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IMAGE staffer Ciara Cosgrove and her sister, Edel, take Ciara’s daughter Lucy on a road trip to Mount Usher Gardens in Wicklow in the Peugeot 5008 to explore the beautiful gardens and café, and soak up all the lovely festive feels in the air.
My sister Edel and I are incredibly close, but life is busy, we’re both working Mums with families, so time together is precious. When we do get those windows, we tend to keep it simple, a walk with the kids, a coffee and chat, or planning a day out drive like this our favourite way to spend time together and catch up. We always say that even an hour in each other’s company resets us.
A feeling in the air
This is one of my favourite times of year to indulge in a cosy day out adventure. I love the feeling in the air right now of anticipation building – the decorations are not up everywhere but you can sense Christmas approaching. There’s a softness to this time of year. It’s all about cosy layers, shorter days and candles lighting in the evenings. The kids start to get excited, the calendar fills up, and there’s that lovely in-between moment where you can lean into the season without the full chaos having arrived yet.
The perfect escape
One of my top destinations for a Sunday drive is Mount Usher Gardens in Wicklow. It has that lovely balance of being calm but fun. The gardens are beautiful, perfect for letting the kids run around and explore and we love the new Avoca café there for something warm and comforting afterwards. And, of course, who could resist the gift shop for a browse? It feels like a little escape without being too long a drive, always important to bear in mind when you have little ones to keep amused.
Snacks, songs and games
My abiding mantra when it comes to keeping everyone happy on the road is “Snacks. Always snacks!”. And music. When we are in the car as a family, everyone gets a turn to pick the song, which keeps things fair and very funny. We also love a little ‘spot the…’ car games, looking out the window and finding animals or colours or shapes. And when all else fails, I have a stash of colouring books and crayons that I always make sure are in reach in the back.
Winter driving essentials
The weather was not very kind to us on this outing, with chill winds and plenty of rain, but it didn’t put us off. Having the comfort of the Peugeot 5008’s heated steering wheel was a total luxury and honestly something you don’t realise you need until you have it. It just makes driving in winter so much more comfortable.
As a busy family, the spacious boot is also a godsend. Between kids’ school bags, scooters, coats and snacks and then occasional shopping bags, we need a lot of space, and the Peugeot 5008’s capacious boot handles everything with no stress.
There’s a softness to this time of year. It’s all about cosy layers, shorter days and candles lighting in the evenings.
The kids also love the impressive “spaceship like” i-Cockpit – a 21-inch curved HD display which is so impressive and futuristic. They love pressing the touchscreen buttons.
And as a parent I really appreciate Peugeot’s advanced safety and driving aids, with features such as the 360°-vision/drive-assist pack, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, lane-keeping aids and blind-spot monitoring, ensuring that I can keep my precious cargo as safe as possible on the roads.
Making memories
I think it’s so important, particularly at this busy time of year, to prioritise family days like this. These pre-Christmas weeks can be so full of events, work, school activities and other commitments that having time like this grounds us. It reminds us what all the rushing around is for. The kids love it, and we love stepping out of the schedule for a day to just be present. These are the days we look back on.
PEUGEOT 5008 – Bringing French flair to family driving
Spacious Elegance for Seven
The 5008 Hybrid doesn’t compromise on comfort, it offers a full seven-seat layout with generous proportions. Whether you’ve got kids, guests or a weekend lot of luggage, it handles it in style.
Luxury Meets Technology: Panoramic i-Cockpit
At the centre of its cabin is a sweeping 21-inch curved HD display that blends driver instrumentation and touchscreen interface. It’s more than functional, it feels like being inside a piece of modern design.
Smart Hybrid Efficiency
In everyday driving the hybrid version can run in fully electric mode for up to half of your urban journeys, delivering lower emissions and better fuel efficiency without you having to plug it in manually.
Premium Styling Details
From the Pixel-LED headlights to ambient cabin lighting, gloss-black roof rails and elegant materials (leather-effect trims, Alcantara touches in the higher trim), the car offers everything you expect from a luxury driving experience.
Modular Luxury Seating
The second row is not just one bench, it slides, tilts and reclines, allowing easier third-row access and comfort for passengers. It gives you flexibility whether you’re hauling children, gear or both.
Advanced Safety & Driving Aids
With features like a 360°-vision/drive-assist pack, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, lane-keeping aids and blind-spot monitoring, it dresses up its family-friendly appeal with mature tech.
Navigation, Smart Connectivity & Comfort
Wireless smartphone integration (CarPlay & Android Auto), wireless phone charging, keyless entry (“Open & Go”), amenities that are less about show, more about easing the small hassles of daily life.
The new Peugeot 5008 is a practical yet stylish 7-seater family car to suit every need, available in hybrid or fully electric. The 5008 was recently crowned as “Best Family Car 2025” in the National Parenting Product Awards. To discover it for yourself, visit peugeot.ie
Photography by Dan Dunne
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