Wellness Retreats on the West Coast of Ireland
Many years ago in my 20s, I had a pipe dream that if I ever won the pools, I would love to set up a retreat centre where people could go to take time out, rest, recover and begin to thrive, so they could step back into their lives fully replenished.
Having practiced meditation since I was 19 years old, I learned at an early age to let go of the chatter of the mind.
This allowed me to become more attuned to the subtle inner guidance that we all receive, but which is often drowned out by thoughts, concepts, and external distractions.
Many years later, I bought a piece of land in the magical Burren and built Ireland’s first dedicated residential yoga and meditation retreat centre.
Many of the stepping stones that led me to this endeavour were brought about by following subtle inner guidance.
This can bring us to unusual places and have us doing unexpected things, far from what would happen if we followed the usual conceptual thought patterns and logic of the Western mind.
It also gives me apparent courage to take huge risks.
However, when one follows one’s inner guidance there is an inner peace, and a knowing that what one is doing feels right—and knowing that whatever happens, one will be able to deal with it.
In hindsight, if I knew half of the huge obstacles and hardships I was going to have to overcome and endure, I may have balked at this huge project.
However, seeing the changes in people’s faces during their time here on retreat—observing the tension dissolve, seeing them relaxing and settling into themselves—is such a joy to see.
It nourishes the subtle core of my being that has been guiding me along this path.
That type of nourishment is not like satisfying one of the five senses.
It goes much deeper to the core of one’s being.
Being drawn to The Burren as the place to found this retreat centre also came about by inner subtle guidance which, at times, was almost in direct opposition to the conceptual thoughts I was having.
I was fortunate not to be distracted by the conceptual vrittis.
The nourishment I received provided me sufficient support to follow this path – a nourishment that may have been too subtle to put words on, yet sufficient to provide strength, endurance, belief, and enjoyment to follow the karmic path and also the karma yoga of providing this retreat.
Walking on the Burren limestone pavement, climbing the hills, and experiencing the joy when I see far-off horizons nourishes me on many levels.
Smelling the sea air, seeing the ever-changing light and cloud formations also connects me directly to the rhythm of Nature.
Seeing the stars and moon at night helps one become more in touch with the natural cycles of Nature and the wider Universe.
This is nourishment that permeates my being and allows me to feel a connection with everything around me.
Hopefully, one day, it will lead to an experience of Oneness rather than simply connection.
I have always felt in my heart and in my soul that it is such a privilege to live in this special, iconic, ancient landscape.
Savouring the silence, the lack of traffic sounds, only hearing birdsong, the wind, and the sounds from the sea brings nourishment on many levels.
Whenever I go away on holiday or travels, I always love returning to the Burren and feeling that rock-steady groundedness that only this special ancient limestone landscape can provide.
I was very fortunate to meet my wife, who has also endured many hardships along this path.
My wife and two kids lived in a mobile home for 15 years, and she never blamed me or put pressure on me while we were continuously refused planning permission to build our own house.
Her unwavering support, even when faced with such challenging conditions, provides a nourishment of being held in love.
This gives me the strength and resilience to endure even more.
Looking back now, after finally receiving planning permission from An Bord Pleanála, I appreciate the many fortunate apparent coincidences that occurred to bring us together.
One fortunate encounter I had was with a very realized Buddhist lama from Bhutan, Khenpo Karpo, who predicted that I would soon meet my wife.
Following a series of unusual circumstances, I met her just three months later.
No matter what hardships we may encounter, when we notice these apparent magical coincidences and realize that there are more subtle things guiding us, the nourishment that comes from this knowing is both subtle and powerful.
Love, caring, respect, and harmony all bring nourishment on many levels. The nourishment that comes from seeing our kids grow and develop is another very special feeling that is difficult to put words on.
But the special things in life – the most important and sacred – have no words.
May all beings be fortunate to let go of the external distractions and tune into the true inner guidance that is within us all.
We are all so fortunate to have yoga, and the cornerstone of yoga – Meditation – to guide us on this path.
I would like to thank Maureen Nightengale of Yoga Therapy Ireland for inviting me to write this article that was orginally published in the YTI magazine in May 2026.
