Are you guilty of endlessly checking work emails out of office? Tapping away at your laptop late into the night? In these times of information overload, vacationists are increasingly looking for a break from the stream of constant messages and notifications.

Presented here, then, is a selection of seven luxuri-ous Irish getaways for those in need of a digital detox. From Carlow to Cork, you’ll find corporate retreats

with magnificent views, sumptuous interiors and outdoor activities to help reconnect with life’s simple pleasures.

Relax and rejuvenate

Travel

24 Magazine May 21 2017 The Sunday Business Post

Even the busiest of executives need to get away from it all now and again. Fionnuala Egan runs the rule over some of Ireland’s top corporate getaways

Where Ghan House, CarlingfordWho should go With 12 bedrooms in total, and access to another 60 within two minutes’ walk, Ghan House would be suitable for groups of all sizes.Where you’ll stayThis is a fully restored Geor-gian house in the surroundings of Medieval Carlingford. Each bedroom boasts spectacular views, family antiques, orthopaedic mattresses and extra fluffy towels and gowns. What to expect Expect a luxury getaway for busy executives, where an abundance of ac-

tivities will have you feeling refreshed, as well as excellent facilities allowing for productive meeting sessions.

Theatre-style, boardroom and U-shape meet-ing rooms are all available, as is the adjacent Heritage Centre for bigger gatherings. What’s so different? Guests can look forward to superb food in the 2AA Rosette restaurant, and the chance to burn off the calories with a multitude of activities nearby, from exhilarating zip wires to restorative yoga in a studio built on the side of Slieve Foy mountain.Find out more Contact Sarah, Orla or Paul at Ghan House on 042-9373682ghanhouse.com.

Where Ballyvolane House, CorkWho should go Ballyvolane would suit a small to medium sized group looking for a balance of efficiency and whimsical charm.Where you’ll stay This is an elegant but comfortable family-owned pe-riod home. It was originally built as a classical Georgian home in 1728 for a once Lord Chief Justice of Ire-land, Sir Richard Pyne. Some 120 years later it was modified in Itali-anate style. The main house offers six spacious guest bedrooms, all of which have en suite bathrooms with complimentary Irish-made organic Voya bathroom products. Alternatively, guests can enjoy a glamping experience in four-me-tre and five-metre bell tents which can accommodate two adults. A glamping arc is also an option. These fully-serviced accommo-dation options allow you to rough it in style with all meals, drinks and afternoon tea in the main house to ensure the best of the both worlds.What to expect Ballyvolane’s extensive experience hosting corporate events and meet-ings guarantees a friendly and efficient service. It can cater for workshops, brain-storming sessions, private business meetings, meals and gatherings of all sizes and levels of formality, from a boardroom style layout in the dining room to

facilities in a rustic barn. And there’s plenty of room for fun: fly-fishing lessons, clay pigeon shooting, ca-noeing, archery, cookery and cock-tail demonstrations and foraging expeditions are all on offer. What’s so different? Ballyvolane is a truly charming getaway, with its good old-fashioned wireless and jars of home-made cookies. It is also a proud member of the Great Fishing Houses of Ireland and runs the Fishing School at Ballyvolane. Guests can enjoy salmon fishing on the River Blackwater or trout fishing on the recently restored lakes in the parkland. This tranquil retreat allows a true escape from the stress of the modern world. Find out more Contact Vicki on 025-36349 or email info@ballyvolanehouse.ie.

Where Lisnavagh, Co CarlowWho should go This hideaway is ideal for small groups and can comfortably accommodate eight to 12 people.Where you’ll stay Lisnavagh House is a splendid Gothic revival country home set on 14 acres of land. The seven twin/double bedrooms have no televisions, radios or minibars. Instead, they boast antique four-poster beds and glorious views of the surrounding countryside, promising a night of complete rest. Accommodation is also available in the courtyard stables and estate cottages.What to expect Expect a diverse programme of activities which will cater to even the pickiest members of the group. Equestrian, archery, clay pigeon shooting, cookery classes, falconry, treasure hunts and wine tasting are all available. The magnificent surroundings include 200 acres of woodland and farmland, and rooms are also fully equipped for all kinds of meetings and conferences. What’s so different? Lisnavagh’s expertise in bespoke corpo-rate entertainment means that guests can enjoy a personalised experience. Their yoga retreats, emphasising holistic health and mindfulness, aim for a long-lasting sense of wellbeing.Find out more Contact Emily on +353 59 9161473 lisnavagh.com.

