Holiday in Ireland tips

[Armeins]

We are planning a visit to Ireland, probably Cork and Kerry although open to other suggestions. Can anyone recommend self catering accommodation to suit family with children under 7 plus parents and grandparents. What are the must see places?

I don't think the Op asked if she should go to Greece or Ireland lol.

Ring of Kerry but be judicious - it's a bit of a gimmick and not all the sites are 'amazing'. Also, take your time stopping maybe at Dingle, Waterville and Killarney. Don't do it in a day!

My kids were teenagers the last time we were there and their favourite place was the beautiful pitch and putt course in Doolin. Stunning views from its cliff top location. I’ve travelled pretty much every county in Ireland and hand on heart county Clare is my favourite. It has everything and is a great base for day trips to other parts.

I wasn't replying to the OP was I?

I said "don't go to Ireland".

Another poster replied to me and said "give context".

I then replied to that poster.

I'm Irish and West Cork is the most beautiful bit of Ireland IMO (although Donegal is lovely too for a week it's at the wrong end of the island for you) . Although both are lovely, I also prefer the Beara peninsula to the Ring of Kerry. Basically, stick to the South and West. It won't be a cheap holiday and the weather will probably be shite, but I'm figuring that won't surprise you. Clonakilty would be a good base for you, the beach there is fabulous, and make sure you have a pint in DeBarras for me. Skip Dublin, its an expensive kip.

Accommodation is expensive but it is everywhere right now. I have to travel to Europe for work and its usually 200 euros for a room - and that's in small towns, not major cities.

Not true at all.

I just went to Athens for a week, and I got a very nice hotel for 35 euros a night.

Bantry and glengarrif, travel through the Conor pass to Kenmare. One of the most beautiful places on earth.

Jesus Christ @Mooshamoo do you work for the Greek Tourist Board?

Just because you stayed somewhere for 35 euros a night does not make it the same everywhere.

Did I just imagine I spent 200 euros a night on a hotel room? Hmmm. You can't tell me it's not true errr because it is.

I didn't say you didn't spend 200 euros on an hotel room.

You did however say that it is expensive everywhere in Europe right now, and I pointed out that you are incorrect.

I don't work for the Greek tourist board. It's just that was my most recent holiday. If you go on booking.com you will you see hotels in Athens for 35- 40 euro a night.

Last year I went to Spain, and I also got a lovely hotel for 40 euro a night.

It is cheap in many parts in Europe.

If you choose to pay 200 a night that means you are going to to the more expensive countries like Germany, France , Switzerland.

You said you have to go to these places for work. So you have less choice on where you go

Yep I just checked. The hotel I stayed in Athens is still listed at 212 euro for 7 nights. It was lovely. Hotel neos Olympics. It was really nice

Next time I'll be going on holiday in Spain. And I will pay a similiar price.

I just think Ireland is a total rip off. I had to stay in Galway in a hotel for one night with my mother, and it was 200 euro, because she had to go to Galway hospital.

I could get a full week away for the price of one night in Ireland.

Going to Greece is a totally different experience and offering though. Money aside, I prefer the green lushness of the Atlantic coast and if I were to go somewhere on mainland Europe it would likely be somewhere like Norway (even more expensive!) or some of the more remote parts of Eastern Europe. And that is just focusing on landscape. People go to countries for lots of different reasons, including culture, atmosphere, food, history, family ties, etc. You have a very reductionist view. Maybe the OP really wants to go to Cork or Kerry and is prepared to suck up the price. It's also fair to say that most of the reason Ireland is very expensive is because people earn pretty decent wages and suppliers are also treated reasonably well. Ireland is a wealthy country now, the dowside of that is that it is expensive for visitors. And the weather is not always bad in Ireland BTW! Yes it's damp but that is one of the reasons it looks how it does and feels like it does. And why we have lovely pubs to retreat to 😊

Wow thank you for all the replies. Lots for me to research now. We are thinking of coming in May next year so plenty of time to plan properly.

I went to Greece and Ireland last year. I'm not even a millionaire 😂

OP, avoid staying in Killarney, it's an expensive rip off. Instead do a day trip there, get a jarvey (horse and cart) from the town centre to Muckross House. The house is interesting and the grounds are beautiful; beautiful lakes and views of the mountains and waterfall.
West Cork is more natural than the more tourist engineered Kerry. Although Cahirsiveen beach in Kerry is breathtaking. Personally, I would base myself in West Cork and tour from there.

Last year we rented a cottage in Baltimore, 2 adults and 2 children it was expensive but the kids loved it. There's loads to do and we toured around in a rental car.
https://www.baltimore.ie/islands

We also spent a day in Cork City, took the city hop on/off tour bus which gave an interesting account of the city's history. We stopped off at the University and Cork City Gaol which was gave a fascinating insight into history.

Book a rental car well in advance.they don't come cheap either in Ireland .

I know ireland very well. I lived in Ireland for most of my life.
I lived in Ireland for all my teenage years.
I moved away from Ireland as an adult for work.
Then I moved back to Ireland
And I lived in Ireland all last year.

"Ireland is a wealthy country"

That's debatable. There are a lot of problems in Ireland. Yes the rich are rich. The rich people don't see the poor people's problems as it doesn't affect them.

Ireland currently has a MASSIVE problem with homelessness.

Homeless levels are at a record high in ireland. The highest level that it has ever been at.

I was volunteering with a homeless org last year in Ireland. She said its the worst levels of homelessness that she has ever seen.

Ireland also has a huge rental problem.

The positive about Ireland are:
It has nice scenery.
Nice walks.
I would really recommend Waterford as a place to go to. It's a great place.

Cork city and all the smaller towns in cork are nice too

Of course Ireland has lots of problems, never said otherwise. And I am certainly not one of the rich myself, I'm a lone parent on less than the average industrial wage. I also work with social care so I'm well aware of how 'poor' people live and the struggles therein. But I also think that there's a lot that's good about it and it and most people- and not just the rich - have a pretty damned good life taking everything into account and a good safety net. Costs of living are high (like everywhere) but wages are generally high too. I'm sure there are better places to live in the world but by God there are a hell of a lot worse.

@theleafandnotthetree Yes.

When are you planning on visiting? And what is your budget?
I think you’ve left it late to book for this summer, but you might be lucky.

Areas we like: Kenmare, Dingle, Killarney. Basically all of Kerry, especially the coast and south.
I would do all the ring of Kerry and the dingle peninsula.
Drive Valentia island. Google images of it, just simply breathtaking

Self catering, we’ve stayed in the Sneem hotel apartments, Parknasilla woodland villas.

I’ve noticed that Airbnbs are extremely expensive. Hotels often do good deals. We like Ballyseede castle, the dingle skellig hotel, Parknasilla (all 4 star and expensive). Plenty 3 stars dotted around too.