Fairies, ziplines and a pig called… Denny!
Debbie McCann and family are happy out during a whirlwind weekend tour of Kilkenny
My daughter Saorla has always been an outdoor enthusiast. She was swinging from the monkey bars at the playground before she could walk and walking up mountains unaided when she was just a tiny tot. She didn’t pick it off the ground. Her father Eoghan can’t stand being stuck in the house. He spends his spare moments cycling up mountains on his bike. I, too, enjoy fresh air – but I also like good coffee.
So when deciding on a weekend away recently we were looking for somewhere that would keep us all happy. Kilkenny, the medieval city in the southeast of the country, offered us all that we wanted. From its beautiful scenery and woodland walks, to its award-winning restaurants and cafes, it had more than enough to keep us occupied. And that’s before I mention the pretty and quaint villages that traverse its countryside.
We spent our first day in the Castlecomer Discovery Park, a fabulous woodland play area for all ages. Saorla loved the junior woodland adventure course. It’s suitable for ages three to eight – she was one of the youngest on the course. But that didn’t stop her going around three times. She loved climbing, balancing and jumping her way – all while wearing a safety helmet – through the mini obstacles. A lovely staff member showed her the ropes the first time round and kept a careful eye on her throughout. Next we went to the pretty elf and fairy village with its colourful houses amid the trees and you could see Saorla’s already vivid imagination running wild.
We were blessed with lovely sunshine on our weekend away, so the paddle boats on the picturesque lake were very inviting. Floating on the water was the perfect way to relax after a busy week. Every few seconds a person would fly above us on the longest overwater zipline in Ireland – it looked too good to resist. We headed up through the forest to the start of the zipline. For fear of losing my nerve, I went first. Flying over the forest and lake was a thrilling expe- rience and one that I would highly recommend. We’d packed a picnic and stopped for a welcome break under the trees.
Saorla had spotted the playground on the way into the park and she insisted we head there next. There was plenty to keep her entertained and she had great fun swinging and climbing.
As the day wore on, we stopped for a coffee in the Jarrow Cafe. It offered lots of fresh food and tasty baked treats. Afterwards, Eoghan spotted the tree-top adventure walk. It is 10m up and 140m long, giving wonderful views over the park. Passes for the activities ranged from €5 to €15.
We were exhausted after our busy day at the park and headed back to the family-friendly Springhill Court Hotel, located within walking distance of the city. We cooled down in the pool before heading into Kilkenny for a bite to eat in one of its many eateries.
The following morning we headed to the wonderful pet farm at Nore Valley Park in Bennettsbridge, a family-run farm whose owners couldn’t have been more welcoming.
First we were given a bag of seed to feed the animals in the fields. There were goats with their kids, sheep and their lambs, a Scottish highland cow, donkeys, ostriches, hens and chicks and deer. In the cages and pens there were owls, exotic birds, small ponies and pigs with their piglets.
The owners’ love for their animals was very apparent. There is a family of micro pigs on the farm, with piglets that are just a few
months old. The mother had 13 piglets – three died at birth and one was so weak that the farmer decided to handrear him to health.
He got up every two hours at night to make sure the piglet – named Denny – got the best chance at life. Saorla was given a chance to feed little Denny, who is now thriving. A play in the hay, a ride on a tractor, and a taste of delicious home-baked scones – ‘the best’, according to regular visitor, chef Neven Maguire – completed our magical day at the farm. Admission is €7 for adults and €6.50 for children.
We went back to the city and had a sandwich in the park next to the castle and then stolled through the city’s quaint streets before stopping for a drink on the banks of the River Nore. That evening we enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Springhill Court.
All in all, our trip to Kilkenny was a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
For information contact: Castlecomer Discovery Park: 056 444 0707; the Nore Valley: 056 772 7229, and the Springhill Court Hotel: 056 772 1122
‘A play in the hay, a ride on a tractor and a taste of delicious home-baked scones’