There are great business milestones, award-winning products and hotels, and charity collaborations being celebrated in Ireland at the moment
Center Parcs Longford Forest shares success in numbers to celebrate 5th birthday
Center Parcs has welcomed over 930,000 guests since opening in July 2019, generating an average occupancy of 99%, and is set to welcome its millionth guest this year.
While the Subtropical Swimming Paradise is a firm favourite with guests, Adventure Golf has proved to be the most popular outdoor activity for Center Parcs in the past five years, with over 150,000 guests ‘putting’ their skills to the test, and the Indoor Climbing Adventure the most popular indoor activity, as more than 64,000 guests reached for the buzzer. In the past five years, Center Parcs has gone from strength to strength, and construction on an expansion of the village will begin this September, with plans to expand the resort by 198 lodges.
The spa currently includes 21 multi-sensory experiences and the expansion will also see the construction of a brand-new Treetop Sauna – bringing its offering to new heights.
The ultimate gaming destination is set to open its first Irish location in Dublin
Dundrum Town Centre recently announced that Lane7, the ultimate boutique gaming and entertainment experience will open its first Irish location this December.
The introduction of Lane7 forms part of the transformation of Pembroke Square which is undergoing an exciting makeover as the city’s premier lifestyle destination. The famous outdoor promenade featuring Dundrum’s iconic fountains will be the place to be in Dublin for entertainment, leisure, retail, and cuisine from all over the world.
Alongside events such as Fundrum; art installations, live music gigs and sporting showcases will animate Pembroke Square, making it a 24/ 7 cultural hub that is not to be missed. Bookings for Lane7 will open in Q4 2024.
Waterford Treasures appoints youngest Head Curator in Ireland’s museum history
Clíona Purcell, a native of Carrick-on-Suir, has recently been appointed Head Curator of Waterford Treasures collection of museums in Waterford City. The award-winning museums tell the story of Ireland’s oldest city across five stunning collections and include a guided walking tour of the Viking Triangle where visitors explore 1000 years of history in 1000 paces in the historic city centre.
29-year-old Clíona is the youngest head curator of any designated museum in the country. Aside from Waterford Treasures, Clíona also sits on the boards of the Waterford Civic Trust and the Waterford Women’s Centre. Clíona’s research interests include the lives of women and children in the eighteenth century, life in poverty and the spread of disease in Waterford, as well as porcelain culture in Ireland at its height.
Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort launch new Spa and Manor House Experience
Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort is delighted to announce the opening of its purpose-built spa, located in the newly refurbished Manor House on the resort which is nestled in 200 acres of natural beauty amidst the Blessington lakes in Wicklow.
To celebrate the opening of the new spa and manor house experience, nutritionist and author Rosanna Davison has created a healthy, vegan, spa lunch menu exclusively for Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort, which launched this month.
The Spa at Tulfarris offers a curated selection of rejuvenating treatments from the range for all genders and expecting mothers from the luxury spa brand Elemis. Guests can extend the benefits of their treatment at home, with a selection of Elemis products, available for purchase.
Ride and Shine: Kärcher hosts first ever charity “Kar Wash”
Kärcher, the world-renowned provider of innovative cleaning solutions will host their first-ever “Kärcher Kar Wash” charity event in support of Barretstown. This donation-driven event will take place on Monday, 19 August starting at 9:00 AM at the Kärcher Centre, Ballymount Industrial Estate, Dublin 22.
The family-friendly Kar Wash offers a fantastic opportunity for families to get their cars cleaned and ready for the new school year while supporting Barretstown, a charity dedicated to providing life-changing experiences for children and families affected by cancer and other serious illnesses.
Le Grá Premium Irish Lager triumphs at the 2024 World Beer Awards
Distinguished beer brand, Le Grá, has been recognized with three distinguished honours, solidifying its position as a leader in the global beer industry.
- Country Winner – Ireland: Le Grá Premium Irish Lager was crowned as the top Lager representing Ireland, an achievement that highlights its exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
- Gold Award – International Lager Category: Competing against the best lagers from around the world, Le Grá secured the Gold in this fiercely contested category, affirming its international appeal and excellence.
- Gold Award – Design (New Launch): The distinctive packaging also took home Gold for its outstanding design, a recognition that underscores the brand’s commitment to innovation and style.
Heinz to open ‘Cannection Café’ to show the impact of family connections and sense of belonging
Heinz, along with its charity partner Barnardos, is launching the ‘Cannection Café’, where it will be offering free Beanz-based meals through an exclusive ‘BEANardos menu’ to anyone looking to connect with others over a delicious, hot, beansy meal! The Heinz and Barnardos ‘Cannection Café’ will be open to the public from 16th–23rd August at Meltdown, Dublin – simply ask for the ‘BEANardos menu’ when you arrive.
The only payment accepted will be conversation, with diners encouraged to place their phones in a giant Heinz Beanz can for the duration of their meal. Diners can use this opportunity to instead ‘cannect’ with each other, aided by Heinz and Barnardos ‘Cannection Kits’, which will include conversation starters designed in partnership with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Malie Coyne.
