Visit Wicklow, Visit Druids Glen Resort

Came across this video promoting Wicklow as a destination. If you haven't been to wicklow it's hard not to be tempted to visit after wathcing this. 

(In case you're wondering, music is by 'Ghost - Luan Parle'

June Bank Holiday Weekend

Planning a weekend trip to Druids Glen Resort this June Bank Holiday ?

If so, you’re in luck as this June Bank Holiday you might like to visit the Greystones Arts Festival which will host some great street theatre from performers from Ireland and Europe.

The Festival runs from Friday 31st May to the Sunday 2nd June and will include live music, comedy as well as workshops in stilt walking, beatboxing, I-Puppets, African Drumming and the word on the street is that there may be a surprise flash-mob. Performance artists will take over Greystones for the weekend.

Other Information:

Price: Donations of €2.00 or €5.00 for a Family of 4
Website: http://www.greystonesartsfestival.com
Timetable: Arts Festival
 

Best Restaurant in Leinster

We've been busy getting nominated and winning all sorts of awards over the last couple of years. Now we are setting our sights on hopefully becoming the 'Best Restaurant in Leinster' in the Food & Wine Awards. 

This award is the most prestiguous awards that we could win. To help us get nominated all you need to do is follow the steps below.

How to Vote:

1. Simply visit www.harmonia.ie/royta
2. Enter 'Druids Glen Resort' into the first category 'Best Restaurant in Leinster'
3. Enter your details 

It couldn't be easier. The difficult part now is to win the award !

Our own little makeover

Richard Collins, CEO of Druids Glen Resort, announces completion of major reinvestment plan against backdrop of positive operating figures

Druids Glen Resort recently committed to a substantial reinvestment and refurbishment plan of almost €2 million at the luxurious 5 star Wicklow property, with the process nearly fully complete.

With a focus on a significant technology upgrade across the Resort, from bedrooms to the sophisticated boardrooms and meeting rooms, as well as an elegant new look for all the hotel’s bedrooms, lobby area and meeting rooms designed by exciting Irish designer Ciara Ni Laoi of CLR Design, the reinvestment plan has been implemented against the backdrop of very positive operating figures.

“At Druids Glen Resort we have reduced costs substantially but are employing more staff now than we did two years ago,” says CEO Richards Collins, speaking at Druids Glen Resort. “We also have more golf membership and our business is up 25% overall. Now we are matching the Resort’s success with a newly updated, simple but luxurious finish throughout many of the key areas.”

New look Resort

Every aspect of the new look has been carefully considered, from the refurbishment underway of each individual bedroom to the bespoke, geometric design of the carpet in the freshly designed meeting rooms, reinforcing the Druids Glen Resort brand by utilising the logo in various sizes and colours, to the lime green accents in the lobby area complementing the distinctive stone wall synonymous with Druids Glen, to the soft blue-grey colour scheme mixed with shades of neutral grey silk to allow theming of events. The selected styles allow for greater flexibility of use and suit a wide variety of events including corporate meetings, private dining and intimate weddings.

Investment in technology

From a technology point of view, the Wireless Bitbuzz service has now been upgraded to high speed internet 50Mbps upload and download speed, which can also be boosted to higher speeds if required. This is the equivalent to the fibre-optic capabilities available in any city centre location and means that Druids Glen Resort can ensure corporate and enterprise quality data connections at all times.

All hotel TVs have a full selection of channels available on their smart TV sets, and meeting rooms and boardrooms have dedicated 55" LED screens with iPad mirroring facility, desktop connectivity, and high definition capability, with wireless AV networks in all rooms in order that iPad mirroring or wireless displays can be used as they become available.

Implementation of in-room computing networks for working groups can also be managed and traffic can be separated from all other networks if necessary. Along with the upgrades to each individual meeting and boardroom, Druids Glen Resort is now capable of producing extremely high quality and state of the art events no matter what the request.

“Our resort has really turned a corner over the last couple of years,” says CEO Richards Collins. “While Dublin city centre has enjoyed steadily increased occupancy from delegate business, it is much more of a challenge for a destination resort like ours that has being standing on its own two feet, solely with support from our guests and owners. We aren't a city centre hotel, but we are busier, we have more golf members, and we are more profitable than we were two years ago and we have all of this in a resort that has had €2 million spent to refurbish it from top to toe, which is looking gorgeous and is in a great position for the next few years.”

Trace Your Wiclow Roots

Trace Your Wicklow Roots

Would you like to trace your roots? Powerscourt is celebrating ‘The Gathering’ with a special genealogy talk from Nicola Morris, presenter on RTÉ’s ‘The Genealogy Roadshow.’ Come along to find out how to trace your Wicklow ancestors and learn a little bit about the history of the youngest county in Ireland, a wild and untamed land that loomed over the second city of the British Empire.

Find out about the marauding O’Tooles, the Wicklow gold rush, the last stand of Michael O’Dwyer in 1798 and the first inter-county GAA match. Nicola will offer a useful guide to genealogical sources for the county, interspersed with stories of the labourers, miners, English settlers and the landed gentry of Wicklow. This event is complimentary and takes place at Powerscourt House on the 16th of May at 2.30pm. No booking is required. See www.powerscourt.ie/events

About Nicola Morris: Genealogist Nicola Morris draws on a rich family history that can be traced back to the court of Henry VIII and the breweries of Lancashire to Cork city publicans and a mysterious Italian great great grandmother. She works very closely with the production company for the BBC programme ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ and the US version of the show. Nicola has appeared on screen with Rosie O'Donnell, Jeremy Irons, Graham Norton and Chris Moyles and, most recently, was one of the presenters of the first series of ‘The Genealogy Roadshow’ for RTE.

Venue: Powerscourt House, Enniskerry, County Wicklow.
Contact Details: W: http://www.powerscourt.ie/events T: (01) 204 6000
Dates and Times: 16th May, 2.30pm
Cost: Admission is complimentary and no booking is required
 

Into the Swing of it !!

We stumbled across the following review which was left by a guest who stayed with us in January. The article appeared in the Cork Examiner on the 28th April. It's a really nice piece and enjoyable read. 

_______________________________________________________________________________

YOU’RE going to Druid’s Glen, but neither of you plays golf ?" was the response when we said we were going to the Wicklow resort for a family weekend in bleak January.

We drove from Cork to Wicklow on one of the wettest evenings of the year. Our wipers were on full blast from the Jack Lynch Tunnel to Newtownmountkennedy. Our two children, aged 5 and 7, were restless, so it was unfortunate that we missed the turn-off to the hotel. (Note to Druid’s Glen: more sign posts.) It was a cranky, frazzled family that arrived into the foyer, but things improved straight away.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Druid’s Glen was built in 2002 and its foyer is a monument to glass and beautifully cut, Wexford granite stone. A large log fire and a well-lit, spacious entrance created a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The receptionist was friendly and gave activity packs to the children. We were given a DVD player for our adjoining rooms.

THE ROOM

We had two large, adjoining rooms — one with two big single beds and one with a double bed. This is a good option for families: it offers parents peace and privacy and avoids both of you creeping around a dimly lit room, to not wake the children. Wifi is free throughout the hotel.

We had hoped to go downstairs for a drink, but we were tired and the big bath was calling out to me. The DVD player was installed as I was enjoying my relaxing soak, and, 40-plus saddos that we are, we had brought along the West Wing box set. So we relaxed into our five-star room with the children sleeping next door, and caught up with President Jed Bartlett.

AMENITIES

Our friends were aghast we were wasting the famous Druid’s Glen golf facilities, I went on a wet and windy run around the course on Saturday morning. Open since 1995, it hosted the Irish open in 1996 and ’97, and the Irish PGA in 2006. Although I knowing nothing about the sport, I recognised the names who have played here, including Sergio Garcia, Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke.

We whiled away a few hours in the 18-metre pool, which is child-friendly. It has lovely, big glass windows and the sunlight poured in. I escaped to the sanctuary of the Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

I enjoyed the Druid’s Glen signature treatment in the hotel’s spa. At €110, this involves a 45-minute, holistic massage and a 35-minute clear-skin facial with French products, Payot. A stiff neck and shoulders have made me a massage connoisseur, and the level of pressure was exactly as I requested.

The hotel has an indoor games room with giant Connect Four, a toddlers’ play area and a retro space-invaders machine about which we got nostalgic, though our kids thought it was a relic. Druid’s Glen was packed with families the weekend we were there (where was the recession?), so the games room was full. When your children make friends, everyone is happy.

