Origins
We began Wild Irish Retreat as an Irish language weekend eight years ago in the Gaeltacht of Corca Dhuibhne (Dingle) peninsula in West Kerry, Ireland. People learned poetry writing, ritual, wild hurling and wild food foraging through Irish. Since then, we've held an variety of culture and language-related events in theatre performance, documentaries, sports, spoken word, ritual and retreats.
Ealaín Fiain ~ Wild Art, Creative in Nature retreats for women off grid in the Burren. Co-facilitated by homestead and wild crafter Cearbhuil Ní Fhionnghusa and Welsh land artist and sculptor Mishel Griffiths.
The Journey Ogham, the Tochailt Focail : Inspiring Irish Workshops facilitated at festivals, retreats and for specific groups by Siobhán.
Wild Hurling: Diarmuid's modified begininer friendly game of wild hurling, has been played at more than 60 places in the past eight years including Bunratty Castle, Lisnavagh House.
Wild Irish Stags:
The Nature of Man: Deep healing retreats for men with breathwork and sweatlodge.
Retreat to Oiléain Chléire
We retreated to Oileán Chléire Cape Clear island on our last Wild Irish Retreat to absorb the Gaeilge and the culture of that place.
Highlights
Deer Butchering & Skin Tanning Workshop
Our first retreat at Teacht Aniar. Fia Phádraig in which participants learned to skin, butcher deer and tan its skin, while being in right relationship with the deer in death and eating.
Nature of Man, Aghavannagh, Co Wicklow.
Featured in the Irish Independent, this latest offering from Diarmuid and Michael Ryan provided a framework to support the health and wellbeing of the men gathered through open communication, joyful play, breathwork, yoga and sweatlodge.
Performance
Cath Fionn Trá created by Siobhán de Paor and Diarmuid Lyng was a piece of community participation ritual theatre supported by Féile na Bealtaine and Kerry County Council. a modern day retelling and perfomrance ritual of the mythical battle of Fionn Trá between the Armies of the King of the World and Fionn and Fianna. Over 500 people showed up to watch the battle unfold, a production which drew on the combined natural talents of Diarmuid and Siobhan who directed and starred in the production.
Men's Corporate Retreat, Dubai (UAE)
Diarmuid was flown to Dubai to run a retreat in the sesert for a group of executives in March 2025. He drew on the well of the Irish spirit to facilitate a hugely successful weekend where nourishment was found in the simplicity of open communication and meaningful connection. He is likely to return there.
Rites
A Rite of love and matrimony for Prunella Hanbury and Michael Parsons of Birr Castle, in which the entire wedding party made an Ogham tree mandala, and the couple handfasted in the centre. Le Beannacht as Gaeilge of the four elements.
Fís Filleata ~ Poetry Films