Through connections with Pat, a regular with Dublin Sketchers, there will be a weekend of sketching on Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, in September. This will be part of Feile na gCloch, or Festival of Stone, that incorporates stone wall building, stone carving and letter carving workshops.
The official brochure will be out soon, but here are the essentials of the sketching element of the festival, in case you want to start making plans.
As with our previous trip to the island, you’ll be responsible for getting yourself onto the island, and making sure you have accommodation arranged.
Around the festival schedule below, there is plenty of time to explore the island, as well as social time. Lunch is part of the festival cost, and most people eat together in the hotel of an evening.
Booking details are below.
Dates: Thursday 14th to Sunday 17th September 2017
Inis Oírr, Aran Islands, County Galway
On Location Sketch Outs Exploring Inish Oírr
Spend three days exploring Inis Oírr through sketching. Capture the magic scenery and culture of the smallest of the Aran Islands in your artists's notebook. Experience this intimate island through drawing her castles, shipwrecks, churches, lighthouse, seascapes and iconic drystone walls.
- Through on location sketch outs you will discover the rugged beauty of this jewel in the Atlantic. Enjoy the creative camaraderie and be part of the exhibition of work done over the weekend.
- This long weekend is for the self-motivated sketcher who wants to enjoy a fun and sociable time drawing on location in an ancient landscape. All levels of experience welcome.
- Join a sketch out to capture the creation of a dry stone wall with prizes for the most evocative sketches.
- Each sketch out starts with a fifteen minute warm up talk with tips and inspiration from experienced sketchers.
- Leave the island with a sketchbook full of memories.
Thursday afternoon 14th September 2017
4.30pm – 5.00pm Welcome to the island and discussion of workshops, sketch outs and other activities over the weekend
5.00pm – 6.00pm 'An Irish Group of Stonemasons Working at Guédelon Castle in France 2016: The building of a castle using medieval tools and techniques ' by Tom Pollard
6.00pm – 7.00pm Tracy Mahaffey & Alexandra Morosco tell their mutual Stories in Stone, working as artisans of the stone trade in the US.
Friday 15th September 2017
9am - 4pm On location sketch outs with your allocated group at locations including the Wreck of the Plassey, O'Brien's Castle, the lighthouse, half buried and ruined churches, the harbour, lakes and beaches, limestone fieldscapes, stonewalls, stunning skies and dramatic seascapes.
Talks
5pm – 6pm 'Holy Smoke: My life as a smoke jumper, blacksmith and stonemason and the building of an Irish round tower in California' by David Claman
6pm – 7pm ‘Tales of the Inis Oírr Zibaldone: Exploring worlds through an artist’s notebook.’ by Jessica Peel-Yates and James Moore
Saturday 16th September 2017
9am – 1pm On location sketch outs with your allocated group at locations including the Wreck of the Plassey, O'Brien's Castle, the lighthouse, half buried and ruined churches, the harbour, lakes and beaches.
2pm - 4pm Join a sketch out to capture the creation of a dry stone wall with prizes for the most evocative sketches.
Talks
5pm – 6pm ‘Drystone Construction on Walking Tracks’ - a presentation on the use of stairways, retaining walls, bridges and other structures in Australian national parks" by Gavin Rose.
6pm – 7pm 'The Corbelled Dry Stone Structures of Europe’ by Renate Löbbecke
Sunday 17th September 2017
10am – 1.00PM On location sketch outs with your allocated group at locations including the Wreck of the Plassey, O'Brien's Castle, the lighthouse, half buried and ruined churches, the harbour, lakes and beaches, limestone fieldscapes, stonewalls, stunning skies and dramatic seascapes.
Speakers
Tom Pollard, Tipperary, Ireland
Tracy Mahaffey, Rhode Island, USA
Alexandra Morosco, Seattle, Washington, USA
David Claman, Montana, USA
Jessica Peel-Yates and James Moore, Dublin, Ireland
Gavin Rose, Australia
Renate Löbbecke, Germany
John Shaw-Rimmington, Canada
What to bring
Definitely sketchbooks, drawing pencils, pens, pencil sharpener, eraser. Perhaps loose leaf pages, watercolours, paint brushes, easel, colour pencils, oil pastels, or which ever medium you like to sketch with.
This is an outdoor event. Irish weather is famous for offering 4 seasons in one day. Make sure to bring warm clothes, sturdy shoes and good rain gear.
Payment
Payment must be received in Euro.
Cheques should be made payable to:
‘Galway County Council –Stone Wall Workshop’’
Cancellation
A refund of fees (less €20 administration charge) will be
given, provided that notice of cancellation is received
in writing on or before 8th September 2017
No refunds given after this date.
