It’s Tuesday!
Friends…did you see this yesterday…
…I’m giving four winners each a $500 Nordstrom Gift Card! I’m picking a new winner every day, so just because you entered yesterday does not mean you don’t need to enter today too! Enter every day for your chance to win. Winners will be announced on Friday morning when the sale goes live for everyone! To see my picks from the sale this year, go HERE.
Today, I have another vacation post. I mean…excessive, right? I keep asking myself…why so many this trip? And I think the answer is that this vacation was like three vacations crammed into one. We covered Edinburgh and then Dublin (both so different!!) and then now, we’re taking a road trip to the other side of Ireland to cover the west coast. They are all three such different adventures that it simply warranted more posts. So, sit back, relax and enjoy today as we get in the car and drive on over to Dromoland Castle. Side note: I was not relaxed on the drive. Andrew likes to pride himself that he’s a great driver and has driven on the wrong side of the road before in both Bermuda and South Africa, but friends, it scared the %*#$ out of me! If you need to catch up before we head off, here you go…
Part One: Edinburgh
Part Two: St. Andrews
Part Three: Edinburgh and our flight to Dublin
Part Four: Dublin Day 1
Part Five: More Dublin
So, we woke up ready to tackle our road trip from Dublin to the other coast. I put an arrow on a map just so you can see…
…see? That’s us moving across Ireland in a giant van 🙂 .
The morning we left for Dromoland, we grabbed a quick breakfast before our road trip. I love Andrew in the back 🙂 . Pssssst: my super cute top is HERE and it’s 33% off right now!
Breakfast outside before we hit the road…
…pretty and delicious…
…and silly!
We loaded up the van and hit the road. The trip was supposed to take us about 3 hours, but we stopped along the way…
First stop, Tullamore!
…we got out, stretched our legs and walked around this little town a bit. After that, we decided to hop back in the van and drive to Athlone…
…we LOVED Athlone!! This town was so cute!! We saw Sean’s Bar and sent Uncle Seanie a pic. Then, we had the most delicious lunch at this little cafe…
…so pretty!!! My salad had goat cheese and a creamy beet dressing.
We loved strolling around and checking things out. Then, we walked past this…
…my people live here! Ha! How fun, right?!
After a little enjoying, we drove on in to Dromoland Castle.
My kids had been watching Travel with Kids on Amazon Prime when one of the episodes was spent here. Smith wrote down the name of this place on a sticky note and put it on my desk. He just had to stay at this castle turned resort. I am SO GLAD they saw this show, because this place was SPECTACULAR!
I snapped a few pics on our drive in…the grounds were gorgeous! They have a beautiful golf course surrounding the castle.
So pretttttttty!
We were so happy to be here!
While we were checking in, the staff gave the kids ice cream. #score After that, we checked into our rooms (we had two adjoining rooms)…
Look at the view from our rooms!
Just so pretty!
So, this resort had everything from a spa to golf to tons of outdoor activities on property. We arrived around 4:00 and tried to do a few things before dinner (they have restaurants on property too).
First, we played chess…
…then we checked out the falcons…
…we saw horse drawn carriage rides…
…beautiful parks and gardens…
…and so much more! We gave the kids the brochure of what you could do and they picked!
First up, you could rent golf carts and explore. We rented two and set off to check out the property…
…this was my golf cart crew 🙂 .
View in front of me. Note, golf carts drive on the wrong side of the road but I drove on the right side of the cart. #whew
We were having so much fun!
After that, they had a “happy hour” for adults and kids alike…
…they gave the kids coloring books and we visited and colored while enjoying our cocktails and mocktails.
After that, we had dinner reservations in one of the restaurants.
And then, I snapped this pic as we walked back to our rooms after a FULL day! So much joy. I love these peeps so much!!
That’s it for today. Now listen, COME BACK TOMORROW! Come back all week, friends! You have to enter to win! xo
Best of luck below! If you’re not on social media, you can still enter by signing up for my daily emails. To do that, click HERE.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
What a fun day! I’d be part of the golf cart crew myself. No sun for me, haha! 🙂
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Maregaret says
Love the idea of staying in a castle!
Elspeth Mizner says
What a beautiful castle/resort. When you travel do you let your kids bring toys, games, tablets to do when traveling or relaxing? How do you determine what they can bring along?
Mix and Match Mama says
We often let them bring things (like the dominoes and cards). I wish I had a good system for deciding, it’s usually just in the moment. I love it when they bring one thing that several of them can do (like cards and stuff).
Elspeth Mizner says
Great suggestion. I’m sure it’s also helpful when they all can do something together
Janette @ The 2 Seasons says
When my husband was in the insurance business, we insured Dromoland Castle. A man, Bernie McDonough, from the town where we lived in West Virginia (we no longer live there) owned it. The famous Dorothy Draper originally decorated it to resemble the five-star Greenbrier Resort, which she also decorated, in West Virginia. Mr. Mc Donough thought the Irish phone system was so bad that he bought it, too. Then he improved it. We love Dromoland Castle. We haven’t been there for a while so I’m suspecting Dorothy Draper’s decor is probably no longer around.
Beth says
Ha! Small world. I live next to McDonough’s old house in that town in West Virginia. Thrilled to see a story about him!
Narci Dreffs says
How fun is this!!! I think this is my favorite day so far! That castle is amazing!
