Forwarded to IFV 4/7/2018 Cahir (pronounced ‘care’) makes a terrific afternoon trip out of Cashel. Cahir Castle-complete with a moat- is especially nice for children as it sits on a small island and both the grounds and the castle are very open and perfect for exploring. Once inside the main keep you can enter the […]
Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland
Forwarded to IFV 4/7/2018 I have yet to see anything more imposing or awe inspiring than the Rock of Cashel. Breathtaking, spellbinding, awesome… These words don’t even do it justice. It was originally built as a fortress in the 4th or 5th century. In the late 7th century St. Patrick baptized a King of Munster […]
Salisbury House, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Salisbury House viewed from the gardens I’m not sure anyone would think to look in Des Moines, Iowa for a 15th century English manor. OK, building began in 1923, at least 400 years after its namesake was built, but the date makes the building no less impressive. Carl Weeks and his wife Edith were in […]
Be a Part of Your Favorite Childhood Tales at Storybook Land
What is your favorite nursery rhyme or story from childhood? Maybe you dreamed of being a knight or princess in a magical castle. Or did you dream of having a farm like Old MacDonald? Maybe you just wanted to click a pair of shiny red shoes together and be transported like Dorothy? You can step […]
Killarney for Kids: Killarney National Park, Ross Castle and Muckross House, Friary and Traditional Farms
Taking the family to Ireland? Ireland Family Vacations has all the information you need to plan your magical holiday! We spent 4 days and 3 nights around Killarney. There is a reason this is one of Ireland’s tourist hot-spots – there is so much to do! We didn’t even scratch the surface. Kid friendly doesn’t […]
Kilkenny Castle, County Kilkenny, Ireland
Kilkenny Castle is the type of castle you picture in your mind. Imposing from the outside, opening to a great park at the rear and a garden with fountains at the front. Kilkenny Castle is almost like a fairy tale. Kilkenny Castle belonged to the Butler family, the earls of Ormande from 1391 to 1967 […]
Offaly, the King’s County of Ireland
On a map you’ll find County Offaly right in the center of Ireland. Named for the kingdom of Uí Failghe, Offaly was once called King’s County. Now County Offaly is often bypassed as tourists drive through the county’s stunning Slieve Bloom Mountains to Ireland’s west coast after arriving in Dublin. Apparently they don’t know what they […]
5 Fun Things to Do in Ireland With Kids
Ireland is, hands down, my favorite place in the world. While I plan our return to her shores I asked Leigh Maher, owner of the online Celtic jewelry store: Irish Celtic Jewels, to share his top 5 kid-friendly tips. On his blog, he shares tips and information about all things Irish, including jewelry, weddings and […]
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, County Clare, Ireland
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park deserves at least half a day. Which half really depends on the age of your children. If your kids are young, as Brenna was when we visited, I would suggest making this your morning stop. Explore the castle, wander through the folk park and let the kids run off their […]
Doolin- Harbour View B&B and Gus O’Connor’s Pub- and the Burren
Our final days in Ireland were spent in the wonderful rooms of Harbour View B&B in Doolin. Harbour View is a purpose built B&B and all I can say is: what a great job they did! You can tell just how much thought went in to making this an inviting guest house. The rooms are […]