10 different Father's Day surprises
Stand-up paddle boarding (or SUPing to dads in the know) is the latest water-sport craze. You don’t have to brave the surf — Pure Adventure is offering two-hour sessions on the River Nore, paddling by Kilkenny Castle (the Ormonde Hotel has B&B, dinner and a lesson from €190 for two people). Pick up the new Trail Kilkenny Directory, a 36-page guide to the county’s food, walking and cycling trails.
Details: pureadventure.ie; kilkennyormonde.com; trailkilkenny.ie; €35pp.
The Dingle Peninsula was Antarctic explorer Tom Crean’s home patch, and that’s where Castlewood House is offering two nights’ B&B, a guided day-trip to the Blasket Islands, and an artisan, gourmet picnic basket stuffed with food and beer produced on the peninsula, for €260pp. Transfers and ferry crossings are included.
Details: 066-9152788; castlewooddingle.com.
Buying the old man a pint doesn’t cut it. Take him to Castlemartyr Resort, where two nights B&B is bundled with a tour of the Jameson Distillery (above) in Midleton. After sampling the famous, triple-distilled whiskey — and lunch — you can slink back to the resort for a three-course meal on an evening of your choice.
Details: 021-4219000; castlemartyrresort.ie; €245 per night for two.
If he likes his history, he’ll love the Little Museum of Dublin. Set in a Georgian building on Stephen’s Green, the quirky collection ranges from Italia 90 milk bottles to the original Wanderly Wagon, and bullets given to Ben Dunne by his IRA kidnappers. It’s €10 for a private tour. Complements the nearby National Museum.
Details: 01-6611000; littlemuseum.ie; €6pp.
The short blast of Waterford coastline connecting Tramore and Dungarvan is one of Ireland’s great seaside secrets. From old-school amusements to hidden beaches, postcard-pretty villages, like Annestown and Stradbally, and the husks of old Cornish engine houses, this sweet, southern driving tour is the perfect prelude to a surprise lunch in Dungarvan.
Details: coppercoastgeopark.com
Barberstown Castle, the Blue Book Kildare hotel, formerly owned by Eric Clapton, has a new bistro menu in its Tea Room restaurant. Enjoy mains from €12.50 (dishes range from fancy fish ’n’ chips to smoked-duck breast salad and hefty steaks). Dads can look forward to a complimentary pint of Murphy’s.
Details: 01-6288157; barberstowncastle.ie.
Problem: You want to recapture the spirit of childhood camping trips without involving that ‘toilet’ made of gorse. Solution: Call Ballyvolane House. The Hidden Ireland country house has its glamping offering for summer, with family-friendly bell tents featuring chandeliers, raised timber beds and carpets (sleep up to two adults and three children.) Luxury loos, showers and a welcome hamper are included, too, with two nights B&B from €225, for two.
Details: hiddenireland.com; ballyvolanehosue.ie.
The Doolin Folk Festival kicks off today (Jun 14-16), with shindigs and shenanigans planned for a special West Clare weekend. Our tip? Book Dad into the collective singing session, at 2pm on Father’s Day, where he can let loose in harmony with 100 other voices in the Micho Russell Centre. Singing in the shower will never be the same again…
Details: doolinfolkfestival.com; €10.
Father’s day coincides with Bloomsday this year, so why not take Dad along to Dun Laoghaire, where there will be a world-record attempt to gather the largest number of James Joyce lookalikes ... eating gorgonzola. A complimentary bus takes visitors from the town centre to Joyce’s Tower in Sandycove, and Teddy’s Ice Cream is celebrating their new East Pier Lighthouse shop with free, old-style ice-cream sandwiches for children in costume.
Details: dunlaoghaire.ie.
Getting back to nature is easy in North Cork’s Blackwater Valley. Start bang in the middle of Munster, at Doneraile Wildlife Park, where you’ll catch Sika deer and Kerry cattle among the forest paths and river walks. Next, head to the donkey sanctuary in Liscaroll, where dozens of animals mosey around the farm walks. Neither costs a penny, and both are picnic-friendly.
Details: heritageireland.ie; thedonkeysanctuary.ie.
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