THE RESTAURANT

The hotel bar, the Thirteenth Bar, serves food all day, and on Saturday my mother and my aunts, who were enjoying a sisters’ reunion in Dublin, joined us for afternoon tea. This wasn’t due to start until 3pm, but the staff kindly served us earlier. We ordered two servings of miniature sandwiches and cakes, and there was plenty.

On Saturday night, the four of us headed to Druid’s Brasserie, the hotel restaurant. This is one of the most family friendly restaurants in which I’ve eaten in a five-star hotel. The children can serve themselves from big platters and can have second helpings or extra juice. The novelty kept my two going for quite a while. We enjoyed a great meal from the a la carte menu, both of us opting for the venison, which was perfectly cooked.

There’s lots to choose for breakfast, including fresh pancakes and omelettes cooked in front of you at the buffet.

WHAT TO SEE

The weather didn’t improve, but we never felt the need to leave Druid’s Glen, because of all the activities on offer. But, before we began our drive home on Sunday, we met up with some friends in Powerscourt Waterfall and Gardens, which is only a 10-minute drive away. Also close by are Wicklow Historic Jail, Glenroe Farm and Clara Lara Adventure Centre.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Druid’s Glen are offering a weekend family deal for two adults and two children, which includes two nights B&B in a de luxe room, as well as one evening meal, from €390 per family.

ANYTHING TO ADD

Taking a family break in January is a real treat and definitely gives you something to look forward to after Christmas. It was a refreshed, relaxed family that made the dry journey back to Cork.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Sunday, April 28, 2013

Tatler Spa Awards 2013

We have entered the Tatler Spa awards 2013. We are hoping to win the "Peoples Choice" category.

It's a big award within the industry and it's an awards that we would love to win. To help us, all you need to do is:

1) Visit http://irishtatler.com/peopleschoice2013/

2) Enter name and email address

3) Vote for "Druids Glen Resort"

**Closing Date is 12th May**

Thanks for Voting !!

Welcome to the Team

Michelle and her team at The Spa at Druids Glen Resort are delighted & excited to anounce that Nadine O'Neill will be joining their team in mid April.

Nadine comes with a wealth of experience in previous roles within the Industry and she has been recently crowned Social and Personals 'Facial Therapist of the Year' for 2013. This is quite a prestigious award to receive and is certainly recognition for Nadine's hard work and dedication.  

We believe Nadine's wealth of knowledge and attention to details will significantly improve our already high standards of treatments and customer care and we are all looking forward to giving Nadine the Druids Glen Resort welcome. 

In addition to Nadine's arrival, we are also offering some great deals in our Spa this April. Simply click on the following link to view our April offers.

A Perfect Day in Wicklow

They call it the garden of Ireland, the home to some of the most scenic landscapes in not only Ireland but Europe. They call it beauty epitomised and a true portrait of the island's heritage and beauty, I call it home.

I have visited Wicklow many times, my Grandmother grew up in the county and often speaks about old stories, her childhood and how times have really changed but that can be said by most of our elders.

This particular day I was venturing to Glendalough the famous and oldest monastic site, home to one of very few still intact round towers. There is also the spiritual abundance that both the upper and lower lakes hold over any visitor. There is a mystic air in Glendalough, like it is still touched by the hand of God, no sirens, no traffic, no sign of modern life we now take for granted. Just simplicity and the calming wave that washes over your mind and soul when standing by the lakes.

Greeted by the Celtic cross I am informed, true or untrue, that it is a symbol that represents St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland. The pagan's always looked to the sun for answers and when St. Patrick came with his Christian cross the pagan gods thought him crazy until he expressed how he felt about Christianity. It was the same as how the pagan gods believed in the sun and so St. Patrick placed the cross over the circle of the sun and alas the Celtic cross was born, the symbol of our heritage and a global representation of our island.

We made our way from Glendalough over the Wicklow Mountains taking in the mesmerising views of the Sally Gap and down to Lough Dan.

Onto Johnnie Foxes the highest pub in Ireland they say in Glencullen, people always wonder what it is about Ireland that makes it so magic. The combination of the landscape, the culture and the people, these elements makes it unforgettable. After having traditional Irish stew and of course a glass of Guinness, I willingly tap my feet to the rhythm of the Irish Dance being performed in the pub. With its old traditional interior and saw dust on the floor I fall into a world not always possible to escape to. A world of serenity, listening to the beautiful ayers of the tin whistle I imagine the still beauty of Glendalough and the ideal that life cannot always be perfect but for one day it was beyond perfection, it was beautiful Ireland.

Written by 

Jodie Gilpin (Sales Manager at Druids Glen Resort)

The articles above was written by our very own Jodie who work in the Hotel. Jodie, entered her piece into a Failte Ireland competition for 'A Perfect day on Dublin's Doorstep. We hope you enjoy reading the article as much as we did.  

An External View

We stumbled across this great article which was written by Kevin Markham who played the Druids Glen Course over St Patricks Weekend. Kevin is a Golf writer, blogger and photographer and he writes for Irish and UK magazines and websites.

Simply follow the link below to view Kevin's blog about his day on the Druids Glen Course.

View Blog Article 

Druids Glen partners with Bridgestone Golf

 “The more I practice, the luckier I get,” is the famous quote on the relationship between luck and practice from golf legend Gary Player, a man who certainly knew the benefits of both.

Druids Glen Resort in County Wicklow is determined to ensure golfers get ever luckier, and to do just that is tempting them to get even more practice! Partnering with Bridgestone Golf to create an irresistible base for them to improve all areas of their game, Druids Glen Resort wants all golfers to take the Gary Player approach to balancing practice and luck.

The upgraded floodlit range and practice facilities at world-renowned Druids Glen Resort, located adjacent to the first tee at the magnificent Druids Heath course, now offer the very latest Bridgestone golf ball technology in this stunning setting overlooking the Irish Sea. Academy or on-course tuition is also available from Patrick Geraghty PGA, so to make sure you get luckier, get practicing!

For further information or to book a lesson, please contact the resort on 01-2870800.

WILD LIFE WINTER REVIEW AND SPRING PLANS

We all remember last summer was not the best and it was very tough on the birds especially the breeding hen pheasants. You will recall we had early clutches but few chicks survived and the hens tried again but unfortunately we had some cold and wet weather in May and few survived.

The good news is that a number of chicks did survive around the new houses and on the driving range.  It was interesting to see them feeding on the range with the yellowhammers and eating the grass seeds in the repair mix used by the green keepers.

We have ended up with more cock pheasants than hens and we intend to introduce some breeding hens in the established manner.

During the winter you see the yellowhammers in numbers on the driving range and now they have increased in numbers around the club house at Druids Glen.  I saw them this week feeding on the 1st tee and about twenty birds were present.  This is a significant development as they are an endangered species.  It was only when the new houses and gardens were developed that I saw an increase in the population.

The swans are showing signs of nesting and I am sure again they will use the island near the 13th tee to nest.  It is an ideal site and later in the year we hope to see the cygnets
On the lake with the parents.

Spare a thought for our bachelor swan and lets hope he finds a partner this year.  I think this is the 5th year he has tried and his luck must soon change.

The population of pine martins is increasing in County Wicklow and they are in Druids Glen.  They hunt the grey squirrels and you may see a pair around the 12th green on Druids Glen.

For the first time the otters moved to the lakes near the 15th green on the Glen and this indicates an increase in the fish population.  Brendan Elliot from the greens staff had some good sightings and he and other greens staff also saw a pair of dippers around the lake on the 8th.

We are prepared for a return of the nesting kingfishers and this is a very fragile project depending on water quality and a good supply of fish, the staple diet of the kingfishers. We have the two nesting banks on the river and the rest is in the hands of the gods.

Soon the early blossom will be visible  and all the wild life will become active after the long winter months.

Derek Mulrooney
Hon. Wild Life Conservator

Twitter Party!

On Sunday 24th February Druids Glen Resort are holding a Bridal Shopping Village with a whole host of wedding professionals ready to help you plan your dream day.

Twitter Party

To celebrate the launch of the Bridal Village,Druids Glen Resort and OneFabDay @1fabday, will be hosting a Twitter Party! So join us on Twitter tonight, Wednesday 20th February, from 7.30 – 8.30pm where we’ll be answering all your bridal Q&A's. We will also have lots of fab prizes to give away, so make sure you’re on Twitter at 7.30pm for your chance to win! See you there!

