Travel to Ireland with Your Kids

With its scenic landscapes, charming towns, enchanting castles, rich music, storytelling traditions and Fair Dublin… Ireland is an idyllic family vacation destination. Whether you're eager to explore your family's Irish heritage, or you're captivated by the Emerald Isle's natural and historic treasures, you'll find plenty of reasons to travel to Ireland with the kids. We've compiled a few reasons of our own why Ireland should be your next family vacation destination!

Ireland Is a Great First International Trip for Kids
The welcoming and more familiar culture of Ireland, as well as the short distances between destinations within the country, make Ireland travel with kids a wonderful first experience. If you're new to international family travel, check out our first-timers guide, which gives you an overview of Bridges tours and why guided travel may be the right choice for your family. Explore tips on traveling internationally with kids, and consult your government's website for passport and visa requirements for Ireland travel. Traveling with your grandkids? Learn more about notarized permission. Travel tip: Talk to your children about Irish motorists driving on the left, and exercise extra caution as pedestrians.

Ireland Is Kid Friendly
Irish people love children, and it shows. In Ireland, you are likely to feel more welcomed in shops, pubs, hotels and attractions with the kids in tow. Of course, there are exceptions, but it's worth noting that Irish people will greet children and enjoy talking with them. You will be delighted by the kindness shown to children. 

Ireland Is Easy to Pack For
Packing for an international trip with kids can be daunting. But, as they say in Ireland, no bother! The culture encourages more casual dress, and the weather is temperate. The main thing you need to be prepared for is Ireland's fabled soft rain, which blesses the countryside with its "40 shades of green." It's worth investing in rain gear from an outdoor outfitter, so everyone has hooded rain jackets and waterproof shoes. And don't forget the extra socks. Luckily, most rain in Ireland is misty, rather than a heavy downpour — which means it shouldn't slow you down from enjoying activities. 

Irish Food Is Kid Friendly, Too
Dining out on vacation with your family can be challenging, but Irish cuisine is typically simple and kid friendly. The full Irish breakfast, Irish soda bread with Irish butter, bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes), fish and chips, and boxty (Irish potato cake) are local favorites that will hold appeal for many kids. Adults will appreciate Ireland's native wild salmon and fresh-caught shellfish, as well as the growing farm-to-table movement. Foodies around the world rave about the acclaimed Ballymaloe Cookery School, which is set on a 100-acre organic farm in Cork. We're delighted to include a cooking demonstration and dinner at Ballymaloe as part of our Ireland Forever family tour. 

Ireland with Kids Is So Much Fun
Ireland is packed with fun things to do, and our Tauck Bridges Ireland Forever tour showcases the most engaging activities for your active family. Along the way, you'll... See Dublin aboard a WWII amphibious vehicle on a Viking Splash Tour. Explore the city on a treasure hunt that ultimately leads to Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Travel by first-class train through the Irish countryside. Take art workshops and cook an authentic Irish dinner at Ballymaloe. Learn the story of the ill-fated Titanic at Cobh. Visit the medieval Bunratty Castle and experience living history at its 19th-century Folk Park. Enjoy tasty pub lunches and unforgettable seaside barbeques. And gaze at the natural wonder of the majestic Cliffs of Moher. 

Last but Not Least, Ireland Offers Something for Everyone
The ease of traveling with family in Ireland — accompanied by its toe-tapping trad music, fascinating ancient and modern history, and gorgeous scenery — lends itself to a family reunion, multigenerational family vacation, high school graduation trip or grandparent/grandchild vacation. Ireland is a destination that will enthrall all ages and interests. More good news: It's so easy with our Tauck Bridges Ireland Forever family tour. It encompasses the advantages of a Tauck Bridges family journey, from effortless travel to unique access. And our local guides are great craic (meaning they're great fun and great company) — all are consummate storytellers ready with a joke, tall tale or fact that will amaze you.