TRAVEL
An Irish Gift :
SHEEN FALLS LODGE ,
KENMARE
PERFECTING THE ART OF LUXURY ESCAPISM COMBINED WITH SOME OF THE MOST BREATHTAKING VIEWS ON THE PLANET , SHEEN FALLS LODGE PROMISES THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE BASE FOR YOUR NEXT IRISH ADVENTURE . BY SAMANTHA READY
Despite my own Irish roots ( wild natural curls , gift of the gab , green eyes and slightly awkward anecdote of a double broken wrist sustained one rather raucous March 17 should be enough of a giveaway - though , for the curious , I ’ m part Cork and part Edenbridge with a side order of Cockney thrown in for good measure ...), and even though I had ‘ heard ’ about the breathtaking vistas thrown up along the southwest coast of Ireland and its acclaimed Ring of Kerry , nothing , and I mean nothing you can conjure up in your imagination will actually live up to your first awe-inspiring , breathtaking , heart-stopping moment of seeing the incredible natural beauty of the Emerald Isle in all its beauty . From tall swaying forest , vast pasture land , trickling brooks , rivers and waterfalls to mountainous vistas , all framed by rugged Atlantic coastline , it is simply one place on earth you cannot and must not miss .
And , for a trip so encapsulated by nature , there is no better luxury basecamp onto which to descend to embark on your Irish journey than the show stopping five-star Relais & Chateaux hotel , Sheen Falls Lodge .
Uniquely positioned mere minutes from the centre of Kenmare , but ultimately away from it all , the hotel is entranced in the heart of Kenmare Bay , part of the Wild Atlantic Way no less , in a 300-acre estate overlooking its namesake Sheen Falls waterfalls . Not content with resting on its stunning estuary waterway position - the tidal nature of the water means that the view here changes during every part of day - and abundance of lodge activities ( salmon fishing , kayaking , golf , clay pigeon shooting and horse riding to name a few ), Ireland ’ s original fivestar lodge has perfected the art of luxury escapism , boasting a 2AA Rosette Falls Restaurant ( the wine list alone is worth the visit ), the relaxed but no less refined and recently opened The Stables Brasserie , and an incredible spa too .
Of course , while in this neck of the woods , figuratively and literally , it is expected that you ’ ll venture out . The Iveragh and Beara peninsulas and Killarney National Park are just some of the delights to explore , though should you wish to explore slightly closer to your new palatial home in Kenmare town , the short journey can be completed in chauffeur-driven style courtesy of the beautiful vintage car that whisks you down the tree-lined driveway like a Hollywood starlet from days gone by …* sigh *... it really is that amazing .
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