An Adventure in Mindfulness on Ireland’s Sacred West Coast
August 25 – 30, 2019
The Burren region of Ireland
“a heart affirming taste of the beauty and magic of the Burren and the warmth of the Irish people”
Join co-facilitators Deirdre Walsh and Kim Manley Ort, along with 9 others for 6 days of mindfulness and camaraderie in County Clare, on Ireland’s west coast.
This is not a “cookie cutter” travel experience. It’s a true insider’s look at Ireland. Very few tour operators offer such a thoughtful itinerary woven with Celtic history and mindfulness themes and exercises.
This is a wild, mystical, and magical place, where the visible and invisible, past and present, seem to blend together. You’ll encounter the Wild Atlantic Way, the limestone landscape of the Burren, and of course, the people and their famous Irish hospitality. You’ll feel it all at a deep level.
Your guides, Deirdre and Kim, both have ancestral connections here and truly love the land and its people. Deirdre has led meditation retreats in Ireland and Kim’s background is in contemplative photography. While we believe that one can practice mindfulness anywhere, this is the perfect place to open the senses and be fully present.
While this retreat is more about mindfulness than photography, we’ll use our camera or smartphone as a tool to help us slow down and pay closer attention. It’s a wonderful place to photograph wild waves, misty landscapes, stone fences, and connect with animals (cows, sheep, and donkeys mostly). If you’re not a photographer, you’ll still benefit from the exercises. You can respond with writing, poetry, art, or simply just be and soak it all in.
What To Expect
We’ll gather to rest (and eat delicious food) at Hazelwood Lodge, a small family-owned inn near Ballyvaughan, and we’ll have the whole place to ourselves. Our hosts are Victor and Geraldine, and their daughter, Leslie and her husband Darren are the talented chefs.
- Each day will begin with a short meditation and introduce our theme and mindfulness exercise for the day. Then, on to your choice of a nourishing, healthy breakfast – Irish and vegetarian options available.
- There’ll be a daily outing to stimulate the senses. Some will be with fascinating guides like Pius, the retired schoolteacher who recites Irish poetry. On other days you’ll have lots of time to wander and explore.
- You’ll have time to yourself each day – to relax and reflect – on the exercises, this time in your life, or what this place is teaching you.
You’ll go home with mindfulness practices that you can bring into your everyday life – to slow down and listen, no matter where you are. You’ll have given yourself a pause in your everyday life that will allow you to return home refreshed.
And you’ll have an experience with this place and its people, as well as the other participants, that will be memorable for years to come.
Heart and soul renewed
“This was an amazing retreat ~ it was in a magical place with beautiful countryside and warm, welcoming people. I felt surrounded by kindred spirits and our retreat leaders, Kim and Deirdre, created an atmosphere of peace, connection, and safety. The days were well planned with interesting outings led by inspirational speakers. I had been experiencing tremendous loss prior to this journey, but I came away with my heart and soul feeling renewed.”
— L.B.
Senses enhanced
“I enjoyed the time enhancing the senses – from smelling the cows, sheep and salty air, listening to the distant sounds of waves against rock, seeing and touching the endless stone walls that covered the landscape”
— L.K.
Deeper experiences
“I knew I had to go on the Ireland trip and now I know why. While things for me haven’t changed all that much, at the same time they are completely changed, especially around awareness and relationship. Opportunities that I most likely would have passed up or responded to in a casual way are opening me up to new possibilities.”
— J.V.
Here’s a little of what we experienced in 2018 —
A big part of mindfulness is being open to the unexpected. On our very first day, the planned boat trip to the Aran Islands was cancelled due to weather. So, we went to Plan B with a visit to the nearby Cliffs of Moher. Some of us spent the afternoon in a Doolin pub, where we met the delightful Arnold and Alma, farmers from Northern Ireland. A band played traditional Irish music in the booth beside us as we sipped our Irish coffees.
Pius, a retired schoolteacher led us on a walk through the Burren, the ancient limestone landscape, and he shared the history of the area and recited Irish poetry for us. This was a highlight of the 2018 trip. He brought the landscape to life.
