ireland - where should we go??

[zubb]

want to book a two week holiday in Ireland for next summer. We will be going self catering, preferably in the middle of nowhere with enough grounds that we can lose ds1 (who will be 3.5) and ds2 (18 months) while we drink wine.

I've never been to Ireland so in order to narrow my search - which areas should I be looking at - we want to be doing lots of walking, but also have things to do / see if the weathers not great.

I had been thinking of Kerry, but only because I saw a nice cottage to rent there. Could do weeks in two seperate places - east and west maybe?

Any help / advice much appreciated,
TIA

Kildare is cool Zubb and not too far from Dublin (about 50miles I think). Plus its where all the stars "hang" when in Ireland "The K Club".

thanks Jampot - anyone else??

Im from wexford in the sunny south east. Used to work in tourism pre-ds, and mananged 4*holiday homes 2mins from the sea, in the country, with electronic security gates (totally safe area to play in . I would be very happy to post you info on the area, including lots to do for kids if you CAT me, would give me a sense of purpose

I liked the Dingle Peninsula, Donegal & Cork. There are lots of mystical ruins Kerry to Cork side.

thanks northstar - will take you up on that offer, and CAT you tomorrow.

Cavy - so thats all west isn't it? geography isn't my strong point. I think I need to get a book!

zubb
me irish too, i'd head to waterford you have the sea/coast areas some really nice beaches inland its very lush scenary and a little bit further towards clonmel mountains. and if its cr*p weather the sunny south east i.e waterford is always nice - it may rain buts its warm down there.
otherwise west cork lovely , kerry fab, but if the weather is bad it can be limiting to what to do if you are in an area mostly orientated towards outdoor stuff,

and u may win the lotto to stay in the K Club!!!!!

how about south west (kerry/Cork) and north west (Connemara/Galway).

Went to Cork/Kerry for our honeymoon - loved it. Promised ourselves we will go further north next rime - but haven't managed it yet.

hi

friends were just over for a week and would recommend the following in northern ireland,

giants causeway and bushmills distillery on the north coast. would liked to have went to carrick-a-rede rope bridge but had just closed.

also took another day out and went to derry/londonderry.

enjoyed shopping in belfast and also would have liked the marble arch caves in fermanagh but these too had just closed for the winter. came over in october but most attractions close last week in september!!, but everything should be open in the summer. if you decide to come to northern ireland i'll try and give you more info nearer the time. i'm a childminder so will know about lots of things to do during the summer!!

hth - sorry it's so long!!

I've been going for years as parents are Irish. But this year I went with my family(dh and dd) My dh and I took off for a couple of nights on our own as grandparents were over there with relatives to coo over dd. We went up to Connemara and Galway. HAve to say I was not very impressed with Galway( I suppose I just saw it as another city) but I loved Connemara. Beautiful part of Ireland! lovely white sandy beaches and a gorgeous little fishing village( ROundstone I think) have alook at Connemara.net

donegal is very nice,
www.cavangardencourt.com/
I stayed here, its just outside Donegal town and have loads of walk's and a kids play house.