Bearnardin Ní Goibniu travelled the world as a jet-setting airhostess. However, she has now cashed in her air miles and settled in Ballinasloe, setting up a haven for rest and relaxation – the Little House of Avalon.

Bearnardin began her career as a laboratory technician in Switzerland and also worked in a private hospital and the surgery of a consultant who was sought after by celebrities, such as Richard Burton and Elisabeth Taylor. However, Bearnardin’s Swiss father had been a pilot and she soon followed in his footsteps, being bitten by the travel bug and becoming an air hostess.

After 21 years, Bearnardin was forced to retire from her career as an air hostess when she became ill from toxins used during flight. As a child, her grandparents had a huge interest in natural remedies, so she decided to heal her illness using only traditional medicine. This interest in holistic therapy is at the heart of the Little House of Avalon, with the emphasis on calm and de-stressing treatments in a tranquil environment.