Delphi Mountain Resort & Spa in County Galway, Ireland
Julie Register visited this adventure spa in October 2003

The Concept
Delphi Mountain Resort & Spa opened in 2001 as a destination for people to come and let nature rejuvenate them. It was an upscale addition to the Delphi Adventure Centre which had been in operation for 22 years. Delphi is located on 300 acres of forested land in a remote, steep-sided glaciated valley. It is surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes and the inlets and beaches of Killary Harbour - some of the most beautiful countryside I've seen. The area surrounding Delphi abounds with wildlife - dolphins, puffins, seals, otters, cormorants, wild duck and herons, foxes badgers, hares, pine martens, grouse woodcock, wild goats, etc. and the ever-present red- and blue-dotted sheep. Services at Delphi Mountain Resort & Spa were designed to create a finely-tuned balance between mind and body by combining fitness and activities with relaxation and spa treatments. 

The Building
The Delphi building appears to have sprouted from the ground. Architect Frank Ennis designed the contemporary structure to exist in harmony with its surroundings and provided generous windows to bring the outdoors in. The roof was designed as a stepping stone between the enclosed spaces inside and the valley outside. It is based on a series of flowing, undulating curves, echoing the surrounding valley. Local materials and techniques were used throughout the building. Design elements of dolmens and portal tombs are common in the area. Dry stone walling is found in the Health Suite. Treatment rooms are based on monk's beehive cells. Circular motifs, large stone members and cave-like passages and spaces reinforce the connection to man's ancient past. Natural turf fires burn in the fireplaces. The lodge is furnished with simple, elegant forms and natural textures intended to complement the natural surroundings and emphasize warmth and comfort. Storm-felled timber is used. Ancient Celtic tree lore associates various trees with their own ethereal and magical properties. Each loft bedroom suite is themed in its own timber - oak, ash, beech, elm, etc with complementary fabrics and furnishings.

The Spa
The Spa was designed as a medium through which an individual may experience and absorb the enormous cleansing power of nature which surrounds Delphi. The Spa is located just off the lobby. It includes separate men's and women's locker rooms and a lovely health suite overlooking the Mweelrea mountain range with lounge area, steam room, sauna, showers and a large whirlpool. Large windows capture the unfolding drama of the valley outside - from dark and brooding and stormy to lush, verdant and inspiring. A stone-walled hallway connects the large wet area with treatment rooms. There are four permanent treatment rooms including a wet treatment room and a hydrotherapy treatment room along with six temporary treatment rooms. Ten new treatment rooms are being planned in a future spa expansion. On the second floor, there is also an aerobic dance studio and yoga room. Other facilities at Delphi include an indoor sports hall, tennis courts, a 50 foot high ropes course and walking and riding trails. 

Spa Treatments include:

• Massage (Full Body, Back, Hot Stone Therapy, Aromatherapy, Sports & Fitness, Healing combined with Reiki, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, Abhyanga)

• Complementary Therapies (Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu Back Massage, Thermo-Auricular Therapy (Hopi Ear Candles), Stress Management, Reiki

• Body Treatments (Marine Algae Body Wrap, Enzymatic Sea Mud Wrap, Cryotherpay, Body Therapy Hyro Pack, Body Exfoliation, Thalgo Body Scrub, Marine Prelude

• Personalised Skin Care (Dermalogica Prescriptive Facial, Dermalogica Facial Treatment, Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Treatment, Thalgo O2 Marine Facial, Thalgo Aromatherapy Essential Facial, Thalgo Collagen Velvet Mask Facial, Thalgo Facial Treatment)

• Balneotherapy/Hydrotherapy (Seaweed Bath, Remineralising Detox Bath, Essential Oil Hydrotherapy Bath, Toxic Relief Oil Bath)

• Hand and Foot Care (Mini Spa Manicure, Mini Spa Pedicure, Luxury Spa Manicure, Luxury Spa Pedicure)

• Fitness / Weight Management: Private Consultations (Health & Lifestyle Appraisal, Weight Management Consultation, Fitness Assessment, Personal Training)

I took full advantage of the time I had at Delphi. I enjoyed the wet area by relaxing in a lounge chair overlooking the mountains, using the steam and sauna and soaking in the large whirlpool while watching the sun set. I also enjoyed three spa treatments - reflexology, a facial and Hopi ear candling.

My first treatment was reflexology. It was fifty-five minutes of pedi-bliss. I relaxed on the treatment table while Kim, my therapist, took a look at my feet. She read each foot like a fortune teller reading tea leaves - the bunion meant one thing, the bump on top of my foot meant another, and the blister on the side of my foot was due to an over-active mind, not sandals that fit poorly. The things she said all rang true - especially the over-active mind. I call it "Busy Brain," and it is brought on by too much to do / too little time or too much caffeine - all of which I was experiencing at the time. She then started to work on my right foot. She explained what areas of the body corresponded to the reflex points of the foot. By stimulating these reflex points, she was stimulating the body's self-healing mechanism. She moved on to the left foot in silence and allowed me to completely relax. I have had foot reflexology treatments many times, but I enjoyed this the most.

