10 days in Ireland with kids: the Irish Road Trip Itinerary You’ll love on your first visit
Enjoy ten days in Ireland with kids following our tried-and-tested 10-day itinerary for families. My family itinerary covers the best places to see in Ireland on a first visit and special stops just for kids.
Ireland is very kid-friendly and a road trip with kids in Ireland is easily a wonderful family vacation all family members will hold as a cherished memory.
I have been living in Ireland for over 19 years and I have two children who called Ireland home.
With them, we have travelled extensively in Ireland: we have seen touristy places, local places, hidden gems; we have stayed in hotels, castles, and campsites; and of course, we have checked out as many farms, playgrounds and fairy house trails as we could!
So, when I tell you I can help narrow down your itinerary to visit Ireland with kids, I mean it!
I am not just sharing my research: I am sharing my first-hand experience gained with kids, traveling around Ireland.
I have the enthusiasm and curiosity of the tourist and the insider tips of a local and, since moving here, I have used this experience to help countless friends and readers plan the Irish road trip.
Today, I hope I can help you, too! I
This is my recommended road trip itinerary to see Ireland with kids in 10 days
You can easily slow it down if you have longer or you may add this Northern Ireland itinerary to it.
Good to know: I have planned this itinerary so that you do not have to drive on the first day and can spend the day recovering from jet lag or anyway the tiredness of the journey. I find this to be especially important if you come with as flight from North America as they tend to arrive early in the morning, which is a nasty time once you take in jet lag. Make sure you fully recover before getting on the road. I have also slowed it down versus an itinerary without kids to allow for farm visits and downtime.
10 days in Ireland with kids itinerary at a glance: TL:DR
| Day N. | Night stop | What you will see | Type of attraction | Things for kids | Driving time |
| Day 1 | Dublin | Dublin City center | City | Museums/ Playgrounds/Zoo etc | None |
| Day 2 | Wicklow | Powerscourt, Killruddery House (kids) | Country Estates/ Gardens | Kids playground / zipline | 1h 40 mins |
| Day 3 | Kilkenny | Glendalough, Sally Gap | Nature, monastic site, easy hikes | Nature | 2h |
| Day 4 | Kinsale | Kilkenny City, Rock of Cashel | Town, medieval site | Big playground/ tourist train | 1h40 |
| Day 5 | Killarney | Blarney Castle, Killlarney | Castles, town | Castle | 3h |
| Day 6 | Killarney | Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula Drive | Nature | Nature | Blarney Castle, Killarney |
| day 7 | Killarney | Killarney National Park | Nature | nature, farms | Kayaking, cycling |
| Day 8 | Galway | Cliffs of Moher, Burren, Ailwee caves | Cliffs, scenery | Birds of prey center | 3h |
| Day 9 | Galway | Connemara | Scenery | nature | 3h+ |
| Day 10 | Dublin | Dublin city | City | Playground/Kids’ museums etc | 2h |
How to book this exact trip: resources for your family itinerary in Ireland
Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase, we might make a small commission.
Below, you find my trusted travel resources you can use to book this family itinerary in Ireland. I trust they’ll help you plan your 10 days in Ireland with kids and make the trip as stress free as possible.
We book all our accommodation via booking.com. I find the site easy to use. I love reading all the reviews (from customers, so I feel I can trust them), and I like their ‘Genius’ program, which means you get better prices the more you use the platform.
For tickets and attractions, I trust Tiqets.com. I also have a discount code for you to use and get 5% off: use code MAMALOVESITALY and this referral link to avail of it. Once you make your first purchase, the app also sends you an additional discount for subsequent bookings.
Before renting a car and driving in Ireland, I recommend you read our driving in Ireland tips. In Ireland, even more than in other destinations, do not drive when tired or jet lagged, and never underestimate road and weather conditions.
10 days in Ireland with kids: day by day family itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Dublin, night in Dublin
Stay in: The Mauldron (mid-range) or The Merrion Hotel (luxury).
I recommend starting your road trip to Ireland with a day in Dublin, the country’s capital and a fun, easy and interesting city to visit with kids.
Dublin is often associated with pubs and literature, which you may think bear no interest for kids, but it also has some cool kids’ attractions young visitors will love.
On your first day, I recommend you spend the time in the Grafton Street / Trinity College area, visit St Stepehen’s Green Park and playground, see the performers on Grafton Street, see all the hip cafes in St George’s Market Arcade and the Ha’Penny bridge.
I also recommend to visit the Book of Kells Immersive experience at Trinity College, which is educational but also fun as it uses lights and videos to tell the story of the book.
In Dublin, you can have dinner at almost anytime, so I recommend you take you pick for an early meal then rest and get ready for the start of your road trip the the following day!
Day 2 – Wicklow Estates and Gardens
Stay in: Druid’s Glen Golf and Resort or Brooklodge at Macreddin Village
I like to start the driving portion of this 10 days in Ireland with kids itinerary for families with a mellow day in Wicklos County.