You’re all invited to the Twitter party! To take part and be in with a chance to win here’s what you need to do…

1. Follow @1fabday on Twitter
2. Follow @druidsglenresort on Twitter
3. We’ll be using the hashtag #druidsglenbridalvillage. Use this to ask us questions and enter the competitions. Simple!

Bridal Village

With fashion forward designer wedding style from Town Bride, Irish wedding dress designers Sarah Foy and Anne Gregory, fabulous fashions from Jennifer Rothwell, and from Harvey Nichols featuring Spring and Summer womenswear showcasing outfits for mother of the bride, honeymoon and the day after the wedding, beautiful shoes from one of Europe’s prettiest shoe boutiques Cocobelle, stunning bespoke wedding stationery from Dusty Boy Designs, the quirky Citroen H-Vans set up to host funky bars at your wedding party from Little Piggy Vintage, gorgeous jewellery from Loulerie, spectacular ready to wear and bespoke hats from Edel Ramberg Designs, the Galway-based milliners, and the excellent Trish McEvoy bridal makeup planners, exclusive to Harvey Nichols, who will do beauty workshops and sample bridal looks. There’s even the stunning Alexandre Saville Row made-to-measure suit service to keep the designated drivers (the boys!) happy too.

The wedding afternoon is being held in a sequence of rooms on the first floor of Druids Glen Resort, creating an avenue of wonder and exploration, where there is plenty of space and light to enjoy exploring all these goodies, plus the opportunity to try on some of the lovely fashions, hats and jewellery, to make sure you will be beautifully dressed for the big day. There is also the chance to check out how glamorous and appealing the hotel itself looks on a big day, with the main ballroom fully dressed for a celebration!

With delectable cupcakes, delicious canapés and “bubbles”, the event is free but places are limited so to request an invite, email Nessa Kearney or call 01 2870811With delectable cupcakes, delicious canapés and “bubbles”, the event is free but places are limited so to request an invite, email Nessa Kearney or call 01 2870811 

Top Wedding Trends for 2013

Bridal gown designer Anne Gregory shares her thoughts on wedding trends for 2013...

“Ladies remember to stay true to you! Every bride wants it all they dream of  the fairytale wedding  the ‘Kate’ gown or the  latest wedding dress they’ve seen grace the cover of a magazine  – and yet the first thing I always say is but  tell me who you are?

I see the trend for weddings in 2013 as being the year of the bride the year of who you are, where the possibilities are endless and the limits are merely set by your imagination. Every brides wedding dress should be a reflection of her. Of her personality of her quirks and idiosyncrasies – as this dress will be what makes people stop and stare, this dress is what makes the bride feel so at home that the perfect photo is captured.

Of course there are elements of the latest trends and colours that can complement the bride’s personality and serve as the accent of the dress.

The latest 2013 trends are showing huge breath from simple sophistication to red carpet readiness with nude being the colour of the moment, and a hints of gold making a comeback. You need only look to any runway show to see that there is a style to suit any bride for 2013 – with the ever present romanticism of lace being a strong fabric of choice.

Styles trending strongly also include high necklines and low backs and the re-introduction of a modified peplum dress which accentuates the bride’s waistline. Long sleeves with delicate lace have also seen a rise in popularity. 2013 has also seen accessories arrive with a very art deco feel and embellishment can been seen from ornate head pieces to stylist jewellery.

Finally a wedding is a very personal day and when you’re standing in front of the mirror after having the final touches applied take a deep breath and smile”

The Lightest Golf Shoe from Adidas

Adidas’ new adizero Tour golf shoe is the lightest in the company’s history, weighing only 10.6 ounces.

But hold on a second — golfers aren’t running when they’re on the course. So will a lightweight golf shoe really help them on the course?

According to Dav Mattuicci, global marketing manager for Adidas, they can. Mattuici said a golfer who walks 18 holes lifts his legs between 15,000 and 17,000 times. That means the difference between the Tour ATV and the adizero is about 6.5 ounces per step, or if a golfer takes 17,000 steps, about 6900 pounds.

Sounds like a fresher golfer to us!

Now available in Druids Glen Pro Shop so just contact us for details.

Druids Glen Wins Best Overall Golf Resort

Druids Glen Resort has been named Best Overall Golf Resort in Ireland at The Golfers Guide to Ireland Awards which took place on Tuesday January 15th in O’Connell’s Donnybrook in Dublin.

The awards recognise leadership roles played by Irish Golf Clubs and associated golf interests on the whole island of Ireland.

Published by Portside Publications, The Golfers Guide 2013 features a comprehensive all Ireland listing and details of the very best parklands, links and resorts along with recommended golf hotels and specialist golf accommodations. Portside Publications Director Paddy McCarthy said the guide has become an essential part of any golfer’s kit when planning a trip around the country. “We have been involved in Ireland’s golf industry for almost a quarter of a century… this evening’s awards reflect our wish to recognise individual achievement on an annual basis by those involved in our industry.”

The resort’s two equally exhilarating golf courses, Druids Glen and Druids Heath, are renowned as being amongst the finest, most challenging and most enjoyable golf courses in Europe. The Druids Glen Course, known to many as the “Augusta of Europe” is famous for hosting the Irish Open on four occasions while the sensational Druids Heath championship golf course has hosted the Irish PGA Championship and is renowned for its breathtaking setting with stunning views over the Irish Sea and the back nine nestled in to the Wicklow Mountains.

Pictured is Richard Collins, CEO accepting the award from Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring TD

Druids Glen Wildlife Update – Summer 2012

The spring and early summer are probably the busiest times for our many species of birds in Druids Glen.  August, September is my favourite time of the year for watching our wild birds and listening to their singing.  The early morning is the best time and by rising very early you will experience the dawn chorus in the glen behind our hotel and this is a special treat for all the family.

The weather is an important factor in the successful weaning of chicks and unfortunately the early season saw some very cold and wet weather. Many of the birds tried second clutches with a bit more success but the pheasant chicks needed more dry and warm weather.  If chicks get wet and there is no early morning warm sun to dry them they simply don’t survive.

This time of the year many of our pheasants hens and cocks leave our sanctuary and move into the adjacent corn fields where the grain is ripening.  Come 1st November when the hunting season commences they will quickly move back into the safety of the Druids Glen Resort.  We will of course welcome them with our feeder bins containing grain.

Our swans are resident through out the year and although they seem awkward on land swans become beautiful elegant galleons on water. It was very pleasing to see the swans on the lake at the entrance to our hotel  produced cygnets this year as last year the eggs were infertile.  The swans down on the lake near our famous par 4,  13th hole were also successful and produced cygnets.  We had a sad incident on the Druids Glen Course when the parents brought the young cygnets to feed too near the weir at the 14th green tee box and one of the cygnets was washed down river.  Brian Lappin assisted by green keepers organised a rescue in deep water down river with careful and minimal handling with gloves.  When the cygnet was returned to the parents all seemed well but there was a sad ending when the mother (the pen) would not accept it back and drowned the unfortunate cygnet. I have seen this before when we rescued a cygnet which was washed over the weir near the 16th par 5 tee box.  This cygnet was rescued down stream by a local farmer and lived in his back kitchen for twenty four hours with a pet wild rabbit.  I was accompanied on this rescue by Derek Mooney and Richard Collins of RTE and we were delighted when the pen seemed to accept her cygnet back.  All was well for a day but then once again the pen rejected the cygnet and killed it.  Nature can appear to be cruel but there is always a reason and it often revolves around the supply of food or holding territory.

We continue to read reports about woodpeckers being sighted in Co. Wicklow and we have had visits in Druids Glen Resort.  When you are walking around the Estate please keep a look out for the woodpecker and report sightings in either our Hotel Reception or in one of the Golf Professional Shops.

Our finch population continues to increase and I put this down to the sympathetic green keeping policy operated by John O’Sullivan the Manager of Druids Glen Course and the Druids Heath Course.  This simply means letting grass grow in wild areas away from the fairways and the normal rough .  Similarly when gorse or wooded areas are pruned  it helps to do one side one year and the other side the following year.  The road along the back of the Hotel is a natural wild life sanctuary and it is not necessary to cut this down.

This is one of the areas where you will see and hear the yellowhammers and gold finches.

Our badgers are doing very well and not interfering with anybody (male - boar, female -sow ) If you meet the badgers please do not approach them or try to feed them and this applies especially to the cubs as the sow is very protective.  Like all wild animals they will attack if they think they are in danger of cornered.

