r/irishtourism • u/Fuzzy-Impression-943 • 40m ago
third times a charm
Traveling with an 18 month old & my husband | here’s a quick run down of what we’re hoping for vibes wise. We’re foodies, love outdoors, and have access to our stroller with larger wheels, not all terrain. Seasoned in long distance travel, not too worried if we’re stopping long the way! Thoughts?
We fly WED — Fly BOS → DUB, Thursday AM.
Ideas:
- Stop at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park on the way to Doolin — outdoor, stroller-friendly, animals to see, good for burning toddler energy after the overnight flight. Grab lunch at the Bunratty café or push on to Doolin for dinner.
Days 1-3 Doolin (Airbnb)
- Cliffs of Moher: go early (opens 8am) to beat crowds and wind. The paved main trail near the visitor center is stroller-friendly; the cliff-edge trail further out is not (steep drop-offs, no barriers in spots) — a carrier is safer there.
- The Burren: Poulnabrone Dolmen is a quick, flat, walkable stop. Ailwee Cave has a "Birds of Prey" show that's a hit with little kids.
- Doolin Cave: nice grounds/nature trail even if you skip the cave tour.
- Food, kid-friendly: McDermott's, McGann's, and Fitzpatrick's pubs are relaxed with kids and have lively trad music. Stonewall Wood-Fired Pizzeria is easy/casual. Doolin Cafe and Fabiola's Patisserie are good for breakfast/coffee.
DAY 3 — Doolin → Belfast
Long driving day (~4.5–5 hrs). Consider splitting it with a stop in Galway (bright, walkable Latin Quarter, easy stroller streets) or routing through Sligo/Enniskillen for scenery instead of straight highway. Build in a real lunch stop with a high chair rather than eating in the car.
Day 3-6 — Belfast, Culloden Estate & Spa
- dad | golf: the hotel sits right next to Royal Belfast Golf Club (Ireland's oldest club, on Belfast Lough) and just minutes from Holywood Golf Club (Rory McIlroy's home course). The Culloden concierge can arrange tee times directly.
- mom| Spa day: the hotel's own Spa at Culloden uses ESPA treatments and has a pool, hammam, and hot tub — no need to leave the property. Book in advance, especially for a weekday.
- While one of you is golfing/at the spa, the other + toddler have easy options nearby: Holywood village is walkable with cafés, or Cultra/Ulster Folk Museum (outdoor, hands-on, stroller-friendly) is a short drive away.
- Belfast city day: Titanic Belfast has a good café and is manageable with a stroller (elevators throughout). Botanic Gardens and the Palm House are a nice relaxed toddler stop.
- Food: the hotel's Mitre and Vespers restaurants are solid for in-house dinners with a little one. In the city, casual/kid-friendly options are easy to find around Cathedral Quarter.
Day 6 - Belfast → Dublin (Airbnb, 1 night)
About 2 hrs drive. Leave by early-mid afternoon to have time to settle in and do a relaxed evening in Dublin before the Wednesday flight.
Day 7 evening / — Dublin
- Toddler-friendly food: Gaillot et Gray (sourdough pizza, kids' books/toys on hand), or The Woollen Mills by the Ha'penny Bridge (relaxed, good produce-forward menu).
- Keep it light — a walk along the Liffey or a short visit to St. Stephen's Green (flat paths, ducks, playground) is plenty before the flight.