Aug 3, 2024
This amazing experience feels individualised, personal, serene & sacred, thanks to facilitators, Conor & Celine🌊🏊🏻♀️🙏💕 - It is hard to find words to adequately describe how amazing & special this experience felt & how much it meant to us personally. Conor & Celine are exceptionally equipped to make the experience individualised & personal, while leading with their knowledge & expertise of the area.
A short informative walk to St Bearachán’s Well starts the adrenaline flowing aswell as instilling confidence as you are graced with the traditional swimmers’ blessing of Tober Bearachán! Conor’s historical storytelling is captivating & pertains directly to the cosy, small strand & waters where you swim & to the Holy Well of St Bearachán , across the way. Coupled with Celine’s knowledge of the natural life within the ocean & her unique ability to instill confidence in the experience , he entire experience feels serene & sacred from start to finish. Fresh hot tea/coffee, porridge & one last story from Conor warms the heart in a way that last for the whole day ahead. Míle Buíochas Conor & Celine. We’ll be back 🙏🙏💖💖
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Jun 23, 2024
Magical experience - Had the most magical experience on my swim morning with Celine & Conor, from the beautiful morning weather to the thought provoking pilgrimage walk to the ancient well and finally the rejuvenating swim
Celine & Conor are great hosts and even provided and hearty health porridge breakfast
thanks guys
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 23, 2024
Serene and life affirming - We loved this experience with Celine and Conor from Gormú. The setting was beautiful, and the visit to Tober Bearcháin (hope I got the spelling right!), followed by the most amazing swim, was simply serene. The wetsuits provided helped with the cool water, but honestly, once we got going, it was fine.
Once back on terra firma, Celine had a delicious hot breakfast prepared for us while Conor regaled us with an amazing final story
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Aug 22, 2023
Unique and a true gem! - This experience is unique and a true gem! Our group loved Conor's story telling and it created such a memorable moment for us.
Easy to find once we got the directions but we would never have been able to do this on our own. It was such a great way to start our day!
Would absolutely recommend and do again! 😊
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Jul 5, 2023
A dawn like no other near Skibbereen - My family and I embarked on the dawn pilgrimage with Celine and Conor and it was ethereal experience.
As the sun rose, the harbour lit up below us, revealing natural beauty that was breathtaking. The swim while cool was invigorating, the perfect blend of adventure & relaxation.
Enjoying the hot breakfast post-swim was a treat, with local oatmeal that tickled our taste buds. The stories were really neat and Conor is a gifted storyteller.
It was truly a bonding time for my husband, adult sons, and I. This activity brought together elements of nature, culture, and facinating local history. Highly recommend!
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Jul 3, 2023
An Unforgettable Experience - I'm not sure words can adequately capture the magic that is the Dawn Pilgrimage and Swim, but I will do my best. This unique journey began as the sun started to peak over the horizon, bathing the West Cork coastline in hues of pink and gold. The peace and tranquility of the early morning made the pilgrimage feel all the more sacred.
Taking a dip in the crystal clear waters at Castlehaven just after dawn is a sensation I find hard to describe. It was invigorating, liberating, and a truly spiritual experience. The water was surprisingly pleasant, cool but not shockingly cold, refreshing and pure.
Post-swim, we were treated to a hot breakfast right on the wall above the strand. Nothing beats something hot with the waves gently lapping at the shore. The breakfast was delicious.
What really set this experience apart, however, were the people. Our guide Conor was engaging and knowledgeable, the local people were welcoming, and the fellow pilgrims became fast friends. This sense of camaraderie really added depth to the entire experience.
Overall, the Dawn Pilgrimage and Swim with Hot Breakfast in Castlehaven is more than just an activity - it's a moment of connection with nature, history, and fellow travelers. I would highly recommend this unforgettable experience to anyone visiting the Skibbereen area. The memories I made here will last a lifetime.
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Jun 20, 2023
Perfect start to the day - The swim was incredibly exhilaration in a safe, beautiful, tranquil bay. Loved the peacefulness of the walk to the holy well in a temperate rain forest! Conor is a great storyteller, fascinating stuff you won't hear delivered in the same way elsewhere.
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Apr 23, 2023
Rooted to the spot - We had a wonderful dip in the sea after a walk through temperate rainforest to a holy well. A beautiful serene spot and wonderful history of the area and early Irish history. Invigorating physically and intellectually. We were staying very locally and it was wonderful to have the area brought to life over the centuries.
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Aug 29, 2022
Wonderful morning - We spent a wonderful morning with Connor and Celine: beautiful weather, magic pilgrim path, fascinating stories, amazing views from the beach and a great swim and breakfast. Highly recomended!
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Aug 15, 2022
Fantastic experience - We had the most beautiful weather on Sunday morning to experience the dawn pilgrimage. It was a fantastic experience. We are blessed to have such incredible scenery and clear waters in west cork. If you are thinking of doing this please don’t hesitate, it is extremely enjoyable and totally relaxing. Conor and Celine and super hosts. Absolutely brilliant morning.
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