A Sacred Voyage West
Hill of Uisneach to Inis Mór, Aran Island
The Celtic soul knows the call to wild free adventure.
A Sacred Voyage West
September 25th - 27th, 2025
The Celtic soul knows the call to wild free adventure. If that gets your attention, you are welcome to join us on a unique Irish road trip to magnificent ancient sacred sites, some world famous, some hidden, all that nourish and heal. The wandering dream of the voyage is connection to your heart, to the heart of Ireland’s landscape and to the Ancestors. In this caravan from east to west coast and back again, a very select assembly of seekers will journey as a warm and memorable community, dedicated to shamanic adventure, giving space for individual mysticism and giving strength to collective solidarity.
Join us
An Odyssey across land and sea
As co-founders of Slí An Chroí School of Irish Celtic Shamanism, we are honoured to point the way on this odyssey across our native land and sea. There will deasghnátha (rites and ceremonies), immrama (shamanic journeys) and storytelling, music and song, laughter and no doubt, sighs of the soul remembering and coming home. The scale of the outer voyage is one and the same as the inner. If you are called to both voyages, forever intertwined and unforgettable, it is for you we have carefully prepared the way across land and ocean.
A Sacred Voyage West - Trip Itinerary
A 5000-year-old journey of discovery awaits you. Come with us to meander through the autumnal countryside, alighting to explore the mighty Hill of Uisneach, the sacred centre of Ireland. Then the West calls us to boldly renew our horizons as we cross the sea to the fabled Inis Mór, Aran Island, home to Dún Eochla and Dún Aonghusa, sites of antiquity and powerful majesty. On our return to the East coast, there will be graceful rituals of blessing and completion at a little visited Stone Circle and Holy Well.
Thursday September 25th
We’ll leave Bellinteer House, Navan, Co. Meath by carpool at 9.00am. Please ‘click’ on the + sign below to read in details the itinerary for the day.
THE HILL OF UISEACH
Uisneach
We will travel to the Hill of Uisneach (1 hour away), for a private 2 hour tour of this ancient site in the very heart of Ireland, home of Sun God Lugh and our Sovereignty Goddess Ériu, from whom the very name ‘Ireland’ originates.
The summit commands panoramic views over Ireland’s midlands – a vista where green melts into blue. Our guided walking tour leads you through the myths and legends of Uisneach, the Sacred Centre of Ireland, learning of the High Kings, the Sovereignty Goddess and Sun God whose stories and energies are woven into the fabric of this fertile land. Ramble onto the High Kings’ ring fort – The Palace, feel the power at the ‘Catstone’, revered as the mythic burial place of Ériu. Walk the landscape learning the mythology and folklore of the Hill, known only to the initiated, as ‘the fifth province of Ireland’.
Inclusions: Fully Guided Tour, Tea/Coffee & Biscuits, Visitor Centre access + toilets
Fitness Level: This is a 2 hour walk of 3 km so a good level of fitness is required.
Picnic Lunch stop: approx. 1.30pm
Then: We will travel through spectacular rugged county Galway’s Connemara as we make our way to Rossaveel, the ferry port.
Travel & Arrive to Inis Mór
Journey to Inis Mór
Then we board our boat for a 6.00pm- 6.40pm journey over the briny waves to Inis Mór, Queen of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, off the west coast of Ireland. At 8 miles (14km) wide and 3 miles (4 km) long with a population of 820, Inishmore, as it is also spelt, is the second-largest island off the Irish coast and the most populous of the Aran Islands. The islanders are proud of their Irish-speaking Gaeltacht (district) and strong Irish culture as you will witness.
We settle in our accommodation at Pier House and nearby Dormer House with a fáilte (welcome) from Ronán and Alice. Both are uniquely situated beside the pier in Kilronan village, near craft shops, restaurants and traditional pubs with live music within a 5-minute walk. All double, twin & triple rooms are en suite.
