Why you’ll enjoy the downhill struggle this year while on holiday in Kildare

WHY do canoeists love Straffan, The K Club’s local village in Kildare? Because the annual Liffey Descent – one of the most exciting boat races in Europe – takes place here every year.

Easy rider… the watery slopes of the Liffey are both feared and revered by brave canoeists

Welcome to our community blog at Firstlight The K Club where it’s all downhill once a year on the fast-paced waters of the River Liffey!

Firstlight The K Club is lucky to be situated in one of three Irish counties the majestic River Liffey runs through. The 125km [78 mile] river meanders through our 550-acre country estate in Kildare and leads into the Irish Sea at Dublin Bay.Since 1960 the River Liffey has attracted thousands of keen canoeists of all ages who have braved the 17-mile Liffey Descent and the shorter Junior Liffey Descent over the years.

The race has always been renowned for its great paddling conditions

Paddlers first started coming from a number of canoeing clubs in Ireland, including our local Celbridge Paddlers Canoe Club. This is situated at Aylmer Bridge on the Grand Canal about two miles south west of Celbridge town. In more recent years over 1,000 canoeists and kayakers from as far afield as South Africa have come to experience the thrill of the Liffey Descent.

The race has always been renowned for its great paddling conditions, largely due to the release of an extra 30 tonnes of water from the Poulaphouca reservoir to bring the river up to flood levels for the race.

This year the Liffey Descent will be on October 8^th and starts within the grounds of the K Club, so if you’re thinking of taking a look at this face-paced event then come and stop by The K Club, where a very warm welcome awaits.

Firstlight The K Club is the private residence club at The K Club and could be your home from home for a guaranteed three weeks a year. Prices of gorgeous apartments and homes with titled interest start at €49,900 and your purchase gives you access to family residential membership at the exclusive K Club.

Saturday kitchen... and Sundays and Mondays – relax whatever day of the week, because we’re flexible on the times you want to stay in your designer apartment or home

So whether you’re in Kildare to play golf on one of our two legendary Arnold Palmer courses or you’re heading to the Curragh or Punchestown horse-racing festivals in Naas, Firstlight The K Club is the perfect location for your holiday in Ireland.

The K Spa, claypigeon shooting, fishing and horse-riding are all here on your doorstep – as well as three wonderful restaurants on our golf and spa country resort. Or take a day out to simply head down to the river in Straffan on Oct 8th and cheer on the canoeists.

Whatever you decide while you’re in residence with us, you’re never far from the action!

Catherine Monaghan

Project director, Firstlight The K Club

Stop by and say hi after the Liffey Descent race

Our sales office is open any time you wish to pop by while you’re at the K Club –or book a special-rate Discovery Package and we’ll look after you, give you a tour and welcome you every year at your holiday home here at the K Club!

Talk to our friendly sales staff and discover the five-star lifestyle at The K Club you could enjoy at a fraction of the price of a luxury holiday home.
Call +353 1 6107111 to arrange your Discovery Trip to Firstlight The K Club.

 

On your bike around Kildare with Tour de France cyclist Martin Earley

AUGUST is always a great month for outdoor charity events in Kildare and if you’re spending time in our glorious county then The K Club in Straffan is the perfect location to see all the action.

Welcome to Firstlight The K Club’s blog – your weekly insight to the fantastic lifestyle here in County Kildare!

The Martin Earley Tour of Kildare

Ireland’s success in the Tour de France is down to a few talented cyclists including Stephen Roche and Martin Earley, who won the gruelling stage into Pau in 1989.

Tour de Kildare: August 14th sees 450 cyclists follow Martin Earley for his round-trip

Earley is one of only three Irish cyclists to have also won stages in the Giro D’Italia, an honour he shares with Roche and Shay Elliott. He belongs to our local cycling club, the Naas Cycling Club, not far from The K Club in Kildare.

In 2002, he started up his own Tour of Kildare to raise valuable funds for The Marie Keating Foundation. Now in its 10th year, the Martin Earley Tour of Kildare has expanded from 20 cyclists to 450 last year.

This year the exciting charity event is on August 14th and takes cyclists all around Kildare, starting and finishing at the Naas Court Hotel, Main Street Naas.

• There are three distances: 100km, 50m and 20kms
• Register online at www.tourofkildare.com and you’ll be entered in a free draw for a bicycle or sign on the morning of the cycle.
• It’s not quite Tour de France territory where Earley conquered mountains and hills, but you’ll find a few surprises, including The Wall (Kildare’s own “Mur de Huy”)!

Earley riser: Martin's ready to race with you next weekend on the Tour of Kildare

So if you’re a keen rider and you’re up for a great, if challenging, cycle a friendly atmosphere is guaranteed and you get a burger when you finish! Some come and join Martin Earley on August 14th – one of the most successful cyclists on the Irish Team and the man who helped Stephen Roche take Gold in the 1987 World championships.

