Fri 9 Jul 2010

Past Events

Posted by Rosannececil under Events


At Blackthorn Cottage we welcome holiday guests throughout the year and, in addition, we like to run some small-scale events and workshops, particularly during the quieter months.

Events have included

  •  Willow weaving for the garden;
  •  Basket-making
  •  An Irish story-telling evening
  • Dry stone walling
  • Painting with Pastels
  • Still life in watercolours,
  • Mixed media in art, and
  • Fiddle workshops

One of the first events that we ever held here was a successful and enjoyable fiddle workshop led by local virtuoso fiddle player, Johnny Murphy. After the workshop, one of the participants, Stephen Richards, was inspired to write a jig, which he called ’Blackthorn Cottage’!  To listen to ‘Blackthorn Cottage’,  played here by Rowan Leslie on fiddle and Rose Murray on piano (followed by the traditional tune, ‘Willie Coleman’s), click here: ‘Blackthorn Cottage’ and ‘Willie Coleman’

 

Mon 19 Apr 2010

Forthcoming local events and activities

Posted by Rosannececil under Events


FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN BLACKTHORN COTTAGE

The final two events of the year were making shopping baskets from willow. The first of these, which was in November, was so popular that we had to run another at the beginning of December. We have three craft events planned for early spring 2012:

  • Mountmellick white embroidery;
  • Basket making, and
  • Introduction to pottery.

 The Mountmellick embroidery day will be taken by Ruth Burch and will be on Saturday18th of February.  Penny McBride returns to us to run a course on making a small bread basket from willow - this will be on Saturday 3rd March.  Out third spring workshop will be a one-day introduction to pottery, which will be taken by Jeanette Lammey on Saturday 10th March.  Please get in touch if you would like more information about any of these courses.

In November, Jeanette Lammey took another art class for a day of working with mixed media. The photo below is of Jeanette teaching at the August workshop. 

Jeanette offering advice to a participant on the recent art course

On Saturday 19th November, Penny McBride will be taking a one-day course in making a shopping basket from willow. For more details about any course, and to book a place, please get in touch by email or phone 07840245764.

EVENTS SO FAR THIS YEAR

Our first event of the year was on Thursday 13th January: an an art workshop was taken by local artist, Rory Hugh Reynolds. His workshop in water colours was enjoyed by both beginners and more experienced artists.

On February 26th, Penny McBride returned to take another course on basket making.  This is always a very popular event.

The well-known fiddler and fiddle teacher, Pete Cooper, author of ‘Mel Bay’s Complete Irish Fiddle Player’ (amongst other works), and director of the London Fiddle School, came from England and gave a very successful fiddle workshop on March 12th.  Participants came from as far afield as Canada via Scotland to join in the event.  Pete will be returning in September and this time will offer a full weekend of fiddle playing.

On 11th June, Clive Lyttle of Welig Crafts took a one-day course in drystone walling, which all the participants seemed to have enjoyed very much.  Clive might return in the spring to run a course in making stick furniture.

The basket making group met in July and August and various interesting baskets were created.

On a sunny day in August, Jeanette Lammey took a mixed media art class that was thoroughly enjoyed by its participants. Here are some of the work that was created on that day:

For more details about any course, and to book a place, please get in touch by email or phone 07840245764.

LOCAL EVENTS

February, The Screaming Silence of the Wind, Art exhibition of the work of Maurice Orr. See www.visitballymoney.com

or contact touristinfo@ballymoney.gov.uk or telephone 028 27660230

Ballymena Festival of Music, Speech & Dance, Braid Arts Centre, February & March, Telephone: 028 25635900; www.gatewaytotheglens.com

4th March, Bushcraft Fire, Ballymena, see www.nisurvival.co.uk

7-10th March, Ballymoney Drama Festival

See www.visitballymoney.com or contact touristinfo@ballymoney.gov.uk or telephone 028 27660230

17th March, St Patrick’s Day, Buses from ECOS Centre to Slemish – a traditional place of pilgrimage where, it is said, St Patrick tended his herd.

23rd March, Braid Comedy Club, Braid Arts Centre, 8.30pm

29th March – 28th April, Ballymena Arts Festival

19th May, NW200, Portrush, see www.northwest200.org

3-4 June, Olympic Torch

27th June – 1st July, North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, Derry, see www.nafco2012.com

28th June – 1st July, Irish Open Golf Championship, Royal Portrush Golf Club

 

Wed 10 Mar 2010

Visitor’s Comments

Posted by admin under Events


Some of the comments from visitors over the last three years

Blackthorn Cottage  opened its doors to visitors for the first time in 2009.  We welcomed visitors from Donegal, England and Canada, as well as from Belfast and nearer by! Some comments from our visitors:

  • ‘A lovely relaxing wee break! The cottage is brilliant; it has everything you could need and more.
  • ‘Great area too for exploring – walks etc.’
  • ‘The best cottage, the best holiday in years.’
  •  ‘Inspiring surroundings …looking forward to another peaceful stay soon.’

In 2010, we had an increased number of visitors, and these came from the Netherlands, Brittany, England, Wales, Australia and Alaska.  Their comments include the following:

  • ‘Great cottage and great location, even when buried in snow!’
  • ‘… a beautiful and comfortable cottage … enjoyed the coast, glens, and wild life.’
  • ‘What a cute, cozy and comfortable little cottage.  We very much enjoyed our stay here and delighted in touring Northern Ireland.  This was the perfect location for our travels.’

Last year – 2011 – we had visitors from Scotland, Canada, Germay, England, Australia, and Ireland – north and south.

  • A wonderful cottage in the most picturesque of places – so convenient to all the sites of Co. Antrim. A thoroughly enjoyable week – many thanks.
  • What an exquisite cottage! Lovely, peaceful, perfect. Thanks for all your thoughtful additions: books, CDs, games, fresh herbs, beautiful furmishings …
  • Our second visit in just under a year … could become an annual event … and everything about the cottage just right!