Upcoming Events
20 – 22 Feb
2026
Imbolc Retreats
A Weekend Gathering for Men BOOK NOW
20 – 22 February • Donegal • Ireland
A weekend on the wild Atlantic coast to pause, listen, and begin again.
As the wheel of the year turns toward Imbolc—a time of quiet beginnings—we gather as men to envision and cultivate the parts of ourselves we wish to see flourish and grow.
Together we’ll turn toward the places in us that resist change, meeting them with wisdom and compassion. In doing so, we begin to release outmoded ways of being and make more space for what is true, alive, and deeply ours.
Why Imbolc?
Imbolc marks the first stirring of life beneath the surface:
- seeds waking in the cold earth
- light slowly returning after the deep dark of winter
- a threshold between what has been and what is possible
This retreat is an invitation to stand on that threshold with other men, to:
- name what is no longer working
- listen for what wants to be born
- commit to living with greater honesty, courage, and heart
What You Can Expect
Over the weekend we’ll weave together:
- Guided reflection & inquiry
Space to look honestly at your life—the patterns that hold you back and the possibilities calling you forward. - Embodied practices
Grounding the work in the body through simple movement, breath, and somatic awareness so insight becomes lived experience. - Men’s circle & council
Sitting together in a respectful, confidential space where each man is seen and heard without fixing or rescuing. - Cerimonial Practices These are practices that remind us a deeper felt sense of Self that can so easily be lost in our busy lives.
- Time on the land
Meeting the Atlantic and the Donegal landscape as allies—walking, sensing, and letting the place work on us. - Quiet time & integration
Space to be on your own, journal, rest, and let things settle.
(Adjust or remove any elements here to match what you’re actually offering.)
Who This Retreat Is For
This weekend is for men who:
- Feel a quiet (or loud) sense that “something needs to change”
- Are standing at a threshold—work, relationship, identity, fatherhood, midlife, or simply an inner turning
- Want to live with more integrity, presence, and courage
- Value honest conversation more than performance or pretending
- May feel resistance or uncertainty, but are willing to show up anyway
You do not need any previous retreat or spiritual experience. Just a willingness to be real, to listen, and to participate.
The Place: Donegal, at the Edge of the Atlantic
We’ll gather on the Atlantic coast of Donegal, held by sea, sky, and rugged land.
Expect:
- wide horizons and Atlantic weather
- quiet spaces to walk and reflect
- the feeling of being on the edge of land and sea—a fitting setting for inner thresholds
Venue:
The venue is a wonderful old Manor House, set in 300 acres of ancient woodland with private access through the garden to the beach.
near Killybegs, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Practical Details
Dates
20 – 22 February 2026
Arrival from: Friday 16:00
Closing circle ends: Sunday 14:00
Location
Donegal, Ireland
[We will share the address via email close to the time]
Travel
- Nearest town: Donegal Town
- Nearest airport: Donegal / Derry / Belfast / Dublin (contact us if you’re flying in so we can discuss transport options)
- We can support car–sharing where possible.
Accommodation & Meals
- 2 nights shared accommodation
- Vegetarian & Wild Venison meals, simple tasty breakfasts
- Any special dietary requirements please let us know
What to Bring
- Warm, weatherproof clothing for time outdoors
- Comfortable clothes for sitting and movement
- Journal and pen
- Any personal items you need to feel at ease
- Swim gear
- Yoga mat, blanket
- Bedding (duvet, pillow, sheet or sleeping bag)
Contribution & Booking
Retreat fee:
- € 500 early-bird (until Dec. 20th)
- € 550 standard
(We never want finances be the reason someone can’t attend, talk to us)
Places are limited to keep the group intimate.
You’ll be taken to a simple booking page where you can secure your spot with a deposit of €250.
As we get closer to the time you’ll receive an email with full details on what to bring, travel options, and how to prepare.
A Few Common Questions
Do I need any previous experience with men’s work or retreats?
No. Everything will be guided. You just need a willingness to participate and to respect the space.
Will there be free time?
Yes. The weekend will include a balance of shared sessions and personal time to walk, rest, or reflect.
Is this therapy?
No. This is a facilitated retreat, not psychotherapy. Emotional work may arise, and you will be supported, but it’s not a substitute for individual therapy.
How big is the group?
We aim for a group size of around 20 men, enough to feel held but still intimate.
Invitation
If you feel the small inner nudge that it’s time to face your life more honestly…
If you’re ready to release old ways of being and step toward something truer…
Then you are warmly invited to join us on the Atlantic edge this Imbolc.
BOOK HERE
If you’re having issues with money talk to us
A deposit of half secures your place. Balance due by February 1st.
Booking:
Places are limited to ensure an intimate and supported experience.
To book your place, click below or contact Michael directly at natureofman.ie@gmail.com or t: 086 089 0833
It’s time to stop holding back and start moving forward.
Get in touch with us today to learn more and secure your spot. We warmly welcome you to join our community and look forward to sharing memorable experiences together.
29 – 31 May 2026
Donegal
Bealtaine Retreat
Re-igniting the Inner Fire
So often, it’s our inner fire that goes missing.