Visit Kildare for horse-racing?

Did you go to the Irish National Hunt festival at Punchestown in May? What an event it was and one of the busiest times of the year for us here at Firstlight The K Club, your home from home in Kildare.

More second homes are only used by their owners for four weeks out of 52 each year, so why should you pay for more? At FFirstlight The K Club, the private residence club here at The K Club, you can own your property for the time you want to use it. Prices for luxury apartments and homes start from €49,900 and come with titled interest, plus access to all the five star facilities here.

We’ve got many horse-racing lovers here in our community at The K Club and Punchestown have announced savings of up to €215 on their annual membership.

Punchestown is the home of Irish National Hunt Racing and less than half an hour from Firstlight The K Club. Yearly membership means you can attend all 17 race days, including the five-day Irish National Hunt Festival. General membership is now €195 and Under-25s is €100. Bargain!

Visit Punchestown’s website for more information.

Shop and help charity!

The Summer Festival at Kildare Village is now on and is selling designer bags to help a local charity founded by the late Hollywood movie star Paul Newman.

Two whits to woo? Buy a designer whitbag and help a great charity

The limited edition bags have been created by A-list US TV star Whitney Port, designer of Whitney Eve and available till the end of August.

The canvas beach bag is retailing for €10 from the Tourist Information Centre and all proceeds will be donated to Barretstown children’s charity.

Barretstown has earned a place in the hearts of the Irish people for providing Therapeutic Recreation programmes for children with serious illnesses and their families. It’s set within the beautiful old castellated manor house in County Kildare – for more information on the charity log on http://www.barettstown.org

Enjoy a fantastic August in Kildare!

Catherine Monaghan

Project Director, Firstlight The K Club

About Firstlight The K Club

From as little as €49,900 you could live here at Firstlight The K Club – set within the grounds of this history country resort – for three glorious weeks per year. We guarantee the best golf holiday you’ll have as a fractional homeowner in Kildare.

Firstlight luxury homes are for sharing Kildare's glorious lifestyle with close friends and family - welcome home!

Our sales office is open any time you wish to pop by while you’re at the K Club – or book a special-rate Discovery Package and we’ll look after you, give you a tour and welcome you every year at your holiday home here at the K Club!

Talk to our friendly sales staff and discover the five-star lifestyle at The K Club you could enjoy at a fraction of the price of a luxury holiday home.

Call +353 1 6107111 to arrange your Discovery Trip to Firstlight The K Club. Amenities with your purchase of a fractional share in a beautiful home at The K Club includes:

• Five-star concierge service prior to and during your stays
• Membership to two legendary Arnold Palmer golf courses
• Golf lessons for adults and children at The Michael Dixon School of Golf
• Homes serviced by the five-star K Club Hotel
• Optional chauffeur transfers to/from Dublin airport (30 minutes away)
• Membership of a destination club with access to over 50 premier resorts worldwide.

 

Irish holidays among cheapest in Europe – Dublin and Kildare give holidaymakers tons of extra value deals!

IT’S HOLIDAY news from both Dublin and Kildare on Firstlight The K Club’s blog this week and first I bring you a snippet from the Irish Independent that Dublin is officially one of the cheapest in Europe for tourists!

No longer is Ireland’s capital city the “rip-off capital of Europe”, claims the newspaper, which says it’s because the Irish are offering cheaper hotel stays and deals such as 30% off the city’s sightseeing buses. Dublin was found to be cheaper than London, Rome and Barcelona.

Iconic buildings like the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin could clinch Ireland design title in 2014

So it’s a perfect time to stop by Dublin when you’re on your way down to The K Club in glorious Kildare, which is just half an hour away from the city centre. While in Dublin take in some of the famous architecture we’re hoping will make our capital city the design capital of the world in 2014.

Visit the buildings the design judges inspected last weekend while they were in Dublin – the Guinness Storehouse [above], Baldoyle Library and Kilbarrack Fire Station are just some of the modern statements that Ireland’s architects have been making in Dublin. Also visit these two great attractions:

• The Dublin Bay and Castle Tour in the sleepy fishing village of Howth situated just outside the centre of Dublin. Get the Dart train to Howth from the city centre and visit the friendly seals and wonderful marina restaurants.
• Discover Ireland’s Dublin Horse Show is taking place from August 3rd-7th at the Royal Dublin Society in Ballsbridge. Find out more here – tickets €15.

Next stop… glorious Kildare!

And when you do arrive in Kildare during your holiday in Ireland, imagine settling the family in for a few weeks in your own luxury holiday home?

The K Club really is in one of the most peaceful and beautiful counties in Ireland and our private residence club, Firstlight The K Club, has everything for the family.

