A Grand Writing Tour of Ireland: Autumn 2025

There’s nothing quite like Ireland in autumn when the light is golden, the air is cooler, the tourists are thin on the ground, and the crackling fires make the pubs cozy and warm.

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Join us from October 4-26, 2025, when Go and Write! heads to Ireland for 23 days—our grandest Old World writing retreat yet. We’ve incorporated our favourite things about the Emerald Isle into this one magnificent retreat, so, if you’re just going to write your way through Ireland once (which, admittedly, seems impossible), now would be the time.
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Experience Ireland in autumn as the cooling days stir the heart and awaken the mind. We’ll start with a week at a west coast castle hotel overlooking a cozy Irish town on the bay, then spend another week (and a day!) on the fabled isle of Inis Mór—the largest of the Aran Islands—followed by three nights at a glorious old hotel in the heart of Ennis where the music flows free, and finishing up with four nights at a charming hotel in Dublin.

Along the way, we’ll learn how they once cut the turf for their fires in bygone days, we’ll visit an ancient abbey, the Cliffs of Moher and Poulnabrone Dolmen on the Burren, and we’ll stop by a well dedicated to Brigid, the pagan Goddess and Christian Saint. We’ll have a private tour of Inis Mór by one of our favourite locals, raise a glass at the oldest pub in Ireland and hear all about its famed history, walk on the Hill of Tara and visit the sacred passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth in the Boyne Valley, and enjoy a private concert from one of the most celebrated traditional Irish music singers in the country. And that’s before we get to the writing.

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  Abbeyglen Castle hotel in Clifden, Ireland
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  Dún Aonghasa fort on Inis Mór
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  The Poet's Corner pub at the Old Ground Hotel
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  Book of Kells interpretive section, Trinity College Dublin
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  The Knowth megalithic passage tomb
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  Newgrange, older than the pyramids. Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/youngshanahan/

It’s all about the writing

On top of the incredible sights we have planned, we haven’t forgotten that it’s the writing that brings us here to the Land of Saints and Scholars. We’ll have inspiring writing sessions, two one-on-one meetings to discuss your work with Dr. Gerard Collins, evening literary readings, and—most important—several long stretches of dedicated, focused time so you can dig into your own writing.

Sure, you can write anywhere, but you can also write in a cozy castle, a music-filled pub, or an ancient island on the west coast of Ireland. And because we’re writers, we get it: writers need quiet, uninterrupted time to dream and follow the muse. At various points throughout our retreats, we’ll gently remind the group about the importance of respecting boundaries and allowing others the invaluable headspace they can’t always get at home.

We’ve hosted numerous retreats in Ireland at various times and in various ways, and this extended writing retreat has pulled together the best of these experiences. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been there before, or if this is your first time—from the east to the west and back again, from the quiet of Clifden to the traditional music and array of shopping and dining experiences beautiful Ennis, coupled with the ancient landscape of Inis Mór and the history and grandeur of Dublin, you’ll delight in Ireland’s many shades of green, gold, and castle-grey. And no one has more stories to tell around a fireplace in a pub than the writers who join us on a Go and Write! adventure.

 

 

Costs for this 23-day, small-group writing retreat start at $8,595 CAD per person (approx. $5,970 USD) based on double registration, taxes included. See below for pricing details.

About Gerard and Janie

Go and Write! with Dr. Gerard Collins and Janie Simpson

Kind words from one of our recent retreat participants:

“I am beginning to reflect on the joy the trip has brought me… The tenderness and care you showed us was so evident in the choices of lodging, the comfortable bus rides, and the knowledgeable guides. It was your day-to-day presence, while checking on all of us, that was especially meaningful. I am not certain I can explain the impact, but I feel it has awakened a longing in me and an understanding of something deeper that was not previously there.”
~ Ann K., Go and Write! alumnus

To hear more from previous participants, visit our Testimonials page.

The Land of Saints and Scholars

Ireland is many things—an island that has known extreme strife and hardship, a place without pretension where the people are kind and generous, and it boasts castles, pubs, and ancient churchyards that date back millennia. Ireland is also a land of literary and musical genius perhaps unparalleled anywhere in the western world.

While the rest of Europe fell into the Dark Ages along with the collapse of the Roman Empire, Ireland’s isolation allowed it to continue to prosper and evolve, leading to a Golden Age of education, literature, art, and culture, during which saints became legendary.

For examples of the genius that permeates the Irish cultural landscape, think of miraculous giants like James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde, and Samuel Beckett. Then consider the greatness of Maeve Binchy, Emma Donoghue, Anne Enright, and Colm Toíbín. Onward to the musical angels and archangels Sinéad O’Connor, Christy Moore, the Chieftains, and Shane McGowan, and we mustn’t ever forget Dolores O’Riordan. Then feast with your senses on the effortless perfection of Liam Neeson, Daniel Day Lewis, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, or Cillian Murphy, chewing up scenery in any film role they take on.

