Join Gisele Theriault of Mindful Necessities April 23 to 29, 2017, for an Experiential and Meditative Retreat in The Burren region of County Clare, Ireland. Gisele invites retreatants to step more fully into their lives by briefly stepping out of them.

Retreats and pilgrimages offer a new look through the same eyes, allowing participants to reconnect with their wonder and spirit. The successful bidder for this item will join Ms. Theriault and fellow retreatants as they explore favorite mystical places and friends in Ireland, make art, hike the Cliffs of Moher, enjoy customized yoga, deepen connections, compassion and gratitude.

The retreat will be housed in a beautiful private home in Ballyvaughan with everyone under one roof. Each bedroom will have an ensuite bathroom or private shower room. There will be a washing machine for laundry; linens and towels will be provided. Wifi will be available in both house and village.

Every day will begin with group meditation. A theme or intention will be introduced to frame the day. Outings might include walking the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, the ancient ruins of Kilmacduagh, the bed of St. Colman, or the Holy Well of St. Brigit accompanied by human ecologist Jackie Queally or folklorist Jack Harrison. A special yoga therapy experience will be offered at the Burren Wellness Centre. And a day dedicated to creating and carving your own piece of reflective jewelry will be led by Gisele at the amazing Burren College of Art. As a bonus Angela Warburton, practitioner of Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, cranial sacral massage and reiki, will join us and add different healing modalities to close the yoga sessions. The retreat will conclude with five-star dining at the elegant 18th century Gregan’s Castle.

The retreat includes:
• Accommodations from Sunday, April 23rd to Saturday, April 29th
• Organic breakfasts and lunch or dinner each day.
• All transportation in Ireland during the trip (including to and from Shannon Airport if arriving within scheduled time.)
• All meditations, talks, yoga at the Burren Wellness Centre.
• Teachings and outings to sacred sites
• Workshop at the Burren College of Art
• Dinner at the multi-award winning Gregan’s Castle.

Gisèle Theriault began to pursue jewellery design in 1990 while she was expecting her third child, a son. He was born five years to the day of her father’s death. Her father was the village barber in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Intrigued by stories of humanity and their symmetries, her father was a passionate listener. The barbershop echoed with stories. When he retold many of the village’s tribulations and triumphs around his family supper table the stories became imbued with a sense of human proportion and achievement. The spirit of compassion in this gentle man and a wonderful storyteller inspired the dedication of Mindful Necessities jewelry and meditation experiences.

Note: The retreat has physical aspects requiring a moderate level of fitness.