Witchcraft Retreat in Ireland - Samhain 2024

Witchcraft Retreat in Ireland – Samhain 2024

It is Samhain Eve; the night is cool, dark, and quiet. The gentle rolling hills of Ireland are cloaked in darkness, though bonfires dot the hilltops — an old custom in these parts. Around one of these fires stands a circle of witches, gathered on these ancient lands from all parts of the world. Their voices rise into the night air as they sing and chant, offering their words to the old ones. From the other side of the veil, the ancestors sing back…

Samhain Retreat Ireland

Have you ever dreamed of being in community with likeminded souls? Of celebrating the pagan festivals with your fellow practicers of the craft? Of gathering in sacred circles and showing up as your truest, most magical self? Of attending “witchcraft school” at an enchanting Irish castle?

If so, this Samhain retreat is for you.

Magical soul, you are invited to attend this 5-day, 4-night witchcraft retreat in beautiful Ireland.

Together we will celebrate the pagan festival of Samhain, traditionally regarded as the start of winter (and the new year) according to the Celtic calendar.

During this week together we will gather in sacred circles, join our magic for group rituals and spells, connect with the land, build ancestral altars, broaden our magical understandings and abilities through witchy workshops, sit down for a festive Samhain feast, and — most importantly — claim and celebrate our power as witches.

This retreat will take place from October 21st – 25th, 2024 at a historic castle in rural County Offaly, Ireland.

What’s Included?

5 days of Samhain retreat celebrations
4 night stay in a beautiful, historic Irish castle – all rooms are private with private bathrooms
All meals: breakfast, lunch (soup and sandwiches), dinner
Magical Samhain feast (wear your witchiest attire!)
Samhain celebrations including rituals and spellwork
Daily witchcraft workshops, group rituals, spellwork, and meditations (all supplies included)
Free time to rest and enjoy the beautiful, wild scenery of Ireland
Roundtrip group transfer from Dublin to the retreat venue

This Samhain retreat will center around the themes of welcoming in the winter season and the witches’ new year, honoring the death and decay of the natural world, working with the spirit world, embracing the archetype of the witch, and claiming your magic and power.

Specific details of the workshops and rituals will be shared with retreat attendees closer to the start date, but will include practices such as ancestor veneration, spirit flight / hedge-riding, divination, meeting land spirits, animistic witchcraft, protection spells, intention-setting, self-healing through witchcraft, and exploring Celtic mythology and Irish folklore.

Reserve Your Spot Now!

The Location

Our home for the week will be a gothic revival castle nestled the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Offaly, in the heart of Ireland. The castle is located less than two hours from the Dublin Airport.

The estate dates back to the early 13th century. The original castle was destroyed in 1209 and rebuilt by the Normans in 1213. The O’Carroll family later took control of the land and built the current structure in 1630, and ownership of the castle changed hands several times over the subsequent centuries.

The castle suffered damage in the 1920s, but was fortunately restored to its former glory. Notable features include Georgian style dining room, the opulent Louis XV style drawing room, and the library bar filled with antique books.

We will have exclusive use of the castle and grounds during our week here. Imagine mornings gathering in the drawing room for “witch school” lessons, followed by free time to explore the magical grounds, including multiple walking trails and a “fairy trail” that meanders through the woods.

There are plenty of communal areas as well as quiet corners to explore, whether you are seeking a cozy chair by the fire for reading or a moonlit walk through the grounds.

Samhain Retreat Schedule

Monday October 21st — Arrival

Arrival day! Shuttle pickup in Dublin at 1:00pm. Check in at 3pm (or anytime after) and get settled into your magical castle accommodations for the week. You will have some free time to rest, explore the grounds, or meet your fellow retreat attendees in the common area for a cup of tea and a chat. We will gather for our first group ritual to open the retreat and introduce ourselves, followed by dinner.

Tuesday October 22nd

Today’s itinerary will include both structured events and activities (witchcraft workshops, group spells and rituals, guided journeys and meditations, seasonal crafts, nature walks, etc.) as well as free time to enjoy the castle and grounds. A detailed schedule will be shared closer to the retreat start date.

Wednesday October 23rd

Thursday October 24th

Friday October 25th — Departure

We will enjoy one last breakfast together, followed by a closing ritual to thank the deities, ancestors, and land spirits for the insights and magic they have shared with us. Then we will bid farewell to our magical castle estate and go our separate ways. Return shuttle to Dublin departs at 12:00pm.

Reserve Your Spot Now!

Rooms & Pricing

We will have exclusive access to this magical castle nestled in the heart of Ireland for the duration of our retreat. ALL rooms in this castle are private with private bathrooms. The room options are as follows:

Standard Room – €3,000: Connected to the original castle and situated around the scenic abbey courtyard (located in the abbey wing), these rooms boast a magical feel with their original stone walls, wooden beams and floorboards.
Superior Room – €3,250: Located on the upper floor of the main castle, these stately rooms boast original period features such as fireplaces and cast iron roll top bathtubs.
Suite – €3,500: The castle suites are beautifully appointed and are all individually styled in keeping with the castle’s history and heritage. These spacious rooms are located on the lower floor of the main castle.

