Three Intrepid Explorers

Deciding where to go…

It’s mid-term and rather than hiding at home for a long weekend we decided to get out there and do something! A pin was placed in a map and Co. Down came up trumps. In between Ballynahinch and Newcastle to be precise. We found a lovely self-catering cottage called Drumgooland Mill Cottages. A super little find to be honest. The cottage sleeps two adults and up to three kids but as there was only me and the two kids it was perfect. An open fire, a large kitchen, with a dishwasher and a very friendly old dog that would visit every morning.

We settled in Friday evening and planned our first adventure.

Saturday 17th February

Downpatrick

10am: We headed to the historic town of Downpatrick and went straight to the Tourist Information Centre based in the Saint Patrick Centre. There are plenty of cheap and free car parks in the centre of Downpatrick and the whole town is really well signposted. After looking around and picking up some leaflets I was pointed at a few places of interest including Newcastle and the Down County Museum (which turned out to be closed until 1pm on Saturdays). We ended up walking around the Cathedral to see St Patrick’s Grave. The kids were keen to go into the church itself. It was beautiful and the kids really enjoyed it actually.

Lunch time loomed so we headed to the Rock City Diner which was around the corner from The St Patrick Centre on Market Street. The kids spotted it as we drove in because there is a huge hot dog outside squirting tomato sauce on his head.

It was a glorious day so we decided to leave the Museums and the history to another day. We headed for a beach We stumbled across Tyrella Beach which was glorious. The sun was out, sand castles were made and sand dunes climbed. Lots of fun.

The day was still young, all of us covered in sand but still rearing to go. Delamont Country Park was the next stop. This was decided because of the Adventure Playground and the Miniature Railway. After ice cream, train rides, swings, slides and a 1.2 km (3/4 mile) walk with views to die for, we headed back to the car.

Kids only just managed tea before they fell into bed exhausted. I was not far behind them to be honest

Sunday 18th February

Castlewellan

Sunday morning was slightly slower than Saturday to start. We left the cottage around 10.45 and we headed for Castlewellan Forest Park. We had heard tell there was a maze which was open all year round. We were in that maze for an hour and a half. I have never laughed so much. The kids had a blast.

We had a quick lunch, nothing special to be honest with you, but we did stop off at The Coffee Stop on the main street in Castlewellan to grab an ice cream and a bun before we ventured off to the Horse Trekking at Mountpleasant Riding Centre.

My boy was so wound up and excited at the prospect of going riding I thought it was going to be a nightmare. He proved to be a bit of a mini John Wayne. Absolutely loved it. My girl was a bit more cautious but that is her nature. I enjoyed it too. It was a well run and relaxed trek.

Home for an early tea and a much-needed bath!

Monday 19th February

Rainy Day Activities

It was raining cats and dogs Monday morning. The kids had wanted to go horse trekking again as they enjoyed it so much the day before. I thought better of it as it was much too cold and wet. We headed back to Downpatrick to visit the Down County Museum. It was enjoyable and the kids were able to get involved in the exhibitions. The boy loved the dungeons, of course. We had lunch at the Museum café on site.

Next stop the Down Patrick Leisure Centre for a swim. Two pools, one for the children and one for the grown-ups. Kids loved it.

All back in the car. Home, unpacked and kids fed. Cup of tea to the rumbling tones of my washing machine working away in the background. I am exhausted. We had fun but it was busy, busy, busy.

The kids want to go again next week … Eeek

Park Life - Delamont Country Park

After running up and down sand dunes for a good hour the kids wanted to find a playground. To be honest the sand dunes hds actually dried us off a bit. Dry sand is easier to shift than wet sand.

