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Doolin or Lahinch with kids?

Dublin, Ireland
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104 posts
46 reviews
16 helpful votes
Doolin or Lahinch with kids?
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Hi ,

We want to go to Clare this summer with 3 kids (4-11)

and I dont know whether to stay in Lahinch or Doolin.

Is Doolin much smaller than Lahinch?

Interested in Burren,Cliffs of Moher,Fishing,surfing etc. Would like to walk around at night visiting restaurants and pubs. Which town would be best?

Any help would be welcome. R

Dublin, Ireland
Level Contributor
5,248 posts
11 reviews
44 helpful votes
1. Re: Doolin or Lahinch with kids?
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I would recommend you go with Lahinch. It's a town with some nice pubs,shops and a great beach (if you get the weather). But it's still fun to watch the surfing on a windy day :-) Doolin is really only a small village with a few pubs, a shop and mostly now made up of holiday accomodation.

If you base yourself in Lahinch, you can easily drive to Doolin to visit and also take a boat trip to Inisheere.

You can also take a spin to Ennistymon where there is a nice pizza restaurant called Holywell. Nice treat for the children.

http://www.holywell.net/restaurant/italian_ennistymon.asp

If the weather turns nasty you have a swimming pool and aquarium in Lahinch also :-)

http://www.lahinchseaworld.com/

Cork, Ireland
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14,462 posts
405 reviews
786 helpful votes
2. Re: Doolin or Lahinch with kids?
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I can't say much about either really as it's been a while since I've been to either. However, last year we NEARLY made it to Lahinch and all because of the Surf School that is based there.

Apparently there is a great surf school there which takes all age groups (not too sure about the 4 year old though)www.lahinchsurfschool.com

What better way to keep them occupied and you sane for a few days.

Someone recently said on this forum that Lahinch had a better selection of restaurants/pubs.

Austin
Level Contributor
933 posts
12 reviews
34 helpful votes
3. Re: Doolin or Lahinch with kids?
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Hands down Lahinch.

Our Limerick friends directed us to stay in Lahinch specifically for the beach fun. (Then they and their children joined us -- what kid doesn't like the beach?)

Big difference: Lahinch is smack on the ocean and has a beach. Doolin is neither. Doolin is much smaller, too.

Dublin, Ireland
Level Contributor
104 posts
46 reviews
16 helpful votes
4. Re: Doolin or Lahinch with kids?
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Thanks guys, lahinch it is .

Now where to stay. The kids want to camp but there is only one campsite,Ocean View and there is no website or rating for it so I'v no idea what its like. Has anyone been there or seen it?

Failing that its either rent a mobile or a house near the beach. I presume renting a house endjune/early july will be expensive though.

Any ideas ?

R

Dublin, Ireland
Level Contributor
5,248 posts
11 reviews
44 helpful votes
5. Re: Doolin or Lahinch with kids?
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I think you really would be alot safer booking self-catering especially with the weather being so unpredictable.

With the downturn you should be able to find reasonable accommodation though I guess rental accommodation in the town would be dearer.

http://www.tridentholidayhomes.ie/counties/clare/ballyellery.html

You could try this place but bear in mind the website prices has not been updated.

http://www.lahinchhouse.com/

http://www.clareathome.com/self-catering-towns.php?town_id=32

Dublin, Ireland
Level Contributor
104 posts
46 reviews
16 helpful votes
6. Re: Doolin or Lahinch with kids?
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Thanks suzy,

I have emaild 2 of the ones you suggested so I'll wait n see what they come back with. Looks like you save 200euro by going end of june instead of early July. Thats worth taking the kids out of school for 2 days and they'll be delighted!

I'm hoping to get some surfing lessons with Lahinch surfing school so better start my get fit/loose weight plan.....just after I finish these biscuits....

Limerick, Ireland
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8,531 posts
31 reviews
94 helpful votes
7. Re: Doolin or Lahinch with kids?
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Rusky - I would go with the others, Lahinch has that lovely beach - and some really nice, family friendly restaurants. O'Looneys is right on the prom (across from seaworld that Suzy mentioned) with fantastic views.

Danny Macs around the corner- some photographs on my profile.

Go with the ferry to the Arans, children love it and you can combine it with a tour of the cliffs:

http://www.cliffs-of-moher-cruises.com/

Ennis, Ireland
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5,065 posts
249 reviews
168 helpful votes
8. Re: Doolin or Lahinch with kids?
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You definitely made the right decision with Lahinch, the kids will love it.

Just be warned that the surf school can sometimes get heavily booked during the Summer, so if you want to enrol the kids I would advise early booking to avoid disappointment.

http://www.lahinchsurfschool.com

9. Re: Doolin or Lahinch with kids?

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