Retreats & Events
Our Retreats
Rooted in the Carmelite Spiritual Tradition, our retreats provide a space for quiet reflection in the unique and tranquil surroundings of Kinsale Friary.
Our retreats are given in a friendly, laid-back environment helping students to take that much needed “time out” and each member of our retreat team works with the sincere intention of making the day relevant and meaningful for every student.
Confirmation is such an important part of a child’s life and vital to his/her life as a Christian. Our one-day retreat for those preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation offers students an opportunity to explore and deepen their relationship with God and to reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and recognise how we can use them in our lives.
“Keep it lit” – One Day Confirmation Retreat
Five week “Keep it lit” Confirmation Preparation Programme
Download our brochure here
Our school retreats and reflection days offer students an opportunity to explore and deepen their relationship with God and to reflect on life and faith in a safe, fun and meaningful way. Our retreats are creatively facilitated through multimedia, group discussion, personal reflection and more. They help to build up the group and allow friendships to grow. We are aware that the needs of young people change and develop as they grow and mature. Our secondary school programmes are age appropriate, addressing both the human and spiritual needs of each year group.
We pride ourselves in tailoring our content and delivery to ensure that each retreat experience compliments the faith goals for each school we work with. Please contact our team to make an enquiry or to explore new ideas and initiatives that will best meet the needs of your School.
Download our brochure here.
Kinsale Friary
The Friary is a place of prayer and hospitality. Kinsale has been home to a community of Carmelite Friars since 1334. The Friary and its Church, enjoy panoramic views of the town and its harbour. Since their arrival in Kinsale, successive communities of Friars have tended to the pastoral needs of many people, drawing on the Carmelite Charism of prayer, community and service and to this day continue to offer a place of welcome, refreshment, prayer and hospitality.
The Retreat Team
Our new school retreat team is staffed by former members of the Ennismore school retreats program, bringing a combined 50 years of experience in providing retreats for thousands of students from schools all over Cork City and County. Our team includes a therapeutic play practitioner, a guidance counsellor, a drama therapist and professional story teller, a poet and an actor, have worked with youth from all walks of life for the majority of our working lives and bring all our experiences and skills we developed along the way to our school retreats.
We also emphasise the importance of stillness through meditation, prayer and mindful walks incorporating nature and also, of course, fun into our day as much as possible. The team are child centred and focus on fostering Empathy and Compassion in the students themselves as well as for each other and the wider community, using fun activities such as games, poetry, storytelling and open engaging discussions promoting compassion and the importance of kindness in this ever-changing world.
We are excited to be continuing the tradition of Christian retreats being provided for Cork school children, in partnership with Kinsale Friary.
A Typical Day
09.30 *Arrival, Welcome, Introductions etc.
09.45 Icebreakers
10.15 Guided meditation followed by work in small group
11.00 Break
11.15 Work in small groups
12.20 Lunch
13.00 Wellbeing activity / Movie Clip
14.00 Eucharist / Prayer Experience
14.30 Evaluation & *Depart
*Arrival & departure times can vary to suit the needs of schools.
Costs
To confirm your school’s booking please return the retreat booking form with your non-refundable deposit of €250.00
€14 per student attending School Retreat in Kinsale Friary is made payable on the day. Lunch provided for the accompanying teachers, students are asked to bring a packed lunch. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits will be provided for teachers and pupils alike. A small tuck shop is also available in the Friary.
Child Safeguarding
The Kinsale Friary offers a retreat service to (Primary & Secondary) schools. Our retreat team members will guide class groups on day retreats, always in agreement with school management that the school staff, who must accompany the children, are responsible for all aspects of the safeguarding and wellbeing of the children attending. We adhere to the Carmelite Safeguarding Handbook 2020 which can be found here: www.carmelites.ie All staff in the Carmelite Friary, Kinsale who have contact with children are Garda Vetted, attend NBSCCCI Child Safeguarding Training and are committed to a Code of Conduct that is consistent with good practice in working with children.
Enquiries & Bookings
Kinsale Friary
Lower Catholic Walk,
Kinsale,
Co. Cork, P17 WR88
Tel: 021 477 2138
Email: kinsale@carmelites.ie
Web: www.carmelites.ie/kinsale
Charity no: CHY 5894
