CELT have 3 of these events - Spring, Summer and Autumn.  The Spring and Autumn events this year are focussed on high quality training at introductory / intermediate level in a choice from several specific traditional / ecological skills with limited numbers on each course to give a good level of one-to-one tutoring.

Our next event - Summer in the Woods - 17th / 18th July, Bealkelly Oak Woods, Tuamgraney, Co Clare - is less intensive and is focussed on improving our facilities in Bealkelly Woods, by CELT Tutors providing practical hands-on workshops in a few chosen areas.  We will be concentrating on Rustic Furniture making (including Greenwood Furniture), Wet Felting Sheeps Wool into door covers and blinds for our Cob & Cordwood Roundhouse, Woodcarving workshop signs and some Natural Building including Dry-Stone Walling and working with Lime.  The cost to participants is only €20 (annual membership of €15 per person or €25 for a family also required).  There will be no materials costs to participants, and all work completed will be used gratefully by CELT.  Participants are free to try different workshops over the weekend, or choose just one for the two days.  For Health & Safety reasons, we need to limit this event to over 14's only.
We will be holding a Gathering for Gary Ellis, our recently deceased Site Manager on the Saturday night at 8pm.  We will have a bonfire and open Bealkelly Woods to Gary's friends and relatives to join us.
On Sunday some CELT Tutors will build a memorial stone bench in a quiet part of the woods, where Gary used spend a lot of time. Workshops will also continue on the Sunday, from lunch-time onwards. There will be NO CHARGE for Sunday, for participants that have paid €20 for Saturday, ie it will cost just €20 for the weekend. 
Free camping for participants, free car-parking.  Teas and Coffees will be free for participants. We are asking participants to self-cater and we will have fires going throughout the weekend to facilitate this.  Croissants in the mornings, Baked Spuds from our Clay Oven, and handmade Pizzas from our Cob Oven available to purchase on both Saturday and Sunday.
Book on-line after 31st May, See Booking / Membership on Menu above, let us know what you are interested in doing - email / phone for further details.
We look forward to seeing you there.

WEEKEND IN THE WOODS  - 2nd / 3rd October 2010
Bealkelly Wood, Tuamgraney, County Clare (please note: this is a privately owned woodland not open to visitors outside specific events, except on business).   2 day workshops in a range of traditional, sustainable and ecological skills. 

PROPOSED COURSES (Scroll down using arrow -bottom right - for more courses)

NEW COURSE - Tipi Living Workshop

On the tipi living course, you will get practical experience of how to pitch a tipi, attach the lining, position and make the fireplace, what stones are most suitable for the fire, work the smoke flaps to clear smoke from the tipi, wooding (including what wood to choose to keep smoke to a minimum), cook on the fire, store food, cut rushes for the floor, lay the floor and tipi etiquette. 
There is no materials charge, but you can bring tea/coffee and food to cook on the fire.  Wellies will be useful if the weather is bad and bring a musical instrument if you have one.
Course Tutor: Len Canton
Maximum number of Participants: 6
Materials Charge - €0

NEW COURSE - Needle Felting
Come & experience the creative delights of Needle Felting, with the instruction & guidance of two local fibre artists. Each participant will complete two different projects to take home; you'll learn to build up a soft sculpture figure and make a unique wool painting , using natural sheeps fleece and beautifully coloured wool with a simple hand tool.  All materials are provided, with a materials charge of €20.
Feel free to bring an inspirational image from which to make your wool painting or simply draw your inspiration from your imagination, or the magical woodland surroundings! This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and also accomodates those with felting experience.
Materials charge: €20 which includes unlimited use of plant dyed wool / combed merino wool / wool fleece
Course tutors :Jenny Lienhard & Mia Foley woollywings.etsy.com
Maximum number of participants: 12

NEW COURSE - Introduction to Leatherwork
Learn to work with different types of leather, using simple hand-tools, to make a variety of items, eg. belts, pouches, bags, wristbands, hairslides etc.  Sandal making can also be covered, for which the materials charge will be slightly higher.
Techniques include, stitching, thonging, dyeing, stamping, plaiting and braiding.
Materials charge: €20 minimum (more for larger pieces)
Course tutor : Len Canton
Maximum number of Participants: 6

