Traveling in Ireland Podcast Archives - Ireland Family Vacations

Credit card coverage can be a good option for a car rental in Ireland, but simply having rental car protection on your card doesn’t mean you’re covered. Some cards exclude Ireland entirely, while others have limits on the vehicles they cover, the length of the rental, or the amount they’ll pay.

Before you decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver, you need to understand exactly what your credit card covers, what the rental company requires, and what happens if the car is damaged.

I recommend watching the video below for the complete visual walk-through of this content.

The challenge with credit card coverage isn’t simply finding a card that offers it. Most people don’t realize they are working with two separate sets of rules: the terms of your credit card benefit and the requirements of the Ireland car rental company. Both have to work together for credit card coverage to be a practical option for your rental.

Don’t assume that a credit card covers Ireland simply because it advertises worldwide rental car protection.

One of my own premium travel cards is a good example. The Capital One Venture X offers rental car coverage in many countries, but the card benefits specifically exclude both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Other cards have different exclusions.

Start with the cards you already have. Find the rental car benefit in each card’s Guide to Benefits and look specifically for geographic restrictions. Search for terms like “worldwide” and “Ireland,” and read the exclusions.

And I wouldn’t recommend getting an expensive premium travel card solely to save money on insurance for one Ireland car rental. Consider the cost of the card and its other benefits before deciding whether it makes financial sense for you.

Your credit card determines whether you have coverage.

The rental company determines what proof it requires before allowing you to decline its collision damage waiver, or CDW.

Those are two separate things.

You may be able to decline the rental company’s coverage while making your reservation online, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be asked for documentation when you pick up the vehicle.

A letter of coverage from your credit card benefit provider may be required.

I recommend having that letter with you even if you don’t think you’ll need it. Request it from your credit card company no more than 2 weeks before the day you pick up your rental – most make it easy to do on their app or website – and bring a printed copy with you when you pick up the car.

Be sure to check your rental company’s current requirements and your credit card’s current terms before you travel.

Credit card rental protection should not be confused with the comprehensive car insurance you may be accustomed to at home.

The coverage is primarily protecting the rental vehicle.

Depending on your card, covered expenses may include damage or theft of the rental vehicle, eligible loss-of-use charges from the rental company, and towing.

But the list of things that aren’t covered can be considerably longer.

Your card may exclude personal belongings, personal injury, damage to property outside the rental vehicle, certain types of vehicles, violations of the rental agreement, and other losses.

This is why you need to read more than the headline benefit.

Compare what your credit card provides with the excess coverage available from the rental company. The right choice is the one that gives you a level of financial risk you’re comfortable accepting.

There can be confusion around the phrase “declining insurance” when renting a car in Ireland.

You aren’t necessarily declining every type of protection attached to the rental.

Third-party liability covers your legal liability for injury or property damage you cause to other people. This remains in place.

The collision damage waiver, or CDW, relates to your financial responsibility to the rental company when its vehicle is damaged.

When you decline CDW to use eligible credit card coverage, you’re declining the rental company’s protection for damage to its vehicle. You aren’t declining the required third-party liability protection.

Understanding that distinction makes the choices on the rental agreement much easier to follow.

If you decline the rental company’s CDW, expect the company to place a hold on your credit card.

The amount varies by rental company and may also depend on factors such as the vehicle you choose and the length of your rental. Check the terms for your specific reservation.

You need enough available credit for the hold and for any other trip expenses you plan to charge to the same card.

Another fee you may encounter: a cost to use your credit card coverage. I have seen this at Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty locations.

Credit cards don’t all provide the same maximum rental car benefit.

Each ‘level’ of credit cars has different dollar limits and methods for determining how much would be paid after a loss.

That matters because you need to consider the value of the vehicle you’re renting.

Ask yourself a simple question: if this car were totaled, would my credit card benefit be enough to cover the loss?

You should also check whether your particular type of rental vehicle is eligible. Depending on the card, exclusions may include vehicles such as antique cars, cargo vans, motor homes, motorcycles, or mopeds.

Car-sharing services may also be excluded.

Then check the maximum rental period. Coverage might apply for 28 days with one provider and 31 days with another. Don’t assume the terms are consistent from one card or rental company to another.

This is one of the most important parts of relying on credit card coverage.

If your Ireland rental car is damaged, you will be charged by the rental company. That charge goes onto your credit card.

You then file a claim with the credit card’s benefit administrator for reimbursement.

My experience using credit card coverage after an Ireland rental car accident

That process can take time, and you’ll need to provide the required documentation.

Meanwhile, you still have a charge sitting on your credit card. If you don’t pay that balance, it may accrue interest.

Think through that possibility before deciding whether credit card coverage is the best option for you.

Don’t wait until an accident happens to learn how your credit card’s claims process works.

Before you travel, find out:

Having this information in advance can make an already stressful situation much easier to manage.

If you’re relying on credit card coverage, I recommend documenting the vehicle thoroughly.

At pickup, photograph every side of the vehicle as well as the wheels and glass. Take clear photos of existing scratches, dents, or other damage.

If something happens during your rental, photograph the damage and anything else relevant to the incident.

Then photograph the vehicle again when you return it. When possible, include evidence showing where and when the vehicle was returned.

This isn’t necessarily a requirement of your coverage. It’s simply good documentation to have if a damage charge is disputed later.

Credit card coverage can be a good option for an Ireland car rental, and it may save you money. But that doesn’t mean it’s automatically the best option for every traveler.

Before relying on it:

If that feels like more financial exposure or paperwork than you’re comfortable handling, purchasing excess coverage from the rental company is another option.

More information about Ireland Car Rental Insurance and Excess CDW

Neither choice is automatically right for everyone. The important thing is understanding what you’re accepting—and what you’re responsible for—before you pick up your Ireland rental car.