The Druids Heath Golf Course has matured beautifully and the gorse offers excellent cover for all our indigenous birds and small mammals.  You will see the kites and the buzzards flying over the Heath Course when they are foraging for food.  They nest up in the hills behind Druids Glen Resort and cover many miles in their daily hunting forays.

Derek Mulrooney

Honorary Wild Life Conservator.
 

Sinead & Rory’s Wedding at Druids Glen Resort

We wanted to share these amazing shots of Sinead & Rory's Wedding in Dalkey and Druids Glen Resort.

We love the really inventive and creative photography taken by Cormac of Striking Images who has perfectly captured the spirit of happiness and fun of the day.  After all the planning and organising, the relaxed and smiling couple look like they’re having the time of their lives – long may it continue and we wish them every happiness….

Nessa Kearney, Wedding Co-Ordinator 

“Shot In A Million” Video

Following the hugely exciting “Shot In A Million” competition, here is a short video which really shows how close some competitors came to winning a million euros on Druids Glen’s famous 13th hole.

Thanks to Dakayo Productions for producing the video and watch this space for details on our next exciting event !

http://www.druidsglenresort.com/video
 

Bray Summerfest is back !

 Rosanna Davidson launches Bray Summerfest 2012

Royseven, The Riptide Movement, Ryan Sheridan and The Original Rudeboys to headline Bray Summerfest 2012

The Bray Summerfest line-up has finally been announced. At its official launch tonight, Bray Summerfest announced 5 weekends of over 60 events with Music, the Bray Air Spectacular, the Bia Galore Food Festival, Ramp’s n’ Amps’, Family Fiesta and an Olympic Party. Slap on the sunscreen and head to the sunny east coast for Ireland’s largest FREE summer festival!

Rosanna Davison was on hand to officially mark the launch of the Bray Summerfest and said, ‘Having grown up near Bray, I am very aware of the success and great entertainment that the festival brings to Wicklow every year. It is great to be here to launch its biggest and best festival yet’.

New for 2012, is our Ramps’ n’ Amps weekend which showcases the very best in BMX, skate, blade and street dance from the RampRage crew coupled with workshops for everyone to take part. Another new addition is our Family Fiesta weekend which will see a Maze erected along Bray seafront, fancy dress tea-party’s, jewelry design making and painting workshops and even RTE 2’s famous Reuben the Entertainer’.

A stellar line-up of music is on the cards. We have music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday over each of the five weekends so whether it’s Dublin indie hip hop outfit The Original Rudeboys, or meteor winners Royseven you’re in to, or if you want to relive your teenage years with Smash Hits, we have music for everyone. We’re delighted to have up and coming The Riptide Movement as headliners as well as Ryan Sheridan. Other great music during the festival will be brought to you from the Cujo Family, The Shoo’s, Camembert Quartet, Coldplace, Mac Fleetwood, James Brown Tribute and many more.

‘If it’s food you fancy, our Bia Galore Food Festival is certain to tickle your taste buds with our Chef’s Theatre demonstrations, a secret pop-restaurant and the return of the Italian Street Party. The Continental Food and Craft Market will also be staged along the seafront for two of the weekends.’

No tickets needed for this Summer Festival, just bring you, your family and friends and be sure to enjoy all that Bray Summerfest 2012 has to offer. Ireland’s largest free summer festival looks forward to your arrival!

We’re all going on our Summer Holidays…..

We're all going on our Summer Holidays… with a Druids Glen Family Room Beach Package!

Druids Glen Resort is just minutes from one of the east coast’s favourite beaches – the stunning stretch of sand at Brittas Bay – as well as an array of other super Blue Flag beaches.

Make the most of the glorious coast as a family this summer, with a Druids Glen Family Room Beach Package. From June to August, enjoy 1 night accommodation for €210, for 2 adults and 2 kids under 12 in one room, with a package including breakfast, a packed lunch in an ice box, buckets and spades for all the family and a beach blanket. Pack up the car with the goodies for the day, hit the beach together, enjoy the waves, build some sandcastles and come home sleepy from all that sea air and with sand between your toes!

Druids Glen Resort caters perfectly for the whole family, from the lovely restaurant and cosy bar to charming spa and wonderful outdoors. With welcome activity packs & a selection of kids’ games, dvds and books always available, and a games room at weekends, children can enjoy all kinds of activities from face-painting, kids’ swim time, Wii tournaments and resort bikes, and parents can enjoy the fact that baby-sitting can be arranged too!

There are changing facilities & supplies, highchairs & cots, flexible accommodation options for families with interconnecting or spacious family rooms, complimentary dvd players for rooms on request, and, with special kid-focused buffets during the holidays and 24 hour family room service, children under 12 eat dinner in Druids Brasserie until 7pm for free!

Just over half an hour south of Dublin, but an entire world away, between the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish sea, 5 star Druids Glen Resort is a peaceful and luxurious retreat, perfect for magical family breaks.

Druids Take On The Challenge !

Both Druids Golf Clubs are flying high in the Barton Cup this year.  Following wins over Blainroe and Powerscourt in previous rounds, the Druids Heath Team had a great win over Arklow last weekend.  Having caused an upset by beating Greystones golf club in the previous round, the Druids Glen Team added another win to their achievements beating  Delgany golf club

These results have provided quite a story, as both Druids teams will now meet each other in the next round !

The Druids are already busy planning a special match day for the members of both clubs to celebrate this unprecedented occasion so stay tuned and see who wins !

Barry Dowling, Director of Golf at Druids Glen Resort

Druids Glen Wildlife Update - Spring 2012

The cherry tree blossom on the avenue to Druids Glen is early this year and I am sure the bull finches are delighted.  When you come through the main gates and pass the blossom it  has a wonderful calming effect and can only be good for your golf score !

The cherry blossom is beautiful but when the buds burst on the horse chestnut trees and  you see the red tint I think this is a special feature of the estate. Outside the Druids Glen Club House there are very old magnolia trees and they require and receive a lot of TLC so this is another treat in store for you especially when they are in flower.

Our mute swans are active and I see a few new partnerships in the making but our bachelor swan is still looking for a partner.  Every year he tries to bond with one of last year’s signets but the parents chase him away.  I asked Richard Collins of RTE 1 Mooney Goes Wild fame about our bachelor swan.  He told me that it is not uncommon for this to go on for years but he will eventually find a partner.  At present he spends most of his time around the lake on the 17^th hole in Druids Glen but depending on available females I have seen him on the lake near the entrance to Druids Heath G.C and the hotel. 

The swans have started work on their nests and the pair who nested on the island near the 16^th hole in the Glen were the first to start.  They had five healthy signets last season and their island nest worked well so they will almost certainly use the island again this year.

A few people have asked me about the large black birds you will see near our lakes.  These are cormorants and they often stand by the lake with their wings hanging down making them look prehistoric.  They dive for fish in the lakes and 10m is normal but they are known to dive 37m in the ocean.

Our yellow hammers have grown in numbers but will be splitting up very soon into pairs.  The green keepers use a mix of sand soil and fresh grass seed to repair the grass on the driving range near the hotel.  The yellow hammers discovered this and I was delighted

to have the opportunity of watching them feeding.  If you approach them they will fly into the adjacent bog elder trees and when you move away they will return to feed. The song of the yellowhammer sounds like ‘ a little bit of bread with no cheese’ 

The badgers (brock) behind the hotel have extended their sett (associated with the word tunnel) but they do not bother anybody and feed at night in the woods along valley of the 13^th hole.  This sett is very old and may be here for more than one thousand years .  There is another sett on the Heath Course but it is relatively new.  If you meet the badgers just let them pass and they will continue foraging for worms and roots. The male is the boar and the female the sow who looks after the cubs.  When they have cubs with them they should be avoided and under no circumstances try to feed or pick up the cubs.

In my last report I mentioned that I had heard wood peckers in the beech tree woods near the famous par 3 , 12^th hole in the Glen.  I was pleased to receive a report from two green keepers who also heard the woodpecker but did not see the bird.  In County Wicklow I have heard other reports of woodpecker sightings. When you are in Druids Glen please keep a sharp look out for the woodpeckers and report any sightings to either the golf shop or the hotel reception.

We decided last year to try another way of attracting the kingfishers to nest in Druids Glen. During the winter John O’Sullivan and his green keepers developed a very natural kingfisher nesting bank and renovated the very successful nesting bank near the old bridge in the Glen.  We have seen the kingfishers on the Knickity river and this time of the year they have moved up from the estuary to find a nesting bank hopefully in our estate. The kingfishers are very selective and the nesting bank alone is not enough and they also must find a good supply of stickle backs, minnows and fry in the river. When they have chicks in the nest they need about eighteen fish a day to support the family.  I will keep the reception staff informed about the kingfishers and we will keep you informed about developments.

