Nature Rhythm: Drop out, Tune in and Feel the Pulse of Nature
With Michael Meakin, Melanie O'Driscoll
4-Day Nature Immersion & Digital Detox Retreat
We all know we need to slow down and put our phones away and tune into the beauty of nature but it’s hard! This July for 4 days, as a community, we’ll join forces to let our attention return to the rhythm of nature and detox from the technological overload of the 21st century.
Join us for a 4-day digital detox and nature immersion retreat in the extraordinary beauty of the seaside town of Wicklow. Surrounded by mountains, the Varty River and our 70-acre Organic Farm, you’ll be gently guided by Michael and Mel to slow to the rhythm of nature.
Together we’ll practice nature journaling, plant identification, observe and discuss best practice for engaging with wild spaces, learn organic food growing tips, explore soil health and the importance of composting. We’ll explore the powers of rhythm and breath to still, settle and connect to the world around us.
In this time, you’ll be led in sensory, scientific and communal nature connection practices. This is a truly holistic immersion to let the fullness of your being – body, mind and spirit – settle back into harmony with the wild world. Along the way you’ll learn more about Irish biodiversity, organic food growing and sound-as-medicine through engaging and participatory adult education techniques.
Come and explore our sensory garden, cosmic walk, 70-acre organic farm and nature conservation area in a community of like-hearted people. Each day you’ll be served with the very best of our organic food produce. We’ll share in communal meals, time around the fire pit and have an optional sauna night and sea dip for those who wish to join us.
This is a participatory experience designed to encourage community connection with the human and more-than-human world. For 3 nights and 4 days we invite you to ditch your phone and detox from the 2D interface of screens and return to the multidimensional organic intelligence of nature.
Details
DATES
July 21-24, 2026
LOCATION
An Tairseach
CATEGORY
4 Day Residential Retreat
FEE
Residential €650, Non-Residential €450
Michael Meakin
Michael Meakin combines his love of community, music, nature and food growing to bring people together in ways that connect, ground and inspire. He blends his degree in Music from Dublin Institute of Technology with his Permaculture Design Training (Carraig Dulra, Suzie & Mike Cahn) and a lifetime of food growing, music playing, facilitation and habitat exploration to offer soulful ecological education.
Michael specialises in working with people suffering with mental health challenges using rhythm and nature to support people as they find their balance again. He also shares his passion for music and rhythm through his work as a community musician with the National Concert Hall. Working with young at risk teens and various communities within the direct provision scheme. Michael aims to engender esteem and empathy at-risk he works with.
A lifelong local of Kilcoole, Michael is passionate about keeping alive village values that give meaning, build resilience and care in life giving ways.
Melanie O'Driscoll
Mel is a group facilitator with over 15 years’ experience working with groups in an engaging, dynamic way that encourages active participation and experiential learning. With a variety of team building and group dynamic techniques, she specialise in working with people to co-create safety were authenticity, honesty and courageous curiosity are allowed to flourish in the Veritas spirit of Truthfulness.
Using ceremony, storytelling, ritual and song Mel helps people to meet the land well, cultivating right relationship with place, self and other. She holds a BcS in Biological, Earth and Environmental Science from University College Cork with 10 years of experience in the field of environmental education.
She trained as an Interfaith minister with the OneSpirit Foundation and was ordained in 2022 but has since reverted to the Celtic Christian faith of her ancestors. Other relevant trainings include restorative practise, non-violent communication and counselling skills.
Mel’s work invites people to live bravely, to actively co-create a future that is nourishing and regenerative for all life on Earth.