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Home>Craft Holidays>Knitting in the West of Ireland

Knitting in the West of Ireland

3 April 2022

1 days

Join us for a relaxing break in the charming city of Galway with friendly workshops hosted by Julie Dubreux. Days out explore the rugged Connemara countryside and visit the island of Inis Oírr, home to the traditional style of Aran knitting.

Enjoy inspirational knitting workshops with expert Julie Dubreux
Visit the stunning Cliffs of Moher
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Galway and visit Galway’s largest yarn store
Spend a full day on the smallest Aran Island and learn traditional knitting techniques from locals
Visit the historic Kylemore Abbey in scenic Connemara
Discover the history of sheep farming at Leenane Sheep and Wool Centre

Knitting in the West of Ireland

On this superb 6-day knitting holiday enjoy workshops led by our expert and discover the stunning scenery, spirit and traditional crafts found on the west coast of Ireland. Included excursions explore the charming city of Galway, and visit Kylemore Abbey and the Leenane Sheep and Wool Centre, both nestled in the midst of Connemara’s rugged landscape. Knitting has been a part of Irish life since the 1600's when knitting schools were established across the country. Thanks to an abundance of wool it became a source of income for many households during the 18th century. With their distinctive design, Aran sweaters are a symbol of Ireland and our full day excursion to the smallest of the Aran islands is a chance to learn about Aran knitting the Inis Oírr way.

Day 1: London - Shannon
Meet your tour manager at London Heathrow airport for your morning flight to Shannon. We'll visit the stunning Cliffs of Moher en route to the hotel.
Day 2: Galway
This morning's excursion takes us to Galway where we visit Knitwits, Galway's largest yarn store, and enjoy a guided walking tour through the historic winding streets of this colourful and cultural city. This afternoon we enjoy our first knitting workshop in the hotel.
Day 3: Inis Oírr
Today we travel to Ros a Mhl to catch the ferry to Inis Oírr. The island is the smallest of the Aran islands, which are renowned for their preservation of the traditional ways of life. After a wandering wagon tour of the island, we meet with a local knitting expert to knit a simple project with an Aran design inspired by the Inis Oírr landscape. Lunch today is included.
Day 4: Galway
A full day of knitting under the guidance of our expert with both morning and afternoon workshops at the hotel.
Day 5: Connemara
Beyond Galway lies the stunning landscape of Connemara. Here we'll visit historic Kylemore Abbey, and enjoy an insight into the importance of textiles to Connemara at the fascinating Leenane Sheep and Wool Centre. 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.
Day 6: Shannon - London
This morning we enjoy our final knitting workshop with our expert before leaving the hotel and transferring to Shannon airport for our return flight to London Heathrow.

Included in our package:

Return flights from London Heathrow to Shannon with 1 piece of hold luggage
Airport transfers
5 nights in 4* accommodation on a half board basis
Coach travel as described in the itinerary including driver tips
Entrance to the cliffs of Moher
Walking tour of Galway
Full day excursion to Inis Oírr with workshop with local knitters (lunch included)
Visit to Kylemore Abbey and Leenane Sheep and Wool Centre in scenic Connemara
4 half day knitting workshops with our expert
The services of an experienced tour manager throughout

Julie Dubreux

Julie Dubreux is a French knitwear designer and knitting instructor. Her enthusiastic love for the knitting community translates into colourful collaborations with indie dyers from all around the world.

Her designs have been published in Pom Pom Quarterly, Laine Magazine and Knit Now UK, as well as in books such as I Knit Paris, My Favourite Things and Homecoming.

Julie is a very out-going, dynamic instructor. Her experience as a high-school teacher allows her to manage groups of knitters with different levels of ability so that no one feels left out, and everyone gets to learn something new.

Fly from London Heathrow

Return flights from London Heathrow are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Meet us at our hotel

If you would like to make your own travel arrangements, you can meet us at our hotel. This package will not include flights or transfers. Please contact our friendly Holiday Advisors who will be happy to help, assist with travel information and advise you of our ‘meet us there’ holiday discounts.

Dates:

3rd April 2022: 6 days

Prices:

All prices listed below are per person.

Twin/double share room: from £1675
Double room for sole use: from £1925
Non-crafter discount: £50
Deposit: £175

Our 'Stitch Together' Programme

Our ‘Stitch Together' Programme helps our guests with the costs of a single occupancy room. If you are a single traveller but would be willing to share a room with a fellow crafter, please let us know and we will get in touch if anyone else joins the programme for the same tour.

Overview

This 4-star hotel is set on the shores of Galway Bay, one of Ireland’s most scenic locations. With beautiful views over the Bay and Clare Hills, this award-winning hotel is also just 5 minutes from Galway City.

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

Guests can enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool, massage fountain and the leisure centre, which features a fully equipped modern gym and sauna. Health and beauty treatments are also available.

Full Irish breakfasts are served each morning, and the AA Rosette Bay Brasserie serves modern Irish cuisine with fresh fish and local produce.

Room Facilities & Amenities

Classic Rooms

Available as a twin share or for sole use, classic rooms offer easy comfort, timeless style and warm bright décor. All classic rooms have V1 spring beds that are designed to give a sleep experience unlike any other.

All rooms are equipped with the following: