Sabbaticals
Exploring spirituality
in the context of an evolving
universe, an endangered
earth, in the Christian tradition.
4-week & 10-week Sabbaticals 2026 & 2027
4-week & 10-week Sabbaticals 2026 & 2027
Sunday 4th October - Saturday 31st October 2026 (4 weeks)
Join us this October to journey with the Anam Cara Spirit, through Earth, Fire, Water and Air, into the Somatic Wisdom of the Earth’s Intelligence.
Our Autumn Sabbatical Programme is a transformational experiential learning & healing retreat designed to give you and your body space to rest and rediscover what it means to be incarnate on planet Earth.
This 4-week immersion will invite participants into a deeply personal, gently facilitated healing space guided by the wisdom of the body, prayer and scripture. Designed to help you slow down to the pace of your inner being. As the famous axiom says, “you can only go as fast as the slowest part of yourself.”
So, what happens when we truly slow down enough listen to the wisdom of the body and the Earth?
Somatic (body-based) wisdom is a frontier we must come to know intimately to live well with earth.
In this 4-week programme we will draw deeply from the wellsprings of:
1. Contemplative practice
2. The Celtic Christian way inspired by the Gospel, the Saints and the writings of John O’Donohue (author of Anam Cara)
3. Earth’s organic wisdom (led by the four elements)
4. The Somatic experiencing methodology developed by trauma-healing expert Peter A. Levine.
Each week will include a pilgrimage to a sacred site on the East Coast of Ireland where our prayers, intention and healing will be deeply woven with the story of this ancient landscape.
10-week Spring Sabbatical 2027
10-week Spring Sabbatical 2027
Sunday 28th February - Saturday 8th May 2027 (10 weeks)
Join us as we explore Spirituality in the context of an evolving Universe, an endangered Earth, and the Christian tradition.
Our Spring Sabbatical Programme is grounded in three pillars that nurture life and vitality: study, community, and practice. Guided by An Tairseach staff and guest lecturers, participants will explore themes based on the Universe Story, evolutionary theology, ecology, cosmology, and Christian theology.
Become familiar with our evolution over 14 billion years as discovered by contemporary science. Explore its implications for understanding our place in the universe. Explore the theological implications of this new cosmology.
We’ll be led by the philosophies of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Brian Swimme & Thomas Berry and theology of Laudato Si to engage in the dialogue between faith and science as a living, participatory process that supports the flourishing of Earth and all life.
Drawing on Celtic Christian tradition and other earth-rooted wisdoms, the programme includes visits to sacred sites such as Glendalough and Newgrange and engaging with creative and contemplative practices.
To apply, please contact the Ecology Centre: info@antairseach.ie
Sabbatical Programme FAQs
Sabbatical Programme FAQs
We’ve compiled answers to some common questions about our Sabbatical Programme. If you’re curious about the details or need more information, read on!
Good to know
HOW DO I APPLY?
Please contact us at info@antairseach.ie for application and reference forms.
ARE ALL MEALS PROVIDED?
No, one meal per day is provided. This is served at 12.30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding Irish bank holidays). We use fresh produce from our organic farm and the food is beautifully prepared by a trained chef who never fails to please. There is always a hot main course and desert with tea/coffee.
ARE THERE SELF-CATERING FACILITIES?
Yes, you will either have a shared kitchen with a few others or a self contained kitchen within your room.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Please enquiry directly with us about the cost of the Sabbatical. The cost includes your accommodation, all workshops and talks, entrance fees to places of interest included in the programme and the main meal served in the day.
The fee does not include the food you wish to buy for your breakfast, evening meal and weekends or refreshments while out on excursions.
ARE THERE ANY BURSARIES AVAILABLE?
Yes, we sometimes have bursaries available for people who are genuine in their desire to participate and do not have the funds. We ask for a small report from those receiving the bursary as well as a commitment to share what they have learnt with others. Please enquire at info@antairseach.ie for more information.
I LIVE NEARBY, CAN I APPLY AS A NON-RESIDENT STUDENT?
Yes, we would welcome your application and if successful, you would be offered the programme at a reduced fee. Please enquiry directly about this.
DO YOU HAVE ACCOMMODATION ON-SITE?
Yes, we have capacity for 18 students to stay in single rooms on site on the beautiful grounds of An Tairseach. If the accommodation is full, we sometimes rent a house in a nearby town and accommodate a further 3 to 5 students who travel in and out each day. You will be contacted and asked if this is something you would like to consider should this become necessary.
IF I AM COMING FROM ABROAD, HOW DO I GET FROM THE AIRPORT TO AN TAIRSEACH?
Wexford bus company 740a route is a direct bus from Dublin Airport to Wicklow Town. The link to bus times is here: Wexford Bus
Stay on the bus until the last stop (The Grand Hotel). We are a 10 minute walk from the bus stop which is uphill. If you have heavy bags we can arrange to collect you from the bus stop.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN IRELAND?
For many international students, Ireland is cold! Over the course of the Spring Programme there is a change of seasons and some beautiful sunny but cool days with crisp blue skies. There are also days of constant rain and dampness! An Tairseach is a large building and while we do our best to keep you warm, we are an Ecology Centre and do not overheat the building. Please make sure you bring plenty of layers, warm clothes and waterproof clothing and footwear for the outdoors.
Facilties
Facilties
An Tairseach's Ecology Centre has lecture rooms, a meditation room, an art room, the chapel, a library, a kitchen and dining room, therapeutic treatment rooms, common rooms and administrative offices. Guest accommodation is in single en-suite rooms with shared or self-contained self-catering facilities.
Explore Accommodation →
Environment
Environment
We are situated along the scenic coastline of County Wicklow and a five-minute walk Wicklow Town, where you’ll find an array of shops, cafes, and cultural spots.
The tranquil Vartry River flows nearby, inviting peaceful walks and nature-watching. Wicklow Town also boasts a swimming pool and a range of other sports facilities. For breathtaking natural beauty, Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains are only a half-hour drive away.
We have silenced too many of those wonderful voices of the universe that spoke to us of the grand mysteries of existence.