It's a long way from the bog to relaxation!

The sign over the door simply says temple. To me, that means a place of worship, well if that's the case Temple Country Retreat and Spa near Horseleap is worshipping at the altar of wellness and relaxation. Things started off great with the sun shining gloriously as I made my up the long snaking avenue, and Elbow's anthem Beautiful Day playing in the background, I started to breathe and wind down and I hadn't even stepped inside the door yet! Greeted at the friendly reception, I was then brought to a luxurious lounge decorated in gorgeous earthy tones where I met Head Therapist Tanya Brudell, who filled me in on what I could expect from my treatment before giving me a tour of the fantastic premises, which also encompasses a beautiful restaurant, yoga studio, vitality suite and extensive grounds for guided walks, biking and other activities. At Temple, they believe wellbeing is a natural state of health and wholeness. To help you find your way back to wellbeing, they provide some of the good things in life, like fresh air, good food, gentle exercise, space and time. It's time to yourself and space of your own to rediscover 'you' Tanya explains, before introducing me to Cathrina Mulligan for my Naturalmoor Peat massage treatment and Booster Mini Facial. Now like people of a certain vintage I spent many a back breaking day on the bog harvesting turf, so it's quite comical that today I'm going to relax my sore muscles with the aid of peat! The world really has turned on its head, methinks as I allow myself a little giggle at irony of it all. The winner of the Innovation Award for Temple Spa at the Irish Tatler Spa Awards last year, Naturalmoor is a tried and trusted therapeutic treatment which actually uses pure black peat found in the high moors of Germany for a completely natural, simple and relaxing treatment. The way it works is that the heated peat pack is placed on treatment table and I lie on it and my back brushes with it. It's a lovely feeling as the heat of the pack just radiates out right over your back, neck and upper body. While I'm enjoying that Cathrina is really adding to the process with a exquisite massage of the front of my legs, arms and feet - absolutely blissful! Afterwards, I moved to lie on my tummy as the peat pack is then placed on my back. By now, I could feel the benefits of the heat as it relaxed my back and shoulder muscles to fantasic effect. Cathrina said the peat also has fantastic natural properties to draw out any impurities in the back and aid the relaxation vibe, before she removed the packs to iron out the many, many knots in my back with an invigorating massage. Cathrina really had to work hard, there was a lot of tension and stress in my back and shoulders but she was definitely up to task. Basking in the snoozy relaxation of the Naturalmoor Massage, a treatment I would have no qualms about recommending, I then took advantage of the second treatment on offer, a Booster Mini Facial, something which is being offered with a regular manicure for €50 as a Mother's Day special until May 31. That gift would definitely be welcomed by the mammies of Ireland! Using the renowned Yon-ka products, this 25 minute treatment is designed to put the spring back in my skin, all needed to combat the recent wind and the effects of the pre-Lenten chocolate and sweet binge. The botanical beauty encounter includes a double cleanse of the skin with hot towels to get rid of all the gunk, and that's everything! A soft peeling exfoliation mask is then expertly applied while Cathrina gives me a soft head massage. After a few minutes off comes the mask and on goes a cooling eye cream and moisturiser with a lovely facial massage. A glance at my face afterwards makes me look twice, I look clean and surprisingly refreshed and relaxed. That's good going considering all that led up to my visit was the complete opposite of that! Then it was off to the Quiet Room for some 'me time' to bask in comfortable loungers listening to classical music on my headphones and read the bible that is US Vogue. I could stay here forever, but unfortunately all good things come to an end and my cocoon of relaxation has to make way for reality. It's amazing I was just a few miles from Athlone and Moate, but the Temple retreat feels like a faraway visit to another world, one that deserves a return visit. All Temple packages also include use of the vitality pool, gym, sauna, steam room, foot baths and experience showers and a daily programme of guided walks, yoga, biking and relaxation classes. For further information call 057 9335118 or check www.templespa.ie for details of all the fantastic current special offers including a half day spa escape with two treatments for €95, and major discounts on all residential packages.