Crack open a Creative Experiences for you and your family in Meath, this Easter

8 unique experiences in Meath to enjoy, all of which make memories that last longer than

any Easter Egg!

The Boyne Valley, the birthplace of Ireland’s Ancient East, is world renowned for its rich

heritage and megalithic art works. Meath is blessed to have an abundance of living heritage

and wealth of invigorating leisure activities on offer, now through a craft tourism

development programme organised and funded by Fáilte Ireland and Local Enterprise Office

Meath, there are now 8 creatives experiences for people to enjoy throughout Meath.

Fancy learning to weave on a traditional Donegal Loom in the Ráth Cáirn Gaeltacht, ever

dreamt of making your own piece of sculpture alongside one of Ireland’s master craftsmen,

perhaps you fancy a guided stroll through the Boyne Valley countryside to inspire your

découpage creation. Do you want to create a pottery bowl in the foothills of the Hill of Tara

or work with wool to make a felt brooch there is something for everyone. Why not stamp a

meaningful word onto a clay heart decoration, or lean to or felt your own sheep keepsake or

work with a needle and wool to make a felt painting at a countryside studio in Bellewstown.

With plenty of gentle activities, that are screen free and offer you and your family a chance

to slow down and make memories this Springtime- why not give it a go?

‍

Visit Anita Reynolds Art & Design at her countryside studio based in Ballivor. Her work in

clay, textile design and batik art is deeply inspired by nature, the Irish language, her love of

history and her connection to the landscape. Hosting regular workshops both in Ballivor and

Kilmainhamwood – the popular A Word from the Heart experience - offers visitors a chance

to stamp a short meaningful Irish word into a heart made of clay and decorate with vintage

Irish lace or native leaves from the garden of artist Anita Reynolds.

https://anitareynoldsartanddesign.com/pages/classes

‍

At Boann Irish Felt Designs Studio, on the outskirts of the historic village of Slane, just a 5-

minute drive from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne, the ancient art of

felting is practiced by artist Caoimhe Tuthill.  A former archaeologist with a fascination for

prehistoric sites and Megalithic artwork, Caoimhe has a profound connection to the Irish

landscape, the natural world and her Neolithic surroundings.  Book a Fabric of the Past or

Picture of the Past experience where visitors learn to create a one of a kind, wet felted

flower brooch or a wet felted picture whilst learning the process behind this ancient art

using wool & recycled fabrics.  Contact Caoimhe at info@boann.ie or 087 2419315 to book.

‍

If you want to practice your cúpla focal then visit Bréidín na Bóinne (Boyne Valley Tweed)

in Ráth Chairn, an area renowned for its deep cultural ties, where the Irish language thrives

alongside a history steeped in storytelling and craftsmanship, visitors are welcome to

explore the traditional art of craft weaving. Anna Ní Dhonnchú is a hand weaver who

learned her craft from master weavers in Donegal. Anna has a passion for weaving and you

will get hands on experience when you book into A Weavers Scéal (A Weavers Story)

Anna will guide you through the creation of your own tweed masterpiece on a mini loom.

You will also learn a cúpla focal. Visitors can choose to have their experience fully offered

“as Gaeilge”.

Instagram breidin_na_boinne

‍

Spin me a Yarn is a truly unique experience for the whole family to enjoy, fifth generation

farmer, Alison Fullam Gogan from Boyne Valley Wools warmly welcomes visitors from

around the globe to her farm where she loves to share her story and family tradition of

spinning. Learned from her grandmother, Alison is a wool enthusiast and demonstrates the

traditional methods used to create a ball of wool from the Jacob sheep, specially selected

for their beautiful natural colours. A truly immersive experience where visitors meet the

sheep and have an opportunity to touch, feel and smell the wool at different stages of the

spinning process. Learn how to felt your own sheep under Alison’s gentle guidance and take

home as a memory of this engaging and grounding experience. If you are lucky you might

even get to feed a baby lamb! https://boynevalleywools.com/experience/

‍

Visit the rolling hills of Bellewstown and meet with Lucia Errity an accomplished textile

artist, painter and creative arts therapist, Lucia’s warm personality, expert guidance and

sense of fun allows creativity to blossom as she welcomes all ages and abilities into her

countryside gallery to an experience called Felting the Landscape – where visitors create a

needle felt painting inspired by the ancient beauty of the Boyne Valley. Your piece is framed

and ready to take home serving as a reminder of the memories made in this beautiful part

of Meath. https://luciaerrityart.ie/

‍

For something totally unique, learn the skill of sculpture design and creation with one of

