trip that perfectly fit everything we wanted. From personal tours with locals in each area to excellent recommendations for meals and other activities, we had a wonderful family trip!


Reviewed By Katherine P.

Ireland Vacation Review: Dublin, Rock of Cashel, Blarney...

This Ireland trip was absolutely incredible. Our family of 13 ranged from three to 70 years old and we loved it so much. Working with Zicasso’s travel agent was so easy. During the planning stage, she accommodated my calls and emails, executing perfectly on a flawless itinerary.

We loved starting out in Dublin and then traveling to the stunning Irish countryside by way of private driver. We saw so much, from the Rock of Cashel to the Blarney Stone, the English market in Cork, and the café in Cork, which was a highlight for us!

Our absolute favorite accommodation was our lodge in County Kerry, which was a stunning property that took our experience to the next level.

The Gap of Dunloe and Cliffs of Moher were two of our favorite tours.

The travel company handled all the logistics with precision! Every transfer, tour, and activity was meticulously planned, allowing my family and me to fully immerse without worry. And our guide/driver, well, he was the absolute best. He became the 14th family member by the end of our eight-day road trip together!

Reviewed By Haneen S.

England, Scotland, Ireland Trip Review: Edinburgh, Lake...

Zicasso's travel agents were so helpful and polite. They kept us continuously updated on changes to the itinerary or the day, and made some great suggestions for plans throughout the United Kingdom.

Reviewed By Robert+ M.

Ireland Vacation Review: Food Tour, Scenery, Coast, Hikes,...

The preparation support was exceptional. Zicasso's travel consultant found activities and lodging that fit our ideas and requests quite well. She adjusted certain activities based on our reactions to the original plan. Responsiveness was fantastic. The trip itself worked out very consistently with the plan. The one occasion when we needed help, the support was immediate.

Reviewed By Jeff S.

Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland,...

Zicasso's travel partner created our dream vacation and their attention to detail was absolutely spectacular! They went above and beyond to ensure my daughter had a memorable trip!

Reviewed By Wendy N.

Ireland Tour Review: Kilkenny, Kinsale, Galway, Forty Foot,...

We had a wonderful trip. Everything was executed flawlessly, which made it so easy and relaxing for us. The hotels that were chosen were great. Our driver/guide was amazing and the perfect companion.

The only advice I would give is to include driving times on the itinerary so we would know how far things were from each other. But I would 100% recommend Zicasso's travel company to anyone traveling to Ireland. I can’t wait to go again!

Reviewed By Katie M.

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