7.00pm We stroll up to the Aran Island Hotel’s gastropub for a hearty 2 course dinner followed by a rare treat. Well known composer, musician, singer and spiritual director Deirdre Ní Chinneide will regale us with ‘songs to soothe the soul’ from her award-winning album ‘Celtic Passage’, a journey of the heart, which won US Celtic Album of the year accompanied by a Harpist. We’ll amble back to our Bed & Breakfasts for a deep sleep to the sound of lapping waves.
Friday September 26th
Today we visit Dún Eochla and Dún Aonhasa. Please ‘click’ on the + sign below to read in details the itinerary for the day.
Dún Eochla
Dún Eochla
Breakfast: from 7.30am- 9.00am
9.00am Dún Eochla: You have a choice whether to stretch your legs and walk the 3km to Dún Eochla from 9.00am OR wait for the first or second bus lift at 9.15 OR 9.30am.
Meaning “Yew wood” in Irish Gaelic, this is an early medieval stone fort situated at a high point of the island. A magnificent circular stone fort with two terraced walls, it was built in the late Iron Age around the year 700 CE. The home of a prosperous local chieftain whose domain included the surrounding land, it is located midway between the lowland fields to the north where livestock spent the summer, and the cliffs where they spent the winter. The fort’s massive double circular walls were designed for protection and safety and comfort against the prevailing winds with three layers, several terraces and sets of steps.
It is the classical build of what we call in Ireland An Grianán, meaning ‘Place of the Sun’, which links us to the meeting of Lugh (Sun God) at Uisneach the day before.
We will gift offerings to Light and the Ancestors here, with ceremony and reverence. A precious time for all to connect with those whose shoulders we stand on.
1.00pm Picnic Lunch: stop approx. 1.00pm.
2.00pm: Once again you have a choice whether to stretch your legs and start walking while the
bus takes the first group then circles back to collect and bring you to Dún
Aonghasa from 2.00pm OR wait for the bus at 2.30pm.
Dún Aonghasa
Dún Aonghasa
2.00pm: Once again you have a choice whether to stretch your legs and start walking while the bus takes the first group then circles back to collect and bring you to Dún Aonghasa from 2.00pm OR wait for the bus at 2.30pm.
At over 3,000 years old, this is the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands. Perilously perched on a sheer sea-cliff, this epic sacred site sits defiantly facing the wilds of the Atlantic Ocean. About 1km from the little Visitor Centre, it is approached over rising ground. The last section of the path is over rough, natural rock and care is needed, especially when descending. Boots or strong walking shoes are recommended. There is no fence at the edge of the cliff!
The fort consists of three massive drystone walls and outside is a ‘chevaux-de-frise’ – a dense band of thousands of jagged, upright stones. A devastatingly effective way to impede intruders, this surrounds the entire fort from cliff to cliff. Aonghas is the Celtic God of Love and this place in his name is regarded as a traditional place of sighting Hy Brasil (translating as ‘Isle of the Blessed’), the mythic Atlantean island on the western horizon.
Our immram (shamanic journey using a bodhrán-drum) here will seek healing from the energies of Aonghas and revelation of Hy Brasil. We will give ritualist gifts to Manannán Mac Lir (Son of the Sea God, Lir) held in Irish mythology as very source of healing energy itself. Sitting in solitary stillness near the edge of Dún Aonghasa, looking out into the direction of the Otherworld has called national and international visitors for thousands of years and today, we claim that destiny.
Afterwards a chance for some retail therapy at Kilmurvey Craft village and a cuppa!
Return to Inis Mór
Dinner & Ceol (Music)
We will wander back by bus or walk/bus to our accommodation. We need to be at Joe Watty’s infamous music gastropub at 6.00pm to ensure a seat as there is no booking there. You buy your own dinner tonight. The traditional musicians will
play for us after dinner. Not to be missed! Stay out til the wee hours if you wish…
Saturday September 27th
We will have a morning of ceremony in Inis Mór then traveling to Moanmore East Stone Circle before returning to Dublin.
