Although we have not yet heard the all-too-familiar tones of Mariah’s All I want for Christmas, Irish Country Living was treated to a Christmas adventure the last weekend of November. As the guest of the beautiful Lyrath Estate, just outside the city, and the Castlecomer Discovery Park, the McKeever family kicked off the Christmas traditions in earnest. Kilkenny city has a lot to offer visitors at any time of the year but with its medieval streets and plethora of festive activities, the city does provide a beautiful backdrop, particularly when festooned in bright Christmas light installations.
The McKeevers at the Lyrath Hotel.
The McKeevers at the Lyrath Hotel.
Stay
Having stayed in the Lyrath Estate previously for various conferences and a few weddings, we thought we knew what the hotel had to offer, however as we had not previously brought the children with us, we had not explored the family options to any great extent. Bringing the girls with us opened our eyes to the range of activities available at the hotel for families with young children, so this won’t be the last time we take the kids to this beautiful hotel on the outskirts of Kilkenny.
We stayed in a large family room and ate in the hotel’s award-winning Yew restaurant. The service was excellent as was the locally sourced, seasonal food. To start, we both had the pork belly, main courses were a chicken supreme and halibut, beautifully presented and delicious. The children were well entertained over dinner with colouring book menus and generous diner portions. As happens with children, not a huge amount was consumed but the staff quite happily packed it up for us to take to the room for a snack later if it was required when the excitement of the restaurant atmosphere waned. There are several other dining options available, including Tupper’s Bar, which is situated in the original 17th century manor house, and the recently renovated The Grill Bar, which boasts an open kitchen and a cocktail bar.
The pool and leisure centre are also family friendly, with a splash pool for smaller children and a steam room and jacuzzi for the adults. The pool with its floor-to-ceiling windows is nestled in parkland, which inspired us to go exploring the grounds. We followed the well-appointed trails around the grounds of the hotel and found several playgrounds, a zipline, fountains, sculptures and woodland walks with plenty to keep the children interested.
Subject to availability, enjoy a pre-Christmas cheer package at Lyrath Estate mideweek from €99 per person sharing. For further information, visit www.lyrath.com or 056-7760088.
Meeting Santa at the Castlecomer Discovery Park Woodland Santa Experience.
Meeting Santa at the Castlecomer Discovery Park Woodland Santa Experience.
Meeting Santa at the Castlecomer Discovery Park Woodland Santa Experience.
Visit Santa in Castlecomer
Over the last five years, we have seen a fair few Santas and I have no hesitation in saying that the experience that awaits you in Castlecomer this December is second to none. Situated just 25 minutes from Kilkenny city or 90 minutes from Dublin, Castlecomer Discovery village plays host to a Magical Woodland Christmas Experience, with something for everyone in the family.
The park itself is a not-for-profit social enterprise, born when the local people in Castlecomer took it upon themselves to create a rural tourism hub that would contribute to the regeneration of the local community following the closure of the coal mines in the town. Many people would have heard of the park’s tree top walk or Ireland’s longest zipline at 300 meters, but there are also 6km of walking trails, pedal boats, a craft yard and an interactive mining exhibition. However, on this occasion I think if I had suggested an educational element to our trip to Santa, I would have been shot down by everyone else in the car.
The adventure starts at the North Pole Station for check in, plenty of elves and smiling faces greet you before you board the Santa Express, which whisks you through a fantastic array of beautiful light displays scattered through the forest trail. On arrival at the Christmas Village, you are once again greeted by a cheerful elf who explains all the activities to try before you meet Mr and Mrs Clause. In the village there are several adventure playgrounds and although our two were particularly taken with the bouncing net, the junior woodland adventure course will keep them well occupied too. The canopy cafe offers, what for me is vital; good coffee. And while the kids were getting crafty with the elves in the art tent and writing some more letters, we had some hot food to warm ourselves.
After queuing behind Mrs Clause for said cup of coffee, and once she had her milky tea on board, we were invited to her igloo where she entertained the children with tales of what life is like for the Clauses and her preparations for Christmas. After that we set off to another warm igloo to meet the man in red himself. Each child gets to talk to Santa, explain themselves – good or bad – and gets a present to take home. After that we went back to the village to explore some more of the activities before boarding the train back through the park.
Tickets are priced at €20 per child and €14 per adult with babies less than 12 months free. Book at www.discoverypark.ie
What else is on in Kilkenny?
Yulefest Kilkenny is back for a third year running throughout December. The festival has a wide range of activities to enjoy, from gigs to Glüwein. Visitors can combine shopping with skating, see light installations, hear choirs or enjoy a spin on the Victorian carousel.
The ‘Plough through the City’ tractor run takes place on Sunday, 9 December, from 4pm. All the tractors will be decorated with lights which will look fantastic against the festive city backdrop.
