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Mama Loves Ireland

A local mama's guide to the Emeral Isle

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Itineraries & Tips
  • Red bridge at the Japanese Gardens in Kildare
    See & Do

    The fantastic Japanese Gardens of Kildare: all you need to know to plan a visit

    November 10, 2021 /

    All you need to know to plan a visit to the stunning Japanese Gardens of Kildare, one of the prettiest gardens in Ireland. If you love Japanese gardens and aesthetics, you will love to learn that Ireland has a wonderful example of them: the Japanese Gardens at the National Stud Center, Co. Kildare. The gardens are part of a large estate with several beautiful garden areas and the Irish National Stud Farm and they are a delight to visit. Perfectly designed and maintained, they are an elegant corner of Ireland and a treat for plant and garden lovers. If you are looking for an outdoor attraction close to Dublin and…

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    Mama Loves Ireland

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    Recommended Ireland itineraries

    January 18, 2020

    The best things to do in Wicklow and you will love this stunning Irish county

    March 20, 2020

    Driving in Ireland: What you need to know

    January 9, 2020
  • festive blackboard with text: how to say Merry Christmas in Irish
    Lifestyle

    How to say Merry Christmas in Irish

    November 10, 2021 /

    Learn how to say Merry Christmas in Irish, spell it, pronounce it, plus more festive words in Irish perfect for the holiday season. Christmas is a big deal in Ireland. During the holidays, families come together, carols fill the air, gifts get exchanged and wishes for a happy Christmas fill phone conversations and Christmas cards. In many cases, the Christmas greetings you hear in Ireland are in English. However, it is very common to also see messages for a Merry Christmas in Irish. You see them around Irish towns, merry Christmas in Irish often being spelled with pretty lights; you see the greetings on Christmas cards and you can hear…

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    Mama Loves Ireland

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    Glenroe Farm: open farm and playground for a great family day out

    May 13, 2020

    The best things to do in Wicklow and you will love this stunning Irish county

    March 20, 2020
    ireland beach summer

    Ireland in July: all you need to know to plan the perfect trip

    April 24, 2024
  • bowl of irish colcannon on wooden table
    Irish Recipes

    Colcannon recipe: how to make this delicious potato and cabbage Irish dish

    March 3, 2021 /

    Easy, delicious colcannon recipe: how to make colcannon, traditional Irish dish with creamy potato mash and cabbage. Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish of creamy mashed potatoes and cabbage. Buttery, warming and immensely satisfying, especially on a cold day and when served with juicy Irish lamb, colcannon uses three of the most traditional Irish ingredients, potatoes, cabbage and butter and it is the type of dish everyone loves, even kids! Colcannon is easy to make and is a dish that is sure to add an Irish touch to your table on St Patrick’s Day or any other time you feel like having a little bit of Ireland at home, no…

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    Ardgillan castle Dublin

    Playgrounds in Dublin your kids will love

    March 6, 2020
    easy Halloween Cahrcuterie bard

    How to Create a Gorgeous Halloween Charcuterie Board

    September 22, 2025

    3 days in Dublin with kids: The Itinerary You’ll love

    June 15, 2024
  • Traditional Irish breakfast full fry
    Irish Recipes,  Lifestyle

    What is a traditional Irish breakfast + how to make traditional Irish breakfast at home

    March 3, 2021 /

    What is a traditional Irish breakfast? Learn what a full Irish breakfast is and how to make a delicious Irish breakfast at home. If you have been vacationing in Ireland, chances are you have come across offers for a traditional Irish breakfast or full Irish or full-fry as it is also called. A full Irish breakfast usually appears as a breakfast offer in hotels and B&Bs, it is a common offering on menus of breakfast and brunch places and it is of course also a meal you can easily make at home, especially at a weekend, when you may have a little more time to make it (and when you…

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    Mama Loves Ireland

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    What to pack for Ireland in August

    August 30, 2019

    7 warming soups for winter you’ll love: recipes ideas to try at home!

    January 10, 2025
    irish mouhntain on winter day with trail

    Ireland in January: all you need to know to plan a perfect trip

    December 30, 2021
  • Irish Recipes

    Irish pancake recipe: how to make perfect Irish pancakes at home

    March 3, 2021 /

    Irish pancake recipe: step by step guide to make delicious Irish pancakes for shrove Thursday, St Patrick’s Day and Irish-inspired meals! Pancakes are very popular in Ireland. Plain, with berries, chocolate or syrup, they appear on all breakfast and brunch menus in restaurants and they even have their own day: Pancake Tuesday! Irish pancakes make the most of some of Ireland’s freshest and delicious produce: Irish eggs and milk. This is how to make Irish pancakes at home. Ingredients to make Irish pancakes in cups 2 cups self-raising white flour (standard flowers work too, they just come out thinner) 1 pinch of salt 0.1 caster sugar 2 eggs 2 cup…

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    Mama Loves Ireland

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    Killruddery house: the perfect place for a family day out

    April 27, 2020
    Trinity College Dublin

    The best time to visit Dublin: a month by month overview of the weather in the city

    May 23, 2025
    glasses of champagne and board saying how to say happy new year in irish

    How to say Happy New Year in Irish

    December 31, 2021
  • kids on ticknowck trail in snow
    Ireland with kids,  See & Do

