Retreats
Step Into the Mythic
Immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of the Ivereagh Peninsula in County Kerry, where the grass pulsates electric green and the ocean is deepest blue.
Join Dublin native Dearbhla Kelly and celebrated Irish musicians Liam Ó Maonlaí and Rónán Ó Snodaigh for a week of yoga, music, and exploration of the liminal space generated by the reciprocity between land, soma, and spirit. Special guest, seanchaí (storyteller) Killian Burns, a Kerry native, will spin a web of folkloric tales and legends during an evening of storytelling.
As artists in residence, Rónán and Liam will embody a vital part of what our indigenous culture means. They both bring substantive depth and a wealth of experience to the appreciation of the language, literature, folk traditions, music and mythology of Ireland. Along with Dearbhla’s skillful yoga teaching, their artistry and soulful presence will summon the deep waters of creative possibility and somatic exploration.
WHAT TO EXPECT
~ 7 morning yoga sessions
~ evening music sessions
~ evening with seanchaí (storyteller)
~ optional bodhrán & music lessons
~ spontaneous music sessions
~ Indian mythology & dharma teachings
~ Evening with local seanchaí (storyteller)
~ Skellig Michael boat tour
~ Kenmare excursion
~ Derrynane beach & Blind Piper Pub
~ Opening dinner at Westcove Estate
~ Early morning tea / coffee & fruit
~ Daily brunch
~ 5 dinners at Westcove Estate
~ Spontaneous excursions to local stone circles and heritage sites
~ Return bus from Killarney to Westcove Estate
NOT INCLUDED
~ Flights
~ Transport to Killarney
~ 2 evening meals
~ Alcoholic drinks
~ Gratuity for drivers
~ Travel Insurance
DOUBLE $3499
SINGLE $3999
*$330 off through November 30
Our destination is Westcove Estate, a classical Georgian manor located on the Ring of Kerry on the southwestern Atlantic coast of Ireland. The estate is nestled amongst green fields, abundant trees and a riot of colorful shrubs, flowers and hedges.
Weather permitting, we will practice yoga on the grass overlooking the Kenmare estuary and the Beara peninsula. To feel your bare feet on the grass, the sacred ground of Kerry, is to abide in liminal space, to feel the call of the earth and the history of this magical place. Words fade away.
Following yoga, we will have a delicious mid-morning brunch before free time to wander the beautiful grounds, perhaps walk down to the harbour for a swim, or simply sit and absorb the stunning beauty.
Our artists in residence Rónán and Liam will open the creative portal as they sing, pray, dance and play in English and in our native language, Gaeilge. Several mornings they will grace our yoga practices with live musical accompaniment and in the evenings, they will invoke the musical muse and see where she may take us.
Afternoons will be for spontaneous music sessions, mythical tales and stories of Irish lore as well as optional private musical instruction and three excursions.
SATURDAY 12 JUNE
We will assemble in Killarney Saturday 12 June and travel to Westcove via coach along the stunning Ring of Kerry on the Ivereagh peninsula (approx. 40 miles / 62 km). Exact time TBD. Information on getting to Killarney will be available closer to the time.
~ 7:30PM Opening dinner and music
SUNDAY 13 JUNE
~ Early morning tea / coffee and fruit
~ 9AM Yoga practice
~ 11AM Brunch
~ 3PM Excursion to Derrynane beach
~ 6PM Dinner at Blind Piper pub
MONDAY 14 JUNE
~ Early morning tea / coffee and fruit
~ 9AM Yoga practice
~ 11AM Brunch
~ 2PM Free time for on-site exploration, journaling, pop-up dharma talks & music jams
~ 4PM Afternoon tea
~ 6:30PM Canapes & pre-dinner drinks on patio overlooking the harbour
~ 7:30PM Dinner
~ Evening session with seanchaí
TUESDAY 15 JUNE
~ Early morning tea / coffee and fruit
~ 9AM Yoga practice
~ 11AM Brunch
~ 3PM Skellig Michael boat tour
~ 6:30PM Canapes & pre-dinner drinks on patio overlooking the harbour
~ 7:30PM Dinner
~ After dinner music
WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE
~ Early morning tea / coffee and fruit
~ 9AM Yoga practice
~ 11AM Brunch
~ 2PM Free time for on-site exploration, journaling, pop-up dharma talks & music jams
~ 4PM Afternoon tea
~ 6:30PM Canapes & pre-dinner drinks on patio overlooking the harbour
~ 7:30PM Dinner
~ After dinner music
THURSDAY 17 JUNE
~ Early morning tea / coffee and fruit
~ 9AM Yoga practice
~ 11AM Brunch
~ 2PM Music, poetry, freeform writing
~ 3PM Excursion to Kenmare
~ 6PM Dinner in Kenmare
FRIDAY 18 JUNE
~ Early morning tea / coffee and fruit
~ 9AM Yoga practice
~ 11AM Brunch
~ 2PM Free time for on-site exploration, journaling, pop-up dharma talks & music jams
~ 4PM Afternoon tea
~ 6:30PM Canapes & pre-dinner drinks on patio overlooking the harbour
~ 7:30PM Dinner
~ After dinner music
SATURDAY 19 JUNE
~ Early morning tea / coffee and fruit
~ 8AM Yoga practice
~ 9:30AM Breakfast
~ 11AM Bus return to Killarney
View from Skellig Michael
FAQ
Can I come alone?
