Traveling to Ireland with young children can sometimes feel like a daunting task, which is why many parents don’t venture too far afield while their children are very young.
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And while package vacations to warmer climates that typically include hotel stays with pools and a waterslide are an easy option for parents with small kids, visiting Ireland with young children can be relatively easy and enjoyable if you are prepared in advance.
Friendly locals, an abundance of family-friendly attractions, child-friendly parks and lots of restaurants that cater to little ones makes Ireland a popular attraction for many parents who want to combine sightseeing with some quality kid time.
Here’s how 5 parents handled the challenges of vacationing in Ireland with their young children.
Two of the parents I surveyed said that this was their first time to Ireland with children.
They all traveled to Ireland between 2023 and July 2025.
All of them are members of my Facebook Group.
Traveling the length and breadth of Ireland, these parents, with children aged from 8 months to 13 years of age, visited Dublin; Cork, including West Cork; Galway; Kilkenny; Kerry (Killarney and Dingle); Wicklow (Glendalough); Clare; Offaly; Westport, and Northern Ireland.
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Renting Car Seats and Strollers
Four out of the five couples rented cars; the other couple, who live in Ireland, used their own car.
Two respondents said they used Stork Exchange, a company that rents car seats, strollers and portable cots to visitors coming to Ireland as well as Irish residents traveling to Malaga, Majorca and Alicante, all popular Spanish vacation destinations.
“We’d never rented before and they were excellent,” said one, with the other parent saying they were “very happy with the experience.”
Two other couples brought their own car seats, with one taking their American rear-facing car seat and the other parent saying she brought a 5-point harness car seat for her 2-year-old and a booster for her 7-year-old.
Both said that they fit well into their Irish car rental.
For many parents, a stroller is a necessity, especially when traveling with small children.
Three out of the five respondents said they brought some type of travel stroller.
Those brands included a Nuna TRVL Stroller that one respondent said did not fit in the trunk with luggage but fitted in the back seat.
“It was great for 95 percent of the scenarios we encountered but wasn’t best on some cobblestone streets,” she said, adding that she anticipated that because it was a travel stroller with smaller wheels.
The respondent also said she brought a baby Bjorn carrier and used it when the stroller wasn’t suitable and for when they wanted to take hikes.
Another respondent mentioned that she brought a small umbrella stroller since the larger stroller would not have fit in her family’s small SUV rental. “The stroller was helpful to have, especially in Dublin and the Blarney Castle grounds,” she said. “We also used a baby carrier for hiking trails.
“Next time, I would bring a more compact stroller that can be carried onto the plane and put in the overhead bin, because when we landed in Dublin via Aer Lingus, the stroller was not at the gate but at a baggage claim, and on our return flight, the stroller was lost.”
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Another mom said that she managed well with a car seat. “We are SO glad we didn’t bring tiny travel strollers. The bigger, stronger stroller allowed us to push kids up the walk to the Giant’s Causeway, and was easy for curbs and cobblestones,” she explained.
This type of stroller, added the respondent, folded up small for the trunk, although a narrow double stroller would have been totally fine, too, she said, despite the advice she got in the group.
“Anything with a small fold would have worked and fit well in our trunk.”
While one of the respondents did not bring a stroller for this trip to Ireland, she added that she would normally travel with her GB Pockit stroller, “which is small enough to fit in the overhead bins of a plane, so it would be great for smaller rental cars in Ireland.”
Supplies for Babies and Young Children
All of the respondents said they brought their own diapers, at least enough to last a few days. When it came to buying brands in Irish stores, one respondent said the biggest issue was identifying the right size given some of the differences between American and European brands.
“We found the brands weren’t the same quality feeling as Canadian store brands in terms of softness and absorbency, but they worked fine for our two-year-old,” said one parent.
As for baby formula, one parent said she brought the formula she used at home due to lack of availability in Ireland. “We did buy a couple of pouch-type foods, which were great and seemingly less ingredients than in the U.S.”
Toddler snacks were a win-win with participants of my questionnaire. “Toddler snacks in the grocery store were excellent,” said one, with “lots of easy grab-and-go items.”
Doable Attractions with Young Kids
Respondents to my questionnaire chose to visit a variety of attractions in Ireland with their young children, including a harbor cruise in Kinsale, the Dingle Peninsula, Killarney National Park, Blarney Castle, a variety of parks and fairy forests in Ireland, the Dingle Aquarium, the Sheep’s Head Bay area in West Cork, the Guinness tour in Dublin, the Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny Castle, and Kylemore Abbey in County Galway, to name a few.
Most said the attractions were kid friendly.
