Seasonal Foraging & Wellness Retreats
Gentle seasonal gatherings rooted in Irish herbal tradition. Explore foraging, plant wisdom and practical wellness rituals.
Seasonal Foraging & Wellness Retreats Ireland
Foraging • Herbal Making • Seasonal Food • Traditional Irish Plant Knowledge
A half-day immersive experience in beautiful West Waterford
There is something special about slowing down enough to notice what is growing around you.
The flowers, leaves, berries and seeds that appear throughout the year have their own seasons, and for generations people have worked with this natural abundance in the kitchen and home.
Join community herbalist Lynn of Natures Alchemy at beautiful Tourin Gardens in West Waterford for a hands-on seasonal herbal retreat where we explore the plants around us, learn traditional plant knowledge and discover practical ways of working with them.
We'll forage, make, taste, learn and share a seasonal lunch together.
And because the plants decide what is available, every retreat will be different.
A different experience in every season 🌿
One of the wonderful things about working with plants is that there is always something changing.
Spring brings fresh growth and young plants. Summer brings flowers, leaves and an abundance of herbs. Autumn brings berries, seeds, fruits and the beginning of preparations for winter.
Rather than creating the same experience all year round, these retreats follow the seasons.
🌱 Spring
A season of new growth, fresh leaves and young plants. Our spring retreat will focus on the plants emerging after winter, early seasonal foraging and ways of using fresh herbs in the kitchen and home.
☀️ Summer
The gardens are at their most abundant, with flowers, aromatic herbs and plenty to discover. We'll explore the summer plants around us and look at ways of harvesting, using and preserving the seasonal abundance.
🍂 Autumn
The hedgerows and gardens become filled with berries, seeds, fruits and other autumn treasures. Autumn is a wonderful season for gathering and preserving.
The plants decide what we make
The exact plants we discover and preparations we make will change throughout the year. No two seasonal retreats will be exactly the same.
From garden to kitchen to apothecary
The retreat isn't simply about identifying plants. It's about learning what you can do with them.
We'll begin outside with a guided foraging walk through Tourin Gardens, learning to recognise seasonal plants and exploring their place in traditional Irish plant knowledge. Then we'll bring some of what we've discovered back inside and get hands-on.
Forage it. Make it. Eat it.
Learn through doing
Foraging and herbal knowledge have traditionally been passed from one person to another. These retreats are designed to be small, practical and hands-on. No previous experience is needed.
Traditional Irish plant knowledge 🌿
At the heart of Natures Alchemy is a fascination with the relationship between people and plants. Through these retreats, Lynn shares traditional plant knowledge in a practical and accessible way.
Seasonal food and lunch
We'll bring seasonal and foraged ingredients into the kitchen and prepare some of the food we'll enjoy together, then sit down for a relaxed seasonal lunch.
Make your own herbal preparations
Seasonal preparations may include:
🍯 Elderberry syrup 🍷 Hawthorn berry preparations 🌸 Red clover and Lady's mantle tincture
You'll create your own to take home.
Take the experience home with you
📓 Your Natures Alchemy Foraging Journal
A printed foraging journal to record the plants you discover throughout the seasons.
📖 Change of Seasons Wellness
A printed copy of the Natures Alchemy Change of Seasons Wellness guide.
🌿 Your own herbal preparations
Learn it. Make it. Take it home.
Your morning at Tourin Gardens
🌿 A guided seasonal foraging walk 🌱 Plant identification and traditional Irish plant knowledge 🫙 Hands-on herbal making 🥗 Seasonal and foraged food ☕ Herbal teas 🍽️ A relaxed seasonal lunch 📓 Foraging Journal 📖 Change of Seasons Wellness 🌿 Herbal preparations to take home
The exact plants, preparations and food will be confirmed on the booking page for each seasonal retreat.
Why Tourin Gardens?
Set in the beautiful Blackwater Valley in West Waterford, Tourin Gardens provides a wonderful setting for exploring our relationship with plants.
Make a weekend of it 🌿
If you're travelling to West Waterford for the retreat, why not turn your visit into a weekend escape?
Lismore Pods
The Getaway
Who is this experience for?
Perfect if you want to learn how to forage in Ireland, are curious about traditional plant knowledge, enjoy seasonal food, or are looking for a unique experience in West Waterford. No previous experience required.
A small-group experience
Places are intentionally limited so the retreat remains personal and hands-on. It's about slowing down enough to really notice the plants around you.
Three seasons. Three different experiences.
Spring. Summer. Autumn. Each brings different plants, different foods, different preparations, different stories.
The season determines what is growing. What is growing determines what we make.
Come for one season or come back and experience them all.
What past guests say
"I did Lynn's workshop in Tourin House and had such an insightful, interesting and educational afternoon! First things first, Lynn had prepared a table full of delicious foods that she had enhanced with foraged goodies. Then we moved to the medicine table where Lynn taught us how to make simple but powerful tinctures to support heart health, hormonal health and overall wellbeing. The setting in Tourin House and Gardens was perfect! Thank you Lynn for a truly memorable afternoon."
Aisling ★★★★★
See what a retreat day looks like
A space to pause, walk, learn, stir, taste and reconnect, whatever season you arrive in.
You are very welcome to contact me directly or follow along on Instagram, where I share what is unfolding.
"I attended the Natures Alchemy Herbal Potions workshop at the beautiful Tourin Gardens near Cappoquin. I was immediately welcomed by Lynn into a lovely 19th century building where Lynn had breakfast ready for everyone. We then went for a walk in the woods where Lynn pointed out the many types of herbs and berries and their uses. Back at the studio, we were shown how to prepare various herbal remedies. Lunch was served which included vegetables, fruits, crackers, home made pesto, hummus, avocado etc. followed by home made cake and delicious tea. I would recommend this experience and what a beautiful place."
Sharon ★★★★★
Upcoming Events
Each gathering reflects the time of year and offers practical, accessible plant knowledge. Select a date below to book your place:
- Sunday 27th September — Autumn Retreat
🌿 New to foraging? Download our free What to Forage in Spring sample guide to get started or check out all our Ebooks here.
Private Bookings
Private and corporate wellness workshops are available for retreats, community groups, festivals and bespoke gatherings. Enquire directly to discuss dates and themes.
Private Bookings
Private wellness workshops are available for retreats, community groups, festivals and bespoke gatherings.Enquire directly to discuss dates and themes.