Life becomes a cycle of looking after others, meeting responsibilities, and quietly pushing down our own needs. We slip into lives of quiet desperation, losing touch with something deeper within ourselves. The days keep moving, but life begins to feel dull, heavy, and somehow… not quite ours.
This Bealtaine Retreat in Donegal is an invitation to pause, take stock, and gently turn toward what is asking for your attention—so you can step forward in your life with more freedom, courage, and joy.
We are so often taught to avoid the very feelings, fears, and truths that can actually set us free. Over this weekend, we’ll do the opposite: we’ll meet them with honesty, compassion, and support.
Why Bealtaine?
In the Celtic tradition, Bealtaine marks the beginning of summer—a festival of fire, renewal, and aliveness. It’s a time of:
- Stepping out of the dark half of the year
- Celebrating fertility, creativity, and growth
- Honouring both the wildness and tenderness of being alive
This retreat is a modern expression of that same movement:
a chance to move from numbness toward aliveness, from stuckness toward possibility, from quiet desperation toward a life that feels more true.
What This Retreat Offers
Over the weekend, we’ll weave together spaces and practices that support real change—not through pressure or performance, but through presence, honesty, and connection.
You can expect:
- Guided Reflection & Inquiry
Time to look clearly at where you are in your life—what’s working, what’s not, and what’s quietly asking to change. - Embodied Practices
Gentle movement, breath, and somatic exercises to reconnect you with your body, where so much of our truth and aliveness live. - Circle & Shared Space
A held, confidential space to speak, listen, and be witnessed—without judgment, advice-giving, or fixing. - Time on the Land
Walking, sitting, and being in the Donegal landscape, letting the elements work on you in their own quiet way. - Ritual & Intention
Simple, grounded rituals to honour what you’re letting go of—and to name what you’re stepping toward. - Rest & Integration
Space to be alone, journal, rest, and allow things to settle and root.
You don’t need any previous experience with retreats, meditation, or “inner work”. Just a willingness to show up as you are.
Who This Retreat Is For
This retreat is for you if:
- Life feels dull, heavy, or “on autopilot”
- You sense that something deeper wants your attention
- You’re caring for others but rarely have space to feel your own needs
- You’re standing at a threshold—work, relationship, health, identity, midlife, or simply a quiet inner turning
- You’re ready to stop avoiding what hurts and start listening to what it’s trying to show you
You might feel resistant, unsure, or nervous—that’s completely welcome. Often those are the signs that something real is possible.
The Place: Donegal, at the Atlantic Edge
We’ll gather in Donegal, held by sea, sky, and rugged land.
Expect:
- Wide horizons and Atlantic weather
- Quiet spaces to walk and reflect
- A sense of being on the edge—of land, of sea, and perhaps of an old chapter in your life
Venue:
A wonderful old manor house on the ocean, surround by ancient woodland
near Killybegs, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Accommodation is simple and comfortable, with shared spaces for gathering and quiet corners for solitude.
Practical Details
Dates
May 20 – 22 2026
- Arrival from: Friday 16:00
- Dinner: Friday 19:00
- Opening circle: Friday 20:30
- Closing: Sunday 14:00
Location
Donegal, Ireland
(Exact address and directions will be provided after booking.)
Accommodation & Meals
- 2 nights accommodation in shared rooms
- Two dinners and two breakfasts
Travel
- Nearest town: Donegal Town
- Nearest airport / major connections: Donegal, Derry, Belfast, Dublin
- We can support car-sharing where possible.
What to Bring
- Warm, weatherproof outdoor clothing
- Swim gear
- Comfortable clothes for movement and sitting
- Sturdy shoes or boots
- Yoga mat, blanket
- bedding (duvet, pillow, sheet or sleeping bag)
- Journal and pen
- Any personal items that help you feel at ease
Contribution & Booking
Retreat Fee:
- € 500 early-bird (until April 1st)
- € 550 standard
A limited number of reduced-rate places may be available if finances are a barrier—please get in touch if this would make the difference.
Group size is limited to keep the retreat intimate and well held.
Closer to the time of the retreat you’ll receive an email with full practical details and some simple guidance on how to prepare.
A Few Questions You Might Have
Will this be very intense?
The retreat may touch deep places, but it’s held with care, gentleness, and respect for your own pace. You’re always free to step back, rest, or simply listen.
Do I have to share in the group?
You’ll be invited, never forced. There is often great relief in discovering you’re not alone, but your boundaries will be respected.
Is this therapy or religious?
No. This is a facilitated retreat, not psychotherapy, and it’s not tied to any single religious tradition. People of any or no spiritual background are welcome.
Can I come on my own?
Absolutely. Many people attend alone. You’ll be met and included from the moment you arrive.
An Invitation
If you feel the quiet sense that something has to change…
If you’re tired of living a life that feels too small, too heavy, or not quite your own…
If you’re ready to turn toward the very places you’ve been taught to avoid—so that you can reclaim your fire and your joy…
You are warmly invited to join us in Donegal this Bealtaine.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our upcoming events and to secure your spot. We warmly welcome you to join our community and look forward to sharing memorable experiences together.
Nature of Man 