Ireland: A Journey of Wisdom and Wonder

I invite you to join me on the wild west coast of Ireland, where ancient wisdom and everyday wonder live side by side. This is a land of poets and storytellers, of stone circles and castles, of shifting skies and green hills that have inspired artists for centuries.

Our retreat will be a week of creativity and connection, blending art, myth, and the beauty of the Irish landscape. Together we’ll create portraits, collages, wisdom cards, and sketchbook studies that carry the spirit of Ireland’s stories and symbols. Each project will be both approachable and meaningful, giving you structure to create while leaving room for personal discovery.

Your Time With Ivy

Your 8 days will be a beautiful blend of studio time, cultural excursions, and plenty of free moments to rest and explore. You can arrive, unpack, and truly relax, since the entire group will make its home at the gorgeous Essence of Mulranny compound, run by artist Lora Murphy.

Your week will include watercolor studies of the surrounding landscapes, where we’ll slow down and connect with the natural rhythms of the land. We’ll also paint loose backgrounds inspired by the shifting skies and fields, then collage in sweet cottages, stone walls, and ancient standing stones, creating imaginative landscapes that capture the character of Ireland.

We’ll spend time sketching and building guided field journal pages, with prompts that make it approachable and inspiring: swatching the many shades of Irish green, drawing the rhythm of stone walls in ink, or combining pressed flora with handwritten notes. You’ll also enjoy an afternoon in the colorful town of Westport, where we’ll bring its lively streets into our journals.

In the studio, I’ll guide you through creating a PanPastel portrait, and no previous portrait experience is necessary , we’ll use an easy transfer method for the face so you can focus on layering soft color and expression. We’ll also create a storytelling collage using rich Celtic-inspired materials, drawing from myth and folklore to build works that feel personal and meaningful.

Together we’ll also make a set of Irish Wisdom Cards, combining Irish proverbs, mythic symbols, and mixed media layering. These small cards will become both a keepsake and a creative tool, something to bring home and use for inspiration long after the retreat ends.

You’ll leave Ireland with a renewed creative spirit, finished artworks filled with heart and place, a set of Ireland Wisdom Cards to carry forward, and a sketchbook alive with memories you’ll treasure forever.

Explore The History

Dream about the history of past times, evident in every field with old stone walls, every stoic castle and each abandoned cottage.

Local Villages

Meet the local people, warm, friendly and always happy to chat and share a story or a cup of tea. Shop in our local village of Westport and pop into a local pub or two!

Connect with Nature

Finding something to inspire you is not hard with the richness of the various eco systems surrounding Mulranny - from marine to mountain landscapes, with grasslands, bog and heather hills - this enchanted land casts a spell on any artist.

Enriching Excursions

Visit historic sites, Learn about the infamous Irish Pirate Queen and visit one of her many castles. Hear the story of our Stone Age ancestors and experience the myths and magic of Irelands spiritual roots while standing in one of the ancient stone circles. This is indeed a land of legends!

Find Your inspiration

Bring your camera , your sketchbooks and prepare to lose your heart in it all, your mind full of inspiration.

Connect with Self

This magical location invites us to slow down and go within. This journey will offer opportunities to deeply connect with your inner creative energy.

From our hosts - Lora & cHeryl

We invite you to imagine standing on the panoramic hillside of our studio, taking in the spectacular views of Clew bay and Croagh Patrick (Ireland’s holy mountain).

Open your heart to the profoundly moving drama of constantly shifting Atlantic skies, reflecting a ever changing light show on the bay. The wildness and drama of this spectacular area belie the peace and connection you will feel to Ireland and to this very special place.

Lay on a blanket in the heather and watch the stars emerge on a clear night or walk along the rocky shores, to gather shells, driftwood and memories. Find yourself letting go of the stress of everyday life, feel the mystery and beauty of this land, awakening your senses.

This unspoiled place provide a safe place of inspiration and experimentation to stretch your skills in whatever medium you are working on.

You are warmly invited to stay awhile.

At this retreat YOU WILL:

• Explore approachable urban sketching with ink and watercolor in the vibrant town of Westport

• Create soothing watercolor studies and swatches inspired by the Irish landscape

• Build guided field journal pages with prompts drawn from local flora, fauna, and textures

• Paint a PanPastel portrait using a simple transfer method — no drawing experience needed

• Make a layered storytelling collage inspired by Celtic myth and folklore

• Design your own set of Irish Wisdom Cards, combining proverbs, symbols, and mixed media techniques

• Create landscape collage studies, blending loose watercolor backgrounds with mixed media collage

• Heighten your sense of observation, color, and rhythm through guided exercises

• Fill your art journal with sketches, swatches, collages, and notes from your journey

• Experience the beauty, culture, and history of Ireland through inspiring excursions

• Visit historic sites, ancient stone circles, and castles rich with story

• Shop at quaint Irish villages and enjoy local traditions

• Share chef-prepared meals in the comfort of our retreat home

• Connect with a warm circle of fellow creatives from around the world

Included in your retreat

• Workshop instruction

• Some supplies (we be specified closer to trip)

• 7 nights lodging

• Transportation from Westport to the Studio (it is recommended to fly into Dublin airport and get the train to Westport. )

• All meals except - 2 lunches & 1 dinner

• All tour & excursion fees

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Travel costs / Airfare

• Passport fees, photos and processing where applicable

• Additional nights lodging