Tour Overview

‘Excellent’

Start your knitting tour of Ireland in the historic city of Dublin where you will have the opportunity to see Trinity College Library and the famous Book of Kells before visiting the Constant Knitter, a local yarn store to meet a craftsperson for a short demonstration on their craft topic and informal chat.  On your second day in Dublin you will meet Lisa from ‘This is Knit’ for a knitting class on the Moebius Knitting method.  A highlight of your tour may well be the trip to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands where we will experience traditional knitting and crafts with Una McDonagh. Continue to County Mayo where you we will visit the Museum of Country Life, an informative museum which displays the way of life of rural Irish people from 1850 with a strong focus on traditional crafts and trade. In Donegal, we visit Donegal Yarns and Studio Donegal, a hand-weaving and clothing manufacturing business, the stunning Slieve League Cliffs, Glencolmcille Folk Village along with enjoying a workshop with Irish designer Edel MacBride. The following day discover Ireland’s famous Causeway Coast, visiting the Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle. See Belfast City and explore the famous Titanic Belfast museum and Mourne Alpacas. Before you return to Dublin for your final overnight, enjoy a spinning and tapestry workshop with Aine Dunne and pay a visit to the Irish Linen Museum for a guided tour.

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 accredited guide
  • Accommodation in rooms with private facilities for 10 nights
  • Irish breakfast daily
  • 5 hotel table d’hote dinners
  • 5 lunches
  • 1 farewell meal in Dublin
  • Entrance to the following attractions: Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Slieve League Cliffs, Dún Aonghasa, Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery, Guinness Storehouse, Trinity Library and the Book of Kells
  • Return ferry to Inis Mór, Aran Islands
  • Inis Mór Guided Tour
  • Museum of Country Life

Workshops/Knitting Activities Included in This Tour

  • Spinning & tapestry workshop with Aine Dunne
  • Knitting workshop with Edel MacBride from Knitfield
  • Aran Island workshop with Una McDonogh
  • Knitting workshop with Ciara Ní Reachtnín
  • Knitting workshop with Lisa Sisk from This is Knit
  • Mourne Alpaca farm visit
  • Studio Donegal weaving demonstration
  • Meeting with local designer at the Constant Knitter
  • Important Note: Attractions, Workshops and Demonstrations May Change According to Availability and Scheduling 

Overnights for this tour

  • Camden Court Hotel or similar, Dublin, 2 Nights
  • Aran Islands Hotel, Inis Mor, 2 Nights 
  • Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo, 1 Night
  • Mill Park, Donegal, 2 Nights  
  • Grand Central Hotel (or similar), Belfast, 2 Nights
  • Camden Court Hotel (or similar), Dublin, 1 Night

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.

Day 1 - Day 1: Dublin, Airfield Estate and This Is Knit!

Join your group in the lobby of The Chancery Hotel and meet with your wonderful tour guide, Anne Marie Hayes and your new companions! After a brief introduction, board your coach for the short journey to Airfield Estate, a 38 acre period house, farm and gardens in the heart of Dublin! Home to the Overend family since 1894, Airfield Estate was left in trust to the people of Ireland by Letitia and Naomi Overend in 1974. These trailblazing sisters realised the importance of being self-sufficient and sustainable in every aspect of their lives. That passion is carried through with the Airfield team today. Enjoy a tour of the house and gardens and have lunch sourced from the estate (included). Meet the lovely farm animals before enjoying a farewell Irish Coffee or Airfield Hot Chocolate! 

Return to Dublin city centre and the exquisite Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, home to the fabulous This Is Knit Yarn Store. After browsing and chatting with the experts, you will be presented with a Fishbone Mittens Knitting Kit complete with Ériu yarn! Finish the day with a welcome dinner in your hotel. 
Overnight The Chancery Hotel, Dublin - lunch and dinner included.

Day 2 - Day 2: Ériu Farm to Yarn, River Walk and Talú Earth Dyeing Workshop

Today, we leave Dublin and venture into the Garden of Ireland! Zoe and Lionel of Ériu Farm to Yarn are dedicated to working with selected breeds and blends to produce quality Irish wool as a sustainable, natural resource. Ériu is the Irish goddess of fertility, sovereignty and abundance. They are situated in the wild Wicklow mountains at the foot of Lugnaquilla - stunning and October when the trees turn golden. The area is surrounded by fairy rings and stone circles so there is a particular magical element to this part of Ireland. 

This morning enjoy tea and scones on arrival, with a farm tour, river walk and be the first to see the Ériu woollen mill under construction! Have lunch on the farm (included) and learn about the new Kingfisher yarn colour palette. Come away with your own gift of an accessory pattern and a skein! 

Take part in a Talú Earth natural dyeing workshop with Malú Colorin. With a background in graphic design and fine arts, in 2018 she began her experimentations and research into natural dyes and studied with master dyers in  Mexico, Ireland, the US and Japan. Her work draws inspiration from the traditional garments of her native Mexico, while embracing the rich heritage of Irish textiles. She connects with each of her natural dye sources, as well as the land where they grow. 
Meander back to Dublin with a stop at the ancient monastic site of Glendalough, a tranquil oasis, draped in the colours of autumn. This evening is yours to enjoy Dublin or simply relax in your hotel.

