Dates: Dates for 2014 will be posted shortly, please contact us to discuss dates and party size. Prices are based on a minimum of 10 people, but smaller groups can be accommodated
Bookings: This is a fully serviced package holiday, administered through Specialized Travel Services, Blackrock, Co Dublin +353 1278 2677 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and can be booked from any country of origin. Prices do not include inbound travel to Dublin.
For Friends of People “Cracked about Pottery” package for partners, scroll down below the potter's package.....
“Cracked about Pottery”
Ireland
Gathering of Potters
COSTS AND INCLUSIONS
USD $
Price Price per Person Sharing a Double/Twin Room
10 People 12 People 14 People 16 People
$ 2,450.00 $ 2,340.00 $ 2,345.00 $ 2,310.00
This tour is suitable for those with English language. For groups of 10 plus, one person, as organiser may attend free of charge
Single Room Supplement ~ $ per person
2 Nights accommodation at the Maritime Hotel, Bantry, West Cork.
(No transfer from or to Dublin Airport – private transfers can be arranged)
“Cracked about Pottery”
Ireland - September 2013 – Gathering of Potters
Itinerary
Introduction
Gather your creative pottery hands together and discover Irish ceramics for yourself in the Emerald Isle……
The first examples of Irish ceramics, in the form of pottery, which is made from firing clay dug from the ground, date from around 6000 years ago; notably fragments of coil-built pots found in early burial mounds; these were probably air-dried, rather than kiln fired. The potter’s wheel was introduced into Ireland around the 13th century by the Anglo-Normans. This technological advance helped with vessel symmetry and speed of production. There are three principal types of pottery- earthenware, stoneware and porcelain; distinctions were made between the types of clay used and their firing temperatures. Traditional Irish pottery can be divided into two types- coarse ware and fine ware. Coarse ware is more common and consists of strong, robust items, used for everyday activities, such as sturdy cooking bowls and jugs, crocks and similar vessels for buttermilk and cream, chimney pots and flowerpots. These items would generally be either stoneware or earthenware. Fine ware began to be made in Ireland in the late 17th century due to the rising cost of importing fine ware from overseas. Using native fine white clay, this pottery tends to be more decorative and delicate in nature…….
Day 1 – Arrive into Dublin, Ireland
Céad Míle Fáilte – (A hundred thousand welcomes) – to Ireland. On arrival into Dublin Airport and after collecting your luggage from the baggage claim area, make your way outside of the arrivals hall where you can travel with Air Coach; Dublin Bus or by taxi into the City centre to check into your overnight accommodation. Ensure that you have EURO (€) with you for your airport transfer.
Dublin City - capital of the Republic of Ireland sits on a splendid bay at the mouth of the River Liffey with the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains rising from its southern suburbs. It is internationally noted for its writers, Georgian architecture, witty natives and the production of Guinness!
Check into the Trinity Capital Hotel (or similar) (Dinner, B&B Basis) – NOTE: Rooms won’t be ready for check in until after 3.00pm. Spend your afternoon exploring the capital city at your own leisure.
This evening at 7.00PM meet the rest of the tour group at the hotel’s restaurant for a welcome dinner.
Day 2 – Dublin to Kilkenny to Kinsale
This morning after breakfast your driver guide will give you an introduction to Dublin City before travelling to Kilkenny City - See the city's scenic highlights on a short narrated drive through Dublin City, including the River Liffey, the Customs House, O'Connell Street, the GPO (General Post office), the Four Courts, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Christchurch Cathedral, St. Stephen's Green and Leinster House.
Continue the journey southwards to Kilkenny City viewing the scenic Irish countryside along the way–
Kilkenny is a beautiful medieval city, sitting snug on the banks of the River Nore in the South East of Ireland. It is acclaimed internationally as a centre for craft and design and is host every year to a number of major events including the Kilkenny Arts Festival and the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival. The city was named after a 6th century monk, St. Canice, whose memory lives on in the beautifully restored St. Canice’s Cathedral. Another landmark building is the magnificent Kilkenny Castle, built by the Normans during the 12th century.
