STAYCATION ESCAPES Where to go this winter

STAYCATIONS SPECIAL FOCUS Staycation Escapes

We chat to some prominent local fi gures about why Ireland, north and south, is the perfect place for a weekend retreat or a day trip.

Portrush - photo by Tourism Ireland.

Andy Rea, Local Chef & Business man

2020 has been a year of new words like “COVID”, “Lockdown” and “Staycations.”

In March, the business that served me well over the last 15 years became void. The fi rst lockdown forced me to rethink the business model and, with the help of the team at Mourne, our Mourne@Home range was born. We prepared restaurant calibre food that people could fi nish at home, dishes faithful to their origin using locally sourced ingredients. After several months of working from home, my wife, Caroline and I were in the mood for a change of scenery. However, travel restrictions remained in place, fl ights were a no no and weekend breaks as we knew them were no longer. So we

travelled in a way that was permitted. In a classic red VW camper, Peter Pan Camper Van.

There’s no shortage of landscapes to explore in NI, I had forgotten how blessed we are to live in this gem of a place. No face masks, no queuing at airports, no hassle. Just the open road, plenty of wine, a few Mourne@Home goodies and some cheesy 80s playlists. Going totally unplugged for a few days allowed us to forget about the madness. It felt very liberating and we only had to travel 30 minutes to a little place overlooking Strangford Lough.

Pamela Ballantine TV Presenter

As someone who likes to head to the airport at the drop of a hat I have really missed travelling this year. Like most people my plans have been put on hold, including plans to help a friend of mine celebrate her 40th birthday. Instead of heading to the sun we headed a couple of hours down the M1 to County Wicklow and The Powerscourt Hotel.

We arrived early lunchtime so headed up into the Wicklow Mountains to visit Johnny Fox’s world famous pub for lunch. The sun shone so we availed of a socially distanced table outside and instantly felt like we were on holiday.

As the countryside is so beautiful we decided to walk off lunch and where better than going clambering over to the waterfall which is spectacular. We finally checked in to the hotel and our room did not disappoint, overlooking the stunning gardens of the hotel. We did of course have plans to use the pool and spa but decided we were so relaxed we just enjoyed the surroundings and a few drinks before dinner. The next morning after breakfast, which had something for every nationality to choose from, it was time for another dander, this time to the House and Gardens just up the road from the hotel. We didn’t actually go into the gardens but did have a good nosey around the shops and looked at the gardens through the windows and gates, and I have promised myself I will go in next time. My friend Kerry and I had booked a holiday for the start of summer, but unfortunately we were unable to go. This led to us exploring the depths of the Northern Irish countryside whenever we could. There was one place we had never been to though, and that was the Cuilcagh Mountain Walk, or as some may call it, ‘The Stairway to Heaven’. One Saturday, we got all of our stuff together and left early in the morning for the 2-hour drive to Fermanagh. Upon arrival, we stopped at the Marble Arch Caves and had a little picnic before venturing across to the boardwalk. We parked in a nearby carpark, not realising it was the furthest one away, essentially adding an extra mile or two on to our walk. From seeing everyone completing the walk, we didn’t expect it to be quite as hard as it was! The views on the way up were breath-taking and we got to see a lot of different wildlife as well. We would love to go back and do it again but might limit it to once a year as our legs wouldn’t be able to cope with anymore!

Carrie Davenport, Photographer

Lia McKenzie, Marketing Executive

We had a family trip to Valencia booked this May, which obviously got cancelled due to the pandemic but we weren’t going to let that stop us having a family holiday. My husband was working from home throughout and my work was pretty much all gone due to events being cancelled and no weddings to photograph so we decided to make the most of what we had right at home! The weather at home in Belfast worked out great for the week we were off and we are lucky enough to have a back garden so we borrowed a giant paddling pool from a friend (who left it in her front garden for us to pick up and wave through the window) and set about turning our back garden into a mini beach. We set up the pool, Clara’s sand pit and a bubble machine and made the most of the home grown mint plants to drink some mojitos in the sun. We planted seeds and I built a space so the cats could even come hang out too - I’ve called it ‘the catio’, much to the amusement of my family that I am now a crazy cat lady! It may not have been Spain but we had so much fun playing in the garden with her, chilling out reading when she napped (highly recommend The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa) and eating all our meals outside as if we were on holiday. It’s so important to put the out of office on and give yourself a break even when you don’t get away and it showed us what you can do without even leaving home.

Nuala Meenehan Model

One of the positive things to have happened in 2020 was the rise of the ‘staycation’, with so many of us holidaying at home. Of course, the weather last summer made everything brighter but come rain or shine we undoubtedly live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Top of the list for me is the Ards Penninsula. Arguably one of Northern Ireland’s most stunning gems. The entire area is steeped in history and unspoiled beauty. I’ve spent so much time over the years on secluded beaches and quiet beauty spots, happy to get lost on winding roads and country lanes. I live in east Belfast so it’s a short drive to Newtownards, where we start day trips meandering down the Ards Penninsula. Mount Stewart, its impressive house and gardens, St Cooeys Wells, and Kearney Point are just some particularly special jewels to visit. Days trips are great but spending a little more time in the area is so worthwhile. My favorite staycation by far last year was an overnight stay at Brentcove, a little piece of heaven, nestled on Strangford Lough. I’d been hearing so many great reviews about this incredibly cute self-catering property for two and last autumn proved to be the perfect time to visit. Breakfast in bed with the french doors just a foot from our bed opened in the morning with a clear view of the water’s edge – heaven on our door step!

