Spiritual Retreats with Great Irish Food
Ireland is perhaps the most magical country on Earth. It is associated with luck and legends, probably due to our incredible natural scenery and ancient history. For foodies searching for the best Irish cuisine, with an added interest in health, Ireland offers religious and spiritual retreats with a focus on mental and physical wellbeing. Here are a couple of Ireland’s most spiritual vacation destinations and the food they offer, to help you achieve states of zen, transcendence and connection with a higher being.
Satmya
The Irish have a special connection to nature and at Satmya, they believe in using ancient Ayurvedic wisdom to naturally improve your health. For the most awe-inspiring spiritual vacation, take a trip to Springfield Castle, Limerick. Here Satmya offer a retreat using yoga and meditation to help you achieve transcendent states through becoming mindful and overcoming your ego. Located in the remote countryside and with over 700 years of history, it is easy to truly relax and unwind in this beautiful castle.
The food served by Satmya also have a strong focus on health. They offer vegan and vegetarian cooking classes to help you achieve a nutritionally dense and ethically sourced diet. These cooking classes will show you how to prepare food and leave you with plenty of recipes to improve your health and overall mental wellbeing. This goes beyond discussions of vegetables and calorie intake, instead focusing on how to use ancient Ayurvedic techniques to achieve balance in the body by consuming the right foods for your body type.
Dunguaire Castle
Sticking to the themes of castles, Dunguaire Castle on the shore of Galway Bay was built in the 16th Century. Of all the spiritual destinations across the world, people visit Ireland for these quintessentially Irish castles, with an ancient charm and military history. The views across the sea will create a magical atmosphere during your visit, giving the space and freedom to engage in spiritual activities. Legend says that the original residents were miraculously granted food by God, which they feasted on after a 40 day fast.
The true charm of this castle lies in its approach to food. Book yourself a Dunguaire Castle banquet for the most incredible feast. This is an immersive, medieval experience, where you will begin dinner with a goblet of mead before being led to your table by a butler. Once seated, you may begin sampling the fine wine on offer and starting on your four course meal. Options include soup, salmon, chicken and apple pie to finish. There is even a vegetarian option, making this an inclusive and unique meal opportunity, in one of Ireland’s most spiritual settings. If you are looking to get a real flavor of Galway City you should check out the Irish Food Trail guided tours.
Ireland offers the spiritual searcher plenty of locations to find respite. Visit a castle for a mystical experience. Whether you wish to feast on meat and mead like a 16th Century king or you want to increase your vitamin and mineral intake using an ancient whole food diet, Ireland has something for you.
#EatDrinkExplore
Jane Sandwood
Photo by Shanna Beasley