Workshops

Why The Burren?

The Burren, on the western edge of Ireland, is an area of rugged beauty and luminous light that for generations has drawn writers, poets, painters and photographers. It’s a place with a fascinating Arctic-Alpine flora, limestone hills, vanishing lakes, mysterious dolmens, medieval buildings, and deep caves. The pace of life here is slow and it is somewhere to appreciate the heartbeat of an older Ireland.

On our short trips out on to the limestone pavement we will visit the Poulnabrone dolmen stone, a megalithic burial tomb built 5,800 years ago; we will tour Corcomroe Abbey, a roofless Cisterican abbey built between 1205 and 1210 in a serene valley near Bell Harbour; we will wander across the limestone at Black Head overlooking Galway Bay and uncover some of the Burren’s secrets. The writing sessions will look at creating mood and atmosphere, how to build your style, describing the outdoors, developing sensory skills, and navigating your creative direction.

The Burren is a place to escape from everyday life, to reconnect with yourself and your creative energy. It is an inspirational place and a visit will nurture your personal growth, flex your imagination, as well as help develop your writing potential. The writing sessions include sensitive and informed comment as well as discriminating criticism on your work. Examples of top quality work by professional writers help build an informal yet informative atmosphere.
This workshop will help you focus on the specifics of your writing and is certain to open up new paths and ideas for you.