ONE NIGHT AT ROE PARK: MY REVIEW
One Night at Roe Park Resort. A Staycation Review on the North West Resort that helped us to unwind and relax. Eat, Drink & Be Merry was our motto for the night and it didn’t disappoint.
‘staycation’
/steɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ - nounINFORMAL
a holiday spent in one's home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.
Since beginning my Monday-Friday 9-5 job, finding time to unwind has been.. complicated. Weekends are a no work zone but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an event or a birthday or a dinner to attend to. So how do you get away and unwind from reality without hopping on a flight and arriving in lands unknown.
Behold the STAYCATION!
Two weeks ago, we spent the night at Roe Park Resort, Limavady. We organised a half day at work and made our escape to the countryside for some food, drink and relaxation.
ROE PARK RESORT | MY REVIEW
The past two months have been filled with routine, routine routine. When our overnight stay crept up, it was like a blessing! I remember 15 minutes before I left work thinking, “Agh, do you I really need to leave now?” - it would have been incredibly easy to continue pushing through the workload that had suddenly appeared at my desk but I pulled myself away and we made our way to the North West.
The Location: Like an oasis in the Derry countryside, Roe Park showed itself when we made it to the bottom of a typical country lane. We had drove the hour and a half from Belfast and all we could think of was dropping our bags to the room and grabbing our swimwear to make the most of the health club and spa at the resort.
First Impressions: As we checked-in, the lobby was filled with Wedding Guests and with such a big crowd, I was pleased that our check-in still ran smoothly with no complications or waits. The staff was as much interested and as attentive with us as they were with the 50+ people lounging metres away. With 2 key cards in hand, we made our way to our room.
The Room: Our party included three couples and each of us had a completely different style of room. There was a ‘Standard Guest Room’, a ‘Family Suite’ and the ‘St Columb’s Suite'. Myself and Adam had the standard which looked out over the front promenade of the hotel and over to the Sperrin Mountains. A bottle of Moët & Chandon and the sweet treats that awaited us on arrival. With an extra bed, a large bathroom with Roe Park body products and plenty of closet space, we had more room than we needed but we were definitely not complaining. Sadly, our room didn’t come with bathrobes and slippers so a request was going to be made to have some sent up. The Suite’s had an abundance of extra features compared to the standard such as sofas and a coffee machine. As you can see from the image above, even that luxurious four-poster kind size bed had me jealous but all in all, the rooms were comfortable, clean and toasty.
*** NB - We received Moët & Chandon on arrival as part of the offer we booked in on. Pay for a bottle of Moët & Chandon and receive Bed & Breakfast free. A cracker of a deal if I do say so myself.:)
The Food: Our Arrival Treats were so damn delicious! Macarons are a favourite of ours so these didn’t last very long and on arriving back from the pool and sauna, we took to our chocolate covered strawberries for that sugar fix before heading down for our dinner reservation at 8:30pm. We dined in Roe Park’s own ‘Greens Restaurant’. I myself went for the Soup Starter followed by the Stuffed Irish Chicken Supreme and oh my word it was so tasty! There was chorizo, orzo and red pepper puree with a side of potato gratin and even though I’m on the lactose intolerant spectrum, I had no regrets diving into that cheesy creamy side dish. Needless to say, we didn’t leave much room for dessert and instead we took our wine and headed for the bar. I think I speak for everyone in our party that the food was great - I’m making myself hungry just thinking about it. At 9am, we rose for breakfast. The previous night I realised that we could have ordered breakfast and got it delivered to our room instead of pulling ourselves out of our bed but at 2am, I think I missed the deadline so I didn’t actually get to experience this service. It would have saved everyone from seeing my bed head.
The Experience: The Roe Park for me was a chilled out getaway where I didn’t have to think about the worries and stresses of life. If you’re looking the same, then I would highly recommend booking in. It’s the kind of destination where you’re in no mad rush to do anything or be anywhere. Of course, if you’re out for adventure, the causeway coastal route is so close with Benone Beach and Castlerock just a little north of Roe Park but for us, we didn’t seek adventure, just some down time. We left on the Saturday Afternoon feeling refreshed, calm and connected.
