Retreats

Food Experience Workshops, Ocean Walks, Mindfulness Meditations and Moving & Relaxing in our Yoga Studio

Our Food Experience Retreats will give a holistic appreciation of food – taking you from the garden, to the kitchen to the dining table. With slowing down and connecting back to nature, food and ourselves being the central focus of the retreat the schedule will include:

– Practical hands-on cookery demonstrations

– The establishment of a simple recipe repertoire to take home

– Tips on developing your wholefood pantry for ease of cooking at home

– Design guidelines on creating a calm cooking and eating environment

– A guided eating meditation that can be practiced at home

– Embodied relaxation session

What is a food experience?

It is an encounter between a person and food. Food experiences happen all the time but often we miss them as we hurry through our day. Taking the time to slow down and connect back to nature and the food we eat can greatly deepen our experience of food. Food experiences take many forms and include preparing a meal from scratch for friends and family, growing some herbs on your window sill, foraging in a hedgerow (time of year dependent), visiting a local farmers market or going out to your favourite restaurant for a meal. There are so many moments throughout the day where we can experience and appreciate food more mindfully. The Food Experience retreats create an environment and opportunity to slow down and tune into the gifts of edible nature that are to be savoured in our everyday life.

What will we be doing in our cookery sessions?

The intention for our cookery sessions is for guests to come away feeling more connected, inspired and competent. We will begin some of our sessions in the organic gardens where will see where and how food is grown and harvest the seasonal abundance for our cooking. We then make our way to the kitchen where we prepare food in a sensual and hands-on way. Guests will be encouraged to get involved in the food preparation and to tune into their senses, tasting, smelling and feeling their way through the food-making process. Guidelines will be provided to equip guests with developing a whole food pantry, a calm cooking and eating environment and how to use these practical everyday activities as a meditation.

Unique to these Food Experience Retreats are our workshops with Steph Sheahan. Steph is a Food Experience Designer and your time with her will be so much more than simply learning to cook. Steph has created a food experience based on the Sensuality, Spirituality and Simplicity of edible nature, cooking and eating. Steph excels in the creativity and approachability of our relationship with food, and her purpose is to empower you. Her expertise focuses on mindful eating, cooking as meditation and connecting to the experience with body and mind. For more about Steph please see her website Rituals of Plate.

Dinner is where we will impress you and show you how elaborate and fantastical plant based eating can be – our chefs doing what they do best!

What will I get from the retreat?


A more holistic appreciation of food
 – Space to slow down and deepen your relationship with food, nature and your body – An opportunity to reflect on your own personal wellness needs
 – A simple recipe repertoire to take home 
- Inspiration and practical guidelines for a more calm, creative and mindful cooking and eating experience.

Who is this for?

These retreats are for anyone wanting to deepen their connection with food, nature and themselves.

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Prices

Due to the limited number of places on our retreats, deposits are non-refundable for any cancellations within 21 days of the retreat start date. Click here to read our full Terms and Conditions.

 

All prices are per person, all-inclusive and include all classes, meals, beverages, accommodation, walks, hot-tub and sauna.

 

Quad Room (female only)         €390

Twin – Shared Bathroom          €425

Single – Shared Bathroom        €490

Twin/Double Ensuite                 €470

Single Ensuite                              €540

 

• For a detailed description of the rooms please visit our Bedrooms page
• If you are travelling on your own and want one of our shared room options, we can pair you with someone of the same gender.

 

Schedule

Friday

Check in anytime from 16:00

Relax, take a walk and partake in a welcome drink and sweet treat with your fellow retreat participants

18:00   Meditation, gentle yoga and relaxation session (90 minutes)

20:00    Dinner – delicious, healthy fare! Followed by arrival introduction chat to the weekend, the schedule and the area

 

Saturday

07:30     Optional ‘Stretch and Relax’ Yoga Class with Kaye McInerney

08:45     Delicious, healthy breakfast buffet

09:30     Coastal/Countryside Walk

11:15        Healthy snack and a cuppa

11:30       Food Experience Workshop with Food Experience Designer Steph Sheahan

13:30      Healthy delicious Lunch

Free time

Options for naps, therapies, sea swims, surfing or exploring the local area

17:45    Meditation and Deep Relaxation Session

19:00    Dinner Celebration – kick back and let us impress you!

Our beautiful glass fronted sauna will be available at all times during your stay and we will fire up our wood burning hot tub on Saturday as well, weather permitting

 

Sunday

08:00   Meditation and ‘Stretch and Relax’ Yoga Class with Kaye McInerney, plus Closing Circle

09:30   Delicious, healthy breakfast buffet

10:15    Coastal/Countryside Walk

11:15     Food Experience Workshop

12:15    Room Checkout

12:30    Celebration farewell lunch

 

During the day tea, coffee and herbal teas will be available at all times

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Getting here

Our yoga retreat is in Co.Clare on the West Coast of Ireland

Eircode: V95 A499

Shannon Airport:

Shannon is our closest airport. You can catch a taxi from the airport directly to the Retreat for approximately €90.

