Anyone considering a "staycation" this summer?

We tried one last year, while I was living in Scotland.
My idea of heaven is a week, in the sunshine if it were to appear, in West Mayo (Scotland obviously not being Mayo, but it was my closest post of call for a 'staycation').
However.
It rained. And rained. And rained. Then drizzled. and then some more. And everyone got very tetchy and irritable (and hot and sweaty in the rain-gear eeugh).
We had lots of different things planned to do locally (involving trekking/bat watching/reindeer feeding/Going to The Festival/fishing and other various activities).
The daily refrain was 'what are we doing next' 'I'm bored' etc etc.
A big part of the problem was a lack of other children around, which is a definite benefit on package holidays abroad(ie other children being around to play with).
After that, there was absolutely no way I'd have a 'staycation' any time soon unless it's by myself!
 
Heading to the Sunny South East this month! As I look out at the JULY rain I think "why didn't I book a holiday abroad?"
When the kids were younger we alwaaays holidayed in Ireland. Ventured abroad in the three years. Guaranteed sunshine!
Agreed that we would take a sun holiday every other year, but the weather in Ireland so depressing at moment.
Have already booked my 2009 holiday.........in the Algarve :D. Booked direct getting a ten night holiday for the price of seven nights with a tour company.
As much as I love Ireland (have been to Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Kerry,Wicklow and Waterford) it doesn't have the amenities for a great family holiday, without costing a fortune. Whereas abroad the kids love the pool and the nighttime family entertainment, and it's free.
Think this might be our last "staycation" :(.
 
I did it a couple of years ago, it was great fun, probably one of our most memorable holidays (we actually DID things instead of lying by a pool for a week).
But the weather just makes it too miserable to do every year - you need a bit of sun to brighten your mood - I do anyway.
 
I did this once, years ago when the children were small & I simply couldn't afford to go anywhere.

I took my usual 2 weeks holidays and we all made a big long list of all things we wanted to do; one of which (from my then 5 yr old son) included going into town on the train and coming home on the bus!
:)

Then we pretty much worked through the list and did one thing every day.

It was the most relaxing and enjoyable break.
 
I love trips to Cape Clear island every summer. It's where my wife's family are from. It's not a staycation. It takes hours to drive from Dublin to Baltimore - but it is worth the effort !
 
Are we not Americanized enough? Why a "staycation"? Why not a "holistay" if we must indulge ourselves in neologisms? Any other offers?
 
We're staycationing this summer although we are having a day trip to Edinburgh and my husband and son are taking a day trip to Liverpool. We're going to do a 2 night B&B plus evening meal thing in Wexford and then on to stay with some family in limerick. We've had some lovely holidays in Ireland actually.
Sometimes the thought of Dublin Airport is ebough to put you off going anywhere.
 
Best of both worlds, been abroad already, a Donegal holistay planned for next month...
 
The price to stay here in Ireland is about the same if you went abroad, You get cheap deals if u book last minute and pretty much know u will get sunshine, also most things are cheaper abroad, We visit Courtown most weeks as we have a mobile there.
 
mathepac said:
Are we not Americanized enough? Why a "staycation"? Why not a "holistay" if we must indulge ourselves in neologisms? Any other offers?
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ajapale said:
Staycation is a portmanteau that combines “stay” and “vacation” and refers to a holiday that takes place either at or near home.
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Is Port Mantaeu a possible destination for your staycation? What's a neologism?
 
Running around like a headless chook getting ready for my holiday abroad I'm wondering why we never considered this!!

Mind you, I would be hard pushed not to take that one "important" call, or check my email if I was home.

I think it would take more self- discipline than I have although I already decided next years holidays will be short ones.....in Ireland!
 
The main reason I go abroad every year is for better weather. Unfortunately all the lovely Failte Ireland ads don't feature the rain chucking down as it has done recently (and last summer!)
 
The weather may be unreliable to say the least in Ireland, but there are some great events and festivals that take place regardless of the weather. For example the Galway Arts Festival is one which provides loads of entertainment for both the adults and the kids. I have lived away from Galway for the last few years but try and get home for the arts festival each year. The street entertainment is great and free and there is loads for the kids. It is on for 2 weeks so the sun has to come out at some stage!! There are loads of events like this around the country, but my favorite is the Galway Arts Festival. The tickets for the shows may be expensive, but if you look at the free street theatre and the Macnus parade alot is provided for free also. The parade is always worth going to. Check out their site for details.
For cheaper accomodation around the country, check out Daft for holiday accomodation as the season has been bad so there are bargains to be had. Self catering can be a great way to holiday with a family for less. There were a few in Galway city when I was looking which seemed to offer a very high standard home and a good deal with things like cable tv and dvd's included to get you through the odd bad day if you don't want to stray to far.
All in all holidaying in Ireland does not have to be a wash out, regardless of the weather, it just needs more planning. It can offer way more than sitting by the pool in a Spanish resort and going to see the same resort entertainers in a different get up each night. Not saying they are all like this, but there are a good few that are. It makes sense to holiday at home every so often. There is so much to see and experience in Ireland.
 
ninak said:
All in all holidaying in Ireland does not have to be a wash out, regardless of the weather, it just needs more planning. It can offer way more than sitting by the pool in a Spanish resort and going to see the same resort entertainers in a different get up each night. Not saying they are all like this, but there are a good few that are. It makes sense to holiday at home every so often. There is so much to see and experience in Ireland.
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Sitting around a pool in a Spanish resort isn't my cup of tea either!

I suppose I feel I can 'do' Ireland when I have kids/am old/tired of travelling.

For now, I love getting away from here when I can, and knowing the climate I'm heading to is a little more reliable.
 
If you like camping it can be a very cheap and enjoyable way to spend a few days - any more than a week might be pushing it though.

You can pack a car and go at fairly short notice - we do it 2 or 3 times a year - weather permitting.

I suppose camping is a love it or hate it thing though.
 
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