Complete Resource: Ireland Car Rental & Driving Guide

Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 352

The post Using Credit Card Coverage for a Car Rental in Ireland: What You Must Understand appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

The Beara Peninsula, also known as the Ring of Beara, sits in southwest Ireland, just south of its more famous neighbor, the Ring of Kerry. It's a good fit for travelers who want scenic coastal roads and conversations with locals without the tour buses. This guide covers where to base yourself, what to do, and how to plan a couple of unrushed days on the Beara Peninsula.

The Beara Peninsula sits on Ireland's southwest coast, split between County Cork and County Kerry. It gets less attention than the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula, partly because it falls across two counties and neither one really promotes it as its own.

Tessa Dennison, who publishes an annual magazine and book about the region called The Best of Beara, puts it simply: everyone's heard of the Ring of Kerry, but very few people have heard of the Ring of Beara.

This article is based on podcast episode 351 featuring Tessa Dennison, publisher of The Best of Beara.
Use the player below to listen or scroll to continue reading the article and get resource links.

Beara doesn't have the tourist infrastructure Kerry and Dingle have built up. There are no rows of hotels or streets lined with souvenir shops. That's part of the appeal, but it also means a little more planning pays off.

Articles like this highlight a few great options — but they’re just a small part of what Ireland offers.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you understand how to combine them into a trip that feels balanced and easy to navigate.

Ireland's southwest coast has three main peninsulas reaching into the Atlantic: Dingle, the Iveragh Peninsula (better known as the Ring of Kerry), and Beara, further south and divided along the Cork-Kerry border.

Visitors to the area often drive the direct route between Kenmare and Glengarriff – about 20 minutes – instead of the loop road around the peninsula, which takes the better part of a day. The direct route, while beautiful, skips Beara's stunning coastline and wonderful history.

The best advice is to base yourself in one of the three main towns on the peninsula and use it as a hub.

B&Bs and guesthouses are scattered through the towns in between, so there's no need to stick to the three main bases if a smaller village catches your eye.

If you're not driving, you're not entirely out of luck. Kenmare-based operator, Kerry Tour Guides, runs small minibus tours around Beara – group bookings of five or six people, or occasionally single seats if there's enough interest to fill the bus.

Cycling is another option; Kenmare has e-bike rental, and the peninsula hosts an annual cycling event every May that loops the whole area.

One practical note if you are self-driving: the roads are narrow in places, with mountain passes and passing bays rather than wide lanes, but they're well maintained. Expert advice: don't be put off by the width of the road, just go slow.

No matter how you tour the area, expect a slower pace than you would find on the busier peninsulas.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you turn ideas like these into a trip that fits your time and travel style.

Healy Pass and the Ring of Beara Drive

The Healy Pass is the peninsula's high viewpoint – a climbing, winding, mountain road with views over Kenmare Bay and the MacGillycuddy's Reeks on a clear day. Dennison recommends driving it from the Adrigole (Bantry Bay) side, climbing up past a small grotto near the summit before the view opens up on the way back down into Kerry. It's often compared to the Gap of Dunloe near Killarney, but with far less traffic.

Dursey Island Cable Car

Ireland's only cable car connects the mainland to Dursey Island at the peninsula's western tip. It's been renovated in recent years, but the older version had a habit of carrying more than tourists – Dennison remembers sheep waiting to board alongside passengers on an earlier crossing, since it was simply the most practical way to get livestock across.

Eyeries and the Ballycrovane Ogham Stone

Eyeries is known for its brightly painted houses, and its church holds eleven stained-glass windows by a well-known Irish artist, paid for by the local community in the 1980s. Just outside the village stands the Ballycrovane Ogham Stone, the tallest of its kind in Europe – Dennison notes that researchers believe as much stone again may be buried below ground as stands above it. A short distance away, Allihies has its own draw in the Copper Mine Museum, tracing the village's mining history.

Bere Island Ferry Trip

For a step further off the peninsula itself, the ferry to Bere Island leaves from Castletownbere. It's a small crossing – room for a handful of cars, you can also cross as a foot passenger – but the island has its own military history, with Martello towers and old forts, plus beaches and hiking trails. Dennison describes stepping off the ferry as stepping into another world entirely, and says it's worth building into your trip if you have the time.
Note: This is a great spot for a kayak tour.

Bantry

Just beyond Beara's edge, Bantry is worth a stop in its own right (I say it is what Dingle was like before it became popular). Its library is a piece of 1960s architecture currently being restored, and several boat and island trips advertised through Bantry's tourist office actually depart from within the Beara Peninsula rather than the town itself.

Tessa Dennison is a graphic designer who specializes in books and magazines, and the publisher behind Best of Beara – an annual regional magazine and a 144-page book covering the peninsula. The project started in 2018, when she and her daughter noticed Kerry had a long-running local publication of its own and Beara didn't. She's published an issue every year since, aside from 2020, printing between 7,000 and 10,000 copies annually and distributing them through tourist offices and advertisers across Cork and Kerry, from Killarney and Dingle down to Skibbereen, Clonakilty, and Bantry.

Find the digital magazine, order the book, or get more information on the peninsula at bestofbeara.com.

You'll also find Best of Beara on Facebook and Instagram.

Get out on the water. Dennison's top recommendation is anything water-based – kayaking out from Kenmare, Castletownbere, or Adrigole to visit the seals, or a night kayaking trip timed to catch the bioluminescence. She says her favorite views of the peninsula are from the water, looking back at the coastline.

Give it more time than the map suggests. Beara looks small enough to circle in a couple of hours, and you can, but that skips most of what's worth seeing. Dennison's advice is to slow down, follow the odd side road or handmade sign, and see what turns up – she mentioned finding an alpaca trekking outfit that way.

Take the ferry to Bere Island. Already covered above, but it's worth repeating as a standalone recommendation – Dennison calls it one of the best ways to add a genuine change of pace to a Beara visit.

