A 2-day workshop/day-retreat experience facilitated by local Irish resident Caoimhe Tuthill designer & maker of Boann Irish Felt Designs & Shelly Szigli needle-felt artist of Soul Dolls from the prairie lands of AB, Canada.
Come learn the art & craft of Soul Dolls.
It doesn’t matter if you are new to felting or an advanced felter, our retreat will be of value to both. Our intention is to share a craft and method with you, and to guide you to create within sacred space.
What is a Soul Doll?
A Soul Doll is an intentional needle-felted doll that is a representation of your “heart and soul” crafted within your creation.
Definition of Soul - “Emotional or intellectual energy or intensity, especially as revealed in a work of art or an artistic performance.” - Oxford Dictionary"
Come join us for a 2-Day intimate day-retreat in Ireland’s World Heritage Site of Brú na Boinne in the beautiful Boyne Valley. Here you will learn or perhaps enhance your felting craft through the guidance & teaching of two felting artists.
In our retreat we will gather in sacred space upon one of Ireland’s richest archeological landscapes situated within a bend of the majestic River Boyne.
We will guide you through the process of using both needle-felting and wet felting techniques to craft your very own intentional Soul Doll with personalized accessories upon sacred land.
Retreat includes all materials needed to craft your Soul Doll along with lunch, snacks, and tea/coffee for both days. Saturday evening we will decide as a group if we desire to eat out in a restaurant for dinner, or order in to enjoy our dinner while we continue to craft. After dinner we will take part in sound bath from a guest teacher tba in the near future.
Monday we will be planning a group trip to Newgrange - this will be an added option for those whom wish to attend.
*Please note that we recommend booking or arranging your accommodations
asap as the Boyne Valley area is very busy with tourists in the summer/early
fall months.
Day Retreat Dates: August 31st- Sept 1st
Retreat Venue: Glebe House at Dowth, Brú na Boinne, near the picturesque village of Slane, Co. Meath.
Investment Cost 257€ - Includes all materials, instructions, lunch/snacks, tea/coffee both dates.
Saturday Night Group Dinner: Each person will be responsible for covering the cost of their evening meal.
Accommodations are not included in our day-retreat, but below are a list of places in or near retreat location that are fitting for retreat attendees.
Please note that we recommend booking or arranging your accommodations asap as the Dowth area is very busy with tourists in the summer/early fall months.
Glebe House Dowth | Retreat Location
Accommodation Meath | Conyngham Arms Hotel
Slane Village Slane Farm Hostel - Accomodation in the heart of the Boyne Valley Hostel, camping and self catering
Valley View Cabin. - Guest suites for Rent in Slane, County Meath, Ireland - Airbnb
Peartree Lodge-Cosy Cabin - Cabins for Rent in Slane, County Meath, Ireland - Airbnb
The Freddie Mercury Room - Flats for Rent in Slane, County Meath, Ireland - Airbnb
Drogheda is a large town with many different options for accommodation & food. It is well serviced by buses & trains from Dublin & Belfast.
If anyone needs a hand with best location etc they can contact Caoimhe at info@boann.ie
EARLY BOOKING ADVISED!
For clarity purposes our retreat is not held at Newgrange, however we have an optional tour for Monday if you would like to visit this historical site with our group.
Each retreat participant will receive their own Soul Dolls kit.
Our Soul Doll kits will provide you with artist grade material and tools required to craft your Soul Doll. The kit will allow you to have the tools should you choose to continue to work on your doll outside of our retreat.
Please note the finished doll face in photo will not be a part of your kit.
Discover the Art of Needle-Felting & Wet Felting at the Soul Dolls Retreat! Join us for an unforgettable experience as two talented artists guide you through the intricate craft of needle-felting and wet felting amidst the serene setting of the Soul Dolls Retreat in lovely Ireland amongst ancient sites and sacred lands.
What to Expect: - Hands-On Workshops: Learn the techniques of needle-felting and wet felting from skilled artists who will share their expertise and passion for the craft through the creation of your very own Soul Doll.
Creative Exploration: Unleash your creativity as you experiment with different fibres, textures, and colors to bring your unique Soul Doll to life.
Personalized Guidance: Receive personalized guidance and support throughout the workshops, tailored to your skill level and creative vision.
Inspiring Environment: Immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings of Glebe House at Dowth, allowing nature to inspire and rejuvenate your artistic spirit.
Community Connection: Connect with fellow participants who share your passion for art, creativity, and women circles fostering a supportive and inspiring atmosphere.
Retreat Details:
Experience a transformative journey at the historic Glebe House in Dowth, nestled within the captivating World Heritage Site of Brú na Boinne.
Dates: August 31st & September 1st (optional meet up at New Grange for Monday Sept 2nd).
Location: Glebe House at Dowth, Brú na Boinne, near the picturesque village of Slane, Co. Meath.
Discover: Ignite your creative self in Ireland's rich archaeological landscape, home to the iconic passage tombs of Knowth, Newgrange, and Dowth, dating back to circa 3200BC – older than the Pyramids of Egypt & Stonehenge while learning and creating your unique intentional Soul Doll.
Convenience: Just 8 km west of Drogheda and 40 km north of Dublin, with historic Slane only 6 km away, your journey to this sacred retreat is both accessible and unforgettable.
