Travel Ireland
The Heart of Silence sangha is made up of not only the community of people living in Mount Shasta, but includes many of Devaji's students who live across North America and Europe.
Travel Information for Ireland
We welcome you to Devaji's first retreat in beautiful and mystical Ireland. We have gathered some helpful information about the area and travelling to the retreat which we hope will aid you as you plan your trip.
ABOUT THE AREA
A typical sunset
The retreat will be held on the grounds of a residential property just outside of Dunlavin in County Wicklow, Ireland. The house sits on an acre of mature garden with a further 6 acres of meadow. The property is surrounded by rolling countryside with not a neighbor in sight. The views to the back of the house are expansive and bless us with the most spectacular sunsets.
The county is littered with sacred sites, and the immediate area boasts not one, not two, but three stone circles all within a 10-15 minute drive. The first is found at Castleruddery just bordering the farm where all our organic produce is grown. The circle is small but so full of heart. The entrance way is, as is often the case in Irish stone circles, marked by two large quartz boulders (the bulk of which sit under soil).
The two quartz boulders that mark the entrance to the stones
The Piper Stones
The Graveyard at Upper Tornant
The two other stone circles are the Piper stones and Broadleas stone circle each with their own unique feel and setting and worth visiting all three just to notice how different they all feel! There are many other sites to see if you have the time. Locally there is a holy well, passage tomb, ancient graveyard and mote and bailey all within easy walking distance.
A little further afield are the Wicklow Mountains with their hidden lakes and monuments. Glendalough is perhaps the most well known and with good reason. It boasts beautiful walks around a lake with the most spectacular views of the mountains and valley. There is also an old monastery there with its famous tower where the monks would take refuge when the vikings invaded. We are also blessed with the Blessington Lakes just 20 minutes drive a way around which are some beautiful walks.
Links of Interest:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ County_Wicklow
http://visitwicklow.ie
https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g186644-Activities-County_Wicklow.html
https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/top-10-places-see-county-wicklow/
http://www.megalithicireland.com
http://www.irishmegaliths.org.uk/wicklow.htm
TRAVEL
Flights from the U.S.
You can visit Ireland for 90 days without a Visa.
Aer Lingus flies from various cities to Ireland. Please see www.aerlingus.com for all options.
United Airlines also fly to Ireland. Please see www.united.com for various options.
It is also possible to fly to London and then to catch a cheap Ryan Air flight from London Stansted to Dublin. This is a good option if you have an interest in visiting London or if you are planning on visiting friends or family. London Stansted Airport is north of London and requires catching a 30 min train from Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale;
www.stanstedexpress.com
www.ryanair.com
Flights from Europe
You can fly into Dublin Airport from pretty much anywhere in Europe. Cheap airlines to look out for are RyanAir, FlyBe, Aer Lingus, Laudamotion, Norwegian, Transavia. Prices start as low as €32 return.
From Dublin Airport* to Dublin City
*We will endeavor to pick the majority of you up from the airport. Please do let us know your arrival times as soon as possible so that we can liaise and arrange transport. Should we for any reason be unable to arrange collection then the following options apply:
By Bus
There are many different bus options into Dublin City of which the Airline Express is the best and covers most areas. If you decide to spend a couple of days or a night in the city and have an idea of where you will be staying then it’ll be easier to plan which bus to take.
https://airlinkexpress.ie The 747 and 757 reach most of the city between them. The website has a list of all stops. Tickets are €7 one way
By Taxi
Alternatively you can get a Taxi into Dublin city. Taxis are readily available at the airport and will cost €20-€25 into the city.
http://www.getthere.ie is a helpful site for different travel options
Once in the city you have two bus options: Bus Eirann Bus number 132 from either Busaras or Connolly LUAS stop: Timetable Here
You will need to get off at Annelecky Cross where we will pick you up. It’s best if you let us know when the bus arrives in Blessington so that we know you will be 15 mins from Annelecky.
Dublin Bus number 65 from Poolbeg Street to Blessington: Timetable Here
You will need to get off at Blessington and we will pick you up from here. Do let us know when you leave Dublin so that we may time your pick up
Car Hire at Dublin Airport
There are 14 different car hire companies that operate out of Dublin Airport. Below is a small selection with approximate prices for 10 day hire. Do have a look on Google for a full list of companies.
Budget
Telephone +353 (0)1 8445150
€450-€590 for 4 or 5 seater car for 10 days hire
CarHire/Irish Car Rentals
Telephone +353 (0)1 8122820
https://www.carhire.ie or https://www.irishcarrentals.ie
€410-€550 for a 4 or 5 seater car for 10 days hire
EuropCar
Telephone +353 (0)1 8122800
€530-€650 for a 4 or 5 seater car for 10 days hire
Thrifty
Telephone +353 (0)1 8445466
€400-€530 for a 4 or 5 seater car for 10 days hire
The website GetThere.ie is very helpful for different travel options within the country. The bus company is called Bus Eireann and you can find schedules and fares on their website.
Driving directions to Tornant House from Dublin Airport/Dublin City:
From the airport take the M50 South and then the N81 at junction 11 towards Tallaght/ Blessington.
From Dublin take the N81 towards Tallagh/Blessington.
Drive through Blessington towards Baltinglass. You’ll pass the Lakes on your left and then signs to Ballymore Eustace. Just before the Hollywood Junction take the right hand turn towards Dunlavin (R756). At the end of that road follow the road to the left into Dunlavin village. You will see the old market Hall. Follow the road round to the left so that the Centra store is on your left and drive up the hill to the right over the speed bumps and past the school. You’ll then pass the graveyard on your left and then a turning signposted Donard also on your left (don’t take that turn!). We are on the right (100mts after the left hand turn on the right) with the cream coloured walls and black gates. You cannot see the house from the road but you’ll see a very long drive and we’re at the end.
From the south: Take the N81 north from Baltinglass and take the R412 towards Dunlavin which will be on your left once you have passed the turning for Glenn of Imaal (which will be on the right). Drive down the R412 until you see a derelict building on the left hand corner and immediately after a wind turbine in the field on your right. We are just after that on the left.
WHAT TO BRING
There is a saying here in Ireland that you can get four seasons in a day! August in the east of Ireland sees minimum temperatures of 12 degrees Celsius (53 Fahrenheit) at night and an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius (58 Fahrenheit) during the day. It gets significantly hotter some years but that’s no guarantee. Wind speeds average at 10kmph with approximately 25% to 29% of rain. It can feel cooler in the mountains in the winds. All items listed below can be purchased in Ireland including a SIM card for your phone should you wish.
Sun Hat
Sun screen
Wind/rain proof jacket
Torch/Flashlight
Bath Towels
Comfortable shoes to walk in
Swimming gear
Swimming towel
Sweater/Jumper and jacket for the evenings
Shawls/blankets for satsang
Meditation cushions should you desire (chairs will be provided)
Any medication needed
Visa/Mastercard and some cash to exchange should you wish. ATM machines are widely available.
A converter plug for your electrical items (click here for a recommendation)
You may wish to bring food containers if you are planning on bringing your own food to site.