Deputy Editor Niamh hit the road towards Lough Ennell recently and found plenty of hidden gems along the way
For all the exploring, glamping, and festival-ing I’ve done across Ireland, travelling by campervan had somehow never made the list. So, when Samsung invited me to embark on a two-night road trip and discover a new destination (which happened to be less than hour away from me) it was an instant yes. The idea behind its ‘Ireland Unfolded’ excursion was for me to capture this adventure on its new Galaxy Z Fold7 phone, armed with other fold-out devices, like bikes and camp chairs, along the way (for transparency, this was an invited press trip, not an ad) . As soon as I collected my hired wheels from BunkCampers, I typed ‘Lough Ennell Caravan & Camping, Co Westmeath‘ into the sat nav and hit the road.
The campsite, nestled amidst 18 acres of mature woodland on the shores of the lake, is a nature-lover’s haven. After parking up, I took a stroll, passing all kinds of other campers – families, couples, dog-walkers – and then headed back towards the entrance, where The Sauna Society is located. I’ve become a huge sauna in recent times, most often frequenting my local The Hot Box, but this one is truly one of the most scenic. Along with plunge pools and a crackling firepit, a traditional Finnish sauna with a floor to roof window offers stunning views of the historic lake through the trees.
I considered a lake dip afterwards, but I chickened out, and instead opted to sit by the edge and take in the sunset. It’s an opportune moment to test the phone out; the camera on the Fold7 is mind-blowingly good, with 200 megapixels meaning you capture super sharp, high definition shots, with a 3x optical zoom. And while AI is something we’re all getting our heads around at the moment, some of the features here are truly incredible, particularly for editing out background mess. Being able to fold the phone out to an 8-inch screen to get a better look is a real ‘we are in the future’ moment. We’re far away from the days of blockias and Blackberrys.
That night, after cooking up a meal in the campervan, the fold-out function of the phone also came in handy for watching episodes of Clarkson’s Farm (if you haven’t started it yet – do yourself a favour and start this weekend), and for reading/playing my New York Times Games before bed. It’s like having a phone, tablet and Kindle all in one. The next morning, I headed out for a cycle along the adjacent Tudenham Park Trail, where I took in magnificent creations from Mullingar woodcarver Richie Clarke and had breakfast at the seated picnic area. Back on the road, the next destination was Belvedere House and Gardens, a fascinating Georgian Estate.
The story behind this place is incredible – I’m not sure why Netflix hasn’t snapped it up yet. Built in 1740 by Robert Rochford, the 1st Earl of Belvedere, there was plenty of scandal at this stunning site: namely Robert accusing his wife Mary of an affair with his brother and locking her away for over 30 years. Meanwhile, his rivalry with another brother led him to building Ireland’s biggest folly, known as the ‘Jealous Wall’, a massive, Gothic ‘fake ruin’ built simply to block his sibling’s grand house from view. I adored exploring the estate, with its vibrant walled gardens and woodland walks.
I headed into Mullingar afterwards, looking for a bite to eat. After calling into Sugar Plum Sweetery to pick up some chocolate goodies and Dalys for a pint, I discovered Red Earth, a lifestyle store by day and divine Asian restaurant in the evening. From cheeseburger spring rolls and siracha caramel crispy chicken to beautiful cocktails, I’ll absolutely be coming back here.
For the last night, I had played it by ear on where to park up for the night, and after chatting to a local, they recommended Derravaragh Holiday Park, about a 20 minute’s drive away. It was a lot livelier than the night before, with a game of bingo going on as I arrived, but the atmosphere was so lovely and joyful. If I thought sunset the night before was stunning, this one was out of this world. A swan and her signets emerged from the ferns to glide by the water, and around that moment I learned Lough Derravaragh is where the story of The Children of Lir is based. I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to wrap up the trip, taking in a core memory as it unfolded before me.
Final review thoughts
While I love how thin the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is (surprisingly so), my clumsiness would make me nervous about it – I’d be investing in the very best case on the market, and also signing up for insurance as the price tag isn’t cheap. The features are genuinely impressive, mainly Live Translate, which you can use to have dual-screen conversations, and that camera; even in low-light, the shots are incredible.
