11th - 13th October 2024 - Hungry at the festival? See the Community Kitchen for Food

October 11th - 13th 2024

The Creative Embers You Seek Are Within

Hidden Hearth is an intimate festival of community, connection, creativity, celebration and empowerment. This three day festival aims to enchant and nourish all who gather. We will honour the end of the outward half of the year, reflect on the bounty we have experienced throughout the brighter months, and let go as we prepare to turn inward for the darker winter months.

It is a celebration of many disciplines of the arts such as music, visual art, poetry, topical talks & debates, performances and crafts. It is also a place where people can come to retreat from the world and connect with nature. Our array of holistic workshops and classes will be spaces to nourish your body, mind and spirit whilst giving your system some support during the change of season. Our intention is to curate fun and engaging spaces of learning and exploration through many different hands-on workshops, interactive talks and classes that inspire new perspectives. We will provide the perfect space for sharing skills to support people in their empowerment of taking climate action into their own hands (literally!).

At the heart of the festival lies the knowing of our interdependence with the planet and her resources. We acknowledge the interconnectedness of our health as individuals with the health of our planet and ecosystem. Our festival aims to bridge this connection so that participants leave with a greater understanding of the importance for us as individuals and a collective to take creative and local action to support our planet to thrive once again, whether that be by learning how to forage within your locality for medicines and food, by creating art that inspires others, by planting trees, or by being inspired to take action on a governmental level.


Volunteer Applications

Event Steward

Holistic Therapist Applications

Vendors & Trader Applications

Our Theme for 2024:

Roots, Fruits & Future

Hidden Hearth has a spirit of its own. We, as curators and guardians of this vision, are doing our best to listen. Over the past 2 years of our festival (particularly last year after we had rebirthed as Hidden Hearth), a common theme that arose in various ways was the unease around the lack of acknowledgement around the colonial roots of Lisnavagh and many lands across Ireland. We have no doubt that many gentry estates in Ireland are calling for the reconciliation and healing that will act as a catalyst for union across the land of Éireann. Throughout both years of our gathering at Lisnavagh House we have welcomed the theme of decolonisation through various talks, workshops and choice of artists, but we never named it openly to explore what that truly means in this place and context. It was still “hidden” so to speak.

This year, in communion with the sacred fire, we are daring to illuminate the shadows and create a space to unravel the threads of colonisation that have affected, and still affects, us all. We hold this space with the prayer to bring tenderness and love to these wounds in order to reconcile, heal and move forward together, as one collective community. The systems and structures that were created through the colonial lens are currently supporting NO ONE - not even those who think they may be gaining something, whether that be power, wealth, or land. We are all painfully aware of how this storyline is very much alive across the globe as we witness ecocide, war, racism, genocide and famine in our lives and through our screens. It is easy to get trapped in helplessness and despair when feeling into the collective grief of this violence we are committing against ourselves and eachother. Creating this space is our form of sacred activism to take action toward the world we wish to live in. We are curiously coming together to explore what dismantling this intersectional web of oppression truly looks like in Ireland in 2024.

Honestly, we don’t fully know what we are doing - in the sense that we are human and admit to not having answers on what the best way forward is, but we trust that the answers lie within horizontal, inclusive community spaces. All we do know, is that there needs to be a disruption in the current operations of everyday life. We know that our regenerative and creative capacity as humans to build something different is needed now more than ever. We know that community is the medicine of our time. We hold the intention of coming together to truly share, listen and receive from the heart without having an agenda of being “right” or “wrong”, without an agenda of even needing a certain outcome. We simply want to open this space of acknowledgement and healing,  which welcomes the energies of the land to resolve through us all.

So, what does Roots, Fruits & Future mean?

Roots - A chance to acknowledge the past of this land of Éire. To feel and honour the grief and pain of forced culture and language loss. To tend to our most tender ancestral wounds that are woven into the story of colonisation.

Fruits - A chance to question the narrative, are there any hidden gifts from this collective story? Is there any post-traumatic growth worth acknowledging and celebrating amidst the pain and grief? What are we harvesting and carrying forward? What are we letting go of?

Future - A chance to reconcile the past and tune into our descendents, to call upon the future ancestors of this land for guidance on how to come together in union as sovereign guardians of this land before it is too late. 

