WILD & MAGICAL IRELAND RETREAT – SOLD OUT

Yoga, Sound Healing & Exploring the West of Ireland

April 26 – May 2, 2024 

Discover the magical beauty of my home country, the dramatic scenery, the ancient history of the Wild West of Ireland. You will understand the allure of the land, the inspiration for so much creative talent. Enjoy the contrasts of the landscapes from the Cliffs of Moher to the Connemara countryside, castles, abbeys, and of course the pubs and music.

This retreat will be a combination of Yoga & my renowned Sound Healing experience which will help connect you to the special energy of the Emerald Isle.

Retreat Venue: Restored Country Manor

Our yoga retreat venue is a wonderfully restored country manor dating back to the 1700’s. It is steeped in history and charm and lends itself as an ideal place to recharge, explore, and connect with nature.

I’ve been searching for somewhere like this so that you can have some of that “old world feeling” of my home country. It is centrally located in the Galway countryside, about 25 minute drive from lively Galway City, and with easy day access to some of the best known, must-see sights of Ireland. 

As you might imagine, the living area and accommodations are in large rooms with lots of character, fireplaces and comfortable areas to lounge in. 

 

The yoga room was the old ballroom with beautiful floors, lovely high ceilings and large windows. All mats and props are provided.

Knockma Forest neighbors the house. The woodland is filled with fairy folklore and legend. Atop of the summit of the hill it is believed to be the burial grounds of the fairy king Finvarra. It boasts beautiful views.

Location

Surrounded by the green fields which Ireland is known for, the Manor is centrally located in the quiet and peaceful countryside.

This is a great base for exploring Co Galway, the Connemara region, Co Clare, the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. 10 miles from Tuam, a large country town and approximately 40 minutes from Galway City.

 

RETREAT INCLUDES:

• 7 days, 6 nights accommodation at Country Manor House
• Check in on April 26th from 11am on
• Twice daily yoga and sound healing including meditation and breathwork. On excursion days there may be a longer morning practice or the evening practice/sound healing may be after dinner.
• Daily Hearty breakfasts, 5 dinners, 5 lunches or packed lunches for day trips, tea, coffee
• 3 Day Trips:
  • Cliffs of Moher, stopping in Doolin village, traversing through the Burren landscape. Weather permitting hiking some of the spectacular Cliffs
  • Connemara, Cong, Ashford Castle, Kylemore Abbey, Cliften, Roundstone.
  • Galway City self exploration. This will be in the afternoon to early evening so you can also catch an early music session at a pub & grab some dinner
• Help with booking airport transfers from either Dublin or Shannon airports (transfer price is not included)

Accommodations

There are a variety of different bedrooms to suit people traveling together, couples and single solo travelers.  

Kirwan Room

The Kirwan Room, named for the historic Kirwan family that built and occupied the House for 300 years, embodies the nostalgic lifestyle found within distant and faraway places.

The Kirwan Room hints at these travels within its cosy yet, very spacious area. Accommodation is for 3-4 guests with crisp Egyptian cotton bedding. Sitting area with couches, Large ensuite bathroom.

2-3 single beds
1 double bed

€2200 / $2470 per person based on triple or quad occupancy 

 

King’s Room

Contemporary sources tell us that King Edward and Mrs. Simpson once stayed as guests in this room during a time of delicate decision. And of course, not to forget ‘Fin Bheara’ the King of the Daoine Sidhe in Irish folklore who inhabits nearby Knockma Hill.

The room offers an allusion towards the past regal status of the three Kings. With a full ensuite, early 20th century furniture, double bed and a single bed, crisp Egyptian cotton bedding, enjoy the opportunity to gaze and reminisce over the historical and gentle pastureland towards Knockma.

1 Double Bed

1 Single Bed

€2200 / $2470 per person based on double occupancy

 

 

Murphy’s Oriental Room

Murphy’s Oriental Room overlooks the ancient Knockma Hill and Forest. The room is a reflection only, of the attention to detail that generated from the Kirwan’s curious diversity in establishing trade in locations as distant as the Far East and West Indies.

