Painting Workshop in Ireland

$3,400 Private accommodation

$3,100 Shared accommodation

$600 Non-painting partner (sharing a room)

This includes:

• Seven nights accommodation in the Waters Country House in Ballyvaughan 

• Breakfast each day

• Art studio materials

• Full use of painting studios, including computer lab for printing photos

• Painting instruction, daily demos, and critiques on studio days

• One full-day guided tour of the Burren, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What isn’t included:

• Airfare to Ireland

• Lunches and dinners

• Transportation

Payment Schedule:

• $500 nonrefundable deposit to hold your place, due no later than January 7

• 50% payment due 30 days after signing up (less deposit)

• Full payment due 60 days after signing up

Cancellation:

• After February 1, 50% refund

• After March 1, no refund

Travel insurance is highly recommended. I use Allianz, which is not very expensive and offers great coverage.

For remaining balance, call me at (828) 774-8431 or email dpskinner@earthlink.net

A unique blend of limestone landscapes and lush green pastures, the Burren sits along the beautiful Galway Bay, across which you can see the hills of Connemara and to the south the Aran Islands. In and amongst the green pastures and forests of hazelwood and hawthorn, you'll find the ancient remains of castles, ring forts, monasteries, and Neolithic burial tombs, along with delicate wildflowers and strange carvings.

You'll stay in the charming little seaside village of Ballyvaughan, which lies about 45 minutes below Galway in County Clare. Ballyvaughan itself is very small, with a main street lined with local pubs, shops, and a few restaurants. In addition to artists and ex-pats who live in the area, the village is also home to many farmers who tend the cows and sheep that graze in the surrounding pastures, as their ancestors did before them for generations.

Ireland has very unpredictable weather, which can make painting on location problematic. In this workshop, all painting is done at the Burren College of Art, situated on the grounds of a converted 16th-century castle in the heart of the Burren. We’ll paint in the college’s well-lit and spacious studios. I like to paint with my canvas or paper mounted directly on the wall, but for those who prefer easels, they will be provided along with art tables. I’ll have a large selection of photographs of the area that I've taken over the years, which can be used as source material for your paintings if you want to paint in the landscape vein. Also, there's a computer lab at the college for developing any photographs you take on your own. Some of you might not need any source material. I provide heavy-body acrylic paints, canvas panels, watercolor paper, brushes, and latex gloves.

The workshop is open to 13 students, and everyone stays at the Waters Country House, a bed-and-breakfast that is within walking distance to the college. The Waters is rich with character, with antique furniture from Italy, and is situated on an ancient well celebrated in Irish folklore. Your charming hosts are Wolfgang and Maria. The workshop's price is for a shared double room or, for an extra amount, a private room, which can be arranged on a first-come, first-served basis. 

All lunches and dinners are the workshop participant’s responsibility. More often than not, we eat together at one of the many great restaurants in the area. The college has a little cafe where our group will have a table for daily lunches. Martina and Anne run the cafe and are delightful.

Driving Distances to Ballyvaughan

Shannon Airport, 1 hr.

Dublin Airport, 2 hrs. 30 min.

A typical studio day starts with my daily demonstration, followed by a full morning of painting. We break for lunch at the college cafe, then continue working in the studios where I meet with each student for one-on-one instruction. On some days, we’ll take a late-afternoon field trip to one of the many places of interest in the area, and then it's dinnertime. We eat as a group, but you're certainly free to go off on your own. The Sunday following your arrival is dedicated to a full-day tour of the Burren, to give a broad overview of the area. Our final day of painting is Friday, where we finish work and have a final group critique and review. The final Saturday is for packing and checking out of the inn. I’m available to help you figure out transportation.

I set up a What’s App group for each workshop so make sure you have that app on your phone. It’s a great way to communicate as a group.

When packing for Ireland, it’s helpful to remember that you may experience four seasons in one day. That said, check the weather forecast before you leave, and bring layers, as well as a lightweight rain jacket, umbrella, and some good walking shoes.