2nd July - Lachlan's birthday and we are off to Tipperary!

2^nd July and Lachlan is 11 years old today - how on earth did that happen, it seems like only yesterday…..blah blah blah - but so true! It is crazy! Anyway Lachlan had a great start to his day with his brother given him the most recent Cherub series book that has only just been released and us giving him cash!  He had already been given his present from my mum, a FC Barcelona jacket and money from his Nana Jan; Grandad Gregg and Nana Clarice, the Randles and Robinsons - he is saving most of it as he wants a really good drone or some other tech item.  He did spend some of Uncle Dean’s birthday money on a phlat ball (a frisbee that turns into a ball when thrown) and some of Nana Jan’s on FC Barca gear!!! One spoilt boy! He was then most excited as it was a full cooked Irish breakfast to start his day - for a kid that loves food this could not be better! Perfect start to his day.  

We were then off to Tipperary - cause you just have too - check out the cliché photos…………………..also, on the way we went past Limerick - and we had to say limericks you knew - Karl and I knew a few, but not too many were kid friendly!!!! Lachlan had done limericks at school and so got us to stop so he could get his ipad and tell us some he had found and written - was very funny!

We were all driving Karl crazy singing this song and making "very funny" jokes about it either being a very long way; or not very long way, to Tipperary - hilarious! He was even yelling out his window at one stage "help me"!!!!!

Anyway, Tipperary was great - we had a coffee/hot chocolate there and the lady at the information centre gave both boys a free container of popcorn due to it being Lachlan's birthday today, and Connors in a few days - great woman! 

 Also found this sign outside the coffee shop which really resonated with me.................and most of my friends I am sure!!!!

Karl also found a saying on a sign in a shop that said
"my wife and I workshop - I work and she shops" - perfect I thought!


Couldn't resist putting in another one..........................

We then headed to Cahir - our home base for the night.  Here we got milkshakes for lunch as we were all still full from breakfast, checked out the castle and the park next door. Total driving today about 11/2 hours as we didn't want to drive too much on Lachlan's birthday.  Our initial plan had been to drive the Ring of Kerry - but decided to do a short drive and get some accommodation with a pool for the birthday boy...............

Below is Cahir Castle which featured in films such as Catholics and Excalibur and is one of the best restored castles in Ireland.  It really is very cool. 

 The kids had a blast playing soccer on the grass and then trying to pull the Excalibur out of the stone! No luck!

We then headed to our accommodation - Kilcoran Lodge - it was gorgeous and often used for weddings. 

and it was straight in the pool.......yes they made us wear these swim caps..................and the pool was indoor and heated................

 There are times when you book the perfect accommodation for everyone - At the place there was a restaurant, a bar, a lounge area great for kids just outside the bar, a pool and it is actually the home of the Irish Deerstalkers Club who were having a meeting today! Karl had a swim with us and then went to the bar - where he stayed!!!  Lachlan's birthday wish was to have extended tech time after his swim - this was agreed! And then, I too, could hit the bar!

 A couple of the heads around the hotel - a member of the association took Karl into their special heads room - very cool he said!!

Lachlan then chose to have dinner at the restaurant onsite - perfect! Great dinner finished off by a birthday cake and candles organised by the lodge staff and everyone in the restaurant singing him happy birthday - fantastic! Lachlan said he had a great birthday and happily headed off to bed after dinner!