Into the West: September 2024
For 12 nights and 13 days on the enchanted island of Inis Mór, followed by 2 nights in Doolin, the traditional music capital of Ireland, several writers from across Canada and the United States opened their hearts and minds to a transformative experience.
During our time together, we immersed ourselves into the landscape and culture of the west of Ireland, writing as we went.
Our adventure began
On the very first morning of our retreat, we gathered at the Shannon airport and travelled by private coach to embark on a slightly wild ferry ride to the enchanted island of Inis Mór.
We spent 12 nights on the island, with lots of room to spread out, roam, and relax. We enjoyed writing sessions led by Gerard, music with Gerard and Janie, and evening readings sharing our work with each other.
Our participants also had special access to Dún Aonghasa, the fortress that overlooks the Atlantic, and many of us ventured there several times during our stay.
After 13 days on Inis Mór, we reluctantly bade goodbye and made our way across churning waters to Doolin, where we checked into the Doolin Inn for two nights.
Doolin is known as the home of “trad” (traditional) music in Ireland, and we arranged for a private evening session with a local musician and storyteller.
On our last full day in the west of Ireland, we hosted a fare-thee-well lunch for the group at Gus O’Connor’s, a tavern that first opened its doors in 1832. Some of us stayed right there at the pub to take in the music after our lunch, and it proved to be one of the most memorable evenings of our retreat due to the fantastic trad session that took place later that evening.
The next morning, we made our way back to the Shannon Airport by private coach and said our goodbyes, or as the Irish say, slán go fóill, goodbye for now.