Katie says
We just got back from Ireland last night. We stayed at Dromoland too! We were there from July 9-12. Great place! Did you do falconry there? It was awesome!
Moria says
Hi! I love your travel tips so much! What do you do about a flat iron in europe? (Important stuff here!?) Our hotels have hairdryers so I don’t have to bring one from home. Do you bring your straightening iron with an adapter from the US? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I use a curling wand and just plug it into my voltage adapter. Easy as that!
Moria says
Thanks! Adapter from Amazon?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes!
Brooke Richardson says
I loved this! What an unforgettable experience. Next time though, pack me up in your suitcase and I’ll be in charge of the video diaries 😉 LOL.
Katie says
I’m sure you’ve mentioned this before but what stroller do you take on trips with you?
Mix and Match Mama says
A Chicco one we bought at Target!
Angela Ellingson says
I love how you stopped to smell the roses along the way! Excited to hear more about the castle stay.
Laura @ Laura Likes Design says
This is making me want to take a trip to Scotland / Ireland — it looks so pretty there! Love your gingham top, too!
LauraLikesDesign.com/blog
Meagan Ruse says
Amazing!!!!!!
Alexis deZayas says
I’ve loved following along with these recaps! I have that cute Cassie top in blue 🙂 I can’t stop wearing it!
Kim Bean says
Thai trip is incredible!! I’m loving these posts!
Kim Bean says
This trip is incredible!! I’m loving these posts!
Carly says
Ok this has officially been added to my list for my trip next year! On a side note…did you see that Crazy, Rich Asians is going to be movie next month?!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yesssssss! I cannot wait!!!
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
So much fun!! Their little mocktails were so cute!! And Ashby sitting on that couch eating her ice cream with her little legs crossed…she looks so old!! No!!!
That Inspired Chick
Clare B says
That sidewalk under the canopy of trees ? Amazing!!! Its just so beautiful there!!!
Angela says
Love these vaca pics!!!! What color is your nail polish? Such a pretty pink!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I need to look! It’s an OPI with the word “pink” in it. I will try and find it!
Sande Melton says
Excellent vacation posts! We were in Scotland at the same time as you! The Highlands are a must see next time you go!!
Danielle says
I have loved seeing all of your photos from this trip! It’s been so fun to see what you did each day and these posts double as a travel guide! This castle resort is definitely on my travel list now!
Also, thank you for the giveaway, Shay! So exciting!
Kim Long says
Love your trip photos! Looks like we need to add Scotland/Ireland to our plans!
Cheryl (angelbug56) says
I enjoy watching you and your family together. So much love and such a blessings to all. Looks like you are having a blast! I am living my life through you. It is so much fun to see the world through all of you. Be blessed and safe.
Kathy Lang says
The castle sounds amazing! I’m predominantly Irish also–maiden name is Hennessey–but I’ve yet to visit Ireland! That needs to change after seeing your vacation posts! Forgot to mention it yesterday, but I appreciate your generosity with these giveaways during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale! 🙂
Mary Jane McNeill says
I stayed at Dromoland Castle last year! Since I’m an NASP archery coach, I got to shoot one afternoon with their archery instructor. And since I own horses, every where I go, I try to ride, so they had someone take me over to a nearby stable, and we went on a trail ride in the Shannon National Forest. Mere words cannot describe the beauty we saw that day!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
That is so fun that the kids saw that place on a travel show and it turned out to be so good! I’ve always wanted to stay in a castle myself 🙂 Smith had the right idea!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Kelly says
Yes, driving in Ireland is no joke! Narrow, curvy roads, trying to keep the car on the left side of the road without running off the road or hitting the cars going the opposite way. And the sheep! Random sheep on the road. Fun but scary memories from our time there. Ireland has been my favorite place in Europe to visit so far and we look forward to taking our kids one day. It looks like your family had a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing.
Leanne Gilchrist says
I LOVE reading about your Scotland/Ireland trip. Incidentally, my daughter, Kellie, who will be 16 in January, is going on a trip to Ireland next summer, with her art school, and she’s interning this year to be a teacher, and she’s loving these posts about your trip, so she can see a bit of where she’ll be! I love the idea of kids and their own “cocktails’! I have that very shirt in my bag online, in the blue! Keep these posts coming, I love them!!
Liz Thorson says
What a terrific, gorgeous day! I noticed you all had summer weather clothes on and ate outside early in the morning. How warm was it? I love Ashby’s dress! It’s so darling on her! Dromoland Castle and grounds are soooooo beautiful! I love that Smith fell in love with it from a travel show and shared it with you!
Chelsea says
I LOVE that Smith has the same passion for travel! How adorable that he took the time to write down the name and share it with you. He must have been on cloud 9.
Michelle says
My mom and my brother, his wife and son just returned from Ireland as well. I think it the place to be this summer.
He had his birthday while over there and they celebrated and Sean’s bar! And it just so happens that his middle name is Sean – I know – pretty popular name, but it was just kinda fun. They loved the trip too – so glad to see how much fun you all had!
Chane says
Did you tell S that you will stay at the castle or did you leave it as a surprise? So much fun x
Mix and Match Mama says
We told him. He was so pumped!!!!
Lauren says
Amazing! I think you should start your own “travel with kids” series 🙂