The Beara Peninsula doesn't have the crowds or the marketing that Kerry and Dingle get, but it has dramatic coastline, high mountain passes, and towns where people still have time for a chat over coffee.

One or two unrushed days here will give you an idea of what the more popular peninsulas were like before the tour buses arrived.

The post The Beara Peninsula: A Guide to Cork and Kerry’s Overlooked Coastal Drive appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

If you're planning to rent a car in Ireland and you're over 75, don't assume every rental company has the same requirements.

In this quick Ireland travel tip, I explain how to find each company's senior driver policy, show you where to look on rental websites, and summarize which companies only require a valid driver's license and which may ask for additional documentation such as insurance and medical letters.

The post Driving in Ireland Over 75? Check These Rental Policies First appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

At a Glance

Motorhome and campervan travel in Ireland has grown a lot in recent years, and this guide covers what first-timers actually need to know: vehicle size, where you can legally park overnight, and the apps that make it easier. Whether you're weighing a motorhome trip against a rental car or already sold on the idea, this should help you figure out how to do it well.

Travel Planning Snapshot

This article is based on podcast episode 349 featuring Sandra Willis, owner of Motorhome Routes Ireland.
Use the player below to listen or scroll to continue reading the article and get resource links.

Renting an RV in Ireland is not the same experience as renting one in North America, and a lot of that difference comes down to road width, vehicle size, and where you're actually allowed to spend the night.

The first thing to get straight is size. Irish roads are narrower than American ones, and the vehicles that work well here are narrower too. Sandra Willis, who runs Motorhome Routes Ireland, drives a camper van small enough to fit in a standard supermarket parking space. It still has a kitchen, a sink, a cooker, a fridge, and a bathroom with a toilet and shower — everything she needs if she's not on a campsite that night.

Bigger motorhomes exist and can be rented, but the bigger the vehicle, the more you'll find yourself sticking to main routes and larger campsites. A smaller camper van gives you more freedom to get off the main roads. Sandra's advice on rental size largely mirrors the standard car-rental rule: get the smallest one you can actually be comfortable in. If having more space matters enough to you that it makes the trip more enjoyable, that's a fair trade — just know you'll likely be doing more research on which roads and park-ups will actually fit the vehicle.

She also flagged one Ireland-specific hazard for bigger rigs: L roads. These are the smallest, narrowest roads in the country — the ones with grass growing up the middle. Fine in a small camper van. Best avoided in anything larger.

This is the part that trips up a lot of first-time renters, since the rules are different everywhere.

Ireland has full-service campsites with facilities and organized activities — good for families, and the kind of place you could spend several days without leaving. There are also plainer campsites that just offer the basics: toilets, showers, water, electricity.

Below that are ‘aires' (short for Aire de Service), which are common across Europe and increasingly available in Ireland. These are generally large car parks set up for camper vans, with water and waste disposal and sometimes electricity, for a small overnight fee.

Then there's pub parking, which Sandra called one of the main draws of camper van travel in Ireland specifically. Many pubs will let you park overnight if you ask first, with the general expectation that you'll eat and drink there while you're stopped. It's technically called “parking” rather than “camping” — you're not meant to set up chairs or anything else outside the vehicle — but it's widely tolerated. Sandra's rules of thumb: check for posted signs banning overnight stays, don't park outside private houses, leave no trace, and support the business you're parked at.

Genuine wild camping — parking somewhere remote and scenic with no arrangement at all — is also possible if you keep a low profile, and some of those spots are, in Sandra's words, spectacular.

For finding campsites, aires, and park-ups, Sandra pointed to Park4Night as the app she relies on most in Ireland. She also mentioned Search for Sites, though she finds it works better elsewhere in Europe than it does in Ireland.

Asked what trips people up most, Sandra didn't point to driving mishaps or parking dents. The real issue, she said, is people trying to pack in too much mileage. Ireland is small compared to North America and Australia, but the roads are slow — narrow, winding, and often stuck behind a tractor or a tour coach. Her advice is to pick one area and actually get to know it, rather than trying to circle the entire country in two weeks.

One small navigation tip from her: on narrower roads, follow the same direction that coaches and larger vehicles travel (the Ring of Kerry, for example, has a customary direction), so you're not meeting them head-on where there isn't room to pass.

Sandra Willis originally ran an events company in England for twenty years before selling it and moving onto a narrowboat to travel the English canal system. Six years ago she moved to Ireland — bringing the boat with her by ship — and eventually bought a camper van to explore the country further. Friends and followers kept asking how she found the places she visited, and that curiosity turned into Motorhome Routes Ireland.

The site sells downloadable, themed motorhome route guides — geographic ones like the Wild Atlantic Way or the Causeway Coast, and themed ones built around live music and craic, wildlife, or hiking. Sandra also offers bespoke route planning for travelers who want an itinerary built around their own pace, interests, and vehicle.

In addition to her website, you can also find Sandra on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Enniskillen and Devenish Island
Enniskillen, in Fermanagh where Sandra lives, is built around islands, and a boat trip from there takes you to Devenish Island, home to a monastic site and one of Ireland's oldest round towers. There are three campsites near Enniskillen to choose from, giving you a home base with an easy day of exploring — and a break from driving — built in.

Donegal, especially around Sleepy Hollows
For travelers with limited time, Sandra's top recommendation is Donegal — it's on the Wild Atlantic Way and has beaches, coastline, and a campsite called Sleepy Hollows that she describes as bohemian, with a nightly fire and a communal area where travelers swap stories. Nearby in Dunlewy are two churches: a current one, and an older abandoned one where you can stand at the empty window frame and look out over the Poison Glen — a view Sandra ranks among the best in Ireland. Donegal Airport, one of the more scenic small airports to fly into, is close by too, along with a wild camping spot with water so blue it looks Caribbean.

