#experiencethepresent

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.

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/ 

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!

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.

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!

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)

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).

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.