Our Final Days in Ireland: Castles, Cliffs, and Irish Dancing

After our incredible time in Northern Ireland and a whirlwind tour through Dublin and beyond, our final two days with G Adventures' National Geographic Family Journeys brought us to some of Ireland's most iconic experiences. Here's how we wrapped up our magical mother-daughter adventure.

Day 7: Bunratty Castle and Irish Dancing in Limerick

We left Killarney behind on Friday morning and made our way to Bunratty Castle, known as the most complete and authentic castle in all of Ireland. The castle sits on land that was once a Viking trading camp in 970, and as we explored its halls, we learned fascinating stories about how the lords and ladies lived during times of bravery and battles. The views across the idyllic County Clare countryside from the castle were simply stunning.

One of the more unexpected tidbits we learned is that the castle has a "murder hole" above its main entrance. The literal hole is an opening in the floor where inhabitants of the castle could drop boiling water or rocks on attackers as they entered the castle. A shocking way to enter!

But what really brought history to life was the Bunratty Folk Park experience. This living village features over 30 buildings in a mock village and rural setting, complete with historical demonstrations. Watching these reenactments was a fantastic way to understand how Irish life used to be - the demonstrations were engaging and genuinely fun to watch. It felt like stepping into a different era. Perfect for families traveling together to explore.

After tucking into a delicious traditional lunch at one of Ireland's renowned pubs (yes, I got Irish stew again!) at Durty Nelly's, we continued on to Limerick for what turned out to be one of the trip's most memorable experiences.

Learning to Dance Like the Irish

That evening in Limerick, our entire G Adventures group participated in an Irish Dance Experience that had everyone laughing, stumbling, and ultimately feeling accomplished. Honestly, I was even pretty sweaty by the time we were done! Led by a professional Irish dancer, we learned steps from three distinct styles:

• Step Dancing (the famous Riverdance-style)

• Sean Nós Dancing (the old-style traditional dance)

• Céilí Dancing (group/social-style dancing)

  
  

Everyone participated in trying to learn the steps together - and yes, there were definitely some laughs and maybe more than a few stumbles! But that's what made it so special. The 90-minute workshop wasn't just about learning dance moves; it was about connecting with Irish culture, bonding as a group, and creating memories together.

We ended our day with dinner at a traditional Irish pub complete with live music - the perfect soundtrack to our Limerick experience. Our medled so well together that we were able to have the teens and younger kids at a table by themselves in the back of the restaurant while us parents enjoy a group table together up at the front near the bar and music. It was a great time! As you can tell in the photos below, my daughter wasn't thrilled to wear the hat that our CEO Gabby brought for the kids and adults (teens!) but everyone else was rocking them for the dance party!

Day 8: Islands, Cliffs, and Farewells

Our final full day in Ireland was nothing short of spectacular. We started early with a ferry ride from Doolin to Inis Oírr (Inisheer), the smallest and most easterly of the three Aran Islands off the coast of County Galway.

Only 350 people live on this tiny island, and Irish is still their main language. The island possesses a rich history dating back to before the 5th century - to the time of Saint Edna. The tiny island community was so quaint and welcoming which was apparent as soon as we stepped off the ferry.

Our guided tour took us to some remarkable sites:

• The iconic Plassey Shipwreck, a haunting reminder of the sea's power

• The 10th-century underground church of Saint Caomhán

• Loch Mór, the only freshwater lake on the island

• O'Brien's Castle, perched on the island's high point and dating back to the 14th century

The island's remoteness and preservation of the Irish language and traditional way of life made this visit truly special. It was like stepping into a living piece of history. Very neat to experience a different side of Ireland.

And we got our first glimpse of the Cliffs of Moher from the ferry!

The Cliffs of Moher: A Grand Finale

After returning to the mainland via ferry, we headed to what might be Ireland's most famous natural attraction: the Cliffs of Moher. And oh, did we get lucky with the weather!

We had a few glorious hours of sunshine that allowed us to truly appreciate the grandeur of these incredible cliffs. Given the weather in Ireland, you have to go to the Cliffs anticipating that you may not see them if its too rainy or foggy, so we were pleasantly surprised. Walking along the safe, paved pathways, we watched these famous cliffs tower 700 feet above the rugged west Clare coast. The views were absolutely breathtaking - photographs simply can't capture the scale and majesty of these natural wonders. But I sure still took a lot!

The visitor center, nestled into the hillside, features eco-friendly design that has minimal visual impact on the surrounding wild landscape. Inside, we explored interactive exhibits about the geology of the cliffs, the wildlife, and human impacts, all sprinkled with stories about County Clare and Ireland's history. And finished up our souvenir shopping!

As we finished our visit and headed back to our vehicle, the clouds rolled in and rain started to fall. Perfect Irish timing! We'd gotten our window of sunshine right when we needed it most.

A Farewell to Remember

That evening, we gathered with our fellow G Adventures travelers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. It was the perfect end to our National Geographic Family Journeys trip through Ireland.

Our CEOs (Chief Experience Officers in G Adventures speak), Gabby and Mika, made this experience extra special throughout the journey. Their knowledge, enthusiasm, and genuine care for creating meaningful experiences truly elevated our trip.

As we sat together sharing stories and laughter over our final meal, I reflected on everything we'd experienced: exploring Dublin's sights, playing Gaelic games in Cork, our Irish dancing in Limerick, kissing the Blarney Stone, wandering through Northern Ireland's Game of Thrones locations, and now the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher.

Mother-Daugther and G Adventures Reflections

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for this mother-daughter adventure. G Adventures and Ireland delivered everything we hoped for and more. From the urban exploration in Dublin to the authenticity of tiny Inisheer, from the thrill of walking the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge on our separate Northern Ireland pre-tour time to the serenity of the Cliffs of Moher, from learning Irish dance steps to exploring ancient castles - this trip was the perfect blend of adventure, culture, history, and bonding. My daughter and I already talking about which G Adventures tour we'll embark on with our whole family in the near future! Maybe Scotland, Croatia or Finland... so many options.

How G Adventures Made this Trip Truly Special

• The variety of experiences - from comfortable accommodations to authentic cultural immersion

• The mix of planned activities and free time to explore

• The camaraderie of traveling with a small group - my daughter has even maintained a connection with the friends she's made

• Professional guides who brought Ireland's history and culture to life

• The flexibility to handle unexpected challenges (like my phone disaster!) with grace

  
  

Why Ireland is Perfect for Families

This trip reinforced why Ireland is such an incredible family destination:

• Safe and welcoming - the Irish people are genuinely warm and helpful

• Rich in history and culture - every corner has a story to tell

• Diverse experiences - from urban exploration to remote islands, ancient castles to modern attractions

• Accessible - easy to navigate even when technology fails you

• Educational and fun - learning doesn't feel like work when it's this engaging

Ready to Plan Your G Adventures Trip?

Whether you're considering a mother-daughter trip, a family adventure, or a solo journey to Ireland, I cannot recommend this beautiful country and small group touring with G Adventures enough. And if you're looking for the perfect blend of guided experiences and independent exploration, G Adventures' National Geographic Family Journeys offers an excellent framework for creating unforgettable memories.

Ready to explore Ireland's castles, cliffs, and culture, or interested in other G Adventure offerings? As a travel advisor who's been there, tested the experiences, and navigated both the highlights and the hiccups, I can help you craft the perfect Irish adventure - whether you want luxury, authenticity, or the perfect blend of both, or one of G Adventures escorted tours in over 100 countries.

Ireland, go raibh maith agat (thank you). Until we meet again!

Stay tuned...I'm heading to Mexico and the Riveria Maya next!