Delphi Mountain Resort
Escape to Delphi Mountain Resort in Connemara in County Galway for a mix of relaxation and adventure. Set within 400 acres of Connemara forest, the resort is next door to one of the world’s best surfing beaches, Cross Beach. Owners and managers Rory and Aileen Concannon are world travellers and their experience is reflected in the hospitality experiences available at the Delphi. Part of their mission is to do their part for reducing Delphi’s carbon footprint. All the water used in the resort is pure mountain spring water. In 2006 they implemented a waste reduction program which entails comprehensive recycling, treating all the water that leaves the complex through their own water treatment system and using electricity from Air-Tricity among other things. Over time the forest around the complex will slowly be thinned to provide wood chips for the boilers. Re-planting will also occur to keep the forest as a sustainable renewable source for years to come.
Delphi Mountain Resort offers suites, double, and dorm type rooms. Their spa, Delphi Escape Spa has many fabulous treatments including the Delphi Detox Seaweed Bath (50 mins for €50) or the Seaweed Body Buff (60 min/€ 80). For a total opposite experience, check out all the adventure sports they offer from kayaking, rock climbing and archery along with lots of team building and family adventure packages.
Delphi Mountain Resort is located in Leenan, Connemara, Co. Galway. Ph: 353 (0)95 42208 or www.delphimountainresort.com.
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Coolbawn Quay Spa
Nestled on the shores of Lough Derg on the Tipperary side, Coolbawn Quay spa offers a wonderful retreat not just for spa goers but also for quiet lakeside lunches and dinners, small intimate wedding. Boaters can even dock in their own private harbour and make a stop for lunch. This gem of a spot has caught the eye of Georgina Campbell (notable hotel, bed and breakfast and restaurant critic who visits all her favourite spots unannounced to judge them with an unbiased eye). The spa received her kudos as Hideaway of the Year 2008 and also made Lucinda O’Sullivan’s Little Black Book of Best Places to stay. Guests can stay in lakeshore suites, village rooms or cottages and rates start at €95 pp/per night. The luxurious spa which directly faces the Lough offers a wide assortment of treatments and often runs specials that are worth looking into. It boosts a eucalyptus steam room and offers treatments like a Hawaiian Massage Spa Journey, €145/105 mins, which uses Lomi Lomi techniques or and Indian Head Massage, €75/45 mins. Or why not try the Marine Miracle, an Algimud Body contouring seaweed and Dead Sea mud treatment (€75/45 mins). Coolbawn Quay is also a fantastic place to have an intimate wedding. The Schoolhouse can host up to 190 guests and up to 96 guests can sleep on the premises. Menus can be designed with 5, 6 or 7 courses and could include dishes such as Terrine of Irish Smoked Salmon, Courgette and Lemon Grass Soup, Champagne Sorbet, Rack of Lamb, a selection of Irish cheeses with Port or strawberry and cream meringue.
Coolbawn Quay is located in Coolbawn, Lough Derg, North Tipperary. Ph: 353 (0) 67 28158 or www.coolbawnquay.com.
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Luxury Links: Where Golfers Get Pampered
 Golf may be an outdoor game, and many players may find challenging weather conditions stimulating, but there are also those who prefer a more leisurely game with a little bit of comfort thrown in afterward. They want to be able to stroll amid beautiful scenery, hit a few balls, and then enjoy what might be called “après golf.”
And Ireland’s offering is second to none. The entire island is replete with courses nestled alongside top-quality hotels and resorts, where golfers can walk from the 18th green into the lap of luxury. Refresh yourself with an invigorating swim or spa treatment, relax over a meal in a five-star restaurant, and unwind over a digestif in a luxurious lounge before retiring for the night.
 Close to Dublin, Druids Glen Golf Course is often referred to as “the Augusta of Europe.” The flora and fauna of the glen provide a colorful backdrop to a magnificent golf course. Druids Glen was the home of the Irish Open for four years. In 1996 and 1997, seven-time European number-one player Colin Montgomerie won the title. In 1998, he was denied a hat-trick of victories by David Carter in a dramatic playoff. In 1999, record Irish Open crowds witnessed teenager Sergio Garcia from Spain produce a final round 64 to capture his first professional victory. Druids Glen has played host to many of the world’s great golfers, including major tournament winners Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Seve Ballesteros, John Daly, Ian Woosnam, Jose-Maria Olazabal, Retief Goosen and Sandy Lyle.
Less than two hours from Dublin is Waterford Castle Hotel and Golf Club, a marvelous facility uniquely situated on a 310-acre island overlooking the estuary of the River Suir. Access to the island is by a private car ferry. Furnished with antiques and open fireplaces, the 15th-century castle combines the gracious living of an elegant past with every modern comfort and convenience, an 18-hole championship golf course and excellent dining.
