Help me to persuade DH to bok a family holiday to Ireland please, he needs reasons apparently...

[purplemoon]

I've wanted to go to Ireland for a very long time and really fancy going this summer.

However, I know absolutely nothing about Ireland , i.e where to stay, what there is to do with a large(ish) family (4DC, 5yo- 13yo).
I have heard that it is very beautiful and googled for info but DH needs more to be convinced so I figured some personal MN recommendations might persuade him, what d'ya reckon?

Anyone fancy helping me out here so I can plead a good case?

(Options are camping (campervan) or perhaps a cottage.)

TIA

If it is history you are after I think this would appeal. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burren. I used to be enchanted with the Dolmens growing up. They are in the most unlikely places.

Yes Leenan is the town on Kilary Harbour (fjord) which would be of scientific geographic interest and very beautiful.

Purplemoon - definitely work on him on the history thing then. Ireland got loads of EU money for its tourism industry, and as a result 'historical sites' present themselves very impressively: often you have a tour guide as part of the entry fee (which is also low/very reasonable).

We enjoyed Ceide Fields, Newgrange, Cragganauwen Project [sp?] near Ennis, Galarus Oratory on Dingle, some iron-age fort I can't remember the name of up near the border in the West, endless endless possibilities.

Not to mention Dublin of course: Book of Kells in the museum there.

Dh and I have been a couple of times before, but we are going back this summer with the boys for the first time. We're staying in a cottage on Kerry for a week and touring for a week. I can't wait

The BEST site for booking a villa /apartment/cottage etc in Ireland is:

dreamireland.ie

Click on the map for the region you are interested in and it will throw their selection of properites in that region (arrow down & you will see all the details/photos/prices).

All of their properties are 4 and 5 star. Some of them are located on the grounds hotels with all the facilities of the hotel available to you (incl. pool - good if the weather doesn't hold up).

We are staying here - Portmagee - it's the far west of Kerry, opposite Valencia Island.

Ireland is FAB and look, the weather is not really a big deal, not so different from many parts of the UK. Plus on the whole Ireland is pretty child and family-friendly - not necessarily to the extent that there are loads of facilities, but to the extent that people are welcoming of them in the main, which is nice.

Just quickly popping in and out but just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the fabulous suggestions and hints, I am starting my campaign in earnest!!

I have to say that I usually find Ireland to be quite expensive. I can understand the appeal if you've run out of places in the UK, or if you have family or friends to visit.

I'm sure that there are plenty of camping sites there, but B&B still seems to be the dominant form of accomodation. I have always needed to book a fair while in advance for a cottage.

As an Irish woman I am probably biased but I love Ireland.. Even though I'm from Ireland we still holiday here although I do get away to the Sun once in a while!!!

My husband is English and loves Ireland even though he had never been until he met me!!!

My favourite places are:
(1) Inch beach in Kerry(long walks on the beach before a great big fry for breakfast and a gorgeous meal in Dingle with plenty of wine and Guinness that night!!!)

(2) Galway City and County...Spend a night in Galway at the pubs chatting to the poets and musicans, then take off the next day to Spiddal and onto the Aran Islands. A very different Ireland, wild and historic,friendly and stunning views.

(3) Ballyshannon...for the most amazing beaches..

(4) Gweedore for the craic and another wild beautiful part of Ireland.

(5) Waterville in Co. Kerry, in fact Kerry is very dear to my heart, spent many a blistering hot day in my childhood on Castlegregory beach and still have the memories...great caravan parks...

I could go on forever,Ballyvaughan, skibereen,Baltimore, Clonakililty....

I've just asked my hubby what was the appeal for him when he first encountered Ireland and he said the "Craic" and the people. He could go to a pub on his own and be chatting to someone in minutes.

So that's my(LONG)tuppence worth!! People will always say that Ireland is expensive etc etc etc. We don't have a lot of money but we search around for deals and spend wisely and we often just go for drives and look at the view. Remember petrol is cheaper in Ireland!!!! So your kilometre goes further. Don't even hesitate, you will have a ball!!

Hi Kerrymum,

Gweedore is in Donegal, Bundoran is fantastic for kids as is Cork, Fota Island, Liscarroll Donkey Sanctuary..

As a 8 year old girl we went to Inch beach and my sister who was 10 and my brother who was 6 still talk about it today. then again we loved to build sandcastles, swim, explore, find seashells etc. We weren't big into theme parks or fun fairs.

I love Dingle and yes it can be expensive but we have managed to visit without spending a lot of money. This was with a group including 6 small children, we had barmeals and fish and chips and drove to the beach and Ventry etc.

My nieces aged 6,6,(twins!!) 10 and 12 love Killarney. They love going to Muckross house and then onwards to Kenmare(another frightfully expensive town if you want it to be although B and B's there are fantastic and sooooo reasonable. I stayed there this summer and came back via waterville... Long drive.....

I think I have a fair idea of Ireland with kids to know that they can find lots to do, I always holiday with my nieces and they are as happy visiting Lough Gur as they are in Kilkee!!! And both those places are like chalk and cheese!!!

Many great memories in Bundoran, Kerrymum... I think it is surf heaven now..do your kids swim!!!! Can't wait to see what my son thinks of the beach this year!!!He is only 3!!

I'm going to Gweedore this year for 3 days and I can't wait....We have done Galway and Kerry to death so I fancy a change.

I'm a packed lunch type of girl as well. My hubby is a savage so I need back-up for him. So it's down to Dunnes stores for me!!!

I always try to get a cottage on Gulliver.ie. If you type in where you want to go it will list all the cottages available in that area... I got a lovely place in Killarney for a great price that way. We tend to avoid the town of Killarney, maybe a few hours for the kids to pick up nick knacks and then we go up to the mountains to see mad sheep walk in front of buses!!!!!

Kerrymum, we love going to places where there's "There is nothing at ALL to do in Inch. Nada." Our idea of a great holiday is going for walks, watching the sea/lake/hills/countryside, looking at wildlife, chatting, picnics, chilling out.; then curling up in front of a peat fire at the end of the day.

Last time I was at Inch beach there was not another soul there. I am steeling myself to assume that Kerry is not so deserted in August?

When are your school holidays btw?

You do know it rains all the time, don't you?