10 Night Southern Ireland Knitting Tour with the Aran Islands

Included in This Tour

• Transfers on arrival and departure by private coach (for arrivals prior to 10.30am)
• Sightseeing as per itinerary in a luxury coach with an experienced driver and accredited guide
• Accommodation in rooms with private facilities for 10 nights
• Irish breakfast daily
• 5  dinners
• 4 lunches             
• 1 farewell meal in a Dublin restaurant
• Entrance to the following attractions: National Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Christ Church Cathedral, Kylemore Abbey, Glen Keen Sheep Farm, The Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle.
• Ferry to Inis Oírr, Aran Islands
• Inis Oírr guided tour 
• Aran Island baking & butter making demonstration
• Partial Ring of Kerry guided tour
• Connemara guided tour
• Kerry Woollen Mills Factory Tour
• Basket weaving demonstration with Ciaran Hogan

Workshops/Knitting Activities Included in This Tour

• Knitting with Wire workshop with Pauline Gallagher
• Knitting workshop with Anne O’Maille in Galway
• Aran Island knitting workshop with Una McDonagh
• Aran Island spinning & dyeing workshop
• Knitting class with Carol Feller in Kerry 
• Knitting workshop with Liz Spillane in Kerry
• Meeting with local designers at the Constant Knitter
• Basket weaving demonstration with Ciaran Hogan
• Kerry Woollen Mills tour

(Wool and patterns are included in all workshops, you need to bring your own needles, sizes will be advised)

Overnights for this Tour

• Camden Court Hotel (or similar), Dublin, 1 Night
• Hardiman Hotel (or similar), Galway, 3 Nights
• Quality en-suite B&B on Inis Oírr, Aran Islands 2 nights,
• Lake Hotel (Woodland View), Killarney, or similar, 3 Nights
• Camden Court Hotel (or similar), Dublin, 1 Night

Important Note: Attractions, Workshops and Demonstrations May Change According to Availability and Scheduling

Day 1: Dublin Sightseeing

Your tour begins in Dublin Airport with a transfer to your hotel (for arrivals prior to 10.30am on start day of tour). Meet at hotel reception for a brief introduction before visiting the National Museum of Decorative Arts & History where you catch a glimpse of how Irish people in the past lived. Recreated rooms show typical furniture styles from the 17th century through to the high style of the 19th century. Of particular interest to you may be the textile exhibition ‘The Way We Wore’ which displays typical Irish clothing and jewellery worn from the 1760s onwards. After your visit, the remainder of the day will be free before meeting back at the hotel for your welcome dinner. Overnight Camden Court Hotel, Dublin, Dinner Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 2: Pauline Gallagher Workshop, Constant Knitter & Travel to Galway

Another day in Dublin starts with a 'Knitting with Wire' workshop with Pauline Gallagher. Pauline will begin by explaining the connection between knitted wire and Ireland's cultural treasures before demonstrating the techniques of wire knitting. From here, create a piece - a delicate leaf pendant with a crystal drop. Next, it's on to the Constant Knitter where you will meet a local craftsperson for a demonstration and informal chat about their craft topic which will either be knitwear design or Irish lace crochet depending on designer availability. After lunch (included), travel to the vibrant city of Galway and check into your hotel. Overnight Hardiman Hotel, Galway, Dinner Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 3: Craft in Connemara

Set off for a tour of Connemara this morning. Situated on the most westerly part of Ireland, Connemara is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt landscapes around. Your first stop will be the Spiddal Craft & Design Centre where you will enjoy a demonstration of traditional Irish willow basket weaving techniques and an introduction to modern basket designs with traditional basket maker, Ciaran Hogan. You might also enjoy visiting other craftspeople at the centre including traditional hand weaver, Máíre Ní Thaidhg. Stop also at the famous Kylemore Abbey which is one of the most visited attractions in Ireland. Thousands visit Kylemore to see the outstanding abbey and to experience the natural beauty of Kylemore’s woodland and lakeshore walks and the Victorian Walled Garden. Finally visit Glen Keen Farm where you will enjoy a sheep herding demonstration followed by home baked scones and tea or coffee. Return to Galway where the evening is your own. You might decide to head into town and catch a traditional Irish music session in any one of Galway’s many pubs or simply relax in your hotel. Overnight Hardiman Hotel, Galway, Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 4: Anne O’Maille Workshop

