Ballinderry Park · the Drawing Room
Yoga & feminine embodiment
Slow, grounded movement by the tall windows. Every body, every level.
Fri 12 – Sun 14 February 2027 · Co. Galway
Embodied Women RetreatA women's retreat in the oak woods of East Galway
As Earth enters spring, so do we.
Two nights for twenty women at Ballinderry Park, a Georgian house in the oak woods of East Galway. Yoga and embodiment, breathwork, cacao and the long table, held by twin sisters Tonya & Louise Morrissey.
- Who
- 20 women
- Stay
- 2 nights
- From
- €550
- Deposit
- €250
- When
- 12–14 Feb 2027
- Friday to Sunday
- Where
- Ballinderry Park
- Kilconnell, Co. Galway
- Who
- 20 women
- Twenty places only
- Stay
- 2 nights
- All meals by a private chef
- From
- €550
- Per person, all in
- Deposit
- €250
- Holds your place
The invitation
For the woman who’s been holding everything
You’ve been the one holding it all: the work, the family, the plans, the quiet worries nobody else sees. Always on, always available, and somewhere along the way your body became the thing that carries you from one task to the next, not a place you actually live.
So this February, as the earth turns towards spring, we’re asking you to put it down for a weekend. Slow right down. Soften by the fire in the Drawing Room, walk the willow tunnels in the cold bright air, and come back into your body at the pace of the season.
You’ll do it in a circle of twenty women who understand without needing it explained. Nothing about you needs fixing. This is simply time to remember who you are underneath all that holding.
Love always, Ton & Lou
P.S. There are twenty places, and a €250 deposit holds yours.
Reserve your place
Six threads
What this weekend holds
You’ve held enough. For two nights, let these six threads hold you instead, followed as closely or as loosely as you like.
i.
Rest & reset
Every meal cooked for you by a private chef and real free time to rest, so you can slow right down and simply be.
ii.
Deepening feminine energy
Yoga and feminine embodiment practice in the Drawing Room, with simple ways to carry that softness and strength home.
iii.
Cyclical living
Timed for the turn of the Irish spring, just after Imbolc, we explore how to honour your own rhythms, seasons and cycles.
iv.
Reconnecting with nature
Bare oaks, willow tunnels and a river walk along the Suck: 41 acres to wander in the low February light.
v.
Gently letting go
A gentle, held space to explore what you feel ready to release, at your own pace and only as far as you choose.
vi.
Sisterhood & belonging
Women’s circles, the long table in the teal Dining Room, and real conversation with women walking a similar path.
Practices & ceremonies
Gently guided, no experience needed
Each day moves between practice, ceremony and rest, by candlelight indoors and under the oaks outside. Take part at your own level: join in fully, sit at the edge, or slip out for a walk.
Connect Studio, Waterford
Women’s circles
Sit in circle. Speak if you want to, listen if you don’t.
Ballinderry · the willow tunnels
Nature immersion
Willow tunnels, oak woods and 41 acres of February air.
Connect Studio, Waterford
Self-care rituals & creative expression
Roses, candles and a journal: small rituals to take home with you.
Breathwork & meditation
Breath first, then stillness, on a mat under a warm blanket.
Cacao ceremony
A warm cup of ceremonial cacao, shared in circle as the light goes. Included.
Group energy healing
Lie back under a blanket while Ton & Lou work quietly around the circle.
Fire ceremony (may include)
If the weather is kind, an evening fire outdoors for letting go.
Never tried breathwork or ceremony? Everything is gently guided, and each day leaves room for a nap, a book or a walk in the woods. The weekend may also include a fire ceremony and womb-healing meditations. The full programme follows.
The weekend
Friday to Sunday, at the pace of the house
Three days, one arc: arrive, deepen, return. Here is the shape of it as it stands, so you can picture the weekend. The detailed programme comes later.
Friday 12 February
1. Arrive
Find your room, drop your bags and settle in. We open the circle together, then sit down to the first supper at the long table.