Beautifully restored buildings such as these sit comfortably alongside contemporary shops, design galleries and restaurants in compact streets, making the city small enough to explore and enjoy on foot.
Visit the National Craft Gallery, which is the Crafts Council of Ireland’s (CCoI) flagship exhibition space. It is housed in Castle Yard, the former stables of Kilkenny Castle. In 1965 these late 18th century buildings were converted to house Kilkenny Design Workshops. Today they are home to the CCoI headquarters.
Continue further south to County Cork and Kinsale. Originally a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale is one of the most picturesque, popular and historic towns on the south west coast of Ireland. It has been hailed as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland, with no shortage of cafes, pubs and restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Only 18 miles from Cork, Kinsale marks the beginning of scenic West Cork and is ideally placed as a yachting and deep-sea angling centre and in recent years a world class golf destination. Kinsale town nestles between the hills and the shoreline, a maze of narrow streets, never far from the water and little changed in many hundreds of years. Amongst buildings of later periods are those of another age with historical links to the French, Spanish, British and Americans.
Walking around the town of Kinsale you can enjoy browsing in its many shops, for gifts, crafts, paintings, locally designed fashions, art galleries, book shops or take time out in one of its many lovely café's for coffee and cakes.
Dinner & overnight at the Trident Hotel Kinsale, or similar (Dinner, B&B Basis). Introductions to Adrian Wistreich, your pottery host in Kinsale.
Day 3 – Ceramic Workshop & Kinsale Tour.
This morning after a full Irish Breakfast, enjoy a workshop with Sara Roberts – (www.sramics.com) at Kinsale Pottery & Arts Centre on the process of making landscape and seascape relief wall-pieces. What you make in this workshop will be glazed in Sara’s second workshop.
Sara Roberts is perhaps best-known for capturing the drama of her native West Cork coastline in beautifully glazed porcelain. Mounted and framed to be wall hung. As a ceramicist, Sara now enjoys the challenge of portraying her natural environment, the allure of its ever changing textures and colours, – images actually created from their constituent parts – earth (clay), sand (glaze) rocks (pigments). A member of the West Cork Craft & Design Guild, Sara has exhibited throughout Ireland and Europe and her work can be found in many private and corporate collections
In the afternoon visit Charles Fort located on the road just beyond Summercove and perhaps the best-known historical attraction in Kinsale. Charles Fort is one of the finest surviving examples of a
17th Century star-shaped fort, and much of the construction begun in 1678 remains. The fort has two enormous bastions overlooking the estuary, and three facing inland. Within its walls were all the barracks and ancillary facilities to support the fort’s garrison. The fort continued in military use until 1922.
This evening the group will have talk at the hotel with Adrian Wistreich (Kinsale Pottery) about his change of lifestyle from music industry executive to pottery teacher, followed by “Dine around the Gourmet Capital Kinsale” – Pre Dinner drink @ X ; Starter @ X ; Main Course @ X and Dessert @ X.
Overnight at the Trident Hotel, or similar (B&B Basis)
Day 4 – Kinsale Pottery & Arts Centre & Workshops
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before travelling to Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre for a workshop. (www.kinsaleceramics.com) Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre provide arts and crafts courses for adults and children, specializing in pottery, glass fusing and stained glass, jewellery-making, and mosaic-making. The pottery is in the converted stables of the home farm for Ballinacurra House, and the gallery is in the eaves of its coach house, which dates back to 1795.
Join Adrian Wistreich at Kinsale Pottery for a full-day workshop on throwing multi-part sculptural pieces and hand building with coloured clay, including porcelain and porcelain paper clay - After more than 20 years of corporate life in London, working as a publisher and research consultant, Adrian pursued his ambition of becoming an artist and teacher. After completing a diploma in Ceramics and Design at Hackney College of Art, London, he moved to Kinsale with his family and set-up the Kinsale Pottery and Art School.
