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This evening, enjoy a talk and meet and greet drinks reception with Vawn Corrigan, Author of Irish Aran, History, Tradition and Fashion, before your welcome dinner. Overnight Camden Court Hotel, Dublin - Dinner included.
This afternoon is yours to explore Dublin at leisure and make the most of the myriad of bars, bistros, traditional pubs and restaurants. Overnight Camden Court Hotel, Dublin - Breakfast included.
There will be a brief stop in Galway city for lunch (not included) and a chance to explore the lanes and boutiques before we continue to Rossaveal in Galway to board your ferry to Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay. Meet with locals on arrival where you will be introduced to Aran life and hear all about the history of Dun Aonghasa before your visit tomorrow. Dinner will be served at your hotel followed by a traditional Irish dancing lesson! Overnight Aran Islands Hotel, Inis Mór - Breakfast and Dinner included
Visit the impressive fort of Dún Aonghasa with it’s three terraced walls surrounding an inner enclosure containing a platform on the edge of a 300 ft high cliff. It’s important to note that there’s a sharp incline as you walk to the fort and suitable footwear should be worn. The views from the top are quite breath-taking looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. You will also have the opportunity to visit some local knitwear shops on the island and enjoy a cosy lunch (included) at Teach Nan Pháidí! Overnight Aran Islands Hotel, Inis Mór - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Join Pauline in this comprehensive workshop where you will explore the origins of Fair Isle knitting and get to work on a two colour project specially created for the workshop. The project includes traditional features such as stranded knitting in the round, yarn management, how to read a chart and an introduction to steeks. Later you will secure, CUT and finish the steek to complete the project. In the latter part of the workshop, have fun exploring colour choices for multi coloured Fair Isle patterns and learn some tips and tricks for making successful choices. Our final destination of the day will be Sligo to check into your hotel for the night. Overnight Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Continue to Hanna Hats of Donegal who create pieces that have been designed, cut, sewn, pressed, inspected, packaged, and dispatched for almost 100 years in the heart of Donegal town. Spend the rest of the afternoon sightseeing or shopping where you will find many craft shops including Magee Tweed for you to browse. Overnight in Villa Rose Hotel and Spa, County Donegal, Breakfast and Dinner included. (Oct 2024 Mill Park Hotel, County Donegal)
Our next stop is at Studio Donegal where a hand-weaving and clothing manufacturing business is committed to preserving and promoting traditional Irish hand-weaving. Enjoy seeing the process of hand-weaving from beginning to end including spinning, warping and weaving of the wool. This evening is free for you to enjoy your friendly locale, listen to some traditional music, dine in one of the restaurants or take it easy back at your hotel.
Overnight in Villa Rose Hotel and Spa, County Donegal - Breakfast and Lunch included. (Oct 2024 Mill Park Hotel, County Donegal)
We will also visit the remains of Dunluce Castle perched on a dramatic headland which plunges directly down into the sea. Finally, we arrive in Belfast city where the rest of the day is free for you to check out the local pubs and restaurants. Overnight in the Grand Central Hotel Belfast - Breakfast and Lunch included.
Yarns in many natural colours of the alpaca and some stunning seasonal colour ranges,created from natural dyes are on display here. Mourne Alpaca fleeces are processed professionally at a dedicated mill but raw fleeces are also available here for purchase for anyone interested in home spinning. Enjoy a spot of lunch before a return to Belfast and a stop off at Folklore Yarns! We then visit Titanic Belfast, built on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where the Titanic was originally constructed. This popular museum contains many galleries where scenes were reconstructed of Belfast at the time the ship was constructed, the launch, its maiden voyage, the sinking and aftermath. This is an interactive museum where technology brings the story of each scene to life. The rest of the day is free for you to take in the sights of Belfast. Overnight in Grand Central Hotel, Belfast - Breakfast and Lunch included.
We continue our journey down south to Drogheda to meet tapestry weaver and artist, Áine Dunne. Based in the Boyne Valley, Áine and her team will host a spinning and tapestry workshop where you will be introduced to hand spinning sheep’s wool by using a drop spindle. Have a go at weaving a sample piece on a four-sided tapestry frame loom! Return to Dublin and enjoy a farewell dinner with your group at a local restaurant. Overnight in Camden Court Hotel, Dublin -Breakfast and Farewell Dinner included.
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