Settling in · Opening circle · First supper
Saturday 13 February
2. Deepen
The deepest day of practice. Movement, breath and ceremony, time outdoors under the oaks, and free time to rest in between.
Practice · Ceremony · Outdoors · Rest
Sunday 14 February
3. Return
A gentler morning to let it all settle. We close the circle, share one last breakfast, then home, back down the oak avenue.
Integration · Closing circle · Last breakfast
- The turn of spring
- Imbolc, St Brigid’s Day, falls on 1 February
- We gather
- Mid-February, in the first weeks of the Irish spring
- The light
- Nearly ten hours of daylight, and lengthening
A first look, not a timetable. Arrival and departure times, and the order of each day, follow with the full programme. Take part at your own level throughout.
Your guides
Twin sisters who always knew
We’re twin sisters from Waterford, and empaths since we were small. Even as girls, we felt we were meant to do something together. Today we run Connect Studio in Ferrybank, Waterford, and this weekend is that something.
Holds energy & ceremony
Tonya Morrissey
Ton owns Connect Studio and holds the energy and ceremony of the weekend. A Reiki Master who also teaches Reiki, she trained as a cacao ceremony facilitator and brings sound healing and shamanic practice into her circles.
- Reiki Master & teacher
- Certified cacao ceremony facilitator
- Sound healing
- Shamanic practice
- Yoga & dance teacher
“We are all energetic beings with an intellect in a physical body.”
@tonyamorrissey_ on Instagram
Holds the body
Louise Morrissey
Lou manages Connect Studio and holds the body: breath, movement and coming home to yourself. A spiritual mentor and embodiment coach, she came to this work through social care, so her way is trauma-aware, steady and kind.
- Spiritual mentor & embodiment coach
- 500-hour yoga teacher
- Pilates
- Reiki Master
- Sound healing
- Social-care background
“You simply need to remember who you are.”
@louise.m01 on InstagramPrivate 1:1 support from both sisters is part of the weekend.
The house
A Georgian house with the fire already lit
Baile an Daoire, Irish for “townland of the oak trees”. A Georgian house from about 1740, on 41 acres of oak and parkland outside Kilconnell. For the weekend the estate is yours alone, with no other guests. Rowan & Laoise, who run the house, will have the fires going before you arrive.
c. 1740
Built, give or take a decade
41
Acres of oak & parkland
1 group
On the estate: yours
45 min
From Galway city
Circles & practice
The Drawing Room
Tall windows onto the lawn and a wooden floor, cleared of furniture before you arrive.
Everyone at the long table
The Dining Room
Peacock-teal panels, old portraits, and the chef’s cooking for all of us at once.
Walking meditation
The willow tunnels & woodland
Woven willow over gravel paths, bare and silver in February.
Where the group actually talks
The cedar hot tub
The venue’s own: wood-fired, in the walled courtyard, under festoon lights.
Bring boots. Forty-one acres is a lot of grass. More about the house
All in
Everything’s taken care of
One price covers the whole weekend. Here’s what’s on the table.
To stay
- Two nights in your chosen room: the Manor House, the Coach House or a glamping pod
- 41 acres of oak, willow & parkland: the lawn, the walled garden, the woodland paths
To eat
- Every meal, by a private chef, cooked in the house and served at the long table
- Dietary needs looked after: tell us on the registration form and the kitchen takes it from there
To practise
- Every practice & ceremony: yoga & embodiment, breathwork, meditation, women’s circles
- The cacao ceremony, with ceremonial cacao shared in circle
- Gentle 1:1 support from Ton & Lou, whenever you need a quiet word, all weekend
To rest
- Free time to rest, walk & take it all in: unscheduled hours for a nap, a walk or a book by the window
From €550 per person, all in. A €250 deposit secures your place; the balance in instalments.
Rooms & prices
Three houses, one lawn
Prices are per person for the whole weekend. The meals, the ceremonies and every practice are the same whichever door you choose; only where you sleep changes.
