My three daughters appreciate the finer things in life. Restaurant meals, hotel stays – it doesn’t matter where we go; for them, it’s all about getting a little taste of (percieved) luxury. So, when our camping trip to France was cancelled and we opted instead for a holistay to Sligo, they were overjoyed at the prospect of a cosy hotel room, ice creams on the beach and adventures with mom and dad.
Hotel woes
It’s not always easy to find a hotel for a family of five. Three kids, in most situations, seems to be one too many when booking online, and I’m quite lazy: if I can’t easily book online, I will likely walk away from the booking. The Clayton Hotel in Sligo suited my family’s needs in so many ways; being able to book for a family of five was just the first.
We availed of a summer stay deal; booking a large, two-bedroom family suite for three nights, breakfast included, for a modest fee of €600. Especially since we had gotten a full refund from our cancelled holiday, we thought the price was really reasonable, and the space – with three chatty girls – was very much appreciated.
Weather is always unpredictable, so it was important to us the hotel had a pool. With COVID-19 guidelines in place, we had to book our swimming times in advance, which was great because it added structure to our days. We had stayed at the Clayton in Sligo previously and had been very happy with our room at that time. I will say, this time around, the COVID restrictions really showed in terms of room presentation and, more seriously, the lack of room service – everything was clean, but very bare-bones. That said, I would happily go back any time for the affordable, spacious family suite.
The rooms were immediately explored and beds subsequently claimed by each of the kids. Stuffed animals were unpacked and toys arranged in a corner – clearly, when you’re seven, three and four, staying somewhere for three days equates to a really long time; requiring many home comforts.
Heading north
On our first day, we ventured north, past “Ben Bulbian” as my four-year-old now calls it, and into Co Donegal. We made it as far as Killibegs before the kids started fighting, so we stopped there for lunch. A friend recommended Mrs B’s café for sandwiches and baked goods.
The kids gobbled their ham sandwiches while we parents enjoyed a hot cup of tea before driving back toward Sligo, onto Rossnowlagh Beach.
This beach is so beautiful. It was windy that day, so on the drier parts the sand was whipping into our faces. We went closer to the shoreline, searched for seashells and splashed in the warm water. As the sand is well packed, you can drive and park directly on the beach.
An ice cream truck was parked on the other end, so as a treat for walking the whole way, we treated the girls to a cone.
Fresh air
The following day, my husband suggested we climb nearby Knockarea to see Queen Maeve’s tomb at the summit. As we drove closer to the mountain, I had serious doubts our girls would make it to the top. We had some trouble finding a parking area (Google maps doesn’t go to the right place), and after we parked we realised most people begin their hike from the petrol station in Strandhill (a good bit closer than the Coillte carpark where we set down). Lesson learned.
Seven-year-old Maeve searching for seashells on Rossnowlagh Beach in Co Donegal.
The hike turned out to be wonderful and our little ones had no problems. A few piggy-backs here and there sorted out tired legs on the (long) trek back to the car. There are wooden steps much of the way up, and they can be a bit slippery, so wearing runners or hiking boots is a good idea. The top of Knockarea is eerily beautiful, with a lovely view of the coastline and Ben Bulben.
Dining with kids
Mealtimes were tricky. My husband and I enjoy planning vacation days around food, but with the kids and COVID-19 restrictions, it was difficult to try any local restaurants. One restaurant offered takeaway on their website, but when I rang they said they weren’t doing it anymore and quickly hung up. Many of the restaurants in town weren’t suitable for the kids or weren’t open when we were looking to eat.
One evening, we ate in the hotel restaurant, which the kids loved. They got dressed up and had fancy chicken goujons and chocolate brownies for dessert. Mostly, though, we ordered takeaways directly to our hotel room (as a chef and food writer, this is embarassing to admit, but desperate times and all). Really, family holidays are about making memories while the kids are still young enough to enjoy spending time with their parents. And they had so much fun, which makes me very happy. I didn’t appreciate the crying when we had to leave the hotel, though – is their own home really so bad?!
