The Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Ireland | Condé Nast Traveler

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From atmospheric fairytale castles to full-throttle resorts with activities from dawn till dusk and hip new arrivals on the scene, these are our pick of the best hotels in Ireland that appeal across the generations. Whether you're traveling with little ones or a multi-generational group, these properties across the Emerald Isle are perfect for your next getaway.

When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.

What child wouldn’t want to spend the night in a real, live castle, with turrets and suits of armor and princess-and-the-pea four-poster beds? Younger guests are especially well looked after here, with egg hunts on the leafy grounds at Easter, treats delivered to the room for movie nights, and junior bathrobes and slippers after bubble baths in a grand tub. This being a castle, there are also regal pursuits for families, including falconry and archery, plus go karts and bicycles to zip around on. Children are welcome in the chandeliered Earl of Thomond dining room, where their very own menu includes mini steak and chips followed by a banana split or tutti fruity. Teens get to carve out their own time, with stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking across the inky lake, and everyone will be happy with the huge breakfast spread, from berry-packed smoothies to freshly baked scones and brioche French toast. For parents craving downtime, the subterranean spa is fresh from a 2023 makeover—a heavenly cocoon within the castle walls.

Address: Dromoland Castle, Newmarket on Fergus, County ClarePrice: Family Deluxe rooms from about $662 per night

It might not have all the kiddie-themed bells and whistles of other family hotels, but this laidback, log-fire-crackling Georgian country house on the shores of Lough Swilly has something many others do not: a sandy beach at the end of the garden (buckets, spades, and fishing nets provided if you’ve forgotten your own). Tuck into crowd-pleasing, locally sourced fish and chips in the Cellar Bar and homemade chocolate-chip cookies in the lounge; in summer the popular Pavilion is set up in the grounds, serving stone-baked pizzas and craft ales brewed down the road. Those seven acres of grounds can also accommodate games of boules and croquet on the lawns and high-summer performances of fairy tales in the gardens. An indoor pool and interconnecting family rooms boost the multi-gen appeal (book the latter early as they get scooped up during school holidays). A lived-in, much-loved house that feels like home.

Address: Rathmullan House, Rathmullan, County DonegalPrice: Family rooms from about $286 per night

This gothic-esque pile, set above a little cove of the Kenmare River, is a perennial favorite among families with teenagers in particular; They even have their own dedicated space, the Hideout, with table tennis, air hockey, and a pool table. As well as the option of family rooms in the main hotel, there are two-bedroom courtyard lodges and larger woodland villas. This clever self-catering set-up includes access to the hotel’s bars and restaurants, pool, hot tubs, and activities. Book in for sea kayaking around the inlets of the bay or discovery walks to learn about the flora and fauna along the seashore. There are also murder mysteries to be solved and impossible missions to be completed—the daily schedule is action-packed. Doolittle bar serves scampi and fries after a day in the fresh air, while the white-tablecloth Pygmalion restaurant is a place to dress up for goat’s cheese arancini and slow-cooked pork belly.

Address: Parknasilla Resort & Spa, Sneem, Co KerryPrice: Family rooms from about $299 per night

With its 500 rolling acres, handsome wisteria-clad mansion, and manicured golf greens, Mount Juliet Estate appears grand on arrival. But first impressions can be deceiving, because here, at one of Ireland’s original country-house stays, the grandeur belies the kind-hearted, down-to-earth staff who make families with kids in tow feel right at home. Early dinner interrupted by a restless one-year-old? No problem, they can send your main course up to your room. Need an experienced babysitter while you enjoy a nine-course feast in the Michelin-starred Lady Helen restaurant in the manor house? They know just the person. There are huge interconnecting suites for multi-gen gatherings, fairy trails to stomp through, and a walled garden for hide and seek; there’s also a golf academy for budding Rory McIlroys, nightly blockbusters in the basement cinema, a bells-and-whistles kids’ club, and children’s afternoon tea. Grown-ups get a look-in too, with treatments using Irish brand Ground in the spa and fishing on the two rivers that run through the grounds.

