Weekend in the Hills; Festival of Traditional Crafts
A weekend of craft learning and community building. Come learn a skill, soak up the culture, have fun and make everlasting friendships!
Techniques & Skills
Once known as Weekend in the Woods, this popular two day event is now in its second decade! Those attending the events, spend one or two days (depending on the craft) learning their chosen skill. Most students go home with a finished piece, although this is not the objective of the event. The aim is to teach the techniques and skills needed to go home and pursue the craft or subject studied over the weekend. It is an immersive weekend experience set in the Slieve Aughty hills near Loughrea, Co. Galway.

The Weekend
Saturday begins at 9am with registration and a short introduction. Courses start at 10am and finish up at about 5pm each day. Organic lunch is usually at 1pm. Saturday night is spent around the camp fire telling tales and singing, so remember to bring your instruments and warm up your vocal chords!
Courses include
Mixed Metal and Silver Jewelry
Longbow Making
Herblore
Foraging
Bushcraft Survival for adults
Woodcarving
Willow Weaving
Sheepskin Tanning
Súgán Chair Building
Bowl turning on a Foot Powered Lathe
Leather Work
Print Making (A course for children)
Fish- Skin Tanning
Felting
Stone wall building
Stone carving
Forest school {a course for children}
Make a Traditional style frame drum (Shamanic drum)
Cleft gate making
Please see Events for booking info.
If the event you prefer is booked out, please email us on celtskills@celtnet.org and we can add you to the cancellation list
*Please note our cancellation policy; we require minimum 7 days notice before the event for a full refund to be paid.

Upcoming Events

Hats of the hills, Hat making workshop02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Loughrea, Kylebrack West, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Basket Weaving, Weave your own Willow Backpack02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Stone carving02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Bushcraft02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Cleft Gate making workshop02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Dry stone wall buildingMembership Offer02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:00Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Traditional Leather crafting02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Felted Bag Design Workshop02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Children's Print making Workshop02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Forest School: Connect with Nature Through Play02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Longbow Making02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Bowl turning on a Foot Powered Lathe02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Silver Jewelry Workshop02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Wild Food Foraging with Olwyn02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Súgáin Chair Building02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack West, Inchy, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Natural Doll Making Workshop02 May 2026, 09:30 – 03 May 2026, 16:30Loughrea, Kylebrack West, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland
Comments from Past Participants

I had the honour to be part of something bigger than myself, to relax entirely and sink into a community way or being for two delicious days this weekend. My heart opened wide, smiles and friendly conversations with strangers who turned into friends effortlessly, new skills learned with the ancient tradition of doll making with Laura.
HO!
Lusi

I loved Olwyn's foraging programme and my son Matthew really enjoyed the bushcraft camp with Dylan. Your instructors are very generous, inclusive and knowledgeable Slieve Aughty is a wonderful venue and so inspirational too. Thanks to all of you for this glimpse into another world"
- Marie O'Driscoll.

" This is my third year and it is constantly epic. Keep it up! "
- N.C

"Great course, very interesting and useful and good fun. A really enjoyable learning experience" - G.M.

" I learned lots, great tutor, lovely atmosphere, excellent venue. Will definitely attend again." - N.L