A deposit of €1,000 is required to secure your spot on the retreat. This deposit is non-refundable and goes towards the total cost of your retreat payment. The remaining balance payment will be due ninety (90) days before the retreat start date, on July 23rd, 2024.

Note: Due to the age, style and structure of the building, the castle does not have an elevator and all guest rooms are on split levels. For guests with limited mobility, I recommend booking a standard room — please include a note with your booking, and I will ensure you receive a ground-floor room (which still requires using some stairs, although minimal).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airport should I fly into? The nearest airport is the Dublin Airport (DUB), located around 1.5 hours from the retreat venue. There will be a shuttle service from this airport to the venue.
How will I get to the retreat venue? There will be roundtrip shuttle service departing from the Dublin Airport at 1:00pm on Monday, October 21st with the return trip departing from the venue at 12:00pm Friday, October 25th. If the planned shuttle time does not work for you based on your arrival time into Dublin, you will need to arrange transportation to the venue at your own expense (if this is the case, please contact me — I can suggest the best options for you).
Who can attend this retreat? The Samhain retreat is open to ALL practitioners of magic, witchcraft, and paganism who are 18 years and older — including practitioners of all genders, experience levels, and backgrounds.
What is the accommodation like? We will have exclusive access to the castle and grounds. All booking options include private rooms with private bathrooms.
Can I book with a friend / partner? UPDATE 3/28 – All of the double occupancy rooms have been sold, due to total occupancy limitations it is unfortunately no longer possible to book two people per room. ~~Yes! Please contact me for special pricing, as the prices listed are based on single occupancy.~~
How does payment work? A deposit of €1,000 is required to secure your spot on the retreat. This deposit is non-refundable and goes towards the total cost of your retreat payment. The remaining balance payment will be due ninety (90) days before the retreat start date, on July 23rd, 2024.
What is the retreat cancellation policy? All payments made for the Samhain retreat are NONREFUNDABLE. If you decide not to attend after submitting your deposit, the deposit will not be refunded but can be applied to a future retreat. There will be no refunds provided due to cancellations for any reason, such as illness, injury, flight delays or cancellation, work or school scheduling conflicts, etc. However, if an unforeseen circumstance does arise and you need to cancel after making your full payment, you have the option to 1) find someone to take your place on the retreat, in which case you will be fully refunded after their payment is submitted, or 2) apply your payment to a future retreat (note that this will function as a credit; your payment will not be refunded). Cancellations made within thirty (30) days of the retreat start date will not be eligible to be applied to a future retreat — your entire payment will be forfeit.
Do I need travel insurance? While travel insurance is not required for this witchcraft retreat, it is strongly recommended in the event of any unforeseen changes / cancellations / issues.

Reserve Your Spot Now!

Retreat Testimonials

“I have been practicing witchcraft as long as this woman has been alive and I was deeply moved by the wisdom, grace, and professionalism she brought to this offering. She is the real deal and taught this old witch some new tricks. She gives me faith for the future of the Old Ways. She curated an experience of profound beauty and significance on so many levels. This retreat was a deep blessing of connection and magic.” – Robin

“This retreat was hands down one of the top life experiences I’ve had. Celeste is a soulful guide and leader who created a truly magical experience for the group. I’ll be forever grateful for this experience and am looking forward to joining a future retreat!” – Danielle

“I cannot articulate with words what this last week has meant to me. It was transformative, magical and majestic. I experienced a deep sense of spiritual freedom and empowerment. And the lasting sisterhood friendships that formed within will carry me forward always when darkness tries to sidle in. Forever changed.” – Kat

“I’ve attended numerous retreats in the past, but I truly found my community at the Mage by Moonlight retreat. Celeste exudes warmth and made everyone feel at ease. The meticulous planning behind this retreat truly shone, creating an unforgettable experience. For once, I didn’t feel like an outsider; instead, I felt like part of a sisterhood. I wholeheartedly recommend this retreat to anyone interested in magical practices.” – Michelle

Retreats with Integrity

My personal moral code for retreat planning and facilitation:

Before making any plans, I confirm the suitability of a potential venue / site visit through trance work and divination, looking for favorable omens and permission from the local land spirits.
To help supplement my own areas of experience and knowledge, I partner with local guides and teachers who can bring their years of unique wisdom to the experience (especially when visiting sacred sites, as I believe it’s essential to have a deep relationship with these sites in order to share their magic with others — and often times, the best person for this role is someone other than myself).
I strive to create a retreat environment that is accessible and inclusive to people of all backgrounds, gender and gender identities, ages (18+), abilities, and experience levels.
I let my intuition guide me in the creation of rituals, spells, and workshops for each retreat.