Weekend break: We all headed home very happy campers from Kilkenny

Cormac O’Keeffe spends an adventure-filled weekend in the child-friendly, Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny.

From a facial to the divorce boat. That was our family weekend break. But more of the rocky marriage anon.

First, the facial. When I saw my wife peep around the bathroom door of our room in the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny, I could tell the facial was what the doctor ordered.

Her face glowed. “It was like floating away on a dream,” she said, beaming a smile to me and the kids. “I got a glass of prosecco and some fruit after.”

It turns out that as she relaxed in the Escape Health Club & Spa, she could see me, sans prosecco, with our two little water monkeys in the kids’ pool.

We had an executive room in the popular hotel. Ceiling-to-floor windows ran the length of one side, with a private balcony outside. A third single bed was pushed in to cater for us and our boy and girl, twins aged seven.

The breakfast was very good at Newpark: good quality food in pleasant surroundings, with attentive staff. Afterwards, we checked out the hotel activities, which included pedal go-karting, a mini farm and play area and a nature walk. The go-karting was great fun and a good way for all of us to work off the breakfast.

The farm, although depleted of many of its 50 or so animals (they are due back before the summer, we were told) entertained the kids, with chickens, goats, wandering ducks and a cranky goose knocking around. We finished with a pleasant 2km walk.

We then headed back to the pool, which really is a jewel in the hotel. The jacuzzi and steam room are very good. There’s also an infinity pool outside and, as long as there’s two of you to take turns with the kids, it is defintely worth indulging.

The first of two adventure activities organised by Newpark was horse-riding at Warrington Top Flight Equestrian Centre, a short drive away.

I was introduced to Polly, my wife to Elvis, my son to Casper and my daughter to Blackie. Warrington is a large, family operation, running for 30 years and staff are both professional and relaxed.

We sauntered along the quiet roads and the banks of the Nore, taking in the beauty of the scenery. But it wasn’t all genteel. There was plenty of trotting, with our guides urging us to jump up and down with the horse.

It’s not the easiest thing to do and your bum does take a pounding! But it is great fun. And the kids loved it. Highy recommended.

We had worked up an appetite for Gulliver’s Restaurant. But, as we ate, my daughter was more interested in going to the Kids’ Club. This is a great facility for parents and runs until 10.30pm. Our son, however, was wilting and wanted to go to bed.

The staff said they would bring our dessert and drinks up to the room and take our daughter to the club. As soon as our son found out there was a film and milk and cookies at the club, he was no longer exhausted. We just kicked back on the bed and enjoyed our desserts and liquor coffees.

The next morning, after a big breakfast, we set off for our second hotel-organised adventure – canoeing. We drove to pretty Borris in Carlow, where Charlie Horan, who has run Go With The Flow for 20 years, brought us to Clashganny.

Charlie looks like he loves the outdoors. But not only is he passionate about canoeing, he is a font of knowledge on local history.

Slapped into our supplied wetsuits, Charlie gave us detailed instructions, but ensured we were excited, rather than apprehensive. He took the two kids in one canoe; my wife and I went in another.

I was at the back steering, or attempting to and soon after, we took our first weir. It was exhilarating. The kids screamed and burst with excitement.

We paddled along the Barrow and crashed and bounced through some white water. All the time Charlie had us under his quiet, but assured, control, peppering his advice with humour and historical nuggets.

One of the highlights was going through some locks, which Charlie had to open and close and guide our two kids as they canoed their own way through the gates. At one stage , this time my wife steering, I hasten to add, we started to go in the wrong direction.

We burst out laughing. But after many minutes, a certain edge crept into our voices. When we eventually sorted ourselves out, Charlie told us these canoes are called “divorce boats” in the US. It was a memorable experience for us all – and one we will certainly repeat.

Afterwards, we had a hotel-supplied picnic beside the beautiful nine-arch bridge in scenic Goresbridge village. And then home. Happy campers.

Newpark Hotel: www.FlynnHotels.com  Tel: [phone]

Warrington Top Flight Equestrian Centre: http: www.warringtonec.ie  Tel: [phone]

Go With the Flow: www.gowiththeflow.ie  Tel: [phone])