From the Smurfit 18-hole championship course right on your doorstep, to the K Spa, gym, horse-riding, claypigeon shooting and fishing – we’ve got it all here within our 550-acre country estate.

But look what else is right on your doorstep – it’s the Summertime Festival at Kildare Village. This designer and boutique outlet centre is without doubt one of the most popular shopping havens I’ve known around Dublin.

We’re just 10 minutes down the road from Kildare Village here at Firstlight The K Club, but I’m especially excited about Good Food Ireland being there!

Every weekend at the Summertime Festival, some of its 400 members – including restaurants, hotels and guesthouses – will showcase their prize dishes on the Good Food Ireland pop-up stand. They’ll give shoppers and holidaymakers the chance to sample some of County Kildare’s top cuisine.

Award-winning treatments at the K Spa

The K Club has also given one lucky Summer Festival goer the chance to try our award-winning treatments at the K Spa after, so congratulations to Roísín Cronin – we hope you enjoy it here at the K Club.

We certainly do!

Catherine Monaghan, Project Director at Firstlight The K Club

Why would Firstlight The K Club suit you?

If you’ve been to Kildare for the golf, racing, shopping or music festivals then you’ll know what a grand affair life can be in this glorious county.

Visit Kildare on your Irish trips and you’ll want to make it a holiday haven for life.

Firstlight The K Club is an award-winning fractional ownership resort in the heart of the famous K Club, the home of the 2006 Ryder Cup.

Luxury homes and apartments are for sale in three-week guaranteed stays that come with title deeds – the time you stay is flexible, it’s totally up to you.

Contemporary luxury is how property journalists have described stunning homes at Firstlight The K Club - make your holiday home for life here at our private residence club at the home of the 2006 Ryder Cup

To find out more about our contemporary-luxury homes, which come with 24-hour concierge service, plus spa, gym, golf and wonderful gourmet dining at Firstlight The K Club just call our sales team.

Ask to be booked on a one-night or two-night Discovery Tour of the resort and we’ll take care of you while you check out the fantastic facilities on your doorstep.

Firstlight The K Club’s three-week guaranteed stays start from €49,900 and come with family residential membership to play golf and use all the amenities here, including:

• Championship golf on Arnold Palmer courses
• K Spa for facials, massage and relaxation therapy
• Gym, 16.5m pool, Pilates studio and outdoor hot tub to wind down
• Some of the finest dining in Ireland. Three restaurants at The K Club includes our new Royal Thai and Oriental restaurant, Kwam Suk.

Interested in a five-star lifestyle at The K Club in one of the most popular counties in Ireland? Talk to our friendly sales staff or call +353 1 6107111 to arrange your Discovery Trip to Firstlight The K Club.

Irish government and tourist board: ‘We’ll build buzz for golf in Ireland’

WELCOME TO Firstlight The K Club’s weekly blog where you’ll get an insight to the fantastic golf resort life you could have in glorious Kildare

This week saw Ireland rugby stars Tommy Bowe and Tomás O'Leary play golf for the charity Bothár. More news on how the boys got on next week! Above, the style of luxury homes at Firstlight The K Club, the private resdience club at the K Club

Government’s call to action to boost golf in Ireland!
Golf at Ireland’s official number one golf hotel and spa has been given a major boost of support after the government and tourism board Fáilte Ireland pledged to get behind Irish golf resorts.

Time for glee! Irishman Darren Clarke wins British Open – now Irish golf in the spotlight!

In a media interview this week about the Irish Open, Minister of State for Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring, encouraged Irish hoteliers to join force in putting their “best foot forward” to ensure tourists return to our “unique destination”.

He said: “We want Ireland to be portrayed in the best positive light to visitors, media and participating golfers during the Irish Open [in Killarney, July 28^th-31^st], underlining this country’s deserved reputation as a unique holiday destination that leaves visitors with many wonderful memories and a desire to return.”

New ad campaign for golf in Ireland
“What is it with Ireland and the Majors?” asks the new print, TV and radio ad campaign from tourism board Fáilte Ireland.

Launching with iconic images of Irish golf legends, including Rory McIlory and Darren Clarke ahead of the Irish Open, head of golf at Fáilte Ireland, Keith McCormack, said: “Darren’s success at the British Open has firmly kept the island of Ireland at the centre of the global golfing map.

'What is it with Ireland and the Masters?' asks the latest ad from Fáilte Ireland as we welcome the Irish Open back next weekend

“It was something that had to be celebrated in the run-up to the Irish Open. There is a great buzz and curiosity about golf at home and abroad right now and the campaign plays on the tremendous success of our golfers in recent years.

McCormack: “The obvious question is, what is it about this island that produces such greatness?”

Pledge to golf tourism from the home of the 2006 Ryder Cup
Here at The K Club – and our private residence club Firstlight The K Club –we’re 100% committed to making your golf holiday in Kildare an unforgettable experience.

