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

  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Dublin
  • Ring of Kerry
  • Trinity College & Book of Kells
  • Connemara National Park
  • Galway
  • Kylemore Abbey
  • Killarney 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.

Day 1 - Dublin Arrival

Arrive at Dublin or Dun Laoghaire Port and make your way to your hotel located on the outskirts of Dublin. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner where details of the tour will be discussed. Overnight Dublin area DBB Distance approx. 30 km/19 miles; Driving time approx. 35 minutes

Day 2 - Wicklow Mountains

This morning drive through the Garden of Ireland, Wicklow, and head for the 6th century monastic site founded by St. Kevin, after visiting and enjoying the scenery, continue to Avoca, famous for handweaving and the TV program Ballykissangel. After lunch return to your hotel via the east coast route. Overnight Dublin area DBB Distance approx. 110 km/68 miles; Driving Time approx. 2 hours

Day 3 - Dublin to Galway

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and start your journey across country. Stop at the Kilbeggan Experience, established in 1757 the oldest distillery in the world, and see how this iconic Irish whiskey is manufactured before continuing to the Hodson Bay Hotel for lunch. After lunch continue through the countryside to the vibrant city of Galway. After checking into your hotel the remainder of the day will be free for independent shopping, sightseeing and dining. Overnight Galway BB Distance approx. 250 km/155 miles; Driving time approx. 2 hours 45 minutes

Day 4 - Cliffs of Moher and Killarney

Check out of your hotel and travel through the lime stone landscape of the Burren to The Cliffs of Moher. Next, it’s on 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. After lunch, leave Bunratty and travel the short distance to Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages. Walk along the main street which is lined with thatched roofed cottages or visit the old priory and monastery before departing to Ireland’s most popular town, Killarney. Overnight Killarney DBB Distance approx. 275 km/170 miles; Driving time approx. 4 hours

Day 5 - Ring of Kerry

Today you will discover the wonderful scenery of Killarney as you drive around the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views and you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. Continue through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville (one of Charlie Chaplin’s favourite places), pass through the colourful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Continue back to Killarney and park in Muckross Park where you can visit the splendid Muckross House & Gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before returning to your hotel. Overnight Killarney BB Distance approx. 170 km/105 miles; Driving time approx. 3 hours

OR

Following breakfast depart the hotel and travel the Dingle Peninsula. Perhaps not as well-known as the Iveragh Peninsula where the Ring of Kerry is located, the Dingle Peninsula is less busy but every bit as beautiful. The town of Dingle is a small fishing port where you will find plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants to have lunch. Then to the west of the town the scenery is particularly rugged with views out to the formerly inhabited Blasket Islands. Visit the Blasket Center which celebrates the story of the Blasket Islanders, the unique literary achievements of the island writers and their native language, culture and tradition. Sadly An Blascaod Mór was abandoned in 1953 as a result of the decline of its once vibrant population. Return to Killarney where the remainder of the day will be at leisure. Overnight Killarney BB Distance approx. 180 km/112 miles; Driving time approx. 3 hours 30 minutes

Day 6 - Homeward Bound

Today you will discover the wonderful scenery of Killarney as you drive around the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views and you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. Continue through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville (one of Charlie Chaplin’s favourite places), pass through the colourful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Continue back to Killarney and park in Muckross Park where you can visit the splendid Muckross House & Gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before returning to your hotel. Overnight Killarney BB Distance approx. 170 km/105 miles; Driving time approx. 3 hours

OR

Following breakfast depart the hotel and travel the Dingle Peninsula. Perhaps not as well-known as the Iveragh Peninsula where the Ring of Kerry is located, the Dingle Peninsula is less busy but every bit as beautiful. The town of Dingle is a small fishing port where you will find plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants to have lunch. Then to the west of the town the scenery is particularly rugged with views out to the formerly inhabited Blasket Islands. Visit the Blasket Center which celebrates the story of the Blasket Islanders, the unique literary achievements of the island writers and their native language, culture and tradition. Sadly An Blascaod Mór was abandoned in 1953 as a result of the decline of its once vibrant population. Return to Killarney where the remainder of the day will be at leisure. Overnight Killarney BB Distance approx. 180 km/112 miles; Driving time approx. 3 hours 30 minutes

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!

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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