Flying from NY to Dublin with 3 young kids, any tips?

[amsafko]

Our original summer vacation was going to be Yellowstone/Rocky Mountians but then my 8 y.o. won the opportunity to study harp in Ireland at a music school. Thus, my first flying experience with all 3 kids (the other two are 6 and 3) went from a few hours to a transatlantic overnight flight. I am a little nervous, any tips/suggestions would be welcomed. We are flying Aer Lingus which appears to have personal tvs on each seat with games and on demand movies. For anyone who's ever traveled to Ireland, any suggestions for once there? We'll be in Dublin just a day before heading out to Cavan County.

Thanks!

 

[Notatourist]

Get a travel book on Ireland and drive. I loved it there and we didn't have to stick to the structure of a tour bus. The kids will love it, the pace is slower and the whole place to me was like a fairy tale with really nice people living there.

Try to catch Inch beach. It's just a beach but the view is outrageous.
Remember you're driving on the other side of the road.
Rain gear is a plus.
See the book of Kells, skip the blarney stone.

Hope This helps.

 

[4 DZNY NUTZ]

Our original summer vacation was going to be Yellowstone/Rocky Mountians but then my 8 y.o. won the opportunity to study harp in Ireland at a music school. Thus, my first flying experience with all 3 kids (the other two are 6 and 3) went from a few hours to a transatlantic overnight flight. I am a little nervous, any tips/suggestions would be welcomed. We are flying Aer Lingus which appears to have personal tvs on each seat with games and on demand movies. For anyone who's ever traveled to Ireland, any suggestions for once there? We'll be in Dublin just a day before heading out to Cavan County.

Thanks!

First, let me say congratulations!!!! My mom was born and raised in Ireland and we have always flown Aer Lingus without any problems....It has been so long since I have been back (and they didnt have personal TV's last time we went!!!) My mom only trusted Aer Lingus...she used to tell me that all the planes are blessed by priests and made her feel more comfortable about the flight. We have never stayed in Dublin so I cant give you any info on where to go or what to do....the only thing I can tell you is to make sure you visit local pubs/restaurants...you will thoroughly enjoy it!!! Have fun and enjoy

BTW....Hello fellow South Jerseyan!!!

 

[clarabelle]

I went to Dublin last year
Lets see
Things the kids might like
There is a zoo -we didn't do that -but others in our group did and enjoyed it
Dublina -Viking history museum
Grafton Street - shopping and it is all foot traffic -no cars.
St. Stephens Green -beautiful park with statues -and they could run around a little

The 29 house -a Georgian Townhouse that you can tour. This might be a little dull for the kids-depends on your kids

 

[fraggle551]

I just lived in Ireland for 6 months. Can I come and be your babysitter?! I would LOVE to go back more than anything. What music school is he studying at? Aer Lingus was great, but didn't have the tv's when I went and that was last year. The flight attendents were so incredibly nice and did anything to make you feel welcome and comfortable. Honestly, I took Nyquil and slept the whole way. 7 hours is a LONG time in the air.

I'll PM you with some more stuff tomorrow or over the weekend if thats ok - heading to bed now.

 

[amsafko]

Thanks for the info. so far. Can anyone tell me their opinions on Dublinia - I've heard everything from cheesy to great? Grafton Street sounds great as well as St. Stephen's park. Are there street performers on Grafton St.? My kids would love that.

It is so great to hear such positive feedback about the airline, a search online gives such varied reviews that it's too frustrating to go through them all.

We actually did consider taking someone along to help with the kids when we first booked but it would make everything from car rental to accommodations even pricier. But heck, my mom had 8 kids and travelled everywhere with us with no help (no flying though, too costly for such a large brood). The school my daughter is attending is a summer music school leading up to the All-Ireland competition which she will then compete in. Feel free to PM me though, would love to hear your experiences.

4 DZNY NUTZ: small world huh? I grew up in Washington Twp. and would drive through your town to get to the Echelon Mall.

 

[DMRick]

Congratulations on a great trip. My son and his wife live in Ireland outside of Dublin (he met her nine years ago, when her and her girlfriends came from Ireland and him and his friends landed on the same corner in NYC to watch the St Patrick's Day parade). We all (21 of us) traveled over for their wedding and have been several times since (and now that they have a baby, we'll go more often). It's a beautiful area, and each time we go, we fall in love with the city some more.

Not all of the Aer Lingus planes have the individual tv/screens, just so you know. Many do, but not all.

The best thing we've done is gone on the hop on hop off bus. It's great, and we've done it several times. We also walk all over the city, there is so much to see. The Duck boats are also fun..we've done them in several places, and it's a wonderful way to see the area.

Eating in pubs are wonderful..very filling food for decent prices.And yes, there are street performers at Grafton Street. Some singers, guitar players, flddlers, etc.

 

[clarabelle]

Dublina was cheesey for sure. The kind of thing that kids would go to on a field trip. But still interesting and geared towards children.

Do you have an ipod? You could load it up with movies and recorded books or bring a portable DVD player.

My daughter plays harp too! But it sounds like your daughter is really something special.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

We went to Ireland for St Patrick's Day and had a blast! Although we did not fly Aer Lingus (we were on Delta), I recommend packing a few snacks for your kids to eat. (Our in-flight meals were terrible and there is no way my kids would have ever touched them). Pack a carry on with books, small games, or even coloring books and crayons for your youngest. They will probably sleep on the overnight flight going over, but if you have a day time return flight you will need to be prepared to entertain them.

As far as Dublin goes, there are so many different things to see and do that a day really isn't a lot of time. If it were me, I would probably just buy a Hop on/Hop off bus pass and try to see as much as possible. Some of the sights are a bit spread out in Dublin, and if your kids are like mine, they can't handle a day of non-stop walking.

Hope you guys have a great time!!