Writing from Your Roots

March 10-16, 2025 with a 2-Day Add-On Option
to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Ireland

Welcome to the Dublin, Ireland Writing Adventure!
Immerse yourself in Dublin's literary legacy! Reconnect with your ancestral roots! Unleash and elevate your writing potential! Join us for a writing, reading, sight-seeing, pub-hopping good time as we explore Dublin, Ireland and sample its rich culture and history. Together, we write, explore, and enjoy the inspirational landscape of Dublin. 

Perfect for writers of all levels, this adventure offers four dynamic writing sessions, fueled by the works of Dublin's legendary poets, story-tellers, and novelists, plus a deep dive into this UNESCO "City of Literature."

The workshop leader is Leilani Barnett, author of Sacred Journaling: Ten Ways to Use the Power of Words to Craft Your Ideal Life. 
Unleash 
Your 
Creativity
  In Dublin, you'll walk in the footsteps of James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde, Eavan Boland, Seamus Heaney, and Paula Meehan--to name but a few! Ireland will be your home for a week as you join a small group of other travelers for morning writing workshops! In the afternoons, you'll extend your knowledge with experiences related to the authors or theme from that day's workshop; we'll visit EPIC--the Irish Emmigration Museum, wander through the W.B. Yeats exhibit in the National Library, and take a train out to Sandy Cove beach to visit the James Joyce Museum, housed in the Martello Tower that inspired his ground-breaking novel, Ulyssis. 
     The Dublin Writing Adventure is limited to eight participants and presents a mixture of structure to guide your creative writing journey and independent time. While some evenings are planned—such as a welcome dinner with Irish music and dancing, a gourmet farewell gathering, and a night of drama or music—there remains ample time to write or explore the city at your leisure, either solo or with a fellow student. You’ll even have a free day to enjoy as you wish, embarking on a trip to the Cliffs of Moher, kissing the Blarney Stone to receive the gift of gab, or simply stopping in at The Gravediggers, The Swan, or another of the almost 800 local pubs in Dublin! Your trip wil provide not only memories but fodder for your writing to last a lifetime.
Meet Your Teacher
It was love at first sight of the Irish coast when Leilani Barnett arrived by fery in  1999. Since then, she has returned again and again to Dublin to write, visit friends, sit with the ghosts of literary greats, and meet some of the world's best contemporary poets and authors. 

Leilani is the author of the book, Sacred Journaling: Ten Ways to Use the Power of Words to Craft Your Ideal Life and holds a Bachelors with a double major in English and journalism, a Masters in literature, and a Masters in educational leadership. Her work has appeared in English Journal, Perceptions, Wanderlust: A Travel Journal, Perceptions, The Westchester Review, Alabama English,  She Speaks, The Raven's Perch, and other publications. 

She is also a career educator with more than 30 years of experience, taking writers at all levels to the next stage, and she is the founder of Write Now, a meetup circle in Dallas, Texas with more than 4,000 members. 

You, however, will be one of only eight writers/travelers, meeting in interesting locations for four writing seminars filled with  lively conversations, techniques, and writing prompts.

Leilani successfully coaches and edits professional writers, but she is also gentle and encouraging to beginners.  You will find yourself writing more and getting better each day! 

Come to Dublin. Settle into a charming hotel, and release your mind.

What is included? 

SAMPLE THE WORK OF IRISH WRITERS TO INSPIRE YOUR OWN

Engage in four low-pressure but high-inspiration writing seminars, drawing inspiration from Irish poets and authors spanning the 19th century to the present day.

CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN IRELAND!

Opt to extend your trip two more nights and stay over for the famous St. Patrick's Day Parade. Don your green and join locals as well as visitors from around the world as Dublin pays homage to the man who "drove the snakes from Ireland." On Sunday, attend an optional mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral or enjoy a leisurely morning writing in St. Stephen's Green before joining the group for lunch followed by free time and then a writing seminar with a spiritual focus as we look into the lives of St. Patrick and St. Brigid for our writing inspiration. Sunday you have the opportunity to participate in a special workshop

EXPERIENCE DUBLIN'S UNIQUE CULINARY LANDSCAPE.

