Lace - Pottery - Craft areas in Republic of Ireland
Feb 17th, 2001, 05:38 PM
#1
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Lace - Pottery - Craft areas in Republic of Ireland
I'm going to Ireland in April with my sister & 2 friends & would like some suggestions for places to visit that are known for hand crafts ~ e.g. lace making, pottery, jewelry making ~ that we could visit. We're doing a self-drive, so we can set our own itinerary. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks.
Feb 18th, 2001, 04:58 AM
#2
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Jude,
The majority of towns in Ireland now have their own potters and craft centres eg Dingle, Galway etc.
It is quite a large cottage industry however to get a feel for what is on offer you should check out Kilkenny Design Shops in Dublin or Kilkenny, Blarney Wollen Mills in the south or Avoca Handweavers (Dublin or on the way to Wicklow).
Crystal and Glass is also popular and the top of the range is Waterford, however Tipperary (south), Galway (west), Cavan (Midlands/border region) all produce crystal - there are more factories in other towns but these are just off the top of my head. Belleck China and Donegal China and Tara China are all very popular too.
The vast majority of factories of whatever product you are interested in have visitor centres and factory tours and you can buy there - sometimes cheaper sometimes not it varies.
For further assistance check witht the Irish Tourist Board as there are many craft centres etc throughout the country (www.ireland.travel.ie)
Hope this helps,
Cathy
The majority of towns in Ireland now have their own potters and craft centres eg Dingle, Galway etc.
It is quite a large cottage industry however to get a feel for what is on offer you should check out Kilkenny Design Shops in Dublin or Kilkenny, Blarney Wollen Mills in the south or Avoca Handweavers (Dublin or on the way to Wicklow).
Crystal and Glass is also popular and the top of the range is Waterford, however Tipperary (south), Galway (west), Cavan (Midlands/border region) all produce crystal - there are more factories in other towns but these are just off the top of my head. Belleck China and Donegal China and Tara China are all very popular too.
The vast majority of factories of whatever product you are interested in have visitor centres and factory tours and you can buy there - sometimes cheaper sometimes not it varies.
For further assistance check witht the Irish Tourist Board as there are many craft centres etc throughout the country (www.ireland.travel.ie)
Hope this helps,
Cathy
Feb 18th, 2001, 08:07 AM
#3
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Jude;
I would highly recommend Kilkenny
for wonderful Irish Crafts. The Kilkenny Design Workshop is a wonderful spot - you can also have lunch there - or tea/coffee and scones - it's right in the heart of things. I would also recommend taking a short drive to Bennetsbridge - for pottery - go to the Nicholas Mosse Pottery where you can purchase his beautiful spongeware pottery but also watch the craftspeople at work - makes you appreciate what goes into these beautiful creations.
There is a tea room here and a small Museum of older spongeware pottery (it was once run by his mother). On the second floor of the pottery, there is a "seconds" shop with some good bargains.
I believe that section of Bennetsbridge
is called the Craft Road because there are now several cratfspeople close by
so it makes for a nice afternoon of browsing or buying. If you go out just a little further, you can visit the village of Inistioge on the River Nore -
Circle of Friends and The Widow's Peak were both filmed there. It's a lovely picturesque village - with a little Tea Room called CIRCLE OF FRIENDS! Also,
the town of Graiguenamanagh, on the River Barrow, is not too far. This village is included in the new book,
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN IRELAND,
and is a lovely spot. We love Kilkenny and have stayed at the same B&B several
times. Also, there are many nice restaurants and some pubs with music in the town as well. Wonderful tourist attractions such as the Castle and the Cathedral - lots of history. Have a wonderful stay.
I would highly recommend Kilkenny
for wonderful Irish Crafts. The Kilkenny Design Workshop is a wonderful spot - you can also have lunch there - or tea/coffee and scones - it's right in the heart of things. I would also recommend taking a short drive to Bennetsbridge - for pottery - go to the Nicholas Mosse Pottery where you can purchase his beautiful spongeware pottery but also watch the craftspeople at work - makes you appreciate what goes into these beautiful creations.
There is a tea room here and a small Museum of older spongeware pottery (it was once run by his mother). On the second floor of the pottery, there is a "seconds" shop with some good bargains.
I believe that section of Bennetsbridge
is called the Craft Road because there are now several cratfspeople close by
so it makes for a nice afternoon of browsing or buying. If you go out just a little further, you can visit the village of Inistioge on the River Nore -
Circle of Friends and The Widow's Peak were both filmed there. It's a lovely picturesque village - with a little Tea Room called CIRCLE OF FRIENDS! Also,
the town of Graiguenamanagh, on the River Barrow, is not too far. This village is included in the new book,
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN IRELAND,
and is a lovely spot. We love Kilkenny and have stayed at the same B&B several
times. Also, there are many nice restaurants and some pubs with music in the town as well. Wonderful tourist attractions such as the Castle and the Cathedral - lots of history. Have a wonderful stay.
Feb 23rd, 2001, 08:34 AM
#4
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Jude:
I second the vote for Kilkenny - especially a visit to the Nicholas Mosse Pottery. I did lots of my Christmas shopping there laast year - including a few presents for myself.
Also, Blarney Woolen Mills is a good resource - the store in Blarney in Cork has the largest selections of all sorts of wonderful crafts -- and great Irish knitwear. Blarney Woolen Mills has stores in Kilkenny, Dublin, also. But every County, and every town seems to have some lovely handmade crafts.
I second the vote for Kilkenny - especially a visit to the Nicholas Mosse Pottery. I did lots of my Christmas shopping there laast year - including a few presents for myself.
Also, Blarney Woolen Mills is a good resource - the store in Blarney in Cork has the largest selections of all sorts of wonderful crafts -- and great Irish knitwear. Blarney Woolen Mills has stores in Kilkenny, Dublin, also. But every County, and every town seems to have some lovely handmade crafts.