Ireland’s top master craftsmen with Shane Holland. Visitors can book a private visit to his

workshop and gallery in Duleek, offering a rare opportunity to learn from one of the

country’s most renowned artists. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Shane

brilliantly incorporates recycled materials and offcuts to craft pieces that convey emotion

through the creative process. Work alongside Shane to create a bespoke copper sculpture,

employing techniques such as copper smithing, hammering, soldering, finishing, and

assembly, with opportunity to personalise your creation with a special engraving. This

Bespoke Sculpture Design with Master Sculptor is a private experience bookable direct

with the studio. Info@shanehollanddesign.com

‍

Why not combine a stroll in the country with some crafting, that’s what Nordic Walking

instructor Martina of Sonas Studio loves to do, by bringing her visitors out into the

countryside, to breathe the fresh country air, taking inspiration from the surrounding Boyne

Valley landscape. Visitors can book a Framed by Nature experience which includes a Nordic

Walking taster class, to help inspire creative design as your return to her studio and work

on personalising an upcycled frame using paint and the art of decoupage. Unleash your

artistic flair under the guidance of Martina to create a piece that captures the essence and

enchantment of your walk through the Boyne Valley countryside.

https://nordicwalkingireland.com/

‍

Lastly why not combine a creative experience with your own visit to the Hill of Tara, the

ancient seat of the high kings of Ireland, located just a stone’s throw from Tara is the home

studio of ceramic artist, Gráinne Rafter, where you can book Treasures of Tara experience-

this immersive pottery making experience celebrating the Neolithic past of the Hill of Tara.

Create a Neolithic style bowl with ceramic artist, Gráinne Rafter.

www.grainnerafterceramics.com

‍

Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council, says: “I am delighted to

see the further development of the tourism offering within the county. These eight

experiences give tourists from overseas a chance to slow down and take time out to

experience a very hands on visitor offering;  we are fortunate to have so many of

these creative businesses-owners  throughout the county as they connect with

visitors in a very special way, which leads to a highly satisfied visitor experience”

“We want tourists from overseas, as well as domestic visitors, to come to Meath and

take time out - not just to explore some of the more remote areas of Meath - but to

stay longer in the county and make meaningful memories.”

‍

Caoimhe Delany of Local Enterprise Office Meath says “ there is no better time to try a new

experience here in Meath, with such a variety of craft experiences on offer, there is

something to suit everyone and you might be surprised to find there your inner creative

streak!” she goes on to say, “ It was great to see the passion these creative businesses had

during this programme with ourselves and Failte Ireland, and I believe these experiences are

some of the very best on offer in the country”

‍

Speaking from her studio   in Ráth Chairn, Anna  Ní Dhonnchú of Bréidín na Bóinne says 

“ Weaving comes naturally to me and I love telling the story of Irish Tweed, I was delighted

to complete this programme with Fáilte Ireland & LEO Meath, so that I could develop a really

special visitor experience for those visitors who are interested in the ancient art of weaving”

 Anna realises that she has a unique experience for people and goes on to say “ I am

delighted to welcome visitors into Ráth Chairn, teach them a few words “as Gaeilge”  and let

them see at first hand the special community we have here”

Caoimhe Tuthill Owner of Boann Irish Felt Designs, says "This has been a brilliant

programme to be involved with. I have learnt so much. I have now added another service

to my business where I can combine my love of felt making, archaeology, colour and

sustainability into a wonderful creative experience and I get to meet lovely people along the

way! "My Fabric of the Past" or "Picture of the Past" Experience, allows people to spend time

with their friends or family and together in a relaxed atmosphere create their own beautiful

unique artwork" 

‍

Many of these experiences offer freshly baked scones or treats alongside tea and coffee and

can be booked for private experiences.

‍

Meath is known for the world over for it’s famous megalithic heritage sites at UNESCO

World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne and Knowth and Dowth and the well-preserved early

art found at these historic sites. Modern day creatives are now opening their studios to

showcase their fantastic range of authentic experiences, with many craftworkers using

traditional methods during their experiences. Meeting the makers helps the contemporary

consumer understand and appreciate the time, work and skill that goes into producing

these high-quality products which are made to last. Many of these products made right

here in the Boyne Valley are shipped around the globe for overseas shoppers to love and

enjoy.

‍

For More information on what to do in Meath Visit www.discoverboynevalley.ie

Contact:

Caoimhe Delany

Local Enterprise Office Meath

0877664447

Caoimhe.delany@meathcoco.ie

Interviews available with the makers on request.

‍