As part of our Keep Discovering campaign in association with Failté Ireland, Golden Ireland partnered with Padraig Howley who kept us all entertained throughout the pandemic with his honest insight of his journey to adapt to a vegan diet. Clare man, Padraig has become an instagram superstar with over 76,000 followers. His motto is simple: “on a journey to get fit and sing a few songs along the way.” His new song “Great at 68 is out now.”
He and his daughter, Tara enjoyed a trip to Limerick last summer which was organised by Golden Ireland and filled with fun activities from Pigeon Clay Shooting to a cruise on the River Shannon ..
Adare Village
Padraig & Tara made the most of fabulous weather and took a stroll through Adare Town Park and Adare Heritage Centre. If you’re looking for a great spot for lunch, you have to stop at Stacpoole Coffee House, owned and run by Helen & Sebastian Stacpoole. Padraig and Tara couldn’t get over the fabulous service and great tasting food they experienced in this quirky cafe.
Lazy Dog Shooting
In a hidden gem of breathtaking scenery, lies the best Sporting Clay bird Ground in Munster. A former trophy winner, this activity was right up his street, however Padraig left defeated by daughter Tara! Lazy Dog Shooting caters to all levels of experience and can be enjoyed by hobbyists, or those seeking a fun day out.
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa
For their two day getaway, The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa was where they called home. Padraig and Tara praised the team for their warm welcome and how well they accommodated Padraig’s vegan diet.
Happy Food At Home
The Milk Market is Limerick’s most famous market, it’s the place where you can buy the freshest of food produce; delicious, organic, in-season, natural, artisan foods. Saturday is the day of the Farmers Market and Street Food.
Padraig & Tara met with Ciara at Happy Food at Home who believes in creating great flavour combinations for plant-based dishes.
The Ilen Project
Gary at The Ilen Project organised a very special trip for Padraig and Tara, a cruise on the river Shannon and Kings Island on their Gandelow Boats. The Ilen Project encompasses traditional boat building and boat handling traditions. The Gandelows, elegant and up to 23’ feet long, are Limerick’s traditional Shannon river and estuary wooden rowing and fishing boat. Like their distant cousins the Gondolas of Venice, they are flat bottomed to stay free of the shallows.
King Johns Castle
With the assistance of James, one of the courtyard animators at King John’s Castle, Padraig and Tara experienced over 800 years of dramatic local history. They enjoyed state of the art interpretive activities and exhibitions in the visitor centre as well as the numerous courtyard games such as archery and abseiling.
The Locke Bar
The Locke Bar is one of Limericks oldest pubs dating back to the Siege of Limerick in 1690. Now known for having live music and Irish dancing 7 nights a week and two sessions a day April to November. Padraig & Tara enjoyed thoroughly enjoyed the award winning gastro pub style dinner with fabulous views overlooking the abbey river.
Nevsail Watersports
They finished their weekend away on a high with a Kayaking trip on the River Shannon on Sunday morning, enjoying the landmarks and wildlife.
The team at Nevsail were friendly and informative and made the final morning of Padraig & Tara’s trip unforgettable!