Anderson's Thatched Pub, Carrick-on-Shannon
Near the River Shannon, this old-fashioned pub is only open on weekends and offers camper van parking. Locals go behind the bar to pour their own pints and leave the money in the till, and there's informal music most nights, with the crowd joining in rather than a booked band. The owner, Jean, is known for leaving small gifts on parked windscreens overnight — fresh bread, or an Easter egg if the timing lines up. Sandra calls it about as authentic as Ireland gets.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you turn ideas like these into a trip that fits your time and travel style.

Motorhome travel isn't for everyone, but for the right traveler — someone with the time to slow down and take one region properly rather than rushing the whole country — it opens up a different way of seeing Ireland. Between the pub car parks, the aires, and spots like Sleepy Hollows, it's as much about who you meet along the way as where you end up parked for the night.

The post Motorhome Travel in Ireland: What You Need to Know Before You Rent appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

If you’re planning to rely on credit card or third-party rental car insurance in Ireland, I want to tell you about the one time I actually had to use mine.

The insurance paid the claim. That wasn’t the problem.

The problem was everything that happened over the next two months.

This happened back in 2015, so the forms look a little different today. But the reimbursement process with credit card and third-party insurance works much the same way.

On this trip my daughters and I were driving through the Vee, an incredibly scenic gap between County Tipperary and County Waterford.

We were climbing a narrow hill when a large dump truck came down toward us much faster than I would expect on a road that size. Whether the driver knew the road well or simply assumed no one was coming the other way, I don’t know.

I moved over as far as I safely could… but there simply wasn’t enough room.

The entire passenger side of the rental car scraped along the stone wall, and neither passenger door would open afterward.

I drove the car to Cork Airport the following day, as it was the closest rental office.

The staff inspected the damage, completed the incident report, and charged the estimated €1,630 repair cost to my credit card. They also gave me copies of all the paperwork they said I’d need to file my insurance claim.

My original rental ended there, something I hadn’t anticipated. Before we could continue our trip, I had to arrange a new rental vehicle. For that second rental, I ended up purchasing the rental company’s excess coverage before we could get back on the road.

At that point, I thought the hard part was over.

It wasn’t.

One thing I did right was keeping every piece of paperwork. I saved the incident report, the damage acknowledgement, photos of the vehicle, and every document the rental company gave me.

I ended up needing all of it.

If you’re relying on credit card or third-party insurance, assume you’ll need to document everything. Take photos, keep copies of every form, and don’t throw anything away until your claim has been fully settled.

For the next two months, I was the middleman.

The credit card insurance company kept requesting documents.

Sometimes they needed paperwork I hadn’t been given.

So I contacted the rental company.

Then the insurance company needed something else.

Back to the rental company.

Neither company was doing anything wrong. This is simply how reimbursement insurance can work. The rental company and the insurance administrator don’t always communicate directly, so you may end up acting as the go-between.

Meanwhile, that repair charge was sitting on my credit card.

I had two choices.

Leave the balance there while waiting for reimbursement and potentially pay interest…

Or pay it myself and wait for the insurance company to reimburse me later.

Either way, it tied up a significant amount of money for weeks.

And if your balance carries over, the interest generally isn’t part of what the insurance reimburses.

That experience completely changed how I rent cars in Ireland.

Today, I prefer rentals with inclusive coverage or I purchase the rental company’s excess protection.

Not because I think credit card insurance doesn’t work.

Mine did.

I simply decided that, for me, avoiding (potential) months of paperwork, large temporary charges, and the uncertainty afterward is worth paying a little more upfront.

Everyone has a different comfort level with risk and paperwork, but I think it’s important to understand the claims process before deciding which type of coverage is right for you.

Before you rely on credit card or third-party rental car coverage, make sure you understand how the claims process works, what documentation you’ll need, and whether you’re comfortable paying the damage charge first while waiting to be reimbursed.

For many travelers, reimbursement coverage is a perfectly good option. For me, after going through the process once, I decided the extra cost of inclusive coverage was worth the peace of mind.

If you’re still deciding which insurance option is best for your trip, be sure to watch my other rental car insurance videos and podcast episodes. I compare the different types of coverage, explain how they work, and help you choose the option that best fits your budget and comfort level. You’ll everything in my complete Car Rental & Driving in Ireland resource.

Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 348

The post Credit Card or Third-Party Rental Car Insurance in Ireland: What Happens After an Accident? appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

If your ideal Ireland itinerary includes historic towns, memorable meals, scenic walks, and time to truly experience a place instead of simply passing through, Abbeyleix deserves a closer look. Nestled in the heart of County Laois, this Georgian market town is perfectly positioned for exploring Ireland’s Ancient East while offering plenty of reasons to slow down and stay awhile.

County: Laois
Region: Ireland’s Ancient East
Best For: Couples, history lovers, food lovers, and travelers who enjoy a slower pace
Ideal Stay: 3–5 nights
Drive from Dublin Airport: About 1 hour
Good Base For: Kilkenny, Rock of Dunamase, Emo Court, Timahoe, Birr, and Wicklow
Featured Accommodation: Preston House

This article is based on podcast episode 347 featuring Ross McDonald, owner of Preston House, a boutique Georgian accommodation in Abbeyliex, County Laois.
Use the player below to listen or scroll to continue reading the article and get resource links.

Most travelers don’t set out to visit Abbeyleix.

They drive through County Laois on the way to somewhere else, often without realizing what they’re missing.

I understand why. Ireland has plenty of places that make every “must-see” list, and it’s easy to focus on getting from one famous destination to the next. But after spending time in Abbeyleix – and returning again with a group – I’ve come to appreciate what this small town has to offer.

It’s friendly without feeling touristy. There’s plenty to see nearby, but there’s also something to be said for wandering the streets, stopping into a café, browsing the local shops, or settling into a traditional pub for the evening.

Articles like this highlight a few great options — but they’re just a small part of what Ireland offers.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you understand how to combine them into a trip that feels balanced and easy to navigate.

