Programme/Courses
2013 Programme
An Tairseach
Dominican Farm and Ecology Centre, Wicklow Town
Enquiries: 0404-61833
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.ecocentrewicklow.ie
Sabbatical Programme
This is a ten-week residential programme entitled ‘Exploring Spirituality in the context of an evolving universe, an endangered earth and the Christian tradition’
Date: 3 March 2013 – 10 May 2013 & 8 September – 15 November 2013.
Further information available on request or on our website: www.ecocentrewicklow.ie
Download Registration Form for all Courses Below
Art for Fun
Through the use of various media, participants will be lead to explore their own creativity.
Presenter: Pauline McGrath
Date: Tuesdays (11 sessions) beginning 15 January.
Time: 2.30 – 4.00pm
Cost: €110 (includes art materials).
Knitting & Stitching
Bring your own sewing or knitting and meet other people. Share, learn new skills have fun!
Presenters: Pauline McGrath, Sheelagh Norton & Pam Reynolds
Date: Wednesdays beginning 16 January
Time: 2 - 4pm
Cost: Donation
Vegetarian Cookery
In this course Sr Ethna Kelly will introduce participants to the art of cooking delicious as well as nutritious dishes using only the finest organic vegetables, herbs, whole grains and pulses. The food that nourishes us also connects us in an intimate way with the whole universe therefore this course has a spiritual as well as a practical component. There will be plenty of opportunity for tasting and asking questions.
Beginning Mondays (5 classes) 28 January 7.30 – 9.00pm. or Wednesdays,(5 classes)
30 January 10.30am - 12.
Cost: €100 (includes ingredients and recipes.) Booking Fee: €20.
Praying with Sacred Scripture
This is an opportunity to spend time with others reading, reflecting and praying about the gospel for the following Sunday.
Leaders: Pauline McGrath & Sheelagh Norton.
Date: Wednesdays, beginning 16 January, 10.45a.m. –12.00 noon.
Cost: Donation.
Spring Equinox
The changing seasons remind us that there are rhythms to life. There are times of balance and times of imbalance when there is a preponderance of light or dark. To be thankful for these seasons of our lives as learning times is to be connected to the great mystery of the universe.
Date: Saturday, 23 March
Time: 2.30 – 4pm followed by refreshments
Cost: €5.
Spirituality and the New Cosmology
Our cosmology or the way we understand the world, its origin and evolution necessarily affects our relationships with one another, with the other-than-human community of life and with God. Some of these issues will be explored in these groups.
Leader: Marian O’Sullivan.
Dates: First Mondays beginning 4 February.
Time: 7.30-9.00pm.
Cost: Donation.
Silent Meditation
“Come apart and rest awhile”
Silent Meditation is an opportunity to rest in the deep silence of mystery and learn
“That I am loved”.
Leader: Vivienne O’Beirne.
Dates and time: Tuesdays 7.30 – 8.00pm beginning 12 March
Cost: Donation.
Growing Organic Vegetables in a Small Garden
Growing vegetables organically is a simple way of working with nature rather than against it and at the same time ensuring a supply of vegetables that are safe, nourishing and full of flavour. This 6 session course will cover seed varieties, seed sowing, soil types and soil preparation, composting, planting, dealing with weeds and harvesting.
Presenter: Wendy Nairn
Dates: March 9 and 23
April 6, 20 and 27
May 11.
Time: Saturdays 10.30 – 12.30pm
Cost: €80 (Booking Fee €20).
Sacred Dance
Music and dance give us, humans, a sense of oneness with the universe.
This course will explore and enjoy that sense of connection.
Presenter: Pauline McGrath
Date: Mondays (7 sessions) beginning 11 March.
Time: 7.30-9.00 pm
Cost: € 70.
Preparation for Easter
Lent is a time to attend to the inner dimension of our lives, to get away from the busyness which occupies so much of our time. Reflecting on the scripture reading for the following Sunday is one way to do this.
Leaders: Pauline McGrath and Sheelagh Norton
Date: Wednesdays, beginning 20 February, 7.30 – 8.45pm.
Cost: Donation.
New Cosmology eight week Programme
These 8 morning sessions will be focused on:
§ Ancient Cosmologies
§ The New Universe Story
§ Evolution of the human
§ The Story of DNA
§ The Gaia Hypothesis
§ Implications for Religious Belief
§ Teilhard de Chardin
§ Implications for behaviour
§ Development of Consciousness
§ Jesus and the Eucharist and Cosmos
Presenter: Mark McDonnell
Date: 8 morning sessions beginning Mondays March 11
Time: 9.30-12.30pm
Cost: €20 per session
Environmental Awareness Course for Dominican College Transition Year Students
The environment is the burning issue of the 21st century and is now an area where large and small organisations are investing sums of money to meet stringent environmental laws. Now more than ever is the time to address the causes of contemporary environmental problems. This course will examine the relationship between population and the environment, the impact our personal lifestyle activities have on the environment and identify the consequences of water, air and land pollution. Students will learn the history of Planet Earth in the context of the origins of the Universe and will follow the story of life on Planet Earth in the context of evolution.
Leaders: Teresa Devine and Angie Kinsella
Dates: Mondays and Tuesdays beginning 7 January for 8 weeks.
Walking the Labyrinth
The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual practice. People from different cultures and traditions have used the labyrinth in their search for meaning and guidance. It is a walking meditation that leads us to the centre where we can experience deep peace before being led out again to continue life’s journey.
Presenter: Pauline McGrath.
Date: Thursdays beginning 14 March. (5 sessions)
Time: 7.30 – 9.00pm
Cost: €25.
