Summer 2020 is all about the staycation due to everything our little country and the world is grappling with caused by this awful virus. I’m reminded of a lovely week we spent in Inishowen, staying in a friend’s house while they were away in Summer 2019.

Here are some of the things we got up to, which are on the Eat Play Change App and very suitable for social distancing.

– On the way up from Dublin we stopped in the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan and the Ulster American folk park outside Omagh. Both are very well set up for smallies and have great facilities.

The good old playground in Buncrana is super. Then check out the beach and Tank and Skinnys seaside for yum food and treats.

Take the ferry from Buncrana across to Rathmullan beach. Check out times on http://www.swillyferry.com and you can walk or drive on. We got amazing food and coffee from Scarpello & Co at the back of the beach car park. There’s a great playground right at the beach and the beach itself!! We ate in Belle’s Kitchen – so family friendly and yum.

We did a day trip to Derry. There are lots of lovely cafes and restaurants and walking the walls and peace bridge are very significant.

Fort Dunree is a must. It’s a good climb but 3yos + would be able for most of all of it. The views are stunning. There’s a military museum and hopefully The Coffee Cup will open again soon.

Be sure to take a picnic to Five finger strand and pop in to Wild Strands in Malin and Coffee Banba in Carndonagh and the coffee truck at Malin head. The sand dunes at five finger strand are so much fun!

Definitely check out the walk at Glenevin waterfall in Clonmany and try food after in The Rusty Nail. The walk is totally flat for buggies and little legs – about 1.5k – gorgeous!

Enjoy!!

(C) Úna Maguire 2020