Ireland Painting Workshop and Tour Led by Kathleen Jacobs

Your journey to Ireland begins with an overnight flight from the U.S. to Shannon, Ireland.

You will be met early this morning (time to be announced) at Ireland’s Shannon International Airport. Depending on the weather today your first stop will be an amazing one at the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. Famous for the dramatic coastline views, enjoy a relaxing walk with sketch pad in hand. Your leader will  introduce you to the landscapes of Ireland. Travel inland a bit to the Burren, a remote region known for the karst landscape of bedrock incorporating a vast cracked pavement of glacial-era limestone, with caves, fossils, rock formations, abundant plant life, and archaeological sites

Continue on to Westport, located on the shores of Clew Bay. This will be your home base for the majority of the tour. Your hotel is located on the Quay (harbor) of Westport, which should provide for some dramatic sunsets. You’ll enjoy traditional Irish breakfasts and a few dinners at the hotel. Lunch will be at various restaurants and pubs, or you can stop in town and have a picnic lunch wrapped for your daily excursions in the field. Transportation is provided in a roomy tour van. Overnight Westport (D)

Crafts were a major part of life in Ireland, people needed to produce their own tools for farming and household items necessary for daily life. From the kitchen, to the bedroom, to the farmyard, everything was hand made. Irish communities have always been proud of their traditions, and you’ll see a re-birth in some of these time-honored customs. Each day visit some of these typical locations from your home base.  There’s no possible way to visit all of them so your guides will plan each day considering the interests of the group.

The City of Westport and the Village of Newport, both capture the flavor of true Irish towns with their tree-lined canals and colorful shops.  Paul Taylor is the owner of Westport Pottery. Paul will demonstrate his techniques and perhaps someone can have a hand at the wheel. Linda Timms has a stained-glass studio we can tour and perhaps take some time at the Custom House Art Gallery also in Westport. Given proper weather conditions the group can take a ferry to Clare Island to visit with Beth who has a weaving shop.

One of your historical stops will include the inspirational archeological site of Ceide Fields, where stonewalls were discovered dating back to 3000 BC. There is a terrific print making studio and gallery in Ballycastle, near this amazing site. Living in the Partry Mountains is a traditional basket maker, weaving old style baskets out of reeds.

Ballintubber Abbey, or Baile Tobair Padraig, named for the natural spring nearby, where St. Patrick baptized his first Irish converts.  There are other places to see given time, such as Moore Hall, Barnabawn and Murrisk Abbey.

The picturesque village of Cong was the setting for John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara’s film The Quiet Man.  The ruins of Cong Abbey are here, founded in the 12th century by the King of Connacht. Many of the finest examples of cut stone can be found in the cloisters where you will marvel at the ancient stonework of 13th century masons. In 1198 the last High King of Ireland died in the abbey. You may catch a glimpse of Ashford Castle built in 1228 or take a walk through the woods to see a child’s play tower built by B.L. Guinness in 1864.

Round towers were designed as bell towers to call worshippers to prayer, and later used to protect Irish monks and their libraries from the Norman invaders. Next to one of these towers, the Turlough Round Tower, is the award winning Museum of Country Life, which is part of Ireland’s National Museum. It encompasses an old homestead and ancient crafts come to light with hands on demonstrations and three floors of exhibits. The location offers wonderful views and setting for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we can stop at Foxford Woolen Mills, where they have an optional historical and factory tour.

Achill Island is the largest island off the Irish coast. To get there, drive over the bridge at Achill Sound.  The island wrought by wind and water — an arrangement of rock, cloud, and cliffs falling off to the sea. (B each day, D three evenings)

After breakfast this morning depart for your last evening near the Shannon Airport. There will be locations to sketch or paint along the way such as the lovely W.B. Yeats Thoor Ballylea, near the Town of Gort. It was here the poet spent summers with his family and was inspired to write some of his finest poetry. In the late afternoon, say goodbye to your Irish guide and driver. They will leave you after checking in to the Shannon Airport Park Inn Hotel. Enjoy the evening on your own and prepare yourself for flights out tomorrow. (B)

You can depart at any time today as everyone will check out and walk across the parking lot to the airport, luggage carts are provided just outside the hotel. (B)