Felt-making

This course is an introduction to the techniques of wet felting.  It covers the making of both 2D and 3D felt pieces, ie. the participants will make a flat piece of felt, (either a wall hanging or a mat) and a shaped piece, (either a hat or a bag).  They will use both dyed and undyed sheep's fleece and a discussion of colour will be included.  The emphasis, however, is on craft, rather than on fine art and no previous experience is required.  In fact, feltmaking is particularly suited to people who doubt their creative abilities.
Participants need to bring a large, old towel, wellies and waterproof leggings. A cushion would be useful too and rubber gloves are optional.  Soap will be provided, but those with sensitive skin might like to bring their own.
The course will be held in a yurt, with a woodburning stove.
Materials charge : €15
Course tutor : Joan Casey
Maximum number of Participants: 6

Herblore - The Magic of Plants
In celebration of the wonderful diversity that nature has gifted to us, we will spend the weekend exploring the characters and uses of some of our native, wild and garden plants.
Course includes making simple herbal remedies for home use (tinctures & ointments), seasonal recipes, herb walk, folklore, permaculture and growing tips, preserving herbs for winter use and more herbal tincture and ointment making.
Materials charge: €10
Course tutor: Kes Clarke
Maximum number of participants: 6

Pole-Lathe Construction
Using native timber to make this essential tool of the greenwood furniture trade - a pedal-powered device used for turning wood to make chair legs, tool handles, bowls, kitchen utensils, etc.
The Pole-Lathe course is an intensive course, and due to the high degree of workmanship required to produce a high quality Lathe in only two days, a lot of preparation work is carried out in my workshop i.e. cutting and planing the bed rails, fabrication of the soft-wood "A" frame, bending and welding of the cranked centre and and the machining of the points on the centres. Add to this the cost of basic materials needed to produce a durable functional Lathe. It is regrettable but an additional fee of € 80 per participant is required.
Materials charge: €80
Course tutor: Eoin Donnelly
Maximum number of participants: 5

Semi-flat Longbow Making
Using native Ash and traditional woodworking skills, participants will make a stylish longbow suitable for target archery.
Ash sourced on-site from Bealkelly Woods.
Material charge : €8-€17
Course tutor : Mike Henderson
Maximum number of participants: 6

Fishing for Beginners
This course is aimed primarily at the beginner and designed to eliminate the mistakes commonly made by the newcomer to the sport which inevitably lead to a lack of success, disillusionment and giving up.
A simple and effective approach to the catching of fish in rivers and lakes will be explained and demonstrated and participants will have the opportunity to put this into practice (weather permitting) and perhaps even eat their catch if they so desire. All fish caught not wanted for eating will be returned alive to the water.
Part of the course will be of a practical nature and participants will learn how to make simple effective items of tackle (lures, floats etc) for themselves from natural or re-cycled materials. Course limited to 6 participants.
Fishing rods can be supplied to those participants without their own, but own rods preferred.
Materials charge: €5
Course tutor : Del Harding

Sugan Chair making
Using green wood and sisal to make your own small traditional sugan chair or stool.
Materials charge : €8-€10
Course tutor : Sean Walshe
Maximum number of participants: 8

Basket Weaving
Traditional willow basketry skills for many uses and from the varieties of willow available.
Materials charge : tbc
Course Tutor: Linda Scott
Maximum number of participants: 7

Greenwood Furniture
Constructing interesting and unique furniture items from native green hardwoods selected for the properties of the species as well as for the natural shapes and grains of the wood. Hand tools and traditional techniques are used throughout.
Each student makes a simple object e.g. a wooden mallet as an introduction to the craft, before moving on to construct an item of furniture.
Everything you need is provided but you might like to bring your own pencil, pocket knife, and hand-saw if you have them. We are open to new ideas so if you have a specific project in mind please contact us well in advance; we will accommodate you if viable.
Materials charge : €20
Course tutor : Stuart McIntyre
Maximum number of participants: 7

Dry Stone & Lime Mortar Walling
Traditional construction techniques for walls and buildings - also garden features (retaining walls, raised beds, seats, steps) plus an introduction to the use of lime mortar which allows a building to 'breathe' letting out water-vapour but preventing rain from getting in. Steel-toe-cap boots are recommended.
No materials charge.
Course Tutor: Bob Wilson

Natural Building
Construction using cob (earth, straw and sand) & cordwood (logs built into cob) and wattle & daub. On this course we will look at a variety of different natural building techniques. We will learn to mix cob and clay plasters, also we will look at clay straw and wattle and daub techniques. This is a hands-on workshop and welly boots are recommended.
No materials charge.
Course tutor: Saul Mosbacher

