Plant Lover’s Journey to Ireland

Spring Time on the Beautiful & Magical Emerald Isle
May 14 to 24, 2017

We had such an amazing response to our first trip, we are going again!
We invite you to join us

Join Rosemary Gladstar & Donna Winston for an inspirational & joyful journey to the natural, sacred and mystical sites of Ireland. Considered to be one of the ‘most beautiful countries in the world’, Ireland’s charm is legendary. From its abundance of mystical and ceremonial sites, to its ‘little people’, to the endless display of herbs and lush green countryside, Ireland invites, enchants, and plays on the imagination. We’re delighted to invite you to join us on this special journey as we explore the depths of Ireland getting to know the local flora, learning from organic herbalists and farmers, and experiencing the sacred sites. Our excellent guide & host, Christopher Gambatese, is also an herbalist. We will visit ancient stone circles on isolated hillsides, explore primordial forests with local herbalists, hear the legends of the fairy folk told by famous story tellers, and, of course, for those who fancy, listen to traditional Irish folk music with Guinness in hand at the local pubs. Our journey will weave through the countryside of Southwest Ireland and include such beautiful sites as the Cliff’s of Moher, Genstal Abbey, The Grange Stone Circle, and the island of Skellig Michael.

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Registration Information

Cost: $2795.00 per person. Includes double occupancy lodging (inquire for private rooms); three meals a day with one or two meals during the trip ‘on your own’; all transportation within Ireland, all entrance fees, classes and instruction. Trip costs does not include round trip airfare to Shannon Airport, Co. Clare, Ireland or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, or personal tips.

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A few of the highlights of our visit will include…

Poulnabrone Dolmen Carran, Burren

An example of a Portal Tomb. It was built between 3800 BC-2500 BC. Poulnabrone is considered to have been a centre of ceremony and symbolism since ancient times.

Brian Boru Oak of Raheen Woods

We will pay tribute to one of Ireland’s oldest trees which is considered the last surviving remnant of the wild oak forest of Sliabh Aughty Mountains of East Clare. We will also explore the thousand year old ring fort that was the stronghold of Bring Boru.

Glenstal Abbey

This still active Benedictine monastery in County Limerick sits on a 500 acre estate which houses lovely gardens, beehives, and a dairy farm, as well as one of the most important private libraries in Ireland. Along with a private tour of the gardens, we will have the opportunity to listen to the beautiful Gregorian chants of the monks during Vespers.

Grange Stone Circle on Lough Gur

This is Ireland’s largest stone circle and is enclosed with 1113 standing stones! It is aligned with the rising sun at the Summer Solstice and with the sunset of the Festival of Samhain. Here we will experience and feel the power of ancient sites and ceremonies.

Irish Seed Savers

An onsite visit to the Irish Seed Savers 8 acre organic farm and seed bank. This Non Profit organization maintains the National Apple Tree Collection of over 140 varieties of native apples, the Native Irish Grain Collection, and over 600 heirloom vegetables. We’ll have the opportunity to meet with the farmers and discuss the importance of seed saving and preserving our culturally diverse plants.

The Gearagh Forest

This beautiful nature reserve consisting of narrow channels separated by small islands covered in oak, ash, hazel and hawthorn trees and an abundance of wildlife and rare species of plants is the last remaining post glacial alluvial forest in Western Europe. We’ll have the exquisite opportunity to tour these woods with the famed botanist and herbalist, Ted Cook, as our guide. It is here that the infamous Robin Hood could never be caught from his impenetrable hiding spot within the Gearagh.

Veriditas Hibernica

Visit the home of herbalist Nikki Darrell at Veriditas Hibernica, a non profit NGO dedicated to reclaiming the cultural heritage of Ireland’s ancient relationship with plants. Nikki will be our guide to several delightful foraging spots in the area, including a hike to the Mullinhassig Waterfall and Ummera Woods.

Ilnacullin Island

Located in the sheltered harbor of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, this small island is known to horticulturists and plant lovers the world over. The beautiful island gardens were created by Anna Bryce and Harold Peto over 70 years ago and were bequeathed to the Irish people in 1953.

The Island of Skelligh Michael

This precipitous pinnacle of rock is located about 8 miles out at sea and is a Unesco World Heritage site. Inhabited by monks from the 6th – 12th century, the island contains the remains of this remarkable monastery. In medieval times because it was located at ‘the edge of the world’, it became an important place of pilgrimage. It is still is.. we will pilgrimage to the island as people have done for centuries, visiting this sacred sites, and beautifully preserved beehive huts (weather permitting)

Cliffs of Moher

One of the most visited sites in the County Clare, and well worth a visit. Standing over 700 feet at their highest point – they are the highest cliffs in all Europe – they stretch for 5 miles along the Atlantic coast and are an imposing and breathtaking sight to behold. From the cliffs on a clear day, we can view the Aran Islands and Galway Bay.

Your Facilitators:

Rosemary Gladstar

Author of numerous herb books including the bestseller Herbal Healing for Women, co-founder of Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center and founding President of United Plant Savers. Rosemary has been a practicing herbalist for over four decades and brings a deep passion and joy to her work.

Donna Bryant Winston

Donna is an herbalist, holistic nurse, and co-director of the Women’s Herbal Conference with Rosemary Gladstar. Donna combines her herbal background and nursing knowledge to educate and mentor Medical and Nursing students in integrative practice through a connection to the plants.

Christopher Gambatese

Chris has studied organic horticulture, field botany, received a BSc in Herbal Science from the Cork Institute and clinical training at the Irish School of Phytotherapy. He is a practicing community herbalist and created First Aid stalls at Irish festivals. He has been touring Ireland relentlessly for 20 years in search of nature, beauty, and mystery and is delighted to be co-leading this trip.

Contact Sage Mountain

Sage Mountain Herbal Education Center : PO Box 420, East Barre VT, 05649
Telephone : (802).479.9825
Email : sage@sagemountain.com
Office hours : Mon, Tues & Thurs 10:30 - 3.

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