Day 1: Dublin Sightseeing and Christ Church Cathedral
Begin your knitting tour of Ireland with a transfer from Dublin Airport to your hotel (for arrivals prior to 10:30am on start day of tour). Meet with your guide and group for an introduction and embark on your first part of the tour with a visit to the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History. Discover how Irish people lived in the past as you wander the recreated rooms showing typical furniture styles from the 17th century right through to high styles of the 19th century.
The textile exhibition may be of special interest where ‘The Way We Wore’ section displays typical Irish clothing and jewellery from 1760s onwards. Our next stop is at Christ Church Cathedral for a guided tour of one of Dublin’s oldest operational buildings – over 1000 years old! The remainder of the day will be free for you to relax and refresh before your welcome dinner at your hotel. Overnight in Dublin, Dinner and Bed & Breakfast included.
Day 2: Knitting with Wire Workshop with Pauline Gallagher and Springwools
Pauline Gallagher will join you in your hotel for the first workshop of your tour: Knitting With Wire. First you will discover the connection between knitted wire and Ireland’s cultural treasures then you will be initiated in the techniques of wire knitting. You will have the joy of creating ‘Irish Rain,’ a delicate leaf pendant with a crystal drop, a reminder of our soft Irish rain, to take home with you as a souvenir of your time here in Ireland!
Afterwards, enjoy an informal talk from Aoibhe Ni Shuilleabhain, an Irish crafter before heading onwards to Springwools, one of Ireland's leading wool stores for almost 30 years. Next, we travel on towards Galway, stopping for lunch en route. Overnight Galway, Lunch, Dinner and Bed & Breakfast
After a hearty breakfast, we travel out to Connemara, one of the most beautiful and un-spoilt landscapes in the west of Ireland. We visit Spiddal Craft & Design Centre where you will be met by Ciarán Hogan. Ciarán will demonstrate traditional Irish willow basket weaving techniques and also introduce you to some modern basket designs. There will also be other local crafts people at the centre including traditional hand weaver, Máire Ní Thaidhg.
Next stop on our knitting tour will be a visit to see Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden, surrounded by mountains and lakes, the Abbey is also a renowned place of spirituality and education. Our last visit of the day will be to Glen Keen Farm for a sheep herding demonstration. Enjoy tea, coffee and scones before returning to Galway for a free evening. Take this time to visit the vibrant streets of Galway with its eclectic mix of shops, pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues. Overnight Galway and Bed & Breakfast included.
Today we walk a short distance for a knitting workshop with one of Ireland’s best known Aran knitters and designers - Mrs Anne Ó’Máille of Ó’Máilles of Galway. This shop was established in the 1938 but became well known because in 1951, the film ‘The Quiet Man’ was filmed at Ashford Castle and many of the costumes were tailored by the Ó’Máille family.
The shop now stocks Irish tweeds, knitwear and Aran Knits. Soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city, shop or check out the pubs and restaurants, all which make Galway such a popular destination. Overnight Galway, Bed & Breakfast included.
This morning we travel west to catch a ferry to Inis Óírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands located in Galway Bay. Úna MacDonagh, your Aran Island knitting instructor will meet you at Café Úna where you will receive a warm, Irish welcome with tea/coffee and homemade scones. Una will instruct on traditional methods and stitches of the Aran Island such as the Sharry Chain Link Stitch. The Sharry family were an Island family whose connections to the sea are evident in their choice of stitches used in knitting traditional Aran sweaters.
During your time with Una, you will learn about historical Aran clothing, from the traditional Aran Sweater which we all know and love to the lesser known Crios woven belt & the heavy woollen shawls which were once commonplace. In the afternoon, we take a guided tour of the island before checking into your B&B accommodation. You will be collected this evening and taken to a local restaurant for dinner. Overnight Inis Óírr, Aran Islands, Lunch, Dinner, and Bed & Breakfast included.
Day 6: Another day and night on Inis Oírr (Inisheer) and Traditional Music
We begin our day with a baking demonstration of brown bread and scones as well as some homemade butter making. Enjoy tea/coffee with scones – the fruits of the demonstration!
This will be followed by a spinning and dyeing workshop using local plants and lychens in the traditional manner of the Aran. Lunch (included) will be followed by some traditional music. Return to your B&B in time to freshen up for dinner. Overnight Inis Óírr, Aran Islands, Lunch, Dinner and Bed & Breakfast
We depart the Aran Islands after breakfast and take the ferry to Doolin in County Clare. We travel to the Cliffs of Moher to admire one of Ireland’s most visited natural attractions stretching for 5 miles as the crow flies along the Atlantic Coast of County Clare. We stop off briefly in Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages before continuing our journey to County Kerry.
Before arriving at our hotel, we visit Kerry Woollen Mills, located in a 17th century building where fabrics and yarn from wool have been crafted for over 300 years. Finally arrive in Killarney in time for dinner at your hotel. Overnight Killarney, Dinner and Bed & Breakfast included.
Today, we begin with a knitting workshop hosted with well- known Irish knitter and author of the book ‘Contemporary Irish Knits’, Carol Feller. Carol trained initially as a textile artist and then as a structural engineer. While both of these backgrounds are very different the influences can be seen in her design work which is well-shaped, flattering to wear and enjoyable to knit.
After lunch (not included), the afternoon is free for you to visit Killarney town centre. Killarney is located in the National Park, so take some time to visit Killarney House & Gardens, enjoy some shopping and soak up the atmosphere of this picturesque town. Overnight Killarney, Bed & Breakfast included.
Day 9: Knitting with Liz Spillane and partial Ring of Kerry Tour
Liz Spillane resides just south of Kenmare in Bonane where she will welcome you to her knitting workshop. Liz’s workshop involves creating your very own colourful and textured yarn for hand knitting. Using locally spun 100% pure new wool yarns together with exiting yarns, in the studio store, she will teach some very simple techniques.
Discover and learn some more traditional Aran knitting stitch structures to add to your repertoire. Then, combine the two and create your own unique accessory. In the afternoon, take a partial tour of The Ring of Kerry including Molls Gap and Ladies View. Overnight Killarney, Bed & Breakfast
Day 10: Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills and Return to Dublin
We journey south today to visit Blarney Castle and Blarney Woollen Mills Store. This medieval castle was built nearly 600 years ago by Cormac MacCarthy, a great Irish Chieftain. Many of course want to see the Blarney Stone – known to grant the gift of eloquence if you kiss this stone! Blarney Woollen Mills was built in 1823 and originally known as O’Mahoney’s Mills.
Today it is one of Ireland’s largest Irish gift and craft stores. After lunch (included) we travel towards Dublin for your final evening in Ireland. Your farewell dinner will be at a local restaurant in Dublin. Overnight Dublin, Lunch, Dinner and Bed & Breakfast included.
After your final Irish breakfast depart the hotel for Dublin airport arriving in time to complete check-in formalities and that last-minute duty free shopping.
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