Previous retreat

The Spa

The rooms

There are six room types to choose from. We have the Petite and Carriage rooms, which are ideal for single travelers and couples. Then we have the Highway rooms which are great for friends sharing (they have a pullout sofa bed). After that, we have suites and the Lewis Cottage. We even have a family room, which can fit four.

30th Sept - 4th Oct

Join me for a five-day retreat, exclusively for those who wish to employ the theory and practice of Pyrotheology in the development, transformation or creation of a faith collective.

The retreat is designed to offer space for in-depth discussion and strategic planning, as well as time to network with other leaders operating in the same field. All in one of the most breathtaking areas of natural beauty in N. Ireland.

location

The retreat takes place in the luxurious Crawfordsburn Inn, which dates back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and has given hospitality to figures such as Swift, Trollope, Dickens, Dick Turpin and Peter the Great. The Inn also held a special place in the heart of C.S. Lewis, who celebrated his honeymoon there with Joy Davidman. Indeed, the Inn overlooks the forest that reputedly inspired his vision of Narnia.

Spa

The hotel has just opened a beautiful spa, that overlooks the forest. It includes a large open-air hydrotherapy pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and relaxation area.

dates

The event kicks off on the afternoon of Monday 30th September, and finishes on 4th October. There is also the option of extending your stay on either side. This gives you the chance to kick back and enjoy the spa, or sign up to one of our additional excursions.

What’s included?

The ticket covers all accommodation, meals, activities and wine receptions. You'll enjoy a full Irish breakfast each morning, lunch every afternoon and an incredible meal every evening in the award-winning restaurant.

There are also a number of optional bolt ons. On 30th you can go on a street art tour in Belfast (which includes a lift to the hotel afterwards) and on 4th there’s a trip to the North Coast, which includes the famous Giant’s Causeway, and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.

Topics

This retreat is designed to give you space to work on your own strategic planning, workshop with me and meet others who share your vision. Some areas we’ll explore include:

Aim: Employing the philosophical and theological approach of pyrotheology, we will bring into focus the fundamental role of church.

Strategy: There will be a series of intensive workshops where participants will explore ways to implement Transformance Art and Decentering Practices.

Communication: We’ll dive into ways of weaving together song, spoken word and sacrament in a way that allows people to experience, understand and incarnate the radical message of divine self-division.

Leadership: We’ll look at how to develop resilient, dynamic and enriching leadership teams. Exploring how to build trust, alignment and vision.

Development: There will be an exploration of ways to build locally while developing a global audience.

Networking: This retreat will provide an opportunity for people to meet others, share experiences and build an ongoing support network.

cost

The cost starts at $1750 pp (based on two sharing). There are also a limited number of non-resident tickets that exclude bed and breakfast. If you want to attend with a group of four or more, reach out for an additional discount.

should i come with an uninterested friend/partner?

Yes! This is a luxury hotel that not only has a beautiful spa, but also a forest and beach on its doorstep. While you’re doing workshops, they can relax or explore, and we’ll put on a couple of optional excursions for them.

What if i buy a ticket and can’t go?

Because of the cost of booking speakers, artists and accommodation, refunds are not possible. However you can pass your ticket onto someone else or put it towards a future event.

should I come early or stay after?

Absolutely! There is so much to do in Ireland. In fact, you can add some bolt-ons to the trip from this site. You can book an extra night before and/or after your stay, do a street art tour of the city, take a trip to the Giant’s Causeway, or relax and enjoy a day at the Spa.

How do i get to the hotel?

The easiest way to get to the hotel is to fly into the George Best City Airport. From there it is just a short taxi ride to the hotel. Uber runs in Belfast and there is also a taxi rank at the airport (which will take a credit card). You might also fly into Belfast’s International Airport. From there you need to get the bus into Belfast, and from there, grab a taxi or bus. Alternatively you can fly into Dublin Airport and grab the bus (either Translink or Aircoach) up to Belfast, and again grab a taxi. I recommend buying the bus tickets in advance to ensure getting onto the bus (if you are late or early, you can still use the ticket)