Family-Friendly Ireland: Ten Places Not to Miss

Note: This post originally appeared at travelocity.com. 

Ireland with Kids

We have family in southern Ireland and try to visit at least once a year, always returning to our favorite places but adding in a few new destinations as well. These are the sites that we would highly recommend to other families.

Dublin

Dublin is by far the largest city in Ireland and is a perfect place to start any trip – especially because it has the most flight options. We typically base out of the centrally-located Merrion Hotel and take a city tour our first day – there’s a wide range of tour options, from large free tours (tips encouraged) to group tours and private tours – and then we go back to our favorite places the following days. Trinity College is interesting for kids and adults alike – especially the amazing single chamber library – as is nearby Dublin Castle. The Dublin Zoo is always a hit. Be sure to check out the Natural History and Archeology Museums, and take a walk through the Temple Bar area.

Sunset in Dublin

Kinsale

We spend the majority of our time in Kinsale, on Ireland’s southern coast. Our kids love the town itself, with fun shops and cafes, a playground and artistic ramps that they always try to reach the top of, but the main attractions for us are Charles Fort, a star fort from 1682 where our kids spend hours playing and exploring, and the coast near Sandycove right outside of town, where we take daily hikes. There’s also a fun Ghost Tour through town that departs most summer evenings. Be sure to catch the Wednesday Farmers Market, held all year long.

Downtown Kinsale

Hiking along the Irish coast near Kinsale

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