Picture-perfect painting retreat

Anaverna House in the foothills of the Cooley Mountains near Dundalk, already the location for three short movies and three creative writing courses this year, will be the location for a watercolour weekend hosted by artist Alwyn Gillespie on August 28th-29th.

Her painting of Anaverna is pictured above. The course is aimed at both beginners and those interested in improving their art, and costs €150, which includes tuition, lunch and afternoon tea from produce grown in the walled garden, gathered, angled or otherwise acquired from the wild. Weather permitting, painting classes will be held in the gardens, or alternatively in studio space indoors. For further information contact Alwyn Gillespie at 087-2056390 or email alwyngillespie@gmail.com or vere@iol.ie. Anaverna is a 90-minute drive from Dublin. Accommodation can be had in the nearby Carrickdale Hotel and Spa in Ravensdale, carrickdale.com.