Some of the greatest art of the past century or so has come from this little island off the coast of continental Europe. The pubs we so often talk about aren’t just places of drink: they’re cultural crossroads where people from all walks of life meet for conversation and music, or the craic, as they call it.

And in the corner near the turf fire, observing and listening, immersed in an alternate reality, a thoughtful figure scribbles lines that draw down wisdom from the saints and scholars, poets, and bards.

Our adventure begins as we journey West

Postscript
by Seamus Heaney

And some time make the time to drive out west
Into County Clare, along the Flaggy Shore,
In September or October, when the wind
And the light are working off each other
So that the ocean on one side is wild
With foam and glitter, and inland among stones
The surface of a slate-grey lake is lit
By the earthed lightning of a flock of swans,
Their feathers roughed and ruffling, white on white,
Their fully grown headstrong-looking heads
Tucked or cresting or busy underwater.
Useless to think you’ll park and capture it
More thoroughly. You are neither here nor there,
A hurry through which known and strange things pass
As big soft buffetings come at the car sideways
And catch the heart off guard and blow it open.

From our gathering spot at the Dublin Airport, we’ll take our private coach along the Sky Road to Clifden, Connemara

On the first morning of our adventure, we’ll gather at the Dublin airport (be sure to contact us about timing before you book your flights), board our private coach, and travel west along the Wild Atlantic Way toward the town of Clifden. Our destination is the gorgeous Abbeyglen Castle, located on the famed Sky Road. 

Writing at the Abbeyglen Castle

The comfort and warmth of Abbeyglen Castle ­­will set the stage for writing, especially during the early, glorious days of October. During this first week of the retreat, we’ll take a day tour and there will be ample time to shop in town, but we’ll also dive into the writing right away. We’ll gather for one of our three planned group writing sessions, you and Gerard will have your first individual chat about your writing, we’ll share a magical evening of readings, and we’ll get focused with stretches of dedicated, quiet writing time.

In advance of the retreat, you’re invited to submit a piece of writing on which Gerard provides written commentary—this piece can also form the basis for one-on-one discussions about your writing goals and challenges.

While we schedule several group events, readings, and many opportunities to socialize during our retreats (sometimes even with music and song), we also regularly emphasize the importance of respecting others’ need for space, quiet, and alone time, even in our venues’ common areas. This encouragement—to recognize and respect boundaries, even as we get to know each other better and develop bonds—is a deliberate and essential component of our retreats.

More than once during this retreat, you’re certain to hear Gerard say, “Only writing is writing.” Sure, creativity benefits from all kinds of social and solitary activities, but nothing replaces the act of showing up at the keyboard or page. For the most part, we assume you’re here primarily to write, and we’re here to help you find the headspace you need.

While you’ll no doubt find your upgraded Superior Room at Abbeyglen Castle a great spot for writing, you’ll also find plenty of other cozy spots, such as in the Castle Pub near the fire, in the drawing room with lots of natural light and comfortable furniture, or in the lounge that is reserved just for us. New for this retreat, Gerard will host the one-on-one meetings in the drawing room, which leaves the writing lounge available to our writers for the entirety of our week at Abbeyglen.

After years of offering writing retreats, one thing we’ve discovered is the value of a journal. Taking a moment on the coach, at a pub, or in your room at the end of a day to capture your thoughts and impressions allows you to cement your experiences in a way that photographs can’t—the smells, motions, sounds that can be caught and reflected only through the written word.

The Castle Pub offers an à la carte lunch each day by the peat fire, if you wish. After a morning of writing or wandering in the brisk autumn air, we can personally recommend their brown bread and soup with a pint of Guinness or a pot of tea, and they serve a delicious, fresh seafood chowder as well as a number of other dishes that warm your insides and stir your imagination. Locals oftentimes come to the castle for lunch, too, a telltale sign of a great place to eat. Or you might choose to have lunch in town, as there are so many wonderful places to enjoy a bite.

We’ll start each day with a full Irish breakfast (or something lighter—your choice) and have dinner together each evening, both meals served in the stunning dining room that overlooks Clifden Bay and the famous hills and valleys of Connemara. Our meals at the Abbeyglen have been among our very favourite of all those we’ve enjoyed in Europe and the UK. And you’ll find the service at the Abbeyglen second-to-none.

Given that it’s the autumn season, the castle will be decked out for Hallowe’en, a holiday whose origins are in found in the Irish pagan festival of Samhain (pronounced “sow-inn”). Each evening after dinner, there’s a chance to listen to the live music in the pub right downstairs, with an emphasis, of course, on Irish traditional music—and guests are invited to sing along or even request a favourite tune.

On any given night, you can choose to partake of the cozy atmosphere of the Castle Pub or you can find a quiet spot to write. During our visits, we’ve found that the music and atmosphere were so enjoyable, we looked forward to it each night; the music and companionship were a pleasant break from the day’s writing, as well as a fun way to meet fellow travellers and locals who climb the hill for a meal and a pint.

The Abbeyglen Castle boasts a seating area and walking trail just outside, as well as a spa treatment room where you can relax, unwind, and pamper yourself.

