Weekend Warriors: Our Top Five Girlie Getaways in Ireland

October – a rainy miserable month fit for nothing but spending weekends moving between the couch and the bed, right?

WRONG!

We’re very busy being Weekend Warriors with DiscoverIreland.ie all this month, (hadn’t you heard? Find out more here!), and we’re urging all Her.ie readers to do the same.

So, stop working on that groove your behind has made on the couch and instead start getting the girls together for a fun weekend away. Sound good? If you need inspiration on where to go and what to do, we’ve got five great suggestions.

Alternative Shopping

Stop! Move slowly away from the high street…

As much as we love our chain stores, and we really do, why not check out some shopping trails unique to Ireland? We suggest the Made in Kilkenny trail with handcrafted jewellery, hats and bags to get you started, or find out more about Irish crafts here.

Step away from the high street and pick up a more unique souvenir...

Relaxation Staycation – Spa Break

A weekend escape does not have to involve a flight. Fluffy robes, soothing music, gorgeous smells… a trip to the spa always leaves us in a state of blissful relaxation, where work/money/relationship worries float away like the steam from the sauna. Whether it's a resort spa, a destination spa or fine hotel facilities you’re after, you can find out more about the best retreats Ireland has to offer right here.

Staycation in a spa - perfect for a girlie getaway

Sea Session – Go Surfing

If you and your girls fancy something a little more challenging, it’s currently Surf and Turf season, (and no, that’s not the weekend dinner special…). Try surfing and yoga to give both body and mind a lift. If you already know your way around a wave, why not check out Girls Go Surfing this weekend?

Surf's up! Are you brave enough to take on Ireland's icy waters this weekend?!

Walking Weekends

Groups of women out for a stroll together took a bit of a knock with that Killinaskully skit, but leave the DayGlo tracksuits at home and you’ll be just fine. How often have you toured the Irish countryside the way you’ve trekked around in foreign lands? Now might be the time to start. Or even head to one of Ireland’s walking festivals!

• Nire Valley Annual Walking Festival (October 12^th – 14^th)
• Carlow Autumn Walking Festival (October 12th to 14th)
• Connemara Four Seasons Autumn Walking Festival (October 19th-21^st)
• Footfalls Wicklow Walking Festival in Roundwood (October 26th to 29^th)

Put down the heels for one weekend, instead become a tourist on a walking trail at home

Foodie Breaks

A supportive environment where everyone encourages you to sample all the fine offerings on display – yes, we get a warm and fuzzy feeling in our hearts (read stomachs) when we think of breaks especially for foodies. One Her.ie girl was lucky enough to head along to the Galway Oyster Festival recently, but there are still plenty food festivals to look forward to, including:

• Dingle Food & Wine Festival, 5^th – 7^th October (more info)
• Kinsale Gourmet Festival, 12^th – 14^th October (more info)  
• All Ireland Mushroom Festival, Leitrim, 13^th – 14^th October
• Food 4 Thought, Tralee, 17^th October (more info) 
• Savour Kilkenny, 25^th – 29^th October (more info) 
• Virginia Pumpkin Festival, Cavan, 25^th – 29^th October (more info)
• Listowel Food Fair, 31^st October – 4^th November (more info)  
• A Taste of Louth, 10^th – 11^th November (more info)
• Wild & Slow, Wicklow, 10^th – 11^th November (more info)  

Eat, drink and be merry - Ireland is a foodie heaven

So what are you waiting for? Get planning your Girlie Getaway now!

The new Discover Ireland brochure for Autumn Winter is full of great suggestions, and is available in Discover Ireland Centres nationwide or to download at discoverireland.ie