An Charraig is an Aistir. A Spiritual Centre in the Celtic Tradition

An Charraig is a household of about thirteen resident people at any one time. This household is made up of:

• a family with husband/wife and four children

• four volunteers on European Voluntary Service staying up to one year

• possibly one or two Wwoofer volunteers, willing workers on organic farms

• a student or two, following their own course of study while resident here

• a person on sabbatical, taking time out to reflect and re-orientate, up to six months

• up to 6 guests, staying short-term

An Charraig is an Aistir. The word Aistir (pronounced 'ashter') is suggestive of 'journey'. Journey in Gaelic is 'aistear'. The word has its roots in 'aisling' meaning 'vision' or 'dream', and 'mainistir' meaning 'monastery'. It also has suggestions of 'ashram'. All of these connotations point to what an Aistir really is. It is a coined word, not to be found in the dictionary. Click here for more on Aistir.

An Charraig is owned and directed by Tess Harper and Dara Molloy. Its structure has evolved over a period of twenty years or so, since the time in 1985 when Dara first and then Tess came to live on Inis Mór. Both of them were following a dream, to live a consciously spiritual life close to nature and rooted in their own cultural and spiritual tradition. The Celtic monasteries of Aran became a deep source of inspiration for them, and they began to live a life modelled on many of the insights of that time.

The key elements of life in the Aistir An Charraig are the following:

• A structure that is non-institutional and of a limited size – An Charraig has resisted the temptation of becoming a large institution. The ideal size is that taken from Celtic monasticism, that is, twelve monks and an abbot. If other Aistirs were to be founded, we would encourage them to be independent of An Charraig, and of each other.

• Prayer, worship, ritual and ceremonies integral to the lifestyle –regular worship is held every Sunday at 12 noon, open to the public. Other periods of coming together for ritual or ceremony are more spontaneous and centre around the Celtic Festivals, Solstices, Equinoxes and full moons. A prayer hut provides a space for those who need it for private time.

• Self-building – most of the people of the world, until modern times, have built their own homes. All of the buildings at An Charraig have been built by the residents and volunteers. The buildings respect the traditional methods and materials used in building on the island and we have developed these traditions.

• Self-sufficiency in food – at An Charraig a number of gardens are dedicated to organic vegetable growing. An Charraig also has a plastic tunnel, chickens, ducks and geese, and bees. All bread is home-made. Fishing is done off the rocks and in a small boat. Small amounts of meat are also produced, although the house is mostly vegetarian. A number of methods of food-preservation are used to maintain a supply of food throughout the winter.

• The conscious practice of hospitality – An Charraig offers hospitality to a wide variety of people who, for one reason or another, seek to make a connection here. There are up to six beds available. Tess and Dara are also responsible for Killeany Lodge Pilgrim Hostel, situated on another part of the island, which can hold up to 26 guests and is available for group programmes, workshops and retreats.

• A centre for creativity, learning and personal development – many people come to An Charraig with a clear intention to learn particular subjects, or to experience a different way of life. Living at An Charraig is a transformative experience for many people. The volunteer programme, which takes volunteers through EVS (European Voluntary Service) and through WWOOF (Willing Workers On Organic Farms), is a structured way through which people can learn and develop. An Charraig also accommodates students following their own course of studies. The four children of Tess and Dara learn and develop in this environment and do not attend school.

• A force for positive transformation in the local community – residents at An Charraig have contributed in many ways towards the quality of life in the local community. A significant number of former An Charraig residents have settled on the island, some of them rearing a family, all of them offering their gifts to the local community. An Charraig has been very active in promoting a preservation and celebration of Aran's spiritual and cultural heritage - Celtic spirituality, the Irish language, traditional crafts, Irish music, singing and dancing. Dara has been active in the Comharchumann, a community co-operative, and through it has promoted many projects such as organic growing, a waste recycling plant, and an old people's home.

• A force for positive transformation nationally and globally – An Charraig has a number of structures through which it engages with the world in dialogue, and presents to the public its viewpoint and ideas. These structures include: its facilities for hospitality, its publication of The AISLING Magazine, its other publications, its website, and Dara's work with pilgrimages, tour groups, ceremonies and through the media, lectures and talks. Residents at An Charraig also engage politically in many campaigns. Dara has been chairperson of Kairos Europa, a European network of base communities, activists and intellectuals.
  
  

Visitors: If you would like to visit 'An Charraig', it is best to arrange it beforehand and fix a time so that someone will be there to meet you.

Short-term Guests: if you would like to stay as a short-term guest at 'An Charraig' (one or more nights), please make contact beforehand and make the arrangements. We take guests on the basis that they are interested in what we are about and want to engage or learn in some way. We like to know in advance why you want to stay with us, because we are not a B.&B. or hostel. Hostel accommodation is available at Killeany Lodge Pilgrim Hostel.

Long-term Guests: We accept long-term guests at 'An Charraig'. In the past, these have been people who wished to:

• follow a course of study

• do some personal writing

• be on retreat, sabbatical, or just take time out

• experience our lifestyle

• join our volunteers when there was no volunteer position available.

We ask guests to make a contribution towards their keep.

As a guideline to this we suggest ¤ 20.00 per day or ¤ 120 euros per week.

click here

People are welcome to attend a Celtic Mass which is held at 'An Charraig' every Sunday at 12 noon. Those who attend are invited to stay for lunch afterwards.

It is best to contact us beforehand, even on the morning of the ceremony, to confirm details. Phone (099)-61245.

Other ceremonies are held from time to time at 'An Charraig' and people are welcome to attend these. There is no fixed calendar or timetable for these events, so please contact us if you are interested.

Further information on ceremonies can be had by clicking below:

Celtic Mass

Other ceremonies