7 Days in Ireland with Kids: The "No-Tears" Express Itinerary

If you try to see the entire Emerald Isle in seven days, you will fail.

This is the hard truth we tell every American family planning their first trip. Ireland looks small on Google Maps, but the roads are winding, the sights are dense, and the "quick drive" from Dublin to Dingle can easily turn into a four-hour ordeal of motion sickness and cranky toddlers.

For a seven-day trip, the secret to success is subtraction. You cannot do the Ring of Kerry and the Giant’s Causeway and Galway. You must choose a logical loop that minimizes car time and maximizes play time.

This guide outlines our "No-Tears" Express Itinerary. It is a tested, battle-hardened route that uses just two main bases (Dublin and Galway) to cover the highlights—Cliffs of Moher, Castles, and City Culture—without turning your vacation into a marathon.

(Planning the logistics? Before you book flights, make sure to read our Complete Family Guide to Traveling in Ireland with Kids. To see how this 7-day loop fits into a longer trip, check out our master Ireland Family Travel Itinerary).

The Secret to a Relaxing Trip: Two Bases, No Daily Packing

The biggest cause of family travel stress is the "One-Night Stand"—checking into a new hotel every single night. Packing and unpacking suitcases for a family of four daily is a recipe for burnout.

This itinerary is designed to avoid that by using just three simple stops:

1. Stop 1: Dublin (2 Nights) – Explore the capital and recover from the flight.
2. Stop 2: Galway (3 Nights) – Your base for the Wild Atlantic Way.
3. Stop 3: Clare/Shannon (1 Night) – A final castle stay before flying out.

Days 1-2: The Dublin Landing (The Soft Landing)

Day 1: Arrival & Survival

Most US flights land early in the morning. Your only goal today is to stay awake until 8:00 PM to beat the jet lag.

• Morning (Fresh Air): Drop bags at your hotel. Do not nap yet! Head straight to Phoenix Park. It’s massive, safe, and the fresh air is the best cure for groggy kids. Look for the wild fallow deer herd near the Papal Cross.
• Lunch: Grab a casual lunch near Grafton Street.
• Afternoon (Zoo or Museum): If the weather holds, visit Dublin Zoo. If it rains, hit Imaginosity (The Children’s Museum) or EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
• Evening: Early dinner (5:30 PM) at a family-friendly pub and bed by 7:30 PM.

(Insider Tip: The first 48 hours are critical. We have a specific protocol for this in our article on Handling Jet Lag and Time Zone Changes for Kids).

Day 2: Vikings, History & The Walking Guide

Now that you are rested, tackle the city. But don't just wander aimlessly.

• The "Viking" Experience: Start with the Viking Splash Tour. It’s a WWII amphibious vehicle that drives into the water. It’s loud, cheesy, and kids absolutely love wearing the horned helmets and roaring at pedestrians.
• The Private Walking Tour: In the afternoon, hire a Family-Specialist Walking Guide.
  • Why? Dublin’s history is complex. A standard tour will bore kids. A family guide knows the "horrible histories"—the Vikings, the battles, and the ghosts of Dublin Castle. They tailor the route to keep little legs from getting tired and know exactly where the best ice cream stops are.
• Dinner: Try Thunder Road Café in Temple Bar for a loud, fun, kid-centric meal.

(Need more ideas? Check out our top 5 picks in Best Things to Do in Dublin with Kids).

Day 3: The Great Crossing (Dublin to Galway)

Today you cross the country. On a map, it’s a boring motorway drive. With the right plan, it’s a journey through the "Hidden Heartlands."

• The Mistake: Taking the train means you zoom past the history.
• The "No-Tears" Plan: Hire a Private Driver for this transfer. It turns a transit day into a tour day.

Stop 1: Clonmacnoise

Halfway across, stop at this 6th-century monastic city on the River Shannon. It’s an enclosed ruin site where kids can run safely among high crosses and round towers while you soak in the history.

