Trip to Ireland

taney

Hi,

We live in Birmingham and are planning to go to Ireland for first time for 3-4days.We plan to go by car.Our family includes 4 adults and 1 toddler.None of us have been to ireland before,so can anybody please suggest where should we go..belfast?dublin?any other city?how should we plan...any attractions to suggest?

Thanks

susancs

Belfast is less costly to visit in my experience than Dublin and a lot to do such as visit the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum which is a village that has been re-created with staff dressed up in period costumes and giving demonstrations of weaving for example. You could also drive to the Giants Causeway. Belfast has a nice zoo too. There is some lovely scenery around there too.

Dublin has a lot of attractions such as Museums, Guiness Storehouse, Caastletown House and a good night life in the bars ( but with a toddler I expect this would not be something you would be able to enjoy).

mummy1983

Id love to know how you are getting - which port? We are in belfast looking to go to birmingham to thomas land! Seemed to me the best way was to fly? thanks.

BTW - I love belfast - oddessey is great - W5 good for toddlers - bar and food available here with bowling/cinema if you'relooking for a easy day out - then there is the titanic quater and the museum above - plus you can take the boat tour etc.... Good shopping too! They also have a zoo!

Now Dublin would be my choice by far - im headed there this weekend myself to take two toddlers to the Zoo - theres so much to do and see and get a dublin pass - giving you discounts and plenty of info. Temple bar is a must - if theres 4 of you and only 1 toddler you could take turns lol - Dublin is like going somewhere new - Belfast is like another uk city - same shops etc... And in Dublin you will have your car so can drive to kildare to the curragh( if you're into horses) loads of golfing - and plenty of beaches nearby - in Bray for eg.
hth
Enjoy our beautiful emerald isle !

GlynD

I think Dublin would be a nightmare with kids in tow. I'd be inclined to do Belfast with the beaches and holiday towns of Co Down, Antrim and Londonderry all close by. Failing that you'd need to go to the West coast of the Republic and that's a helluva drive which to me doesn't seem like a holiday at all.

I'd recommend the north coast. Around Portrush, Dunluce Castle, The Giant's Causeway, Benone Strand, Derry City with its ancient walls wide enough to drive a car round. For a kids holiday I think being near the sea is always more exciting. You've got to have castles you can climb over and beaches you can play on. You could do it all with less than 200 miles on the clock in my opinion or fly into Belfast International or George Best City Airport from Birmingham, and hire a car.

If you're determined to drive then make the biggest drive the one to the ferry so go to Liverpool/Belfast or Stranraer/Belfast. Long drive to get there but not much further than Holyhead for you and when you get off in Belfast you're right in the city centre so accom will be close by.

eamon

Check out the official tourist site first.
http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/?WT.mc_id=gb_ga_060309_tourism_ireland&WT.srch=1
This covers North & South.
Either way you will need plenty of money and if you intend driving even more. From Birmingham you have the choice of all the Irish Sea ports e.g. Liverpool, Stranraer, Holyhead etc. Liverpool will be your closest port and you can get to Belfast and Dublin from there. Obviously it is a longer drive to other ports. For three days you would be best to limit your horizons to within a 2 hour drive of either city. Dublin city can easily be seen in one day as can Belfast. As for things to do and see it really depends on you and your parties interests as I don't know those I can't advise. What you wont find is theme parks. Bring an umbrella/coat it usually rains at some point.