One of the biggest advantages of staying in Abbeyleix is its location. About an hour from Dublin Airport and with easy access to several motorways, it’s a convenient base for exploring Ireland’s Ancient East, the Midlands, Kilkenny, and even County Wicklow.

Within about thirty minutes you can be wandering the medieval streets of Kilkenny, climbing to the top of the Rock of Dunamase, visiting the peaceful monastic site at Timahoe, or strolling through the grounds of Emo Court or Heywood Gardens.

If you’d like to venture a little farther, County Wicklow, Birr Castle Demesne, Waterford, Wexford, and even Cork are all realistic day trips.

What I like most is that every evening brings you back to the same place.

Instead of checking into another hotel, you already know where you’re having dinner, where you’ll sleep, and which café you’ll visit the next morning. There’s something relaxing about settling into a town instead of constantly moving on to the next destination.

Abbeyleix wasn’t always where it is today.

The original town was built closer to the River Nore, but frequent flooding eventually led to the decision to relocate it to higher ground during the eighteenth century. The result is one of Ireland’s finest planned Georgian market towns.

Today, that history is still easy to see.

The wide main street is lined with elegant Georgian buildings, many of which still house local businesses. Independent shops sit alongside cafés, restaurants, and traditional pubs, giving the town an atmosphere that feels lived in rather than preserved for visitors.

Like many Irish towns, Abbeyleix had to adapt when the motorway bypassed the centre of town.

Rather than accepting fewer visitors, the community focused on making Abbeyleix an even better place to live and visit.

The town has earned multiple Tidy Towns awards, welcomed new businesses, and developed a growing reputation for great food. Restaurants like Bramleys have helped put Abbeyleix on the culinary map, while cafés, bakeries, artists, and musicians continue to add to the town’s appeal.

One place that reflects Abbeyleix’s community spirit is the Abbeyleix Bog Project. Once used for commercial peat harvesting, it’s now a protected nature reserve thanks to years of local effort. Today, visitors can explore the walking trails and experience one of Ireland’s unique bog landscapes while seeing the results of that remarkable transformation.

If you’re looking for accommodation with as much character as the town itself, Preston House is well worth considering.

Built in 1810 as Abbeyleix’s Assembly Rooms, the building has served as a theatre, boarding school, restaurant, auction house, and community gathering place over the past two centuries. Today, owner Ross McDonald has carefully restored it into a welcoming place to stay while preserving its Georgian character.

I had the opportunity to stay at Preston House with a small group in autumn 2024, and it quickly became one of the highlights of our trip. We rented the house exclusively, cooked breakfast together in the spacious kitchen, relaxed in the sitting rooms after a day of exploring, and everyone commented on how incredibly comfortable the beds were. It felt less like staying in a hotel and more like borrowing a beautiful Georgian home.

Ross is passionate about Abbeyleix and enjoys helping guests discover the town and the surrounding area. Whether he’s recommending a favourite restaurant, suggesting a scenic drive, or sharing a bit of local history, his enthusiasm for the community is hard to miss.

While Preston House is primarily available for exclusive-use stays for families, groups, retreats, and celebrations, Ross also opens individual rooms when availability allows. Those stays often bring together travelers from different countries, creating lively breakfast conversations before everyone heads off to explore.

Learn more about Preston House and book your stay on the website: PrestonHouse.ie
Check out the socials: Facebook – Instagram

If you’re planning a few days in Abbeyleix, Ross suggests adding these to your itinerary.

Rock of Dunamase
One of Ireland’s most impressive ruined fortresses, with panoramic views across County Laois and centuries of history.

Timahoe
A peaceful early Christian site with a beautifully preserved round tower that’s well worth the short drive.

Heywood Gardens
Historic gardens, woodland walks, lakes, and one of County Laois’ loveliest places for a leisurely afternoon.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you turn ideas like these into a trip that fits your time and travel style.

Abbeyleix may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning an Ireland itinerary, but perhaps it should be. It’s welcoming, easy to reach, full of history, and perfectly positioned for exploring Ireland’s Ancient East. Spend a few days here and you’ll discover that sometimes the best travel memories come from the places you hadn’t planned to linger quite so long.

The post Why Abbeyleix Is One of Ireland’s Best Bases for Slow Travel appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

Landing in Dublin but beginning your vacation elsewhere – options to get to your first destination safely – without driving.

Why driving long distances after an overnight flight isn’t safe

So what do you do if your vacation begins in another location – like Galway, Killarney, Clare, or Cork?

If you don’t want to ‘miss’ a day of touring: choose a driver

If you are after affordability with the least hassle: choose the bus

While the train is certainly an option for some destinations, it isn’t my first recommendation from Dublin Airport because getting to the rail network adds an extra step.

For Galway or Kilkenny: take the bus. These drives are mainly motorway so you won’t miss much.
For Cork: Either option works. The bus is efficient if you’re happy heading straight there, but if your budget allows, a driver can take you through Wicklow or Tipperary and turn your transfer into a memorable first day.
For Killarney: I’d choose a driver every time. The bus follows the motorway through Limerick, but with a driver you can stop at places like the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle, so your vacation begins the moment you leave the airport.

However you choose to get there, remember that your vacation starts the moment you leave Dublin Airport. Choose the option that fits your budget, your energy level, and how you want to spend that first day.

Starting your trip in Dublin instead? Be sure to check out my guide to getting from Dublin Airport into the city. I’ll link it in the show notes.

Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 346

The post How to Get from Dublin Airport to Anywhere in Ireland (Without Driving) appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

The Ring of Kerry is famous for dramatic coastlines, mountain passes, colorful villages, and unforgettable views. It’s one of Ireland’s most iconic driving routes – and for good reason. But beyond the photo stops and scenic overlooks is another experience that rewards travelers willing to slow down.