    Fairy Castle Loop: all you need to know about this family friendly Ticknock Walk

    January 5, 2021 /

    What to expect on the Fairy castle Loop, family friendly Ticknock walk with beautiful views over Dublin City and the bay If you are looking for a beautiful family walk in Dublin parents and kids will like, then I highly recommend you head to the area of Ticknock and the Fairy Castle Loop. This is a lovely, easy hike with beautiful views over Dublin and it is perfect when you want to stretch your legs and find yourself surrounded by nature but cannot stray too far from the city and do not want a strenuous mountain walk. The loop takes less than 2 hours to complete and while there is…

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    Mama Loves Ireland

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    Glendalough Ireland

    Glendalough: all you need to know for visiting this stunning Irish historical site

    May 10, 2020

    Apple cake recipe: easy to make family favorite!

    April 9, 2020

    The best things to do in Wicklow and you will love this stunning Irish county

    March 20, 2020
  • View from Howth cliff walk with sea and Martello Tower on September afternoon
    Travel Tips

    Ireland in September: all you need to know to plan a trip and fall in love with Ireland in the fall

    September 1, 2020 /

    Essential travel guide to help you plan a trip to Ireland in September: weather, best things to see, need to know. [Updated in 2025] September is a lovely month to visit Ireland. It is the month when the summer starts coming to an end and fall makes an appearance and I often feel it is the time when you get the best of both seasons. On a good day, September can still be bright, mild and even warm, especially at the beginning of the month and on a colder day, it often brings bright, crisp days great for walks and outdoor activities. The photo at the top of this post…

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    Mama Loves Ireland

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    Kilkenny town

    Things do to in Kilkenny on your first visit + walking itinerary to see the best of the city

    April 17, 2020
    Traditional Irish breakfast full fry

    What is a traditional Irish breakfast + how to make traditional Irish breakfast at home

    March 3, 2021
    Cliffs of Moher

    Best virtual tours and virtual field trips to visit Ireland from your own home!

    March 21, 2020
  • Packing for Ireland

    What to pack for Ireland in September: full list

    September 1, 2020 /

    What to pack for Ireland in September: full packing list and insider tips to be comfortable and stylish in Ireland’s changeable weather! September is a transition month in Ireland, the time when the summer slowly but surely starts to fade and chillier temperatures make a comeback. Overall, September is a nice and mild month and a good one to visit the Emerald Isle. However, changeable weather and falling temperatures require some clever packing, so that you don’t get caught by a cold bout of rain but also don’t miss out on the glorious, mild sunny days September in Ireland can bring. This is my complete, tried and tested packing list…

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    Mama Loves Ireland

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    5 Spooky-Easy Halloween Spritz Cocktails you’ll love

    September 22, 2025

    Visiting Blarney Castle with kids: all you need to know

    April 26, 2020

    Visiting Ireland with kids: all you need to know

    January 9, 2020
  • Ireland with kids

    Malahide Castle with kids: all you need to know to visit this stunning estate

    May 13, 2020 /

    Malahide Castle with kids: why we love this family friendly castle near Dublin and recommend it for an easy, fun, family day out with the kids. Malahide Castle is one of the most popular places for a family day out in Dublin and it is easy to see why: the castle that gives the name of the estate is beautiful (and can be nice for parents to visit), there are expansive grounds for kids to run around and wonderful playgrounds with huge climbing structures perfect for children small and big. On top of this, here you have a large Avoca cafe which, while often very busy, is excellent for a…

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    Mama Loves Ireland

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    Visiting Ireland in March: all you need know to plan the perfect trip

    March 23, 2025
    irish festive drinks photo collage

    Delicious Irish Festive Drinks You’ll Love This Holiday Season

    October 17, 2025
    galway Christmas market ireland, at night, with lights

    Magical Christmas markets in Ireland you’ll love this holiday season

    November 14, 2021
  • Ireland with kids

    Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park: all you need to know to plan a fun family day out in Kildare

    May 13, 2020 /

    Lullymore Village is a beautiful family attraction in Country Kildare. It has a nice playground, a lovely boardwalk, a fun road train, a fairy garden, educational opportunities and a family-friendly restaurant and indoor play area. Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park was a great discovery for us. Located in County Kildare, it is a great place for a family day out with young kids as it has opportunities to walk, play (indoor and outdoor) a fun road train and educational opportunities in the heritage village. We first went where the kids were tiny and we all had great fun! These are the best things to see and do in Lullymore.

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    Mama Loves Ireland

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    Glendalough Ireland

    Glendalough: all you need to know for visiting this stunning Irish historical site

    May 10, 2020

    Dublinia: our review of one of the best family attractions in Dublin

    March 5, 2020

    The best things to do in Dublin: unmissable Dublin attractions you’ll love

    March 31, 2020
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Welcome!

Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Marta, I am a mama of two, lucky enough to call this beautiful island of Ireland home. With this website, I help visitors to Ireland make the most of their Irish vacation: browse to read my travel guides and tips that take the stress away from planning a trip to Ireland with kids (or without!) Céad Míle Fáilte (That’s: ‘Welcome!’ in Irish!)

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Categories

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  • Packing for Ireland (15)
  • See & Do (28)
  • Travel Tips (21)
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