For further information, visit www.yulefestkilkenny.ie
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Although we have not yet heard the all-too-familiar tones of Mariah’s All I want for Christmas, Irish Country Living was treated to a Christmas adventure the last weekend of November. As the guest of the beautiful Lyrath Estate, just outside the city, and the Castlecomer Discovery Park, the McKeever family kicked off the Christmas traditions in earnest. Kilkenny city has a lot to offer visitors at any time of the year but with its medieval streets and plethora of festive activities, the city does provide a beautiful backdrop, particularly when festooned in bright Christmas light installations.
The McKeevers at the Lyrath Hotel.
The McKeevers at the Lyrath Hotel.
Stay
Having stayed in the Lyrath Estate previously for various conferences and a few weddings, we thought we knew what the hotel had to offer, however as we had not previously brought the children with us, we had not explored the family options to any great extent. Bringing the girls with us opened our eyes to the range of activities available at the hotel for families with young children, so this won’t be the last time we take the kids to this beautiful hotel on the outskirts of Kilkenny.
We stayed in a large family room and ate in the hotel’s award-winning Yew restaurant. The service was excellent as was the locally sourced, seasonal food. To start, we both had the pork belly, main courses were a chicken supreme and halibut, beautifully presented and delicious. The children were well entertained over dinner with colouring book menus and generous diner portions. As happens with children, not a huge amount was consumed but the staff quite happily packed it up for us to take to the room for a snack later if it was required when the excitement of the restaurant atmosphere waned. There are several other dining options available, including Tupper’s Bar, which is situated in the original 17th century manor house, and the recently renovated The Grill Bar, which boasts an open kitchen and a cocktail bar.
The pool and leisure centre are also family friendly, with a splash pool for smaller children and a steam room and jacuzzi for the adults. The pool with its floor-to-ceiling windows is nestled in parkland, which inspired us to go exploring the grounds. We followed the well-appointed trails around the grounds of the hotel and found several playgrounds, a zipline, fountains, sculptures and woodland walks with plenty to keep the children interested.
Subject to availability, enjoy a pre-Christmas cheer package at Lyrath Estate mideweek from €99 per person sharing. For further information, visit www.lyrath.com or 056-7760088.
Meeting Santa at the Castlecomer Discovery Park Woodland Santa Experience.
Meeting Santa at the Castlecomer Discovery Park Woodland Santa Experience.
Meeting Santa at the Castlecomer Discovery Park Woodland Santa Experience.
Visit Santa in Castlecomer
Over the last five years, we have seen a fair few Santas and I have no hesitation in saying that the experience that awaits you in Castlecomer this December is second to none. Situated just 25 minutes from Kilkenny city or 90 minutes from Dublin, Castlecomer Discovery village plays host to a Magical Woodland Christmas Experience, with something for everyone in the family.
The park itself is a not-for-profit social enterprise, born when the local people in Castlecomer took it upon themselves to create a rural tourism hub that would contribute to the regeneration of the local community following the closure of the coal mines in the town. Many people would have heard of the park’s tree top walk or Ireland’s longest zipline at 300 meters, but there are also 6km of walking trails, pedal boats, a craft yard and an interactive mining exhibition. However, on this occasion I think if I had suggested an educational element to our trip to Santa, I would have been shot down by everyone else in the car.
The adventure starts at the North Pole Station for check in, plenty of elves and smiling faces greet you before you board the Santa Express, which whisks you through a fantastic array of beautiful light displays scattered through the forest trail. On arrival at the Christmas Village, you are once again greeted by a cheerful elf who explains all the activities to try before you meet Mr and Mrs Clause. In the village there are several adventure playgrounds and although our two were particularly taken with the bouncing net, the junior woodland adventure course will keep them well occupied too. The canopy cafe offers, what for me is vital; good coffee. And while the kids were getting crafty with the elves in the art tent and writing some more letters, we had some hot food to warm ourselves.
After queuing behind Mrs Clause for said cup of coffee, and once she had her milky tea on board, we were invited to her igloo where she entertained the children with tales of what life is like for the Clauses and her preparations for Christmas. After that we set off to another warm igloo to meet the man in red himself. Each child gets to talk to Santa, explain themselves – good or bad – and gets a present to take home. After that we went back to the village to explore some more of the activities before boarding the train back through the park.
Tickets are priced at €20 per child and €14 per adult with babies less than 12 months free. Book at www.discoverypark.ie
What else is on in Kilkenny?
Yulefest Kilkenny is back for a third year running throughout December. The festival has a wide range of activities to enjoy, from gigs to Glüwein. Visitors can combine shopping with skating, see light installations, hear choirs or enjoy a spin on the Victorian carousel.
The ‘Plough through the City’ tractor run takes place on Sunday, 9 December, from 4pm. All the tractors will be decorated with lights which will look fantastic against the festive city backdrop.
For further information, visit www.yulefestkilkenny.ie
Read more
Never seen nothin' like a Galway getaway
‘Magic’ reindeer hay in demand
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