Trip Overview
Oct 1 - Oct 11, 2025
Group size: 14-16
About this trip
You’re invited to join Rowan Tree Travel and Yarn Harbor for a fiber-infused, craft-focused journey to the Emerald Isle. Our 10 night/11 day trip will start in Dublin, the country’s vibrant capital city. Then we’ll explore the gentle, interior countryside and wind our way across to the wild Atlantic coast – and even hop to some islands! Along the way, we’’ll meet some of Ireland's most influential fiber folks - teachers, designers, dyers and doers - and hear about the current struggle to keep Irish wool production alive. We'll also meet and spend time with other types of Irish makers, visit historic sites, enjoy farm-to-table venues, and stay in a variety of Irish accommodations, from lavish country houses to cozy inns and sophisticated, metropolitan hotels. Might we knit in pubs while sharing a pint, taking in some traditional music and checking out the local craic? Absolutely! It’s going to be a grand time. We can’t wait to share it with you!
To Register
A Registration Form and a non-refundable $1000 deposit are required to join the trip. Once you submit your online registration and deposit payment is received, your spot on the tour is secure. See our Terms & Conditions HERE.
Have questions? Please contact us at info@rowantreetravel.com
IMPORTANT DETAILS TO KEEP IN MIND
This trip needs at least 14 participants in order to proceed (i.e. the trip is "guaranteed"). We strongly advise you to wait to purchase your flights until the trip is guaranteed by us to go forward. Unless otherwise stated, our regular Terms and Conditions apply to this trip and for any cancellations (click here to see our Terms and Conditions).
Tour Activity Level
We would describe this trip as a Woolly Wander.
Mobility Comfort Level = Mobility Level 3+
Stairs to rooms at all hotel properties except for one accommodation; Walking tour at Rock of Cashel is “uphill/downhill”; Getting on and off a ferry; Walking the streets of Dublin and around Inisheer.
Review our Tour Activity and Mobility Comfort Levels HERE.
Travel Insurance
Rowan Tree Travel highly recommends purchasing travel insurance. You may purchase through our preferred partner Arch RoamRight by clicking HERE or through your own provider.
Arranging Your Flights
In order to gather easily for the tour, we provide an arrival and departure "window" at a major transportation hub - typically an international airport at your destination country. Flights scheduled outside the provided windows may result in additional transportation costs and missed tour activities. For this reason, we greatly appreciate your cooperation in booking travel that accommodates our specifications. Please do not purchase airfare until the tour is guaranteed by RTTF to go forward.
Please Note the Following
Rowan Tree Travel reserves the right to alter any part of this itinerary in order to address weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances or to improve the participant experience.
What’s included
- Accommodations: All accommodations during the scheduled tour
- Breakfast: Breakfast is included every day
- Workshops: Workshop Fees & Supplies, unless otherwise specified
- Activities: Entrance fees and activity fees, unless otherwise specified
- Meals: (partial)An average of two meals per day. Prepare to purchase either dinner or lunch based on the day’s activities
- Transportation: Private group transportation in a private mini-coach
What’s not included
- Airfare
- Beverages: Soda, alcohol, cafe items
- Gratuities
- Personal Items
itinerary
day 1 Wednesday, October 1
WELCOME TO IRELAND!
Arrive at the capital, Dublin, anytime in the morning or midday. It’s a short hop by taxi to our hotel in the city’s center. Take time to drop your luggage, take a stroll across the street in lovely Merrion square, and perhaps grab a coffee, breakfast or brunch. We’ll gather for our group welcome and introductions mid-afternoon, followed by our own private tour of the city on board a vintage bus. But not just any bus… this one serves a beautiful afternoon tea as we get to know the sights and history of Dublin. On our first evening, you’re welcome to gather for a knit ‘n’ natter session or head right to your comfy bed for a good night’s sleep.
day 2 Thursday, October 2
DUBLIN
Our first full day in Dublin starts with a talk by local craft historian and author Vawn Corrigan. She’ll provide an overview of Irish craft traditions, their development over time and what’s happening on the contemporary craft scene (with an emphasis on fiber work). Bring your knitting for this informal and delightful session with one of our favorite local craft mavens. The afternoon is yours to explore the city according to your own interests. We’ll provide an optional walk to some of our favorite spots (like the best yarn and textile stores) but also give you ideas about other fantastic activities from amazing museums to rowdy traditional music sessions. The city is yours to explore!
