The journey was long and windy. The roads bumpy and towns busy that we had to pass through to go on our holidays to West Kerry and West Cork. The homes of my parents that border each other in the province of Munster, Ireland.
Four siblings squished into the back seat of the grey Renault 18 car. My father intent on driving at 50 miles per hour all the way to Dingle! Car stocked up with our luggage and most importantly, food for the journey including our picnic special of Kimberley, Mikado and Coconut cream biscuits. Fizzy drinks too if we were lucky!
Many many hours later and sitting sleepily amongst the biscuit crumbs, my mother would call out "who can see the house first?". "Me, me, me...." we'd respond. Fighting over who had really seen it first. The house being her birth home in Coumgaugh, Dingle, in the bend of the sun's rays 2 miles down the bóthar fada / the long road, from Dingle town.
An opportunity to be wild and free on the land of my ancestors, climbing my favourite trees behind the house; walking up to the cow house to check on the animals; playing with Kerry the sheep dog or cuddling the new batch of kittens hungry for my attention. Climbing The Bean hill behind the house and calling out in carefree delight with the take-your-breath-away views at the top across the Dingle Peninsula.
Sitting outside on the stone front door step in the early mornings basking in the rising summer sun of West Kerry. The sweet smell of a long summer ahead filled with belly laughs, cousins, the fresh seas, sandy toes, new potatoes with melted Irish salty butter and my auntys' warm homemade brown bread.
The sun always seemed to shine and when the rain came, we'd retreat inside for board games or cozy chats by the fireside. The crows chattering noisily in the trees by the house.
Something has been on my heart for many many years. It became stronger after walking the roads of Dingle in the half marathon in early September this year. I noticed how beautifully Dingle brings me into a presence where all worries and distractions disappear. Just like that. How nothing else matters other than the landscape, the beauty and the raw wildness that is Her, Daingean Uí Chúis / Dingle / An Daingean!
Her soul song is strong.
She calls the weary traveller to come rest awhile. Her strong embrace never leaves you!
Today is the day that I share my heart with you, with encouragement from my ancestors!
"Now is the hour", as my grandfather Jim used to say.
I am calling 12 souls to Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, to the land of my ancestors to commune, connect, learn, share stories, be inspired and listen to what the land would like to have happen. In a fully immersive retreat, located by the birth place of my grandfather Jim in Cuas a'Bhodaigh / Brandon Creek, a short drive from Dingle town.
You're invited, dear traveller, to the unique
Sacred Storytelling Retreat DINGLE
County Kerry, Ireland
1 - 5 May, 2025
I am synchronistically in Ireland leading a group in sacred storytelling at Lough Gur and The Grange Stone Circle, County Limerick as part of their private retreat on the 10-10 portal.
I am then travelling on to Dingle in order to finalise details for my 2025 Dingle retreat and to listen to the land, as well as to catch-up with my relations! So you can expect to hear more specifics from me in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, you can show your interest by joining the waitlist that I have created especially for this event.
CLICK HERE to add yourself to the WAITLIST and mark the retreat date in your diary!
When you add yourself to the waitlist, it means that I will tell you FIRST about this retreat once enrollment is fully OPEN!
Here are further details:
Location: An Bóthar Pub & Guest House, Cuas, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland. Click here to checkout our retreat space which supports a grounded, authentic Irish welcome :).
An Bóthar means the road. My grand-aunt Peig and grand-uncle Tommy purchased An Bóthar many many years ago and it remains in the family now, being run by my cousins.
Date: 1 - 5 May, 2025
Season: Bealtaine ~ gather around the bright fire
Number of participants: 12
The Working Itinerary:
Arrival: Thursday 1 May 2025 Afternoon - Meitheal ~ Gathering for our opening dinner and orientation circle
Day 1: Friday 2 May 2025 Connecting to the Threshold of Your Knowing through the Voices of the Ancestors
It's a short walk to Cuas a' Bhodaig / Brandon Creek, past Grandfather Jim's birth home to the place where St Breandan set sail on his voyage of discovery, to return with scéalta nua / new stories and yarns. This place holds a special kind of magic and stillness, gazing into the creek at the edge of our knowing.
Learn about Wild Foraging of seaweed on the land and plants with a native to Dingle who will also teach you the Irish words for these sacred plants.
Day 2: Saturday 3 May 2025 Activating Your Codes through the Voices of the Land
Entering into sacred ceremony, we go on excursions to sacred sites such as St Gobnait's Well, Kilmalkedar 12th Century church where my ancestors are buried, Gallarus Oratory and The Lonely Ogham Stone by my mother's home, that hold the memories of the codes.
Free time in Dingle town with an opportunity to enjoy the many craft shops and sample the delicious fresh Dingle food, with live music as an added cultural bonus!
Day 3: Sunday 4 May 2025 Allowing Your Sacred Story to Unfold
Who are you now? Space and time for writing, meditation, art and creativity to express yourself and record your new insights, with the land of our ancestors supporting you.
Excursion to Tráigh an Fhíona / Wine Strand, the beach of my childhood. Walk along the sandy shore and allow the soft gentle air to wipe away all your worries. We'll pop into An Riasc / Reask monastic settlement to connect with the ancient stones and be in silence to commune with the sacred stories here.
Another stop at Béal Bán beach and the beach of my ancestors. Take a dip in the salty ocean if you're feeling brave! These are beautiful places to gather in meditation on the land.
Day 4: Monday 5 May 2025 Morning - Consolidation & integration. The Way forward & The long Irish goodbye.
What's included:
Delicious and hearty breakfast and dinners at An Bóthar Pub
Packed lunch daily for our excursions
Accommodation in shared rooms with a single room supplement
Indoor retreat space where we gather, learn and meditate in between excursions
Private mini-bus transport to locations around Dingle
Craic, ceol, agus scéalta ~ fun, music and stories!
Spaciousness to absorb the stillness and silence that this venue outside Dingle offers as well as the fun, laughter, and busyness of Dingle town as a popular tourist destination
You can expect a uniquely transformational immersive experience in this landscape of soul on the wild Atlantic threshold, which I proudly call the home of my ancestors and my soul home.
CLICK HERE to add yourself to the WAITLIST for the
Sacred Storytelling Retreat DINGLE
County Kerry, Ireland
1 - 5 May, 2025
When you add yourself to the waitlist, it means that I will tell you FIRST about this retreat once enrollment is fully OPEN!
I can't wait to be your host and guide on this deeply meaningful pilgrimage at the edges of the salty, wild Atlantic waters.
At the threshold of our current knowing.
Connect deeply with the vast swell of the wild Atlantic oceans, the voices of the ancestors and voices of the land so that you may know your unique way.
Your soul song is waiting for you to remember once again as you immerse yourself within the sheer beauty of these lands.
Allow your sacred story to unfurl and flow.
I welcome you home to the Kingdom of Kerry with outstretched arms.
Le grá / with love,
Eimear x
