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 until this summer. 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 fan in recent times, most often frequenting my local The Hot Box, but this one is truly one of the most scenic I’ve visited. Along with plunge pools and a crackling firepit, its traditional Finnish sauna with floor to roof window offers stunning views of the lake through the trees.
I considered a lake dip afterwards, but I chickened out and instead opted to sit by the edge of the water and take in the sunset. It was an opportune moment to test the phone out, and I discovered just how incredible the Fold7’s camera is, with 200 megapixels meaning you capture super sharp, high definition shots. And while AI is something we’re all getting our heads around at the moment, some of the features here are truly mind-blowing, particularly for editing out background clutter. ‘Generative Edit’ automatically detects passers-by in the background of photos and proactively recommends what to remove.
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,” I thought. Considering how light and thin the device is, it is a really impressive piece of tech and craftsmanship. But on that same point, because of how thin it is, my clumsiness would make me nervous about it for day-to-day use – I’d be investing in the very best protective case on the market, and also signing up for insurance for peace of mind, as the price tag (from €2,149) isn’t exactly cheap.
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 pocketable device: particularly handy for travelling.
The following morning, I headed out for a cycle on my fold-up e-bike along the adjacent Tudenham Park Trail, where I soaked up the tranquillity and took in magnificent creations from Mullingar woodcarver Richie Clarke. Back on the road, my next destination was Belvedere House and Gardens, a fascinating Georgian Estate, just minutes away.
The story behind this place is incredible – I’m not sure why Netflix hasn’t snapped it up yet for a limited series. Built in 1740 by the first Earl of Belvedere, Robert Rochford, plenty of scandal and cruelty took place 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. Robert really sounded like a stand-up fella, eh? I adored exploring the estate, with its vibrant walled gardens and woodland walks, as well as an on-site cafe; if you’d like to plan a visit, Halloween at Belvedere sounds like a great day out.
I headed into Mullingar afterwards, looking for a browse and a bite to eat. After calling into Sugar Plum Sweetery to pick up some handmade chocolate goodies (they went viral for their Dubai chocolate, but I love the Bueno Bliss Bars) and Dalys for a pint, I discovered Red Earth, a lifestyle store by day and stunning Asian restaurant in the evening. From cheeseburger spring rolls and siracha caramel crispy chicken to beautiful cocktails, this is such a gorgeous place and I’ll absolutely be coming back.
For the last night, I 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; I got the impression that it’s a yearly tradition for lots of families to come and stay. If I thought sunset the night before was stunning, this one was out of this world. Like something out of a fairytale, a swan and her signets emerged from the ferns to elegantly glide by. Around that moment, on an adjacent sign, I learned Lough Derravaragh is where the story of The Children of Lir is based; where King Lir’s three daughters and son were transformed into swans in a fit of jealously by his wife Aoife, destined to remain cursed for 900 years. It was a magic moment, and couldn’t think of a more fitting way to wrap up the trip, taking in a new core memory as it unfolded before me.
For more on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, click to samsung.com.