Both our five star customer service and wonderful facilities set in 550 acres of beautiful countryside has earned us the AA Ireland’s Hotel of the Year. In 2010, Firstlight The K Club was also the No1 golf development in Europe and Ireland at awards supported by Bloomberg Television. And in 2011 the readers of fractional ownership magazine Perspective made us the number one resort!

We’ve had the TV cameras at Firstlight The K Club!
Popular US reality TV series Big Break Challenge has just finished being filmed here at The K Club – and all the contestants and staff stayed with us here at Firstlight The K Club! Watch this space for news of when the first episode kicks off on the Golf Channel in the autumn – the winners get to play with their golf heroes!

You’ll be able to follow 12 contestants who battle it out on both our Arnold Palmer and Smurfit courses for the chance to win two tournament exemptions – they represent events on the LPGA Tour, European tour, and the Ladies European Tour.

Design is handcrafted by Irish and Italian talent in all Firstlight homes - yours to purchase in fractions from €49,900

Here at Firstlight The K Club we’re so excited about this. We hosted all the staff and contestants here [see beautiful designer interiors left], so the TV series will also showcase our beautiful course here in Kildare. The 16^th series of Big Break is also held with support from Fáilte Ireland, or Irish Tourism.

Joe Byrne, executive vice president of Irish Tourism’s US office, said: “We believe it is extremely important for golf viewers to experience for themselves the unique nature of a golf vacation to Ireland, and we hope that the Big Break will whet their appetites and encourage many golfers from the US to include Ireland in their travel plans for 2011 and beyond.”

Michael Davern, CEO of The K Club, said: “It was wonderful to have been chosen as the host venue for this show which will be seen by millions of viewers. Both of our championship courses offer players completely contrasting golfing experiences, which challenge and excite players the world over.”

Well I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s blog – it’s only one week to go for the Irish Open in Killarney and I for one will be glued to the TV!

Catherine Monaghan
Project director, Firstlight The K Club

About Firstlight The K Club

Fishing along one mile of the River Liffey that runs through this glorious estate is just one of the many country pursuits that await you at Firstlight The K Club in Kildare

From as little as €49,900 you could live here at Firstlight The K Club – set within the grounds of this history country resort – for three glorious weeks per year. We guarantee the best golf holiday you’ll have as a fractional homeowner in Kildare.

• Five-star concierge service prior to and during your stays
• Membership to two legendary Arnold Palmer golf courses
• Golf lessons for adults and children at The Michael Dixon School of Golf
• Homes serviced by the five-star K Club Hotel
• Optional chauffeur transfers to/from Dublin airport (30 minutes away)
• Membership of a destination club with access to over 50 premier resorts worldwide.

Our sales office is open any time you wish to pop by while you’re at the K Club –or book a special-rate Discovery Package and we’ll look after you, give you a tour and welcome you every year at your holiday home here at the K Club!

Talk to our friendly sales staff and discover the five-star lifestyle at The K Club you could enjoy at a fraction of the price of a luxury holiday home. Call +353 1 6107111 to arrange your Discovery Trip to Firstlight The K Club.

Summer’s here at Firstlight The K Club – your home from home in Kildare!

WELCOME to Firstlight The K Club’s blog where you’ll find news, views and great offers from Ireland’s No1 one golf hotel and spa.

It’s another celebrity golf challenge in Kildare!

Ireland and Osprey rugby star Tommy Bowe, champion jockey Charlie Swan and a host of sports stars and celebs are all here at The K Club this weekend for Bothar’s charity golf challenge.

Above: Stunning aerial view of The K Club’s Arnold Palmer designed Smurfit Course in Kildare with one mile of the River Liffey running through

Members of the public were invited to pay for a chance to play a four-ball at the K Club with a celebrity on their team! All proceeds go to Bothar and charity ambassador Bowe was doing a great job on Twitter this week, letting fans know about the tournament. We wish you all a brilliant day out and we’ll announce the winners next week.

A special welcome to our fans from the United States

Tommy Bowe and co will enjoy the K Club’s fantastic facilities when they play their charity golf for Bothar.ie

I’m delighted to see so many Americans visiting us from California, Florida and New York, as well as Maryland, Illinois and Massachusetts to mention a few!

With golf such a huge sport in the US we hope you have loved playing at Ireland’s finest resort here in Kildare –we’re told our two beautiful courses, our dedication to customer service and a warm Irish welcome makes you feel like not going home!

The K Club’s rich history in hosting tournaments like the 2006 Ryder Cup and European Opens has remained a favourite on the holiday circuit of Americans.

Now you can enjoy an even richer holiday experience while you’re here!

Make Kildare your yearly holiday destination
Here at the K Club we’ve got a private residence club that offers home owners titled property with three-week stays any time you want to hop over to Ireland.