One parent said that while at the Guinness Storehouse, it was easy to enjoy the beer pouring experience as long as one person stood back with the child while the other was pouring.
“We also did the private hawk walk through Dingle Falconry,” said the same respondent. “They were AMAZING and so, so patient.
“We booked the private tour to not impact others experiences. When our child got fussy, they pivoted and followed our lead since it was ‘our’ time.” she explained.
This respondent also visited the Christmas markets in Galway, getting through it successfully with a child in tow, even though it was crowded, and on another day during her trip, they even managed to climb Croagh Patrick in County Mayo.
“It was doable for us, but I would caution people to know their own fitness level, be comfortable carrying your child over uneven terrain, bring plenty of food/drinks for the child and don’t let your ego get in the way (one of us stopped with the child while the other finished the final climb).”
Choosing the Appropriate Accommodation
Some stayed exclusively in hotels, while others chose Airbnbs, while still others chose a combination of both that satisfied their needs.
“We stayed in hotels in Dublin and Galway that were very accommodating and family-friendly, said one parent, and Airbnbs at other locations.
“Airbnbs offered more family friendly perks, such as a highchair, but would do either again depending on location and price.”
Many parents traveling to Ireland with kids often find it difficult to find hotels that will accommodate families.
Granted the ones I surveyed did not have families larger than 4 but for those who do, it’s worth noting that some hotels will accommodate those numbers, but you need to know which ones.
Here at Ireland on a Budget, I’m all about providing value. The hotels that are listed below have large rooms that will sleep 4 or more. You are best to contact the hotel directly rather than going through a third party website.
This is just a partial listing of the hotels that provide hotel accommodation for families. To get the whole list of 53 hotels that accommodate families of 4 or more, look for the PDF on my Ko-Fi page.
The Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone, County Sligo F26 E9F9. This hotel, minutes from the beach, has family suites that can sleep up to 8 people in two double beds, a double bunk bed and a cot if required. The hotel offers a number of kid-friendly activities, including a Games Zone where kids can engage in a game of pool or spend time on one of the hotel’s PlayStation consoles, as well as the Little Diamonds Kids Club where younger children can engage in painting, art & crafts, board games, story time, spooky magic shows, movie nights and more. Outdoors you’ll find the Pirates Playground complete with swings, a seesaw, slides and a spinning mushroom. A babysitting service is also available. 📧 [email protected]; ☎️ 353-96-26000;💰€€€.
Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, County Wexford. This hotel has 48 open-plan family suites, with “family dens” that include a large suite with a private internal children’s den that consists of twin bunk beds that sleep up to 4 kids. A heavy-duty blackout curtain separates this from the rest of the accommodation that contains a double bed, two singles and the ability to add a cot or camper bed. The hotel has some great facilities for kids too, including an Amber Kids Club that is fully supervised; an indoor play zone with jungle gym; Amber Park with go-karting, archery, the Amber Express train, animal farm and more, as well as a leisure center, with an 18-meter swimming pool, kids’ pool, fitness suite, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. 🏊♂️Pool onsite; 📧 [email protected]; ☎️ 353-53-948-4000; €€€€.
Marine Hotel, Ballycastle, County Antrim BT54 6BN. This hotel has two beach house family rooms that can sleep five people thanks to a double bed, a three-sleeper bunk bed and space to add a cot or camp bed. Just 200 meters from Ballycastle Beach and other nearby attractions, including Ballycastle Golf Course, the Carrick-Rede Rope Bridge, the Dark Hedges, and the Giant’s Causeway, to name a few. 🐕 Dog friendly; ☎️ 44-28-2076-2222; 💰€€€.
Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, County Mayo F23 R253. This hotel accommodates families in their Standard Family Rooms, complete with a standard double bed and up to two standard single beds. Larger family rooms are also available in this category that include bunk beds that sleep a family of 5 and even double bunk beds that can sleep a family of 6. Interconnecting rooms are also available at this hotel. The hotel property consists of 191 acres of open space that includes forest trails and woodland walkways, including 2K, 3K and 5K looped trails. Activities for kids include a forest walk complete with 8 fairy houses, a gnome foyer and a landing pad “where the fairies arrive and depart from.” This hotel has a pool, in addition to other leisure-related facilities. Nearby attractions include the National Museum of Ireland Country Life, the Great Western Greenway, Westport House, Croagh Patrick, and much more.
🏊♂️Pool onsite; 📧 [email protected]; ☎️ 353-94-902-2033; 💰 €€€.
Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club, Glen of the Downs, County Wicklow. This 4-star hotel can cater to a couple with 4 children under 12 in their classic family rooms. Includes one double bed, a single bed and a camp bed or cot. An additional bed is also available if needed. If you’re traveling with more than 4 kids, try the Executive Family Rooms that come with three single beds, a double bed and a camp bed or cot. 📧 [email protected]; ☎️ 353-1-274-0000 to book; 💰 €€€.
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny R95 Y5CX. This popular Kilkenny hotel’s deluxe family rooms are ideal for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids under 12) or they can sleep up to 3 adults, with 1 king bed, a single bed and a camp bed if needed. Club rooms are also available for larger groups, offering king beds, a single bed and bunk beds. Interconnecting rooms are also available. This is Kilkenny’s only hotel with a pool. A dedicated children’s pool is also part of the leisure facilities. Local attractions suitable for families include the National Reptile Zoo, Castlecomer Discovery Park, Hurling Tours of Ireland, and much more. A whole list of Kilkenny activities is available in this free PDF. 🏊♂️Pool onsite; 📧 [email protected]; ☎️ 353-56-772-3977;💰 €€€.
Eating Out with Young Children
Irish pubs and restaurants are very family-friendly, especially during the daytime and early evening. Most have kids’ menus, and highchairs.
For casual meals, shop in SuperValu, Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Aldi or Lidl, where you can get sandwiches, fruit, and snacks — perfect for picnics or quick bites on the go. You’ll also find plenty of cafés around the country that serve soups, sandwiches, and kid-approved treats like scones and hot chocolate, and there are plenty of options at gas stations across the country, too.
Most respondents said that eating out in Ireland with their young children was relatively easy. “There were easy kids’ menus everywhere,” said one. Vegetable options for kids were less common in restaurants, added one respondent, and she compensated by getting easy kid-friendly vegetables from the grocery store.
Others said they ate out at least once a day or at night, with most places having a kids’ menu similar to American cuisine. For one parent with a baby, it was still relatively easy as she and her husband shared whatever they ordered or provided appropriate snacks.
It’s worth noting that menus in pretty much all of Ireland’s restaurants will include an allergen checklist. That applies to plates containing gluten, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, and macademia nuts, among others.
What These Families Could Have Packed
Given that it was a first time in Ireland for several of the respondents, it’s not surprising that there were items they wished they had taken with them.
Those included an umbrella for Ireland’s changeable weather, a stroller for days out in Dublin, and a small medical kit suitable for babies.
One parent explained how her daughter became congested and that it added unnecessary stress while trying to find the right product to buy that would alleviate her symptoms.
“We now travel with a small kit that has saline, a nose sucker, and a few other essentials to get us through 1-2 days so we can find time to get to a pharmacy for what we need,” she explained.
What are the Best Places to Explore with Young Children?
Dublin – if Dublin is on your itinerary, you’ll be happy to know that there are several kid-friendly attractions in Ireland’s capital, and it’s a great destination for first-time visiting families, too. Attractions include the Dublin Zoo, one of the oldest and most respected in the world (you can save 15% off your tickets if you book online); the Viking Splash Tour, where kids can don Viking helmets and ride through the city in an amphibious vehicle, Dublinia, a museum devoted to Dublin’s Viking history, and the National Museum of Ireland Natural History, nicknamed by locals as the “Dead Zoo” and a fascinating place where you are literally transformed to a place of Victorian exotica.
Galway – A relaxed seaside city, Galway is perfect for families. During the summer, kids will love stopping on Shop Street to listen to buskers and other street performers. Take a stroll along the promenade in Salthill or stay closer to the city center by visiting the Claddagh area, the oldest part of Galway where you can watch fishermen go about their day as well as swans swimming along the water. Outside of Galway, I recommend Galway Atlantaquaria, which is Ireland’s largest aquarium. You could also enjoy a picnic on the beach in Salthill if the weather cooperates.
Killarney – with Killarney National Park on its doorstep, Killarney is a good choice if you’re traveling with kids. Youngsters will love spotting deer in the park, taking a jaunting car ride, and exploring Ross Castle. The paved trails are stroller-friendly, and there’s plenty of space to let little ones run around safely.
Kilkenny – this medieval city is a hit with all ages, but kids will love certain areas of it, including the Kilkenny Castle playground, which is just one tiny part of the 21-hectare park that surrounds the historic castle. The fenced-in facility includes colorful, cushioned flooring, with swings, slides, bridges and various climbing structures to move around on. There’s also a huge open field that many tourists might not know of where locals often fly kites, and it would be a good place for your little ones to let off some energy. The Medieval Mile Museum is a great attraction for older kids as it contains lots of interactive exhibits about the history of the city.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, County Clare – this living history museum is ideal for children of all ages as they can explore a real castle, with its Great Hall, Earl’s quarters and rooms full of tapestries and medieval-style décor; see its farm animals, including red deer, Connemara ponies, goats, pigs, chickens, and even Irish Wolfhounds, as well wandering through a reconstructed 19th-century Irish village.
