You arrive at a lodge on the southern shore of Killary Harbour, on the Wild Atlantic Way, with mountains behind you and the fjord in front. Everyone gets settled into the ten en-suite bedrooms, which come as double, twin and family rooms. Groups tend to gather in the kitchen and dining area, which seats 40, or out in the garden around the covered BBQ and fire pits.

What a day looks like is largely up to your group. A yoga group might use the light-filled event space as a studio, with windows looking out on the Connemara landscape and doors opening to the garden on both sides. A fitness group might run strength sessions on the grounds, go for guided walks and finish with a cold swim. The same room also works as a meeting space or theatre-style room, with an HD projector, screen, lectern, flipcharts and easels on hand.

The sauna is the part most people will remember. It sits on a secluded beach a short walk from the lodge and is booked only for your group. The Pebble and Shoreline packages include one session, and the Waves package includes two. You can go straight from the heat into the sheltered water of Killary Fjord, then walk back along the coast.

What sets this apart from a typical retreat is control. You aren't joining a stranger's schedule or sharing the place with other guests, because the lodge and grounds are reserved for your group. You can self-cater, order a welcome basket of local produce, arrange a grocery delivery or have the meals catered. The team can also build a custom stay if the listed packages don't fit.

There is no named resident instructor on the listing, so teaching usually comes from whoever is leading your group. The venue does offer a range of activities and experiences on-site and nearby, which you can ask about when booking. Fibre broadband runs through the lodge if you need it, though the setting makes it easy to leave your phone in your room.

The location is remote but reachable. Westport is a 40-minute drive, Galway City and Knock Airport are about 1.5 hours away, Shannon Airport is 2.5 hours and Dublin Airport is 3.5 hours. Public buses connect Galway and Westport to Killary, and private transfers can be arranged on request. The property also runs on an on-site wind turbine and biomass heating system, with recycling and composting, and has been B Corp certified since 2024.

What's included

- 2 or 3 nights of exclusive use of Killary Lodge, depending on package - En-suite bedroom accommodation - Private sauna and wild swimming (1 session on Pebble and Shoreline, 2 on Waves) - Catered meals on Shoreline and Waves packages - Use of the kitchen, dining area, living room and garden - Covered BBQ, outdoor dining area and two fire pits - Fibre broadband - On-site parking

What's not included

- Travel to and from the lodge - Private transfers (available on request) - Food on the Pebble package, unless catering is added - Meals beyond those listed in the Shoreline and Waves packages - Yoga teachers, coaches or other facilitators, unless arranged separately - Additional activities and experiences - Extra sauna sessions beyond those in your package - Personal expenses and travel insurance

More wellness retreats