Win two nights at Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel to celebrate their 40th!

TAKE A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH KILLYHEVLIN LAKESIDE HOTEL

ONE of Fermanagh’s leading hotels, the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion, they are asking people from all over Ireland to send them any photos they may have and details of any special memories which are linked to the hotel.

The nostalgic memorabilia will go towards helping create a ‘Memory Wall’ in the hotel reception area where visitors can look through all the many photos of weddings, birthday parties and other unforgettable gatherings.

This display will be ‘one of a kind for the hotel’ explained Jacqueline Wright, Director of the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel.

“We want people across Ireland to search through their old photo albums and scrap books and see if they can uncover some hidden gems capturing the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel during its 40 year history.  I’m sure there will be some beautiful photos out there as well as some really interesting ones and we can’t wait to see them!

“We have had thousands of weddings take place in the hotel over the years and would be delighted to be reminded of these as well as any engagement pics, parties or even images of someone who just had a really enjoyable meal or night with their family. As our history spans four decades we know there must be some really terrific stories to tell.

“Don’t forget to include your contact details on your submission as everyone who sends us something will automatically be entered into a draw to win a weekend break for two at the hotel! This should be the perfect way to relive some of those amazing memories,” added Jacqueline.

If you would like your photo to be part of the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel Memory Wall then please email a copy of your photo or favourite memory from the hotel to 40@killyhevlin.com

You can also share your memories on social media using the hashtag #Killyhevlin40.

For more information on the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel or to book a stay go to www.killyhevlin.com or call 048 6632 3481.  Find out more at www.facebook.com/Killyhevlin and on twitter @killyhevlin

Quirky places to go in Ireland #TravelTuesday on the Midday Show

Now that the lovely weather is here The Novel Traveller has picked out some unique places to visit in Ireland. I'll be chatting about these quirky locations on the Midday show on TV3 Tuesday 31st May.

My favourite is the beautifully renovated Ice House in Ballina county Mayo which has one of the smallest yet loveliest spas in the country. You can read my review on this blog or click the link here Ice House Ballina

If the force has awakened in you then why not treat you or a loved one to a Star Wars package at the Moorings in Kerry. Get a Tshirt and pull a pint where Mark Hamill did too. Take a trip to Skellig Michael and climb the 600 steps that will work up an appetite for dinner in the Moorings award wining restaurant. For more information click here The Moorings

Finally it is the year of food and drink in Northern Ireland this year and I've found a wonderful destination for those seeking the wild outdoors. Finn Lough is set in Fermanagh close to the Donegal Border and these Bubble pods really caught my eye. Wouldn't it be great to spend a night under the stars in your very own bubble. They book out quickly so plenty of advance notice is needed.
http://www.finnlough.com/en/accommodation/bubblehouse

A 5* stay in Northern Ireland

Win a two night stay in The Hastings Culloden Estate and Spa or Lough Erne Resort with Discover Northern Ireland
click below to enter

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/autumnleaves/

The Gobbins is open once more!

GET READY TO STEP FOOT ON NI’S DRAMATIC COASTAL WALK ONCE AGAIN

The Gobbins reopened 

Nothern Ireland is full of natural beauty and wonderfully dramatic settings made famouse the world over as a location for Game of Thrones. But now there is another wondrous location to visit.

FOLLOWING a multi-million pound investment programme, Northern Ireland’s unique experience, The Gobbins, a dramatic coastal walk, reopened on Wednesday August 19th 2015.

A reimagined version of a ‘best kept secret’ along the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland and only 40 minutes from Belfast, the attraction is a dramatic two mile long cliff-face walk with spectacular bridges, tunnel, and staircases, supported by a visitor centre and guided tours. 

The Gobbins is located in scenic Islandmagee and was originally built in the early 20th century and took visitors on a spectacular engineering masterpiece – a cliff-face path not for the faint hearted, an unexpected, white-knuckle walk across one of Ulster’s most dramatic coastlines.

Guided tours along the new path will allow adventurous visitors to enjoy the coast of the Irish Sea in a way they have not been able to in over 50 years. The Gobbins promises to excite all the senses, and be the closest visitors will get to walking on water. Hear the waves crashing against the cliffs, feel the spray of the sea on your face and witness the ever-changing flora and fauna.

The re-envisioned Gobbins will continue with the tradition of innovation and bring back to life the spectacular tubular and suspension bridges that hung from the cliff-face and staircases, caves and tunnels that were carved through the rock. Built alongside the eroded remains of the original path, the new experience uses modern materials and methods, coupled with the original design ethos, as if Berkeley Deane Wise was building it today.

A new visitor centre located a short distance away from The Gobbins is where the expedition will start. After a brief safety induction, visitors will be transported down to the path and guided on their journey. Interpretation inside the visitor centre will tell visitors about the making of The Gobbins, as well as the geology and ecology of Islandmagee.

