Former Irish Prime Minister to be guest speaker at new Gay Wellness Week in Ibiza
Tantric touch, ecstatic dancing and psychedelic healing are explored at a new wellness event in Ibiza.
Mark
Leo Varadkar, the out-gay, former Taoiseach of Ireland, is among the line-up of guest speakers scheduled to appear at a new Gay Wellness Week event in Ibiza next month.
The event will take place at S’ermita, a former monastery in the hills above Sant Miguel in the north of the island. It runs October 10-17, 2026.
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The event is founded by Sadiq Gillani, former Chief Strategy Officer at Lufthansa and Transformation Director at Emirates, and Luke Connelly, an Australian marketing consultant based in Barcelona.
“Gay men have become incredibly good at creating spaces to celebrate together, but we have far fewer opportunities to connect meaningfully to help each other and talk about the things that really affect our lives,” says Gillani in a press statement.
“Ibiza felt like exactly the right place to do that. Beyond the clubs, there is another side to the island with a long history of community, healing, creativity and alternative thinking.
“By coming in October, when the island is still warm but breathes differently, we have the opportunity to create something that feels both new and deeply connected to what makes Ibiza special.”
Meditation, mindfulness, yoga and more
The program includes an opening circle, meditation sessions, yoga, beach trips, light hiking, group dinners, ecstatic dancing and daily guest speakers and workshops. Leo Varadkar will speaking on Monday, Oct. 12, on ‘Leading with Authenticity’. Other sessions that day include an introduction to ‘Tantric Touch’. There will also be a handful of optional add-ons, such as a sailing trip and a ‘Psychedelic Journey’.
The week will be fully alcohol-free.
Accommodation at S’ermita costs €110 per person per night (for a basic twin-share). An additional food and wellness package costs €80 per person per day. This includes all meals, a welcome box on arrival, access to the full fitness programme, and the complete week of programming. Alternatively, if you plan to attend for the full week, there’s a week-long Gay Wellness Week pass costing €300.
Anyone interested in attending can apply via the week’s website: gaywellnessweek.com
We reached out to Gay Wellness Week to ask about the application process. Does this mean there is some degree of vetting?
“The week is open to all gay men,” a spokesperson clarified. “The application is not about vetting in any exclusive sense – it is simply to understand what each person is hoping to get from the week so we can ensure the programme and the support we provide are the right fit for everyone attending. We are hoping to accommodate 50 men for the inaugural edition.”
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