For a good sense of Abbeyglen Castle and its location in relation to the town of Clifden, click on the hotel’s video below:

Explore the town of Clifden, the unofficial capital of Connemara

Difficult as it might be to leave the castle and grounds, the town of Clifden is only a few minutes’ stroll or short taxi ride away, past the patio with the large fountain and across the back lawn of the peaceful castle grounds—from there, the road that takes you into the village overlooking the bay is about four minutes at a leisurely walking pace. Clifden, though a fairly small town, is known as the “capital of Connemara” and is renowned for its strong connection to the arts as well as its many pubs and restaurants and quaint shops.

Clifden is quite charming and extremely walkable, so you’ll enjoy ambling about, just as you’ll enjoy coming back to the castle later in the day. The town is an unbeatable combination of gorgeous and quaint, with just enough bustle to please the shoppers and just enough quiet to encourage you to sit by a fire or big picture window, to write or just think for a while as the world passes by.

For us, the biggest draw of Abbeyglen Castle and Clifden itself is that when we’ve been there, we have felt inspired the entire time and did a lot of writing, both in the castle and the town’s pubs and cafes. One of our favourites was Lowry’s, taking the Best Traditional Bar prize by Ireland’s prestigious National Hospitality Awards many years over. The afternoons are quiet for writing, and if you return in the evening, you’re likely to find live Irish music. Having spent a fair bit of time in Clifden, in fact, we can point you to our favourite places for a quiet drink and some writing, a great conversation, or a lively trad music session.

Day trip #1—The Sky Road, Kylemore Abbey, and cutting the turf

While we’re at Abbeyglen Castle for the week, we’ll nip out for a drive on the famous Sky Road and visit the impressive neo-gothic castle, Kylemore Abbey, with its long history of romance and ghost stories, including the tale of the white horse that rises from the mists of the lake once every seven years. You’ll find that Ireland and ghost stories, fairy rings, and banshees go hand-in-hand, all the more satisfying when you’re traveling with a merry band of writing folk.

Since we’ll be out of the castle for a spell, we’ll also embark on a neat little tour of the 19th century Dan O’Hara Homestead and take in a turf-cutting demonstration—this traditional manner of heating one’s home continues to this day in the many pubs, inns, and abodes that keep to the old ways. We’ll also hear about the history of songs and stories of Ireland and how those traditions, too, heat the souls and hearts of her people to this day.

Sail to the ancient isle of Inis Mór

After our restful and inspiring week in Clifden, we’ll bid goodbye to Abbeyglen Castle and take a quick sail on the North Atlantic to the ancient island of Inis Mór.

A week (and a day!) on Inis Mór

In the autumn, as legend goes, the veil between worlds—new and old, material and spiritual, water and land—thins. Nowhere will these juxtapositions be more keenly felt than the ancient isle of Inis Mór, surrounded by time-worn ruins, natural beauty, and the 3,000-year-old fortress of Dún Aonghasa, right in our backyard.

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper,” Irish poet William Butler Yeats once said. We’ll have the chance to experience the effect this magic has on our own writing while we’re settled on the enchanted island of Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands, for eight nights.

After our time at Abbeyglen Castle, it’s quite likely that Ireland’s magic will have already cast a spell on your mind, body and soul, a feeling that deepens as you wander the hills around Kilmurvey House. Meander down to the certified Blue Flag beach across the road and the nearby ancient cemetery. Gaze in awe upon the great stone walls built by farmers and workers years ago, and hike towards the sky that meets the land at the pre-historic fort of Dún Aonghasa.

The remains of Early Christian monuments are scattered throughout the Aran Islands, and Inis Mór is popularly referred to as Ára na Naomh (Aran of the Saints). Irish monasticism spread from the Aran Islands throughout the rest of Ireland, Britain, and many parts of Europe and the ruins of these temples are dotted all over Inis Mór—you can learn more about them here.

In fact, one of these ancient historic sites is on the grounds of our venue, Kilmurvey House. Teampall Mac Duach (Church of St. Mac Duach) was built well over a thousand years ago, and we’re free to explore its nooks and crannies at our leisure.

We’ll spend eight nights on the island, with lots of room to spread out, roam, relax, and hear your own heartbeat. Inis Mór provides all the solitude and space you need to inspire your writing. If you’ve been here before, you already know that traveling to Inis Mór is like coming home to tranquility—a glimpse of life as it was long ago, but in the here and now.

Only the locals are allowed to bring cars onto Inis Mór, and there are several pony traps that can take you all over the island. You can also rent a bicycle or travel by taxi.

Inis Mór is a walker’s dream, with Dún Aonghasa located up a gradual incline right behind our venue, and several roads and trails to follow, all of them so much quieter in October than during the busier tourist season. There are also bicycles for hire, which they’ll deliver right to our venue; if you think you might want to rent a bicycle while we’re on the island, check out Aran Islands Bike Hire.

