Wise Woman Workshops
May 13th- 15th, 2011
Dromahair, Leitrim, Ireland

Workshops Descriptions

Facilitator Biographies

Celtic Rituals & Rites of Passage - Reclaiming the Sacred

Our lives are filled with times of transition. Recognizing and honouring these times allows us to transform our experiences into Rites of Passage - moving from the mundane into the sacred.

Our ancient sites here in Eire reminds us of gathering together to share in the sacred. Indeed, this still instinctively happens when we walk in consciousness within these places.

In accessing our memories and trusting what moves through us, we weave ourselves whole. 

In this workshop we look to access and explore our Celtic tribal memories of Womyn's Rites of Passage and Ritual.

Amantha Murphy

Co Kerry

amantha@eircom.net

Web: www.celticsouljourneys.com

Amantha Murphy teaches ‘The Way of the Seabhean’ as well as workshops on Ancient Irish Goddesses & Pre-Celtic Shamanism, among others. Amantha began her work as a medium 40 years ago and moved on to trance-mediumship by the time she was 22. Amantha has on-going workshops in the USA as well as Ireland. She also works with individuals.

Amantha has been running Sacred Pilgrimages successfully in Ireland since 1992.  Amantha's focus and workshops are very much focused upon The Way of the Seabhean,  pre-Celtic Shamanic teachings and Healings, Sacred Ceremony, the Celtic Wheel and Rites of Passage for Women.

Amantha is available as a Dula (one who is with women when they are giving birth, especially home-births). She also performs commitment ceremonies.

Amantha is the mother of four and Grandmother of four, which she considers to be her greatest act of beauty.

Goddess Business: the inside Discovery channel

It’s a creative laughter yoga session, a blend of deep breathing stretching and Laughter stimulated exercises which boosts the immune system, increasing the level of endorphins, the happy chemicals in the body that make us feel good all over.  [No experience required]

Treat your senses to a re-energising workshop, where you will laugh out loud, create a self healing Mandala, a tool to help you trust in yourself more fully and create a magical, very special love potion designed especially for you, by you.

What to bring?  A special bottle and your sense of fun and magic.

Sherrie Scott

Creative Energyworks

Mermaids Healing Arts Centre

Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal
+353 86 081 1217  

flowingtide@hotmail.com

Sherrie has been facilitating creative self empowering workshops since 1999.

Her background is in costume design and energy healing treatments.

Sherrie's group work is about touching into our personal power and expressing it.

The work has grown into a tapestry of celebration, weaving ceremony and energetics, laughter yoga, creativity, colour and costume, story and song, movement and groovement, herbs and scents, rubs and scrubs, all created anew with each new group.

Her one to one energy medicine, works with the chakra system and herbal remedies to help people break-through the old patterns that no longer benefit them. The impact cleans the energy field to bring peace of mind and freedom of actions.

Sherrie facilitates Creative Energyworks all over Ireland.

Healing Drum Circle

Debbie's workshops are designed to reconnect people to their own ‘pulse of life’ through drumming, dancing and song.

This workshop will focus on re energising the chakras using sacred rhythms from the Tribal cultures of planet earth.

Together we will create a healing space in which we will weave together sacred rhythms and songs to celebrate and explore the deep beauty that lies within each of us. No experience needed.

Debbie Beirne

Co Roscommon
094 986 0495 or 087 6326610

ruachrhythms@gmail.com  

Games that Grow Trust

“A true game is one that frees the spirit.”

Do you want to discover more about trust and responsibility - and have fun doing it? At Findhorn and elsewhere I've learned a number of social games that help us lighten up and grow trust in a group - co-operative games, sometimes called 'new games' or 'group discovery'.

For this workshop, you can leave your sensible self outside, let go of fears of failure or looking silly, and let yourself play. You may discover something new about your self and how you are with others, your heart may open, and you will have fun!

Ruth Marshall

Co Clare 

061 473866  

ruth.a.marshall@gmail.com

Originally from Scotland, Ruth has lived in Co Clare for 25 years. Editor of Network Ireland holistic magazine, author of “Freeing the Spirit” a collection of traditional games, and “Celebrating Irish Festivals” a guide to Celtic festivals with stories, games, crafts, recipes, Ruth is also known as a poet, storyteller, knitter, healer and facilitator.

