Join us for a unique adventure through stunning Ireland, where wool, history, and fiber arts intertwine!

Visit working farms and learn about traditional wool production. Explore iconic sites like the Book of Kells, and wander through breathtaking landscapes and ancient ruins. Connect with local artisans preserving Ireland’s fiber traditions, and enjoy hands-on needle felting workshops led by tour host and fiber artist Jean Hainlen. Along the way, delight in local music, food, and Many one-of-a-kind experiences.

Perfect for fiber art enthusiasts and curious travelers alike, this tour blends craft, history, and adventure into one unforgettable experience.

We depart from various locations around the US to fly into Dublin (DUB).

As a note: We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights will arrive at/depart from Dublin International Airport (DUB). If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

Welcome to Dublin as we begin our wool and wonder journey together! Upon arrival, we meet together for a guided tour of the city center as well as a fun lunch together. Afterwards, we’ll check into our hotel, settle in, and gather for a welcome dinner. Overnight accommodations are at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel (L, D).

After breakfast at the hotel, we travel to Windrush Farm for a day of fiber and nature fun!

In the morning, we’ll join expert ecologist, Sophie, on a guided journey through their breathtaking 11-acre nature reserve. Discover the magic of woodland and bogland while learning about their nature-focused farming practices. Engage your senses, gather natural materials for eco-printing, and have the chance to spot rabbits, birds of prey, and even deer

during this wild wander, as Sophie & Lucy share some of the Irish folklore associated with the plants & animals you may encounter.

Then unleash your creativity and co-create with nature in a hands-on eco-printing activity. Using your freshly foraged leaves and flowers, you’ll explore color and pigments, as you try hapa-zome, the Japanese art of leaf and flower dyeing onto fabric, by making your own eco-printed

shopper bag.

After lunch in the local village, we’ll then join Sophie & Lucy as they share their passion for their beautiful fibre-only flock of pedigree Zwartbles sheep, and chat about the role the sheep play in improving the land for biodiversity, and demonstrate how they process their wool from shearing to carding, for needle felting, with samples from each stage. Then step outside the studio and meet the source of the wool, as Sophie & Lucy

introduce you (by name) to their friendly flock. You’ll have time to feed & cuddle them before returning to the studio to watch a live demo of wool carding while you enjoy tea & cake back in the cosy studio. Then try out the art of 3D needle felting, as Sophie & Lucy guide you to create your own felted heart ornament using wool from the Windrush Farm sheep!

After a fabulous day together, we’ll head back to our hotel for an evening on your own and at your leisure. Overnight accommodations are at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel (B, L).

We begin our day stepping into Ireland’s literary and artistic heritage with a tour of the famous Book of Kells. Then it’s off to a vibrant local artisan market to explore at your own pace. We gather back at the hotel for our first needle felting workshop with Jean inspired by illuminated letters and our journey so far (no experience needed). After our workshop, we join for dinner together at the hotel. The rest of the evening is open for relaxing (with the option of connecting time with a BYO craft of your choice). Overnight accommodations are at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel (B, D).

Today, after breakfast, we make our way to the west coast of Ireland with a few stops along the way. Our first stop is at a local mill to see how local wool is prepared and processed. After the tour, we’ll continue on our way stopping for lunch and a walk around the beautiful ruins of the Rock of Dunamase. Once in Galway, we’ll check in to our accommodations and join for a short walk into the city center for dinner together. Overnight accommodations are at Adare Guest House in Galway (B, L, D).

After a lovely breakfast, we’ll spend the day in the beautiful seaside city of Galway. Today, we’ll learn about the traditions of the local wool, meeting with local experts and artisans. We’ll also learn about the traditional Aran Islands knitwear and craftsmanship, a symbol of Irish heritage and clan unity. A time for lunch will also be included in our journey together. After our adventures, you have the rest of the evening open for your own leisure (with the option of connecting time with a BYO craft of your choice). Overnight accommodations are at Adare Guest House in Galway (B, L, D).

