Keynote

Dr Lizzie Almas

Wellness as ROI: What all business leaders need to know about team health

With a passion for uncovering the “why” behind symptoms, Dr. Lizzie Almas brings a transformative perspective to workplace wellness.

A certified expert in functional medicine, Lizzie champions a root-cause approach that goes beyond surface-level fixes to restore true balance—especially in women’s health.

Her work is grounded in the belief that optimal wellbeing isn’t just personal—it’s professional. In this eye-opening session, Lizzie reveals how investing in employee health drives performance, retention, and ROI.

Lizzie hopes you will leave this session inspired to rethink wellness as a strategic asset and discover how a deeper understanding of your team’s health can build on its resilience, engagement, and long-term success.

Keynote

Jane Kitchen

The Future of Wellness: Key findings from the 2025 GWS Trends Report.

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Jane Kitchen is Media & Trends Analyst for the Global Wellness Summit and Global Wellness Institute, Editor of the annual Spa Handbook and Editor at Large for Spa Business Magazine.

Jane will be sharing some of the key trends from the 2025 Future of Wellness Report, the annual trends forecast published by GWS, walking us through the major developments happening around the World, showcasing the opportunities that relevant to the Irish spa market.

The goal is to help you plan and innovate and enable you to delight your existing customers and attract new guests with new services.

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Keynote

Christine Clinton

Viewing Wellness Through the Lens of Prevention: Education is key to long-term health and wellness.

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Christine Clinton is Chair of the Global Wellness for Children initiative for GWI.

She is also Co-Founder of Junior Genius Global, an International, inclusive educational company, supporting families, children and educators worldwide, in wellness for all.

At Spa Life Ireland 2025, Christine will deliver a review of some of the Global Wellness Institute's Micro-=Trends impacting the industry. This will include a thought-provoking overview of the effects of teen wellness (& how spa operators can develop impactful, age-appropriate programs, designed to develop resilience, foster a growth mindset, and support responsible decision-making in young people) and a summary of the importance of education around touchless wellness concepts..

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Breakout

Emma Garrett

The Evolution of Spa Management: New Approaches to Tackle the Toughest Obstacles. (PANEL)

Emma Garret is an accomplished operator having spent more than a decade managing the day-to-day operations of the Thermal Village at Galgorm Resort in Northern Ireland, as the facility developed at a considerable pace to become the significant collection of thermal experiences it accommodates today.

Earlier this year, Emma was appointed as the Spa Operations Manager at Galgorm, which also includes the responsibility for the treatment side of the business.

Having spent a significant period inside one of the world's most recognised spa resorts, Emma's challenges have been many and varied, and at Spa Life Ireland she will share some insights into these challenges, along with advise on how to successfully conquer them.

Breakout

Shane Carter

The Evolution of Spa Leadership: New Approaches to Tackle the Toughest Obstacles. (PANEL)

Shane is an experienced spa leader, currently responsible for one of Ireland's most well-known spa operations, Aqua Sana, Center Parcs.

Shane has a passion for people, wellness and innovation and some innovative ideas on how to tackle the unique challenges of modern spa management and will share some of his top Do's and Dont's with our audience.

Breakout

Dr Helena McMahon

Reframing your Spa’s Story: The Science of Longevity in Every Treatment

Spa therapists have always known that their treatments help people feel better, but science is now showing just how deep those effects go.

In this session, Dr Helena McMahon, a Cellular Biologist & Academic, shares the latest scientific research showing how hands-on therapies like massage, fascia release, and breathwork or sensory treatments don’t just help people relax — they actually support the body’s ability to heal and restore itself on a cellular level. These techniques boost energy production, improve how cells communicate, reduce stress, and help the body protect itself from damage.

Much of what is being talked about in today’s cutting-edge longevity science conversations is already happening every day in treatment rooms. Therapists are working with the body’s natural rhythms, creating space for recovery, and supporting long-term wellbeing, often without even realising how closely their work aligns with the science.

For spa managers, this reframing is powerful and presents an exciting opportunity. It offers a science-backed narrative to elevate treatment menus, empower teams and position your spa as a true centre of health and wellness.

Dr McMahon wants you to see spa therapy in a new light, where your therapists are perceived as practitioners in wellness facilitating repair and renewal at the most fundamental level. This is a cellular awakening that does not ask you to change what you and your teams do; it reveals why it works.

Breakout

Dara Mullooly

Talent Pipelines: The Smart Approach to Training & Retention

Discover how innovative training and apprenticeship programmes are tackling the twin challenges of staff shortages and skills gaps in Irish spas.

This session gives Spa Managers practical steps to explore proven local models, including the pioneering initiative led by the Clare and Limerick Education Training Board — with a view to expanding nationally.

Learn how to connect with these opportunities and be part of a forward-thinking approach to team development that supports long-term success for your business.

Breakout

Caroline Newton

Talent Pipelines: The Smart Approach to Training & Retention

Discover how innovative training and apprenticeship programmes are tackling the twin challenges of staff shortages and skills gaps in Irish spas.

This session gives Spa Managers practical steps to explore proven local models, including the pioneering initiative led by the Clare and Limerick Education Training Board — with a view to expanding nationally.

Learn how to connect with these opportunities and be part of a forward-thinking approach to team development that supports long-term success for your business.

Caroline Newton has over 20 years of experience in the spa and wellness sector and formerly held the role of Spa Manager at the multi-award-winning Aqua Sana Spa at Center Parcs Ireland, where she led a large team and focussed on mentoring therapists and staff, to foster personal and professional development.

Caroline is currently the Membership Manager at Image Skillnet, where she works closely with industry to help build a skilled, sustainable workforce within the Spa and beauty sector.

As Chairperson of the National Beauty Therapy Apprenticeship, a comprehensive programme currently in development, Caroline aims to provide structured, high-quality training pathways for future professionals.