Enquiries
Ms. Marie Mannion,
Heritage Officer,
Forward Planning,
Áras an Chontae,
Galway County Council,
Prospect Hill, Galway
Tel: 00353 91 509198
Or
Gráinne Smyth/ Martina Creavan
Forward Planning,
Áras an Chontae,
Galway County Council,
Prospect Hill, Galway.
Tel: 00353 91 509121/509017
An action of Galway County Heritage Plan
Transport to InisOírr
Workshop participants must book their own travel to Inis Oírr.
There is one ferry company between Rossaveal, Co. Galway and Inis Oírr and there are other ferry companies operating between Doolin, Co. Clare and Inis Oírr.
Ferries
The following are their contact details:
Air Travel
Flights are available from Aer Arann islands, Inverin , Connemara, Co. Galway.
Accommodation
Please note: It is recommended that you book your own accommodation and transport prior to booking this course. Please see list of accommodation and transport providers.
Please also make your own arrangements for evening meals.
Leaba & Bricfeasta in Inis Oírr/Bed & Breakfast in Inis Oírr
Baile an Fhormna / Formna Village
Caitríona Uí Chatháin Phone: +353 (0)99 75090 Fáilte Ireland Approved
Máire Ní Fhlatharta Phone: +353 (0)99 75083
Baile Thiar / West Village
South Aran House Phone: +353 (0)99 75073 Fáilte Ireland Approved
Ostán Inis Oírr Phone: +353 (0)99 75020 Fáilte Ireland Approved
Brú/Hostel Phone: +353 (0)99 75024 Fáilte Ireland Approved
Máire Searraigh Phone: +353 (0)99 75024
Máire Foley Phone: +353 (0)99 75037
Barbara Uí Chonghaile Phone: +353 (0)99 75025
Baile an Chaisleáin / Castle Village
Bríd Póil Phone: +353 (0)99 75019
Áine Uí Ghríofa Phone: +353 (0)99 75983
Baile an tSéipéil / Chapel Village
Bernie Uí Dhonncha Phone: +353 (0)99 75088
Pádraig Ó Donncha Phone: +353 (0)99 75000
Baile an Lurgain / Lurgan Village
Bríd Brennan Phone: +353 (0)99 75125
Self Catering
For a full listing of self catering can be found on the following link:
Evening Meals
Evening Meals can be booked at the following:
Information of Inis Oírr and its services
Contact: Comhar Caomhán Teo, Inis Oírr, Árainn, Co. na Gaillimhe.
Phone: Phone: +353 (0)99 75008; Fax: Phone: +353 (0)99 75071
Registration Form
Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS and return with your payment to:
Stone Workshop 2017, c/o Ms. Gráinne Smyth, Forward Planning, Áras an Chontae,
Galway County Council, Prospect Hill, Galway, Ireland. Tel: +353(0) 91 509121
We suggest that you photocopy this form for your records.
Title:___ Surname:________________________ First Name:__________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________
Tel:____________________ Email:________________________________________________
Registration Fee:_______________________________________________________________
Please tick appropriate box:
Workshop A – Stone Wall building
Full Workshop Fee
All lectures, demonstrations, tea/coffee,
and lunches included Friday to Sunday €75
Partial Workshop Fee
Friday Lectures/workshop, tea/coffee & lunch €25
Saturday workshop, tea/coffee & lunch €25
Sunday workshop, tea/coffee & lunch €25
Total: €
Workshop B – Carving
All lectures, demonstrations, tea/coffee,
and lunches included Friday to Sunday
NB: Limited number of places for this workshop
No partial Workshop Fee available
Full Workshop Fee: €100
Workshop C - Letter Carving
All lectures, demonstrations, tea/coffee,
and lunches included Friday to Sunday
NB: Limited number of places for this workshop
No partial Workshop Fee available
Full Workshop Fee: €100
D - On Location Sketch Outs - Exploring Inis Oírr
All lectures, organised sketch outs, tea/coffee,
and lunches included Friday to Sunday
NB: Limited number of places for this workshop
No partial Workshop Fee available
Full Workshop Fee: €75
Payment
I enclose a cheque/bank draft for €------ (Euros) payable to ‘Galway County Council –Stone
Workshop 2017 and send to Stone Workshop, C/o Ms. Gráinne Smyth, Forward Planning,
Áras an Chontae, Galway County Council, Prospect Hill, Galway, Ireland.
Signed:___________________________________ Date:_______/_________/_________
How did you hear about this conference? Mailing /Advert /Internet Other
Your particular interest in attending:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