En-suite · in the house itself
The Manor House
Sleep in the c.1740 house, a few steps from the Drawing Room and the long table.
Double room
Sole occupancy
Sold out€800
Double room
Shared with one other
Available€720
Triple room
3 single beds, shared
Available€650
En-suite · across the lawn
The Coach House
Restored stone, green arched doors, its own living room and a woodburning stove.
Double room
Sole occupancy
Limited€720
Double room
Shared with one other
Available€650
Triple room
3 single beds, shared
Available€600
Not ensuite: indoor and outdoor toilets
The Glamping Pods
Real beds and linen, out among the trees. They are not ensuite: there are outdoor toilets, indoor toilets and an outdoor shower area.
Double pod
Sole occupancy
Limited€670
Double pod
Shared with one other
Available€620
Shared pod
Single beds
Available€550
All prices per person for 12–14 February 2027. Every room includes all meals, ceremonies and practices. The €250 deposit is non-refundable; the balance is paid in instalments.
Add to your weekend
One for the weekend, one for home
Two optional extras, if you’d like them. Neither is needed to enjoy the weekend. Both are added on the registration form.
1:1 Spiritual Guidance & Energy Healing
50 minutes with Tonya or Louise
A dedicated private session with one of us, on top of the gentle support that’s already part of your weekend.
€88
Ceremonial Peruvian Cacao
A 200 g bag to take home
So the ritual can carry on after Sunday, at your own kitchen table. The cacao ceremony itself is part of every place.
€25
How booking works
A gentle path to your place
No rush and no pressure. Register, hold your place with a deposit, and Ton & Lou take it from there, together with you.
Step 1
Register
Fill in the booking form: a little about you, the room you’d love and any add-ons. It’s also where you share health and dietary needs, so you can be looked after well.
Step 2
Pay your €250 deposit
Your deposit secures your place among the twenty. It’s non-refundable, so take the time you need to feel sure before you pay.
Step 3
Ton or Lou gets in touch
As soon as your place is secured, one of them will be in touch to agree how you pay the balance, in instalments that suit you.
Money shouldn’t be the reason you stay home
Keeping this weekend accessible is a non-negotiable for Ton & Lou. There’s a sliding scale and flexible payments, so if cost is what’s holding you back, say so on the form or write to Tonya, and they’ll talk it through.
Kind words
Women who’ve sat with Ton & Lou
This is the first Embodied Women weekend at Ballinderry, so there are no retreat guests to quote yet. These words come from women who’ve worked with Tonya and Louise one to one, and in their classes in Waterford.
“Tonya is the most kind hearted, warm and gentle woman… truly some of the most life altering hours of my life.”
“She has given me my energy and life back… My eyes and heart have been cracked open and I won’t ever look back.”
“I’m sleeping better, eating healthier and honestly? just feeling excited again… I’ve always been spiritual but it feels real now, grounded…”
“Louise is welcoming and friendly. She imbues calm, positivity and serenity. Truly transformational experience!”
“I recently had a session with Louise and from the moment I went in, I immediately felt comfortable and at ease”
“I attend Louise’s classes and she is a great teacher, very positive, energetic and welcoming”
And the house itself? Here is what guests say about Ballinderry Park.
250+ guests hosted
“We had the BEST weekend at Ballinderry House! Rowan and Joel went above and beyond — Joel actually created a full murder mystery party for us, complete with characters, clues, and a completely decked-out main house. It was so thoughtful and creative, and we had an absolute blast.”
Sarah Mulcahy
4 months ago
“From the whimsical artwork to the ample gardens, Ballinderry Park was a treat through and through. Upon our arrival, Rowan started a fire in both outdoor and indoor fireplaces and invited us to use all of the amenities of this lovely B and B.”
Karyn Miller Brooks
8 months ago
“We had a fantastic weekend. The hosts were incredibly welcoming and made us feel right at home. The food was outstanding — the ratatouille on the first night and the roast dinner the next day were both delicious. The views were breathtaking.”
