Retreat Centers, Guides and Links
IRELAND 2012
BOYNE VALLEY RETREAT CENTER: BELLINTER HOUSE http://www.bellinterhouse.com/
Bellinter House is a beautiful eighteenth century manor that was renovated in 2003 into a hotel and retreat center south of Navan. It has lovely extensive gardens, spa, excellent restaurant, and walking grounds. Our group will use a private, comfortable retreat cottage for our shared work. Participants will have access to the indoor infinity pool, steam room, sauna and outdoor hot tub.
BEARA PENINSULA RETREAT CENTER: ANAM CARA RETREAT www.anamcararetreat.com
We will hold our gatherings at Anam Cara Retreat Center, a celebrated Irish retreat for writers and artists overlooking Coulagh Bay and the mountains and farmlands of the Beara Peninsula. Sue Booth-Forbes, the founder, is an experienced writer and editor. Sue is a delightful, magic-making women who facilitates everything, including spectacular meals, connections with massage therapists and the local stone diviner. She will also be a local guide for us. Participants will stay in lovely nearby B&B’s with easy walking distance of Anam Cara in Eyeries.
MORE ON SPECIAL GUEST DEENA METZGER: http://www.deenametzger.com/
It is a thrill for me that we will have Deena Metzger with us. If you are not familiar with Deena, I urge you to explore her website, books and videos online. She is a life-changing presence and elder, and will provide our time together with an unrepeatable quality of learning, creativity, mystery, ritual and wisdom.
BOYNE VALLEY GUIDE: Our local guide for the Boyne Valley portion of the retreat will be Gerard Clarke, a man of spirit and grace who guided our group through the Boyne Valley in 2002 and 2007. He is wonderful host, scholar and is also an activist on behalf of the sacred landscape. Gerard was the Head Guide at Newgrange and the Hill of Tara for many years. He has a background in geology and archeology, and holds a Master’s Degree in Ecology and Religion. He works as the Project Manager for Eco-Spirituality at Columban Missionaries. Gerard is from an old fishing and farming village in North Mayo, where he grew up speaking Irish along with English.
KILDARE AND BRIGIT: http://www.solasbhride.ie/
Kildare means “Church of the Oak,” and I am delighted that we will spend a day there exploring the land and sacred wells of the Goddish Brigit. To facilitate this journey, we will be joined by Sr. Mary of Solas Bhride, a community of nuns devoted to Brigit of Kildare and tending her eternal flame. Brigit’s legacy is as a spiritual leader, a peacemaker, a woman of the land, an advocate for the poor. Solas Bhride offers hospitality to people of all faiths and none, sharing and celebrating the story of Brigid in a life-giving, creative and challenging way. I have brought groups to visit Sr. Mary and Solas Bhride before, and I know it will be wonderful. Brigit’s sacred well, her fire building, the Kildare monastery, St. Brigid’s Church and Kildare itself are all beautiful and inspiring
LINKS OF INTEREST: You will find many fascinating sites on the web; here are a few to get started.
NEWGRANGE http://www.newgrange.com/
LOUGH CREW http://www.knowth.com/loughcrew.htm
KILDARE AND BRIGIT: http://www.solasbhride.ie/
BEARA PENINSULA http://www.bearatourism.com/ringbeara.html
BERE ISLAND http://www.bereisland.net/
BONANE HERITAGE PARK http://www.bonaneheritagepark.com/