County Clare hostel and holistic centre, Ireland
| country: | Ireland |
| location: | County ClareSee map here |
| price: | From €17 - €28 per person per night (accommodation only). Workshops from €385 - €654 (7 days) including accommodation, meals and tuition. Price depends on workshop and choice of accommodation. See below for further details |
description
Nestled in a peaceful, rural setting on the edge of the Burren, the centre offers a range of activity holidays on its 50 acre estate, with a beautiful domed hall and stone circle.
With classes and workshops in Yoga, Traditional Irish Music, Ceramics, Dance, Singing, Cookery and Tribal Drumming, among many others, the centre offers something for every interest
Visitors can experience a home-from-home, friendly ambiance and enjoy delicious vegetarian meals sourced from our organic fruit and vegetable garden. We also provide a venue for workshop providers and a B&B option for overnight visitors. Our aim is to provide a safe place in an unspoilt and peaceful environment where visitors have the opportunity through learning and growth to get in touch with their inner spirit. Guests are encouraged to enjoy and contribute to our community activities and spirit.
The setting is off the beaten track, in natural bog land between Lisdoonvarna and Kilfenora in the North of County Clare at the foot of the Burren. Although only two miles from Lisdoonvarna and four miles from Kilfenora it has a quiet and secluded atmosphere, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. The unique setting of the Centre, originally a donkey sanctuary, guarantees rest and offers a variety of activities in the immediate surroundings. The Burren, with its unique limestone landscape and rare wild flowers, the beautiful coast with a selection of quaysides, beaches and views, and the stunning cliffs of Moher make this a beautiful part of Ireland.
The accommodation complex- set in 50 acres of land- incorporates the House, Octagon Hall and the private room block. We offer a home away from home where the only house rule is to relax. It has a reputation for being a place where you can be yourself and find the space, safety and time to renew your spirit.
Creative Energy.
From €527 - €593 (7 days) depending on accommodation
Each day three workshops take place combining a mixture of creative and holistic activities. Evenings can be spent at the Centre, exploring the dramatic country side or in one of the many pubs in the area that offer music sessions.
Irish music.
From €452 - €518 (7 days) depending on accommodation
The workshops are open to people who play a traditional instrument catering for all instruments, levels and abilities, whether you are a beginner or an accomplished player. Melodic and accompanying instruments are both catered for. The week begins on Sunday with an evening meal. Workshops take place every morning Monday to Friday. Afternoons are left free to explore the countryside, practise or just relax. Each evening the group goes to a different session in a variety of local pubs. The week finishes after breakfast on Saturday, however you can stay longer if you wish or leave earlier. We invite a different musician to come in to teach each day and aim to cover all instruments of those participating in the workshop. The workshops are very relaxed and friendly. Music is supposed to be fun.
Yoga.
From €585 - €654 (7 days) depending on accommodation
Nurture and discover your inner spirit, exploring the subtle arts of yoga, chi, deep relaxation and meditation.
Eco-experiences.
From €385 - €451 (7 days) depending on accommodation
This summer our series of Eco Experience weeks will centre around Cob building. Our first cob project will be constructing a horse shelter on our land. Cob is an ancient building material that has been used for construction since prehistoric times. It is made by mixing clay-based subsoil with straw, sand and water. This earthen mixture is then ladled onto a stone foundation and trodden onto the wall by workers in a process known as cobbing. After the morning cob building sessions there will be a different afternoon activity every day including: Creating kinetic sculptures for our new sculpture trail, wild and free action painting in the landscape, playing in the pottery with our very own clay, delicious vegetarian cookery, organic gardening, yoga and many more besides. In the evenings you can either relax with a good book or an eco-film from our library, join a meditation session or visit a local pub for a traditional Irish music session! Come along and join in the fun!
Ceramics.
From €452 - €518 (7 days) depending on accommodation
These workshops can be attended by the inexperienced as well as the experienced to create something magical, functional, obscure, weird, practical or anything you fancy. Even if you have never touched clay in your life, with the help of our experienced ceramicist you can create whatever you want (well almost). The clay we use is dug straight from our own land, then hand prepared and waiting for your creations. At the end of the week you will be going home with not only your own work but also a whole week of experience and fun.
Other workshops available:
Easy Peasy Whistle, Dance, Singing, Cookery, Tribal Drumming and Sweat lodges
All our workshops include: accommodation, meals, tuition and full facilities. The meals are vegetarian. Bedding is provided. Towels are not supplied in the hostel accommodation. Participants are encouraged to help with the washing up and cleaning afterwards.
With classes and workshops in Yoga, Traditional Irish Music, Ceramics, Dance, Singing, Cookery and Tribal Drumming, among many others, the centre offers something for every interest
Visitors can experience a home-from-home, friendly ambiance and enjoy delicious vegetarian meals sourced from our organic fruit and vegetable garden. We also provide a venue for workshop providers and a B&B option for overnight visitors. Our aim is to provide a safe place in an unspoilt and peaceful environment where visitors have the opportunity through learning and growth to get in touch with their inner spirit. Guests are encouraged to enjoy and contribute to our community activities and spirit.
The setting is off the beaten track, in natural bog land between Lisdoonvarna and Kilfenora in the North of County Clare at the foot of the Burren. Although only two miles from Lisdoonvarna and four miles from Kilfenora it has a quiet and secluded atmosphere, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. The unique setting of the Centre, originally a donkey sanctuary, guarantees rest and offers a variety of activities in the immediate surroundings. The Burren, with its unique limestone landscape and rare wild flowers, the beautiful coast with a selection of quaysides, beaches and views, and the stunning cliffs of Moher make this a beautiful part of Ireland.
The accommodation complex- set in 50 acres of land- incorporates the House, Octagon Hall and the private room block. We offer a home away from home where the only house rule is to relax. It has a reputation for being a place where you can be yourself and find the space, safety and time to renew your spirit.
workshops
We offer a range of weeklong workshops throughout the year including: Creative Energy.
From €527 - €593 (7 days) depending on accommodation
Each day three workshops take place combining a mixture of creative and holistic activities. Evenings can be spent at the Centre, exploring the dramatic country side or in one of the many pubs in the area that offer music sessions.
Irish music.
From €452 - €518 (7 days) depending on accommodation
The workshops are open to people who play a traditional instrument catering for all instruments, levels and abilities, whether you are a beginner or an accomplished player. Melodic and accompanying instruments are both catered for. The week begins on Sunday with an evening meal. Workshops take place every morning Monday to Friday. Afternoons are left free to explore the countryside, practise or just relax. Each evening the group goes to a different session in a variety of local pubs. The week finishes after breakfast on Saturday, however you can stay longer if you wish or leave earlier. We invite a different musician to come in to teach each day and aim to cover all instruments of those participating in the workshop. The workshops are very relaxed and friendly. Music is supposed to be fun.
Yoga.
From €585 - €654 (7 days) depending on accommodation
Nurture and discover your inner spirit, exploring the subtle arts of yoga, chi, deep relaxation and meditation.
Eco-experiences.
From €385 - €451 (7 days) depending on accommodation
This summer our series of Eco Experience weeks will centre around Cob building. Our first cob project will be constructing a horse shelter on our land. Cob is an ancient building material that has been used for construction since prehistoric times. It is made by mixing clay-based subsoil with straw, sand and water. This earthen mixture is then ladled onto a stone foundation and trodden onto the wall by workers in a process known as cobbing. After the morning cob building sessions there will be a different afternoon activity every day including: Creating kinetic sculptures for our new sculpture trail, wild and free action painting in the landscape, playing in the pottery with our very own clay, delicious vegetarian cookery, organic gardening, yoga and many more besides. In the evenings you can either relax with a good book or an eco-film from our library, join a meditation session or visit a local pub for a traditional Irish music session! Come along and join in the fun!
Ceramics.
From €452 - €518 (7 days) depending on accommodation
These workshops can be attended by the inexperienced as well as the experienced to create something magical, functional, obscure, weird, practical or anything you fancy. Even if you have never touched clay in your life, with the help of our experienced ceramicist you can create whatever you want (well almost). The clay we use is dug straight from our own land, then hand prepared and waiting for your creations. At the end of the week you will be going home with not only your own work but also a whole week of experience and fun.
