West really is best – IMAGE staffer Dominique McMullan takes her family on a road trip to Achill in the Peugeot 3008.
I’ll admit, I haven’t always loved a family road trip. But these days, with the boys getting that bit older, and having a practical and beautiful car to drive, I can’t get enough. When the sun shines, there is only one place on my family’s mind – so we all pile into the Peugeot and head west.
To be honest, the Peugeot 3008 makes even the act of getting into the car feel exciting. The lads are obsessed with its ‘cat ears’ and ‘lion lights’ – the way the headlights flicker to life when we unlock it, feels a bit like the car is winking at us, ready to go. And then there’s their favourite bit: “Ask Peugeot.” With one tap, Peugeot is there to answer their every question (and there are many, believe me). It’s a piece of tech that delights little people and makes the journey easier. Win-win.
We ask for directions to Mayo, a trip we know well as it’s where my lovely in-laws live and where the hectic pace of life shifts in the most magical way. The Peugeot 3008’s i-Cockpit means we never miss a turn. Google Maps leads us past lakes that shimmer in the sun and along the green, bumpy Mayo roads. The car is a dream to drive long distance, smooth and quiet, with just the right amount of power. I’m extra conscious of safety when I’ve got my boys in the back, so I especially love the soft, gentle notification when I creep over the speed limit, (ASMR tingles anyone?!).
Travelling with a three- and a six-year-old takes a little planning…my top tip? Podcasts. The i-Cockpit makes syncing up Spotify easy, and In The Deep Blue Sea has become a firm favourite in our family. It’s packed with fascinating facts about sea creatures and manages to keep both boys entranced for at least half the trip (hallelujah). Other than podcasts – snacks, snacks, snacks, of course.
Inside the car, everything has been thought of. The dual-zone climate control means there are no arguments about who’s hot and who’s freezing. And the wireless phone charger is a small thing, but boy does it bring me joy. I can’t be the only one who is bothered by messy cables.
When we arrive in Mayo, shoulders drop. Shoes are flung off. Everyone exhales. The pull of the beach is immediate, and for us, that means Keel Beach. It’s hard to do this place justice. The crystal-clear aquamarine water is shallow enough for the boys to splash safely, and the vast sky above is perfect for their dad to kite surf like a pro. Watching that giant arc of colour twist and swoop, just above the waves is just as fun for the boys as it is for him. It’s always a special moment when the kite comes out.
After a few sandy hours and sea creature collecting, we head to Pure Magic Lodge for pizza and cold drinks. Their wood-fired oven turns out the kind of crispy, chewy perfection that you can only dream about. We sit on the terrace, plates on laps, watching the bay below, boys climbing the tree out front, and feel that kind of happy-tired that soothes something deep within.
Eventually, we all pile back into the car (the kite fitting perfectly into the spacious boot). The boys, full-bellied and content, fall asleep almost instantly on the drive home. This is what memories are made of.
They say the west of Ireland is best. And on days like this, I can’t disagree.
To find out more about the family favourite SUV – Peugeot 3008, available in HYBRID or Fully Electric, from €339 per month on PCP, click here.
Photography by Dan Dunne
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