Wellness Retreats on the West Coast of Ireland
Time stands still in The Burren. Known as ‘An Boireann’ in Irish, which means ‘The rocky place’, this extraordinary place on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is unlike anywhere else on earth.
Situated majestically on the west coast of Ireland in County Clare, it overlooks the vast expanse of Galway Bay and the raw beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. 95% of the Burren lies in Co Clare and a small part in Co Galway.
This remarkable, largely undisturbed natural environment drew me, Dave, to found Ireland’s first residential yoga and meditation retreat centre which opened here in 1999.
In 1996 I spend many months searching for the ideal location to found Ireland’s first residential yoga and meditation retreat centre and it took me some time to realize that The Burren kept drawing me back to this area.
I had been meditating consistently since 1978 and without making a conscious decision I found myself driving backroads of the Burren for no apparent reason.
I later discovered that beyond the hill behind the now Burren Yoga Retreat, lies the cave where Saint Coleman meditated for 7 years back in the 6th Century.
There is a deep, ancient, peaceful feeling about this special location. If you spend a week here, you will almost effortlessly, feel peaceful, relaxed, and connected to deeper levels of your being.
The Burren’s iconic look—an area of limestone hills and a vast, silvery-grey expanse of rock is a Karst landscape, one of the most famous and protected examples in the world.
It was formed over 320 million years ago when it was the bed of a coral sea. Over millions of years this was transformed into deep layers of carboniferous limestone, which are over 750 metres deep.
This vast expanse of rock which is very foundation of the Burren heats up during the summer months and gradually emits the heat throughout the rest of the year.
This amazing feature creates a distinct microclimate that, combined with the warming influence of the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean, keeps the local weather in the Burren much milder during the Winter.
This is the reason why farmers in the Burren uniquely practising the “Winterage”—a living, ancient tradition where cattle are brought up on the Burren hills to graze on the warmer, sheltered hills for the winter months. This slower more gentle pace of life is a welcome escape from the cities and the rush of modern living.
Botanists and nature lovers from all over the globe flock to the Burren to witness its unparalleled biodiversity.
Because the underlying rock is limestone, the soil is primarily alkaline. However, during the last Ice Age, glaciers gathered up large pockets of acidic soil from Connemara and deposited it throughout the Burren.
So you will find wild flowers including orchids that normally only exist in alkaline soil, growing almost next to other flowers that normally only grow in acid soil.
This remarkable diversity of wild flowers creates a unique floral tapestry and it is one of the reasons why botanists from all over the world travel to The Burren.
Keep your eyes peeled for rare beauties like the Spring Gentian, the Mountain Avens, and no fewer than 24 different species of orchid, including the stunning Bee Orchid. This is a paradise of delicate beauty amidst the rugged stone.
Step into The Burren and you truly step back in time.
This area holds more ancient stone forts, megalithic tombs, and historic ruins than any other county in Ireland.
It has always been a place for seekers. The Burren’s ancient, untouched feeling makes it the perfect location for a retreat to unplug and get away from the clamour of modern-day busy city life.
It has an ancient tradition for mystics and seers, and the silence here is profound and restorative.
The famous Poulnabrone Dolmen is over 5,000-year-old. The Burren also boasts Ireland’s tallest round tower Kilmacduagh, and the beautiful ruined abbey of Coircomroe. These sacred sites whisper stories of a land that has been cherished and inhabited for thousands of years.
It’s a largely undisturbed natural environment, offering you far-off vistas and horizons that create a powerful feeling of peacefulness and perspective.
In 2011, The Burren was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, a testament to its spectacular geology, rich cultural heritage, and ecological importance. This status underscores the commitment to protect this fragile environment for generations to come.
This commitment to sustaining the fragile environment of The Burren is championed by the Burren Ecotourism Network, a collective of local businesses, including ourselves, who share a common interest in sustainability and protecting this incredible place.
By choosing to visit the Burren Yoga Retreat, you are supporting small local businesses that are dedicated to ethical, responsible tourism and to protecting the enviroment.
This is more than just a break; it’s an opportunity to connect with a community that lives in harmony with this ancient land.
The Burren is famous for having more trails and walks than any other county in Ireland, making it an ideal destination for an activity break.
The gently rising hills are perfect for hill walking, offering breathtaking views that sweep across Galway Bay and the vast Atlantic.
At the Burren Yoga Retreat, our daily guided outings with an experienced local guide bring you to special places off the beaten track, places few travellers ever see.
Beyond the limestone hills, you’ll find stunning sandy beaches like Fanore and the beautiful Rhine Spit, which are perfect for long, restorative beach walks and optional sea swimming.
The walk around the dramatic headline at Blackhead is stunning and unforgettable.
Whether you choose a challenging hill climb or a gentle stroll, you will be immersing yourself in a landscape that has a powerful, quiet rhythm all its own.
Feel the wind in your hair, hear the Atlantic waves crashing in on the shore, and feel your heart sing and your soul shine.
The Burren is not just a place you see; it’s a place you feel.
Its rich cultural heritage, including an abundant and living traditional music tradition, is alive and well, especially in the younger generation. There are a large number of primary school children who play more than 1 musical instrument. And this ensures that the living tradition of music in this area continues to flourish and grow naturally.
This area is known by musicians from all over the world, and many choose to come and settle in this area.
The natural beauty and the ever changing light also attracts in artists both on artists retreats and some of them choose to settle here for their life.
The subtle but powerful transforming energies of The Burren also attract in healers and energy workers to come and settle here.
The slower pace of life on the West Coast of Ireland, combined with the ancient, peaceful energy of this unique landscape, makes it the ultimate destination for self-improvement, relaxation, and a genuine break from your everyday life.
We invite you to come and discover why this corner of Ireland has been drawing people for thousands of years experience.
Discover the magic for yourself.
Click the ‘Upcoming Retreats’ button to see dates and details.
Click the ‘Upcoming Retreats’ button to see dates and details
