Us Time: 5 Fun Family Breaks to Book This Easter

Longer evenings, bright mornings and sunny afternoons make Easter the ideal time to escape the rat race for a weekend of family time. Turns out the managers of some of Ireland's best escapes are thinking the exact same thing (fancy that!). Here's our pick of the best offers available right now... The Fairytale: Enjoy a two night stay in the Victorian mansion of Ballynahinch Castle Hotel overlooking the Ballynahinch River. With a riverside room, breakfast in the restaurant on both mornings and dinner on the evening of your choice, your only decisions will be choosing what to see. Our advice? Start with guided a adventure walk through the woods before fishing on the lake and meeting the resident chickens, ponies and pigs - and don't miss the Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday! Prices start from €690 for two adults and two children under 12 sharing one room.   The City Break: If there's anywhere is Ireland you can be sure to let your hair down, it's the Rebel County. The River Lee Easter Family Package (two adults plus two children), from €378 includes two nights’ accommodation in a superior family room, breakfast, a three-course evening meal in the Weir restaurant, a family ticket to Fota Wildlife Park or Rumley’s Open Farm and full use of the leisure facilities. There's even a 20 per cent discount for Vanilla Brown Spa (facial, mum?). Available for stays until April 30.   The Country Retreat: This Easter, treat the whole family to a fun-filled country break at the Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. Stay in the hotel or the elegant Hunter’s Yard with the kids; a beautiful hideaway adjacent to the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and only a few paces from the treatment rooms. Parents can enjoy wonderful fine dining in the Michelin Star Lady Helen or in the prestigious Kendal’s Restaurant on one night. The kids will be well looked after too; younger guests will be treated to a chocolate Easter egg and the Mount Juliet Juniors kids club includes a packed lunch and high tea so parents can relax in the pool, sauna and steam room. The Easter Eggstravaganza package at the Hunters Yard is €620 while the escape on the Estate is €879.                   The Galway Getaway: The Twelve Hotel in Galway has just had Fairy Doors installed in their Marvellous Family Suites - all the more reason to check out their €499 Easter Fairytale package. Stay for two nights with cooked-to-order breakfasts each morning and family dinner on one evening in The Pins Bistro. The kids will love their Pizza Masterclass with the hotel’s Pizza Dozzina Chefs and you'll also enjoy a family pass to Brigit’s Gardens in Moycullen, Kylemore Abbey & Gardens or Dan O’Hara’s Farmhouse and Heritage Centre. Enjoy a third night at the special rate of only €140 per family.   Five-star fun: From the tennis courts and five-kilometre walking and jogging track to the cinema and spa, the Heritage Killenard is built for relaxing. Their family Easter package includes three nights luxury accommodation with breakfast each morning and dinner on one evening in the Arlington Restaurant. Younger guests will enjoy their dedicated games room, Wii room, bicycles and playground and the Kids Fun Club offers plenty of activities, including baking with Philip, the head pastry chef and gardening with head gardener Bernard. From €356 per adult sharing. Have you seen an Easter deal we should know about? Send your travel tips to katie.mythen@herfamily.ie.