From Wild Kitchens to Designing a Life of Wellness: Christina Foley’s Journey to Inish Living

We're thrilled to welcome Christina Foley as our guest newsletter editor – a remarkable woman whose tenacity and talent shine through everything she touches. From physiotherapy to product design, she brings heart, heritage, and a deep belief in everyday wellness to Inish Living.

Hi everyone,

It’s Christina here. If you’re new to Inish Living, I’m delighted to meet you. I wanted to take a moment to slow things down, grab a tea (or wine – no judgment!), and share my story. Not just about Inish Living, but how it came to be, and why I believe wellness starts with the smallest details – sleep, movement, breath, nature, balance, and a little madness thrown in too. My friends will verify that!

A Legacy of Strong Women & Wild Kitchens

Some of you may know me through my family. My chef mother, Maura O’Connell Foley, is a bit of a legend in Kenmare and a trailblazer in the restaurant business. She opened The Purple Heather in 1961 with her mother when she was just 19. My aunt Gráinne ran it until she retired last year.

My mother went on to renovate and open The Lime Tree with my dad, which even received a few Michelin awards, and later opened Packie’s and Shelburne Lodge. She’s now 83 and still going strong.

My culinary roots go back even further — to my great-grandmother, Nonie Harrington from Tuosist, where I now live. She crossed the Atlantic twice from Cobh in the late 1800s, first at just 15. In the early 1900s, she returned and opened 35 Henry Street (where Packie’s used to be). Her hare soup and stew were legendary, and she amazed locals with the first taste of hand-churned ice cream. My grandaunt also ran the well-known Wander Inn in Kenmare.

I was lucky enough to work on Mom’s lifetime book My Wild Atlantic Kitchen – Recipes & Recollections with her and my sister. It’s full of her most-loved recipes, memories, and heart. The book also features beautiful art from her friends Pauline Bewick and Christine Bowen, along with photography and stories. It won World Cookbook of the Year in 2021 and is still flying off the shelves.

That book came straight from Mom’s heart – and it’s where the seed for Inish Living was planted. Watching my parents follow their passions, I learned the power of doing what you love. For me, that’s where wellness, design, movement, and food all come together.

How Inish Living Was Born

I trained and still work as a Chartered Physiotherapist, running a busy practice in Kenmare since 2009. I adore the science of the body – how we move, rest and heal.

In 2020, during lockdown, I saw a gap in the market for products and practices that truly supported people. Not just pretty things, but functional, nurturing, well-designed tools for real life and health. That’s when I started Inish Living – based on three pillars: movement, rest, and play.

That’s where my now-signature range of yoga mats, baby mats, and breathable bed linen was born. I delayed the launch after losing my amazing dad unexpectedly in late 2021 and also had my second boy in January 2022.

The Yoga Mats – Designed with Purpose

My multi-purpose exercise mats are suitable for all types of movement and are made from natural, bio-based materials. They're designed for durability, grip, and comfort. They’re a bit longer and wider than average, with plant-based inks and a high-grip layer that gives you confidence – so no slipping mid-flow!

They’re perfect whether you're a beginner or a yoga teacher sweating through five classes a day. Part of my logo is inspired by Skellig Michael – it evokes great memories and ties into my love of geometrics. The functional design of the beehive huts on Skellig, made to last and withstand the elements, reflects the values at the heart of everything I create.

I rent my mats to companies for events, retreats, and pop-ups. Whether it's a wellness launch or a retreat weekend, our mats bring style and stability – and they last.

The Baby Mats – From Motherhood to Movement

The baby play mats are one of my proudest designs, and they came directly from personal experience. My little boy Tom had a stroke at birth. He had a rare brain bleed with seizures. We were lucky to have amazing doctors and therapists.

I ended up doing physio with him every day on the floor – on substandard puzzle play mats. They were awful. So I designed my own: neutral, reversible, thick, supportive, wipeable, and stylish enough to leave in the living room.

The Bed Linen – A Game-Changer for Sleep

Let’s talk about sleep – and my game - changing bed linen. It’s made from 100% TENCEL™ Lyocell, a silk-like, breathable fabric from eucalyptus wood pulp. It’s cooling, moisture-wicking, and luxuriously soft.

As a physio, I know how critical sleep is. Your body heals, your brain resets, your cells regenerate. Poor sleep messes with everything. Temperature regulation is vital – especially for people going through cancer treatment, perimenopause, neurological conditions, thyroid issues or insomnia.

TENCEL™ Lyocell is thermoregulating, antibacterial, and sustainable (it uses 10x less water than cotton). It stays fresh longer, so you can wash it less often. Our range includes flat sheets, fitted sheets, duvet covers, and baby sheets – all designed to keep the body cool and safe.

I also have a gorgeous baby sleeping bag launching in the autumn – soft, sustainable, and covered in a dreamy sheep design. It’s the perfect gift! I've been lucky to collaborate with Peigín Crowley and GROUND Wellbeing Oils, creating a gift set supporting Rest & Rejuvenation.

Prices range from €25 to €195 – it’s luxurious but accessible, and made to last for decades.

Bringing It All Together

Through Inish Living, I’ve combined my background in physiotherapy and sports science, my family’s legacy in hospitality, and my passion for design.

I’ve created wellness partnerships with luxury hotels such as Adare Manor, Dromoland Castle, and The Europe Hotel. I’ve designed custom mats, turn-down cards with breathwork and sleep tips, and co-created The Inish Living Wellness Interactive Series – a bank of premium, evidence-based videos for hotel guests.

This is where my two worlds – clinic and creativity – blend beautifully.

I still practice as a physio, especially with older adults in our community here in Kenmare. I run a Wednesday Wellnessseries on @inishliving with strength and balance routines – and yes, my mother Maura is in the series! Movement truly is medicine. No matter your age or ability, there’s always something you can do – even if it’s calf pumps on your chair to boost circulation. (Fun fact: your calf is like a second heart that helps circulate blood back up the body!)

Resilience, Rest & Reality

The last few years have been intense. I had wonderful support from my husband, our families, and friends. My son’s birth was a shock, I lost my dad, I paused my launch – but I kept going. Not because I’m a hero, but because I had to. And I’m sure many of you have done the same in your own lives.

I believe in helping people feel better – through movement, rest, and everyday rituals that help us cope with modern-day stresses. Helping others is something I love.

There’s still so much to come – new products, new partnerships, more collaborations with incredible hotels and creatives. But for now, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for reading this, for supporting my journey, and for believing in wellness that’s beautiful, meaningful, and grounded in real life.

Beannacht,
Christina