Afterwards the group will meet with Jim Turner (Rossmore Pottery Clonakilty) (http://www.rossmorepottery.com/jim_turner.php). Jim Turner’s work is focused on creating textured surfaces unique to the ceramic process. This series of work explores the use of paper clay to create pieces, which seem familiar but are never quite resolved in the observer’s eye. So objects are being constructed from paper clay sheets which in older work were only being used for ceramic “decoration”.
This evening the group will be at their own leisure for dinner and to explore Kinsale. Overnight at the Trident Hotel, or similar (B&B Basis)
Day 5 – Workshop & Cork City.
After breakfast enjoy a morning workshop with Julian Smith at Kinsale Pottery & Arts Centre for a specialized raku session, incorporating some of Julian’s unique techniques. Resist slip, tinfoil saggar copper matt , copper reduction horse hair and how to obtain a good crackle will all be covered.
Julian Fullerton Smith has been working with clay for well over 20 years. After training in Scotland and Wales, he moved to Ireland in 1995. Initially he lived in Galway but soon discovered Kinsale, and established his own studio there in 1996. Julian has established himself as one of Ireland's foremost Raku artists. Raku is a technique originating in Japan in the sixteenth century, in which work is rapidly fired and removed from the kiln when glowing red-hot. The piece is then placed in a container with combustible materials creating striking colours using metallic oxides. The charm of Raku lies in its use of primitive materials which nevertheless can produce highly sophisticated results. The workshop will explain the many different effects that can be achieved by using a simple raku kiln, and show how to control the atmospheres inside the kiln while firing.
Lunch will be provided in the pottery, and after lunch, the group will travel to Chinaman’s Loft, Nohoval, to spend the afternoon with Sara Roberts in her studio decorating and glazing work produced in her first workshop. This will be glaze fired before the end of the tour and delivered to your hotel in Kenmare, or packed for shipping.
Freshen up back at the hotel before an early evening panoramic tour of Cork City –
The name ‘Cork’ derives from the Irish ‘Corcach Mór Mumhan’ which means the ‘great marsh of Munster’ and refers to the fact that the centre of Cork City is built on islands, surrounded by the River Lee, which were marshy and prone to episodes of flooding. The waterways between the islands were built over to form some of the main streets of present-day Cork. The oblong-like shape of the centre-city island, bounded by the north and south channels of the Lee gives Cork City much of its physical charm and a distinctive continental air. Cork is renowned for its culinary flair and vibrant cultural scene this was reflected when the city was titled the European Capital of Culture in 2005.
St. Patrick's Street is the main shopping street in Cork and the heart of the city. One of the jewels of Cork city centre is the English Market dating back to 1788. Today, it has one of the most cosmopolitan atmospheres to be found in Cork and sells a wide array of foodstuffs from all over the world.
See one of Cork’s most distinctive landmarks, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, located in one of the oldest areas of the city. It is the diocesan cathedral of the Church of Ireland and was designed by the notable English architect, William Burges, who also designed the stained glass, the sculptures, the mosaics, the furniture and metal work for the interior.
Dinner this evening will be in a restaurant in Cork City.
Return to Kinsale for overnight at the Trident Hotel, or similar (B&B Basis)
Day 6 - West Cork & Kenmare.
After breakfast return to Kinsale Pottery for one more half-day workshop with Adrian Wistreich, examining the sculptural opportunities of multi-piece thrown pottery produced in the previous workshop, followed by lunch.
After lunch travel through West Cork and the Beara Peninsula the most westerly part of County Cork, bordered by the waters of Bantry Bay, Kenmare Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and the largest peninsula in County Cork. Beara is dominated by the Caha Mountains, which run down the middle of the peninsula from end to end. With its rocky mountains, glacial lakes and rugged coastline, Beara is an area of great scenic beauty. The principal villages and towns in Beara are: Allihies, Ardgroom, Castletownbere, Eyeries and Glengarriff.
