DUBLIN

Our first full day in Dublin starts with a talk by local craft historian and author Vawn Corrigan. She’ll provide an overview of Irish craft traditions, their development over time and what’s happening on the contemporary craft scene (with an emphasis on fiber work). Bring your knitting for this informal and delightful session with one of our favorite local craft mavens. The afternoon is yours to explore the city according to your own interests. We’ll provide an optional walk to some of our favorite spots (like the best yarn and textile stores) but also give you ideas about other fantastic activities from amazing museums to rowdy traditional music sessions. The city is yours to explore!

COUNTIES KILKENNY & LAOIS

This morning, we’re heading south through the verdant countryside to a very special place: Cushendale Woolen Mills. A mill has existed on this site since the 13th century; the multi-generational family that owns it now is one of the few still working with Irish wool. We’ll tour the facility plus learn a great deal about what it's like to be a small-scale wool artisan in Ireland today. By the afternoon’s end, we’ll land at a Georgian country house where we’ll enjoy comfy accommodations, fine food, fantastic gardens and perhaps do a little dance with some chickens, ducks or the resident dog. We love spending time with the Flynn family! 

COUNTIES KILKENNY & LAOIS

Our explorations in this part of the country continue with a walk on the property of the Flynns. We’ll spend time with Mary Bulfin, also known as “Wild Food Mary” discovering what edible, medicinal and otherwise useful plants are growing all around us. It’s another way to get to know Ireland – through its flora. Mary brings a wealth of knowledge and shares her insights, lore and laughter as we wander the woods and fields. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a nearby village that is continuing the traditions of some very special (and unique to Ireland) embroidery. The locals share their pride and passion – and might just get us to try out a stitch or two!

SOUTHWARD WE GO

We wave goodbye to the Flynn family and venture south… and arrive atop the famous Rock of Cashel. Seat of high kings, Cashel offers us a view into Ireland’s early Celtic and medieval history with its generations of buildings set atop the plinth. We’ll have time to explore it and the town below before heading over to Cork for a drop in at Jameson Distillery. Our day ends with a soft landing at another beautiful Irish country house hotel. 

COUNTIES CORK & KERRY

Settle in for a real treat next. Our next two mornings will be with Irish knitwear designer and yarn producer Carol Feller. She’ll join us for a talk, trunk show and knitting workshop. What a treat! The day also includes a visit to Hedgehog Fibre Studio and the iconic Blarney Castle! Yes, you’ll have a chance to kiss the very stone… or peruse the truly magnificent (and we think under-appreciated) gardens onsite. 

COUNTIES CORK & KERRY

Grab a coffee or two and join in for our morning with Carol Feller, part two. Then we have the choice of spending a guilt-free knitting and relaxing afternoon at Ballymaloe House or venturing out to explore County Kerry: Killarney town, Kerry Woolen Mill, the Irish Lace Museum in Kenmare. 

WESTWARD TOWARD THE COAST

Enough of the gentle south… Let’s head to the Atlantic! Today we’ll drive across to the country’s west coast. Along the way, we’re stopping to visit some truly wonderful fiber artists in County Clare: Apple Oak Fibreworks and McKernan. Throw in lunch at our favorite nearby pub, some lovely views across Lough Derg, a stop at the Cliffs of Moher and a sunset arrival in the beautiful coastal town of Doolin and you’ve got a magical day. Anyone still up for an evening trad music session? Doolin is famous for them!

THE WILD ATLANTIC COAST

Pack your knitting needles, warmest woolies and windbreaker. We’re taking a ferry across to the nearest of the Aran Islands, Inisheer. Our day is hosted by local Aran knit teacher (and cafe owner) Una McDonagh and her family. We love visiting with them, learning about island life, getting our hands into some Aran knitting patterns, snarfing up Una’s amazing scones and then riding about on the island in a quite unorthodox form of transportation. On the ferry back to the mainland, we’ll get a sea-level view of the Cliffs of Moher before heading out to the pubs for dinner and more music.

THE WILD ATLANTIC COAST

Our final full day in Ireland is a gentle and beautiful one. In the morning, we’re headed to a very special place: the Burren Perfumery. The place is an oasis of lovely scents, gardens, passionate makers and a fine wee bakery set in the middle of a vast ocean of striated limestone landscape. We’ll explore a bit of The Burren on our way back to Doolin, stopping here and there to admire the emerging wildflowers and neolithic monuments in the area. There’ll be time to take a cliffside walk or shop for those last minute gifts in Doolin before we gather for a final, celebratory dinner together. Slainte!

HEADING HOME

Our trip comes to an end with a leisurely breakfast together. Then we’ll hop on our mini coach for the drive to Shannon International Airport and flights home. Safe travels, everyone!

Colleen is knitting multiple projects right now, spinning hand-blended fibers on her Lendrum DT, and has found it difficult but not impossible to knit and watch a South Korean show on Netflix with subtitles at the same time. She is curious about makers' stories of the lineage and evolution of their craft and where to find truly awesome pie.  Her professional background in outdoor tour guiding and small business ownership makes a great match with RTT. Colleen loves to drive a convertible, swim in natural waters and hula hoops. Does she talk to her plants? That’s what her friends want to know.