Yes. You may reserve either a single or double room for just yourself. If you would like to be paired with another retreat participant, please indicate when you email Dearbhla.
What level with the yoga practice be?
All of the yoga sessions will be all levels.
Do I need to bring a yoga mat?
Yes.
Can my dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Yes, most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. The quality of bread, produce, fish, dairy and meat in Ireland is extremely good. Many visitors from the USA are surprised at the basic quality.
Will I need a visa?
American citizens do not need a visa to enter Ireland for stays up to 90 days. You will need a passport that is valid for 6 months beyond your departure date.
What currency does Ireland use?
Ireland is a member of the European Union and as such uses Euro.
Where should I fly into?
Shannon and Dublin airports have direct connections from the USA. Dearbhla can help you figure out an itinerary should you wish to arrive prior to the retreat start date or stay longer.
How will we get to Killarney?
Dearbhla will communicate with everyone closer to the our kick off date about options for getting to Killarney.
There is a very convenient and affordable direct bus service from Dublin airport to Killarney https://www.flightlink.ie/
About the presenters…
Dearbhla Kelly
Dublin native Dearbhla Kelly is skilled in generating transformational experiences, her superpower is holding a robust container for practice with empathy, intuition, deep listening and vibrant presence.
In her third decade of teaching, Dearbhla excels at making yoga accessible and enriching. She is gifted at making yoga practice enjoyable and offers clear instruction, skillful hands-on assists and extensive knowledge of yoga poses and their benefits.
Dearbhla’s teaching is accented by her Dublin wit and her warmth and keen intelligence, combined with dynamic sequencing and attention to breath.
Sharing Ireland through yoga is a natural extension of Dearbhla’s life’s work. She brings not only expertise, but a deep cultural fluency—an understanding of how movement, myth, land, and story are woven together there. With Dearbhla as your guide, the practice becomes a conversation with the land itself, inviting you to move, breathe, and belong within this ancient, living story.
Only the most gifted teachers bring together the totality of yoga in teaching and hard won experience, and fewer still possess the mythic and philosophical sources in ways that wholly inform their work. Yoga yokes the body to our narratives of self and shared humanity. To bring this to life is genuine achievement. Dearbhla Kelly has done this work, learned and assimilated the teachings, and makes her experience into an offering that speaks to the best yoga has to offer.
~ Professor Douglas Brooks
Liam Ó Maonlaí
Liam Ó Maonlaí is best known as founder and frontman of Irish rock band Hothouse Flowers, which catapulted on the scene in 1988. An accomplished vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist in 2005, he published his solo debut, Rian, featuring songs sung as Gaeilge. Today, Liam is one of the most talented, charismatic and soulful performers of traditional Irish music. His musical prowess goes beyond his own cultural roots as he blends an eclectic mix of folk, blues, gospel and more with his amazing vocals and an array of instruments from piano, flute, harmonica and bodhrán.
Rónán Ó Snodaigh
Singer, songwriter, composer and multi-faceted instrumentalist, Rónán Ó Snodaigh is an energetic pillar of Dublin’s music scene. One of Ireland’s most innovative and creative bodhrán players he is also a highly regarded poet in both the Irish and English languages. A founding member of the world music band Kíla, he also performs frequently with singer and fellow gaeilgóir Liam Ó Maonlaí.