This is a good year for pheasants and if the good weather continues they will be able to rear their first clutch of chicks.  You will see the feeder bins around the courses and they are located in popular areas for the pheasants where there is good cover for the nesting hens who need the convenient food source.

You will see most common Irish birds in the estate and it is a good idea to bring a bird book with pictures and see how many species you can spot and identify.

Derek Mulrooney

Hon. Wild Life Conservator.

Try your luck at Druids Glen Resort’s Shot In A Million Competition

Give yourself a treat while also trying your luck at Druids Glen Resort, with their new Shot in a Million package. A one night stay in a Deluxe room with full Irish breakfast for up to four adults or two adults and two children starts from just €90 per person sharing, and includes a round of golf for 2 adults on the sensational Druids Heath championship golf course.

The added bonus with this package is that all golfers who play golf at Druids Glen from Monday to Thursday during each week from now until the end of May have the thrilling opportunity of being entered into the extraordinary Shot In A Million competition!

 Each day all players are entered into a draw, from which the daily winner – approximately 50 fortunate golfers – will be invited back to play in the Druids Glen Shot In A Million competition on June 1^st next. On that nail-biting day those 75 lucky golfers will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to win €1 million in the Shot In A Million competition. Any golfer with that immeasurable combination of skill and luck who gets a hole in one on the signature 12th hole will win €1,000,000!

Golf Digest reports that the chance of an amateur getting a hole in one are 1 in 12,750.  The odds of winning the Irish Lottery however are 1 in just over 8 million - 8,145,060 to be precise!
 
Improve your own chances of retiring as a Druids Glen millionaire, while enjoying manicured fairways and the additional challenge of a sea breeze with the Shot in a Million package at Druids Glen, a wonderful day's golf and a relaxing night away in this luxury 5 star resort, as well as a potentially life changing experience!  

Contact 01 2870847 for details

Druids Glen Resort Video

This is out official Video for Druids Glen Resort.  We hope you like it !

Wedding Survey

The team at www.weddingdates.ie are running a survey to find out the factors which influence your decisions when booking a wedding.  

If you have time to complete it, you could be in with a chance to win an Overnight stay for two with dinner in Druids Brasserie and a choice of either Spa or Golf each. 

So visit WeddingSurvey to complete and enter. Good Luck ! 

SHOT IN A MILLION !

Golfers who play golf on either Druids Glen or Druids Heath championship golf courses on Monday to Thursday from March 20th until the end of May have the thrilling opportunity of being entered into the extraordinary Shot In A Million competition.
 
Each day all players will be entered into a draw, from which the daily winner will be invited back to play in the Druids Glen Shot In A Million competition on June 1^st next.
 
Also asked back on that momentous day will be 25 listeners selected from a competition on the Today FM Breakfast Show with Ian Dempsey during the month of April.  

On a nail-biting day on the 1^st of June the selected golfers will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to win €1 million in the Shot In A Million competition. Any golfer with that immeasurable combination of skill and luck who gets a hole in one on the signature 12th hole will win €1,000,000!

Golf Digest reports that the chance of an amateur getting a hole in one are 1 in 12,750.  The odds of winning the Irish Lottery however are 1 in just over 8 million - 8,145,060 to be precise!
 
The two championship golf courses at Druids Glen Resort allow golfers to enjoy varied play over equally exhilarating landscapes.
Known as ‘The Augusta of Europe,’ the course at Druids Glen was designed by Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock, and opened in 1995. The sensational Druids Heath championship golf course, also designed by Pat Ruddy, opened in 2003 and was very soon described as ‘Nature’s gift to golf’ and both courses are renowned as being amongst the finest, most challenging and most enjoyable in Europe, to the extent that Druids Glen Resort was previously voted European Golf Resort of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) and hosted the Irish Open for four consecutive years.
 
Enjoy manicured tree-lined fairways, historical landmarks, spectacular water features and vibrant floral displays or the additional challenge of a sea breeze calling for shot-making skills and imagination. 
 
With midweek golf on Druids Glen costing as little as €50 and Druids Heath from €35, golfers can enjoy a wonderful day's golf as well as a potentially life changing experience!
 
So enjoy not just the golf this summer, but the exciting edge and the potentially huge thrill of participating in the nail-biting Shot In A Million at Druids Glen this June!

Good luck!

Making It Personal At Druids Glen Resort

Lead from the front at this year’s Flora Women’s Mini Marathon thanks to some personal training at Druids Glen Resort, County Wicklow!

For all the ladies determined to go for gold at this year’s Flora Women’s Mini Marathon on June 4th, the stunning Druids Glen Resort in County Wicklow has come up with the most pleasurable way to train possible.

The Get Fit overnight package means that you can check into the luxurious five star resort for a bespoke personal training session, specially tailored to suit your personal level of fitness so that you can really achieve your goals.

Your session will take you along the winding Druids Glen Jogging Trail where you can run up to 10K through the scenic Wicklow countryside that’s part of the 400 acre resort. Your personal trainer will give you tips along the way that you can take away with you to keep up the motivation in the weeks leading up to the big race.

After a hard day’s training you can then freshen up in your luxurious room before enjoying a well-deserved evening meal in the Druids Brasserie before retiring for a great nights’ sleep.

The Get Fit overnight package is available from €135 per person sharing, subject to availability. 

To book call 01 2870847 or visit www.druidsglenresort.com. 

Easter Fun at Druids Glen Resort

Eggsperience lots of family fun this Easter !

Your children will barely be able to control their eggcitement with all that is going on at Druids Glen Resort in Wicklow this Easter Sunday! They can have choc-tastic fun egg decorating with the resort’s talented chefs, race around the acres of space in a fun-filled Easter egg hunt and even a visit from the Easter Bunny. As well as keeping the kids wholly entertained for the duration of your stay, parents will also be delighted to discover that kids under 12 will eat absolutely free, so you can be sure to counteract all the sweet stuff with something nice and nutritious for no extra cost.

The Druids Glen Easter Family Package is available from €200 for a family room or €299 for an interconnecting room to give you that little bit more space and includes overnight accommodation, dinner and full Irish breakfast. Offer is subject to availability.

To book call 01 2870847 or visit www.druidsglenresort.com

Payot Spa Comes To Druids Glen Resort

PRESS RELEASE - The Spa at Druids Glen is delighted to announce a new partnership with thel French skincare brand Payot

The Spa at Druids Glen is continuing its emphasis on excellence and distinction with the introduction of products and treatments from luxurious, directional French skincare brand Payot, who have been creating cult beauty products since 1927.

Founded by Dr. Nadia Payot, née Grégoria, who was one of the first female doctors to graduate from the Lausanne School of Medicine, this exclusive, cutting-edge beauty company combines a beauty philosophy based on movement, facial ‘physical culture’ (exercise), and essential skin care products.

Dr Nadia Payot’s pioneering concept of keeping your face ‘fit’, just as you do your body, to maintain its youthful look and firmness, is an idea and practice specific to the Payot brand. Dr Payot’s own experience as a practitioner laid the groundwork for her core concept of a sculpting massage using a 42-movement facial protocol. Devoting just 10 minutes a day to these exercises strengthens facial tissues and ensures a youthful-looking face for years to come.

Today, this highly specialised technique forms the core of the treatments offered by Payot beauty therapists. All Payot face and body care treatments are based on the famous 42-movement facial modellage, developed by Dr Payot.

Payot has a full range of sophisticated skincare products and therapies integrating leading-edge technologies, including Rides Relax to diminish laugh lines, Design Lift for firmness, and comprehensive antioxidant treatments to reduce the effects of ageing and restore radiance to the complexion. Payot

Laboratories also keep Dr Payot’s legacy alive by continuing to offer a trio of iconic products which have been beauty secrets passed from mother to daughter for generations of French women: Pâte Grise, Spéciale 5 and Crème N° 2.

As a special introduction to this gorgeous new brand at the Spa at Druids Glen, a 50 minute Clear Skin Facial is available midweek for just €39, normally €65. Suitable for all skin types, this is a deep cleansing and brightening facial, starting with a pineapple enzyme based exfoliation, followed by a gentle brightening mask and products for your skin personally prescribed by the therapist, and incorporating the famous Payot modellage to leave your skin rehydrated, relaxed and glowing with health. Contact The Spa on 01 2870834 for further details.

