Experience The Present

Showcasing experiential Christmas gift idea in Ireland that are perfect for family, friends or loved ones!

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That’s the craic for Christmas 2020!

All of us at Experience The Present are sad to say that the ultimate experiential Christmas gift guide for 2020 has come to an end but that means we are closer to the Big Day! 

We have showcased experiences from all over the country of Ireland for family members, a significant other or for your friends. Relaxing spa days to adventurous, adrenaline filled fun-days; we can guarantee you will be in the good books this year if you follow our advice!

If you don't get an unforgettable present, be sure to treat yourself in 2021 and you might bump in to some other lost, we mean loose socialisers!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all.

Always remember that good things come in small packages, but time with others is precious.

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Sunsets on the sea in Schull

Treat yourself and your significant other to a romantic sail on the Twilight Fastnet Tour in West Cork. The boat will set sail at 7pm from Schull or Baltimore for 2.5-3 hours. 

You will be brought through the whale and dolphin rich waters of Roaring Water Bay until you reach The Fastnet Rock Lighthouse just as the sun sets in to the water. 

Tickets are only €40 per person and they will be worth every cent as you watch the sun setting with your partner by your side. Get yourself in the good books and purchase your tickets today via this link: https://www.capeclearferries.com/fastnet-rock-tour/ 

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Brilliant bakers begin in Ballymaloe.

Give the gift of knowledge with a course in Ballymaloe Cookery School. Learn new skills while making new friends. Short courses are available from afternoon demonstrations to 1/2 day or full day course, week long to 12 weeks - there is sure to be something for everyone!

Courses vary during the seasons of the year. Learn how to make your own bread, gain insights into starting your own cafe, tips for entertaining with Darina and Rachel Allen or give the ultimate gift to kickstart somebody on their path to becoming a professional chef with the prestigious 12 Week Certificate Course! Check out the range of courses on offer here http://www.cookingisfun.ie

While you are in Cork you should check out the nearby Ballycotton Island Lighthouse which is approximately 6km from Ballymaloe House. Tours are available or you could enjoy the views of East Cork while on the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. Book a stay in the beautiful Ballymaloe House for yourself or for a friend by following this link: https://www.ballymaloe.ie

If you can't decide what to book, a gift voucher is a perfect solution. Ballymaloe Cookery School gift vouchers can be tailored to suit an individuals needs. Choose from popular packages, a specific course on the school calendar or select an amount to gift!

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Kayaking in The Kingdom

Have you ever wanted to kayak around a harbour or through sea caves? Do you have children 10 years or older? Have you got 3 hours to discover Dingle? If you have answered yes to all of the above, then this adventurous activity is for you!

Suitable for beginners, or those more advanced, this 3 hour guided kayaking tour will be sure to entertain every member of the family. Discover Dingle from a different angle and you might bump in to the fun and friendly Fungi, if he returns home..

With all of the equipment included, from wetsuits and buoyancy aids, in your tickets, what’s stopping you from booking? Prices range from €45-€55 with group offers also available. Don’t forget to pack your swimming gear on your next trip to Kerry or you will regret it! Your adventure awaits here: https://irishadventures.net/irish-adventure-activities-dingle-killarney/activitiesseakayakingdinglecanoekerryireland.html

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It’s a win, win with wine!

Móinéir Wine Tasting and Winery Tour is the perfect day date for a couple of indulgent romantics. Tours of the winery are available, followed by a a testing session. Individuals can taste test the award winning Móinéir Irish strawberry, blackberry and raspberry wines while enjoying a variety of cheese and chocolate. These will perfectly complement the choice of wine!

On the tour, you will discover the difference between the wines and learn more about other wines that are on shelves. Your tour guide will show you all around the winery, but please note this is in County Wicklow and not a beautiful vineyard in Italy.

The Wicklow Way Winery has featured on Neven’s Irish Food Trails and Nationwide so why not experience it for yourself? You might see first-hand fermentation taking place but it will depend on the time of year.

Upon completing the tour, with maybe a few too many glasses consumed, you will receive your own unique, personalised bottle of wine. What is stopping you from booking this? Tickets are only €25 per person and are available at https://www.wicklowwaywines.ie/shop?category=Tours+%26+Vouchers

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Explore the tales of Kilmainham Jail

Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford married in The Christian Chapel in May 1916, hours before Plunkett was executed. If you, or someone you know, would like to see the wooden altar, which was made in 1882 by a Belfast inmate, for yourself then you need to check out this experience. It is perfect for historians, explorers and anybody with an interest in first-hand Irish history.

