Ireland (Eastern)
Family Trip to Ireland: Eastern & Southern Adventures
Traveling with multiple generations takes careful planning — and this Ireland trip was designed to suit everyone in our family: two kids (age 11), my husband, and my senior parents. Since my mom uses a wheelchair for days involving lots of walking, I wanted to make sure every activity was both accessible and enjoyable for all.
We decided to break our trip into two parts: Eastern Ireland (Dublin & Belfast) and Southern Ireland (Cork to Killarney). Here’s how it went — and how you can copy our itinerary for your own family adventure!
Day 1: Philadelphia → Dublin
Flight: Aer Lingus
Our family flew direct from Philadelphia to Dublin on Aer Lingus — a quick and smooth overnight flight. This was the first time our kids had a full meal on a plane (and tea service after dinner — how fun!). The attendants were warm, kind, and attentive.
We landed early at 5 a.m., and since I knew we’d be exhausted, I booked an extra hotel night so we could go straight to our room and sleep — highly recommend this for overnight arrivals! We rented a Skoda Kodiaq from Hertz - which is a little smaller than a standard SUV here in the US.
Our First Stay: The Bonnington Dublin
Only 15 minutes from Dublin Airport, The Bonnington Dublin was a convenient first stop. We chose it for the indoor pool, though we quickly learned pools in Ireland are very different from those in the U.S. — they’re considered part of a fitness club. You often need to:
Become a temporary member
Purchase swimming caps (mandatory)
Follow designated swim hours and lane rules
Our kids didn’t mind — they were just happy to swim!
The rooms were clean but small. Most hotels in Ireland are designed for two people, so finding “family rooms” can be tricky. (More on how we handled that later.)
The Bonnington Dublin Family Room
Exploring Dublin by Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
After a short nap, we took a cab into the city and used the DoDublin Hop-On Hop-Off Tour — the perfect way to explore with grandparents. We could easily get on and off to see the top sights:
The Temple Bar District
Dublin Castle
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Trinity College
We grabbed lunch at Leo Burdock’s, famous for its generous portions of fish and chips (one serving easily fed two of us). Dinner was at The Old Storehouse Bar & Restaurant, with traditional Irish fare and live music. Ice cream afterward was the perfect end before heading back to the hotel for a quick swim and early bedtime.
Day 2: Belfast & The Titanic Experience
We drove two hours north to Belfast — my second time driving on the left - first time long distance! It took a little adjusting, but we made it safely. I was very anxious about driving in Ireland, but after about 15 minutes (and several round abouts)
The Titanic Hotel & The Wolf Grill
We started our day with breakfast at The Wolf Grill, located inside the Titanic Hotel Belfast.
This hotel is built in the former Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices, where the RMS Titanic was designed in the early 1900s. You can still feel the history in every corner — the massive windows, shipbuilding blueprints, and Art Deco details.
After breakfast, the manager graciously allowed my dad, a professional pianist, to play the grand piano in Drawing Office Two. Within minutes, the staff gathered around, captivated by the “Captain” himself — especially since my dad resembles Captain Smith of the Titanic and was dressed the part!
Titanic Belfast Experience
We then explored the Titanic Belfast, which stands on the very site where the ship was built. The immersive exhibits trace the story from Belfast’s shipbuilding roots to the Titanic’s legacy. If you love maritime history, this is a must-visit.
After a full and emotional day, we drove back to Dublin for dinner at the hotel and a good night’s sleep — ready for the southern leg of our Irish adventure!
Day 3: Dublin → Cork
We hit the road early, driving about three hours south through gorgeous countryside and rolling green hills.
Lancaster Lodge Hotel
Lancaster Lodge Hotel, Cork
The Lancaster Lodge Hotel is a charming, centrally located hotel let us park the car and explore on foot. We grabbed breakfast at Tony’s Bistro, a local favorite, then explored Cork City.
Butlers Chocolate Café
We couldn’t resist stopping at Butlers Chocolate Café, known for its decadent hot chocolate — thick, rich, and served with your choice of a complimentary chocolate truffle. Butlers has been an Irish favorite since 1932, famous for handcrafted chocolates and café culture.
Tip: share one hot chocolate — they’re very rich!
Pompeii Pizza & Family Rooms
After a bit more exploring (and a spontaneous haircut for the boys at a friendly local barber!), we found Pompeii Pizza, located in a greenhouse-style building — cozy, casual, and delicious.
Because Irish hotels rarely have family-sized rooms, we booked three rooms:
One for me + one child
One for my husband + one child
One for my parents
This took a moment of adjusting when we were booking the hotels. We are used to the family style rooms of the US. But in the end, the kids loved having “neighbor” rooms and running between them.
Day 4: English Market & Drive to Killarney
The English Market (Cork)
This 18th-century covered market is one of Europe’s oldest, dating back to 1788. It’s packed with local specialties, artisanal cheeses, baked goods, meats, and produce.
Must-try stalls include:
O’Flynn’s Gourmet Sausages – handmade Irish sausages
The Chicken Inn – famous for rotisserie chicken and hot lunches
Alternative Bread Company – incredible pastries and breads
Coffee Central – a cozy spot for cappuccinos and people-watching
After exploring, we packed up and began our scenic drive.
Skibbereen → Kenmare → Killarney
We stopped first in Skibbereen, a quiet, historical town known for its role during the Great Famine of the 1840s. The Skibbereen Heritage Centre tells this story powerfully through exhibits and local history. We stopped at Field's SuperValu Skibbereen to grab some lunch - and it did not disappoint. They had a great selection of premade sandwiches and lots of other lunch items to easily grab.
Then it was off to Kenmare, a charming town known for wool sweaters and handmade crafts — a great spot for souvenirs and ice cream.
The final stretch took us through Killarney National Park, a stunning drive filled with lakes, waterfalls, and free-roaming sheep! On a future trip, we plan to spend more time here hiking and exploring.
Heights Hotel Killarney
Located in County Kerry, this hotel offered spacious rooms, beautiful grounds, and a cozy restaurant.
Dinner at Cronin’s Restaurant in downtown Killarney was a highlight — the Shepherd’s Pie was the best we’ve ever had, and I finally tried Figgy Pudding, a traditional steamed cake made with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices — a sweet ending to the night.
We strolled through the town, shopping for wool sweaters and enjoying the cozy smell of wood smoke in the crisp Irish air — the perfect close to the Eastern and Southern leg of our journey.
Summary: Copy Our Family-Friendly Ireland Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Dublin – Rest & Explore via DoDublin Hop-On Bus
Day 2: Drive to Belfast – Titanic Hotel & Experience
Day 3: Drive to Cork – Explore City, Butlers Chocolate, Pompeii Pizza
Day 4: English Market – Drive through Skibbereen, Kenmare, to Killarney
Day 5: Explore Killarney – Dinner at Cronin’s, Overnight at Heights Hotel
Family Travel Tips for Ireland
Book an extra night for early morning arrivals.
Driving tip: Rent a compact car — Irish roads can be narrow.
Bring swim caps for hotel pools.
Accessibility: Major attractions (like the Titanic Experience and Hop-On buses) are wheelchair-friendly.
Family rooms are rare — book multiple smaller rooms near each other.