I’m a Kelly’s guy
With fond memories of boyhood summer breaks fresh in the mind, John Lee returns as a father
As Storm Ophelia raged around us recently I stubbornly doubled down on two decisions I made recently. Firstly, I will take my winter family break in Ireland. And, secondly, I will attempt to get a reservation at the legendary Kelly’s Resort Hotel and Spa in Rosslare.
For, as I endured an unexpected day at home with the kids and a Peppa Pig marathon, I finally conceded that the climate on our exposed Atlantic isle is changing. I would have to return to a hotel that is prepared for every meteorological eventuality.
When we visited Kelly’s last it was summer but there were tropical downpours. With two children under the age of three even the shortest family break must be accompanied by plans A, B and C.
Most importantly, an ideal Lee family holiday involves strategic and lengthy breaks from the kids. Kelly’s is sumptuously equipped.
Our family room opened onto a verdant and safely enclosed lawn scattered with pink cherry blossoms. We could open a gate and walk onto the glorious 8km Rosslare Beach. Our family braves the Irish Sea but for those who prefer less frigid pursuits there is much, much more. And they can take the kids off your hands, too.
The Pirates Club runs an extensive daily programme for children aged four and over from 9.30am to 9pm. Activities include: drama and dressing up, arts and crafts, painting, movie nights, sports, music and more. The under-fours can be cared for at the Starfish Club. There is a ‘dine in peace’ child-minding service in the playroom and a full childminding service where children can be watched in their bedroom. A special children’s dinner is served at 5.30pm followed by a kids disco.
While they dance themselves to exhaustion the indoor pursuits exclusive to adults are abundant.In the Seaspa my wife and I basked in water piped in from the Irish Sea, and heated. It’s an ESPA, the leading name in spas, and is described as a thalassotherapy – essentially sea water therapy. The sea water pool is partly indoors but you can swim to an outdoor section. There are numerous massage and treatment options available too.
With what Kelly’s describe as ‘therapeutic lighting and textured sounds’ this is definitely the finest spa I’ve experienced in Ireland (strangely, the finest I saw was in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania).
There is also an aqua club, fitness room and more. All are particularly attractive in a wet and windy Irish winter. It depends on your taste, but I can indulge in such pursuits for hours.
An Irish institution, Kelly’s is successful because it has proved as willing to change as the weather. My parents brought me there more than 40 years ago when it was more inclined to be busy in summer. But as lifestyles changed Kelly’s expanded its facilities. Founder William Kelly was an accountant but when, in 1895, his Roslyn Dee is away wife Mary’s family offered a suitable piece of land, they founded Kelly’s Tea Rooms in Rosslare. It has been in the family since, and is now owned and run by Bill Kelly.
Bill trained in hospitality at Lausanne, Switzerland, where he met his future wife Isabelle Avril, daughter of leading French wine-maker Paul Avril, of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The couple took over 30 years ago and have kept pace with modern tastes. Their innovations include developing the Aqua Club leisure centre, La Marine bar/restaurant and the addition of 30 rooms.
They also ramped up the art collection which includes works by Jack Yeats, Elizabeth Magill, Louis le Brocquy and even Picasso and Andy Warhol. At Kelly’s every detail has been perfected to keep every generation happy, even if there is a hurricane blowing outside. Which is not unheard of.
Five-night all-inclusive breaks mid week start at €599pp, Nov 5 – Dec. 1. Weekend rate, €325pps. All rates subject to 10% service charge.