The Boyne Valley, the birthplace of Ireland’s Ancient East, is world renowned for its rich heritage and megalithic art works. Meath is blessed to have an abundance of living heritage and wealth of invigorating leisure activities on offer, now through a craft tourism development programme organised and funded by Fáilte Ireland and Local Enterprise Office Meath, there are now eight creative experiences for people to enjoy throughout Meath.
Fancy learning to weave on a traditional Donegal Loom in the Ráth Chairn Gaeltacht, ever dreamt of making your own piece of sculpture alongside one of Ireland’s master craftsmen, perhaps you fancy a guided stroll through the Boyne Valley countryside to inspire your découpage creation.
Do you want to create a pottery bowl in the foothills of the Hill of Tara or work with wool to make a felt brooch there is something for everyone. Why not stamp a meaningful word onto a clay heart decoration or lean to or felt your own sheep keepsake or work with a needle and wool to make a felt painting at a countryside studio in Bellewstown.
With plenty of gentle activities that are screen free and offer you and your family a chance to slow down and make memories this Springtime- why not give it a go?
Visit Anita Reynolds Art & Design at her countryside studio based in Ballivor. Her work in clay, textile design and batik art is deeply inspired by nature, the Irish language, her love of history and her connection to the landscape. Hosting regular workshops both in Ballivor and Kilmainhamwood – the popular A Word from the Heart experience - offers visitors a chance to stamp a short meaningful Irish word into a heart made of clay and decorate with vintage Irish lace or native leaves from the garden of artist Anita Reynolds.
More information can be found at: https://anitareynoldsartanddesign.com/pages/classes
At Boann Irish Felt Designs Studio, on the outskirts of the historic village of Slane, just a five-minute drive from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne, the ancient art of felting is practiced by artist Caoimhe Tuthill. A former archaeologist with a fascination for prehistoric sites and Megalithic artwork, Caoimhe has a profound connection to the Irish landscape, the natural world and her Neolithic surroundings. Book a Fabric of the Past or Picture of the Past experience where visitors learn to create a one-of-a-kind, wet felted flower brooch or a wet felted picture whilst learning the process behind this ancient art using wool & recycled fabrics.
Contact Caoimhe at info@boann.ie or 087 2419315 to book.
If you want to practice your cúpla focal then visit Bréidín na Bóinne (Boyne Valley Tweed) in Ráth Chairn, an area renowned for its deep cultural ties, where the Irish language thrives alongside a history steeped in storytelling and craftsmanship, visitors are welcome to explore the traditional art of craft weaving. Anna Ní Dhonnchú is a hand weaver who learned her craft from master weavers in Donegal. Anna has a passion for weaving and you will get hands on experience when you book into A Weavers Scéal (A Weavers Story) Anna will guide you through the creation of your own tweed masterpiece on a mini loom. You will also learn a cúpla focal. Visitors can choose to have their experience fully offered “as Gaeilge”.
Their Instagram page can be found here.
Spin me a Yarn is a truly unique experience for the whole family to enjoy. Fifth generation farmer Alison Fullam Gogan from Boyne Valley Wools warmly welcomes visitors from around the globe to her farm where she loves to share her story and family t
radition of spinning. Learned from her grandmother, Alison is a wool enthusiast and demonstrates the traditional methods used to create a ball of wool from the Jacob sheep, specially selected for their beautiful natural colours. A truly immersive experience where visitors meet the sheep and have an opportunity to touch, feel and smell the wool at different stages of the spinning process. Learn how to felt your own sheep under Alison’s gentle guidance and take home as a memory of this engaging and grounding experience. If you are lucky you might even get to feed a baby lamb!
More information can be found at: https://boynevalleywools.com/experience/
Visit the rolling hills of Bellewstown and meet with Lucia Errity an accomplished textile artist, painter and creative arts therapist, Lucia’s warm personality, expert guidance and sense of fun allows creativity to blossom as she welcomes all ages and abilities into her countryside gallery to an experience called Felting the Landscape – where visitors create a needle felt painting inspired by the ancient beauty of the Boyne Valley. Your piece is framed and ready to take home serving as a reminder of the memories made in this beautiful part of Meath.
