Family Holidays: Ireland family holidays and breaks

Take the Family holiday rating 4 stars out of 5

Why

There is so much to discover throughout the island of Ireland – and its all located on your doorstep! It's never been easier to get cheap flights to anywhere in Ireland or get a good deal to take your car and family by ferry.

Travel all around the island and take in the wonders of the Giants Causeway, the streets of Dublin’s fair city, the Cliffs of Moher, and countless other attractions. You will always be welcome in Ireland and the kids will enjoy the carefree pace of life. There are plenty of festivals, musical events and sporting occasions going on to keep everyone happy!

Read Take the Family writer Sarah Ebner's County Galway family break review.

Above left: Connemara
Above right: Giants Causeway

When

Any time of year! Pop over for a weekend or a longer stay.

How

take the plane

From all main and most regional airports – you can hop on a plane to Ireland, north or south. And its not just Dublin, Cork and Belfast – you can go straight to the unspoiled west of Ireland by flying to Galway or Knock, amongst others. Click here for great deals on flights through our partners at lastminute.com.

from the airport

All of Ireland’s airports are well served by public transport and taxis. It is also possible to hire a car.

take the ferry

The ferry is still a popular option for families. Take your own car and travel around Ireland at your leisure. There are a number of ferry options to Northern Ireland, Dublin, Cork and Rosslare. Take the Family offers competitive ferry crossing rates through our partners.

Do

There are endless possibilities!!
Newgrange, Bunratty, Ulster Folk Park, Connemara…
Something for everyone.

Outdoor pursuits for kids and adults, sightseeing, culture & festivals, shopping, food appreciation… Whatever takes your fancy!

Take the kids to Dingle in Co Kerry to catch a glimpse of Fungi the dolphin. To get an up-close view, why not take a boat trip! If you don’t see Fungi, your trip is free – but that rarely happens!! For information on boat trips, call +353 66 915 2626.

For a unique way to experience Ireland’s capital city, why not try the Viking Splash Tours. This is a fun way to check out the sites of Dublin by land and by water. We promise you won’t get wet in the process!

Join in on the festival fun in Ireland…
Throughout the summer months especially, there is always a party to be had on the streets of Irish towns and villages. Of course, the biggest of them all takes place in March, when the Irish celebrate St Patrick. Become Irish for the day.. or even longer!

For something completely different, step back in time and visit the Ulster-American Folk Park in Co. Tyrone. This park tells the story of emigration from Ireland to America – but in a novel way! The kids will love the storytelling, costumes and music that are on offer. (028) 8224 3292

Take a look at the Tourism Ireland site for more ideas, and be sure to check out our detailed Dublin, Belfast and Cork guides.

Eat

Ireland prides itself as a nation that loves good food! Irish stew and seafood are favourites. Make sure you sample the exceptional breakfast served up in B & Bs throughout the country. What a way to start the day!

If you are lucky enough to arrive at the correct time, you can often buy fresh fish straight off the boats in any of the fishing villages around the Irish coast. Also many towns sell local produce in markets, a great chance to pick up a quality bargain.

Wherever you go in Ireland, you will be spoiled for choice.

Cost

Take some euros with you – you can pick up some bargain flights and ferry crossings to Ireland due to the large choice on the market. Bed and breakfasts and self-catering offer you a more cost-efficient alternative once you get there.