A couple's getaway can be hard to come by, especially when you have children. But if you’re looking for a staycation that doesn’t require much travel, then we've found the perfect one. My husband is a huge golf fan, and so am I, so it didn't take much convincing; although admittedly, he’s a regular player, whereas I’m pretty much happy being a full-time fan and spectator while hitting the odd ball at the driving range. But even if you’re not into golf, the two-day staycation we enjoyed with Tourism NI has something for everyone, believe me! We started our trip with a stop-off at the Seamus Heaney Homeplace in Bellaghy, a place I’m a little bit ashamed to say I’ve never been to, despite being a big fan of his work. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the Homeplace, but the clue really is in the name; it didn’t feel like a traditional museum, it felt homely and comforting. You are given an audio guide to take with you as you explore the beautiful exhibition, dedicated to all aspects of the Nobel Prize-winning poet’s incredible life. Despite having studied Heaney extensively at school and having read his work on many occasions, I came away with a brand new love for his work. I was very surprised to find myself almost teary-eyed listening to the man himself recite his work. There’s definitely something about listening to some of his poems as an adult that just hits differently. My husband had only a brief knowledge of Heaney, but even he came away in awe of the man and what he achieved, having hailed from just a little corner of South Derry. The centre also has a beautiful little coffee shop on the first floor where you can enjoy a drink and just marvel at the surroundings. From Bellaghy we headed just a quick 20-minute journey up the road to Galgorm, where we checked into the stunning hotel and spa for the night before heading cross to Galgorm Castle Golf club, where we had lunch before we hit the course. The Castle Kitchen and Bar at the golf club is probably up there with one of the best golf club restaurants I’ve ever been to. The views and the stunning food made for the perfect lunch stop ahead of a busy afternoon on the course. We took our seats overlooking the stunning parkland course on what was a gloriously sunny afternoon before ordering some drinks and our starters. I opted for the Salt and Chilli Chicken served with Napa Slaw whilst my husband chose the Soup of the day. Both were really tasty, but I have to say the Salt and Chilli Chicken was hands down the best I think I’ve ever had, so flavoursome with the perfect amount of salt and spice, and the slaw was the perfect accompaniment. For the main course, I opted for the Chicken risotto dish while my husband chose the steak. We were really making the most of our child-free break away as we both added a cheeky cocktail to the meal. My husband said his steak was perfectly cooked, while my risotto was really tasty, as the chicken just fell off the bone. It was maybe slightly too oily for me, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Fuelled up and ready to go, we wandered over to the club shop, where we were met by Ross Oliver, Director of Golf at Galgorm Castle. Ross couldn’t have been more welcoming. With a later afternoon tee time on the cards, he helpfully sorted us out with a buggy so we could complete the round faster and get back to the hotel to freshen up in time for dinner. He set us up with some balls so we could get warmed up on the range, which is complete with Trackman. It's a great way to check your swing and improve before hitting the course. We hit very lucky with the weather, and it was a gorgeous, dry, and sunny day, and the stunning parkland course at Galgorm never looked better. It was perfect playing conditions and we had such a laugh and a bit of friendly competition as we made our way around the beautiful grounds and watching the squirrels just hop around the trees living their best lives. How could they not in such beautiful surroundings? This course is not to be underestimated, with a few water hazards, the pins are tricky, but it’s also up there with one of the most beautiful I’ve ever been on. We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to high-quality golf courses in this country. The renowned venue has hosted 19 professional tournaments in recent years, including the 2020 Irish Open on the DP World Tour. It’s also preparing to host the NI Legends Open that will be played on the European Legends Tour from Aug 28-31, 2025. Not forgetting two of NI’s finest young golfers Tom McKibbin and Stephanie Meadown are also prodigy official touring professionals of Galgorm Castle Golf Club, representing it all over the world. Golf done it was time for my favourite part of the day, back to Galgorm for a quick change and straight to the Spa. I’m very much a spa girly and have been to loads across Ireland and beyond and hands down the Galgorm will always be one of my favourites. The vastness, the choice of relaxation areas and again the beautiful scenery just make this place so special. We had dinner booked in Gillies, and we were definitely ready for it. Yet again, we were bowled over by the quality of the food. My husband opted for the Daube of Beef, while I chose the Filet Steak this time. It was incredible, cooked medium rare, and melt-in-your-mouth. With so much food and tasty cocktails already consumed, we weren’t sure if we could manage dessert, but we decided to share a Sticky Toffee Pudding, which was the perfect sweet treat to end a beautiful meal. Another thing I love about Galgorm is that there is usually live music in the bar area, the perfect place to chill out and again enjoy another one or two of their delicious cocktails. Up and at it the next morning, we opted to dine in Gillies, but you also have the opportunity to have breakfast in the Conservatory if you wish. I enjoyed some beautiful fresh pancakes, fruit and some eggs, and my husband, of course, opted for the obligatory Ulster fry to really set us up for the day. Although our time was coming to an end at Galgorm we had a beautiful treat booked in for the next morning, an hour in their private bathing areas. This is a beautiful way to relax in privacy surrounded by nature and complete with your own hot tub and indoor seating area with infrared chairs. We pretty much floated out of the place as we departed homeward bound. But before heading home to be reunited with our two little darlings, we had one last stop to make, a visit to Glenarm Castle and Gardens, again somewhere I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never been but always wanted to visit. Although the weather wasn’t as nice as the previous day, it wasn’t too bad, so we put on our trainers and raincoats and headed off to explore. The rain didn’t impact us too badly, and we were still able to really enjoy the gorgeous gardens. It really is a lovely spot for a walk around, and with a fantastic-looking playpark on site next to a coffee cart and picnic area, we agreed we would definitely be back with the children. Over the past twenty years, Lord and Lady Antrim have carefully restored the Walled Garden, and it continues to evolve as a centre of horticultural excellence. From spring until autumn, the flowers burst with colour. I was hugely impressed by the variety of flowers and the pristine nature of the Walled Garden; it really was stunning. We made the short hike up the hills to enjoy the Woodland Walk, which offers incredible panoramic views across the garden and parkland. After all that walking, it was time for yet another bite to eat. Needless to say, the gym was calling us both back after we had overindulged for two days, but we were on our holidays after all! We stopped by the beautifully quaint Tea Rooms located on site. They were a hive of activity on a Saturday morning, with lots of people catching up over a cuppa and enjoying lunch. Again, another beautiful menu greeted us, and we were told how the chef selects only the freshest local ingredients for all the dishes, so none of the food produced on site travels too far from farm, sea, and field to your plate. I was again tempted by the Salt and Chilli Chicken special. It’s just one of my favourite dishes, and it was served with fresh chips and salad—the most warming and comforting lunch after all that walking. My husband opted for the special Prawn linguine, and he said it was among the best he’s ever had. It was fresh and full of flavour, and the perfect portion for lunchtime. After all that eating, we were definitely ready to roll home, but we couldn’t resist a little stop at the Milk Parlour on site to sample their homemade ice cream for the journey home. Northern Ireland has so much to offer visitors, from golf to spas and stunning places to explore, we felt this break was the perfect mix of all of that and the most blissful couple’s escape. With the Open fever set to hit big time in the coming weeks as all eyes fall on Royal Portrush, it might be the perfect time to dust off the clubs and check out the stunning courses (and spas!) our wee country has to offer, I promise you won’t regret it! For more inspiration for your next Giant adventure exploring all that NI has to offer, visit Tourism NI website or find them on , Instagram or X. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.