1 Week in Ireland - 4 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Family Tour of Ireland: Dublin, Kinsale & Killarney

Covering a lot of ground, families wanting to see Ireland's highlights and travel at their own pace will enjoy this road trip to Dublin, Kinsale, and Killarney. This tour's activities include visiting Dublin's interactive EPIC Museum to explore the history of the Irish people giving a good luck kiss to the famous Blarney Stone, following the paths of Ireland's most notorious pirates on a kayak tour, and walking through mystical forests on County Offaly's fairy trails. 

On Day 1, sightsee Dublin's gems, such as St. Stephen's Green and Trinity College's Book of Kells. Walk along the River Liffey and across Ha'penny Bridge, take a Viking Splash tour, or visit the EPIC Museum of Irish history. Stop at Rock of Cashel, a medieval site, on Day 2, and Cork, where the kids can ring the famed Bells of Shandon. Next, give your kids the gift of gab and kiss the Blarney Stone, and take a ghost tour in Kinsale. Embark on the Scilly Walk to Charles Fort, a military fortress, and help the kids spend energy kayaking the Kinsale shore where pirates once roamed. Finish off Day 3 with a family picnic on the beach.

Day 4 brings a bike tour in Killarney that passes by Ross Castle, the ruins of Muckross Abbey, Brickeen Bridge, Dinis Cottage, and Torc Waterfall. Next, kids will be amazed by the birds at Falconry Kerry. The following day, drive along the Beara Peninsula to the sheep farm at Gleninchaquin Park. Look at Uragh Stone Circle, hike at Beara Way, ride the cable car ride from Ballaghboy to Dursey Island, and visit a toy soldier factory in Kilnamartyra. On Day 6, discover "magical" fairy trails at Lough Boora Discovery Park and explore Charleville Castle near the Shannon River. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Family Adventure in Ireland

Replacing Dublin for County Clare, this relaxed-paced adventure offers kid-friendly activities and takes you biking through medieval Kilkenny, learning about falconry at a historical manor, walking along the Cliffs of Moher, and sailing to discover what awaits you at the wild Aran Islands. 

You'll transfer from Dublin to bike around the medieval city of Kilkenny before heading to the seaside town of Kinsale. Take a Scilly Walk to the Charles Fort, a 17th-century military fortress, and learn about the Kinsale's history on a ghost tour on Day 2. Day 3 brings an exploration of Killarney National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Walk the Kenmare Road footpath through the Kerry countryside and by Ross Castle, a 15th-century tower house on Lough Leane. Learn about the art of falconry at Adare Manor on Day 4. Kids will enjoy exploring the grounds by horseback riding, fishing, or trying their hand at archery.

On Day 5, head to the Burren region of western Ireland to discover the inner workings of farming culture and sheer sheep on a sheep farm and watch a sheepdog herd its flock. Next, venture to the Cliffs of Moher on a less-crowded path. Take to water to the Aran Islands in Galway Bay on Day 6 and sail to Inis Oirr, home to Cnoc Raithni, a Bronze Age tumulus; Teampall Choamhán, a half-buried Medieval church; and Caisleán Uí Bhríain, a 16th-century tower built within a Stone Age fort. On your way back to Dublin on Day 7, kids will enjoy playing in the Treehouse Adventure Area at Birr Castle and Gardens. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Family Road Trip in Ireland: Athlone, Clifden, Lahnich & Dublin

This family road trip to Athlone, Clifden, Lahnich, and Dublin offers a Viking treasure hunt at historic Athlone Castle, a magical sunset tour of Mannin Bay via kayak, a surfing lesson in Lahnich, and vicarious walks of ancient royalty in Dublin's medieval castles. It's best for families with older kids interested in historic castles and spending time by the water. 

On Day 1, learn about Athlone's castle and cathedral along the River Shannon on a Viking treasure hunt. Next, swim in Lough Ree, find the Clonmacnoise monastery, visit Rindoon, an abandoned town on Lough Derg, or venture to Glendeer Pet Farm. On Day 2's drive to Clifden, enjoy beach time at the Coral Strand at Mannin Bay. Wander about Clifden Castle and Bunowen Castle, or ride ponies at Errislannan Manor. Depending on your children's ages, Day 3 is for hiking easy trails like Ellis Wood Trail, Sruffaunboy Trail, or the Diamond Hill trails at Connemara National Park. Next, kids will love spotting seals on a sunset kayak tour. 

On Day 4, stop in Doolin and the Doolin Caves en route to Lahnich. Stroll the coastal path from Doolin Harbor to Liscannor and across the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Take a surfing lesson in Lahnich on Day 5. Sightsee in Dublin on Day 6, taking in the Medieval Quarter, scenic parks, St Patrick's Cathedral, and Trinity College's Book of Kells. Walk along the River Liffey and cross the Ha'penny Bridge. Learn the city's history on an amphibious bus or at the EPIC museum. On your last full day, explore Glendalough Valley and share memories as you admire Glenmacnas Valley's waterfall, Glendalough's historic mines, or Devil's Glen. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Family Fun in Ireland: Parks, Castles, Lakes & Beaches

This family fun itinerary focuses on Ireland's parks, castles, lakes, and beaches and is best for families wanting to spend time outdoors. Admire the fantastic animals of the Dublin Zoo, hike the majestic coastal views of Connemara National Park, enjoy the beaches of Connemara's Coral Strand, and walk the halls of ancient royalty in Dublin's medieval castles. 

On Day 1, stroll through Dublin's scenic parks: St. Audeon's Park, St. Patrick's Park, St. Kevin's Park's graveyard, and Saint Stephen's Green. Finish the day at Phoenix Park's playground and the Dublin Zoo. Learn about Athlone's castle on a Viking treasure hunt, swim in Lough Ree, or venture to Glendeer Pet Farm on Day 2. On Day 3, admire Galway's street art and views from Salt Hill Promenade leading to Galway Bay before heading to Lough Inagh Valley, the gardens at Kylemore Abbey, and Aughnanure Castle. Kids will stay busy with beach activities in Clifden near Ballyconneely.

Hike the Tree Trail in Connemara National Park or the poetry trail nearby Letterfrack on Day 4 and consider an overnight stay at a castle. Day 5 is for beach time on the Coral Strand before heading to Clifden Castle and Bunowen Castle. Begin Day 6 with the Howth Castle and Cliff Walk and step back in time at Malahide Castle and nearby Swords Castle and Park. Later, head to the Great South Wall, which stretches into Dublin Bay. Take the Bray to Greystones Walk in the Wicklow region, visit the Natural History Museum or the Leprechaun Museum, or learn about Vikings at Dublinia. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Ireland Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Ireland? Check out these other weeklong Ireland itineraries, with outdoor adventures, road trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.