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If you are heading into Dublin for a day out during the summer school holidays and are thinking of staying over we have an idea you might like!
Last year we were going into Dublin, in to Trinity College for my sister-in-laws graduation and we were going for a family dinner afterwards, so we tried to find a hotel room in the city where we could stay with our children afterwards.
It was so difficult! We could not find a hotel that would take the 6 of us anywhere near Trinity College. And when we finally found one with interconnecting family rooms, it was all the way out in Kilmainham!
So we decided to stay at Bracken Court in Balbriggan and hop on the train in and out to Dublin instead. This was so much better. For starters, our children love getting the train. Its rare we go anywhere by train so it was a real treat for them. The train journey only takes 30 mins and because Balbriggan is in Co. Dublin, it was very cheap (if you cross into Co Meath the price almost doubles!).
The hotel room we got was like an apartment. We had a big room for the parents with a massive bed (whcih our 4 year old ended up in the middle of) and another room with 2 generous beds for our children. We had a little hallway and massive bathroom – so plenty of space for all of us.
We got a train back at around 10pm and went into the bar at the hotel where there was a musician singing and the children were happy to colour in and run around a little. The hotel is very child friendly, so we did not feel awkward (as we do in some hotels that are not child friendly!)
Breakfast the next morning was fab – the staff are so so nice and the children were made to feel very welcome. They even had some cream buns and doughnuts from the local deli up the road and it was a real treat, our children were delighted with themselves.
After breakfast, we took a stroll to the beach and harbour and walked to the lighthouse (about 5 mins from the Bracken Court) and we saw seals swimming in the water.
So overall, we saved money by staying here because the hotel rooms in the city centre were so expensive but its not just that, we were more comfortable there because they are so child friendly and Balbriggan is a great spot, jusy up the road from Ardgillen, beside a beach and within a few mins of Funtasia, Newbridge Farm, Malahide Castle, Tayto Park etc.
Just an idea for families who want to go to Dublin over the summer but may not want to stay in the city centre due to the expense and noise!
The Office of public works (OPW) has opened up Heritage sites across Ireland for free to anyone under 12 for the summer.
This includes the likes of Kilkenny Castle and Newgrange.
So if you are bringing 3-4 kids, they all go free once they are under 12 and you only have to pay for the adult (s) taking them.
We are definitely going to Newgrange!
Colour-Run…..something different!!!
This must-do event combines a colour walk/run with inflatables fun, and it’s the only event of its kind in Ireland! Walk or run through the colour and then bounce through the inflatables as you laugh your way along.
The Inflatable Colour Run is entirely focused on fun & getting people moving, so it’s totally up to you if you walk or run!All that matters is that participants enjoy themselves, feel a little healthier after and finish covered in loads of colour! Whether an Olympic athlete or someone entering a run for the first time in their life, the real winners will be the people who have the most fun!
They have adult sized inflatables and of course, in the inflatable zone, there will be some smaller inflatables, designed solely for the kids to have lots of fun on too!The fun continues at the finish line with a gigantic “Colour celebration,” using more coloured powder and summer music & laughter, to create happiness and lasting memories, not to mention millions of vivid colour combinations.
When and Where:
• 14 July, 7.30 p.m. – Newbridge House and Gardens, Hearse Road, Donabate, Co. Dublin
• 27 August, midday – Belvedere House Gardens and Park, Belvidere, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
• 30 July, 3 p.m. – Killarney Racecourse, Ross Road, Scrahane, Killarney, Co. Kerry
• 6 August, 1 p.m. – Tramore Racecourse, Crobally Upper, Tramore, Co. Waterford
• 13 August, 3 p.m. – Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Co. Kildare
• 20 August, midday – Limerick Racecourse, Greenmount Park, Richmondvilla, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick
• 16 September midday – Galway – Craughwell athletic clubGo here to book in: https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/inflatable- … 3471155591
It’s Time to Slide!
Take your family on a ride on the wild slide as 98FM’s Big Slide Festival returns even bigger and better than last year.
#98FMBIGSLIDEIt’s time to slide into summer on 98FM’s 260ft waterslide once again! Together, 98FM in partnership with Dublin City Council will make a splash on the summer events calendar with The Big Slide Festival. The two day family-friendly festival will include more sliding, music, entertainment and food than ever before. Grab the whole families’ swimsuits and join in on the fun on July 15th and July 16th!
