Come join us for a memorable visit to Ireland, 
home of myth, stunning scenery and warm, talented people.

Our unique itinerary has been especially designed for those with an interest in knitwear and textiles. Visits have been planned to meet designers, tour workshops and mills; stay at hotels with local charm and modern conveniences; enjoy the cuisine which combines the range of fresh products from the sea and the land.

We are fortunate to have Sally Melville, noted designer, teacher and author of Sally Melville Styles, accompany our tour. Sally has designed a special group project which will explore some of Ireland's indigenous Aran stitch patterns. Yarn for the project will be supplied in a kit and comes from Black Water Abbey, a small Irish mill with a long tradition of producing yarns,. You will have the opportunity to choose your preferred colour to create a purse as a memento of your trip. Visit related links: http://www.abbeyyarns.com

Throughout the tour, Sally will also lead 'knitting clinics' which will be devoted to learning alternative methods of casting on, seams, borders and buttonholes, and much more. She will be pleased to assist tour members who have questions and knitting problems.

Itinerary

Day 1: Monday, September 16th

Evening departure from Toronto for our trans-Atlantic flight on Air Canada.

Day 2: Tuesday, September 17th

After our arrival at London's Heathrow airport, we will transfer to Aer Lingus, Ireland's national airline for the connecting flight to Cork.

Fáilte go hÉireann - Welcome to Ireland!

We will be met by our private coach to travel the short distance to the welcoming Ballymaloe Country House Hotel, renowned for its food and its serene surroundings. The afternoon will be free for your to rest or stroll in the hotel's gardens. Before dinner there will be a reception for tour members to meet each other and to discuss our plans for an unforgettable visit to Ireland.
Visit related links: http://www.ballymaloe.com

Day 3: Wednesday, September 18th

Tour the southern coast of County Cork, with stops in the scenic seaside town of Youghal (pronounced 'y'all') which was associated with Sir Walter Raleigh in the 16th century; Cobh (pronounced 'cove'), departure point for many ships and a wealth of history as the harbour of Cork; and Kinsale, the unofficial gourmet capital of southern Ireland, where we will have lunch. In the late afternoon we will stop for a visit at the nearby Jameson Heritage Centre, where the famous Irish whiskey was distilled for years. 

As an option: arrangements can be made to attend an afternoon demonstration at the highly respected Ballymaloe Cookery School. Visit related links: http://www.cookingisfun.ie

Day 4: Thursday, September 19th

Before we leave this peaceful area, there will be time to visit Ballymaloe gardens, next to the cookery school, and the nearby pottery studio of Stephen Pearce.

Our destination for the next two nights is Killarney, in County Kerry, an ideal place to explore the scenic west coast. En route we will stop in the town of Kenmare, with many craft shops, a heritage centre, and home of the Kenmare Lace & Design Centre.

Day 5: Friday, September 20th

Today will offer a full-day tour of one of Ireland's most popular and beautiful drives, the Ring of Kerry. Our route includes the dramatic coastline of Iveragh Peninsula and the charming, colourful villages of Killorglin (famous for the "Puck Fair"), Cahirciveen, Waterville, and Irish-speaking Sneem. Before returning to the hotel, we will visit Muckross House and Folk Museum, part of a large estate given to the nation by a Californian.

At Moll's Gap we will visit the Avoca Handweavers store, an opportunity to buy the beautiful woven fabrics made by Ireland's oldest surviving business, established in 1723.

Day 6: Saturday, September 21st

After breakfast, we leave County Kerry for our drive to Galway, known in ancient times as 'The City of the Tribes.'

We will stop in Adare, in County Limerick, one of the prettiest villages in Ireland and the location of the shop owned by knitwear designer, Michelina Stacpoole.

Our route will take us by the stunning Cliffs of Moher, which rise to a height of 600 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. This is also a place to see a wide variety of sea birds which nest on the cliffs.

The next two days will give you time to explore and appreciate this historic capital of the west of Ireland. Traces of its rich medieval past can still be seen today-be sure to look for the Spanish Arch, named because of Galway's trade with Spain and a remnant of the old city wall.

Our hotel will be the traditional Galway Great Southern Hotel, centrally-located on Eyre Square.
Visit related links: http://www.gsh.ie/galway_home.html

Day 7: Sunday, September 22nd

Today will be a tour of the area west of Galway City, to Connemara National Park. It is also a region with many craftspeople; basket makers, weavers, potters and knitwear designers. (For an unusual gift idea, you may wish to take home a handmade Bodhran, the traditional skin drum.)

We will also visit Kylemore Abbey, a former mansion and now a girls' school run by the Benedictine Nuns who came here from Ypres, after World War I. The nuns also operate a craft centre and a restaurant, where you can have lunch.

Day 8: Monday, September 23rd

On our last day in Galway, you may choose to take an optional day trip to the fabled Aran Islands.

