Welcome to our West of Ireland Retreat
8 days in the Land of Heart’s Desire
It is said that eight days in the mythical Tír na n’Óg — the Land of the Ever-Young — is like eight hundred years in the land of mortal men.
In the ancient Irish imagination, Tír na n’Óg was not a place apart, but an otherworld that exists alongside our own, touching this world in moments of beauty, stillness, and deep connection.
This retreat is an invitation to step into that living landscape — to slow down, to listen, and to rediscover a sense of wonder, belonging, and renewal through land, story, music, and shared journey.
So come with me and ride,
To shores by the wash of the tremulous tide,
Where men have heaped no burial-mound,
And the days pass like a wayward tune,
Where broken faith is never knownAnd the first blush of love has never flownThere we dance in joy unboundIn the pale light of a Faerie moon.
What to Expect
Duration
8 Days
location
West of Ireland
Base
Temple House
Activity Level
Moderate
The Journey, Day-by-Day
Day 1: The Gathering of the Fellowship
“Ní neart go chur le chéile”
There is no strength without fellowship
We gather as a group and begin our journey along the Wild Atlantic Way, moving from the edge of the ocean into the heart of the west, arriving together in Galway City for our first evening.
- 8:30am: Meet Samuel, your driver and Shanakee (Seanchaí: Keeper of Lore) for the coming week at Shannon Airport on the Wild Atlantic Way.
- 8:45am: Depart for the Cliffs of Moher
- 10:00am: Cliffs of Moher
We spend the morning before the day trippers arrive from Dublin enjoying Ireland’s most visited natural wonder, the towering and iconic sea-cliffs of Moher. From the ageless mythical cliffs we continue north 10 minutes to the quaint seaside village of Doolin for lunch. - 12:00 Lunch: Doolin
From Doolin we continue north along the rugged north coast of County Clare. We visit the protected biosphere called the burren that encompasses 200 square kilometres of the southern shore of Galway bay. Stopping along the way to marvel at the drama of this karst landscape. - 4pm: (Overnight Galway City) We arrive early in Galway city. After checking in to our city centre hotel we are free to explore the eclectic streets of Ireland’s medieval city of the tribes. Famed for its live traditional music and Gaelic culture.
Day 2: Introduction to the Living Landscape of Tír na n’Óg
“Tír gan teanga, Tír gan anam”
Land without a voice, land without a soul.
Today we introduce you to the landscape and the language of one of Ireland’s last remaining Gaelic speaking regions and learn to hear the message it speaks to our hearts.
- 8am – 9am: Breakfast
- 9am: Depart the City of the tribes headed west into the wilds of Connemara. Our first stop is at Aughnanure castle, a 15thCentury tower house and home of the chief of the powerful O’Flaherty Clan.
After we explore Aughnanure we continue west into the heart of Ireland’s highlands and lakelands. Taking the scenic route through the dramatic Inagh valley to Ireland’s most romantic building; Kylemore abbey. - Lunch: Kylemore
- After lunch: We head for Ireland’s only fjord at Killery here we meet Tom Nee on his 5th generation sheep farm and marvel at the mountain collies (sheepdogs) at work. The views from Tom’s farm are spectacular.
- 5:30pm: Arrive Westport (Overnight Westport)
Tonight we stay on the shores of Clew bay in the colorful west mayo market town of Westport. Home to Matt Malloy’s (The Chieftains) traditional music pub and some of the best cuisine on the Wild Atlantic Way with the “Westport food trail”.
Arrival at Temple House
Set on a private lakeside estate in County Sligo, Temple House manor has been the home of the Perceval family for generations — custodians of land, history, and hospitality.
Here, the retreat deepens. Days slow, evenings gather around fire and music, and the landscape itself becomes a teacher.
Day 3: Introduction to the Other World and the ‘Good People’ of Tír na n’Óg
From this point onward, Temple House becomes our home — a place of stillness, hospitality, and deep connection to land and lineage.
- 8am – 9am: Breakfast
- 9:00am: Depart for Sligo and “The Land of Heart’s Desire”
Driving tour of Sligo “The Land of Heart’s Desire” Lough Gill and Glencar Lough. Driving towards Sligo town, we visit Tobernealt, an ancient sacred spring well/Christian pilgrimage site. From there to Slish wood for a 1 hour lakeside walk to Inishfree island (Yeats) from The lakeside to Stanford’s tea rooms in the quaint village of Dromahair for lunch. - 1:00 – 2:00pm: Lunch Stanford’s Dromahair
- 2:00 – 4pm: From Dromahair Drive to O’Rourke’s table for a short hike to spectacular lake views.
- 5:00pm: Arrive Temple house
- 7:00 pm: Dinner
- 8:30pm: Story and Song with Joanna Sweeney and friends.
Day 4: Introduction to the Art of Living in Tír na n’Óg
- 7:45-8:45am: Morning meditation/Yoga
- 9:00am: Breakfast
- 10:30: Day of Leisure
Today we take the opportunity to enjoy the many activities (or inactivities) available at Temple House. Bake some bread, weave a basket, go fishing or just hang out with the Good People. - Options:
Lakeside sauna, baking lessons, falconry, fishing, massage, kayaking…
…..whatever your heart may desire - 5:30pm: Depart for Sligo town
- 7:00pm: Dinner at the Coachman’s pub or Eala Bhan
Restaurant - 8:30pm: Return to Temple House or remain in town pubbing, live music and taxi home
Day 5: Riders to the Sea
From this point onward, Temple House becomes our home — a place of stillness, hospitality, and deep connection to land and lineage.
