Ireland Family Vacation: 6-Day Travel Guide

If you’ve decided to spend a week with your family traveling all around Ireland then you’re in the right spot. This Ireland family vacation travel guide covers six days and goes all along the southern coast of Ireland. If you aren’t traveling with kids or a larger family, take a look at my original Ireland travel itinerary for a more fast-paced guide.

Overall, I can’t recommend Ireland enough for a family trip. It has something for everyone and is such a great way to introduce your young or old children to different parts of the world without a huge language barrier. Plus, everywhere we went, the people were so great with our baby. Below is a quick overview of what to expect for 6 days in Ireland:
+ Day 1 and 2: Dublin
+ Day 3: Cobh, Cork and Killarney
+ Day 4: Killarney and Dingle
+ Day 5: Dingle
+ Day 6: County Clare and Galway

Choosing a hotel to stay in all across Ireland can feel overwhelming especially when there is a wide range of incredible hotels, offering something for every type of traveler. I like to stay at smaller, locally-run and boutique types of hotels. Below are the hotels we stayed at and I highly recommended them all. Or, choose your own hotel using the booking finder.

+ DUBLIN: HOTEL ZANZIBAR LOCKE
+ KILLARNEY: CAHERNANE HOUSE HOTEL
+ DINGLE: GREENMONT HOUSE
+ GALWAY: GALMONT HOTEL & SPA

Ireland typically gets a reputation for being a country that is hard or difficult to drive around due to the smaller, narrow streets and the fact that they drive on the opposite side of the road than America. However, as long as you are careful and pay attention, you should have no problem driving in Ireland. I even highly recommend it so you can do this trip at your own pace and on your own time. I always use rentalcars.com to find a great price on a rental car with a reputable company like Enterprise.

An Ireland family vacation is not complete without a stop in Dublin. You’ll most likely start and end your trip here since the main airport is in Dublin, but you’ll only need one or two days to get the most out of the city. Take a look at some things to do while there.

The Book of Kells and Old Library is located at Trinity College in Dublin. It’s such an amazing experience to see firsthand and the Old Library is not to be missed. Be sure to book your tour in advance here. Plan for at least an hour to see everything.

Grafton street is where you’ll find all the shopping to fit every one in your family. Spend some time here in the afternoon before heading out on a walking tour.

You can take an organized walking tour like this one or go at your own pace making sure to hit the highlights like the Molly Malone Statue, St. Stephens Green and the Ha’Penny Bridge.

On the second day of your family vacation in Ireland, you’ll spend it at the Guinness Factory and later bar hopping in the Temple Bar district. Before that, experience some other well known parts of Dublin like the Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patricks Cathedral.

Visiting the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is a must for anyone, not just beer enthusiasts. Guinness is Ireland’s most iconic drink and the self-guided walking tour takes you through its history and brewing process. You can even learn to make the perfect Guinness pour at the Guinness Academy.

After the tour, head to the Gravity Bar where you can enjoy a free pint while taking in 360 views of Dublin. And, yes the tour is kid and stroller friendly making it a great addition for your Ireland family vacation. Book your tour in advance here!

After a few drinks at the Gravity Bar, head for lunch at the Brazen Head. This is the oldest pub in not only Dublin, but Ireland!

After fueling up for the afternoon, head over to the iconic Temple Bar District. Here, you’ll find the crown jewel for tourists when visiting Dublin, The Temple Bar. But, there are plenty of other great pubs in this area for live music and drinks including my favorite, Quays.

If you aren’t up for bar hopping or don’t need to head back to the hotel for your little ones nap, then head over to Dublin Castle. Bryan and I did this our first time in Dublin and loved it. The Dublin Castle has served as a royal residence, a government seat, and even a symbol of British rule in Ireland. You can book a tour here.

On day three of your Ireland family vacation, you’re going to head out early from Dublin and make multiple stops along Southern Ireland. Be prepared for a long day and plan to spend the night in Killarney.

