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BEST OF THE IRISH

An aerial shot of the popular Kelly’s Hotel

GOLFING With the summer holidays seemingly a
BREAKS million miles away, how about bridging
the gap by packing your overnight bag
&KESLPLAY’S RESORT HOTEL
and taking a jaunt to one of Ireland’s
LOCATION: ROSSLARE, COUNTY many wonderful hotel offerings?
WEXFORD
WEBSITE: KELLYS.IE Here, Domhnall O’Donoghue lists ten
of the country’s top destinations
Uniquely situated by Rosslare’s famed sandy
beach, Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa is one of that give credence to that old adage
the country’s most beloved holiday there’s no place like home
destinations – and for good reason.
THE K CLUB The magnificent façade
Backed by a century of top-class service, of the K Club
this bustling and vibrant Wexford venue has LOCATION: STRAFFAN, COUNTY
been a family-run enterprise for an KILDARE
impressive five generations. Its easy-going WEBSITE: KCLUB.IE
atmosphere, superb all-day activities and
excellent spa make this famous resort an A hotel that needs no introduction is the K capturing sporting Arguably, the most
irresistible holiday destination for families, Club, a five-star experience to rival the best heroes and world famous golf course in
couples and individuals alike. However, be golfing destinations in the world. Built in 1832 leaders, all of whom the country
advised to leave your weighing scales at on the banks of the River Liffey, the original were present at the
home – the endless and delicious food on house was modelled on a French Chateau and event.
offer will result in the dastardly ‘Kelly’s belly’! retains many of its original features, antiques
and artwork to this day. Ensuring a visit to
Thankfully, there are numerous ways of the K Club is special,
rectifying a bulging waistline, and golfing The K Club opened as a luxury hotel some the Golf Guest
enthusiasts in particular will be pleased to 25 years ago and, in the interim, has wowed Services Team will
learn that Kelly’s is ideally located close to visitors with its sizeable 550 acres of mature organise tee times,
several top-notch golf courses and estate and vast spa options, as well as its many golf lessons and
championship links, including the Rosslare leisure activities, such as fishing and clay caddies. It’s no
Golf Club and Saint Helen’s Golf & Country pigeon shooting. surprise that CNN
Club. included the venue
The Kildare property has recently undergone in their top 10 list of
Not only are guests treated to free golf a colossal €20million renovation and now worldwide golfing
clinics – available from Rosslare’s boasts an additional 70 rooms, new tennis resorts.
professional Jamie O’Sullivan – there are courts, an extra bar and a Thai restaurant.
also weekly singles competitions that could The jewel in its crown, however, remains its
even lead to nifty players qualifying for an unrivalled golfing legacy. Home to two
Irish Open Pro-Am. championship golf courses, the K Club was
the chosen venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup.
Should any further excuse be needed to In between rounds, guests can relive that
arrange a visit, during the month of May, auspicious occasion in the purpose-built
Kelly’s offer numerous packages for golfers gallery, which features an array of photographs
at exceptional rates. Now you can’t say fairer
than that.

102103 IRISH TATLER MAN

The beautiful entrance Glenlo Abbey’s 21-bay Delphi is ideal for
to Galway’s five-star driving range for both every generation
Glenlo Abbey pros and novices