When we visited Inis Mór a few years ago, we were so struck by the island that we knew we had to build it into a future Go and Write! retreat. Sure enough, a couple of years later, we returned with a group of writers for a full week that left our guests thoroughly enchanted by the island, its inhabitants, and the unique, unsullied landscape. Of course, no one wanted to leave, so we planned another, even longer retreat on the island last year, with the same result.

We’ve felt the pull of Inis Mór ever since that first visit in 2019, and we can’t wait to return in October 2025, when the island will weave its spell on another lucky group of writers.

Kilmurvey House

For eight nights, we’ll have exclusive use of Kilmurvey House, a lovingly-restored, 18th century stone house that was once the family home of the “Ferocious O’Flahertys.” The Joyce family—a much less prickly lot—first opened the doors of this lovely home as a guest house in the mid-1900s. Now, almost 80 years on, the mantle has been passed to the third generation, with husband and wife Noel and Tessa continuing the tradition of care and kindness towards the guests of Kilmurvey House. Each room in the venue has its own ensuite bathroom and two of these rooms are slightly smaller than the rest (but also have ensuite bathrooms) and are eligible for a discount; please ask us for details.

Unless you’ve visited Inis Mór before (and perhaps you have, in another lifetime), you’ve never experienced anything quite like it. To get an idea, have a look at this sumptuous Washington Post article about the bed and breakfast, Kilmurvey House, and the island itself. The piece is an older one and references the Joyce family, and the writing rings with the truth of all that’s good and mysterious about this part of the world.

Dún Aonghasa

Kilmurvey House, in the quiet village of Kilmurvey, sits at the base of the 3,000-year-old Dún Aonghasa fortress, just a one-kilometre trek up a slow-incline footpath.

Approaching Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór, just up from Kilmurvey House

Any time of day, from dawn to dusk, our participants have special access to this fortress that overlooks the Atlantic, where the locals will tell you, with a twinkle in their eye, that, on a clear day, you can look straight across and see our East Coast of Canada.

More to see and do on Inis Mór

The emphasis for our extended time on Inis Mór is relaxation, focus, and inspiration for writing—a chance to recharge and find some peace in one of the most unspoiled Old World places you’ll ever be blessed to visit. We’ll host the second of our three group writing sessions here on Inis Mór, as well as another evening of readings, and there’s a rustic café across the road from Kilmurvey House where you can get good grub and sit by the fire to write—the owners are friendly and down-to-earth. In fact, several meals at the café will be included as part of your registration for the retreat.

Day trip #2—A private, guided tour around Inis Mór

The hiking and walking on Inis Mór is a spiritual experience, and early in our time there, we’ll also have a guided coach tour by local driver Noel, who will ensure we get a proper introduction to the island.

Our private tour of the island includes several key monuments, including the Seven Churches, or Na Seacht Teampaill. Dating back to the 7th or 8th century, the churches are believed to have been the most important pilgrimage site on the Aran Islands during the Middle Ages. Our guide will also share how the island has changed over the years, culturally and historically, and yet has also remained remarkably untouched, retaining its charm and Irish language.

Other things to see on the Island

Right next door to Kilmurvey House, there’s an ice cream shop where you’ll certainly find something to your taste after a morning of writing, as well as a fish and chips truck and a place to grab a sandwich and some “crisps” (a.k.a. potato chips).

There’s also a gorgeous shop called An Túirne Aran Island Sweaters, owned by Rosemary Faherty and her husband Andrew. Rosemary’s family has lived on Inis Mór for eight generations, dating back to the late 1700s, and Rosemary comes from a long line of traditional master craftspeople who were versed in stone masonry and wall building, dressmaking, wool spinning and knitting, basket weaving, stone carving of Celtic crosses, and crios— pronounced kris—weaving (a crios is a multi-coloured woven woollen belt traditionally worn by the men of the Aran Islands).

The art of knitting was passed down through the generations from her great grandmother, grandmother, mother, and finally to Rosemary.

In Irish language, the shop is called An Tuirne, meaning “The Spinning Wheel,” and Rosemary has her great grandmother’s spinning wheel displayed in the shop. It’s worth spending some time on Rosemary’s website to learn more about the history of Inis Mór.

In the town of Kilronan, where the ferry docks, there are cozy pubs that have live music and a few shops, including the original Aran Islands sweater company (there’s no lack of fibre art on Inis Mór!), and our amazing hosts at Kilmurvey will offer free shuttle service to the village.

Make no mistake—Inis Mór is isolated as can be, and, as such, you’ll have an authentic feel for Ireland not just of the 21st century but of any time for the past three thousand years. It truly takes imagination, a sense of wonder, and an appreciation for the majesty of unchanging nature to fully experience Inis Mór. And that’s why we chose to return here for a writing retreat: because, more than anyone else, writers—or simply anyone with a poet’s heart—can appreciate this island for what it is.

Off to Ennis—but first…

Daytrip #3—Sightseeing along the way

After eight days on Inis Mór, we’ll bid goodbye to the island and sail back to the mainland, where we’ll meet our private coach bound for the charming town of Ennis. It would be a shame not to take in some important stops along the way, so we’ve combined this journey to our next venue with our third day trip, a meander along the West coast of Ireland.

