A 'Purrfect' Day in Tyrone

It’s so easy to take your time in Tyrone...

As a born and bred Tyrone girl, I love how there is a laid back atmosphere in our people and places, but chilled and easy going as we are, we Tyrone folk know how to treat ourselves and our visitors in true style when it comes to fine food, days out, relaxation and superior shopping.

Accompanied by my sister Vanessa and cousin Kathie, I set out on a girls’ day out to see what my home county had to offer when it came to some of our favourite things and we certainly got our eyes opened as to what hidden gems were quite literally on our doorstep.

We headed first to the outskirts of the village of Ballygawley to the Lavender Health Spa which is tucked away off the arterial A4 road under the shadows of the old monastery in the town-land of Errigal. Its hideaway location gives a real sense of getaway as the windy rural roads lead you to a little piece of heaven away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

We began with a 30 minute session in the pool which and then were taken individually for our treatments. As an expectant mum, I opted for the maternity package of a back and shoulder massage while the girls sampled taster treatments including a facial, then head, back and foot massage mini sessions which were part of a Summer Special Offer and just enough to whet the appetite.

We were each wowed by the heavenly luxury of it all. Proprietor Helene and her staff are personable and warm and they catered each treatment to our individual needs which made each of us feel very special.

An hour later, we met up in the relaxation room with shag pile carpet and muted tones and lay back in luxury sipping on peppermint tea and soaking in the divine surroundings.

There is something spiritual about the Lavender Spa experience. Perhaps the feel good secret is the expertise and personal touch from the staff which is second to none, but I also believe it lies in its ancient location and the rolling hills of the famous Clogher Valley. Whatever the secret of Lavender is, a visit here leaves you with a feeling of deep exhilaration from the moment you arrive until you leave.

With a building hunger, our next stop was at the Black Cat restaurant where we arrived with high expectations. It is not every day you are cooked lunch by James Devine who is well known for his appearance on the TV show Masterchef and who holds a series of awards including NI Chef of the Year 2012.

We were warmly welcomed by manager Richard who seated us by the window overlooking the picturesque Martray Lake and immediately we knew we were in for something special. The Black Cat offers a set lunch menu of three courses for only £15 and we began with mouth-watering home-made breads - curry, tomato and basil, and wheaten -  with a selection of canapés and dips which were simply to die for

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I chose the Potted Salmon and Prawn Cocktail with Tomato Chutney, Vanessa had Chicken and Smoked Ham Hock Croquets and Kathie opted for Confit Duck Tart. The highlight for me was the main course of Slow Cooked Fermanagh Beef and the girls tucked into Black Cat Seafood Pie and the Blackened Beef Burger which sparked off ‘food envy’ all around! Everything was delicious and a visual work of art on a plate!

Richard recommended the ‘Chocolate’ dessert which he described as a must for Snickers lovers, and the Strawberries and Cream with Chocolate Chip Cookies which we accompanied by a selection of Irish Cheeses, Crackers and Chutney. We were left speechless and mesmerised by the high quality of service and the exceptional standard of cuisine. No wonder the Black Cat has got tongues wagging all over Tyrone and beyond. It really is a treat for the taste-buds and a heart-warming way to while away a Saturday afternoon. 

Richard sent us on our way with a complimentary box of Petits Fours and we vowed to return as soon as possible, eager to spread the word to friends and family on the day out we had discovered on our doorstep!

South Tyrone may be home to me, but in an unbiased manner I was genuinely blown away by the real flavour of hospitality and high standards of service offered by our food and tourism sector. To top it all off, in nearby Dungannon, a free parking incentive in the town centre means that a day out like this in the run up to Christmas can be topped off with shopping at bespoke boutiques such as Aurora, Cuba Clothing, Carmel’s, Snooty Fox and lots more.

For package offers from the Black Cat Restaurant and the Lavender Spa, visit www.lavenderhealthspa.com and www.theblackcatrestaurant.com 

In Love with 'Leslie'

IN LOVE WITH ‘LESLIE’

Nestled in the picturesque village of Glaslough, Co Monaghan, the Castle Leslie estate rose to fame back in 2002 when it hosted the marriage of Sir Paul McCartney to Heather Mills - but those links are instantly forgettable as the venue has a lot more to shout about. We found out what is making more and more people fall in love with Castle Leslie when we took our children on a self-catering family break to a place that is becoming increasingly popular with day trippers, holiday makers and bridal parties from all over the country…

 

Castle Leslie’s estate is set on 1,000 acres of woodland and countryside which is dotted with lakes and wildlife – our children loved spotting all sorts of creatures but were mostly taken by the roaming ponies which filled the fields on the way to our accommodation. It is an estate steeped in the rich history, still in the hands of the founding family who came to Ireland in the 16^th Century.

