Latest News

Note! Receive our Newsletter automatically in your mailbox! Just register yourself at our webshop and you will periodically have our news sent to you, click here...

Latest update: 08/11/2007 by Lorrie and Eugene

What an extraordinary month October turned out to be.

One  early morning during the month the renowned sound healer Tom Kenyon and his beautiful wife Judy paid the Sanctuary a visit.

What a privilege it was to spend time in their company. And when Tom was moved to suggest singing with the angels in the sanctuary, it was to become a most moving and unforgettable experience. Working with the crystal singing bowl, symbols and voice the sanctuary and dare I say mountain filled with the sound of the angels communing with each other, the angels of the earth with the celestial angels. We do not have the words in our simple language to express the experience this brought to us and are filled with gratitude to Tom and Judy for allowing us be part of it.

Soon after while Lorrie's aunt and uncle were on a visit we were met with sight of a tall thin looking man with rucksack on back treading towards one warm autumn afternoon. As he approached we were filled with wonder as we recognized the monk from Roundwood - Victor. Our dear friend was to become our first pilgrim. Victor had set out from St. James gate ( thats where we make Guinness back in Dublin - a holy place for the Irish), and walked to the ferry port of Rosslare in Wexford. He arrived on French soil at Roscoff and continued his journey stopping at Mount Saint Michel  and continuing to  Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Por ( where the year before he had started his Camino walk to Campostilla in Northern Spain). Instead as most pilgrims do of completing his pilgrimage here, Victor continued and after several weeks of dry sunshine arrived to be welcomed by the first rains in Lourdes. He also made the walk to  Betheram a village 48k away. He had managed to walk 1.342 kilometers by this stage and with a schedule beckoning him to India, he was forced for the first time to experience the French rail system as he completed the journey from Lourdes to Carcassonne and Limoux where he walked the remaining 16 kilometers to the Angel Art Sanctuary. Victor presented us with his ruck sack and pilgrims shell and we spent two wonderful days in his company. What an extraordinary few days. Victor, you have been so many things to us, a friend, a challenge, a guide, an encouragement, we thank you. We do so hope you complete your book.

One Sunday afternoon during the month we were gladdened by the sight of many of our local people from the village of Alet making the mountain journey to visit and are moved by their welcome and support of the sanctuary.

And then when we thought the month was coming to a quiet close the phone rang one Thursday morning after that amazing full moon. A man on the other end of the line asked Lorrie if he could bring his group who were staying in Carcassonne to visit us as he had heard such wonderful things about the Sanctuary. Of course Lorrie said and then he said his group were 105 people on two buses. So Lorrie broke the news to me and s happens the mind races. But coaches wont make it up the road - what are we to do?Then there is that inspiration again and I recalled two idle mini buses over the winter in the village. So I contacted the manager and he was delighted to help. After that they worked all afternoon bringing the group to and from the village. Lorrie spoke to five groups and the day was a resounding success, with so many miracles happening that I will leave the telling for another time. It was such a joy to see so many smiling faces from all over the world and to have such a sacred experience with so many. special thanks to Patricia who had been with us earlier in August and Raj for making the call and to everyone of those who chose to make the journey up our mountain and for all the emails we have subsequently received.

And finally Lorrie has almost finished a very beautiful book of angels, messages and prayers, which we hope will be ready for December.

Latest update: 29/09/2007 by Lorrie and Eugene

Well the summer came to a close and although the high season of tourist visitors has gone very many good people have passed this way from Holland and Germany, Denmark, England, Australia, New Zealand, France the United States and our homeland of Ireland.

It is wonderful how many people are understanding the sacredness and holiness of the Sanctuary. People have been so encouraging in their words and this gives us the inner strength to continue creating this piece of heaven. We have made many new friends, each offering their support and spreading the word back to their home lands of this magical place in the South of France. Finbarr Ross brought his American group by on Sunday last and it was a pleasure to be invited to join them for dinner at the local Léveche hotel. The food and company were a delight. We want to wish Finbarr the best of luck with his Divine Feminine Conferences in The UK and Ireland over the coming weeks.

