A break with a difference in the Midlands

On Saturday I'm sitting in a Nordic hut listening to a crackling fire, while a friend sits in a hot tub nearby in the Aqua Sana looking out on a sunbaked forest. 

On Sunday I'm hurtling down the aptly-named Tropical Cyclone raft ride screaming my head off in half heart thumping terror, half exhilaration as we are swished around at speed. Earlier, it was a much more leisurely glide across the man-made lake in a kayak, trying, but mostly failing, to manoevre the vessel to where I wanted it to go, while attempting not to crash into families in electric or pedal boats enjoying the peaceful waterside vista or gape at the kids ziplining way over your head with zero fear.
All of this is happening in Ballymahon. It's quite surreal because at various times over the weekend it feels like we're in another world, not just 20 minutes down the road from Athlone.
It's the launch weekend of Center Parcs Longford Forest and amid the wonderful fireworks and celebrities, it's quite something to see that, four years on from the initial announcement, what many then thought was an April fool is now a jaw-dropping reality following a €233 million investment.
Dumping the car, you get on your bike and the fun begins as you explore your spacious and well-equipped lodge set in the trees in the tranquil silence of a traffic-free site, meandering along until the waterfront complete with man-made beach comes into view, then there's the village square complete with bars and restaurants, shops and playgrounds and the outdoor activity centre and sports centre. 
It is a resort sure, which may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the fact it is set in 400 acres of forest and nature is all around marks it out for the better with beautiful walks and trails in the forest on your doorstep. The land around the lodges, all finished to a very high standard by the way, is a wildflower haven, and one morning I spent a relaxed half hour spotting different butterflies and sipping a coffee in the outdoor area every lodge enjoys. 
The company puts big store on its environmental credentials and uses electricity from renewable sources; it employs special measures at night to store the water from its pools so the heat is not lost; it has bee-friendly native pollinator plants and all of the waste is separated and recycled where possible.
Admittedly we were blessed with the sun which certainly helps, but make no mistake this is an all-weather destination, with so many of the 100 activities undercover including bowling, badminton, adventure walls and crafts to name just a few, and that's without even mentioning the Sub Tropical Swimming Paradise. The rain certainly won't spoil this break.
All you need is plenty of cash and energy because with a veritable sweetshop full of activities on offer, it would be hard to say no to the little or big kids in your group. In saying that, you can cut your costs a little by bringing your own bikes, eating at the lodges or picnicking in the spacious outdoor areas. My kayak session is 12 euro for a half hour but many activities are more than this.
For me, the site has an abroad feel, and while there are a few Irish touches that mark it out from all the other UK Center Parcs sites, the iconic green Telefón’ boxes dotted throughout the site for one, Cara's Irish pub (although very modern) housed a lot of Irish products and the Henshaw family playing trad music is another, but there certainly could be some more.
I heard a few people speaking Gaeilge on-site. Maybe some Irish signage would be a start, or Irish-named features like the fairy trail or Irish sports could feature in the suite of activities in the future. 
For all that, the families and kids I spoke to were having a whale of a time (the pool was the biggest hit of all) as was I because there is really something for everyone here. 
It will really appeal to families obviously, but even more so to extended families as aunts, uncles, granny, friends, godmothers can come join in when they want and then retreat to the lodge or the out of this world spa (which you will be able to visit for the day) when they they want their own space. 
The staff were lovely, mostly local, and really made great efforts to chat and ensure everyone was enjoying themselves. 
A special shout out to Gavin who found a table for us in the lovely Indian restaurant on-site when we had no booking and a birthday girl who was in need of a foodie treat. 
Of course it is early days, there will have to be tweaks; a 10am check-out time seems a little early to me, while the need for everything to be pre-booked and run to time leaves little scope for spontaneity or the Irish laidback attitude. 
Exterior signage on the approach will have to improve too, but leaving all of those small things aside there is a lot to like about the Center Parcs holiday, and while certainly not cheap, it is full of activity, laughter and fun with people you love and you can't really put a price on that!