She trained with teachers from Findhorn as a teacher of Sacred Dance, and as an accredited facilitator of The Transformation Game, and is a life and creativity coach.

She celebrates a spirituality rooted in the earth and crowned with stars, and is passionate about the healing potential of craftwork, poetry and story and the power of the spoken word to effect change in our lives and in the world.

Weaving Words at Bealtaine

“The sense of security and safety provided within the boundaries of the guidelines lead me into new areas of writing that I have never explored before” S.L.

In the month of May the Cailleach of Winter transforms into the blossoming Goddess of Summer.

In this writing workshop we will weave a maypole of words. We will draw inspiration from the rituals of Bealtaine, from memories of blossoming and young love, and from images of fertility - the fertility of our bodies, of the earth, and of our imaginations.

This workshop will support and encourage novice writers and give fresh inspiration to experienced writers.

Monica Corish

Kinlough
Co Leitrim

087 6414185

Web:www.monicacorish.ie

Monica Corish is a writer, an accomplished artist, and a writing group leader. Her first collection of poetry was shortlisted for the 2010 Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award; her creative non-fiction has been broadcast on The Quiet Quarter and Sunday Miscellany; and she recently started work on a new collection of poetry and short stories inspired by the lives of Ireland’s lighthouse families.

Monica is trained as an AWA Writing Group Leader. She leads Write for Your Life Workshops in Kinlough (women only) and Carrick on Shannon and Letterkenny (mixed). She also offers workshops on Discovering the Goddess.

Go to www.monicacorish.ie for details of Monica's workshops, and to see her paintings, limited-edition prints, and “Ancestor Images”.

Dance Your Feelings

Perhaps, like many women, you love to dance but maybe you only really dance once or twice a year, or perhaps you dance alone when a favourite song comes on the radio? And yet dancing is a wonderful pleasure – good for the body and the soul - a way of expressing our deepest, sometimes nameless feelings and an art form that brings together body, music and spirit in a way that belongs to us all.

This workshop takes you through various rhythms, allowing you to feel your way into the life of your body. Gradually you warm up, tuning into your emotions, responding to the music, sinking into the flow of your feelings, taking off the brakes so that you and the music become one, then finding your way to the peace of stillness, having created a wave of movement. There is no right or wrong way to do this, it’s all about letting go of self-judgment so that your body can respond to the music – and all of your emotions can find expression.

Dancing the emotions is for anyone, irrespective of age or fitness level. Once you have done this workshop you may find yourself going home to dig out all those old favourite pieces of music, finding time and space to allow your body to respond, dancing your life.

Rachel Webb

Manorhamilton

Co Leitrim

087 9319433
rachelwebb@live.ie

Originally from the UK, Rachel has lived in North Leitrim since 1994. Having studied psychology and spiritual development for many years, she has a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and a Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Her deepest interests lie in our spiritual connection with the natural world and an integrated approach to self development that includes lightening life’s journey and plenty of love, pleasure and fun!

Her work is based on the belief that we have within us the resources we need to deal with life’s challenges, but sometimes need help to discover our strengths and abilities.

She currently runs a low-cost counselling and psychotherapy practise in Manorhamilton, North Leitrim and workshops like: ‘Mapping a Future that’s Grounded in Now’ and ‘The Endorphin Effect’. She also enjoys writing fiction, dancing, singing to her animals, embarrassing her family and making various crafty things – always using vivid colours.

Raging Grannies and their Daughters

  Is there something wrong with the world in which you live? Maybe it’s the fact that at birth each child born in Ireland owes €50,000 because bankers neglected their fiduciary duties, and have not been held accountable for that neglect. Maybe it’s the large retirement packages the politicians, who allowed this to happen, are getting while the working poor are forced to accept even less. It could be the slow pace of progress on climate change.

 Whatever it is, it’s driving you crazy. So, what do you do? Complain to family and friends?

There is another option. You could actually do something about it. 

One way to assist Transformation can be through the work - and fun - of "Raging Grannies".

The Raging Grannies is an international phenomenon which started in 1987 in British Columbia, Canada. They use imaginative protests and satirical songs in their efforts to capture public attention, educate, and challenge authorities. 

