Harry Clarke's Stained Glass Tour

A wonderful journey of discovery of Irelands Strangest genius
Harry Clarke 1889 – 1931 is Ireland's foremost internationally recognised stained glass craftsman. This tour takes you on a journey of discovery to view what made him so special and unique in the Arts & Crafts world of the early 1900's. His attention to the smallest and the very minute detail makes his stained glass stand out. His use of colour sets his designs apart from any other craftsman of the time.

The Arts and Crafts movement triggered a resurgence of Irish art, and while Harry Clarke designed fabrics and handkerchiefs, boxes and lanterns, his works are primarily stained-glass windows. Because of his wonderful sense of drama he also was a wonderful illustrator of books.

His inspiration was particularly drawn from the 12th century glass in the French Cathedral of Chartres & St Chapelle in Paris. His work is housed in museums, galleries, churches and private collections all over the world.

This tour takes you from Dublin to Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Mayo, Galway, Donegal and Belfast and many places in between.

Come and join us on a wonderful journey of discovery of Irelands Strangest genius..........Harry Clarke
Day 1 Dublin
This morning we are setting out on a tour of Dublin, visiting the many places which are associated with Harry Clarke stained glass.  The National Museum, Hugh Lane Gallery, The National College of Art & Design.  This evening we will have dinner in Bewley’s Oriental Café on Grafton St which has a wonderful set of windows and we will have a talk on his work before heading back to a restful night.      
Accommodation at 3/4* hotel with breakfast and dinner.
Day 2 Dublin
Today we are visiting a number of windows and panels made by Harry Clarke and also hear about the restoration of stain glass, in particular the 2 windows from St Mel’s Cathedral Longford.  We also learn about An Tur Gloine (the Tower of Glass) which was a cooperative style studio, mainly of women stain glass designers and artists.  It was set up by Sarah Purser in 1903. This studio was influenced and supported by Harry Clarke in later years.    We will be heading to different places where Harry Clarke windows have been installed.  
Accommodation at 3/4* hotel with breakfast.
Day 3 Dublin
We will continue our tour of Dublin to view the many places which has windows designed by Harry Clarke. Accommodation at 3/4* hotel with breakfast & dinner
Day 4 Cork
This morning we will leave Dublin and travel south to Cork. Here we will see the wonderful 11 windows by Harry Clarke and 8 by Sarah Purser and her designers. You will have time in the afternoon to visit the wonderful St Finbar’s Cathedral in the city with is wonderful Rose window.
Accommodation at 3/4* hotel with breakfast.
Day 5 Dingle
Today we depart for Dingle where we will get a rare opportunity to visit the Diseart Institute and view the wonderful windows in the chapel. There will be time to also view the wonderful Fresco and the Nano Nagle room. Free time to explore this small village of Dingle where the film with Robert Mitchum and Sara Miles was made called Ryan’s Daughter.
Accommodation at 3/4* hotel with breakfast.
Day 6 Tipperary and Galway
Today we travel to Cloughjordon and Dohill in Tipperary. Following this short visit to see the windows we go to Bunratty Castle and visit the folk park. After a little free time we travel onto Galway City. Galway is known as the city of the tribes and has a wonderful atmosphere and character
Accommodation at 3/4* hotel with breakfast.
Day 7 Galway and Mayo
This morning we are visiting two buildings which have wonderful windows and which reveal the great skill of Harry Clarke. In the afternoon we have a tour of Mayo where there are many more fantastic works including the last window by Harry Clarke in St Patrick’s Church in Newport. It is said to portray a self portrait in its detail of the damned.
Accommodation at 3/4* hotel with breakfast.
Day 8 Donegal
An early start takes us right up to Donegal and we take a boat trip out to visit the Lough Derg Pilgrimage Island where there are 12 windows of Harry Clarke.
Accommodation at 3/4* hotel with breakfast & dinner
Day 9 Armagh & Belfast
Ireland’s ecclesiastical capital of Armagh has 2 cathedrals and we will visit both and view the windows. We then travel to Belfast where we will view the Dominican Convent Chapel to view its wonderful rose window.
Accommodation at 3/4* hotel with breakfast & dinner
Day 10 Dublin
Our last day of this tour gives a little more time to visit places we have thought about. You can visit at your leisure the many Churches and Cathedrals to view the buildings which have given designers of stained glass their inspiration. Visit historic houses and Dublin Castle or just take time to relax and enjoy the capital city of Dublin. This evening there will be a farewell dinner before you head home.
Accommodation at 3/4* hotel with breakfast & dinner.