 Not far away is the award-winning Mount Juliet Conrad hotel, set on one of Ireland’s most prestigious golfing estates and home to the 2002 American Express World Golf Championship. Along the south coast in County Kerry you come across Parknasilla, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Majestic seascapes, rugged mountains and lush woodlands nourished by the warm Gulf Stream combine to make Parknasilla an unspoiled haven of beauty and peace. Staff have been welcoming guests to this stunning place since 1895, and with its own golf course on-site it provides a complete, self-contained luxury experience.
Moving north up the coast to County Clare, you’ll reach magnificent Dromoland Castle, one of Ireland’s finest castle hotels; its ownership can be traced back through history to Gaelic Irish families of royal heritage. And the northern part of Ireland is not short on luxury golfing breaks either, with such gems as the magnificent Culloden Hotel, standing on the wooded slopes of the Holywood hills overlooking Belfast Lough.
No mention of luxury golf breaks in Ireland is complete without the K Club, the venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup matches and Ireland’s first five-red-star resort, located just 35 minutes from Dublin. This elegantly restored country house opened in 1991 as a luxurious hotel and country club and offers the highest standards of comfort, service and cuisine. Each of the 92 bedrooms and suites has stunning views overlooking the golf course and gardens. A world-class spa, fishing on the River Liffey, clay pigeon shooting, tennis, and squash, fabulous golf—what more could you ask for?
Cross Country International—the worldwide leader in equestrian and walking vacations—now offers the finest luxury golf packages designed for women and their traveling companions. Whether your traveling companions are golfers or are more interested in equestrian, archery, shooting or hiking activities, CCI has identified the best four- and five-star facilities in the world that will pamper you and cater to your every wish in order to make this your most memorable golf vacation ever. Check out www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-travel-offers.
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Europe’s Pool of Luxury
 These days, Ireland is right up with the rest of the world in regards to luxury accommodations, offering a diverse selection of venues for visitors who want to be pampered and spend the night in style. Spas in particular have exploded upon the scene, and most high-end hotels have incorporated a spa as part of their facilities. Many of them have also bucked the more traditional decorating style and have mixed in fresher design ideas while maintaining a bit of history.
One such place is Bellinter House in Navan, County Meath. Built in 1750, it mixes classic Georgian style with modern Irish design to create inviting bedrooms and public spaces. Many of the bedrooms are contemporary but nonetheless inviting, with unique handmade furniture, the latest hi-fi gadgets and bathrooms with power showers and deep tubs for soaking. At the bathhouse, guests can indulge in the signature seaweed bath or swim laps in the infinity pool. There are 34 bedrooms available in four different areas of the property. Doubles start at €180 (approx. $....) per night. www.bellinterhouse.com
 In County Cork, Capella Castlemartyr offers five-star accommodations in a 17th-century country manor next to a 1,000-year-old castle. Located a short half-hour drive from Cork, the 220-acre estate offers 109 guestrooms as well as the spectacular 24,400-square-foot Auriga Spa, with ten treatment rooms, vitality pools and more. It incorporates lunar cycles, organic ingredients and Irish traditions into its programs. An 18-hole golf course designed by Ron Kirby provides for a great day out in the Irish countryside. What really makes this a spot for the “crème de la crème” is Capella’s signature team of private assistants, who are on hand for every guest to ensure their stay is exactly as they imagined. Deluxe rooms start at €325 (approx $ ) www.capellacastlemartyr.com
Up in Country Antrim, Ballygally Castle was recently awarded four-star status in May 2007 by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Just 26 miles from Belfast, it has a superb location right on the coast. Recently refurbished, the original castle dates back to 1625, and now has 44 bedrooms that include many original features along with great character and charm—and even a resident ghost! Many local attractions such as the Giant’s Causeway, the Nine Glens of Antrim and the Old Bushmills Distillery are close at hand. Doubles start at £155 and suites at £260. www.hastingshotels.com.
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Put the Bliss Back in Your Break
 Irish spas know how to put the bliss back into pampering, with a vast array of choice for the discerning visitor. Whether you want to live it up during a city break, escape to Ireland’s breathtaking landscapes or simply get healthy, Ireland is the must-visit destination for a spa experience. And while you’re at it, you can always take advantage of the splendid surroundings by devouring all the sights and activities this wonderful land has to offer.
The Country Getaway
The exquisite peace and quiet of the Irish countryside does wonders for the mind, body and soul. Taking advantage of this natural amenity, many of Ireland’s spas have designed their facilities around these dramatic and unique natural landscapes, providing wonderful vistas you’ll relish as much as you the spa treatments. Cozy up in a fantastic luxury spa nestled into the foothills of a mountain, or be rejuvenated at a spot beside an open sweep of pristine beach. After a stress-busting massage, a leisurely swim or even an adrenaline-pumping hike through forest glades, the spectacular views that surround you are naturally designed to relax.