, “Nollaig na mBan” (Little Women’s Christmas)

Celebrate Ireland’s traditional girls night out, “Nollaig na mBan” (Little Women’s Christmas) at Druids Glen Resort, Co Wicklow

Leave the men at home to polish off the Christmas leftovers this January 6^th and escape with the girls for a night of pampering that is all in the name of tradition.

For the Irish celebration of “Nollaig na mBan” (Little Women’s Christmas), the five star Druid’s Glen Resort in County Wicklow is offering the perfect package to treat yourself to after the hectic festive period.

The Nollaig na mBan Package includes overnight accommodation in a stylish room with full Irish Breakfast, Elemis Facial, Dinner, a Bottle of Prosecco and special Nollaig na mBan turndown gift.

Nestled between the Irish Sea and Wicklow mountains, with a popular Elemis spa and health club, two championship golf courses, a selection of dining options and a variety of places to visit right on the doorstep, Druids Glen Resort is the ultimate getaway destination.

Contact 01 2870847 for details

Magical Arthurs Christmas Grotto

Magical Arthur Christmas Grotto at Druids Glen

 ‘Twas the weekend before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring…. they’re all waiting for Arthur!

Arthur Christmas is, of course, Santa’s son, whose urgent Christmas mission has made him an unlikely hero and whose adventures have just been released as a highly entertaining and imaginative animated family movie, perfect for the Christmas holidays.

This December, over the weekend before Christmas, on the 17th and 18th, Druids Glen host a magical Arthur Christmas package, with Santa himself visiting in Arthur’s Grotto from 3-5pm on Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th December,special presents of cool Arthur Christmas watches, and tickets for the whole family to go and see the movie in 3D in Dundrum!

Parents will enjoy the wry and droll delivery of well-known actors James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent and Bill Nighy, and kids will be fascinated to find out just how Santa Claus makes Christmas magic happen every year, as for the first time, unlimited access has been granted to the never-before-seen logistics operation that takes place deep under the North Pole.

Druids Glen Resort caters perfectly for the whole family, from the lovely restaurant and cosy bar to charming spa and wonderful outdoors. With welcome activity packs & a selection of kids’ games, dvds and books always available, and a games room at weekends, children can enjoy all kinds of activities from face-painting, kids’ swim time, Wii tournaments and resort bikes, and parents can enjoy the fact that baby-sitting can be arranged too!

There are changing facilities & supplies, highchairs & cots, flexible accommodation options for families with interconnecting or spacious family rooms, complimentary dvd players for rooms on request, and, with special kid-focused buffets during seasonal holidays and 24 hour family room service, children under 12 eat free!

The special Arthur Christmas package at Druids Glen on December 17th and 18th costs €210 per family per night based on two adults and two children sharing in interconnecting rooms or two adults and two children sharing in a family room from €160 per night.

 Druids Glen Resort, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow
T: +353 (01) 2870800, www.druidsglenresort.com

Nessa Robins Review

Click here to read a review from well known chef and food blogger, Nessa Robins, who visited Druids Glen Resort recently...

Exciting new “Italian Style” Weddings at Druids Glen Resort

                                                            Italian Weddings by Catherine Fulvio at Druids Glen

- that’s amore!

There are few more romantic countries than Italy, home of Romeo and Juliet, two of literature’s most famous lovers, and a country associated with romance, passion, amore and… good food!

Druids Glen is a luxurious and picturesque wedding venue, as there is nothing to compare to its naturally gorgeous backdrop, with lush gardens, dramatic scenery, 5 star service and a particularly elegant ballroom.

Now bringing the best of both together in a magical way, with a new Italian wedding package at Druids Glen in association with Catherine Fulvio, Irish brides and grooms can enjoy the warm flavours, flair and distinctive style of Italy in the stunning surroundings of this Wicklow gem!

Druids Glen Resort is delighted to announce a new phase in their successful working relationship with local Wicklow woman Catherine Fulvio, with the launch of stylish and delicious Italian wedding menus designed in partnership with chef Catherine.

Well-known chef, food writer & cookery school proprietor, Catherine has worked closely with many of the excellent suppliers she knows so well and Druids Glen Resort’s Head Chef Dheeraj Ramgoolam to create a signature wedding menu, now available to brides and grooms in Druids Glen Resort.

From Italian prosecco at the pre-dinner drinks reception, where guests have the chance to toast the happy couple with "Per cent'anni!” (the traditional Italian wedding toast of “For a hundred years!”) to delicious homemade biscotti with fine Italian coffee at the end of this Italian feast, Catherine has created a luxurious and sophisticated menu, showcasing fabulous Mediterranean flavours

This evocative meal begins with generous antipasti platters to share, including crostini of local goat’s cheese, marinated artichokes, grilled courgette & roast peppers, Parma ham and Gubeen salami, served with garden salad, sundried tomatoes, olives, balsamic dressing and freshly baked breads and dips such as extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and pesto Genovese.

With an option of rustic Tuscan bean soup or rich roast tomato & basil soup, main courses are a choice of fillet of beef with a Parmesan & fresh herb crust, potato & garlic gratin and Chianti reduction or fillet of seabass, stuffed  with lemon, almond and sun dried tomato couscous, roast fennel & courgette with mint and citrus & white wine sauce.

There are side dishes of sage & garlic roast root vegetables or, in summer, green beans and mangetout with lemon butter, and the vegetarian option is roast stuffed aubergine with saffron custard.

And finally, dessert includes a Limoncello meringue pie with mixed berry compote & lemon curd cream – deliziosissima!

With wonderful bedrooms at special rates, outstanding service and dedicated wedding coordinator providing a reassuringly constant presence for brides and grooms on the big day, 5 star Druids Glen Resort is a peaceful and luxurious country retreat, and a lovely setting for glamorous weddings.

And at the end of your big day at Druids Glen Resort, as they say in Italy - "Evviva gli sposi!" or "Hurray for the newlyweds!"

Italian Weddings by Catherine Fulvio at Druid Glen is just one of the options for elegant and stylish weddings available at the Resort. 

Call 2870811 to find out more! 

Winter in Druids Glen Wild Life Sanctury

Druids Glen Resort is a registered Wild Life sanctuary and whatever the season, always a very interesting place to take a stroll around. You may recall I reported hearing a woodpecker in the Druids Glen….  A recent report in the Irish Times confirms that there are Great Spotted Woodpeckers in County Wicklow so let’s hope they stay and nest here. When you are staying in our Hotel and out for a walk or playing golf on either the Druids Glen or the Druids Heath golf courses, please listen for the woodpecker or more importantly, if you see one, do report the sighting to one of the Druids Glen Resort staff.  Males have a red spot on the back of the head and females have a black and white head but they are very similar and you will get more information on the Bird Watch Ireland site http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/

I will keep you informed about our programme to attract kingfishers to nest and breed. We have plans to create another nesting bank on the Knickity River and we will do this work very soon to let it weather before the kingfishers start looking for a nesting site for the 2012 season.

The shooting season started on 1^st November so we welcome the clever local pheasants into our sanctuary.  They know that they will be safe from hunters here and we also provide pheasant feeders in strategic locations.  You will see a cock bird taking ownership of each feeder and then build up his harem of hens in the vicinity and the success or otherwise of the breeding is very weather dependent.  A cold wet spring is not good for the chicks and they find it hard to survive the early days without insects to feed on and dry sunny mornings to warm up their feathers.

 Due to our changing seasons you may see the mallard ducks mating in December and resulting in very early ducklings on our lakes.  They are very nice to see when the woodlands are bare and there is little vegetation on the banks but again cold wet weather makes life very tough for the young ducklings.

We have otters on the Knickity River and they come up to the bridge near the 14^th tee on the Druids Glen Course. You can be lucky and look over the bridge and see them fishing for trout.  They are not to be confused with wild mink and the otter is their enemy so you will not see them together. The otter is one of our most important mammals and since 1976 they are a protected species in Ireland.

We are fortunate to have a healthy population of yellowhammers and they are to be seen on the road behind the Hotel running parallel to the golf course. The males have a bright yellow head and underside with a brown breast band and brown streaks on the flanks and the white tail feathers make them very easy to recognise.

So I hope you enjoy your golf and walks through the estate.  Please keep a keen eye open for our wild life and report interesting sightings to Druids Glen Resort Staff.

Derek Mulrooney

Honorary Wild Life Conservator.  

