MAYO VIEW: A hefty price tag for holidaying at home

by Barbara Daly

LAST week I wrote that for my children’s birthdays we were going to go away for a night to stay in a hotel as a family. This was in lieu of parties. My children are 7 and 4 years of age.

So last Sunday we headed off to Sligo for a one-night break staying in a hotel just outside the town. We had a great time, in spite of the weather. We stayed in one room which had two beds in it - one a super-king and the other a sofa bed.

The staff in the hotel were friendly and helpful without exception. We had an early dinner in the bar on Sunday and breakfast included on Monday.

The children loved being away and the excitement of the hotel and breakfast and the swimming pool. We visited a few playgrounds and drove around to see more of the county.

So what more can I tell you? The price tag? Hefty.

We did not consume any alcohol, we brought lunch with us on Sunday and we had lunch in a café on the way home on Monday. We are not three course eaters and our children eat off the kids menu.

We did not pay for any activities or entertainment and in fact most activities had not opened yet for the season.

Yet all in all we spent close to €400, including diesel. Do I feel ripped off? Yes, I certainly do.

That was one night, in our own country, and in fact only 1.5 hours drive from our home.

I want to do more of this. I want my children to know more of their own country, its culture, history, landscape and activities. I also want Gary, who is Australian, to see more of his adoptive country.

I have written before about the importance of supporting Irish hospitality and tourism and reducing our carbon footprint by holidaying at home but after this latest experience I wonder how many can actually afford to do this?

We went on a Sunday night in March, for one night. What if we wanted to go in July or August for seven nights? What would the price tag be then. For a simple dinner for four of us in the hotel the bill came to €94.50. How could we do that every evening?

Then there were the sleeping arrangements. Myself and Gary shared the bed with our four-year-old daughter so for me very little sleep was had. There was no way she was going to sleep in a sofa bed with her brother. €162 for a hotel room and there were not enough beds for everyone.

Of course there is the option to rent a house for a week, buy groceries and cook your own food and no doubt that would be more cost-effective. However as a mother who does 95% of the shopping and cooking in her own house that is less than attractive.

I love my country and I love exploring it but I cannot help resenting having to pay so much to do so. I know hospitality providers are struggling to make ends meet too and hence the exorbitant prices.

However, if this continues less people will holiday at home, Ireland will once again be seen as an extremely expensive destination and more hospitality businesses will close.

I am not sure where the problem lies exactly - with the Irish economy, the industry or the global economy. One thing is for sure, I will be looking for cheaper options for holidaying with my family this year and unfortunately they might not be Irish options.