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.

13th - 17th October

SPACES ARE NOW LIMITED, PLEASE EMAIL ME HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND AND I’LL CONFIRM WHAT WE HAVE.

Simone Weil makes a fascinating distinction between Will and Attention. The will is involved with doing. When we will something, we actively attempt to move from one place to another, to accomplish something. The world of self-help is the world of will. In contrast, Weil writes of Attention as a practice that involves profound stillness and intense observation. It is an idea that aligns with psychoanalysis (as opposed to self-help). In analysis, the individual cultivates a profoundly intense attention that allows the discovery of hidden desires. Desires that cause suffering and stuckness.

Spark is a retreat designed to help you experience an intense form of attention that will help you understand yourself better and find relief from a suffering that arises from the strivings of the will.

During Spark, you will cultivate a curiosity with your unconscious and, through the practice of pyrotheology, deepen your experience of Grace, in all its transformative power.

The setting

Five days of encounter with the other that you are can be a scary experience, but it is also an emancipaortry one, and I have chosen the perfect location for this to happen. The retreat takes place in the luxurious Crawfordsburn Inn, which dates back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and has given shelter 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 visited often and celebrated his honeymoon at the hotel with Joy Davidman. Indeed, the Inn overlooks the forest that reputedly inspired his vision of Narnia.

Tree Top Spa

The hotel also has an outdoor spa, that overlooks the forest. The spa includes an open-air hydrotherapy pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and relaxation area.

dates

Spark kicks off on the afternoon of 13th October, and finishes on 17th October. There is also the option of extending your stay either by coming in a day early and/or staying a day later. This gives you the chance to kick back and enjoy the spa, or sign up to one of our additional excursions.

What’s included?

This is an all-inclusive event. The ticket covers all accommodation, meals, activities and wine receptions (although the hotel bar isn’t included). You'll enjoy a full Irish breakfast each morning, lunch every afternoon and an incredible meal every evening in the award-winning restaurant.

In addition to this there are a number of bolt ons for people who wish to extend their stay. On 12th there is a street art tour in Belfast. The advantage of signing up for this is that you can arrive in Belfast, see the street art, then get a lift with us to the hotel. On 17th there is a trip to the North Coast, which includes the famous Giant’s Causeway, and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.

The content

The five days will be filled with live music, art, workshops, talks, tours, tastings, comedy, coaching, magic and more. One day you might want to engage in a roundtable discussion about Pyrotheology, take a walk in the enchanted forest, or chat with new friends over drinks. The next day you could grab a coffee and jump into a workshop, listen to a musician or just sit by the outdoor fire and take in the breathtaking view. Think of Spark as a luxurious holiday that is carefully crafted to help inspire, challenge, and transform.

What does it 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.

What if i buy a ticket and can’t go?

Because of the cost of booking speakers, artists and accommodation, refunds cannot be given. 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 that I highly recommend you extend your stay. In fact, this year I am adding some bolt-ons. You can book an extra night before and/or after your stay, do a Graffiti tour of Belfast (14th October) take a trip to the Giant’s Causeway (19th October) or enjoy a day at the Spa (on 14th and/or 15th October).

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 (you might be able to share with others). 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).