When we were kids, my brother and I tried to make our mum breakfast in bed. But we weren’t exactly the quietest cooks, and we totally wrecked the place. She ended up waking up, taking over, but still thanked us. So yeah, surprise officially ruined.
After that, we figured we had to step it up. As my brother and I are massive overthinkers, we couldn’t roll in with a cake and some scented candles and call it a day. The guilt would eat us alive.
Even now, as adults, we continue to try and outdo ourselves. Here are some of the best Mother’s Day ideas in Ireland we’ve pulled off. After all, we think the best mums on this day deserve more than a card and a hug!
What are the best ideas for Mum’s Day in Ireland?
There are many great ideas you can do for Mum’s Day in Ireland! Some of the best ones are a high tea lunch, spa treatment, seafood feast, artsy workshop session, and carriage ride.
Afternoon Tea
Media credit: powerscourthotel
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dubak-powerscourt-hotel-autograph-collection/overview/
Address: Powerscourt Estate, Powerscourt Demesne, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow
Contact Details: +353 (0)1 274 8888, [email protected]
Sugar Loaf Lounge Afternoon Tea:
- Monday to Sunday – 12:30 PM to 5 PM
Fees:
- Classic Afternoon Tea – €60 per person
- Champagne Afternoon Tea (with a glass of Perrier-Jouët Brut Champagne) – €82 per person
- Champagne Afternoon Tea (with a glass of Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé Champagne) – €85 per person
If you want to give your mum a fancy experience for Mother’s Day in Ireland, Powerscourt Hotel’s afternoon tea is among the sweetest options to consider.
You can indulge in a tasty selection of sandwiches, scones, and pastries with your chosen tea or coffee. Want to go the extra mile? Then we say go for a glass of champagne as well!
Moreover, you can chill at the Sugar Loaf Lounge while enjoying floor-to-ceiling views of the landscaped gardens and the mountain.
Pro tip:
Be sure to request a window seat at Powerscourt Hotel beforehand to make the most of the picturesque sights! We also recommend arriving earlier so you can take a long stroll in the gardens.
Spa Day
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Website: https://www.theshelbourne.com/wellness/the-spa
Address: 27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Contact Details: +353 1 663 4500, +353 1 663 4685
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Fees:
- Starts at €100
All the best mums deserve a proper break and pampering, so how about a spa day at The Shelbourne? It’s a serene 5-star hotel amid Dublin’s hustle and bustle.
We appreciate that this spot offers many services, from massages and facials to full-body treatments—something for everyone. And for us, this is great, whether your mother wants anti-ageing, deep restoration, or just pure relaxation.
On top of that, you can enjoy the hydrotherapy pool, herbal sauna, crystal steam room, heated loungers, and lifestyle showers to maximise your mum’s self-care day.
Cool idea:
We suggest making a longer itinerary for a fun-filled day! The Shelbourne is just steps away from Grafton Street shopping and museums. You could also take leafy walks through St. Stephen’s Green.
Seafood Feast
Media credit: king_sitric
Website: http://kingsitric.ie/
Address: 6 E Pier, Howth, Dublin
Contact Details: +353 1 832 5235, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12:30 PM to 9 PM
Fees:
- Per Person – €31 to €50
Should your mum have a thing for seafood, we say take her to King Sitric this Mum’s Day. It offers 360-degree views of the sea, which we reckon makes the dining experience more elegant and memorable.
For the grub, we recommend the shellfish, such as the lobster, crab, or oysters, right away. These are freshly caught from the sea on the same day of your visit too!
And for something sweet, why not try the crème brûlée (burnt cream) dessert with vanilla ice cream? We think this combination makes it richer to balance out the savoury items.
Nifty trick:
Consider dining at King Sitric’s outside area! There are heaters, and you can request blankets from the staff to make it more comfortable.
Pottery or Craft Workshop
Media credit: louismulcahypottery
Website: https://www.louismulcahy.com/
Address: Louis Mulcahy Pottery, Clogher, Ballyferriter Village, Co. Kerry
Contact Details: +353 66 915 6229, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Fees:
- Per Hour – €98
Is your mum into arts and crafts? Then we believe going to Louis Mulcahy Pottery is a great bonding idea! This place overlooks the Blasket Islands and the Atlantic Ocean, which we reckon can give you breezy views.
This spot offers DIY workshops where you can throw your own pot under guidance. We love this for beginners—no pressure! Moreover, there are tonnes of designs inspired by the Irish landscape and Celtic tradition. We bet there’s something for all.
If you want to scope out the workshops first, there are short taster sessions (around 15 to 30 minutes) you can try first. We feel this is a smart way to know if your mum would be really into this later.
For the foodies:
Want to wrap the day with comfort food like fish and chips or apple strudel? After your Louis Mulcahy Pottery workshop, we suggest having a chill dinner at Tig Áine cafe restaurant nearby.