Our first stop is the lively city of Galway. The shops and restaurants are second to none, and it’s not unusual to hear some great busking in the cobblestone streets. Here, we’ll grab some lunch and do some shopping on our own, then we’ll board our coach and make our way to the majestic Cliffs of Moher, with a stop at the ancient portal tomb, Poulnabrone Dolmen, the home of fairy trees and the otherworldly landscape of the Burren National Park.

We’ll also pay a visit to a local Brigid’s Well, which, reportedly, was blessed by Brigid herself. A threshold figure for the Irish, Brigid is known both as a Pagan Goddess and the only female Patron Saint of Ireland. In her grotto, every surface leading to the well is lined with wishes and tributes to the goddess and saint.

The Old Ground, nestled in the historic market town of Ennis

After our journey along the coast, we’ll head a bit farther south to County Clare and the beautiful town of Ennis. Once there, we’ll check into our venue, the historic Old Ground Hotel, with its iconic, ivy-covered walls and storied past.

It’s important to capture your thoughts in your journal while the magic of the day is still fresh, and there are plenty of spots to do just that after we settle in.

The Old Ground boasts several quiet common areas, great for curling up by the fire and writing in your journal. They even have a pub dedicated to the craft of writing: The Poet’s Corner Bar, where you can enjoy a lovely pint and casual food, as well as a bit of music.

We’ll stay at The Old Ground for three nights, where the gracious and kind staff take customer service seriously from the moment you arrive until you leave. We’ll have breakfast each morning—a grand feast to start your day, or some fresh fruit and porridge, whatever you fancy—and we’ll have our third group writing session, held in the inspiring Lemenagh Hall.

The Old Ground was built in the early 18th Century as a private dwelling and was turned into a hotel in 1895, and it has been lovingly maintained, retaining its old world charm and grand character.

The Old Ground sits in a perfect location near all of Ennis’s amenities—just a few steps away, you’ll find plenty of everything your heart craves about Ireland. And, as with Clifton, Dublin, and Inis Mór, we know some of the best secret spots in town. Of all the larger towns we’ve visited in Ireland, Ennis is the one that stands out as friendly and yet stuffed with culture. In fact, it has won awards for both “Ireland’s Friendliest Town” and “Ireland’s Tidiest Town.”

And when you’re ready, you can wander the cobblestone streets and do some shopping along the way, or jot down your impressions over a meal at one of the fine local restaurants.

When we think of Ireland, considering our many travels there, we think of people, music, and pubs by the fire—well, that, and joining the locals at a pub to watch a crucial hurling match on a Saturday afternoon. Whenever possible, we stay in spots with a small-town feel but with lots of great places for eating, listening to music in a relaxed way, and winding, cobblestone lanes lined with shops that pique our interest. Ennis has all of that, and more—easily one of Ireland’s loveliest, liveliest towns, though nowhere near as busy as Galway or Dublin.

Knox’s Bar is a great place to take in a traditional Irish music session in Ennis

Off to Dublin Town

Maybe you’ve heard about the “oldest pub in Ireland” debate? Well, on the 19th day of our tour, you’ll have a chance to decide for yourself as we make our way to Dublin with a stop at Sean’s Bar of Athlone in Westmeath. Here, after lunch on our own, you’ll be treated to a libation while you listen to tales from a local storyteller.

Sean’s has served up ale to its patrons since 900 A.D., which predates the rise and fall of the Vikings in Ireland. In fact, most authorities suggest that Sean’s might well be the oldest pub in the world. We’ll hear about the intensive research that has gone into proving the pub’s Guinness Book of World Records achievement as the oldest in Ireland. And then we’re off to Dublin!

Four nights at The Schoolhouse Hotel in central Dublin

We’ll wrap up our best-ever Ireland retreat with four nights in the grand old city of Dublin. It seems appropriate that we’ll complete our venture with a stay at the iconic Schoolhouse Hotel, whose original building was a small local schoolhouse with a history that dates back to 1859. Of particular note, the Schoolhouse played a pivotal role during the Battle of Mount Street Bridge in the 1916 Easter Rising.

There’ll be no shortage of things to do in Dublin—in fact, after we’ve had a couple of nights to settle in, we’ll have a private concert with the internationally-acclaimed Niamh Parsons, one of Ireland’s most beloved traditional folk singers.

We’ve been longtime fans of Niamh’s for years, and after we had the unforgettable pleasure of hearing her gorgeous voice in person several years ago, we struck up a friendship and eventually asked if we could hire her to put on a private show for our group of writers one evening during our retreat in 2022. Much to our everlasting delight and appreciation, she and her supremely talented partner, musician Graham Dunne, said, “Yes!”

Have a listen to a sample of Niamh and Graham’s offerings below:

While Niamh Parsons alone is worth a trip across the ocean, this intimate event requires no commute for our Go and Write! travellers, as we’ll have her traditional songs and stories all to ourselves for that special evening. Niamh has performed at nearly every prestigious international folk festival on either side of the Atlantic, for crowds of thousands, and we are so thankful that she and Graham have agreed to perform for our group, once again.

