Anne Sémonin at The Angsana Spa

 

Synopsis

The Angsana Spa at The Brehon has introduced the celebrity worshipped range of facials from Anne Sémonin.  This Parisian haute-couture beauty brand is a pioneer in the concept of “made to measure” beauty, Anne Sémonin specialises in customised skincare, carefully combining trace elements and essential oils to cater for the demands of every skin. Using only natural active ingredients at their maximum authorised concentrations, the products are formulated using state-of-the-art skincare science, blending traditional remedies and ingredients with new technology and formulations. Celebrity fans of Anne Sémonin include Cheryl Cole, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Dita Von Teese, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sharon Stone and Eve Longoria.  

The Philosophy

The centre of the Anne Sémonin philosophy is the understanding that each individual is unique and has different needs that change from day to day. Customers are provided with a made-to-measure experience using the range of beauty products to provide the perfect solution for everyone.

The History

The company was founded nearly 25 years ago by Madame Anne Sémonin. As a pioneer in combining trace elements and essential oils, Madame Sémonin’s belief that the most effective beauty products and treatments are based on a combination of a personal, made to measure prescription and a holistic approach remain the touch stone of the Anne Sémonin brand today. Aline Marcadet became president of the company in 1983. It was Aline’s mission to develop L’Experience Anne Sémonin creating a luxurious collection of spa treatments and products for the face and body which are designed to be combined so each individual can find their own beauty prescription according to the needs of their skin and lifestyle, just as Madame Sémonin intended. Anne Sémonin continues to combine the best of concentrated essential oils and trace elements, together with the use of neurocosmetics and cryotherapy to enhance each individual’s daily beauty regime.

The Products

Because every skin is unique, Anne Sémonin products are designed to be combined in a way that enables each and every woman to find her own personal beauty “prescription”, according to the needs of her skin, her lifestyle, or special circumstances. The full range for face and body encompasses, in addition to intensive complexes of essential oils and trace elements, milks and toners, serums, creams, masks, powders and oils for bath and massage.

The Treatments

Enjoy L’Expérience Anne Sémonin, with our collection of massages and treatments for face and body. A luxurious made-to-measure programme with a wide range of treatments designed for your well being.

Products of outstanding quality, ultra-professional protocols and exceptional diversity have established the reputation of Anne Sémonin treatments over the past 20 years. Designed for both men and women, they maintain and replenish the youthful beauty of face and body while promoting well-being, relaxation, balance and positive results.

To Book

For further information visit www.thebrehon.com  To book your treatment Tel 064 6623980 or email angsanaspa@thebrehon.com

Celebrities

Cheryl Cole

Cheryl is a huge fan of the Eye Express and Express Radiance Ice Cubes and has regular ice cube facials.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

The French first lady’s favourite facial is the bespoke L’Expérience Anne Sémonin at Le Bristol Spa. She also uses the Anne Sémonin Precious Serum and Anne Sémonin Dheanne Cream.

Dita Von Teese

The international icon declared to the press that her daily beauty routine is the Anne Sémonin Exfoliating Mask.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Loves the Anne Sémonin Mineral Mask.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Uses the Anne Sémonin Eye Express Radiance Ice Cubes.

Sharon Stone

Is an avid fan of the Express Radiance Ice Cubes.

Eve Longoria Parker

The popular American actress is a fan of the Eye Express Radiance Ice Cubes.

Other celebrity fans:

Natalia Vodianova, Princess Karolina of Monaco, Paloma Picasso, Céline Dion, Brad Pitt, George Clooney

Bruce Willis and Grace Kelly

10 Things to Do in Killarney in The Rain

This summer is officially a wash-out.  I don't know if the rain is ever going to stop.  In fact, I feel like Noah & I'm going to build an ark.  But do you know what, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!  Here is my list of 10 things to do in Killarney even though it’s bucketing down.

1.       Get those kids out from under your feet & get them into the free Kids Club in our sister hotel, The Gleneagle.  There they can do arts & crafts, parachute games, egg & spoon races, or play on the bouncy castle.

2.       Bored teenagers? Try the Teen Zone at The Gleneagle Hotel, again open to our guests. They can hang out with teenagers their own age and lounge around on bean bags playing computer games, play table football, go on cinema trips, indoor soccer & hockey, quiz nights & basically scuff someone else’s furniture that is not yours!

