Yearly Cycle
Our schedule of events follows the traditional Gaelic calendar. We have Zazen days on the Solstices and Equinoxes and Sesshins on the traditional Gaelic festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lúnasa. Below is a visual depiction of our yearly cycle:
Upcoming Events
Dawn sitting at Earth+Sky, Monday, Sept. 14th through Thursday, Sept. 17th
13 Sep 2026This week’s dawn sitting at Earth+Sky will be from 6:00am until 6:40am followed by the Morning Ceremony; online and in person, Monday, Sept.14th through Thursday, Sept. 17th.
Zoom Meeting ID: 835 5345 4120
Passcode: watermoon
Autumnal Equinox Zazen Day September 20
02 Sep 2026The Zazen day is an opportunity for the practice of equilibrium and balance, both physical and mental. It will be a day of sitting meditation, walking meditation, and some samu/meitheal around the preparation and serving of breakfast and lunch. There will be a dharma talk and discussion. All are welcome. Participants may come for part of the day, if the full day is not feasible for you. The suggested donation is €35, but no one should stay for lack of funds. Please register by email before Sept. 15th.
Autumnal Equinox Zazen Day - Sunday, Sept. 20th
01 Sep 2026Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox, the Zazen Day will begin at 6:30am at Earth+Sky Zen Dublin Dojo, and will end at 6:30pm. It is a time to practice equilibrium and balance, in all the aspects of our lives including our sitting practice and walking meditation. Participants may join for some of the day if the early start is not possible. Just let us know in advance by email. The suggested donation is €35.
Autumn Schedule at Earth+Sky Zen begins on Sunday September 6th
30 Aug 2026We will open for Sunday evening zazen on September 6th at 6:15pm. There will be a introduction for newcomers at 5:30pm.
The times for evening zazen on Wednesdays and Sundays remains the same, at 6:15pm, morning zazen will now be a dawn sitting, and the times will change as the year progresses towards Winter Solstice.
The in-person dawn sitting from Sept. 7th to Sept. 11th will be from 6am - 6:40am followed by the morning ceremony, which will also be offered online: Meeting ID 835 5345 4120 Passcode watermoon
No morning zazen on Wednesday, Sept 9th that week.
Zhineng Qigong at Earth+Sky Zen Dublin Dojo
29 Aug 2026We are offering a six-week course in Zhineng Qigong at the Dublin Dojo on Sundays from Sept. 27th to Nov. 1st, after evening zazen, 7pm - 8:15pm.
Qi gong (pronounced ‘chee gong’) is an ancient Chinese practice which helps to develop and balance the life energy (qi). Practiced regularly, it makes joints more supple, strengthens the muscles, improves balance and coordination and calms the mind. It is a suitable complimentary practice to zazen - sitting meditation -.
In this introductory course, you will learn the first Zhineng form which is called ‘Lift Qi Up Pour Qi Down’. It is a moving meditation which will enhance the flow of qi into and throughout the body. You will also learn some simple but powerful movements designed to clear energy blockages, la qi (how to open and close your energy), and a standing meditation.
The course will be led by Brian Lynch, who completed teacher training in 2019 with Master Zhu Cong Hua. He has been practicing Zhineng Qigong since 2014 and has trained with several Chinese teachers. Brian has also trained in Aikido, Tai Chi and Zen Meditation and these disciplines have influenced his approach to qi gong.
Cost for 6 classes: €72.
Please register by sending us an email before Sept. 20th
Summer Arrangements at Earth+Sky Zen
21 Jul 2026Thursday morning zazen at 7:30am on July 23rd will be the last zazen at Earth+Sky before the Lúnasa Sesshin on the Aran Islands. We will then close for the month of August opening again on the first Sunday in September for evening zazen at 6:15pm.
Lúnasa Sesshin 2026 on the Aran Islands 25/07 - 01/08
12 Jun 2026We will return to Inis Mór this year for our Lúnasa Sesshin in the last week of July, ending on Lá Lúnasa.
Please contact us by email for more information.
Arrive July 25th - Depart August 1st
Cost: €375
Registration before June 30th and deposit of €150
YAZA - all night sitting on Mid-summer's Eve
01 Jun 2026The Mid-summer YAZA on the Summer Solstice will be offered as an in-person event at the Dublin Dojo, 1 Upr. Gardiner St. It will also be offered online on Saturday, 8pm – 11:30pm and on Sunday 4:30am to 6:30am. This is a free event and donations are gratefully accepted. Contact: zen.in.ireland\@gmail.com for more information and zoom link.