Enjoy Dublin's vibrant and ever-evolving food scene! You'll sample hearty stew and brown soda bread with "real" Irish butter at one of the oldest pubs in Ireland. You'll dine on chef-prepared gourmet meals as beautiful as they are delicious. And, you'll experience Irish comfort food like Shephard's Pie or Irish Salmon. Most lunches and dinners are included with your fees, and you always get to select what you want from our featured restaurant's menu!

WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF LITERARY GIANTS.

Have your picture taken with the statue of James Joyce near the Dublin Writers' Museum, or the Oscar Wilde sculpture in Merrion Square. Samuel Beckett, W.B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Jonathan Swift, Lady Gregory, and Seamus Heaney also haunt the pubs and pathways around Dublin. Look for works by Brendan Behan, Eavan Boland, or Patrick Kavanagh in one of the 30 or more independent or chain bookstores in Dublin -- such as the notable Hodges Figgis, the oldest functioning bookshop established in 1768, and Chapters Bookstore, which is the largest independent bookshop in Ireland​.

ENJOY TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC AND DANCE.

You will love hearing Irish stories, seeing Irish dance performed, and sitting in on traditional Irish music "seisiúns." Depending on offerings during our week in Dublin, you might also see a theatre production at Dublin's famous Abbey Theatre or enjoy a music or pub tour in the Temple Bar district.

EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE EMERALD ISLE.

Whether you visit St. Stephen's Green, Phoenix Park, or Merrion Square, you can relax, rejuvenate, and write amid beautiful surroundings. We'll also take a train to visit the James Joyce Museum, where you can dip your toes into a bit of the "Wild Irish Sea."

Testimonials

 

"The course beautifully blends exploratory writing with inspirational Irish cultural experiences. No matter what type of writing you do or how advanced you are in your writing practice, "Writing from Your Roots" is like a meditation, where you get to slow down, refresh yourself, and reconnect with your muse."

Kate Mele
Poet, Novelist, Writing Professor
 

"I loved that we explored Dublin and were immersed in the culture and history, and Leilani had done a super job of preparing readings and writing assignments. [My favorite activities were] the evenings with traditional music, dancing, and story telling. They gave me a feeling for the way history has shaped today's life in Dublin."

Roxanne Dunn
Mystery Writer
 

"The emphasis on literary Dublin stuck with me, that as writers in this course we were participating in a significant Irish tradition. I loved writing in Dublin where being a writer is a respected enterprise. My favorite class activity was writing our family story, Irish or otherwise."

2022 DWA Participant
 

". . . Leilani's love of travel is infectious! She is responsible for opening my eyes to how different and beautiful other countries and cultures are. She taught me how to be a good traveler, respect local culture, and take it all in. I think back on that trip every time I travel, which is often, thankfully! The wanderlust is contagious! Hope we can travel together again one of these days!"

Christa Wininger
Attorney
 

"I've had the honor of traveling with Leilani on two separate occasions. Not only does she possess massive knowledge of geography, she's a master of her craft when it comes to writing. Traveling to other countries is always a fun and fascinating adventure. I look forward to our next travels together!"

Caleb Woods
Poet and Author of "Harnessing Darkness"
 

"Before we left and while we were there, Leilani took great steps to make sure the places we were seeing, the history we were learning, and the stories we were told would come alive then—and in the future when we retold them to others. She has a knack for planning creative travel opportunities, but her gift for combining it with learning and cultivating experiences exceeds all."

Kimberly Holland
Southern Living Magazine
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the $2,997 fee?

