The Jewel Lodge and Spa has opened in the town of Glengarriff, along the Beara Peninsula in West Cork.
The new family-run spa and lodge intends to offer a unique hospitality experience surrounded by nature.
‘Immersed In Nature’
“We saw a gap in the market for a space that provided simple but luxurious accommodation with a strong holistic health-and-wellness offering and first-class facilities immersed in nature, and what better location than West Cork?” said Keelin Fitzgerald, co-founder of the Jewel Lodge and Spa.
“It has been amazing to see our vision come to life, and I can’t wait for people to experience the Jewel and all it has to offer.”
Riverside Spa
The Jewel offers a wide selection of indoor and outdoor facilities, including its Riverside Spa.
Guests can enjoy the outdoor hot tub immersed in the forest or take a purifying seaweed bath, which uses locally sourced seaweed, known to have unique anti-inflammatory properties.
For those who enjoy the health benefits of hot-and-cold therapy, guests can use the outdoor sauna followed by a dip in the natural ice-cold plunge pool flowing straight into the Glengarriff River.
Wellness Retreats
The Riverside Spa also boasts a selection of indoor facilities, including a relaxation room, where guests are encouraged to switch off and unwind with a book while enjoying a complimentary herbal tea.
Guests can also avail of the infrared sauna pod, where they can relax and listen to the music of their choice, or simply enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the natural surroundings. Additionally, the Riverside Spa offers an extensive range of treatments available as add-ons to bookings, including manicures, pedicures and massages.
One-day and weekend group wellness retreats with a focus on meaningful meditation practices are also available at the Riverside Spa.
Family Connection
The coastal town of Glengarriff, located along the Wild Atlantic Way, holds a special place in the hearts of sisters and co-founders Aiveen Casey and Keelin Fitzgerald, who have a lifelong connection with West Cork.
While Aiveen and Keelin grew up in the suburbs of Cork City with their two siblings and parents, their father was a Bantry man, and their summers were spent camping at Eagle Point in Ballylickey, near Glengarriff Village.
‘Fond Memories’
“I have such fond memories of West Cork. Having spent many summers there, growing up with my parents and siblings, myself and my husband carried on the tradition with our own family,” said Aiveen.
“However, after he passed away in 2010, I decided a change was needed and bought a small summer retreat in Glengarriff, which became a haven for myself and our three children.
“Years later, an unfinished leisure centre in the area went on the market, and my youngest daughter suggested I buy it, and I thought, why not?”
Leisure Centre
Aiveen ran the idea of purchasing the leisure centre and transforming it into a wellness lodge and spa by her sister Keelin, who has spent years training in holistic medicine and wellness practices, and the decision to go into business together was made.
Keelin was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in her twenties and discovered that she was allergic to all traditional medications typically used to treat the condition.
This led Keelin to explore other holistic treatment options, including meditation and reiki.
‘No-Brainer’
“I immediately felt the benefits of this type of approach and decided to spend the following years studying and training in holistic medicine and alternative therapies, specialising in meditation, massage, reiki and reflexology,” said Keelin.
“It’s always been an area that I saw myself working in one day, so when Aiveen ran the idea by me about the Jewel, it was a no-brainer.”
The Jewel Lodge and Spa will feature in the upcoming series of RTÉ’s popular hospitality makeover show At Your Service with Francis and John Brennan, airing this September.
