Ireland’s story stretches from ancient Celts and Viking raids to literary giants and modern tech hubs. You’ll see round towers older than the Norman conquest, stroll Georgian squares from the 1700s, and hear live traditional music that still rings through cobbled lanes. For families, Ireland is wonderfully welcoming—small distances, fresh country air, and a culture that doesn’t mind a bit of muddy fun.

This 10-day Ireland itinerary is built for two families with young kids (ages 3–6). You’ll self-drive in a van, base in three destinations (Dublin, Killarney, Galway), and mix bucket-list sights—Cliffs of Moher, Connemara—with playgrounds, farms, aquariums, and easy nature walks. Expect short drives, two-bedroom stays, and flexible options each day.

Practical notes: Irish weather changes fast—pack layers, waterproofs, and a warm hat even in summer. Driving is on the left; book child seats with your rental. Pubs serve great family meals before 7pm. For groceries and picnics, look for SuperValu, Tesco, and fresh bakeries everywhere. Flights from Milan or Genoa to Dublin are frequent; you’ll pick up your van at Dublin and begin the loop.

Dublin

Dublin is a compact capital made for strolling: Georgian doors in rainbow colors, leafy St. Stephen’s Green, the river Liffey’s bridges, and storytellers everywhere. Trinity College houses the illuminated Book of Kells, while nearby Grafton Street’s buskers keep kids transfixed.

With little ones, keep it easy: hop-on hop-off sightseeing, Phoenix Park for deer-spotting, and a seaside half-day to Howth for cliffs, seals, and chips on the pier. Sprinkle in sweet treats—Murphy’s ice cream or a scone—and you’ve got a perfect Dublin day.

• Where to stay (2+ bedrooms): Search family apartments and houses on VRBO Dublin or larger rooms on Hotels.com Dublin. Good hotel options include family rooms at Clayton Hotel Burlington Road; splurge options include The Shelbourne or The Merrion. Budget-friendly hostel-family rooms: Generator Dublin.
• Getting there: Fly Milan/Genoa to Dublin (2.5–3.0 hours from Milan, ~4.5–6 hours with one stop from Genoa). Compare options on Omio (Flights). Pick up a 7–9 seater van at the airport (typical €70–120/day; child seats surcharge). Dublin’s M50 ring road uses barrier-free tolling—your rental company will auto-bill.
• Food highlights: Breakfast at Queen of Tarts (pastries, mini scones), Tang (pancakes, eggs), or Brother Hubbard (Middle Eastern-influenced). Lunch: Bunsen (great burgers), Sano Pizza (Neapolitan; quick with kids), Tang. Dinner: Gallagher’s Boxty House (traditional potato pancakes), The Winding Stair (Irish produce), or Elephant & Castle (wings and kids’ picks). Treats: Murphy’s Ice Cream; Butler’s hot chocolate.

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin

Afternoon: Land, pick up your van, and check in. Let the kids run in St. Stephen’s Green (playground near the Fusiliers’ Arch) or Merrion Square (another solid playground). Grab coffee for adults and hot chocolate for kids.

Evening: Early dinner at Sano Pizza or Bunsen off Dame Street. If energy allows, stroll Grafton Street to hear buskers and peek at the bronze Molly Malone statue near Trinity.

Day 2: Easy City Highlights + Book of Kells

Morning: Do a relaxed loop with a hop-on, hop-off bus—fun for kids, and no tiring feet. Consider the Big Bus Dublin Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour with Live Guide for live commentary and 25 stops across the city.

Hop off at Trinity College.

Afternoon: Explore the Book of Kells and the Old Library’s Long Room with timed entry via the St Patrick's Cathedral, Book of Kells and Dublin Castle Tour.

Break for lunch at Tang (kid-friendly). If it’s sunny, head to Phoenix Park—massive meadows, resident deer, loads of space for toddlers.

Evening: A whimsical treat the kids adore: the Afternoon Tea Bus Tour in Dublin—vintage double-decker, sandwiches, sweets, and city landmarks in about 70 minutes.

Dinner near Temple Bar at Gallagher’s Boxty House; finish with Murphy’s ice cream.

