🌿 Ireland Art Retreat Recap: A Week of Wild Beauty, Creative Joy, and Soulful Connection
- andreagarveyart
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 29
I just returned from one of the most magical art retreats I’ve ever hosted! An unforgettable week in Mulranny, a quiet village on the west coast of Ireland (County Mayo).
It's easier to paint in colors than explain this trip in words, but one word kept coming to me, and then on the last day, I walked into the kitchen and saw it on a framed poster.
MAGICAL
I was mentioning how I felt to Cheryl, the owner of Mulranny Arts and Retreat Center, and she said she was not surprised, as County Mayo is considered a "Thin Space".
There’s a saying in Ireland about “thin places" - those rare spaces where the physical and spiritual world feel especially close - and that’s exactly what this Mulranny felt like.
It's this and more.
All I want to do is paint and create art since I've been back, and keep the memories fresh of this place (which is also why I love sketching!)
Sidenote: My sister Sarah had just come back from a 2-week solo trip on the west coast of Ireland a few weeks before I left. She told me she cried on her flight home. She felt the same thing. Pure beauty and magic.
10 Moments I’ll Never Forget (not in order)
1. The Beauty of Mulranny
Unlike many European places that are known for architecture and style, Mulranny’s beauty was all Mother Nature. The greenest hills, so many wildflowers, the sound and salt marsh, plus an ever-changing light with the weather. It felt like the land itself was inviting us to slow down and notice. And in July, it stays light well past 10 pm, and the sun is up again by 5 am!
2. The Group Vibe
I can’t say this enough-this group was SO special. Women from all walks of life, many attending their first retreat, came together with open hearts. We shared stories, laughter, and even a few tears. And somehow, by the end of the week, we felt more like sisters than travel companions.
I love how we meet as strangers and leave as a family. It happens at every retreat!
3. The View from My Window
Jaw-dropping!
Every morning I’d wake up and see Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain, outside my window. I sketched it often. Its presence felt quiet and powerful. Now I know this mountain is a true "thin space."
4. Day Trip to Achill Island
We spent one amazing day exploring Achill Island with our hilarious guide, Colum. Windblown, wide-eyed, and full of inspiration, we explored sea cliffs and villages that seemed frozen in time. Achill Island is where they filmed The Banshees of Inisherin.
5. A Pub Night to Remember
After a cozy group dinner at Navin’s Pub, we danced our way out the door and onto the bus, singing “Stayin’ Alive” at the top of our lungs. Pure joy.
Only a rough screenshot and videos from Staying Alive...lol!
6. Watching the Art Unfold
Every art project, even with the same prompt, turned into something wildly unique. Watching these women create with such freedom and trust in their own style gave me goosebumps. I was smiling from ear to ear! And we shared supplies, tips, encouragement - it was beautiful.
7. Walks by the Sound
Many of us took peaceful walks around the water during the day or in the evening. We passed sheep grazing, watched tides roll in and out, and loved the wildflowers all along the road - fuchsia, daisies, hydrangea, astilbe. One of the girls, Maggie, would go swimming each day. Brrrrr....
8. Lora, Lars & the Gang
We were beyond spoiled with home-cooked meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner, each one delicious and made with love. Every day brought a fresh new menu, and no one ever left the table hungry. Our retreat host, Lora, is a creative free spirit and a total joy to be around. Her laughter, her stories, and her kindness (she made me tea all day long!) added so much to the experience. I wish we lived closer—I’d make art with her every day. Check out all their incredible workshops and events here: https://www.mulrannyarts.com/
9. Sketching out in the fresh air on our first art day!
The sun was out, so we walked down to the sound after lunch and sketched this incredible landscape. I LOVE seeing all the girls working away in their books. This brings me SO much joy!
10. 99s and Pub Walks
One afternoon, I was telling everyone about 99's and I'd treat them to one if they followed me into town! It's my favorite childhood treat, soft-serve ice cream with a chocolate Cadbury flake inside:) YUM. On other days after class, we would walk to the tiny town, pop into a pub, pause from our arting, have a pint, and just soak it all in.
The Flavor of the West Coast
The west coast of County Mayo is something else. Rolling hills, sheep wandering wherever they please (truly!), the sea just outside our windows, and weather that changed by the hour. All the colors - perfect for small watercolor studies!
What Made It So Special
It’s hard to put into words, but the kindness, generosity, and magic of Ireland stayed with us. It wasn’t just about making art - it was about being fully present, feeling inspired, and remembering what it means to slow down and connect with the beauty around us.
It was MAGICAL, and I can't wait to go back.
Some of my sketches!
Want to Come on a Future Retreat?
The Ireland retreat was sold out and truly unforgettable—but it won’t be the last! 12 incredible peeps together making art, connecting and experiencing the Irish beauty all around us.
Here’s what’s coming soon:
🔮 Portugal & Greece – 2026 🌸 Ireland & South of France – 2027 ✨ Nepal – in the dreaming phase!
Join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration opens:👉 www.andreagarvey.com/artretreats
Always dreaming and thinking about new places...where should I host a future retreat? I’d love to hear your dream destination. Hit reply and let me know!
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