Back To Earth At Wicklow’s An Tairseach

Meh…

atest press release from An Tairseach, issued on Monday, July 6th 2026…

A press release we requested because this historic Wicklow Town location seems to be all things to all shiny, happy people, boasting an organic farm shop, a retreat, a Cosmic Garden, an ecology centre, an arts centre, a wellness centre, a restaurant, a café, a chillout spot, a dinner & a movie spot, and whatever you’re having yourself…

Origin Story
An Tairseach means the threshold as Gaeilge. Founded in the 1990s by a trailblazing community of Dominican Sisters the Convent and 70-acre site were transformed from a wheat monoculture and disused building into a thriving mixed Organic Farm and Ecology & Retreat Centre.

“Our founding sisters’ goal was to build a community-supported, productive model of sustainable agriculture and conservation,” says An Tairseach’s executive director Paula Johnston. “25 years later that vision as evolved into the ecological charity that we are today. An Tairseach has become a place of reflection, fostering meaningful exchanges of ideas, conversation, and knowledge about our shared origins.”

Fundamentally, ecology means knowledge of our earthly home, understanding how plants, animals, soil and humans interact to create regenerative, or destructive, habitats. Here we strive to let nature flourish, knowing that as nature heals and regenerates so do the communities that live there.

“We are at a threshold as a human community, between an old-world view and an emerging world view.” Sr Marian O’Sullivan, a founding sister of An Tairseach.

Introducing An Tairseach – the Farm, Shop, Retreat and Ecology Centre and Nature Conservation Area
Today we are an ecology-inspired project, dedicated to community, education and protecting Earth, our home in common, led by local lay-people.

When you come to visit us, you’ll find a working 70-acre Organic Farm growing tomatoes, aubergines, asparagus, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, kale, broccoli, garlic, onions, beans, peas, apples, pears, plums, and lots more. Our farm manager Janice enjoys growing new varieties each year.

We also have a small beef herd, pigs, beehives and two Kerry bog ponies, Billy and Bobby, on seventy acres of mixed farm, woodland, conservation area and pasture.

On site we have a Farm Shop with every organic goodie your heart might desire. We have a zero-waste refill section for dried foods as well as refills for bathroom and cleaning products. We especially love the invigorating Faith in Nature grapefruit shampoo – it smells good enough to eat (but please don’t).

We have lots of locally made goodness from gifts cards and sauerkraut, to paté and cream.

The Ecology and 18-bed Retreat Centre is based in a former convent building, first occupied by Dominican Sisters in the 19th century. This is a purpose-built education space with meeting rooms, a library, chapel, bookstore, dining hall and 15 bedrooms.

Here we host a range of retreats from day to weekend, weekly to long-term residentials. We have a proud tradition of welcoming guests from around the world.

Executive director Paula Johnston

We also work with practitioners, teachers and trainers to support them in delivering top of the range residential retreats with the most delicious Organic Foods.

Over the last 25 years the team’s effort to produce healthy soil for nutrient dense organic food, healthy plants, livestock and ecosystem has drawn a rich legacy of visitors and volunteers including ecologists, eco-theologians, spiritual and body work practitioners, farmers, foresters, beekeepers, gardeners and local environmental stewards.

An Tairseach’s Organic Farm is the result of years of dedicated effort to enrich the soil for thriving crops. Combining innovation with traditional wisdom, we have evolved our small holding to ensure the vitality of the entire ecosystem. We are hugely proud of being awarded organic certification from the Irish Organic Association in 2006.

An Tairseach’s Dominican Sisters were determined to bring their religious experience to bear on caring for nature. Their founding mission, and the heartbeat of our lay-led charity today, is to recognise the interconnectedness of all life, the divinity of the Earth, our common home. This is a legacy we are proud to continue forward.

Our Farm Shop & Veg Box Scheme
Our Farm Shop is usually the first point of contact for our visitors. Our Farm team do an incredible job harvesting the freshest produce from our land and sourcing quality organic products from across Ireland and Europe.

“As much as possible we source local produce and it is all organic” says Ania the Farm Shop manager. “Whether it is spelt flour for your sourdough starter, local milk, eggs, delicious vegetables or juicy fruit, we know you’ll love shopping with us.”

In our shop you’ll also find a range of organic meat from our farm, natural cleaning and bathroom supplies, beauty products, gifts ideas, cards, seed packs and books.

In winter we have the stove lit and in the summer the door is often open to let in the fresh air and bright summer light. We are always happy to hear from our customers and their special requests so, if we don’t have something you’d like, just ask and we’ll do our very best to help.

Our shop is open from 8.30am until 6pm Monday to Saturday, on Sundays 11am until 4pm. You can also explore of local veg box scheme. We deliver our organic food boxes to addresses in the Wicklow Town area and we offer click and collect at the shop.

Our Organic Farm Shop is evolving to offer a fresh, eco-friendly shopping experience. While you browse, enjoy warming drinks crafted by our barista beside the cosy stove. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Though not many know, all are welcome to enjoy the Cosmic Garden next door to the shop car park. This garden was a tennis court, once upon a time. It has since been developed into a relaxing contemplative garden where people can reflect on the beauty of nature and our 13.8 billion-year living history in our cosmos – hence the name the Cosmic Garden.

An Tairseach has always been focused on bridging the gap between faith and science. Rather than being incompatible we see them as to different fields of exploration, science asks how and faith asks why as humanity probe the mystery of life in our cosmos.

What’s Happening At An Tairseach?
Coming up this year we have an exciting selection of events. We’re beginning a Dinnéar agus Seó series featuring a delicious organic farm meal followed by a film screen or musical performance.

Diarmuid & Siobhán

First up on July 17th we’ll be showing Immrám, an immersive, experimental documentary of Wild Irish founders Diarmuid Lyng and Siobhán de Paor and their 3 children.

For a full year between the Celtic new years of Samhain, we get a window into their dynamic and earth-rooted lifestyle.

Travel with them along St. Declan’s pilgrim route, listen and learn from the wisdom of John Moriarty and explore the grassroot revival of the Irish culture that is happening across the country. The former Wexford hurling captain and his partner are at the centre of a growing movement aiming to revive Irish language and culture, inspired by teachings of the late philosopher and mystic John Moriarty. They’re also hosting a weekend retreat here from July 17th to 19th.

Later in the year we’ll host a 5-day Women’s Wellness retreat from August 25th to 29th, rooted in the earth and wisdom found in the gospel. Visit our events listings here for more details and subscribe to our newsletter here.

You can find out more about An Tairseach here, explore what’s coming up here, follow on Instagram here or Facebook here, and get in touch by phone here or by email [email protected].