Address: Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, County KilkennyPrice: Family rooms from about $403 per night

There’s a great buzz when you walk into the lobby of this lakeside stalwart, set on the edge of a national park in the tourist hub of Killarney. Families young and old make the most of the double-height, light-filled space, hatching plans for the day over morning coffee as a backdrop of jagged mountains changes colors with the clouds. The Europe is a plush base for a weekend break exploring this scenic corner of the country. But there’s also lots to do on site: complimentary rides around the grounds on caramel-colored Haflinger ponies, a decent playground and gardens to let loose in, as well as chess boards in the cozy library with its chocolate-brown Chesterfields. But the main attraction is the huge infinity pool that feels like an extension of the lake. Thoughtful touches enhance a family stay such as cinema nights for kids while parents tuck into Dingle gin and tonic salmon and local lamb at the Panorama restaurant, while the pizzas in poolside Riva are a hit with everyone.

Address: The Europe Hotel & Resort, Killarney, County KerryPrice: Family rooms from about $675

Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa, County Wexford

For many people in Ireland, the name “Kelly’s” conjures up memories of crazy golf in the sunshine, fingers like prunes from hours spent in the pool, trays of tiny cakes for afternoon tea and flapping to the Birdie Song at the kids’ club. This hotel set the standard for family breaks decades ago and it’s still helping its large fanbase of repeat customers to create new memories. But Bill Kelly, the fifth generation of the family to run it, is not resting on his laurels: new additions include the sleek, glass-fronted Sea Rooms restaurant for seven-course tasting menus with dishes such as barbecued lobster with clementine and dill, and the creation of a field-to-fork supply chain from the hotel’s kitchen garden. Activities for all ages are a given; the weekly schedule for adults includes everything from pickleball to ballroom dancing, while kids get sucked into clay sculpting and shell hunts on the beach. This is an old-school classic that knows how to have fun.

Address: Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa, Rosslare, County WexfordPrice: From about $195 per person per night half board, with child reductions varying by age

Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, County Cork

Nautical nods are everywhere in this family-run retreat on the edge of the rolling Atlantic. The big draw for a multi-gen break is Blue Flag Inchydoney beach, where budding young surfers can gain serious skills at Ireland’s longest running surf school. Other water-based activities nearby include boat tours for whale watching and dolphin spotting, and for rainy days there’s a heated indoor pool that’s filled daily with saltwater from the ocean. For extra space to store all the beach gear, book one of the self-catering apartments with terraces or balconies overlooking the sea. Back in the hotel, there’s a children’s lounge with board games, books, and giant Connect 4, and a pool room for teenagers. The impressive kids’ menu at Dunes Bistro elevates the standard offering, with baby bowls for little ones, plus mildly spiced curries and banana boats. Or there’s always ice-cream-topped waffles from the Silver Surfer, the shiny Airstream food truck pitched up on the path to the beach.

Address: Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Clonakilty, County CorkPrice: Family rooms from about $318 per night

This fun new kid on the block has brought rustic cool to the midlands, with timber-clad walls, large botanical prints, and artfully distressed rugs that call to mind a cabin in Upstate New York. There’s a sense that this is a playground aimed at all ages: huge half-barrel hot tubs, a shebeen pub, and old-school vinyl collections for adults; a Kiddies’ Golf Club, cute playroom, and bunk beds in cabin-like family rooms for youngsters. Sticky fingers can get stuck into fluffy pancakes at breakfast and burgers at lunch in buzzy Bonnie’s restaurant with its diner-style banquettes. Book in at Halloween for spooky activities involving pumpkins and treasure hunts in the fairy forest, or come in summer for messing around in the lake’s Wind in the Willows dovetail boats, swims in the heated outdoor pool, and picnics in the woods. Family rooms are also dog-friendly so no one needs to get left behind.

Address: Glasson Lakehouse, Glasson, County WestmeathPrice: Family rooms from about $279