Betsy Caney (Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA):

I didn't think I was qualified to come! No canvas or manuscript in process, my life is really the project I was working on when I visited — reclaiming it, making my way back from Doing to Being, reconnecting with my values. The trip to Ireland was my first vacation in a long time and I had no expectations. I guess that's when an experience can sometimes be the most profound.

I had read a tiny bit about Anam Cara and just had an intuition that I needed to go there. And when I arrived, it felt like Home. Inspiration, comfort, safety, welcome, nurturing warmth. The setting is inspiring, the place emanates healing and life force. And I was deeply moved by how you [Sue] brought your vision and intention to a reality —it's a gift to yourself and to others. You are a good model at this time in my life!

And so, with lasting memories, poetic images, strong brush strokes and musical motifs from my stay at Anam Cara, my own work of art continues.

Coming to Anam Cara was my way of marking a major shift in my life, having had a tough year that had brought me to the decision to leave teaching and follow my bliss — a mixture of songwriting, singing, storytelling and writing. I deliberately booked my time to span the date when my colleagues would be returning to work ... and gave myself permission to relax.

It turned out to be the best present I could have given myself. As soon as I arrived and met Sue, I knew it would be a good experience, but as the days went past it became better and better. Such a sense of coming home, when I explored Beara, such a feeling of belonging, such a feeling of the land reaching out to embrace me.

Anam Cara is a quiet refuge — a place of beauty and strength!