The first time I ventured to Donegal was on my honeymoon. We were doing specially for Studio Donegal. We both wanted to see authentic Irish tweed and how it was made. Along the way, we were entertained by the sheer number of Scottish Black face sheep we witnessed grazing the hill sides so close to the road. I really wanted to pull over and pet one. The weather was expressing happy little job of mist then rainbows, mist than rainbows and so on. We turned a corner and saw a lake ahead and two white horses appearing to be walking on the water. My breath caught for moment and as the road straighten out toward the mystical scene, I realized they were standing on a bit of land. But still… white horses….
This morning we’ll take an intensive workshop with one of Ireland’s finest knitwear designers, Edel MacBride. We’ll enjoy a core workshop with yarn pack, learning to work the best of Irish moss, cable and Edel’s favorite Aran stitches. After our class and a light lunch (included), it’s onto Studio Donegal a hand-weaving and clothing manufacturing business committed to preserving and promoting traditional Irish hand-weaving. Here we will see the process of hand-weaving including the spinning, warping and weaving of the wool. Beautifully tailored vests, jackets and homeware products are made on site from their own fabrics. Studio Donegal’s soft Merino yarn is dyed and spun in the region and sold on site. We’ll return to our hotel (approx. 5:30PM/6:00PM) where the remainder of the evening is ours to freely explore the town of Donegal and seek out eateries for dinner.
I just love that we’re venturing to the north west. Donegal is famed for its handweaving. I personally can’t wait to see all the sheep again too. And I think this time I’ll be bringing my husband home a tweed vest as I think he always regretted not getting one while there.