In a culture obsessed with youth, where ageing is regarded as either ­invisible or a problem, the Raging Grannies fly in the face of any suggestions that they should quietly be drifting into ­dotage. These women get out and ­protest. And they do it in living colour. 

Divesting themselves of an artificial notion of decorum and dignity the Raging Grannies bring a good dose of irreverence and a dynamic imagination for creative protests,  disarming the authorities and capturing the imagination of the community.

They have challenged cultural expectations and  empowered themselves in a society which belittles their experience and point of view. 

Wearing disarming smiles and colourful clothing as a parody of stereotypes of older women the Raging Grannies are claiming a public space. 

Let's have the craic doing the same - we've plenty of areas to protest about!   If you are a woman with a sense of justice, a wish to be heard, and a desire to do something- this is for you.

Bring song-books, pens and paper, musical instruments, drama and dance skills, and a bit of colourful kit - and you don't need to be a grey head!

Judith Hoad

Inver, Co. Donegal

074 9736406
judithhoad@gmail.com

Judith Hoad MIAMH (Hon),MIAMMH (Hon), Dip.Shen Tao, ITEC. Herbalist, Vibrational Medicine Practitioner (Shen Tao Acupressure, Flower and Gem Essences), Journalist (often on theme of social justice) and Author of "Need or Greed, Our Practical Choices for the Earth", " This is Donegal Tweed", " Healing with Herbs", "Hoad's Herbals - Remedial Skin Creams - The Recipes".

Judith offers Home and Hearth-Side Skills and Living Earth Apprenticeship workshops at her self sufficient home in Donegal and is a popular speaker at events throughout Ireland.

Judith helped organise the Bury Me Green Conference and provides advice, supplies and services for those interested in alternative burial.

Judith is a member of the core group of Donegal Transition Town. She is also a great grandmother, and a founding member of the Wise Woman Weekend.

Described by her husband as a ‘Subversive Realist’, she is known by many as the wisest women in Ireland

Circle Dance-Trust, Transition, Transformation

The aim of this workshop will be to embrace in the joy of dancing with others and through the circle dances support each other to trust in ourselves, encourage and help each other through transition and then to celebrate togetherness and transformation.

No experience or partner is needed. All dances are taught before we dance and learning, teaching and dancing are all done in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Just come with an open heart and enjoy!! Happy dancing!!!

Derrie McGahon

Copper Beech Centre

Quarryfield House

Co. Sligo

087 275 2192 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            

 Web: www.circledanceireland.com

Derrie McGahon teaches traditional folk circle dances and more modern choreographed dances to beautiful and inspirational music from all over the world. The aim always is to experience the joy of dancing with others and to create a sense of well-being and togetherness. In the dances we connect with ourselves, to others, to above, to the earth and to the energy of nature. Circle dance can be energetic and lively or gentle and reflective.

She has also choreographed her own dances, each of Derrie's dances has an intention and includes dances to honour the moon, honour nature and celebrating coming together as a community around the sacred fire.

Derrie believes we only have to open gently to the flow and rhythm of nature and through the movement of the circle dance can have support and encouragement to receive gentle healing to body, mind and spirit.

Derrie runs regular evening and some day workshops and is also willing to travel.

All dances are taught in a fun and relaxed manner. No partner or experience is needed.

Playing with Paints

The workshop is designed to explore the making of images with paint and get in touch with the creative self.  Making images is a means of defining reality, very often a new reality.  Through a series of exercises we will get in touch with our inner world.  Trust the intuitive process and let patterns and forms emerge.

The workshop is focused on the process of painting rather than the end result (even though the result can also be often very satisfying). 

The first part of the workshop offers a transition between what we think of art or the creative process and a space where we are led by the subconscious.

No experience is needed to play with paints.  Women who have never painted might discover a bountiful well and others might encounter new ways to engage with their creativity. 

Playing with paints allows forms or images to transform through the process.

This workshop is suitable for all levels of artistic ability, as well as for those with little or no experience in drawing or painting as adults.  All thst is required is an open mind and an invitation to let the inner child come out and play.

We will be using acrylic paints and it is advised to wear something you can mess around in!

Merovee Guerin

Westport, Co Mayo

087 213 9856

Merovee2@gmail.com

Merovee is an artist living in the west of Ireland, seeking inspiration in the landscape and the cycles of nature.  She weaves fibres, textiles and many other materials. 

