Ireland - but where??

[sunflowerandcress]

Where to go...... I'm clueless having never been there.

I would like to take the DCs and DH to spend a week over there visiting a really pretty typically Irish area (castles, mountains etc). Can anyone suggest the best area to start researching or even great towns (not Dublin though)?

We only have a week so it must be drivable from the ferry terminal (we'll be coming from Wales).

Also if anyone has stayed somewhere great and child friendly please post!

I have been 2x and went to Kilarney, and Galway which are small towns and typically Irish I guess. Personally i enjoyed Dublin best but my Irish friend says Donegal is wonderful .....
I suppose if you want somewhere really remote then the west coast would be the place.

Which ferry port and what's your budget?

I think Donegal would be hard to get to from the ferry, unless there's one which goes to the North - shame as it's a lovley place. Galway is lovely too but again is it too far?

What about Waterford? Don't know if there's a castle or mountains though.

West Cork and Kerry are gorgeous. Donegal is too, but it's a long way from the ferry.Waterford is ok but nothing like as lovely as west cork.

Galway City is 2 hours from Dublin, motorway all the way. Connemara is absolutely beautiful, Clonbur, Cornamona, Maam, Lenane, Clifden, all amazing. Galway City itself is fab and quite contained. Salthill is a nice area for families with 2 really nice hotels - Salthill Hotel & Galway Bay Hote (I'd choose Salthill Hotel for the new leisure centre)l. Promemade walk along the beach into the City Centre.

Another vote for West Cork - lovely area.

Galway