Winemakers Dinner at Druids Glen Resort

Druids Glen Resort Winemakers Dinner

November 2011

Druids Glen Resort is delighted to announce the first of our Winemakers Dinner on Thursday 10th November 2011.  Join us for a special menu created by Head Chef Dheeraj Ramgoolam in conjunction local Wicklow celebrity chef Catherine Fulvio.

We have chosen a sample of the best dishes from our new Winter Menu to give you a four course meal which will be accompanied by wines specifically chosen for the menu by our wine supplier Bodegas Muriel.

Bodegas Muriel was founded in 1986 Julián Murúa. He decided to rejuvenate his parents vineyards & cellars which were originally established in 1926, in order to produce wines of the highest quality associated with the Rioja Appellation Controllée. Julián’s son Javier is heavily involved in all aspects of the winery,  bringing the bodegas through to another generation of the family. Bodegas Muriel is located in the heart of Rioja Alavesa and stands next to the River Mayor, the winery covers over 22,000 square metres of vineyards. It is in Rioja that the region´s local wine is made with the utmost care, ensuring a level of quality guaranteed to delight even the most demanding palate.

The team from Bodegas Muriel will join us here in "The Garden of Ireland" on the evening of the 10th November to tell us about their beautiful wines and choose the perfect wine to match each of the courses we are serving. The evening will include a Prosecco & Canapé reception followed by a four course meal featuring the best of local Wicklow produce.

Price €55.00 per person

For further information or to book call ..........................

Druids Glen Resort, Newtownmountkennedy, Co.Wicklow

www.druidsglenresort.com

T: + 353 1 2870800

 Email: reservations'druidsglenresort.com

Druids Glen Wins Service Excellence Award

Wicklow a Winner - As Druids Glen Resort Receives Service Excellence Award

One of Wicklow’s leading tourism businesses, Druids Glen Resort, of Newtownmountkennedy, this week received a Service Excellence Award, as part of the Fáilte Ireland Optimus Programme. Established in 2004, the programme is designed to develop a culture of excellence within the Hospitality Industry through supporting organisations to become more profitable, more efficient and more competitive. The Druids Glen Resort has pledged their on-going commitment to continuous improvement and to delivering a first class customer experience.

Congratulating the award winners, Liam Campbell, Manager, Quality Systems & Management, Fáilte Ireland, said: –

“I wish to congratulate Richard Collins and his team in Druids Glen Resort, who are now reaping the rewards of the many months of commitment and drive from all the staff - culminating in receiving their Service Excellence Award, through Fáilte Ireland’s Optimus Programme. Optimus develops a culture of excellence in a hotel where everyone must make a real and measurable difference in the delivery of service excellence, operational standards and strengthening the whole organisation."

He continued:

“For our part, we in Fáilte Ireland are committed to working with the industry to overcome the challenges posed by the current economic climate. We would welcome even more tourism businesses to get involved in the Optimus Programme and invite anyone interested in getting involved to contact us. Further information on the Optimus Awards and programmes is available online from www.optimus.ie or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).”

The performance of Druids Glen Resort reflects well on the tourism industry’s willingness to embrace change and innovation towards self-improvement by providing a practical approach to improving the quality, value and delights that visitors experience during their stay in Ireland.

Richard Collins, CEO at Druids Glen Resort, commented:

“I am delighted to accept the Service Excellence Award, as part of the Optimus programme, for Druids Glen Resort. Our priority has always been to deliver outstanding service to our customers and the Optimus programme has really helped by providing the practical tools necessary to re-focus everyone.

The Service Excellence Award has helped our business, the personal development of our Associates and most importantly, our customers by experiencing the highest levels of customer service which keeps them coming back.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Catherine Whelan, Fáilte Ireland Communications Department

Tel: 01 8847 181 / 087 6449572

Hamleys and Glenroe Farm Come to Druids Glen

Druids Glen has some teddytastic special offers this mid-term – they are beary good indeed!

Famous for catering for the whole family, Druids Glen Resort has extra special packages geared towards the younger members this mid-term, in conjunction with legendary toy store Hamleys.

The 250 year old toy retailer, which opened its first European stand-alone store outside of its famous flagship shop in London’s Regent Street in Dundrum Town Centre in October 2008, brings its famous bears to Druids Glen this mid-term on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October.

This mid-term give everyone a treat, with the younger children enjoying face painting and nail painting by the Hamleys team, a games room stocked with Hamleys toys, and an opportunity to meet the animals of Glenroe Farm as well as the Hamleys Teddy Bear himself! Two night family packages in two rooms, including breakfast and one dinner, with kids eating free, cost from €220 midweek or €250 at the weekend.

Druids Glen has welcome activity packs & a selection of kids’ games, dvds and books available, with a fantastic range of activities on site, and parents can enjoy the fact that baby-sitting can be arranged too!

There are changing facilities & supplies, highchairs & cots, flexible accommodation options for families with interconnecting or spacious family rooms, complimentary dvd players for rooms on request, and, with special kid-focused buffets during seasonal holidays and 24 hour family room service, children under 12 eat free!

So this mid-term, if you go down to the woods today you’ll miss the bears entirely – they’ll be in Druids Glen!

Druids Glen Resort, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow

T: +353 (01) 2870800, www.druidsglenresort.com

Druids Glen Launches New Winter Menus With Catherine Fulvio

Druids Glen Resort launch new seasonal menus

in partnership with local chef Catherine Fulvio

Druids Glen Resort is delighted to announce the next phase of their successful working relationship with local Wicklow woman Catherine Fulvio, when they launch their delicious winter menus designed in partnership with chef Catherine, on Friday 4th November.

Well-known chef, food writer & cookery school proprietor, and passionate about food provenance, Catherine has worked closely with many of the excellent local suppliers she knows so well and Druids Glen Resort’s Head Chef Dheeraj Ramgoolam to create signature dishes available in Druids Brasserie and throughout the resort.

The goal at Druids Glen Resort is to create an outstanding local food offering, so the new winter menus incorporate seasonal specialties showcasing the flavours and the produce of the region. From Bannow Bay cod and Kilmore Quay scallops to Druids beetroot home cured salmon, Glenmalure rabbit, Wicklow lamb and venison, Hempenstall’s farmhouse cheeses, Goldenhilll Farm ice creams and apples grown in Druids Glen Resort’s own orchards, these menus capitalise on produce from the Garden of Ireland and its neighbouring counties.

A representative example of the winter menu might be Catherine’s recipe of Dunlavin pork cutlets stuffed with fig, apple & hazelnuts with honey mustard & thyme glaze, chive mash, caramelised Druids Glen apples and cider apple sauce… perfect comfort food for a dark November day!

“Catherine is the perfect partner for Druids Glen,” says Richard Collins, CEO of Druids Glen Resort, “as she is as proud of our region’s great produce as we are, and our joint focus is to ensure that our guests at Druids Glen Resort have the pick of the local crop. This time of year, dinner in Druids Brasserie with its open log fire and candlelight and views over our magical grounds is an atmospheric experience. Now, with these great new winter menus, that experience will be more enjoyable than ever!”

ENDS

For further media information please contact

Gillian Duke

Host PR

Tel: 00353 1 855 8500

Mob: 00353 87 9050287

Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Midterm Breaks With a Difference

Druids Glen has some teddytastic special offers this mid-term – they are beary good indeed!

Famous for catering for the whole family, Druids Glen Resort has extra special packages geared towards the younger members this mid-term, in conjunction with legendary toy store Hamleys.

The 250 year old toy retailer, which opened its first European stand-alone store outside of its famous flagship shop in London’s Regent Street in Dundrum Town Centre in October 2008, brings its famous bears to Druids Glen this mid-term on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October.

This mid-term give everyone a treat, with the younger children enjoying face painting and nail painting by the Hamleys team, a games room stocked with Hamleys toys, and an opportunity to meet the animals of Glenroe Farm as well as the Hamleys Teddy Bear himself! Two night family packages in two rooms, including breakfast and one dinner, with kids eating free, cost from €220 midweek or €250 at the weekend.

Druids Glen has welcome activity packs & a selection of kids’ games, dvds and books available, with a fantastic range of activities on site, and parents can enjoy the fact that baby-sitting can be arranged too!

There are changing facilities & supplies, highchairs & cots, flexible accommodation options for families with interconnecting or spacious family rooms, complimentary dvd players for rooms on request, and, with special kid-focused buffets during seasonal holidays and 24 hour family room service, children under 12 eat free!

