Holiday in Ireland

Specialist Leisure Holidays in Ireland

Arts and Leisure Week

The West Cork Experience

Immerse yourself in authentic Ireland. This unique holiday offers the rare opportunity to stimulate your creative talents in pottery classes with an outstanding local craftsperson, explore the spectacular, unspoilt landscape of south-western Ireland, and nourish your body and spirit with personalized holistic healing therapy, all while wrapped in the expansive warmth of an extended Irish family.

The idyllic West Cork town of Ballydehob will be your home during your holiday. Here you will be tutored in the art of pottery by exceptional ceramicist Robert Lee, whose infectious enthusiasm for his craft fills his studio with an air of joy and humour. From Ballydehob you'll also set off on a number of exciting adventures that will connect you with many unique facets of Irish life and culture, from listening to a traditional storyteller delight you with time-honoured tales in a welcoming island pub to picnicking in a hidden valley away from the trappings of civilization.

Details

Sunday - Day of Arrival

• Collection from Cork and transfer to Ballydehob
• Check in at accommodation
• Welcome Reception and discussion of week ahead

Monday

• Full Irish or continental breakfast
• Pottery Class I: Introduction to Design & Handbuilding

This full-day class will introduce you to techniques of design and handbuilding. The work you produce today will undergo its initial firing in the kiln to be ready for Friday's lesson on Raku glazing. You will take this work home as your first pottery made in the Southwest of Ireland!

• Lunch and afternoon refreshments will be provided.
• Evening Walking Tour of Ballydehob Village

Stroll the quiet lanes of Ballydehob village and view the town's many points of interest, including its Old World pubs where we're sure to end our evening.

Tuesday

• Full Irish / continental breakfast
• Beara Peninsula Excursion

Spend the day exploring the wild and rugged Beara Peninsula on the most south-western point in Europe. Your day begins with a visit to the famed Botanical Gardens on Garnish Island. You will experience spectacular views as we cross the Healy Pass and be captivated by the majestic beauty surrounding the coastal village of Allihies and Eyeries. A visit to a local artist will be included, still leaving time for a picnic lunch in a truly special countryside spot. On the way home the group will visit Bantry Town for dinner at a restaurant worthy of such a special day.

Wednesday

• Full Irish or continental breakfast
• Pottery Class II: The Potter's Wheel

Todays full-day class will offer hands on, one-to-one tuition on the potter's wheel. You will discover the magic of moulding clay into shapes and discovering the endless creative possibilities involved.

• Lunch and afternoon refreshments will be provided.
• Healing Therapy Session (optional)

Enhance your relaxation with your choice of a private on-site holistic massage or reflexology therapy session by Caroline, Robert's partner.

• Free evening:

Choose from a lovely selection of local bars and restaurants for your evening meal.

Thursday

• Full Irish or continental breakfast
• Cape Clear Island Excursion

A wonderful days excursion to the Irish (Gaelic) speaking Island of Cape Clear, located 7 miles off the nearby coastal village of Baltimore. Highlights of your day will include a stunning 35-minute boat journey through Carburys Thousand Isles, a tour with a local guide to explain the history and culture of the Island and its people, a guided walk taking in the most beautiful scenery imaginable, enjoying a picnic lunch on-route. The visit would not be complete without calling in at an Island pub where a local ÔShanachie' (Irish storyteller) will regale us with traditional tales.

• Back to the mainland for a seaside dinner with the opportunity to sample our famous, freshly caught seafood. Home to Ballydehob to relax and maybe venture to a pub of choice!

Friday morning 10.00 am to 12.45 pm

• Full Irish or continental breakfast
• Pottery Class III: Japanese Raku Glazing

This half-day class will introduce you to the exciting art of ancient Japanese Raku firing. Robert will demonstrate and explain to you how to glaze and Raku your work made in Monday's class.

• Lunch will be provided.
• Afternoon Excursion:

Choose a visit to An Sanctoir, a local holistic centre, for an introduction to yoga, meditation and 5 rhythms therapy, or take a pony trek along local coastal and hill routes.

• Healing Therapy Session (optional)

Enhance your relaxation with your choice of a private on-site holistic massage or reflexology therapy session by Caroline, Robert's partner.

• Free evening:

Another opportunity to dine and socialise in Ballydehob or the nearby coastal town of Schull

Saturday morning 10.00am to 12.45pm

• Full Irish or continental breakfast
• Pottery Class IV: Expanding Your Skills

This half-day class will give you the opportunity work with Robert to expand and combine your favourite skills, whether throwing clay on the potter's wheel or evolving your handbuilding techniques.

• Lunch will be provided.
• Free afternoon
• Farewell Reception

Gather for a final discussion and reflection on the week. A traditional Irish music Seisiun in a local hostelry will round off a very special week.

Sunday

Following a full Irish or Continental breakfast,
Transfer will be provided back to Cork.

Accommodation

Shoemakers Cottage, Ballydehob

Beautiful, large character filled 100 year old house in Ballydehob village, 3 minutes walk from Robert's studio, 3 double bedded rooms and 1 single room. Suitable for 3 to 7 people. Private garden, a unique and charming property.

Westlodge Hotel, Bantry

Warm, friendly hotel, beautifully situated in the scenic surroundings of Bantry Bay, full leisure facilities, including heated indoor pool, 8 miles from Ballydehob. Transfers to and from Robert's studio included.

Cost per person

                        Shoemakers Cottage   Westlodge Hotel

                            (4-7 sharing)             (2 sharing)

                             Euro 1080                 Euro  1340

Single supplement                                  Euro   330

All DATES THROUGHOUT 2010 ARE AVAILABLE ON A REQUEST BASIS FOR PARTIES OF BETWEEN 4 AND 8 PEOPLE.  IN RELATION TO LENGTH AND CONTENT,  HOLIDAYS CAN BE TAILORED TO YOUR OWN INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS.  WE WILL REVERT WITHIN TWO WORKING DAYS ON RECEIPT OF YOUR ENQUIRY.

PRICE INCLUDES.

Fully escorted throughout.
7 nights accommodation, including breakfast and lunch each day.
Daily refreshments.
Tuition and materials.
All transportation and tours
Services of Essence of Ireland representative