Maggie Meister Returns to Ireland--Inspired by the Ancient Celts

September 8 - 16, 2010

Galway  •  Mulranny

 

Come join Maggie Meister as she returns to Ireland for an eight-day residential workshop, with tours and relaxation time, a unique holiday experience for the creative individual and those accompanying them.  Maggie is designing a very special seed bead project inspired by the Ancient Celts just for this Beadventure.
 

Itinerary

Day 1. Wednesday, September 8 – Arrive in Ireland
Arrive in Ireland at Shannon airport and catch the airport bus to Galway (1.5 hours) or arrive in Dublin and catch the train or Aircoach bus to Galway (3 hours). From the bus or train depot in Galway, you will travel to the hotel, which will have a room reserved for you (and a roommate unless you have purchased the single supplement).

Galway is a friendly pedestrian city with many musicians, lively pubs, bookstores, restaurants, and shops. It is a fun city to explore and small enough to get around on foot and not get lost. The hotel should be within easy walking distance to the downtown area. Your Beadventure leader, Cheryl Cobern-Browne, will meet the group at 6 p.m. in the lounge for drinks, followed by a welcome dinner.
Meal included in Beadventure package today: Dinner

Day 2. Thursday, September 9 – Tour Galway and travel to Mayo
After breakfast the group will meet in the hotel reception area for a walking tour of Galway city. You will have a good portion of the day to shop and explore on your own. In mid-afternoon the group will meet back at the hotel for transport to the Mayo residence in the seaside village of Mulranny (near Achill Island) for the next five nights.

Here you will have your own room with some sharing of bathrooms. Meals will be served at the residence and also at some local pubs and/or cottage restaurants for a variety of eating experiences. There are great scenic views from any of the sitting rooms overlooking Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick Mountain. You can see the ocean, the beaches, the mountains, and the green hills with grazing sheep. The studio is located on the premises.
Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner

Days 3 & 4. Friday & Saturday, September 10 & 11 - Workshop
Workshop – details to follow.
Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5. Sunday, September 12 – Tour Irish Countryside
Experience four different places on a half-day tour. First is the beautiful old ruins of Burrishoole Abbey. Photography shots here are wonderful, especially if the sun is shining.  We then will explore Rockfleet Castle, one of Grace O’Malley’s residences (Granuaille, the Pirate Queen). She has several of these castles dotted around the coastline, but Rockfleet is where she spent her last days before she died in 1603. You will be taken to Newport to see the famous Harry Clarke stained glass windows. After a pub lunch there will be a drive up the old bog road where Michael Joe Ginnelly will tell you about the amazing blanket bogs of Ireland and stories about life as a sheep farmer. He will have you rocking the bus with laughter!
Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6. Monday, September 13 - Workshop
Workshop continues.
Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7. Tuesday, September 14 – Tour Achill Island
Full day tour of Achill Island. Travel the scenic Atlantic drive and stop for a walk amongst the ruins of the Deserted Village from famine times.
Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8. Wednesday, September 15 – Travel to Galway
Back to Galway by private bus on the scenic route through Connemara. You will stop for lunch in Leenane and drive alongside Ireland’s only fjord. You will pass Ashleigh falls and beautiful scenic mountain ranges. Spend the night in Galway City with a special evening in a musical pub after a farewell dinner.
Meals included today: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9. Thursday, September 16 - Depart
Depart for your onward journey.
Meal included today: Breakfast

 

Project Designed by Maggie for Beadveture
Ancient Celts Inspired Jewelry

Maggie will be designing a special seed bead project for this Beadventure, which will be for advanced beginner/ intermediate beaders  It is being inspired by the jewelry of the ancient Celts combined with patterns and colors inspired by the Book of Kells.  It will be just as beautiful as her other work, such as her Solomon's Knot bracelent inspired by the mosaic motif pictured below it.

About Maggie . . .
"The love of ancient history, color and patterns have followed me throughout my life and my designs have come to fruition during the time my family and I lived in Italy. In looking back, beads have always been a part of my life – from playing with Mardi Gras beads or collecting semi-precious stones as a young girl to my love of ancient and ethnic jewelry as I became older. Today seed beads have become the medium I use to translate my sources of inspiration into personal designs for adornment.

When living in Naples, Italy, I was surrounded by ancient history. The fragments of Roman columns, mosaics and frescoes are my inspiration and I am grateful for those “ancient voices”. Translating these voices into designs fills my days with joy and wonder and I cherish my “connection” with the past. Teaching and beading are ways for me to share this wonderful experience and bring those voices of the past into the present."  -- Maggie Meister

In addition to teaching around the United States, Maggie leads three or four Beadventures to Italy each year.  Learn more about Maggie and her beautiful work at Amphora Designs.
 

Trip Cost

$2500 (US Dollar). 
Includes: lodging, meals, land transport, tuition, site visits.
Does not include: airfare, project supplies, tips.
Payment Terms:  $300 deposit to hold spot.