Today, we head south of Galway to explore the fascinating region of the Burren. We’ll go on a guided hike in this area, exploring the uniqueness of this landscape including the flora and fauna of the season. After lunch together, we’ll then visit the shop of the Irish Fibre Crafters and hear from shop owner and fiber artist, Sandra King. After our adventures, you have the rest of the evening open for your own leisure (with the option of connecting time with a BYO craft of your choice). Overnight accommodations are at Adare Guest House in Galway (B, L).

Today we explore the beautiful art of natural fiber dying at AppleOak FibreWorks. In the morning we’ll go on a garden visit to meet with gardener, Tristan Lienhard who will share about the plants and what they are used for and pigments made. We’ll then head to the studio to visit with natural dyer, Jennifer Lienhard about how AppleOak came to be as well as visit the dye and dry rooms. She will also give a demonstration on how to dye the primary colors and 2 secondary colors as well as talk about the dyeing industry past/present/future. You’ll then have a chance to shop in their workshop for naturally dyed fleece and other locally made take home gifts. After our adventures, you have the rest of the evening open for your own leisure (with the option of connecting time with a BYO craft of your choice). Overnight accommodations are at Adare Guest House in Galway (B, L).

After breakfast, we head north of Galway to the Village of Cong. Here, you are invited to take a peaceful walk through Cong Abbey grounds along the river. You might also find yourself pausing for a quick snack at the local cafe or peruse the shops in the village center. Afterwards, we head to Brigit’s Garden for lunch and garden tour. You will then have the option to joining Jean in the garden for a final needle felting workshop inspired by the beautiful Irish landscapes we’ve explored (no experience needed). Our evening concludes with a farewell dinner celebration together in Galway. Overnight accommodations are at Adare Guest House in Galway (B, L, D).

We awake early today to catch the train back to Dublin, enjoying the beautiful landscapes across the center of Ireland along the way. We’ll then take the airport transport bus to Dublin International Airport for our flights back to the US. Our wool and wonder journey comes to a close, but we carry new friendships, creative energy, and lasting memories from our time together in Ireland. (B)

*Registration Deadline is April 17, 2026

*Note about activity levels: While we make every effort to accommodate mobility needs, please note that this tour includes walking tours on uneven surfaces and stairs, standing for extended periods of time, bus tours on uneven roads, etc. For more information or questions regarding activity levels and mobility, please contact us.

*We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights will arrive at/depart from Dublin International Airport (DUB). If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

*Travel insurance is highly recommended. As a way to help protect your trip experience, Sunlight Tours offers travel insurance options through our trusted travel partner, Yonder. Free quotes are available. Please contact us with any questions.

*A non-refundable deposit required for this trip: $500

Other payments due: Final payment is due by May 1, 2026. If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

*Cash/Check/Credit Cards accepted.

Michelle Walka (Creative Director for Sunlight Tours) is an artist, spiritual director, and loves to travel. She is also a long time fiber enthusiast, loving to learn new techniques and to squish beautiful fiber along the way! When she’s not working with Sunlight Tours, Michelle leads contemplative and creative retreat experiences through Beloved Art and Practice. She lives in Minnesota and enjoys lingering with a good cup of coffee, experimenting with new art materials, and many outdoor adventures with her husband, Keith, and their pup, Rosie.

Jean Hainlen

Jean is a Minnesota fiber artist and educator. Her textile exploration began in the 70s when she tried batik, tie dye and bleaching blue jeans. After retiring from teaching, she concentrated on felting. Her favorite subject matter is nature, especially scenes from the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota.

Jean loves to travel and tries to find local wool fibers and fiber artwork wherever she goes, so this trip to Ireland will be especially exciting. She also loves to share her knowledge of needle felting and can’t wait to join you in being inspired by Ireland’s culture and landscapes.