10 Night South of Ireland Knitting Tour with the Aran Islands

Transfer from Dublin Airport to your hotel (for arrivals prior to 11am on start day of tour). Meet with your guide and group for an introduction to your tour before you set out. First stop is at St Patrick’s Cathedral for a guided tour of one of Dublin’s oldest operational buildings – over 800 years old, before returning to your hotel for a Welcome Reception with a drink, to enjoy a trunk show and demonstration with Aoibhe Ni, a well loved Irish crochet designer.  Aoibhe is best known for her love of Tunisian crochet and her designs push the boundaries to create unique and stylish clothing, homewares and accessories. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your new companions.

Overnight Camden Court Hotel, Dublin (dinner included)

This morning take part in a Stranded and Steeked Colourwork Workshop with Pauline Gallagher of The Knitting Class. In this workshop you will explore the origins of this technique and get to work on a two colour project which includes traditional features such as stranded knitting in the round, yarn management, how to read a chart and an introduction to steeks. Afterwards, head onwards to Galway, stopping off for lunch en route before enjoying an evening free to explore and/or relax.

Overnight Park House Hotel, Galway (breakfast and lunch included)

After a hearty breakfast, we travel out to Connemara, one of the most beautiful and un-spoilt landscapes in the west of Ireland. We begin with a visit to the world-famous Kylemore Abbey, beautifully surrounded by mountains and lakes and renowned for its spiritual and educational heritage. We continue to Glen Keen Farm for a captivating sheep-herding and wool spinning demonstration, followed by tea, coffee, and scones before returning to Galway to dine at our hotel.

Overnight Park House Hotel, Galway (breakfast and dinner included)

This morning take part in an Aran knit 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, many costumes featuring in the movie ‘The Quiet Man’ were tailored by the Ó’Máille family. The shop is now closed, but Anne will still bring her pieces and talk about the heritage of her wonderful store! Anne will be focusing on the unique and fascinating Aran stitches. Afterwards, spend the afternoon soaking up the atmosphere of this vibrant city, shop or check out the pubs and restaurants, all which make Galway such a popular destination.

Overnight Park House Hotel, Galway (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.  In the afternoon, we take a guided tour of the island before checking into your accommodation.  You will be collected this evening and taken to a local restaurant for dinner.

Overnight En-Suite Bed & Breakfast,  Inis Óírr, Aran Islands (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

We begin our day with a baking demonstration of brown bread and scones as well as some homemade butter churning.  Enjoy tea, coffee with scones – the fruits of the demonstration!  Continue with a spinning and dyeing workshop using local plants and lichens in the traditional manner of Aran.  Enjoy some lunch (included) and leisure time on the island before dinner.

Overnight En-Suite Bed & Breakfast, Inis Óírr, Aran Islands (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

We depart the Aran Islands after breakfast and take the fast ferry to Doolin in County Clare.  We will then make our way to Killarney, breaking the journey with a visit to the postcard-perfect village of Adare. During our stop, there is time to stroll through the village, admire its iconic thatched cottages and heritage architecture, and enjoy the surroundings before continuing onward to beautiful Killarney.

Overnight The Lake Hotel, Killarney, (breakfast and dinner included)

After breakfast, we take a day trip to Cork. Firstly, enjoy an exclusive private shopping experience with Carol, complete with a complimentary copy of one her beautifully curated books. After lunch (included), take part in a cable knitting workshop hosted by well- known Irish knitter and author Carol Feller of Stolen Stitches. 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. Then sit back and enjoy the return trip to Killarney, where the evening is yours to explore and enjoy.

Overnight The Lake Hotel, Killarney, (breakfast and lunch included)

Liz Spillane resides just south of Kenmare, where she will welcome you to her home. You will partake in a texture and colour in knitting class. 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 exciting yarns, she will teach some very simple techniques. Discover and learn some more traditional Aran knitting stitch structures to add to your repertoire, before combining the two and create your own unique accessory. After the workshop, take some time explore Kenmare and then return to Killarney, taking in some of the panoramic views at Molls Gap and Ladies View.

Overnight The Lake Hotel, Killarney (breakfast included)

First stop of the day is a visit to Kerry Woollen Mills, one of the oldest working mills in Ireland before then journeying on to the Golden Vale of Tipperary and the iconic Rock of Cashel. This is a place of historical significance and medieval architecture. From here return to Dublin where you and your new knitting companions will enjoy a Farewell Dinner.

Overnight Dublin based Hotel, Dublin, (breakfast and dinner included)

Transfer to Dublin Airport after breakfast in time for check-in and some last-minute duty-free shopping.