Ensuring a Safe Environment
We are reopening the centre in a way that respects the guidelines that have been outlined by the HSE and the Irish Government.
We are all learning how to live safely in this new world where we face potential risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus.
It is important that we all support each other, and respect our individual differences and needs in relation to staying safe during these challenging time.
With this in mind we have implemented guidelines that must be adhered to to ensure the safety of all our guests and staff alike.
Please read the following before booking the retreat. If you do not meet the essential criteria, please do not book until you can meet these criteria.
If you have any other concerns or questions please contact us directly before booking.
Above all else, we look forward to welcoming you to our very positive and uplifting atmosphere and environment.
Anybody entering the centre including guests must agree to all of the safety policies below.
Very Safe Environment
Only 10 guests on each retreat.
All guests and staff must have
- no contact with an infected or high risk person
- not traveled by plane
- no symptoms (high temperature, cough, loss of taste or smell, or any flu like symptoms)
in the 21 days preceding a retreat
Anybody booking must also agree to all of our Safe-Environment policies on this page.
Single bedrooms & Shared bedrooms
- No strangers are allowed to share a bedroom.
- Couples or friends may come together sharing a bedroom with each other… but not with anybody else.
- Everybody else must book a single bedroom.
Unfolding guidelines over the coming months
As this is a new situation we are all facing, the guidelines from the Government and the HSE may change over the coming months, and we will ensure that our own guidelines are in line with any new changes.
We recommend that you bring sufficient face masks with you for the time you will be here. Guidelines are changing all over the world about face masks, and the Irish Government may make it compulsory to wear one in certain situations over the coming weeks.
What is expected when you arrive and while you are here
- We take the temperature of all guests and all staff as they arrive and maintain a record of these. Your temperature must be within the normal range and not show any sign of an elevated temperature.
- If someone drops you off, we ask them not to come into the centre and to leave you at the front door.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water when you arrive and also commit to frequent hand washing each day.
- Adhere to the social distancing guidelines that we have in place.
- Respect that the kitchen will be off limits to everybody except our chef during food preparation.
- Follow any directions given by our staff at any time in relation to social distancing or any other safety measures.
- No sharing of any utensils or equipment.
- Obviously no hand shaking, kissing or hugging.
- You should not touch anybody else or have any human direct physical contact while here on the retreat.
- In any areas where physical space is limited, please stand back or wait to allow others space to pass by.
- If any of our staff ask you to wear a face mask in some particular situation, please do so for the safety of everybody. Please ensure you bring sufficient number of face masks for the week.
- If you notice yourself that more people have congregated indoors in a particular area, please remind others that wearing a face mask helps everybody within the group to stay safe.
Guided Outings
As usual a large amount of each day we spend outdoors on our guided outings.
These outings include hill walks in the Burren hills, exploring Burren Nature Trails, walks by the sea.
We visit beaches and go for swims and get to see some very special places in the Burren with an experienced guide.
We will not have car sharing on our guided outings. Each person is expected to use their own car for the guided outing.
If you come by public transport, you may go for local walks yourself while the rest of the group goes on their guided outing using their own cars.
There is a slight possibility that Dave may drive you in his car for one of the outings and if so, you are expected to wear a mask at all times. Dave is 60 years old, and is not committing to this. It will depend on the situation as it unfolds and the individual circumstances.
Respect for individual differences
We show respect for any additional measures that any guests or staff wish to take in order to protect their own health and / or peace of mind.
- Wearing of a face mask is completely accepted and normal, and anybody is free to wear one at any time or all of the time while they are here. The Centre will follow any changes in the Government and HSE guidelines on face-coverings in case these change over the coming months.
- However if a member of staff requests you to wear a mask in a particular situation please do so for the safety of all.
- Some people prefer to wear gloves and that is perfectly acceptable.
- Some guests may prefer not to eat with the rest of the group and that is perfectly fine.
- Everybody should feel free to take time away from the group and relax in their own room, even eat in their own room if they prefer, or to go for walks or sit outside at any time.
- We ask you to bring your own hand sanitizer so that you have it when we go on our guided outings and to visit local cafes for lunch. Some people prefer to also use hand sanitizer as well as washing their hands with soap and water. Please note that using hand sanitizer should not be considered a replacement for hand washing with soap and water and frequent hand washing with soap is a norm that must be adopted by all people in the centre.
What to bring with you
- Your own yoga mat, a cushion for meditation, a blanket to put over you for relaxation, and any props you might like to use such as a bolster, foam blocks, yoga belt. If you don’t have your own mat, you may buy one here for €25. This can be a good encouragement to start your own daily home practice after the retreat.
- We recommend that you bring sufficient face masks with you for the time you will be here. Guidelines are changing all over the world about face masks, and the Irish Government may make it compulsory to wear one in certain situations over the coming weeks. In case the Government make this a firm guideline, it is worth buying some of these for yourself now.
- It is a good idea to bring your own hand sanitizer to have with you for our guided outings and eating in local cafes, and some may prefer to use this in addition to frequent hand washing with soap and water
- Many people bring gloves
Suggestions or other Requests
We are all learning how to live safely in this new world where we face potential risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus.
If you have any suggestions of ways that we can improve, please let us know.
If you have any specific concerns or request that you would like to make, please also let us know.
It is important that we all support each other, and respect our individual differences and needs in relation to staying safe during these challenging time.
A wonderful uplifting positive environment
Above all else, we look forward to welcoming you to our very positive and uplifting atmosphere and environment.
Reviewed 14th March 2019