Life can sometimes get in the way of what’s most important to you. My ‘One Night at Roe Park’ helped clear out the noise. Staycation’s are a complete game changer my friends. Keep an eye out for last minute offers on hotels up and down the country. Minimal Effort - All of the benefits when you catch a bargain.
*** This stay was not sponsored by Roe Park Resort. I am under no-obligation to review my stay and do so of my own accord.
HOW TO: STAY MOTIVATED AS A FREELANCE CREATIVE
Freelancing can be difficult in an Industry that takes shortcuts. I have a few soul searching ways of keeping myself motivated to persevere.
Photographer: Sarah Ellis (@herestophoto) // Outfit Details: Headscarf, River Island; Turtleneck, Aviator Jacket, Earrings, Primark; Midi Skirt, Zara //
I’ve always liked the idea of working for myself. I get to control the variables and there’s something about having that control really motivated me to pursue the freelance life. It was mostly because there was just no jobs going in my line of work here in Northern Ireland. My thought was that, “Well if there’s no job for me, I’ll just have to make one”. I pushed myself into the crevices of the creative industry here by starting to network and send my work to various people. At the time, I was working an Event Management Internship that kept me afloat but it was monotonous enough that it drove me to push myself hard to continue creating in other ways.
The beauty of the side hustle. When you’re grinding it out, you think “Damn, wouldn’t life be great if I could do this full time?” and low and behold, the opportunity presents itself to make a real go at it. The Pros and Cons of Freelancing seemed apparent and I thought I knew what I was getting myself into but a new obstacle appeared. One that I didn’t expect.
What do you do when you’ve lost the motivation to create?
how do you motivate yourself when you’re basically being told,“we don’t need you.”
All is well and good while you’re busy but freelancing is a wave. You have your busy seasons and you have your quiet seasons but you prepare for it - you can foresee it. Financially, it’s all about budgeting and living within your means but the hardest thing for me is during the quiet times, maintaining that high-level of productivity.
When it comes to work, I know that I have to throw myself into it, submerge myself in it because it’s the only way it will have my undivided attention. If I’m not there, I’m not doing it. So when things slow down, I struggle to get the ball rolling again. At university, we had our classmates to keep us on our toes, we were all in the same boat. During my internship, I had the motivation of wanting more out of my career. Freelancing, it’s just you. It can be a lonely road especially when you’re not sure of your next move. Turns out that in Northern Ireland, there’s not many opportunities for freelancers in my line of work either, simply because people would rather take shortcuts (in the wrong places) but that’s a whole other blog post.
So how do you motivate yourself when you’re basically being told, “We don’t need you.”
Photographer: Sarah Ellis (@herestophoto) // Outfit Details: Headscarf, River Island; Turtleneck, Aviator Jacket, Earrings, Primark; Midi Skirt, Zara; Boots, Dune London //
Photographer: Sarah Ellis (@herestophoto) // Outfit Details: Headscarf, River Island; Turtleneck, Aviator Jacket, Earrings, Primark; Midi Skirt, Zara; Boots, Dune London //
Well, it’s difficult. It’s disheartening to be told that the industry you love just doesn’t appreciate your job title basically. “Anyone can style…” Suddenly you feel inadequate. Imposter Syndrome slips in and I question my own abilities. I might not have a degree in “Fashion Styling” but we live in an era where anyone can be anything when you work hard (and play even harder of course). Gone is the job for life mentality and we know that having a degree means nothing in the creative industry. Industry leaders are self-taught and driven individuals who don’t take no for an answer but they also have unmistakable quality to their work. As I said, anyone can be anything but it is the standard of the work, the quality of the process & final outcome that should take precedences. Those, with this drive and talent, continue to find a way to feed their creativity which is one of my go-to’s for getting back in the game.
