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It may not be its most impressive feature, but the first thing I commented on when I climbed (up) into the new Defender 110 model was the paint colour. And clearly I was not alone, judging by the comments on social media when I posted a pic of the car. But seriously, what a colour!
It’s called Grasmere Green and is a modern take on one of the original Defender colours, first released back in the 1940s, now reintroduced as a Defender 75th anniversary limited edition.
After two hours of proper muddy hillside off-roading, we then got to appreciate the car’s ability to glide, or at least that’s what it felt like, as we took the long route home, a spin through the spectacular Sally Gap. This allowed us to experience the car in electric mode as we were driving the new Defender plug-in hybrid model, (offering 42km of electric driving on every charge), adding even more smoothness to the ride.
Now, with only open road ahead, we took the opportunity to appreciate the comfort and luxury of the interior. Between the super luxe leather seats, stylish cockpit, Meridian speaker system and slick Pivi Pro Infotainment touchscreen system – the Defender boasts all the mod-cons you expect of a luxury car today, but enhanced by all its additional rugged capabilities.
Suitably exhilarated by the combination of adventure and stunning scenery, the icing on the cake was yet to come, with our arrival at The Deerstone, our base for the night. The eco-retreat centre in Laragh, opened in late 2023 by Kirsty Foynes is nothing short of spectacular.
Located just a stone’s throw from Glendalough, the property basks in the beauty of its natural setting. As our tyres scrunched down the gravel drive, the first thing that caught our eye was the magnificent grass-roofed Roundhouse, designed by Rotunda, that sits central to everything, with pretty landscaped paths splitting off to lead you around the rest of the property which consists of five A1 energy-rated luxury eco cottages, (each with a private hot tub), four secluded shepherd’s huts, a dining lodge with mountain views, cosy firepit lounge and a secluded swim spa complete with river-side sauna and cold water plunge pools.
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Once we’d parked the car up, and plugged it in, (the property has a number of EV charging stations on site), I was delighted to take the tour with Kirsty. “The irony is,” she began, “that on our very first date, my husband and I both admitted to a dream of opening a boutique activity retreat… I pictured Greece, he had a water skiing place on The Shannon in mind…”
