Founder of Dzogchen Beara Buddhist retreat in West Cork dies following short illness

in 1973, Peter Cornish and his wife Harriet purchased the 150 acres of rugged farmland where the centre is now located

Peter Cornish at the Dzogchen Beara Buddhist retreat in West Cork. File Picture

Peter Cornish, the founder of the Dzogchen Beara Buddhist retreat in West Cork, has passed away following a short illness.

In 1973, Peter Cornish and his wife Harriet purchased the 150 acres of rugged farmland where the Buddhist retreat is now located.

After transforming a cluster of ruins close to the a clifftop on the site into a retreat centre, in 1992 the pair gifted the sire to a charitable trust, who continue to manage it.

Harriet passed away the following year, aged 44.

In the years since its establishment, the centre has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors from all around the world.

The Dzogchen Beara retreat centre in West Cork. Picture Denis Minihane

In 2006, the retreat became the first Buddhist centre in Ireland to host a Christian Mass.

in 2014, Peter Cornish published his memoir Dazzled by Daylight in which he discussed his early life, and how he and his wife formulated their dream for what the 150-acre site would become. 

In a statement on Sunday evening, the trustees and directors of Dzogchen Beara retreat said Peter Cornish had lived "a simple, happy life, deepening his spiritual practice and preparing for his own death."

"While profoundly sad for us all, this is also a moment to celebrate Peter’s life; a life truly well-lived, marked by vision, purpose, never-failing kindness and extraordinary accomplishments that will continue to bring benefit to the world for many generations to come," they said.

The board and trustees also said that a Tibetan Buddhist Temple would be opening Dzogchen Beara next year, as per Mr Cornish's wishes.

Peter Cornish is survived by his children Tara, Flora, and Tom, and by his grandchildren Pema, Lily, Lyla, Arlo, Jim, Fintan, and Nesta.

He will be reposing in the shrine room at Dzogchen Bears on Tuesday, October 31, from 4.30pm to 8pm, with a memorial service taking place at the retreat's Spiritual Care Centre the following day at 11am.