OK need your tips and advice for Southern IRELAND - Dublin/Waterford/Kerry/Limerick

[roisin]

We are going to spend 2 weeks in Ireland next summer with the boys (will be 9 and 11).

Your tips please for must-see attractions, excursions, and entertainment. (We like wildlife and walking, but also some excitement to break up the holiday a bit - boat trips and so on.) Also any recommendations of super swimming pools, in case of bad weather.

We like back-of-beyond/remote, and already have a cottage sorted out at the far end of Kerry (opposite Valencia Island) - we've stayed there before (but not with the boys).

Beforehand we thought we'd spend 1-2 nights in Dublin, 1-2 nights in Co. Wicklow, 1-2 nights in Waterford, and 1-2 nights in Limerick.

If you like ice cream though...! High prices for fairly indifferent food is an occupational hazzard of a holiday in Ireland (she says disloyally.)

Hi Stleger and Kerry - thanks.
We've seen dolphins and whales from afar, but never local ones in their own territory. So I think the boys would adore Funghi - might go for that.

Kerry, we like wildlife and walking; but anything that gives a focus to the walking goes down well: waterfalls, standing stones, that sort of thing. The boys love playing on beaches, and exploring rocks and rockpools. I know there's some lovely beaches, I also vaguely recall a seeing a sign to a chocolate factory? (We never called in )

I'd like to take the boys to hear some Irish music if there's a pub you could recommend that's relatively child-friendly, and likely to play music earlier rather than later in the evening.

I'd love to show them some Irish dancing too: maybe nearer the time you could let me know of any local festivals or similar?

I remember watching a surfer right off the end of Kerry in a bay. It was so cold (March) that we sat in the car to watch him, and we watched him for over an hour before we got bored and left!

I guess the aim is to do some exciting/touristy things in our touring before/after Kerry; but then have a quieter (cheaper) week just enjoying the environment, and having some peace to read our books!

PS I am going away for a few days now, so please don't think I'm rude if I don't reply instantly.

Fenit is good if you like walking out to sea - think the quay in French Lieutenants Woman. Ardfert has a good ruined abbey. The rose of Tralee is on next week so Tralee will be very busy and full of lovely girls - if you have a television that is your evening's viewing sorted! (Avoid the indoor pool in Tralee). Lots of neolithic stuff around to look at too. Killarney - you need to go on a jaunting car trip if you want to be a tourist, and visit the waterfall. My knowledge of beaches is not good, as we are usually in Kerry out of season, so walk on strands well wrapped up. Inch is spectacular, and Banna was being blown away when we were there! I don't believe it is raining again...

And the big hotel in Listowel is good for lunch/afternoon tea served by motherly ladies. have a good trip!

We did the Burren with a group of elderly Americans and a naturalist a few years ago. I think having it explained by someone who knows what to look for helped. Blarney is nice, but I hope they have wellies as it is like walking on sponge everywhere. Have you been to Alwee cave near lisdoonvarna (now you have the song in yourhead, sorry). It is good on a wet day as you stay dry... I wanna go to Mayo, it is really nice.....

Thanks for all the comments and tips.

We've only been to Kerry out of season (March and September), so I'm interested as to what August will be like.

We have seen puffins on Treshnish and Staffa (off Mull), but my favourite birds are Gannets - so I can't wait to see those on Skelligs. But I might stay on the boat as I don't like cliffs, or watching the boys near cliffs!

We are now toying with the idea of going up to Mayo and seeing the Ceide fields again. So we're thinking of maybe travelling back Belfast-Stranraer and seeing a bit further north too.

I love holidays