WEEKEND IN THE WOODS 28th / 29th April and 29th / 30th September 2012
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 for adults (plus a course for 8 - 14 yrs) in a range of traditional, sustainable and ecological skills. 
[To book a place email info@celtnet.org with details of course and contact and send payment (cash, cheque
or PO payable to CELT) to confirm your place.  No places will be confirmed without payment.  A deposit of 75% will be
acceptable, remainder to be paid at least 5 days before event.  All courses have concession rates for part-waged and unwaged]

Please note :  Gift vouchers now available towards CELT courses - €60 / €100 / €120

NEW COURSE  for youngsters (8 - 14 yrs)
Adventure Bushcraft
An opportunity for young people to learn the skills of survival in the wilderness from the experts.
Friction fire lighting, Beginners whittling (knife skills), Campsite setup & safety, Beginners tracking.
Course tutor :  Wolf Tracks (Dannielle Horthon and Mike Henderson) - see http://www.wolftracks.ie


NEW COURSE ! !
Musical Instrument making

Course tutor :  Cormac Griffith
    

NEW COURSE !!
Bowl and spoon making
Fashion a small salad bowl, spoon, fork and spatula from pieces of native hardwood.  Materials cost €10.
Course tutor :  Stuart Fernie



NEW COURSE !!
Knife making
Participants will hand build a finished knife and sheath. All the component pieces are roughed out
to a basic form, and will comprise a blade blank, a bogwood handle and a brass finger guard.  Final
shaping and smoothing will be done by hand, handles can then be riveted onto the blade before final
smoothing and polishing.  Lastly the sheath will be cut out and stitched.  All materials are provided at
a cost of  10 euro
Course tutor :  Simon Vincent
  

Traditional Felt-making

Please bring an old towel, wellies and waterproof leggings.  A cushion will be useful too and also a plastic
bag to bring home your felt if it's not dry by the end of the weekend.  Soap will be provided, but bring your
own if you've an allergy.  Rubber gloves will also be provided.  These are to protect your skin from prolonged
wetting and are optional.
Materials charge : €12
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


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
  

Sugan Chair making
Using green wood and sisal to make your own 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 : €7 to €10
Course Tutor: Linda Scott
Maximum number of participants: 7
   

Rustic Furniture
This course will cover basic techniques concentrating on bent-wood styles and nailed furniture
encouraging participants to continue making pieces after the course.  This American style of rustic
furniture uses simple techniques with locally sourced branch-wood and willow or hazel rods.  Each
participant will make a small chair to take home.  All materials and tools will be supplied, however if
you can bring a cordless drill, a hammer and saw, it will help speed up production.  If you have any
specific ideas, please contact us in advance and we will accommodate you if viable.
Materials Charge : €15
Tutor : Mark Wilson
Maximum number of participants : 8

Natural Building
Construction of a round-house using stone, 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.
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, Weaving and Natural Dyeing
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
 

Fishing
An introduction to the skills of freshwater angling and an opportunity to catch and cook your own dinner !
Course tutor :  Del Harding (author of popular books about fishing, etc) - More ...

Dry-Stone & Lime-mortar Walling
How to build a sturdy dry-stone wall using traditional techniques and locally gathered stone.  Also an
introduction to the use of lime to make a strong and breathable mortar.
Course tutor :  Bob Wilson

Coppersmithing  / 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

COURSE FEES : €130 euro (for 2 days) (€120 part-waged / €110 unwaged).  8 - 14 yrs rate €100
A materials charge may also apply (for items to take home), payable directly to the tutor.
The course fee includes temporary membership of CELT for the weekend.

No Course Places can be confirmed without payment in advance

Our apologies - On-line booking currently unavailable.  Please POST your course fee payment
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 - 5.00pm.
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.