GLENLO ABBEY HOTEL

LOCATION: GALWAY, COUNTY
GALWAY
WEBSITE: GLENLOABBEYHOTEL.IE

Located just a short trek from the City of has an award-winning spa on its roster – the The serene and tranquil
Tribes, the charming five-star Glenlo Abbey ideal place to unwind following an adrenaline- village of Coolbawn Quay
has been successfully wining and dining an filled day of excitement (the seaweed baths
army of guests for many years. A particular alone are worth a trip). The commanding
culinary highlight is the Pullman, its popular entrance of Knockranny
restaurant that is housed in two original Complete with family-friendly
carriages from the Orient Express, allowing accommodation and mouth-watering, town of Westport, and enjoys breath-taking
guests to journey into the past as they locally-sourced nosh in its restaurants, Delphi views of Croagh Patrick, Clew Bay’s islands and
chomp down on the sumptuous locally- Adventure Resort is, quite simply, world-class the Nephin Mountains.
sourced delights. and a destination that will stay in your family’s
memory for years to come. The hotel and the surrounding areas offer an
With over 50 luxury bedrooms on its abundance of family-friendly attractions and
premises, the hotel also lays claim to a COOLBAWN QUAY activities. Westport oversees many blue flag
panoramic vista of the lively Lough Corrib beaches, perfect for splashing around and
River, and is perfectly located at the LOCATION: COOLBAWN, LOUGH building sandcastles or, indeed, simply a place
doorstep to Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht DERG, COUNTY TIPPERARY to enjoy some well-deserved relaxation
region, Connemara. But should your WEBSITE: COOLBAWN.IE (weather permitting!)
Gaeilge be limited to the cúpla focal, you
might prefer to take to the hotel’s superb North Tipperary’s picturesque Coolbawn Quay Previously voted AA Irish Hotel of the Year,
9-hole golf course instead. has many strings to its proverbial bow, but on Knockranny House Hotel & Spa is also the ideal
account of its prime setting along the shores of base for the remarkably successful Wild Atlantic
The vast 140-acre lakeside estate is Lough Derg, this enchanting boutique village is Way initiative – the 2,500kM-long route along
home to a challenging par 71 golf course especially suited towards sailors who can Ireland’s western seaboard – with Westport
with a 21-bay driving range. Better again, happily moor their boats in the private and being close to two of the main points of
there are fantastic one-to-one lessons secure marina at night following a day drifting attraction: Keem Bay on Achill Island and Killary
available from the course’s resident golfing across the lake. Harbour.
professional. It’s certain to suit novices –
and those anxious to improve their game But you most certainly don’t need to be the Alternatively, guests can park their cars and
– to a tee! owner of any type of fancy watercraft to enjoy a put on their walking boots and climb the
stay at Coolbawn Quay. Families can avail of the aforementioned Croagh Patrick – or even catch
FAMILY many cruises that are organised by the resort or some waves in Carrowniskey. What’s more,
BREAKS even sign up for a spot of fishing. On land, keen cyclists can enjoy the Great Western
there are many exciting trails around the Greenway, the longest off-road cycling and
RDEELSPOHRTI ADVENTURE countryside, where guests can even try their walking trail in Ireland, clocking in at a
hands at some foraging. However, if all of this whopping 42km .
LOCATION: LEENANE, COUNTY sounds too taxing, guests can instead avail of
GALWAY the less demanding options found within the
WEBSITE: DELPHIADVENTURERESORT. resort itself, including the spa or, better again,
COM the sipping of a pint in the snug pub.

There are few places in Ireland as magical and Just two hours from Dublin, Coolbawn Quay
as exciting as Galway’s Delphi Adventure is the ideal tonic to the hustle and bustle of
Resort. From the majestic mountains to the urban life, and the perfect backdrop for a
wild Atlantic Ocean – and hundreds of rugged treasured family-friendly break away.
acres in between – Delphi offers a host of
exciting activities suitable for every generation. HKNOTOECLKR& ASNPANY HOUSE

Whether it’s zip-lining for the dare devils, LOCATION: WESTPORT, COUNTY
bike rides for the explorers or kayaking around MAYO
the Killary’s glacial fjord for the adventurers, WEBSITE: KNOCKRANNYHOUSE
there is something for everyone. And because HOTEL.IE
they think of everything, the four-star resort also
Set in beautifully maintained, secluded
grounds, the family-owned Knockranny House
Hotel & Spa proudly overlooks the picturesque

welltravelled

Hits the spot: The G Hotel

CITY BREAK

THE G HOTEL

LOCATION: OLD DUBLIN ROAD,
GALWAY, COUNTY GALWAY
WEBSITE: THEGHOTEL.IE

While

Galway is SPA

Ireland’s

third largest

city, it still GALGORM RESORT & SPA

has the LOCATION: BALLYMENA, COUNTY
ANTRIM, NORTHERN IRELAND
heart of a WEBSITE: GALGORM.COM

rural village.

Known as Their ESPA proves extremely
popular with guests
Ireland’s Since opening its doors in 1998, Northern
City of Ireland’s Galgorm Resort & Spa has deservedly
forged a reputation as one of Ireland and the
Festivals UK’s leading spa destinations. Idyllically located Pleasure central:
on the banks of the River Maine, guests can Galgorm’s spa is
and widely described as the cultural capital release themselves from the shackles of city world class
living and surrender to the tranquillity of nature,
of Ireland, Galway was once heralded as the and experience pure relaxation thanks to its The beautiful entrance to
stunning thermal spa facilities. Ballymena’s Galgorm Resort & Spa
Venice of the West by a certain W.B. Years,
Boasting an impressive 75,000 sq ft of some 210km from Dublin; in reality, this haven
while Oscar-winning actress Angelica heavenly bliss, a definite highlight includes will leave you feeling like you’ve been
Ireland’s first Snow Paradise – a -15°C room transported to another world.
Huston memorably referred to it as “the best completely covered in snow and ice. Developed
by German Spa specialists Klaffs, it’s a unique
place on earth”. Finnish experience, designed to cool the body
between sessions in the sauna. The sudden and
Located at the gates of this celebrated city extreme change in temperatures stimulates
body circulation and is highly beneficial to the
– and designed by milliner to the stars Philip immune system.

