Arts & Crafts Holidays in Ireland

Specialist Activity and Art Holidays in Ireland

West Cork Arts and Crafts Week

Let our Artists Guide You and Our Landscapes Inspire You

Let your creative spirit awake in the wild, unspoilt southwest of Ireland, home to some of the country's greatest craftspeople. This unique holiday package offers the rare opportunity to explore five separate crafts, tutored by some of the most outstanding artists to be found on our enchanting island. Work side by side with them in their studios, hidden away in the valleys and fells of our spectacular landscapes. Be carried away by their infectious enthusiasm and passion for their craft, developing your creative abilities and learning new skills while enjoying the stunningly rugged West Cork coastline.

Details: West Cork Arts and Crafts Week

Each weeklong session is limited to 25 participants. In a small group of no more than five students, you will spend one day with each of five exceptional artists where you will be tutored in 5 of the following arts and craft disciplines:

• Ceramics
• Woodcarving
• Painting
• Sculpture
• Paper mache/ Print making
• Stained glass, Mosaics
• Chair making

Each morning you will be transported from your hotel to the studio of a different artist, where you will be provided with materials and receive hands-on lessons in a centuries-old craft. At the end of the day all students will gather together to dine and share experiences and impressions. On Saturday you are welcome to explore the region's many distinctively Irish charms.

Artist Biographies

Heile Helsner - h2studio

Life drawing Painting, Sculpture, Bronze casting
Helle mainly uses bronze and wire in her sculptures, drawing inspiration from her own painting and life drawing. She runs workshops from her studio and also teaches at the Art & Design College, Cork.

Robert Lee - Robert Lee Ceramics

Ceramics
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 village of Ballydehob.

Alison Ospina - Greenwood Chairs

Chair making
A professional chair maker and woodwork teacher, Alison founded Greenwood chairs over 8 years ago in her charming West Cork studio. She designs for a wide variety of customers and her work is found in a number of Ireland's finest homes.

Ken Parker and Rosita Kingston - West Cork Art School

Print making, Paper mache, Sculpture
A husband and wife team with over 30 years experience working creatively with people of all ages and abilities, Ken and Rosita's workshop is located in Bandon, West Cork.

Ben Russell

Woodcarving, Woodworking, Photography
A highly accomplished craftsman and experienced workshop leader, Ben has published over 60 photo-illustrated articles on woodcarving technique.

Jim Turner - Rossmore Pottery

Ceramics
One of Ireland's leading ceramic artists, Jim's work has been widely exhibited in Ireland and abroad and is held in many private and public collections including the Crafts Council of Ireland.

Adrian Wistreich - Kinsale Pottery and Art School

Ceramics, stained glass and mosaics
Adrian's studio in the outbuildings of an 18th century farm caters to adults studying ceramics, mosaics and other crafts. He strives to stimulate the artist in everyone. His work tends to be sculptural, drawing on a love of form and texture in the creation of smoke-fired abstract ceramic pieces.

Location & Accommodation

For the duration of your Arts and Crafts holiday you will be based in the beautiful West Cork town of Clonakilty. Spectacularly positioned between land and sea, Clonakilty remains beyond the grasp of advancing commercialism and retains a friendly and colourful local flavour. It boasts a wonderful range of pubs and restaurants in a uniquely Irish environment and is convenient to each of the artists studios. You will enjoy an uncompromising level of service at the old world, traditional Emmet Hotel Clonakilty, located in the heart of this historic town and overlooking Emmet Square and Gardens.

Price Includes

• Five full-day instructional sessions with Ireland's finest craftspeople (including tuition and basic materials)
• Seven nights accommodation at the Emmet Hotel Clonakilty
• Breakfast and evening meal each day
• Hot lunch (Monday through Friday)
• Welcome reception and discussion of week ahead, hosted by one of the Artists
• Transportation to and from artist's studios each day (Monday through Friday)
• Service of Essence of Ireland representative throughout