Join Episcopal priest and retreat leader Callie Swanlund on a soul-stirring journey through Ireland—where ancient wisdom, creativity, and Celtic spirituality meet in sacred landscapes. This immersive six-day retreat is created for those longing to (re)connect with the Holy, those who crave meaningful connection and rootedness, and those who want to tap into creativity and awe.
Callie is an Episcopal priest, retreat leader, and spiritual companion with deep experience guiding individuals and communities from weariness to wholeheartedness, drawing on embodied spiritual practices and the work of Dr. Brené Brown. The retreat will unfold among the evocative ruins of Glendalough Monastic Site in the Wicklow Mountains. Throughout the week we will spend time together on excursions around the region. You’ll be nourished by daily personal reflection and group connection, peaceful and meditative sound journeys offered by Callie, visits to local artisans, time for stillness, and sacred sites.
Participants will make their own flight arrangements, depart the US no later than April 6. Please make arrangements to arrive at Dublin International Airport no later than 11am on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 to meet the coach to our accommodations in Glendalough.
Participants should wait to book their airfare until after the retreat has reached a minimum of 10 registrants. We will notify you by email when that threshold is reached.
Participants arrive on their own by 11am at Dublin International Airport. The group will travel by private motorcoach to Glendalough. We'll enjoy some welcome refreshments and settle into our home for the week. In the evening, we'll gather for a sacred welcome, including opening retreat session with prayer, and dinner.
Afternoon Refreshments
Dinner
Today, we will explore the ruins of the monastic city of St. Kevin with members of the Glendalough Sanctuary. Following breakfast, we’ll visit the ancient ruins with a sacred walk in the central part of the monastic city then continue up the glen to the upper lake and St. Kevin’s Cell. We'll return to the hotel for lunch (included). In the late afternoon there will be a retreat session led by Callie.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Today’s outing focuses on arts and creativity with a morning maker experience, reconnecting us to creativity as a spiritual practice. We'll meet local makers and undertake our own creative project. We’ll have lunch together before returning to the Glendalough Hotel for an afternoon retreat session. You will have free time in the late afternoon.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Today, we travel to Kildare, the home of St. Brigid and the Solas Bhride Centre. We’ll spend the morning learning about the life and faith of Brigid of Kildare and how her spirituality might shape our own faith and impact the world around us. Lunch (included) at the Solas Bhride Centre, followed by some free time in Kildare for personal exploration. We’ll return to Glendalough in the late afternoon where you can walk or hike in the glen or spend some time in personal reflection and retreat.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Our final morning begins with a retreat session and lunch in Glendalough before departing for Dublin. In Dublin, we’ll visit some of the treasures of Celtic Christianity in the form of illuminated manuscripts. We start at Trinity College to view the Book of Kells. This 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ. It is one of only a few such manuscripts that survived Viking raids. We’ll continue on to the Chester Beatty Library, a museum with an impressive collection of early illuminated manuscripts from Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Japanese and European prints, and more. After checking into the hotel you will have the option of a massage before a spirit-filled and celebratory closing dinner.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
The retreat concludes after breakfast. You will make your own way to the Dublin International Airport, or you can choose to spend a few more days in Dublin on your own.
Breakfast
Early registration is available through September 15 for $2,945 per person in double occupancy.
Standard registration is $3,095 per person.
A limited number of single (private) rooms are available for a supplement of $795.
Overnight accommodations in three-star or better hotels
Ground transportation in private deluxe motorcoach
Pre-trip educational resources and retreat facilitation with Callie Swanlund
Entry fees and licensed guides for sites listed in itinerary
Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
Gratuities, taxes, and fees
Pre-registration opens on July 16 with a wait-list. Those on the waitlist will have the first opportunity to register, 48 hours before public registration opens. Click "Join The Waitlist" to reserve your spot.
Invitations to register will be sent on July 21 for those on the waitlist.
Public registration opens on July 23.
Please review our terms and conditions.
About Callie | I’m passionate about journeying with groups and individuals as they discover their belovedness and live into their fullest, most authentic selves. As a priest and Certified Daring Way Facilitator, I draw on my experience and the teachings of Jesus and Brené Brown to lead transformative retreats and inspiring keynotes that help folks embrace vulnerability and wholeheartedness.