We have almost completed the first stage of our work to the Sanctuary, but it will continue for our life time. Along with the Sanctuary, our secret stone room, fairy ring, meadow walk and hidden standing stone have brought allot of magic to those who find themselves here.

We are now putting together a tour programme where groups may come and immerse themselves in the stillness and tranquility of the angels. In the sacredness of the Angel Sanctuary you may allow yourself feel and experience the eternal whispers of heaven and ones own divine consciousness. Surrounded by the magic and beautiful simplicity of the mountain that holds such wonder. The experience to be carried within you and brought the following day on a guided tour of the magical fairy Labyrinth that lies in the forest of Nebias and the further opportunity to climb the mystical mountain of Bugarach - where local people speak of the frequent unexplained happenings and the extraordinary power points within the mountain. There may also be the opportunity to visit the renowned village of Rennes le Chateau along with other secrets the area holds.

If you are interested in bringing a group - feel free to contact us, as we are currently putting together packages including the available group accommodation within the area over the winer and spring,, dates and prices.

The Angel Sanctuary is a heavenly manifestation, as Lorrie says she is simply a link, so its creation and how it wishes to be, is totally in heavens hands. and will take the form that it so wishes as it creates itself. We now find people wishing to have blessings: where parents have asked to have their new born welcomed into the world within the angel sanctuary; as also have couples wishing to have their relationship blessed.

Well thats it for now - thank you for your continuing and growing support.

An amazing photograph

The end of another month which brought laughter and tears.
We had some Irish friends visit from Rathdrum last week and during the course of their stay they took some family photos. It was a lovely, happy, cheerful evening. One of the children took a photo of Lorrie on her own and this beautiful smiling lady chose to appear alongside her. There was such excitement amongst all of us, children, mums and dads. There was disbelief as well, as we searched for the rational answers. Was it the camera, was it a previous photo, but no one recognised the lady.

For some photos – maybe two or three before and after capturing her image, the camera was behaving strangely on screen, but only one photo with her image appearing. The camera then went back to normal. Was this a build up of energy for this lady to appear. We realised we could put it up on the computer to view and we all stood there for the rest of the night just looking at it, amazed and excited. Going through all the rational explanations for it. We even sent the image to a colleague who understands the photographic process and he put the photo through an enhancement process to see if it was camera movement, exposure or other errors and he like us is both baffled and amazed. For us it shows the world our loved ones pass to, or those who look after and guide us, is ever so close and there is no separation and when we are happy as we were that evening they come even closer, as heaven opens its doors – there is no separation.

Lorrie's aunt Bernice lost her battle against cancer on the 18th August, she was a woman who never minced her words and spoke to everyone from her truth. She had a heart of gold and a great sence of humour She always enjoyed having fun. I remember a family wedding which she arrived to on crutches after breaking her leg and ended up giving me her crutches to hobble home when I fell while dancing and pulled a hamstring muscle. As the youngest sister of the Kelly family at 48 she will be missed by all her close friends and family.

In the first few weeks since opening we have had visitors from Holland, Belgium, Spain and in the majority French people who read a wonderful article in the local Independent Newspaper. The article was written sensitevely by.journalist and former rugby player of renown.. Claude Hortala. I look forward to meeting him again when my French has improved. We have been moved by the level of support we have received by the many French in particular, whom we have met. In these weeks we are being brought many stories of the mysteries of the area around Alet and this mountain and these alone are a fascinating addition to what we are doing ourselves to place a little peace of heaven in this sacred land.

The works continue and are vast, we have just completed a fairy ring (photos to follow) at the edge of the forest. It is a beautiful and very magical place for both young and old to sit even for a moment in the magic of the forest. Today is the anniversary of our friend Noel Rhatigan, he will always be remember by all who knew and love him. We want to develop within an area of the sanctuary a space for our loved ones to be remembered. If you wish to have your loved one included please do send us by post or email any details you wish to have included.

With our Love to all of you.

