Accommodation

Private rooms are generally available for a supplement (limited availability). Otherwise accommodation may be shared with others on the same retreat. If you're not used to this, don't worry! This is part of the retreat experience and helps to create a large family atmosphere. Also, you won't be spending so much time in your room anyhow - the retreat is so packed with events, exotic experiences and friendly interactions, that you hit the pillow tired at night, and then the next morning you jump out of bed and are out walking or jogging through the mature woodlands on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, hearing the morning chorus of the birds.  

Some retreats automatically include a private room.  

We have accommodation for around 15 persons in the Padma, Ashoka, Kadamba and Parijata Rooms. Each room has it's own w.c. / shower. Occasionally we cater for larger groups e.g. We've hosted a group of 25 students from the Trinity College Yoga Society (Dublin). Some of them opted for the slightly more 'rugged' situation of sleeping on mattresses on the floor.

above: The Padma Room

Food

All food is vegetarian and  meals are prepared fresh on the day. If you have a vegan or a gluten-free diet, or have other dietary considerations, please let us know so we can cater for you.

The food is a combination of Indian vegetarian (e.g. samosas, curries, basmati rice, etc, etc.) and 'Western' vegetarian (e.g. pizza, salads, pasta, soups, etc). In case you're not so familiar with the cuisine of India and you think 'spicy' means hot with chillies you can look forward to many nice experiences on your retreat. Remember: when Europeans first started going to India about 500 years ago, one of the prime motivations was to trade in spices. Some probably picked up a few cooking tips as well - maybe they were getting bored with meat and bread...

In case you're a yogi, Vaishnava or someone familiar with a 'sattvic' diet, we don't use the following ingredients: onions, garlic, mushrooms, vinegar and alcohol. In Ayurveda these ingredients may be prescribed for medicinal or other uses, but are not generally consumed by hatha or bhakti yogis. If that sounds 'restrictive' then you might find you have a lot to learn about non-European cookery!

photos: (1) A cook in one of our polytunnels in which are growing organic vegetables (2) happy retreat guests in the dining room (3) subji and chapatti (4) a small selection of the spices we may use. Many spices aid digestion (and general health and well being) in subtle ways.

 above: vegetable growing at Inis Rath