The perfect retreat

THERE were at least nine retreat houses in Ardmore, Co Waterford at one stage - the Brothers and Sisters of various orders of the Catholic church made their way every summer to the village founded by St Declan.

And while the pilgrimage was no doubt devout, there was also the chance for a bracing dip in Ardmore’s celebrated bay.

Today’s generation may only be familiar with head-to-toe dressing from coverage of the Middle East, but pre-Vatican 2, the chador was quite a familiar site in the classrooms, hospitals and convents of Ireland. And for that reason, going for a dip was a risky business with the brothers and sisters finding quiet coves and off-peak moments to embrace the power of God’s ocean. There are still a number of retreat houses in use in the West Waterford village, but the numbers have dwindled along with vocations.