Christmas Craft Trails

Have we persuaded you that buying some distinctive craft presents is a good idea for Christmas?  Now you think that socks and perfume are a little passé and you want to surprise your nearest and dearest with the finest contemporary craft available in Northern Ireland. If you still cannot decide where to go and look, we've put together one-day itineraries which you can do from beginning to end, or customise to suit your own Christmas schedule!

So sort out your transport and let's go! The countdown to Christmas has started and you don't want to be left behind!

Romantic Christmas Craft Trail

You're in love, starry-eyed and want to impress your loved one with a special day out embracing the nostalgia of Christmas.  Here's the plan:

        

Saturday, 8th December
Start your day in Belfast at St George's Christmas Fair and Market, where you'll wander around the stalls and enjoy a late breakfast of gourmet coffee and tray bakes.  Once your shopping is done, and your leisurely stroll through the impressive Victorian architecture is complete, it's time to go.

You're off to the Yuletide Market at Rowallane Garden in Saintfield.  After a romantic stroll in the December sunlight through the beautiful gardens, you'll fill yourself full of festive cheer as you enjoy the sights and sounds of the bustling market.  Maybe a few new decorations for the house, or some unusual gift purchases leave you feeling content and excited about Christmas.

Breakfast was early and you're hungry now. It's a short drive to Dundrum for some oysters at the Mourne Seafood Bar.

After lunch, set off on the scenic route from Dundrum to Strangford, where you catch the ferry to Portaferry.

You booked an appointment with Nora Watson, a renowned local jeweller.  With some ideas about how you want that special piece of jewellery to look, Nora will talk you both through the design.

It's been a great day and you're on the road home.  With plenty of bags and boxes to show for your trip: you feel organised for Christmas.  There's a sparkle in the crisp winter air.

Kid's Christmas Craft Trail

There's excitement all around! Santa Claus is packing his toys and getting ready to deliver to well behaved children from Strabane to Strangford, and Killadeas to Kilrea.  To have some fun in the run up to Christmas Eve, why not take the kids on a festive adventure close to home?

                                

Saturday 8th December:
Start your day in Armagh at the Palace Stables where the children can enjoy a Victorian Christmas Experience.  Explore the Santa Garden, post those all important Christmas lists and meet Father Christmas.

Time to move on to St. Patrick's Trian for the Armagh Festival of Trees, where Christmas Trees are transformed with stunning decorations.

Everyone is certain to be hungry, so take a short run up to Gilford to the Linen Barn Coffee Shop at Ballydougan Pottery and enjoy their tempting traybakes and hot buttered scones.  Then go next door to the Gift Shop and find a lovely Christmas treat for a special teacher!

Go up the road to Lurgan Park for a workshop on Christmas Decorations. There's plenty of fun to be had making holly wreaths and Christmas logs.

Time to go home and get dressed up!

Then it's off to the Sleeping BeautyPantomime at the Marketplace Theatre, Armagh, for a family night out enjoying spell-binding music and larger than life characters!

Off The Beaten Track Craft Trail

We all love the high street but there's nothing better than finding a hidden gem off the beaten track to inspire us.  Here are a few ideas to take you away from the queues and into the stunning landscape of Northern Ireland on a 24 hour excursion to the west.


(l-r Catherine Scott Ceramics, Marjorie Leonard - The Buttermarket)

It's an early start in the Buttermarket Courtyard, Enniskillen, in the heart of Northern Ireland's Lakelands where you'll find 16 studios offering everything from pottery and jewellery to original artworks.  Take your time, wander around and grab a toastie from Rebecca's Coffee Shop.

On the road to Omagh now, and travel via Beragh to Tattykeel Gallery and Crafts where you'll find prints and paintings of local landscapes in the shop, located on the site of an old weaver's cottage.

Go to Catherine Scott Ceramics in Omagh. Catherine has developed her contemporary range using glaze technology - the resulting copper, glass & steel effects are both tactile and visual and a perfect gift idea.

Stop for lunch at the Mellon Country Inn, on the main Strabane Road, nestled between the mountains of Mary Gray and Bessie Bell and just a stone's throw away from the Ulster American Folk Park.

Back on the road again and this time via Newtownstewart, home to Baronscourt Estate and Harry Avery's Castle, to pick up a little contemporary sparkle from Jill Graham, the contemporary jeweller based in Victoria Bridge.

Time to journey through the glorious Sperrins countryside towards the small market village of Donemana where you will find Tom Agnew's Mill Pottery. Find a comfy bed for the night in the historic Walled City of Derry and for dinner, sample the delights of Brown's Brasserie.