Féile na gCloch on Inis Oirr, Aran Islands, Thursday 14th to Sunday 17th September 2023
For the last few years, some folks from Dublin Sketchers have participated in the Festival of Stones on the smallest of the Aran Islands. It's a great place to sketch.
This year the festival takes place once more on the smallest of the Aran Islands out in Galway Bay. It's roughly a 3 km square with great sketching locations.
If you want to go then book your accomodation, which we've heard is in high demand!
Please be aware that you need to register for the event and there is a fee to participate (details below)
Here are the details if you are interested in participating.
If you have questions about the weekend, please chat to James or Jessica one Sunday or on Whats App.
Exploring Inis Oírr
Stonewall Building, Carving, Letter Carving Workshops and On Location Sketch Outs
Thursday 14th to Sunday 17th September 2022
Inis Oírr, Aran Islands, County Galway
Schedule D – On Location Sketch Outs Exploring Inis Oírr
A number of sketch outs take place each day which will be led by James Moore, who is an experienced sketcher and teacher.
- Spend three days exploring Inishsheer 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, 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.
- Lectures on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening by stone masons and stone carvers, enchance your experience and understanding of the island and the festival.
- Take time to vist the Aras Eanna Arts Centre on the island and the local craft shops.
- Each day starts with a 30 minutes workshop with tips and inspiration from experienced sketchers led by James Moore.
- Leave the island with a sketchbook full of memories.
D – Time Schedule – Sketch Outs
Thursday
If you are arriving early, there will be an extra sketch out at Cnoc Raithníthe bronze age monument in down town Inis Oirr on Thursday afternoon from 3pm – 5pm. Meet at the monument which is along the main road between the harbour and the sports field.
5pm – 7.00pm Welcome to the island and discussion of workshops, sketch outs and other activities over the weekend. Talks relating to stonewalling, carving, letter carving and sketching.
After the talks, people tend to head for Tigh Ruairi’s hotel for dinner and then down to Tighe Ned’s near the harbour for chats round the cosy pub fire.
Friday
Meet at 9.00am at An Halla to get the mini bus to the location for the morning, the Plassy shipwreck An Halla is located in the school behind the sports ground.
At 10am there will be a sketching workshop with tips and inspiration from an experienced sketcher. This will take place at the shipwreck.
Lunch is arranged – please ask for details on the day. It will either be a picnic or in a pub.
1.30pm – 4pm sketching at the harbour and beach (meet outside Una’s café).
5-7pm talks on stonewalling, carving, letter carving and sketching that will take place in An Halla.
After the talks, people tend to head for Tigh Ruairi’s hotel for dinner and then down to Tighe Ned’s near the harbour for chats round the cosy pub fire.
Saturday
9am – meet at An Halla at 9am to walk up to O’Brien’s Castle together.
At 10am there will be a sketching workshop with tips and inspiration from an experienced sketcher. This will take place at O’Brien’s Castle.
The sketch out at O’Brien’s castle will run until about 1pm.
Lunch is arranged – please ask for details on the day. It will either be a picnic or in a pub.
From 2pm – 4pm, join a sketch out to capture the creation of a dry stone wall. Capture the camaraderie of the stone masons while they build a wall in this stunning location. Exact location details will be provided on the day.
5 – 7pm talks talks on stonewalling, carving, letter carving and sketching that will take place in An Halla.
After the talks, people tend to head for Tigh Ruairi’s hotel for dinner and then down to Tighe Ned’s near the harbour for chats round the cosy pub fire.
Sunday
On Sunday between 10am and 1pm we will sketch at Teampall Caomhán, a church which is nestled in sand dunes near the beach. We will meet at the church (by Sunday, you’ll know your way around the island!)
At 10am there will be a sketching workshop with tips and inspiration from an experienced sketcher. This will take place at Teampall Caomhán.
Lunch is arranged – please ask for details on the day. It will either be a picnic or in a pub.
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 / mediums you like to draw 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. Inis Oirr has a lovely beach, so pack your bathers if you want to take the plunge.
Be prepared to walk around 4km a day between sketch locations and the pubs.
Registration Fee
The
fee for the sketch outs for the Festival is €100, which includes mini
bus to certain sketch out locations, picnic lunch on Fri / Sat / Sun,
lectures and talks over the weekends, daily tips and inspirations for
your sketching.
On Line Bookings
Booking Enquiries:
Ms. Marie Mannion,
Heritage Officer,
Forward Planning,
Áras an Chontae,
Galway County Council,
Prospect Hill, Galway
Tel: 00353 91 509198
E-mail: mmannion@galwaycoco.ie
Transport to Inis Oírr
Workshop participants must book their own travel to Inis Oírr.
There are ferry services operating from Rossaveel, Co Galway and Doolin in Co Clare.
Ferries
The following are their contact details:
Aran Island ferries, Rossaveel: Tel: +353(0)91 568903 www.aranislandferries.com
Doolin Ferry : Tel: +353(0) 65 707 5555 +353 (0) 65 707 1710 www.doolinferry.com
After Hours : Liam @ 087 958 1465 Email: info@doolinferry.com
Doolin 2 Aran Ferry: Tel: +353 65 7075949 www.doolin2aranferries.com
Mob: +353 87 2453239 Email: info@doolin2aranferries.ie
Air Travel
Flights are available to the Aer Aran Islands, from Inverin, Connemara, Co. Galway.
Aer Arann islands – Tel : +353(0)91 593034 http://www.aerarannislands.ie
Accommodation
Please note: It is recommended that you book your own accommodation and transport prior to booking this course.
If you want help organising accomodation on the island, please call 083 085 1695
Leaba & Bricfeasta in Inis Oírr/Bed & Breakfast in Inis Oírr
Caitríona Uí Chatháin Phone: +353 (0)99 75090 Fáilte Ireland Approved
Máire Ní Fhlatharta Phone: +353 (0)99 75083
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
Bríd Póil Phone: +353 (0)99 75019
Áine Uí Ghríofa Phone: +353 (0)99 75983
Bernie Uí Dhonncha Phone: +353 (0)99 75088
Pádraig Ó Donncha Phone: +353 (0)99 75000
Tigh Ruairí Ó Conghaile (Rory’s B&B): Phone: +353 (0)99 75002 www.tighruairi.com
Bríd Brennan Phone: +353 (0)99 75125
Campsite with bell tents to rent https://inisoirrcamping.ie
For a full listing of self catering can be found on the following link:
http://discoverinisoirr.com/accommodation/selfcatering/
Evening Meals
Evening Meals can be booked at the following:
Tigh Ruairí: Phone: +353 (0) 99 75002 www.tighruairi.com
South Aran House (bookings only) Phone: +353 (0) 99 75073 www.southaran.com
Ostán Inis Oírr: Phone: +353 (0)99 75020 www.hotelinisoirr.com
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