“wonderful balance of mindfulness meditation and photography exercises”
Mad Carl (as he called himself) shared his 20 year project of carving out a nationally-renowned garden on his 2 acres of limestone and rock. Piece by piece. Year by year. Amazing!
“an unforgettable experience of Ireland at an intimate level”
We did make it to the Aran Islands and it was worth the wait. We climbed an ancient fort and were rewarded with a hilltop perspective of the Atlantic Ocean in every direction.
“enjoyed the time enhancing the senses – from smelling the cows, sheep and salty air, listening to the distant sounds of waves against rock, seeing and touching the endless stone walls that covered the landscape”
Back at the Lodge, we revelled in the warm Irish hospitality of Victor and Geraldine – from clean rooms to homemade shortbread to advice on places to visit. The very first day at breakfast, they addressed each of us by name. We had a bottle of wine in our room and the next day wine glasses magically appeared.
“planning and logistics we’re amazing”
“the breakfasts were stunning and delicious. A rare combo. I still miss the brown bread.”
And we can’t forget the food – from Irish Guinness stew to seafood chowder to fish and chips (the fish caught 20 minutes before), all lovingly prepared and served.
“a fabulous and heart affirming taste of the beauty and magic of the Burren and the warmth of the Irish people”
“the food was 5-star across the board”
To top it off, we were lucky to have an incredibly rich group of people, who each brought their own unique flavour to the week.
“surprised by the compatibility of the group”
“so much more than a travel adventure”
“will have a lasting impact”
Arrival Day
You’ll arrive at Hazelwood Lodge on Sunday mid-afternoon at our lovely bed and breakfast just south of Ballyvaughan. You’ll be greeted by the owners, Victor and Geraldine, and settle into your room. They are among the finest of hosts in Ireland, having achieved a 97% excellent rating on Tripadvisor. Previous guests rave about the amenities, the hospitality and the food. We’ll have the entire place to ourselves.
You’ll have time to explore the grounds before we gather together in the late afternoon. This is the time to meet each other as we share wine and appetizers. You’ll receive an outline of our itinerary for the week.
Chef Lesley and husband Darren will cook us a gourmet dinner and we’ll continue to get acquainted.
Departure Day
Our time together will end on Friday with breakfast as usual. Then, we’ll recap the themes and events of the week to help you take the refreshment and restorative sense of the retreat back home.
Monday through Thursday
Each morning, we’ll gather for a short meditation and introduction to the theme for the day. We’ll learn about the science, art and practices of mindfulness. Then we’ll have a gorgeous full breakfast provided by our hosts at Hazelwood Lodge.
Each day we’ll go on an outing to experience the beauty and stillness of this area. Outings this year will include walks and free time on The Burren, a guided visit to The Aran Islands with plenty of time to wander, a guided tour of Flaggy Shore with lunch. We’ll also have a contemplative day at the Burren College of Art, to think, create, walk and be present in the inspiring setting. There’s so much to see and appreciate. The Burren has also become a real foodie trail and we’ll arrange lunch at one of the unique eateries.
After returning to the Inn, there’ll be time for relaxation – walking the grounds around the Inn, writing, reading, reviewing pictures, or taking a nap.
Dinner will be at the Inn or out at a local establishment. You can’t go to Ireland and not experience a night of traditional music.
After dinner, we’ll gather to review the day and theme. On Thursday evening, we’ll share pictures and thoughts from our week together.
Questions . . .
We’ll do our utmost to make everyone as comfortable as possible but we do want to help people make an informed decision. We’ll always have options for everyone, but there are a few things to consider.
- Photography – This is not a photography workshop per se, but there will be plenty of time to photograph. The themes will be flexible enough to allow you to respond in writing, poetry, art, or photography. Or, simply just be and experience and be inspired by others. You’ll have time on your own, exercises to guide you, a group to share and learn from, and a beautiful place to practice.