Interiors of your home at Firstlight The K Club are by Irish and Italian designers with top quality finishes

It’s a great investment if you’re looking for something more out of your Irish holidays – your home is set in 550 acres of glorious Kildare countryside and there is so much to do for you and the family. Along with family residential membership to enjoy golf whenever you want you’ll enjoy our K Spa, gym and swimming pool, plus horse-riding, fishing, walking, cycling and clay-pigeon shooting.

Voted the AA Ireland’s top hotel, the château-style boutique hotel houses an underground wine cellar, the largest collection of Jack Butler Yeats’ paintings and three stunning restaurants to suit your requirements while you’re here.

As residents of our private gated-development on the resort your fractional ownership investment gives you access to:

• Five-star concierge service prior to and during your stays
• Membership to two legendary Arnold Palmer golf courses
• Golf lessons for adults and children at The Michael Dixon School of Golf
• Homes serviced by five-star K Club Hotel
• Optional chauffeur transfers to/from Dublin airport (30 minutes away)
• Membership of a destination club with access to over 50 premier resorts worldwide.

Our sales office is open any time you wish to pop by while you’re at the K Club –or book a special-rate Discovery Package and we’ll look after you, give you a tour and welcome you every year at your holiday home here at the K Club!

Have a great week!

Catherine Monaghan, Project Director at Firstlight The K Club

Buy a five-star lifestyle at The K Club at a fraction of the price of a luxury holiday home. Talk to our friendly sales staff or call +353 1 6107111 to arrange your Discovery Trip to Firstlight The K Club.

Why your golf holiday in Kildare could benefit 35 countries

 

Hello and welcome to Firstlight The K Club’s blog where this week we bring you news of an exciting chance to play golf here at The K Club with legendary Irish sports stars to raise money for charity.

Middle: Rugby star Tommy Bowe launches charity golf tournament at The K Club

Last year we organised the Firstlight Challenge Cup where a host of famous faces stayed in our private golf residences at the home of the 2006 Ryder Cup in Kildare, Ireland.

Britain’s Got Talent stars Ant and Dec, pop star Ronan Keating, former England footballer Alan Shearer and cricket legend Ian Botham then battled it out on the famous Arnold Palmer golf course here in the name of charity.

A host of stars from TV, sports and movies played in The Firstlight Challenge Cup at the K Club last year

And this year we’re delighted to tell you that it’s your turn to get involved! Irish rugby stars Tommy Bowe, Anthony Foley, Tomás O’Leary and champion jockey Charlie Swan have teamed up with celebrity events planner Golf With Stars to challenge you to a round of golf at The K Club.

So if you’ve got your holiday in Kildare planned for around July 16^th – or looking for a great excuse to explore this glorious Irish county just 30 minutes from Dublin, then this is a great chance to enter. That’s because The K Club will swing into action again for a fantastic charity – development aid agency Bothár.

In full flow - that's the river, great Irish hospitality and championship golf all here at The K Club

This summer’s charity event will see members of the public playing with their all-star Irish heroes and all funds raised will support Bothár’s projects across 35 developing world countries.

This is a fantastic opportunity for you and two friends to play a golf classic in a group of four with your favourite celebrity sports idol. After the tournament you’ll enjoy a barbecue cooked up at The K Club by celebrity chef Neven Maguire.

How to enter

This is the easy bit – anyone can enter! You pay €20 to enter the draw once and be in with a chance to win a place on your celebrity team. The more times you enter the more chance you have to win.

Each time you purchase a ticket for the draw you will be included in the draw to play a round of golf with one of our stars. It’s €50 to enter three times so as you can see, it’s well worth entering the draw!

We wish you luck in the draw and to welcome you here to The K Club.

And if you’re interested in making your holiday home a permanent one at Ireland’s legendary home of golf we’d be delighted to show you around our fantastic contemporary apartments and homes for sale here at Ireland’s number one golf and spa hotel.

Catherine Monaghan, Project Director at Firstlight The K Club

A Kildare holiday home for life
The K Club is more than championship golf, although our facilities and PGA golf pro Michael Dixon are two great reasons you will brush up on your skills.

Our award-winning spa, a well-equipped gym and hot tub, as well as horse-riding, fishing, great cuisine and a boutique shopping village all help in giving you a fantastic experience in the glorious county of Kildare.

More about Firstlight

Make your holiday every year at Firstlight The K Club, set within 550 acres of glorious Kildare countryside

Firstlight The K Club is set in a private, gated development in The K Club’s stunning 550-acre country estate. Beautiful apartments and homes are sold with titled interests and give you a guaranteed three-week stay at any time of the year.

At Firstlight we’re as flexible as you need your holiday to be so we can fit you in any time of the year.