Arriving in Castletownbere, visit the famous ceramics gallery The Mill Cove Gallery (www.millcovegallery.com), probably the best display of Ireland’s leading ceramicists’ work, and take a guided tour of the gallery and gardens with proprietor, John Goode.
In Castletownbere, visit Mill Cove Gallery which represents over 40 ceramic artists - the largest number of ceramic artists represented by an Irish Gallery. The Sculpture Gardens include over 50 sculptures on 4 acres of mature grounds overlooking the sea.
Famous in song, the small town of Bantry is of legendary beauty. Bantry, at the head of the bay, is a busy market town and fishing port. Bantry Bay was twice entered by French fleets: in 1689 to support James II against William of Orange, in 1796 to aid Wolfe Tone and an Irish uprising. A storm dispersed the 1796 fleet and only a few of the ships made the Bay.
Dinner & overnight at the Maritime Hotel, Bantry. (Dinner, B&B Basis). Featuring over 100 designer rooms, some with sea views and others overlooking mature wood this luxury accommodation is situated very conveniently for the famous bay of the region. Superbly located on the water’s edge, The Maritime Hotel enjoys uninterrupted sea views across Bantry Bay.
This evening, the group will meet with One of Ireland’s best-know ceramicists, Cormac Boydell – www.cormacboydell.com - Cormac Boydell worked as a geologist in Australia and Libya before moving to A
llihies, West Cork in 1972 and has has been working full time in ceramics since 1983. In making his work Boydell uses no tools, relishing instead the direct contact between hands and the clay. Boydell is keen to emphasis the importance of the process of making and that the nature of clay be apparent in the form and the texture of the resultant work. He uses an Irish terracotta clay from Co. Wexford chosen because of the beauty of the orangey terracotta that is the perfect background to the colours he works with.
Day 7 – West Cork Workshop
Today after breakfast travel to Skibbereen for a full day workshop with Robert Lee, a contemporary Irish ceramic artist. (http://www.ccoi.ie/portfolio/cv/robert_lee.pdf) and Darren Cassidy.
Robert Lee is one of Ireland’s best throwing ceramicists, having over ten years' immersion in study and practice, his recent work explores simplicity and repetition of form; intuitively revealing the beauty of the porcelain clay and glazes. Robert's unique porcelain is distinguished by fluid, contemporary lines and innovative, delicate glazes. He recently earned a Masters Degree in ceramics from Crawford School of Art in Cork and exhibits his work nationally and internationally. He teaches at his studio just outside the beautiful town of Skibbereen.
Darren Cassidy received his diploma in Design Communications in 1996 from Dunloaghaire College of Art & Design. Returning home to Cork he started his own company, producing woodcarvings and shaker furniture. From his work with wood, blossomed a love for sculpture in all mediums, wood, stone, plaster and of course clay. He has always enjoyed mastering different techniques and found that he also loved to share his findings from his years of experimentation. This led him to teaching. Now he enjoys his time moving between his work in the studio and teaching, “a perfect combination” and this is reflected in his students work.
In Darren’s class you will learn different effects and techniques to produce earthstone slab-rolled relief carved tiles and explore sgaffito, mosaic and press moulding, combining all to make a final piece
Robert Lee is one of Ireland’s best throwing ceramicists, having over ten years' immersion in study and practice, his recent work explores simplicity and repetition of form; intuitively revealing the beauty of the porcelain clay and glazes. Robert's unique porcelain is distinguished by fluid, contemporary lines and innovative, delicate glazes. He recently earned a Masters Degree in ceramics from Crawford School of Art in Cork and exhibits his work nationally and internationally. He teaches at his studio just outside the beautiful town of Skibbereen.