Delamont Country Park is situated about 5 minutes from Downpatrick near Killyleagh in Strangford Lough Nature Reserve and is very well sign-posted. There is a charge for entry to the park for cars and buses in high season. First thing we spotted was the Miniature Railway. I hoped it was running and it was:) A small charge is made, £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for kids, though I did not really need to ride it with them; my kids are probably old enough to ride alone. The track is mostly visible from the café area. The train went round a portion of the park and passed the Adventure play area. That was obviously our next stop. The kids enjoyed the ride and as we were the only ones on the train, they were able to sit at the front.

We headed to the playground which is very impressive. It is separated into 4 sections and gives you plenty of room to sit and picnic. It is huge and well spaced out. There is a younger childrens section but to be honest it all looked safe and well maintained (and I know a three year old that would give it all a good go). It was very muddy in places when we were there but it is out of season, it all added to the fun. Not that it mattered to us. The playground kept them busy for a good while though it had been a long day and I could see the kids slowing down.

We stopped for ice cream and a much-needed coffee at the little café onsite. The train driver was covering the café and the train so had to keep popping off for a quick spin on Freddy the Train. It was quite funny to watch but he was in good sprits and no-one seemed to mind waiting at either place.

I let the kids choose a walk, trying to direct them to the shorter of the five trails on offer. I don’t think I would have been able to cope with a 7 km hike after the exertions of the day The Garden walk was picked, which is only 1.2 kms and very do-able we thought. So, following the red markers we headed up the hill and came across the Strangford Stone.

An impressive structure which was put in place in 1995. A group of local people decided to fulfill an ancient tradition and bring one thousand young people together to celebrate the start of a new millennium. They erected this stone by pulling up the one-thousand-centimetre-high Strangford Stone by hand. This, they hoped, as the peace process was gaining momentum, to involve young people from all backgrounds in Northern Ireland and creat a lasting testament to a shared future. I must admit it is impressive! There is a very detailed description of how they acheived this and full list of names of everyone who helped. I think it would have been very moving to see it happen.

Moving on we headed along the red path to the bird hide. The first thing that hit me was the view. Strangford Lough is stunning. A highlight for my son was a little tractor heading over the water! (I’m still not sure if it was actually driving from one island to another or if there was a bridge close to the surface but it looked like a cool trick!) The bird hide was well laid out and we spent a good while in there looking for a heron or two. Binoculars in tow (from the Downpatrick Cathedral!!) Suddenly we saw them in the trees straight in front of us. They were sitting in their nests. It was good to see (and the binoculars did help!).

Just after the hide, we spotted a sign for a lookout tower. Decision made and off we went! The lookout had an impressive view out towards the Lough but it was not very easy for the kids to see. Too high for them to see over and I wasn’t really happy for them to stand on the wall. This detour actually gave us a short cut back to the car park and Ithink we were all secretly pleased to cut the walk short.

WOW Overview

Kids Say
6 year old: We did a lot of walking today. The park was good fun and there was a big scary slide. When you went down it it was not as fast as you thought it would be. I liked the bird house and looking at the Herons.
6 year old: I liked the train and the ice creams. There is a tractor that can drive on water here.

Stress Level: 0 (It was a super place and very relaxed. Out of season admittedly but still a good place for the kids to let off steam.)

Fun Level: 4 (The kids really enjoyed themselves. Lots to keep them amused)

Cost Level: 1 The train and the refreshments were reasonable, although there will be a cost for entry for cars and buses in season)

Back in the car and off home for the day..

Tyrella Beach: A little slice of paradise in Co Down

We stumbled across this beach on the way to Newcastle though I think everyone raised in Northern Ireland has been to or heard of Tyrella Beach. Tyrella was sign-posted off the A2. I noticed the brown tourism sign saying Tyrella Beach was only five miles and the kids seemed very keen. We headed that way as it was a pleaant countryside drive and easy to find.