Your $2,997 fee covers four writing seminars and materials; a three-course welcome dinner and show; two other fabulous dinners; one vintage tea tour; three pub lunches in one of Dublin's famous, ancient locations--known for their food as well as their history; a dinner tour on the River Liffey when available; and a farewell dinner at one of Dublin's most popular restaurants. Every evening, you are also invited to indulge in a complementary night-cap and journal-writing session. Prior to departure, you'll also receive a welcome package with a few surprises that will make your trip go smoothly--including not a bag of gold, but a small bag of euros, so you can get adjusted to the look and feel of "Irish money." 

I don't have Irish ancestry. Is this tour for me, too?

Absolutely! No matter where your roots lie, you will be able to use your memories, family history, and what you learn at EPIC--the Irish Emigration Museum--to create writing that honors, celebrates, or laments your background and ancestry. Your individual experiences with nationality, ethnicity, race, religious background, ancestry, and families of origin will contribute to the poems, journal entries, stories, or short chapters you choose to create during our week together. All are welcome! 

I'm not a "real" writer. Is this tour for me?

The short answer is "YES!" Our tours have included all levels of writers--from those who claim "I haven't picked up a pen since high school!" to journal keepers to published novelists and poets. Our seminars and writing prompts pull the stories and memories out of you, so no one is ever left thinking, "I don't know what to write." Our activities meet you where you are in your writing journey and help you get to a new level in your skills. All are welcome!

Is this a religious tour?

Religion, obviously, plays a huge role in Dublin's history and in present-day life. Participants can choose to participate in our optional Sunday schedule following the "Writing from Your Roots" tour which does have a Christian focus--Irish Saints, Patrick and Brigid. Other sessions will focus on the magic and mystery of the people and experiences that helped form the you that you are today. 

What is not included in the fee?

...airline tickets, housing/hotel, incidentals, land transportation, and free-day meals and activities. You may select flights, hotels, and meals and snacks during your free day that fit your budget. It is convenient for you but not required that you stay in the workshop hotel. Several of our favorite options can be found in the "housing" section of this website. 

What are my options for payment?

Save your place with a $500 deposit. You can make payments of any amount, using our payment link, or send checks to our address. All fees should be paid in full 60 days prior to the first date of the workshop. 

How do I register?

Click here to fill out the easy registration form, and then click here to pay your $500 deposit or mail it to the address on the registration form. If you have questions, text or call us at 214-620-7275 or email us through Leilani@WritingAdventures.com 

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A Few of Dublin's Many Hotel Options

The Green

Opt for Contemporary Convenience

The Green claims the title of "most central Dublin hotel," and it is adjacent to lovely St. Stephen's Green--Dublin's 400+ year old park. It is walking distance from most attractions and tons of restaurants and pubs, and it is the location of some of our writing seminars. a contemporary boutique stay right in the heart of Dublin City. All of our hotels near St. Stephen's Green park are also quite close to the Dart, which makes getting around Dublin easy.

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Staunton's on the Green

Experience Charm

Staunton's is a sentimental favorite of mine as the official hotel for our first two Dublin Writing Adventures. It is charming, cozy, and located just across the street from St. Stephen's Green and on the same side of the road as The Green Hotel. Both are quite close to the Dart, which makes getting around Dubin easy. While there, don't miss their art collection, including paintings by W.B. Yeats' brother, Jack; lovely outside garden; yummy breakfast options.

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The Shelbourne

Indulge in Luxury

For two centuries, the seemingly effortless elegance and simply superior service of the best 5-star hotel in Dublin, has placed The Shelbourne Hotel at the centre of life, love and incomparable celebrations in the heart of this cherished city. It is just the ticket if you are looking for a bit of luxury, and it, too, is conveniently located within feet of St. Stephen's Green.

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O'Donoghue's

Stay Above a Pub

If you are looking for an experience that doesn't get more Irish, you can even stay in a historic pub, like O'Donoghue's nearby to St. Stephen's. For more options throughout Dublin--many at lower prices than these choices, go to WritingAdventures.com and click on the social media icon in the column on the left; then click the airplane! Search to your heart's content!

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