Traveling in Ireland

Of all the trips I assist with, multigenerational vacations may be my favorite. Firstly, I love knowing that I am helping an extended family create the trip of a lifetime! Any child-grandparent interaction is special, so with the added magic of Ireland you know it is going to be amazing. It's also great for the parents as they might get to enjoy a child-free night or two! But more fun for me, is h...

How Much Touring Can You Do in One Day in Ireland? The answer will vary based on where you are and how much driving you plan to do. In this podcast Jody offers advice for how much time to spend in Ireland's most popular locations, as well as day trip advice from Dublin, Galway, Doolin, Kilkenny, and Killarney. Visit the complete show notes to download free reference materials to help you plan your...

When fewer tourists are in Ireland you can actually get more vacation! Airfare to Ireland begins to fall in September, and by October rates are as low as you will likely see them. ( Read my tips for finding great airfare to Ireland! )   The package deals on Ireland winter vacations are often incredible- airfare, car and lodging- for one low price. (See 4 Steps to Choosing the Best Ireland Vac...

County Limerick can often feel 'untouched' by tourists. Medieval towns, ancient history, and tranquil countryside await the curious visitor. Today's guest is Brendan Skelly, co-owner of Bronze & Boru, and exceptional driver guide service based in Limerick. Brendan offers a primer of the county that will hopefully entice you to spend a bit of time in County Limerick.

Since my family's first hawk walk, way back in 2015, we have been hooked on these up-close experiences with birds of prey in Ireland. The Sport of Falconry in Ireland The sport of falconry is the hunting of wild animals in their natural habitat by means of a trained bird of prey. Falconry has been practiced in Ireland since approximately 3000BC. The first reference to falconry in Ireland was made...

Our mobile phones are ‘command central'. It is your main mode of communication, the camera you use most often, your calendar, and your filing cabinet. So when you travel you want to use it just like you do at home. There's only one problem – the cost. It's not always cheap to use your cell phone in Ireland – but with the proper planning you won't be surprised with a nas...

Learn more about Ireland's most visited heritage sites in 2023 - as well as my favorite sites (with far fewer visitors) that you might want to add to your itinerary. You'll hear a bit of history, some interesting tidbits, and even tips for visiting. Get the full show notes at https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/ireland-heritage-sites-2023

There is a lot to know if you plan to rent a car in Ireland … when you need it (and when you don't), the necessary insurance, and the excess car rental fees you may encounter. I received a terrific question from Bonnie P. which reminded me of another car rental fee you may encounter. My husband and I are taking our first vacation to Ireland in the beginning of May this year. We are going on...

Ireland is a stunning country to explore by car, with its rolling hills, dramatic coastline, and charming villages. But driving in Ireland comes with its own set of challenges and differences you need to be aware of. If you haven't already made your Ireland car rental reservation, be sure to follow these 8 steps to stress-free car rental. You'll learn everything you need to know – including...

Ireland's main currency is the Euro. How to purchase Euros before & during your trip, credit cards accepted in Ireland & the cash app most accepted in Ireland.

Jody is joined by Alan and Audrey Kells, your welcoming hosts at Castle Hamilton by the lakes in County Cavan. Listen to hear why this is a perfect location for outdoor enthusiasts, with fishing, water activities, and endless explorations. Castle Hamilton is also a terrific spot for families, featuring restored cottages in varying sizes. Full show notes at: https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/castl...

Our final day in Ireland - and a long drive from Killarney to Kildare. Muckross Abbey - Kerry Woolen Mill - Wild Pixie - Carton House

This morning did not produce those amazing Ring of Kerry views… In fact, the fog was so thick in places that there were no views at all. But it didn't ruin our day! We had an amazing soak in old Jameson barrels at Sneem Seaweed Baths . This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom of the page. Located in a wooded glen overlooking the River S...

Overview of the Wild Atlantic Way from Lahinch, County Clare to Sneem, County Kerry. Includes the Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring. Information about staying at Ballyseede Castle. Also includes tips for Skellig Michael.

It's our second night in Lahinch. Our day began calm – and even a bit sunny – but now the rain is coming down in buckets, the wind is whistling, and the waves are beating the rocks on the beach below. In other words, it was a perfect Irish day. Atlantic Ocean views from Kilkee Cliff Walk Victorian Village of Kilkee, County Clare Heading south from Lahinch we followed the Wild Atlantic...

I am writing this from a lovely seaside apartment in Lahinch, County Clare, just south of the Cliffs of Moher. Lahinch is known for its golf links, a very nice beach, and surfing. Today we spent a few hours at the Aillwee Burren Experience . Barn Owl aka ‘the silent killer' Originally known as Aillwee Cave, this Burren attraction opened in 1976 as a show cave in the lunar limestone landscape...

Live from Ireland! Hear about the new Book of Kells Experience, a wee bit about my favorite afternoon tea in Dublin, plus WifiCandy's new eSIM and an exclusive savings!

It was so much fun last fall that I'm doing it again! Live podcast episodes from Ireland March 9-24!

Are you tired of the same old tourist attractions? Do you crave a deeper connection with the places you visit? If so, experiential travel might just be the perfect fit for you. Jody chats with Ellen Mitchell, head of marketing at Ireland Chauffeur Travel, about the types of cultural experiences you will find across the island of Ireland. These include jewelry making, pottery, cooking, animal exper...

This podcast is a bit different because, well, I'm interviewing myself! I've been bombarded with questions about why I love Ireland so much and how this whole adventure started. So, grab a cuppa, settle in, and let's dive into the backstory together!

Ireland is a country known for stunning landscapes and natural beauty. The abundant rainfall that contributes to the country's '40 shades of green' is also at least partially responsible for the lush gardens you'll find across the country. While the majority of public gardens seem to be concentrated in the ‘sunny southeast', you can easily add a visit to a magnificent garden to any itinerary...

Summary In this episode of the Traveling in Ireland podcast, I'm sharing the top 10 visitor attractions in Ireland for 2024, as determined by the Irish Independent Reader Awards. You'll also learn expert tips for visiting these popular attractions, such as pre-booking tickets, visiting during off-peak hours, and exploring alternative options. Overall, these attractions offer a great visitor experi...

Explore County Cavan, an outdoor retreat of lakes, mountains, and open countryside, located halfway between Dublin and Sligo. Guests Pauline and Samantha Rodgers, owners of Hawthorne Lodge B&B, take you on a virtual tour of this often-overlooked county located halfway between Dublin and Sligo. Full shownotes at https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/explore-county-cavan-hawthorne-lodge/regions-and-cou...

Round towers are an -almost- uniquely Irish structure. (Only 3 ancient round towers exist outside of Ireland.) In Irish they are called cloitheach (cloy- cach) , meaning bell house, and were probably built between the 9th and 12th centuries. The round tower in Ardmore, County Waterford This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom of the page. Rou...

During your Ireland vacation you'll have dozens of opportunities to purchase Ireland souvenirs and gifts. My advice? Buy items that will keep memories of your trip fresh for years to come. An added bonus when purchasing Ireland souvenirs – the Value Added Tax refund you receive as you leave the country. After years of traveling to Ireland with my family and groups, these tips will help you c...