Clémentine's Festive Short Break Guide for Northern Ireland

Clémentine MacNeice Hinch Tours, Co. Down Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen, Co. Down

TV and celebrity stylist, Clémentine MacNeice and her partner Jamie Lynch embraced the Giant Spirit of Northern Ireland recently to enjoy a whirlwind three-day trip of Belfast and County Down. As well as a homecoming to her native Armagh, Clémentine shared her enjoyment of Northern Ireland’s world class hospitality, shopping, culture and craft with her 72k Instagram followers.

Day One - Belfast City Centre hospitality

Clémentine and Jamie checked in to the Grand Central Hotel. Set in the very heart of Belfast, this is the ideal location for exploring the city and its surrounding countryside.

Belfast’s shopping mecca

Clémentine and Jamie enjoyed a shopping trip at Victoria Square. The city-central shopping mecca is the A-Z of shopping and home to many designer and luxury brands.

In the picture

If you spend any time in Belfast you’ll know that it’s walls are covered in art. But recently, street artists from across the globe have joined a new breed of Belfast based street artist to leave their mark on the city. The Belfast Street Art tour takes place every Sunday at noon.

Fine Dining

Tucked away in the historic back streets of the Cathedral Quarter, The Muddlers Club has been named after the secret society that met there over 200 years ago. Head chef and owner Gareth McCaughey hand-picked the best home grown produce to ensure the quality of each dish served for Clémentine and Jamie.

Day Two - Armagh Best foot forward

It was a homecoming for Clémentine as she returned to the city of Saints & Scholars to experience Donna Fox Tours, enjoying a private walking tour of Armagh City.

Hotel & Spa

Described by Clémentine as a ‘hidden gem’, Killeavy Castle Estate is the perfect antidote to the modern fast paced world. As the centrepiece of 350 acres of mixed farm and woodland in County Armagh’s stunning Slieve Gullion, it’s the ideal place to escape, retreat, relax and unwind.

Immerse in nature

Slieve Gullion Mountain is the perfect haven to deepen your spiritual connection with nature. Clémentine and Jamie were given advice from XHale’s Ann Ward on how to rest, reconnect and reenergise through forest bathing.

Day Three - Down Traditional baking

Clémentine said if she could bottle the smell of Tracey’s home with the bread and baking, she would. The couple loved their visit to Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen where they learned how to make bread using traditional Irish recipes.

Good spirits

Hinch Distillery is intensely proud to be part of the continuing story of County Down's strong distilling history and welcomed Clémentine and Jamie for a behind the scenes tour and tasting.

Now it’s your turn to Embrace a Giant Spirit in Northern Ireland. With a whole host of festive activities to explore this winter, it’s only a small step to a giant adventure!

Clémentine’s festive favourites • Belfast’s legendary Christmas

Market runs from 20 November to 23 December this year, be sure to have it on your festive bucket list! • Blow off the cobwebs with a leisurely stroll along Lady's Mile at

Ardress House, a National Trust estate in Armagh. • The Hole in Wall Pub in Armagh

City is perfect for a cosy Christmas cider. • Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen will be running a series of festive events including a delicious dessert making workshop,

‘Sweet Christmas’.