Platform Pizza - Things to do in Wicklow

The Irish Times have named it the “Best Pizza in Ireland”. Could it really be that good? With only you lovely readers in mind (and nothing at all to do with our rumbling bellies) we headed in to Platform Pizza in Bray, Co. Wicklow, to find out what all the fuss is about.

The first thing that hits you on entering Platform Pizza is the atmosphere. The industrial decor of the room is warmed by the array of interesting artifacts and features dotted around the place, and of course by the chatter and buzz of the many customers. Be warned – Platform Pizza is rarely quiet.

The lure of the toilets, entered by way of an antique wardrobe was too much for the kids and they spent the first 15 minutes needing the loo. Continuously.

Once we had persuaded them to actually sit in their seats, the excitement reached fever pitch. Not just any old pizza menu for them. Oh no. Starter, a choice of main, dessert, and a selection of drinks (including a very popular strawberry lemonade – made with proper strawberries) was all laid out on the special kids’ menu – which doubled as the rest of the evening’s entertainment (once the toilet glee had finally worn off). At just €8 per child, it is amazing value – a much needed aid when you have three children with you.

The staff at Platform Pizza are truly wonderful. Highly attentive, fun, and very welcoming to children of all ages. They are always on top of things and never far from hand when you need them.

Carlo, (or Carrrrrlo) who works front of house, took time out to tell us about the amazing boneless chicken wings that are one of their specialties. One of our party remarked that they had the taste and texture of chicken breast. I think he may have had a hard time believing they were actually wings (sorry Carlo), and in fact they do, only tastier, but not as tasty as the hot spicy sauce they come with. And did I mention the blue-cheese dip that accompanies them? (Sorry, I may have just salivated over my keyboard…)

The other starters were equally good – antipasti, and garlic bread that was inhaled by all of us almost before it hit the table. Great-quality meats, amazing dips, and fantastic dipping bread. Perfect. The kids, meanwhile, tucked into their dough balls.

The drinks menu was varied and very different from the usual. For review purposes only – of course – we tested out some of the cocktails and craft beers. We would have given a huge thumbs up for them; but we couldn’t risk spilling any.

So what about the pizzas, I hear you ask. Well…they were rubbish.

Only kidding. The quality of the meal continued with the awesome pizzas. The kids tested out the margarita and a ham and pineapple, whilst the grown-ups devoured a pepperoni; anchovies, capers and olives; and goat’s cheese and rocket. The decisions are tough, though – the pizza combinations on the menu are seriously tempting and all are priced between €11 and €14.

Are they the best pizzas in Ireland? Well, I can’t recall having a better one. The bases are crispy and chewy and just the right thickness. The toppings are great quality and generous. The choices are varied and the combinations well thought out.

And if you just don’t like pizza – well there is plenty on the menu for you weirdos too.

So what was the damage? €116 for 4 adults and 3 children – which I would say is pretty bloody amazing value.

Overall? Impossible to fault really.  10/10.

It’s possibly that I now have plans to return and make my way through the entire menu. I could be gone some time…

8 Things to do in Wicklow

Bank holiday weekend approaching! Will it be sunny? Will it be rainy? Will it be all seasons in one day as it has been for the past week?

Whatever the weather you'll need to get out and about at some stage over the weekend. If you are lucky enough to live in, or visit, glorious Co. Wicklow - the self-proclaimed 'Garden of Ireland' - here's a few ideas of what you could get up to.

(Links to full posts are in the titles)

1. Powerscourt House and Gardens 

We go here frequently - the photos in the post will show why.  Always a joy. Voted Top 3 Garden in the world by National Geographic.

2. Powerscourt Waterfall

The highest waterfall in Ireland. Picnic areas, kids playgrounds, river paddling and beautiful woodland walks. Post to follow.

3. The Little Sugar Loaf

Great for little (and big) legs that get tired easily. 

4. The Big Sugar Loaf:

A little harder to get to the top of!

5. The Wicklow Way

So many amazing routes with mountains, lakes and forests to explore. But don't get blown away like we did..

6. The Beach

With over 60km of stunning coastline you won't be disappointed.

7. Bray Head 

A lovely little hike in the sunshine with spectacular views over Bray.

8. Avoca Handweavers

For a much deserved post-walk coffee and cake. Just don't get sucked in like a fool and buy stuff thinking it will make your home perfect *cough*

So much to do, so little sunshine to do it in. What will you be getting up to?

The Little Sugar Loaf - Things to do in Wicklow

The one good thing about living in a crappy grey climate like Ireland is that as soon as the sun comes out everyone, everywhere knows that you have to make the most of it.

