Samhain 2026

Navigating Transitions

An Immersive Writing & Creativity Weekend
with Clare Mulvany & Athena Corcoran-Tadd

Schull, West Cork

Friday 30 Oct - Sunday 1 Nov 2026

A lit yellow candle on a wooden surface with a blue circle and text that reads 'Samhain: A Immersive Writing & Creativity weekend.' The background is dark with decorative elements around the candle and text.

Honour the turning of the Celtic Year...

…with a weekend gathering celebrating poetry, music, and writing in beautiful Schull, West Cork.

Samhain coincides with the start of the Celtic New Year, a moment of transition and transformation.

As we move into the darker days of winter, it is a time to explore your inner self, and an opportunity to gift yourself a rare chance to slow down, be present and meet the new season with intention.

Friday 30th October-
Sunday 1st November 2026

Schull, West Cork

Cloudy sky at sunset with dark blue and orange clouds.

Over the weekend we will explore Samhain themes of magic, mischief, and beginnings in the dark, together with transitions, shapeshifting and change, and focus on what this means for you, personally and creatively. 

Magic.

Mischief.

Dark Beginnings.

Creativity.

Transitions.‍ ‍

A weekend to step into the dark season intentionally

Friday

On Friday evening, step inside our venue in the heart of Schull, West Cork, and join Clare and Athena for a curated salon of music, poems and conversation around these seasonal themes (also open to the public).

Saturday

On Saturday morning we will gather over tea and coffee and begin with quiet reflection and guided journaling. Over the course of the afternoon we will explore the themes of change and transition through writing and playful crafting. Later you will be part of a special campfire evening of sharing stories, songs and poems. 

Sunday

On Sunday morning we will take time in nature, share insights and any writing, close the circle, and say farewell – for now. After lunch there will be an optional sea plunge and sauna.

Our Intention

This time together promises to be nurturing, soulful and playful. By the end of the weekend, our intention is that you will leave feeling more equipped to enter into the winter and the new Celtic year ahead, as well as more connected to your creative practice.

Our home for the weekend

Room with a white table, open notebook, plants, and a stack of books. Two black speakers, two windows, exposed brick wall, and skylight in the ceiling.
A pastel pink and black building with a sign that reads "ARRAN ST EAST." The ground floor has large windows showing inside seating and mugs. A black door is centered, flanked by pink decorative trim. To the right, an open doorway, and a chalkboard sign indicates a cafe, shop, and bakery with an open sign.
A two-story house with a large tree in front and a front yard, under a blue sky with some clouds.

Arran EAST st,
on main street, SChull, West cork

A place to create, connect and craft
at the edge of Schull Harbour.

What’s included

Weekend Immersion includes: 

  • Friday Candlelit Evening Salon,
    including welcome drink (non alcoholic)

  • Guided writing on Saturday and Sunday 

  • Saturday evening story gathering

  • Season craft project

  • All craft materials

  • Unlimited tea and coffee

  • The opportunity to connect, dive deep, and emerge ready for the dark season

Book Weekend Immersion
A dark blue background with a large yellow circle and a list of words in white text: Poetry, Music, Firelight, Writing, Craft, Connection, underlined with a wavy line.

Friday Salon Only Ticket includes:

  • Candlelit Evening Salon: 7.30-9.30pm

  • Welcome drink (non alcoholic)

  • Two hours of curated music, poems
    and conversation

  • The opportunity to reflect, be immersed in poetry and music, and connect through meaningful conversations

Friday Salon Ticket

About your hosts

A woman walking in a stream with sunlight in the background, wearing a yellow cardigan and black outfit, with a digital graphic overlay featuring her name, Clare Mulvany, and a biography about her as a salon and workshop host focusing on poetry, writing prompts, and Celtic wisdom. 
Clare Mulvany is an educator, facilitator and author living in West Cork, Ireland. A graduate in International Education from Oxford University, she has been leading transformational learning programmes for over 25 years across the globe, weaving the strands of creative practice, service leadership and social justice. She is the author of ‘One Wild Life – A Journey to Discover People Who Change the World’, her writing and documentary photography has appeared in places like On Being and The Irish Times, and she writes a weekly nature based essay on The Wild Edge, Substack.
She is currently a lecturer and facilitator in University College Dublin’s Innovation Academy and Portal – Trinity College Dublin, teaching creative and entrepreneurial skills.  A qualified coach and mentor, Clare has hosted thousands of people in salons, writing workshops and creative retreats across the world.
A woman with short curly hair smiling and holding a violin and bow outdoors with a background of trees and sky. 
Athena grew up in West Cork. After winning the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil as a young fiddle player, Athena went on to graduate from Oxford University with a 1st Class BA in Music, followed by two years specialising in composition, conducting and ethnomusicology at the Conservatorio G. Verdi in Milan, Italy. 
As a performer she has played in orchestras in Italy, France and Portugal, she performed and recorded with the London-based indie-rock band Cordless Kites, and is in demand to play a variety of musical styles in Ireland and Portugal, usually in the folk direction: Irish, Appalachian, and contemporary folk. As a composer she has written for soloists, ensembles and orchestras, she has scored short and feature films, and her music has been performed across the globe. 

