The Lodge on Cates Hill
The majority of retreats offered by Rivendell itself will be held at this site. Additionally groups and individuals are able to book their own retreats.
All who are on retreat are invited into the rhythm of Rivendell prayer life, at 8 am and 5 pm, as well as to enter into the spirit of the peaceful ambience.
The Lodge has the capacity to accommodate group retreats of up to 29 people as well as those seeking individual retreats.
The main floor has a prayer room, large meeting room, well equipped kitchen, lounge and dining room with a large two-sided stone fireplace. The lower floor has a spacious room that can be used for art activities as well as a small meeting room for one-on-one sessions.
The second floor has 10 rooms with tubs and/or showers: 4 with queen size beds and 6 with twin beds, 2 with wheelchair access. There is also a library that is available for all to borrow books while on retreat. The third floor includes 2 twin bedrooms with showers and 5 single rooms with tubs and/or showers. A small “nook” kitchen on the third floor is available for individual retreatants to use as well as a lounge with a fireplace.
Bed linen and towels are provided in all the rooms. The kitchens have fridges and cupboard space for food storage as well as all necessary dishes and cookware.
Wi-fi is available throughout most of the lodge, although while on retreat we encourage all to enjoy the privilege of disconnecting from all that distracts us from the focus of retreat.
Rivendell, as a living sanctuary, is a welcoming ecological facility where guests are invited to be custodians of their own living spaces and common areas, cooperating in the practices of recycling and conservation of energy as well as following general guidelines for community living and cleaning.
The Sanctuary, located between the Lodge and the Cottage on Cates Hill, is the gathering place for our regular times of prayer at 8 am and 5 pm, and a peaceful space available for meditation and prayer throughout the day.
A labryinth is near the bottom of the driveway behind Tir-na-nog Theatre School. There are several trails around Cates hill and elsewhere on the island. Information and maps are available.
Cates Hill is a short drive from Snug Cove but it is uphill. Walking will take about 25 minutes for a person of average level of fitness. There is a bus that can take you to Artisan square which leaves you with about a 10 minute walk uphill. At the bottom of Village Drive is a lift stop where you can wait and very likely an islander will be happy to drive you up the hill.
Before you come on retreat, please review our guidelines.