Travel blogger Tara Povey shares some of her (and her mam's) tried and true favourite experiences in Ireland to share with a loved one this Mother's Day.
My mother has always been a free spirit. When I was young she used to book last minute flights without a care in the world. We'd land in her chosen destination with nothing booked; no hotel, no rental car, nada!
Needless to say, I inherited my wanderlust from her. These days shared travels and adventures is how we bond.
The older I get the more I want to repay my mam for all the magical experiences she gave me growing up. So when it comes to any big occasion like Christmas, her birthday or Mother’s Day, my first instinct is to find something different that we can do together.
Over the years we’ve tried river rafting in Alaska, we’ve road tripped across Scotland and we’ve swam with sharks in the Maldives. But not all of our adventures have been abroad. We’ve searched for hidden waterfalls in the Wild Nephin national park, we’ve done a foodie retreat in the Wicklow Mountains and if there’s an afternoon tea going, we’ve probably tried it.
With that in mind, here are some of my (and my mam’s) favourite experiences in Ireland.
Hiking/adventure
There are various guided group hike options across Ireland but here are some of the most popular: The Hike Life, Out Out Club and Galz Gone Wild. These group hikes are bound to get you talking and you might even come away with some new friends. Make sure to sign up early, these hikes are extremely popular!
For something truly unique check out the Dark Sky Safari with Terra Firma in Co Mayo. The international dark sky park in Mayo is gold certified and is the perfect place to learn all about the constellations and nocturnal wildlife from a local guide. If there’s an amateur astronomer or an aspiring Mystic Meg in your family then this is the outdoor experience for you.
If you prefer something with a slower pace then I highly recommend Alpaca Trekking in Co Antrim with Cranfield Alpacas. Photos of you and your mam, smiling wildly, wedged between alpacas will forever adorn your mantelpiece after this magical experience.
Spa/wellness
If you love R&R but don't want to dedicate an entire weekend to a spa break then I highly recommend booking a slot at Outcasts sauna and cold dip in Stoneybatter, Dublin. Jumping between the hot sauna and the cold baths has great health benefits and the 45 minute slot will have you feeling utterly invigorated. Plus there are some great food trucks right outside for a post-sauna feast.
Our favourite place to start the day...
— Galgorm (@GalgormResort) July 16, 2023
📍 The Hydrotherapy Pool pic.twitter.com/kCYgDX5T67
Any spa enthusiast in your life is probably already dreaming of visiting Galgorm in Co Antrim. With their stunning thermal village and huge list of treatments this is the pinnacle of spa experiences in Ireland. I visited Galgorm years ago and I still think about bubbling away in their riverside hot tub. You know what, I’ve convinced myself, I’m booking this in for me and my mam this year.
Food
If you and your family are foodies then you need to book yourselves into the aptly-named Wicklow Escape Foodie Experience. This gorgeous boutique lodge in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains hosts multi-day foodie getaways with guest chefs and fresh, locally sourced food. The wood fired hot tub and hiking trails out back don’t hurt either. This is the perfect elevated cosy cottage experience.
Has your mam got a bit of a sweet tooth? The Vintage Tea Bus (Dublin and Cork) might be the perfect activity for you to share. There’s music, there’s sight-seeing and there’s a delicious classic afternoon tea, all served on board a vintage double decker bus.
Yoga/retreats
A weekend of meditation, yoga and dips in the Atlantic is the perfect bonding experience. I recently visited The Burren Yoga Retreat in Co Clare and it was so lovely to see several parent-daughter pairs on the retreat. Everything about this place is like a balm for the soul. I cannot recommend it enough. Whether you’re an experienced yogi or just a beginner, you’ll come away from this place feeling refreshed and revitalised.
Sharing some mindful moments can be a great way to bond and the Empower With Emma Minfulness events are perfect for that. She has a Weekend Reset Retreat at Powerscourt Springs in Co Wicklow coming up that would make a lovely gift experience. She also holds mindfulness and meditation hikes, classes and events year round. I’ve done one of Emma’s mindfulness mornings and I felt like a new woman afterwards. There’s a great energy at her events and they really help you to slow down and focus on the present, which is something absolutely all of us could benefit from.
Unique experiences
The best memories are created when you step outside your comfort zone, so why not treat your mam to a Hawk Walk with Hawkeye School of Falconry in Co Kilkenny? Strolling through the beautiful grounds of Lyrath Estate with a stunning predatory raptor on your arm or circling above your head is not something you’ll ever forget.
Do you have a parent with a whimsical side? Are they fond of a historically significant building? Then they’ll love a weekend away at one of the many heritage buildings that make up the Irish Landmark Trust. From castles to lightkeepers houses, you won’t struggle to find the perfect getaway on their website.
While my mother and I have many differences, adventures together and the memories that go along with them is something that we will always be able to share and enjoy