Treacy – is the five-star G Hotel & Spa. Here, Elsewhere, new facilities include an infinity
hydrotherapy pool, an outdoor hot tub and
the emphasis is on luxury and glamour, Jacuzzi pool, a laconium, a herb caldarium and
an aroma grotto, alongside a host of blissful
evoking a sense of old-school Hollywood. pampering and rejuvenation treatments.

With three individually-styled and themed Our tip? The Celtic Sauna Ritual, which
incorporates music, meditation and
lounges, as well as an award-winning aromatherapy in combination with a sauna
master, whose choreographed routine with a
restaurant, the G gives guests the towel circulates hot air and essential oil aromas
throughout the room. Oh, and the two-person
impression that they are walking through a log-fired riverside tubs, which are available to
reserve privately for an hour-long session, to
rather fabulous dolls’ house with golden enjoy with champagne and a woodland grazing
slate. Absolute bliss!
doorways framing the entrance to each
On paper, the Galgorm Resort & Spa is
room.

Upstairs, guestrooms have the distinctive

Treacy touch, inspired by the landscapes and

seashores of County Galway. Guests may

also relax in ESPA, the hotel’s spa, which

houses, amongst other things, four beauty

suites, a vitality pool, and a glass pavilion

relaxation room overlooking the zen garden.

Downstairs, Gigi’s, the hotel’s restaurant,

offers an extensive Irish menu with a slight

tip of the hat to European cuisines.

If you’ve ever hankered an impulse to run

through the pages of Alice and Wonderland,

a stay at the G Hotel should be high on your

bucket list.

104105 IRISH TATLER MAN

DETOX Restore jaded souls at Monart

MONART

LOCATION: ENNISCORTHY,
COUNTY WEXFORD
WEBSITE: MONART.IE

Wexford’s magical Monart is synonymous
with health and wellbeing, and should you
find yourself in need of rebooting and
refreshing – in the most enchanting
surroundings at that – then you would be
best served to make your way to the ‘Sunny
South East’ and avail of one the hotel’s
many superb detox packages.

There, the professional team, which
comprises of a Health Director, spa
therapists and chefs, will develop a bespoke
programme, ensuring that you come away
feeling revived and with a renewed sense of
focus.

Techniques and approaches used include
cleansing, calorie-controlled menus,
physical examinations, reflexology and
lymphatic stimulation detox baths,
combined with numerous classes such as
reiki and yoga. These detailed plans ensure
guests receive a much-needed boost to their
system while also aiming to help improve
fitness levels or reach any weight targets
that you might have.

Oh, don’t be surprised to see a duck or
two strolling about the reception area as
well.

Watch out – ducks crossing!

The fine Wild Honey Inn has BUDGET prestigious Bib Gourmand Award for good food
proven to be a big hit with guests at an excellent price, making this fine
THE WILD HONEY INN establishment the first pub in Ireland to receive
such an honour.
LOCATION: LISDOONVARNA, COUNTY
CLARE Thankfully, if you need to counteract the
WEBSITE: WILDHONEYINN.COM additional pounds gained as result of any
(justified) gluttonous splurges, the Wild Honey
Nestled in between the magnificent Cliffs of Inn is also an ideal base for walking or cycling in
Moher and the rugged Burren is one of County the Burren National Park.
Clare’s most beloved guesthouses and
restaurants, the Wild Honey Inn. Owned and Exceptional value and exceptional quality – a
run by the McGrath family, this popular and firm favourite with the ITM team. ITM
exceptionally-priced spot dates back to 1860,
and despite a complete refurbishment in 2009, Their award-winning restaurant
the premises has managed to retain its old is in a league of its own
world charm and character.

The highlight of the Wild Honey Inn is,
however, its award-winning restaurant, which is
effortlessly overseen by chef-proprietor Aidan
McGrath. The emphasis in the kitchen is on
wild, free-range products – all seasonal and
locally sourced. And it really seems that the
proof is in the pudding: one of the many
accolades that the Wild Honey Inn has received
over the years includes the Michelin Guide’s