For this guide, County Kerry native and whiskey expert Neil Saad shares how travelers can discover the region through its craft distilleries, local stories, and welcoming pubs. Rather than simply sampling a drink, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the people, history, and traditions that make Kerry such a memorable destination.

This article is based on podcast episode 345 featuring Neil Saad, owner of Kingdom Whiskey Experiences in County Kerry.
Use the player below to listen or scroll to continue reading the article and get resource links.

Most visitors begin the Ring of Kerry in Killarney before heading anti-clockwise through Killorglin, Cahersiveen, Portmagee, Sneem, Kenmare, and back through the mountains.

While the drive itself can technically be completed in a day, that’s not how Kerry is best experienced. Spending two or even three days along the route allows time to step inside small villages, enjoy local conversations, and discover experiences that many travelers simply drive past.

One of those experiences is Ireland’s growing craft whiskey scene.

Over the past fifteen years, Ireland has experienced a remarkable whiskey revival. Alongside well-known brands, dozens of independent producers have opened across the country, with County Kerry becoming one of Ireland’s strongest regions for both whiskey and gin production.

Drink tourism isn’t simply about sampling whiskey or gin.

It’s about meeting the people behind the bottles, learning why they’ve chosen to build businesses in rural Kerry, and understanding how local landscapes, history, and community shape every product they create.

Whether someone considers themselves a whiskey enthusiast or simply enjoys discovering local culture, these experiences offer a fascinating look behind the scenes.

Just outside Cahersiveen sits Skellig Six18 Distillery, housed inside a former sock factory that has been transformed into a modern craft distillery.

Visitors tour an active gin distillery while also learning the whiskey-making process, from grain selection through maturation. Although the whiskey is still developing toward full on-site production, guests gain an excellent understanding of how Irish whiskey is created and what the future holds for the distillery.

One of the highlights is hearing founder June O’Connell’s story and learning why the business chose this corner of Kerry as its home.

Tours conclude with tastings, allowing visitors to choose whiskey, gin, or both depending on their interests. Even travelers who think they don’t enjoy gin are often surprised by how different botanical recipes create dramatically different flavor profiles.

Articles like this highlight a few great options — but they’re just a small part of what Ireland offers.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you understand how to combine them into a trip that feels balanced and easy to navigate.

After Cahersiveen, leave the main Ring of Kerry and follow the Skellig Ring toward Portmagee.

This quieter road offers spectacular coastal scenery while avoiding much of the coach traffic found on the main route.

Portmagee itself is a tiny fishing village overlooking Valentia Island, but it has become home to one of Kerry’s most unique whiskey experiences.

The Spirit of the Sea Visitor Experience, created by brothers John and James Murphy, is far more than a whiskey tasting.

Inside a series of immersive domes, visitors learn the history of Portmagee, hear fascinating local stories, and experience interactive exhibits that celebrate the area’s maritime heritage.

One memorable presentation even places guests inside a traditional rowing boat during the village’s annual regatta, bringing local traditions vividly to life.

Whiskey certainly plays an important role, but the real focus is storytelling.

As Neil explains, the whiskey simply becomes the vessel for sharing the history of Portmagee with visitors.

Not every Kerry whiskey producer welcomes visitors, but that doesn’t mean they should be overlooked.

Wayward Irish Spirits produces The Liberator Whiskey, created by Maurice O’Connell, a descendant of Daniel O’Connell—known throughout Irish history as “The Liberator.”

Rather than operating a visitor center, The Liberator focuses on creating carefully blended whiskeys with approachable yet complex flavor profiles. They’re well worth seeking out in local pubs or bottle shops throughout Kerry and make an excellent souvenir to bring home.

Neil Saad is the founder of Kingdom Whiskey, a mobile whiskey and gin tasting experience based in County Kerry.

Instead of asking travelers to visit a single location, Neil brings guided tastings directly to guests staying throughout Kerry, including Killarney, Dingle, Kenmare, Tralee, and beyond.

His experiences combine carefully selected local whiskeys with the stories behind each producer, making every tasting equal parts history lesson, cultural experience, and enjoyable evening. Private tastings are available for groups of two or more.

Contact Neil vis the website: kingdomwhiskey.com
Or follow on Instagram and Facebook.

If you’re hoping to continue your whiskey exploration after touring the distilleries, Neil recommends these favorites:

Hidden beneath street level, this atmospheric whiskey bar offers one of Kerry’s largest selections of Irish whiskey alongside knowledgeable staff who can help guide your tasting.

Combining live music, an excellent whiskey collection, and a friendly local atmosphere, Bailey’s Corner is an easy recommendation for visitors spending time in Tralee.

Neil’s local favorite is this traditional pub where knowledgeable staff, an impressive whiskey selection, and plenty of local conversation create an authentic Kerry pub experience.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you turn ideas like these into a trip that fits your time and travel style.

The Ring of Kerry will always be famous for its scenery. But taking time to meet the people crafting Kerry’s newest traditions adds another layer to the journey—one that’s every bit as memorable as the views.

The post Sip Your Way Around the Ring of Kerry: A Whiskey Lover’s Guide to Ireland’s Most Scenic Drive appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

For many North Americans, discovering Irish ancestry begins with a family story. Maybe a grandparent mentioned a county in Ireland. Perhaps there’s an old photograph, a faded letter, or a surname that has been passed down through generations. The excitement of uncovering those connections can quickly turn into frustration when records become difficult to find and family trees seem to contradict each other.

Genealogist Chris Lucia has spent years helping people navigate that journey. His own research led him all the way to the front door of his great-grandfather’s birthplace in County Tipperary – a moment that demonstrates just how rewarding Irish family history research can be when patience, persistence, and a little Irish luck come together.

This article is based on podcast episode 344 featuring Chris Lucia, owner of Vivid Family Research.
Use the player below to listen or scroll to continue reading the article and get resource links.

Irish genealogy has a reputation for being difficult, and for good reason.