Latest update: 14/08/2007 by Lorrie and Eugene

And so on Monday August 13th, the Angel Art Sanctuary quietly opened its doors to visitors as work continues in the background. Such is the scale of works that it will always continue.

Our first official visitors were Nicolas who manages the tourist information office in Alet and an English artist who was so moved and inspired by her visit that she is returning again today to spend more time in the peace and tranquility of the Sanctuary.

At last we are seeing the fruits of our labour. We have been working the seven days to complete the task of preparing for our opening. Through the good office of Nicolas we have had a number of well wishers call by from Netherlands, Australia and France and to date they have all been moved.

This years controversial Tour de France passed by the village as promised. A spectacle of several hours and when the riders passed well you had to be very quick to catch them. Afterwards there was a picnic beside the Acropark where all the children had lots of fun climbing trees and other obstacles. And then we all cooled off at the Village pool. A most splendid day and a nice break from constant work.

Early in August we had the Village fete which consisted of live bands playing till the early hours and the whole village on the streets dancing and having good fun. It continues over three nights and I must admit to survive it you need stamina, like some of the 80 year olds that can be seen still boogying at three in the morning. I am hoping to discover their secret. There is even a story of a local man in his nineties who died while dancing ( what a wonderful way to go).

We sadly lost a goos friend on the 31st July - Bernie Carr from Bray in Ireland. Bernie visited our Sanctuary for several years. She described herself as a walking miracle as the doctors could not understand how she kept going with the type of cancer she had, It seem to shift and change, but it kept coming back and the world lost a very beautiful soul and we lost a friend who blessed us in our lives and our work. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tim her husband and all her children and family. Through Bernie there is an angel painting in the cancer unit of St Vincents hospital in Dublin.

As we come into the month of August we will always remember our dear friend Noel Rhatigan who supported our work and encouraged us through some tough times. We do hope to give people the opportunity of remembering their loved ones in some way as we develop our Sanctuary over the coming months and years.

And so as time passes we will bring you uplifting, happy and sometimes sad but all ways good stories from the day to day life and works here at the the Sanctuary in France and memories from where it all began in a little village in Wiclow Ireland.

Latest update: 18/07/2007 by Lorrie and Eugene

OK so I made a little mistake and I discover the Tour de France does not pass this way until 20-22 July, but maybe I got you interested. If you get a chance to view the spectacular beauty of the area you should do so. We are now enjoying the sunshine and warmth that this late summer i bringing. The heavy works of preparing shop and sanctuary for our opening is coming to completion and we do hope, that very soon we can welcome our first visitors.

We have almost finished work on the barns which is where visitors will be able to take some light refreshment after their visit to the Sanctuary. With beautiful vistas of our forest and the Pyrenees beyond no wonder it has been described by so many as a little piece of paradise.

The ponies have discovered more ways to escape but usually they just come to the front of the house and wait for a treat before being brought back to their enclosure. These are such beautiful and intelligent animals I can highly recommend them if you have the space and time to love and care for them. The children love bringing apples and carrots and grooming them. And in return you get a really beautiful friendly pet.

The local July 14th fete was a really enjoyable event. The central square of the village became the dining room and dance hall for the night with a terrific band live on stage. From 2 (that's our Molly) to 92 they all moved to the rhythm of the music. It was a privilege to be there. This is how they live their lives - in the moment that is the dance there are no troubles, no worries about yesterday or tomorrow, in the moment that is the dance is life, enjoyed to its fullest. When I asked a local farmer if he was going on vacation he laughed and listed off all the fetes over the coming weeks and how much he loved to dance. For him this is his holiday - I now understand.

We have found a local framer who is framing three of Lorrie's new works. And Lorrie is writing, writing, writing. I am so fortunate to be able to sneak a look at her notes. As she says herself, she does not know where the writing is bringing her, but I hope one day you will share in these sacred texts.

Well I will be back very soon with another update.

