Go West Songwriting Retreat is an intimate, artist-led songwriting retreat based in Donegal, created for songwriters seeking time, space, and support to reconnect with their creative voice…

Location - Corcreggan Mill, Dunfanaghy, Do.Donegal

Date 20th, 21rst and 22nd November

19th, 20th and 21rst March 

October 1rst, 2nd and 3rd 

Now Taking Applications 

Go West Songwriting Retreat – Donegal

Where songs meet the Atlantic

Corcreggan Mill, Donegal
Dates: May 2026

About the Retreat

Go West Songwriting Retreat is an intimate, artist-led songwriting retreat based in Donegal, created for songwriters seeking time, space, and support to reconnect with their creative voice.

Set in the wild Atlantic landscape at Corcreggan Mill, the retreat offers a carefully held environment where songs can emerge through deep listening, reflection, and connection to place. Facilitated by Maria McCormack and supported by Over the West Online Radio, Go West is fully catered by The Donegal Chef and prioritises process over pressure, community over competition, and artistic integrity over commercial outcomes.

What You’ll Experience

Guided songwriting sessions and creative prompts

Time for solo writing, walking, and reflection

Supportive group sharing (no critique, no pressure)

Evenings of listening, conversation, and optional song sharing

Nourishing, locally catered meals throughout the retreat

This is not about finishing songs on demand. It’s about creating the conditions where meaningful work can begin — or quietly unfold.

Who It’s For

Go West is for songwriters at any stage who want to slow down, listen deeply, and write from a place of honesty and connection.

It’s for:

Songwriters feeling creatively stuck or burnt out

Artists returning to songwriting after time away

Writers drawn to story-led, lyrical, acoustic, or folk-rooted music

Those seeking depth rather than direction

You don’t need to be signed, released, or industry-facing — just genuinely engaged with songwriting.

Who It’s Not For

This retreat may not be the right fit if you’re looking for:

A commercial songwriting camp or pitching opportunity

Co-writing for briefs or chart-focused outcomes

Masterclasses, critique sessions, or competitive feedback

A fast-paced, tightly structured programme

Go West is intentionally slow, spacious, and process-led.

The Setting

Corcreggan Mill offers a quiet, welcoming retreat environment in the Donegal countryside. Surrounded by open land, sky, and Atlantic air, the setting becomes part of the creative process — a place to walk, listen, and let ideas settle.

Accommodation and shared spaces are on site, allowing participants to fully step away from everyday demands and stay immersed in the retreat experience.

Facilitation & Care

The retreat is facilitated by Maria McCormack, songwriter, broadcaster, and founder of Over the West Online Radio. Maria’s approach is grounded in trust, emotional intelligence, and lived creative experience, creating an environment where participants feel supported to take artistic risks and explore their work honestly. 

About Maria 

Maria is a singer/ songwriter and music facilitator from Co. Donegal who creates welcoming, supportive songwriting spaces rooted in connection rather than perfection. Her work is guided by the belief that songwriting is for everyone — not just the experienced or confident.

A released recording artist with two critically acclaimed albums and extensive national and international radio airplay, Maria brings a strong professional understanding of songcraft alongside a gentle, person-centred approach. She has many years’ experience facilitating songwriting across community, education and care settings.

Go West Songwriting Camp is designed to be joyful, creative and grounding — offering participants the space, tools and encouragement to deepen their songwriting, trust their voice and reconnect with what brought them to music in the first place.

All meals are fully catered by The Donegal Chef, using a full commercial kitchen on site, with an emphasis on nourishing, good-quality food.

Practical Details

Group size: 25 participants

Date : 2nd, 3rd and 4th October / 20th ,21rst and 22nd November

Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights

Location: Corcreggan Mill, Donegal

Accommodation: On site

Food: Fully catered

Cost: €375 per person sharing, including all meals and accommodation

           €455 non sharing including all meals and accommodation

If you’re unsure whether Go West is right for you, you’re very welcome to get in touch with any questions.

Come west.

Slow down.

Let the songs arrive.

What’s Included

Songwriting Workshops
Guided workshops focused on song craft, creativity and honest writing, with space for discussion, exploration and practical tools you can bring home.

Group Songwriting Sessions
Collaborative and supported writing time in a small group setting, designed to encourage new ideas, confidence and creative momentum.

One-to-One Feedback
Individual feedback sessions offering thoughtful, constructive insight into your songs, tailored to where you are in your writing journey.

Evening Listening & Sharing
Optional evening sessions for listening, sharing works-in-progress and informal performance, held in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.

Accommodation at Corcreggan Mill
Two nights’ shared accommodation at Corcreggan Mill, a peaceful retreat centre in the Donegal countryside. Bedrooms are shared (2–3 people per room), with shared bathrooms and generous communal spaces for writing, rest and connection. 

All Meals Included
All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch are included. Expect nourishing, home-style food prepared on site, with generous vegetarian and vegan options at every meal, plus tea, coffee and juices throughout the day.

Everything is taken care of — allowing you to arrive, settle in, and focus fully on your writing.

Come west. Slow down. Let the songs arrive.