East Asian Calligraphy Workshop with Yingge Xu
16 Apr 2026Join us for a meditative one-day Calligraphy Workshop with Xingge Xu on Saturday May 23rd, from 10:00 am to 4:30pm. For more information and to register, see https://www.artofthebrush.ie/event-details-registration/east-asian-calligraphy-workshop-shodo-the-awakening-heart
Bealtaine Sesshin - May Bank Holiday Weekend
16 Apr 2026“One hundred million years ago, flowers appeared, and the full beauty of the Earth began to manifest itself” Thomas Berry
May is the month of flowers in this part of the world. Join us for the Bealtaine sesshin, at Earth+Sky Zen. This is a non-residential sesshin at the Dublin Dojo. Poster and Programme here.
Morning Zazen at 7:00 am from April 7th
02 Apr 2026In-person zazen will resume again from Tuesday April 7th, at 7:00 am. The summer timing will be as follows: 7am zazen, 7:25 kinhin, 7:30am second zazen, 8:10am Han+ceremony.
It´s possible to join us for the second zazen, if you cannot make the earlier time. Ring the doorbell between 7:25am and 7:30am (only).
Easter Arrangements at Earth+Sky Zen, Dublin Dojo
24 Mar 2026Morning Zazen on Wednesday, 25th and Thursday 26th March, and Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st March will be online only. Next Wednesday and Sunday evenings are in person only at the dojo.
The dojo will close for the Easter break after morning zazen on Tuesday 31st March and open for zazen (online and in person) on Tuesday, April 7th.
Enjoy the Easter holidays!
In Search of the Middle Way - Zazen Day March 22nd
02 Mar 2026The Earth shows us an example of equilibrium, equality, and balance at Equinox, when all places on the planet have equal day and night whatever the latitude.
Join us on the Vernal Equinox, Sunday March 22nd for a Zazen Day, when we will bring equilibrium and balance to the body-mind. 11am - 5:30pm. Poster and timetable here.
Slight Change to Morning Zazen Schedule this week
23 Jan 2026Morning Zazen at Earth+Sky on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday Jan. 26th - 28th will be online only. Back to regular schedule on Thursday morning.
First Sesshin of the New Year! Imbolc, St. Brigid's Day Weekend
10 Jan 2026Practicing with the first days of early Spring, our Imbolc Sesshin will begin on Saturday, January 31st and end on the bank holiday Monday, February 2nd. The sesshin will take place at Earth+Sky Zen Dublin Dojo, 1 Upper Gardiner St. A small number of residential places are available. Non-residential participants, staying nearby, are welcome. Send us an email if you would like to join!
Winter Solstice Zazen Day Sunday, December 21st
03 Dec 2025Join us at Earth+Sky on the shortest day of the year to sit zazen together. The day will end with a Christmas celebration and some music.
Stillness at Samhain Sesshin at Earth+Sky Zen Dublin Dojo - Friday Oct. 31st to Sunday November 2nd
29 Sep 2025The ancient festival of Samhain from which our contemporary Hallowe’en comes, occurred during the period from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st. It marked the beginning of winter and the transition to a new year.
At Earth+Sky we will mark the occasion with a sesshin, beginning on Friday evening with zazen at 7:30pm and ending after lunch on Sunday. See poster and timetable here.
Send us an email if you would like to join: zen.in.ireland@gmail.com
Autumnal Equinox Zazen Day Sunday, September 21st
05 Sep 2025On Sunday, September 21st, to mark the Autumnal Equinox we will have a Zazen Day at Earth+Sky Zen, Dublin Dojo. We’ll start the day with zazen at 7:30am and finish with the normal Sunday evening sitting. Poster and timetable attached.
Earth+Sky Zen at Dublin Dojo re-opening after the summer break, Sunday August 31st
24 Aug 2025On Sunday evening, August 31st we will re-open the dojo for our regular practice schedule. Morning zazen will return to the 7am schedule, Monday through Thursday. Our evening zazen will be at 6:15pm as before on Wednesdays and Sundays. Beginners / newcomers introduction will be on Sunday evenings at 5:30pm.
Zen Retreat at Lúnasa on beautiful Clare Island, 26/07 to 02/08/2025
16 Jun 2025Join us on Clare Island for the summer sesshin hosted by Earth+Sky Zen on beautiful Clare Island. This is a week-long opportunity for zen practice in a peaceful environment. Activities include, zazen (silent meditation) kinhin (walking meditation) outdoors weather permitting, practicing with food preparation, cooking, mindful eating. There will be dharma talks and workshops helping us to engage with the fundamental aspects of practice, such as breathing and posture, chanting and ceremony, sutra study and more.
Please email zen.in.ireland@gmail.com if you want to register.