TOP 3 TIPS FOR GETTING SOME HEADSPACE
Take a road trip
Escaping to the countryside is one way I like to clear my head. I used to head for home and visit my parents, nowadays, as much as I love a trip home, I’ve sought out the north coast. It is as simple as getting some fresh air with the plus of walking along some of the most beautiful beaches we have on our little island. The adventure helps me organise my thoughts. It gives me the extra space I need physically and mentally. 10/10 Recommend.
Go shopping
Shopping is so incredibly therapeutic. When i’m feeling down, I take myself to the high street and spend my worries away… within reason of course but I honestly get an adrenaline rush from leaving a store with a purchase. It’s how I get my buzz!
Grab a coffee and get creative with someone new.
My life is meetings, coffee and creative things so when I get to collaborate with new people, we meet for a coffee and talk through our ideas. Nothing like a brainstorming session and idea swap to leave you feeling ready to create some kick ass work. Even just being able to talk things through with someone who might understand your position helps gain a better perspective on things.
Photographer: Sarah Ellis (@herestophoto)
10 THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ME
Learn something new about me! I might even surprise you.
Laying the foundations of a long-lasting relationship here with you guys. I don't think I've necessarily made a point of introducing myself and my brand. There's plenty that you guys know already such as my name is Niámh and I've got a huge head of curls but beyond that is a complex lady with so many different interests and experiences to share with you all. I'll not go into all of them now but here is a little insight into what makes me tick.
10 things you probably don't know about me
1. I come from a Family of Four
Just the four of us. Mum, Dad, Aaron & Me. Aaron is 29 and living his best life in New York City. With a four year age difference, we're actually quite close. He played the super protective role quite well in our teens and knows better than anyone how to wind me up. Mum & Dad are probably thee best dressed couple I've set my eyes on. They've got a serious wardrobe, so amazing that when new purchases are made, there are evening fashion shows where everyone can show their new buys. What can I say? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. We are a family of fashion-lovers.
2. I am Mixed Race
I receive questions like "So where are you from?" A diplomatic way of strangers figuring out my ethnicity. Now unless you know my background, I'm always quite shocked at how people might pick it up. Maybe the big head of curls, sallow skin and bright eyes gives them a hint? My lovely father is half Irish - half African. It's complicated. A story that we still don't have the full answer to but am determined to find out. My dad is very fine featured so some just think he's been spending too much time in the sun but it's the genetics of one part of his genetic makeup. I got asked "But why are you white?" after a lovely drunken lady in Filthy's one night, had her sticky fingers running threw my hair. People are curious but at the same time, control yourselves god damn it.
3. I studied BDes Hons Animation at Ulster University
Motivated by Pixar's 'Monster's Inc.' I applied to Ulster University to study Animation. Little did I know that when I got there, it was entirely computer-based. University killed my love of animation. I'm not going to sugar-coat it. It took over your life. You spent your time staring at the computer and damn - I can't even draw anymore but that is the way animation as an industry is going now. Say goodbye to hand-drawn images and hello CGI. So instead of sitting in an office, doing the same task, I decided I'm too much of a people person to actually use my degree. Farewell for now Animation. Maybe I'll come back to you someday but for now, it's full speed ahead in the world of Fashion.
4. I'm originally from a little town called Crossmaglen
I get asked if I'm from Dublin on a regular basis. it makes me so happy that people in Belfast can still hear a more southern twang off my accent because when I go home, I've also been asked "Where are from?" and openly mocked with your stereotypical Belfast accent. Well I, am from Crossmaglen. A town sitting in South Armagh, just one hour from Dublin and obsessed with GAA. It was such a huge part of my life until essentially, I moved up to Belfast but it's always amazing to get home to that special feeling of community.
5. I'm not a natural Blonde
OK - Some of you will be like "Duh!" and some will be like "WHAT?". I've been getting highlights in my hair that long that even I started to think it was natural but that amount of bleach takes it toll, so I've decided to go for a more au naturale look. Of course, my head of blonde curls is my signature look but sometimes, you have to pull away the extras and just be at one with what God gave you. Saying that, you know in a couple of month's I'll probably be back to bright again.
