10 Night Ireland Knit the Wild Atlantic Way Tour

Our knitting tour begins in the lobby of the hotel where you will be met by your guide and travelling companions for a tour introduction. From here, meet Johnny Daly of Irish Folk Tours, offering a Folklore & Fairies experience as you enjoy some lunch (included). This will be followed by some free time to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Dublin City.

This evening enjoy a meet and greet drinks reception followed by a talk with Vawn Corrigan, author of Irish Aran, History, Tradition and Fashion, before your welcome dinner.

Overnight Camden Court Hotel, Dublin – Lunch and Dinner included

After breakfast, partake in a workshop with This is Knit instructors on the Moebius Knitting style working on the Glenties Cowl pattern which was designed by This is Knit owner, Lisa Sisk. We also have the opportunity to shop at This Is Knit, Lisa’s wonderful yarn and accessories store in the heart of Dublin. The remainder of the day is free to explore Dublin. Why not do a spot of shopping, take in some culture in Dublin’s many museums, or check out Dublin’s many restaurants and bars!

Overnight Camden Court Hotel, Dublin - Breakfast included

Today we leave Dublin and head west, where we stop at the oldest licensed distillery of its kind in Ireland, Kilbeggan Distillery. Here we will be taken on a journey through more than 250 years of history before sampling some of the famed Kilbeggan whiskey! There will be a brief stop in Galway city for lunch (not included) before we continue to Rossaveal in Galway to board our ferry to Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay. Meet with locals on arrival with an introduced to Aran life. Dinner will then be served at the hotel.

Overnight Aran Islands Hotel, Inis Mór - Breakfast and Dinner included

This morning on Inis Mór includes a knitting workshop where Una will instruct on traditional methods and stitches associated with the Aran Island way. Tour the island with Una and learn about the different monuments of pre-Christian and Christian history. 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.  It is not recommended for those who may have walking difficulties. The views from the top are quite breathtaking for those who do partake, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean.  There is plenty of opportunity to visit some local knitwear shops on the island and enjoy lunch (included)! Then enjoy dinner at the hotel, followed by a traditional Irish dancing lesson and Céili Workshop!

Overnight Aran Islands Hotel, Inis Mór - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

After breakfast, we take the ferry back to the mainland and travel through beautiful Connemara to the charming village of Cong, which straddles the border of Counties Mayo and Galway, known for its serene lakes, historic abbey ruins, and as the filming location of The Quiet Man. Enjoy a local walking tour which consists of an informative and historic stroll around the village taking in the movie’s key locations including Innisfree, Pat Cohan’s Bar and the Dying Man’s House! After lunch (included), we head north to County Sligo, colloquially known as Yeats Country due to its close ties with the Nobel laureate poet. Upon arrival, partake in a Dorset Buttons class with Killala Woolcraft in Sligo. Check in to your hotel and enjoy an evening meal with your fellow knitters.

Overnight Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

After breakfast, one of Ireland’s finest knitwear designers, Edel MacBride, will host an Aran knitting workshop. Participate in a core workshop including yarn pack working the best of Irish moss, cable and Edel’s favourite – Aran stitches.  This will be followed by lunch (included) and then time to take part in a surprise activity! Journey back to your hotel and relax for the evening.

Overnight Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo - Breakfast and Lunch included

Today, we travel towards Donegal on Ireland’s northwest coast.  We stop en route at Atlantic Sheepdogs, nestled between Benbulben Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. Learn how sheepdogs are a key part of Irish farm life and see them at work and at play with the sheep. After the workshop you will enjoy lunch (included),  before you visit Studio Donegal and see the handweavers at work, using the finest Donegal yarns. Arrive at your charming hotel and relax with a evening dinner.

Overnight Lough Erne Resort, Fermanagh - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Check out after breakfast and board the coach to embark on one of the top road trips worldwide – the Causeway Coastal Route.  The road travels around a narrow strip of coastline with stunning sea views and majestic high cliffs.  Our first stop is to visit Dunluce Castle, made up of enchanting ruins perched on a dramatic headland which plunges directly down into the sea.  Then on to enjoy lunch at the world famous Bushmills Inn (included). After which we make our way to the Giant’s Causeway where over 60 million years ago, three great lava flows were laid down, cooling the basalt plateau into interlocking basalt columns.  Finally, we arrive at our hotel, right on the stunning Antrim Coast with uninterrupted views across the Irish Sea. Enjoy a group dinner at your hotel.

Overnight Dunadry Hotel, Antrim - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Today we travel just outside Belfast to visit Mourne Alpacas, a family-managed herd of Alpaca and pedigree angora goats.  High quality fleeces are produced and their motto at the farm is “we breed for heat, not for meat”. Enjoy some time with the alpacas, take photos and feel free to ask questions about the fleece.  Enjoy a cup of tea and browse through the quality alpaca yarns and some blend yarns on sale at the farm.  Yarns in many natural colours of the alpaca and some stunning seasonal colour ranges,created from natural dyes are on display here. We make our way to visit Folklore Yarns with their own collection based on Irish Folklore! After some free time around the beautiful city of Belfast, return to your hote for a relaxing evening.  

Overnight Dunadry Hotel, Antrim – Breakfast included

After checkout, We visit the The Irish Linen Centre in Lisburn, where through live spinning and weaving demonstrations you can explore Ireland’s industrial heritage and the history of linen production in Ulster. We continue our journey down south to Drogheda, stopping for lunch (included). Meet Boyne Valley tapestry weaver and artist, Áine Dunne. Áine and her team will host a spinning and tapestry workshop where we are 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 for a farewell dinner at a local Dublin restaurant with your fellow knitters.

Overnight Camden Court Hotel, Dublin - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 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.