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The Spa

The rooms

SPARK Change

13th - 17th October

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

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.

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.