Family residential membership to golf and spa comes with each one-sixteenth share in property here at Firstlight The K Club

As a holiday resident you’ll live in the height of luxury with your home overlooking one of Arnold Palmer’s highly-acclaimed golf courses and have access to 24-hour concierge service from the five star K Club hotel.

Firstlight The K Club’s three-week stays start from €49,900 euro and come with residential golf membership. Member benefits include:

• Championship golf on Arnold Palmer courses [Click here to watch a review of The K Club’s 2006 Ryder course on The Golf Channel]
• K Spa for facials, massage and relaxation therapy
• Gym, 16.5m pool, Pilates studio and outdoor hot tub to wind down
• Some of the finest dining in Ireland. Four restaurants at The K Club including our new Royal Thai and Oriental restaurant, Kwam Suk, which was officially opened by His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco
• Horse-riding, clay-pigeon shooting, fishing, walking and cycling.

Interested in a five-star lifestyle at The K Club in one of the most popular counties in Ireland? Talk to our friendly sales staff or call
+353 1 6107111 to arrange your Discovery Trip to Firstlight The K Club.

Kildare’s Royal visit – and this time it’s the Queen’s horse!

 

Carlton House is flown to The Curragh for Dubai Duty Free Derby

Welcome to the next instalment of Firstlight The K Club’s blog – a warm welcome awaits you if you’ve arrived here for the first time. 

Well it’s been a flurry of excitement at The K Club this week. I’ve seen our horse-racing guests all arriving for this weekend’s Dubai Duty Free Derby at The Curragh, which is just half an hour from where we are in Straffan.

 

And for the second time this year the Queen will be making her presence felt in County Kildare, which she came to during her visit to the National Stud in May.

This time, though, it’s her horse Carlton House who’s coming on Her Majesty’s behalf! The Queen has just announced that she wants to try her luck with the thoroughbred’s second Derby in a month after it came third in the Epsom Derby three weeks ago.

RTE News has just revealed that Carlton House will run in the Dubai Duty Free Derby on Sunday and this time she’s hoping for a win – the closest she came with a winning horse was in 1953 when Aureole came second.

It’ll be tough competing against trainer Aiden O’Brien who’s looking for a sixth consecutive win of the historic race but good luck to all!

A fantastic weekend of racing is ahead as the village of Naas comes alive with families, kids, fashionistas, serious race-goers and food-lovers all hedging their bets for a win this weekend.

Most Stylish Lady will be announced just before the Derby kicks off at 3.50pm this Sunday June 26^th. Judges include TV chef Rachel Allen and Melanie Morris, editor of Ireland’s Image Magazine, who will help decide the most stunning outfit of the Dubai Duty Free Derby.

And while our female guests here at The K Club get their hats out for Derby day, Ireland’s best chefs will be placing their bets – and their hats – on to bring you a celebration of the finest cuisine the Emerald Isle offers. The Good Food Ireland Village is set up right beside the parade ring at The Curragh so don’t miss out.

Racecourse manager at The Curragh, Paul Hensey, told BBC News this week that they’re expecting the going to be good for the Derby, adding: “We are also showing the Leinster semi-final when Kildare take on Dublin on the big screens – so there is nowhere else to be this weekend!”

Enjoy!

Catherine Monaghan, Project Director at Firstlight The K Club

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival takes place at The Curragh, Naas, County Kildare from Friday June 24^th – Sunday June 26^th. More info here

Kildare holiday home for life!
If you come to Ireland for The Curragh, fishing, horse-riding, clay-pigeon shooting or shopping at Kildare Village – have you ever thought of owning a holiday home in the beautiful county of Kildare?

Firstlight The K Club is a private residence club situated at the famous K Club, which is set in a stunning 550-acre country estate in Kildare. Beautiful apartments and homes are sold with titled interests in one-sixteenth shares and give you a guaranteed three-week stay any time of the year.

The timing of your stay is entirely up to you because at Firstlight, we’re as flexible as you need to be. Perfect if you’ve got the kids all summer, planning a golf weekend break with friends or want a last-minute romantic getaway to Ireland’s best-loved golf and spa resort.

The K Club is AA Ireland’s Hotel of the Year while Firstlight The K Club has picked up best golf development in Europe for two years running.

As a holiday resident at the home of the 2006 Ryder Cup you’ll live in the height of luxury with your home overlooking one of Arnold Palmer’s highly-acclaimed golf courses.

Firstlight The K Club’s three-week guaranteed stays start from €49,900-€65,500 [£55,000] and come with family residential membership to play golf and use all the facilities here, including:

·        Championship golf on Arnold Palmer courses [Click here to watch a review of The K Club’s 2006 Ryder course on The Golf Channel]

·        K Spa for facials, massage and relaxation therapy

·        Gym, 16.5m pool, Pilates studio and outdoor hot tub to wind down

·        Some of the finest dining in Ireland. Three restaurants at The K Club includes our new Royal Thai and Oriental restaurant, Kwam Suk, which was officially opened by His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco

·        Horse-riding, clay-pigeon shooting, fishing, walking and cycling.