Limerick – King John’s Castle is the main attraction for kids in this underrated city. Like other historical attractions across Ireland, this one, too, has lots of interactive exhibitions telling the story of this large castle through modern, 21st-century touch screens, 3D models and what are known as “discovery drawers,” where kids can open compartments to explore various artifacts related to the castle. They can also try on historical costumes, participate in medieval courtyard games, climb the towers and explore underground/siege tunnels.
Waterford – this city is best for kids who are history lovers, especially ancient Irish history as it relates to the Vikings. Waterford was one of the first places in Ireland to be captured by the Norsemen and there is plenty of historical evidence left from their time there. A separate, really cool attraction for older children is the virtual reality experience called King of the Vikings.
Budget-Friendly Family Tips for Travel to Ireland
Traveling to Ireland with young children doesn’t have to be expensive. Ireland offers plenty of free and low-cost attractions, especially outdoors. I suggest you take the following into account as you plan your vacation to Ireland.
- Consider staying in self-catering accommodation (alternatives to Airbnb include Vrbo and Booking.com) — having your own kitchen makes mealtime easier and cheaper, or if you choose to stay in a hotel, choose one with dedicated family rooms.
- Take advantage of free museums, like the National Museum of Ireland branches in Dublin (the Natural History Museum mentioned above is great for younger kids while the Archaeology and Decorative Arts museums are more suited to older kids), the Country Life Museum, as mentioned above; the Chester Beatty museum in Dublin, which is also good for older children who like arts and culture; Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery, also good for older kids; the Galway City Museum, and the Ulster Museum in Belfast (great for kids of all ages).
- Explore playgrounds and parks — nearly every town has one.
- Picnic lunches are a great way to save money and enjoy Ireland’s scenic countryside.
Getting Around Ireland with Kids
The easiest way to travel around Ireland as a family is by rental car, which gives you flexibility for snack breaks, naps, and spontaneous photo stops.
While the country is small in size, it can take time to get from one place to another, especially in more rural areas. In addition, Google distance times aren’t always accurate, depending on what part of the country you are driving in.
Keep the following tips in mind when traveling with your kids by car in Ireland.
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- Bring your own car seats if possible (though most rental companies can provide one) like one of the respondents did above.
- Plan shorter driving days — try to do no more than two or three hours at a stretch.
- Remember that most major attractions have family parking spots and stroller-friendly paths.
If you prefer not to drive, Ireland’s public transportation system is comfortable and reliable, with most trains and buses accommodating strollers.
If you decide to use public transportation, look into something like the Explorer tickets for both adults and children, which allows for 5 days of unlimited travel out of 15 consecutive days on Irish trains. Children under 5 do not need tickets to travel on Ireland’s rail network.
Packing Tips for Family Travel in Ireland
Ireland’s weather can be unpredictable for families traveling to Ireland with young children — or anyone really, so pack for all seasons — even during the summer months. Here are a few essentials:
- Waterproof jackets for everyone
- Comfortable walking shoes (I recommend Vessi shoes for the whole family). Take 20% off with code 01-VIP-TRAVEL-1110.
- Lightweight stroller and/or baby carrier
- Reusable water bottles and snacks
- Travel games or audiobooks for car rides
- Layers — you may experience rain, sun, and wind in the same hour!
If you forget anything, don’t worry — baby and toddler supplies are easy to find in supermarkets and pharmacies throughout the country.
All the respondents reported that Ireland was great for families and that they really enjoyed themselves, citing an abundance of activities to do along with a good mix of history, museums, adventure and animal-related activities to avail of.
“My advice is to budget lots of time for playground stops, picnics and forest visits,” said one parent.
“We LOVED Ireland and are already looking at another trip with our now 2.5-year-old and a 6-month-old. It can feel intimidating but is honestly so easy,” said one parent. “The people are kind and there is so much to do if you’re willing to be flexible.”
What is the advice that some of our respondents offered?
Budget your time for playground stops, picnics and forest visits, said one. Others recommended packing plenty of clothes.
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“We packed a rain suit for our daughter, which was a lifesaver. We could easily pull it over her clothes when the weather turned. It is something I definitely recommend depending on the season you are visiting. It allowed us to keep going even when the weather sucked.
“I seriously can’t recommend Ireland enough,” she added.
Have you traveled to Ireland with your children? Let me know what that experience was like in the comments section below.