We recommend contacting Philip O’Dwyer and Tom Dowling who offers competitive rates from Shannon to the Retreat compared to picking up a taxi at the airport. Phillip and Tom can accommodate individuals and groups. To pre-arrange transfers please contact directly at (phone is the preferred method):

Philip:

–       Email:             thetaxicompany@gmail.com

–       Phone:            +353 (0) 65 707 5000

–       Mobile:           +353 (0) 86 606 6761

 

Tom:

–      Phone              +353 (0) 86 8346450

 

Public Transport:

Dublin Coach has a great service from Dublin (airport or city centre) to Ennis. Please visit their website for up to date time tables and costs: http://www.dublincoach.ie/

 

Bus Eireann run a service (Route 350) from the Ennis train station to Lahinch and Liscannor (close to us). Please visit their website for up to date time tables and costs: http://www.buseireann.ie/

 

From Lahinch or Liscannor you can take a taxi to the retreat. To pre-arrange transfers please contact Philip directly at:

–       Email:             thetaxicompany@gmail.com

–       Phone:            +353 (0) 65 707 5000

–       Mobile:           +353 (0) 86 606 6761

 

By Car, From Lahinch:

We are 7kms from Lahinch driving straight out on the road to the Cliffs of Moher. As you enter Lahinch follow the signs for the Cliffs of Moher and Liscannor (it’s a right turn before you come into the main street of the village).

Drive along that road, with the golf course on your left. After 4 kms you will reach Liscannor Village. Continue driving through Liscannor Village. After another 3kms turn left, just before The Rock Shop (which is on the right side of the road). After 200 metres you will reach a crossroads, turn right. Continue up the road for approximately 750metres, we are the third property on the left, you will drive up a long driveway and we will be waiting for you there!

Google Map Location:

Common Questions

What time is check-in?

Check-in is at 4pm..

My flight gets in earlier than the 4pm check in, can I come earlier?

We will be preparing the retreat centre at that time and if a group checked out that day your room will be not be ready if you are arriving very early. We recommend getting the taxi to drop off your bags and then taking you into Lahinch. We are isolated and there isn’t anywhere to get lunch but Lahinch has cafes, restaurants, shops and a lovely beach. Your taxi can arrange to collect you again later.

My flight arrives a day in advance - can I stay an extra night?

We don’t have guests staying earlier as the centre is not open before a retreat. There may also be a retreat
still in progress. We recommend staying in Lahinch which is only a few kms away and has walking access to
hotels, hostels, B&B’s, shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants and a lovely long beach.

My flight leaves the next day - can I stay an extra night?

We don’t have guests staying an extra night as the centre is closed after a retreat. There may also be a retreat starting.
We recommend staying in Lahinch which is only a few kms away and has access to
hotels, hostels, B&B’s, shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants and a lovely long beach within walking distance.

I arrive into Shannon Airport, what's the best way to get to you?

Please visit our Getting Here page for full details.

Will I be able to share a transfer from Shannon airport?

It will depend if there are others on the same flight. We will not know this at the time of booking.
If you are in a position where you have to pay for a taxi on your own on the way in, it is usually easier to
get back to the airport as you can look into public transport or get a lift with another guest driving past the airport.

Is there Wifi?

We have wifi for guests in our media room, a comfortable room to read, relax and get online if you want to.

Can I get a single room?

We have a limited number of single rooms which are booked on a first-come-first-served basis. Prices are €35 extra per night. Please contact to arrange.

I'm coming on my own can you pair me to share?

We can pair you with someone of the same gender.

What do I need to bring?

We provide towels, hand soap, hair-driers and yoga equipment, please bring anything else you require.

I'm new to yoga, will the retreat suit me?

We get beginners all the time, and everyone is welcome.

I have a severe food allergy , can you accommodate me?

Yes we can, please can you let us know your severe food allergy upon booking.

Is alcohol served/allowed at the Retreat?

No, we are a dry facility but there are some wonderful pubs in the area that we can guide you to and we can also provide you with some taxi numbers.

How do I arrange a massage during my stay?

We are limited for treatments due to having only one therapy room. With a full retreat program there are only certain slots available, for example, on a weekend retreat there are only 3 massage slots. If you know in advance that you would like a treatment please contact us to arrange.

I'd like to book a surf lesson/activity, should I do this before I arrive?

It is a good idea to make sure you can get a place. The details for recommended tour operators are on in the section The Area.

What kind of yoga do you teach?

All our teachers are extremely experienced but each teach their own style. Please see the individual retreats and teacher’s biographies for more specific details.