After a crowd of 20,000 sliders and spectators last year, the Big Slide will return to its home on Winetavern Street (near Christchurch Cathedral) giving sliders an extraordinary and unforgettable way to travel through Christchurch. On Saturday, July 15th, the festival will run from 10am – 6pm and Sunday July 16th from 12:30pm – 6pm. Not only will you get the chance to slide through Dublin but there will be a family fun zone including food, music and entertainment in the Wood Quay
Amphitheatre, right at the bottom of the Big Slide.
Speaking about the Big Slide Festival, an tArdmhéara Bhaile Átha Cliath, Mícheál Mac Donncha said “I welcome the return of this great summer event which is bigger and better than last year. Dublin City Council is delighted to partner with 98FM for this FREE family friendly festival and I encourage all Dubliners and visitors to make the big splash on Winetavern Street on the 15th and 16th July. Cuirim fáilte roimh an ócáid seo agus molain do chlanna páirt a ghlacadh ann.”Wannabe sliders will have to stay tuned to 98FM to hear when tickets will be available to register for online. A limited number of tickets will be released each day and will be available right up until the day of the Big Slide, there will be 4,200 wristbands available for sliders overall.98FM presenter Dara Quilty said, “After the success of last year’s Big Slide I’m absolutely delighted to announce we’re bringing it back. Last year was the first time Dublin had a 260ft water slide going through it and I guess this year is the second! We’ve made some adjustments and the slide is going to be way faster, way wetter and way more fun this year. Bring it on”
The Big Slide Festival is a free event for all, from friends to families to couples, anyone who wants to experience Dublin like they never have before. There will be changing facilities on site but no baggage storage so be sure to have someone with you to take care of your belongings while you slide. Health and Safety will be a high priority and there will be a H&S officer, paramedics and a lifeguard on site to ensure the event is safe as well as fun.Lovely, funny, crazy and cool….this is how our children described Caoimhe from Caoimhe’s Crumbles after our daughter’s cake decorating birthday party with her at the weekend!
They loved her, they think she’s the bees knees and they came home with loads of fab cakes (yum) – this is a brilliant birthday party idea!! Caoimhe has so much patience and is so so fun. When I came in the kids were sitting on balloons popping them and I chastised them and asked them to stop (because I thought they were misbehaving) but they laughed and said Caoimhe told them to do it!!
Now, I understand why they loved it so much – she is totally fun and they had the best time with her!
See: https://www.facebook.com/caoimhescrumbles/ for birthday party bookings or to book into her summer camps or workshops.
Not sure if already been said but w5 in Belfast is brilliant. We went for the 3rd time yesterday and there’s something new each time. Well worth a day trip. Or its beside premier Inn in titanic quarter if you want an overnight stay.
There is activities on this week in Drogheda, its called Bounce Week!
CityNorth Hotel & Conference Centre is having a Free Family Fun Day this Sunday, 27 August from 2-6pm. We’ll be heading over for dinner and then for the kids to have a play, great to have some free events near the end of the summer break! Please share or pass on if you know any families who might like come along!
See more at:
https://www.facebook.com/citynorthhotel … =3&theater
DublinOne’s Spookily Spectacular Weekend at Ilac has lots going on –
The Ilac Centre and our neighbours here in Henry Street are hosting a weekend of Halloween festivities and a first-ever Henry Street Wide Sale this weekend. Discounts of up to 50% will apply in many stores throughout the DublinOne district, including the Ilac, from Saturday through to Monday, 28th to 30th October.
The Bram Stoker Festival organisers and the DublinTown group have put together a huge programme of events taking place right across the weekend.
On Saturday here in the Ilac, we have an afternoon of Thriller entertainment hosted by the crew of Fame Ireland – the kiddies can take part in our Halloween costume competition with lots of prizes and giveaways, they can watch the fascinating Thriller dance exhibitions, do some spooky mask-making and get their faces painted. Bring them along from 1.00pm to 4.00pm
If you haven’t seen a Macnas Parade before you won’t want to miss their eery and spooktacular procession taking place on Henry Street on Monday evening starting at 6pm.
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