Kilkenny… Get your self wired for enjoyable

Zipline in Castlecomer Discovery Park is the longest in Eire

Cool for cats… Philip on the zipline

Kilkenny… Get your self wired for enjoyable

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My mouth is bone dry, I am discovering it onerous to swallow and visions of humiliation fill my head because the cocky teenager scans my face for any hint of worry. It would not assist that we’re 35m above a dense woodland and terra firma is one other 300m away in a cliff-like drop.

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My mouth is bone dry, I am discovering it onerous to swallow and visions of humiliation fill my head because the cocky teenager scans my face for any hint of worry. It would not assist that we’re 35m above a dense woodland and terra firma is one other 300m away in a cliff-like drop.

All I’ve bought to do is negotiate myself (and people few additional kilos I gathered since Christmas) by the tree tops, over two lakes and a 17th Century hand-restored bridge.

Not being sensible with heights has not been helped by the truth that the little rascal (my son) waited till I used to be midway throughout a tightrope on the adrenaline-fuelled Octogon Excessive Ropes Course earlier than vigorously shaking the thread-like line I am inching throughout.

Now is just not the time for a dad to buckle, and with steely willpower I shock myself by taking a run and a large leap into what can solely be described as probably the most exhilarating factor I’ve achieved in ages.

Cool for cats… Philip on the zipline

I even had time to soak up the beautiful views between shrieks of excited laughter.

The surroundings comes courtesy of Castlecomer Discovery Park – dwelling to the longest zipline in Eire – in 80 acres of lush forest set within the former grounds of the Wandesforde Property.

Opened in 2007, the Neighborhood Enterprise not for revenue journey park provides a spread of actions together with orienteering and strolling trails, mountain biking, archery, canoeing, axe throwing (for my spouse, Lucia), tenting and raft constructing. For smaller kids there’s Timber Tumbles playground, the elf and fairies village or the magical bouncing web the place they’ll run wild whereas mum and pa get pleasure from freshly floor espresso within the Cover cafe.

All of that pleasure takes its toll on physique and thoughts (do not even get me began in regards to the horrific roadworks on the M7) so fortunately we have been staying within the luxurious four-star Newpark Resort and Spa on the sting of Kilkenny Metropolis.

After checking into our spacious household room – welcomed by probably the most scrumptious chocolate-covered strawberries and a glass of chilled advantageous wine – the boy surprise Cameron and I headed for a well-deserved swim.

After a fast dip we retire to the outside infinity pool the place the crisp March breeze mellowed because the spa pool’s bubbles fizzed round our shoulders.

Completely famished, we dined within the resort’s fabulous Gulliver’s restaurant – an intimate expertise of probably the most decadent dishes.

The grilled Dublin Bay prawns in coriander butter served with garlic croutons have been pleasant as have been the goat’s cheese and sun-blushed tomato tartlet starters.

The 8oz sirloin steaks have been to die for whereas the grilled fillet of untamed Atlantic salmon was completely complemented by the citrus salsa verde and tender stem broccoli.

The next morning after a hearty breakfast we headed into the medieval Mecca for a spot of sightseeing, and first on the listing is Kilkenny Citadel ­- constructed quickly after the Norman conquest of Eire 800 years in the past.

Absorb the historical past with a leisurely tour of the 12th Century buildings together with the magnificent library, drawing room, bedrooms embellished in 1830s splendour and its piece de resistance – the Butler Artwork Gallery – which mounts regularly altering exhibitions of latest artwork.

Later that afternoon Cameron and I launched into the must-do hurling tour run by native publican PJ Lanigan.

Steeped in GAA heritage, PJ’s great-grandfather was taking part in for the Tipperary crew when Michael Hogan was shot useless on Bloody Sunday in 1920, and his granddad went on to win two All Eire medals for the Cats. After a quick introduction in regards to the quickest ball recreation on the planet and a selfie with the Liam McCarthy Cup (one among solely two replicas) we head to the house of Kilkenny hurling – the hallowed turf of Nowlan Park.

From there we cross the street to the O’Loughlin Gaels’s floor for a crash course in how the gorgeous recreation is performed.

Being a Dub, the locals wrongly assume I would not know my Bas from my elbow and are astonished once I win the Poc Fada and rating two cracking objectives through the mini match that adopted.

I did really feel sorry for the 2 women from Texas who made a valiant effort and with a bit extra follow would positively make advantageous camogie stars.

The Kilkenny Method Final Hurling Expertise – an excellent exercise and terrific enjoyable – is persistently voted the No 1 attraction within the metropolis by TripAdvisor.

Whereas we nursed our aching limbs within the bar over an ice-cold Smithwick’s (when in Kilkenny…) my shopaholic spouse headed for the remedy rooms within the Resort Spa the place the home pedicure offered a soothing finish to a day of significant retail remedy.

That night time we headed straight to the domestically famend steakhouse – aptly named Butcher. Located off St Kieran’s Avenue, the US-style loft diner full with blood purple neon indicators, is a one-minute stroll from the principle strip.

Our waiter warned us in regards to the portion sizes so we skip the starters and go straight for the meat feast of two 10ouncesrib eye steaks (medium uncommon) with rustic chips and mac and cheese. My spouse – a pescatarian – opted for pan-fried king prawns and a inexperienced salad.

Wow. Steak succulence has been delivered to a complete new stage right here as each sliver of beef melts in your mouth. A gastronomic delight and no doubt, these char-grilled cuts are the very best I’ve ever eaten. The scrumptious crustaceans go down a deal with too with the pickiest of eaters.

We end off the night time again in Lanigan’s the place a trad session with a twist leaves us speechless. In between the well-known ballads a brilliant svelte male dancer explodes right into a Riverdance routine because the delighted crowd whoop, cheer and stamp their toes. One other adrenaline rush which left all three of us feeling just like the Cats who bought the cream.

Getting there

Newpark Resort has created a midweek package deal particularly designed for company to expertise all that Medieval Kilkenny has to supply. 

Get pleasure from a two-night keep in Eire’s Medieval capital, together with breakfast and dinner on one night in Scott’s Bar & Brasserie. Friends are greeted with a pint of Smithwick’s on arrival and tickets to Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile Museum. Newpark Resort company obtain complimentary entry to the Escape Well being Membership, Thermal Suite and Outside Infinity Pool. This package deal prices from €318 for 2 individuals sharing and is offered from Sunday–Thursday.

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