Darren Cassidy received his diploma in Design Communications in 1996 from Dunloaghaire College of Art & Design. Returning home to Cork he started his own company, producing woodcarvings and shaker furniture. From his work with wood, blossomed a love for sculpture in all mediums, wood, stone, plaster and of course clay. He has always enjoyed mastering different techniques and found that he also loved to share his findings from his years of experimentation. This led him to teaching. Now he enjoys his time moving between his work in the studio and teaching, “a perfect combination” and this is reflected in his students work.
In Darren’s class you will learn different effects and techniques to produce earthstone slab-rolled relief carved tiles and explore sgaffito, mosaic and press moulding, combining all to make a final piece
Overnight at the Brook Lane Hotel in Kenmare or similar. (B&B Basis).
Day 8 – Killarney and Dublin
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning before travelling to Killarney. On the journey from Kenmare to Killarney you will pass through the Killarney National Park on a journey that takes you on steep and narrow roads through Ireland’s highest mountain range, the Macgillicuddy Reeks.
Stop for a photo at the scenic point at Ladies View with magnificent panoramic views of the three lakes and primary mountains. - Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting visited here during the royal visit in 1861. They were so enraptured with the view that it was named after them.
Visit the world renowned Muckross House & Gardens, situated amidst the spectacular scenery of Killarney National Park. The elegantly furnished rooms portray the lifestyles of the landed gentry, while downstairs in the basement one can experience the working conditions of the servants employed in the house. The gardens of Muckross House are renowned worldwide for their beauty. In particular they are noted for their fine collection of Azaleas and Rhododendrons, an extensive water garden, and an outstanding rock garden hewn out of natural limestone.
Travel northwards to County Limerick and Adare Village - Snuggled in a wooden and lush countryside setting, Adare is widely regarded as being Ireland’s prettiest and most picturesque village. Situated on the River Maigue, a tributary of the Shannon River, part of the main street is lined with two groups of world famous, ornate, thatched cottages.
Continue towards Dublin City for dinner & overnight at the Trinity Capital Hotel or similar (Dinner B&B Basis).
Enjoy free time in the city for any last minute shopping or additional sightseeing.
Day 9 - Depart from Dublin Airport at leisure (airport transfer not included).
For those who want to visit with a potter but who are not interested in taking the workshops, here's a package for partners:
Friends of People “Cracked about Pottery”
Ireland - September 2013 –
Gathering of NON Potters
15th to 23rd September 2013
COSTS AND INCLUSIONS – NON POTTERS TOUR
USD $
Price per Person Sharing a Double/Twin Room
10 People 12 People 14 People 16 People
$ 1,815.00 $ 1,749.00 $ 1,699.00 $ 1,666.00
Inclusions
(No transfer from or to Dublin Airport – private transfers can be arranged)
Notes:
Friends of People “Cracked about Pottery”
Ireland - September 2013 –
The Gathering of NON Potters
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday 15th September 2013 - Arrive into Dublin, Ireland
Céad Míle Fáilte – (A hundred thousand welcomes) – to Ireland. On arrival into Dublin Airport and after collecting your luggage from the baggage claim area, make your way outside of the arrivals hall where you can travel with Air Coach; Dublin Bus or by taxi into the City centre to check into your overnight accommodation. Ensure that you have EURO (€) with you for your airport transfer.
Dublin City - capital of the Republic of Ireland sits on a splendid bay at the mouth of the River Liffey with the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains rising from its southern suburbs. It is internationally noted for its writers, Georgian architecture, witty natives and the production of Guinness!
Check into the Trinity Capital Hotel, Dublin City (Dinner, B&B Basis) – NOTE: Rooms won’t be ready for check in until after 3.00pm. Spend your afternoon exploring the capital city at your own leisure.
This evening at 7.00PM meet the rest of the tour group at the hotel’s restaurant for a welcome dinner.
