Journey of the Radiant Heart

12 Days into the West of Ireland 3rd October — 15th October, 2007

Imagine living as part of a small community of like-minded individuals, drawn together by a common desire to explore the sense of mystery that shrouds our ancient past and seek the threads that connect us to our ancestors and their gifts. Imagine being in a time out of time where watches and phones are not important and the light of the sun, moon and stars guides your way.

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Sense of belonging

Wim and I welcome you to be part of such a community, to spend 12 rich days steeped in the mystery and magic of the west of Ireland this October. We have many exciting adventures in store and are thrilled to announce that this year we will be based in the powerful and mysterious landscape of Connemara. A stronghold of ancient tradition and a place of refuge for many native Irish people in the past, it is a land of mystique, pirates and smugglers, fairy forts, prehistoric stone alignments and hollow hills. A place of deeply spiritual experience, pilgrimage and spectacular natural beauty.

We will work, rest, contemplate and dream whilst experiencing the ancestors of the land beside the magnificent Streamstown Bay, close to the Connemara National Park, an area that abounds with ancient sites. The 12 days will be a rich and intimate exploration that brings history, mythology and spirituality together. You will discover that the mystical land and culture where we stay and work carries a transformative power and wisdom that you will connect to during this very special time. Something that has become increasingly apparent to me as I travel through my different communities, is the importance of a sense of belonging. So much stress and unhappiness results from a sense of disconnection we experience in the modern world. Disconnection from spirit, from nature, from each other – from community.

Being part of something greater

Too often we survive with little sense of being part of something greater. During our 12 days together we will enjoy support, new friendships, intimate conversation and exploration of both inner and outer realms. We will spend time in the local communities, immersed in the culture, traditional music, storytelling and ambience of the countryside.

A great strength of Celtic spirituality is the deep and enduring power of community.


We’ll also visit holy wells for healing, enjoy walks, experience mystical sites of pre-history, and have quality time for rest, contemplation and journal writing. Participants will have the opportunity to be involved in healing ceremonies, dream work, meditation, shamanic journeying and exploration of lesser-known sacred sites. Our accommodation is a homely, comfortable cottage that features a conservatory overlooking the bay, where we will share sumptuous vegetarian feasts prepared with local produce, accompanied by great conversation, stories and fun! Each morning begins with a healing circle and visionary meditation where we will set the intention for the day’s adventures.

Exploring the mysterious

During our 2007 pilgrimage we will explore the magnificent Maumturk Mountains and the holy sites that are hidden away in their deep and mysterious valleys. There we will visit Mam Ean, Mountain Pass of the Birds, an ancient site where both sides of the hill would celebrate the harvest time, Lughnassa. Mam Ean is so high and so wild that it is unaffected by the modern life and still regarded as a doorway between the worlds. We will visit old villages built on stone age sites experiencing ancient holy wells, ring forts, and ancient court cairns. You will be captivated by the enigma of the local wedge tombs – powerful portals to the otherworld. Enjoy the glorious and rugged scenery of Kylmore Valley as we explore the mysterious remains of Mweelin Village in the Connemara national park. Renvyle Peninsula also beckons our attention this year, stronghold of the wild O’Flaherty clan, sometimes allies of the fierce O’Malleys of Mayo, it is steeped in rich folklore.

The backbone of the peninsula is the prominent Tully Mountain and ancient sites abound here. As we explore the coast of Connemara and Mayo, we will follow in the footsteps of the fierce and exceptional character of Granuaile O’Malley, the Pirate Queen of the west coast. Granuile was one of the few Gaelic Chieftains of her time who did not submit to the English and she embodied all the old virtues of a Gaelic chief. We will visit her castle on Inishbofin – the Island of the White Cow as part of a wonderful day out. Inishbofin holds a very special place in ancient Irish lore, tales we will share as part of our time on the island. We will travel north to Co Sligo where we will meet the magnificent character of the warrior queen and earth Goddess, Queen Maeve as we visit her cairn at Knocknarea. We will experience the enduring sacred temples of Carrowkeel, a neolithic complex that predates the ancient pyramids of Egypt, luxuriate in traditional seaweed baths and enjoy local traditional music.

Smugglers coves and caves

We have planned an unforgettable day out with our friend and expert journeyman, archaeologist and storyteller, Michael Gibbons, native of Connemara. With Michael we’ll picnic, walk the mystical Omey Island, explore hidden smugglers coves and caves, visit lesser known sites of antiquity, learn the local lore and history and much much more. And of course, there are many surprises in store for you during our exceptional time together.

You will experience the spiritual pathways of the ancient people of Ireland as you open to the soul of this ancient country of the heart and awaken ancient ancestral memories of your own. It is a time to open your heart and to access your own deep inner wealth of spiritual resources. Your inner work will be empowered and enriched by the mystical landscape where you will live, work and embark on epic adventures of the soul.

Join us from the 3rd – 15th October for an unforgettable experience!