There are several options for accommodation on the estate. The Lodge, which is home to a luxury Victorian Treatment Rooms, Conor’s Bar and exquisite bedrooms; The Castle itself, which is a real step back in time treat of sheer escapism – prepare to be dazzled by the lake and views on the other side of the castle which are not visible from the front; the Village Cottages which are modern day houses located in Glaslough itself, or the Stable Mews where we stayed – a courtyard of truly splendid self-contained two story cottages which I cannot recommend highly enough for a perfect family break.

We arrived on Friday evening and explored the grounds immediately. An equestrian centre, tennis courts, a delicious evening meal in Conor’s Bar, a stroll around the Castle which was breath-taking and exhilarating to little minds who were so eager to learn on the history with eyes peeled for a glimpse of Sir Jack himself, who at the grand age of 98, still lives in the Castle! (forget David Beckham or Harry Styles – this is the celebrity we wanted to see!)

Our cottage was so impressive -  a large open plan dining and living area with high ceilings, an open fire and a small but totally contained kitchen, a flatscreen TV which allowed for some World Cup viewing at night, two bedrooms (one en-suite) and a family bathroom meant that we were truly at home from the very beginning. We even had a games room right next door with table tennis, pool, giant Jenga, Connect 4 and loads more. There is a 15minute walk from the Stable Mews to the main Castle and Lodge but with so much to see and do along the way, this was all part of the adventure!

On Saturday the children thoroughly enjoyed an hour’s lesson at the Equestrian Centre while Jim and I enjoyed some afternoon sunshine on the patio at Conor’s Bar – a great spot for people watching I have to say! Our tired bunch were thrilled with their new found pony friends and as they had worked up quite a hunger, we set off next door to Ambledown Cottages for some tasty pizza!

Located just beside Castle Leslie’s gates (down the hill – it is well signed), Ambledown Cottages is a true gem. Jeremy Herron and his staff have created quite a treat in their home from home atmosphere, rustic surroundings and a ‘pizzeria’ dining experience which was one of the highlights of our weekend. Dualta, who had just turned 13, was serenaded by Jeremy himself on harmonica and treated with some cake and Jim was persuaded to get out his guitar and treat the other diners to some traditional tunes! Jeremy even took the three children to see his very own pony which was the icing on the birthday cake without a doubt!

On Sunday morning after a sumptuous breakfast in Snaffles restaurant (which boasts 2 AA star rosettes), Jim and I set off for some pampering in the Victorian Treatment rooms while the children played tennis in the sunshine. We thoroughly enjoyed a full body massage in the Cocoon Duo Room followed by a fruit platter and ‘mocktail’ and a dip in the outdoor Hot Tub.

 

Following a truly delicious Sunday lunch al fresco, it was time for us to leave Castle Leslie – but only for now. With the school holidays upon us, I have a feeling we may be back to visit more than once.

When you discover Castle Leslie, part of you will want to keep it a secret, while part of you will want to tell the world. It really is a whole new world and best of all, it is right on your doorstep.

 

Visit www.castleleslie.com for summer offers - call 00 353 47 88100

For Ambledown Cottages Pizzeria enquiries call 00 353 47 88393

Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards

It was a real honour to attend the Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Belfast recently.
I was shortlisted in the 'Woman of the Year in Arts' category with three other fantastic ladies - arts consultant Carrie Neeley, playwright Leesa Harker and Belfast Poet Laureate Sinead Morrissey. Well done to Sinead who won the award - you can see the winning announcement here.
It was a truly enjoyable and humbling evening and we met some fantastic people including Richard and Leona Kane from Limavady rapeseed oil manufacturers 'Broighter Gold'; husband and wife hairdressing duo Paul and Leisa Stafford, the truly inspirational Margaret McGuckin who is a key campaigner for those affected by institutional abuse; media personalities Wendy Austin and Lynda Bryans, Belfast Telegraph's Gail Walker and Kerry McKittrick, and Arts Council of NI's Head of Literature and Drama Damian Smyth.
We stayed in the Ramada Plaza where the function was held which made it a real pleasure to be able to get ready and just walk down the corridor to where the action was. Here, we dined in style, the champagne flowed and the craic was mighty!
Huge congratulations to Una Crudden who won the overall Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year for her tireless campaign for ovarian cancer awareness. Una took her 'Teal Takeover' campaign to Stormont recently and her story really touched the entire room. You can follow Una's story on Twitter @unacrudden - please do lend her your support!
A big thanks to everyone involved in organising the evening, especially all at Belfast Telegraph and Sarah Weir at JPR - and massive congrats to all those shortlisted and the worthy winners in each category. It really was a night to remember!