 

Interested in a five-star lifestyle at The K Club in one of the most popular counties in Ireland? Talk to our friendly sales staff or call
+353 1 6107111 to arrange your Discovery Trip to Firstlight The K Club.

.

The four reasons why the world loves special K!

Ireland's four special Ks: K Club, kids golf, king of European fractional developments and stunning County Kildare

COUNTY KILDARE, kids summer golf camps and being crowned king of Europe’s fractional ownership developments are just three reasons why Firstlight The K Club should be first on your trip to Ireland this year. The fourth you’ll find when you stay at the magnificent K Club.

Interiors of apartments and homes at Firstlight The Club have luxurious furnsishing and fittings

Ireland’s number one golf and spa hotel is a château-style hotel set amid 550 acres of magnificent countryside just half an hour outside Dublin city.

And set within this rambling country estate in Kildare is Ladycastle, a private residence club operated by Firstlight The K Club.

Ladycastle is a private residence club set within the grounds of The K Club's 550-acre historic estate

The fractional ownership specialist has just picked up one of property’s biggest accolades for having one of the best luxury fractional real estate products in the world. At the Perspective Magazine awards, Firstlight The K Club was crowned Best Fractional Unit in Europe & the Middle East.

The award recognises the excellent track record of Firstlight International and Firstlight The K Club – a collection of luxury fractional ownership apartments and family homes around the world.

When you purchase a one-sixteenth share in titled property at Firstlight The K Club you have a guaranteed three-week stay in your home, plus family residential membership for golf and spa and access to a range of fantastic outdoor activities for the family. Horseriding, claypigeon shooting and fishing on one mile of the famous River Liffey are just some of the alternatives to golf in this quiet country retreat.

Firstlight The K Club is the 2011 winner of Best Fractional Development in Europe & the Middle East

Junior golf camp
If you’re staying at The K Club this summer why not drop your kids into the Michael Dixon School of Golf? Our resident PGA pro is bringing back his hugely popular Junior Summer Golf Camps throughout June and every Tuesday-Friday throughout July and August.

Michael is also a favourite golf tutor to His Serene Highness to Prince Albert of Monaco so he knows a thing or two about the game!

Find out more about residency at Ireland’s top resort by calling Firstlight The K Club on +353 1 610 7111 or email info@firstlightkclub.com

Off to Punchestown? Expect a nail biting end to Irish race season

Are you saddled up for the Irish National Hunt Festival?

Firstlight The K Club’s private residence club is just minutes from the most exciting event of the horse-racing calendar … it must be the Irish National Hunt Festival!

WITH PRIZE money of nearly €3million at stake, Ireland’s National Hunt Festival in Punchestown is promising to be the most exciting of the 2011 race season.

Champion horses, including double Cheltenham winner Kauto, will soon be saddling up and making their way to County Kildare for the highlight of Ireland’s race season, which runs from May 3^rd to May 7^th.

The Guinness Gold Cup, Punchestown Champion Chase, The La Touche Cup and Punchestown Champion Hurdle are just four of 11 grade one races over the five-day event. And while famous jockeys and racing pundits provide us with all the sporting action, trainer Willie Mullins is hoping to send his winner Hurricane Fly back for a successive win in the Champion Hurdle.

Racing experts say trainers have a tough job on their hands because Punchestown is the last date in the Irish racing calendar and horses will be tired after their long season in the UK and Ireland.

But that won’t stop thousands of punters using Ireland’s most prestigious racing festival as a great excuse to glam it up or simply enjoy some quality family fun.

The combination of fantastic live entertainment at Punchestown, plus the famous Dobbins Food Hall and the buzzing atmosphere make the Irish National Hunt Festival one of the most exciting sporting events in Ireland. (See end for race start times).

And if Punchestown is a regular pit-stop in your social calendar then why not stop over at another piece of Irish heritage just minutes away. The K Club is AA Ireland’s No1 hotel and set within a 550-acre historic country estate.

Make your holiday a home from home at Firstlight The K Club

Just over half an hour from Dublin, the peaceful haven at The K Club is a perfect setting for a five-star weekend break or luxury stay during the Punchestown festival. Fit in a game of golf, or a swim and gym workout before you go racing, and then come back to one of three outstanding restaurants around the resort.

Take a dip before a punt at the K Spa pool

Ladies, hard day tottering around on your high-heels at the races? We bet our award-winning K Spa is just the treatment you need!

