Into the West without a Kid's Club ~ Our Stay at the Yeats Country Hotel!

At the end of August we were incredibly lucky to win a Facebook competition with The Yeats Country Hotel for 3 night family break. The Yeats Country Hotel is located in Rosses Point in Country Sligo on the Wild Atlantic Way, one of our favourite parts of the country to explore. We were advised by the hotel to stay during October midterm break as they would have their Kid's Club running but due to my husband’s scheduled holidays from work we opted to take it in mid September. Regardless, we knew from their site and their surroundings that we'd enjoy it.

We arrived after dark so we didn’t get a chance to see the local area. We received a lovely warm welcome and were given all the information we needed for our break. The family rooms are spacious with ample room for little guests. We had two double beds and a couch, which converted into another double bed and then we had a carry cot for the baby; even so we still had plenty of room for swinging proverbial cats should we so wish! Our room was decorated beautifully and to a very high standard so we knew we'd feel right at home from the get go.

As we visited during term time we were the only family there but the hotel was pretty full as they have fantastic deals for over 50’s. There was literally a coach load of elderly ladies & gentlemen there, they loved chatting to our little ones as we passed them in reception. Each morning we had he pool to ourselves for a leisurely swim after a delicious breakfast. It was lots of fun and I was able to really enjoy our swimming sessions as I didn’t have to do a constant head count of our children over a sea of heads in a full pool.

There is a beautiful blue flag beach less than 5 minutes walk from the hotel, after our swim we went over for a look & spent ages watching the kite surfers, they were mesmerising. There’s lots to see and do along the stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way through Sligo and on up to Donegal so we hopped in the car and went for a drive. First stop was Bundoran, we really thought the arcades would be closed as it was off season and mid week but there were a few open so we stopped for a half an hour and we even won a teddy! 

Striking it LUCKY!

Next stop was the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre; they have artefacts a gift shop & historical documentaries shown on a screen in an old carriage. My little lads loved it. We paid €12 in for our family of 7, family tickets are priced at €10 for 2 adults & 2 children extra children are charged at €2 each and under 5’s are free. It was time for lunch as we hit the road again; as we were trying to keep the spending down we opted for a chipper rather than a restaurant for lunch so we stopped at Shines Takeaway in Killybegs, Co Donegal. 

The Donegal Railway Heritage Centre

My hubby ordered our chips and came back to the car with a jar of tuna and a fork! With five of us looking at him in bewilderment, he said the guy in the takeaway gave it to him to let the children try. Well they gobbled it up, so much so that I had to get him to buy a couple of jars to take home! It’s Albacore tuna caught in Ireland’s waters and processed by the Shine family in Killybegs. You can buy it in most Supervalu stores and independent artisan shops, keep an eye out for it, if you like tuna you’ll love it. Back on the Wild Atlantic Way after lunch we headed for Glen Head and then on to Sliabh Liag to take in some amazing scenery.

Plenty to see at Sliabh Liag!

We had dinner on two nights in Elsinore Restaurant on the Yeats Country Hotel as it was included in our package. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meals even the children with not one complaint from them. The staff were really friendly and chatted to our children as they were deciding what to order.

The next morning we again had a relaxing breakfast followed by a swim before we hit the road to Ned’s Point in Buncrana and on to Fort Dunree Military Museum. Our little ones are army barmy so loved the exhibits in Fort Dunree. As it’s an old Fort accessibility was limited for me with our baby in the buggy but my husband brought our older 4 on an exploration mission all around the Fort. Even if you don’t like military history it’s worth going, the views over Lough Swilly are spectacular. Admission is €7 for adults and €4 for children and a discounted family ticket €15 for 2 adults and 2 children. We paid €19 as our youngest 2 were free.

Ned's Point & Fort Dunree!

Seeing Everything to be Seen at Fort Dunree

On the way back to our hotel we stopped off at Lang's Bar in Grange to catch up with some friends who live locally. The bar is a fabulously old shop and bar with a wooden panelled snug. The type of place that Mary's on Wicklow Street try to emulate. The barman was lovely & chatted to our little ones as he poured their red lemonade. We spend an hour there before heading back to the hotel for dinner and our last night’s accommodation. 

Lang's Bar & Summoning the Wild Atlantic Forces! 

At check out the next morning our children were mobbed by the lovely ladies & gents who were also checking out and were waiting in reception for their coach to arrive. They plied our little ones with sweets & biscuits for their journey home. We waited to wave them all off before we headed home from a really lovely relaxing family break in Sligo.

It's always tempting to book a hotel depending on whether or not they have a Kid's Club in place but, truly, on this occasion, and I'm sure every other at Yeat's Country Hotel we were spoiled for choice in entertaining the little ones. We'll be sure to visit them again.  

Tell us, do you have a favourite family location 

that doesn't need a Kid's Club? 

We'd LOVE to add it to our list!