She facilitates art workshops in diverse media, seeking to let people rediscover the pleasures and single-mindedness children display while creating. She is interested in how creativity contributes to the process of change and healing.

She is interested in community art and thinks that keeping art in the community (rather than putting it in art galleries and being the field of experts) enriches the community at a basic level, in everyday acts and objects, in ways of being, expressed by one and all.

Dry Felt Workshop

Dry felting is a creative & relaxing craft.  The choice of colour and the texture of the wool both delight the senses and this medium lends itself to many projects.

Learning different techniques of dry felting will enable you to create anything from a simple card to stunning jewellery, you can decorate your home and/or make original beautiful gifts. 

Yvonne San Antonio

Drumshanbo
Co Leitrim

087 6197388

Web: www.sanantoniocrafts.com

Originally from Dublin, I moved to Co Leitrim in 2000.  I am married to Miguel who is a wood worker from Madrid.  Together we work from home and at craft fairs.  We are available for workshops and take commissions see www.sanantoniocrafts.com or contact us on +353 (0)71 964 0935 / 087 6197388 or at msanantonio@eircom.net. 

While I studied and practiced Montessori and music which appealed to my creative side, I kept needlework, which includes both wet and dry felting , cross stitch and machine sewing for ‘me’ time.  I have exhibited work in both the Golden Thread Gallery in Belfast and at the Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon. 

Introduction to Vegetarian Cooking

Going vegetarian isn't just the best way to help animals—it can also be kinder to your waistline, better for the Earth, cheaper, healthier and downright delicious!

It is not all about tofu or other hard to source ingredients, it is not about having to get used to unfamiliar tastes like curry and chilli. It doesn’t even have to be about doing without the taste and texture of meat.

In this fun and informal cooking class you will make a sample of basic, healthy and yummy vegetarian dishes that you can incorporate into your normal family life – whether you want to become vegetarian or just want to reduce your meat intake.

The class will end in the best possible way – a shared lunch of everything prepared during the class.

Bon appétit.

Brigid O'Leary

Dromahair

Co Leitrim

Brigid simply loves to cook. It is her love bomb to the world. She believes nutritional ingredients and a generous dollop of good intention is one of life’s greatest gifts.

Brigid received her formal training at Catering College and has worked with Chrysalis Retreat Centre in Wicklow and Avoca in Powerscourt. She prepared the fabulous banquet at the 2010 Wise Woman Weekend and she does free lance catering for workshops and retreats. 

Brigid completed the Women's Organic Horticulture course at the Organic Centre in 2010 and is developing her own organic garden. She is also part of ‘Wild Wellied Women’, a cooperative of local women who produce organic produce on a commercial basis and sell it in local shops and restaurants. Wild Wellied Women also contributed to the Growing Together Cookbook, produced in conjunction with the Organic Centre, with interesting recipes for locally grown vegetables.  

The Stories of our Lives: Breathing new life into the old bones.

 We live our lives in fragments, but make sense of them as stories. Scattered islands of experience are drawn together to explain how our erratic journeys brought us to the present moment.

This is perhaps our most natural and chaotic form of self-understanding, but also one of the most vexing.  

In this workshop prompts and time lines help to recall key events in the flow of our lives.

Taking some time out to re-member where we've come from can provide insights into where we want to go. Gather in the bones and breathe new life into the unique story that is YOU.

Susie Minto

Co Leitrim

Web:www.storiesfromtheheart.co.uk

Susie Minto has worked – and played - with words, written and spoken, for 36 years. She loves stories of all kinds - personal, world folklore and those created from the imagination. She especially loves helping others to find their voice and tell their stories.

Susie’s stories span the globe and enrich our understanding of world cultures and timeless human traits. Born in Scotland, she moved to Ireland in 2004, having met the real-life prince from one of her own stories! Destiny, however, had more in store, more fragments – more stories.

Susie has featured at festivals in Scotland, Ireland and Canada; in schools and libraries, at national heritage locations and on tour with a children’s theatre company. She leads workshops for children and adults on storytelling and storymaking, life story and intergenerational work. Susie also runs creative writing classes and workshops.

For more information on workshops and performances, check www.storiesfromtheheart.co.uk or email Susie at susiestories@gmail.com