Dublin to Galway Road Trip: Best Stops for Families

The drive from Dublin to Galway is the most common journey in Irish tourism. It cuts the country in half, linking the capital of the East to the capital of the West.

If you type it into Google Maps, it will tell you to take the M4/M6 Motorway. It will promise you a travel time of 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Do not fall for this trap.

Yes, the motorway is fast. It is also incredibly boring. It bypasses the entire center of Ireland—the "Hidden Heartlands"—leaving you staring at grey asphalt and toll booths.

For families, we recommend turning this transfer into a full-day adventure. By adding just three strategic stops, you can explore Viking rivers, ancient monasteries, and the oldest pub in the world, all before checking into your hotel in Galway.

(This route connects our two main itinerary hubs. If you are building a longer trip, see how this drive fits into our Ireland Family Travel Itineraries master guide).

The "Boring Motorway" vs. The Adventure Route

The key to this road trip is the Midlands. This region is often ignored by tour buses racing to the Cliffs of Moher, which means it is quiet, authentic, and perfect for kids who need to burn off energy.

Here is our curated Dublin to Galway Family Route.

Stop 1: The Energy Burner (Belvedere House)

• Location: Mullingar (45 mins from Dublin).
• The Vibe: Victorian gothic weirdness and massive playgrounds.

Belvedere House is the perfect first stop to let the kids scream. It is famous for the "Jealous Wall", a massive fake ruin built by a wealthy Earl specifically to block the view of his brother’s house because he hated him. (A level of petty that even siblings in the back seat can appreciate).

• For Kids: There are four different playgrounds, a zip line, and a "Fairy Garden" hidden in the woods. It is a safe, enclosed space where they can run wild.
• For Parents: The house itself has a fascinating, scandalous history, and the coffee shop serves excellent scones.

Stop 2: The Oldest Pub in the World (Sean's Bar, Athlone)

• Location: Athlone (45 mins from Belvedere).
• The Vibe: Ancient history and a pint.

Athlone is the geographical center of Ireland. It sits on the banks of the mighty River Shannon.

• The Attraction: Sean’s Bar. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this is the oldest pub in Ireland (and likely the world), dating back to 900 AD.
• Is it Kid-Friendly? Yes! Until 9:00 PM, children are welcome. The floor is covered in sawdust, the walls are made of wattle and wicker, and there is often live music in the afternoon.
• The Lunch Plan: Grab a "Toastie" (toasted ham and cheese sandwich) at Sean's or head next door to The Left Bank Bistro for a proper sit-down meal.

(Navigating pub rules with kids can be tricky. Refresh your memory with our guide to Eating Out in Ireland with Kids).

Stop 3: The Ancient Ruins (Clonmacnoise)

• Location: Offaly (20 mins south of Athlone).
• The Vibe: Spiritual, silent, and spectacular.

You have to detour off the motorway to find this, but it is worth every mile. Clonmacnoise is a 6th-century monastic city founded by St. Ciarán. It was once the center of religion and learning in Europe.

• For Kids: It looks like a fantasy movie set. There are high stone crosses, round towers (used to hide from Vikings), and ruins of old cathedrals. It is an open-air site, so children can walk on the grass and explore the structures without being "shushed" like in a museum.
• The Photo Op: The view of the ruins against the River Shannon is one of the definitive images of Ireland.

Stop 4: The Fields of Athenry (Athenry)

• Location: Galway (45 mins from Clonmacnoise).
• The Vibe: Medieval walls and archery.

You’ve heard the famous song "The Fields of Athenry"—now see the town. Athenry is one of the best-preserved medieval walled towns in Ireland.

• The Activity: Visit the Athenry Heritage Centre. It is brilliantly focused on kids. They can dress up in medieval costumes (knights and princesses), try their hand at archery, and wander through a medieval maze.
• The Castle: Athenry Castle is a restored tower house that is easy to climb and offers great views of the town walls.

Arrival: Galway City

You will arrive in Galway around 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM, perfectly timed to check into your accommodation. We strongly recommend staying in Salthill if you have kids, as it offers immediate access to the beach and promenade.

(Need help choosing where to sleep? Read our comparison of Galway hotels vs. rentals in Staying in Ireland: Best Family-Friendly Accommodations).

Why a Private Driver Makes This Day Possible

You might be thinking, "Can't I just rent a car and drive this myself?"

Technically, yes. But here is the reality of the self-drive version:

1. The "One Pint" Problem: You cannot visit Sean’s Bar, the oldest pub in the world, and have a pint of Guinness if you are driving. Ireland’s drink-drive laws are strictly zero-tolerance. A private driver lets you enjoy the history (and the beer) while they stick to sparkling water.
2. The Navigation Nightmare: Getting to Clonmacnoise involves leaving the motorway and navigating narrow, winding country roads ("boreens"). For a tired parent on the wrong side of the road, this is stressful. For a local driver, it’s a standard Tuesday.
3. The "Are We There Yet?" Buffer: A driver allows you to sit in the back with your kids, play games, hand out snacks, and actually engage with them, rather than stressing about the GPS and the roundabouts.

Turn the Transfer into a Tour

Don't waste a day of your vacation on the motorway. Hire a driver to unlock the Hidden Heartlands and arrive in Galway refreshed, not frazzled.

Find a Dublin-to-Galway Private Driver Now →