Traveling in Ireland

This is part of my series exploring the best places to stay in Ireland for day trips. This time we're using Dublin as our base to see just how many places you can comfortably explore without changing accommodations.

Using my Ireland Travel Compass, I'll show you day trip options around Dublin, what falls within a reasonable travel radius, and places you may not have considered when planning your Ireland itinerary.

Destinations recommended in this video:

And what about those popular day tours from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher and Giant's Causeway? Yes, they can be done. We'll look at why possible doesn't necessarily mean recommended, especially when you consider how much of your day will be spent getting there and back.

Everything I'm using to explore these locations is inside my Ireland Travel Compass. The interactive planning map includes hundreds of places to see, things to do, and experiences around Ireland, along with the tools and advice to help you build a realistic itinerary.

Ireland Travel Resources:

Kinsale may sit at the beginning or the end of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, depending on how you travel it, but this colorful County Cork town deserves more than a quick stop.
Fáilte Ireland certified guide Clodagh FitzGerald shares a local's perspective on Kinsale, from the history of Charles Fort and James Fort to harbour adventures, coastal walks, great food, and some of the best places to explore nearby.

Highlights include:
Why Kinsale deserves more time than a quick day trip
Charles Fort, James Fort, and the Old Head Signal Tower
Walking tours, harbour cruises, kayaking, and other ways to explore
Where to eat and stay in Kinsale
Day trips to Cork City, Cobh, West Cork, and beyond

Clodagh also shares an important Ireland itinerary tip: don't over-plan. Quality beats quantity when you're trying to enjoy Ireland rather than simply check places off a list.

The post Exploring Kinsale, Ireland: Food, Forts & Coastal Adventures appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

This is the first in my series exploring the best places to base yourself for day trips in Ireland.

Full article with video & links: https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/central-base-ireland-day-trips/planning-your-irish-vacation/itineraries/

We’re starting in the center of the country to answer a question I hear all the time: can you stay in one central location and tour all of Ireland? I’ll show you why it can work for some trips... and why one central base may not be as convenient as it sounds.

Ireland Travel Resources:

Do you actually need a Leap Card when visiting Dublin or traveling around Ireland? Maybe, but the Leap Visitor Card isn't automatically the best choice just because you're a visitor.

Dublin city centre is compact and very walkable, and I rarely use public transportation when I'm exploring the city. Depending on your plans, individual fares or a Standard Leap Card may cost less than a Visitor Leap Card.

Full article for indepth info & links: https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/leap-card-ireland/ireland-travel-tips/

In this episode I'll explain:

Planning to take the DART to Howth? I'll also show you a real-world fare comparison that may make you rethink the €8 one-day Visitor Card.

Additional information mentioned in the episode:

Ireland Travel Resources:

What's the best way to get around Ireland? It depends on your itinerary, budget, travel style, and how much flexibility you want.

Fill article & links: https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/travel-ireland-bus-car-train/planning-your-irish-vacation/

In this video, I break down the pros and cons of traveling around Ireland by train, bus, rental car, private driver guide, and even boat. We'll look at where each option works well, where it can make your trip more difficult, and why you don't have to choose just one.

Mixing and matching transportation can often make the most sense. You might explore Dublin without a car, take a train to another city, rent a car for the countryside, or hire a private driver guide for a day.

Before deciding how you'll travel around Ireland, figure out what you want your trip to look like... then choose the transportation that fits it.

Topics covered:

Ireland Travel Resources:

In this episode of the Traveling in Ireland podcast, Jody chats with Caroilín Callery, founder of the National Famine Way, and Edel McWeeney Moran, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, about the Global Irish Famine Way and the Bronze Shoes connecting Ireland's Famine emigration story with communities around the world.

Full article & links: https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/global-irish-famine-way/attractions/

Episode highlights:

Ireland Travel Resources:

Ireland's history isn't only castles and green landscapes. Famine, conflict, ancient beliefs, emigration, ghost stories, and traditions surrounding death are woven through the places travelers visit today.

Full article & links: https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/dark-tourism-in-ireland/ireland-travel-tips/

Luisa Golz, Director of Sales at Desmond Tours, completed her PhD research on festivals with dark themes. She joins Jody to explain what dark tourism actually means, why travelers are drawn to these places, and how Ireland's darker history can add depth to a trip without turning the entire vacation into doom and gloom.

Ireland Travel Resources:

Credit card rental car coverage can be a useful way to reduce the cost of renting a car in Ireland, but not every card covers Ireland—and even cards that do can have very different limits, exclusions, and requirements.

Full article & links: https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/credit-card-car-rental-insurance-ireland/ireland-travel-tips/

I explain what you need to check before declining the rental company's CDW, including proof-of-coverage requirements, credit card holds, vehicle and rental-length restrictions, and what your coverage does—and doesn't—protect.

You'll also learn what can happen financially if the rental car is damaged, why it's worth reading the claims requirements before you leave home, and why detailed photos at pickup and return can be valuable when you're relying on credit card coverage.

Ireland Travel Resources:

The Ring of Kerry gets most of the attention on Ireland's southwest coast. The Ring of Beara, right next to it, gets far less — despite having its own mountain pass, its own islands, and the only cable car in Ireland.

Show notes & links: https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/beara-peninsula-cork-kerry-coastal-drive-guide/ireland-travel-tips/

Jody talks with Tessa Dennison, publisher of Best of Beara magazine and book, about what makes the Beara Peninsula worth the detour: where to base your trip, the drive over the Healy Pass, the ferry to Bere Island, and a handful of villages most visitors never see.

Highlights:

Ireland Travel Resources:

Renting a car in Ireland after age 75 is absolutely possible, but not every rental company follows the same policies. Knowing what documentation you may need before you arrive can save time, stress, and unexpected surprises at the rental counter.

See the video episode & more information at IrelandFamilyVacations.com/drive75

In this episode, I explain where to find senior driver policies on rental company websites, compare companies with no additional requirements to those that ask for insurance or medical documentation, and share practical tips to help you choose the right rental company for your Ireland vacation.

Ireland Travel Resources: