I am running a lovely adult writing retreat in a country house in Kildare. http://www.dollardstown.com/
We can hire the venue exclusively for us, so we will have complete run of the place, they will feed us gourmet food and it’s only one hour from Dublin!
DATES
The retreat runs over the weekend of 8th/ 9th May. The hotel will be available exclusively for the adult writers. No other visitors will be staying.
The minimum number I need to run the weekend is five participants (all in single rooms). The maximum number I can have is eight (six sharing and two singles).
ALL INCLUSIVE
The price includes writing workshops, an individual mentoring session with me, scones and tea on arrival and departure, two gourmet dinners (three courses), and two nights Bed and Breakfast. Participants are invited to bring their own wine, beer, soft drinks etc. Corkage is included in the overall price.
During the weekend, participants will each avail of a thirty minute mentoring session with me, to reflect on and discuss their work. Up to 1,500 words can be emailed to me before hand (if you wish). This can be a short story, extract from a novel, character profile or synopsis of a novel. Please organise the time with me on the Friday evening.
PROGRAMME
Arrival on Friday anytime from 4p.m. Welcome tea and scones (optional)
7. 30 p.m. Dinner
After dinner workshop – aims and goals for our writing.
Saturday
Breakfast 9.a.m.
10 – 11.30 a.m. Workshop: Preparation and Getting started. Writing exercises and prompts will be provided.
11.30a.m – 4.30p.m. Silent retreat writing time. Participants will have complete run of the house as there will be no other guests staying. During writing time there will be no talking in the main rooms of the house to allow everyone to get as much work done as possible.
1p.m. Optional Lunch €10 per head. (Soup and sandwiches). Breakfast will be a full Irish or extensive continental so lunch is optional. You may not be hungry! Please let me know if you will want lunch a week in advance. This €10 will be added to the overall price.
4.30p.m. – 6.30p.m. Group Workshop: Readings and constructive feedback.
7p.m. Dinner
After dinner readings around the fire: writers’ own work or favourite extracts from other authors’ works.
Sunday
Breakfast 9a.m.
10.a.m. – 11a.m. Workshop – writing prompts and guided exercises (for those who need them).
11- 1.p.m. Silent retreat writing time.
Optional Lunch €10 per head
1.30p.m. – 3p.m. Group reading and feedback on work.
Wrap up workshop – Writing goals for the summer.
3p.m. Tea and scones
3.30p.m. Depart
This retreat is suitable for writers who have a work in progress and also writers who would like an opportunity to begin something new. Ideas and prompts will be provided. Dollardstown house is a beautiful venue and will provide great inspiration for stories and characters.
PRICE
There are several price options depending on the type of accommodation you choose. It is an old house and not all of the rooms have their own ensuite bathroom. The three rooms on the top floor share a large bathroom.
Each overall price includes writing workshops and individual mentoring with me, scones and tea on arrival and departure, two gourmet dinners (three courses), and two nights Bed and Breakfast. Participants are invited to bring their own wine, beer, soft drinks etc. Corkage is included in the overall price.
1) Large Single room with ensuite €390
2) Single room with shared bathroom €370 (sharing large bathroom with three other rooms on top floor)
3)Twin room with ensuite €310 (per person sharing)
4)Twin room with shared bathroom (€285 per person sharing)
If you would like to attend please let me know ASAP. I will give out rooms preferences on a first come first served basis.
To confirm your place I will need a deposit of €100 and the balance paid to me by Friday 17th April.
*Deposits and fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
I’m really looking forward to this retreat. I believe we will have loads of fun and get lots of magical writing done.