Pampering has been taken to new heights at the Park Hotel Kenmare’s deluxe destination spa, Sámas, which translates from the Gaelic as “indulgence of the senses.” Set apart on a wooded knoll, Sámas creates a potent blend of healing and therapeutic traditions from the East and the West spiced with the inspiring scenery of Kerry. There are separate areas for men and women, as well as two day-suites for couples. The staff even take the stress out of choosing among more than forty holistic treatments, with a team of professionals who design programs to meet individual needs. Some lifestyle packages even combine spa treatments with such activities as walking on the Kerry Way, golf, or horse trekking. The hotel’s spacious suites and bedrooms are beautifully furnished with antiques and fine linen. Log onto www.discoverireland.com for more details.
The City Break
Longing for some rest and respite, but still need the buzz that comes with being at the very heart of things? In just a few hours, you can jet into any of Ireland’s major cities and treat yourself to blissful pampering from top to toe. Many of Ireland’s top urban hotels have included state-of-the-art spa facilities alongside their luxurious suites, so you needn’t stray far from your room to enjoy first-class treatments. The Tethra Spa at the Merrion Hotel, for instance, is renowned for the finest treatments, superbly executed using E’Spa products.
Then, once you’re done, discover the urban cool and phenomenal heritage of Ireland’s cities, with fantastic shopping, fine dining and thrilling nightlife right on your doorstep.
The Healthy Retreat
If you need to seriously unwind from the stresses and strains of everyday life, prepare for rejuvenation in magnificent surroundings at specialized retreats and holistic spas around the country. Boasting a range of customized wellness packages, including sensual massage and mud wraps, yoga and refloxology, fresh air, space and, most importantly, time to yourself, spas and retreats can set you on the road to happiness just by entering the threshold.
Now in its second decade, Powerscourt Springs Health Farm is Ireland’s original health farm and still one of the most popular retreats. Even the journey to Powerscourt, nestled in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains half an hour from Dublin is breathtaking, taking in the stunning beauty of the Sugar Loaf, Powerscourt Waterfall and the Wicklow Way. Powerscourt Springs offers a wide range of day and overnight pampering and well-being packages for both men and women, including corporate and group breaks. Guests can enjoy more than 70 treatments, fitness and well-being activities, and, of course, gourmet dining for which it is renowned. Plan ahead with tailored programs to cleanse, detox, rejuvenate and replenish in the safe and comforting hands of trained professionals, whose mission is to help you get the most out of your stay. www.powerscourtsprings.ie
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Connect with Ireland’s Natural Wonders
 Ireland has some of the most spectacular sights in the world, with natural scenery that exudes a magnetic effect. Whether you prefer to feel the rush of the wind while standing on the very edge of the Atlantic Ocean or wander through isolated undulating hills of green, there’s something to suit every taste.
The intriguing lunar landscape of the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland’s first World Heritage Site, has to be seen to be believed. This stretch of rock is a geological phenomenon, renowned for its columns of layered basalt. It mystified the ancients, who believed it to be the work of giant Finn McCool.
The awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher in County Clare boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. Standing as much as 700 feet above the raging Atlantic Ocean, these majestic cliffs stretch for a distance of about 5 miles and offer some brilliant cliff walks.
The Cork/Kerry area is famed for its stunning, white sandy beaches, many of which have coveted Blue Flag status for their excellence. Meander the vast strands of Inch and Banna in Kerry or Youghal Front Strand and Inchydoney in Cork. Meanwhile, one mustn’t forget the magnificence of the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, which encompass some of the most stunning scenery in County Kerry.
Tranquil and picturesque, the Slieve Bloom range in County Laois lies at the very heart of Ireland and offers a really beautiful escape from the world. Shady forest trails, crystal-clear trickling streams and gushing waterfalls, and long green glens make it the perfect place to take things at a slower pace.
The Ring of Gullion in County Armagh is a unique geological landform found nowhere else in Ireland, a ring dyke of low hills about 25 miles in diameter encircling the heather-clad Slieve Gullion. Slieve Gullion’s reputation as Ireland's mountain of mystery arises from its rich associations with Irish legends and myths.
The River Shannon carves its way through some exceptional countryside and, at 240 miles, is the longest river in Ireland.
Identifying the plethora of flora and fauna in the Burren in County Clare offers up some spectacular sights, including sheets of gold and cream Arctic-alpine flowers even in May and 22 varieties of orchids, which flower throughout the summer until September.
The Mourne Mountains are an area of outstanding natural beauty with a compact and accessible collection of peaks in the southeastern corner of Northern Ireland. Clustered within this area are twelve peaks over 1,900 feet high, including Slieve Donard, the region’s highest mountain.
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