My three daughters appreciate the finer things in life. Restaurant meals, hotel stays – it doesn’t matter where we go; for them, it’s all about getting a little taste of (percieved) luxury. So, when our camping trip to France was cancelled and we opted instead for a holistay to Sligo, they were overjoyed at the prospect of a cosy hotel room, ice creams on the beach and adventures with mom and dad.
Hotel woes
It’s not always easy to find a hotel for a family of five. Three kids, in most situations, seems to be one too many when booking online, and I’m quite lazy: if I can’t easily book online, I will likely walk away from the booking. The Clayton Hotel in Sligo suited my family’s needs in so many ways; being able to book for a family of five was just the first.
We availed of a summer stay deal; booking a large, two-bedroom family suite for three nights, breakfast included, for a modest fee of €600. Especially since we had gotten a full refund from our cancelled holiday, we thought the price was really reasonable, and the space – with three chatty girls – was very much appreciated.
Weather is always unpredictable, so it was important to us the hotel had a pool. With COVID-19 guidelines in place, we had to book our swimming times in advance, which was great because it added structure to our days. We had stayed at the Clayton in Sligo previously and had been very happy with our room at that time. I will say, this time around, the COVID restrictions really showed in terms of room presentation and, more seriously, the lack of room service – everything was clean, but very bare-bones. That said, I would happily go back any time for the affordable, spacious family suite.
The rooms were immediately explored and beds subsequently claimed by each of the kids. Stuffed animals were unpacked and toys arranged in a corner – clearly, when you’re seven, three and four, staying somewhere for three days equates to a really long time; requiring many home comforts.
Heading north
On our first day, we ventured north, past “Ben Bulbian” as my four-year-old now calls it, and into Co Donegal. We made it as far as Killibegs before the kids started fighting, so we stopped there for lunch. A friend recommended Mrs B’s café for sandwiches and baked goods.
The kids gobbled their ham sandwiches while we parents enjoyed a hot cup of tea before driving back toward Sligo, onto Rossnowlagh Beach.
This beach is so beautiful. It was windy that day, so on the drier parts the sand was whipping into our faces. We went closer to the shoreline, searched for seashells and splashed in the warm water. As the sand is well packed, you can drive and park directly on the beach.
An ice cream truck was parked on the other end, so as a treat for walking the whole way, we treated the girls to a cone.
Fresh air
The following day, my husband suggested we climb nearby Knockarea to see Queen Maeve’s tomb at the summit. As we drove closer to the mountain, I had serious doubts our girls would make it to the top. We had some trouble finding a parking area (Google maps doesn’t go to the right place), and after we parked we realised most people begin their hike from the petrol station in Strandhill (a good bit closer than the Coillte carpark where we set down). Lesson learned.
Seven-year-old Maeve searching for seashells on Rossnowlagh Beach in Co Donegal.
The hike turned out to be wonderful and our little ones had no problems. A few piggy-backs here and there sorted out tired legs on the (long) trek back to the car. There are wooden steps much of the way up, and they can be a bit slippery, so wearing runners or hiking boots is a good idea. The top of Knockarea is eerily beautiful, with a lovely view of the coastline and Ben Bulben.
Dining with kids
Mealtimes were tricky. My husband and I enjoy planning vacation days around food, but with the kids and COVID-19 restrictions, it was difficult to try any local restaurants. One restaurant offered takeaway on their website, but when I rang they said they weren’t doing it anymore and quickly hung up. Many of the restaurants in town weren’t suitable for the kids or weren’t open when we were looking to eat.
One evening, we ate in the hotel restaurant, which the kids loved. They got dressed up and had fancy chicken goujons and chocolate brownies for dessert. Mostly, though, we ordered takeaways directly to our hotel room (as a chef and food writer, this is embarassing to admit, but desperate times and all). Really, family holidays are about making memories while the kids are still young enough to enjoy spending time with their parents. And they had so much fun, which makes me very happy. I didn’t appreciate the crying when we had to leave the hotel, though – is their own home really so bad?!
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