Tea with Toddler in Ireland
 

We are taking a trip to Ireland (no real itinerary yet) in the spring/summer time frame of '06. My daughter who will be 3 at the time loves to have tea. She has a a cloth playset that she has had since she was 9mos. old and a real china set at grandma's she practically lives for.

When we are there we would like her to have a real experience having tea. She is very well behaved and decently traveled.
As parents we obviously altered our lifestyles for her but she is used to decent dinners out and traveling.

Any recommendations on good places to go. Obviously somewhere that won't mind a 3 year old. We aren't sure of our itinerary yet so any ideas in any town would be appreciative.
Thanks in advance
Megan

Spartangirl: Why not try a practice run if a hotel in your area serves "High Tea?" I live near Pittsburgh and enjoyed the afternoon tea service at the Omni William Penn in June - scones, petit fours, a variety of teas - all served in an elegant restaurant with soft music playing in the background.

That is a great idea twina I know she will enjoy it! Now to just find a place in Ireland. I want to make sure before we go somewhere for tea that her being there is acceptable =)

topping

I would just take her to wherever you would go for high tea... if she gets out of control, you just pay and leave as you would in any restaurant with a young child who gets out of control. Not knowing where in Ireland you are going makes it hard to suggest a place, but a quick web search came up with the following which might be helpful for you...you can always do more research on your own as to where are the best afternoon tea places in Ireland, and if you are concerned about whether they will accept your 3 year old, you can always call in advance and ask.

Here's the article I found:

Hayfield Manor has won the Barry’s Tea Afternoon Tea Award for 2003. The award marks the increasing popularity of afternoon tea in Ireland. Hayfield Manor won the award on a number of factors including its classic and contemporary surroundings, providing the ideal setting for afternoon tea... The two other finalist hotels were the Herbert Park Hotel and the Merrion Hotel, both in Dublin.

NB - Merrion won the award for 2004...

In Dublin I would probably tey the Westbury with a child. The Herbert park is outside the city cetre and the Merrion would be lovely but maybe not the best for a child. The Westbury is Just off Grafton street and in a large open area upstairs so it would be interesting people watching having tea. Then you can hop off to the shops from here.

Thanks for the ideas. Dublin I'm guessing would be our most likely spot to have tea.