Overnight The Chancery  Hotel, Dublin – breakfast and  lunch included

Day 3 - Day 3: Galway Wool Safari and Ahascragh Eco-Distillery Knit and Sip

This morning travel towards the mid-west of Ireland and the edge of County Galway. Join the Galway Wool co-operative to discover the magic of Pure Bred Galway Sheep and the making of authentic Native Irish Wool. Get up close to this adorable breed and see the wool being handspun into yarn! 

Just a short distance, arrive at Ahascragh Distillery, a state of the art zero emissions distillery, full of the warmth of community and built from an old stone mill. Enjoy lunch on arrival (included) and discover the story of the couple who created the sustainable process, the heritage of the building and the whiskey making process. Take part in a premium tasting experience, before relaxing with your knitting and sip of an Ahascragh cocktail in the Old Mill café. 

Continue to the Viking city of Limerick, where the River Shannon meets the Wild Atlantic Way. Check into your riverside hotel for the night, overlooking medieval King John’s castle. Enjoy dinner in your hotel this evening. 

Overnight Limerick Strand Hotel, Limerick - breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 4 - Day 4: Ballyhoura Fibres Talk and Trunk Show and Knitting with Carol Feller of Stolen Stitches

This morning enjoy a breakfast talk and trunk show with Cierra, founder of Ballyhoura Fibres. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Ciarra has made Limerick her home and dyes her own exquisite yarn collections, inspired by nature, the landscape and her travels. 

Leave Limerick for ‘The Kingdom’ of Kerry and the fabulous Killarney town, surrounded by Killarney National Park, stopping for a quick lunch bite on the way (included). Arrive at Loch Lein Country House, where we have the whole location to ourselves! Meet your hosts Paul and Annette for a warm welcome to their lakeside hotel with award winning restaurant. This hidden treasure, rests on the north shore of Killarney’s great lake, Loch Lein, with magnificent views of the McGillicuddy Reeks.

With fabulous local produce serviced in the panoramic restaurant, workshop view inspiration, spacious rooms,  a cosy bar, library, picture window lounge and plenty of comfortable areas for knitting, this really is a sanctuary for the next few nights!

Day 5 - Day 5: Knitting with Carol, Horse and Carriage Ride and Lake Cruise!

Continue knitting with Carol Feller and working on your project this morning! Enjoy a spot of lunch, before exploring the wonders of Killarney National Park, flora, fauna and heritage. Arrive at Ross Castle and board the Lily of Killarney for a cruise on Loch Lein! 

On land, take a jaunting car ride (horse and carriage) through the beauty of the national park. Return to Loch Lein for dinner and a relaxing evening. 

Overnight Loch Lein Country House Hotel, Killarney - breakfast, lunch and dinner Included  

Day 6 - Day 6: Kerry Woollen Mills, Kissane Sheepdog Farm, Killarney and Traditional Irish Music!

This morning visit Kerry Woollen Mills, one of  Ireland’s oldest working mills, established over 300 years ago! While holding on firmly to their to heritage, the weaving is the perfect union of tradition and contemporary style and you will experience it first hand! With the  stunning backdrop of Moll’s Gap, enjoy a visit to Kissane Sheep Farm and watch the sheepdogs in action over the mountain terrain. 

Return to Killarney for a free afternoon to shop, explore, enjoy refreshments or simply relax at your hotel. This evening will be fun filled with traditional Irish music and dining on local produce! 

Overnight Loch Lein Country House Hotel, Killarney – breakfast and dinner Included  

Day 7 - Day 7: Hedgehog Fibres, The Swiss Cottage and Sparkling Afternoon Tea in Newbridge!

Say farewell to Loch Lein and begin your journey back to Dublin. We stop in Cork and visit the home of Hedgehog Fibres before continuing to The Swiss Cottage, just outside of Cahir. Designed by the famous architect John Nash, as a hunting lodge styled as an idyllic country cottage! As part of a restoration  project, renowned fashion designer Sybil Connolly, was responsible for the interior décor.

Arrive at Newbridge Silverware for some discounted shopping and a chance to explore the Museum of Style Icons with collections including outfits from Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco, to Marilyn Monroe and Diana, Princess of Wales. Finish with a Sparkling Afternoon Tea in Newbridge’s ‘The Silver Restaurant!

Arrive back to your Dublin hotel and relax for the evening with your new friends. 

Overnight The Chancery Hotel,  Dublin - Breakfast and Afternoon Tea  included

Day 8 - Day 8: End of tour

Depart your hotel following breakfast and travel to Dublin airport in time for check-in and some last minute duty free shopping prior to departure.

Route map

 

Tour attractions

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!

Cancellation Penalties:

  • Cancellation 60 days or more prior to itinerary start date – Full deposit is forfeit.
  • Cancellation 59 days – 31 days prior to itinerary start date – 50% of total paid is forfeit
  • Cancellation 30 days or less – 100% of total paid is forfeit

Postponements:

Should you wish to change your tour to one of our other available tours or to a different date, you can do so subject to availability. An amendment fee of €500 per person will apply. Within 60 days of the tour commencement date, cancellation fees will apply.

10 NIGHT ARAN ISLANDS, DONEGAL & CAUSEWAY COAST KNITTING TOUR

Accommodation Type 12 Oct 2024
Price per person sharing  
Single Occupancy  

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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