First stop was the beach. 'Get your wellie boots on Mummy we're going to the beach', said Ben. 
And off they trundled. 
As they walked down it really was a pretty sight.
Whhhaaayayyyyy!!! Marguerite makes a leap for the beach.
Jude and Ben are building a sand castle.
Wait a minute ........ Ben has brought the football ..... and off he goes!
The big match!
'Race you Mummy', he shouted.
'I'm winning', shouted Ben. 
Who won? Ben probably!!
Marguerite and Ben have built this cool sand castle and moat. This was Ben's first ever moat and he was impressed.
After the beach they drove into Donegal Town and headed straight to the play park (even before checking into the hotel).
Ben loves parks!
It's early November, it's a week day ......... and they're at the park ....... perfect!.
Jude's quite fond of them too ......
......... and Marguerite! 
The Gateway Lodge in Donegal Town. It was a nice spot ...... more like apartments than a hotel room though ........ but nice all the same.
It was walking distance into town. Here Ben does a 'runner' on Marguerite who is having a fit running after him.
Ben and Marguerite discuss the flags on show .... Donegal, USA, EU and Ireland.
Donegal Town is set on the River Eske ........ and it really is a beautiful setting. This was the view just steps down from the hotel towards the town centre. 
After a long drive ....... and a beach adventure ...... and a playground adventure ...... it was time for some food.
The Old Castle Bar was a really nice spot.
Marguerite tried out the local Donegal Ale. 
Bne and Marguerite having a laugh.
The decor in The Olde Castle Bar was pretty spectaculr. 
The apartment style room at the Gateway Lodge hotel....... simple but nice. 
The next morning Ben couldn't find his knife and fork at breakfast time.
Moments later ...... and they were off out again for another day's adventure.
Ben is all smiles after been forced to put his coat on. It was a lovely day but it was chilly ...... it was November after all. 
Ben and Marguerite heading down the street. 
The night before they had visited this wee spot ..... and a very nice place it was too with it's open fire and old school decor. Jude forgot to take some pics the night before so here's one from the next morning. 
First stop today was back to the park.
A lot of time was spent in this park ....... sure if Ben's happy ...... well then that's the main thing! The decision had been made on the way down to Donegal that everyone would just 'go-with-the-flow', and that's how it worked out, so if anyone really, really wanted to go somewhere then everyone went. Hence being stuck in the park non-stop!!
Ben has recently turned five years old and it's only now that Jude and Marguerite will allow him to climb anything without them hoovering beside or under him like two deranged mad-folk. 
Marguerite has dragged Ben away from the park. Where were they off to?
A quick walk through the gardens and a stop at this cool seat. 
Ben was excited to investigate this spectacular place. 
It was Donegal Castle. 
This was really beautiful and so well looked after. Here are Marguerite and Ben at the entrance.
Jude is bravely taking the spooky looking stair case ....... but to where?
The Garderobe!!!
Here is 'tour guide' Jude explaining to Ben, 'and this Ben is the loo ....... it would be a bit on the chilly side on a cold wet January evening but that's what it was like in those days.
Take a look for yourself. 
A banquet hall. Marguerite is sitting over there on the left.
The castle was totally old-school ....... well apart from that nice hand rail there ...... I bet it wasn't there in the 1500s!! 
Walking around the castle was great fun beside not only where you getting to check out a cool castle it was actually a treasure hunt too where you had a group of pictures of items on a page (see in Ben's hand here) you then had to find these things throughout the castle. 
I bet that perfect stair case was not there in the 1500s either.
Donegal town was a great wee place.
The town Square was a real lively area full of shops and a cool central area to sit in.
The Castle looks over much of the town. 
After a quick feed and a beer or two the holiday was over. Donegal town was a great spot for a few days break. 
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