Tree Top Spa
The outdoor spa is open between 8am and 9:30pm and includes an open-air hydrotherapy pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and relaxation area.
EVERYDAY ANALYSIS AND NEGATIVE ANALYSIS
This year at Spark, Alfie Bown from Everyday Analysis and Julie Reshe from Negative Analysis are running a three day course in the mornings. More details to follow.
SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE (MORE TO BE ADDED)
Alfie Bown is Senior Lecturer in Digital Media Culture and Technology in the Department of Digital Humanities. His research focuses on psychoanalysis, digital media and popular culture. His books include Dream Lovers (Pluto, 2022), an investigation into dating apps, sexbots and virtual relationships, Post-Comedy (Polity, 2024), Post-Memes (Punctum, 2019) and The Playstation Dreamworld (Polity, 2017), a psychoanalytic study of video games which is available in Spanish, Portuguese, Serbian, Slovak and many other languages. Currently, he is working on the relationship between psychoanalysis and cybernetics. He is also editor of Everyday Analysis, a pamphlet house and monthly talk series and is a writer/producer for The Magician's Niece.
Chris Fry is a Psychoanalyst and Group Psychotherapist working in the NHS and private practice, as well as being a Visiting Fellow at New Bucks University. Chris was a central figure in the development of the practice of Pyrotheology (in fact, he was the one who came up with the name).
Trina Hobson is an artist and Art Psychotherapist whose practice is informed by Somatic Therapy, Single Session Therapy, Bilateral Drawing, DBT, ACT and Walking/Eco Therapy.
Ryan Nicodemus is one of the hosts of The Minimilists podcast, as well as being a mentor and writer. He has also co-authored three best sellers; Essential, Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life, and Everything That Remains. Ryan has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Boston Globe, Chicago Sun-Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, CBS This Morning, ABC, NBC, FOX, NPR, CBC Radio, and various other outlets.
Julie Reshe is a Ukrainian philosopher who has developed a theory and technology under the name of negative psychoanalysis. She is a professor at the School of Advanced Studies (SAS) at the University of Tyumen in Siberia, and director of the Institute of Psychoanalysis at the Global Center for Advanced Studies (GCAS).
Helen Rollins is a writer, filmmaker and public intellectual who has worked on various award-winning projects. She lectures and writes across topics related to film and psychoanalysis. She has been a co-host on two philosophy podcasts and has a book on film theory (Psychocinema) with Polity.
Barry Taylor is writer, speaker and public intellectual as well as the chair of theology for GCAS .His work focuses on the intersections between religion, theology and culture, with a particular emphasis on the impact and interplay of contemporary digital life on religion and belief (particularly Western Christianity).
Program
First of all, before we get to the content, I should say something about where you're staying: You will be in a luxury hotel nestled in one of Ireland's most beautiful towns. There is an outdoor spa that overlooks the forest which inspired Lewis' vision of Narnia. The spa includes a large hydro-pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. The food is exceptional and there is a stunning beach just a short walk away.
MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER
13 | CHECK IN AND RECEPTION | FRONT DESK
Guaranteed check in is from 3pm, however your room might be ready before then. Get unpacked and join us in the Gallery to meet and mingle with the other Sparkers.
16:3 | WELCOME | GALLERY
Once everyone has arrived and unpacked, we’ll do a short introduction session to welcome you and help orient you for the retreat.
18 | DINNER
One of the highlights of the retreat is the award-winning, three course dinners on offer. So sit back and enjoy. You’ll also have time to relax in the spa.
20 | GROUP ANALYSIS | CHRIS FRY
Over three days, we will engage in a process of group analysis, designed to help us glimpse our unknown face.
21:3 | PETER IN CONVERSATION WITH BARRY | GALLERY
22:3 | DEATH OF GOD SUPPER CLUB
For those of you who like to stay up late, there will be a little space of communion, where we share our lives with each other around the shared recognition of lack and longing.