Lucky Horse
1 year ago
“We booked Ballinderry Coach House for a friend's birthday. When we arrived the accommodation was clean, warm and very comfortable. The host Ro and his family were very welcoming and accommodating.”
Eoin
1 year ago
“I stayed here for a weekend with friends for a board game event. It was an incredible venue for it. Many rooms, and big tables, and we were kept warm and cosy throughout. The facilities were perfect.”
Brian OConnell
1 year ago
“This is a great spot. The house and grounds are beautiful, we were given really nice home cooked food. The common spaces were large enough for a group, comfortable and warm due to the log burning stove.”
James Cusack
1 year ago
“Absolutely gorgeous venue with great facilities, our hosts for the weekend were extremely nice (and cooked dinner for 18 people, twice!), had a wonderful time and would definitely come again and wholeheartedly recommend.”
Graham O'Malley
1 year ago
“Had the best experience ever. Phenomenal hosts. Highly recommend the murder mystery!”
Stephen O'Mahony
4 months ago
“Brought my team here for a night and it was an incredible stay! The host Rowan organised a dinner and breakfast for us and we all had a blast.”
Zack O'Rourke
11 months ago
“We had the BEST weekend at Ballinderry House! Rowan and Joel went above and beyond — Joel actually created a full murder mystery party for us, complete with characters, clues, and a completely decked-out main house. It was so thoughtful and creative, and we had an absolute blast.”
Sarah Mulcahy
4 months ago
“From the whimsical artwork to the ample gardens, Ballinderry Park was a treat through and through. Upon our arrival, Rowan started a fire in both outdoor and indoor fireplaces and invited us to use all of the amenities of this lovely B and B.”
Karyn Miller Brooks
8 months ago
“We had a fantastic weekend. The hosts were incredibly welcoming and made us feel right at home. The food was outstanding — the ratatouille on the first night and the roast dinner the next day were both delicious. The views were breathtaking.”
Lucky Horse
1 year ago
“We booked Ballinderry Coach House for a friend's birthday. When we arrived the accommodation was clean, warm and very comfortable. The host Ro and his family were very welcoming and accommodating.”
Eoin
1 year ago
“I stayed here for a weekend with friends for a board game event. It was an incredible venue for it. Many rooms, and big tables, and we were kept warm and cosy throughout. The facilities were perfect.”
Brian OConnell
1 year ago
“This is a great spot. The house and grounds are beautiful, we were given really nice home cooked food. The common spaces were large enough for a group, comfortable and warm due to the log burning stove.”
James Cusack
1 year ago
“Absolutely gorgeous venue with great facilities, our hosts for the weekend were extremely nice (and cooked dinner for 18 people, twice!), had a wonderful time and would definitely come again and wholeheartedly recommend.”
Graham O'Malley
1 year ago
“Had the best experience ever. Phenomenal hosts. Highly recommend the murder mystery!”
Stephen O'Mahony
4 months ago
“Brought my team here for a night and it was an incredible stay! The host Rowan organised a dinner and breakfast for us and we all had a blast.”
Zack O'Rourke
11 months ago
“A beautiful old country house in the heart of rural east Galway, it is a stunning retreat away from the noise of the towns and cities. The hosts were phenomenal, very welcoming!”
Eimhin Hick
1 year ago
“This is an amazing place to stay, really accommodating and welcoming. Food was beautiful, home cooked and healthy but v tasty. Had a ball at this place, really recommend it.”
Alan Ó Riada
1 year ago
“Wonderful house, food and location! Could not recommend it enough. Stayed here with a large group of friends and were expertly looked after.”
Ian Moss
1 year ago
“Brilliant space for events, Rowan is a great host would highly recommend!”
Daniel Hartshorn
10 months ago
“Amazing atmosphere, cozy surroundings, and an easy connection to nature!”
John Margetts
1 year ago
“Amazing house, food and hospitality. Thank you!”
John Hughes
6 years ago
“New owners are fantastic. Laoise and Rowan.”
