Maldron Hotel Portlaoise

Travel Blogs from Portlaoise

Sometimes you have to break the rules to have fun

A travel blog entry by melissaandalex

... living in castles, but I much preferred the castle's coach house and stables, which have been converted into the Kilkenny Design Craft Centre, containing shops and workshops for local craftspeople. I picked up a Celtic ring for myself and a little something to put in with a Christmas card to a friend this year. Despite their great selection, our hunt for the perfect Aran sweaters continues (and we took the short trip out of ...

On the road

A travel blog entry by melissaandalex

... like order, predictability and relaxation in your life, you probably should not become a parent, FYI). You don't know exactly what you are in for, but you know it's not likely to be dull. Tonight we had to quickly finish our dinner out at a local gastro-pub before Oli got cranky, but then we got to return to our B & B and watch him try to crawl.

As we arrived just before dark, we haven't seen much of Kilkenny so far. I am going to bed very excited for ...

Castles, Abbeys, and two more curbs

A travel blog entry by wnrdog

... his recent brush with a stampede. One minute they can be chewing cud and the next they can be chasing you. I chose not to tell Kim what I was thinking until we were well out of cow earshot. She was not as amused as I was. We did our best to drive, without getting lost, from Cashal to the Ballyseede Castle. We arrived safely at 6:30 and arranged dinner for 7:00. It's not often you get to eat in a castle, so I didn't mind paying $100 for a two course meal. Kim ...

Exploring the Emerald Isle

A travel blog entry by frances.bates

... So we happily breathed “fog air” at each other for a while until more socks, Mum’s shawl, Zebra socks over other socks, mittens and a blankie from the back were enlisted to keep the nip off.

It chugs along smelling like one of Dad’s little minis and Jeff reckons the pillows smell like race track :o) If you go over 55mph is gets a bit of a wiggle on, so we see A LOT of the countryside being Sunday drivers everywhere. ...

Meeting extended family members for 1st time.

A travel blog entry by nansonderun

After a relaxing day around the area, shopping & grave site visits AJ and CS went out to dinner in Portlaoise. We met up with some of AJ's extended family on her father's side - first cousins. We were invited to JC's lovely home in Portloaise and were joined by her husband RC and her sister PM.

AJ has not previously had any contact with this side of the family, with the family having lost contact 45 years ago when her father passed away.

Nervous as AJ was (and yes ...