So this mid-term, if you go down to the woods today you’ll miss the bears entirely – they’ll be in Druids Glen!

Druids Glen Resort, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow

T: +353 (01) 2870800, www.druidsglenresort.com

http://www.druidsglenresort.com/images/uploads/Tantrums + Ms Bear 045.JPG

Powerplay Golf Comes to Druids Glen Resort

POWERPLAY GOLF is coming to Druids Glen Resort. In conjunction with The Irish Times PowerPlay Golf is hosting the Big PowerPlay at The Heath Course at Druids Glen Resort on Tuesday 20th September 2011.

The sensational Druids Heath championship golf course, designed by Pat Ruddy, opened in 2003 and was very soon described as ‘Nature’s gift to golf’ by golfing media. This heathland course with strong links influences weaves its way around quarries, trees, gorse, lakes and pot bunkers, all with a backdrop of mountains, sea and rolling Irish countryside. Venue for the 2006 Irish PGA Championship, Druids Heath has played host to many leading Tour Players including double US Open Champion Retief Goosen, Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke and Ian Poulter. With the front nine overlooking the Irish Sea and the back nine nestled in the Wicklow Mountains, it has one of the world’s longest Par 3s, and the constant sea breeze calls for shot-making skills and imagination from any golfer.

What is PowerPlay Golf? It is a 9-hole golfing format in which players choose to aim for one of the two flags on the green - a White Flag and a Black "PowerPlay" Flag. Golfers have limited PowerPlays, and score extra points for net birdie or better, when playing to the Black Flag. Vey Exciting! Tour superstar,  Graeme McDowell, is an ambassador for PowerPlay Golf, making it one of this years' big golf talking points.

The Big PowerPlay entry is €95.00 for a team of 2 and will include goodies, a bite to eat and prizes.  You can enter your team online at www.powerplay-golf.com/irish-times2011 or call Rob Hill @ 01 2810338.

For more information and a video a video explaining the game visit www.powerplay-golf.com/play

Druids Glen Resort, Newtownmountkennedy, Co.Wicklow

T: + 353 1 2870800

www.druidsglenresort.com

More Info

Fall under the spell of pure relaxation With the Signature Treatment from Druids Glen

Sometimes the choice between a soothing massage or an indulgent facial is just too difficult to make, so the five star Druids Glen Resort have arrived at the perfect solution: a well balanced combination of the two with their brand new Signature Treatment. The 75-minute therapy, perfect for ladies or gentlemen, treats you to a totally pleasurable combination of 45 minutes of massage designed to improve your flexibility and deeply relax you, allied to a 30 minute Elemis Skin Booster Advanced Facial chosen specifically to suit your skin type.

Step into the small yet perfectly formed bijou Spa at Druids Glen – which was Highly Commended for Best Treatment in the Irish Tatler Spa Awards 2011 -  and you will be presented with your personal treatment consultation form whilst enjoying refreshments in the Relaxation Suite. You will then enjoy a Welcome Touch Elemis foot ritual before being enveloped in the soft, exotic smell of coconuts from the Coconut Melt massage oil that is sourced from just 25 minutes away from Bomar Aromatherapy in Kilcoole.

After the tension has been soothed away from your body, the coconut oil is given time to melt into your skin while you experience your Elemis facial, using an Amino Active Mask tailored to match your skin’s needs, leaving you in a state of complete and utter bliss with a radiant glow. After your treatment and further time in the Relaxation Room refreshing yourself with fresh fruit skewers and yoghurt dip, you can also enjoy the facilities in the Druids Glen Fitness Club – overlooking the stunning grounds with an 18-metre lapping pool, Jacuzzi, steam rooms, sauna and fitness suite with a wide array of equipment and a busy programme of fitness classes. 

Surrounded by hundreds of acres of lush, green countryside, including two renowned championship golf courses, the relaxed and elegant Druids Glen Resort is polished, warm and spacious – a glorious 440 acre resort with exceptional levels of service.

The Spa at Druids Glen has many special offers this August!

Coconut and Milk Ritual Wrap 75 minutes Normally €75 Special Offer €50

Eyes Package Eyelash Tint, Eyebrow Shape and Tint 30 minutes Normally €26 Special Offer €18

Spa Manager Michelle O'Connor's Top Tip for August:

The Simple Body Brush!

For years, the benefits of body brushing have been known, but I still don't think enough ladies are using them. Is enough known about their benefits? Body brushing alone, can prevent and improve the appearance of unsightly cellulite on our bodies. The brushing action stimulates the skins natural elimination system (lymphatic) helping the body to flush out those unwanted toxins that are the main cause of orange peel skin. 2 - 3 minutes daily can make all the difference when it comes to bikini time!!!

The Spa, Druids Glen Resort, Newtownmountkennedy, Co.Wicklow

T: + 353 1 2870834

www.druidsglenresort.com

Druids Glen Resort Wildlife Programme 2011

The Resort is a registered sanctuary for wild life and walking around the estate and the two 18 hole championship golf courses with it’s rivers, lakes and woods it is easy to understand why there is so much wild life.

The good weather contributed to the wonderful show of blossom on the wild cherry trees on the avenue up the Druids Glen Club House and I am sure the black birds, thrushes and finches look forward to the fruit.

The varied spices of flora on the two courses are at their very best and the rhododendrons and azaleas together with the white thorn near the water create a special tranquillity in the early evening.

The cock pheasants are in evidence and many of the hens will I hope have a second clutch of eggs. It was a good season for the chicks with dry sunny weather as wet weather with cold mornings is not suitable for rearing pheasant chicks. The cock pheasant keeps well away from the nests as his bright plumage would attract predators to the eggs or chicks. The cocks are very territorial and the large cock at the back of the hotel can be heard early in the morning announcing his presence and telling other young cocks to stay away from his hens.

You will see nesting boxes on trees around the estate and they are popular with the blue tits but other birds will use them but it’s a first come situation. I put them up on Druids Heath in some of the open areas to encourage nesting but now that the gorse is strong there are lots of nesting opportunities.

The badgers set at the back of the 12th in the Glen is very active and on the nice sunny mornings they pull out their bed to dry. They walk around the estate at night time and forage in the woods and it is important to leave them in peace and not interfere with their routine.

Swans are important residents in the Druids Glen Resort and nest on our islands in the lakes. The exception are the pair on the way up to the hotel who are perched on the edge of the lake in front of the apartments. The residents keep a watchful eye on them and will report progress.

This morning the first seven young signets were with their parents on the lake on the 17th hole in Druids Glen. The nest is on the island near the 15th hole and is quite safe from predators. There is another nest on the island near the 13th green and I expect to see signets very soon.

I notice an increase in the number of jay thrushes and this reflects the increase in the number of small birds and this is natures way of balancing the population.
Wood peckers are back in Ireland and I did hear one in the glen so I am sure we will have more sightings. They are in they are becoming more numerous in the area so be on the look out and keep your ears peeled.

I wish you a happy visit and if you meet me on the estate please say “hello”.

Derek Mulrooney
Honorary Wild Life Conservator

Catherine Fulvio and Druids Glen Resort – a natural Wicklow partnership, to guarantee fabulous food

Druids Glen Resort is delighted to announce a perfect new partnership with a local Wicklow woman – Catherine Fulvio.

Well-known chef, food writer & cookery school proprietor, Catherine
will be working closely with Druids Glen Resort and many of the excellent local suppliers she knows so well to create signature dishes that will be available throughout the resort. Aside from those dishes she will also work with the chef to contribute to the restaurant, bar and banqueting menus.

Author of an award-winning cookbook, Catherine has firmly established herself as a familiar face on TV screens both at home and abroad, as well as being a very familiar face in Druids Glen – as she lives just down the road, she has spent many happy afternoons and evenings enjoying Druids Glen with her friends and family!

Having been raised in a traditional Wicklow farmhouse as the daughter of a committed foodie who developed a business based on her passion, it is no great surprise that Catherine’s food philosophy is one of ‘farm to fork.’ Putting a huge emphasis on provenance and using only the best of local and seasonal produce fits perfectly with the Druids Glen approach to capitalising on the produce from the Garden of Ireland.

“Catherine is the perfect partner for Druids Glen,” says Richard Collins, CEO of Druids Glen Resort. “Our goal is to create an outstanding local food offering and you can't get more local than Catherine. Along with her talent and her innate understanding of the wonderful produce we have in the Wicklow area, she also knows Druids Glen well too – as she's a regular! We are also really excited about Catherine and our chef’s new wedding menus.”