What is Anam Cara?
It is a retreat for writers and artists on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork, Ireland. The cottage and five acres of gardens hosts both workshops for groups of writers and artists or simply a creative getaway for individuals working on existing projects or developing new ones. Hostess Sue Booth-Forbes, a writer and editor, has set a daily schedule to help guests focus their creative minds on the project at hand. For example, from 9:30 to 5:30 each day are the "Quiet Working Hours." Even if you don't feel like working, you are expected to be courteous of others. Morning and evening meals are shared with all the residents. Lunch can be shared or on your own.
The cottage houses five guests and the bedrooms have large desks and work areas and "inspiring" views of the Beara landscape. There are several community areas in the house where you can work: the library, the conservatory/sunroom, and the gallery to name a few. Internet access is available but limited, and residents have access to a copier, scanner, printers, fax and a telephone if you have a phone card. If you need extensive Internet access, the nearest town with such services is four kilometers (2.5 miles) away.
The gardens offer five acres with benches, swings, hammocks and other areas for creativity outdoors. There are two kilometers (1.2 miles) of walking trails in the garden, a duck pond, the Kealincha River, a mountain stream, flower and vegetable gardens among other features.
What writing workshops are offered?
Anam Cara offers five workshops this summer and fall. Three of them are for writers.
The Poem and the Dream - June 21-28 - Paula Meehan (Ireland) and Juliet Clancy (USA) - contact anamcararetreat(at)eircom(dot)net
Writing from Within - July 12-19 - Maeve O'Sullivan (Ireland) and Kim Richardson (England) - contact anamcararetreat(at)eircom(dot)net
Writing in Ireland - October 11-18 - Karen Blomain (USA) - contact karenblomain(at)gmail(dot)com
For more information about the individual workshops and the instructors, visit the website. All participants either stay at the cottage or at one of the Bed and Breakfasts nearby. Transportation is provided during inclement weather. Lunch and dinner is served at Anam Cara.
For information on registering, rates, space availability and everything else, please email the corresponding addresses above.
Why should you try a writer's retreat?
Here's one good reason: getting away from your daily like may be just the spark you need to finish your latest project. Instead of driving kids to and fro, instead of washing clothes and washing faces, instead of being pulled in 14 different directions at work and at home, you'll have only one purpose: to finish your manuscript. Given the opportunity to focus on just one task, your brain will spit out idea after idea. Studies in Belgium and England have found that the brain learns while sleeping. At Anam Cara, you can doze off in the hammock on the island in the river and wake up with the perfect solution for framing unsuspecting Uncle Fred in chapter four with the murder of the police commissioner on page one.
There is a lot to be said for the camaraderie you find in workshops, but even if you're retreating alone at Anam Cara, there will be other artists or writers with whom you can share your work, discuss or share a pint at the local pub. Writing is a solitary task, but it doesn't have to be solitary confinement. At Anam Cara, you can have your work time and your creative communing. It's the best of both worlds.
Photos are from Beara Tourism's website.
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