Day 1: Dublin, Powerscourt Estate and This Is Knit!
Join your group in the lobby of The Chancery Hotel and meet with your wonderful tour guide, Anne Marie Hayes and your new companions! After a brief introduction, board your coach for the short journey to Powerscourt Estate, a stunning attraction featuring beautifully landscaped gardens, elegant terraces, and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Just a short drive from the estate, Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland's highest waterfall, cascading 121 meters and set amidst a lush forest!
Return to Dublin city centre and the exquisite Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, home to the fabulous This Is Knit Yarn Store. After browsing and chatting with the experts, you will be presented with a Fishbone Mittens Knitting Kit complete with Ériu yarn! Finish the day with a welcome dinner in your hotel.
Overnight The Chancery Hotel, Dublin - lunch and dinner included.
Day 2: Ériu Farm to Yarn, River Walk and Talú Earth Dyeing Workshop
Today, we leave Dublin and venture further into the Garden of Ireland! Zoe and Lionel of Ériu Farm to Yarn are dedicated to working with selected breeds and blends to produce quality Irish wool as a sustainable, natural resource. Ériu is the Irish goddess of fertility, sovereignty and abundance. They are situated in the wild Wicklow mountains at the foot of Lugnaquilla - stunning and October when the trees turn golden. The area is surrounded by fairy rings and stone circles so there is a particular magical element to this part of Ireland.
This morning enjoy tea and scones on arrival, with a farm tour, river walk and be the first to see the Ériu woollen mill under construction! Have lunch on the farm (included) and learn about the new Kingfisher yarn colour palette. Come away with your own gift of an accessory pattern and a skein!
Take part in a Talú Earth natural dyeing workshop with Malú Colorin. With a background in graphic design and fine arts, in 2018 she began her experimentations and research into natural dyes and studied with master dyers in Mexico, Ireland, the US and Japan. Her work draws inspiration from the traditional garments of her native Mexico, while embracing the rich heritage of Irish textiles. She connects with each of her natural dye sources, as well as the land where they grow.
Meander back to Dublin with a stop at the ancient monastic site of Glendalough, a tranquil oasis, draped in the colours of autumn. This evening is yours to enjoy Dublin or simply relax in your hotel.
Overnight The Chancery Hotel, Dublin – breakfast and lunch included
Day 3: Galway Wool Safari and Ahascragh Eco-Distillery Knit and Sip
This morning travel towards the mid-west of Ireland and the edge of County Galway. Join the Galway Wool co-operative to discover the magic of Pure Bred Galway Sheep and the making of authentic Native Irish Wool. Get up close to this adorable breed and see the wool being handspun into yarn!
Just a short distance, arrive at Ahascragh Distillery, a state of the art zero emissions distillery, full of the warmth of community and built from an old stone mill. Enjoy lunch on arrival (included) and discover the story of the couple who created the sustainable process, the heritage of the building and the whiskey making process. Take part in a premium tasting experience, before relaxing with your knitting and sip of an Ahascragh cocktail in the Old Mill café.
Continue to the Viking city of Limerick, where the River Shannon meets the Wild Atlantic Way. Check into your riverside hotel for the night, overlooking medieval King John’s castle. Enjoy dinner in your hotel this evening.
Overnight Limerick Strand Hotel, Limerick - breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 4: Ballyhoura Fibres Talk and Trunk Show and Knitting with Carol Feller of Stolen Stitches
This morning visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum and Maureen O'Hara collection on the banks of the Shannon Estuary! See the costumes and recreated set items from The Quite Man! Learn how to make the perfect Irish Coffee in the very place it was created and receive your own certificate and Irish Coffee medal!
Enjoy a talk and trunk show with Cierra, founder of Ballyhoura Fibres. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Ciarra has made Limerick her home and dyes her own exquisite yarn collections, inspired by nature, the landscape and her travels.
Leave Limerick for ‘The Kingdom’ of Kerry and the fabulous Killarney town, surrounded by Killarney National Park, stopping for a quick lunch bite on the way (included). Arrive at Loch Lein Country House, where we have the whole location to ourselves! Meet your hosts Paul and Annette for a warm welcome to their lakeside hotel with award winning restaurant. This hidden treasure, rests on the north shore of Killarney’s great lake, Loch Lein, with magnificent views of the McGillicuddy Reeks.
With fabulous local produce serviced in the panoramic restaurant, workshop view inspiration, spacious rooms, a cosy bar, library, picture window lounge and plenty of comfortable areas for knitting, this really is a sanctuary for the next few nights!
Day 5: Knitting with Carol, Horse and Carriage Ride and Lake Cruise!
Continue knitting with Carol Feller and working on your project this morning! Enjoy a spot of lunch, before exploring the wonders of Killarney National Park, flora, fauna and heritage. Arrive at Ross Castle and board the Lily of Killarney for a cruise on Loch Lein!
On land, take a jaunting car ride (horse and carriage) through the beauty of the national park. Return to Loch Lein for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Overnight Loch Lein Country House Hotel, Killarney - breakfast, lunch and dinner Included
Day 6: Kerry Woollen Mills, Kissane Sheepdog Farm, Killarney and Traditional Irish Music!
This morning visit Kerry Woollen Mills, one of Ireland’s oldest working mills, established over 300 years ago! While holding on firmly to their to heritage, the weaving is the perfect union of tradition and contemporary style and you will experience it first hand! With the stunning backdrop of Moll’s Gap, enjoy a visit to Kissane Sheep Farm and watch the sheepdogs in action over the mountain terrain.
Return to Killarney for a free afternoon to shop, explore, enjoy refreshments or simply relax at your hotel. This evening will be fun filled with traditional Irish music and dining on local produce!
Overnight Loch Lein Country House Hotel, Killarney – breakfast and dinner Included
Day 7: Hedgehog Fibres, The Swiss Cottage and Sparkling Afternoon Tea in Newbridge!
Say farewell to Loch Lein and begin your journey back to Dublin. We stop in Cork and visit the home of Hedgehog Fibres before continuing to The Swiss Cottage, just outside of Cahir. Designed by the famous architect John Nash, as a hunting lodge styled as an idyllic country cottage! As part of a restoration project, renowned fashion designer Sybil Connolly, was responsible for the interior décor.
Arrive at Newbridge Silverware for some discounted shopping and a chance to explore the Museum of Style Icons with collections including outfits from Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco, to Marilyn Monroe and Diana, Princess of Wales. Finish with a Sparkling Afternoon Tea in Newbridge’s ‘The Silver Restaurant!
Arrive back to your Dublin hotel and relax for the evening with your new friends.
Overnight The Chancery Hotel, Dublin - Breakfast and Afternoon Tea included