Keep in touch and Love to you all from the Beautiful South of France

Latest update: 04/07/2007 by Lorrie and Eugene

On Friday next July 6th you can catch a a glimpse of our very beautiful village Alet les Bains as the Tour de France winds its way past. Coverage of the race is world wide so this is a good opportunity to see the magnificent area we have been brought to. The month has been a very busy one and as the weather here like across Europe was a little cooler we were able to achieve a great deal in advance of our opening.

We have had many many helpers from across the globe who have willingly given of their time to assist us along the way. We worked hard and had fun at the same time. The annual fete de leau was on in the village during June which was a two day festival and gave us a great opportunity to meet the people of the village. Even with our limited French (still working on this one) we managed to make many new acquaintances.

A few friends from Ireland dropped by to wish us well and see how the new project is going along with well wishers from France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand; Switzerland, Holland and the UK. Thank you all your support is really appreciated to keep us focused on our mission. So even though we are not yet open the Sanctuary is already creating a great deal of interest for local and visitors alike. Many have described the location and experience as a little piece of heaven and that is exactly what we wish for our visitors and what we experience ourselves everyday.

We are loving it - it is allot of work (as so many point out) but to see peoples response to this magical place makes it so worth while. Comments like.. you can hear yourself think and .. you could really find yourself here. Express some of the feelings people have been left with.

Our ponies have settled in and are looking beautiful in the meadow below the Sanctuary and the wild flowers and butterflies in their thousands add to the magic of Ruines Hautes.

The local market in Esperaza on Sunday mornings gives us a break from our work. It is full of all sorts of local and overseas produce at really good prices and people watching at one of the cafes is a good mornings entertainment. You never know who might just drop by. Other local markets include Limoux on a Friday and Quillan on a Wednesday. Carcassonne is held on a Saturday morning.

Oh, if you want to visit the church and house at Rennes le Chateau it has odd opening hours like 11am to mid day, and then 14-1500, 16-1700 in the afternoons. In fact better check on the web before you come. A few people have been disappointed to make the journey and find it is closed.

It has been really good to hear from those who made contact during the month especially when we had lost our data base of addresses, so if you haven't made contact please, please do so.

Will be back with more progress shortly.

Love and Blessings from the sunny South

Eugene and Lorrie

Latest update: 05/06/2007 by Lorrie and Eugene

Hello June and a look back at the very short month of May. It only seems like yesterday since our last newsletter. A little turbulent weather and working from a land line lost a week of work on the web, but we are getting used to dealing with all the aspects of life in the South of France. We were told though that in general the weather here from May on would be absolutely beautiful .... well maybe coming from Ireland we have taken some of our rains with us. Tomorrow yes tomorrow the sun will shine again and we will bask in beautiful sunshine for the coming five or six months.With the rains combined with a little heat nature springs into life and oh you should see how large the weeds grow. I have even thought of remaking the movie the day of the trifids.

And so during the month Lorrie had to make an unexpected return visit to Ireland. We missed her so, so much. She had a difficult week, however it has resulted in all the angels coming back to their fold. I want to thank everyone in Ireland and here in France who helped make this happen. We had to find movers and shifters and storers and bankers and vans and lorries and good people to help at very short notice and you answered our call-thank you all so very much.

The day the forty foot lorry arrived packed with the angels was a warm and sunny day. The excitement was infectious, Lorrie had such a broad smile as we drove through Couiza and turned left for Rennes le Chateau behind the lorry of angels. The journey went smoothly with little or no traffic on this otherwise busy little road. When we arrived; there waiting to help, were people from many nations - Irish of course, along with Dutch, English, Welsh and Kiwi, from Reiki master to tax consultant, all there to give a helping hand to the angels.

An hour and a half later, everything was stored safely away and as the day was so beautiful we celebrated with a spontaneous bbq. We are allowed a little time out after a very busy schedule.

Since Lorrie's return the enquiries about our opening have commenced to roll in, and so the heat is on to complete the necessary finishing works on the Sanctuary, that is to be located here at Ruines Hautes, over the beautiful village of Alet les Bains. So we have sourced windows and doors for our shop and already they are almost fixed. Then we tile and put finishing touches before opening. Well being the optimist I am hoping for miracles and we can reframe all the originals and be open before the end of June. I promise to keep you up to date as each week progresses. We have several helpers arriving this week from Ireland to help out on the land.

