Take a break from everyday life with a trip to one of Ireland’s most relaxing spas
1. SPA IN THE CITY
Although only a short walk from Shop St, Galway's Spirit One Spa is an "away from it all" experience, featuring the eponymous range by "facialist to the stars", Ole Henriksen, who counts Renée Zellweger and Jennifer Aniston among clients. Day spa offers from €60. Tel: 091-538 462, spiritonespa.com
2. BRING THE KIDS
The laidback atmosphere at Fota Island Resort in Cork is ideal if you want to bring the family on your spa break. The nearby wildlife park is one of the country's top 10 visitor attractions and the three championship golf courses will challenge those looking to improve their putting skills. The spa features an extensive treatment menu and a superb hydrotherapy suite with Ireland's first "walking river". Midweek B&B with dinner and a spa treatment from €307. Tel: 021-467 3131, fotaisland.ie
3. KEEP IT LOW KEY
If you're into fine dining and not too fussed about the water suite aspect of spas, check out the little boutique gem that is the Twelve. Located in Barna, just outside Galway city, the hotel's exceptional attention to detail in both decor and service has won many awards, including making the Observer's list of the sexiest hotels in Ireland. Indulge in a candlelit seaweed bath in your room using the Irish Voya range or have a facial or massage in the treatment room. Two nights' B&B with dinner and choice of treatment from €220 per person sharing. Tel: 091-597 000, thetwelvehotel.ie
4. ADULTS ONLY
You don't even have to bother getting dressed at Monart, a true destination spa – guests happily lounge around in their room robes, though it is protocol to dress for dinner. This and the "no-child" policy underline the retreat-like atmosphere of Monart in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. It's all about you. You'd expect the state-of-the-art thermal suite and top-notch treatments, but the spectacular Celtic garden is a tonic in itself. Midweek B&B with dinner and summer body blitz treatment from €220 per person sharing. Tel: 053-923 8999, monart.ie
5. MARINE THERAPY
The seawater therapy pool is a unique feature of the spa at Inchydoney – the water is pumped daily from the ocean and heated to 32 degrees – and is the perfect temperature at which to absorb the marine nutrients. The spa offers beauty and body treatments from Elemis and Les Luneides. One night B&B with dinner and treatment from €230 per person. Tel: 023-883 3143, inchydoneyisland.com
6. CAPITAL IDEA
You won't have left the confines of the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, but you'll have been on a journey to the land of tranquillity when you're in the expert hands of Ruth Doyle of Mellow. With an A-list client base and her own skincare line in the works, Doyle tailors her treatments according to the seasons. Each session begins with a back massage. It's 90 minutes of bliss for €60. Tel: 086-4180144, mellow.ie
7. ROOM WITH A VIEW
Never mind that you're in Fermanagh – the Lough Erne Resort offers a true Thai experience. The therapists in its Thai Spa trained there, use only Thai-made products and offer all the therapeutic massages you'd expect. Facilities also include a light therapy sauna, a crystal aroma steam room and an exotic rain shower. A taste of Thailand for £150pps. Tel: 028-66323230, lougherneresort.com.
8. GLAMOUR A GO-GO
Galway's G hotel is fun, high-octane colour and pattern at first sight, but calms down considerably in the bedrooms and stuns in the elegant spa area. Personalised treatments from the Espa range include intensive facials and eye lift treatments. One night B&B with dinner and treatment from €155 per person sharing. Tel: 091-778 460, theghotel.ie
9. AT YOUR SERVICE
Want the best of both worlds? The old and new are blended seamlessly at the Park in Kenmare. With the brothers Brennan ensuring you feel like a VIP in the delightfully old-fashioned Victorian hotel, it's a short step to the new-age spa, complete with outdoor infinity pool in a forest setting. Clear a morning or afternoon for the three-hour Sámas experience, where treatments include products from Sisley. Two nights' BB, one dinner and Sámas experience from €525 per person sharing. Tel: 064-664 1200, parkkenmare.com
10. HARD CORE
While most spas offer varying degrees of detoxification, Cloona in Westport goes all the way. Small groups on a set programme of either three or five days eat a cleansing vegan diet and have daily guided walks ending with a massage each evening. The no-frills decor emphasises the monastic mood, but thankfully the beds are a heavenly cloud of comfort, which you'll probably hit by 7pm. Prices from €390 for three days. cloona.ie