Park yourself in Ireland’s forests

Claire Spreadbury heads to Longford Forest to see how one of the most exciting new family escapes is shaping up

My legs have turned to jelly as I cling to a rope for dear life. My hands are shaking and my brain is wondering why on earth I thought tree trekking with my husband and kids was going to be a good idea. But as I sit back in the harness and zip-wire my way to the end, my heart knows we made some proper family memories in the last 45 minutes.

For my kids to see me equally as scared (OK, more scared) than them, but feeling the fear and doing it anyway, is big, heart-pumping, bonding stuff. And once I get to the bottom and free my body from all the ropes, I’m proud of myself too.

Having adventures together is one of the main reasons families come to Center Parcs. There’s indoor and outdoor fun as well as total relaxation and accommodation in lovely wooden lodges that blend into the forest perfectly.

For me and my family, it’s one of our absolute favourite places. So when we heard about Longford Forest – the latest addition that’s only just opened in Ireland, we couldn’t wait to come and see it.

Why Ireland?

Make no mistake, the UK might be spoilt with five different Center Parcs dotted across the country, but this is a really big deal for Ireland. It’s taken four years to launch, since they announced the plan to expand here, and the €233 million development has been delivered on time and within budget. Having created 1,000 permanent new jobs, Longford Forest is expected to inject €32 million into the Irish economy each year.

And for local visitors, the 400 acres of wondrous woodland (housing 466 self-catering lodges and 30 apartments) is home to Ireland’s largest water park and biggest stand-alone spa.

Anyone who knows the forests in the UK will discover Longford is very recognisable as being a Center Parcs. Everything looks pretty much the same, but it does feel more open in the outdoor spaces. The trees seem a little further away, and perhaps there’s

thecouriermagazine a bit less cover. There are some nice touches with water features as well, artsy installations around the crazy golf course and beautiful wild flower growth, injecting even more colour into the outside space.

Restaurants-wise, there are two exclusive eateries in Longford. The main one is Cara’s Kitchen and Bar, which uses local produce and offers all the family favourites for between €12-€30 (£10-£27), kids main meals from €6 (£5.50). The space is light and airy, with lots of glass and funky wicker lampshades, the staff are really attentive, but the thing we like most is

I find the best way to arrive for a spa treatment is to be completely stressed. As a busy mum, this is easy for me

the injection of live music – something synonymous with Ireland. Come 9pm on Saturday night, local musician KTG is tuning up and playing some cover songs, and we can’t get enough of it.

Other new and exclusive additions include The Coffee House, serving a Java Republic caffeine fix, and a host of massages and facials. Aqua Sana Longford offers treatments by VOYA – a family-run Irish brand, which produces organic and sustainable cosmetics, using seaweed handpicked off the west coast of Ireland.

The VOYA Men’s Revive and Refresh Face and Body is only available here, and focuses on relieving muscle tension, while reducing signs of tiredness. My other half James felt the tension disappear as his legs were pummelled during an invigorating massage, with tailored strokes across his back and shoulders.

I find the best way to arrive for a treatment is to be completely stressed. As a busy, working mum, this is easy for me, but as I stroll to the spa, Rosie, 10, and Poppy, 7, pedal off on their