Meet with your group and experienced tour manager/guide and start your experience with a Welcome Brunch. Next it is time to start exploring and looking for design inspiration! Christ Church Cathedral has been the heart of Dublin city since the Vikings more than a 1000 years ago. Explore the majesty of this architectural masterpiece including the world famous crypt! Continue to the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History, situated in the famous Collin’s Barracks by the River Liffey. Exhibitions include ‘The Way We Wore’,’ a look at Irish clothing and style through the centuries, from woollens to the Dublin woven silks and linens and the all important jewellery and accessories!
This evening, enjoy a welcome drinks reception before meeting Fine Tapestry Artist, Angela Forte. Angela has been all about colour since she began weaving in the early eighties. Her large scale tapestries hang worldwide as well as hanging in prime locations across Dublin. Angela is simply passionate about colour. No other textile artist uses colour in the way that she does and her woven tapestries are a riot of vibrant colour combinations that are a delight to the eye and the senses.
Overnight in Brooks Hotel, Dublin – Brunch and Dinner included.
Day 2: THIS IS KNIT, CRAFTS OF IRELAND AND MANOR HOUSE COUNTRY LIFE!
Start your morning after breakfast with a leisurely stroll just a few yards to the gorgeous Powerscourt Town House, home of This Is Knit. Here you will have an exclusive shopping experience in their newly refurbished premises, that showcase an amazing array of yarns and accessories. Join your coach and travel to the rural tranquillity of Crafts of Ireland, nestled in the County Cavan countryside. Sandra Cootes keeps the rich craft heritage of Ireland alive. Enjoy homemade goodies during a charming country lunch before learning how to prepare a fleece, card wool and spin yarn on a spinning wheel! Sandra will then show you how socks were knitted on an antique sock machine before taking you through the entire process from the creating of a hung hem for a soft top sock to turning a heel and using Kitchener stitch to close a toe. Learn where the term Kitchener Stitch came from and its Irish connections and then see how this method of stitching creates a completely seamless finish to your knitting.
Travel through the green hills and past the glistening waters, into the Lakelands of Fermanagh. Sweep up the drive to your Manor Country House home for the next four nights. You will be greeted by your knitting host, Knitwear Designer Edel MacBride, before a Welcome Drinks Reception and dinner.
Overnight Manor House Country Hotel, County Fermanagh – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 3: EDEL MACBRIDE FULL WORKSHOP, THE BOATYARD DISTILLERY, MUSIC, STORIES & MORE KNITTING!
Time to knit! After breakfast, join Aran knit expert Edel MacBride for the first of two full classes as well as Edel knitting with you throughout your Country Manor stay and excursions! Edel’s classes on Aran knitting and her unique techniques are highly sought after. Edel’s latest designs are examined, as are beautiful samples from earlier collections, including the family knitting archive. Expect a generous, creative experience using her custom Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) yarn and other Donegal yarns, with some new Irish fleece too! Included is a knitting kit in a design from Edel's 23/24 collection. Choose from a new beret design in a local Aran wool that was created by Edel for a movie set in Ireland this year, or another wearable piece of knitting art to make and wear from her collection. Lighter wool options, like double knit and four ply are available too.
After lunch we will take a short trip to The Boatyard Gin Distillery on the gorgeous shores of Lough Erne. Founded by Joe McGirr, from a local dairy farm, he learned his craft of distilling under the watchful eye of Scotland’s The Glenmorangie Company. His aim was simple – to create an Irish gin that would be perfect for cocktails and classic G&Ts. Discover how the fine spirits are produced and the botanicals are selected. Meet the team and discover the secret of ‘Érainn’ – the famous Copper still. Learn the history of the Boatyard and enjoy a tipple or two in the process!
Return to the Manor for an afternoon of relaxation and perhaps the Spa beckons! This evening after dinner, bring your knitting and sit with Edel while you are entertained with Irish music, song, dance and storytelling!
Overnight Manor House Country Hotel, County Fermanagh – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 4: MORE KNITTING WITH EDEL, THE BUTTER MARKET AND RELAXATION!
Continue your knitting with Edel with your second full knitting class after breakfast. After lunch, visit The Buttermarket. The Buttermarket Craft and Design Courtyard comprises of nineteen art and craft units and a coffee shop, housed in the restored early 19th century dairy market. The Buttermarket's unique position in the heart of Enniskillen makes it the central focus for the thriving craft industry in Fermanagh. Here you will have time to shop in the lovely EweMomma Yarn Store and we have a discount for you too!
