Dublin to Rosslare without the car? Thanks to Iarnród Éireann it was a breeze

We decided to head to Rosslare Strand for a couple of nights last weekend, to start the school holidays on a good foot.

We had hummed and hawed about taking the car, but (after arguing about who would drive and who would try to keep the kids entertained) we decided to book the train on Iarnród Éireann instead, and we’re very glad we did!

We would normally hop in the car to take the two hour trip to Rosslare and (try to) do it without having to stop for anything more than a pee break. However, after a little investigating, we found the train journey was only slightly longer and the kids could go to the toilet whenever they wished.

Yes, they went more than they needed – but it was definitely more of the novelty than anything.

 

 

 

The main difference we found was just how much easier it was keeping the kids happy than in the car. The fact that they could get up and walk around was a simple thing that stopped a lot of sibling bickering!

I even got to read a chapter of my book because they were kept occupied by all the sights and sounds. And other passengers made the trip a delight as they smiled and made a few jokes with the kids.

I brought packed lunches for all of us and it was great that we had a table to use – no more eating squashed sandwiches off our laps while we sat on the side of the motorway. However, next time I definitely won't be up all night making sandwiches when there is food served on board!

We tend to head to Rosslare Strand as it’s close to home and (generally) sunny, but we always take the car just for the ease of it all. However, the train was definitely more of an adventure for the kids, and the €107.00 we spent on the fare was less than filling up the car for the journey. And the best part? There was no fighting over what songs we should listen to on the radio: the kids had their iPad and there was free WiFi!

 

 

 

We arrived at our destination a lot more relaxed than we normally would driving down; sitting in a car with two kids in the back seat is a mammoth task and one that can really take it out of you.

We got on the early train at Bray Station just before 10am on the Saturday and got off at Rosslare Strand two hours later feeling refreshed, for once! Our accommodation was just around the corner and the sun was shining when we arrived.

 

 

 

The station was right beside us in Rosslare so we actually hopped on the train the next day and headed into Wexford town, just a few minutes down the road. We always bring the car but we were pleasantly surprised by the fact that we never even missed it while we were away, and the kids really loved the novelty and old-fashioned charm of the train.  

We were booked into the afternoon train back to Dublin on the Monday, and were home and all by half three, giving us plenty of time to get back into the swing of things before work the next day.