As an alternative you could spend a free day in the town centre of Galway, which is very interesting and easy to explore. Visit related links: http://www.visitaranislands.com

Day 9: Tuesday, September 24th

After breakfast, we will drive north to Donegal. Our hotel for the next two nights is the Sand House Hotel, overlooking Donegal Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Today's itinerary includes a stop for lunch and a guided tour of the Foxford Woollen Mills. Foxford was founded in 1892 by a nun to provide employment for the people of the area. The skilled craftspeople are known for their famous woven blankets, rugs and tweed yard goods.

We will also stop at Drumcliff, near Sligo, to visit the grave site of poet William Butler Yeats. He is buried in the churchyard where his great-grandfather had once been a rector. W.B.Yeats and his brother Jack immortalized this region in their poetry and painting.

Before arriving at our hotel, we will visit the Belleek China Factory to hear about the intricate steps involved in hand making this delicate porcelain.

Day 10: Wednesday, September 25th

Donegal (Dun na nGall--Irish for "fort of the foreigner" in reference to the Vikings who used the sheltered waters for a harbour and trading post.) Donegal town, a thriving market centre famous for its tweed and knitwear, has more native Irish speakers than any other place in Ireland. The land is a wonderful combination of stunning seascapes and ancient mountain ranges. 

Today's travel around the peninsula west of Donegal will be especially memorable as we pass through the villages of Killybegs and Kilcar, where we will stop for a visit at Gaelterra Eirann source of fabrics, yarns and handwoven tweed.

On the tip of the peninsula is Glencolumbcille, home of St. Columba, where the 1500th anniversary of his death was celebrated in 1997. At the Colmcille Heritage Centre there is a permanent exhibition telling the story of the saint and the achievements of the early Christian scholars of Ireland.

We will also stop at the town of Ardara, with its heritage centre which tells the story of the history of Donegal tweed from sheep to finished garment.

Further north at Dunfanaghy, the Workhouse opened in 1845, just as the Great Famine was beginning. Currently a heritage centre, the displays recall the desperate days of the famine and show what life was like in the workhouse.  Visit related link: http://www.sandhouse-hotel.ie

Day 11: Thursday, September 26th

This morning will be yours to explore the centre of Donegal town, known as the Diamond, the triangular old market square. One shop on the Diamond you won't want to miss is Magee's, established in 1866 and an excellent place to buy the Donegal tweed, still woven by hand in the weavers' homes.

One of the town's most significant claims to fame is its association with the Four Masters, the Franciscan monks who, in the 17th century recorded details of the history of Ireland.

In the afternoon, we leave Donegal to travel to County Down and our hotel near Lisburn, the production centre of Irish linen--known as the 'fabric of kings'. The Irish Linen Centre takes us back in time to find out what life was like for the factory workers. We will see real-life spinners and weavers demonstrate, in addition to the working machine looms.

Tonight we will stay at the five-star Culloden Hotel, former palace of the Bishop of Down, and set within beautifully landscaped grounds. You may wish to relax and enjoy the facilities of Elysium , the hotel's health spa.

Day 12: Friday, September 27th

This morning we will continue our tour of the Linen Homelands and visit the Ferguson Linen Centre to see the various stages of linen production-designing, weaving, specialist sewing and ornamenting. This company is the only one which continues to manufacture double damask linen.

Drive to Dublin in afternoon and check into our hotel in time for dinner.

Day 13: Saturday, September 28th

This will be the first of two free days in Dublin. Your tour escort will be available to answer questions and make suggestions, so that you make the most of your stay in this fascinating city.

Although the nation's capital and a thriving metropolis, Dublin is still very much a "walking city". Your first stop might be the Saturday morning market in Temple Bar area, Dublin's "Left Bank."

You will want to see some of the major sites: St. Stephen's Green, Trinity College and its greatest treasure, the 8th Century Book of Kells; the numerous museums and art galleries; and the Georgian streets of Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares. One of the many highlights is the Writers' Museum, a beautifuly restored 18th Century townhouse in Parnell Square.

Another choice: browse along busy Grafton Street and visit Brown Thomas, a department store which carries the clothing of Irish knitwear designer Lainey Keogh, and a wide selection of Irish crystal; do some research at the Heraldic Museum and Genealogical Office, or taste one of Ireland's most well-known products at the Guinness Brewery. Don't forget the many bookstores and antique shops, and be sure to stop for coffee at Bewleys, a favourite meeting place for the locals since 1840.

In the evening the choices are many: a play at Abbey Theatre; a traditional evening of Irish music or a new movie at the Irish Film Centre.

Day 14: Sunday, September 29th

Today is another opportunity to continue your exploration of this interesting, dynamic city.

Day 15: Monday, September 30th

Today, regretfully, we must say--'Slan Leat', Farewell' to Ireland. After breakfast, we leave for Dublin's international airport and flights to our home cities.

All photographs courtesy of:
The Irish Tourist Board Photography Department
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J o y c e  J a m e s  To u r s
Email: knitting@joycejamestours.com
Tel: 613-695-0889 or 613-299-7505
www.joycejamestours.com