day 1
After travelling, everyone’s stomach will be very empty, when you arrive to Ashling Hotel, why not stop in our Iveagh bar, for some light refreshments and beverages to accommodate all the family. Settle in our spacious family rooms while everyone picks their beds and feel just at home.
For your first afternoon in Dublin, make the most of the city’s outdoor fun to burn your little ones’ energy.
Head over to Phoenix Park, just a five-minute drive from Ashling Hotel, there is plenty to do for both adults and children alike. From an excellent playground area, to picnic benches, not to mention the magical 500 fallow deer herd that lives there – rumour has it they are best friends with, you guessed it, Rudolph and Santa. Play eye-spy as you enjoy a hot chocolate and a coffee, from the Phoenix café and look at the wildlife from birds, insects and much more.
For the adults, you can pop into the visitor centre. There is a fun, entertaining exhibition on the history and wildlife of the Park. Two audio-visual guides can be viewed and free guided tours are available for Ashtown Castle & Grangegorman.
After your little one has tired themselves out, why not pop into Chesterfields Restaurant, where we offer something for all the family, with our own children’s menu. Making sure everyone at the hotel is happy, Ashling Hotel thrives to make your home away home feel just right.
Retire to your spacious family room for a great night’s sleep before another day packed with adventures.
Phoenix Park
day 2
Start your first full day in Dublin with an all you can eat buffet breakfast, with over 100 breakfast items, you and the family will not be disappointed. Head to Dublin Zoo, just a five minute drive or fifteen minute walk from Ashling Hotel.
Located in Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo is Ireland’s biggest family attraction, seeing over one million visitors a year.
Founded in 1831 and since then has expanded to a beautiful, 28 hectare zoo full of caring professionals devoting their lives to the welfare and care of animals and to understand their needs. This zoo is home to over 400 rare, exotic and endangered animals from all around the world.
The zoo also has a wonderful reptile house, housing such reptiles as crocodiles, Burmese pythons and chameleons.
Not only does Dublin Zoo have a wide variety of animals and habitats, it also holds over 2,000 plant species that have been carefully planted around the grounds. From bamboo to Irish oak, the zoo holds its plant life in the same high regard as its animals.
After a long day in the zoo, we promise you and your little one will be exhausted. Get some dinner over at the Iveagh Bar, the bar stays open for food until 9pm. Children can pick again from our wide variety on the kid’s menu and adults can also order themselves a nightcap or two to fully relax and enjoy a quiet evening. Go on, you are on holidays after all.
Dublin Zoo
day 3
Before you pack up to go home, perhaps enjoy a breakfast in the Chesterfield Restaurant as a last morning treat. From a full Irish breakfast, cereals, yoghurts, coffee, the works – this breakfast buffet has everything you can imagine. Once you have eaten your fill, why not head into the city centre for a day of shopping and adventure.
From our hotel, Dublin City Centre is just a 10 minute journey on the Luas. For the shopaholic in the family, Dublin has a variety of shopping centres and streets.
Running from St Stephen’s Green in the south right through College Green in the north, Grafton Street is one of two shopping streets in Dublin City Centre. The street is completely pedestrianized as people can roam around freely into the different high end to designer retail stores as well as well as hidden pubs and restaurants. Be completely immersed into the Irish culture as you walk along the street and hear and see the local street performers, from circus acts to buskers arrived to entertain shoppers.
Saving the best to last you can’t visit Dublin without taking a Viking Splash Tour. The tour is both a fun and educational way to see the sights and history of Dublin both on land and water. Visitors are taken on a mesmerizing tour of Dublin on a huge sight for sore eyes yellow amphibious bus. Discover sights such as St Patrick’s and Christchurch Cathedrals, Trinity College, Government Buildings and Georgian Dublin. End the tour with a splash as you explore into the Grand Canal docklands.
On your return why not stop into the Iveagh Bar for some food for all the family as you unwind and discuss the highlights of your trip and discuss when you will return to our hotel and Dublin again.
