Witchcraft Retreat in Ireland – Samhain 2025
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…
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 6-day, 5-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 28th – November 2, 2025 at a historic castle in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
What’s Included?
- 6 days of Samhain retreat celebrations
- 5 night stay in a beautiful, historic Irish castle
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, 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, sigil crafting, planetary magic, venerating deities and other spirits, honoring the land, animistic witchcraft, elemental magic, protection and defensive magic, self-healing through witchcraft, and exploring local mythology and folklore.
The Location
Our home for the week will be a 17th-century castle at the heart of a 470-acre estate in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The estate is located two hours from the Dublin Airport.
The estate has a rich history dating back far earlier than the construction of the present-day castle. It is the place where the Annals of Ulster were written between 431 CE to 1540 CE. Over the centuries the castle has passed through many names, from the McManus Clan to the present day owner the Duke of Abercorn.
We will have exclusive use of the castle 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 walking trails through the woodlands and along the lakefront.
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
Tuesday October 28th — 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.
Wednesday October 29th
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.
Thursday October 30th
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.
Friday October 31st
We will celebrate the season of Samhain with a special ancestral ritual and Samhain feast — wear your most magical, witchiest attire! A detailed schedule will be shared closer to the retreat start date.
Saturday November 1st
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.
Sunday November 2nd — 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 11:00am.
Rooms & Pricing
We will have exclusive access to this fairytale castle nestled in the heart of a 470-acre estate for the duration of our retreat. The room options are as follows:
- Private Room with Private Ensuite Bathroom – €3,650: You will have a gorgeous room all to yourself, with an ensuite bathroom.
- Private Room with Separate Private Bathroom – €3,550: You will have a gorgeous room all to yourself. Note: The bathroom for this bedroom is located outside the bedroom, in the hallway. However, it is exclusive to the guest staying in this bedroom.
- Shared Room with Private Bathroom – €3,050: You will be sharing this room with a roommate of the same gender. This room has its own private bathroom.
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 Wednesday July 30th, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which airport should I fly into? Please fly into Dublin Airport (DUB), located around 2 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 Tuesday, October 28th with the return trip departing from the venue at 11:00am on Sunday, November 2nd. If the planned shuttle time does not work for you based on your arrival time into / departure out of 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, which is located on a magical 470-acre estate. Imagine luxurious sitting rooms, forested walking trails, and cozy corners. All booking options include private bathrooms.
- Can I book with a friend / partner? Yes! If you would like to book a private room for two people, there is an option to do this on the booking page for a supplement of €800. Note: To keep the group size intimate, there are a limited number of double occupancy rooms available.
- 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 Wednesday July 30th, 2025.
- 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.
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:
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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.
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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).
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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.
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I let my intuition guide me in the creation of rituals, spells, and workshops for each retreat.
Meet Your Trip Host
My name is Celeste Larsen, and I am a practitioner of earth-based and ancestral spirituality and magic. In simpler terms, I am a pagan witch. I am also a writer, ritualist, and facilitator of witchcraft retreats, courses, and workshops.
At the core of my spiritual and magical practices is devotion — devotion to the land I live on, to the spirits I work with, to the gods I worship, to my ancestors, and to my highest self and my soul purpose.
Trance journeying, spirit communication, and divination are foundational aspects of my practice.
Both my personal practice and my teachings center around the themes of animism, folk magic, polytheism, ancestor veneration, ritual practice, and self-healing through magic.
My path as a pagan witch is based in the traditions of my ancestral homelands, specifically those of Scandinavia, Ireland, and the British Isles. These traditions are my anchor and my compass, rooting me and guiding me in my esoteric explorations.
Originally from the United States, I now live in County Cork, Ireland.
