Unwind in Style: Ireland’s Cosy Wellness Escapes

The New Year is often associated with diving straight into the to-do list. But what if it became a chance to pause and reflect before the year ahead?

Visiting Ireland at the turn of the New Year can mean enjoying vibrant nightlife, scenic locations, and exploring buzzing towns and cities. However, taking time in between for some low-key days is just the ticket to feeling refreshed and ready for the months ahead.

Luckily, in Ireland, nature always gives a helping hand when it comes to finding balance and calm. Think roaring fires, crisp winter walks, bracing sea dips and invigorating saunas.

If you want to unwind even further, look to nature. Ireland has a strong and growing wellness scene, which takes advantage of the wild, rugged and spectacular landscapes around the island. Think getaways in remote yet cosy spots, sauna experiences next to sandy beaches, restorative seaweed baths and even forest bathing.

Cabu by the Lakes, Co. Cava

CABÜ Cabins

If you want to make a busy, stressful lifestyle a far-off memory, book a stay in a luxury cabin at CABÜ by the Lakes in County Cavan. Nestled in the woods of Killykeen Forest Park on the serene shores of Lough Oughter, this retreat offers a peaceful escape well off the beaten track. Immerse yourself in nature with a forest-bathing area, Japanese Bath, outdoor hot tubs and Nature Spa therapy treatments.

For those ready to unplug, there’s plenty of analogue entertainment, including curated books and classic board games. But if your idea of wellness leans towards adventure, you can head outside to bike along fragrant forest trails, kayak through glassy waters, or even try your hand at fishing. An al fresco dining space – the Sitooterie – provides the perfect setting for socialising and barbecuing under the stars, while history buffs will enjoy seeking out the fairytale-like 13th-century Clough Oughter Castle and the mysterious Gartnanoul megalithic court tomb.

Of course, simply hunkering down in your luxury cabin is also an option. Beautifully furnished and boasting everything from roll-top baths to log burners, the cabins are tucked away among the trees, where the only sounds are birdsong and rustling leaves. Just thinking about it is enough to make your shoulders relax.

Clough Oughter Castle Ruin, Lough Oughter, Co Cavan

Bellinter House

In Navan, County Meath, you can find another delightful spot for a relaxing break at Bellinter House, on the south bank of the River Boyne.

This historic country retreat – a Georgian mansion dating to 1750 – is perfectly placed for exploring Ireland’s extraordinary Neolithic heritage. Meath is home to the tombs of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth, as well as the Hill of Tara, where Celtic High Kings of Ireland ruled thousands of years ago.

Just 30 minutes by car from Dublin city, Bellinter offers an elegant getaway close to nature. Begin the day with a peaceful riverside stroll, before heading indoors to enjoy the Bathhouse Spa, which offers massages, body scrubs, facials and Voya seaweed body wraps.

Relaxation reaches new levels in the mansion’s brand-new thermal suite. Here, three Harvia saunas offer different therapeutic benefits, while a jacuzzi soothes tired muscles and plunge pools provide a jolt of rejuvenation.

At the infinity pool, the rest of the world will melt away while you take in gorgeous views of the Boyne Valley. Talk about an exhale for the body and mind.

Xhale Experience co, Armagh 

Wellness uncovered

There are so many ways to combine a trip to Ireland with a chance to boost your wellness.

An interesting path to mindfulness can be found through seasonal foraging. In the glorious surroundings of Finnebrogue Woods, near Strangford Lough, you can enjoy a day foraging through the woods or along the Lecale coastline in the company of Chief Instructor Rob. For 2026, choose from a Mushroom Foray, Medicinal, Wild Food Foraging or Coastal Foraging. Guests can also partake in  wild cookery courses, wild Celtic cooking and wild camping amid the trees.

The Japanese practice of relieving stress through forest bathing (shinrin yoku) is growing in popularity in Ireland. At the luxurious Killeavy Castle Estate in County Down, why not immerse yourself in the forest bathing experience with meditation teacher Ann Ward. It’s a fast track to reconnect with nature. Alternatively, Burrenmore Nest in County Londonderry takes a more literal approach: unwind beside the glow of a wood-fired hot tub underneath the trees, and let the relaxing power of the forest work its magic.

Finally, for a quick hit of relaxation, head to a sauna. The ancient Irish knew all about the power of heat, utilising sweathouses for purification and healing. Today, sauna options include Fad Saoil Saunas in Dublin and Wicklow; Sauna and Sea in Portstewart, County Londonderry; the Sauna Snugg at Garrylucas Beach in County Cork; and Wild Atlantic Sea Sauna at Dooey Beach in County Donegal.