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

The Ice House with the Warm Welcome!

My daughter, Nicole, is making her confirmation soon so we decided to mark the occasion by doing something really special together and take a mini trip to the West. The Wild Atlantic Way has been a buzz word for Irish Tourism over the last couple of years and The Ice House in Ballina is the perfect hotel to stop off at while travelling the route from Sligo to Galway.

In Ireland most hotels have strict rules and only allow over 16's in the hot tubs or treatment rooms but we found a warm welcome for a mum and daughter at Chill Spa. In fact the small and cosy steam room and outdoor sauna were the perfect introduction to spa life for my daughter before we plunged into the main event, The Hot Tub.

The view from the Hot Tub is stunning and of course it didn't matter if the sky clouded over because we were toasty in the warm bubbles.
The Ice House hugs the River Moy and is a clever blend of the old and the new with innovative architecture design. The original building has a great story from the 1800's when it was used as storage for the ice to keep the salmon cold that was caught on the River. The massive vaults are now stylish ultra modern rooms and in a really nice touch the boutique bedrooms have names instead of numbers. Our room was called Bartra and overlooked the river. In fact every other room in the hotel enjoys a view of the water including the relaxation room in the spa and the restaurant and bar.
In the corner of our ensuite was a massive wooden bath and we had the option of a seaweed bath to relax in before going to bed for €25.

The Chill Spa use natural local ingredients made from seaweed in the treatment of guests. The range of skincare and creams is called Voya and is available in many of the world's top resorts, spas and airlines. I opted for a facial and enjoyed ninety minutes of complete pampering. When I joined my daughter in the relaxation room for my cup of herbal tea, she was already sipping hers with her perfectly painted toes in the air.

We spent in all about three hours in the spa and it went too quickly. We floated up to our room and dressed for dinner. I had heard that the food is delicious and we were not disappointed, in fact the bread was too delicious and if I have one piece of advice, make sure that you leave room for dessert because the chocolate medley is perfect for two and includes a unusual mixture of yummy textures and even a chocolate cone!

Our bed was high and we sank into the feathered under-down with intentions of watching a movie but I found myself asleep in minutes. I wasn't prepared for the spectacular view next morning as I woke early and caught the light shimmering over the water. It was then that I really appreciated how special our little night away will be in years to come.

Elizabeth, my daughter's teddy, has seen plenty of travels over the years and suffered the trauma of being almost left behind in Belfast and actually left behind for a few days in Athlone after one of our trips, But while she was in my daughter's sleepy clutch I realised that Elizabeth won't be brought along for much longer as spas become more important and teddy's less important.

We went for breakfast and Nicole was in her element scouring the buffet and comparing it to others. She has high standards but could not fault this one. The home made scones were a massive hit and she even took one for the car journey home.

But I wasn't allowed to mention home because Nicole had a plan to revisit the hot tub and relaxation room before our return to Dublin, which we did.
The Ice House is close to beautiful Belleek Castle and grounds which is a lovely spot for a walk in nature and Afternoon Tea. The drive home was a leisurely three hours and we stopped off for McDonalds on the way making it the perfect weekend. Elizabeth agreed it was perfect too.
I look forward to returning to the Ice House soon!

The Ice House is part of Ireland's Blue Book. www,icehousehotel.ie www.irelands-blue-book.ie

Special offers from The Ice House

CHILL SPA ESCAPE - OVERNIGHT & SPA TREATMENT

Description: Enjoy full use of the Thermal Suite including Steam Room and two Outdoor Hot Tubs, plus a 50 minute signature massage each from our Voya Organic Range. If a bath is not available on booking a complimentary file & paint will be offered.

Valid From: 01.01.2015 To: 31.03.2017

From: €115 Per Person

STAY & CHILL - 2 NIGHT SPA BREAK

Description: Enjoy full use of the Thermal Suite , plus a 50 minute Chill Spa signature massage each. Also included is Table d'Hote dinner on one evening as well as breakfast each morning. Voted Ireland's best boutique spa, and What's more we're proud to have Ireland's best spa therapist Alicija on our team, as voted at the 2014 Tatler Spa Awards.

Valid To: 31.03.2017

From: €215 Per Person

Ìnis Oirr, Aran Islands

Inis Oirr is the smallest inhabited of the Aran Islands and a beautiful diversion for travellers taking the Wild Atlantic Way from Galway City to Doolin in County Clare. Possibly best known as Craggy Island to viewers of the hit TV show Father Ted, it is difficult to find anywhere else like it in the world.

With a population of only 300, the annual onslaught of students to the Irish College during the summer months brings much needed income. On speaking to the islanders most had two or three different jobs to make ends meet year round. The choice of hotels is limited but all were lively, and as used to be tradition in many parts of rural Ireland in the past, the blinds were drawn at about eleven o'clock without a whisper of closing time.

There are few cars on the island and the most common mode of transport for day trippers is a jaunt on a horse and cart. Bike hire is available at the quay side on arrival but with the centre of the village in such easy reach there really is no need.

Boasting its own airport, Inis Oirr requires air transport as a means of survival when the weather is too stormy for the boats to sail from Galway Bay. A shorter service from Doolin runs during the summer months and offers a lovely view of the Cliffs of Moher from the sea also.

