7 Night Knit & Nature Ireland Tour

Join your group in the lobby of The Chancery Hotel and meet with your wonderful tour guide and your new companions! After a Welcome Brunch, board your coach for the short journey to Dublin’s National Botanic Gardens, a lush oasis of biodiversity, featuring stunning Victorian glasshouses, vibrant floral displays, and a vast collection of over 15,000 plant species from around the world. Afterwards, enjoy a tour of nearby Glasnevin Cemetery, a sprawling necropolis, draped in ivy and legend, which holds the stories of revolutionaries, poets, and dreamers, making it a place of both solemn reflection and deep national pride.

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.

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

This morning travel through the Irish midlands before turning south towards the village of Crusheen in County Clare. Here, you will spend time with Sandra King where you will explore different sheep breeds and their wool, feel samples, and learn about fleece processing from shearing to yarn. Hands-on activities include carding, spinning with a drop spindle, weaving on a loom, and a brief natural dyeing demonstration, with each participant taking home a naturally dyed skein of wool.

Next, it’s onto the majestic Cliffs of Moher where you will have free time to enjoy lunch (not included) before taking in the wonderful scenery around you. Towering over 700 feet above the swirling sea, they stand like ancient sentinels, battered yet unyielding against the crashing waves below. Seabirds wheel and dive, their cries echoing in the salty air as puffins nestle in craggy crevices and kestrels ride the updrafts. Continue to Ennis and check in to your hotel before enjoying dinner as a group.

Overnight Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, County Clare – breakfast and dinner included

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!

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  

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  

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

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.