Step out of the busy pace of life and immerse yourself in community with like minded others in beautiful, natural surroundings.

Who is this retreat for?
Women and non-binary folk (AFAB) 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 does it take place?
You can arrive from 4pm on Friday January 19th 2024 and the retreat will run until the afternoon of Sunday January 21st

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
8.30pm Welcome circle & short meditation
9.30pm You are welcome to have an early night or stay up for chats around the fire / play board games

Saturday
8.15am Sunrise Meditation
9.00am Yoga Class – kindly sponsored by Sporting Pride
10.00am Buffet Breakfast
11.00am Guided walk at Woodstock or Free Time
1.30pm Lunch
2.00pm Sauna and Cold Water Tub or Free Time
4.30pm Sunset Meditation
6.00pm Journalling Time
7.00pm Dinner
8.00pm You are welcome to have an early night or have chats around the fire / play board games

Sunday
8.15am Sunrise Meditation
9.00am Yoga Class – kindly sponsored by Sporting Pride
10.00am Buffet Breakfast
11.00am Closing Circle & Meditation
1.30pm Lunch
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 Sunday we will have lunch together at 1.30pm and head for home soon after

How much does it cost?
€300 per person, which includes the following:

• Two Nights accommodation in a newly renovated rural setting (including bedding & towels) – shared rooms, single beds (no bunks)
• Cooked plant based lunches (2) and dinners (2)
• Buffet Breakfast Saturday & Sunday morning (cereals, oats, fruits, nuts, bread, plant based yogurt milk and butter, jams, tea & coffee)
• Two morning yoga classes – Saturday & Sunday
• Meditation sessions, journalling & opening / closing circles
• A guided walk through Woodstock Gardens
• Use of all on site facilities – Sauna and cold water tub, Board games and library, Gardens & Labyrinth
• Freedom and peace of mind in a digital-free environment
• Opportunity for social interaction with like-minded people

Tell me more about the venue and locality?

Located in a beautiful corner of South Kilkenny, The Yoga Barn Retreat is situated at the end of a boreen, (Irish for country lane), in the beautiful clochan, (Irish stone village) of Ballymagill. Calm, peaceful, quiet, magical, and relaxing with exceptional views over the Ballymagill gardens and the Arrigle Valley. The nearest train stations are Thomastown and Waterford city, both of which are approximately 20 minutes drive away.

The Yoga Barn itself comprises of a number traditional stone buildings clustered around a central courtyard and walled garden. The Studio is light, airy, and warm looking out over the gardens of Ballymagill, and accommodation is provided in the Farmhouse Cottage and The Lodge, providing spacious, quirky, and comfortable rooms for dining, socialising, and sleeping.

How many beds are in each room?

The Cottage accommodates up to 7 people in:

• one twin bed en-suite
• one three bed en-suite
• a cabin bed downstairs
• an upstairs gallery bed using facilities in the studio changing room

The Chalet accommodates 6 in:

• 2 three bedded en-suite rooms

If you know someone else attending the retreat I will do my best to ensure you are in the same room.

Take a look at the Gallery on The Yoga Barn website to see a few snapshots of their wonderful rooms and spaces.

Beds will not be assigned in advance unless you have put in a specific request to share with someone else, meaning people can choose their room on arrival based on what is still available at that time.

How will I get to the venue?

The Yoga Barn is located 1 km from Listerlin village in Co Kilkenny and 6 km from exit 11 on the M9 Motorway.     

From M9 Motorway: Take exit 11 from the M9 motorway – head towards New Ross. After 6km  you start down hill towards Listerlin. Turn left on road signed L74901. At end of lane bear to the right and you are at The Yoga Barn.

From New Ross: Cross the river heading to Waterford. Take 2nd right signed Mullinavat.  At junction turn left. After 9km continue through Listerlin still heading towards Mullinavat as you go up the hill. L74901 is first on the right.

There is no public transport available that brings you directly to The Yoga Barn. However, both Waterford City and Thomastown train stations are a 20 minutes drive from the venue. Taxis will be available outside Waterford station but it is best to pre-book a taxi if arriving into Thomastown. We will be able to give you a lift back to the train station on Sunday after lunch.

Full Adddress: The Yoga Barn Retreat, Ballymagill, Listerlin, Tullogher, Co Kilkenny, X91 W1R7 (Click for Map)

What kind of food is available?
All of the cooked food will be plant based. A sample lunch and dinner menu is included below. There is a fridge in the main kitchen if you would like to bring along some snacks yourself.

Sample Menu:
Lunch
Homemade soup and organic spelt sourdough with salad and hummus
OR
A Mexican bowl of black beans, salsa, and guacamole

Dinner
Rich Dahl or Massaman curry, rice or quinoa
OR
Mixed grains with herbs and two cooked salads e.g. roast veg or an Ottolenghi option

Dessert
Fruit crumble with cashew cream
OR
Raw vegan cacao cake

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

What should I pack?
The yoga barn provides towels, bedding, and yoga equipment + mats.

Bring comfortable clothes to wear during yoga classes and mindfulness sessions. It is also advised that you pack comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for the walk at Woodstock – you know how unpredictable the weather can be!

You will also need your swimwear if you want to use the sauna and cold water tub.

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 comes along. 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.

Our yoga teacher for the morning classes is the wonderful Hilary from The Yoga Barn. Passionate about yoga and its ability to inspire, heal and awaken, Hilary discovered yoga in the Nineties and has been teaching since 2005. With a background in Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow, Hilary has combined these traditions with her more recent Anusara training to offer a dynamic, uplifting and heart opening practice. She has trained with a number of Irish and international teachers and expects to be continuing to develop her own practice and teaching skills for many years to come.

How do I register?

You can register via this Eventbrite link or at the Book Now button at the top of this page.

My question isn’t answered above. Who can I contact?
Please email info@kmurray.ie for more information