More information can be found at: https://luciaerrityart.ie/
For something totally unique, learn the skill of sculpture design and creation with one of Ireland’s top master craftsmen, Shane Holland. Visitors can book a private visit to his workshop and gallery in Duleek, offering a rare opportunity to learn from one of the country’
s most renowned artists. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Shane brilliantly incorporates recycled materials and offcuts to craft pieces that convey emotion through the creative process. Work alongside Shane to create a bespoke copper sculpture, employing techniques such as copper smithing, hammering, soldering, finishing, and assembly, with opportunity to personalise your creation with a special engraving. This Bespoke Sculpture Design with Master Sculptor is a private experience bookable direct with the studio.
Contact Info@shanehollanddesign.com for more information.
Why not combine a stroll in the country with some crafting, that’s what Nordic Walking instructor Martina of Sonas Studio loves to do, by bringing her visitors out into the countryside, to breathe the fresh country air, taking inspiration from the surrounding Boyne Valley landscape. Visitors can book a Framed by Nature experience which includes a Nordic Walking taster class, to help inspire creative design as your return to her studio and work on personalising an upcycled frame using paint and the art of decoupage. Unleash your artistic flair under the guidance of Martina to create a piece that captures the essence and enchantment of your walk through the Boyne Valley countryside.
More information can be found at: https://nordicwalkingireland.com/
Lastly, why not combine a creative experience with your own visit to the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the high kings of Ireland, located just a stone’s throw from Tara is the home studio of ceramic artist, Gráinne Rafter, where you can book Treasures of Tara experience- this immersive pottery making experience celebrating the Neolithic past of the Hill of Tara. Create a Neolithic style bowl with ceramic artist, Gráinne Rafter.
More information can be found at: www.grainnerafterceramics.com
Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council, says: “I am delighted to see the further development of the tourism offering within the county. These eight experiences give tourists from overseas a chance to slow down and take time out to experience a very hands on visitor offering; we are fortunate to have so many of these creative businesses-owners throughout the county as they connect with visitors in a very special way, which leads to a highly satisfied visitor experience”
“We want tourists from overseas, as well as domestic visitors, to come to Meath and take time out - not just to explore some of the more remote areas of Meath - but to stay longer in the county and make meaningful memories.”
Caoimhe Delany of Local Enterprise Office Meath says: “There is no better time to try a new experience here in Meath, with such a variety of craft experiences on offer, there is something to suit everyone and you might be surprised to find there your inner creative streak!
“It was great to see the passion these creative businesses had during this programme with ourselves and Failte Ireland, and I believe these experiences are some of the very best on offer in the country”
Speaking from her studio in Ráth Chairn, Anna Ní Dhonnchú of Bréidín na Bóinne says “ Weaving comes naturally to me and I love telling the story of Irish Tweed, I was delighted to complete this programme with Fáilte Ireland and LEO Meath, so that I could develop a really special visitor experience for those visitors who are interested in the ancient art of weaving” Anna realises that she has a unique experience for people and goes on to say “I am delighted to welcome visitors into Ráth Chairn, teach them a few words “as Gaeilge” and let them see at first hand the special community we have here.”
Caoimhe Tuthill Owner of Boann Irish Felt Designs, says: " This has been a brilliant programme to be involved with & I have learnt so much. I have now added another service to my business where I can combine my love of felt making, archaeology, colour and sustainability into a wonderful creative experience and I get to meet lovely people along the way! My "Fabric of the Past" or "Picture of the Past" Experience, allows people to spend time with their friends or family and together in a relaxed atmosphere create their own beautiful unique artwork."
Many of these experiences offer freshly baked scones or treats alongside tea and coffee and can be booked for private experiences.
Meath is known for the world over for its famous megalithic heritage sites at UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne and Knowth and Dowth and the well-preserved early art found at these historic sites. Modern day creatives are now opening their studios to showcase their fantastic range of authentic experiences, with many craftworkers using traditional methods during their experiences. Meeting the makers helps the contemporary consumer understand and appreciate the time, work and skill that goes into producing these high-quality products which are made to last. Many of these products made right here in the Boyne Valley are shipped around the globe for overseas shoppers to love and enjoy.
For more information on what to do in Meath, visit www.discoverboynevalley.ie.