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Terms & Conditions for Art Workshops
Thank you for choosing my art workshops! Please read the following terms carefully before booking:
1. Booking & Payment
Workshops are charged at €140 for the day. (Or €350 for my 3 Day Plein Air Workshops)
Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your spot.
2. Attendance Policy
If you are unable to attend, the workshop is non-refundable and non-transferable to another date or participant.
Because materials and lunch are prepared in advance specifically for you, I am unable to offer make-up sessions or credits for missed workshops.
3. Cancellations by Me
In the event that I need to cancel a workshop for any reason, you will receive a full refund or the option to credit the amount toward a future workshop.
By booking, you acknowledge and accept these terms. I look forward to seeing you in the studio and helping you enjoy a day of creativity!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Why Choose a Painting Workshop?
Our full-day workshops are designed for those who want to immerse themselves completely in the creative process. With six hours of dedicated studio time, we have the space to tackle complex subjects in detail, allowing you to walk away with a finished piece and a wealth of new techniques.
Focused Learning: Unlike weekly classes, these sessions focus on one specific pillar of landscape painting—such as Light or Seascapes—allowing for a deeper level of mastery.
Demonstration & Practice: Every workshop includes live demonstrations where you can see my brushwork up close, followed by plenty of one-on-one guidance as you work on your own canvas.
Everything is Provided: From high-quality oil paints and brushes to lunch, everything is taken care of so you can focus entirely on your painting.
What You Will Learn
Each workshop is tailored to a specific theme, but every session is built on core professional techniques. You will explore:
Simplifying the Subject: How to look at a complex landscape or seascape and break it down into manageable shapes and values.
Capturing Light & Atmosphere: Techniques for mixing "glowing" colors and using contrast to create a sense of sunlight and weather.
Technical Precision: Learning the specific brushstrokes needed for different textures—be it the soft roll of a wave or the hazy recession of distant hills.
Colour Harmony: How to use a limited palette to ensure your painting feels unified and professional.
Where to Stay
Planning your creative getaway? To help you prepare for your workshop or 3-day plein air experience, we’ve put together a curated list of local accommodations catering to all budget preferences.
We highly recommend booking your accommodation well in advance, as Kilkenny and Thomastown are popular destinations, especially during the peak summer painting season.
🎨 Workshops at The Castle Yard Gallery (Kilkenny City)
Located in the heart of historic Kilkenny City, the Castle Yard Gallery sits directly opposite Kilkenny Castle. This central location means you are steps away from vibrant medieval history, cafes, and restaurants.
✨ Luxury Stays
Butler House & Garden
The Ultimate Convenience: As the historic dower house of Kilkenny Castle, this elegant 18th-century property features a private garden gate leading directly into the Castle Yard. You can stroll from your breakfast table straight into the studio room in under two minutes.
Website: butler.ie
Pembroke Kilkenny
Boutique Elegance: Located just behind the castle grounds, this award-winning 4-star boutique hotel offers contemporary rooms, stunning castle views from its top suites, and on-site dining at Statham's restaurant—perfect for relaxing after a full day of painting.
Website: pembrokekilkenny.com
🛌 Mid-Range & Comfortable Hotels
Kilkenny River Court Hotel
Scenic Views: Situated directly on the banks of the River Nore, this hotel sits right across the water from Kilkenny Castle, offering lovely riverside terraces and comfortable, traditional rooms a short walk from the gallery.
Website: rivercourthotel.com
Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
City Center Hub: A highly reliable 4-star city-center hotel featuring spacious rooms and full leisure facilities (including a pool), situated just a short stroll through the lanes to the Castle Yard.
Website: kilkennyormonde.com
🪙 Budget & Affordable Options
The Club House Hotel
Historic Value: One of Kilkenny’s oldest hotels, dating back to 1797. It offers vintage charm, clean and cozy rooms, a warm traditional pub atmosphere, and incredibly wallet-friendly rates right in the city center.
Website: clubhousehotel.com
Kilford Arms Hotel
Comfortable & Affordable: Located a short walk from the Castle Yard near the train station, this hotel provides standard, comfortable amenities, free parking, and very competitive budget-friendly pricing.
Website: kilfordarms.ie
Local Guesthouses & Airbnbs: For a cozy bed-and-breakfast vibe, search for highly-rated city guesthouses like Berkeley House or Celtic House B&B located along the historic center lines.
🌳 Workshops at Powerswood Studio (Thomastown)
For rural landscape painting and peaceful countryside inspiration, Geraldine’s private Powerswood Studio is located near the vibrant market town of Thomastown, nestled in the scenic Nore Valley (approx. 20 minutes outside Kilkenny City).
✨ Luxury Stays
Mount Juliet Estate
World-Class Country Retreat: If you want to pair your workshop with an unforgettable luxury retreat, this world-renowned 5-star estate sits just 5 minutes down the road from Thomastown. Choose between the grand Georgian Manor House or the stylish Hunter’s Yard hotel rooms, surrounded by rolling pastoral landscapes.
Website: mountjuliet.ie
🛌 Mid-Range & Traditional Country B&Bs
The Tower House B&B
Charming Riverside Town Stay: Located right in the heart of Thomastown along the river, this welcoming B&B provides a beautiful garden, river views, and a legendary breakfast cooked by the hosts.
Website: thetowerhouse.ie (or check availability via major booking platforms)
Oldtown Farmhouse
Authentic Irish Hospitality: Situated on an elevated working farm site just minutes from Thomastown, this highly-rated country home offers peaceful, panoramic views of the Kilkenny landscape and cozy, immaculate rooms.
Website: bandbireland.com/accommodation/27153/oldtown-farmhouse
🪙 Budget & Self-Catering Options
The Green Door Cottage & Local Airbnbs
Independent Creative Spaces: Thomastown and nearby villages (like Inistioge) boast exceptional self-catering properties, stone barn conversions, and rural cottages. Spots like The Green Door Cottage or The Jerpoint Apartment are ideal for artists who prefer to buy local ingredients and unwind in a quiet, private space after a day of plein air painting. You can search these via Airbnb Ireland or Booking.com.