A series of residential creative retreats for storytellers on the edge of the Atlantic.
From 12 April – 22 May, plus a special 3-day artist workshop (8–10 June), join us at Goleen Harbour Eco Resort, West Cork for immersive, week-long workshops in storytelling — set in wild coastal nature. Workshops include: • Photography with Emilija Jefremova (Sigur Rós, Irish President) • Storytelling through Cinematography with multi-award-winning Jass Foley • Ancient Irish Mythology & Oral Storytelling with Candlelit Tales • Acting & Directing with Chris Edmund (coach to Hugh Jackman & Kate Walsh) • 3-Day Artist Workshop with Elizabeth Anne Ashford Stay on site in cabins, domes, tents or campervans — three meals a day included. Single or shared options available. A space for deep creative work, connection and renewal in one of Ireland’s most beautiful landscape. Wes O’ Duinn is our curator for the creative workshop series we are running from April to May this year. Wes has worked in film, TV and Theatre for over a decade. His credits range from acting in The Hobbit, Vikings and Fair City, to producing. Writing, directing and 1st Assistant Directing across a wide range of TV and Film productions, many of which can be seen on RTE, TG4, Amazon, Sky and Netflix.
ACTING & DEVISING WORKSHOP with CHRIS EDMUND
19th – 24th April
Join Chris Edmund — acclaimed director, writer and teacher to Hugh Jackman and Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy, Emily in Paris) — for an immersive week of acting, creativity, and collaboration in the stunning setting of Goleen Harbour.
This fully immersive residential workshop offers actors the rare opportunity to step away from daily distractions and focus entirely on their craft. Across the week, participants will explore Chris’s distinctive acting process through scene work, ensemble exercises, and the creation and devising of original material.
Actors will work with texts by Martin McDonagh, Brian Friel, and Anton Chekhov, while also being guided to generate, shape, and direct their own work, developing both artistic confidence and technical skill. The emphasis throughout is on truthful, present-moment acting and deep creative freedom within a supportive, rigorous environment.
Accommodation is available on-site, with a range of options to suit different budgets, and all meals are included, allowing participants to remain fully engaged in the work and the shared experience of the group.
“There is not one job that I do when I’m not using one of the pearls of wisdom that Chris gave us.” – Hugh Jackman
Watch Hugh Jackman’s surprise reunion with Chris here
STORY TELLING with CANDLELIT TALES
10th – 15th May
Candlelit Tales workshops stand apart by blending deep-rooted heritage with modern, effective story telling.
The team brings over a decade of performance experience, ensuring every session is not just educational, but also engaging, authentic, and unforgettable.
Unlock the power of story in a week-long immersive retreat at Goleen Harbour Eco Resort. Join us for Storytelling Through the Lens of Ancient Irish Mythology with Candlelit Tales — a creative journey into narrative, myth and place inspired by Ireland’s rich storytelling traditions.
Set on the wild Atlantic coastline of West Cork, this transformational workshop blends mythic wisdom, embodied craft and guided exploration to help you deepen your own storytelling voice. Through practices rooted in ancient tales and imagination, you’ll connect more deeply with your inner storyteller, learn how to shape powerful narratives, and find creative inspiration in the land, sea and community around you.
All accommodation options (tents, domes, cabins, camper vans) and three meals a day are included — it’s your time to slow down, explore, create, and tell stories that resonate.
Step into myth, story and imagination on the edge of the Atlantic.
Join Candlelit Tales for a week-long immersive storytelling workshop exploring ancient Irish mythology and the timeless craft of oral storytelling.
Set in wild coastal nature, this residential retreat invites you to slow down, reconnect with story, and deepen your own storytelling voice through myth, place and imagination.
RESIDENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP with EMILIJA JEFREMOVA (EMJ Camera)
17th – 22nd May
Immerse yourself in a week of creative seeing and photographic exploration with internationally recognised visual artist Emilija Jefremova of EMJ Camera. With a career spanning music campaigns, high-end editorial, environmental portraiture and visual storytelling, Emilija’s work is guided by light, atmosphere, intuition and emotional resonance.
Her diverse body of work includes shooting for Sigur Rós, capturing portraits of the President of Ireland, documentary and arts commissions, and collaborations with leading cultural and creative organisations. Emilija’s images are distinctive for their lyrical quality, quiet power and depth of presence — and in this workshop she shares the tools, vision and practices that make that possible.
This residential photography workshop is designed for photographers who want to push their work beyond documentation into meaningful visual storytelling. Over six days of guided shooting sessions, creative prompts, group dialogue and personalised feedback, you’ll develop stronger compositional intuition, refine your approach to natural and available light, and find your voice alongside peers in an inspiring coastal setting.
Fully immersive residential experience — with a variety of accommodation options to suit different needs and budgets. Three meals a day included
Painting Irish Landscapes & Dreamcatcher Creation Workshop with Artist Elizabeth Oglesby
8th – 10th June
Escape to the breathtaking Goleen Harbour Eco Resort in West Cork and immerse yourself in a weekend of art, nature, and renewal. This relaxing and inspiring workshop invites you to reconnect with your creativity through painting Ireland’s Dramatic landscapes with acrylics and crafting dreamcatchers from found materials gathered around the resort.
Paint the Irish Landscape Express the beauty of Ireland’s coastline in acrylic paint with structured yet loose guidance that encourages both confidence and freedom. Follow step-by-step instruction or move intuitively at your own pace — perfect for beginners to intermediate artists, with a warm welcome to advanced participants who wish to delve deeper into their artistic voice.
Create Dreamcatchers from Nature Gather natural, found materials from the land to weave your own dreamcatcher, a mindful creative process that deepens your connection to the environment, your senses, and your inner calm.
About Your Instructor: Elizabeth Oglesby Based in Lahinch, Co. Clare, Elizabeth Oglesby is a dedicated artist and art educator with over 11 years of experience in teaching and creating visual art. Her recent work captures the dramatic seaside landscapes of Lahinch, reflecting both their familiarity and beauty. Elizabeth draws inspiration from pioneering female artists of the past, whose resilience continues to inspire her mission: to help others reconnect with themselves through art. Her teaching nurtures inclusive, encouraging spaces where self-expression and exploration flourish. Elizabeth’s dreamcatcher creations serve as a personal and spiritual practice — a reminder to loosen up, trust the process, and find calm and connection through life’s intricate webs.
A Relaxing & Restorative Experience Whether you seek peaceful solitude or a social, creative gathering, this workshop is your opportunity to slow down, breathe, and nurture both your artistic and emotional self.
Experience Level: Beginners • Intermediate • Advanced artists welcome
Expect: A weekend of creativity, relaxation, community, and authentic connection — to nature, art, and yourself.
