Click on our videos above to enjoy scenes and traveler reviews from previous Ireland tours.
Enjoy our fabulous 16 Day Celtic journey with Sue Spargo. Our Ireland tour is always amazing but as Sue will be joining us in 2025, it won’t ever be much better. We are proud of our tour reviews and reactions to one of our favorite annual tours, which will suit anyone, but especially a quilt enthusiast as we’ve planned this visit to enjoy Ireland from a quilter’s perspective.
Our comprehensive tour features the best of Emerald Isle scenery and with our relaxed touring schedule we will have ample time for quilt shops and fabric browsing as we enjoy the sights along our way. Our tour is expanded several days longer than other Ireland quilting tours her so we may include an additional day in Dublin and provide an opportunity to take a Celtic theme quilt class with one of Ireland’s most beloved quilting instructors. Our special journey together will highlight the beauty of the Irish countryside, diversity of Irish heritage and culture as well as allow us to meet and enjoy the company of Irish quilters.
Our circle Ireland tour begins and ends in Belfast and west to the beautiful Irish Atlantic coast along the Wild Atlantic Way, then south to Cork giving you a first hand glimpse into all that makes this beautiful island so magical. Then we travel up to Dublin before ending our tour in Belfast where we will attend Ireland’s QUILT FAYRE! As a special bonus, Sue Spargo is designing a special project for our 3 day workshop at the end of the tour.
In addition to many quilt and fabric shop stops throughout our journey, some of the other stops on our tour include (but are not limited to):
QUILTFAYRE! Irelands acclaimed quilting extravaganza.
Meet and Greet/Show & Tell with Irish Quilters: It is always so nice to connect with others in our quilting community throughout the world. It’s especially nice to meet and see the work of the charming and creative quilters in Ireland.
Three day workshop with Sue Spargo in Belfast
Dublin: Enjoy the vibrant pubs, eclectic markets, and numerous cultural attractions that make Dublin one of the most interesting small cities in the world. Founded as a Viking settlement at the mouth of the River Liffey, Ireland’s capital city is rich with history and filled with storytellers. Major landmarks include: Christ Church Cathedral (the oldest building in Ireland), the Dublin Castle (which has stood since the 12th Century), the Spire of Dublin, the statue of Molly Malone, Trinity College, and the Guinness brewery. Here you’ll find cobbled streets, lit with the ruddiness of pubs ringing with Irish folk tunes.
Belfast: Compact and easy to explore on foot, Belfast is known for its turbulent history as well as an attitude that values having a good time. The city has something to offer everyone, from an international selection of restaurants, bars, and cafes, to a rugged natural splendor. There are hundreds of pubs in Northern Ireland’s capital, but The Crown is something special and a must for any visitor, located just across the street from the Grand Opera House and our fabulous 4 star hotel. Also, the birthplace of the Titanic! We will make a stop at the fabulous Titanic Museum for any who would wish to take a tour here.
The Giants Causeway: The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. It is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles northeast of the town of Bushmills.
Ulster Folk Art Museum: Step back in time and uncover a way of life from 100 years ago. Discover cottages, farms, schools, and shops as you wander through the beautiful parkland of the Folk Museum chatting to costumed visitor guides demonstrating traditional crafts. Climb on and off majestic steam locomotives or experience the sensation of flight in the Transport Museum bursting with horse drawn carriages, electric trams, motorbikes, fire-engines, and vintage cars.
Cliffs of Moher: Towering heights and crashing waves, ageless legends and endless flurrying birds: the Cliffs of Moher are a natural masterpiece. These breathtaking sea cliffs are located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. They run for about 14 kilometres.
County Kerry: A county in the South-West Region of Ireland, Kerry is one of the most mountainous regions of Ireland. It faces the Atlantic Ocean and features many peninsulas, inlets, and islands, resulting in a breathtakingly picturesque landscape. Kerry is as close as one can get to the mythical Ireland: A Celtic kingdom of misty mountains promised by glossy brochures and Hollywood films. **
Dingle Peninsula: Located in County Kerry and comprising Europe’s westernmost point, the Dingle Peninsula features stunning views, natural wonder, and extensive archaeological monuments dating back 6,000 years. This is the sort of fairytale place that one might imagine when reading Celtic folklore and mythology. Many Hollywood movies have been filmed here. While here you will have an opportunity to take an optional Celtic quilting workshop.
Slea Head Drive: A circular route, beginning and ending in Dingle, which takes in a large number of attractions and stunning views on the western end of the Dingle Peninsula. Slea Head is a well-known and recognized landmark and very scenic viewpoint, with a dramatic view of the Blasket Islands.
Ring of Kerry: Rolling green hills and sparkling lakes. Sheep and cows grazing in patchwork fields. Unspoiled golden beaches giving way to jaw-dropping cliffs. You will find each turn brings a new treat, from lakes, rivers, waterfalls and castles. This treasure on southwest coast of Ireland really has it all.
Sheepdog Trials: Enjoy up close and personal viewing of sheepdogs and the sheep they guard. See how they work, obey commands and take care of their flocks. This is a rare treat that has been well received by our guests.
Blarney Castle: A medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland. At the top of the Castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone, which legend tells us is a magical stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.
Waterford Factory: A manufacturer of crystal, the factory is named after the city of Waterford, Ireland. The origin of crystal production in Waterford dates back to 1783, when George and William Penrose started producing extremely fine flint glass that became world-renowned. Today, skilled craftsmen are on display demonstrating their trade of making the Waterford Crystal. Experience the meticulous process of molding, blowing, cutting, sculpting, and engraving that goes into producing this fine crystal.
Historic Avoca Mill: Now famed for it’s food and fabulous woven articles, in 1723 this co-operative weaving mill was set up along the banks of the Avoca River. Here, local farmers could grind their corn, and spin and weave their wool for clothing for the local miners. Times were tough in rural Ireland and the mill was soon a vital local resource.