The Burren Retreat Throwing Shapes X Common Knowledge
We're thrilled to invite you to the 2026 Throwing Shapes Burren Retreat at Common Knowledge Centre in The Burren, County Clare. This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in a weekend of ceramics, creativity, nature, and community in the UNESCO Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark.
Over four (25-28 September 2026) unforgettable days, participants will explore wood, salt, and barrel firings, learn to process wild clay, create natural glazes, build kilns, and make handmade tools. Whether you're an experienced ceramicist or completely new to clay, this retreat is designed to encourage experimentation, slowing down, and connection.
What to expect:
FRIDAY - 25 SEPT: Arrival & Connection. Arrive at 2pm and settle into retreat life with a biodiversity walk, glazing workshop, breathwork, and a shared dinner designed to help everyone slow down, connect, and arrive fully into the weekend.
SATURDAY - 26 SEPT: Fire & Celebration. A hands-on day of kiln building and wood and salt firings, balanced with sauna time, shared meals, céilí dancing, and Irish storytelling by the fire.
SUNDAY - 27 SEPT: Making & Exploration. A slower day focused on creativity and learning through yoga, tool making, wild clay processing, natural glazes, and evening barrel firings.
MONDAY - 28 SEPT : Reflection & Departure. We'll unload the kilns together, reflect on the weekend's work and experiences, and close with a final circle before heading home at 1pm inspired and recharged.
EXPLORE & RELAX: Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Common Knowledge and County Clare in your free time - relax in the sauna, explore the land, or curl up with a book in the library.
ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation is cosy, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed, with a range of room options available. Even the shared dorm rooms feature comfortable bunk beds with privacy curtains.
ACCESSIBILITY: The retreat centre is compact and fully onsite, with all accommodation located on the ground floor. If you have any accessibility needs or concerns, please get in touch before booking.
FOOD: The food at Common Knowledge is one of the highlights of the retreat — nourishing, seasonal, and mostly vegetarian, with dietary requirements happily catered for.
What to bring:
- 12 bisque-fired mug-sized stoneware pots
- Work gloves
- Respirator mask
- Weatherproof clothing
What's included:
- 3 days of immersive ceramic workshops with Throwing Shapes
- Wood, salt, and barrel firings
- Tool making, kiln building, clay processing & natural glazes
- Accommodation at Common Knowledge Centre
- Three incredible meals per day (think Ottolengi)
- Daily sauna access
- Yoga, breathwork & storytelling workshops
- Céilí dancing with instructor
What's not included
- Transport to The Burren (carpooling will be arranged)
- Alcoholic beverages
Payment Schedule
Total Cost: €760-890 (accommodation dependant)
Deposit on booking: €250 Instalment
Payment 2: €250 on 03/09/2026
Final balance due: 15 September 2026
Cancellation Policy
Deposit is refundable up to one-month prior to the retreat. If you need to cancel after one month, refund will be subject to filling your spot.
For more information on our course levels see our Levels Guide
Course Contents
Cancellation Policy
To request a cancellation and refund, you must email refunds@throwingshapes.ie. Refunds requested more than two weeks prior to the first class are fully refundable. There will be no refunds after this point under any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to another class. Unfortunately we cannot be flexible on this policy for any reason. Should a class not fill sufficiently, we may cancel or reschedule it one week prior to the first class session.
FAQs
What is your cancellation policy?
To request a cancellation and refund, you must email refunds@throwingshapes.ie. Refunds requested more than two weeks prior to the first class are fully refundable. There will be no refunds after this point under any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to another class. Unfortunately we cannot be flexible on this policy for any reason. Should a class not fill sufficiently, we may cancel or reschedule it one week prior to the first class session.
What if I miss a day of my course?
If you miss a day you will not be able to make it back. you must be able to attend each week/day of the same course. You cannot transfer days or make up time. Please check you are available for every date before booking your course.
Are there any additional fees?
No - everything is included in your course. If you'd like to buy your own toolkit you can at checkout when purchasing your class, but tools will be provided either way.
Can I sign my kids up for classes?
No, all students must be 18+ to attend classes.
Can I gift a class to someone?
Of course! You can book them an available class and add their name on checkout, or purchase a gift card for them to decide on their own class.
Can I fire and glaze my own work?
For our taster classes you pick a glaze and we glaze the work for you.
For our 6 week courses you pick 5 of your favourite pieces and glaze them on your 6th week.
For our weekend 2-Day or 3-Day courses you will return 4 weeks later to glaze your own work. You will be notified of this date after you have booked the course.
If I don't see any classes available - when will they be added?
We add new blocks of classes three months in advance of classes starting.
Can I join a waiting list for classes?
Yes you can! Our waiting list works per date - so please go to a date or course you'd like to attend if it became available. You can sign up there and you will get notified if there are cancellations
Can I prebook classes for the next block before they are released?
No, classes are available on a first-come first-served basis and can not be prebooked.
Can I switch between a class our course if my availability changes?
This is subject to availability. You can email info@throwingshapes.ie to see if we have anything available to switch to. If we do not your spot will be cancelled according to our cancellation policy (above).
T&Cs
• All students must be 18+ to register for classes.
• You must read the levels description for your class and take the correct level for your abilities. We reserve the right to move you from a class you do not have enough experience for.
• 6-9 people per class. Should a class not fill sufficiently, we may cancel or reschedule it one week prior to the first class session.
• To request a cancellation and refund, you must email refunds@throwingshapes.ie. Refunds requested more than two weeks prior to the first class are fully refundable. There will be no refunds once the class begins in any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to another class.
• For multiple day courses, you must be able to attend each week of the same course. You cannot transfer days or make up time. Please check you are available for every date before booking your course.
• For courses or classes on Mondays - we run through bank holidays from the start date of the course unless otherwise stated.
• If you would like to gift a class you can enter the attendee's name at time of booking or send an email to gifts@throwingshapes.ie.