Mindfulness has been a thing for quite some time now, linked to people’s wellbeing and mental health.

It is all about living in the present, letting go of past worries and not allowing concerns about the future affect current feelings of calm and acceptance. In other words, mindfulness is all about learning how to feel happier and cope better with the stresses of life.

Finding things that help us relax, respond to challenges in a healthier way and feel at peace with ourselves.

Often, mindfulness can be easier in quieter places where there is less to distract us and tranquil, lovely surroundings to enjoy.

This is where Roundwood House can really come into its own. The glorious countryside that surrounds the house, not to mention the beautiful garden, friendly local animal population and peaceful library all offer ideal locations and ways to practise mindfulness away from the hurly burly of everyday life.

Meditations on nature

Nature offers so much material for meditation exercises. In good weather, you can meditate outside, breathing in the scents of nearby flowers and listening to the birdsong and gentle hum of bees.

By engaging all the senses, you employ your brain, rather than let it drift back to worrying about problems, challenges and to-do lists back home. Take a few breaths to centre yourself, get comfortable and focus on what you can see, hear, feel and smell all around you.

You can also do this while walking in the woods or Slieve Bloom mountains for an ever-changing set of stimuli to guide your thoughts.

Cloud spotting

This is a great way not only to reconnect with nature, but to look up at the sky to see beautiful sights that we can often miss during our daily lives. Clouds are constantly changing, forming patterns and creating shapes in the sky that, with a little bit of imagination, can be likened to familiar objects and animals.

Take time to lay on the ground, perhaps in Roundwood House’s secluded, peaceful garden – and see what clouds you can spot.

Watch as they drift across the sky and disappear.

Do this at different times of the day to enjoy the changing light and sky scenes as the day moves towards dusk and sunset. You could repeat the exercise when the stars come out too, so long as you wrap up against the night breezes.

Get lost in a book

If you would prefer to practise mindfulness indoors, or if the weather is less than ideal, the Roundwood House library is an ideal spot to get lost in a book. There are many titles to choose from, and comfortable chairs to curl up in. You can even order afternoon tea to enjoy during your reading session.

You don’t have to look at a book to enjoy the library. It is a quiet space to simply sit and meditate, or think about the lovely things you have done, or would like to do during your stay in Ireland.

However you choose to be mindful this Spring and Summer, Roundwood House is the ideal place to help you enjoy better mental wellbeing and a stronger, positive outlook for the weeks and months ahead.

If you want to find out more about Roundwood House or want to contact us about availability please use the form HERE

You can also check us out on our social media pages here:

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Roundwood House offers nature lovers the perfect location this spring for a spot of wildlife watching.

It is situated in the middle of 18 acres of native woodland that is teeming with local flora and fauna.

The House is also within easy reach of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, which are home to an expansive nature reserve full of trees and flowers, not to mention numerous majestic birds of prey.

How to go wildlife watching

There are so many different options for wildlife fans to immerse themselves in nature at Roundwood House this spring and summer.

From woodland walks around the local area to birdwatching in the mountains.

There are also plenty of animals and birds waiting to give visitors a warm welcome inside the grounds of Roundwood House.

These include cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hens, ducks and a rooster named Brewster who specialises in providing the last word in early morning alarm calls.

The team can also give recommendations on where to look for flora and fauna.

There are never any guarantees that you will see specific birds or animals, nor that the Irish weather will be in your favour, but your chances will increase if you know where to look.

Pack suitable clothing and shoes and remember to bring your camera, binoculars and wildlife books or website addresses to help you work out what you have seen.

The birds and the bees

Many fascinating avian species call the Slieve Bloom Mountains home.

These include the hen harrier and the red grouse. Both nest on the ground, so it is important to tread carefully and not disturb any nests, especially when there are hatching eggs or young chicks present.

Other birds commonly found in the area are meadow pipits, woodpeckers and skylarks, who fill the air with enchanting birdsong.

Birds of prey are prevalent too, such as kestrels, owls, merlin and peregrine falcon.

Insects also abound in the mountains and woodlands around Roundwood House, with many butterflies, bees and moths re-appearing with the warmer spring weather.

You can even hear bats flitting about after dark if you are quiet enough.

Plants and flowers

The diverse habitats around Roundwood House and the wider County Laoise countryside provide for many different species of flowers, plants and trees.

Animal magic

As well as the domestic pets and farm animals pottering around the garden and grounds at Roundwood House, animal lovers can enjoy heading out to see what other native mammals they can find out and about in the woodlands and mountains nearby.

Regular sightings have been recorded of hedgehogs, badgers, red foxes, red squirrels, hares and pine martens.

Good times for spotting these often shy and nervous animals are early mornings and later evenings.

Go quietly and keep your eyes peeled and ears pricked for tracks, signs of half-eaten food and rustling in the undergrowth.

Another benefit to setting the alarm clock early and getting up and out before or at sunrise is the chance to listen to the dawn chorus.

Truly the most tuneful way to herald the start of a new day in the glorious Irish countryside.

If you want to find out more about Roundwood House or want to contact us about availability please use the form HERE

You can also check us out on our social media pages here:

FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER   |   INSTAGRAM   |   LINKEDIN