My second treatment was a 55-minute Dermalogica Facial with Karen. Through a series of steps, my face was cleaned and brightened. I find facials very relaxing and usually lose track of what's going on during them as I zone out. Karen reconstructed the steps - Cleanse (Essential Cleansing Solution), deep cleanse (Daily Microfoliant), massage with oil, mask (MultiVitamin Power Recover Masque), booster (Gentle Soothing Booster) and moisturizer (Skin Smoothing Cream). 

My last treatment was a 55-minute Thermo-Auricula Therapy (Hopi Ear Candles). Biosun ear candles are made of pure beeswax, honey extract and herbs such as Sage, St. John's Wort, Chamomile and pure essential oils. They work by creating a light suction action (chimney effect). The movement of the flame creates a vibration of air in the ear candle that generates a massage-like effect on the eardrum. I was instructed to lie on my side on the treatment table. My therapist, Ruth, lit a candle and gently inserted the unlighted end in my outer ear. I could hear low crackling and hissing sounds. There was a pleasant feeling of warmth. The candle burned down for about 10 minutes, then it was removed. The procedure was repeated on the other side. The process was relaxing, and it cleaned some gunk from my ears. Ear candling is said to restore the balance of pressure in the ears, forehead and sinuses  and is helpful for earache, headache, ear noise, stress and nervousness.

The Rooms
All 22 guest rooms have private bathrooms, are centrally heated, have direct dial telephones, hair dryer, hot drink making facilities, robe and slippers, and either a window balcony or patio with stunning views of the mountains. Televisions are not supplied in the bedrooms as Delphi believes a more relaxing stay can be had without them. However, they can be provided if requested. Suites with a loft bedroom and downstairs living room are also available. 

The Cuisine
The Café / Bar, located on the second floor, serves drinks, coffee and smoothies and is a great place to meet and chat. The Peregrine Restaurant, also on the second floor, offers intimate, elegant and contemporary dining with views of the Mweelrea mountain range. Chef Mark Kilner's food was fabulous - seasonal specialties that showcased local ingredients. Watercress is picked in the nearby streams and wild chanterelles from the nearby forests. The lobster, mussels and langoustines come from Killary Harbour and wild blackberries from nearby fields. Herbs and vegetables that the West of Ireland can't provide are grown in Delphi's own greenhouses. 

The dinner menus offered vegetarian and healthy option choices such as:

• Homemade hummus with roasted eggplant caviar, sun-dried tomato pesto and crisp cracker

• Crisp asparagus, Parma ham and parmesan bundles with pickled red onions and rocket salad (can be served without the ham)

• Skinless chicken breast marinated in yoghurt coriander and ginger with lime scented couscous and tomato mousse

• Lightly smoked wild salmon with mustard spatzle, sautéed York cabbage, roasted red pepper, mango and olive salsa

None of the desserts would make the healthy eating list, but they were magnificent.

Breakfast offered a continental buffet, full Irish Breakfast, chef's breakfast special, hot porridge with raisins, juice and smoothies. Lunch offered soup, sandwiches, salads, pizza, and excellent Killary Bay Seafood Chowder (a personal favorite) and homemade brown bread (another personal favorite).

The Activities
Delphi offers over 25 activities. The activities and mind/body classes available each day are posted on a schedule board in the lobby. Classes are normally booked the prior evening. As I mentioned earlier, I took full advantage of all Delphi had to offer in the time I had available. Shortly after I arrived, I took a late afternoon relaxation class with Kenneth Ryan in the Yoga Studio. Kenneth led us through relaxation and visualization techniques. It was a great way to get introduced to Delphi. Here are some other activities I tried:

• Killary Fjord Discovery Boat Trip - Captain Ed and Frank toured us around Killary Harbour, the only fjord in Ireland. Frank talked about the history of the area and showed us abandoned cottages and potato ridges from the Great Famine high on hillsides. He talked about how the harbor was used during the Second World War. He talked about the salmon and mussel farms in the harbor. It was very interesting and the scenery was beautiful.

• Nature Walk - The other walkers and I met Mick in the lobby for our early morning walk in the hills behind Delphi. Mick talked about the flora of the area (there are three types of insect-eating plants in the area!), the soil, peat, etc. The sunrise was spectacular. There are lots of independent and guided walking and hiking opportunities at Delphi - easy strolls along quiet roads and paths, coastal walks, as well as some of the best hill walking and climbing in Europe (the Mweelrea, the Twelve Bens and the Maumturk Mountains). Walks can also be arranged on the nearby islands, inhabited and deserted, including Inishbofin, Inishturk and Clare Island.