Day 3: Howth Coastal Adventure (Half Day)

Morning: Head for sea air in Howth. Either drive 35–45 minutes or join the Howth Coastal Half-Day Bus Tour from Dublin with Live Guide—cliffs, lighthouse views, and a guided village stroll.

Spot seals in the harbor and walk a short section of the cliff path (keep little ones close).

Afternoon: Fish and chips at Beshoff Bros or a chowder on the pier; let the kids play on the beach if weather allows. Return to the city for quiet time.

Evening: Casual dinner at Elephant & Castle (kids love the wings and pasta) or The Winding Stair (reserve, Irish comfort classics). Pack tonight for tomorrow’s drive south.

Killarney

Killarney is the green heart of Ireland—lakes ringed by mountains, red deer, waterfalls, and manor houses where time slows down. It’s the best base for Killarney National Park and lighter versions of the Ring of Kerry.

With young kids, swap marathon driving for short, magical bursts: a jaunting car ride, a farm visit with sheepdog demos, a fairy-tale abbey, and a picnic by a waterfall. Everything is close, so nap windows are easy.

• Where to stay (2+ bedrooms): Browse homes/cottages on VRBO Killarney or see hotel options on Hotels.com Killarney. Central picks: Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre and The Fairview Boutique Hotel (ask for interconnecting/large family rooms). Splurge: The Europe Hotel & Resort.
• Getting there: Drive Dublin → Killarney ~4 hours (320 km) via M7/M8/N22. Optional scenic stop: Rock of Cashel (adds 60–90 minutes).
• Food highlights: Breakfast: Petit Delice (French pastries), Curious Cat (pancakes, eggs). Lunch/dinner: Quinlan’s (top-quality fish), Bricín (boxty), Murphys Bar or The Laurels (pub classics, early evenings with families). Treats: Murphy’s Ice Cream on Main Street.

Day 4: Dublin to Killarney via Ancient Cashel

Morning: Depart Dublin around 9:00. Stop at the Rock of Cashel—kids can explore the grassy grounds and towers. Quick coffee and cakes from a local bakery.

Afternoon: Continue to Killarney; check in and rest. Head to Killarney House & Gardens for an easy stroller-friendly wander and the town playground nearby.

Evening: Dinner at Quinlan’s (grilled hake, chips, mushy peas). Early night or short stroll down Main Street for a street-musician serenade.

Day 5: Killarney National Park—Waterfalls, Farms, and Boats

Morning: Torc Waterfall—5–10 minute walk from the car park for a big reward. Continue to Muckross House & Traditional Farms: heritage cottages, old-school bread baking, and friendly farm animals—brilliant for kids.

Afternoon: Picnic by Muckross Lake, then Ross Castle for a short boat ride on Lough Leane (weather-dependent). Keep an eye out for deer and swans.

Evening: Casual dinner at Bricín (reserve early; kid portions available). Murphy’s Ice Cream for dessert. If energy remains, a short jaunting car ride at golden hour is unforgettable.

Day 6: Gentle Ring of Kerry or Dingle Aquarium (Choose Your Adventure)

Option A—Ring of Kerry Sampler: Drive to Kate Kearney’s Cottage for a Gap of Dunloe ramble (do a short out-and-back on foot). Continue over the Bog Road toward Moll’s Gap for mountain views. Stop at Kissane Sheep Farm for sheepdog and shearing demos (check times in advance).

Option B—Dingle Day: 1 hour to Dingle town. Visit Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium (turtles, penguins, touch tanks), grab fish and chips on the harbor, and walk along the marina boardwalk. Optional beach play at Inch Beach on the way back.

Evening: Pizza at Little Italy or pub dinner at The Laurels (arrive early). Pack tonight for Galway.

Galway

Bohemian Galway blends medieval lanes and street music with Atlantic breezes. It’s your springboard to Connemara’s fjord-like inlets, Kylemore Abbey’s gardens, and the Burren’s lunar limestone.

With kids, base near Salthill for the seaside promenade and playgrounds, or just off Eyre Square for easier dining and short walks. Add a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher or a Connemara loop with plenty of snack stops.

