Experience the ultimate wellness festival - 'Restival'
Mount Congreve Gardens’ unmissable annual health & wellbeing event returns for the May Bank Holiday weekend!
Set within the breathtaking beauty of one of the world’s great gardens, this rejuvenating retreat offers a sanctuary for the mind, body, and soul. Immerse yourself in a weekend of yoga, pilates, Qi Gong, Forest Bathing, and mindfulness, while enjoying inspirational wellness talks designed to uplift, educate, and empower you on your journey to better health and balance.
Immerse Yourself in Rest & Renewal
Find your perfect moment of zen with a carefully curated program of wellness activities, designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth:
Yoga in the Walled Gardens – Flow into relaxation in a serene, historic setting. [Sat & Sun | 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm | 30 minutes each]
Pilates on Maple Lawn – Strengthen and stretch under the open sky. [Sat & Sun | 9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm | 40 minutes each]
Qigong with Hellen Kang-Griffith – Awaken your energy with Qigong for inner balance. [Sat 10am, 11am | Sun 10am & 11am | 50 minutes each]
Forest Bathing with Dr. Mark Rowe – Embrace a Forest Bathing Experience with Dr. Mark Rowe, a medical doctor who focuses on wellbeing. [Saturday: 9.30am to 11.00am | Sunday: 9.30am to 11.00am & 11.30am to 1.00pm | Not suitable for those with reduced mobility | Spaces are limited]
Plus, experience a high-energy bodyweight movement class — suitable for all fitness levels — with Colman Power on Sunday, 3rd May at 12pm.
Prepare to be inspired by a powerhouse lineup of wellness experts, thought leaders, and visionaries!
This event is generously sponsored by Waterford City and County Council.
Saturday’s schedule includes:
9am: Resident Chef J.B. Dubois – ‘Healthy Mindful Eating’
Join resident Mount Congreve chef J.B. Dubois for an inspiring and immersive talk on Healthy Mindful Eating at this year’s Restival. A must-attend for food lovers, wellness seekers, and anyone looking to elevate their approach to eating with intention.
10am: Ross Wareham – ‘Finding Goodness in Your Garden’
Join Ross Wareham for a fun, interactive chat exploring “weeds” in your garden and their uses as food and medicine. Discover the hidden goodness growing all around you!
11am: Gillian O Gorman, The Burnout Coach – ‘Burn Bright, Not Out’
A powerful wellness talk set in the natural surroundings of the gardens. Blending practical tools, mindset shifts, and real-world insight, it encourages attendees to slow down, reconnect, and reset while supporting sustainable wellbeing.
12pm: Headline speaker: Dr. Mark Rowe – ‘Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For’
Join Dr. Mark Rowe – Medical Doctor, Author, Tedx Speaker, Expertise in Burnout Prevention & Lifestyle Medicine.
2pm: Gentle grounding meditation with Catherine O’Donohoe
A restful guided meditation inviting stillness, ease, and inner connection. Best enjoyed lying down, though seated practice is always welcome.
Sunday’s schedule includes:
9am: Laura Lacey from FOXFORD – ‘Sleep Hygiene & Choosing the Right Bedlinen’
Laura from FOXFORD shares practical tips to improve sleep quality through better habits and the right bedding. She covers essential sleep hygiene, from consistent routines to optimal sleep environments, and helps attendees choose bedlinen tailored to hot, cold, or mixed sleepers. You’ll leave with easy changes you can make for a more comfortable night’s sleep.
10.15am: Healthy & Mindful Sharing Brunch
Hosted at the charming Stables Café, this relaxed brunch experience celebrates fresh, seasonal produce—much of it grown within the estate’s own gardens and complemented by the very best of local Irish suppliers. Thoughtfully presented on sharing platters, each dish is designed to be enjoyed slowly, encouraging connection, conversation, and mindful eating. Advance booking essential. Book Now.
11am: April Brophy – ‘Reconnect Outdoors: The Benefits of Hiking for Overall Wellbeing’
April from Sliabh Hiking explores how spending time outdoors can boost wellbeing, build confidence, and foster connection. Drawing on her experience leading hikes, she highlights the physical, social, and mental benefits of nature.
12pm: Colman Power
Join Colman for a high-energy bodyweight movement class suitable for all fitness levels, designed to boost your mood and ignite your motivation!
1pm: Louise Ryan (Sunfleck) – ‘Repot and Reset’
Houseplants are more than décor — they connect you to your surroundings. This session explores plant care as a form of self-care, helping you slow down, practise mindfulness, and create a calm environment.
2 pm: Colman Power
Explore gut health and organic foods with Waterford native Colman, who will share how adding more organic foods to your diet can transform the way you look, feel, and boost your energy levels.
Restival – Healthy & Mindful Sharing Brunch
Sunday 3rd May | 10:15–11:00am
Step away from the energy of Restival and ease into your morning with a beautifully curated Healthy & Mindful Sharing Brunch, set within the tranquil surroundings of Mount Congreve Estate’s gardens.
Hosted at the charming Stables Café, this relaxed brunch experience celebrates fresh, seasonal produce—much of it grown within the estate’s own gardens and complemented by the very best of local Irish suppliers. Thoughtfully presented on sharing platters, each dish is designed to be enjoyed slowly, encouraging connection, conversation, and mindful eating.
Sip on refreshing Irish apple juice, freshly squeezed orange juice, or a perfectly brewed coffee as you settle into a warm, communal setting. Guests will be seated at shared tables, creating a welcoming and sociable atmosphere that reflects the true spirit of Restival.
With limited capacity of just 48 guests, this intimate experience offers a moment of nourishment and connection amidst a weekend of wellness.
PRICING: €25+Booking Fee – Includes Brunch, Juices & a hot beverage of choice.
CAPACITY: 48pax – Prebooking Essential
Advance booking essential due to capacity limits.
Workout in the Gardens!
Sunday 3rd May | 12pm
Waterford native Colman Power will lead an energising outdoor bodyweight class on Sunday 3rd May at 12pm. Open to all fitness levels, the session will focus on strengthening the legs, arms, and core, offering a practical routine you can take and repeat anywhere.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the gardens, participants will enjoy the benefits of outdoor training — fresh air, natural light, and a real connection with the environment.
After the workout, join Colman for a talk on gut health and the benefits of incorporating organic foods into your diet.
The Forest
A relaxing stay at Restival
