Gardening and Wellness Week - Westport Woods Hotel, Spa & Leisure Centre
March 5th – March 9th 2017
This was one of the most interesting themed breaks I have helped to organise to date. Taking place at the Westport Woods Hotel, Spa and Leisure Centre in Westport, Co Mayo it was packed full of garden visits, wellness activities and of course great food and accommodation. Whatever your level of knowledge of gardening you could not help but be interested in the stories each garden revealed.
Basing it at the Westport Woods Hotel, Spa and Leisure Centre was significant with its reputation as Ireland’s Greenest Hotel, an ethos which has seen the planting of thousands of trees on their 14 acres of beautiful wooded grounds. Highlights of the week included a visit to a local organic vegetable garden and a trip to Westport House and its magnificent gardens (part of which now form the grounds of the Westport Woods Hotel).
The first Westport Woods Hotel Gardening Week ran from 5th to 9th March 2017 with guests arriving from all over the island of Ireland both north and south. Paula Halpin was the host for the week and was herself an endless source of gardening tips and facts.
I am now delighted to share with you the schedule that the guests were treated to.
Should you require further details or wish to make a booking for the next Gardening and Wellness Week then please do not hesitate to contact me on: 087 0505773 or 094 93 84875
SUNDAY 5th March Check in on arrival
· Music entertainment in Bench Bar after dinner
MONDAY 6th March Bus Trip - A garden trail/drive
· 10.30am - Meet and Greet in Bench Cafe Bar
· 11.00am - Bus to Western Herbs & Veg Organic Garden in Fahy
· Scenic Drive to Tourmakeady
· 1.00pm - Lunch in O’Toole's Pub in Tourmakeady (Lunch at own expense)
· 1.45pm - Garden of Drimbawn House (Fee €5.00pp – as a donation to St. Vincent de Paul)
· 4.00pm – Bus back to Westport Woods Hotel
· 6.00pm - Welcome drink before dinner
· Music entertainment in Bench Cafe Bar after dinner
Western Herbs & Veg run by Chris Smith, have been producing organic herbs and vegetables for sale at Westport Country Market each Thursday. This 1 acre boasts 5 polytunnels, glass lean-to, 2 ponds, pleasant setting with shrubs and perennials. IOFGA symbol holder.
Drimbawn Gardens were originally designed by Ninian Niven in the 19th century. The arboretum, flower garden, vegetable garden, orchard, rhododendron bank and some woodland gardens are finished. Others areas are still a work-in-progress.
TUEDSAY 7th March 2017 Westport Woods Hotel In-House Day
· 10.30 – 11.15am - Aqua Aerobics in the Beech Club Swimming Pool
· 12.00pm – Beauty Therapy talk with Beech Club Spa Beautician Aoife in the Bench Cafe Bar
· 2.00pm – Garden talk with Paula
· 2.45pm – Tea and biscuits
· 3.00pm – Garden walk about the hotel grounds
· 4.00pm – Finish
· Music entertainment in Bench Bar after dinner
WEDNESDAY 8th March 2017 Train trip to Westport House & Gardens
· 11.00am - Train ride to Westport House with pick up from the hotel
· Guided tour of Westport House
· Tea and scones in the Tea Rooms of Westport House (€4.00 pp own expense)
· Tree walk around the Westport House Tree Trail
· 2.00pm - Train ride back to the hotel
· 2.30pm - Arrive back to Westport Woods Hotel
THURSDAY 9th March 2017 Day in Westport Town
· 10.30am - Meet for a walk to nearby Quay Community Garden
· 11.30am - Bus to Town to Westport Country Market to see the stalls
· Free day around Westport
· Return to hotel at your leisure
· Music entertainment in Bench Cafe Bar after dinner
PLEASE NOTE:
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for weather and garden walks
Some gardens have limited access for wheelchairs, or may have gravel paths and steps
