4 Day Residential Basket Making Course at Lough na Fooey (these courses are not held at Spiddal)

 

This is a four day course, for Beginners the concentration will be on round work and each participant can expect to make 2, 3 or possibly 4 baskets depending on size and whether you have acquired enough skill to practice on your own. Those with previous experience can choose between round, oval, or square. Those with experience who have a particular project in mind should let me know this beforehand so that I can ensure we have suitable material available. I will also explain about the willow, how it is grown and prepared for use. There will be a maximum of 7 people on the course.

There will be detailed class notes sent on after covering all weaves practised on the course and also notes on the willow process from start to finish. 

 

Hours: 10.00 to 5.00 each day.

 

Price: €380 Residential, €310 Non-residential, including materials. Cost of course includes a substantial home cooked lunch on the Tuesday and the Friday of the course, you will be looking after yourselves for lunch on the Wednesday and Thursday of the course, there will be space in the cottages to have your lunch even if you are a non resident. Breakfast and evening meals are not included.

 

 

If you wish to book a spot or be put on the mailing list please email me.

 

Up coming 4 day course dates :

   

2020:

 

October 6th to 9th (FULL)

October 27th to 30th (FULL)

November 3rd to 6th (FULL)

November 17th to 20th (FULL)

November 24th to 27th (FULL)

 

2021:

 

The price for 2021 courses is €400 Residential, €340 Non-residential

February 16th to 19th (FULL)

February 23rd to 26th (FULL)

March 9th to 12th (FULL)

March 23rd to 26th (FULL)

 

I hope to put on an additional course or two for spring 2021, I need to confirm dates and will post the dates on Tuesday the 14th of July at 8pm, first to email then to book.

 

Accommodation in “Waterfall Cottage" and “Hazel Cottage”

 

Accommodation is in these two stone-faced self-catering houses. “Waterfall Cottage” has five bedrooms, two toilets and two showers. “Hazel Cottage” has three bedrooms, two toilets, two showers and one bath. Since all courses are limited to a maximum of  seven  people, it will not  be necessary to share a room. Both cottages have wi-fi but there is not mobile phone reception. Accommodation is beside the workshop, 8 miles from the nearest shop. Unless your willing to travel 8 miles(12 km) by car to the nearest restaurant you will probably be cooking something for yourself in the evening, If you bring something ready cooked both cottages have microwaves but also standard electric cookers with 4 plates and an oven. Some people decide to share cooking but this depends on the group doing the course. Accommodation is available from 3 o'clock of the day before the course until the morning of the day after the course finishes, for example from Monday afternoon until Saturday day morning for standard 4 day Course. 

 

SORRY NO DOGS OR PETS ALLOWED.

 

Travel:

If travelling by public transport we can meet city link bus at Maam Cross. This bus leaves Galway from the Forster St. Bus Park (near rail/bus station) and opposite tourist office at 5.30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. See www.citylink.ie for full timetable. If you want us to meet this bus it must be arranged with us in advance. 

If travelling by car we will send you directions as part of the reminder a few weeks before the course date.

 

See testimonials below.

 

Testimonials:

 

 

'Having never made a basket, but having always admired this wonderful craft, I decided to try it myself. I first completed a weekend course in the Ceardlann under the instruction of Ciaran Hogan, basket maker, a title which does not nearly adequately describe Ciaran Hogan, the man is a genius when it comes to this craft, his patience and ability to teach this craft are fabulous. I left on the Sunday evening proudly carrying my first ever baskets!!! I was, and remain delighted with my new ability and have since completed a 4 day course at lough na fooey. I cannot speak highly enough about this course, the knowledge and experience gained were priceless, Ciaran again was unflappable, patient, knowledgeable and more than helpful. The hospitality and lunches provided by Ciaran's mother were gorgeous, her homemade breads are "legend". (I was lucky enough to have been given 2 loaves by the good lady herself and I savoured them to the last crumb) I also met Joe Hogan, the master basket maker, Joe has made some incredibly beautiful works of art, and has written books about the craft, his creations are wonderfully mind boggling, and beautiful. Talented and gifted are inadequate terms to describe such a gift as Joe's.! I thoroughly enjoyed my basket weaving courses and will make more, having purchased the few tools and some willow rods, the weaving bug has bitten...hard!'