Exploring Dublin

We built in an extra day in Dublin for this Grand Writing Tour of Ireland retreat—this will give us a chance to take in more of the sights that Dublin has to offer and give you time to explore the city on your own.

We encourage you to take a tour of the National Museum of Ireland where the “Bog People” rest, as well as the venerable Trinity College, which houses one of Ireland’s finest national treasures, the Book of Kells, an ancient masterwork of calligraphy and illumination. Then there’s the Dublin Writers’ Museum, and even more impressive, the new Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), where you can take a tour and perhaps luck into a reading or a special exhibit.

Check out this article about MoLI, and be sure to click on the image of the camera on the first photo of James Joyce to cycle through the series of photos. Literature comes to life at MoLI in a series of immersive exhibitions that pay homage to Ireland’s finest writers, from James Joyce to Colm Tóibín, including a special focus on Ireland’s women writers, such as Edna O’Brien and Anne Enright.

From the Museum of Literature Ireland, you can cross the road to fabled St. Stephen’s Green, which Joyce wrote about so hauntingly, and find many a shop or restaurant, or perhaps an old pub at which to grab a pint and write. Many of those same pubs serve up live music, including renowned sessions at Dublin’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head, built in 1198, O’Donoghue’s , The Cobblestone, and numerous others.

Dublin’s a unique and ancient city—it’s not unusual to slake your thirst and have a bite while steeped in history. Take a tour of the Guinness Storehouse, where you can also have a meal at their in-house restaurant with one of the best views of Dublin. We highly recommend indulging in a horse and carriage ride from Guinness to the Brazen Head.

You won’t mind the cold when there are so many great shops and pubs—besides the afore-mentioned Brazen Head, another favourite of ours is The Stag’s Head, where you can sit where the famous rebel and orchestrator of the Republic of Ireland, Michael Collins, used to cool his heels now and then. There’s also the grand old Dublin Castle, the seat of Irish government that’s full of history, and for deeper insight into the 1916 Easter Rising, consider a tour of Kilmainham Gaol Museum—an outing you’ll want to book in advance due to the popularity of the tour.

We bring our writing journals everywhere so we can capture these once-in-a-lifetime moments on the spot. You’ll want to invest in a journal of your own for this adventure, and plan to bring it wherever you go. There will be many opportunities to sketch with words, and the immediacy encourages nuance and detail in your writing. There are some moments and characters that can only be captured vividly on the coach, in the pub, or warming yourself by the crackling hearth in the castle.

Day trip #4—Ancient Ireland: tombs older than the pyramids and the coronation seat of the High Kings

On our third day in Dublin, we’ll travel to the Boyne Valley with our friend Mary Gibbons, an insightful historian and great storyteller. Along the way, Mary will share cultural high points in Irish history to help contextualize the places we’ll visit.

Our first stop will be the Hill of Tara , where Ireland’s High Kings were crowned and where the Stone of Destiny, or the Lia Fáil, still resides—the great coronation stone is one of the four legendary treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the People of the Goddess Danu. Tara has been important since the Stone Age, when the first passage tomb was built there, but its greatest significance came during the Iron Age, from about 600 BCE to 400 AD, when it was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland—in fact, it’s said that all the old roads in Ireland lead to the Hill of Tara. 

After we’ve had some time to explore the Hill of Tara, Mary will take us deeper into the Boyne Valley to visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Newgrange and Knowth passage tombs. Carbon dating suggests that Newgrange was built around 3,200 BCE, making it more than 600 years older than the Giza Pyramids in Egypt and 1,000 years more ancient than Stonehenge. 

Newgrange was built to celebrate the winter solstice and is a wondrous melding of human engineering and nature. There is an opening called a roof-box just above the entrance to the passage-tomb, and much to the surprise of those who worked on the site in 1967, they discovered that the roof-box had been painstakingly positioned to allow the first rays of the morning sun to penetrate the inner chamber on the winter solstice: at the dawning of the day, from December 19-23, a narrow beam of light shoots through the roof-box and reaches the floor of the chamber, gradually illuminating the interior.

Because our group will have direct, special access to the site, we’ll also have a chance to enter the chamber ourselves and experience a re-enactment of the winter solstice event. To learn even more about Newgrange, the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s Ancient East, you might want to explore Anthony Murphy’s Mythical Ireland site.

If Newgrange was built to honour the sun, it’s believed that Knowth may have been built in homage to the lunar cycle, and the megalithic art carved into the stones there is said to be even more impressive than the art found at Newgrange.

There has been lively debate for years about the purpose of these monuments, and while no one can know for certain the true reasons they were built, there is no doubt that Newgrange and Knowth were hugely significant to the people of Ireland for several hundred years, and they’re a tangible reflection of human ingenuity, intelligence, and determination.

Time to say goodbye

On our very last day, we’ll gather for an afternoon of readings followed by supper, and we’ll bid a fond farewell to Dublin, Ireland, and each other—until we meet again. Later that evening, maybe you’ll offer a toast to the people of Ireland, for the life that has brought you to these shores, and to home, where you’ll return with a heart, mind, and writing journal stuffed with memories. 

