A Much Needed Night of Seaweed and Sustainability in Sligo

There’s a reason why they call Sligo Yeats Country – it’s poetic.

Wild winds, sprawling landscapes, and plenty of seaweed. At least, that’swhen you’re going seaweed harvesting and enjoying a load of organic beauty products made with the multipurpose algae.

This autumn, Team STELLAR was invited over to the Wild Atlantic Way to get up close and personal with seaweed skincare, seaweed homeware, and seaweed bodycare from VOYA. 

And enjoy a night in Sligo’s Georgian Manor, Temple House Estate. There are worse ways to spend a Thursday.

Our journey began with a seaweed lesson on the beach and a breakfast from Gg’s Food Truck. The rain was ever present and the wind was harsh, but hey, that’s Ireland.

@stellarmagazine Team STELLAR recently got back to their roots and travelled to Sligo’s Temple House Estate to learn all about seaweed harvesting, skincare, and what it takes to be a beauty queen 👑 #fyp #invite ♬ Diet Pepsi – Addison Rae

Our spirits remained high (and undampened, if you will), as we learned about the different types of seaweed, its skincare benefits, and how every single strand is hand-harvested by VOYA to protect the west’s biodiversity.

Hand-harvesting allows the seaweed to regenerate naturally, and the brand’s use of recyclable, reusable and biodegradable packaging ensures that sustainability remains at the heart of their ethos. 

The super plant has long been known for its health and beauty properties. From cosmetics to nourishment to making a meal that little bit more special, we were about to experience the joys of seaweed… and it did not disappoint. 

Following our lesson in laminaria (that’s a type of seaweed, FYI), we travelled to our home for the night, Temple House Estate.

Host Roderick greeted the group and showed us to our rooms, grand spaces that have hosted guests for hundreds of years. The estate itself has been in Roderick’s family since the 12th century, and was the ideal location for an afternoon of grazing.

A superb buffet lunch chased by a tea on the terrace led us to the VOYA masterclass. The event allowed us the chance to try the brand’s most popular products, from the My Little Hero Facial Serum to the Maskerade Hydrating Facial Mask to a personal favourite, the Pillow Heaven Relaxing Sleep Spray.

 

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VOYA’s products are created alongside cosmetic scientists. Combine that with the brand’s love for the sea and you’ve got a range that’s proven to give results.

The certified organic and ethically sourced ingredients are built for any and all skin concerns from hydration to anti-ageing to those living with cancer. 

Our skin glowing and senses enthralled, we arrived back to our rooms for a surprise – a bodycare pamper session chock full of scrubs, creams, and mists.

VOYA are probably best known for their seaweed baths – the treatment and the at-home product. Unfortunately my bedroom didn’t have a bath, so I enjoyed a curated shower experience instead.

While a candle blazed and the water ran hot, I lathered myself up in the Time to Shine Body Polish and let the exfoliation commence. Finishing off with Buoyancy Luxury Body Butter I emerged from the shower a new woman, relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for the evening.

That night, the group met downstairs for a drinks reception before heading to the grand dining room for a three course meal curated by Temple House’s own chef and inspired, of course, by seaweed.

Dinner was hosted by VOYA founders Mark and Kira Walton. The couple set up the world’s first certified organic seaweed-based skincare brand in 2006, and now their products are sold in a whopping 42 countries. Impressive.

What was even more impressive was the dinner. Each dish was created using local produce incorporating seaweed, and enjoyed while a harp (and plenty of wine) lulled us into the night.

Later we played a quiz to crown the group’s Beauty Queen, explored the house, and eventually retired to our rooms… full, chilled out, and already excited for breakfast.

At least, I was. I ordered myself a couple of fried eggs on toast and lounged for the morning, looking out at the vast estate and rubbing body oil on myself.

After breakfast we crowded back onto the bus bound for home, our bellies full of food, our skin hydrated, and our appreciation for the Sligo coast restored.

*This writer was invited on a press trip with VOYA. 

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