This day brings to a fabulous and scenic part of the country: stunning County Wicklow, ‘garden of Ireland, a place with some amazing kids’ attraction (yet still glorious views for the parents!).
There are two places here that I believe are perfect for families.
The first is Powerscourt Estate. Powerscourt is a large, scenic, historic villa with stunning gardens and views over the Wicklow Mountains. It is a popular day trip from Dublin and a favorite especially for garden lovers.
It has a fantastic Italian style garden and a Japanese one, and it is a great place for kids too, as there is plentu of space to run arond and nice cafes for treats and cakes.
In winter, you also often have Santa and his reindeer here!
Do not miss a quick visit to Enniskerry, the little village just beside it, which is tiny and delightful, with its pretty flowers and cafes.
You can read here >> all about visiting Powerscourt House and Gardens
The second stop I recommend on this day is Killruddery House. This stop is very much for the kids but it is a great place for adults too.
KIllruddery is a beautiful estate now entirely devoted to hospitality.
Here, you have cafes, food trucks and market, zipline for kids and seasonal activities such as pumpkin carvings at Halloween and a fantastic sandpit for little kids!
You can read here >>> all about visiting Killruddery House
If you have kids who are too old for this type of entertainment, you can swap this stop with a visit to nearby Belmont Demesne (it has a pump truck and nature walk) or you could get more adventurous climbing up the Sugar Loaf (short but strenuous hike, bring proper shoes and be prepared for a scramble at the top).
Day 3: The Sally Gap and Glendalough
Stay at the Lyrath Family Hotel
After a quiet day in country estates and kid-friendly activities, day 3 brings you one of the classic Irish attractions and a personal favourite of mine: Glendalough!
Glendalough is a medieval monastic site on the shores of two ‘twin’ lakes nestled between the pretty Wicklow Mountains.
The site is very evocative, and all you expect from mystic medieval Ireland.
Here you have a mysterious round tower, an ancient cemetery, monastic ruins and that romantic, melancholic atmosphere ancient Ireland does so well.
Glendalough is sure to conquer the heart of all the families and it is a great place for kids to have an easy walk in nature.
I hope you love it as much as I do: for me, it is a highligh and not to be misses when spending 10 days in Ireland with kids.
You can read here >> our guide to Glendalough with kids
Good to know: due to high crowds, I recommend you come here early in the morning. By staying in Wicklow, you’ll arrive before the buses from Dublin.
As well as the site itself, Glendalough is blessed with a stunning position which you’ll have the chance to admire during your drive here or right after your visit.
Just make sure you go slow on these roads as the road up to the Sally Gap and the higher mountain roads get narrow and bendy.
On this route, I recommend you stop and take in the views of Lough Tay. If you have kids who love hiking, you can also use this day to go up Djouce mountain or down to Lough Dan.
Need to know! It is important not to underestimate weather conditions here. If you are in Ireland during the winter especially (but not only) check weather conditions and do not drive up here should there be warnings about ice or snow.
After a few hours in Wicklow (and a meal in Glendalough or nearby Avoca), I recommend you regain the motorway and head to pretty Kilkenny for the night.
Kilkenny, a pleasant city with a beautiful castle and a lovely town center with an artsy vibe.
You can spend your day exploring its castle and the city’s famous ‘medieval mile’, explore its craft shops and make sure you spend the evening in a local pub listening to Irish music for the perfect introduction to Ireland.
You can read here >>> our guide to Kilkenny
Day 4: Kilkenny and Rock of Cashel
Stay in Actons Hotel Kinsale
Kilkenny is a small town, and you’ll get a first sense of it already on your first night.
Yet, it is worth spending a morning here as there are a few cool things to see you and the kids will love.
The children are likely to adore the playground in the castle estate (free entrance) and the little tourist train.
Older kids and adults should not miss a walk along the Medieval Mile, a visit to St Canice’s Cathedral (do not miss its tower and colossal celtic crosses) and I recommend you also visit the Medieval Ireland Museum, whcih is a deep dive into Ireland’s most distant past.
You can read here >>> our guide to Kilkenny
After a monring in Kilkenny, I recommend to drive yo Kinsale via the Rock of Cashel.
The stretch is very short, as only requires a couple of hours driving, yet brings to across a lovely part of the country so you’ll have several places competing for your attention in terms of stops along the way!
Cashel is one of the most beautiful sites in Ireland and a place I highly recommend for a visit.
The rock is a medieval site perched on top of a small hill and is said to be the place where St Patrick converted to Christianity the King of Munster in the V century.
The visit doesn’t take long yet is is evocative and fascinating as the place is breathtaking.
I recommend you spend the night in Kinsale which is a lovely town, quiet and quaint.
