The Most Irish Experiences for Mother's Day

Game of Thrones isn’t exactly family-friendly viewing, but if your mum happens to be one of the show’s devoted fans, why not surprise her with an afternoon tea of fantasy treats like Ironborn focaccia and dragon eggs? Perched on the Antrim coast, showcasing the dramatic landscape that drew producers to shoot so much of the iconic series here, Ballygally Castle is one of many Northern Irish businesses leveraging the show’s popularity with immersive experiences. Stay the night if you have time – they also offer special Game of Thrones overnight packages. Price for Game of Thrones afternoon tea for two: £44/€51.

The Irish are nothing if not creative, and for a side of creativity with your tea, the decadent Design House on Dublin’s historic Dawson Street offers the best of both worlds with their afternoon tea classes. On Mother’s Day, they are running a Creative Afternoon Tea & Decoupage Class, so get you and your mum booked in if you think she’d enjoy making her own decoupage keepsake while indulging in sweet and savoury treats, served with tea or a tipple from the in-house Italian café.

The popular workshops run by the National Print Museum in Dublin offer further opportunities for an afternoon of crafty bonding in beautiful surroundings. Upcoming titles include Modern Calligraphy for Beginners, Letterpress Basics and an Introduction to Book-Binding. While you’re there, be sure to visit the museum’s Press Café. Providing much more than a standard museum coffee fix, you and your mum will want to linger over the Suki teas and homemade banana bread in this bright and leafy spot, or better still, stay for mimosas and the excellent brunch, served until 4 p.m. on weekends.

Down south, the Grainstore venue at Ballymaloe House is hosting the well-deserved heroine of marriage equality, Panti Bliss, this Mother’s Day weekend. An ‘accidental and occasional gay rights activist’, Panti became a central figure in Ireland’s marriage equality act, delivering an incredibly articulate and moving speech on homophobia that went viral. Panti’s show High Heels in Low Places is a 70-minute stand-up show exploring life after accidental international fame. Indeed, the Grainstore keeps an excellent roster of talent – a previous Mother’s Day treat was an evening with Colm O’ Regan, author of the ever-popular Irish Mammies book series. If you’re shopping for a tongue-in-cheek gift, some of his most resonant Mammy-isms such as ‘Don’t be acting the maggot’ and ‘Come here to me now ’til I tell you’ have been immortalised on tote bags, mugs and other items.