TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe Visiting all the Wonders of the World is the most sought-after travel experience of all time, a new report has found. The survey results see the Irish emerge as a nation of adventurous and aspirational travelers. According to the findings, published in the ‘What’s the Story?’ report, the Irish are the biggest adrenaline junkies, with a third (31%) keen to experience extreme sports on their travels (bungee jumping, sky-diving, white water rafting), compared to only 12% of Italians, 14% of Spanish and Danish, 16% of French, 17% of Norwegians, 18% of British and Germans and 1 in 5 Swedish adults (19%). When it comes to age, younger travelers are keen to experience something daring as part of their bucket list, with more than half (54%) of Irish 18-24yr olds choosing this experience versus only 11% of the over 55s. Out of the countries surveyed, the Irish are the most likely to have a bucket list – an overwhelming 93% claim to have a check-list of must-do travel activities – followed by the Germans, at 90%. www.lastminute.com
Weekend Hideaway
The Bluebook Association of Country Houses describes Kilgraney House in Co Carlow as ‘a charming Georgian house with immense character’. Overlooking the Barrow Valley, Kilgraney offers guests a relaxing break in a warm and friendly atmosphere and how right they are!! Bryan Leech & Martyn Marley speak passionately during afternoon tea about their desire to escape the hustle and bustle of Dublin life which ultimately led to opening the doors of their “country pile “to the public. The main house according to Bryan was built around 1820 although the north wing is part of older dwelling and thought to be mid18th century. A fire in the 1920’s destroyed the original interiors and the rebuilding left Kilgraney House with a Georgian exterior and an early 20th century interior. Now carefully restored, the house has immense character and a simple elegance that is full
of irony and amusement. The interiors are an eclectic mix of traditional furniture with carefully chosen pieces of fabric, furniture and art from around the world. The themed bedrooms include “Africa”, with its wall-mounted tribal masks, and “Philippines”, the windows of which frame idyllic garden views. Our room was bright and spacious, done in natural linens, creams and olive green and after my initial sense of loss over a no television policy I quickly adapted to my 48 hours of pure indulgence and relaxation. On a tour I noted that all the bathrooms have “aromatherapy” bath products, which are also used in the spa located in a restored apple storehouse in the nearby grounds. Guests here can choose from treatments including massages, facial treatments and herbal body wraps. Kilgraney it has to be said is renowned for its great food. All is either grown outside in the herb and vegetable gardens or locally sourced and all organic and all delightful. Dinner is served in the “Cherub” dining room offering six courses including a choice for mains and dessert. The experience which was truly” mouth watering meant we had to be rolled away from the table on the two evenings we stayed! A large comfortable drawing room with three ultra trendy large leather couches and window seats perfect for lazing about reading or having pre and post dinner drinks. Breakfast is another multi coursed triumph and the pancakes to die for! This late Georgian property is situated halfway between Kilkenny city and Carlow town and takes its name from the Irish ‘Cill Greine’ which means ‘sunny hill’ or ‘sunny wood’. The Dublin-Waterford train stops at Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag) six times a day. So why not leave the car at home and let the train take the strain as the Kilgrainey” Rail and Rest” package includes a complimentary pick-up and return to Muine Bheag train station including breakfast and six course table d’hote dinner from €130.00. The Kilgrainey Studio Gallery is also impressive and if
Living
n Kilgrainey House. your credit card allows you will not go home disappointed! Their “Rembrandts & Rest” package combine a luxurious weekend break with opportunities for developing your latent or existing artistic talents Martin & Bryan provide a welcome pack that includes a watercolour set and a sketchbook for keeping all your little masterpieces in one place. The weekend package is selfmotivated and self-taught, however, your hosts, both art college graduates, are happy to offer feedback and encouragement throughout your stay. Packages from €275.00. Kilgrainey House is a leading member of Irelands Blue Book. www.irelands-bluebook.ie
Weekly Best Buy
To continue the celebration of Disney’s Magical Moments Festival, Abbey Travel is delighted to offer up to 40% off your Disneyland Paris hotel and park passes plus Kids stay & play Free! This magical offer is valid for travel up to the 28th March 2012. They are offering Family stopover packages for 2 adults + 2 kids (under 12 years) starting from €359 per family on selected dates. Price includes 3 nights at Disney’s hotel Santa Fe, 4 days park passes (excludes flights & transfers). www. abbeytravel.ie Autumn is the perfect time to discover the wonderful English countryside on a walking break. Base yourself at a Hideaways cottage and you’ll have scenic footpaths on the doorstep and a cosy, welcoming retreat to return to at the end of
n Kilgrainey House Dining (left) and Bedrooms.
