Belfast dreams
The NI Science Festival has loads going on, but Dreamachine at Belfast’s Carlisle Memorial Church has to be a highlight. Bringing together Turner Prize-winning artists Assemble, with composer Jon Hopkins and a team of technologists and philosophers, you lie down, shut your eyes and let flickering lights and spatial sounds create what they promise will be vivid illusions in your mind. It takes about two hours and tickets are free but must be pre-booked. Over 18s only, until September 4th; dreammachine.world. Stay at the nearby Ramada, with rooms from £125 per night; wyndhamhotels.com. Or go super swanky with the Merchant where their Delicious Indulgence package includes a three-course dinner and breakfast, from £149pps; themerchanthotel.com
All fired up
Head to the K Club in Co Kildare on Thursday, for a two-day/one-night retreat that aims to connect you with “your own unique fire energy”. Discover what “transpersonal” actually means, as you do guided meditations, lunch, yoga and even have a crack at a fire ceremony on the K Club’s own private island. Not enough for you? Add a shamanic journey by the Liffey Weir and you’re sure to be transformed. Takes place on August 4th, from €300 per person; kclub.ie
Scenic stretches
Yoga+ is all about having fun while doing your downward dogs. So think mountain poses on top of mountains and yoga positions while picnicking. Their next Yoga Hike and Picnic takes place in Wicklow on August 14th and includes a two-hour hike, yoga in a stunning spot and a fabulous feast en route, €40 at yogaplus.ie. Can’t make August? There’s another coming up on September 4th. Stay overnight at the Chester Beatty Inn in Ashford, with B&B from €170 for two; chesters.ie. Or go five-star and throw in a swimming pool at the Powerscourt Hotel from €546 per room; powerscourthotel.com
Caring Camino
Raising funds for Cancer Care West, the Donegal Camino takes in some astonishingly gorgeous countryside from Inishowen to Slieve League, over seven days in September, ending up with a celebration in Killybegs. Walking rates are €30 per day, or €150 for all seven, and walkers need to plan and book their own accommodation and transport. Takes place September 4th to 10th. Find out where to go, where to stay and how to do it at donegalcamino.ie. Accommodation options near the starting gates range from Wild Atlantic Glamping Pods at €70; wildatlanticcamp.ie, to Rockhill House Estate in Letterkenny with B&B from €207 per room; rockhillhouse.ie.
