Photo: our venue, Springfield Castle (courtesy of Springfield Castle)
Springfield Castle Ireland
October 29, 2027-November 5, 2027
Schedule? What Schedule?
The retreat offers but never requires fellowship with other creatives. You can spend the whole time exploring the 200 acres of castle grounds, in the sauna, hot tub, and writing, or participate in our group meals and activities. We are renting the entire castle including the tower, and will be the only guests on site. Accommodations, 2 meals/day included in the price (exception: only dinner on arrival day and only breakfast on the departure day). A proposed schedule is below, but feel free to do your own thing…. The proposed schedule alternates between free days with evening events, and workshop days.
Ireland Creative Castle Retreat Optional Schedule—evolving and subject to change—-
Day 1: Friday October 29th, 2027
Afternoon: Arrive! Catered 3 course fine dining welcome dinner together in our lovely dining room. Orientation: meet one another, optionally form writing groups. Settle in, or head out to stargaze—-up to you.
Day 2: Saturday October 30th, 2027
8:00am-10:30am Continental breakfast.
Morning workshop: Connecting with the Land with Deirdre Pulgram-Arthen.
Afternoon workshop: Writing workshop with Kelli Russell Agodon.
See workshop page for more details.
Catered 2 course dinner dropped off for you to eat on your own schedule.
Event: Irish Storytelling event with nibbles and wine. Stories about the history of the castle and further afield from local storytellers.
Day 3: Sunday October 31, 2027
8:00am-10:30am Cooked Irish breakfast.
Free Writing Day—join with your writing group or work on your own, explore the grounds, etc. Entirely at your discretion.
Fine dining: 3 course catered dinner with Dumb Supper ritual to honor ancestors, led by Deirdre Pulgram-Arthen in the dining room.
Evening: enjoy a bonfire together outside.
Day 4: Monday November 1, 2027
8:00am-10:30am Continental breakfast.
Morning workshop: Connecting with the Land with Deirdre Pulgram-Arthen.
Afternoon workshop: Writing workshop with Kelli Russell Agodon.
See workshop page for more details.
Catered 2 course dinner dropped off for you to eat on your own schedule.
Event: Whisky tasting; includes nibbles too.
Day 5: Tuesday November 2, 2027
8:00am-10:30am Continental breakfast.
Free Writing Day—join with your writing group or work on your own, explore the grounds, etc. Entirely at your discretion.
Renaissance Feast for dinner! Costumes and feasting….
Day 6: Wednesday November 3, 2027
8:00am-10:30am Cooked breakfast.
Morning workshop: Connecting with the Land with Deirdre Pulgram-Arthen.
Afternoon workshop: Writing workshop with Kelli Russell Agodon; sharing of writing (optional).
See workshop page for more details.
Bar-B-Q party (outside if weather permits)
Day 7: Thursday November 4th, 2027
8:00am-10:30am Continental breakfast.
Free Writing Day—join with your writing group or work on your own, explore the grounds, etc. Entirely at your discretion.
Dinner: Traditional Irish feast!
Day 8: Friday November 5, 2027
8:00am-10:30am Full cooked breakfast.
Travel and Goodbye….
Notes about the Intent of our Gathering:
No one is required to participate in any aspect of the retreat; but we hope you will enjoy the workshops, all of which focus on some aspect of the Natural world. As part of Nature, and as creatives, we are coming together to learn from one another and from this land. Our goal in creating the retreat is to foster relationships with land and share ideas on how to incorporate Nature and our relationship to it in writing. We hope for a gathering of like-minded people using their creativity to connect. For some this will be an individual, contemplative time with their own journey; for others pondering the work their art does in the world, and how it might forward a more balanced relationship between humans and the natural web. We hope that whatever goals you bring, it’s a generative and welcoming time for all.
Who may attend: You
Authors at any stage of their career are welcome. Whether you are hoping to make progress on an existing project or be inspired to start something new, this retreat provides a time apart to focus on….. whatever you’re drawn to do!
Prices depend on accommodation type (please note these are in US dollars): Please fill out the form to sign up or ask questions. Thank you!
What is Included: 8 day writing retreat at Springfield Castle in County Limerick, Ireland (castle first founded in the year 1280)
Accommodations: we will be staying all together in the castle and tower. We will be the only group there. Choose your particular room. They vary from $2700 shared room shared bath to $4350 private room private bath. Our group will be 15-17 people, with the possible participation (or partial participation) of up to 7 significant others.
2 meals every day (except arrival and departure days: dinner upon arrival day, breakfast upon departure day). Special diets will be accommodated; other local food is available for purchase if desired, but the 2 meals will be quite large!
Optional peer writing groups (grouped by genre or interest, there will be signups)
Included workshops: 3 writing workshops with Kelli Russel Agodon, and 3 Connecting with the Land workshops with Deirdre Pulgram-Arthen. See the workshop page for more details.
Included events: Irish storytelling; whisky tasting; Irish Feast; Renaissance Feast (with costumes!); ancestor ritual on Samhain/Halloween; bonfire; BBQ party.
Other activities available at the castle: Sauna, Hot tub, plunge pool, tennis, games, 200 acres of private grounds with some trees up to 400 years old.
Add-on: photography workshop (will not interfere with other workshops) ($100) Photographer Andreas Riemenschneider
Add-on:Photos/headshots: have your professional photos taken by our favorite Professional Irish Photographer Andreas Riemenschneider An excellent option for anyone needing to update their headshots, or curious about taking great photos in this beautiful place.
Other surprises——we will keep adding things as we have them :)
Not Included:
Flights/airport transfers
Transportation in Ireland—-our retreat is self-contained at the castle; there are options for taxis to see sites.
Alcohol/drinks
Flight Info:
There are several airports to choose from. Shannon (SNN) is the most convenient,. Flights from the east coast of the US range between $500 to $1500 round trip depending on timing and airport, but please do your own research on this, it’s so variable and not easy to predict into 2027. Dublin (DUB) is probably the least expensive to fly into, but also the farthest away from the castle (3 hours by car or take the train to Charleville and order pickup by taxi from there to the castle); Shannon (SNN) (1 hr 15 minutes by car). Airport Taxis quoted me euros 170 each way for up to 4 people Shannon airport to castle but if you have a lot of luggage you may need a bigger car which increases the price. We had a good experience with this company getting us to Doolin in 2025, but there are other companies too.
The Fine Print….
Details: Terms: We ask you to pay in stages (although you can always pay up front in 1 lump sum or sooner than requested). There are no refunds unless the retreat is cancelled, in which case a full refund will be given.
Stage 1: A non-refundable (but transferable, before January 1, 2026) deposit of $400 will reserve your space and your chosen accommodation type (private room or shared) when booking. People in private rooms can add a significant other sharing their queen/king sized bed for $1500 (no extra deposit needed)
Stage 2: October 1, 2026 1/2 payment required.
Stage 3: Full payment required January 1, 2027 (or upon reservation if added after this date), after which date no refunds or transfers will be given unless the retreat is cancelled. Insurance for a long trip like this is recommended in case something happens and you can’t make it.
If the retreat is cancelled a full refund will be given. All participants will need to sign an indemnity form.