The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the peaceful setting of the lakeside for walks, enjoy the Springtime flowers, make use of the Spa or simply curl up in one the cosy manor house armchairs and knit! Join your friends for dinner this evening in the hotel. Of course Edel will be hosting more knitting too!
Overnight Manor House Country Hotel, County Fermanagh – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 5: THE HOME OF SAINT PATRICK, AFTERNOON ON THE HILL AND BLOSSOM TO BOTTLE!
After breakfast, we travel to Navan Fort, the ancient seat of the Kings of Ulster. A place where mythology and history collide! From the warrior Cú Chulainn, to the ancient goddess Macha, the Ulster Cycle is brought to life! The perfect time of year to visit the orchards of the Armagh Cider Company as the apple blossoms are in bloom! Enjoy a welcome drink before you learn about the cider year and why Armagh is called the Orchard County. Wander the orchards and sample the ciders and drinks produced from their own spring water. Enjoy a PicKnit! Fresh, delicious food and drink looking over the orchard as you knit!
We continue to Armagh city, the small, yet perfectly formed ecclesiastical capital of the whole island of Ireland! Whatever time of day you visit, the experience is still called Morning On The Hill! A three-fold visit to Armagh’s ancient hill – with three experts to show you the treasures. The story of Armagh Cathedral begins in the year 445 when, according to tradition, St Patrick built a church on the hill from which the city derives its name. Explore the history, monuments and features of the Cathedral. No 5 Vicar’s Hill is more than 250 years old, with octagonal rooms house historic documents, ancient coins, gems and early Christian artefacts. Armagh Robinson Library is one of the oldest libraries in Ireland, having been established in 1771. Its collections include books, manuscripts, prints, coins and gems. They will be sure to tell you how knitting and textiles fitted into the area and how Armagh was a part of the linen triangle!
Return to your Manor House Country Hotel for dinner and a chance to reflect on your day and knit into the evening with Edel.
Overnight Manor House Country Hotel, County Fermanagh – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 6: BROWNLOW HOUSE, LIZ CHRISTY, IRISH ARTISAN AND KILLEAVY CASTLE!
After breakfast, check out of your Manor and begin your journey to Killeavy Castle Estate! Arrive at Brownlow House, also known as Lurgan Castle, a stunning country estate, with ornate high ceilings, stained glass windows and and spiral grand staircases. Experience knitting with the locals, before touring the house and two museums. Discover how Brownlow House was a base for the GIs during World War II and how Eisenhower helped plan the D Day Landings from this very location! Relax in the grandeur of the team rooms with an Afternoon Tea fit for Downton Abbey!
We will stop off at the Swallow Studios, home of luxury scarf weaver Liz Christy. Luxurious hand-woven Irish scarves for women is the signature of Liz Christy’s design. Liz is a textile-designer and artist with an authentic style that embodies colour and warmth. See her at work and have the chance to purchase one of her designs, described as wearable art!
Arrive at Killeavy Castle Estate, to continue your relaxing, countryside opulence. Here we bring the yarn to you with an exclusive Irish Artisan Yarns pop up shop! Launched by Tara Osborough, the colours are greatly influenced by the wonderful Irish Landscapes where Tara grew up and where her family still live. The yarns produced are all hand painted and dyed. This highly collectable yarn is in short supply with every piece being unique. Only 5 skeins of a colourway are produced at any one time.
Overnight Killeavy Castle Estate, County Armagh – Breakfast, Afternoon Tea and Dinner included.
Day 7: THE MAGIC OF NEWGRANGE AND DUBLIN’S FAIR CITY
This morning after breakfast we travel to the World Heritage Site of Newgrange! Newgrange is a historical monument that stands within the Boyne Valley in County Meath and is over 5000 years old. Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza, it is classified as a Passage Tomb but is better described as an Ancient Temple. A construction of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, Newgrange remains as one of the world’s most significant heritage sites.
We will arrive back at Brooks in Dublin where you will have time to explore, shop and dine at your leisure! Join your knitting friends for a Farewell Dinner in your hotel.
Overnight Brooks Hotel, Dublin – Breakfast and Dinner included.