Day 2 – Monday 16th September 2013 - Dublin to Kilkenny to Kinsale
This morning after breakfast your driver guide will give you an introduction to Dublin City before travelling to Kilkenny City - See the city's scenic highlights on a short narrated drive through Dublin City, including the River Liffey, the Customs House, O'Connell Street, the GPO (General Post office), the Four Courts, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Christchurch Cathedral, St. Stephen's Green and Leinster House.
Continue the journey southwards to Kilkenny City viewing the scenic Irish countryside along the way– Kilkenny is a beautiful medieval city, sitting snug on the banks of the River Nore in the South East of Ireland. It is acclaimed internationally as a centre for craft and design and is host every year to a number of major events including the Kilkenny Arts Festival and the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival. The city was named after a 6th century monk, St. Canice, whose memory lives on in the beautifully restored St. Canice’s Cathedral. Another landmark building is the magnificent Kilkenny Castle, built by the Normans during the 12th century.
Beautifully restored buildings such as these sit comfortably alongside contemporary shops, design galleries and restaurants in compact streets, making the city small enough to explore and enjoy on foot.
Visit the National Craft Gallery, which is the Crafts Council of Ireland’s (CCoI) flagship exhibition space. It is housed in Castle Yard, the former stables of Kilkenny Castle. In 1965 these late 18th century buildings were converted to house Kilkenny Design Workshops. Today they are home to the CCoI headquarters.
Continue further south to County Cork and Kinsale. Originally a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale is one of the most picturesque, popular and historic towns on the south west coast of Ireland. It has been hailed as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland, with no shortage of cafes, pubs and restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Only 18 miles from Cork, Kinsale marks the beginning of scenic West Cork and is ideally placed as a yachting and deep-sea angling centre and in recent years a world class golf destination. Kinsale town nestles between the hills and the shoreline, a maze of narrow streets, never far from the water and little changed in many hundreds of years. Amongst buildings of later periods are those of another age with historical links to the French, Spanish, British and Americans.
Walking around the town of Kinsale you can enjoy browsing in its many shops, for gifts, crafts, paintings, locally designed fashions, art galleries, book shops or take time out in one of its many lovely café's for coffee and cakes.
Dinner & overnight at Actons Hotel Kinsale (Dinner, B&B Basis).
Day 3 – Tuesday 17th September 2013 - Kinsale Harbour Cruise & Charles Fort Tour.
This morning after a full Irish Breakfast, make your way over to the pier to the Kinsale Harbour Cruise. The unique trip is an opportunity to view Kinsale from the water. A perfect combination of culture, information, relaxation and stunning scenery. Kinsale has a wealth of historic sites and during the tour you will have a bird’s eye view and an opportunity to appreciate them in context. Jerome’s commentary gives a brief history with anecdotal legends and an insight into how the town has developed over the centuries. Leaving the quay, the boat passes the yacht marina and on by the picturesque former fishing village of Scilly.The boat goes close to the shore to allow passengers a chance to glimpse seals, otters, herons and other flora and fauna.
Return to Kinsale for a light lunch (Soup & sandwiches) at local venue (to be confirmed)
In the afternoon, visit Charles Fort located on the road just beyond Summercove and perhaps the best-known historical attraction in Kinsale. Charles Fort is one of the finest surviving examples of a 17th Century star-shaped fort, and much of the construction begun in 1678 remains. The fort has two enormous bastions overlooking the estuary, and three facing inland. Within its walls were all the barracks and ancillary facilities to support the fort’s garrison. The fort continued in military use until 1922.
This evening the group will have talk at the hotel with Adrian Wistreich (Kinsale Pottery) followed by “Dine around the Gourmet Capital Kinsale” – Venues to be confirmed - Pre Dinner drink @ X ; Starter @ X ; Main Course @ X and Dessert @ X.
Overnight at Actons Hotel, Kinsale (B&B Basis)
Day 4 – Wednesday 18th September 2013 – Cobh & Midleton Tour
After breakfast this morning a driver guide & bus will meet you at the hotel for a full day tour to Cobh & Midleton.
