Magical Ireland trip

Ireland | Jul 6 - Jul 17, 2025

The Grafton Hotel in Dublin was terrific. It was in a great location, allowing us to walk everywhere without needing an Uber or cab. The hotel was very clean, and the staff were super nice. I would say it's a wonderful hotel for being centrally located and to easily explore the area.

Bushmills Inn was beautiful, like a little fairy tale. The staff were amazing, and everything was super nice. The only downside was the lack of AC during a heatwave, which made it a bit uncomfortable despite having a fan in the room. The food, people, and overall experience were great.

Lough Eske Castle Hotel was our favorite. The garden suites were amazing, almost as big as my daughter's apartment! The grounds were beautiful, and the staff was wonderful. They had a great cab service that made it easier to explore. Just be mindful about the distance from towns, which was challenging for nighttime driving.

The Lodge at Ashford Castle was nice with lovely breakfast, but the lodge rooms weren't as good compared to Lough Eske. We were disappointed that even as guests, we couldn't tour the main castle unless we booked a meal there. The amenities on the property were wonderful, including falconry and archery, but the approach regarding castle access left me a bit dissatisfied.

The Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport was not very nice. It felt dirty and less than welcoming. However, it served its purpose as a place to stay before departure, but I wouldn't stay there again for other parts of a trip.

The Guinness Storehouse Tour was exciting and well-organized. We loved it as part of our first-day Dublin activities, pairing perfectly with the visit to Trinity College.

The Carrick-a-Rede Bridge experience was beyond our expectations, offering stunning views and a thrilling walk. Truly one of the standout highlights of our trip.

The visit to Glenveagh National Park and Castle was enjoyable. The natural surroundings were breathtaking, making for a peaceful and refreshing experience.

The Guinness Storehouse Tour and visiting Trinity College in Dublin were perfect ways to start the trip.

Carrick-a-Rede Bridge and Dunluce Castle were beyond anything we imagined. It was some of the coolest things we saw during our trip.

The boys enjoyed playing golf at Rosapenna Golf Resort. They loved the experience and had a great time on the course.

The boat cruise by Slieve League Cliffs was a fantastic experience. It was very neat, and we had a lot of fun seeing the cliffs from the water.

The tour of Wicklow Mountains National Park was terrific. Our guide was personable and took us to see extra locations like the forty foot from the show 'Bad Sisters'. We had a really nice time visiting the mountains and Glendale Monastery, capped off with a delightful lunch.

The surfing lessons in County Sligo were fun, but compared to Bundoran, the waves were not as good. I would recommend going to Bundoran for a better surfing experience and setting.

The Traditional Sheep Farm Tour at Killary Sheep Farm was super fun! We enjoyed the sheep herding demonstration, and watching the sheep shearing process was fascinating. The views from the farm were gorgeous, and both my kids got to hold a sheep. It was a delightful experience for everyone.