Donal Skehan has shared his top tips for a staycation Clare, one of his favourite places to visit in Ireland.
The celebrity chef is well versed in keeping his kids occupied and he has had various types of trips there over the years.
His highlights include staying in Fiddle + Bow, near Doolin and taking in the birds of prey show in Aillwee Caves.
Read more: Staycation in Clare: Best Wild Atlantic Way spots, eat and drink in Ennis and top hotels
Donal told RSVP Magazine: "Most of the holidays we’ve had as a family have been down towards Co. Clare. We love the area.
"We stayed in Mount Vernon country house in The Burren and the beautiful Elfin Cottage, which is part of Fiddle + Bow, near Doolin.
"The boys were quite young when we were there first and we were just coming out of the pandemic so we have lovely memories.
"I love to do a bit of surfing so it’s the perfect place for that as well. We have friends from Los Angeles who have kids the same age as our two. We recently had a conversation about where they should visit and Co. Clare, especially the west coast, is stunning."
He added: "We tend to go for self-catering options with the kids. We haven’t stayed in any of the fancy hotels like The Falls, The Armada or the Trump resort in Doonbeg.
"I should be able to recommend them but I can’t [laughs]. The last time I stayed in Lahinch was for a stag party and I definitely would not recommend where I stayed that time [laughs]!"
When it comes to keeping the kids occupied on a trip, you have to plan everything out in advance, according to Donal.
He said: "The best thing you can do is have things lined up. More often than not, I’ll pack the mornings full of activities because the mornings with kids can drag.
"If you’re not up and out early, you’ll lose your mind. You also need to have a good lunch option ready. After that you can take it easy because they’ll be absolutely wrecked."
What tourist attractions did he visit? "In Clare, we visited the Aillwee Caves and saw the birds of prey show. They’re great for an adult too. And when you visit these tourist attractions and watch them through a kid’s eyes you can see how wowed they are by them."
A lot of the local food in Clare tickled his fancy.
Donal said: "I had the best oysters I’ve ever tasted in a little bar called Linnane’s in New Quay, right next to the Flaggy Shore. Obviously, a trip to the Burren Smokehouse is always a good call."
Donal goes surfing along the Wild Atlantic Way and hits up the great beaches along the coast.
He said: "I’ve been to Lahinch and there’s a gorgeous little beach called Fanore, which is north of the Cliffs of Moher. It’s amazing."
This interview appeared in the May 2023 issue of RSVP Magazine
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