• Where to stay (2+ bedrooms): Great family suites at The Connacht Hotel (two-bedroom apartments), plus Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway. Search houses/apartments on VRBO Galway or more hotels on Hotels.com Galway.
• Getting there: Killarney → Galway ~3.5–4.5 hours (N22/N21/M18), ideal stop at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park (massive playground, thatched cottages). Galway → Dublin Airport ~2.5 hours (M6).
• Food highlights: Breakfast/coffee: Coffeewerk + Press (espresso, pastries), Gourmet Tart Co. Lunch: McDonagh’s (fish and chips), Dough Bros (wood-fired pizza). Dinner: Ard Bia at Nimmos (seasonal Irish), Kai (farm-to-table). Treats: Teddy’s ice cream in Salthill; doughnuts on Shop Street.

Day 7: Killarney to Galway via Bunratty Folk Park

Morning: Depart Killarney by 9:00. Stop at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park (2–3 hours): costumed village streets, animals, and a superb kids’ playground. Lunch at the Folk Park tea rooms or Durty Nelly’s nearby.

Afternoon: Arrive Galway, check in. Head to Salthill Prom for sea air—“kick the wall” tradition at the end of the walkway. There’s a playground and space to scooter.

Evening: Pizza night at Dough Bros (save room for gelato). Early music option: Monroe’s often has early evening trad you can dip into with children.

Day 8: Connemara and Kylemore Abbey

Morning: Drive the N59 toward Connemara—mirror lakes and stone walls galore. Visit Kylemore Abbey: the walled garden is buggy-friendly and has ample space for little legs.

Afternoon: Optional stop at Connemara National Park for the short Nature Trail (skip the steep Diamond Hill with toddlers). For a unique splurge, Ireland’s School of Falconry at Ashford Castle offers short family experiences—book well ahead.

Evening: Back in Galway, dinner at Ard Bia at Nimmos (cozy, book in advance) or McDonagh’s for quick fish and chips.

Day 9: Cliffs of Moher or Burren Mini-Adventure

Option A—Guided Tour: Give the driver a rest and join the Cliffs of Moher & the Burren Tour from Galway for an easy, narrated day with built-in stops and stories.

Families often appreciate the stress-free pacing.

Option B—Self-Drive: Head to the Cliffs Visitor Centre for short paved paths and safe viewpoints. Picnic in the Burren (Poulnabrone Dolmen is a short stop) and grab lunch in Doolin (soup, sandwiches, and music most days). Leave time for Aillwee Cave or the Birds of Prey Centre if attention spans allow.

Evening: Salthill playground and ice cream, then simple pasta at home or casual bites in the Latin Quarter.

Day 10: Galway to Dublin and Fly Home

Morning: Depart by 8:30–9:00 for the 2.5-hour drive to Dublin Airport. If your flight is later in the afternoon and energy is high, quick heritage stop at Clonmacnoise adds ~45–60 minutes.

Afternoon: Return the van and fly home. Compare departures and connections on Omio (Flights). If not driving, trains and buses across Ireland can be checked via Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses).

Logistics & Family Tips

• Car/Seats: Reserve a 7–9 seat van with two ISOFIX child seats and one high-back booster. Confirm M50 toll handling through the rental.
• Pacing: Keep most drives under 4 hours and plan daily playground bursts. Many cafés happily warm milk or baby food.
• Weather: Always pack rain layers and quick-dry shoes; bring a compact umbrella and stroller rain cover.
• Costs to budget (est.): Flights Milan–Dublin from ~€60–€180 each way (seasonal); van rental €70–€120/day; fuel ~€1.7–€2.0/litre; parking in cities ~€2–€4/hour.

Optional Dublin Activities if You Add a Day: Foodie parents can join the Dublin Historical Centre Food Tour with 8 Tastings (adults or with curious eaters).

History lovers might opt for the Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour.

This family-focused Ireland itinerary balances headline sights with kid-friendly pacing. From Dublin’s stories to Killarney’s lakes and Galway’s music, you’ll collect castles, coastlines, and plenty of laughs—all at a rhythm that keeps little legs happy.