Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Cobbe family until 1984, the house is a showcase of family
memorabilia such as hand-carved furniture, portraits, daybooks,
and dolls, as well as a museum of objects collected on world travels.
The Great Drawing Room, in its original state, is one of the finest
Georgian interiors in Ireland. The house sits on 140 hectares (350
acres), laid out with picnic areas and walking trails. The grounds also
include an 8-hectare (20-acre) working Victorian farm stocked with
animals, as well as a craft shop and a coffee shop. There's also a ter-
rific, up-to-the-minute playground for children to let off some energy.
The coffee shop remains open during the lunch hour (1-2pm).
Donabate, County Dublin.
&
01/843-6534.
Admission
€
2.50 ($3) adults,
€
1.50
($1.80) seniors and students,
6 ($7.20) families. Apr-Sept
Tues-Sat 10am-1pm and 2-5pm, Sun 2-6pm; Oct-Mar Sat-Sun 2-5pm. Suburban
rail to Donabate. Bus: 33B.
€
1 ($1.20) children,
€
Skerries Mills
This fascinating 18-hectare (45-acre) historical
complex has been open for only a few years and is already a major
attraction. Why? Well, bread, for one thing. This site has provided
it on and off since the 12th century. Originally part of an Augus-
tinian Priory, the mill has had many lives (and deaths). Last known
as the Old Mill Bakery, providing loaves to the local north coast, it
suffered a devastating fire in 1986 and lay in ruins until it was
reborn as Skerries Mills in 1999. An ambitious restoration project
brought two restored windmills and a water mill—complete with
grinding, winnowing, and threshing wheels—back into operation.
And there's even an adjoining field of grains—barley, oats, and
wheat, all that's needed for the traditional brown loaf—sown, har-
vested, and threshed using traditional implements and machinery.
The result is not only the sweet smell of fresh bread but an intrigu-
ing glimpse into the past, brought to life not only by guided tours
but also by the opportunity to put your own hand to the stone and
to grind your own flour on rotary or saddle querns. Then, if you've
worked up an appetite, there's a lovely tearoom, often hosting live
music, Irish dancing, and other events. Besides all this, there are
rotating special exhibits and a fine gift shop of Irish crafts.
Skerries, County Dublin.
&
01/849-5208.
Admission
€
5.50 ($6.60) adults;
€
4
($4.80) seniors, students, and children;
12 ($14) families. Apr-Sept daily
10:30am-6pm; Oct-Mar daily 10:30am-4:30pm. Closed Dec 20-Jan 1. Suburban
Rail. Bus: 33. Skerries town and the Mills signposted north of Dublin off the N1.
WHERE TO STAY
VERY EXPENSIVE
Clontarf Castle Hotel
If you want to be within striking
distance of Dublin airport (8km/5 miles away), you can't beat this
€