- Walking – there are no steep hills to walk on any of the day trips, but there will be some walking on most days. The trip to the Aran Islands will entail covering 2 – 3 km over flat terrain.
- Boating – the trip to the Aran Islands includes a 45-minute trip each way to the island. Rough weather is very unusual for August. If the weather is bad we will cancel the trip and reschedule if possible. We will have OTC remedies on hand.
- Food – Ireland is very modern in terms of flexibility and accommodation of dietary restrictions. The area is very big on seafood but we found vegetarian and non-seafood options available wherever we ate. The meals at the Hazelwood Lodge have many options available. The food was one of the biggest highlights for participants on our trip last year.
- If you have other concerns, email me here and I will be happy to answer them for you.
What’s Included
Comfortable small inn accommodation for five nights
Hearty, homemade meals featuring seasonal menus focusing on the west coast of Ireland (welcome wine and appies, five breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners with a glass of wine). 2018 participants mentioned how they appreciated how many out-of-pocket costs were covered.
Once you arrive at Hazelwood we will take care of all ground transportation for the duration of the retreat.
Daily morning mindfulness exercises featuring different techniques for customized practices.
Guided reflection and journaling to deepen your retreat experience.
Cultural guided hikes by local experts. Tours and gratuities are included in the tour price.
Free time in the garden and local trails around the Lodge.
Evening excursion for traditional music and Irish culture.
Evening relaxation exercises to deepen your sense of coming home to yourself.
What’s Not Included
One dinner (on own or as a group) paid for by participant.
Transportation to and from the retreat. We will be happy to help organize ground transportation from either Shannon Airport or Dublin airport. Payment for ground transportation will be the responsibility of the participant.
Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended in case you need to cancel your trip or have transportation or health issues during your journey, as payments once made are non-refundable. We will have suggestions as we open registration for the retreat.
**The maximum number of participants will be 10, booked on a first come, first served basis**
You are responsible for your own flights and travel insurance, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance and medical insurance.
The Burren, Ireland | Adventures in Mindfulness Retreat | August 25-30, 2019
We have capacity at Hazelwood Lodge for 10, booked on a first come, first served basis.
$2,350 USD per person for single occupancy.
$2,050 USD per person for double occupancy. We will book double rooms when you have a travel partner. Otherwise, please book a single room. If you are willing to share with someone you don’t know, let us know and we’ll pair you if it’s appropriate.
$1,995 USD per person based on triple occupancy. There is only one triple room at the Lodge. We will book your triple room if you have three people to share the room.
Payment Info
Registration is now open and will remain open until June 15, 2019. We’ll start a waiting list if there are more people interested than spots.
Please note: A non-refundable 30% deposit, per person, is required to confirm a reservation. The full balance is due 6 weeks prior to the start date of the retreat, (July 14, 2019).
If you’re interested in joining us, please hit the button below and send us an email letting us know. Tell us what kind of occupancy you want – single, double or triple – and we’ll send you a Paypal invoice that you can pay either with any credit card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, etc.) or a Paypal account.
And Then What?
Once you’ve registered we’ll add you to an exclusive mailing list for updates and travel information. We’ll send you information about what to pack, how to get there, what to expect from the weather, etc.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
If you cancel more than six weeks before the retreat begins, we won’t be able to refund the 30% deposit. If you cancel within six weeks of the retreat, we’ll refund your money minus the deposit IF we find someone to take your spot. We strongly advise you to purchase additional travel insurance – both medical insurance and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
Kim Manley Ort
Kim Manley Ort is a contemplative photographer who uses her camera to bring more awareness and presence to everyday life. She is a workshop facilitator and author of the book, Adventures in Seeing: How the Camera Teaches You to Pause, Focus, and Connect with Life. Learn more about her here. Her Instagram is here.
Deirdre Walsh is an integrative health coach and mindfulness teacher. Having family there, she knows the area well. She counts her trips well into the dozens (lost track about 15 years ago!). She leads retreats in Ireland to share the quiet and beauty of the place. Learn more about her here. Her Instagram is here.