- 7:00 – 8:00am: Morning meditation/Yoga
- 8:00am: Breakfast
- 9:00 am : Depart for Day exploring the Wild Atlantic Way. Driving north to County Donegal and the Cliffs at Slieve League. The highest sea cliffs in Europe (200ft higher than the cliffs of Moher).
- We stop at Donegal market town home of Donegal tweed to visit the local Donegal craft market and an early lunch before venturing on to the mighty cliffs
- 6:00pm: We arrive home in time for dinner and a relaxing evening by the fireside with the Faerie Queen Claire Roche, world-renowned Celtic harpist and storyteller.
Day 6: In Search of the Holy Grail
““Lig an draoíacht a tharlú”
Let the magic happen.
- 7:45-8:45am: Morning meditation/Yoga
- 9:00am: Breakfast
- 10:30 am Depart for a mythical mystical afternoon.
Visit Carrowmore megalithic tomb complex, the largest megalithic site in Ireland.
Hike 1hr 30mins (moderate strenuous) to the hilltop burial site of Maeve Demi-Goddess Iron age Warrior Queen of the western Gael. - Lunch: The Strand pub, Strandhill seaside village
- 3:30pm: Return to Temple House
- 6:00pm: Temple House Dinner
- 7:30 – 9:00pm: Grail Quest and Shanakee performance
Together we walk the lands of the Knights Templar, keepers of the true Grail (access and revelations exclusive only to Temple House and Perceval family guests). This evening we learn the art of Living through pilgrimage. Following in the spirit of the Good Knight, Sir Perceval, in search of the Holy Grail. Walking the ruins of Temple Castle,ancestral home of the Perceval family and final resting place of the true Grail “le Sangreal”. - We are initiated into the secrets of the Temple Knights, sworn to protect and keep the true Grail. We hear the powerful voice of our ancestors through our own footsteps.
Day 7: The Return to the Heart of the Mountain
“An áit a bhfuil do chroí, is ann a thabharfas do chosa thú”
Your feet will take you to where your heart is.
- 7:45-8:45am: Morning meditation/Yoga
- 9:00am: Breakfast
- 10:30am: Depart for the morning 3hr long hike to the heart of the mountain (1hr 30mins one way, Activity level moderate) Today our pilgrimage takes us to the very heart of the mountain, the very heart of the world.
- We drive through Ballymote village to pick up food at the deli to bring for a picnic at our next stop: Carrowkeel.
- Continuing on to the caves of Keshcorran, a ten thousand year old ritual site with evidence of human ritual dating back to our earliest origins on the island. We hear the folklore of place told for millenia.
- Lunch: Picnic on site
- From the caves, we venture further to the Neolithic tomb complex of Carrowkeel where 26 of the oldest passage tombs in Western Europe lie scattered over 4 hilltops overlooking the beautiful Lough Arrow. A 1 hour hike takes us to a hillside high above Lough Arrow, the home of the ancient Gods of Ireland. We hear the stories of how the army of great hatred was finally and forever after defeated by the Good people and peace restored to the land and the world.
- 5:30pm: Return to Temple House
- 7:00pm: Temple House Dinner
8:00pm: Grand Finale private concert traditional music with Catmelodeon traditional music at Temple House.
Day 8: Farewell to Erin
“Is fearr seacht lá le na daoine maithe ná seacht mbliana leis na daoine dona”
Seven days with the good people is better than seven years with not so good people.
- 7:45 – 8:45am: Morning meditation/Yoga/Sound bath
- 9:00am: Breakfast
- 10:30 am
Today we say farewell for now to Temple house but not to Tír na n’Óg which lives now forever in our hearts.
Depart for Dublin via the hill of Tara, seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Here we invoke upon our onward journey that we may carry the spirit of Tír na n’Óg out into the world and let the magic happen. - ReturnTransfer to Shannon airport or onward travel options.
Practical Information
What’s Included
- 2 Nights Hotel Bed and Breakfast
- 5 nights 6 days exclusive country Manor house occupation
- 7 full choice cooked breakfasts
- 4 evening meals 3 course set menu (dietary requirements accommodated)
- All transfers and transport over 7 full days
- Site entry fees
- All relevant taxes and insurance
- Professional driver/guide
- Guided hikes
- Certain activities (i.e. Guided meditation/Bread baking)
- All entertainment
What’s Not Included
- Flights
- 3 evening meals
- Some optional activities (ie. falconry,seaweed baths)
Scheduled 8-Day Retreats – Price Per Person
€2,500
($2,899) per person sharing
Single Supplement: +€200 ($225)
For Retreat Leaders & Organisers
Retreat Pricing & Partnerships
Shanakee Retreats are bespoke experiences, created in collaboration with retreat leaders and facilitators.
Trade rates and tailored packages are available. Pricing is shaped by group size, duration, and itinerary.
Please enquire to discuss a customised retreat package.