The retreat will offer a blend of listening, responding and immersion in the work of Cohen – work that stretched across almost seven decades and explored love, loss, death, spirituality, the human condition and the search for meaning.

The retreat coincides with the tenth anniversary of Leonard Cohen’s death and offers a wonderful opportunity to step away from the busy-ness of the world and to lose yourself in the wonderful words and music of a writer who was regarded as one of Canada’s finest poets and novelists – apart at all from his work as a songwriter.

How the Light Gets In retreat offers participants the opportunity to renew friendships with Leonard Cohen’s work or to make its acquaintance for the first time. Daily workshops will explore Cohen’s written and sung work, focusing on the themes of love, sex, spirituality, human relationships and death.

Evening discussions will offer the opportunity to explore and respond to the issues raised during the day’s workshops.

Apart from the beauty of the setting and the landscape of Mulranny, participants will be offered a deep and personal insight into the work of one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century. They will explore Cohen’s early life; his work as a poet and novelist; his struggles with drugs, alcohol and depression, his love for the Greek island of Hydra and his return to touring in the face of the embezzlement of $7 million from his savings.

Cohen’s work is filled with joy, laughter (not always recognised), truth, doubt, personal battles and a sense of spiritual exploration that took him through a number of religious experiences, including seven years as a Buddhist monk.

All of these experiences are reflected in his work and all are available to the listener/reader of that body of creativity. The retreat offers an opportunity to explore these works, led by Cohen’s long-time friend and fellow-writer John MacKenna. The combination of place, music, words and the emotional power of Leonard Cohen’s work offers the opportunity to see the world in a new and rewarding way.

The workshops will offer the information and the emotion. The discussions will offer the opportunity for participants to reflect on and respond to what the work and life of Leonard Cohen mean to them.

Arrival: 4th November 2026 (Welcome Dinner)

Departure: 9th November 2026 (4:30pm)

Five full days of workshops with two workshops daily

Listening sessions and evening discussions

Exploration of Cohen’s poetry, novels and music

Themed sessions on spirituality, relationships, creativity and artistic expression

Free time to walk the shoreline of Mulranny Beach, wander the Great Western Greenway, or lose yourself in the peaceful coastal and woodland walks that surround Mulranny Village.

Special Evening Performance in The Oratory
Participants will attend a special performance in the Mulranny Arts Oratory on 7th November 2026 at 8pm - Absent Friend, A celebration of Leonard Cohen's Life and work in words and music with Shane Sullivan and John MacKenna. A limited number of additional seats will be available to the public for this performance.