Stop 2: Sean’s Bar (Athlone)

Visit the oldest pub in Ireland (and possibly the world). It’s kid-friendly during the day and a perfect spot for a toast halfway across the island. A driver allows you to enjoy a pint without worrying about the road ahead.

(See our full breakdown of transport options in Navigating Ireland’s Public Transport & Car Rentals with Kids).

Arrival: Check into your Galway base. We recommend staying in Salthill for easy access to the beach and promenade.

Days 4-5: The Wild West (Galway Hub)

Day 4: Connemara & The Nature Guide

Head north into the savage beauty of Connemara.

• Morning: Visit Kylemore Abbey. It looks like a Disney castle. The Victorian Walled Garden is a great space for kids to explore, and there is a shuttle bus that makes it easy on little legs.
• The Nature Guide Option: Instead of just walking aimlessly, hire a Connemara Nature Guide for a half-day.
  • Why? They can take you on a "Bog Safari." They show kids carnivorous plants (sundews), explain how turf is cut, and spot wild mountain goats. It transforms a "boring walk" into a biology lesson.
• Afternoon: If your family is active, do the Lower Diamond Hill loop walk in Connemara National Park. It’s paved and offers epic views without a hard climb.

(Read our full guide to these spots in Kid-Friendly Day Trips from Galway).

Day 5: The City of Tribes & The Beach

Take a "lazy" day to recharge.

• Morning: Walk the Latin Quarter in Galway City. Watch the buskers (street performers) and get a pastry at the market.
• Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at Silver Strand Beach or the Salthill Promenade. Let the kids play in the sand and eat ice cream while you watch the Atlantic.
• Dinner: Fish and chips at McDonagh’s on Quay Street—voted the best in Ireland.

(Check out our list of the best family spots in Eating Out in Ireland with Kids).

Day 6: Cliffs, Caves & Castles (The Grand Finale)

This is the big sightseeing day as you head south from Galway into County Clare.

Stop 1: The Burren (The Lunar Landscape)

Drive through the grey, rocky landscape of the Burren. Stop at the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb older than the pyramids. It’s a quick, impressive stop.

Stop 2: Cliffs of Moher

The most famous site in Ireland.

• The Warning: It is windy and crowded. Hold hands tightly.
• The Hack: Skip the main visitor center crowds and ask your driver to take you to Hag’s Head or Guerin’s Path for a quieter view.

Stop 3: Bunratty Castle

End your day (and trip) at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. This is the best castle for kids in Ireland. It has a folk village, animals, and a massive Viking Playground.

• The Stay: Stay in a hotel near Bunratty or Shannon Airport for a stress-free departure morning.

(Why is this castle the best? We explain in The Best Castles in Ireland for Families).

Day 7: Slán Abhaile (Safe Home)

If you stayed in Bunratty, you are 15 minutes from Shannon Airport (SNN). This is the ultimate "No-Tears" hack—flying into Dublin and out of Shannon means you never have to drive back across the country.

If you must fly out of Dublin, prepare for a 2.5-hour motorway drive back to DUB airport. Make sure you have your Essential Family Packing List handy to ensure no teddy bears are left behind!

Why You Need a Guide (Not Just a Driver)

You could rent a car and drive this route yourself. But on a short 7-day trip, every hour counts. Here is why hiring professionals makes the difference:

1. The Private Driver: They eliminate the "logistics lag." No fighting with car seats at the rental desk. No circling for parking in Galway. No stress on the narrow roads of the Burren. You are free to look out the window and play "I Spy" with your kids.
2. The Walking Guide (Dublin): They turn a confusing city into a playground. They know the shortcuts, the stories that actually interest 7-year-olds (Viking poop is a popular topic), and the cleanest restrooms.
3. The Nature Guide (Connemara): They unlock the landscape. Without a guide, a bog is just mud. With a guide, it’s a carnivorous plant habitat and a history lesson on the Famine.

Book Your Stress-Free 7-Day Tour

Don't spend your week staring at Google Maps or arguing with a GPS. Hire local experts to handle the roads and the history while you handle the memories.

Find a Family-Friendly Private Driver or Walking Guide in Ireland →