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This fantastic knitting and crochet holiday includes expert-led workshops, as well as the discovery of stunning scenery and traditional crafts on Ireland’s west coast. Explore the charming city of Galway and visit the Leenane Sheep and Wool Centre, amidst the Connemara landscape. Knitting schools were established across Ireland in the 1600's, cementing the craft as a key part of Irish life. It later became a huge source of income for many people, thanks to an abundance of wool, and the distinctive design of Aran sweaters became a symbol of Ireland. A full-day excursion takes us to the smallest of the Aran Islands, providing a chance to learn about Aran knitting the Inis Oírr way.
Arrive at London Heathrow and meet your expert and tour manager before departing on a morning flight to Shannon. We'll visit the stunning Cliffs of Moher on route to the hotel.
This morning's excursion takes us to Galway where we will visit Knitwits, Galway's largest yarn store, and enjoy a guided walking tour through the historic winding streets of this colourful and cultural city. We will return to the hotel this afternoon for the first workshop.
We will travel to Ros a Mhil and catch the ferry to Inis Oírr this morning. It is the smallest of the Aran Islands, renowned for their preservation of the traditional ways of life. After a wandering wagon tour of the island, we will meet with local knitters to create and knit your own Aran design inspired by the Inis Oírr landscape.
Today we enjoy a full day workshop at the hotel with our expert.
Beyond Galway lies the cultural region of Connemara. Here we will visit Kylemore Abbey and the Leenane Sheep and Wool Centre for an insight into the importance of textiles to Connemara's past. Discover the history of sheep farming and learn about the methods of spinning and weaving as you see wheels and looms dating back to the turn of the last century.
We enjoy our final workshop with our expert at the hotel this morning. In the afternoon, we transfer to Shannon airport for our return flight to London Heathrow.
Tour Notes: You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. On excursion days you will need to walk a short distance from the hotel to the coach and you should be able to board the coach unaided. On arrival at the excursion destination, you should be able to alight the coach unaided and there may be a walk between the coach drop off point and the excursion venue. By their nature, walking tours, museum visits etc involve being on your feet for a significant amount of time. Whilst our excursions are taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers.
You will stay for five nights at the Galway Bay Hotel.