After the closing ceremony in Galway, we will car pool back to Dublin arriving at approx 5pm. You may choose to be dropped at the Red Cow LUAS tram station if you are going in to Dublin or Dublin airport.
Please ‘click’ on the + sign below to read in details the itinerary for the day.
Inis MÓR
Inis Mór - Sea Swim, Ceremony & Lunch
Breakfast: from 7.30am- 9.00am
9.00am: Who will dare to Sea Swim with us in the bay near the front of Pier House? Karen will lead the swimmers and the others may watch!
9.30am: John will lead all in an exquisite Burlá Ghuí Prayer Bundle on the strand (the swimmers can join in too of course after a quick change).
Then you may ramble around the village before boarding the ferry at 11.50am.
12.00pm Ferry to Rossaveel port, Galway.
1.15pm Picnic lunch stop at Spiddal
Moanmore East Stone Circle
Moanmore East Stone Circle Loughrea,
We will hold our final ceremony at Moanmore East Stone Circle Loughrea, Galway.
Including a releasing cleanse at Brigid’s Well.
After the closing ceremony in Galway, we will car pool back to Dublin (arriving approx. 5pm) and you may choose to be dropped at the Red Cow LUAS tram station if you are going in to Dublin or Dublin airport.
Return to Dublin & drop of location
Return to Dublin & drop of location
After the closing ceremony in Galway, we will car pool back to Dublin (arriving approx. 5pm) and you may choose to be dropped at the Red Cow LUAS tram station if you are going in to Dublin or Dublin airport.
"We step into a life that is lived with integrity, so that as we are on the inside, so we are on the outside.
Join the Waitlist
Thank you for your interest in our Sacred Road Trip. We are currently booked out but if you wish please email us to be in the waiting list in case some places become available.
Location
We will travel from Bellinter House, Navan, Co. Meath to Uisneach to Inis Mór Islands - read above for the full itinerary. We will be staying in Pier House and nearby Dormer House on Inis Mór.
Time
Thurs 25th - Sat 27th September 2025
Investment
€1,150 (deposit of €500 secures your place). Balance €650 is due on 1st August 2025.
The deposit is non-refundable if you withdraw from the trip for any reason unless we
can fill your spot.
Pre-requisites
To participate you need to be either a shamanic practitioner or open to shaman ways. In good health, with a level of fitness to walk 5 km, with a seeker’s heart and disposition.
It is also open to those who do have experience through other traditions and teachers, who wish to once again come into a Shamanic community and be met by what is unique in the Slí An Chroí approach facilitated from Ireland by two Irish Celtic Shamans.
The price includes
- Carpool transport (a combination of small bus & cars),
- Hill of Uisneach private tour,
- Ferry boat to Inis Mór,
- Accommodation x 2 nights (all sharing
in double, twin or triple rooms). - 2 course meal Thursday evening plus concert.
- Bus to Dún Eochla and Dún Aonghusa sacred sites,
- All Rites, Immrama Shamanic Journeys
and ceremonies, - Return ferry and transport back to Dublin (the Red Cow Roundabout
for tram to the city or the airport). - The B&B accommodation is comfortable 2 star
quality with modern facilities.
The price excludes
- Your lunch on both days (buy from local shops),
- Your dinner on Friday night at Joe Wattys gastropub.
What you will need to bring
Walking boots/shoes, travel insurance (island travel is weather dependent), all weather clothing.
John Cantwell & Dr. Karen Ward
We are husband and wife, co-founders and directors of Slí An Chroí Shamanism and share a life of ever deepening connection to the natural world.
The ancestral lineage of Shamanism in Ireland, including that of Druidry, is a precious resource for us. Bringing warmth, integrity and gratitude into all of our work is a vital aspect of our vocation.
