Castles, Cliffs & Fairy Tales: A Magical Family Road Trip Through Ireland

Your adventure begins in Dublin, where you’ll meet your driver-guide and head straight out of the city. A couple of hours into the journey, stop at the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most iconic historic sites. The kids will love running around the grassy grounds, and the open ruins are stroller-friendly in many areas, which made it easy for us with little ones. This was a great way for us to get our first “taste” of Ireland and hit the ground running off the plane.

Continue on to the countryside near Ballymacarbry, where you’ll settle into a welcoming farmhouse. This first night is all about easing into Ireland time—let the kids stretch their legs outside and enjoy a cozy dinner at a local pub. We found that starting in the calm countryside set the tone for a smooth adjustment to jet lag.

Today’s drive takes you over the scenic Vee Pass in the Knockmealdown Mountains, with sweeping views and easy pull-offs that make for great breaks with toddlers. A stop at the gardens of Lismore Castle offers a colorful and stroller-friendly place to wander, with wide lawns for kids to explore. Later in the day, head to the Cobh Heritage Centre, where interactive exhibits bring Ireland’s emigration story to life—the Titanic connection is especially fascinating.

By evening, you’ll arrive in Cork, where it’s worth taking a short stroll along St. Patrick’s Street and the surrounding lanes. It’s lively yet manageable with little ones and gives the whole family a chance to unwind before bedtime. There are plenty of pubs to stop in, grab a pint, and listen to traditional Irish folk music.

Kid-approved tip: Spend the weeks leading up to your trip reading books about castles, Irish fairytales, and knights. This will help your kids connect with what they will be seeing in a fun way. When they are finally in Ireland and start seeing the castles they read about in books, their eyes will light up!

A visit to Blarney Castle is one of Ireland’s most family-friendly experiences. While the climb to the top and kissing the Blarney Stone may be more suited to adults, the castle grounds are wonderful for children, with gardens, walking paths, and wide-open spaces to explore. My older son spent hours roaming the “forest” and searching for dragons with his toy sword. Afterward, continue through the colorful countryside toward Killarney.

In the afternoon, set out on a guided kayaking trip on Lough Lein, paddling past Ross Castle and tiny wooded islands. Even with little ones, double kayaks make the outing doable, and our guide was great about stopping for breaks. Spotting deer along the shoreline made this one of the most magical moments of our trip. In the evening, enjoy a gentle stroll through Killarney’s charming town center, where the music spilling from pubs gives the whole area a festive feel.

Kid-approved tip: Purchase a fun toy sword for your child while there. My 3-year-old spent hours running through the many castles, gardens, and playgrounds pretending to be a knight. It was well worth the souvenir price and kept him engaged with what we were seeing in a way he could enjoy and understand.

Today, you’ll drive one of Ireland’s most famous scenic routes, the Ring of Kerry. The winding road takes you through villages like Killorglin and Cahersiveen, past the rugged coastline at Waterville, and to panoramic viewpoints such as Coomakesta Pass. Frequent stops help break up the journey for little travelers, and every pull-off is postcard-worthy. Midway, join a local guide for a short hike along the Old Butter Road—a trail with sweeping views of Kenmare Bay that was manageable even with small kids.

End the day with the classic lookouts of Ladies View and Moll’s Gap before returning to Killarney. If the kids still have energy, the town’s park is perfect for a quick play before dinner and bed; however, traveling with a 1- and 3-year-old meant early to bed for us most nights!

Heading north, you’ll reach the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, where sheer rock walls rise 650 feet above the Atlantic. The visitor center is excellent for families, with fenced viewing platforms and indoor exhibits that keep things safe and engaging. Our toddlers mostly loved the wind whipping their faces and the space to run on the pathways.

Continue the drive through the unique limestone landscape of The Burren, making short stops as needed, before arriving in lively Galway. Quay Street and the Latin Quarter are colorful and stroller-friendly, with buskers and musicians creating a fun atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot for families to grab ice cream and enjoy an evening stroll. Again, with all the pub options, we just followed the music and stopped in one that had a lively atmosphere.

Spend the day immersed in the rugged beauty of Connemara. Begin at Kylemore Abbey, a romantic lakeside estate that feels straight out of a storybook. The Gothic chapel, walled gardens, and walking paths are stroller-friendly, and the kids will love spotting ducks on the lake.

Later, head into Connemara National Park for a hike on Diamond Hill. The lower loop (a little under two miles) is perfect for younger kids, while older children can handle more. Afterward, return to Galway with time to explore the city on foot. Our boys loved stopping for street performers while we browsed the shops and picked up souvenirs—a lively yet relaxed end to the day.

As you make your way back toward Dublin, break up the drive with a stop at Turoe Pet Farm. Feeding animals and bouncing on the inflatable play areas were highlights for our 1- and 3-year-old, and honestly one of their favorite parts of the trip. It was the perfect reminder that mixing kid-focused activities into a sightseeing trip makes the whole experience smoother.

Later in the day, visit the ancient monastery of Clonmacnoise, where round towers, Celtic crosses and atmospheric ruins transport you back centuries. The open space makes it easy for kids to roam while parents take in the history. Arrive in Dublin by evening and settle in.

Kid-friendly tip: Find ways for your children to connect to the new places they are seeing. Whether that’s through castles, petting zoos/farms, or just exploring a new park. We’ve had such great experiences traveling with our boys when they were young, and most of it starts with a really good park!

Spend your last day exploring Dublin’s highlights. At St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the soaring ceilings and stained glass are awe-inspiring even for young kids. At Trinity College, take turns viewing the Book of Kells exhibit while the kids enjoy playing outside on the green. Finish at the Guinness Storehouse, which is more family-friendly than you might expect—interactive brewing exhibits and huge projection screens kept our little ones entertained, and the panoramic Gravity Bar at the top offers sweeping views of the city. Before wrapping up the trip, take a short walk through the city center. Grafton Street’s performers and nearby St. Stephen’s Green are perfect for a final family stroll before saying goodbye to Ireland.