the day. If its invigorating sea breezes and spectacular coastal scenery you’re after, head for South Devon where Pigeon Post is a delightful old house in a picturesque seaside village just a few yards from the South West Coast Path. The three-storey home, sleeping up to eight, is on a quaint square of thatch and cob cottages in the sleepy former fishing village of Hope Cove near Salcombe. The subject of a fresh, contemporary makeover, it has been awarded a four star Visit Britain grading. The cliff-top walk around the headland to National Trust-owned Overbecks house and garden is one of the most scenic stretches of the coastal path. www.hideaways.co.uk/holiday-cottage/pigeon-post-H506 Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and guest travel writer for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland
Home and Away Extra The Gibson hotel Dublin has received a commendation from The White House Press corp following their recent stay during President Obama’s visit. Following a review of suitable hotels in Dublin the White House staff decided that the Gibson was the only one capable of meeting their very high spec communication requirements as well as the 4* comfort required for over 120 members of the White House Press corp from every major print and broadcast medium in the United States. A Press office with over 50 phones was set up within the hotel for a 48 hour period. As well as being capable of providing the voice requirements for the Press corp the broadband system was able to comfortably allow 3 TV stations, including CNN, broadcast simultaneously from the Gibson. Since opening its door’s a year ago this month the Gibson has hosted conferences and meetings for Google, Microsoft, Kantar Media, Citrix and Oracle amongst others. At an event recently over 600 Android phones were connected to the World Wide Web at the same time without any glitches whatsoever. www.thegibsonhotel.ie
Pet’s Corner... with Kathleen Murray Children and Animals with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
Children and animals have been both a great, and awful, partnership since time began. They get along really well at times and then other times they can have a bad effect on each other. They are both of limited intelligence and both have a lot of energy. There are certain parts of the brain that don’t spark into action until we are 25 years old, so when I say that kids have limited intelligence it is not meant in a bad way. Kids are clearly not stupid but they have only experienced and learned a small amount compared to what teenagers and eventually adults will have ex-
perienced and learned. Dogs are intelligent too on a different level. They have ways of figuring some things out that we could never manage with our bodies and minds. Their sense of smell and their hearing is way superior to ours so they are ahead of us on that for a start. Nearly everyone I know had a dog when they were a child. They certainly knew many dogs. These dogs were part of the daily life. They played with the children, annoyed the children, were there when the child needed a friend, and met them excitedly when they arrived home from school. Now
and then a dog bit a child and it was deemed to be a bad dog. In many cases the dog was put to sleep and often not in a nice way due to an incident like this. Nowadays there is a lot more information about why dogs do what they do and there is a lot more awareness of animal welfare, so if something like this happens then, in many cases, the incident happened because the child either teased the dog or the adults didn’t either supervise or educate unruly children that can frighten a dog into having to defend itself.
Sometimes it appeared that there was no provocation on the part of the child but there are always warning signs to be seen in a dog from a very early age if they are not handling situations well. Sometimes
too much is expected from a dog and this is not the fault of the dog. There will always be children and animals for as long as this planet is here and it was very evident how much they still love and need each
other when the DSPCA did their Art Competition in all the Primary Schools this year. It will be held every year in 1st Class and 6th Class. The competition was to help raise awareness of animals and to give the children a chance to express their love for animals. A calendar was made from the pictures and the standard of the pictures was very high. The launch of the Calendar will be held in the Central Library, Letterkenny on the 15th September at 6.30pm and it would make a beautiful present for someone, so come along and enjoy the beautiful pictures. Calendars are on special offer for the launch at just 5 Euros. Children and Animals will both benefit from it. Everybody welcome.