Wood Carving
This Woodcarving course caters for beginners amd those with varying levels of experience, including those who may wish to bring a project they are already working on, for guidance and advice.
Beginners will have the choice of carving an oak leaf, or ogham (alphabet from the native trees) inscription, or simple celtic knotwork motif.
Those with some experience will work on a leaf tray in two dimension, or a simple rustic bowl also in two dimension.
Materials charge: €5 - €7
Course Tutor: Andrew St Ledger, see www.acanthus.ie

Spinning and Weaving
Introduction to the age-old craft of spinning and weaving wool to make a small bag, hat or similar.
Weaving: Make your own easy to use weaving loom. Design and weave your own handbag. All natural 100% wool used.
Spinning: Learn how to spin wool on a spinningwheel and with drop-spindle. Learn how to use a wool-carder.
Making natural dyes: Learn how to make natural dyes from plants and tree barks. Dye a scarf with natural dyes.
Worksheets on Spinning wool and making natural dyes plus a drop-spindle and carded wool fleece to take home included in course fee.
Materials charge: €17
Course tutor : Susanna Anker

Silversmithing
This course aims to introduce the art and delights of silver jewellery making with practical help and guidance in the design and making of your own unique piece of silver jewellery. Participants will be shown the correct use of tools and a wide range of silver jewellery making techniques including silver soldering and stone setting. A variety of quality semi-precious stones will be available to buy from the tutor. An additional charge is payable of 4 Euro pp general workshop materials charge, plus cost of silver according to amount used.
Also bring protective apron and stool / chair if you can.
Course tutor: Susi Lewisohn
Maximum number of participants: 6

Coppercraft  / Tinsmithing
A unique opportunity to learn the skills of a master craftsman and make a jug or other container using simple hand tools and recycled materials.
Materials charge : €10
Course Tutor: Andy Harris
Maximum number of participants: 6

Blacksmithing
This friendly, informal course will introduce the noble art of blacksmithing with the use of a small portable forge. Participants will have the opportunity to use a use a variety of tools on-site and be fully instructed on their safe use. The tutor is on-hand constantly throughout the course to give individual attention. Each participant will then take away the end product, generally a wrought iron semi-decorative toasting fork.
Materials charge : €10
Course Tutor: Peter Collins
Maximum number of participants: 6


Stone Carving
This stone carving workshop involves an introduction to the tools of stone carving, the suitability of different stone and a relief carving of a natural form. All ideas are welcome. Participants will have completed a simple sculpture in Kilkenny Limestone to take home with them.
Materials charge : €5
Course tutor : Ricardo Marques

Woodcrafts, Felting & Rustic Art : For youngsters (8 - 14 yrs) :
This youngsters' workshop will be split into 2 elements, hosted by Stewart Fernie and Femke Vandenberg. The tutor group has come up with a new approach to develop youngsters' ideas into various interests. This has partly arisen out of the need for new ideas by many youngsters who have repeated the course many times. The tutors will supervise use of hammers and saw - other sharp tools (e.g. knife, axe) will be used by the tutor only.
Woodcraft - Stewart Fernie
Youngsters will learn simple rustic skills, including hammers and nails, rustic furnture, charcoal and many other simple rustic items.
Felting & Rustic Art - Femke Vandenberg
This course will include simple needle felting and rustic art from found objects in wood, plus lots from our very talented young artists.
No materials charge.

COURSE FEES : €120 euro (for 2 days) Pay in advance to secure your place. CELT Membership is a requirement for all participants. Plus any materials charge (payable directly to tutor)
(A limited number of volunteers and youngsters will be allowed reduced rate 100 euro)
No Course Places will be confirmed without payment in advance

Annual MEMBERSHIP of CELT is a requirement - €15 indiv / €25 family

On-line Booking / Membership (Credit Card & Paypal only) - go to Booking / Membership page (see navigation bar at top of this page) .  Or Please POST your course fee payment (+ membership if applicable) to confirm booking - cheque or PO payable to CELT - along with your name and contact details.   Important - Please give 2nd and 3rd choices as some courses may be quickly booked up.

Courses run 10.30am - 5.30pm.
Please arrive early on the Saturday (9.30am) to Register at the gate.
Rustic Restaurant (Healthy, wholesome food available to purchase)
Also Teahouse serving Teas / Coffees, home-baked cakes, pancakes & snacks
Camping (free) for participants only - in the designated area. Leave only your footprints !

Strong boots / Wellingtons, Raingear, Penknife are recommended.