3.       Can’t get out for that walk? Killarney has so much indoor activities it’s amazing.  Try rock climbing at Play at the Height, swim in the 25 metre pool or try a spinning class at the Gleneagle next door or burn off some energy in our Gym.

4.       Get under that duvet, turn on our block buster movies & order up popcorn, Pringles & chocolates from our room service & chillax. It’s a known fact that calories consumed whilst under a duvet do not exist.  Really!

5.       Book a couple's massage & unwind in our spa.  Gorge on tropical fruits, sip ginger tea & enjoy bubble bliss in our Jacuzzi. It may not have the suns of Thailand but it is a taste of Thailand.

6.       Get shopping! Killarney Outlet Centre has loads of shops all under cover & with our discount voucher book you can save loads.  Killarney has a ginourmous Tesco’s, Marks and Sparks, Boots, Dorothy Perkins, New Look & much more & you will only get wet going from your car to the threshold.  It’s do-able.

7.       Hoist yourself up on a bar seat in The Brehon Bar & sample our cocktail menu.  Start with a mojito, swing by a cosmopolitan & end with The Brehon Cocktail. The rain might not have stopped but by the end of that you won’t know it’s raining.

8.       Killarney is steeped in history.  Muckross House welcomed Queen Victoria in 1861 to stay & Ross Castle was built in the 15^th century & you can do a guided tour of both for a small pittance.  And guess what, both these places have roofs!

9.       Pretend to be posh & order our scrumptious afternoon tea.  Curl up by our open fires, get a good book (I have heard 50 Shades of Grey is good!) and feast on mini desserts, yummy sandwiches & tasty bites.  Jolly good ol’ chap!

10.   Lastly, buy a rain jacket & get out there.  We have a National Park on our doorstep & we hide from drops of rain.  No one can melt in the rain.  We are rust proof.  So don that coat & go see Torc Waterfall, The Gap of Dunloe or the Lakes of Killarney!

Donagh Davern Appointed Regional General Manager Of The Gleneagle Group

Donagh Davern Appointed Regional General Manager

Of The Gleneagle Group

The Gleneagle Group, based in Killarney, has announced the appointment of Donagh Davern to the role of Regional General Manager. Donagh will be responsible for a number of properties within the group, including The Brehon, and will join the group’s Senior Management Team.

Donagh has over 20 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, most recently in Cork, where he was Chairman of the Cork branch of the Irish Hotels Federation.

He has been responsible for a number of prestige properties including The Kingsley Hotel Group, The Heritage Golf and Spa Resort and The Killarney Park Hotel.

“I am thrilled to be joining The Gleneagle Group. My entire career has been spent in the hospitality industry and I look forward to continuing this tradition by providing ‘best in class’ services to The Gleneagle Group’s current and future customers,” says Donagh.

The Gleneagle Group represents a selection of Ireland’s best known and most highly regarded hotel, entertainment and holiday destinations including The Gleneagle Hotel and Apartments, The INEC, The Brehon, Scotts Hotel and The Travel Inn in Killarney as well as The Maritime Hotel in Bantry.

 “We are very excited to welcome Donagh to the Group,” says Patrick O’Donoghue, Managing Director of The Gleneagle Group. “Not only will he bring a tighter focus to customer service, but will also will be a great role model for our employees and further strengthen the relationship with all our stakeholders.”

Christmas In Killarney

Well it that time of year again. I was walking through town last week and saw one of Killarneys famous horses with a bright red nose, no it wasn't because he forgot his hat or was in need of a lemsip. It was one of Killarney's many events going on over Christmas.

The christmas in Killarney brochure is jam packed this year. As a father myself I would have to say its great to be able to ramble around town on an afternoon and have reindeer in one corner, sleigh rides (with our above mentioned horse) going on all around us and of course the mountains of sweets and various types of candy available along the streets (for the kids of course).

Also there is a number of great concerts and functions going on over the Christmas period. There are some fantastic Irish bands playing over the festive period from Imelda May to The Saw Doctors and to kick of the New Year in mysterious fashion Keith Barry will be paying us a visit. Also for the kids Bob the Builder will be popping along to show demonstrate how to do those all important home improvements!

