1. Active family getaway

With the weather hopefully starting to improve, a getaway with activities and adventure close by is a great option. One option is Killashee Hotel in Co Kildare, they have some great offers for family stays, which also include the popular children’s goodie bag and Easter cookies on arrival!

Nearby activities include Lullymore Heritage Park, who have an Easter Event from 8-14 April, Russborough House with their fabulous wooden playground, fairy trail and walkways, Donadea Forest Park to feed the ducks and Clonfert Pet Farm to check out all their spring animals.

The Easter family fun break at Killashee for two adults and up to three children including two nights bed and breakfast and dinner on one evening is available from €505 at www.killasheehotel.com

2. Crafts and trinkets

One of our all-time favourite Easter crafts also doubles as Easter gifting. They are our egg carton Easter egg boxes!

Be sure to hold on to your empty egg cartons and see how easy it is to transform them into something special. We like to use the six egg boxes, but absolutely go for it with the full dozen if you wish.

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Take off any external stickers and tie some ribbon, mesh or twine around the lid. You can also add pom poms or bows if you have them. Put a little tissue paper into each hole and fill with Easter delights - chocolate bunnies, eggs, small flowers, little wooden eggs, anything at all that signals Easter to you. Tie with a bow and voila!

3. Carrot juice- Easter Sunday style

Easter calls for a little something special so we’ve included a drink recipe that can be served as either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic version so everyone is included!

A firm favourite is this carrot gin and tonic that only has four main ingredients: 100ml carrot juice, 100ml orange juice, 200ml tonic water and 75ml gin [optional]. Use the tallest, slimmest glass you have, add crushed ice, the liquid ingredients and for the best part - add some carrot stems to give the perfect Easter Sunday lunch drink!

4. Walks, woods and forest parks

Whether it’s a local forest or a renowned national park, we are spoiled for choice in Ireland when it comes to the great outdoors. And what better time than Easter to get out and about and enjoy it all. For any families wanting to explore our national parks, there are six throughout the country and admission is free (*car park or house costs may be additional).

Bluebell season is almost upon us, so it’s worth putting on the boots and checking for any early bloomers. Derreen Woods in Roscommon, Jenkinstown Woods in Kilkenny, Ballyannan Woods in East Cork and Downhill Demesne in Derry are just a selection throughout the provinces.

5. Gifting for loved ones

Easter can be a time of year when you may want to bring a gift to friends or family, but chocolate isn’t quite what you need. Well, maybe not chocolate in the food sense! La Bougie Candles have created the perfect option with the latest candle release “Chocolat”. Trust us when we say it smells as good as it sounds.

Another option would be a blanket from the beautiful heritage brand, John Hanly. They design and create their pieces in Co Tipperary, with their Irish picnic blankets providing the ideal base for all the adventures and outings to be had in the coming months.

Chocolat candle €30 from www.labougie.com, Irish picnic blanket €78.75 from www.johnhanly.com

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