Many family historians successfully trace ancestors through North American records only to encounter obstacles once they reach Ireland. Part of the challenge stems from the loss of important historical records during the destruction of Dublin’s Public Records Office in 1922.

The fire destroyed much of Ireland’s early census material, many Church of Ireland parish registers, wills, and legal records. Yet despite the losses, researchers shouldn’t assume all records disappeared.

The surviving 1901 and 1911 (and newly released 1926) Irish census records remain invaluable resources. Many parish records still exist, civil registration records are available, and local archives continue to preserve information that can help connect families to specific places and people.

The key is understanding where to look and approaching the process methodically.

One of the most common mistakes new researchers make is trying to jump directly to Ireland.

Instead, begin with the information closest to home.

Gather details about parents and grandparents. Search for birth certificates, marriage records, death certificates, obituaries, census records, and family documents. Every record can provide clues that lead to the previous generation.

A grandmother’s death certificate may reveal the names of her parents. A census record might indicate that an ancestor was born in Ireland. Each small discovery becomes the foundation for the next step.

Genealogy has a way of creating endless rabbit trails.

A researcher might begin looking for one ancestor and suddenly find themselves investigating cousins, neighbors, military records, and immigration documents all at once.

Chris recommends narrowing the focus.

Instead of attempting to build an entire family tree in a single weekend, choose one ancestor or one specific question. Find where a great-grandparent was born. Identify a marriage location. Confirm a date.

Small victories build confidence and keep the process enjoyable.

Websites such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch are excellent starting points, but they require careful evaluation.

Public family trees can provide useful hints, but they should never be accepted without verification. Similar names, incorrect dates, and unsupported assumptions can spread quickly online.

As Chris advises, “hints are clues, not conclusions.”

Every discovery should be backed by records whenever possible.

Once genealogy research begins pointing toward Ireland, several resources become especially valuable.

One of the most useful Irish records available, Griffith’s Valuation documents land occupiers throughout Ireland during the mid-1800s.

For travelers planning a heritage trip, it can be particularly exciting because modern mapping tools allow researchers to compare historic maps with current satellite imagery. In many rural areas, field boundaries and roads remain remarkably unchanged.

Created earlier than Griffith’s Valuation, these records provide another way to place ancestors in specific locations and time periods.

This free resource includes civil records and many Church of Ireland records, making it a valuable starting point for Protestant ancestry research.

The surviving 1901 and 1911 (and recently released 1926) census records can be searched online at no cost and often provide a detailed snapshot of family life.

Researchers with Catholic ancestry will find digitized parish registers available through the National Library’s collections.

Patience is required. Many entries are handwritten, often in Latin, and deciphering them can feel like solving a puzzle. Still, those pages frequently contain the breakthrough information researchers have been searching for.

For many people, the ultimate goal is visiting the places where their ancestors lived.

That experience can be extraordinary.

Chris spent years researching his great-grandfather’s birthplace in County Tipperary. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to connect with the home’s current owners, a local Facebook group eventually led him to the family that now owns the property.

Not only was he welcomed inside, but he was also given a tour of the home where his great-grandfather had lived more than 130 years earlier. Walking through those rooms transformed names and dates into something much more personal.

Travelers interested in ancestry research should consider spending time at:

Both can provide valuable assistance for those hoping to continue their research while in Ireland.

Sometimes the most valuable resource isn’t found in an archive.

It’s found in a conversation.

Local residents, church members, publicans, driver-guides, and community groups often possess knowledge that never appears in official records. A casual chat can lead to family connections, local stories, or insights about an ancestral townland.

Ireland remains a place where storytelling thrives, and family history often survives through those stories.

Genealogy should be enjoyable.

When the research becomes frustrating, when time becomes limited, or when a seemingly impossible brick wall appears, it may be worth consulting a professional.

The more information a researcher receives at the start, the more effective they can be. Names, dates, locations, family stories, and existing research all help narrow the search.

Professional genealogists don’t simply collect records. They connect those records to real lives, historical context, and family narratives.

That’s often where the most meaningful discoveries happen. A name on a census page becomes a person. A passenger list becomes the story of a widow crossing the Atlantic with three young children. A family legend gains evidence – or finally gets debunked.

And occasionally, all of that work leads to standing inside the very house where an ancestor began their journey.

Based in the United States and working with clients researching Irish and North American ancestry, Chris Lucia founded Vivid Family Research to help people uncover the stories hidden within their family history. His approach combines traditional record research with historical context, creating a narrative that helps families better understand not just who their ancestors were, but how they lived.

Travelers planning a heritage trip to Ireland may find professional research especially valuable. Identifying an ancestral townland, locating family property, or verifying family connections before arriving can transform a sightseeing itinerary into a deeply personal journey.

For more information, visit the website at vividfamilyresearch.com or contact Chris directly at [email protected].

Genealogy is rarely a quick project. The best discoveries often come after months or years of careful research.

Create folders, save documents, and keep notes. Good organization prevents confusion and makes future discoveries easier to connect.

Whether you’re researching online or traveling through Ireland, some of the best moments can’t be planned.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you turn ideas like these into a trip that fits your time and travel style.

A chance conversation, a helpful local, or a Facebook post in a community group may reveal information no archive could ever provide.

Family history isn’t just about building a tree. It’s about uncovering the stories, struggles, decisions, and journeys that shaped the generations that came before us. For anyone with Irish ancestry, those discoveries can create a connection to Ireland that feels far more personal than any guidebook ever could.

The post Tracing Irish Roots: How to Research Your Family History and Find the Stories Behind the Names appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

Ireland's most memorable experiences aren't always found on the busiest routes. In County Cavan, travelers trade crowded attractions for quiet waterways, forest walks, and the simple pleasure of having time to enjoy where they are.

For visitors who prefer exploring at their own pace, Cavan offers a different side of Ireland. It's a place where lakes outnumber traffic lights, where history rises from the water, and where adventure feels less like an adrenaline rush and more like a chance to reconnect with nature.

