The initiation of the boy into manhood was deemed absolutely necessary for cultural survival and personal spirituality by primal cultures throughout the world. However the custom in the west is mostly forgotten.

The problem is that if men are not led through an inner journey of powerlessness and transformation, they will inevitably misunderstand and abuse power. Initiation provides the man with the experiences that help shape his deep understanding of his value and place in the world.

This is not about religion, but about spirituality. The MROP has its roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition. However, it focuses on inner spirituality and ancient wisdom traditions that guide us into our true selves and connect us to all human beings and the more than human world. Men from diverse traditions participate. Regardless of faith or lack thereof, all are welcome and will benefit from the profoundly deep impact of this work.

From the kickoff on the Wednesday afternoon until the Closing ritual on the Sunday afternoon there is a packed schedule. We encourage men to go into the experience without knowing exactly what will happen, but example activities throughout the days include:

• morning stretch in nature followed by silence
• drumming
• group rituals
• talks
• council circles
• time in nature in silence
• story telling and music

The RITEs is held in the Slí an Chroí (Way of the Heart) retreat centre, on the grounds of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society in Kiltegan, Wicklow. This is located within 1hr 20mins of Dublin city centre. The grounds are a beautiful and expansive piece of Irish countryside, with forest strolls and river walks, mountain views and wildlife ponds, nestled away in the lowland foothills of the Wicklow mountains. Initiates will have ample time to roam to grounds and enjoy the beautiful nature surrounding them. All meals are served in the indoor dining area.

We arrange transport by bus from Customs House Quay in Dublin City center. There is plenty of parking on site for those who can drive. Closer to the event we help arrange carpooling, so keep an eye out for opportunities to meet with other participants on the way. We can accommodate special requests for men who have trouble with transport- if accessing the venue is an issue, just reach out to us and no doubt we can find an easy solution to get you there! For men flying in from abroad, we can help coordinate transport from Dublin airport straight to our venue.

The RITEs are a 5 day event from Wednesday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. The accommodation is camping on site – tents can be borrowed. Beds can be provided where there are physical limitations, though camping is an important part of the experience. 3 full meals a day plus tea/coffee/snack breaks (dinner on first evening and breakfast and lunch on last day before departure). We arrange transport from Dublin city centre and Dublin Airport, and can arrange transport from nearby train stations where attendees have specific needs. The bus from Dublin incurs a small additional cost.

No man will be turned away for lack of funds. We firmly believe that investing in the development of men today will have a lasting positive impact on their lives, our community, and society at large. We aim to keep costs as low as possible, and provide a bursary fund for men that may find the fee a real struggle. This bursary fund is funded by donations throughout the year from men who have already gone on their RITEs. Readiness to attend is more important than finances –  Please feel free to reach out if you would like to be considered for bursary assistance.

Over 10,000  men have undertaken the RITEs across Europe, America and Australia since they began in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico in 1998.

M.A.L.E.s Ireland run the RITEs and they are run by an experienced team of male elders who have all previously undertaken the RITEs themselves. All are volunteers freely donating their time.

If accepted as an initiate, you will attend this event only once. The MROP is a powerful event and most men who complete it go on to build a deep spiritual practice. Initiates are strongly encouraged to stay in touch, as we host get togethers and gatherings all throughout the year. All men are welcome to get involved in our local and virtual council groups and our retreats, regardless of having completed the RITEs.

All men are welcome in this sacred and safe space. We each bring our own insights, anxieties, and fears into this shared experience, and we respect each man’s right to speak his truth and discern his path. It’s common for participants to discover that we are more alike in our longings and deepest aspirations, than we are different.