Tour Overview

‘Excellent’

Your tour begins in Dublin where we pay a visit to the National Museum of Decorative Arts. Here you can catch a glimpse of how Irish people in the past lived through their clothing and textiles. The next day in Dublin we will have a ‘knitting with wire’ workshop and you will be introduced to Tunisian crochet with one of our expert designers. Leaving Dublin, we will head for Connemara in the West of Ireland. Connemara is characterised by coastal coves and bays, fishing villages and by its vast expanse of mountainous scenery. Before we leave Galway we will enjoy a knitting workshop with 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. The next two days of your trip will be spent on Inis Oirr (Inisheer), one of the famous Aran Islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay. You will enjoy knitting and dyeing workshops and learn the traditional methods and stitches the Aran Island way! Your time on the islands will include sightseeing and even a bit of Irish music and dance! The next part of the tour takes place in the south of Ireland where we visit the famous Ring of Kerry with its stunning ocean vistas and we will enjoy a knitting workshop with Carol Feller and Liz Spillane. Return to Dublin via the famous Blarney Castle where legend has it if you kiss the stone you will never be lost for words and have as the Irish say, ‘the gift of the gab’!

Departure Dates

  • 18th September 2023
  • 15th April 2024
  • 16th September 2024

What's included

  • Transfers on arrival and departure by private coach (for arrivals prior to 10.30am on tour start date and departures on tour end date)
  • Sightseeing as per itinerary in a luxury coach with an experienced driver and licensed guide
  • Accommodation in rooms with private facilities for 10 nights
  • Irish breakfast daily
  • 5 hotel table d’hote dinners
  • 4 sit down 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
  • Ring of Kerry guided tour
  • Connemara guided tour

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 Killarney
  • Traditional knitting with Liz Spillane
  • Basket weaving demonstration with Ciaran Hogan
  • Kerry Woollen Mills tour
  • Hedgehog Fibres Studio
  • Important Note: Attractions, Workshops and Demonstrations May Change According to Availability and Scheduling 

Tour highlights

  • Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Kylemore Abbey
  • Connemara National Park
  • Connemara History and Heritage Centre

Overnights for this tour

  • Dublin 2 Nights (Camden Court Hotel (or similar)
  • Galway 3 Nights (Galway Bay Hotel or similar)
  • Inis Oirr, Galway 2 Nights (Quality en-suite B&B on Inis Oírr)
  • Killarney 2 Nights (Lake View)

Accommodation options

  • Optional pre-night packages available should you wish to spend a night or two extra in Dublin before the tour starts. Please see pricing section for details.

Tour itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Dublin

Arrive at Dublin or Dun Laoghaire Port and make your way to the west of Ireland. After checking into your hotel in the vibrant city of Galway, enjoy a welcome drink before dinner. Overnight Galway DBB Distance approx. 220 km/137 miles; Driving Time approx. 2 hours 15 minutes

Day 2 - Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle

This morning after breakfast travel through the lime stone landscape of the Burren with its unique flora and fauna to one of Ireland’s natural wonders, the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs rise to over 200 meters along an 8 kilometre stretch of the Clare/Atlantic coastline, affording magnificent 360 degree views.  Following the visit, enjoy the scenery as you drive to one of the most complete castles in Ireland, Bunratty Castle. Built in 1425 it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. Within the grounds of Bunratty Castle is Bunratty Folk Park where 19th century life is vividly recreated over 26 acres. Lunch (not included) can be had at one of Ireland’s oldest pubs, Durty Nellies, and there will be the opportunity to visit Blarney Woollen Mills for some quality Irish made goods. Return to Galway late afternoon where the remainder of the day will be free for independent sightseeing, shopping and dining. Overnight Galway BB Distance approx. 230 km/143 miles; Driving time approx. 3 hours 30 minutes

Day 3 - Connemara

Today explore another of Ireland's famous scenic regions, Connemara. Here the constantly changing cloud formations give hills, lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Visit Connemara History & Heritage Centre, were you will be introduced to the history of the area from prehistoric times to the foundation of the Irish Free State and visit Dan O’Hara’s Homestead. Next stop is Kylemore Abbey which is home to the Benedictine Nuns. Here you can visit their walled garden and Gothic church whilst enjoying the tranquility of the estate. Continue around Connemara to Clifden and on your return you may call at Ballynahinch Castle for afternoon tea before returning to Galway late afternoon. Overnight Galway BB Distance approx. 180 km/112 miles; Driving time approx. 3 hours

Day 4 - Homeward Bound

After your final Irish breakfast check out of your hotel and make your way back to Dublin for your return ferry. Distance approx. 220 km/137 miles; Driving Time approx. 2 hours 15 minutes

Route map

 

Tour Prices

  • Non-Knitter Partners & Friend

Do you have a partner or friend that doesn't knit? They are welcome to come along, ask our sales representatives about our non-knitter discount!

10 Night Southern Ireland Knitting Tour with the Aran Islands

Notes

Pre Tour Arrangements (Optional/Additional): 

Package A

  • 2 x Pre-Nights at Camden Court (or similar)
  • Arrival Transfer
  • 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Ticket
  • Per person sharing one room - €375
  • Supplement if single room is required - €125

Package B

  • 1 x Pre-Night at Camden Court (or similar)
  • Arrival Transfer
  • 1 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Ticket
  • Per person sharing one room - € 233
  • Supplement if single room is required - €68

Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.

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