A real slice of history
From politicians to infants, Druid’s Glen has cross-party appeal, writes John Lee
Take a wander through history and you will see hotels play a role beyond providing room and board.
On my everlasting journey across Ireland following the political caravan I get to stay in many hotels. I once stayed in Hayes’ Hotel in Thurles where the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in 1884 (my stay was sometime after that).
During Enda Kenny’s six years as Taoiseach I often travelled, for political events, to the bustling Mayo town of Castlebar. I discovered, sadly, that the former Imperial Hotel stands dilapidated. It was here, in 1879, that Micheal Davitt founded the Land League. The Land League was the great mass movement that drove us to independence. Could Enda not have extracted a few quid from the State coffers during his time at the top to renovate this historic site in his home town?
The five-star Merrion Hotel, on Dublin’s Merrion Street, played a role in British and European history. Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, was born here in 1769, 46 years before he vanquished Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo.
Druid’s Glen Hotel and Golf Resort took its place in history in the febrile political days of early 2011. As Brian Cowen’s government, fresh from a bailout, teetered on the brink it emerged that the former taoiseach had played golf here with banker Seán FitzPatrick in July 2008. There was no impropriety attached to the occasion, but Mr Cowen discussed the Druid’s Glen golf and meeting at the banking inquiry. He also spoke about it in a book I co-wrote about those days – so Druid’s Glen gained its modest place in history.
Mr Cowen chose well, for the glorious Wicklow setting and the proximity to our capital has made the resort popular not just for business get togethers but for short breaks too. Relatives took our two young children for a few days during the recent vicious winter. At the time our younger boy was just five months old, so those with baby experience will understand that holiday needs were simple. Relaxation and sleep were the primary requirements of my wife and I.
I knew Druid’s Glen well from politics – I stayed there when Fianna Fáil held their annual away day there in 2007. I’d also played and viewed golf there on many occasions – it is a former Irish Open golf tournament venue.
But this was the first time I’d had a weekend there. It’s a short 70km – all motorway – from my north Dublin home. It’s far closer to south Dublin. With time more precious and roads busier there, Dubliners have a greater demand for easily accessed luxury.
Wondrously, during a winter when the clouds rarely parted, the sun came out to give us two glorious, crisp days. I played golf alone on the world-renowned Druid’s Glen golf course, designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock. There are few better courses in Ireland. Another, equally challenging course, Druid’s Heath (this is the one Mr Cowen played in 2008) is also attached to the complex.
For those with no interest in the maddening game I recommend a walk around Druid’s Glen’s perimeter paths, in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, it is a mystical place – literally.
It is said they discovered an ancient Celtic druid’s altar near a lake when constructing the 12th hole on the main course. A replica with a sombre stone druid marks the spot.
The resort is set in 400 acres between the mountains and the Irish Sea. So picturesque, yet accessible, is this part of Wicklow that filmmakers flock here. Excalibur, Michael Collins and Braveheart were made here. While I golfed and walked the grounds, my wife went to the boutique spa to meet the team of therapists.
She had a massage and a few other treatments. The health club did me, with its 18m swimming pool, followed by time in our jacuzzi, sauna, plunge pool and steam room.
The award-winning Hugo’s Restaurant has the culinary standard one would expect of five star and there are alternatives in the bar and Garden Rooms.
The golf club house is a little bit different too. Woodstock House, which is over 400 years old, has been magnificently refurbished and while serving as a clubhouse it offers a full menu. You can wander around the historic house too.
We had a large executive suite, which is at the pricier end. But there is a wide choice and we’ll return to avail of the family guest room with plenty of room for six.
Times have changed since I last stay here in 2007. Bertie Ahern was hosting his final Fianna Fáil away day.
They were to move to less luxurious hotels in the coming years and on to some controversy (the one at the Ardilaun in Galway in 2010 caused Mr Cowen some problems). But Druid’s Glen has moved with the times and provides luxury for all tastes.
I took a break from writing this piece last week to interview a Fine Gael politician – the Minister for Health Simon Harris, who was dealing with harrowing experiences of women at the hands of the health service.
I told him I was writing a piece on Druid’s Glen, which is in his constituency. The young politician wistfully recalled happier times.
Last summer Mr Harris stayed at Druid’s Glen on the night before his wedding to Caoimhe, a cardiac nurse for infants at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.
One of those who witnessed Mr Cowen’s meeting with Mr FitzPatrick was Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who was there for a meeting too.
So the resort has cross party attraction.
SET IN 400 ACRES, DRUID’S GLEN IS PICTURESQUE AND ACCESSIBLE