Retreat Timings: 3 pm on Wednesday til 2.30 pm on Sunday.
This retreat is held in silence, apart from individual or group meetings with Fiona or Kathy. Formal meditation practices include both periods of silence and spaciously guided practice, allowing you to cultivate, explore and deepen sustained mindfulness practice.
With a small group of no more than 12 participants, you will have space to slow down and settle into a more spacious rhythm, with time to rest and reconnect with what truly nourishes you. There is nothing you need to achieve, and nowhere else you need to be.
Within the structure of the retreat, you are encouraged to listen to what you need and move at your own pace, resting when you need to and shaping your experience in the way that best supports you. This is an invitation to pause, breathe and return to yourself — with kindness.
The structured retreat day runs from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm, with a balance of formal practice, informal mindfulness, rest and self-care. The practice of noble silence is maintained throughout the retreat, including during personal time and overnight. Outside the scheduled programme, there is time to rest, sleep, walk quietly in this area of outstanding natural beauty, or simply be.
A typical day might look something like this:
8.00 – 9.00 am: Breakfast
9.00 – 11.00 am: Opening the day, sitting meditation, walking meditation and mindful movement
11.00 – 11.30 am: Informal mindfulness, tea and time for self-care
11.30 am – 1.30 pm: Short talk, sitting meditation, walking meditation and mindful movement
1.30 – 3.30 pm: Lunch, informal mindfulness practice, self-care and rest
3.30 – 5.30 pm: Sitting meditation, walking meditation and mindful movement
5.30 – 6.00 pm: Informal practice and self-care
6.00 – 7.00 pm: Evening meal and self-care
7.00 – 9.00 pm: Evening sitting, mindful movement, and closing practice
The exact programme may vary from day to day, allowing space for the needs of the group and the natural rhythm of the retreat. There will also be opportunities to meet with Fiona or Kathy as a group, with individual meetings available if you would like some additional support or guidance during our time together.
If you are completely new to meditation, this retreat is unlikely to be the best fit for you. The retreat is particularly suitable for:
If you’re unsure whether your experience is a good fit for this retreat, please contact us. We’re very happy to talk it through with you and answer any questions before you book.
You may also like to visit our page Is Mindfulness Safe
We want you to feel comfortable and at home during your retreat. Your lodge is equipped with comfortable beds, high-quality linens, towels, a hairdryer, kettle, fridge and a selection of teas and coffee. Meditation cushions, benches, chairs, mats, and blankets are provided in An Croí, so there is no need to bring your own meditation equipment. Please note that Cabragh Lodge is a vegetarian site, so meat, fish and other non-vegetarian food should not be brought onto the premises.
We recommend bringing:
As we will be practising noble silence, you may also find it helpful to bring anything that will support you in spending quiet time without screens or other distractions.
Most importantly, come as you are. We have the essentials covered.
The Silent Retreat will be led by Fiona McMahon and Kathy Ward, both highly experienced mindfulness teachers, supervisors and trainers.
Fiona McMahon is the founder of Cabragh Lodge Retreat Centre, a mindfulness facilitator and leadership coach, and a lifelong student of what it means to live and lead with presence.
With over 25 years of experience across Europe, Fiona has supported senior leaders, teams, educators and public servants in reconnecting with themselves and each other through evidence-based mindfulness, emotional regulation and trauma-informed approaches. Her work brings together psychology and education with the depth and wisdom of contemplative practice.
Alongside her work at Cabragh Lodge, Fiona continues to work with organisations including the European Commission, European Parliament and numerous EU agencies, delivering training in mindfulness, mental health, respectful workplace practices and leadership development. Read more.
Kathy Ward is an Army veteran, author, TEDx speaker and mindfulness teacher, trainer and supervisor, specialising in mental agility, mindfulness-based approaches and burnout prevention.
With over 20 years of experience, Kathy supports individuals and organisations to develop resilience, clarity and wellbeing, helping people remain steady, effective and balanced under pressure. She has also worked with global health and humanitarian organisations to design and deliver evidence-informed programmes that strengthen adaptability, emotional awareness and sustainable wellbeing.
Kathy is a Senior International Trainer in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for cancer (MBCT-Ca) and Mindfulness-Based Approaches (MBA). She trained as a teacher, supervisor and assessor at the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University, and is the founder of Mindful Academy International, where she has trained more than 600 mindfulness-based teachers. Read more.
Her TEDx talk, Mindfulness and Kindness: The Keys to Increasing Happiness (2019), explores the role of awareness and compassion in meeting life’s challenges.
Together, Fiona and Kathy bring complementary experience in mindfulness practice, teaching, supervision and professional training, creating a retreat environment that is both deeply grounded and supportive.
Nestled in the natural surroundings of the Cabragh Lodge retreat centre, our beautifully crafted, high-quality passive-design lodges offer a peaceful and restorative place to stay.
Each heated, two-bedroom lodge is designed with comfort and privacy in mind. Bedrooms are ensuite and include a shower, sink and toilet, with either a double bed for single occupancy or twin beds for shared same-sex accommodation. Soft, high-quality linens, cosy duvets, fresh towels and a hairdryer are all provided to help you settle in with ease.
Every lodge also features a small kitchen area with a kettle, fridge and a selection of teas and coffee — perfect for quiet moments on your private balcony as you take in the surrounding nature and expansive views.
Guests often remark on the peaceful energy of these unique lodges, along with the gentle, natural wood aroma that adds to their warmth and sense of calm — creating a truly restful retreat experience.
It is our intention to nourish you with delicious, home-cooked vegetarian meals that feed not only the body, but also the spirit. Freshly baked biscuits and cake, along with fruit, tea and coffee, are available for morning and afternoon breaks.
Breakfast is simple and wholesome, with a selection of cereals, yogurt, fresh fruit, toast, jams and eggs to start your day gently.
A typical lunch might include homemade butternut squash and carrot soup with a hint of ginger, fresh green and cucumber salads, and warm rolls, followed by homemade cookies.
Evening meals are hearty and comforting. You might enjoy dishes such as vegetarian lasagne with a spinach salad, followed by a homemade dessert such as apple and raspberry crumble with cream.
Wherever possible, ingredients are organic and locally sourced, bringing freshness, flavour and care to every meal.
If your application is accepted and your 10% deposit is received by the 30th November, you’ll secure our 2025 retreat prices.
€980 single occupancy | €780 twin occupancy
From 1 December 2026, the retreat will be priced at:
€1,100 single occupancy | €875 twin occupancy
A 10% deposit is required to secure your place, with the remaining balance due 14 days before the retreat begins.
Payment plans are also available, allowing you to spread the cost if helpful. You are also very welcome to pay in full at the time of booking if you prefer.
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We look forward to welcoming you to Cabragh Lodge.
Warmly,
Fiona and Kathy