Join us on our Grand Writing Tour of Ireland adventure

This 23-day Grand Writing Tour of Ireland retreat is designed to satisfy both your desire for adventure and your need to find time to write. Some of our travellers aren’t writers at all, though they often travel with writers. The vast majority, though, are writers of various genres, including novelists and playwrights, screenwriters, memoirists, children’s writers, and poets, and are at various stages of their writing life. We get as many new or emerging writers as we get established writers who simply need time away from the daily grind to refresh their souls or kickstart their writing.

You’ll travel in the company of like-minded souls, some of whom have written only a little and others who have published extensively. Go and Write! travellers, including non-writing folk, often have a tough time choosing their favourite part of our retreats, but the lasting friendships and memorable moments that could only happen when a bunch of writers go traveling together top most lists.

Go!

• 7 nights at Abbeyglen Castle hotel in Clifden
  • 7 breakfasts and 7 suppers included
  • Upgraded Superior rooms
  • Day trip including Dan O’Hara’s Farm and Kylemore Abbey
• 8 nights at Kilmurvey House on Inis Mór
  • 8 breakfasts and 8 suppers included
  • Full access to Dún Aonghasa fort
  • Day trip around Inis Mór
  • Ferry to and from Inis Mór
  • Daily shuttle between Kilmurvey House and the Village of Kilronan
• 3 nights at The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis
  • 3 breakfasts included
  • Day trip to the Burren and Poulnabrone Dolmen, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Brigid’s Well
• Visit to the oldest pub in Ireland—and maybe the world—Séan’s Bar in Athlone
• 4 nights at The Schoolhouse Hotel in Dublin
  • 4 breakfasts and 2 suppers included
  • Day trip to the Boyne Valley’s Hill of Tara, Newgrange, and Knowth
  • Private concert by acclaimed Irish traditional singer Niamh Parsons and musician Graham Dunne
• Land transfers once gathered on Day 1
• Entry/tickets to all included activities
• All bedrooms have their own ensuite bathrooms

Write!

• Three creative and inspiring writing sessions
• Two one-on-one meetings with Dr. Gerard Collins, an award-winning author and university educator
• Professional, honest, and thoughtful commentary from Gerard on your pre-submitted writing sample—helpful for writers of all levels and genres
• The company of other writers
• Group readings and conversation on several evenings
• Non-writing participants are welcome to take part in as few or as many of the elements of the retreat as they wish
• Ample time and opportunity for writing, idea-gathering, and solitude

A note from a recent retreat participant

“It is not an exaggeration to say this retreat changed my life! I have been struggling for years to finish a personal memoir draft. Just a few days on our retreat, and my writing and I turned a corner. I had the breakthrough that had eluded me for years. The combination of Gerard’s insightful guidance, the support of the other writers who became instant soulmates, and the Irish tradition of storytelling in an 18th century castle proved to be life-changing.

“I am close to finishing my memoir draft, and I give all credit to Go and Write! for providing the environment that enabled me to write and organize my thoughts. I have opened myself up to the possibilities ahead, and I’m feeling better about my writing than I have in years.

“My deepest thanks to Gerard and Jane…”

~ Gloria R.B., Go and Write! alumnus

To see more kind notes from our Go and Write! Alumni, visit our Testimonials page.

A Grand Writing Tour of Ireland crafted by writers, for writers

A Go and Write! retreat is not your average trip to Ireland or even your average writing retreat. As writers ourselves, we have designed every aspect of this adventure with creative souls in mind, combining the stimulation that can only come from travel and company with other writers with the quiet and solitude that’s an absolute must for writing.

A major difference between Go and Write! and most travel companies or writing retreats is the personalized aspect of our tours. We ensure there’s both social time and alone time built into the itinerary, as well as plenty of time for wandering and gathering thoughts in a solitary fashion. We encourage writers to give each other space, although social time is also guaranteed, if that’s what you’d like. Note, also, that we don’t compel strangers to share a room, as most writers prefer solitude or, at most, the company of a friend or family member of their own choosing.

In all, we pride ourselves on being open and inclusive and, being writers ourselves first and foremost, we imagine the best writing retreat possible and try our best to deliver on that ideal.

Kind words from one of our 2022 retreat participants:

“I am beginning to reflect on the joy the trip has brought me… The tenderness and care you showed us was so evident in the choices of lodging, the comfortable bus rides, and the knowledgeable guides. It was your day-to-day presence, while checking on all of us, that was especially meaningful. I am not certain I can explain the impact, but I feel it has awakened a longing in me and an understanding of something deeper that was not previously there.”
~ Ann K., Go and Write! alumnus

Cost

Double occupancy, per person, sharing a room: $8,595 CAD including tax (approx. $5,970 USD)
Single occupancy: $10,395 CAD including tax (approx. $7,220 USD)
Note: there are two slightly smaller rooms in one of our venues that qualify for a discount—please let us know if this is of interest to you.