6. I'm an Introverted Extrovert
I feel like a lot of us probably are. There's times when all I want to do is socialise. To be in an environment where I can chat and meet new people and then there's times where that is my worst nightmare. The latter is sitting at home by myself, in my own space. More importantly, in my own headspace. There's days I won't say hello to you in the street and there's days I'll have made a bee line to get to you just to say hi. I'll lie about not feeling well to get out of calling round when really, I'm fine but I can't bring myself to leave my house. It kind of goes hand in hand with anxiety but as we all know, there's good days and there's bad days. We just have to take them one by one.
7. I used to be a musician
Currently getting flashbacks of thirteen year old Niámh running for the bus with her art folder, viola case and PE bag. Involved in so many extra-curricular activities that Siobhan was going to lose her marbles but honestly I loved them all until they started taking over her weekends as well. But back to the main point, your girl was a musician. It started with Tin Whistle and progressed to Viola, Piano and Fiddle. I was hitting classes hard until I opted into GCSE Art & well, that was all my extra time gone. To this day, i still regret giving up a lot of things especially when I venture around my attic and find my instruments. Maybe I'll keep them for a rainy day. They’re too special to let go of.
8. I made it to final call backs for BINTM
Something I hadn't told many people because my parents had taught me to say nothing and remain humble on opportunities that might come my way. Nothing is ever definite but this was super cool. I auditioned first in Edinburgh and received a call back. Within a week I was on Oxford Street in London on Dec 18th 2012. Even just to make it to this point was awesome since auditions had taken place all over the UK & Ireland, sadly, it wasn't to be. Thank God I had learned to take everything with a pinch of salt. That's the industry we're in. We got to have thick skin.
9. I am a huge romantic
TBH I don't really have a lot to say about this. It is what it is. It's not all about the huge gestures but the little thoughtful ones that make me melt. If you're happy and in love, well then I AM CHEERING FOR YOU!
10. MY Next step: presenting
Stick a camera in front of me and let's do this. Just another job opportunity I want to add to my roster. As a content creator, I feel I have to make the push to YouTube but there's something about YouTube that still doesn't motivate me to create. As always, I like to work as a team to create. In an ideal world, I would have my show with a team of talented folk who love what they do and we would just go for it. I have my idea, but how do i take that first step? Something I'm still trying to figure out. All in due course.
And there you go, 10 Things that brings you a bit closer to understanding Niámh. I can't believe I've sat and wrote all that. Usually I get pretty distracted with anything of this length but heh - I stuck it out and so did you. Now I'm going to treat myself with a cup of tea and some homemade nachos.
Laters,
N. xo.
WELCOME TO MY WORLD
Figuring out my way in an ever-changing digital world. Do-Over!
Photographer: Daniel Anthony (@mrdanielanthony)
Photographer: Daniel Anthony (@mrdanielanthony)
Let’s try this again…
An endless cycle to starting and restarting. Doing & redoing. I’m starting to think I have a bit of OCD but in reality, I’m just a perfectionist who can never settle on the one way of doing things. I’m also never happy with my outcome so my creativity is also an endless cycle of creating & deeming my work unsuitable for the outside world.
To vlog or blog? Should I continue to write? I love to write. I wouldn’t call myself a writer but this is a way of getting my thoughts and ideas out of my head, to make sense of it all. I had stopped my creative writing as one of my recent Instagram Polls resulted in the public voting “nah” on actually reading them. Lately I’ve let my audience influence the majority of what I’m posting on my channels - am I happy with it all - in all honesty probably not. I feel like I’m just keeping up appearance sometimes. “I have to…” is creeping up a lot more in my vocabulary.
This creative rut calls for an escape. I’m thinking to the North coast. I need to surround myself in nature and clear my head. As Troy & Gabriella said… “This could be the start of something new!” I don’t even care that I just quoted High School Musical - so there! Seeking inspiration from Disney films, its just how I live my life. Fingers crossed guys, third time lucky with a new blog.
Laters, N.
Tues 13th Nov // 20:41
Photographer: Daniel Anthony (@mrdanielanthony)