Poustinia

Glencomeragh House, the Rosminian House of Prayer, is located in a valley between the Comeragh Mountains and Slievenamon, just three miles from the village of Kilsheelan. The campus is bounded by a river to the south and mature woodland to the west. In 1990 the decision was taken to open up Glencomeragh House as a Retreat Centre and at the turn of the new millennium a decision was taken to explore the possibility of further development. In 2003 Architects Bates Maher were contracted to explore the concept and vision of selfcontained retreat units and out of this emerged the design proposal for four Poustinia. Poustinia is a Russian word for desert and it is used to designate a small cabin or room set aside for silence and prayer. In very old Russia it meant a place of quiet reflection separated from the 'noise' we deal with everyday. The time spent in a poustinia varies from one day to several weeks depending on the need of the poustinikki.

The Poustinia are located on the northern incline of the campus and are positioned close to existing plantings of mature broad-leaf trees, which form their entrance and terrace spaces. Each Poustinia is orientated to capture different views over the surrounding countryside and to give a variance in sun light as the day progresses. They are set into and over the hillside, which has been planted as a wild flower meadow with a variety in the mix that will create seasonal blooming. A circular path connects the Poustinia to the Main House and a network of paths and ponds that also lead to riverside and woodland walks.