Ireland's Sacred Landscape: A Study/Tour in Irish Myth and Legend
Study Tour: April 11-18, 2008
This coming spring, the New York Center for Jungian Studies is pleased to offer its twelfth annual study/tour devoted to “Ireland’s Sacred Landscape.” Limited to 36 participants, this unique program is an in-depth exploration of the relationship between Ireland’s landscape and the myths that emanated from this land. The hills, seas, mountains and natural beauty of Ireland, along with its villages, ancient tombs, forts and monasteries, are dramatic indicators of the always fascinating and powerful archetypes present in the mythology.
 Our 2008 study/tour will be based in unspoiled and authentically Irish County Donegal. Home of the “dispossessed Celts,” Donegal, with the largest “Gaeltacht” (Irish speaking) region in all of Ireland, contains within it an extraordinary number of pre-historic sites and ancient monuments. Known for its wild and magnificent landscape; towering cliffs; deserted golden beaches; rocky headlands and rugged coastline with hundreds of inlets and bays, County Donegal is considered a mirror image of Ireland herself.
Led by Jungian analyst Aryeh Maidenbaum, accompanying faculty will include internationally acclaimed Irish singer, theologian and musicologist Nóirín Ní Riain, and Irish professor and scholar Maureen Concannon. Additionally, we are fortunate to have one of Ireland’s leading archaeologists, Michael Gibbons, lead us on our field trips throughout Donegal. Providing an ongoing narrative, Michael will magically weave his vast knowledge of Ireland’s sacred sites and stunning scenery with stories of Irish history, her people and her culture.
Tentative Daily Schedule
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
For those needing transportation, and/or making travel arrangements through our office, board coaches in either Dublin or Belfast airports for the Rathmullan House Hotel in Donegal. Check in to the Rathmullan— a gracious, old country house set amidst mature trees and golden beach on the Atlantic inlet of Lough Swilly—an inspiring setting for our study/tour base. Rest, relax and enjoy the hotel’s amenities before Introductions, Orientation and Welcoming Dinner.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
After the first of our daily full, hearty Irish breakfasts, Dr. Maureen Concannon, Irish Professor at University College, Dublin, will introduce us to “Ireland: Journey of the Soul,” and, along with Jungian Analyst Aryeh Maidenbaum, lead us in a study/session on “The Cailleach—Great Goddess of pre-Celtic and Celtic Times and her Synchronistic Reappearance.” Following a break for coffee and tea, Nóirín Ní Riain will inspire us in prose and song as she introduces “New Ways of Listening and ‘Sound’ Experiences through a Retrieval of Ever-Ancient Traditions.” This first afternoon will be free to take in some of the spectacular views accessible from the grounds of Rathmullan House, and/or explore the nearby charming town of Rathmullan—within walking distance of our hotel. In the evening, we will return to hear guest scholar Michael Gibbons introduce us to the landscape of Ireland with his wonderful slides and wit as he leads us through “Seven Millennia of Irish History.”
SUNDAY, APRIL 13
Accompanied by Michael Gibbons (as we will be daily), we will spend the day traveling through Southwest Donegal, including the sacred valley of Glencolumbcille, one of the foremost centers of Irish culture and music. Our day’s travel will take us through a countryside containing an extraordinary array of early Christian remains—an area of Ireland where night pilgrimages are still attended. En-route, we will have lunch (included) as we explore this fascinating valley that is interspersed with some of the largest Neolithic tombs in Northern Ireland and has a landscape that is open to the North Atlantic and ringed by bog covered mountains.
MONDAY, APRIL 14
We will begin the morning with a visit to Glenveigh National Park and the wild mountains and bogs of West Donegal. En-route, we will have lunch, see some of the most beautiful nineteenth century houses in Ireland, 4,000 year old forests emerging from the bog and, time permitting, the Kilclooney portal tomb—off the beaten track, an impressive yet seldom visited early Neolithic tomb. Evening study/session on archetypal myth focusing on the pilgrim shrine of Lough Derg—“Conan Finn and the Caoranach,” followed by dinner on our own.
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
Following breakfast, we will take a trip to the incredibly well-preserved town of Derry—a city of huge conflict until the very recent past and now, thankfully, at peace. In Derry, we will walk the city’s 17th century walls (never breached; one of Europe’s best preserved city fortifications); visit its superb tower museum—housing the archive of the pioneering Valencera excavation in a stunning exhibit and have lunch on our own. This afternoon, we will be visiting Grinanan Ailleach—home of the Ui Neill kings of Aileach. Crowning the top of an 800 foot high hill, with panoramic views of Lough Foyle, Lough Swilly and the hills of the Fanad and Inishowen Peninsulas, Grinanan Ailleach is one of Ireland’s most spectacular, circular Celtic hill forts. Evening free to experience a local, traditional Irish pub or restaurant in town.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16
Today we will travel North through the Inishowen Peninsula—the most Northerly point in Ireland, and a “kingdom of its own.” Traversing what many argue is the most beautiful area in all of Ireland, we will come upon one of the largest Neolithic rock art sites in Western Europe, view a ring of seascapes, mountains, valleys and woodlands and have the opportunity to appreciate the magnificent landscape of this peninsula— a microcosm of Ireland itself. Lunch along the way will be included. Evening free.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17
Today, our last full day in Ireland, we will have final study/sessions with Maureen Concannon and Aryeh Maidenbaum, on “Folk Tales of the Silkies— Myths of Transformation” and Nóirín Ní Riain, who will work with us in “Completing the Circle of Healing through Song and Story” as well as the opportunity to share our thoughts and feelings on what we have learned and experienced during the week. Afternoon open for personal excursions, rest and relaxation, enjoying the Rathmullan’s facilities and/or last minute shopping. In the evening, we will enjoy a festive, farewell dinner together.
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
Early morning departure from Rathmullan House for Belfast or Dublin.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Final schedule may be modified and subject to
change.
- Optional transportation to Donegal at additional charge—details will be sent upon registration. Round trip group transportation from Belfas included in study/tour tuition.
- As indicated, full Irish Breakfast (daily); all coffee and tea breaks; two lunches and two dinners included in study/tour tuition.
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