Christmas Break at The Deerstone

A Christmas wellness retreat at The Deerstone Eco Resort, near Glendalough in Co. Wicklow, Ireland. It is a slow, unstructured Christmas break for families, friends and couples who want quiet days in the countryside instead of a full programme. There is no teacher and no fixed practice. The time is yours, with a gentle movement session, sauna and soak facilities, and winter walking as the main rhythm.

What to Expect

The stay runs five nights, and you pay for four. Early check-in starts at 1pm and late check-out is at 1pm, so the days at either end are not cut short. A breakfast hamper is included, along with free use of all the facilities for the length of your visit.

One gentle movement session is held in The Roundhouse during the stay. In the evenings, Christmas movies run for cosy nights in. Beyond that, the days are open: Christmas walks, fireside evenings, good food and time together.

If you want to add something, optional experiences are available on site, including massages, guided hikes in Glendalough and private yoga sessions. These need to be booked in advance.

The Setting

The Deerstone sits in the Wicklow countryside, a short trip from Glendalough, known for its scenic hikes, lakeside walks and fresh mountain air. Electric bikes can be rented if you would like to explore the area that way.

Back on site, the communal wellness facilities include a sauna, hydrapool, cold plunge, jacuzzi and Japanese soak spa. They suit the season well: a cold walk in the morning, then warmth and stillness afterwards.

You can choose how you stay. Book an entire cottage for friends or family, dog included, as the resort is proudly dog-friendly. Or choose one of the unique shepherd's huts, each designed for two. Either way, the resort is built around the idea of slowing down and reconnecting with nature, which is the whole point of this Christmas break.

Before You Go

- This is a self-paced wellness stay, not a silent or intensive meditation retreat. No experience or preparation is needed.
- Massages, guided hikes and private yoga sessions are optional extras and should be arranged ahead of arrival.
- Bring warm layers and walking footwear for Glendalough and the surrounding countryside in winter.
- Dogs are welcome, which makes the cottages a good fit for families who would rather not leave a pet behind.
- Cottages suit groups; shepherd's huts suit two people.

For anyone looking for a quiet Christmas retreat in Wicklow, with space to rest, walk, soak and switch off, The Deerstone offers a slower kind of festive season, with room for what matters most.