Sunrise Childrens Festival @ St Bridget's Garden

We recently set off to experience the Sunrise Children's Festival at St Bridget's Garden in Co Galway.  It was the first of this festival and it did not disappoint.  It was a weekend event.  Full days of children's activities on Saturday and Sunday. To attend the festival it was 140e this included free camping on the Saturday night.  We arrived at St Bridget's Garden at about 1pm on the Saturday.  

We had to head straight to the camping site to set up our tent for the night.  The camp site was already really full and we had to keep our spot firmly before another family claimed it.  If there was one piece of advise for the organiser's I would give, it would be to let people head to the venue the night before on the Friday evening to set up.  Setting up camp on the Saturday takes time with smallies, hence time out of enjoying the activities on the day with the children.  







When our tent was ready, beds blown up and all unpacked we made the short walk to the festival.  The festival was fabulous for children.  There was an itinerary given to each family on arrival and you could visit each area to experience what you wanted with the family.  The earthy arts and crafts really inspired my girls.  








The craft leaders were very patient and helped each child no matter what age  to produce a lovely piece.  Crafts the girls made included stick instruments, twig disco sticks and wood fairies.  We watched bands, puppet shows, magicians, held bearded dragons and met The BFG to name but a few. We finished up on Sunday evening at the kiddies disco which had an enthusiastic girl showing all the children dance moves.  Just what they needed to keep up the atmosphere.





A highlight for us was the parade on the Saturday evening which led to the bonfire and fire dancers.  It was dress up as 'Superheroes and Goddesses'.  The girls loved this.  It was very well run and enjoyed by all.  

Points to think of - Please open the camping site on the Friday evening.  It would make the whole experience a lot more relaxed if we could set up on the Friday evening and enjoy a full weekend of camping. 

 
                     



  -A bit yuck but necessary sorry....Bring a camping travel toilet with you.  The power was down a few times over the weekend and the main loos were closed.  I brought a camping toilet because I am in the throws of toilet training with my youngest so it is just easier to have it close by.  You will understand if you have toilet trained a 2 and 5 month child before!! After experiencing a camping children's festival I will never go to a festival again without it!!

                             -The cafe could open earlier on Sunday morning for breakfast.  There was a huge queue waiting at 9am in the rain to get in.  We all know young children wake early, and in a tent they wake even earlier and want to be fed.  

All in all a great weekend away that was all about the children experiencing art and culture.  Well done St Bridget's Garden.  My girls loved it.  We really enjoyed it too.  I hope it becomes an annual children's festival.  It was a sold out festival on both days which goes to show that parents in Ireland want family entertainment and festivals.    

Thanks for reading. If you were there let me know what you enjoyed about the event.

Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.

Thanks for reading,

Orla Xx

A Few Days Break In Cork

Over Christmas we decided to get away for a small break. We booked two days away in Cork in two different hotels. We had a ball! We stayed in The Midleton Park Hotel the first night. This was on New Years Eve. This hotel is very family friendly. We all really enjoyed the heated pool, we used it twice, the day we arrived and the next morning before check out. The pool being heated is a lovely bonus, but the baby pool and outdoor hot tub were great too. On New Years Eve we met up with the other Countryside Mumsie Kerri, her fiancé Brian and their little man Sean for dinner in the hotel bar.  The staff were very good and accommodating with the children, lovely food and we all felt very welcome.

After dinner we went to the play zone with the children.  They could have stayed here much longer but bedtime was approaching and wind down had to start at some stage.

The next day we took off for Blarney.  We were booked to stay at The Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel. I had always passed this hotel but had never stopped so I was really looking forward to checking it out.  Now we usually always book hotels that have a swimming pool when going away with the girls for the entertainment value, but because Blarney Castle was a stone throw from the hotel we knew the girls would be kept busy. I adored this hotel. The large cafe/restaurant attached is lovely. We had our buffet and cooked breakfast here, the eggs benedict won't be forgotten. I loved browsing in the Woollen Mills shop next door to hotel. It had a fabulous array of Irish products and designs. I was in awe at the children's clothes, but after hitting the Next sale over the Christmas holidays my husband had to draw a line somewhere.

Check out the kids fashion;

Later that evening we ate at the bar, Denis had duck and I had salmon and it didn't disappoint. The girls liked the kids menu and the staff were very accommodating getting warm milk for Georgia. We were all happy!🍼 After dinner we went to the hotel lobby for a drink. The lobby is exquisite, decor is really tasteful with impressive modern artwork. The lobby was still decorated for Christmas which we loved.  The lobby can be experienced for vintage afternoon tea daily.  The next morning before checkout we walked to The Blarney Castle from the hotel. We climbed all the steps to the top and kissed the Blarney Stone.  The girls were abit disappointed they didn't meet the height restrictions to kiss the stone. I'd say Farrah would have given it a go if we held her by the ankles but they told her to come back when she's 8😀 The girls loved the castle and it's different rooms like the dungeon. They enjoyed walking around the grounds blowing their 'Frozen' bubbles. After climbing all the steps to the top of the castle, Georgia was really tired. She took a nap on my back in the Ergo baby carrier while I enjoyed walking the grounds with Farrah and Denis.

It was a nice getaway, it's just so easy when hotels are family friendly.  Next get away is Killarney!Do you know any family friendly hotels in Ireland? We would love to hear?

Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.


Thanks for reading

Orla & Kerrixx