Trips, should I say adventures, have a knack for just happening in my family.

We were trying to plan a trip to the Loire Valley for a family wedding.I’d done my homework; sketched out a rough itinerary in my notebook and lined up hotel reservations. I had everything but plane tickets. Flights into Paris were off the charts expensive. I had been watching, waiting and hoping for a serious airfare war.

Because Ireland is a relatively small country, visitors tend to try and see “everything” in the course of one week. (Lots of friends and family fly into Dublin, drive through Wicklow, kiss the Blarney Stone in Waterford, head to Cork City, eat lunch in Kinsale, drive the Ring of Kerry, ascend the Cliffs of Moher, cruise through the amazing Burren, throw back a Guinness at a trad session in Galway, marvel at awe-inspiring Connemara, and pose in front of Kylemore Abbey before heading back to Dublin to fly home.

They are literally in tatters upon their return.

Planning a family trip to Ireland? Consider spending a number of days in the country’s largest city, Dublin. There is much to recommend Dublin for a family summer holiday. My kids love the long days and ancient feel to the city. And when they’ve had enough of urban life, the countryside—filled with farms, castles and greenery—is just a short jaunt away.

Please note that if you’re traveling to Dublin outside of the high season (May – September), some attractions may be closed or have limited hours.

Ashford Castle is one of those magical places in Europe where you feel like you’ve literally stepped into the past. The massive, perfectly preserved exterior of this 13th century castle is …

We just returned from a week-long family vacation in the beautiful area around Galway, Ireland. We, 9 adults and 7 children, rented a lovely manor 30….

Considering my last name is O’Shaughnessy, you’d think we’d have a long list of Irish properties on Ciao Bambino by now. I haven’t been there yet with kids, but I know from my adult excursions …