• Yoga Shankara  - The system of yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and encourages life with greater self-discipline based on the tenets of simple living and high thinking. The five main principles of Yoga are: proper exercise, proper breathing, Proper relaxation, proper diet, positive thinking and meditation. According to Kenneth, through practice of ancient postures, the body is steadied with the intent to stay the mind and thereby harness one's Prana/Vital Energy to channel it in evolving one's path through life. While yoga at Delphi is based on Hatha Yoga, Kenneth has combined study from three Indian schools of yoga for the practice at Delphi: Kaivalyadhama Yogic Hospital/Nature Cure Centre (Gently limbers up the body through the use of remedial postures and movements, in preparation for eventual practice of the classical yoga postures); Yoga Sreekanth / Vrkala Scientific School (focuses on perfect practice of the classical postures given one's intent to reap the physiological benefits); and Yoga Sivananda / Sivananda Ashram (also involves the practice of the classical postures. Its aim is to inspire vibrant health then transcending the body and stilling the mind in its realization of both body and mind as vehicles of the soul).

• Delphi Chi - Kenneth walked me through basic tai chi instruction but was not strict about the form. He encouraged me to find my own "dance." It was more important that the movements were performed in a relaxed manner. Emphasis was on grace and flowing balance of the form. Breath should flow naturally as inspired by the movements. Practice with total awareness, mind watching the body, connected to the deeper chi energy through the breath. Body, mind and spirit - a synchronized flow through moving meditation.

Other activities offered while I was there (but didn't have time to try) include: kayaking, rock tower, and the high ropes course.

The Programs

Delphi offers two separate but complementary programs, the Health Spa programs and the Great Outdoor option. 

The Health Spa Programs emphasize rejuvenation and a broadly based approach to health encompassing and balancing three main areas to achieve a more finely tuned balance between mind and body:

1. Active, Fit and Fun (Power Walk, Gentle Walk, Hill Walk, Step & Tone Aerobics, High Energy - Lo Impact Aerobics, Biking, Kayaking, Wake Up & Stretch, Aerobic Circuit Weights, Canoeing, Dancing, Hiking, Relax & Unwind, Strength Training)

2. Mind/Body - Striking a Balance (Tai Chi, Yoga, Meditation)

3. Pampering Treatments (Massage, Complementary Therapies, Body Treatments, Personalised Skin Care, Balneotherapy/Hydrotherapy, Hand and Foot Care)

There packages are available with a variety of program lengths - 24 hours, weekend, 2-night, 3-night, 4-night and 7 night.

• Go as You Please Breaks include accommodation, some meals, full use of facilities including Health Suite (steam room, sauna, whirlpool). 

• Fully Inclusive Health Spa Programmes include: accommodation; meals (breakfast, lunch and 4 course dinner); unlimited use of all facilities ( steam room, sauna, whirlpool, tennis courts, exercise rooms, yoga room); activity programme (Having Fun / Staying Fit plus Mind/Body Programme and 25 optional Outdoor Adventure Activities ); treatments (number depends on length of stay - must be booked prior to arrival!). 

• Spa Indulgence Breaks include accommodation, breakfast, dinner, treatments, Mind/Body classes, full use of facilities including Health Suite (steam room, sauna, whirlpool) 

• Relax & Destress includes aromatherapy massage, sound wave therapy (2 sessions), reflexology or foot treatment, Indian head massage, enzymatic sea mud wrap, back massage, relaxation including yoga, tai chai, meditation, nature walks andd Qi Gong (stretching and breathing).

     Spa day packages are also offered:

• Top to Toe (9am - 5pm): Welcome, introduction tour and programme planning; 1 back massage, 1 25 min facial, 1 body treatment or body exfoliant, 1 balneotherapy, relaxation class (yoga, tai chi), use of health suite (steam room, sauna, whirlpool), buffet luncheon, tea and coffee, complimentary use of robe, sessions / classes from Having fun / staying Fit programme i.e. organized walk

• Health Spa Day (9am - 5pm): Welcome, introduction tour and programme planning; 1 25-min massage, 1 balneotherapy, use of health suite (steam room, sauna, whirlpool), buffet luncheon, tea and coffee, complimentary use of robe, sessions / classes from Having fun / staying Fit programme i.e. organized walk

• Delphi Taster: treatment of your choice (55 min), use of health suite (steam room, sauna, whirlpool), buffet luncheon, tea and coffee, complimentary use of robe

• Sunday Afternoon Revitaliser: treatment of your choice (55 min), use of health suite (steam room, sauna, whirlpool), smoothie or fresh fruit, complimentary use of robe

The Great Outdoor Option is a separate program from the health spa option but you can combine both. Enjoy guided sailing, surfing, rock climbing, canoeing, abseiling, water skiing, dolphin watching, walking (from mountains to gentle coastal walks), biking, 50 foot ropes course. 

• Fully Inclusive Great Outdoors Programme Multi-Activity & Adventure includes accommodation, meals, unlimited use of all facilities, choice of over 25 activities

     Adventure day packages are also offered:

• Great Outdoors Adventure Day (9am - 5pm) Includes: welcome and introduction to the facilities, instruction and fully supervised Adventure Activities (25 available), use of health suite (steam room, sauna, whirlpool), buffet luncheon, tea and coffee

Delphi Adventure Holidays are based at the Delphi Centre and are intended for those seeking adventure on a budget. 

Personal Development is available for individuals and groups throughout the year with Open Courses, designed to help you realize your potential, Including: Empowerment, Confidence, Extending Horizons (your comfort zone), Assertiveness, Interpersonal Skills and Managing Stress.