Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Weekend Hotspot – Dunadry Hotel Co Antrim
Dunadry Hotel & Country Club near Antrim town and close to Belfast is spread out over five acres and boasts a homely, elegant atmosphere with a rich heritage, steeped in local history. Once a stopping point for Warriors of the Red Hand on their journey from Tara to Dunseverick, it has also been home to both a paper and linen mills and has, for generations been a focal point of the area. The newer rooms are stylishly
designed, spacious and airy and some have French windows leading out to the gardens or the inner courtyard. The Flax & Beetle restaurant offers a relaxed and modern dining experience with an emphasis on quality local produce. Expect weekly live entertainment on Saturday nights by the open fire in the lobby lounge. Spa facilities at the Dunadry include a 12.5 metre heated indoor swimming pool, spa pool, steam room, solarium, beauty salon and a fully equipped gymnasium. Its unique architecture makes this hotel the ideal
■ Guest Rooms at Dunadry Hotel Antrim.
place for any sort of event. There are many places for you to visit such as the Lough Shore, the Castle Gardens, the Clotworthy Arts Centre, and many forests if you wish to take a nature walk. Slemish Mountain, the legendary first known Irish home of Saint Patrick, is located nearby in Ballymena. The mountain rises 1500 feet above the surrounding plain, and its central core is an extinct volcano. According to legend, following his capture and being brought as a slave to Ireland, Patrick worked as a shepherd on the mountain for six years. It was during this time that he turned to frequent prayer as a consolation to his loneliness. In a vision he was encouraged to escape and return home to become a priest. Slemish Mountain is open all year-round, and on Saint Patrick’s Day large crowds hike to the top of the mountain as a pilgrimage. Other attractions include Lough Neagh/Randallstown Viaduct Walkway/Springfarm Rath/Wildlife Centre & the World of Owls. For activity based holidays, some of the finest sporting and leisure
KEE’S HOTEL LEISURE & WELLNESS CENTRE
(074) 9131018 activities are also on offer. www.causewaycoastandglens.com The Junction One Retail and Leisure Park is on the edge of Antrim town and just off the M2 Motorway featuring over 70 retailers including Marks & Spencer, Clarkes, Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Bose, Levis and Next. Junction One Retail Park includes occupiers such as Asda, Homebase, Lidl, Dekko, ■ The Dunadry Ho B&M Bargains and tel Antrim. leisure operators include Burger King, Red Panda, Brewer’s Fayre, Moe’s Grill and the recently completed Junction Jack’s making at Harland & Wolff. Adventure Golf course. www. It has proved remarkably junctionone.co.uk Described popular since its opening, by National Geographic Trav- attracting more than 500,000 eller Magazine as an “unspoilt visitors in just six months. treasure” Belfast is also only w w w . t i t a n i c b e l f a s t . c o m a short hop away. The main From the vibrant Wellington city attraction is “Titanic” Park Hotel, to the tranquil, featuring numerous interac- historical Dunadry Hotel and tive galleries across 12,000 Country Club, to the ultra square metres of floor space modern Armagh City Hotel, all telling the story of the the Mooney family has creconstruction and doomed ated a unique portfolio of maiden voyage of the Ti- hospitality facilities, each tanic. The interpretation also oozing with their own special explores the history of ship charm, extraordinary atten-
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tion to detail and individual touches. Stay 2 nights & Save 10% off the best available rate - room only from £75 per night B+B www.mooneyhotelgroup.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Citybeat & Q Radio Network in Northern Ireland. He is also Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe. com