Santa will be calling to us on christmas eve and we have a long chimney so our chefs will be putting out an extra helping of cookies for the man in the big red suit. Also the chefs here at the Brehon have some wonderful homemade Jams and Christmas Puddings available at the reception. I have personally tested them all and I can confirm they are simply delicious!

I wish you all a very happy & warm Christmas and a delightful & prosperous new year.

Best of Seasons Wishes

Danny McClure 

Guest Relations Manager

Christmas Tasty Tips from The Brehon

 

By Head Chef Mike Hayes

Here at the Brehon kitchen, preparations for our Christmas menus started quite a few weeks ago.

From pudding basins to jam jars, our team of chefs have been busying themselves with their annual tasks of soaking fruits, making preserves and relishes, and generously pouring the liquor over our rich, fruity Christmas Puddings.

It is our pleasure to lend a hand to our blog followers in their efforts this Christmas, and our team of chefs, led by head chef Mike Hayes present you with these tips to make this Christmas a special one for you and yours.

The Starter

We all know what happens after Christmas dinner. After eating the equivalent of a small Victorian banquet, plonked on the sofa, unable to even reach for the remote, we are left pondering that same old question as last year- Why did I have that second bowl of trifle?

With this in mind it is sensible to keep your Christmas Day starter as light an easy as possible.

Seafood is always a popular choice as a prequel to the annual turkey roast, and whether you decide on smoked salmon, delicious Irish crab meat or fresh local prawns, for even the most unadventurous of home-cooks, it’s hard to go wrong. As a great alternative to those frozen supermarket shrimp from the North Sea, how about calling to your local fishmonger in the run up to Christmas, and ordering a kilo or two of fresh Irish prawns. Your fishmonger will do all the shelling for you, leaving you with the simple task of blanching the prawns in some salted boiling water, chilling in ice-water, then tossing them in the dressing of your choice.

The Roast

The turkey is probably the part of the Christmas meal that causes the chef the most stress.

Timings and checking the doneness of the bird can be quite tricky, and this can result in an over or undercooked turkey.

Why not take the stress out of the day and ask your butcher to bone out your turkey. Have your butcher stuff and tie the legs, leaving you with a much quicker and easier task on Christmas Day.

Because the legs will take a little longer to cook, wrap them in foil and place them in a pre-heated oven at 180°C for about 2.5 hours.

The breast will cook far quicker than a whole bird and will result in far moister and juicier meat.

Brush the meat with a little butter and season with sea salt and black pepper before roasting at 180°C. The general rule of thumb for cooking poultry is 20 minutes per pound weigh, so if the breast is 4lb weight it should be cooked in 80-90 minutes.

The Pudding

Here at the Brehon we love our Christmas pudding. Over the course of the month our team will steam over 1000 plum puddings for 3 ½ - 4 hours.

The method is simple but it is important to follow the steps carefully.

Using quality dried fruits is essential to the success of your pudding, and good quality liquor provides a richness of taste that will not go unnoticed.

Soak the fruits for at least a day before making your pudding.

The important points to remember are as follows: cream the butter and sugar well, add the eggs slowly to the mixture to avoid curdling, and cover well to avoid steam getting into your pud.

Plum Pudding Recipe ( makes 1 2lb pudding)

100g Raisins

50g Sultanas

50g Dry Cranberries

50g Mixed Peel

50ml Dark Rum

65g Butter

50g Brown Sugar

1 Orange Zest

40g Breadcrumbs

20g Plain Flour

20g Self-Raising Flour

1 Tspn Mixed Spice

The Brehon Christmas Tree Party in aid of St Vincent De Paul

The Brehon Christmas Tree Party

In aid of St Vincent de Paul

Thursday, December 8 at 5pm

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at The Brehon, Killarney where they are currently putting the finishing touches on their magnificent thirty-foot-tall Christmas Tree.

Santa Claus will take time out from his busy schedule to visit the hotel for a special party on Thursday, December 8 at 5pm when he will turn on the Christmas lights.

Children big and small are invited to attend The Brehon Christmas Tree Party to meet Santa and to see the giant tree for themselves. There will be tasty treats and lots of surprises in store.    

The Brehon Christmas Tree party is being organised in aid of St Vincent De Paul and anyone who wishes to donate to this worthy cause can bring new or unused toys to The Brehon on December 8 or make a cash donation on the day.

For further information contact The Brehon on 064 6630700.