What to Expect: Engaging workshop and activities for spiritual growth. - Nourishing meals featuring local cuisine. - Tranquil surroundings perfect for reflection and connection. - Opportunities for rejuvenation and self-discovery. Optional guided tours of Brú na Boinne's renowned passage tombs.
Limited Spaces Available: Reserve your spot now to embark on a journey of self-discovery and connection with the ancient soul of Ireland.
Investment: Your retreat experience awaits, priced at 257 €. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to join the Soul Dolls community in the heart of Ireland's mystical landscape.
Book Now: Contact us at info@souldolls.ca to secure your place at the Soul Dolls 2024 Ireland Retreat.
Meet the Artists & Retreat Teachers
Meet Our Talented Retreat Artists & Teachers! At the 2024 Soul Dolls Ireland Retreat, we are thrilled to bring together a team of passionate and experienced artists and facilitators, all dedicated to the sacred art of felting, weaving, sound healing and soulful expression.
With a deep love for felting and years of experience, Caoimhe & Shelly bring a unique blend of creativity and expertise to our retreat. They are known for their intricate designs and soulful approach to felting.
Together, our talented facilitators are excited to collaborate and share their knowledge, guiding you on a transformative journey of self-expression and discovery at the Soul Dolls Ireland Retreat 2024.
Our Retreat Facilitators
-
Caoimhe Tuthill
Hi I’m Caoimhe Tuthill & I am the designer & maker of Boann Irish Felt Designs. I use the ancient craft of wet felting to make a distinctive style of shawls & artwork all handmade from my home in Slane, in the Boyne Valley, Co. Meath. I am heavily influenced by my love of the Irish landscape, the natural world & my Neolithic surroundings of Newgrange, Knowth & Dowth.
Felt making has been used for thousands of years & it’s almost certain that our ancestors who built the monuments of the Boyne Valley wore clothing from felt. Glebe House Dowth feels like the perfect location to bring likeminded people on this beautiful retreat to create, share & learn this ancient craft, in this most magical of places.
I couldn’t be more delighted to be collaborating with the beautiful Shelly & her Soul Dolls for this gorgeous weekend. I really look forward to meeting you all & I hope its going to be such a special weekend. Caoimhe xx
https://www.boann.ie
-
Shelly Szigli
My name is Shelly Szigli, and I am a Needle-Felt Artist from Southern AB, Canada specializing in Soul Dolls. I have been using the craft of doll-making as an experiential self processing tool blending craft with my years of teaching soul work. Through the crafting of Soul Dolls I have found a deep connection to my inner self, and have spent the past year creating a method of doll-making that uses craft as a means to explore the depths of one’s innermost world.
Last June I visited the beautiful Ireland to attend a MoonMna Retreat, personally delivering 2 Soul Dolls to my Irish soul sisters. The moment I stepped foot on Irish land I knew that my heart and soul found a place that was a second home.
It is a dream come true to be facilitating and sharing the sacred craft of felting with women from both Ireland and also those who desire to travel internationally to attend in the beautiful landscape of the sacred Boyne Valley.
I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Caoimhe and sharing the sacred craft of felting from 2 perspectives to create an unforgettable experience for all of us. xoxo Shelly
https://www.souldolls.ca
-
Lorna Evers Monaghan
Hi. Im Lorna - I'm lucky to live in the beautiful picturesque village of Slane & love nothing more than to immerse myself in all the natural and ancient wonders the beautiful Boyne valley has to offer. I've paddled down the Boyne in a traditional currach, been a tour guide at Slane whiskey distillery, held sacred space at Newgrange on the Winter solstice & am even known to throw myself into cold lakes and rivers for fun. I'm a graduate of Brigid's Academy of Herbalism, hold a diploma in Sound Healing, Reiki & Moon Mna trained.
I love to use sound, energy & nature to help others help themselves.
At this creative weekend I'm really looking forward to holding an evening sound bath for you all & perhaps a women's circle too if time permits.
Sound baths are a wonderfully relaxing experience where you are surrounded by & immersed in beautiful sounds & vibrations that are healing for mind, body and spirit.You will be left with a profound feeling of peace and well being afterwards and often a great nights sleep.
Cant wait to meet you all! ❤️
-
Siobhán Ní Mhadáin
Siobhán Ní Mhadáin (Madden) is an artist and creative arts facilitator. Siobhán has been following the thread of her heart, aligned with the heart of the earth consciously since her first reiki initiation over a decade ago which brought her in a deep dive to soul.
At 23 years old she began her training as an artist parallel to shamanic medicine training. This has invited much undoing and reconstructing her own relationship to artist. The thread of her learning has brought her to live with a herd of horses, learning much from them of communication and presence, repeated artist pilgrimage to an active volcanic island where creativity danced with the elements, and immersion in natural plant remedies and embodiment practices.
Towards the end of 2019, Siobhán founded the Natural School of Art where the teachers are the birds, trees, plants, animals and elements. She also trained as a Forest School leader while pregnant with her now 3 year old daughter Ayla. Siobhán’s approach is to trust and surrender to the process. She loves the connectivity and power that engaging with creativity in a group brings.
Siobhán has facilitated groups of all ages from babies to grandmothers. Siobhán loves to keep learning and finds it enriching the diverse and similar ways in which people describe connection; making the invisible visible. She is currently finishing her MA where the arts centres around community engagement with nature, empowerment and well-being. She is a big believer in Ubuntu: I Am because We Are.
She lives with her cats and horses, partner and daughter in the West Wicklow Hills.
