Ireland's Ancient East Archives - Ireland Family Vacations

Blarney Castle and Gardens is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations – and for good reason. But if you show up at the wrong time, your magical visit can quickly turn into a crowded, stressful experience.

Here’s a quick planning tip that can make all the difference.

Most travelers don’t realize this, but Blarney Castle can get especially busy when cruise ships dock nearby. The ports of Cobh, Ringaskiddy, and the Port of Cork all welcome cruise ships during the warmer months. And many of those passengers head to Blarney.

That means hundreds of extra visitors descending on the site in a single day.

The best way to avoid those crowds? Check the cruise ship schedules before you plan your visit. The Port of Cork website lists upcoming cruise arrivals, and it’s a tool I use regularly when helping clients fine-tune their Ireland itineraries.

Here’s how to use it:

Sometimes cruise schedules differ between sources. I’ve found small discrepancies between what’s listed on the Port of Cork site and other tools (even AI ones like ChatGPT). If there’s any doubt, I recommend trusting the Port of Cork site for the most current updates, since itineraries can change with weather or port availability.

If your itinerary is already set and you discover a cruise ship will be in port, don’t panic. You can still avoid the worst of the crowds with smart timing.

Try one of these strategies:

Cruise crowds don’t just impact Blarney. If you're visiting other popular sites like the Jameson Distillery in Midleton, it's worth checking schedules there, too. While those tours are booked by time slots and may not feel as crowded, it’s still helpful to know when to expect a surge in visitors (or understand why no bookings are available).

A little planning goes a long way when it comes to enjoying top tourist spots in Ireland. By checking cruise ship schedules, you can avoid the busiest times at Blarney Castle and make sure your visit is every bit as memorable as you hoped.

Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 271

The post When Not to Visit Blarney Castle (and How to Time It Right) appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

County Laois (pronounced leash) may not be on your radar when planning your Ireland itinerary, but if you are traveling between Dublin and Kilkenny, Cork, Kerry, or Clare, you're likely to pass through this often overlooked county.

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This article is based on the Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 149, featuring Aubrey Hutchinson, owner of Abbeyleix Chauffeur Services.
Continue reading the article or get the links below the podcast player.

County Laois is officially part of Ireland's Ancient East, the most midland county of Ireland, midway between Dublin and Shannon.

The Rock of Dunamase – A huge rock outcropping topped by castle ruins that date back to the 12th century. This is an ‘open' OPW managed site. No visitors centre, no tickets. One of my very favorite spots to take my tours.

Emo Court – Another OPW managed site, this was once the largest country estate in Ireland. The extensive parklands and gardens are a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, followed by tea in the former dower house.

Slieve Bloom Mountains – Wonderful hiking and mountain bike trails. The waterfall loop is a 4.5 km hike perfect for a morning or afternoon outing.

Ballykilcavan Farm & Brewery -13 generation farm that grows barley and brews a variety of beers,. Brewery tours are available on select dates.

Timahoe Village – Home to a magnificent round tower, the monastic settlement was raided in 919 by Vikings. Unless you visit during the annual Timahoe Heritage Festival you may have the tower and heritage centre to yourself.

Abbeyleix – a lovely heritage town that used to be on the main road between Dublin and Cork before it was bypassed by the motorway.

Aubrey Hutchinson, owner of Abbeyleix Chauffeur Services is one of my recommended private drivers in Ireland.

Based in Abbeyleix, Aubrey is perfectly located to provide day tours from Dublin, but also offers private guided tours across the whole of Ireland.

Fully licensed and insured, Abbeyleix Chauffeur Service operates as a customer led model and can work from your own planned itinerary or help you create a tour to fit your vacation goals.

Contact Aubrey via the Abbeyleix Chauffeur Services website, connect on Facebook, or check them out on Instagram.

Read More: Ireland's Most Visited Heritage Sites

Morrissey's Pub in Abbeyleix – traditional, authentic Irish pub experience

The Rock of Dunamase

Emo Court

The post Lovely Laois appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

Dublin, Ireland’s lively capital and home to the country’s busiest airport, is a no-brainer starting (or ending) point for your Irish adventure.

There’s plenty to see and do in Dublin—you could easily spend a few days soaking up the sights, history, and pints—but don’t stop there! Some of Ireland’s most incredible spots are just a day trip away.

The best part? You don’t even need a car to get out and explore. Whether you prefer to do your own thing or hop on a guided tour, there are loads of great options.

Below, I’ve rounded up 6 fantastic day trips from Dublin you can do on your own or with a tour group, plus one can’t-miss experience that’s only available as a guided tour—and a couple I’d recommend skipping altogether.

This article is also available as the Traveling in Ireland podcast, episode 261.
Use the player below to listen or scroll to continue reading the article & get tour links.

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Dublin might be perched on Ireland’s east coast, but thanks to its great bus and train links, it’s a perfect jumping-off point for exploring all over the island.

In the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, just 30 minutes south of Dublin, the hermit monk St. Kevin founded a settlement that would become one of the country's great ecclesiastical centres of learning. The remains of the monastic city, including the round tower, date from the 10th-12th centuries.

Do It Yourself day trip from Dublin Hop aboard the Glendalough Bus at St. Steven's Green. Spend time in the Glendalough Visitor Centre (an OPW Heritage site) before exploring the monastic site. Wear good hiking boots and dress in layers to get out end enjoy some of the nearby marked walking trails. 

Join a Guided Tour You'll find quite a few tour options that will take you through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough, and some will even include the magnificent Powerscourt Estate.