Fiona Cunningham from Tourism Northern Ireland said: “We are very excited that The Gobbins has reopened. It is one of Northern Ireland’s most unique attractions and is something that visitors from the Republic of Ireland should definitely pay a visit to.

“The new website (www.thegobbinscliffpath.com) has just been launched and it is a hub of information for visitors detailing the attraction’s history - from its conception in 1902, its demise in 1954, to its journey back to life in 2015; what it has to offer; news; events and online booking information; plus it will assist people in planning their trip,” Fiona added.

The Gobbins will open daily from 9.30am – 5.30pm, minimum height restriction in place, pre-booking is recommended and it is not suitable for very young children. To book a tour of this thrilling attraction, phone 048 9337 2318 or go to www.thegobbinscliffpath.com. For more information go to www.discovernorthernireland.com

For a preview check out this promotional video on https://youtu.be/B0nSgZbZD34

To book a tour of this thrilling attraction, phone 048 9337 2318 or go to www.thegobbinscliffpath.com. For more information go towww.discovernorthernireland.com

Belfast is great for a mid-term break and only up the road!

I've been to Belfast a few times in the last couple of years and it's a great place to bring the kids. 
This article was published in 2013 in the Sunday World, The whole family visited the Giants Causeway and carrick-a-rede bridge but I'd wait until the weather warms up before going so far - there's lots to do in Belfast and the Titanic and W5 are a must with the kids!

Like many southerners, I used to think that Northern Ireland was somewhere you went to get cheap booze before Christmas. However, after our holiday plans were changed I needed to find a good destination for a last minute family break.

And after packing in a lot of family activities on our whistlestop tour, our abiding memory is the sheer beauty of the place.

We had packed up the car and took the short journey from Dublin up the M1 to Belfast.  stop was at the Titanic exhibition set in the Harland and Wolfe quarter of the newly revamped docks. 

I was on to a winner with my nine-year-old, Nicole, who loves anything 

to do with history and lapped up the gory details. There are plenty of buttons to press and interactive exhibits to keep the kids moving at a steady pace through the exhibition without getting bored. 

Our first stop was at the Titanic exhibition set in the Harland and Wolfe quarter of the newly revamped docks. This is truly a wonderful experience and do not go to Belfast without visiting it.

We continued with the theme a few meters away on board the SS Nomadic and if you are taking the trip to the Titanic Quarter the Nomadic is a must see. 

Admission is £22 for a family of two adults and two children. It is the actual vessel that took the first and second class passengers from the port of Cherbourg before they boarded the Titanic.

There were period clothes and uniforms for the kids to dress up in and the staff were very hands on and keen to impart information.

We finished the day off in W5 which is an interactive science museum that will amuse kids of all ages for hours. However after our trip to the Air and Space museum in

Washington earlier this year my twelve-year-old son was hard to impress but Nicole had to be dragged out the door with Dad in tow at closing time! At £23.50 for a family of four you could fill an entire day here.

About twenty minutes outside the city, the family run LaMon Hotel and Country Club was the perfect place to relax after a busy days sightseeing. The friendly staff cater well for kids and the food was excellent and reasonably priced.

We had two other must sees on our bucket list next day and we headed for Portrush, a busy seaside town. 

Our hotel was the Ramada set on the main street and in a great location for all that the town has to offer. We had just missed the 

International Police and Fire games on the beach the previous day – but we had more pressing commitments – we had to go see a giant. 

The causeway interpretive centre is designed to blend into the natural landscape and built using local materials. 

The Giant left his shoe behind at the Giants Causeway

My son and I had to hurry the other pair along as they got caught up colouring at one of the many exhibits. Entry into the centre is £21 for a family ticket.

We took audio guides but you can get a real 3D person if you want and the causeway guides are famous for their navigating skills and wit over the centuries. These rock formations have become mystical and the inspiration for stories and legends as the years have passed. 

We lunched on homemade soup and scones outside the centre in ‘The Nook’ which is a converted schoolhouse, then took the winding road to Carrick-a-Rede. The scenery became more stunning with each mile and it was easy to see why this route is classified as one of the most beautiful in the world. 

The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, like the Giants Causeway, is part of the national trust and the staff were all local and genuinely welcoming.

 A family ticket is £14 and took us on a long walk through beautiful scenery – there were lots of steps to negotiate before reaching the rope bridge to the fishing island so not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs. The bridge was flimsy on first impressions, but the crossing was exhilarating leaving us all feeling a great sense of accomplishment. 

Once on the tiny rock island it became clear what all the fuss was about. Below, the water was a crystal turquoise and with stunning chalk-cliffs in the distance we could have been on a film set. 