And when you’re an owner at our private residence club, Firstlight The K Club, you’ll get the feeling straight away you’ve come back home. One-eighth and one-sixteenth titled interests are now for sale at the Ladycastle Estate – a private, gated residence with contemporary luxury interiors, and with simply stunning views overlooking the Smurfit golf course.

For each owner comes family residential membership for you and your kids, and for each family comes access to some of the finest amenities in the country – Firstlight The K Club was voted the No1 golf development in Europe in 2010.

Let our sales team take you on an exclusive Discovery Tour of The K Club – a one or two-night relaxing stay where you’ll get to learn why Firstlight The K Club is the dream lifestyle you’ve always wanted in Ireland. Even better – you could win a free trip just by becoming our 1000^th follower on Twitter!

Flexible Firstlight for you and your friends

Home from home - luxury, contemporary feel to apartments and home with views overlooking the Smurfit course

We had your need for flexibility in mind when we designed our one-sixteenth titled interests, meaning you can come for a mid-week break, a long weekend or even a week. You can give us as much or as little notice as you like and if you have a change of plan and want to turn up spur of the moment that’s fine too!

So find out why now is the time to think about buying fractional real estate for your next holiday. With prices starting from €65,750, you could feel the best you ever have for three weeks of the year!

Find out more about residency at Ireland’s top resort by calling Firstlight The K Club on +353 1 610 7111 or email info@firstlightkclub.com

 

 

 

More info on Punchestown

Race Start Time (based on 2010)

On Tuesday May 3^rd, Wednesday 4^th, Thursday 5^th and Friday 6^th, the first race goes to post at 3.40pm. Gates open from 11.30am.  The last race will be around 7.15pm.

Saturday May 7^th is Punchestown Family Day – the first race is at 2.30pm and the gates open at 11am. Arrive early for free children’s activities!

Dobbins Food Hall

Dobbins are the official catering partner at the Punchestown Festival. The Dobbins Food Hall facility will be serving an array of dishes with top quality ingredients and home made breads. Value is the key aspect of the Punchestown and Dobbins philosophy and we are sure you will be impressed with the quality and value on offer.

The La Touch Cafe bar is located on the ground floor of the main grand stand, selling snacks and top quality coffees and pastries.

Looking for tips?

Pundits say to follow the trainers in form, particularly Willie Mullins who is a big name in handicap and Bumper races. But for more tips go to the official page!

May the luck of the Irish be with you at Punchestown!

May 3^rd-7^th 2011

Win a luxury trip to Europe’s ‘best golf development’ in Ireland!

Dublin: Oct 29, 2010

FIRSTLIGHT The K Club, Ireland’s No1 private residence club, is giving two lucky golf lovers the chance to win a free night’s stay along with free golf at the famous K Club.  And all you have to do is join us on Twitter!

The K Club and Firstlight The K Club are celebrating double win with a free luxury golf trip to win via Twitter

Both Firstlight The K Club and The K Club are celebrating a double-whammy win after they scooped Ireland’s most prestigious awards in hospitality and property this month.

Fractional real estate specialist Firstlight The K Club was crowned Best Golf Development in Europe, while The K Club has been voted AA Ireland’s Hotel of the Year.

How do you win a free luxury golf trip to the K Club?

To win this fabulous, luxury night’s stay at Ireland’s top golf and spa resort, all you have to do is log on to Twitter.com/firstlightkclub and look out for a tweet.

Then follow us, retweet the competition to your friends and you’ve entered!

When we reach our goal of 1,000 followers we’ll select a winner at random and let you know what to do next! Just for the record, you’re one of just 319 who could win this fabulous prize!

Call +353 1 610 7111 for info on buying fractional ownership at Firstlight The K Club, or visit www.firstlightkclub.com for more info

Your fantastic prize includes:

• Luxury night for two people at the five-star K Club – home to the 2006 Ryder Cup
• Round of golf on the famous Arnold Palmer course or an award-winning K Spa treatment
• One hour’s golf tuition with our golf pro Michael Dixon, owner of the K Club’s prestigious Michael Dixon School of Golf.

About Firstlight The K Club

Firstlight The K Club is an award-winning private residence club set within the grounds of The K Club golf and spa resort in Kildare. Fractional ownership residents buy a one-eighth titled interest in a designer apartment or home.

Prices start from €131,500 and come with family residential membership and a holiday exchange program to over 40 international five-star destinations.

And if you’re the lucky Twitter winner you’ll be seeing this all for yourself:

• The K Club’s historic country estate is home to some of Ireland’s most stunning scenery and one mile of the glorious River Liffey.
• Catch a fish and have it cooked at our award-winning restaurant!
• Ramble around our 550 acres of rolling countryside just 30 minutes from Dublin airport
• Relax and dine in our French-style château hotel
• Or simply unwind in the glorious K Spa.

Double win: The K Club and Firstlight the K Club scoop gold in golf and hotel awards