Great Learning Holidays

Top Learning Holidays

1. Make some Music

Head along to any number of classes and workshops taking place at venues such as the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast and the Nerve Centre in Londonderry/Derry.  Armagh Pipers Club in Armagh City also run a range of classes, for both children and adults alike, with expert tutors in bagpipes, banjo, concertina and more.  If you've always wanted to improve your singing skills, try a vocal workshop at An Droichead in Belfast.  Expert coaches use a mixture of contemporary, traditional and world music to help develop your ability - miracles cannot be promised, though. 

2. Try a New Activity

Explore our wild mountain ranges, dramatic coastlines, tranquil lakelands and beautiful forest parks on foot or on bike.  For more ideas, see our Walking and Cycling in Northern Ireland pages.  If golf is your thing, Northern Ireland has a huge number and variety of courses, including world-famous Royal County Down and Royal Portrush.  Many clubs offer private tuition - a must for fans of Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell or Rory McIlroy.  One idea is Gracehill Golf Club in County Antrim, which offers group lessons.  To find out more, see Golf in Northern Ireland. 

For the more adventurous, there are outdoor activity centres located throughout Northern Ireland where you can try your hand at things like bouldering, coasteering, archery or off-road driving.  Some ideas include Ardclinis Outdoor Adventure in Cushendall on the Antrim Coast or Todds Leap Activity Centre near Ballygawley in County Tyrone.  A couple of the more unique options might be hovercrafting at Foylehov in Limavady, County Londonderry or mountain boarding at Surfin' Dirt outside Newcastle, County Down.  For a full range of available activities see Adventure Activities in Northern Ireland.

3. Become a Master Chef

Nothing quite gives you a taste of a place than the local culinary.  Wonderfully sociable and deliciously tempting, cookery schools in Northern Ireland are great value and perfect for foodies to hone their talents in a friendly and relaxed environment.

Ideas include My Little Kitchen in County Londonderry, the environmentally-focused Orchard Acre Farm in County Fermanagh and Cook with Norah, based at award-winning Norah Brown’s guesthouse Grange Lodge Country House, in County Tyrone.  Or, if fish is your thing, head along to Mourne Seafood Cookery School in Kilkeel, County Down or the new Belfast Cookery School at the Mourne Seafood Bar, Belfast.

4. Create your own Masterpiece

Look out Picasso.  Northern Ireland is picture perfect for painting.  If you have always wanted to try painting but have lacked the confidence, Paint with Dermot in County Tyrone could be the perfect opportunity to try a painting workshop.  Dermot Cavanagh is the artist and tutor behind the hit BBC TV series 'Awash With Colour'.  Dermot teaches all levels of artistic ability to paint, including absolute beginners. You are guaranteed to take away a splendid watercolour painting. 

5. Discover your creative side in Northern Ireland.

Get a taste of our flourishing crafts scene at a hands-on workshop.  Try your hand at pottery at Eden Pottery in Millisle, County Down, or take a masterclass with potter John McKeag at Pogue's Entry in Antrim.  If basket making sounds like your thing, you can take a class at Greenwood Baskets in Benburb, County Tyrone.  Or if you'd like to create your own fused glass jewellery, head along to a workshop at Uccelli Jewellery in Tassagh, County Armagh.  Happy just to observe?  Then visit Steensons' Jewellers in Glenarm, County Antrim, where you can watch the highly skilled craftspeople at work then browse the visitor centre for a special gift.