This year we will have a number of workshops including Clowning, Art, Life Review and a Legacy Walk.
Saturday 24th | Legacy Clowning @4.30pm | Ryans Hotel
In today’s topsy turvy world, it’s not so easily to maintain a sense of equilibrium. Yet we have a secret weapon inside of us, our sense of humor, our funny! As life forces pull us in many directions at once, discover and develop tools of resilience and equanimity. We will develop methods to tame the 8 Worldly winds ––praise, blame, success, failure, pleasure, pain, gain, loss. If these winds are blowing you out of balance and sometimes controlling your life’s directions, this workshop will provide tools to re-gain control when the winds start blowing.
By inviting our ’funny’ into these worldly winds, we can develop methods of embodying and disarming these energies. Create tools of tricksterdom, perhaps even find delight in the conundrums that life sometimes throws at us. Place awareness on your sense of humor and transform that into meaningless and meaningful expression. Awaken your playfulness in a mature way, develop the power to transform the energies that create disturbance and disconnect. Although you might imagine that exploring your sense of funny is a frivolous pursuit, when you really connect, you are sourcing the energies that come from your deepest sense of self.
If you imagine that Tools of Tricksterdom implies smart witty language, you will discover that a more useful tool is a well-timed glance, or a subtle gesture. We will be working in the nonverbal realm of positive humor, rather than with spoken words and their sometimes destructive/making-fun-of humor. The workshop’s explorations and practices draw from physical theater practices, clown improvisations, elements from butoh dance, qi gong and feldenkreis movement.
Saturday 25th | Art Expression @4.30pm | Ryans Hotel
This is a drawing workshop that isn’t about teaching you how to draw (because you already can). It’s an opportunity to give your brain a rest and enjoy the experience of putting pen to paper and being curious about what emerges.
No drawing expertise is required – just a series of fun and easy exercises designed to quiet self-judgement and invite creative expression.
About Zanya Dahl
Born and raised in Dublin, I spent 17 years running a successful branding and design agency before deciding to pursue a lifelong passion for painting. At the end of 2019, I committed full-time to my artistic practice while also delivering creative workshops to leadership and management teams.
I am often seen cycling my bike around Dublin and very much enjoy being mother to two amazing girls.
Saturday 25th 17:30-18:25| Existential Eulogy Workshop| Ryans Hotel
‘I care not if I live but a day and a night so long as my deeds live after me’, James Joyce.
Dr Stephen J Costello will lead participants in a philosophical practicum, which will consist of a reflection, an exercise, and a group discussion.
About Dr. Stephen Costello:
Dr Stephen J. Costello is a philosopher, psychoanalyst, Enneagram coach, the author of 16 books, and founder of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Ireland (www.stephenjcostello.com)
Saturday 23rd 21.00-21:45 | HUMANLIKE Book Presentation & AI Fireside chat | Danaghers
- Opening & Introduction by Joan (5 mins)
- Welcoming attendees and setting the theme.
- Introducing Victor and the focus on “legacy.”
- Book Overview by Joan (10 mins)
- Briefly summarises key themes, emphasising the legacy aspect relevant to CongRegation 2024.
- Author Segment: Reading by Victor (10 mins)
- Victor reads selected excerpts from HUMANLIKE focusing on legacy.
- Interactive Q&A Moderated by Joan (15 mins)
- Joan facilitates questions from the audience and engages in a brief discussion with Victor.
- Closing Remarks & Book Signing (20-30 mins)
- Informal networking and book signing with refreshments.
Saturday 23rd | OpenMic 22:00-23:000 | Danaghers Hotel, Cong Village
Poetry, songs, stories and jokes. Just pop along, add your name or just enjoy this very popular fun and impromptu session.
Sunday 24th | Legacy Walk 11-1pm | The Abbey, Cong Village
Discover the real stories behind Cong Abbey and the long legacy it has left behind.