And to think that it was up the road from us in Dublin all this time made us wish we had visited our northern friends sooner.

for more information visit www.discovernorthernireland.com/

Slieve Donard hotel and spa resort

As winter insists on sticking around there’s nothing like a spa break to rejuvenate the spirit and body and I’ve been curious for some time to see what spa resorts are on offer north of the border.

The Hastings Group boasts six hotels in Northern Ireland and the closest to Dublin is the award winning Slieve Donard Hotel with its renowned Spa. 

So I asked my gorgeous friend, producer and presenter of Midday, Elaine Crowley, to join me while I checked it out. 

We did a ‘Thelma and Louise’ on it and drove up the M1 from Dublin like we were getting out of Dodge. 

I was deceived by Google maps into thinking that we only had a short drive from Newry to Newcastle, but after taking the A25 route we ended up on a rally track peppered with lumps, bumps and tight corners. 

We later discovered that the B180 route, which is referred to as the scenic drive, has a smoother road. As we entered the town of Newcastle The Slieve Donard Hotel came into view. Nestled at the water’s edge with a spectacular view of the mountains of Mourne sweeping down to the sea, we were transported back in time! 

And it was no surprise to find that the musician and painter Percy French was invited to perform and stay in the hotel in the early twentieth century. In homage, one of the restaurants is named after him. 

Another guest to the hotel was the king of silent movies, actor Charlie Chaplin and his visit is honoured by a plaque in the reception area.

Built in the Victorian era by the railway as an ‘end of line’ luxury holiday destination, the old hotel maintains much of the character of a bygone age. The new extension which holds the resort rooms and spa is a modern and comfortable build. 

The swimming pool has a separate sauna and steam room with a lovely view of those mountains. 

The spa offers the ESPA range along with aromatherapy massages and facials. Elaine opted for an aromatherapy massage and I went for the rehydrating facial. Aisling, my therapist helped to put the memory of the scary roads behind me as she offered a choice of four different lighting options to make the treatment room more relaxing. 

I also had a choice of oils for my treatment. I opted for the sandalwood balancing oil and Elaine went for the regal Frankincense and Myrrh. 

We floated out of the treatment rooms into the vitality pool. The relaxation rooms have relaxation beds that are operated by remote control to raise the back or feet or both. Personalised earphones and the reading light were a nice touch. 

Dinner was a delight in the Oak Restaurant, complete with Corinthian pillars and a pianist performing on a grand piano. The menu offered wide choice and the presentation and quality of food was impressive. 

I opted for the monkfish while Elaine had the rib-eye and we both agreed that it was one of the best meals we had eaten in a long time. The sommelier recommended a delicious bottle of Spanish wine and was ever attentive re-filling our glasses. There was good choice in bars to retire to after dinner. We opted for the drawing room where our sommelier set our wine glasses in front of a blazing fire.

When we eventually went up to our room we slept on beds that were appropriately called ‘clouds’ as they were extremely comfy. Next morning breakfast was a hearty buffet in the Oak Restaurant. The Bushmills whiskey beside the porridge proved tempting but fresh cream and honey was a safer option.

We decided to visit the spa one more time before checking out and watched the waves pound the colourful seafront. The Slieve Donard was the recent winner of the Hotel and Catering Gold Medal award as the best four-star hotel in Ireland. 

With a few more delicate touches it would not take much to bring it up to five-star standard as it has all the basic ingredients with a scenic setting, excellent quality food and spa. 

It is also a popular venue for weddings and parties and as it is a large hotel it can comfortably accommodate all guests, whether they are looking for a fun-filled or relaxing stay. If you want to feel like you have travelled somewhere far away without going through the whole airport experience this may just be the ideal place for a spa break.

 Click here for article www.sundayworld.com

Christmas Markets Belfast

My nine-year-old daughter is a big shopper and she wanted to know more about Christmas Markets so I decided to search out some yuletide cheer close to home. We cajoled my friend Catherine and her daughter Alice into taking the trip with us across the border for a night to see what Belfast had to offer.
We were pleasantly surprised with the continental market finding all the atmosphere and ambiance that a trip to Cologne or Prague would usually require. But we had it all only two hours drive from Dublin. Beerkellers and stalls selling traditional German sausage and French Tarteflette sat next to handcrafted French soap and Italian chocolates.

The girls had even more fun next day when we visited Winter Wonderland. With a real ice-rink and enough fairground rides to amuse the girls for the afternoon it was a massive hit.

The girls with penguin friends took easily to the ice and below with Santa on the rollercoaster!

The entire article is available to read on the Sunday World website by clicking here www.sundayworld.com

Christmas markets proved a big hit with our pair and I can't wait to see where we end up next year!

Hope your Christmas was wonderful and here's to many happy adventures in 2014!

Happy travels

Michelle x