Immersive Celtic Woodturning Break

Highlights

  • Enjoy staying in wonderfully unique accommodation, a pod, shepherds hut or a traditional cottage
  • Learn the traditional craft of wood turning and come away with your very own hand made bowl
  • Explore this area of outstanding natural beauty and enjoy getting off grid for a short time
  • Get to know your local hosts and learn about the famous Irish 'craic'
From £238 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

Experience tradition and charm of Northern Ireland, learn a new skill hand-crafting local wood into functional art to take home, and thoroughly immerse yourself in the peace and tranquility of the countryside in bespoke accommodation in a beautiful natural setting.

Head to the stunning rolling hills of Northern Ireland, near the border with the Republic, and spend four days in bespoke accommodation, immersed in the natural landscape.

Check in to your pod, shepherd’s hut or cottage, and spend your time relaxing in the wilderness, disconnecting with life back home and getting some well-earned downtime.

On your second day, you’ll learn all about the art of woodturning, a traditional method of turning locally sourced trees into beautiful, functional pieces of art. Head to the nearby studio to learn all the skills you need, and spend the day enjoying great food, exploring the local woodland, and of course, completing your very own bowl to take home with you.

At the end of the day, take the opportunity to enjoy a traditional session of music and good Northern Irish craic, with your host, something you can’t truly experience the emerald isle without!

Your next day is totally yours to enjoy. Relax and soak up the tranquil atmosphere, head out for a walk in the lush countryside, or learn more about the rich history and culture of the Ring of Gullion.

Finally, check out of your accommodation on your final day, taking your hand-crafted wooden bowl with you as a souvenir of your time in this little corner of Northern Ireland.

You have a choice of accommodation :

Cosy cottage:

The cosy cottage is stone built and has two floors

On the ground floor the cottage is equipped with a kitchen/ dining room including a wood burning stove, an oven and fridge, microwave toaster and kettle, and dining table.

There is a living room with sofa and TV.

One twin bedroom and the ‘wet room’ with shower and toilet are also on the ground floor.

Upstairs are two further bedrooms, both with twin beds.

Glamping Pods:

Red Deer accommodates 2 people in a double bed, with bedside lockers and dim-able bedside lights.

Pine Marten and Red Squirrel can both  accommodate 4 people in 4 single camp beds.

Each Pod comes with a small decking and grass area directly outside the pod and has its own picnic bench and fire pit all surrounded within a circular stone wall.

There is an electric heater in each pod for chiller evenings and each pod has electrical sockets and internal and external lighting.

The entrance to each pod has sensor lighting and there is an outside tap with perfectly drinkable ( and regularly tested ) local spring water.

A kettle and mugs can be provided for the pods on request.

The communal kitchen area is very close by ( 20m) with fridge, oven, sink, kettle, toaster, cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils

The toilet and shower blocks are also very close by (20-30m.)

All bathrooms have under floor heating, shower, toilet and hand wash basin.

Shepherd’s Hut:

The Shepherd’s Hut accommodates up to three people in a double bed with a single ‘bunk’ above.

This cosy hut has an electric heater, internal/external lighting and electrical sockets.

There is also a kitchenette with a sink, hot/cold water, twin gas hob and utensils.

The hut is surrounded by a circular stone wall and within the wall is a garden, picnic bench, fire pit and an outside spring water tap.

There are  4 of each and one is allocated to each property, to comply with COVID guidelines.

Arrival Day

Check in to your accommodation and relax for the evening, enjoying the beautiful surroundings, light the barbecue, crack open an ice-cold beer, and let yourself sink into holiday mode ready for a day of creativity tomorrow.

Woodturning Day

This is a full day beginner bowl turning workshop where up to 5 people can attend.

Meet and greet at Bluebell lane at 10:00am for tea/coffee and homemade scones.

A short introduction from Padraig your host at Bluebell Lane who will tell you about enterprise, and about the day ahead.

10:30am – we make our way to the studio (2 minute walk) where participants are given their safety equipment, tools and materials and allocated their workstation/lathe.

A step-by-step demonstration showing the stages of the craft will be provided allowing the participants to follow each step on their own.

2:00pm – lunch is served at Bluebell lane.

3:00pm – walk and talk through part of the woodland identifying different trees and how they are used in woodturning.

3:30pm – return back to the woodturning studio to continue with the bowl.

Techniques such as tool sharpening, sanding and finishes are also covered in the class.

6:00pm – all participants will have completed their very own piece of art.

9:00pm – Traditional session of music and craic. (optional)

Accommodation

Your preferred option (pod pictured)

Free Day

Today, relax and enjoy your unique, boutique accommodation, go exploring in the local area, ask you hosts about local walking routes or  about going fishing in one of the beautiful nearby lakes.

 

 

 

 

Accommodation

Your preferred option (cottage accommodation pictured)

Departure Day

Today, check out of your accommodation ( unless you have opted to say on for a few more days ) and bid farewell to this little corner of paradise in Northern Ireland.

We hope to see you again soon!

What's included

Included

  • 3 nights accommodation
  • All materials, tools and safety equipment
  • Expert tuition in bowl turning
  • Meals specified in the itinerary
Your local host

Pádraig

My name is Pádraig Carragher and I am a wood turner based within The Ring of Gullion in South Armagh.

As a native to the Ring of Gullion, it is my life’s passion to impart just some of the history, culture, folklore and mythology that this magical destination has on offer.

Sharing not only my knowledge of the area but to also facilitate the craft of wood turning to those who want to immerse themselves creatively.

My name is Pádraig Carragher and I am a wood turner based within The Ring of Gullion in South Armagh.

As a native to the Ring of Gullion, it is my life’s passion to impart just some of the history, culture, folklore and mythology that this magical destination has on offer.

Sharing not only my knowledge of the area but to also facilitate the craft of wood turning to those who want to immerse themselves creatively.

Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

Learn More

Location

This retreat takes place in the beautiful Northern Irish countryside, near the border with the Republic of Ireland and close to the town of Newry.

Surrounded by beautiful woodland and hillsides, the glamping site is a wonderful place to head out hiking, or simply relax and drink in the surrounding views.

Exact directions and an address will be specified on your booking voucher.

What our travellers are saying...

1st time camping and I had the best weekend the site is lovely with all the facilities you need, there's a kitchen on site as well as lovely shower rooms and toilets close to campsite. Padraig is a lovely fella and was very helpful and friendly. We will definitely come back

Janine

FAQs

Is there any wifi at the site?

There is no wifi on site and mobile reception is poor, so you can really digitally detox, but a landline will be made available in case of emergency.

Is bedding included ?

Yes bedding is provided in all the accommodation.

Where can I get wood for the BBQ?

Wood for the BBQ can be purchased on site .

Where is the nearest supermarket?

The nearest convenience store is in Mullaghbawn 1 mile away from the glamping site.

How many people can take part in the woodturning?

A maximum of 5 people can take part in the woodturning experience.

Can I bring my dog ?

Unfortunately, due to the sheep grazing close by, dogs are not allowed.

What equipment is in the communal Kitchen for the Galmping pods?

The communal kitchen is equipped with a fridge/freezer, microwave, kettle, 5 ring gas hob with double ovens and grill, a toaster, plates, bowls, cutlery, glasses, saucepans, frying pan etc.

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