TUESDAY 14TH OCTOBER
7:3 | BREAKFAST AND MORNING SPA
Breakfast is served anytime from 7:30am and the spa opens at 8:30am.
10 | MORNING MEDITATION | PETER | GALLERY
10:3 | GUIDED THERAPUTIC ART REFLECTION | TRINA | GALLERY
11:3 | COFFEE BREAK | LOAF
There is a beautiful little coffee shop across the road from the hotel, which will be providing tea and all your espresso coffee needs.
12 | WHAT IS A SYMPTOM | PETER | GALLERY
In this talk I’ll be defining what a symptom is and why we have them.
13:3 | LUNCH | Hotel
15 | EVERYDAY ANALYSIS | ALFIE | LOAF
OR
15 | NEGATIVE ANALYSIS | JULIE | C.S. LEWIS SUITE
16:3 | FOREST WALK/SPA
OR
17 | PASTOR’S CORNER | ROB AND KEV
18 | DINNER AND SPA
20 | GROUP ANALYSIS | CHRIS | GALLERY
21:3 | PETER IN CONVERSATION WITH RYAN | GALLERY
23:3 | DEATH OF GOD SUPPER CLUB | PETER | GALLERY
WEDENSDAY 15TH OCTOBER
7:3 | BREAKFAST AND MORNING SPA
Breakfast is served anytime from 7:30am and the spa opens at 8:30am.
10 | MORNING MEDITATION | HEATHER | GALLERY
10:3 | GUIDED THERAPUTIC ART REFLECTION | TRINA | GALLERY
11:3 | COFFEE BREAK | LOAF
There is a beautiful little coffee shop across the road from the hotel, which will be providing tea and all your espresso coffee needs.
12 | IDENTIFY YOUR SYMPTOMS | PETER | GALLERY
13:3 | LUNCH | Hotel
15 | EVERYDAY ANALYSIS | ALFIE | LOAF
OR
15 | NEGATIVE ANALYSIS | JULIE | C.S. LEWIS SUITE
16:3 | BEACH WALK/SPA
OR
17 | PASTOR’S CORNER | ROB AND KEV
18 | DINNER AND SPA
20 | GROUP ANALYSIS | CHRIS | GALLERY
21:3 | PETER IN CONVERSATION WITH RYAN | GALLERY
23:3 | DEATH OF GOD SUPPER CLUB | PETER | GALLERY
THURSDAY 16TH OCTOBER
7:3 | BREAKFAST AND MORNING SPA
Breakfast is served anytime from 7:30am and the spa opens at 8:30am.
10 | MORNING MEDITATION | CLAIRE | GALLERY
10:3 | GUIDED THERAPUTIC ART REFLECTION | TRINA | GALLERY
11:3 | COFFEE BREAK | LOAF
There is a beautiful little coffee shop across the road from the hotel, which will be providing tea and all your espresso coffee needs.
12 | ENJOY YOUR SYMPTOMS | PETER | GALLERY
13:3 | LUNCH | Hotel
15 | EVERYDAY ANALYSIS | HELEN | LOAF
OR
15 | NEGATIVE ANALYSIS | JULIE | C.S. LEWIS SUITE
16:3 | SPA
OR
17 | PASTOR’S CORNER | ROB AND KEV
18 | DINNER AND SPA
20 | GROUP ANALYSIS | CHRIS | GALLERY
21:3 | PETER IN CONVERSATION WITH RYAN | GALLERY
23:3 | DEATH OF GOD SUPPER CLUB | PETER | GALLERY18 | PIZZA PARTY AND SPA | LOAF
20 | TRANSFORMANCE ART | GALLERY
21 | BREAK
21:3 | OPEN MIC NIGHT | GALLERY
FRIDAY 17TH OCTOBER
7:3 | BREAKFAST AND MORNING SPA
10 | EAT YOUR EXISTENCE | BARRY | GALLERY
11:3 | CLOSING REFLECTIONS | GALLERY