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26th June 2024
11:08am BST
Sarah McKenna
Brought to you by Discover Ireland
Summer holidays are a brilliant opportunity to go outside our comfort zones and try something new, and delving into a craft offers exactly that.
Head to Ireland's Hidden Heartlands for your next break, and you'll find an abundance of hands-on experiences and workshops where you can immerse yourself in a new passion, and leave with a creation of your very own. In Meath, for instance, you can try your hand at felting. In Clare, you can build your own chocolate bar. And, in Offaly, you can create your very own blend of whiskey.
If you fancy getting crafty on your next getaway, we've rounded up some of our top experiences in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands.
At Crafts of Ireland, you can enjoy a huge variety of craft workshops while taking in panoramic views of the Lough Crew Hills and Mullaghmeen Forest. Crafts of Ireland offer lessons in crochet, knitting, needle felting, natural dyeing, embroidery, pebble art and more, so head online and book one of this summer's workshops for yourself. After your workshop, enjoy a picturesque wonder around The Poppy Garden in Oldcastle and nab a pick-me-up from the Fore Abbey Coffee Shop.
Visit a working chocolate factory during your next trip to Ireland's Hidden Heartlands and embrace your inner chocolatier. At the Taste & Make Experience at Wilde Irish Chocolates, you'll get behind-the-scenes access to the chocolate factory, a unique chocolate tasting experience and the opportunity to make two chocolate bars of your own creation with toppings of your choice. After filling up on chocolate you can get a healthy dose of adventure at Derg Isle Adventure Centre, before capping your day off with dinner at The Snug Café.
Leahy Beekeeping is a family-run business dedicated to eco-conscious beekeeping practices. The honey here is 100% natural, and they also craft a number of other products including beeswax candles and skincare goodies. On a tour here, you'll get suited up to see the inner workings of a hive while learning about honey-making before sampling some for yourself. Once the tour is over, head to the nearby Loughrea Lake and relax on its peaceful banks, and for an evening meal, pop into Maggie Mays Bar and Restaurant.
Step outside your cookery comfort zone on your next visit to Longford by booking a hands-on cooking class at the Cloughan Farm and Cookery School. Before it begins, you'll enjoy some freshly made scones and chat with others in the class. You'll then get down to business, cooking a meal while taking seasonality into consideration, and once your meal is made, you'll get to sit down with your group to enjoy it together. During your Longford getaway, be sure to check out the Edgeworth Literary Trail, which allows you to follow in the footsteps of a number of famous writers, including Walter Scott, Oscar Wilde, and, of course, Maria Edgeworth.
If you've ever dreamed of creating your very own whiskey blend then the Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience is for you. Here, you'll tour the working distillery, take in its vast history and learn all about how Irish whiskey is produced. Afterwards, you'll get the opportunity to produce a blend of your own, according to your own tastes and preference, which you'll bottle and take home with you. In addition to the distillery tour, there's plenty to see and do in the area, including hikes along the breathtaking Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Ready to try your hand at something new? Start planning your next getaway in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands today.
Brought to you by Discover Ireland.
The Leave No Trace principles help us make as little an impact as possible on the incredible Irish landscape as we explore the outdoors this summer and beyond. Keep outdoor areas safe, clean and free from waste/hazards, and help us protect the natural environment. Love this place, leave no trace.
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