After almost two weeks on the road, arriving in Dublin with kids felt a little different to our previous stops, like Toronto and Bali.
Probably because stepping off the plane in Dublin marked a pretty special milestone: Ireland became the 42nd country both Dan and I have visited together.
When we first started travelling as a couple in 2009 and moved overseas in 2012, I don’t think either of us imagined we’d one day be sharing those adventures with our two kids. Watching them experience new countries has become one of our greatest joys of travelling.
A home away from home
But that wasn’t the only reason Dublin felt different. It was because we weren’t checking into a hotel or apartment, but staying with a old friend and his beautiful family.
That simple difference completely changed our experience of the city.
Chonnail and Laura welcomed us into their home for two nights and immediately made us feel like part of the family. Travelling for six and a half weeks is incredible, but there’s something special about spending a few days in a real home… sharing meals, swapping stories and giving the kids a chance to simply play.
It was exactly what we needed.
Making a splash in Dublin
Chonnail’s hospitality didn’t stop at offering his home to us. It extended to showing us all the important sights and taking us on fun adventures… Like a unique tour around the city.
If there’s one activity I’d recommend to anyone visiting Dublin with kids, it’s the Viking Splash Tour.
It’s part city tour, part comedy show, part boat ride. And an overall great time!
The brightly coloured amphibious vehicle looks wonderfully ridiculous, and that’s exactly the point.
Our Viking guide had everyone laughing from the moment we climbed aboard. Armed with Viking helmets with horns, we roared our way through Dublin’s streets before the vehicle drove straight into the water and turned into a boat.
The adults absolutely loved it, as did one of the kids… the other was a little more than nervous.
It was one of those attractions that manages to be genuinely entertaining while still teaching you plenty about Dublin’s fascinating history.
And, of course, we had to treat ourselves to a pub lunch while Dan attempted to “split the G” on a pint or two of the dark stuff.
Phoenix Park and Ireland’s national sport
The following day was much slower.
One of the things we try to do while travelling is balance the big-ticket attractions with simple days where the kids can just run.
Phoenix Park was perfect for that.
As one of the largest enclosed city parks in Europe, it somehow feels both enormous and peaceful at the same time. Wide open spaces, tree-lined avenues and plenty of room to explore made it an easy place to spend a few relaxed hours.
Before we arrived, Chonnail had surprised the kids with their very own hurling sticks.
Neither of them had played before, so naturally the park became their practice field. And it was great to show them that the national sport of Ireland actually involves sticks and balls outside… Not a glass and “splitting the G”.
Hurling is often described as the fastest field sport in the world, combining elements of hockey, lacrosse and baseball, and it didn’t take long for the boys to discover that hitting a tiny sliotar cleanly is much harder than it looks.
There were plenty of missed swings.
Plenty of laughter.
And just enough successful hits to convince them they might have promising careers ahead.
Watching the kids try to learn a sport that’s such an important part of Irish culture was one of those simple travel moments we’ll remember for years.
Thanks again, Chonnail!
A pint at the Guinness Storehouse
No first visit to Dublin would feel complete without visiting the Guinness Storehouse.
Even before you step inside, it’s an impressive building. Spread across seven floors inside a former fermentation plant, the self-guided experience walks you through more than 250 years of Guinness history — from the ingredients and brewing process to the iconic advertising campaigns that made the brand famous around the world.
The kids were fascinated by the interactive displays, while Dan and I enjoyed learning about the craftsmanship behind Ireland’s most famous export.
The highlight, though, is right at the top.
The Gravity Bar offers spectacular 360-degree views across Dublin, making it one of the best vantage points in the city. Sipping a perfectly poured pint while looking out across the rooftops felt like the perfect way to celebrate our visit.
That evening we enjoyed a takeaway while we watched Australia’s Socceroos get knocked out of the FIFA World Cup match. It wasn’t quite the sporting result we’d hoped for, but somehow watching the match with an Aussie mate in Dublin made the disappointment a little easier to take.
A city we’ll happily return to
Two nights was never going to be enough to properly explore Dublin. There were plenty of places we simply didn’t have time to visit and that gives us a great excuse to go back.
This stop wasn’t really about ticking attractions off a list.
It was about catching up with friends, sharing a little slice of everyday Irish life, introducing the kids to hurling, laughing our way around the city on a Viking boat, enjoying a pint with a view, and creating memories with people who made us feel so welcome.
To Chonnail and Laura: thank you for opening your home to us, showing us your city and making our short stay so memorable.
We’ll be back. And next time, we’ll make it longer.
Leave a Reply