Listen, Mo Chroí
Cultivating Presence and Creativity in Wild Awe
A 5-day offline ceremony on Irish land to recover our attention, creativity, and connection.
September 21–25, 2026 • County Clare, Ireland
To follow your heart, first you must listen.
The average smartphone user spends the equivalent of 61 to 80 days each year on their device. Constant digital stimulation creates overwhelming noise that disconnects us from intuition, creativity, and inner clarity. Many people feel stressed, numb, and pulled away from their embodied nature. Without unstructured time to think and feel, a quiet grief can grow beneath the surface, leaving us wondering who we might have become without constant digital distraction.
NATURE meets neuroscience
Recent neurological research shows that just 72 hours offline in nature (no tech) can:
Recent neurological research shows that just 72 hours offline in nature with no technology can help reset dopamine levels, making everyday experiences like walking in nature or connecting with others feel satisfying and pleasurable again. It can increase cognitive function and creativity by up to 50 percent, reduce cortisol levels that drive chronic fight or flight responses, and increase prefrontal brain activity, helping improve focus and reduce impulsive behaviors such as doomscrolling.
how this works
The Offline Ceremony
Through slowing down and reclaiming “wild awe,” we will access the wisdom of our ancestors and make space for the intelligence of the human heart.
Originally developed in partnership with the Esalen Institute, this experiential retreat curriculum is rooted in psychological research and weaves together multiple frameworks and modalities including attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, poetry therapy and eco-psychology—as well as ancestral wisdom practices such as Yoga Nidra, Irish-language song circle, storytelling, authentic movement, nature-foraging, and ancient ritual practice.
attachment theory & interpersonal neurobiology
New research shows insecure attachment styles can increase compulsive smartphone use as people seek digital safety over human connection. Seeing how past relationships shape phone habits helps us rebuild true connection, repair old wounds, and experience connection we truly seek it.
CREATIVE CURIOSITY AND CALLING
This retreat helps you recover focus, creativity, and a deeper sense of being human. Through poetry therapy, storytelling, hands-on making, foraging, and deep listening, you’ll reconnect with curiosity, expression, and inner voice while exploring what is ready to be expressed through you.
attachment theory & interpersonal neurobiology
The Irish landscape offers a powerful space to slow down and listen inward. Learning from local storytellers, musicians, foragers, and makers deepens connection to nature and ancestry. Time in wild places lowers stress and restores balance, helping us reconnect with our bodies, wisdom, and sense of home beyond digital noise.
When you really look deeply at something, it becomes part of you. This is one of the sinister aspects of [technology]. People are constantly looking at empty and false images; these impoverished images are filling up the inner world of the heart.
— John O’Donohue, Irish poet, theologian, and author of Anam Cara
An Award-Winning Sanctuary in the Heart of the Burren
COMMON KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Resting on 50 acres of native Irish forest and regenerative farmland, the Common Knowledge Centre is more than a retreat venue—it is a living laboratory for community, ecology, and soulful living. Situated within the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Global Geopark, this space was hand-built to foster the very relational presence and creativity we seek to reclaim.
Recognized by Conde Nast as one of the "Best Places to Go in Europe in 2025" and named by the Irish Independent as one of the "50 Fab Places to
Stay in Ireland," the Centre provides a lovely, authentic, and monastic environment where every stone and timber tells a story of sustainability and warmth.
The interior of the Centre reflects a deep commitment to the "hand-made life." Every piece of furniture in the rooms is entirely bespoke, crafted on-site as a living example of the sustainable building practices taught in the Centre’s world-renowned skillsharing courses. Here, you are not just resting in a room; you are held by the intentional craft and shared wisdom of the land.
meet your teacher
American and Irish writer based in California, psychotherapist, researcher, poet, Yoga Nidra teacher, and host of the SoulFeed podcast. He is the author of Trust Your Truth, is on faculty at the Esalen Institute and the Kripalu Center, and leads digital liberation programs and offline retreats around the world that support people to reclaim their humanity, creativity, and attention in the digital age.
He was named one of the "35 Under 35 in Wellness to Watch" by Wanderlust, and has spoken at the United Nations and the Museum of Contemporary Art, among other prestigious organizations.
Shannon Algeo
somtehing about how they’re additional teachers
Teachers & Guides
Teacher One
certifications
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Teacher Two
certifications
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Teacher Three
certifications
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Intro text here
The magic of Ireland Awaits You (or something like that)
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enjoy
Seasonal Menu
Our renowned resident chefs are passionate about creating wholesome, delicious food—including three gorgeous meals per day. The Centre’s dedication to sustainability means that whenever possible, they use locally sourced, organic and seasonal produce, as well as the harvest from their organic permaculture garden.
A range of thoughtfully selected natural and organic wines are offered at an additional price to compliment our menu.
Relax
Wild Atlantic Seaweed Baths
As part of our commitment to your nervous system's renewal, your investment includes a private Wild Atlantic Seaweed Bath experience. Soak in hand-harvested Irish seaweed while looking out over the rugged coastline—a traditional ritual to mineralize the body and anchor the insights of our work.
