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Family Vacations to Ireland and Scotland

Custom family-friendly vacations for the entire clan starting at $1,292*

Travel inspiration for your family vacation to Ireland & Scotland

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Regardless of how you define “family”, travelling with your loved ones on a trip to Ireland with Brendan Vacations ensures you’ll come back with your own Celtic story filled with memories for years to come. Discover all that our homeland has to offer you, your kids, your parents, and your extended family. The experiences you each desire from a vacation will be handcrafted by our Celtic experts. So, whether that’s dining, hiking, biking, falconry at a castle, or simply taking a walking food tour… we’ve got you covered.

 

"A little bit of crazy, a little bit of loud,

a whole lot of love."

Explore the top places to eat, see and stay for the best family vacation.

  • Food Tours
  • Cooking Classes
  • Falconry Lessons
  • Medieval Castles
  • Ancestry Journeys
  • Horseback Riding
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Traditional Sports
  • Game of Thrones Tour

Top places for families to eat and drink in Ireland

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There’s nothing better than enjoying a fun family meal together and thanks to the knowledge of our local experts pointing you in the right direction, your entire family is guaranteed to leave with a belly filled with delicious eats.

Dublin food tour in Ireland

Dublin Food Tour

This delicious food tour takes your family to local shops and restaurants; giving you the opportunity to taste authentic dishes like Shepherd’s Pie and creamy local ice cream. As you eat, stroll, and gab, you’ll learn all about the history behind every flavour.

Bread making at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland

Bread Making in Tracey’s Farmhouse

Join our local host, Tracey Jeffrey, in her cozy 18th century cottage as she teaches your family the secrets of homemade buttermilk, jam, and traditional Irish bread; baked with a little help from you, of course!

Eating and drinking guinness in Dublin, Ireland

Galway Food Tour

Get to know the streets of the city with its impressive repertoire of gourmet food and drink in the company of our knowledgeable guide, Sheena Dignam. Your family will meet artisanal producers and restaurateurs as you sample the tastes of local eateries along the way.

Top activities for multi-generational families in Ireland

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Calling all family members: young & old. There’s no place like Ireland when it comes to finding a variety of activities to entertain the whole clan.

Falconry at Ashford Castle in Cong, Ireland

Falconry at Ashford Castle

Venture through the mystical woodlands of Ashford Castle and you’ll find the oldest falconry school in all of Ireland. Get up close & personal with these majestic birds of prey to test your bravery as they soar from the sky to perch on the leather-clad limbs of you and your loved ones.

EPIC Museum in Dublin, Ireland

Ireland & Genealogy

Immerse your whole family into the footsteps of your ancestors’ past as we take you on a journey into the roots of your heritage. From local neighborhoods, to the EPIC museum, our personalised Genealogist will help you uncover all the history.

Jaunting cart in Killarney, Ireland

Killarney Jaunting Cart

Step back in time on a traditional horse and carriage jaunting cart; letting our knowledgeable tour guide lead your family through the streets of town. There’s nothing but history, legends, beautiful views and the charm of Ireland ahead surrounding the stunning lakes and hidden delights of Killarney National Park.

Sea kayaking in Dingle, Ireland

Dingle Sea Kayaking

Take a half-day journey on the beautiful waters and intricate sea caves of Dingle; a small port town packed with character and charm. No worries if your family is brand new to kayaking, our local tour guides will give everyone a quick lesson before making your way along the shore. You won’t get views like this anywhere else.

Top activities for families with kids in Ireland

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Get the gang outdoors for a breath of fresh, crisp Celtic air and journey with your family into the heart of Ireland with these hand-selected, family-friendly activities. 

Hurling in Kilkenny, Ireland

Kilkenny Hurling Experience

There’s no better way to seal a family bond than with a little healthy competition. Be a part of this 3,000 year old Ancient Celtic sport and learn a few of the moves from the locals, themselves.

Game of thrones experience at Winterfell in Northern Ireland

Game of Thrones Tour

Immerse yourself in the story, fully adorned in costume, as you transform into the characters of the show (famed for its extraordinary sets) in the castle where Winterfell was filmed.

Horse riding in Sligo, Ireland

Sligo Horse Riding

Join us for a spectacular tour along the Wild Atlantic Way on horseback with your local skilled guide and archaeologist. Your family will explore the unspoiled County Sligo, filled with picture-perfect seascapes, secluded beaches and majestic mountain ranges; home to one of only five tabletop mountains in the world.

Best places for families to stay in Ireland

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In need of a good night’s sleep after a full day of fun? Well, these top family destinations offer comfy accommodations, but they’re so much more than just a place to stay.

The Merion Dublin Ireland

The Merrion

The Merrion in Dublin is sure to be a hit with any family. It’s located right in the center of Dublin (around the corner from our own Brendan office) and has a lovely internal garden that children can safely play in.

Mount Juliet Thomastown Ireland

Mount Juliet

Just a stone’s throw away from the local village of Thomastown, this location is filled with lovely walks, cafes and little shops nearby for the family to explore. Mount Juliet was also a family home until 1989 and remains one of Ireland's finest country houses to this day.

Carton House Estate Kildare Ireland

The Carton

Located just twenty minutes from Dublin on 1,100 acres of private parkland estate, Carton House Resort is an all-encompassing playground, ideal for families of every generation. In addition to the historic mansion, the hotel features 2 championship golf courses, 3 fabulous eateries, an 18-meter swimming pool and Carton Spa.

Sample itineraries for multi-generational

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Here are some sample itineraries to get you dreaming. Our Celtic Experts can work with you to customise and build your vacation of a lifetime.

Sample itineraries for families with kids in Ireland

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Ancestry trips in Ireland

Retrace the footsteps of your heritage

Learn more about your family history, find long-lost relatives, or visit the neighborhoods your ancestors once called home with a little help from our personal genealogists and local specialists.

Brendan Vacations Dublin team in Ireland

Meet our family

From our home base in Dublin’s iconic Merrion Square, our Brendan team (AKA family) is here to serve you and your loved ones as your local Ireland experts. We are committed to providing a variety of activities and adventures for everyone.

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Terms & Conditions: *$1,292 from pricing is based on Ireland Coast to Coast on January 02. Price is per person, land only and based on double occupancy. Subject to availability; varies by inclusions and travel dates. Conditions apply. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the enclosed content. Brendan Vacations cannot be held responsible for typographical errors or errors arising from unforeseen circumstances. Other conditions may apply. CST# 2084503-20