Graphic Studio Dublin collaborates with charity for fundraising exhibition
Over 50 members of Graphic Studio Dublin have created original fine art prints on the theme of ‘Echoes of Home’ for a fundraiser exhibition for Simon Communities of Ireland taking place from 17-21 Oct at the RHA Gallery, Dublin. The exhibition raises funds to end homelessness in Ireland with 50% of the proceeds from each print sale going to Simon Communities of Ireland and 50% to the artist. The prints are created by members of Graphic Studio Dublin and showcase their wide variety of skills and techniques including etching, lithography, woodblock, linocut, screenprint, photo-intaglio and chine-collé.
Each print will be available to purchase in person at the exhibition in the RHA from 17th – 21st Oct and online from simon.ie until 3 November.
Kilkenny’s Arán Bistro marks 5 years in business with a restaurant makeover and new product launch
In a double celebration, multi-award-winning brunch spot, Arán Bistro in Kilkenny city, has marked five years in business by unveiling a fresh new restaurant fit-out and expanded into retail with the product launch of their much-loved signature Magic Sauce. The sleek new Scandinavian style interior features a dramatic natural art installation suspended from the ceiling, plush leather seating and a bold colour palette with bi-folding windows which enable the entire front of the light-filled dining room space to be fully opened up, bringing the outside in.
An improved floor layout has also allowed Arán to considerably increase its seating capacity from thirty two to fifty covers and it continues to include a dog-friendly area at one end for those that wish to dine with their canine companions in tow.
Dublin hotel achieves highest LEED Gold Status rating across Ireland and UK
Dublin 8’s newest hotel The Chancery has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold certification, a globally recognised symbol of excellence in green building.
The hotel attained the highest rating across Ireland and the United Kingdom, under the rigorous LEED Building Design and Construction Hospitality rating scheme.
Since opening its doors on Ship Street Great in March, The Chancery has prioritised sustainability at every level, proudly operating on a fossil fuel-free basis. This commitment to environmental responsibility is reflected in the hotel’s achievement of LEED Gold Certification and, previously, Green Hospitality Certification.
Boots Ireland launches Boots Night Walk in aid of the Irish Cancer Society
Boots Ireland has partnered with influencer and mum-of-three Rachel Gorry to launch this year’s Boots Night Walk in aid of the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) Night Nursing service. All funds raised will go towards this service which provides end-of-life care for cancer patients, allowing them to spend their final days at home surrounded by family and loved ones, as well as giving much needed respite for the family caring for them. The service is free to people who avail of it.
Alongside the walk, Honour Tags are now on sale in Boots stores nationwide for €3 to raise additional funds for the ICS Night Nursing service. Customers can purchase a tag in honour of someone who has survived or passed away from cancer. The front of the tag includes space to write the name of the individual being honoured.
Ambassador Rachel will be participating in the walk this year in honour of her late partner Daniel, who passed away due to oesophageal cancer in 2021.
Ballyfin named No. 1 resort hotel in Ireland and the UK
Ballyfin, Ireland’s finest five-star historic country house hotel, has been named the No. 1 Resort Hotel in Ireland and the UK based on the results of the 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. This recognition is a testament to Ballyfin’s commitment to providing exceptional service, breathtaking surroundings, and an unparalleled guest experience.
General Manager, Peter White said: ‘Ballyfin has been welcoming guests since 2011, and the recognition from Travel + Leisure readers since that date has been exceptional. To receive this outstanding award is a testament to the dedicated team at Ballyfin. I would like to thank them for their hard work and our wonderful guests for sharing their appreciation for the experience we deliver.’
National rollout of healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme to empower up to 10,500 older adults annually
Healthy Age Friendly Homes (HAFH), a first-of-its-kind programme to enable older adults to continue living independently, launched nationwide in July. This joint Health and Local Government programme, recognised globally as a best practice example of coordinated support services, will assist up to 10,500 older adults each year through timely interventions. It is estimated that the programme will result in an annual saving of €41.5 million to the State through the prevention of hospitalisation and early or unnecessary admission to long-term residential care.
The programme’s key partners include the Department of Health; Health Service Executive (HSE); Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Age Friendly Ireland, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). HAFH services are available across all 31 local authorities in Ireland. Applications can be made through the HAFH National Office or online here.
Northern Ireland achieves a second World Heritage site listing
UNESCO has announced that the small Moravian village of Gracehill in Co Antrim has been designated as a World Heritage Site. This is Northern Ireland’s first Cultural designation. The Giant’s Causeway, the other World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, is classified as a natural site.
Gracehill, the only complete Moravian Settlement in Ireland and Northern Ireland’s first designated Conservation Area, is part of a Transnational Designation. This means that its designation as a World Heritage Site is alongside several sites in different countries.
The Gracehill community has been working with international partners since 2003 to achieve World Heritage recognition. The area is historically renowned for its principles of religious and political tolerance, neutrality and reconciliation, first manifested significantly during the ‘United Irishmen’s Rebellion’ of 1798 when Gracehill was seen as a place of refuge for all.
