- Common Knowledge Centre, Boghil, Kilfenora, Co. Clare, V95 DK38
- 2024-03-15 16:00 to 2024-03-18 11:00
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Book your tickets
Holistic Retreat for LGBTQ+ Women and Non Binary Community
Common Knowledge Centre, Boghil, Kilfenora, Co. Clare, V95 DK38
2024-03-15 16:00 to 2024-03-18 11:00
15/03/2024
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Holistic Retreat for LGBTQ+ Women and Non Binary Community
Common Knowledge Centre, Boghil, Kilfenora, Co. Clare, V95 DK38
2024-03-15 16:00 to 2024-03-18 11:00
15/03/2024
Conscious Connections
We are delighted to announce our second retreat for LGBTQ+ women and non binary folk will be hosted in Clare over the March bank holiday weekend in collaboration with Quare Clare LGBTQIA+!
Who is this retreat for?
Women and non-binary people in the LGBTQ+ community seeking a space to connect with others that goes beyond the usual pub and club scene. This includes individuals who are open to shared experiences, participation in group activities, and developing meaningful connections with others who are on a similar journey to yourself.
Open to adults only, aged 18+.
When and where does it take place?
This event takes place over 3 nights, running from the afternoon of Friday March 15th until the morning of Monday March 18th at the Common Knowledge Centre – Boghil, Kilfenora, Co. Clare, V95 DK38.
Is there a full schedule for the weekend?
Yes – please see below. You don’t have to partake in everything – it is up to you to decide what you want to do with your time.
Friday
Arrival and settling in rooms from 4pm onwards
7.00pm Dinner – vegetarian one pot dinner with rice or potato
8.15pm Speed Friending and welcome circle
9.30pm You are welcome to have an early night or stay up for chats around the fire / play board games
Saturday
8.00am Yoga Class
9.00am Breakfast – Yoghurt/Porridge made with Oat Milk, Fruit, Granola, Harry’s Nut Butters, Anam Coffee
10.00am Car pool to Doolin (10 minute drive). Complete the Doolin to Cliffs of Moher cliff walk (7kms) or chill out in the beautiful coastal town of Doolin. For those who walk – lifts will be available from the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre back to Doolin
1.30pm Lunch at the Stonewall Cafe, Hotel Doolin. Vegan and vegetarian pizzas and salads are included. Play board games, hang out and watch the Ireland rugby match, or head back to the Common Knowledge Centre to relax
5.30pm Return to Common Knowledge Centre
6.00pm Dinner – vegetarian one pot dinner with rice or potato
7.00pm Journalling activity in groups
8.00pm You are welcome to have an early night or have chats around the fire / play board games
Sunday
8.00am Yoga Class
9.00am Breakfast – Yoghurt/Porridge made with Oat Milk, Fruit, Granola, Harry’s Nut Butters, Anam Coffee
10.00am Car pool to the Burren to take in the stunning scenery and/or visit the Burren Perfumery
12.00pm Head for Lisdoonvarna to check out the local St. Patrick’s Day parade and activities
1.30pm Light lunch at the Common Knowledge Project. Selection of breads, plant based butter, cheese, hummus, fruit, nuts, yoghurts, tea and coffee
5.00pm Dinner -vegetarian one pot dinner with rice or potato
7.00pm Open Mic Night – for all musicians, singers, poets, comedians and storytellers among us. The wonderful Aoife Hammond and Friends will be on hand to play a few Trad songs to keep the craic going!
9.00pm You are welcome to have an early night or have chats around the fire / play board games
Monday
9.00am Breakfast – Yoghurt/Porridge with Oat Milk, Fruit, Granola, Harry’s Nut Butters, Anam Coffee
10.00am Check out of rooms and Closing Circle
Depart at your own leisure
What time can I arrive and when do we depart?
You can arrive any time from 4pm onwards on Friday. Dinner is at 7pm that evening so we ask that everyone arrives before this. On Monday we will have breakfast together and head for home soon after
How much does it cost?
It depends on the room option you choose for the 3 nights. All options are fully inclusive (room, food, activites):
Bed in a dorm room (4 or 5 beds per room, some with shared bathroom, some with ensuite): €310 Early Bird / €330 After Early Bird is sold out
Bed in a Twin Room (some with shared bathroom, some with ensuite): Early Bird €390 / €410 After Early Bird is sold out
Single Room (some with shared bathroom, some with ensuite): Early Bird €420 / €450 After Early Bird is sold out
Included in the price is the following:
- Three Nights accommodation in a newly renovated rural setting (including bedding & towels)
- Cooked vegetarian dinners (3), breakfast each morning (3), pizza and salads at the Stonewall Cafe on Saturday, a light lunch on Sunday
- Two morning yoga classes – Saturday & Sunday
- Journalling, speed friending & opening / closing circles
- A trip to the Burren, one of Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes and a local St. Patrick’s Day celebration
- A hike from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher (7kms – suitable hiking or walking shoes necessary!)
- Hangout in the beautiful surrounds of Doolin for those who don’t want to join the walk
- A Traditional Music session with the musician Aoife Hammond and an Open Mic night for all our talented community members
- Freedom and peace of mind in a digital-free environment – we ask that phones be left in rooms!
