Study
Courses
There are a myriad of courses in Ireland, from archery classes to learning how to play the harp. Adventure Centres, where you can do everything from hill-walking to raft-building, are increasingly popular and we have listed them throughout the book. For cookery courses – an increasingly popular pastime – check out www.visitireland.com.
Arts & crafts
Rockfield Ecological Estate (043-76025; Rathowen; tour €10, mains €20-25; by appointment) gives you an inspiring insight into sustainable living as well as traditional Irish culture and crafts. In addition to two-hour tours of the working farm, you can dine on nutritious homemade food utilising organic produce from the rambling gardens (while sitting on a chair fashioned from fallen tree branches); or take part in full-day courses (€100 per person including lunch) such as spinning, weaving, basket making, wood carving and stone sculpting.
English language
Fáilte Ireland publishes a list of recognised schools for teaching English as a foreign language. Most – but certainly not all – English-language schools are in and around Dublin.
Centre of English Studies (01-671 4233; www.cesireland.ie ; 31 Dame St, Dublin)
Dublin School of English (01-677 3322; www.dse.ie ; 10-12 Westmoreland St, Dublin)
English Language Institute (01-475 2965; www.englishlanguage.com ; 99 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin)
Language Centre of Ireland (01-671 6266; www.lci.ie ; 45 Kildare St, Dublin)
Irish language
There are a number of courses in the Irish language and culture, particularly in the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas; see www.gaelsaoire.ie or contact Fáilte Ireland for information.
Intercelt (www.intercelt.com) Resource for Irish language-based holidays.
Oideas Gael (074-973 0248; www.oideas-gael.com ; Glencolumbcille, Donegal; 3-/7-day courses €95/190; Mar-Sep) Irish language courses and cultural activity holidays.
Meditation
Jampa Ling Buddhist Centre (952 3448; www.jampaling.org ; Owendoon House, Bawnboy; dm/s/d incl meals €32/39/68) offers meditation courses.
Music
In July and August, Dingle Music School (086-319 0438; Dykegate Lane, Kerry) offers beginners’ workshops in bodhrán (from €12; noon Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11am on Saturday) and tin whistle (€25, 11am Monday). Bodhráns are supplied.
Harp workshops are conducted as part of the O’Carolan International Harp Festival & Summer School.