Open Days
You are invited to visit our gardens and enjoy the beauty of our farm overlooking Wicklow Bay on the first Saturday of April, May, June, July, August, September and October. Gather at the Farm Shop at 11.00 a.m. for a guided walk through the gardens and farm.
Admission: Free. (Need suitable footwear and rainwear if appropriate).
Day Course
Changing World Views: Impact on Spirituality and Theology
In this course Diarmuid O’Murchu will discuss the challenge to our theology and spirituality presented by our great evolutionary and human story.
Date: 26 April
Presenter: Diarmuid O’Murchu.
Time: 9.30-4.00 p.m.
Cost: €50 (includes conference, full meal, teas/coffees)
Booking Fee: €20.
Summer Solstice
“Rituals are an expression of the human need to belong to the greater expanse of life”.
Fritz Perls
Come and join us as we recall and celebrate how planet earth harnesses the sun’s energy particularly at this time of year giving us long sunny days, fruitful harvest, birdsong, wild flowers and so much else.
Date: Saturday 22 June.
Time: 2.30 - 4.00pm followed by refreshments.
Cost: €5.
Private Retreats
We can offer:
~ An opportunity to explore spirituality in the light of the new cosmology
~ A meditation room
~ A specialised library well stocked with books, periodicals, DVD’s etc.,
~ Computers with free internet access
~ En-suite self-catering rooms
~ Art room
~ Common room
~ Massage room
~ Eucharist in the Parish Church
Dates: June & December.
Arrive: 4-6 p.m. Leave before 11 a.m. on the day of departure.
Cost: €30 per night.
Booking fee: €30
RETREAT
In Search of the God of the New Story
This retreat will be focused on the New Story as revealed by modern science, and how it relates to our Christian faith tradition. There will be two input sessions each day, with opportunities for prayerful reflection on the content of the lectures and their faith implications. There will also be opportunities for shared reflection on the content of the lectures.
Directed by: Mark McDonnell cfc and Pauline McGrath op
Dates: 26-31 May.
Arrivals 4 – 6pm on the 26th May. Departure after morning session on the 31st
Cost: €380.
Booking Fee: €100
RETREAT
Finding God in the Singing Heart of the World
The focus of the retreat will be the New Creation Spirituality which the progress of modern science is helping to shape and direct so profoundly. During the week we will explore and reflect upon some of the main developments, and their implications for contemporary spirituality and apostolate.
On one of the days there will be a full day pilgrim journey to visit some of the sites associated with the early Christian saints of Ireland to contemplate the lessons of their lives, and reflect upon their legacy.
Directed by: John Feehan and Teresa Devine
Dates: 9 – 14 June.
Arrivals: 4 - 6pm on 9th June. Departure after morning session on the 14th
Cost: €420
Booking Fee: €100
RETREAT
Celtic Spirituality and the New Creation Story
Celtic Spirituality draws its inspiration from the lives of the Celtic saints, who lived at a time when Christianity was new to these islands, and before the centralisation of Christian practice changed the nature of the church forever. The prayers of the Celtic saints are filled with experiences of God’s presence in creation, simplicity of living in harmony with creation, and awareness of the sacredness of all things.
Directed by: Michael Rodgers and Teresa Devine
Dates: 23 – 28 June.
Arrivals: 4-6pm on 23rd June. Departure after morning session on the 28th.
Cost: €380.
Booking Fee: €100.
RETREAT
Zazen/Sesshin
This Zen retreat or Sesshin is open to those who have already been introduced to Zen Meditation and who practice it in daily life. The Sesshin is silent throughout and the daily time-table includes six hour-long periods of zazen (sitting meditation) and a walking meditation. A commitment to stay for the full Sesshin is a requirement.
Directed by: Bernard Durel op
Dates: 29th November – December 3rd.
Arrivals: 4-6pm on Nov. 29th - Departure after lunch session on the 3rd Dec.
Cost: €380.
Booking Fee: €100.
Autumn Equinox
The changing seasons remind us that there are rhythms to life. There are times of balance when the position of planet Earth relative to the sun ensures equal length of day and night and times of imbalance when there is a preponderance of light or dark. To celebrate these seasons of our lives is to be connected to the great mystery of the universe.
Date: 21 September.
Time: 2.30 – 4.00pm followed by refreshments.
Cost: €5.
Advent
Preparing for Christmas using the Advent scripture readings.
Leader: Pauline McGrath.
Date: Wednesdays beginning 27 November.
Time: 7.30 – 9.00pm
Cost: Donation.
Winter Solstice
“Rituals are an expression of the human need to belong to the greater expanse of life”
Fritz Perls.
Please join us in celebrating something greater than ourselves as we prepare for the great feast of Christmas when we celebrate the incarnation of God first in creation and then in the person of Jesus.
Date: Saturday, 21 December.
Time: 4.00 – 6.00pm approximately.
Cost: €5.
Farm Shop and Markets
A wide variety of organic vegetables, fruit and meat (home-produced beef, pork and lamb) are available in our Farm Shop at very reasonable prices. We also stock a variety of organic whole foods and cheeses too.
Shop Hours:
Tuesday: 9.30 – 5pm
Wednesday: 9.30 – 5pm
Thursday: 9.30 – 5p.m
Friday: 9.30 – 5p.m
Saturday: 9.30 – 5p.m
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Facebook @ An Tairseach Wicklow
Twitter @ WicklowOrganic
We are in the main street Bray every Saturday
Educational visits for Adult Groups available on request
For further information enquire at: Tel: 0404 61833
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it