Itinerary
LANDSCAPE OF SOUL AND STORY
Road in Beara
Touching the Ancient Land of Ireland
Writing Retreat and Tour with Carolyn Brigit Flynn
September 19-29, 2012
This is a basic outline of our days and plans. The schedule will be flexible, subject to weather and other considerations among the circle.
Boyne Valley
Wednesday 19th: Pick-up at Dublin Airport approximately10 am. Enroute to Bellinter House, stop for lunch on the road, and then walk outside at Dalgan Park and the River Boyne. Early afternoon check-in at Bellinter House. Retreat opens that afternoon with first retreat circle. Early dinner at B&B. Evening gathering, with introduction to Ireland, Boyne Valley and Landscape Heritage with slides by local guide, Gerard Clarke.
Thursday 20th: Morning visit to Newgrange, a world-renowned 5,000 year old passage tomb with ancient carved art and Neolithic standing stones. Lunch at the Visitor’s Center. Then early afternoon visit to the beautiful Lough Crew, the site of many neolithic passage graves on a series of hills with views of three counties. Stop in Kells in late afternoon for brief tour and dinner. Retreat writing/reading session that evening at Bellinter House.
Please note: We will be present at Lough Crew any morning near the Equinox (Fri/Sat/Sun) that the weather is clear enough for the sunrise. Therefore the days below will be adjusted as necessary.
Friday 21st: If morning is clear for the sunrise, leave 5am for Lough Crew to be present as first light enters the mound. Remain at Loch Crew for the morning to write and explore. Then on to Bellinter House for a day of writing. Afternoon and evening circles led by special guest Deena Metzger.
Saturday 22nd: Writing/dream session in the morning, followed by visit to Tara, a key place of spirituality in Ireland, over 6000 years old, with the largest collection of monuments on one site anywhere in Europe. Also, visit to Bective Abbey, a 12th century site which is peaceful, haunting and beautiful. Arrive at Glebe House and Dowth Mound for the afternoon. Evening circle at Bellinter House to share writing/art/stories.
Sunday 23th: Early morning visit to Newgrange for tour at opening, including tour of Knowth. Lunch at the Visitor’s Center. Then on to Slane, where Christianity first came in 5th century, to Monasterboice, one of the last Celtic monasteries in Ireland. Also visit to Melifont Abbey. Evening session at Bellinter House to close the Boyne Valley portion of the tour.
Beara Peninsula
Monday, 24th: Leave by mini-bus early morning for Kildare. Visit sites sacred to the great mother goddess Brigit: sacred well, fire building and Kildare monastery. Also visit Solas Bhride and the Brigidine sisters who tend Brigit’s eternal flame. Lunch in Kildare, then leave around 3pm for beautiful scenic drive to the southwest, and into the Beara Peninsula. Dinner on the road, and arrive in Eyries to settle into B&B’s.
Tuesday, 255h: Morning dream circle and retreat session at Anam Cara. Afternoon free at Anam Cara to write and explore the beautiful grounds. Lunch and dinner at Anam Cara. Evening gathering to share writing/art/story. Retreat day led by special guest Deena Metzger.
Wednesday, 26th: Day of exploration of the exquisite Ring of Beara. We will visit the Hag of Beara, the Ardgroom Stone Circle, wedge grave/dolmens, ancient monasteries as we explore the wide Irish views, wonderful small towns of Eyeries and Castletownbere, and the beautiful sea. Brown bag lunch from Anam Cara. Dinner on your own, and evening free to explore the wonderful town and pubs of Castletownbere or relax at Anam Cara.
Thursday, 27th:: Morning retreat session at Anam Cara. Afternoon free at Anam Cara to write. Late afternoon ritual walk to the cascades. Lunch and dinner at Anam Cara. Evening gathering to share writing/art/story.
Friday, 28th: Day at Bere Island, a beautiful island reached by ferry. We will visit the Village of Rerrin, explore the island, and then settle at Bere Island’s lone standing stone, the spirit of the island, where we write, and will hold sacred ritual. Brown bag lunch from Anam Cara. Dinner and evening at Anam Cara, where we will hold our last circle.
Saturday, 29: Leave early morning for drive to Dublin Airport. Arrive at airport around 1pm.