Paula, Cork
Where did you go?
We visited The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon, County Clare in the West of Ireland. I have always wanted to see the Burren so we chose this town as a base from which to explore the area. We left our home in Cork early Saturday morning and just stayed for one night.
When did you go?
November 2015
Who did you travel with?
My husband and son
How old were your kids when you travelled?
18 months
Where did you stay?
We stayed in the Falls Hotel. The room was lovely and big and on the same floor as reception with no steps. The pool was fantastic and warm and had a toddler area. There were family changing rooms too with a shower, changing table and toilet. There was a small games room with only one Bert and Ernie machine suitable for a toddler. Everything else was geared towards teens such as pool table, video games and shooting game. The food was good in the bar and the breakfast was buffet style and very nice. There were high chairs and changing areas in the hotel also. There were also some great walks around the hotel and donkeys in a field outside which our son loved! The highlight is the view of the cascades in the middle of the town which runs downhill towards the hotel. You can walk along the river bank and see these also.
How was the journey there?
The journey was fine. We stopped for breakfast after 30 mins and then drove the remaining hour and a half during our son’s nap time.
What was the food like at your destination?
The food in the hotel was good and there was plenty of choice for toddlers. There were also baby bowls. We had lunch in a fantastic restaurant/ wine bar in the town called Byrne’s where the waiter (an Italian) entertained our little boy with snacks and by playing with him. It was very sweet. The restaurant is on top of the cascades so the view is stunning and there is a little outdoor garden at the back where our son was able to take in the waterfall. He was totally mesmerized!
Were you able to find all your baby and toddler essentials at your destination (formula, food, wipes, nappies, medication etc)?
Yes, there is a big supervalu in the town selling everything and there is a clothes shop selling toddler clothes (not sure about baby clothes).
How was the public transport system?
We had our car so we drove and used GPS. All very easy.
Did you use a baby carrier or a stroller?
We used a stroller for our walks. We didn’t need a baby carrier.
What kind of activities did you do?
We took a walk in the lovely woods behind the hotel on the Saturday and then had a swim. Then on Sunday we went to the Burren Nature Sanctuary and had a walk and lunch. This is a great place for toddlers as it has an indoor soft play area (next to the lunch tables) and an outdoor playground with huge sandpit. It also sells babyfood, fruit pouches and lovely adult food!
Overall, did you have a good trip?
Yes! I would highly recommend a trip here. We had a ball and our son loved it!
Do you have any advice for parents travelling to the same place?
The hotel is fantastic. If you have young kids it might be better to ask for a room away from the bar just in case there is music at night.
