Knit Ireland and Woollinn with Laura Nelkin! June 2022!

June 8th - 19th, 2022

I am SO excited to announce another knitting trip to Ireland! This one is extra special as I've timed it to end at Woollinn, a SUPER fun knitting festival just south of Dublin in Dun Laoghaire.

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin and travel to Cavan. We'll be stopping in Drogheda to meet Aine Dunne, an Irish tapestry weaver and learn about her work. Then we'll visit the heritage town of Trim and the Norman Trim Castle.  Then we'll start our adventure retreat "style" with a fantastic group dinner. The Farnham Estate in Cavan is the perfect first base!

Day 2: We'll start our day with a true Irish breakfast and then we are off to visit Sandra at Crafts of Ireland for a workshop on crocheting a traditional Irish Rose and learn about antique sock knitting machines. We'll then enjoy a lunch in the style of afternoon tea! I love tea and hope you do too! Then get ready, we get to visit Jess and Olann to see her new mill and hand-dyed yarns. This will be a TREAT!

Day 3: Group breakfast, and then head out to learn about Basket making from master basket maker Eddie McGrath. Afterwards we'll stop by Corleggy Cheese an award winning Irish artisan cheese to learn about the cheese making process at their farm! Yes, there will be CHEESE TASTING! In the afternoon Laura will lead a happy hour workshop in the hotel.

Day 4: Another yummy Breakfast, we'll leave Cavan to head to Donegal. On the way we are lucky enough to stop at the brand new Distillery tour of The Shed Distillery... Drumshanbo, is the unofficial drink of my Ireland trips, and we are going to learn how it is made! SO LUCKY! Then we'll head to the Butter Market in Enniskillen to see Irish crafters and artists work, and finally head to Belleek Pottery for a guided tour of their pottery production. We'll end in the day in Donegal at the Mill Park Hotel for a special dinner with Carol Feller.

Day 5: Carol Feller workshop Day (starts with Breakfast!)! After learning from Carol we'll head to Glebe house to see the collection of William Morris textiles.  Then we'll go to Slieve League Cliffs (AMAZING) and have a wee hike, for those that are up to it! After dinner at the hotel the evening is your own... we may decide to head into town and catch a traditional Irish Music session in any one of Donegal’s traditional pubs or simply relax in the hotel.

Day 6:  We'll have breakfast and then head to Edel MacBride's for an intensive Aran knitting workshop. Enjoy a core workshop including yarn pack, working the best of Irish moss, cable and Edel’s favourite Aran stitches. We'll head out to Studio Donegal and get a tour of their hand-weaving and clothing manufacturing business committed to preserving and promoting traditional Irish hand-weaving. They have the most beautiful yarn! Then we'll enjoy the beautiful surroundings Lough Eske Hotel for a delightful Afternoon Tea before returning to your hotel to relax and further enjoy your surroundings.

Day 7: After Breakfast (sense a theme here?) we will pack up and head towards Belfast. We'll have a visit at Dunluce Castle, a walk at the amazing Giants' Causeway, and a lovely lunch stop along the way. We'll end the day in Belfast at the Grand Central Hotel where you can enjoy one of its amazing restaurants!

Day 8: First, breakfast, then we'll pay a visit to Mourne Alpacas outside Belfast, a family managed herd of Alpaca and pedigree angora goats that produce high quality fleeces, so much so that their motto at the farm is “We breed for heat, not for meat!” After lunch locally we'll head back into Belfast for a visit to the Titanic Belfast museum. This museum is extremely interactive, with technology bringing each period to life. Return to our hotel in Belfast where the remainder of the evening is your own.

Day 9: BREAKFAST! And then we'll head towards Dun Laoghaire... on the way we'll stop at the Irish Linen Museum.  On your guided tour of the centre you will explore the history of linen production in the province of Ulster. Leaving Belfast, we travel south and make a stop at Malahide House and Gardens, a medieval castle with a dramatic 800 year old heritage, opulent antiques and décor, set in 260 acres of parkland with Victorian style walled gardens, formal lawns and Ireland’s only Butterfly House. Finally, we continue to check in at The Royal Marine Hotel and then enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 10: WOOLLINN begins today ! Entrance fees are included for you to explore Woollinn at your leisure. Your pass will grant you access to the marketplace and all associated "bonus" events such as demonstrations, exhibitions and social get-togethers. Please note that workshops at Woollinn are not included in this package and we do not book people into workshops, we will provide you with the information on how to book directly with the organisers as soon as this information is available to us. This evening enjoy a Woollinn social dinner which includes a sit-down meal and entertainment, with some of the Woollinn Special Guests in attendance.

Day 11: WOOLLINN Continues... The Woollinn experience continue today or you can simply enjoy a leisurely day in your hotel, stroll through the coastal town or take the local DART train into Dublin city centre if you wish.

Day 12: Farewell to Woollinn and Ireland

The Tour includes :

• Transfers on arrival and departure by private coach
• Sightseeing as per itinerary in a luxury coach with an experienced driver and licensed guide and Laura Nelkin, knitting designer and teacher
• 4* Accommodation in rooms with private facilities for 11 nights
• Irish breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 1 farewell dinner, First Night of Woollinn Social Dinner in your Woollinn Package
• Entrance to all museums and attractions per itinerary

Workshops/Knitting Activities Included in This Tour:

• Dinner and knitting Workshop with Carol Feller
• An Aran knitting workshop with Edel MacBride
• Irish Crochet Rose Motif, Spinning Demonstration & Antique Sock Machine Knitting Demonstration with Sandra from Crafts of Ireland
• Short Dyeing demonstration by Jess from Olann.ie
• Aine Dunne Tapestry Weaving demonstration
• A ticket to the social dinner at Woollinn on Friday 17th June (which includes a sit-down meal and entertainment, with some of the Woollinn Special Guests in attendance.)
• Two-day passes to Woollinn (Fri 17th and Sat 18th June), granting access to the marketplace and all associated "bonus" events such as demonstrations, exhibitions and social get-togethers.

VERY Detailed Itinerary and sign up form available, e-mail Laura for more details!