Trips For Knitters

Knitting and Craft Trip of Ireland

DATES & PROGRAMS:
2024: October 7-14
• Spaces available = 15 spaces

If we are fully booked, we recommend that you sign up on our  waiting list. as we may have cancellations. You can also choose to ensure that you get early notification about this event for the following year.

TO REGISTER:  Register Now → 
A $500 per-person non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. Questions? Contact us

LOCATION: Ireland

THE EXPERIENCE: Join other knitters and visit Ireland, sightseeing in this area of extreme natural beauty, enjoy knitting workshops taught by local craftspeople , and make new knitting friends!

LODGING: Lake Hotel Killarney, accommodations through Trips for Knitters. For details, see Lodging.

HEALTH & FITNESS: While we do relax often, we also walk to sites for meals and tours. For details, see The Experience.

PRICING: $4,580. includes lodging (shared room) and $5,500 (single room), some meals, knitting classes, local transportation, and project yarn. For details, see Pricing. Note: (We don’t provide roommates, you have to have a roommate when you sign up)

TRAVEL: You make your own flight arrangements to Shannon Airport; travelers gather at the Shannon airport on the first day before 9:00 am where we will be transported to a near by hotel for a welcome breakfast.

TIPS FOR TRAVELERS: See our Tips for Travelers page for registered travelers. Read the Trips for Knitters Responsibility/Disclaimer Statement.

Itinerary:Important Note: Attractions, Workshops and Demonstrations May Change According to Availability and Scheduling

Day 1

Arrive at Shannon Airport and meet with your experienced Irish driver and accredited guide who will take you to a nearby hotel for a welcome breakfast (arrivals prior to 9:00am only). Feeling suitably refreshed, travel the brief journey to McKernan Woollen Mills, a family-run business of handweaving aficionados. Here, enjoy a tour of the business and see the weavers at work before taking a brief moment to look around the onsite store. Next, it’s onto the heritage village of Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest locations. Lined with thatch cottages, it is a charming stop that offers the chance to visit the old priory and monastery, amble around the quirky shops or enjoy a tasty coffee and treat in one of the artisan coffee houses. Finally for today, journey onwards to your hotel in Killarney, a town that is set amidst sublime scenery. Enjoy a welcome meal with your group in the evening. Overnight Lake Hotel, Killarney, Dinner Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 2

This morning enjoy an intensive workshop with Carol Feller. Details of what you will be working on will be advised well before you arrive in Ireland so that you may prepare yourself. This afternoon after lunch (included), enjoy a Whiskey and Chocolate Tasting Event where experienced whiskey and chocolate connoisseurs will take you through the history of Whiskey in Ireland and how to pair it with the perfect chocolate flavour. You can enjoy samples of both or either! After dinner, enjoy an Irish dance demonstration where there will be the opportunity to learn a few basic Irish dance steps yourself. Overnight Lake Hotel, Killarney, Dinner Bed & Breakfast Basis

Day 3

After a leisurely breakfast, visit Muckross House & Gardens and Mucros Weavers. For over 30 years, Mucros Weavers have designed and produced high-quality woven accessories from their base in Killarney National Park. Next, it’s an afternoon excursion along the stunning Dingle Peninsula. The town of Dingle is a small fishing port where you will find plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants to have lunch. Then to the west of the town the scenery is particularly rugged with views out to the formerly inhabited Blasket Islands. Visit the Blasket Center which celebrates the story of the Blasket Islanders, the unique literary achievements of the island writers and their native language, culture and tradition. Return to your hotel in the evening before enjoying dinner at a town centre restaurant (included). Overnight Lake Hotel, Killarney, Bed & Breakfast included.

Day 4

Textile artist Liz Spillane resides just south of Kenmare in Bonane where she will welcome you to her picturesque home for a knitting workshop. Liz’s workshop involves creating your very own colourful and textured yarn for hand knitting. Using locally spun 100% pure new wool yarns together with exiting yarns, in the studio store, she will teach some very simple techniques. Discover and learn some more traditional Aran knitting stitch structures to add to your repertoire. Then, combine the two and create your own unique accessory. In the afternoon, take a partial tour of The Ring of Kerry including Molls Gap and Ladies View. Overnight Lake Hotel, Killarney, Bed & Breakfast

Day 5

Today is a free day to explore at your own pace or simply relax. Why not head into Killarney town centre and enjoy some shopping and lunch (not included) or take a stroll in around the grounds of Killarney House and Gardens. For those who enjoy walking or cycling, you can opt to rent a bike and take in the sights of the National Park at your own discretion. Killarney is also home to local craft stores and gift stores alike which are sure to have something to satisfy the dutiful shopper! This evening, enjoy dinner at the world famous Kate Kearney’s Cottage. Overnight Lake Hotel, Killarney, Bed & Breakfast

Day 6

This morning, board your coach to travel to County Clare crossing the Shannon Estuary by ferry. Visit the Flying Alpaca Farm, a small traditional working farm consisting of a small herd of alpacas – a unique experience not to be missed! On your visit, you will see these special animals up close along with viewing the small workshop where the fleece is prepared and handspun on a traditional spinning wheel or woven on a loom. Alpaca fibre is considered to be amongst the best quality natural fibre in the world! Next, enjoy the scenery as you travel to one of Ireland’s natural wonders, the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs rise to 214 meters (702 feet) at the visitor centre where the views are magnificent and the Atlantic Edge Experience describes life above and below the ocean around the cliffs. Following the visit, it’s onto your local hotel for check-in before enjoying dinner. Overnight Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Dinner Bed & Breakfast included.

Day 7

This morning, we set out early to travel to Inis Oirr (inisheer), the smallest of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland. Una McDonagh, your Aran Island knitting instructor will meet you and welcome you with tea/coffee and scones. Una’s workshop will teach you all about the Aran Island way where you will learn traditional methods and stitches such as the Sharry Chain Link Stitch. The Sharry family, one of the island families, has a long-standing connection with the sea and this connection is celebrated in their choice of stitches they use when knitting traditional Aran sweaters. Following your instruction, enjoy a guided tour of this westerly island. Return via ferry back to the mainland to your hotel. Enjoy a farewell at your hotel tonight. Overnight Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Lunch, Dinner and Bed & Breakfast included.

Day 8

Transfer to Shannon Airport for your return flight arriving in good time to complete check-in formalities and that last minute duty free shopping.

You make your own flight arrangements from a major airport near you to Shannon airport Ireland.

Travelers gather at the Shannon airport before 9:00 am local time where you will meet with Trips for Knitters leader. All arrangements for this trip are through Trips for Knitters, not Irish Tourism.

Where ever you are flying from you might need to arrive a day before hand to make the 9:00 am meeting time.

QUESTIONS? contact us

•  Knitting Workshop with Carol Feller
•  Liz Spillane Knitting Experience
•  Una McDonagh Aran Knitting Workshop
• (Wool and patterns are included in all workshops (you need to bring your own needles, sizes will be advised)

Experience a warm and authentic Irish family owned and run hotel.  The hotel offers a traditional and warm Irish welcome in a magnificent setting.

Nestling on the shore of the Lough Lein, Killarney’s lower lake, The Lake Hotel enjoys the most magnificent setting with the truly unique backdrop of the mountains, islands, woodlands and the 12th century McCarthy Mór castle ruins. The Lake Hotel is a four-star property run by the Huggard Family & has been welcoming guests since 1820, so a long tradition of warm Irish hospitality awaits all visitors.

TO REGISTER:  Register Now → 
Per-person fee of $4,580.- includes lodging (shared room) and $5,500 (single room), some meals, and local transportation, knitting classes, and project yarn. You’ll want to have money for shopping and personal expenses . Note: If you are a non-knitter you will receive a $200.00 discount off the per person sharing price. Note: (We don’t provide roommates, you have to have a roommate when you sign up)

If we are fully booked, we recommend that you sign up on our waiting list as we may have cancellations. You can also choose to ensure that you get early notification about this event for the following year.

A $500 per-person non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. Payment in full is due April 30. Questions? Contact 

Cancellation Policy

• The $500 per-person non-refundable deposit is just that: non-refundable.
• All cancellations must be in writing. Email is acceptable.
• Cancellation does not necessarily result in a partial refund.
• Cancellations within 60 days of start date of event may result in a partial refund only if the space is filled.
• There is no refund for cancellations less than 30 days prior to the start date of event.
• If a participant is reimbursed through insurance, Trips for Knitters will not process an additional refund.
We strongly urge participants to purchase travel insurance to cover airfare and event expense in the event of cancellation. Please read our Tips for Travel Insurance.

Read the Trips for Knitters Responsibility/Disclaimer Statement.

•  Transfers on arrival and departure by private coach (for arrivals prior to 9.00am on start day & departure day of tour)
•  Sightseeing as per itinerary in a luxury coach with an experienced driver and accredited guide
•  Accommodation in rooms with private facilities for 7 nights
•  Irish breakfast daily
•  4 hotel table d’hote dinners
•  Evening meal at Kate Kearney’s Cottage
•  Restaurant dinner
•  3 sit down lunches
•  Irish dance demonstration
•  Return Aran Island ferry travel
•  Welcome breakfast (for arrivals prior to 9.30am on the tour start date)
•  Entrance to the following attractions: Christ Church Cathedral, Blasket Centre, Cliffs of Moher, Muckross House & Gardens with Mucros Weavers
•  Flying Alpaca farm tour and visit
•  McKernan Woollen Mills Tour and Visit
•  Dingle Peninsula Guided tour
•  Whiskey & Chocolate Tasting Event
•  Aran Islands island tour

Not Included in this trip

•  Travel to and from Ireland
•  Items of a personal nature such as wines, drinks, phone calls, etc
•  Meals not specified on the itinerary
•  Any pre or post tour arrangements
•  Tip & Gratuities

It is important to note that a certain amount of walking is encouraged on our trips. All trip members must be able to mount steps into the coach and walk unaided at a reasonable pace from coach to hotel and coach to visitor attractions/events on possibly uneven ground. Passengers must be able to handle their own luggage.

You must be ale to climb stairs of more than 25 steps and be able to walk more than 1 mile unaided at a reasonable pace. The terrain at some attractions and locations may be rough and uneven and not suitable for someone with mobility issues.

Travel Insurance

We urge you to purchase cancellation insurance & supplemental medical coverage (which covers pre-existing conditions). This is a smart way to safeguard against life’s surprises.

Additional Information

Baggage

Please pack light. You are required to bring no more the one piece of standard airline bag per person and one carry-on

Items Not Included

The trip does not include items of a personal nature such as laundry, room service, telephone charges or other hotel extras. You are responsible for settling any such costs incurred before checking out of each hotel.

Gratuities

Gratuities are not included. These are at the participant’s discretion.

Safety

It is the responsibility of each individual client to ensure that they do not behave in such a way as to cause offence or danger to themselves or others, or which risks damage to property. Each client shall be responsible for any injury or damage caused by their failure to behave in a safe and proper manner.