Visit Cobh Heritage Centre - Cobh is situated on the southern shore of the Great Island in one of the world’s finest natural harbours. Cobh's landmark Cathedral clings miraculously to the town's steep slopes as they sweep down to the sea of Cork Harbour. Between 1848 and 1950, over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland – over 2.5 million from Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration in the country. Cobh was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic. Later the steamers and ocean liners continued carrying the Irish to new lives and new lands. This tragic past as well as Cobh's historical and maritime story is brought alive in the splendid Interpretative centre.
Depart Cobh, driving in an easterly direction to the town of Midleton, which is a small rural town to visit the Jameson Experience at the Old Midleton Whiskey Distillery. The Distillery comprises of 11 acres of grounds, which is both architecturally and historically unique. Now visitors to Ireland can trace the history of the magical spirit. Prior to 1825 the site was used as a Woollen Mill that commenced production in 1795. Today the original distillery - carefully and lovingly restored - is the only self-contained 18th century industrial complex of its kind in Britain and Ireland.
Of the many artifacts still remaining, pride of place goes to the largest Pot still in the world, which has a capacity of more than 30,000 gallons and is preserved in the building where it has been located for more than 150 years. A tour of the Midleton Distillery is a journey through the history of Irish whiskey. Mapping out the journey are historic illustrations and photographs, audiovisual shows, exhibitions, demonstrations, graphic panels, intriguing display cabinets, timeless artifacts and working models. The visitor also encounters superbly restored machinery and dramatic recreations of many of the stages in whiskey production.
This evening the group will be at their own leisure for dinner and to explore Kinsale. Overnight at Actons Hotel (B&B Basis).
Day 5 – Thursday 19th September 2013 – Blarney & Cork City.
After breakfast, enjoy a morning tour to Blarney Castle - This historic castle is most famous for its stone, which has the power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word blarney was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth I and is described as pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending. The stone is set in the wall below the battlements and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards, (grasping an iron railing) from the parapet walk. Blarney Castle has long been famous because of the Blarney Stone but the less known Rock Close and castle grounds are well worth a visit in their own right.
Continue the tour with a panoramic tour of Cork City – The name ‘Cork’ derives from the Irish ‘Corcach Mór Mumhan’ which means the ‘great marsh of Munster’ and refers to the fact that the centre of Cork City is built on islands, surrounded by the River Lee, which were marshy and prone to episodes of flooding. The waterways between the islands were built over to form some of the main streets of present-day Cork.
The oblong-like shape of the centre-city island, bounded by the north and south channels of the Lee gives Cork City much of its physical charm and a distinctive continental air. Cork is renowned for its culinary flair and vibrant cultural scene this was reflected when the city was titled the European Capital of Culture in 2005.
St. Patrick's Street is the main shopping street in Cork and the heart of the city. One of the jewels of Cork city centre is the English Market dating back to 1788. Today, it has one of the most cosmopolitan atmospheres to be found in Cork and sells a wide array of foodstuffs from all over the world.
Visit one of Cork’s most distinctive landmarks, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, located in one of the oldest areas of the city. It is the diocesan cathedral of the Church of Ireland and was designed by the notable English architect, William Burges, who also designed the stained glass, the sculptures, the mosaics, the furniture and metal work for the interior.
Enjoy free time at your own leisure in Cork city for shopping/additional sightseeing while the coach and driver collects the potters from their workshop and brings them up to Cork City.
Dinner this evening will be in a restaurant in Cork City. Return to Kinsale for overnight at Actons Hotel (B&B Basis)
Day 6 – Friday 20th September 2013 - Cork Coast & Bantry
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. While the potters in the group are having a morning workshop, a driver guide will bring the non potters on a panoramic drive of some of the scenic Cork coast. Time permitting see Kinsale Garden of Remembrance is dedicated to the memory of Fr. Michael Judge, Chaplain in the New York Fire Department and to the 343 brave fire fighters, who so courageously lost their lives in New York on September 11th 2001.
