Train travel, tablescaping, tipsy teas and theatre tours are some ideas for the weekend ahead …
Supercharge your immunity in this cabin
It’s hard to ignore that Covid-19 stats are rising, as are fatigue levels due to the heat, and for those who haven’t got a holiday on the horizon a session at Drift Float Therapy, based in Stillorgan, Co Dublin might help. Its new “immunity package” comprises four elements – floatation therapy, salt caves, red light therapy and an infrared sauna experience – aims to leave the recipient feeling rejuvenated. As the only centre in Ireland to offer this service, owner Rob Dillon says he designed this package “to target the main issues our clients have been facing from muscle ache and fatigue to lingering respiratory issues from long Covid. Each treatment in the package targets a number of areas, empowering both the mind and body to face the world again.” He especially recommends the floatation therapy where clients lie in a floatation tank to induce a deep meditative state by means of REST (restricted environmental stimulation therapy). “Floatation speeds the recovery of muscles and joints after training or sports and helps restore the body’s natural posture after a long working week. Because floating improves circulation to each of the body’s systems, including the skin, clients will radiate the post-float glow. There is no need to be worried or intimidated, even first-time floaters can enjoy neurological peace.” Prices for the Drift Immunity package start at €120; www.driftfloattherapy.ie.
Why not enter this slow travel competition – it’s amazing!
I wrote about train travel trending in our March issue of THE GLOSS and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Interrail, Airbnb has partnered with Interrail to offer a group of six people a fabulous railway journey, with overnight stays in historic homes along the way. The successful applicant and up to five guests will depart on the Airbnb Heritage Tour on August 31, which will run for 19 days and spans five different countries. Beginning at Paddington Station in London, the group will enjoy a relaxing train journey to a 19th-century mansion in Bath, then onto a château in Saint-Georges-sur-Cher. From there, it’s an overnight stay at a 400-year-old villa in ancient Tuscany, and a voyage across the Italian Alps before the finale – a stay in a 19th-century castle in Germany. Applicants should enter before July 20. To find out more visit www.airbnb.com/airbnbheritagetour.
Check out this new kaftan collection
Looking for a versatile yet special outfit? No matter what the occasion from poolside posing to cocktail evenings, styled up or down, Debbie Millington’s new silk kaftan collection is the perfect fit. Made from lightweight silk and in vibrant colours, the collection was inspired by the hedgerows and gardens of Ireland, and designs feature flowers and butterflies. The kaftan collection which can be found online at www.debbiemillington.com and a selection at Curated, Kildare Village, is priced from €325-€350.
Explore Ireland’s National Theatre, The Abbey
Curated exclusively for The Westbury, The Abbey guided walking tour takes guests on a exploration of Ireland’s renowned theatrical history, taking in iconic sights and hidden gems, from WB Yeats’s memorial garden in St Stephen’s Green to the grounds of Trinity College Dublin all the way to Ireland’s National Theatre, The Abbey. This exclusive tour is complimentary to all guests of The Westbury and can be booked during or ahead of their stay; www.doylecollection.com.
Watch the Netflix adaptation of Persuasion
British theatre director Carrie Cracknell makes her directorial debut with a contemporary, subversive take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion – a story of second chances and the pressures women faced in Regency era England. The central protagonist is Anne Elliot (played by Dakota Johnson) who must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when her former beau, Mr Wentworth, (played by Cosmo Jarvis) comes crashing back into her life. The film, which lands today, July 15, on Netflix, also stars Nikki Amuka-Bird (Lady Russell), Mia McKenna-Bruce (Mary Musgrove), with Richard E Grant (Sir Walter Elliot), and Henry Golding (Mr Elliot); www.netflix.com.
Visit this pop up
Tablescapers take note! The Designed Table will be in McDaniels, Brittas Bay next Monday 18 July. If you are in the area, why not pop by for some summer tablescape inspiration and lots of fab pop-up offers. Tara O’Connor, the founder of The Designed Table, says “Bring the kids and have a coffee! Or a glass of rosé. All are welcome!” From 11am to 7pm; www.thedesignedtable.com.
Visit this Jazz Bar
Bert’s Jazz Bar at The Merchant Hotel is Belfast’s only dedicated jazz bar and worth a visit if you are in the city. It offers live jazz seven nights a week and on Sunday afternoons – the line-up of performers is listed each week. Bert’s has also just been awarded its first AA Rosette making it another reason to visit. General Manager Mark O’Neill says, “With live jazz music, an extensive drinks selection and now an AA rated French bistro style menu, we are proud to be playing our part in Belfast’s thriving social scene and continuing to offer excellence to our guests.” Book for a weekend brunch or dinner; the bar is open at weekends from noon to 1am on Saturdays; www.themerchanthotel.com.
Enjoy a tipsy tea
Too hot for dinner, or for cooking, Dylan Hotel has a clever solution. Its new “Tipsy Tea” combines classic afternoon tea favourites with a range of gently infused alcoholic desserts. Served in the sophisticated Dylan Bar or the intimate Ruby Room, it’s perfect for a weekend catch-up with friends. Enjoy a selection of sandwiches including smoked salmon with cucumber cream cheese, capers, fennel and brown bread, duck liver parfait with homemade brioche and fig compote, slow roasted chicken fillet with truffle dressing along with the must have warm scone, with clotted cream and preserves. Leave some room for some sweets which include an orange and grand marnier crème brulée, Baileys dark chocolate tart, macerated mixed berries and champagne jelly as well as tiramisu with mascarpone, amaretto and espresso savoiardi among other treats. The Tipsy Tea is €45 per person, or €70 per person with two cocktails. To book visit www.dylan.ie.
Visit This New Studio and Shop
Irish printmakers JANDO have launched a brand-new studio and showroom at Dublin’s Chocolate Factory. The new space marks an exciting chapter for founders Julie and Owen McLoughlin, the husband-and-wife duo behind the brand (hence the acronym J-AND-O). McLoughlin says: “We’re so excited to be able to share this wonderful new space with the public. It’s a chance for us to meet our customers again, something we really missed during Covid, and for them to come and view our pieces in person and to meet the people behind JANDO. Over the next year we will be opening up the studio even more with some very special events and can’t wait to share these plans with our community.” The bright welcoming space, co-designed by Alannha Monks of Oriana B Interiors, can also be booked for events. To make an appointment and shop the collection visit www.jandodesign.com.
Book ahead for this show
Iron Annie stage show is coming to Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre from July 21-23 and Belfast’s Accidental Theatre on July 29-30. Based on Luke Cassidy‘s Desmond Elliott Prize shortlisted novel of the same name, Iron Annie tells the story of Aoife, a major figure in Dundalk’s small-town underworld, and her fatal attraction to Annie, a magnetic and elusive force that barged into her life.
Iron Annie stars actor Georgia Cooney (pictured), who will be playing the inimitable Aoife. A recent graduate of TU Dublin’s Conservatoire of Music and Drama, Cooney says: “It’s extra special that my first professional theatre production is centred around my hometown of Dundalk, showing all its complexities and dark humour. I feel honoured to be representing a character like Aoife on stage, to give her a voice, especially in a home-grown live theatre production.” For more information visit www.juncturearts.ie.
Main featured image: The new “Hotel Positano” collection from Irish fashion brand Cobbler’s Wardrobe which launched this week; www.cobblerswardrobe.com