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 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+

This is an alcohol free event.

When does it take place?
You can arrive from 4pm on Friday January 24th 2025 and the retreat will run until Sunday January 26th. Due to the weather warning we are advising people to travel only when they feel safe to do so. The venue has offered a free nights accommodation on Sunday to anyone who misses the Friday night, or for people who would like to stay an extra night.

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 and introductions
9.30pm You are welcome to have an early night or stay up for chats around the fire / play board games

Saturday
8.30am Have a lie in or journaling time (breathwork moved to later time to accommodate people travelling on Saturday morning)
09.30am Buffet Breakfast
10.30am Sauna and Cold Water Tub or Free Time
1.30pm Lunch
3.00pm Yoga with Hillary followed by an hours rest
5.00pm Breathwork Session with Claire
6.00pm Dinner
7.00pm You are welcome to have an early night or have chats around the fire / play board games

Sunday
8.30am Breathwork Session with Claire
09.30am Buffet Breakfast and closing circle
10.30am Sauna and Cold Water Tub or Free Time
12.00pm Walk along the Ladies Loop in Inistioge followed by coffee / lunch in the Woodman Cafe (not covered in retreat costs)
2.00pm Depart at your own leisure, or return to the Yoga Barn if staying Sunday night. Dinner will be provided in the evening.

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 if it is safe to do so. If not, please travel on Saturday, or only when you feel safe to travel. On Sunday you are welcome to leave at any time. If staying until Monday, we will need to depart the venue by 12pm.

How much does it cost?
€305 per person + Eventbrite registration fee, which includes the following:

• Two Nights accommodation in a newly renovated rural setting (including bedding & towels) – shared rooms, single beds (no bunks) – 3 nights if you decide to stay Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Cooked plant based lunches (1) and dinners (2)
• Buffet Breakfast Saturday & Sunday morning (cereals, oats, fruits, nuts, bread, plant based yogurt milk and butter, jams, tea & coffee)
• One yoga class on Saturday
• Two breathwork sessions – one Saturday afternoon and one Sunday morning
• Journalling & opening / closing circles
• A guided walk along Ladies Loop
• 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 5 people in:

• one twin bed en-suite
• one three bed en-suite

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. Please email me in advance to let me know.

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. If stuck we will arrange a lift to and from the train station.

If you are travelling from Dublin we will also do our best to arrange a lift for you from the city, it will depend on who else is attending and what time they are leaving. Please email me if you want to come but cannot access transport and I’ll do my best to arrange something.

Full Address: 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. The lunch and dinner menu is now available below:

Friday Dinner – 

Indian Veg Korma with toasted almond flake rice.

Courgette fritters and Tzatziki

Homemade flatbreads

House salad

Dessert- Lemon & Lime Avocado Cake

Saturday Lunch-

Roasted tomato and courgette Soup

Homemade Bread

Homemade Pesto

Black Sesame, Carrot & Avocado Salad

Snack – Bliss balls ( 3 ways )

Saturday Dinner-

Mexican Leek & Black bean chilli with Coriander & Lime rice

Homemade Salsa & Guacamole

Tortilla Chips

House Salad

Dessert- chocolate & Salted Caramel Tart

For Breakfast Saturday & Sunday morning – cereals, oats, fruits, nuts, bread, plant based yogurt milk and butter, jams, tea & coffee.

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 breathwork sessions. It is also advised that you pack comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for the walk on Sunday – 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.

Claire will be leading our Breathwork sessions – she is an experienced Breathwork Instructor and Sports Massage Therapist, and will lead you through a transformative workshop designed to unlock the power of your breath. With a passion for holistic healing, Claire combines a deep understanding of the body’s natural rhythms with practical techniques for relaxation, recovery, and stress management. As an avid swimmer and cyclist, Claire believes in the profound ability of the body and mind to heal through conscious breath. Whether you’re an athlete or someone seeking balance in daily life, this workshop will guide you to connect with your inner power and elevate your well-being.

Our yoga teacher 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 Here button at the top or bottom of this page.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel your space before 4pm on Monday January 20th you will receive a full refund. Unfortunately we cannot offer any refund after this date unless we find someone else to take your space.

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