Cobh is your first stop of the day. It’ll take about three hours to get from Dublin to Cobh so be prepared for a bit of a drive. Cobh is a picturesque town and it’s famous for its deep connection to the Titanic. It was the final port of call before it set sail across the Atlantic in 1912. Here, you can do the Titanic Experience which is an immersive journey back in time, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of passengers who boarded the Titanic at this historic harbor.

While here, be sure to stop for some breakfast at one of the many restaurants that line the streets and don’t miss the iconic Deck of Cards. You can find these colorful row of Victorian houses at the top of the hill.

Next up on your road trip is Cork. You’ll technically not stop in Cork (unless you have time) but rather pass through on your way to the Blarney STone. This is something I recommend to everyone and is a can’t miss on your Ireland family vacation.

Kissing the Blarney Stone is one of Ireland’s most famous attractions. According to legend, kissing the stone gives you “the gift of the gab.” Be sure to take in the stunning views of the surrounding gardens while there. You can book your visit ahead of time here.

The last stop of the day is Killarney known for the famous Killarney National Park. It’s about an hour drive from Blarney. If you have time, be sure to check out a few other things that Killarney has to offer like their traditional pubs and small local shops in town. If you want to skip Cork and and Cobh for the morning, you can also choose to do the Ring of Kerry ending your road trip in Killarney. Bryan and I did this our first time in Ireland and it was a great addition to our trip.

Before heading out to Dingle, my absolute favorite town in Ireland, you’ll have a chance to explore what Killarney is known for, the Killarney National Park.

I recommend adding Killarney National Park to your Ireland vacation because it’s something the whole family will love especially if you have little ones traveling with you. The park is home to lush woodlands, serene lakes, and dramatic mountain views, making it ideal for hiking, cycling, and taking in pictures. Some activities you can do here are take a boat ride or cycle through the park.

Muckross House and Gardens is inside the Killarney National Park so be sure to add this when you visit. The house is a grand Victorian mansion surrounded by stunning gardens and the beautiful view Muckross Lake. You can book your tour in advance here.

After your visit to Killarney, head to what I like to call the hidden gem of Ireland — Dingle! Dingle cannot be skipped on your Ireland family vacation. The coastal town is so charming known for its lively pubs, fresh seafood, colorful shops and cozy cafes. Take the time to explore all the town has to offer and tomorrow you’ll have a full day to explore the surrounding area with its dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches by driving the Slea Head Loop.

Spend the morning and afternoon driving the famous Slea Head. If you’re only going to take one tour the entire trip, this one is it. Slea Head Drive is a breathtaking coastal route on the Dingle Peninsula where you’ll get stunning views of the cliffs, golden beaches, and the wild Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, you’ll find ancient sites, charming villages, and instagram-worthy stops like Coumeenoole Beach and Dunquin Pier.

Don’t forget to book your tour in advance here.

After spending two nights in Dingle, it’s time to head to your last two stops of the trip — Cliffs of Moher and Galway. The Cliffs of Moher is absolutely breathtaking while Galway is perfect for those looking for a town that has a bit more lively scene and shopping.

Head out early from Dingle to beat the crowds at the Cliffs of Moher. It’s about a three and a half hour drive from Dingle. Once there, park your car and head straight towards the cliffs for an absolutely breathtaking view from the top of the cliffs. This was my second time here and it still took my breath away. The Cliffs of Moher is a can’t miss on your Ireland vacation because it’s one of Ireland’s most iconic natural landmarks even making a cameo in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Book your tickets in advance here.

After your visit to the cliffs, drive to Galway to spend your last night in the beautiful city. There’s so much to do here and I recommend checking in to your hotel and just getting lost in the city. Some sights you won’t want to miss are the Latin Quarter, Charlie Byrne’s Books, the Spanish Arch and the Galway Cathedral. If you’re lucky, there may even be a festival in the town square. Either way, you won’t have a bad time exploring the city.

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From the bustling streets of Dublin to the rugged beauty of Dingle, every moment in Ireland is beautiful. I hope you and your family have a great vacation to Ireland as mine did. And, if you ever have questions or need travel advice, reach out on Instagram! Until next time, Ireland!

Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you purchase something using these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I only link these companies because I have used them or truly recommend them based on their quality and the experience I had.