The village of Malahide is a terrific half-day getaway from Dublin.

Do It Yourself day trip from Dublin Take the train from Connolly Station in Dublin city centre in under 30 minutes or Dublin Bus route 32 or 42. Enjoy a guided castle tour and explore the gardens. Enjoy the village's charming shops and tasty restaurants.

Pro tip: Malahide Castle & Gardens makes a terrific spot for photos! Here's how we did it.

The small coastal village of Howth, just north of Dublin, is popular for it's beautiful cliff walk and charming harbour. Howth also has a charming castle with grounds to wander and the Abbey Tavern hosts a Traditional Irish Show that features a 3-course meal.

Do It Yourself day trip from Dublin The train from Connolly Station to Howth takes about 30 minutes. Dublin Bus 6 or H3 take about 45 minutes.
From the train station turn left to head toward the harbour and cliff walk, or right to visit the castle.

Join a Guided Tour

Kilkenny is a wonderfully walkable city with loads to do! Plan a full day to enjoy everything the city has to offer!

Do It Yourself day trip from Dublin Take the train from Heuston Station in just 90 minutes or direct bus routes on Dublin Coach or JJ Kavanagh & Sons. If you want to enjoy the highlights of medieval Kilkenny plan to arrive early and plan a full day's adventure.

Once in Kilkenny you can easily explore the highlights of the Medieval Mile, from Kilkenny Castle to St Canice's Cathedral. Join the Shenanigans Walk for fun insight into the city or hop aboard a guided boat trip on the River Nore. If you enjoy a pint, be sure to check out the Smithwick's tour.

Join a Guided Tour 

Galway is a bustling harbour city with a lively traditional vibe.

Do It Yourself day trip from Dublin The train from Dublin city centre takes just 2.5 hours or CityLink Express bus service takes only slightly longer. Visit historic Galway sites like the Galway Museum, Spanish Arch, Kerwin's Lane and The Claddagh. The Latin Quarter is a busy spot filled with shops, restaurants, and pubs.

Join a Guided Tour Once in Galway you have a few great tour options in the city.

Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, is both Irish and British, and has a very different vibe than Dublin.

Do It Yourself Day Trip from Dublin It takes just 2.5 hours to reach Belfast by train from Dublin city centre.

Titanic Belfast is an incredible tour, and includes the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line ship.
Book a Black Taxi tour to help you understand the history of The Troubles and sign your name to the Peace Walls that still divide the city.
Or take in the city at your own pace on a Hop-on Hop-off bus.
More time? Consider the Ulster Muesum, Botanic Gardens, or CS Lewis Square.

Join a Guided Tour

A day tour into the heart of ancient Ireland – the Boyne Valley in County Meath – can't be created in a DIY trip without a car. The sites are too far apart, and some are too rural, to be easily connected by bus.

But if the Neolithic and Celtic history of Ireland interests you, a tour through the Boyne Valley should be at the top of your day trips from Dublin list.

There are 2 trips from Dublin that you may be surprised are not on this list: The Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway.

There are 2 reasons for that. The first being that you really can't DIY these tours from Dublin.

But, more than that, I don't recommend these trips as day tours due to the length of the day. Most trips to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin are 12 hours long. And over 7 of those hours are spent driving. And Giant's Causeway trips from Dublin are 13 hours, with the majority of your time being spent on a bus.

If you want to day tour to the Cliffs of Moher, I recommend spending at least one night in Galway and enjoying a full tour of the Burren, there is so much more to see and do in that area.

If you want to explore the Causeway Coast, do that day trip from Belfast. One thing to note with any bus tour along the Causeway Coast: no large bus tours visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, they only stop at a viewpoint. If that site is high on your list, you will need to invest in a private tour.

The post Day Trips from Dublin (no car required!) appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

Waterford was officially recognized as the European City of Christmas 2024 by the International Jury of the European Capital of Christmas.

The International Jury stated, ‘The City of Waterford is an extraordinary jewel of Christmas harmony and aesthetics and represents values such as solidarity, which lies with the local communities as well as a strong commitment to its heritage as a hallmark of identity, material and above all immaterial and culture.'

Winterval, Ireland’s Christmas Festival, was created by Waterford City and County Council in partnership with local stakeholders in 2012 and is regarded as the country’s premier Christmas festival. 

Waterford Winterval 2024 runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 15 through December 23.

This article is taken from a podcast episode with Tommie Ryan, the festival director of Winterval in Waterford. If you prefer to listen to the podcast, you can find the player at the bottom of the page.

Ireland is relatively new to Christmas festivals and markets.

2018 marked the 7th year of Winterval, Ireland's largest Christmas Festival.

Over 6 weeks of festivities, mainly on weekends.

Ireland's Christmas Capital of Winterval runs 6 week and transforms the entire city of Waterford.

Waterford is a very walk able city, you could park in a single location and just meander through the city and its attractions in addition to the festival.

Winterval has over 60 events in 2018. View the events calendar. Illuminations, markets, events, and more.

Sproai (spree) Winter Wonderland is a new highlight this year.

Multiple Christmas markets within the festival, as well as plenty of tasty treats!

Learn more about the Waterford Greenway in Episode 43

Temple Bar & Dublin – lively fun in the capital city

Learn more about Temple Bar in Episode 60

Newgrange for winter solstice alignment

Hear more about Old Traditions that Survive in Modern Ireland in Episode 48

Jack Meade's Bar for trad sessions

Traveling in Ireland Podcast Episode 237

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