EXplore
Foraging Experience
Guided by a local Irish botanist, we’ll walk the regenerative land as we are introduced to various plants—and the beautiful and diverse landscape of peatlands, meadows, grasslands, hedgerows, and native Irish trees. We’ll learn how our Irish ancestors engaged in relationship with different plants as medicines, sustenance, healing, and care.
Main studio
Our workshop Space
Our sanctuary studio, the Octagon, provides a spacious, light-filled, and private container for our workshop experience. This is where the daily experiential sessions will be held—as well as Yoga Nidra, song circle, and other group experiences.
rooms range from $1995 to $2995
The Collective Grove
The Centre’s monastic-premium lodging includes comfortable bedrooms with hand-built furniture ranging from single rooms with their own private bathroom to double rooms shared with one other participant to a selection of triple and dorm room options.
Starting at $2995
The Solo Sanctuary
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What’s Included
Full retreat programming, embodied practices, and group sessions
Three nourishing meals per day (except one dinner in Doolin)
Four nights lodging at the Common Knowledge Centre
Coffee and tea
Sauna over the bog
Access to common spaces, gardens, and contemplative land
Irish singing experience with Irish teacher
Guided Foraging Excursion (we'll get to know the local plant ecologies more intimately)
An Award-Winning Sanctuary in the Heart of the Burren
COMMON KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Resting on 50 acres of native Irish forest and regenerative farmland, the Common Knowledge Centre is more than a retreat venue—it is a living laboratory for community, ecology, and soulful living. Situated within the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Global Geopark, this space was hand-built to foster the very relational presence and creativity we seek to reclaim.
Recognized by Conde Nast as one of the "Best Places to Go in Europe in 2025" and named by the Irish Independent as one of the "50 Fab Places to
Stay in Ireland," the Centre provides a lovely, authentic, and monastic environment where every stone and timber tells a story of sustainability and warmth.
The interior of the Centre reflects a deep commitment to the "hand-made life." Every piece of furniture in the rooms is entirely bespoke, crafted on-site as a living example of the sustainable building practices taught in the Centre’s world-renowned skillsharing courses. Here, you are not just resting in a room; you are held by the intentional craft and shared wisdom of the land.
WHAT MO CHROÍ MEANS
WHAT MO CHROÍ MEANS
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What’s Not Included
Transporation to and from the Common Knowledge Centre
Airfare
Seaweed bath experience (optional add-on)
Personal travel insurance coverage (highly recommend)
One dinner in Doolin
Common Knowledge Centre Building Experience (optional add-on)
your questions answered
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ireland 2026 Retreat Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made more than 90 days before the retreat start date (June 22, 2026 and earlier):
You will receive a refund of payments made beyond the non-refundable deposit.
Cancellations made within 90 days of the retreat start date (June 23, 2026 and after):
No refunds, as venue, accommodation, and operational costs will have already been committed.
Waitlist Exception
If a canceled spot is filled from the waitlist, we may, at our discretion, offer a credit toward a future retreat, minus the non-refundable deposit and administrative fees.
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KIND WORDS
“Shannon was an unbelievable guide.”
He was a pleasure to be learning from. He made everyone feel comfortable and at ease. I would highly recommend this workshop to anyone who has a cell phone. The workshop was so fun, interactive, so many connections and lots of creativity. Content was absorbed easily.
participant at the esalen institute
“Perhaps the best workshop I've had at Esalen.”
Shannon was AMAZING! The group was intimate and we were really able to connect. Shannon was the perfect blend of: information/ research, heart, empathy, music, and creativity. When people have asked what I liked best this time...it was being in a group led by Shannon.
participant at the esalen institute
“PLEASE bring Shannon back for more!”
Shannon was able to bring in so many threads: the academic/data-based information, but mixed with movement, song, poetry, meditation, nature walks, and storytelling. All of this was delivered with warmth, kindness, depth, and humor. I also appreciated the small size of the group and intimate container we created together. Shannon was very skilled at making us all feel safe and at-home. . . so we could drop in more deeply.
participant at the esalen institute
“We laughed and cried a lot.”
Shannon, the lead facilitator, was brilliant, accessible, playful, and engaging, and his practices were inspiring, well-paced and fun. The group cohered in an organic way that showed the combination of Shannon's depth, emotional attunement and natural leadership skills.
participant at the esalen institute
“I didn't expect it to be so healing”
Giving up phones...but he filled in the spaces with group sharing, connecting, and creative endeavors along with grounded to the land...top notch! I learned so much, and it was shared in a digestible manner; there was room to question and deepen our understandings, and the facilitators were always able to answer honestly and with great knowledge.
participant at the esalen institute
Let’s go offline
YOU BELONG HERE
Come bring your fullness, your brokenness, your beauty. Come bring your questions, your grief, and your longings. Come bring your wholeness, your fragmentation, and the whispers of your humanity.
