The Veil of Samhain

Join us at The Veil of Samhain for a transformative Wild Notions mini-festival/rewilding-retreat.

SAMHAIN is the old Irish pagan festival from which Halloween originated long ago.
It is a time where The Veil between the magical land of faeries and spirits and this Earthly reality grows thin and permeable... a time to honor the dead, to banish what haunts you and to dance wildly in honor of the end of the Summer/Light and coming of Winter/Darkness. This would in the past have been a marker of the last harvest - socking up on craic, ceol and good wholesome nourishment for the cold times ahead.

We will have a variety of caringly crafted workshops, ceremonies and performances over Sat 2 & Sun 3 Nov, guiding you through this truly unique journey combining traditional Irish culture and spirituality with influences from around the world. This is a space for you to explore and express yourself and connect with the ever growing wholesome and wild tribe of Éire (Ireland).

SAUNA & ICE BATH

Included in your ticket price will be free access to a toasty hot Sauna and freezing Ice Bath for the night.
Swimming togs are optional and if you don't plan on wearing anything please bring an extra towel to sit on.

FOOD & DRINKS

Delicious and nutritious vegetarian food will be cooked with love and provided for you with the option of eating vegan and gluten free*.This will include a scrumptious early dinner on Saturday, a wholesome Snack Attack later in the night and breakfast in the morning.

We value your wonderful bodies, providing healthy fiesta fuel and using organic ingredients where possible.

*Please contact us about any allergies in advance :)

A variety of tea will be available throughout the night as well as chemical-free Well Water.

This is an ALCOHOL & DRUG FREE gathering.Together we hold a safe and healthy space where we can connect as ourselves without intoxication. Some people who attend may be working with addiction and we want this to be safe for them too.
This is not a flexible policy and if that can't be respected unfortunately you will be asked to leave without refund.

WORKSHOPS/CEREMONIES

Opening & Closing Ceremonies

With focus on community sense development, unlocking inner freedom and re-exploring spirituality in non-denominational and non-institutional ways these ceremonies strive to cultivate a deep sense of sacredness both beginning and before ending our lovely time together.

Cacao & Hawthorn Ceremony

Blending wild, native Irish & Peruvian Plant Medicines this delicious chocolaty nectar and warm, mindful ceremony and is all about connecting in with the land, ourselves and eachother with full & open hearts as well as getting us hyped for a good boogy. This powerful potion is included with your ticket :)

Body Painting

A variety of body paints will be available to those who wish to decorate themselves and eachother. This is a body positive space and a space for creative expression. As a wise woman once said - "You are enough, and not too much."
COSTUMES are welcome too, with a general THEME of ANCIENT CELTIC MYTHOLOGY

Samhain Rituals

I want to keep an exciting element of surprise for you.. but I can say we'll be exploring some old pagan Samhain Rituals honoring those who have passed as well as having some fun dancing around the fire scaring off any energies/qualities of being that may feel like have been haunting you. (No sacrifices, don't worry!)

Morning Yoga

Giving some love and care into our bodies after all our boogieing, we'll have the wonderful and heart-centered Shauna-Rose offering morning yoga on the Sunday.

Nature Walk

An Sanctóir (The Sanctuary) where our gathering will be held is as the name discribes and you're invited to join if you wish on a guided walk around this beautiful land of forest, river and fields.

PERFORMANCES

Macalla (DJ)

Music project of Tara O'Regan, Macalla is a one-of-a-kind DJ experience, blending a creative mix of Irish & world music with funky abstract & electronic elements guaranteed to leave you dancing wildly and wondering what kind of cool music this is.

Wild Notions

Wild Notions is the free-spirited alt/indie folk project of multi-instrumentalist Luc O'Rourke. Performing solo or with accompaniment, he explores the wilderness of being - vocalising everyday thoughts and abstract inklings with a refreshing rawness.
Navigating a variety of emotional landscapes Luc creatively disregards the borders of genre, with the likes of acoustic guitar, banjo, buffalo drum, koshi chime, wood whistle and voice.

Fire Performance

Things will be getting hot and spicy with a number of talented Irish fire performers putting on a show for us :)

ACCOMODATION

Our main space is a beautiful Octagon which will be available for sleeping in if you bring your own mat and bedding. You will have access to kitchen, showers and toilets and electricity.
A fee of €10 is asked from the space for this. and tents/campervans are also welcome for the same fee.

Alternatively there is a bnb 5 minutes walk away with private single & double rooms and a dorm which is quite cheap. For info and booking you can call the owner, Dan : 0860617962

There are also a variety of other Airbnb options around Ballydehob and we are 15 mins drive from Bantry, Skibbereen & Schull if you fancy those beautiful spots :)

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask and hopefully see you soon.

Ps. This is an grassroots independant event and any help spreading the word means more wholesome happenings like this on this beautiful land we call home :)

Le grá (with love),
Luc
Wild Notions
00353 89 499 6629