Our family loves a good road trip, and this time, we took on the challenge of exploring Ireland! With a 4-year-old and a baby in tow, we planned a scenic journey from Lancashire, crossing into Ireland via ferry and making our way around the Emerald Isle. Using The Irish Road Trip website for inspiration, we mapped out our adventure to include beautiful landscapes, historic sites, and family-friendly stops.
Day 1: Lancashire to Dublin
We set off from home in the morning and made our way to Holyhead to catch the Irish Ferries ferry to Dublin. The journey across the Irish Sea was smooth, and the kids enjoyed the excitement of being on a big boat. There was even a soft play and lots of restaurants so they were kept well entertained.
Once we arrived in Dublin, we drove to Aspect Park Hotel West for our first night in Ireland, for a quiet and early night before our longer drive the next day.
Day 2: Dublin to Killarney via Kilkenny
After breakfast, we hit the road toward Kilkenny, a charming city known for its medieval architecture. We explored a bit before continuing our journey south to Killarney, where we checked in at Hotel Killarney for the night. We had dinner at the hotel—an easy option after a long day of travel with little ones!
Day 3: Ring of Kerry Highlights
We started the morning with a relaxing swim at the hotel pool before setting off on the Ring of Kerry. Since we had young kids, we opted to do just half of the drive, focusing on key highlights:
- Muckross House & Gardens – A lovely stop for a stroll.
- Ladies View – A breathtaking viewpoint.
- Derrynane Beach – A perfect place to let the kids play in the sand.
That evening, we stayed at Balally House in Shannon—a cozy and welcoming spo run by the amazing Dawn. Check out their Instagram!
Day 4: Cliffs of Moher & Limerick
No trip to Ireland is complete without seeing the Cliffs of Moher! The views were spectacular, though it was quite windy. Afterward, we stopped in Limerick for dinner at City Grill Limerick – Afghan Turkish Restaurant – a halal restaurant before resting for the night.
Day 5: Galway & Back to Dublin
We spent the morning exploring Galway City, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and scenic coastal views. We stopped for lunch at the HighCafé Restaurant which was a halal restaurant on Galway’s main high street, they had the best Moroccan chicken!
Then, we drove back to Dublin for our last night, staying at Rochestown Lodge Hotel.
Day 6: Ferry Home via Bangor
Early in the morning, we took the ferry back to Holyhead. On our way home, we made a stop in Bangor for food and salaah before heading back to Lancashire.
This road trip was such a fantastic way to experience Ireland as a family. Traveling with a 4-year-old and a baby required some flexibility, but the scenic drives, historic sites, and well-planned stops made it all worthwhile. The Irish Road Trip website was a great resource in helping us shape our itinerary!
Would you take your little ones on a road trip like this? Let me know in the comments!
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