What the weekend will look like

Friday:

Travel to Baltimore and take the 7 PM ferry to Cape Clear. It’s a scenic 45 minute crossing. We’ll get you unpacked at your accommodation before starting the weekend off with dinner at your accommodation, Eirí na Gréine.

Saturday:

In the morning we’ll head down to the studio and get started with the hand building workshops. Today we’ll focus on roughing out the shapes for your 8 pieces. You’ll learn about making through pinching and coiling.

We’ll finish up at 4.30pm and then you’ll get a bit of time to relax and explore the island, in the evening we’ll be joined by Cape local Sadhbh from Danan Craft who’ll do a candle making workshop with us.

Sunday:

On Sunday morning we’ll head down to the studio to finish up your pots. Today you’ll learn about different ways of making handles and how to refine the pieces you made the previous day; adding lugs, feet, and carving back at the clay. You’ll also be able to do some surface decoration with oxides. Today you’ll choose the glazes you want your pots to be finished in.

We’ll finish up at 4.30pm again, and this time we’ll be joined by Jenny, another cape local, who will run a yoga and sauna session to help us relax after a busy weekend of making. You’ll even be able to cold plunge into the sea.

Monday:

On Monday morning we’ll pack up and head down to the harbour to catch the 12pm boat back to Baltimore.

I’ll let you your pots dry for a week or so before I put them through the kilns, I’ll glaze them for you in your choice of glaze. You’ll be able to collect your pots after they have been fired in Baltimore or Skibbereen on set dates, or else you can pay to have them shipped to you, anywhere in the country or further afield.

The course will run Friday 22nd - Monday 25th August.

Cost €450

What is Included

• 3-day workshop on Oileán Chléire

• All workshop materials and firings

• Candle workshop with Sadhbh

• Yoga and sauna session with Jenny

• Accommodation and 2 meals a day.

• Return ferry to Cape Clear Island

Not Included:

• Transport to Baltimore

• Breakfasts

• Alcohol and snacks

• Local link island taxi

Exploring the island

In your down time you can explore the island. It’s a remote rugged place, with a number of walking loops spotted across the island.

Accommodation Details

The accommodation is very basic. Bunk beds in shared rooms, with two communal bathrooms.

Accessibility

This long weekend will involve hilly walking, but there is a small local link taxi that is available. There are two ground floor bedrooms and one ground floor bathroom and the rest are up a set of stairs. If you have any questions or concerns around accessibility please get in touch

Important

Suitable for complete beginners to people with some experience.

Please make sure you bring everything you could possible need over the weekend. This is a very rural place and the weekend will reflect that. There is a small shop on the island with limited opening hours, there is no pharmacy, no doctor, no off license, no ATM. I will not be able to provide anything other than what is on the included list.

Please let me know of any dietary requirements as soon as possible.

Price - €450

Full refund available if cancelled within 7 days of booking