Kilkenny New Park Hotel

Very last minute, we decided to head to Kilkenny for a three day break with the girls at the start of September. We had hoped to get away at the end of August but we didn't make it - and made the fatal mistake of telling the kids. So, instead we set off in September.

Himself and the the three went down on Wednesday - I was away with work so I went down separately late Wednesday night.

These are stick-on earrings that she is delighted with herself. They lasted a good three seconds.

Anyway, the Hotel is perfect for families. We had a family room which had two double beds and a single bed. This was great, and for the laid-back out there, it would be perfect. However, the general mess of everybody's belongings, the 15 bags of toys that each child managed to bring, (they emptied the playroom and took it to Kilkenny) and the mild hysterical claustrophobia that hit me the next morning, led us to book the adjoining room for the next two nights. I was also concerned that if the adjoining room was booked, that our kids would wake them. Or vice versa. So, we then had two family rooms, and two bathrooms and it was sheer bliss.

The hotel has a pool which of course is a big hit. They also have a great playground, a basic track with toy peddle cars to drive ( our 8 year old would be about the max age for this) and a brilliant petting farm that you can walk around at ease.

We booked a babysitter - and the kids all loved her - for two nights. So we headed out for dinner and drinks by ourselves. Fairly tame each night but just great not to have to cut up each other's food and go to the toilet seven times over the course of the meal.

We had a full buffet breakfast each morning. And we had room service for lunch one day, while Kitty slept and I got my hair done in town! And room service for the kids another night. Tess will only eat Spaghetti Bolognaise for breakfast, lunch and dinner so this was a great hit. We also ordered a Dominos for the other night for the kids. They really loved the hotel. Though, their favourite part was honestly the room keys. They were allowed one each and the race to open the door led to many many meltdowns from the losers.

The staff are lovely in the Hotel. There were weddings on the Friday and the Saturday but we didn't see them or they didn't see us. On the Friday night, there were a few families with kids still up rolling and playing the in foyer area, while their parents relaxed.

There was plenty to do in Kilkenny, from the castle, the many cafes and our favourite pastime of avoiding toy shops, Claire's Accessories and Arts and Hobby. We went to Castelcomer Discovery Park. This looked fantastic. The coffee shop and playground was open but the adventure parts were closed. We had a great walk around and I imagine at the weekend or summer holidays it is amazing.

We had a brilliant time in Kilkenny and would highly recommend!