Experience what it's like to dive in to Delphi adventures
Come to get the adrenaline pumping on the water, and stay for the relaxing spa treatment, writes .
A weekend of adrenaline-boosting activities nestled in the heart of quiet Connemara countryside, surrounded by the picturesque beauty of mountain ranges and clear blue lakes, is just the ticket to revitalise the soul.
I arrived at around dusk on a Friday to the resort which was softly lit up with a warm yellow glow emanating from the windows. Tired from a day of travelling, I settled down for a night of solid sleep in one of the simple yet luxurious apartments.
The setup was a spacious sitting room with a balcony and a large bedroom with an en suite bathroom. No TV and I was thankful for it.
After a good kip, I was ready for road. Following an early breakfast in the 814 Restaurant, it was time to get the heart pumping with some kayaking on Killary Fjord lake.
Kitted out in wetsuits with a life jacket and a helmet, we headed to the lake on a balmy summer’s day. After a few tutorials on what to do in certain situations, we were taken out onto the water and the real craic began.
Our instructors were good fun and made the experience seem exciting and adventurous, all while knowing we were in good hands.
Cutting through the water in a sea kayak is like gliding on air. There is a real sense of freedom in the action that relaxes the body and mind and leave you feeling refreshed and alive.
While out on the fjord, we got a bit of a history lesson from one of the instructors who really knew the area well. Apparently, part of the movie The Field had been filmed close by.
After a hardy session in the kayaks, we played a few water games and headed back to base to get cleaned up and head for lunch.
The midday meal was served on the sunny terrace of the 814 Restaurant with a majestic backdrop of wooded scenery.
It’s an oasis of calm, broken only by the shrill screams of adventure-seeking souls sailing through the air on the nearby zip line.
Delphi resort recently opened the Wild Atlantic Hostel, which is adjacent to the centre and offers value accommodation for those who want to experience the activities on a more affordable scale.
The Wild Atlantic Hostel means there is always a bunch of adrenaline-seeking backpackers wandering around the resort, heading off on an adventure or returning from the wild.
It is a nice addition to an otherwise solitary spot and it adds a bit of life to the resort just when you think you have had enough of serenity.
After lunch, a bunch of us hired out mountain bikes and took to the dirt tracks that surround the resort.
We followed the path and the recommendation of the Delphi staff to a tiny lake where we stripped off and cooled down in the clear water.
Back on our bikes, we ventured further into the woods before heading back for our scheduled spa treatments.
As a newbie to spa treatments, I didn’t know what to expect from my head, back and neck massage, and facial, but it was heaven.
I returned to my room feeling relaxed and refreshed. Back at base, it was time to prepare for dinner. The menu for the 814 Restaurant had a lot of choice. Everything sounded perfect for a nice evening meal in the sun-soaked dining area and it took some time to make a decision.
In the end, I went for the butternut squash tagliatelle and I was glad I did. As the night wore on, the drinks were flowing and time passed in a mercurial manner, what seemed like ten minutes was more like an hour and before we knew it, the place was emptying out and it was time for bed.
Back to the leaba, I once again slept soundly. I think it was the extra big pillows.
The next morning I rose early and made my way to breakfast; eggs made just the way I like them, poached. After a read of the Sunday papers, I bid farewell to the friendly staff that had looked after me so well and I hit the road.
Adventure sports would be a firm favourite pastime of mine, but this weekend was something a bit different.
Sure, there were activities and if I had more time I could have tried out the zipline or the climbing wall or gone for a run in the woods, but the real beauty of Delphi is the complete package.
You are surrounded by the most intense scenery, in a secluded spot, nestled in the middle of the Galway and Mayo mountains
There is a real sense of calm, something you don’t find many places nowadays. This feeling is heightened by the complete lack of phone signal, meaning, whether you like it or not, you are disconnected from the constant ping in your pocket. This takes some time to adjust to, but once you get over the initial shock, it is actually quite nice.
As a single person, just looking to get the heart pounding, it did the job, but I can imagine families revelling in the resort, with plenty for kids to do and no phones to distract them from the unadulterated natural beauty that surrounds them.
The spa treatments are a nice addition to the rugged outdoors and I really feel the place is a good compromise for couples or families who may want a relaxing break, but don’t want to be bored.
I said it as I left Sunday morning, hungover and exhausted, and I’ll say it again. I’ll definitely be back.
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