This article is based on podcast episode 343 featuring Sean Thornton, owner of the Cavan Adventure Centre, whose passion for the land, waterways, and outdoor experiences shines through in everything he does.
Use the player below to listen or scroll to continue reading the article and get resource links.

Many travelers arrive in Ireland with plans built around the Wild Atlantic Way, Dublin, Galway, or the Ring of Kerry. County Cavan rarely makes those first-draft itineraries.

That may be exactly why it deserves a closer look.

Known as Ireland's Lakeland County, Cavan boasts hundreds of lakes scattered among rolling drumlins, woodlands, and quiet country roads. Rather than rushing from attraction to attraction, visitors are encouraged to settle in, explore, and let the landscape set the pace.

Located near the border with Northern Ireland, Cavan also makes an excellent base for exploring neighboring counties. Visitors can easily combine lakes, forests, caves, and charming market towns without spending hours behind the wheel.

The appeal isn't necessarily about checking famous landmarks off a list. It's about experiencing a landscape that invites travelers to slow down and simply be present.

Articles like this highlight a few great options — but they’re just a small part of what Ireland offers.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you understand how to combine them into a trip that feels balanced and easy to navigate.

One of Cavan's most photographed landmarks is Clough Oughter Castle, dramatically positioned on a small island in the middle of Lough Oughter.

At first glance, the castle almost appears unreal – a stone tower seemingly floating above the water. Yet its story stretches back centuries.

Built by the Normans in the 13th century and later occupied by the powerful O'Reilly clan, the castle occupies a site that was important long before the medieval period. The surrounding waterways served as transportation routes, trade corridors, and protected settlements for generations.

Nearby crannógs, ancient man-made islands dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, offer reminders that these lakes were once central to everyday life.

What makes Clough Oughter Castle especially memorable isn't simply the structure itself.

It's the journey.

Unlike many historic sites where visitors park nearby, snap a photo, and move on, Clough Oughter is best experienced from the water. Approaching by kayak, canoe, or boat naturally slows the pace.

The sounds change.

The views widen.

The castle gradually emerges from the landscape.

Visitors often find that the journey becomes just as memorable as the destination.

Sean Thornton founded Cavan Adventure Centre to help visitors experience the county's waterways and woodlands in a meaningful way. What began as an extension of his connection to the land as an organic farmer has grown into a center focused on outdoor recreation, wellness, and environmental appreciation.

The centre's signature experience is the paddle route to Clough Oughter Castle.

Located about 45 minutes from the castle by kayak, the launch point provides easy access to the lake system. Visitors receive instruction, route guidance, and maps before heading out.

Even first-time paddlers are welcome.

In fact, many guests have never kayaked before arriving.

The goal isn't speed or competition. It's giving people the confidence to explore at their own pace and enjoy the surroundings.

While kayaking is a highlight, visitors can choose from a variety of outdoor experiences.

Activities include:

The common thread is connection—to nature, to the landscape, and often to a slower pace of life.

One of the most interesting aspects of the wellness programs at Cavan Adventure Centre is a simple request.

Leave the phone behind.

For many visitors, that proves harder than kayaking.

Yet once people spend time walking through the woodlands or sitting quietly beside the water, the urge to check notifications often fades.

Sean notes that after a short time outdoors, guests begin relaxing into the experience. Conversations slow down. Attention shifts from screens to birdsong, changing light, and the rhythm of nature.

It's a reminder that some of Ireland's most valuable travel experiences don't involve admission tickets or famous landmarks.

Sometimes they're found in the quiet spaces between them.

Travelers considering a few days in Cavan should keep a few things in mind.

Layers are essential.

A waterproof jacket is highly recommended, regardless of the forecast. Conditions can change quickly, and being prepared makes outdoor activities far more enjoyable.

Cavan rewards travelers who aren't in a hurry.

Leave room in the itinerary for unexpected stops, scenic viewpoints, and leisurely walks.

During busy periods, kayaking trips and guided experiences can fill quickly. Advance booking helps ensure availability and allows operators to prepare for your visit.

Hawthorne Lodge

Situated within the Cuilcagh Lakes Geopark, Hawthorn Lodge is a terrific base for exploring the area, providing a ‘home away from home' experience (but with made-to-order breakfast).

Castle Hamilton by the Lakes

The estate's restored courtyard cottages, once home to horse-drawn carriages, now provide cozy retreats for guests seeking a blend of history and modern comfort. Each cottage exudes charm, equipped with self-contained kitchens and inviting living spaces where guests can unwind after a day of exploration.

Finish your trip with a splurge at Cabra Castle

This castle hotel doesn't feel overly modern, with rooms and hallways cutting through the building in a manner that can only be described and higgledy-piggledy.

It's a quiet spot, no golf or estate activities (though planning has been approved for a spa on the grounds) and is a popular relaxation getaway.

Book direct (check offers) – Expedia – Booking.com

When asked what visitors shouldn't miss, Sean's recommendations reflected the simple pleasures that make Cavan special.

Whether it's a kayak, canoe, or boat trip, experiencing Cavan from the water offers a completely different perspective on the landscape.

A quiet woodland walk may end up being one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Bring a flask, take your time, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Cavan's cafés, restaurants, farm shops, and delis offer more than good food. They're also places where visitors can connect with locals, hear stories, and experience the area's famous hospitality.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you turn ideas like these into a trip that fits your time and travel style.

County Cavan may not appear on every Ireland itinerary, but that's part of its appeal. For travelers seeking quiet landscapes, meaningful outdoor experiences, and a chance to slow down for a few days, this corner of Ireland offers exactly that. And as many visitors discover, the memories often come not from rushing between attractions, but from taking the time to enjoy the journey.

The post Slow Down and Discover County Cavan: Lakes, Castles, and Nature at Your Own Pace appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.