Our Schedule

Friday

From 7pm: join us for a welcome drink at Arran Street East Schull. If you would like further refreshments, please feel free to bring your own. 

7:30pm Candlelit Salon: enter a space of poetry and music. Clare and Athena will lead the salon with readings, live music, and shared poems to prompt conversation and seasonal reflections.

Saturday

Morning: we will meet over tea and coffee followed by a writing workshop with guided prompts and reflections. 

Lunch: free time to explore Schull, have a bite to eat in one of the cafes or the hotel and wander along the stunning coast.

Afternoon Creative Workshop: we will continue our thematic exploration of Samhain with hands-on crafting. 

(Optional: 6-6:30pm: witness the wild and wonderful Ballydehob Samhain parade.)

Evening gathering: bring a poem, song or story to share around the campfire (or indoors – weather dependent!)

Sunday

Morning: after tea and coffee we will spend some quiet time connecting in nature, followed by guided writing and optional sharing of your work and experiences. 

Late lunch: free time to explore Schull, or head home if you need to. 

Afternoon: optional sauna* and sea plunge
(sauna is an additional €15, paid on the day).

“The salons are a balm for the soul…”

– Previous Salon Participant

FAQS

  • Weekend Immersion:

    • Friday Candlelit Evening Salon, including welcome drink (non alcoholic)

    • Guided writing on Saturday and Sunday 

    • Saturday evening story gathering

    • Seasonal craft session

    • All craft materials

    • Unlimited tea and coffee

    Friday Candlelit Salon

    • 2 hours of curated poetry, music and conversation

    • Welcome drink (non alcoholic)

  • Schull can be reached by car or by bus. 

    Arran Street East Schull is located on Schull Main Street. 

    There is free public parking nearby.

    From Dublin: 2.5 hr train (city centre) or 3.5 hr bus (Dublin airport or city centre); followed by 1.5 hr bus, taxi or car rental from Cork city. 

    From Cork: 1.5 hr bus to Skibbereen and connection to Schull, taxi or car rental.

    We are happy to help arrange taxis from Cork city, Cork airport or Skibbereen.

  • The Schull Harbour Hotel is very close to the venue and is offering a 10% discount for participants. There are also local AirBnBs. Please get in touch for recommendations or the discount code.

  • Journal and pen and any other writing material that you like to use (analogue, please)

    Warm and waterproof clothing (for some outdoor time) 

    A blanket or cushion (we will provide some but would like you to be extra cozy)

  • This is for anyone who is interested in exploring the themes of the Celtic year through writing and creativity, and requires no previous writing experience.

  • Immersive Creative and Writing Weekend
    (includes Friday Evening Salon ticket)

    • Early Bird (available until Sept 30th) €280

    • Standard Ticket (from 1st Oct):
      €320

    • Bring A Friend (from 1st Oct):
      €560 for two

    Friday Candlelit Poetry and Music Salon €30pp

  • Bookings are non-refundable but can be transferred to another person. 

A bright full moon in the night sky partially obscured by dark clouds.
Further questions?

Cost & BOOKING

Immersive Creative &
Writing Weekend

Includes Friday Evening Salon ticket)

Standard Ticket (from 1st Oct): €320

Bring A Friend Special Price: €560 for two

Limited places.

Standard ticket
Bring a friend

Friday Candlelit Poetry & Music Salon only


Open to the public
€30pp

Limited tickets.

Salon ticket
A lit, white candle on a wooden surface surrounded by dried ferns and grass, with text overlay reading 'Samhain: A Immersive Writing & Creativity Weekend,' and the phrase 'a wild edge experience' at the bottom.
A woman with long red hair smiling and holding a small white dog inside a home.

We look forward to hosting you in beautiful Schull and to sharing this transformative time.

Clare & Athena x