Tinteán na hÉireann

The house of my heart is open to all

Jesus to Marthe Robin

Tinteán na hÉireann

The Foyer of Charity existed in Ireland for nearly 20 years (until 2025) but it has now developed to become Tinteán na hÉireann. It still remains closely linked ( like the relationship of cousins) to the Foyer in Chateauneuf de Galaure, France. Like the Foyers of Charity, Tinteán na hÉireann is a family of people gathered around a priest who is the “father of the family” . They share a simple and fraternal life. They have chosen to commit their lives to evangelising others through their work, prayer, and hospitality. The Lord wanted the closest possible collaboration between the ordained priest and the priesthood of the laity for the evangelisation of the church and the world. For the lay members it is a call to lay consecrated life. It is a place of prayer and hospitality ( Our Lord to Marthe Robin “the house of My Heart is open to all”), and each member strives to answer the call to holiness through their prayer, witness, welcome, work. The essential work of the Tinteán na hÉireann is to continue the work of preaching the 5 day silent fundamental retreat ( teachings on the fundamentals of the Catholic faith). Furthermore, we strive to be true to all that is authentic and beautiful in our Irish/Gaelic spirituality, which includes the call to holiness and love of learning.

They welcome those who find a need for peace and truth, and who seek these in the living God and in his love. Through week-long retreats, they seek to give men and women today an opportunity similar to that of those who first heard the Gospel in Galilee: to get away for a time, to focus on Jesus and His word, and to return to the concerns of life enlightened and enriched by Him.

Our Origins

What people say about the Fundamental Retreat

Billy from Dublin

I did a five-day silent retreat with the Foyers of Charity. I can honestly say it was the best retreat I have ever done. I badly needed a retreat as I work in very stressful environment with the homeless and I needed time out with the Lord to revive my spirit. I love the format of the retreat. We start with the Morning Prayer of the Church, and prayers to Our Lady.

After breakfast we have the powerhouse of the Mass very reverently said. Then comes the first of three talks which open the heart to our Lord’s Wisdom. You have time to meditate in silence without distractions, and rest if required after dinner. The foyers team are there if we need them.

The presence of God is very palpable in the silence and I received so many graces from the Lord. I felt totally rejuvenated after completion of the retreat and so grateful for graces received. I get so much more from Mass now and would recommend this to anyone who wants to grow in spiritual life. God bless the Foyer Family for touching so many souls in these retreats.

Donna from Derry

What I also loved about the retreat were the teachings. Hosea tells us that God’s people perish for lack of knowledge, and on the retreat, it was completely sound catholic doctrine that was being taught. Father used invite us each day to enter into the silence of the Womb of Mary

The silence is where the greatest graces take place. The word of God says “Be still and know that I am God” : so to have that silence and to be in that silence, you are tuned to hearing God speak to you.

I always come away from the retreats with little nuggets, golden nuggets – and sometimes I have found that it is not during the week of the retreat, but maybe two months later where a memory will come into my head from the retreat and would really speak to me at that time.

I really really encourage anyone to take part in the Retreat, to come, “Taste and See”.

Gerry from Meath

I first encountered the Foyers of Charity at the Divine Mercy Conference in 2012. I was going through a difficult period in my life and a week’s silent retreat seemed just what I was looking for. It did not disappoint. The retreat proved to be an ideal opportunity to take stock, experience the peace of a prayerful silence, meet wonderful genuine people, and benefit from Fr. Kilian’s wisdom and absolutely authentic teaching both in relation to Marthe Robin and Catholic doctrine in general.

I can truly say it has been a tremendous blessing in my life and this year I will enter “double digits” of retreats.

I have no doubt that Foyer retreats can be of benefit no matter what stage of life one is in, and I highly recommend them.

Mary from Donegal

The fundamental retreat is excellent. Fr Kilian explains everything so well. His delivery is not just informative and truthful but he has an excellent sense of humour and he is totally engaging. The Holy Spirit is very present!! Our faith life and our life in general makes so much sense when you hear these talks. It really is a fundamental retreat to do!! It helps so much when you can see the whole plan of God and how each of us fits into that plan. I have done a lot of retreats and this is by far one of the very best retreats I have ever done. I have recommended it to many friends. The silence is a great help to allow you to ponder what you have heard in the talks but more so to allow you to hear God. Also the silence is not scary because you are surrounded by the warmth and prayer of the other people in the group. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone whether you are beginning to learn about the Catholic faith or whether you have been to many retreats already.

Tinteán na hÉireann retreats

The retreats try to reply to the great questions which face men and women: the meaning of human love, of work, of suffering and of death. It looks at these in the light of scripture and the teaching of the Church, especially Vatican II.

The retreats are 5-day silent retreats. The length of the retreats and the quality of the silence are important for an increasing freedom of mind and joy in the Spirit of God.

As in the first Christian communities, all are welcomed at the same time – men and women, single and married, young and old, religious and lay, baptised or not.

See all upcoming retreats