Information for Retreat Participants (Ireland)

Destination

Bocarnagh Lodge, Bocarnagh
Glengarriff Cork P75F950
Ireland

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES

Arrival Day 1, 3 - 5pm | Departure Day 6, 10:30-11:30am

This page has the full schedule.

YOUR PLACE ON RETREAT

The group coming together for each retreat is small and unique with people arriving from around the world. If something unforeseeable arises which changes your intention to be part of the group that you have joined, please be in touch so that there is enough time for us to find someone else to fill your place. If your place can be filled then your deposit can be transferred to a future date.

 

It’s lovely to arrive and experience new things and surprises. There are also some frequently asked questions from those unfamiliar with Ireland. So below are some tips from previous participants to help you along.

Feel free to email study@educaredo.org if you come across something of importance that is worth sharing.

You are encouraged to communicate with the participants in your group to figure out how to journey to Bocarnagh. Some participants have communicated via What’s App instead of email as they found this easier to share useful links, arrival times and find each other at bus stops.

Transport Ireland is the first place to look for transport options. And Google Maps has also provided options for smaller companies as well. We’ve generally found the transport workers such as drivers to accomodate us and be so casual and friendly as to be offered (while travelling the Beara Peninsula) “wave down the bus anywhere and it’ll stop for you.” And “Ah yes, I know the Mary Grotto - do you want us to meet you there?” said the bus company. Hmm… we can’t be sure that we are speaking about the same Mary Grotto! But true it was! Welcome to Ireland! ☘️

Cork is the closest airport. Shannon Airport is a flight option from the US.

CORK/dublin ⇆ GLENGARRIFF

By Bus - The main service is Route 236. Timetable current at June 2025. Points of travel are between Parnell Place in Cork, and Glengarriff Pharmacy when arriving in Glengarriff, and Glengarriff Opposite Amenity Park when departing Glengarriff. Bantry is larger than Glengarriff and buses terminate here, with only some buses continuing on down the peninsular via Glengarriff.

There is also a small bus service that travels express once or twice a day express between Cork and Castletown-Bearhaven which is further south of Glengarriff. Pay cash to the driver. They offered a pick up at the Mary Grotto which is the marker on the main road at the turn off to Bocarnagh. Phone ‭02 7740 03‬ find more here.

By Train (Dublin ⇆ Cork) Train is the fastest and most comfortable route if travelling via Dublin and using public transport.

Check google maps for an additional option of travel between Bantry ⇆ Cork that is new and we haven’t tested.

SHANNON ⇆ CORK

Experience has taught us to wait for the express bus which leaves every few hours than traveling with multiple connections. The JJ Ruddles restaurant in the airport offers good food and seating for the 2 hour wait.

GLENGARRIFF ⇆ BocaRnagh P75F950

A larger number of buses travel between Cork and Bantry; Bantry is a terminating point for buses. Bantry is a bustling harbour-side village that hosts markets of craft, wares and food each Friday. It could be a pick up location. However the closest pick up point is Glengarriff Village Centre. It is a small village and in summertime there are food stalls in the park beside Quill’s Woollen Market and Blue Pool Ferry Terminal is a great point with public toilets, sitting area and parking. (The buckwheat crepe’s where delicious and hearty :))

By Car - Google Map from Glengarriff to P75F950 (use the postcode to find an exact geographical destination in Ireland)
⚠️ Google maps sometimes creates a route via a road that is not maintained. To avoid this route please use the link above AND turn off R572 at the “Mary Grotto”, not before ‼️When travelling in this direction (Glengarriff to Castletown-Bere) the turn onto the road that takes you to Bocanagh is very sharp - almost 180°.

 

PHONE & DATA

If you want to be connected while in transit or touring, but don’t want to use a roaming plan with your current provider, ThreeIreland is renowned for having decent coverage while traversing the countryside. It has generally cost participants 20€ for 28 days with plenty of credit. There are other options too.

SHOPS, SIGHTS ETC

Glengarriff Forest - a few kilometres off the Main Street of Glengarriff for walks, with little waterfall and further along a lake (swimmable) and more walks

Gougane Barra - forest walks, lake, historical church, good food & accomodation

Dzogchen Beara - buddhist meditation centre with accommodation, cafe & views from the cliff

The Hag of Beara - a rock with a legend. Unnamed Road, Gortgarriff, Co. Cork, Ireland

Organico - Groceries & cafe in Bantry

Bantry Market each Friday

 

currency exchanges & money

If you are looking for a new way to travel with multiple currencies, many of us have trusted Wise to be economical and efficient.

It is free to set up an account with Wise. Each country has different set up requirements. Wise Australia holds licenses to operate in Australia and therefore requires to ID its customers. (You have a to upload a selfie and ID documents). That is not the case in USA.

If you’d like to speak to any of us about how we used Wise you are welcome to email study@educaredo.org