After lunch, meet up with the group’s potters and travel through West Cork and the Beara Peninsula the most westerly part of County Cork, bordered by the waters of Bantry Bay, Kenmare Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and the largest peninsula in County Cork.
Beara is dominated by the Caha Mountains, which run down the middle of the peninsula from end to end. With its rocky mountains, glacial lakes and rugged coastline, Beara is an area of great scenic beauty. The principal villages & towns in Beara are: Allihies, Ardgroom, Castletownbere, Eyeries and Glengarriff.
The Beara Peninsula has numerous sites of archaeological interest. These sites, some of which date from 2500 BC, include single standing stones, stone circles, cairns, megalithic tombs, burial grounds, forts, castles, signal towers etc.
In Castletownbere, visit Mill Cove Gallery which represents over 40 ceramic artists - the largest number of ceramic artists represented by an Irish Gallery. The Sculpture Gardens include over 50 sculptures on 4 acres of mature grounds overlooking the sea.
Famous in song, the small town of Bantry is of legendary beauty. Bantry, at the head of the bay, is a busy market town and fishing port. Bantry Bay was twice entered by French fleets: in 1689 to support James II against William of Orange, in 1796 to aid Wolfe Tone and an Irish uprising. A storm dispersed the 1796 fleet and only a few of the ships made the Bay.
Dinner & overnight at the Maritime Hotel, Bantry. (Dinner, B&B Basis). Featuring over 100 designer rooms, some with sea views and others overlooking mature wood this luxury accommodation is situated very conveniently for the famous bay of the region. Superbly located on the water’s edge, The Maritime Hotel enjoys uninterrupted sea views across Bantry Bay.
Day 7 – Saturday 21st September 2013 – Scenic West Cork Tour.
This morning after breakfast, the potters of the group will be transferred to their workshop and then the rest of the group/non potters will have a tour of West Cork. West Cork, from Castletownbere in the far South West, to Kinsale, south of Cork City, is a world apart from the rest of Ireland. Lazy villages, small bustling towns and unspoilt beaches await you all over West Cork. Irish and international visitors alike have long known the area to have a wealth of quiet places to fall in love with. Magical sunsets, enchanting walks, bountiful scenery and a unique pace of life are experiences you can only truly cherish by spending time here.
Collect the potters from their workshop and return for dinner & overnight at the Maritime Hotel, Bantry (Dinner, B&B Basis).
Day 8 – Sunday 22nd September 2013 - Killarney and Dublin
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning before travelling to Killarney. The journey takes you on steep and narrow roads through Ireland’s highest mountain range, the Macgillicuddy Reeks.
Stop for a photo at the scenic point at Ladies View with magnificent panoramic views of the three lakes and primary mountains. - Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting visited here during the royal visit in 1861. They were so enraptured with the view that it was named after them.
Visit the world renowned Muckross House & Gardens, situated amidst the spectacular scenery of Killarney National Park. The elegantly furnished rooms portray the lifestyles of the landed gentry, while downstairs in the basement one can experience the working conditions of the servants employed in the house. The gardens of Muckross House are renowned worldwide for their beauty. In particular they are noted for their fine collection of Azaleas and Rhododendrons, an extensive water garden, and an outstanding rock garden hewn out of natural limestone.
Travel northwards to County Limerick and Adare Village - Snuggled in a wooden and lush countryside setting, Adare is widely regarded as being Ireland’s prettiest and most picturesque village. Situated on the River Maigue, a tributary of the Shannon River, part of the main street is lined with two groups of world famous, ornate, thatched cottages.
Continue towards Dublin City for dinner & overnight at the Trinity Capital Hotel (Dinner B&B Basis). Enjoy free time in the city for any last minute shopping or additional sightseeing.
Day 9 – Monday 23rd September 2013
Full Irish Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from Dublin Airport at leisure (airport transfer not included).