PAINTING IN DUNMORE EAST
A painting holiday by the ocean sounds like a tonic. Factor in the pretty Waterford town of Dunmore East as your base, and you know you’ll have inspiration all around. The established Artform School of Art offers excellent painting holidays and art courses year round, with an impressive roster of guest tutors. Fancy your hand at portraits in oil, drawing in charcoal, printmaking techniques, watercolours or maybe acrylics? Whatever medium you know and love or wish to learn, you’ll find a course that’s right for you, taught by experts in this relaxed and relaxing setting. The art school is located in a modern building in the heart of the village, just minutes from the beach and artist accommodation. Guests have 24-hour access to the light-filled studio, with indoor and outdoor easels, drawing boards and a small art library. A choice of stylish accommodation ranges from cute self-contained cabins to the atmospheric Strand Townhouse and The Strand B&B, making it as easy as possible to paint and enjoy this pretty waterside town. BOOK IT Two-day courses from €250-450. Glamping cabins from €50 B&B, The Strand B&B from €75, artform.ie.
Love cooking and dream of making your own knife? (Or maybe you’re a secret fan of Forged in Fire?) A weekend course at Hot Milk Forge in the Glens of Antrim will ensure you walk away with a one-of-a-kind handmade blade. Founded by artist, blacksmith and bladesmith Eamonn Higgins, the school o ers evening and weekend classes for beginners to advanced levels. A sculptor by profession, Eamonn is regarded as an excellent and fun tutor, and his spacious forge is located on his family farm. Should you prefer to mix up a little grime with some glamour, the lovely Galgorm with its superb spa and thermal village is just 15 minutes away. Couples often mix it up, with one booking into the two-day course at Hot Milk while the other chills out and gets pampered at Galgorm. Either way, we think it’s a sweet spot for a good meal and comfy night’s sleep after a day playing with fire. BOOK IT September 4-5 and various other dates in autumn, £200. Blacksmithing courses are also available. Book at artistblacksmithschool.com. Accommodation extra, see galgorm.com.
A luxury getaway with the environment at its heart, Leave No Trace is the Cli House Hotel’s new adventure getaway. Inviting guests to explore the outdoors in a conscientious and responsible way, the cli top bolthole has teamed up with MuddyBoots for a naturepacked two-night break that includes a full-day course in Hill Skills. MuddyBoots, aka Mario, is a qualified mountaineering guide who has guided in the Irish mountains for over a decade. Suitable for beginners, the course takes place amongst the pristine scenery. Enjoy spectacular viewpoints while learning about map reading, emergency procedures, hillwalking equipment and much more. Participants will also learn the seven Leave No Trace principles, empowering you to enjoy the great outdoors with minimum impact. With locally sourced seasonal food on the menu and a commitment to reducing plastics throughout the hotel, this special break o ers comfort with a conscience. BOOK IT Two-night Leave No Trace getaway in a sea view room with a full Irish breakfast each morning, a three-course dinner in the Bar Restaurant on one evening and a packed lunch to take with you on your course with MuddyBoots, from €1,055 for two people sharing, available Sundays through Thursdays from October 1, cli househotel.ie.