Easel art with strings

The lovely Anaverna House and estate in Ravensdale, Dundalk, with its ancient trees and walled gardens at the foot of Anaverna Mountain in the Cooleys, is increasingly becoming the venue for interesting arts events, including a three-day chamber music course with the Carducci String Quartet, next Monday (July 20th) to Wednesday (July 22nd).

String players from age 13 up will be coached by the award-winning Quartet in pre-formed groups or as individuals. (Contact 042-9380836 for tickets.) On August 15th and 16th, the artist Alwyn Gillespie (work pictured right) will hold her second watercolour weekend in Anaverna for beginners as well as those seeking to improve existing skills. The two-day course fee of €150 includes tuition, lunch and afternoon tea. Prepared by Vere Lenox- Conyngham, owner of Anaverna, the simple meals were one of the highlights for last year’s participants. For further details and advice on local accommodation, call Alwyn on 087-2056390 or e-mail alwyngillespie@gmail.com or vere@iol.ie. Anaverna is about 90 minutes drive from Dublin.