This morning enjoy an intensive knitting workshop with one of Ireland’s best known Aran knitters and designers, Mrs. Anne O’Maille of Ó'Máilles of Galway. Established in 1938, this shop became famous in the 1950s for outfitting the entire cast of the film The Quiet Man and has done a fabulous business ever since in Irish tweeds, knitwear, and Aran knits. The remainder of the day will be free to explore Galway and its surrounding areas at your own pace. Overnight Hardiman Hotel, Galway, Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 5: Inis Oírr (Inisheer), Aran Islands

Depart your hotel in time to get the morning ferry to Inis Oirr (Inisheer), one of the famous Aran Islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland. On arrival you will be collected by your Aran Island knitting instructor Una McDonough and taken to Café Una where you will be welcomed with tea or coffee and scones. Enjoy a knitting workshop where you will learn traditional methods and stitches the Aran Island way. In your class you will learn the Sharry Chain Link Stitch. The Sharry family, like many of the island families, has a long standing connection with the sea and the women of the family celebrate that connection in their choice of stitches when they knit traditional Aran sweaters. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the traditional and culture-soaked island. Later, check into your B&B accommodation with time to relax and get to know your hosts. Your hosts can cater for most dietary needs, so please be sure to let us know of any special requirements in advance of travel. You will be collected this evening and taken to a local restaurant for a sumptuous meal. Overnight Inis Oirr B&B, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Basis              

Day 6: Another day and night on Inis Oírr (Inisheer)!

Today enjoy a baking demonstration of island brown bread and scones along with home-made butter making. Following the demonstration enjoy tea or coffee with the scones! Next participate in a spinning & dyeing workshop using local plants & lychens in the traditional manner. This will continue into the afternoon with a lunch break before you will enjoy some local traditional music before dinner.  This evening return to your B&B accommodation and after having some time to relax, you will be collected and taken for another delicious meal. Overnight Inis Oírr B&B, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 7: Aran Islands to Killarney

Check out of your accommodation after breakfast and take the early morning ferry directly to Doolin in County Clare. Take a scenic drive around Clare to the Cliffs of Moher to admire the astonishing views. Travel onward to Kerry visiting Kerry Woollen Mills along the way. This 17^th century establishment has been crafting fine fabrics and yarn from wool for over 300 years and on your tour, you will see truly skilled craftspeople at work. Afterwards, check into your hotel in Killarney where the remainder of the evening is free before dinner. Overnight Lake Hotel, Killarney, Dinner Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 8: Carol Feller Knitting Class 

After breakfast enjoy a knitting workshop with Carol Feller, popular Irish knitter and author of the book Contemporary Irish Knits. After your workshop, the remainder of your day is free for personal sightseeing and/or shopping. The town of Killarney lies adjacent to Killarney National Park which is home to a rugged expanse of mountainous terrain along with the Lakes of Killarney. Why not enjoy a stroll locally or visit the many sites including Muckross House and Abbey or Killarney House which is closer to town. Overnight Lake Hotel, Killarney, Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 9: Liz Spillane Workshop

Travel to Bonane just outside Kenmare on the beautiful Ring of Kerry to Liz Spillane’s workshop for a knitting workshop. During your workshop with Liz you will experience the joy of creating your very own colourful & textured yarn for hand knitting, using locally spun 100% pure new wool yarns together with existing yarns in the studio store and some very simple techniques. You will also discover and learn some of our many traditional Aran knitting stitch structures. Then, combine the two and create a unique wearable accessory! In the afternoon, enjoy a partial tour of the picturesque Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountain range, and the varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breath-taking views and you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. On the return pass through the colourful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap or Ladies View to view the Three Lakes of Killarney before returning to Killarney. Overnight Lake Hotel, Killarney, Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 10: Blarney Castle and Return to Dublin

Check out of your accommodation and travel to Cork to visit Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills Store. Cormac MacCarthy, a great Irish chieftain constructed Blarney Castle nearly 600 years ago and since then this remarkable fortress and its ‘stone of eloquence’ has been attracting thousands of curious visitors every year. Legend has it that if you kiss the stone you will never be lost for words and have, as the Irish say, ‘the gift of the gab’. Built in 1823, Blarney Woollen Mills was originally known as Mahoney’s Mills and provided valuable employment to the people of Blarney and nearby areas. Today Blarney Woollen Mills is Ireland’s largest Irish gift & craft store. After lunch (included) travel onward to Dublin. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner at a nearby restaurant and say your goodbyes to new friends. Overnight Camden Court Hotel, Dublin, Dinner Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 11: Tour Ends

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.