What are we welcoming in this space?

  • This is not a space to bash the Brits / perpetuate violence.
  • This is not a space to get lost in the pain and trauma.
  • This is not a space to create further division.
  • This is a space to root deeply into individual and collective responsibility for change. The time is now. 
  • This is a space to celebrate the gift of being alive right now. 
  • This is a space to welcome reconciliation and healing.

Mission

We wish to reawaken the remembrance of our interconnectedness with the natural world by reminding people that we, humans, are nature - not separate from it. Through multiple modes of the arts we will inspire collective and creative care for our planet, global network and local communities.

Vision

For us, as humans to remember and create space for our innate regenerative and creative capacity as an extension of the Earth. We envision a world where we respect and care for the wellbeing of all life. A world that lives in reciprocity with the elements and ecosystem. A world in which the sacredness of all life is known and celebrated.

The Lisnavagh FarmYard Project

We are focusing on the intersection between the arts, nature connection and holistic wellbeing, and believe that a balanced engagement in all of these fields will lead to a thriving ecosystem - outwardly and inwardly.  Hidden Hearth is the first of a series of events to bring awareness toward the Lisnavagh FarmYard Project - a living lab in the making; a hub of innovation, resilience & sustainable living in County Carlow. People from all walks of life & all parts of the world come to The FarmYard to be inspired & to rethink their lifestyles by participating in events that explore the inextricable links and interdependencies between the arts, agriculture, biodiversity, community, innovation, technology, nature, the environment, health & wellbeing and climate action.

Our Spaces

The Children's Fire

The Children's Fire

Tine na Leanaí - The Children's Fire - A fire for the future. A place to sew seeds, set intentions, offer prayers for our children and our children's children

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Sangha Community Kitchen

Sangha Community Kitchen

Our new adventure to bring you all together at our Sangha Community Kitchen to enjoy delicious, wholesome seasonal food, break bread together and have the craic le chéile.

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The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary

In our Sanctuary, you can delight your body and nourish your soul with a variety of Yoga, Dance, Tai Chi, Meditation, Chanting, Somatic Movement and more!

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The Library

The Library

Feed your mind in the luxurious library in Lisnavagh House where cutting edge thinkers, activists, writers, and educators will share their knowledge and wisdom in an interactive setting.

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The Brick Barn

The Brick Barn

Cosy into our scenic barn nestled within the native woodland which hosts shamanic workshops, cacao ceremonies and singing circles.

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Into The Woods

Into The Woods

Our main stage in the woods showcases an eclectic range of music and stage performances for people to dance, sing and celebrate.

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The Nappy Yard

The Nappy Yard

Enjoy our mellow acoustic sessions in the Nappy Yard (next to the Stables Courtyard) while sipping on some warming chai or cosying up next to an outdoor fire.

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Wild Child Kids Area

Wild Child Kids Area

We are a family-friendly festival with a programme - Forest School, Creative Workshops, Kids Mindfulness & Yoga and Facepainting are just the tip of the iceberg for what's on offer for your littles.

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The Walled Garden

The Walled Garden

Learn about organic growing through workshops in the Lisnavagh veggie gardens; where much of the produce used for retreats and events is grown. The walled Garden is also home to our bee therapy - an experience not to be missed!

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Eaglais Bhroinn

Eaglais Bhroinn

A Womb Church - Our sanctuary for women and childer to come together in loving community support to explore the depths of what it is to be WOMAN embodied at this time. Come and just be in a space where nothing is needed.

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Visionéire

Visionéire

Visionéire is a collaborative platform for creatives and likeminds with intention to bring together and showcase the work of the new wave of Irish visionaries, seers, artists, musicians and poets here in Éire and abroad

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Regeneration Education

Regeneration Education

Here we explore systems, methods and techniques of restoring biodiversity, health and fertility in the soil of the land and beyond.‍

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Éiriu Aointaithe

Éiriu Aointaithe

Éiriu Aontaithe - Éiriu United - This sacred space is the hearth of where our deep exploration of the colonial story, wounding and path towards healing and resolve will be paved with great respect and love.‍

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The Croíative Cave

The Croíative Cave

Do you wish to pour your heart into the creative process? Our Croí-ative Cave is the perfect place to do just that.