The newly refurbished room has an ensuite and double size bed or 2 single beds, with crisp white linen. 

1 Double bed OR 2 Single beds 

€2200 / $2470 per person based on double occupancy

€2750 / $3080 based on single occupancy 

 

Friar’s Room

Looking out and towards Knockma Hill, the Friar’s Room recalls the name of a famous horse owned by the Kirwan Family. He was the talk of the racing community in Galway. In a gallant and magnificent effort he won a particularly historic race. For John and Mary Kirwan, this was a race that literally saved the family from ruin and launched the Kirwan name to rest evenly and fairly in Galway history.

With the aspect of Knockma watching serenely, the ensuite room with its sleigh bed and furnishings invites you to relax within the Hidden History of Rural Ireland. Enjoy the shared sound of silence and the reminders of where our own histories dwell.

1 Double Bed with EnSuite bathroom

€2200 / $2470 per person based on double occupancy

€2750 / $3080 based on single occupancy 

Oak Room

The Oak Room is a very large dormitory type room with 6 single beds, couches, private bathroom and powder room across the hall. Enjoy the opportunity to gaze and reminisce over the historical and gentle pastureland towards Knockma.

Contemporary sources tell us that King Edward and Mrs. Simpson once stayed as guests in this room during a time of delicate decision. And of course, not to forget ‘Fin Bheara’ the King of the Daoine Sidhe in Irish folklore who inhabits nearby Knockma Hill.

€2150 / $2410 Per person based on 4-6 people sharing

Apartment Lower

Situated on our west wing, the Lower apartment has 2 bedrooms with accommodation for up to 4 adults.

It is beautifully decorated, comfortable, cosy and welcoming with high quality orthopaedic mattresses and crisp white Egyptian cotton.

Bed Room 1      2 x Single beds
Bed Room 2      1 x Queen bed
Spacious bathroom
Apartment has a full kitchen

€2525/ $2830 Per Person 

Upper Apartment

Situated on our west wing, the Upper apartment has 2 bedrooms with accommodation for up to 4 adults.
It is beautifully decorated, comfortable, cosy and welcoming with high quality orthopaedic mattresses and crisp white Egyptian cotton.

Bedroom 1 x 1 Queen bed 

Bedroom 2 x 2 Twins or 1 Queen

Spacious bathroom is shared between the 2 bedrooms 

Apartment has full kitchen

€2525/ $2830 Per Person  Per Person Double Occupancy

Included in the Retreat price are 3 Day Trips via coach:

• Galway City self guided on the Saturday. We will head into Galway in the afternoon through the early evening. Take time to explore the City, the Quays, shops, pubs and sights of Galway. Find some local traditional music and enjoy dinner out. Suggestions will be given. This is the only evening that dinner is not included
• The iconic Cliffs of Moher & the Burren. We will traverse through the Burren landscape which is very unique with some stops along the way. Weather and time permitting we will hike a few miles along the Cliffs (or you can explore around the visitor center). We will stop into the little town of Doolin for refreshments!
• Co. Galway & Connemara Region in all her beauty and full of contrasts. Our tour will take us to  Cong and the Abbey ruins, a visit to the grounds of the very “posh” Ashford Castle hotel, through the beautiful lakes, the magnificent Kylemore Abbey, the seaside towns of Clifden & Roundstone and along the coast.

Registration & Payments

There is a strict non-refundable policy as this is a private venue for the retreat group .

€850 / $950 non-refundable registration fee to book your space.

Final Full payment is due February 15th 2024. This is non-refundable.

Please contact Elaine directly to book your room and make payment arrangements or if you have any questions. 

Payments from within Europe are Euros and can be done via Bank Transfer.

Payments from the USA are US Dollars. 