Day 5 – Kinsale to Killarney
Stay in Gleneagle Hotel. Since you have 10 days in Ireland with kids, I like to have a few nights in the same place, to allow resting and local exploring and slower pace
This is one of the most beautiful drives you will have following this itinerary and will lead you to two of the powerhouse of Ireland tourism: Blarney Castle and pretty Killarney.
Blarney Castle is the most famous castle in Ireland and one of the most visitied places in the country.
The castle itself is a stunning, beautiful medieval ruinas comes with something special: the Blarney Stone, said to be able to bestow the gift of the gab (eloquence) to anyone kissing it!
Kissing the stone is the quintessential tourist activity here, and if you can take the line and wait, it can be a fun thing to do.
The stone is positioned in such a way you need to lie down and literally bend over backwards over a sheer drop (now secured) to reach it. Castle staff helps with the endeavour and you can even have a photo of this moment taken.
Despite being so popular, I don’t believe kissing the Blarney Stone is the best use of your time here. Instead, I recommend you visit the estate and see the fun poison garden, Whishing Steps and Witches Stone – Cool to do with the kids!
You can read here >> how to visit Blarney Castle with kids
After a visit to Blarney, settle in Killarney.
Killarney is a pretty town in the famous Killarney National Parks, a stunning part of the country, and it is a great place to call home for a few nights since it has lovely hotels, restaurants, facilities and views.
I recommend to spend this day staying put in town and explore the park on foot and by bike: this will give you a lovely experience but also save your energy for the driving you’ll do the day after along the famous Ring of Kerry!
You can read here >>> My guide to Killarney
Day 6 – Dingle Drive / Ring of Kerry drive
Stay in Gleneagle Hotel (second night)
One of the most famous areas of Ireland is the Ring of Kerry, a loop scenic road famous for incredibly beautiful landscapes.
Driving The Ring of Kerry takes about one day, and this is why I have planned this itinerary with two nights in the area.
The Ring follows the coastal route on the Kerry Peninsula and since the roads can be quite exposed, I recommend avoid driving on the drop side of the road, making sure you are on the side of the mountain as much as possible.
This way, you will enjoy the views but you won’t have to deal with the full intensity of Irish coast road which, if you’re one used to, can be a lot to take!
Top tip – High season alternative: the ring of Kerry is so popular it can become frustrating, so I suggest an alternative: the Dingle Peninsula. Located to the north of Kerry, this is one of the many Irish peninsulas stretching into the Atlantic in the west of the country and it is spectacular and, in parts, remote.
Day 7 – Relax day in Killarney
After the long drive the day before, I recommend taking it easy in Killarney.
Here, you can enjoy the town, go Kayaking, take one of the many walks in the park, visit Kennedy’s pet farm, go horse riding, play in the Knockreer playground.
Day 8: Killarney to Co Clare: the Burren and the cliffs of Moher
Stay in: the Maldron Hotel Sandy Road
Day 8 of this 10 day itinerary of Ireland leads you to see more of the most famous sites in Ireland, showing you no less than the stunning Burren and the famous Cliffs of Moher.
The Cliffs of Moher are pretty much guaranteed to be the highlight of your day.
Despite being a super touristy destination, the cliffs are simply stunning and worth seeing: the area is fully organized now and the cliffs themselves protected by a tall stone wall so you can still enjoy the view but are protected from the sheer drop at all times. Make sure you stay on the marked paths.
You can read here >>> my guide to visiting the Cliffs of Moher with kids
Despite their beauty, it is well possible that you’ll find the busloads of people coming here too much after a while and therefore I recommend you spend the rest of your day in other parts of this area and especially the Burren.
Among the several destinations I recommend here there are the Burren Perfumery, Ballyvaughan, Dromoland Castle.
I recommend making your way to Galway and making it your home for the next few nights.
You can read here >>> My guide to Galway
Day 9 – Day trip to Connemara
Stay in: the Maldron Hotel Sandy Road (second night)
Just to the North of Galway lies wonderful Connemara, known for its remote, stunning landscape and evoking Kylemore Abbey.
A day trip to Connemara from Galway by car is easy and pleasant. Kylemore Abbey and Clifden are classic yet worthwhile destinations to add to your Irish itinerary and a fantastic way to see remote, evocative Irish scenery.
Day 10 – Dublin
The drive between Galway and Dublin is not long so you’ll have this last day to explore Dublin at leisure.
Things you may love to do on this day are a visit to Epic, the museum of Irish Emigration and its fascinating family history center, a visit to the Guinness Storehouse (yes, it is kid friendly!) or yuou can treat your kids to a day just for them going to the Exolorium interactive museum.
If the idea of the big city is not appealing to you, there is a lovely way to see Dublin yet with a small town feel and that is by staying in one of its coastal neighborhoods: stunning and upscale Dalkey or buzzy Dun Laogharie.
These locations allow you to take it easy in a small and lovely neighbourhood, come easily into Dublin or see the pretty castle of Malahide or the adorable port of Howth by Dart (Dublin Area local train).
10 days in Ireland with kids itinerary – pin this!