Other workshops available:
Easy Peasy Whistle, Dance, Singing, Cookery, Tribal Drumming and Sweat lodges
All our workshops include: accommodation, meals, tuition and full facilities. The meals are vegetarian. Bedding is provided. Towels are not supplied in the hostel accommodation. Participants are encouraged to help with the washing up and cleaning afterwards.
rooms, food and facilities
Our residential facility extends to 40 guests and includes:
28 bed hostel 4 single rooms 4 twin ensuite rooms Large living room Octagonal Hall Laundry facilities Internet access Small library of books Many jigsaws and games
By rail: Nearest train station is Ennis. We can arrange pickups for you.
By air: Nearest Airports are Shannon and Galway.
how to find us
By road: From Ennis: Take the N85 out of Ennis signed Lisdoonvarna, Ennistymon and Corofin and follow the signs to Corofin on the R476 - to your right just outside Ennis. Keep on this road all the way through Corofin to Kilfenora. When you reach Kilfenora take the first turn to the right to Lisdoonvarna (still on R476). After approx 3 miles you will see a sign for the Centre on your left. Take this turn and then the next right turn. The Centre is about half a mile on your left. Driving from Galway: Head for Kinvara, Ballyvaughan and Lisdoonvarna. From Lisdoonvarna take the road to Kilfenora. After about 3/4 mile the Centre is signposted on the right. After about 300 meters take the small road to the left. The Centre is about half a mile on your right.By rail: Nearest train station is Ennis. We can arrange pickups for you.
By air: Nearest Airports are Shannon and Galway.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment
We are working towards a minimal environmental impact approach to the running of the Centre, the estate and all its activities. We have already have a number of eco-measures in place as listed below and are committed to a process of continual improvement when economics allow. Staff and visitor awareness: All staff and visitors are made aware of the Centre's eco-practices and encouraged to play a part in our minimum impact approach. Eco-management is built into our staff training and we have a continual Eco-review system in place. We have a Guest Code of Practice displayed, an Eco awareness section on our website and have introduced a Carbon offsetting programme enabling visitors to sponsor tree planting on the estate. Waste: For some time we have operated a reduce, reuse and recycle policy and we are continually reviewing this to ensure a minimum impact approach. Where possible food and cleaning items are purchased in bulk and stored in reusable containers. Glass jars are reused for jam making and preserves and in the garden we reuse plastic containers for seed pots and cardboard for mulch. Plastic, glass, paper/cardboard, tins/cans, batteries and printer cartridges are sorted and recycled. Food waste is either composted or fed to our chickens. We are working towards increased management of harvest waste through food preserving and freezing (soon to have 2 pigs for waste recycling and manure production). Energy: Communal areas are heated by wood burning stoves burning firewood from the estate. All lighting is now provided by low energy bulbs and we have a policy of stringent management of timers and thermostats. In the short term we will look towards adding more thermostats to rooms and radiators and in the long term we plan to introduce sustainable energy sources. Cavity wall insulation has recently been installed in our 1960s hostel building and energy consumption is a factor in the purchase of all new equipment. Our electricity is purchased from a company who capture 79% of their power from sustainable energy sources. We monitor our power and strive to make consumption economies where practical. Food: All meals are vegetarian and as much food as possible is sourced from our organic vegetable garden, fruit beds and orchard. All these areas are fertilised with our own compost and horse manure and managed without the use of pesticides or other chemicals. Water: Rain water is harvested for garden use and we aim to make more use of our abundant supply of rain by installing water butts under the drain pipes. Water is conserved by using water conservation gadgets in toilet cisterns. Consumption is monitored and economies are reviewed. Ecological cleaning products are used in most circumstances. Estate Management: The 50 acre estate is surrounded by forestry commission plantations and we have always resisted the encroachment onto our land and engaged in the planting of indigenous trees. We have recently created a 10 Point Eco-diversification plan for the estate and are working on a new development enterprise - The MIST project (Minimum Impact Sustainable Development). This involves the development of our land in an innovative and environmentally friendly manner using sustainable building techniques and at the same time creating a nature reserve and a series of educative and experiential activities which can be accessed by visitors and locals. Community Green businesses and support of local purchasing: We actively promote other attractions in the vicinity and support the local hostelries by arranging minibuses to traditional music sessions in the evenings. We already grow our own vegetables and make bread and jam and we are researching economic ways to source more food and cleaning products from local suppliers. |
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