Experiment on dad
A little like marmite, some dads are going to salivate at the idea of a “unique experimental dining and cocktail space”, while others will run for the comfort of the nearest tatty pair of slippers. If yours falls into the former category, head to the Blue Haven in Kinsale, where the whole town is actually a foodie haven. Rare 1784, the Blue Haven’s newest offering, has award-winning chef Meeran Manzoor preparing mouth-watering things with vegemite, apparently. A Rare Haven at the Blue Haven package gives you B&B and dinner from €298 for two; bluehavencollection.com.
No Flies on this father
If your father is a fishing fanatic, send him west with the Fly Fishing School Holiday at lovely Delphi Lodge.
Co Galway’s finest has two nights B&B, lunch each day, and dinner on one night. You also get two half-day fly fishing lessons as part of the fun, where I’m told the Estate lakes and rivers are slithering with salmon and sea trout. Not everyone has to love fishing either, as there’s lots to explore on the 1,000 acre estate. From €795 for two, available June 21st to 23rd; delphilodge.ie
Action man
Despite being nestled in a tranquil private estate, Coopershill House is a bit of an nature action epicentre.
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Two Fathers Day options at this Sligo spot are a three hour Lough Gill guided kayak (with a coffee stop en route), or a hawk walk, where your dad can feel all kingly and generally magnificent as he discovers just how beguiling a tiny morsel of minced chicken can be to a mighty hawk. It’s actually an incredible experience. Two nights B&B and one dinner plus kayak trip from €714 for two; the same with a hawk, but minus the kayak from €744; coopershill.com
Father’s choice
Not all fathers like being told what to do, so a voucher is a handy choice. A travel voucher also offers the dream of escape and adventure, or simply somewhere soothing to get a good sleep in, and what dad doesn’t dream of that?
While pretty much all hotels will do you a voucher, getting one from a larger group keeps the recipient’s choice as wide as possible. Irish-owned, Maldron and Clayton Hotels take care of almost 50 locations in Ireland and the UK, so you can’t really go wrong.
Gift cards, which can be redeemed for up to five years, start at €25, and you can also get cards for specific packages and experiences; maldronhotels.com/vouchers, claytonhotels.com/gift-vouchers