Just last weekend with the help of our friend from down under (New Zealand) , we cleared and opened a beautiful walking trail that leads from the house along by the meadow and where our ponies are feeding and we await the arrival of their babies. The walk meanders through the forest to open to a carpet of wild flowers and the magnificent vista of the Pyrenees. Two people have already compared their flora experience to time spent at the Burn in Ireland. You glimpse across a few hundred meters to the hidden remains of what is said to be a Cathar Church and suddenly you realise the magic of where you stand.

At Pentecost the church in St Salvayre (the village at the top of our hill) has the only mass of the year. This pre fifteenth century church was made beautiful by local effort with flowers and candles and the priest spoke of becoming open. Open your hearts he said, it is truly all the flowers that make the boquet so beautiful. An important message for the world today.

Well that's all for the moment. Do keep in touch and please continue sending your email addresses as we have lost them all when our Irish computer failed back in March.

love to you all
Eugene and Lorrie

Bonjour from the wet and windy South of France. For the past few weeks we feel we have brought our Irish weather with us. The only compensation is that on the dry days the sun appears and temperatures creep up to the late 20.

With the many families who came to visit us in Ireland and the little we had to offer the children. We thought we could make an effort to do things for the children here in France and so through a set of those coincidences again, we find ourselves with four mini shetland ponies. Like everything in life it all seemed very easy. These beautiful miniature animals would be a piece of cake, but then they arrived and behold one or two are escape artists. Initially it caused great stress but after a while when you realise they don't wander far you start to enjoy them. If anyone of our readers has any experience with these little fellows we would be glad of any tips. We are becoming good friends through apples and spending time but the little stallion is getting a rough time from two of the females who we think may be pregnant (yet to be confirmed by the vet).

We also have a puppy - do we like hard work or what, it is like having a baby again. Anyway its a bit of fun and much easier on tiled floors than the traditional carpeted Irish home.

Immersed in nature on the side of a mountain. We have encountered deer in our garden, buzzards, eagles and an array of winged wonders above our heads. A magnificent owl or two from dusk on, the sound of the cuckoo and woodpecker. In fact this is paradise for anyone who loves the great outdoors. The scents , the sights, the sounds - our most difficult task each day is having to leave our mountain paradise to go shopping or complete one of the many tasks that are set by a very bureaucratic system that is France. With the paper work required for the simplest of tasks, you must allow a day or more, its just the way things are. We started our first french conversation - (learning french by talking over a coffee) with a wonderful lady. I cant really say how kind this Lady has been in helping us in our immediate locality. She and an other French lady are taking two dyslexic Irish people by the hand to make life so much more interesting. Lets face it we have not come here to speak english. Children are getting on great and enjoying the experience.

Many of you who have visited our sanctuary in Rathdrum, Ireland came as a result of a loss or tragedy in your lives and it is you who really make what the sanctuary is truly about. You came, some we did not even meet as you slipt into the sanctuary and away again. and many we hope were touched by what we know is beyond this realm. Without directly giving out names I want to mention the founders of www.anamcara.ie who through their own pain have been given the strength to go out and help others. These people are such an inspiration to the world and here is the introduction to their own web site "In an ideal world this website would not exist. In an ideal world children out live their parents. Anam Cara Parent Bereavement understands we don't live in an ideal world, we live in the real world and our precious children have died before their time. Bereaved parents have set up this organisation to help themselves and all bereaved parents cope with their grief and loss and journey on."

Maybe you need to make contact with anamcara or maybe they will inspire you wherever you live in the world.

We do hope to keep in contact and maybe to see them again here is this sacred part of France.

We are at the present gathering information on local accommodation for future visitors and will try to help with any queries you may have.

That's all for now, back to the horses.