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Community Market

Community Market

Browse a wide range of hand-made artisan crafts, textiles, jewellery, foods, health products and art

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Sauna & Lodges at the Lake

Sauna & Lodges at the Lake

Give your body some loving with our outdoor health area expect a whiskey barrel sauna plus a Native American Sweatlodge and a Traditional Irish sweatlodge for a ceremonial healing experience

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Holistic Therapies

Holistic Therapies

We have an array of holistic therapies available from a range of top-class holistic practitioners.

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Front Lawn

Front Lawn

Be inspired by an exilirating game of Wild Hurling on the front lawn of Lisnavagh House!

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Lineup 2024

  • Ritual & Fire Ceremony
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Dance & Somatic Movement
  • Wild Hurling
  • Inspiring Talk & Panels
  • Documentary Screenings
  • Storytelling & Poetry
  • Wild Child Kids Area
  • Holistic Treatments
  • Shamanic Journeys
  • Herbal Walks
  • Sound Healing
  • Theatre & Performances
  • Cacao Ceremonies
  • Heritage Craft Workshops
  • Foraging
  • Forest School
  • Sauna & Sweatlodges

The Full Lineup 2024

Writers, speakers, musicians, artists, dancers, poets, activists, actors, farmers, scientists, holistic practitioners, teachers, tinkerers, kids' workshop facilitators and creatives of any kind:

We welcome you with open arms to our growing festival community to share your gifts, plant seeds of inspiration and connect with like-minded creatives.

If you would like to bring your work to Hidden Hearth, whether it's an art installation, your band, a one woman show, dance troupe, theatre group, workshop, craft, or something else completely out of the box (we love out of the box thinkers & tinkerers!) we would love to hear from you! Please apply using the form below.

Applications are now closed


Applications are now closed and thank you for connecting with us.

More Information

Camping

If you feel like embracing the mid October elements, we have camping available from Friday - Monday.

Accommodation

Please note that all of our onsite accommodation is taken for facilitators and artist, however please see our recommended local accommodation here. Local B&Bs and hotels will be running deals especially for our guests, please contact us for more information about this at events@lisnavagh.com

Shuttle Bus from Carlow

To make the festival more accessible this year, we will be offering a shuttle bus service to and from Carlow town. Click here for more info

Buy Bus Ticket

Accessibility

We intend for Hidden Hearth to be a festival for everyone to enjoy, thus are making it a priority to make it as accessible as possible to all. 

Hidden Hearth has the following services to support our disabled festival goers:

  • Wheelchair accessibility at Woodland Stage
  • Wheelchair accessible toilets (one in the campsite and one in main area).
  • Accessible Camping Area
  • Cold storage for medicine
  • Blue badge parking
  • Wheelchair accessible shuttle bus from Carlow

If you would like to book one of the above services please email us on events@lisnavagh.com

Services for disabled people are managed by the Accessibility Lead who will be based in the Cad é an Craic Caravan. Please come and see them. The more that we know about services that you would like and any problems encountered around the site, the more we can help everyone to enjoy the festival.

The Accessibility Team do our best to help onsite, but we have found that the biggest factor in having a good time at a festival is the planning that you do yourself. If you need more specific advice please contact us and we will try to advise you.

Hidden Hearth 2023

2023 was first iteration of Hidden Hearth, following our inaugural event that happened in 2022 which was called the Lisnavagh Wellness Festival.

Hidden Hearth was described by many near and dear artists and creatives as their favourite festival they had ever been to.

We can only hope that we conitnue to listen to the entity that is the festiival, and the magic that gathered us all together last year as well as the seeds we planted will grow and expand as we do as a festival.

See the timetable from 2023

Partnership

If you or you or your business would like to be a patron of the Hidden Hearth Festival
please contact us on hiddenhearthfestival@gmail.com

Getting Here

Find Us

There is a regular bus service to Rathvilly (3 miles from Lisnavagh) from Dublin Busarus in with Bus Eireann www.buseireann.ie and www.jjkavanagh.ie also run a service from Dublin to Carlow town - 20 minutes from Lisnavagh and a €30 taxi ride from opposite the bus station in Carlow.

Other bus routes please see https://www.transportforireland.ie