Ireland with
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MAGGIE JACKSON
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Hear about Maggie's first collection…poppy-petal
fashions for her dolls…
a short lived success when her mum saw only flowers
of black balls left
in
the centre of her garden! Maggie will accompany
us on the whole trip,
as we visit places that will give you an insight
into the interesting history behind the
small Emerald Isle…and you never know, if you’re
lucky, the sight of a leprechaun. You’ll hear
tales of folklore, to be believed or not!
Enjoy
workshops in unusual places throughout the tour…
depending on that Irish rain, of course! Your knit
project will be
unique to you and adaptable for all types of knitters.
You will be working with true Irish Linen, no longer
produced in Ireland.
Read more about Maggie at Maggiknits
Husbands
and partners are welcome to enjoy the 'forty shades
of green'
wee
country full of Irish charm and wit...without having
to lift a needle!!
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YOUR
TOUR ITINERARY:
Wed-Sep 21
If you are departing from North America, you will need
to arrange your flight to depart today, in order to arrive
in BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND on the morning of
Sep 22. You'll need to arrive no later than 11am if you
would like to join us on the city tour of Belfast.
Because there are two major airports serving the city
of Belfast, we provide you with easy instructions for
getting to the Europa Hotel. Contact Traveling Together
if you would like to arrive in Belfast a day early and
stay at the Europa Hotel. Please call Northwood Travel
at 800-780-0571 if you would like assistance in arranging
your air travel or email them at info@NorthwoodTravel.com
Thu-Sep
22
Maggie will be anxiously awaiting you at the beautiful
EUROPA HOTEL. The Europa has hosted Presidents,
Prime Ministers and celebrities, including President Bill
Clinton during his visits to Belfast in 1995 and 1998.
Located in the heart of Belfast City Centre and next door
to the famous Grand Opera House, the Europa will be our
home for the next two nights.
Early this afternoon we will have a PANORAMIC TOUR
OF BELFAST. In addition to a few photo stops around
the city, the tour will give you an overview of the most
historic and well-known sights of the city: Queen’s
University, Friars Bush Graveyard, the Ulster Museum,
Belfast Cathedral, and the Parliament buildings, just
to name a few.
After the tour we return to the Europa Hotel. Prior to
our WELCOME DINNER, there will be time for introductions
and Maggie will be giving you an overview of the knitting
project that will be featured in her workshops, along
with the needed supplies. After dinner, there will be
an optional trip to the Crown Bar. The Crown is one of
the most famous pubs in the UK and is conveniently located
opposite our hotel. If you’ve ever wanted to taste
a true Irish Guinness, this is the place!
Fri-Sep
23
Following a "full Irish" breakfast, we travel
to Lisburn, Maggie’s hometown, to visit the IRISH
LINEN CENTRE and LISBURN MUSEUM. The stooks
of flax on the steps—and the evocative painting "Flax
Pullers" that hangs near by—
are harbingers of the treasures inside the Irish Linen
Centre & Lisburn Museum. Its brightly lit galleries
are filled with colorful exhibits, priceless artifacts
including a piece of linen from King Tutankhamen's tomb,
prized oil paintings, and haunting audio-visual presentations.
| Enjoy
the Irish jokes and the behind-the-scenes stories
that made Maggie’s Ireland her favourite book
out of the seventeen that she has now published, whilst
knitting with traditional Irish Linen, a project unique
to the trip. Maggie was the first Fashion Designer
to set up in Northern Ireland in the height of the
‘troubles’ as they were called, leading
on to International awards. |
 |
Next on the agenda is a FELTING WORKSHOP by a local
textiles designer. She will have you creating a wall hanging
as a souvenir, in addition to showing you some of her
unusual felted pieces, which was much enjoyed on previous
trips.
After time for lunch, we continue on to EUGENE MCCONVILLE’S
FARM in nearby Dromore. We’ll tour his flax mill,
the last of its kind in Ireland, and you might even get
a chance to scutch some flax! Over the creaking sound
of the great hundred-year-old water wheel that once powered
the mill, we'll hear Eugene’s moving personal story.
We will continue on to Aghalee and the 300-year-old CLENAGHAN’S
PUB. In addition to MAGGIE’S FIRST WORKSHOP,
we’ll enjoy a good IRISH DINNER and maybe
a pint or two of Guinness to wash it down, as we listen
to traditional Irish music ‘round a log fire, before
returning to the Europa Hotel for the night.
Sat-Sep
24
We depart Belfast this morning and travel along the beautiful
ANTRIM COAST, interlaced with tales of Irish Folklore.
As we head north, we will be stopping for a morning workshop
before arriving at the LONDONDERRY ARMS HOTEL, situated
in the rural village of Carnlough and once owned by Sir
Winston Churchhill. The hotel was built in 1848 as a coaching
inn by France Ann Vane Tempest, Marchioness of Londonderry.
