Where to go for a retreat?

Carnmore

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Mods: not seeking medical advice

A friend is wanting to go on a retreat in an attempt to deal better with many issues in their personal life.

They've come across Glenstal Abbey and Lake Isle retreats so far. They're not religious but apparently Glenstal is open to all?

Has anyone any knowledge of the above or any others?
 
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Apart from what I can find on Google I don't know much about the retreats. I too would be very interested in this and hope you get someone with experience of being on one or more of them to respond. I've done the Lough Derg pilgrimage on a one day and a three day duration but it's not really what i'd call a retreat, but they were done as a promise to others.
 
I don't wish to sound unhelpful, but your friend can go on a truck full of retreats and on completion every problem is still there. Everybody has problems, but some have more problems than others. Solving multiple problems is like painting a whole house. Clear out one room at a time and paint it from ceiling to skirting boards and then move onto the next room until eventually the whole house is painted. It takes time, but there is no other way.

There is only so much a person can do, but do what they can do. Circle of Control and Circle of Concern come into play.
 
sometimes it does absolutely no harm to take a step back and think. We can do too much "doing" without realising less is sometimes more.

Was there not a Buddhist retreat centre in West Cork at one stage, not sure if it is still there.? If its a bit of peace and quiet then why not just rent a house somewhere quiet

List of Catholic centres here
https://www.retreatsireland.ie/retreat-centres-listed-by-county/

or this might be an option
[broken link removed]
 
If they have enough time, they could walk The Camino Way. It is hugely fulfilling and you get to spend a lot of time with yourself, just walking and thinking (there's drinking and chat and laughter in the evenings). It takes about 6 weeks to do in full. If they can only give up a week, I recommend doing the start of it as it is very rewarding (most people with a week do the last 100km) and if they want to go back, they can continue their journey next year.
 
Mods: not seeking medical advice

A friend is wanting to go on a retreat in an attempt to deal better with many issues in their personal life.

They've come across Glenstal Abbey and Lake Isle retreats so far. They're not religious but apparently Glenstal is open to all?

Has anyone any knowledge of the above or any others?

As well as a retreat, they could start to look at the issues with a short or longer course in personal development.

Social Health and Education Project in Cork run them, in Cork, Limerick, and Kerry



They also organise a weekend mindfulness retreat each September in Cape Clear, as well as other courses during the year.
 
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