Travel back in time and take a tour of The West Wing where there are currently 79 prison cells. Leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were detained here and you can see exactly how prison life was for those courageous and brave leaders.

On the other side of the prison, you will discover The East Wing which was built in the 1980’s. It contains 96 cells and features a large skylight as it was intended to fill the space with cleansing rays of sunlight due to the lack of sunlight prisoners had in their own cells.

On your tour of Kilmainham Jail you have the opportunity to visit The Stonebreaker’s Yard. This is the most famous area of the Jail. Your tour guide will explain to you what happened in this Yard and where the executions of the 14 leaders of The Easter Rising in May 1916 occurred.

To book a tour you can visit http://kilmainhamgaol.admit-one.eu/index.php?s=OPW_KILM&p=calendar&ev=TOUR&language=ENG. Alternatively to book a group tour, you can email [email protected] . Family prices start from only €20! It would be a crime not to book…

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Crisps & Craic for Connected Families!

Adventure, adrenaline and animals in Ashbourne. Tayto Park is Ireland’s only Theme Park which makes it a unique and fun experience to gift this Christmas to a family as it is suitable for children and adults of all ages.

There is something for everybody in Tayto Park from the rollercoasters and attractions to the Lemur Woods and World of Raptors. Fancy learning more about Tayto’s history? Take a self-guided tour to discover how the nation’s favourite crisps are made but shh.. you might find out the secrets of Tayto!

If you are, or have, an animal lover in your family then the zoo is for you! Tayto Park Zoo wants to connect people to wildlife through adventure, conservation and education. Check out all of the different animals in the zoo here - http://www.taytopark.ie/zoo

Prices for 2021 are included below to let you plan your next adventure in Co. Meath!

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Don't give a rose, give a glass of rosé!

Relax and unwind in one of the most highly recognised 5-star spa resorts in the world; Monart. This is the perfect way to get you out of the dog house or earn yourself some brownie points! God knows you need it.

Treat yourselves to an award winning afternoon tea in Monart. If tea isn't for you, then enjoy some bubbles instead!

Why not take a romantic stroll through the beautiful gardens of The Monart Resort or indulge in one of the many spa treatments on offer? There are treatments to suit everybody from head to toe, check out their brochure for yourself. (https://www.monart.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Monart-spa-treatment-bochure-web.pdf)

Monart Destination Spa

We are really looking forward to re-opening on August 3rd. Monart is Ireland’s only Destination Spa, enjoy our video that showcases our stun

If this doesn't get you out of the house, good luck!

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Get Drunk with Glenda

Are you adventurous? Do you enjoy a drink with your friends? If so, this experience is for you. Take a trip in the day to Lough Tay and Sally Gap. See The Guinness Lake, owned by the Guinness family, for yourself which makes the illusion of a large pint of the Black Stuff. Bike or hike your way around the Lough with full day tours available here (https://www.biking.ie/inventory/group-activity).

After testing your legs all day on the bike or hike, why not test your taste buds in the new Irish whiskey distillery? Taste testing is on offer for the Glendalough whiskey, gin and Poitin. Check out their website for yourself here (https://shop.glendaloughdistillery.com).

Sober Sally or Glenda-locked which will you be?

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Experience the past, present & future!

Looking for a Christmas present to suit all the family? Only 90 minutes from Dublin. Experience the past, present and future of Belfast with family friendly activities such as W5 and The Titanic Experience

Immerse yourself in the award winning Science & Discovery Centre that is W5. It is perfect for all ages with live science demonstrations and shows being performed throughout the day. With over 250 exhibits it is an ideal space to both educate and entertain all curious characters.

It won’t burn a hole in your pocket so book your tickets now to begin your discovery! https://w5online.co.uk/tickets-pricing

Explore the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience with the interactive galleries, informative walking tour of the museum and iconic remains of the White Star vessel - SS Nomadic. 

The museum is open 5 days a week from 10am. Tickets are available to purchase here (https://tickets.titanicbelfast.com) with family tickets also available.

Let’s hope this trip goes down better than the Titanic.