Lorrie and Eugene

Latest update: 28/04/2007 by Lorrie and Eugene

Hallo again to all our dear readers and friends.

It's been a little time since our first news flash. Speaking of flashes - no sooner had we our computer back on line when late one night we were awoken by this incredible flash which lit up our room, followed by the rolling sound of thunder directly overhead, At one time we may have been a little afraid but it all seemed quite normal, so we lay there and watched the light show for a while, never thinking, as we have just arrived from Ireland that the phone or anything else might be struck. That is until we arose the next morning and I went to go on the web and well, what could I expect, but nothing, not even a bleep from our computer. It seems the phone line had been hit and blown everything, so I not only loose contact again with all of you but we loose everything off our computer. This reminds me I was starting to make contact with many again but my data base has been wiped clean, so please do contact me again with your email address and I do apologise if I have not contacted you as yet.

We sold our home and Sanctuary in Ireland and moved here to France on Christmas eve just gone. Even that became an adventure, but to wake up in Sunshine and find Santa had been found his way here. ahead of us added to the magic. It has taken us these months to adjust to our new life and we know this will continue and continue for a long time to come. But we love it here and everyone who has been lucky enough to pass our way and visit have been equally taken by the outstanding beauty and deeply mystical and magical place.

We just said goodbye to our friend Victor from Victorias way in Roundwood, Wicklow ( a must for any spiritual traveler) - well I will let Victor share his experience in his own special way on one of his many web sites.

Our 2 year and four months old baby Molly, started school this week - incredible but true.

Over the course of the coming weeks and months we hope to bring you lots of news and pictures with the help of our new camera.

Anyway that's all for now folks ( that's a saying from back home) will catch you again soon. Keep in touch and we do remember you in meditations and prayers.

Bye for now

Lorrie and Eugene

Latest update: 14/04/2007 by Lorrie and Eugene

Bonjour et Bienvenue - Hello and Welcome to all our dear friends,

We took the leap of faith on the 24th of December last and set off with our extended family for our new life in the south of France. Everything happened rather quickly in the end and we sold our home and Sanctuary in Ireland and moved in a matter of weeks. We didn't expect at the time to loose all communication with the outside world. We were without phone or internet connection for the past few months. It is good to be back on line again and to be able to reconnect with all our very dear friends.

We wish to especially thank Marius and Hetty who kindly gave us the use of their gite for the weeks prior to and after the completion of the purchase of our new home and sanctuary here in the beautiful village of Alet les Bains. Without these wonderful people who have helped us at each step of our move we would not be here today. We hope they will be pleased with the continuing works we do on what has been their beautiful home.

We also want to thank Joke, who runs the wonderful; chambre d'hote, Labadous at Rennes le Chateau, who introduced us to our new home and who have helped us with our transition to our new life here in France. Also Michel and his family for giving us so much of their time when we knew nothing about schools or the French system. Thanks also to Sylvianne who helps just about everybody along her journey, and we want to make a special mention for two of our own - Michael Poynder whose work is known to so many of you, who has become a dear friend and Eoghan Cosgrave a wonderful guide on how we move forward with the development of our Sanctuary in France.

And those who visited the Sanctuary in Ireland will know that we were kept focused and the person who made the impossible happen for us was our closest friend Catherine. Thank you and we will never forget what you did for us.

Maybe we needed the time out before the real work of making the sanctuary happen, to allow the inspiration to flow from this very beautiful and mystical place, we don't as yet know how the sanctuary is going to evolve, but we have been brought to a very beautiful starting place. This includes 120 acres of land and forest overlooking the Pyrenees. It is exciting and we know you will appreciate it as you did the sanctuary in Ireland. The Angel Sanctuary is a gift given to us all to take such care of, especially for those who are to come in their time of need whatever that may be, those of you who have experienced the Sanctuary will understand what we mean.

As the dream unfolds we intend bringing you regular updates with photos of sanctuary and surroundings. And we do love to hear from you so keep in touch.

We are also making changes to our web site which you will see over the coming months.

Keeping you in our thoughts, and prayers.