Ireland break

[am078]

Thinking of going to Ireland for a short Easter break with my partner and 2 kids (9 and 5). I've only ever been to Dublin so no idea when it comes to best places. Open to any recommendations for good family spots to spend 5 days or so. Will likely fly so anywhere near the cheap flight airports would be good. Also, somewhere easy to get around without a hire car. Thanks in advance🙂

Not sure about the flights from wherever you are but your options for airports are probably only Dublin, Shannon and Cork. Maybe Knock? That gives you quite a few options.
Will you be driving or relying on public transport? Irish transport can be a bit confusing.

Wexford is always nice. And close to Dublin with trains/buses. Lots of family friendly hotels around there too.

How far would you like to travel after landing?

Sorry you did say without a hire car!! I'm tired I think 😂
If flying to Dublin, anywhere along the East coast down to Wexford has lovely beaches and coastal towns with trains.

Also larger towns on the west and south will have trains direct from Dublin although these trains are not near Dublin airport, you would have to get yourselves to the city centre to get the train, you'd get there by public bus or taxi.

If flying into another airport, I can give better suggestions

I always recommend Westport in mayo
fly to knock there are regular cheap buses and the town has great accommodation for families.
happy to provide more information if needed

Galway

Honestly, without a hire car it's going to be very challenging! Public transport in Ireland is not great when it comes to getting outside of cities for any tourist ventures etc.

If you're sure you don't want to hire a car, I'd base myself in a city and maybe try day trips out eg Dublin and go to Malahide, Howth, Glendalough maybe with a tour bus, you can do Belfast in a day from Dublin too and some Game of Thrones tours etc if you like that.

If you hired a car, so many more possibilities, Wicklow in more detail from Dublin, Carlingford from Dublin, if you fly into Cork then Kinsale is beautiful as is many parts of west cork and the city itself is fab. Kerry is a lovely county but you need a car.

Fly into Shannon/Knock and make your way to Galway, Spiddal, Aran Islands, down to Clare - Lahinch. You would need a car though.