A two-day, two-night transformational retreat for men

A Gathering of Men is a space to step out of everyday life for a weekend — to slow down, connect, learn, challenge yourself and spend meaningful time in the company of other men.

Men travel from across Ireland and further afield to take part in this two-day, two-night residential experience.

You don’t need to arrive with a problem to solve or a particular version of the man you want to become. The Gathering is simply an invitation to show up, participate and see what emerges.

It is a space for connection, curiosity, honesty and growth.

What happens at A Gathering of Men?

Each Gathering is different, but the programme often combines facilitated personal development work with community, creativity, embodiment and time together.

The programme often includes:

• Sharing circles
• Constellation and process work
• Shadow work
• Embodiment practices
• Movement and dance
• Storytelling and poetry
• Ritual and ceremony
• Music and conversation around the fire
• Time in nature
• Sweat lodge ceremony

There is structure to the weekend, but there is also space.

Space to talk. Space to listen. Space to sit around a fire. Space to eat together. Space to be challenged. And sometimes simply space to be quiet.

Shared meals and informal time together are as much a part of the Gathering as the facilitated workshops.

Who comes to the Gathering?

There isn’t one particular type of man who attends.

Over the years, men have come from different backgrounds, generations and stages of life — from men in their twenties through to men in their seventies.

Some arrive because something in their life is changing. Others are interested in personal development, relationships, fatherhood or emotional wellbeing. Some simply miss having meaningful connection with other men.

What tends to unite them is curiosity.

A willingness to look inward, to listen to other men, to explore something different and perhaps return to their relationships, families and communities with a little more understanding of themselves.

You don’t need previous experience of men’s work, therapy or personal-development groups to attend.

More than a workshop

There is something different about spending an entire weekend together.

Rather than attending a workshop for a few hours and then returning immediately to ordinary life, the residential format allows the experience to unfold more slowly.

We eat together. Work together. Sit in circle together. Spend time outdoors. Gather around the fire. Move, talk, listen and share.

Some experiences are serious and challenging. Others are playful, creative or simply good fun.

The intention isn’t to tell men how they should be. It is to create enough space for each man to explore that for himself.

When is the next Gathering?

A Gathering of Men runs periodically rather than on a fixed annual schedule.

When a new Gathering is planned, dates, location, programme and booking information are announced in advance.

If you’re interested in attending a future men’s retreat in Ireland, please get in touch and I can let you know when the next Gathering is taking place.