Our main meal of the day will be in the FRANCIS ANNE
RESTAURANT, a founding member of the Taste of Ulster
and recipient of the AA Rosette award for culinary excellence.
As we continue along the coast, passing the towns of Cushendun
and Ballycastle, we arrive at the famous GIANT’S
CAUSEWAY. These unique rock formations have, for millions
of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled
ferocity of Atlantic storms. Added to the list of World
Heritage sites in 1986 and run by the National Trust,
you will learn about the history and the myth, with a
chance to head to the waters edge to enjoy the view and
knit a few stitches, weather permitting. This natural
wonder will be a highlight of today’s scenic drive.
The RADISSON BLU ROE PARK RESORT in Limavady will
be our home for the next three nights. Several of your
hotels will have on-site spas and the links for those
are provided. You may contact them directly if you would
like to pre-arrange their services, to avoid finding that
they are fully booked by the time we reach the hotel.
Roe Park Spa ww.RadissonRoePark.com
Sun-Sep 25
There will be time for more knitting instruction from
Maggie today, so have your needles and yarn ready as we
head out for a day of sightseeing!
A trip to Ireland would not be complete without a tour
of OLD BUSHMILL’S DISTILLERY, the oldest licensed
distillery in the world. They have been producing Irish
whiskey since 1608 and there will surely be a chance for
some taste-testing.
Then it’s on to CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE
(cover of Maggie’s Ireland). After making
your way down the steep flight of stairs, you may simply
enjoy the view or dare to cross the sturdy rope bridge
while the waves crash onto the rocks hundreds of feet
below. The scenery is magnificent and it’s an experience
you won’t soon forget.
Our last stop is DUNLUCE CASTLE, located high above
Mermaid’s Cave. Overlooking the turbulent sea below,
it precariously clings to the land and was the splendid
home of the Earl and Countess of Antrim who visited the
royal court in London, and entertained in their castle-on-the-sea.
In 1639, part of Dunluce Castle including the kitchen,
fell into the abyss. Today, the second-story chimneys
defy gravity and cling to fallen walls. But even among
the ruins, the romance of Dunluce Castle remains.
We return to the RADISSON RESORT FOR DINNER this
evening at the hotel.
Mon-Sep 26
LONDONDERRY (Derry) is known as the Gateway to
Northern Ireland and is the last city to be encircled
by walls and the only city where the original walls are
still intact. Our day begins with a guided WALKING
TOUR OF DERRY that will provide us with an intriguing
account of this historic city and the famous Walls of
Derry. From the Diamond—the center of Old Derry—radiate
four main thoroughfares that pierce the massive walls
through gates bearing colorful names like Butcher's Gate,
Bishop's Gate, and Ferryquay gate. Nearby, just behind
the Guildhall, Shipquay Gate led thousands of Irish to
the New World. You will also have the chance to visit
the 1600s Gothic Cathedral of St Columb.
We continue south to Enniskillen for a visit to the SHEELIN
IRISH LACE MUSEUM. The Museum houses approximately
700 exhibits, illustrating the five main types of Lace
which were made in Ireland: Irish Crochet Lace, Youghal
Needlelace, Inishmacsaint Needlelace, Carrickmacross Lace
and Limerick Lace. On display are Wedding Dresses, Wedding
Veils, Shawls, Parasols, Collars, Baby Bonnets, Christening
Gowns, Flounces, Jackets and many more items.
As we depart Enniskillen we drive further south and cross
the border into the REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. Our final
destination today is the RADISSON BLU HOTEL & SPA
IN GALWAY and DINNER AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT.
Tue-Sep 27
You will have the entire day to enjoy the city of GALWAY.
Galway is the capital of the West of Ireland. The streets
and buildings of this ancient town have many interesting
features, and its position on the edge of the Gaeltacht
(Irish speaking area) makes it the gateway to magnificent
areas such as Connemara, Corrib country, and the Aran
Islands. The city itself is a continuing centre of growth
with its University, Institute of Technology, Theatres,
Cathedral, Castle, as well as other interesting attractions.
Recently, the city centre of Galway has been closed to
traffic in order to allow for the enjoyment of the city's
narrow shopping streets.The
Radisson Blu Hotel is located within an easy walk from
Eyre Square (site of the historic John F. Kennedy Memorial
Park and scene of his celebrated visit to the city, as
one of Ireland’s most famous sons) and Quay Street,
where you will find shops, pubs, restaurants and theatres.
Radisson’s Spirit One Spa www.spiritonespa.com
Wed-Sep
28
Today we begin our journey with a ferry ride to the shores
of INIS MÓR, LARGEST OF THE ARAN ISLANDS and
home to fewer than a thousand inhabitants. On the very
edge of Western Europe, these Gaelic outcroppings—and
their namesake sweaters—have always beckoned to knitters.
