Indulgent moments
Here’s how to make the most of your welldeserved downtime in Northern Ireland
UNDER THE STARS
You might not know your Milky Way from your Andromeda, but you don’t need to have a knowledge of astronomy to go stargazing. There are incredible places in Northern Ireland to get up close and personal with the sight of bright, glimmering stars. Star, moon and planet gazing are all possible at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre at Oxford Island in Co Armagh. This top Dark Sky Discovery Site has even hosted BBC Stargazing Live events with the Irish Astronomical Association. Or, how about sleeping under the stars in the middle of a Fermanagh forest? The luxury Bubble Domes at Finn Lough have transparent walls which provide a 360-degree view of the sky as you lie back and relax in a four-poster bed. www.oxfordisland.com www.finnlough.com
DEEP RELAXATION
Northern Ireland has an abundance of mountains, walks, beaches, attractions and more, which can all naturally contribute to a healthy mind, body and soul. But it’s also good to revive yourself with a little TLC in the form of a spa. Lavender Health Spa in Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, lies in the shadow of the ancient monument at Errigals’ old monastery. This area was once home to those seeking a spiritual retreat in a peaceful place overlooking one of the most beautiful valleys in Northern Ireland. There are many treatments to choose from. Lavender Health Spa use certified organic seaweed that is harvested by hand daily. Seaweed baths have been used for generations as a treatment for many skin conditions, such as eczema, as it’s packed with minerals and vitamins. www.lavenderhealthspa.com
CHOCOLATE HEAVEN
Did you know that Northern Ireland has a rich history of chocolate? Sir Hans Sloane was celebrated in his hometown, Killyleagh, as the man who brought the recipe for drinking chocolate to Europe from the Caribbean in the 17th century. Sloane discovered cacao, which the locals mixed with water. He believed it had medicinal properties but disliked the taste and so mixed it with milk. The short version of a long story is that ‘Sir Hans Sloane’s Milk Chocolate’ became the world’s first milk chocolate brand, being sold commercially by 1750. Today, Northern Ireland has an abundance of chocolate makers. NearyNógs ethically source and import their own Cacao Beans from several places like, Sâo Tomé, Dominican Republic and Ecuador. You can purchase their chocolate products (from bars to truffles) in Studio Souk & Town Square in Belfast, The Drawing Room in Bangor, Paper Fig, Ursa Minor Bakehouse, Infuse Tea and Finegan & Son in Newry, as well as online. And, if you’re in Belfast, stop by Aunt Sandra’s factory on Castlereagh Road for some delicious handmade candy, chocolate and fudge. www.nearynogs.com www.auntsandras.com
RETAIL THERAPY
No trip is complete without a look through some of the shops! Victoria Square Shopping Centre in Belfast includes retailers such as River Island, JD Sports and Pull & Bear, as well as a cinema and food court with O’Briens, Five Guys, McDonald’s and more. CastleCourt Shopping Centre is also worth exploring. Keep an eye out for some of the smaller, local businesses too, such as the Keats and Chapman second-hand bookstore on North Street and Young Savage vintage store on Church Lane. www.victoriasquare.com
GLORIOUS GARDENS
Need flowers in your life? According to behavioural research conducted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, nature gives us a simple way to improve emotional health and that comes in the form of greenery and flowers. Mount Stewart in Co Down, overlooking Strangford Lough, is magnificent, with a series of outdoor rooms and an abundance of flowers. Meanwhile, Springhill House in Ballindrum, Co Derry, recreates an Elizabethan camomile lawn. Here, you’ll find walled gardens, a children’s adventure trail playpark, refreshments and a second-hand bookstore. For art enthusiasts, visit another type of garden: the Sculpture Garden at the F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio in Banbridge, Co Down. The gallery is dedicated to the memory of Banbridge-born sculptor and one of Ireland’s most successful artists, Frederick Edward McWilliam. The gallery and studio houses his collection in a superb exhibition, but you can also watch the local artists demonstrate their creative skills at the free event called ‘Arts in the Garden’. There will also be the opportunity to get creative yourself, with copper embossing, glass jewellery making, ceramics and the art of textiles. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/springhill www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart www.femcwilliam.com