Seamus McErlean and Joyce McClure.

David and Angela Madden with Reggie.

HAZELBANK AND LOUGHSHORE PARK

Locals and visitors enjoyed the Belfast Lough coastal path from Hazelbank to Jordanstown Loughshore park at the start of the Causeway coastal route in Newtownabbey.

Angela and Sebastian Jackson. Gabriel Jackson, Annasophia and Rachel Corry.

. Karen Teeney and Jacqui Jordan.

Glenn and Vikki McCartney with Penny. Ryan Corry and Lola. Frank and Eleanor Girvan.

SPREADING THE NEWS

We look at some of the stories making headlines this month.

Superbike champion, Jonathan Rea.

SIX IN A ROW

World Superbike star Jonathan Rea is the Adelaide Irish Motorcyclist of the Year for a record breaking sixth time in a row.

Rea has now won Irish motorcycling’s top honour eight times to equal the achievement of road racing legend Joey Dunlop, who was an eight-time winner between 1979 and 2000.

There was little doubt that the Kawasaki rider would scoop the main prize following his sixth successive World Superbike title. 34-year-old Rea received the famous Joey Dunlop trophy during a virtual online awards ceremony after the annual gala evening in Belfast was unable to be staged because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is an incredible feeling,” said Rea. “I am gutted I can’t receive this trophy on the night because it’s such an amazing occasion every January when all the motorcycling industry come together under one roof.

“I receive so much support from the fans there and I will miss seeing them all. This is an unreal trophy, which will once again take pride of place as the centrepiece in my home.

“To equal the record set by Joey Dunlop is also simply incredible. He was my hero growing up and to think I have won this award the same number of times as him is hard to believe.”

Six other awards were presented during the virtual awards, which is available to watch on demand on the Bike Awards Facebook page and via YouTube. There are interviews with all the winners in the special programme hosted by Stephen Watson and Keith Huewen.

BY ROYAL ORDER

Robert Elliott, Chairman of Manulife Cambodia, has been awarded the highly prestigious Royal Order of Monisaraphon by the King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni. The award class is Grand Offi cer and is in recognition of his work developing the insurance industry in the country, driving fi nancial education among the population and contributing to Cambodia’s social and economic development.

Originally from Lisburn, Robert Elliott is son of the late Noreen and Allen Elliott and a former pupil of Methodist College Belfast.

The Grand Offi cer class of Royal Order is an award by Royal Decree of the king. It is Cambodia’s second highest award after the Grand Knight Cross (for the Royal Order category) and Robert is among a few foreigners in the fi nancial sector receiving such a prestigious Royal Order.

“This award is well deserved and an absolute credit to Robert. His contribution to the development of Cambodia’s life insurance industry has been immense,” said Anil Wadhwani, President and CEO of Manulife Asia. “He’s been instrumental in building our business into a market leader there, as well as growing the insurance industry as a whole.”

Cambodia’s life insurance industry was formed in 2012 when Manulife became the fi rst international life insurer licensed to operate there. The country now has 13 life insurers, with Manulife the market leader by market share for 2020 new business sales. As a whole, the life insurance sector employs about 10,000 people in Cambodia, with around 6,000 at Manulife, including contracted insurance advisors.

Manulife Cambodia was established in 2012, under Robert’s leadership as CEO and General Manager. He was later elected Vice Chairman for Insurance Association of Cambodia.

Robert has has worked for Manulife since 1980 in numerous locations. Besides being Chairman of Manulife Cambodia, Robert is also CEO and General Manager of Manulife Myanmar. Prior to joining Manulife Cambodia, he spent 3 years with Manulife Singapore heading its Agency and Partnership Distribution channels, and before that had been based in Hong Kong.

“I’m humbled and extremely grateful for this honour,” said Robert. “Helping the Cambodian people build a better and healthier fi nancial future, so they can plan for their futures and manage their savings more effectively is hugely fulfi lling. Being recognised in this way for doing what I love really is a wonderful surprise. I’d like to thank the whole team in Manulife Cambodia, as this award was only made possible by their outstanding dedication to our customers.”

Ian Luney with Grace and Alice.

Alan Totten and grandson Jack. Bernie Mulholland and Katie Friel with children JP Friel, Michael and Conan and twins Connie and Lily.

Planetarium astronaut Jack McKee. Gavin and Emmalisa Owen with Maisie and Mia.

SPACE LIGHTS SHOW AT ARMAGH PLANETARIUM

The out of this world illuminating outdoor family event based within the facility’s historic grounds transformed the renowned landmark into a magical world of sound and light. The event took place 17th December 2020.

Michael, Eilish, Aoife-Lilly and Fiona McElhatton.