MEMOIR WRITING WITH CRAICLY STORIES - AT WHITESTOWN HOUSE
Co-hosted by Jane Gormley, writer and founder of CRAICLY, this relaxing day of conversation, thinking and writing will commence with morning refreshments and Hazel’s homemade scones and jam. Followed by a gentle, guided walk within the Whitestown estate and yards, designed to facilitate relaxation and appreciation of the natural environment.
This will be followed by a creative memoir writing session conducted in the drawing room of Whitestown House. Following some time by the fires with writing space, the group will gather at the long table in the dining room.
Guests will enjoy a delicious seasonal lunch prepared by resident chef and family member, Kelly Keogh. The day will conclude with an (optional) communal sharing of stories, coffee, and cake.
The Space -Whitestown House is an estate of 122 acres of beautiful parkland and woodland on the outskirts of Dublin. The demesne is filled with rich history and heritage dating back to the 1600s and its creation by the Earl of Ormond and expansion by the Hamilton-Woods family.
It is now under the care of the Keogh Family and in the process of a remarkable transformation and rejuvenation. Whilst retaining the atmosphere and status of a home, The Keoghs invite you to be part of their journey as they open their doors to the public, transforming Whitestown House into a cultural venue, playing host to creative and hospitality events with conviviality, shared experiences and openness at its core. The family trio of Hazel, Aoife and Kelly Keogh all work together for creativity and cooking within their home, Whitestown House.
The Writing - Guided by Jane Gormley, founder of CRAICLY STORIES and writer ( debut memoir due for publication in Winter 2026 with Mercier Press) this Memoir Writing Day will embrace the house, the home and the parklands of Whitestown House. Generating prompts from the space, we will enjoy a short, gentle guided walk within the estate, hearing some of the stories from the places we are passing through. Paying attention to sights, smells, sounds and feeling as a group then we will gather back in the main house for writing prompts and some guided, comfortable writing time spent within the lounges and halls of Whitestown. Beside lit fires, there will be dedicated time for writing based on the prompts and guidance of the morning, as we prepare to look forward to a Whitestown Lunch in the dining room. Story exchange over lunch from those comfortable sharing!
Who's this for? This is suitable for people who enjoy storytelling, memoir and the outdoors. You do not need to have previous writing experience, it's a very inclusive, creative and sociable session. 18+ years.
WHAT TO BRING!
Warm, sensible clothes for the walk, this is also a farm, so wellies are advisable.
Pens and notebooks will be provided, but feel free to bring your preferred writing tools ( ie, if you rather writing on laptops feel free to bring them)
An open mind, a willingness and enjoyment of writing and thought.