- Opportunity for social interaction with like-minded people
Tell me more about the venue and locality?
The Common Knowledge Centre is a non-profit social enterprise and former ecological retreat situated in the beautiful Burren. Immerse yourself in the landscape, with over 50 acres to explore and a sense of tranquility that’s hard to beat. As a live renovation project, they are working to improve the site as rapidly and sustainably as they can and are committed to providing attendees with a comfortable and restorative stay.
The Common Knowledge Centre recently created a prototype Homeworks toolkit at a summer residency where a group of LGBTQ+ people interested in climate change and sustainability spent five days co-designing the toolkit whilst learning practical skills related to housing, energy, food and waste.
How will I get to the venue?
However you’re reaching us, it’s recommend that you use their Eircode to plan your journey – V95DK38.
The Common Knowledge Centre is situated in The Burren & Cliffs of Moher Global Geopark, just a few minutes from the Wild Atlantic Way and close to the towns of Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna and Ennistymon.
By Car:
From Dublin: Take the Dublin to Galway motorway (M6), and then the Limerick motorway (M18) before reaching Galway. Exit at Gort, and enjoy a beautiful drive through the Burren passing Kilnaboy and Kilfenora before reaching the centre.
From Galway: We recommend the more scenic route as it takes just a couple of minutes more. Travel via Oranmore to Kinvara, then from Ballyvaughan via the famous Corkscrew Hill to Lisdoonvarna. After passing through Lisdoonvarna, turn left to Kilfenora. After approx 1km, turn right at the signpost and take the next turn left. The Centre is about 1km down the road, on your right.
From Ennis: From Ennis take the N85 towards Ennistymon. Then turn right onto R476 to Corofin/Kilfenora. At Kilfenora take the first right towards Lisdoonvarna. After approx 4km turn left at the sign for Common Knowledge, and the next right turn. Follow the road for 2km and you will see us on the left (~35 mins).
From Cork: Travel to Ennis via Limerick and follow the routes below.
Car Pooling:
When registering you will be asked if you need a lift or can provide a lift to the venue. We will do our best to accommodate you but cannot guarantee lifts so public transport may need to be taken.
By Public Transport:
The Transport for Ireland website is the best view of available services. Depending on where you are coming from, you could take a train to Galway or Ennis (via Limerick). There are infrequent buses from both Galway and Ennis to the nearby towns of Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna, which a long walk or a short taxi ride.
If you are arriving to Lisdoonvarna or Kilfenora, contact Mooneys on 0872069019. The drivers are Peter Junior and Peter Senior, and their wife/mother Winny answers the phone sometimes. It’s about €10 for a taxi from Lisdoonvarna or Kilfenora for 1-4 people.
If you are arriving to Ennis and do not wish to take onward public transport, Mooney’s can provide a taxi transfer which takes about 30 mins and costs c.€60.
What kind of food is available?
All of the cooked food will be vegetarian. You will be asked during registration if you have any serious allergies that need to be catered for.
Can I bring alcohol to this retreat?
No – we are intending to have an alcohol free weekend so we ask that you don’t bring alcohol to this retreat or consume alcohol while out on activities.
What should I pack?
The venue provides towels, bedding, and yoga mats.
Bring comfortable clothes to wear during yoga classes. It is also advised that you pack comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for the walk – you know how unpredictable the weather can be! The trail is not all gravel so please wear shoes that are safe for hiking.
Please bring any medications and day to day items that you will need over the weekend.
Who is hosting this retreat?
Karina, the founder of Conscious Connections, is hosting this retreat as a way to offer alternative ways of connecting with others in environments that foster improved health and well-being for everyone who attends. She has a Master’s degree in Health Promotion and has dedicated both volunteer and work efforts to the LGBTQ+ community for several years. Health promotion in its various aspects, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being, is a particular passion of hers.
More information on Karina can be found in the About section of this website.
Quare Clare LGBTQIA+ is a local community group who are on a mission to build a vibrant LGBTQIA+ community in Clare, celebrating diversity and inclusivity by creating spaces and opportunities for our community to thrive through education, advocacy, and community building, offering a range of programs and services aimed at fostering understanding and inclusion within the LGBTQIA+ community. From educational initiatives to support services, QuareClare is committed to providing resources that empower individuals and promote a more inclusive society.
More information on Quare Clare can be found on their website.
How do I register?
You can register via the Humanitix link or at the Book Now button at the top of this page – registration opening soon.
I haven’t heard of Humanitix. What is this?
Humanitix is the humane ticketing platform that donates all profits from booking fees to children’s charities. We are using it on a trial basis to support another social enterprise and move away from profit driven ticketing platforms.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel free of charge up until 4pm on Friday March 8th. After this date you will only be offered a refund if the event is sold out and there is someone on the waiting list who can take your place. We understand this may influence your decision on whether you register or not. However, the venue and catering needs to be paid in advance and we have to cover the event costs.
My question isn’t answered above. Who can I contact?
Please email info@kmurray.ie for more information.
More pictures of our fabulous venue and some of their activities are included below!
I loved the first retreat! It exceeded all of my expectations. It was the perfect blend of being professionally run, allowed adequate time for mindfulness and was fantastic fun!