Enjoy a scenic tour of the Cliffs on the passage between
Inis Oirr and Doolin

We stayed at the Shamrock B&B which was conveniently located close to the village shop and pub. Everything is close by on this little island and it is worth staying the night because it is after dark that the magical solitude of island life becomes special. I was lucky to be there on a clear night and set off for a walk on the white sandy beach with the light of the moon and a million stars to illuminate my path. The gentle lap of the Atlantic against the shore left me in no doubt that I was experiencing a little slice of heaven.

During the day this stretch of beach holds host to Dusty the Dolphin who is a regular inhabitant of these waters. He is particular about who he likes and who he will allow close to hand so be warned.

A stroll down to the quay means passing a craftsman who makes celtic pendants while wearing a traditional celtic kilt and standing barefoot in the sand. He seems more in place here than the teams of visitors plying back and forth from the quay to the village.

A visit to Aran is complete upon purchasing the delicious Man of Aran fudge which is now available all over Ireland at different artisan food markets. The vendor informs me that his cousin sells the same fudge in the Pheonix Park and his uncle used to sell it at the market in my home town of Howth. I get the sense that everyone who is from the Aran Islands is related to everyone else and this is why it is a mainstay of Irish culture.

The experience of visiting the islands is unique and it is wonderful to hear the Irish language being spoken amongst the natives. It was unfortunate that most of the staff in the local hotel don't speak Irish, in fact being from other European countries one chap had difficulty speaking English. 

But if you are travelling on the Wild Atlantic Way this summer make time to spend at least one night on this jewel in the Ocean, you won't regret it.
Travel to Inis Oirr from Doolin click here

Galway with Granny and Granddad

Travelling with three generations needn’t be a challenge, if the destination for your weekend trip is just right. So with my Mum, my Dad and ten-year-old daughter Nicole, packed into the car, we set off for the newly refurbished accommodation at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Galway.

The hotel is in a great situation only a few hundred meters from Eyre Square and currently offering special packages for the over 65s. We ate lunch on arrival with oodles of choice from the hot buffet and salad bar. The delicious lemon meringue pies from the dessert tray were hard to resist so we had one each.

Granddad was keen to watch the Liverpool match so we dropped him off at Eyre Square in Garveys pub which offers music at weekends and was a delightful find. It left us three girls free to shop!

William Street was the start of our ramble through the shops and iconic bars that line the streets down to the Quay. The bustling street market sells the usual array of trinkets jewellery and handcrafts that put in a lovely afternoon. 

When we returned with our purchases to the hotel we were keen to try the leisure facilities. While Granny had a pampering facial in the Spa, Nicole and I decided to try out the newly opened Salt Grotto. We found it to be a place of peace and respite for the whole family and apparently it has medicinal properties that help improve the respiratory system. Nicole and I sat through a peaceful thirty minute session and afterwards, with the taste of salt on our tongues, hit the swimming pool.

Salt Grotto

Only over-sixteens can enjoy the sauna and Jacuzzi in the leisure center and there is a hot tub out on the deck with a beautiful view of the estuary.

 That night we dined in Marinas restaurant and with a Liverpool win earlier everyone agreed that they had a terrific afternoon. Dinner was delicious with excellent choices – we ate lamb, duck and fish and Nicole loved the spare ribs and pasta from the kids menu. The Sushi in the Sky restaurant on the fourth floor catered for those looking for a more romantic setting and specialised cuisine. The hotel offers cooking classes among other activities to make your stay educational and more interesting.

All the nightlife of Galway was on our doorstep but we retired to the bar and relaxed until time to go to our rooms. It’s worth splashing out on the newly refurbished Business class rooms which are luxurious with spectacular views. The beds are made super soft by feather and down mattress topers and the personalised reading lights allowed Nicole to sleep while I read. Although I’m not a coffee drinker the nespresso machine in our room was a nice touch.

As a busy mum I love nothing more than a nice spa retreat and I will most certainly be back to the One Spirit spa. With an excellent choice of rooms in the thermal suite The Beach came as a pleasant surprise – using subtle lighting and warm sand to lie on I was whisked away to sunnier climes. I went from the beach to the rock sauna which was extra hot before trying the hammam steam room.

The suite wasn’t busy on the Sunday morning I was there and I had the laconium and aroma rooms totally to myself. The relaxation area is swaddled in a warm cocoon of cushions and couches with subtle lights to lure you into rest. The usual herbal teas and fruit bowls are on offer with plenty of reading material. While my feet were pampered with a top class pedicure, Granny and Granddad brought Nicole off to mass.

Before returning home to Dublin we took a trip to the Aquarium in Salthill en famille. Fish can be touched and observed with or without the guided tour but we preferred to just wander while Granny and Granddad enjoyed Nicole’s reaction to the creatures.

Galway hosts its annual Arts Festival in July and the famous Galway Races in August make it a great destination in summer. You might even want to stop off for a mini-break while dropping your teenager to Irish college and with competitive rates at the Radisson Blu it is probably the perfect hotel for all the family.

FACT BOX

The ‘ Revive Pamper Package’ at spirit one spa includes the Elemis Pro-Intense Lift Effect Facial, use of the Thermal Suite, Pool, Hot-Tub, Jacuzzi and a delicious two course lunch in Marinas Restaurant for €100 per person. 
To book call spirit one spa on 091 538 423 or email spiritone.galway@radissonblu.com. Include an overnight stay in one of the newly refurbished bedrooms from €120 for two people sharing midweek or from €155 for two people sharing at the weekend. Guests booking midweek will also receive complimentary passes to the salt spa. For bedroom bookings call 091538521 or email reservations.galway@radissonblu.com.