See below for the payment schedule and specific cancellation policy associated with this retreat.

Please note that there is NOT a surcharge for single travellers. The true cost of the retreat is based on the single price, but if you bring someone else, you share the room costs, which lowers the price per person. We do not pair strangers on our retreats, and numbers will be limited to approximately 16 registrants to allow for a more intimate, connected, and focused experience. 

Listed price is in Canadian dollars and includes tax; gratuities are at participants’ discretion. We have estimated the price in US dollars for our American participants’ convenience, based on the rate of exchange at the time; the actual cost in American dollars will depend on the conversion rate at time of payment.

Rates shown do not include credit card processing fees. For those paying by credit card, we will have to add 2.4% and that fee is non-refundable. For Canadians, we’re able to offer an e-transfer option to save you processing fees. For other registrants, we also accept international bank transfers; please research the processing fees charged by your bank as you’re responsible to pay those fees. Contact us for more information.

Some people choose to pay by credit card, particularly if it has an associated trip insurance policy. It is your responsibility to research and understand details around any insurance coverage associated with your credit card. Visit our Expectations, Rules, and Refunds page for more information about the importance of trip insurance.

Register by contacting us.

Payment schedule

• At registration, to confirm your space: $1,200 CAD per person, non-refundable, non-transferable deposit
• On or before April 5, 2025: next instalment of $4,000 CAD per person is due
• On or before June 5, 2025: balance remaining is due

Fees are in Canadian dollars and include applicable taxes and tourism levies. If you’re interested in paying in instalments within this schedule, please let us know so that can be arranged—we do not charge an additional fee for this service. Payment deadlines must be met or you risk forfeiting your space, and the cancellation and refunds policy and dates specific to this retreat apply (see below). Registrants who run into difficulties meeting the payment schedule must contact us immediately to see if alternate arrangements can be made.

See additional notes about missed payments, cancellations, and refunds below.

A few additional notes

Amenities

We are staying in a venue with no elevator; participants may be required to climb stairs to get to their bedrooms. At some points during our retreat, there may be limited or no Wi-Fi or cellular phone service, as well as no air conditioning in our accommodations. Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first served basis, with input from the venues and with some exceptions, and not all rooms are the same.

Upgrades

Some upgrades are possible, depending on availability. There are also two slightly smaller rooms in one of our venues that qualify for a discount; please let us know if you are interested in this.

Logistics

The retreat begins in Dublin on October 4 and ends in Dublin on October 26. We will gather at the Dublin Airport on the morning of October 4 and our private coach will pick us up there as a group. The retreat will end at the Schoolhouse Hotel in Dublin the morning of October 26; the Dublin Airport is just a 20-minute taxi ride from the hotel. Please communicate with us before making flight arrangements.

Insurance

You are responsible for arranging for trip insurance, including cancellation insurance! Life can throw curveballs at us: we HIGHLY recommend that all participants get travel insurance, including cancellation, interruption, and health insurance, as soon as they register for a Go and Write! retreat.

We have seen situations where participants who have NOT arranged for insurance lose all of their investment when they’ve had to cancel, and we’ve seen participants who HAVE arranged for insurance recoup 100% of their investment.

Participants are responsible to research and make arrangements for their own insurance.

Participants are responsible to research the implications of travel restrictions at home and abroad before and at the time of travel. Ensure you have everything you need so you aren’t turned away from establishments or airports.

Missed payments, cancellation, and refunds — please note this policy and these dates are specific to this retreat

We strongly encourage you to purchase the appropriate trip insurance, and to do so at the appropriate time.

• • Payment deadlines must be met or you risk forfeiting your space and the cancellation and refunds policy and dates specific to this retreat apply. If you run into difficulties meeting the payment schedule, you must contact us immediately to see if alternate arrangements can be made.
  • Your deposit as well as any processing fees associated with retreat payment(s) are 100% non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the timing or circumstances of your cancellation.
  • If you cancel on or before April 4, 2025, any other payments you’ve made to us are returned to you, less the non-refundable deposit and any payment processing fees.
  • If you cancel between April 5 and June 4, 2025, you forfeit 75% of all monies paid, in addition to the non-refundable deposit and any processing fees.
  • If you cancel on or after June 5, 2025, no fees paid will be returned.
  • You must notify us, in writing, of your intentions to cancel.

While we present our information in good faith, sometimes things happen that are beyond our control and circumstances may force us to change certain aspects of the retreat.

• • If the retreat or any aspect of the retreat needs to be postponed or adjusted, we will make every attempt to reschedule or offer an alternative.
  • We can only offer refunds if our providers also refund monies to us.
  • Prices are subject to change due to provider and supplier changes and availability, unforeseen travel conditions, cancellations, and culpability.

Due to contractual obligations with our suppliers, we cannot make exceptions to the cancellation policy, regardless of the reason.

All participants (and travel companions, if applicable) are required to review our Expectations, Rules and Refunds page and acknowledge agreement with the contents before registering for a Go and Write! retreat.