Maggie will conduct an informal workshop at some time
today, with the remainder of the day free to shop and
sightsee in the beautiful village port. You may even choose
to take a pony and trap ride around the island and be
sure to stop at the Aran Sweater Market and Museum
to learn the history of these beautiful sweaters. At the
end of the day we’ll return to our hotel in Galway.
Thu-Sep
29
We depart Galway this morning for NEWCASTLE, located
just south of Belfast on the eastern shore, and home to
the SLIEVE DONARD RESORT AND SPA. This Victorian
hotel is located on six acres of private grounds with
spectacular panoramic views of the County Down coastline
and Mountains of Mourne, making it one of Northern Ireland's
most popular hotels. DINNER TONIGHT will be in the main
dining room of the hotel’s Oak Restaurant. Visit
the hotel’s spa website at Spa
Resorts-Slieve Donard
Fri-Sep
30
Bring your knitting project today! Maggie will be teaching
among the MISTY MOUNTAINS OF MOURNE (dear to the
hearts of the Irish!) and the dry stone hedges that criss-cross
the heart of SILENT VALLEY. The Mourne Mountains
are the highest in Northern Ireland and tower above the
Silent Valley reservoir. Nestled at their feet, the reservoir
gathers the mountain’s runoff, and supplies all of
County Down and Belfast with pristine drinking water.
We'll drive by "Maggie's Cottage," home to the
crew during the Maggie's Ireland shoot, while on
the lookout for falcons that sweep down from the Mourne
Mountains. Through a countryside dotted with cottages,
sheep, stone walls, and winding roads, we enjoy panoramic
views of the valley below as we reach Silent Valley, where
the stillness will surround us. Late afternoon finds us
back at the Slieve Donard, where you will have time to
relax and knit in front of a roaring fire at one of the
many lounges or cozy bars.
 |
Sat-Oct
01
The last full day in Ireland and there is a lot left to
see and do! Many of you may not know it, but the Titanic
was conceived, designed, built and launched in Belfast
and... as they proudly say locally, "She was alright
when she left here!"
We’ll take a BOAT TOUR OF THE HISTORIC HARLAND
& WOLFF SHIPYARDS AND THE FAMOUS TITANIC SITES AROUND
BELFAST HARBOUR. The harbour area itself is full of
interesting sights, sounds and history, an exciting place
which reeks of adventure and far off places!
This afternoon we will have a GUIDED TOUR OF THE ULSTER
FOLK AND TRANSPORT MUSEUM, voted "Irish Museum
of the Year". It illustrates the way of life and
the traditions of the people of the north of Ireland.
Set in over 170 acres of rolling countryside, the outdoor
Folk Museum tells the story of life in early 20th century
Ulster. Almost 50 exhibits have been acquired by the Museum
from all over Ulster and restored and authentically furnished.
The Open Air Museum is complemented by the Folk Galleries
which show how food, farming, everyday occupations and
lifestyles have changed through time.
You may have met CHEF STEVIE FROM THE PAGES OF MAGGIE'S
IRELAND? If you didn't have a chance to try any
of his recipes yet, at this evening’s ‘GALA
DINNER’ you will savor the fruits of his passion
for food and culinary education. "My passion for
food was born in my family's kitchen," Chef Stevie
says. "In all Irish families, the credit for cooking
goes to Mother and grandmother. While the other kids in
school had peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, I would
open my lunch box to find a hearty sandwich of cured ham
drenched with the rich juices of homegrown tomatoes, accompanied
by a fresh wheaten scone, spilling with my Gran's rhubarb
jam. I gained a sincere appreciation for good eating,
and I never swapped lunches with anyone!"
A Maggie Jackson Retreat would not be complete without
a FASHION SHOW. As in the past, it will be spectacular,
featuring Maggie’s signature designs from her past
and current collections, and maybe a sneak peek of things
to come! Maggie will share her tips from a fashion designer’s
point of view, with the new seasons trends and colors
from the catwalks of Milan, New York, Paris, and London.
After fabulous workshops with Maggie, seeing the best
of what Ireland has to offer, and making new friends,
its time to check-in to the BELFAST STORMONT HOTEL
for your last night on the Emerald Isle.
Sun-Oct
02
Whether your flight departs from BELFAST CITY AIRPORT
or BELFAST INTERNATIONAL, there will be a transfer
to each airport this morning. In order to take advantage
of these transfers, your flight will need to depart 11:00am
or later, from either airport. Should your flight depart
earlier than 11:00am the hotel will assist you in scheduling
your taxi.
TOUR
INCLUDES:
All hotels
All breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners
All workshops, class materials, & fashion show
All group tours & activities
All group ground transportation within Ireland
Airport transfer on Sun, October 02
Hosted by Maggie Jackson
Escorted by a Professional Tour Leader
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