A QUICK admission to start, on last count I have only visited nine of the 32 counties on our small idyllic

island. One of those ommissions is wee Co Monaghan, so here’s to lucky number ten for the Oriel County.

A cheeky jaunt from Dublin (that’s one hour 45 minutes to you and me) with kids and better half in tow and we found ourselves right in the middle of Carrickmacross, Monaghan’s second largest town which is famous for it’s production of lace, but I’ll get to that later.

Our adventure started with a quick bite to eat in Matilda’s Bakery and Deli, with friendly family staff and fresh food and ginger bread men for the kids make this a no-brainer.

With our bellies full we made our way through the town and visited the famous Carrickmacross Lace Gallery where we were met by the lovely Elizabeth Daly, Chairperson of Carrickmacross Lace. We learned that Carrickmacross Handmade Lace has a long and rich tradition, having originated in the early 1820’s. Its style was inspired by some examples of Italian lace of that era. At that

time it became an important source of rural family income - in common with lace production everywhere. It was “made by the poor for the rich and famous”.

Today it is still hand worked by a small group of people who are passionate about the beauty of fine, meticulously created needlecraft.

After that fascinating insight we were off to The Carrickmacross Workhouse where we embarked on a one-hour tour of a look back in time (1840s to be precise).

Carrickmacross Workhouse is one of the few remaining Irish Workhouses to be lovingly and carefully restored, showcases our heritage and the best that South Monaghan has to offer.

This beautiful building was constructed for the relief of the poor of Carrickmacross town and the adjoining parishes of Donaghmoyne, Inniskeen, Killanny, Magheracloone, Magheross and part of Bawn in

1841. It is now a not-for-profit Community Resource,

Training, Heritage and

Tourist Centre managed by Farney Community Development Group Ltd.

The kids were fascintaed to learn that the poor had to apply for admission to the Workhouse and successful applicants had to surrender any land before entering as ‘inmates’. Once admitted, they were subjected to a strict regime: families were segregated and forbidden from seeing each other without permission.

These deliberately harsh conditions meant that Workhouses quickly became known as the Poor Man’s Jail, and the poor only applied for admission as their last resort.

You can visit Carrickmacross Workhouse Famine Museum for 1 hour tours at 11.30am and 2.30pm, Mondays to Fridays all year - individual, family, group, school, and we were told bus tours are very much welcome!

After our step back in time we decided to take steps towards to where we’d be residing for the evening, The Nuremore Hotel &

Country Club. It didn’t disappoint. After the children had quickly found where the pool & spa facilites were located an already tired daddy was dragged for more fun and games before dinner in their Ivy Lounge, hit the spot and just a great to round off the day.

Early risers withan early dip to the pool (the kids would happily stay there for the day if they had their choice) we had another busy day laid in wait for us.

First up, the magnificent Castle Leslie (made famous by Beatle Paul McCartney when marrying his then wife Heather Mills) set on 1,000 acres of glorious parkland and lies adjacent to Lake Glaslough.

We headed straight to the Equestrian Centre where we were booked for a tour of the perimeter of the stunning grounds by horse (our galant steed was named Henry VI) and cart. It was the kids first time being drawn by horse and it made their day. Actually, their month.

After our trek around the grounds our vsiit was not complete without stopping in to The Blue

Room for Afternoon Tea (€25 per person).

We indulged in a selection of elegant savouries and homemade sweet treats. All four members of Team Bolger were very satisfied.

What’s not to love? Macaroons, Mini Cheese, Cakes, Warm Fruit Scones (personal fave), Dark Chocolate Brownie, Keenan

Hand Smoked Salmon, Organic

Egg, Chive & Watercress on White Bread and Roast Breast of Chicken all washed down with two glasses of ice cold Prosecco (€19 a glass).

With such a varied selection there was no need to worry about what the kids will eat, they loved it considering they thought Afternoon Tea meant a pot of tea between the four of us.

With full bellies (again) we had arrived at the kids most anticipated part of the trip, pottery classes in the popular Busy Bee Ceramics which sits on the outside the gates of Castle Leslie for a pottery masterclass with the wonderful Brenda.

Brenda’s originally designed products of tableware and has worked alongside local restaurants and hotels, including Castle Leslie Estate and The Courthouse, Carrickmacross, to create bespoke new products.

The kids absolutely loved it and are constantly asking us to go back considering they were far superior at making pots than their parents.

With the humiliation behind us we were off to stay the night in the glorious Four Seasons Hotel. Again the we donned the swimsuits (myself and the kids, the better half indulged in some spa activities on offer.) before we hit the award- winning Range Restaurant. The food was, as you’d expect, sublime.

I’m not going to lie, lucky number county eleven on my to-do list has a lot to live up to. Number ten was extremely memorable and we are all looking forward to returning.

CHEERS! Emma enjoying Afternoon Tea in Castle Leslie, the historic

Workhouse and Lily and Dylan outside Carrickmacross Lace Gallery

CARTING WAYS: Being shown around the grounds led by Henry VI

There is so much on offer in the Oriel County that ENDA BOLGER and family are already planning their return

Mon’ andhave alook...

GOING POTTYLily and Dylan admiring their masterpieces while Brenda shows them how it’s done in Busy Bee Ceramics

The Nuremore Hotel& Country Club has family 2-night package including

dinner one evening for adults from €330pp per family.

Includes family room accom-modation on a b&b basis. www.

nuremore.com

The Four Seasons Hotel offers a 2-night B&B summer

mid-week family package from €289, total stay. The price in-cludes access to the pool and

leisure club, plus complimenta-ry tickets to a choice of nearby family attractions, including the

GR8 Activity Centre.www.4seasonshotel.ie

‘TIS THE SEASON:

Four Seasons Hotel &

Lesiure Club

Magazine+ 30