The Sunday Business Post May 21 2017 Magazine 25

Where Ballintubbert, Co LaoisWho should go This is the perfect retreat for small or large groups of frazzled employees looking to relax and rejuvenate in a grand setting.Where you’ll stay The fine Georgian house was built in 1725 and has impressive literary and theatre associations sure to impress arts and culture enthusiasts. Ballintubbert offers a myriad of options for groups of all sizes. Small groups can benefit from the house’s five luxurious bedrooms, while up to ten guests can be accommodated in the cosy Schoolhouse, which is a short stroll through the Rose Garden. Alterna-tively, the Garden Wing behind the Shackleton Garden offers one annex en suite double bedroom, with another four under construction. For those serious about getting back to nature, deluxe camping in canvas yurts or bell tents is also an option. Each tent is beautifully furnished and guests can enjoy concierge services, hot showers and full access to the woodlands and gardens. What to expect Expect to feel revitalised in the harmonious, naturalistic surroundings which include over 14 acres of tented pleasure gardens. Guests can partake in yoga sessions, garden cookery, landscape painting and nature-based collaborative sessions. Traditional team-building activities and rooms suited to all kinds of meetings and planning sessions are also available. What’s so different? Ballintubbert prides itself on its rich history. The house was the birthplace of poet laureate C Day–Lewis and inspired his poem The House Where I Was Born. It was owned by actors Sebastian Shaw in the 1940s-50s and John Hurt in the 1990s. Find out more Contact Lorraine on 00353-87-3127639 or myhost@ballintubbert.com. ballintubbert.com/contact/.

Where Ballilogue, Co KilkennyWho should go This is an excellent options for small groups of up to 22 people. Where you’ll stayThe three stone buildings – Farmhouse, Lodgehouse and Barn – date back to 1700 and contain 11 king-sized bedrooms in total. These rooms feature Irish handmade beds and mattresses and bed linen made from 100 per cent Egyptian cotton as well as organic Irish-made Voya products.What to expect Expect rejuvenation in the dedicated work-out and relaxation spaces. Guests can curl up by the wood-burning stoves, enjoy a peaceful walk in the countryside or dine outside on the deck. All dietary needs will be catered for. What’s so different? This is an intimate setting with an authentic feel. The stylish restoration of the ancient buildings gives them a bright, airy feel conducive to creativity. This mix of old and new is complemented by striking artwork and ceramics from Celtic artisan designers.Find out more Contact Ann or Marck at creative @ ballilogue.com.

Where Ballyfin, Co Laois Who should go This opulent getaway would cater for up to 39 team members.Where you’ll stay The five-star luxury hotel has 20 resplendent rooms set on a grand 614-acre estate. Each room has its own distinctive character and theme, all of which fit beautifully with the elegant history of the house. Think four poster beds, rich oil paintings and spectacular views.What to expect Ballyfin caters for business meetings and team building programmes. Expect activities such as archery, clay pi-geon shooting, treasure hunts, road rallies over the Slieve Bloom Mountains in classic cars or on bicycles, cookery class and blind wine tasting challenges.What’s so different? Dining at Ballyfin is a decadent experience, with the team sourcing according to the mantra: “local, natural and seasonal”. The gardens yield fruit, vegetables and herbs, Ballyfin hens provide fresh eggs and they even keep bees for honey. Ballyfin’s staff can cater for anything from casual working lunches to formal affairs. Find out more Contact Damien on 057 8755652 or dbastiat@ballyfin.com; ballyfin.com.

Where Castle Leslie, MonaghanWho should go The es-tate can cater for large groups of up to 260 people and is an ex-quisitely glamorous getaway.Where you’ll stay This authentic es-tate exudes old world grandeur. Accommodation is offered in the opulent castle, the chic lodge or the secluded old stable mews. The castle bedrooms contain no radios, televisions or minibars, but are beautifully decorated and serve as havens of tranquillity.What to expect Expect sump-tuous surroundings and an ar-ray of wonderful rooms to relax in, including a private cinema, a drawing room with grand pia-no and numerous palatial dining options. Castle Leslie offers pack-ages which include meeting room hire, refreshment breaks, lunch, a five-course dinner and activi-ties such as hacks, cross country horse rides and a spa visit at the Victorian Treatment Rooms.

What’s so different? The castle’s beautiful furniture, antiques and heirlooms grants its lavish inte-riors a historical romance. The estate’s vast private lands of over 1,000 acres, including woodlands and lakes, distance Castle Leslie from the outside world so that guests can come to a new sense of peace.Find out more Contact the Events Department on events@castleleslie.com or 047-88100. ■