day 3 friday, October 3
COUNTIES KILKENNY & LAOIS
This morning, we’re heading south through the verdant countryside to a very special place: Cushendale Woolen Mills. A mill has existed on this site since the 13th century; the multi-generational family that owns it now is one of the few still working with Irish wool. We’ll tour the facility plus learn a great deal about what it's like to be a small-scale wool artisan in Ireland today. By the afternoon’s end, we’ll land at a Georgian country house where we’ll enjoy comfy accommodations, fine food, fantastic gardens and perhaps do a little dance with some chickens, ducks or the resident dog. We love spending time with the Flynn family!
day 4 saturday, October 4
COUNTIES KILKENNY & LAOIS
Our explorations in this part of the country continue with a walk on the property of the Flynns. We’ll spend time with Mary Bulfin, also known as “Wild Food Mary” discovering what edible, medicinal and otherwise useful plants are growing all around us. It’s another way to get to know Ireland – through its flora. Mary brings a wealth of knowledge and shares her insights, lore and laughter as we wander the woods and fields. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a nearby village that is continuing the traditions of some very special (and unique to Ireland) embroidery. The locals share their pride and passion – and might just get us to try out a stitch or two!
day 5 sunday, October 5
SOUTHWARD WE GO
We wave goodbye to the Flynn family and venture south… and arrive atop the famous Rock of Cashel. Seat of high kings, Cashel offers us a view into Ireland’s early Celtic and medieval history with its generations of buildings set atop the plinth. We’ll have time to explore it and the town below before heading over to Cork for a drop in at Jameson Distillery. Our day ends with a soft landing at another beautiful Irish country house hotel.
day 6 monday, October 6
COUNTIES CORK & KERRY
Settle in for a real treat next. Our next two mornings will be with Irish knitwear designer and yarn producer Carol Feller. She’ll join us for a talk, trunk show and knitting workshop. What a treat! The day also includes a visit to Hedgehog Fibre Studio and the iconic Blarney Castle! Yes, you’ll have a chance to kiss the very stone… or peruse the truly magnificent (and we think under-appreciated) gardens onsite.
day 7 tuesday, October 7
COUNTIES CORK & KERRY
Grab a coffee or two and join in for our morning with Carol Feller, part two. Then we have the choice of spending a guilt-free knitting and relaxing afternoon at Ballymaloe House or venturing out to explore County Kerry: Killarney town, Kerry Woolen Mill, the Irish Lace Museum in Kenmare.
day 8 wednesday, October 8
WESTWARD TOWARD THE COAST
Enough of the gentle south… Let’s head to the Atlantic! Today we’ll drive across to the country’s west coast. Along the way, we’re stopping to visit some truly wonderful fiber artists in County Clare: Apple Oak Fibreworks and McKernan. Throw in lunch at our favorite nearby pub, some lovely views across Lough Derg, a stop at the Cliffs of Moher and a sunset arrival in the beautiful coastal town of Doolin and you’ve got a magical day. Anyone still up for an evening trad music session? Doolin is famous for them!
day 9 thursday, October 9
THE WILD ATLANTIC COAST
Pack your knitting needles, warmest woolies and windbreaker. We’re taking a ferry across to the nearest of the Aran Islands, Inisheer. Our day is hosted by local Aran knit teacher (and cafe owner) Una McDonagh and her family. We love visiting with them, learning about island life, getting our hands into some Aran knitting patterns, snarfing up Una’s amazing scones and then riding about on the island in a quite unorthodox form of transportation. On the ferry back to the mainland, we’ll get a sea-level view of the Cliffs of Moher before heading out to the pubs for dinner and more music.
day 10 friday, October 10
THE WILD ATLANTIC COAST
Our final full day in Ireland is a gentle and beautiful one. In the morning, we’re headed to a very special place: the Burren Perfumery. The place is an oasis of lovely scents, gardens, passionate makers and a fine wee bakery set in the middle of a vast ocean of striated limestone landscape. We’ll explore a bit of The Burren on our way back to Doolin, stopping here and there to admire the emerging wildflowers and neolithic monuments in the area. There’ll be time to take a cliffside walk or shop for those last minute gifts in Doolin before we gather for a final, celebratory dinner together. Slainte!
day 11 saturday, October 11
HEADING HOME
Our trip comes to an end with a leisurely breakfast together. Then we’ll hop on our mini coach for the drive to Shannon International Airport and flights home. Safe travels, everyone!
Packages and options
For Details on Packages & Options click link below