Things you can find in Meath: tombs, fairies, disguised UFOs, old castles...

 As we continue our staycations with one-day trips around Dublin, last week we visited Co. Meath.

So many things to see and do in this area of the island! And being so close to Co. Dublin, where we live, makes it a great destination for one-day trips. This time our destination was Loughcrew (the Lougcrew Cairns and Loughcrew Gardens afterwards to get something to eat).

Tasting the best donuts in Dublin (with the best donutology experts!)

Some weeks ago I wrote a blog post about our favourite spots in Dublin to have a cup of coffee... because in the past couple of years the number of nice new independent cafés in and around the city has grown exponentially - there always seems to be a new one around the corner, which is fantastic: the more, the merrier!

(3fE Dublin)

Our favourite spots to have a cup of coffee in and around Dublin

It is true - I can confirm it: the streets of Dublin have become the perfect stage for a wave of fantastic new actors looking to come in first in the ongoing contest "WHO SERVES THE BEST CUP OF COFFEE IN TOWN?"

A fantastic day just outside Co. Dublin

Greystones, Co. Wicklow... oooh, that sounds so far away! "Not even in Co. Dublin?? Let's look for a spot that is closer to Dublin" you might think. Well, let me tell you: You would be wrong!

Le Petit Breton (Dublin 9) - good crêperie!

What can I say: we love crêpes!

They are a fantastic meal - you can prepare them with everything: savoury for lunch, sweet for dessert or for an afternoon snack (one of my kids would kill for a warm nutella crêpe), they fill you up, but do not make you feel heavy after eating them and can be eaten at home / in a restaurant  or on the go... perfect for all tastes and demands!

Well now there is a new place in Dublin where you can enjoy perfect crêpes the French way: Le Petit Breton in Drumcondra (1A Drumcondra Road Lower).

Union Cafe (Dublin 14) - Perfect for the summer

Dublin weather during the months of May and June is usually really nice (OK, OK.... it is now pouring down with rain and the sky has a really intimidating dark grey colour!) I mean in general... or let's say I'd love to think that in general, Dublin weather can be really nice :-). Rather difficult to talk about the weather in this country eh?

The Mellow Fig Cafe in Blackrock (Co. Dublin)

If I had to describe The Mellow Fig Cafe in Blackrock (5 Georges Avenue)  with just a word, I would choose COZY. It is without any doubt a cozy cafe...

A very pleasant day out: Castlecomer Discovery Park (Co. Kilkenny)

School break again! Not sure if I'm saying it with great joy or great worry... probably all working parents have the same mixed feelings: what to do with the kids during these two full weeks the school will be closed?

Another great discovery: Peacock Green Cafe (different locations in Dublin)

Some months ago, someone -who knows us well- told us about a new cafe in the city center, more specifically on Lord Edward Street, opposite Christchurch cathedral (Dublin 2). The name of the new cafe: Peacock Green. We were told it was small, but very tastefully decorated and that it was perfect for a coffee and a pastry. 

In Donnybrook - With the new year, we've discovered new places to have a lovely meal with the kids (I)

Happy New Year!!!

Still trying to recover from the excess that the holidays brought: too much to eat, too little to sleep and no exercise at all! But totally worth it, wasn't it? :-)

But we cannot just stay home during weekends...we have to try new places! It's in our blood!!! So the other day, we went for a walk to Donnybrook with some relatives who were visiting and we found BAKERS:

Bakers is a charming place right in the heart of Donnybrook (Unit D 3, The Crescent, Dublin 4).

Quick visit to Skerries - We'll be back!

I like sports... I love sports! But the thought of spending my whole weekend watching tennis, football or F1 annoys me just a little bit, specially if the weather is nice.

But at home we believe in democracy (not sure if this is good or not, really), so everybody gets to do what we want at some point during the two days a week we spend together: Saturdays and Sundays (wouldn't it be easier to do just what mum says??? Mum is always right, right?)

"Breakfasting" @ Press Café, National Print Museum, Dublin 4

Got up late this morning: last night's Champion's league final match requested our attention, support, cheers, tears... (one team had to lose and unfortunately not all of us were happy with the result).

So you have kids and you have a dog....

...and you would like to be able to take them ALL for a nice walk and a lovely breakfast during those sunny Saturday mornings, full of light and full of life that we enjoy from time to time in this amazing corner of the world???

Well, I have a couple of ideas for you:

Plan nr 2 for the mid term break: Let them decide where to go for breakfast + THE CHALLENGE

After our total success on Day 1 and our trip to Glendalough, I faced Day 2 with a lot of optimism!

What should we do? Well, the weather was still a bit unsettled yesterday and Dad said he had some time to join us in the morning, so I decided we would do something we love doing as a family: going out for breakfast to one of those beautiful cafes in Dublin. But... where?

KC Peaches - Our favourite cafe on Pearse Street (Dublin 2)

Without a doubt: KC Peaches on Pearse Street is our favourite and most visited cafe in the area! and we know quite a few.... How haven't I written about it before???

Well, better late than never! Let's talk about KC Peaches today

Cafe Provence - fantastic little cafe in Malahide village

We love the village of Malahide: so clean, with a lot of bright coloured shops, and flower baskets everywhere.... and the castle! and the beach!!!

To me the village has an unbeatable location to attract visitors.

The new member of the Avoca family @ Malahide Castle

I love the Avoca stores - all the ones I've visited! They're decorated with such a good taste, you can see that even the tiniest details have been taken care of. I also love the Avoca cafés because they're... very pleasant (and I think that is the best compliment for a café/restaurant)

Christmas has arrived @ Farmleigh House

I know, I know - I also watch TV from time to time, and the commercials are all very "Christmas oriented". I walk on the streets and all I see is Santa everywhere, Christmas trees and lights, and the lovely Christmas music... but I have to say that till this morning I wasn't on a Christmas mood yet - not at all!

Rathfarnham Castle, Playground and Tea rooms

Rathfarnham Castle is a beautiful 16th century castle with a fascinating history.

The building is not very big, and neither are the gardens that surround it, but it truly is a must-see attraction.

Having breakfast at Queen of Tarts Café

Queen of Tarts is a lovely little café... sorry: 2 lovely little cafés very close to each other.The original one is on Dame Street just opposite Cork Hill (the City Hall), and the other one is just around the corner, on Cow's Lane. See the map here.