There is a charge, I believe, in high season to park but there was no-one on duty when we arrived. The car park was open so we parked and headed off, all excited. It was glorious day with the sun shining which was unexpected for mid-February. It was still a bit chilly, being winter and all that, but we made sandcastles with bridges and stones and flags and sticks and seaweed. It was Carrick Castle according to the kids. My 5 year old was very impressed that the man (John de Courcy) who built Carrick castle also played a big part in building Downpatrick Cathedral (He says: He must have been a very very busy man!).

We walked along the beach and collected shells and stones and general treasures. It is a really nice place. Beautiful and peaceful. We came across a path which lead to the dunes. That opened a whole new world. Up and down sand mountains, in and out of dunes. A good hour was used up marching around the dunes. We came across a picnic area which was a bit disappointing. The tables were burnt and there was a lot of broken bottles lying around. I would like to think that this will change when the beach is patrolled in season. It will be interesting in to see it in high season. I hear it can be very busy!

But apart from that it was a good place to go and let off steam. A good fun trip.

Kids say:
6 year old: I liked collecting shells and helping with the sand castle. The sand dunes were really really good fun and it was good that I led us the way back through the car.
5 year old: The sand castle was the best one I have made. I liked jumping in the sea with my boots on.

Stress Level 0 (A good clean beach. There was some rubbish around but not really stressfull rubbish.. If this is possible.

Fun Level 5 (Good fun, lots of laughing and playing together)

Cost Level 0 (I am not sure of the costs when this beach is in-season. I will try to get that information)

A fantastic kid-friendly self-catering cottage

From Ballynahinch, it is only a 6 mile drive south on the A24 towards Newcastle. It is signposted just after the Brennan Garage by a brown tourism sign. It was an easy drive once I got started (Having overcome a couple of minor delays; I managed to leave my Cheque book in the house and had to turn back after traveling for half an hour. Once on the way again we had to have an emergency toilet stop for my son. Best not to ask :() I managed to keep the stress levels down because I was so excited about getting away for a few days.

We arrived later than expected and having phoned the owner of the cottage to find out exactly where they were, we parked up and took possession of the keys. We were greeted by the owner and two of her children. The welcome we got was exceptional. Bread, milk, biscuits, butter, coffee, tea, firelighters, kindling and coal to name but a few items left to help settle us in. This is self-catering accommodation and I had expected to have to bring it all with you. The children offered my kids a number of DVDs to watch and we had a quick chat about what there was to do for children in the area. Very helpful warm welcome. I honestly can’t thank them enough.

The cottage itself was very very well equipped with washing machine, tumble-dryer, dishwasher, iron and ironing board. All bedding, towels and dishcloth are provided, as was cleaning materials, soap powder, washing up liquid etc.

Once settled in we unpacked and settled down with a cosy fire. The cottage comes with an assortment of books and board games. It even had colouring pens and spare remote control batteries available!! We played monopoly for a few hours … the kids choice and they enjoyed it!

The accommodation was exactly what we needed and it was a very central base for what we needed to do. I would put this down as a “highly recommended”! There is an outside area with picnic table and barbeque facilities, a washing line and wonderful views. Oh yes, and it has underfloor heating :) That rocks !

I believe it is pet-friendly but if you don’t have one of your own you can always borrow Waltie. He is an old collie that arrives every morning for his stick-throwing half hour. He was very cute and friendly and the kids really enjoyed the rent-a-pet situation.

WOW Overview

Kids Say
6 year old: The cottage was really nice. There was lots of things for us to do there. There was games and pens and we were given some DVDs from the children who lived in the big house. We had a pet dog when we were there and his name was Waltie.
5 year old: I liked the cottage and the real fire. The dog was very good at catching pine cones if you threw them in the air. He was nice and he came around every day.

Stress Level: 2 (This score is because when you have two children in someone else’s house it is always a bit stressful. I do think however on the whole it is very child friendly.)

Fun Level: 4 (This is a good friendly house and we did enjoy our stay)

Cost Level: 4 (I think for what you get in this accommodation it is excellent value. It is well equipped and well worth the money we paid for the three nights.)