Having never done yoga before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’d be an understatement to say that I was pleasantly surprised – because actually I was overjoyed at the whole experience. The setting is stunning, and it’s a little haven of tranquillity so close to the big city. But aside from that, everyone and everything is so welcoming. There are no heirs or graces, you’re welcomed in as if you’ve been an old friend for years. The accommodation is wonderful, the original layout of the outlying farm buildings has been transformed into simple yet gorgeous houses/lodges, still retaining the original features of their legacy – wooden beams, saddle stands, grain sack pulleys – whilst managing to be unobtrusive to the overall feeling of home. The yoga classes themselves are taught by caring and experienced teachers. Ours, Maggie, read the tone of the class well, offering simpler poses for me as a beginner, but allowing the more experienced others to push themselves. All equipment is supplied, and it’s top quality.
Then there’s the food – oh my! The food! Again, no heirs or graces, but simple, and very, very good food. Vegetarian, often with gluten & dairy free offerings as standard, presented beautifully and a pleasure for the tastebuds.
You eat with your fellow yogis, and with your teacher if they’re accommodating with you – so you’ll build a real rapport with those sharing this experience with you.
I’d recommend a retreat here to anyone – you’ll make new friends, you’ll eat fabulously delicious and healthy food, you’ll forget you’re in Ireland and even more that you’re only just over an hour from Dublin and you’ll relax like never before.
Massive massive thanks to Olivia for a truly wonderful weekend – to Maggie for guiding me through my first foray into yoga , and to Frances (and Olivia again) for some of tasiest food I’ve ever had.
I’ll almost certainly be back!