Castle Day Out
Media credit: ashfordcastle
Website: https://www.ashfordcastle.com/
Address: Ashford Castle Dr, Ashford Or Cappacorcoge, Cong, Co. Mayo
Contact Details: +353 94 954 6003, [email protected]
Want to treat your mum like the queen she is on Mother’s Day? We say Ashford Castle is among the best places for that! It’s a fancy 800-year-old castle that has been transformed into a 5-star hotel.
From the get-go, we bet you’ll love its 350 acres of manicured gardens, lakefront, and ancient woodlands. We believe this would make you appreciate nature more, whether you’re visiting only during the day or sleeping overnight.
Plus, you can enjoy afternoon tea, stroll along the rose gardens, explore the Victorian greenhouse, and get pampered at the spa. We’re also in awe that you could even fly a Harris hawk through the trees—there’s a falconry school onsite!
Something to note:
Bring elegant (yet comfortable) attire to Ashford Castle! There’s a dress code you should follow in certain areas, especially for high tea and formal dining.
Cooking Lessons at a Cookery School
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Website: http://www.ballymaloecookeryschool.ie/
Address: Shanagarry North, Co. Cork
Contact Details: +353 21 464 6785, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Sunday – Closed
Fees:
- Varies per course
Love your mum’s cooking? Why not surprise her with a bonding session at Ballymaloe Cookery School? This is where you can cook iconic Irish food for your mum—especially when she cooks all the time at home.
We’re also stoked that this cookery is surrounded by greenhouses, orchards, and animals, giving off that lovely country charm.
There are several short courses too! Notable ones are Spring Entertaining, Foraging & Cooking, and Afternoon Tea Baking. These courses already include tastings, recipes, packs, and Q&As to make the sessions as engaging as possible.
Friendly reminders:
Bring comfy walking shoes or wellies to Ballymaloe Cookery School if you wish to explore the gardens or farm. Make it as hassle-free as possible for you and your mum!
Are there no scheduled classes on the actual Mother’s Day? We say get a gift voucher instead so your mum can still have something to look forward to when something good is available.
Electric Bike Tour
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Website: https://www.paddyandnelly.ie/
Address: Church St, Cahernamart, Westport, Co. Mayo
Contact Details: +353 83 882 5700, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Fees:
- Per E-Bike – €50
A relaxing way to breeze through this special day is by booking an e-bike from Paddy & Nelly Bike Hire. In our opinion, this is amazing for mums who just can’t get enough of nature, coastal views, and scenic adventure.
Moreover, the Great Western Greenway is Ireland’s longest off-road walking and cycling trail. It stretches from Westport to Achill Island, making you follow an old railway line through wild May countryside. For us, there are endless stunning sights all the way!
Smart pointers:
Remember to ask Paddy & Nelly Bike Hire’s staff about their shuttle service. You don’t have to make this a round-trip thing (it could get tiring!)—the staff can pick you and your mum up at the end.
We suggest wearing sunglasses and dressing up in layers in case the weather shifts in the middle of all the fun.
Theatre Date
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Website: http://www.gatetheatre.ie/
Address: Cavendish Row, Parnell Square E, Rotunda, Dublin 1
Contact Details: +353 1 874 4045, [email protected]
Box Office Hours:
- Monday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Tuesday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday – 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Fees:
- Membership – Starts at €65 per year
- Ticket prices vary
Does your mum love performance art? We believe the Gate Theatre is among the most iconic places to take her! It showcases world-class Irish and international plays, and most of them provide a modern twist to keep things fresh.
We find it incredible that this intimate spot offers plush red velvet seats and a cosy bar or lounge area—all with period details your mother might appreciate.
Not only that, but every seat also feels close to the stage. We think this makes the performances, such as Oscar Wilde or Jane Austen adaptations, more immersive.
Must-know move:
Don’t want hunger to ruin the show at the Gate Theatre? Remember to grab a bite beforehand! There are pre-theatre dining spots around, like Chapter One right across the street.
Carriage Ride
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Website: https://rosscastlecarriages.com/
Address: Ross Rd, Ross Island, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Contact Details: +353 89 226 5418
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Fees:
- Killarney National Park Fare
- Up to 4 Passengers – €60
- Return to Killarney after the tour – Additional €25
- Rosse Castle to Killarney Town
- 1 to 4 Passengers – €50
- Each Extra Passenger – €10 each
- Return to Killarney through the National Park (finishes at St. Mary’s Cathedral)
- 1 to 4 Passengers – €50
- Each Extra Passenger – €10 each
A carriage ride at Ross Castle is a good starter or ender to a wonderful Mother’s Day celebration in Ireland. The way we see it, this is perfect for mums who don’t really want to do much on their special day.
You’ll go through the scenic woods, lakes, and ruins, with the McGillycuddy Reeks mountains in the background. And by riding a carriage, we appreciate that you’ll see many park spots not accessible by car. Quite an exclusive experience, we say.
What’s more, you could personalise your ride length! You could go from 20 to 30-minute rides, passing Muckross Abbey, the lakes, and Torc Waterfall.
Cheat sheet:
Don’t want your ride to end so soon? We recommend asking for a longer route at Ross Castle if you want to see Muckross House or explore more picturesque views.