It doesn’t get more wholesome than this, lads.
I’ll level with you – adventure doesn’t tend to be my idea of fun. At least not when it’s in Ireland.
Throw me in a spa, give me a drink, or pump me full of food and I’ll generally be happy out. Being totally and utterly relaxed is my idea of adventure – it is such a rare occurrence, after all.
However, this weekend wasn’t simply a lying-down-and-eating-my-weight-in-room-service weekend. This was a going-kayaking-in-the-autumn weekend.
And in a totally shocking twist of events, I actually had a lovely time.
Ferrycarrig Hotel is currently offering a series of adventure-based breaks so you can get your daredevil on while also basking in the stunning Wexford countryside.
A short 10 minute drive from the town centre, the hotel boasts an array of stunning views, delicious dining options, and staff that are as warm as the white chocolate lemon stuffed bomb they’ll serve you at dessert.
The hotel’s Adventure Escapes allows visitors to see a different side of Wexford during their stay – one that’s outdoors, at one with nature, and maybe even soaked in the River Slaney on a Saturday morning.
Among the adventure options available from the hotel are surfing, canoeing, paddling boarding, horse-riding, and hiking.
The National Heritage Park
The one myself and my guest embarked on was a mid-morning kayak – a feat that this writer was equal parts excited and terrified by.
We rendez-voused with our instructor Steve at 10am on a Saturday morning by the river, and after some mild wetsuit-based issues that shall not be spoken of again, we were on our way.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the sea and I’m partial to a bit of nature. Swimming about the place and walking amongst the trees are two of my favourite things to do.
However, transporting myself through a body of water via a large kayak wasn’t something that I had ever envisaged myself doing on a Saturday morning while taking a lovely hotel break.
But listen, I’m glad it was.
Me, actually kayaking
The rain held off for the duration of our journey. We learned a lot from Steve. Suddenly, we were at one with nature.
At times, the sun was even shining as we paddled down the water, took in the scenery, and explored parts of the riverbank that would have been otherwise overlooked on foot.
Essentially, the entire experience evoked a keen sense of calm and belonging that I otherwise would not have felt had I been chilling out indoors for the entire day.
I emerged from that kayak a new woman – and despite having not travelled via such a method of transport since the tender age of 15, my arms only ached slightly.
After that, we returned to Ferrycarrig and indulged in a three course meal that we absolutely didn’t need to consume following an entire day of snacking on chocolate, but look, we’d had a long day.
The hotel’s Reeds Restaurant overlooks the incredible lake that a lot of the rooms face onto.
A room with a view
It’s a breathtaking view, one that you’d easily find yourself staring out at, glass of wine in hand, for a solid evening without needing very much else to do.
Which, coincidentally, is exactly what we did – with a few tasty (and very strong) cocktails from the Dry Dock Bar thrown in for good measure.
And if you were thinking that the wholesomeness ended there, you’d be wrong, because the next day we took the short walk to the National Heritage Centre to bask in some history and eat some fish.
It’s only across the road. You might as well.
A full list of Ferrycarrig’s Adventure Escapes and information about booking can be found here.