Pre children this means multiple invites to garden barbecues, girl friends with white thighs walking around in shorts despite the fact that temperatures haven't actually hit double figures yet, afternoons spent in sunny beer gardens, and shiny red noses and shoulders wherever you look.

Post children - good weather simply means 'getting outdoors', because outdoor kids are generally happy kids, and who knew the absolute joy of sitting alone on a scruffy bench in a play park with a take away coffee and the warm sun on your back?

It's the little things.

Now that my kids are slightly older we get to do slightly more adventurous activities, so when the first sunshine of the year appeared the other week I was damn sure we weren't going to miss it.

At 2.30 I whooshed them out of school, into the car and drove up to The Little Sugar Loaf mountain (as opposed to The Big Sugar Loaf, which, you guessed it, is bigger).

The Big Sugar Loaf - as seen from The Little Sugar Loaf

This is such a great walk for little legs. With very minimal effort you get great rewards.

It's a nice gentle climb that the even the six year old took on without a bother, but it's interesting enough to keep them interested. Plus the views on the way up are almost as good as at the top.

Once at the summit you get to celebrate your achievement..

Be amazed when you find some actual fossils...

And then collapse...

Before taking in the stunning views of Bray, Greystones, the surrounding mountains and the twinkling Irish Sea.

Not so tough at the top

And then it's all down hill from there.

We got home just a couple of hours after leaving the school. The kids were refreshed and glowing, while I got to post a nice smug picture to Facebook from the top.

Happy days.

Getting blown away in the Wicklow Mountains - Things to do in Wicklow

Just before the schools went back we decided to make the most of a cold but glorious day and head into the Wicklow Mountains for a 'blow away the cobwebs' new year walk.

I vaguely knew the place we were going to, albeit I hadn't actually been there in over 10 years. The kids weren't so keen on the idea howevr, so in the car on the way there I had to sell it to them.

'Do you know that people from ALL OVER THE WORLD come here to walk this walk and see these views'.

(It's true they do)

'And here you are with it on your doorstep! You lucky, lucky things!'

Grunts from the back indicated I was still losing the battle.

'And do you know there's a secret lake hidden among the mountains that we have to find?'

I note a tiny pique of interest so shut up before I blow it.

Once we park the car up alongside a handful of others by the side of the road on a remote mountainside we are hit with an extraordinary view. You can see why people travel the globe to get here.

I knew the entrance to the walk was close by but as it was cold and windy I made sure by asking directions from a family of hikers.

'Up and to the right - but watch out for those winds...'

And so we set off. First through the deep dark woods, and then on up along the secret wooden walkway....

The wind continued to howl angrily outside our forested protection.

Once out of the woods we were blasted with gusts of icy wind and we faced scenes of the apocalypse.

Shouting to be heard above the wind I ushered them on -

'Just round the bend up to the top of the hill. The secret lake awaits!'

Inside of course I am silently weeping. This was not the gentle mountain stroll I had envisioned.

We marched onward, hit on every side by the loud and powerful gales. We made it around the corner and fought our way to the top of the hill. As we reached the peak a huge gust knocked me sideways. The three children grabbed hold of a post shouting and screaming. Our heartbeats quickened as I grabbed hold of one of them and we formed a human chain to get back down as quickly as possible.

Once back inside the shelter of the woods I cursed myself for not picking a better day to bring them up there. They'll never agree to go back up there after that. And so the secret lake remains a secret, for now at least.

And whilst I failed to get a picture of us all being knocked about the mountainside - this video of their hardy cousin in another area of these wonderful mountains more than makes up for it.



Next time I'm putting her in charge.



Joining in with Coombe Mill Country Kids 

Halloween at Kilruddery House and Gardens - Things to do in Wicklow

This weekend Kilruddery House in Bray, Co. Wicklow opened it's gates for some Halloween fun in their gorgeous gardens.

The Pumpkin Patch, which I was reliably informed lay claim to over one thousand pumpkins, was set up so that families could choose and design their own pumpkin, before dropping it off to be perfectly cut out by a team of hard-working experts. 

The kids loved rummaging through them all, taking the utmost care to pick the biggest, bestest one. 

Next it was design time. Just look at the concentration.

Then, whilst someone else did all the hard work we got to wander around the stunning gardens and meet the scarecrows that had been lovingly created by others over the weekend. 

Some of them were incredibly life like too.

Once we were done wandering we picked up our finished pumpkins and off we went...

.... leaving any misbehaving children behind of course.

 What do you mean that's not what they're used for?


 For more on Killruddery House and Gardens and their seasonal events go here.