Email: [email protected]

***It is HIGHLY suggested to have your own travel insurance such as “cancel for any reason” in case you need to cancel last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. Make sure you read what your insurance covers you for. You need to take full responsibility for your own health or if any health issues arise. Again, payments are non-refundable and it is not the responsibility of Elaine to refund for any part of your trip. This is not a resort nor a hotel.***

About:

Connemara – Wild at heart

At times austere, at times sublime, Connemara is a place of legend, folklore and profound beauty. The late writer and cartographer Tim Robinson spoke of the landscape’s “huge, luminous spaces”, and it’s no surprise that artists and photographers, poets and playwrights have all found inspiration here.

Bounded by the Atlantic and set within a particularly scenic corner of County Galway, the region is famous for its wild terrain and soft colors. Rust-colored bogs are dotted with polished grey-blue lakes; old dry-stone walls are threaded over hills; and coral beaches, sandy bays and little harbors are edged by an ever-changing ocean.

Connemara is not just about the landscape, though – it’s about the Irish language, cherished by the locals. It’s about the charm of towns and villages such as Leenane, Roundstone, Clifden and Letterfrack. It’s about the ponies, the music, the pure flavors of local food. It’s about as good as it gets.

 

Transportation to other hikes and areas can be arranged on our “off days”.

Afternoon Tea can be arranged at Ashford Castle; Boat trip on Corrib Lake; visit the Falconry at Ashford Castle; more time in Galway…

But you may want to enjoy relaxation time, get a massage or energy healing session, or sit down with a book!

What to Expect on a Yoga Retreat?

A yoga retreat is the perfect combination of traveling without the hassle of figuring out all the logistics. This retreat is at a country manor, with a very small village nearby, yet just 25 minutes drive to Galway City and 10 minutes from Tuam. 

Everything on retreat is optional (even the yoga). You decide how much you wish to participate. But there is the healthy focus for your mind and body with daily practice offerings. It is a super opportunity to delve deeper into your yoga practice and to understanding yoga and meditation on a different level. Times of classes may change depending on the group and activities.  This retreat also includes sound healing experiences.

Most meals are included, except for 1 evening out in Galway. There will be packed lunch sandwiches on 2 of the trips. Alcohol is permitted but respectful consumption and behavior is required. 

Enjoy free time to relax when we are not doing trips. Massage and energy healing sessions can be booked.

Aside from yoga practice which is guided by Elaine, participants are responsible for what they do with their free time.  Elaine can help book taxi’s for extra excursions into Galway and 

Who is it suitable for?

Single travelers, friends, couples are all welcome. If you are a go-with-the-flow type of person who has a good sense of humor, is up for a bit of adventure then this retreat should be a good fit. If you want to have a unique experience, be open to new experiences then sign up!

However, if you know you are high maintainence, if you need someone to do things for you all the time, if you are use to staying at hotels, resorts, high end places, then this most likely is not the trip for you!  

How to get here:

From USA: There are non-stop flights from several USA cities into both Dublin and Shannon airports. Early check is available for everyone. Flights from the USA are overnight. You will depart evening of April 25th to arrive the morning of 26th into Ireland. It is about a 6 hour flight from northeast USA.  

Public but transport is available from Dublin and Shannon airports to Galway City or Elaine can arrange a group transfer directly to venue depending on who wants it.

Dublin airport group transfer will depart for retreat venue around 10.00am (most US flights arrive in around 8.30/9am. There are also flights that arrive in very early so I suggest booking the flights that arrive in around 8.30am instead.)

Shannon Airport transfer. Note flights from USA arrive in at 6am but check in is not till 11am. Exceptions may be able to be made for a 9am check in. Please discuss with Elaine before booking flight

Return group transport back to Dublin on May 2nd will depart retreat venue at 10am. Make sure you book late afternoon flights back to your home destination. 

From Europe: you can fly direct into Dublin or Shannon airports from most European cities.

1 hour from Shannon Airport

2.5 hrs from Dublin airport

Elaine will arrange airport transfers (price not included in retreat).

Car rental is advised if you wish to explore a lot and independently but 3 day group excursions are included, sight seeing and hiking.  

Extend Your Stay

You may wish to stay longer in the West of Ireland or elsewhere or go back and explore Dublin and surrounding areas.