BC Lynch
3 months ago
“Fantastic place with a wonderful host.”
John Hindley
7 years ago
“A beautiful old country house in the heart of rural east Galway, it is a stunning retreat away from the noise of the towns and cities. The hosts were phenomenal, very welcoming!”
Eimhin Hick
1 year ago
“This is an amazing place to stay, really accommodating and welcoming. Food was beautiful, home cooked and healthy but v tasty. Had a ball at this place, really recommend it.”
Alan Ó Riada
1 year ago
“Wonderful house, food and location! Could not recommend it enough. Stayed here with a large group of friends and were expertly looked after.”
Ian Moss
1 year ago
“Brilliant space for events, Rowan is a great host would highly recommend!”
Daniel Hartshorn
10 months ago
“Amazing atmosphere, cozy surroundings, and an easy connection to nature!”
John Margetts
1 year ago
“Amazing house, food and hospitality. Thank you!”
John Hughes
6 years ago
“New owners are fantastic. Laoise and Rowan.”
BC Lynch
3 months ago
“Fantastic place with a wonderful host.”
John Hindley
7 years ago
Questions
Questions, gently answered
The practical things and the quieter worries, answered as simply as we can. If yours isn’t here, just ask Tonya: no question is too small.
Who is this weekend for?
For women who feel the pull to slow down, come back to themselves and explore their feminine side in a safe, supportive circle. If you’re craving rest, connection and room to simply be, it’s for you.
Do I need any experience?
None at all. You don’t need to have tried yoga, meditation, breathwork or energy work before: everything is gently guided, and you take part at whatever level feels right.
What will we actually do?
Yoga and embodiment, meditation, breathwork, women’s circles, self-care rituals, creative expression, energy work and time outdoors, with free time in between. There’s a cacao ceremony, and the weekend may also hold a fire ceremony and womb-healing meditations.
Can I come on my own?
Absolutely. Many women come to retreats on their own, and the whole weekend is shaped so that connection and sisterhood come easily.
What if I’m sharing a room?
Shared doubles, triple rooms with single beds and shared pods are all priced per person. Coming with a friend? Mention it on the form. How room-mates are matched for women coming solo will be confirmed with the full programme.
What are the glamping pods like in February?
They’re furnished pods with real beds and linen, with the Manor close by. They aren’t en-suite: toilets, showers and a changing room are in a shared block outside. Heating details follow with the full programme, so bring warm layers either way.
What’s the food like? Can you cater for me?
Every meal is cooked on site by a private chef. Share any allergies, sensitivities or dietary needs on the booking form and they’ll be passed to the kitchen by name. The menu follows with the full programme.
How do I get there?
Ballinderry Park is near Kilconnell in East Galway (H53 XP26), about 45 minutes from Galway city and about 1.5 hours from Dublin by car. The nearest airports are Knock, about an hour away, and Shannon, about 1 hour 20.
What time do we arrive and leave?
We gather on Friday 12 February and close on Sunday 14 February. Exact arrival and departure times follow with the full programme.
What should I bring?
You’ll get a full packing list before the weekend. Think comfortable clothes to move and rest in, warm layers, outdoor clothes and footwear, a water bottle and a journal. Other than that, just you.
How much does it cost?
From €550 to €800 per person, depending on your room, with every meal, practice and ceremony included. A €250 deposit secures your place, and the balance is paid in instalments that suit you.
What if I need to cancel?
Your €250 deposit is non-refundable. The policy for the balance follows with the full programme. Either way, talk to Ton & Lou as early as you can.
Save your sacred space
Twenty places. One could be yours.
Bring your girlfriends, your sisters, your soul sisters. Or come on your own, and find them at the long table.
Reserve your place
Step 1: the registration form (about you, your room, add-ons)
Already registered? Pay your €250 deposit
Step 2: secure payment, taken by Tonya
Your €250 deposit is non-refundable. The retreat is run by Tonya & Louise Morrissey and hosted at Ballinderry Park. It complements, and doesn’t replace, medical or psychological care.