Spa Trekking in Ireland

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Veronica Matheson searches for the perfect Irish spa.

QUIETLY the Emerald Isle has put its spa act together with smart new places for pampering that have the Brits, and the rest of the European Union, sitting up and taking notice.

The upturn certainly has me on my toes while touring Ireland by car.

Most of the best spas are found in classy hotels scattered across the country often in grand mansions, converted castles, or in remotely located resorts where guests go to escape busy lives. Often the spa will be an integral part of a golf resort so that a non-playing partner can while away the hours in an indulgent way.

Indeed, Ireland’s spa resorts are thick on the ground and it is hard to decide where to go.

I am guided by Tourism Ireland who have their finger on the pulse, and let me know that just about every county in the Emerald Isle has a stand out spa.

Not surprisingly, Ireland’s stunning landscape of rugged hills and lush pastures are viewed from picture windows in most spa quarters. Treatments involve a lot of water (well, there is regular rainfall here), and lots of seaweed and algae potions.

Monart destination spa, tucked away in the hills of north Wexford about 130km south of Dublin, is the resort everyone is talking about right now. This 5-star property has been named runner up in the Best Spa Retreat in the world by Conde Nast Traveler (regarded by many as the bible for discerning travellers).

The winner was Les Sources de Caudalie, Bordeaux (France), with Como Shambhala Estate (Bali), third, and Chiva Som in Hua Hin (Thailand) fourth.

In many ways I find many similarities between Queensland’s Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat on the Gold Coast and Monart, right down to a menu that includes a live-in detox programme in calm surrounds where guests are encouraged to tune into the healing powers of nature and to be active.

Monart has also been named one of the world’s top 10 destination spas by Forbes Magazine; as Ireland’s Best Spa by Tatler magazine; and as the Irish Spa Industry’s Best Destination Spa for three consecutive years.

With roaring log fires in winter, inviting woods to wander around, and soothing waterfall drops on the property everything is at peace in Monart’s world.

So where else will I go in search of top spas?

My list is growing and so far includes:

The Park Hotel Kenmare (Kerry), named in Conde Nast Traveller’s Top Ten Spas in Europe, Asia and Russia; The K Spa at the opulent K Club Hotel (Kildare) which is beside two championship golf courses; Kellys Resort Hotel (Wexford) snuggling beside a sandy beach where healing seawater and hand harvested seaweed treatments are de riguer; Heritage Golf and Spa Resort (Laois) which is the European Pevonia Destination Spa of the Year.

Then there is the trendy G Hotel & Spa (Galway) that is all about glamorous indulgence that has had it voted one of the top three hotels in the world for ambience and design by Conde Nast; the Ritz Carlton (Wicklow) which is Spa Magazine USA’s favourite hotel spa in Europe; The Brehon (Killarney) which is renowned for its Asian influenced spa with therapists trained at the Banyon Tree Academy in Phuket; while the Maryborough Spa (Cork) has been named Best Day Spa by the Irish Beauty Professional Association.

More: www.discoverireland.com.au