The perfect painting holiday for UK artists — small groups, expert tuition, unforgettable Irish scenery
Ireland has long been a favourite destination for UK artists seeking a painting holiday that delivers more than just instruction. The wild coastlines, rolling green countryside, ancient stone villages, and ever-changing Irish light offer a richness that simply cannot be replicated in a studio setting.
At Ireland Art Tours, we have been welcoming artists from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland since 1995. Led personally by Hugh O'Neill — one of Ireland's most experienced and respected painting instructors — our small-group art workshops in Ireland are designed to inspire, challenge, and transform the way you paint.
“Whether you work in watercolour, oils, acrylics, or pastels, whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned painter, there is a place for you here.“Hugh’s workshop in Ireland was wonderful. He organized everything and looked after us all with great attention. We had a great time painting all day, every day with him. He shows you how to put on the paint confidently and how to ‘look’ at the values and cool/warm areas of your painting, which is always difficult to see, and the most important part of a good painting. I learnt a lot with Hugh, he pushed me to paint larger canvases with bigger brushes, mixing all colors! Hugh’s style is very loose and vibrant, which is why I chose to take a course with him.”
— Georgie Rey, England, UK
Getting Here from the UK — Easier Than You Think
One of the most common questions we hear from UK artists is: Is it complicated to get to Ireland? The answer is no.
By air: Direct flights operate daily from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and many regional UK airports to Dublin or Belfast
By ferry: Stena Line and Irish Ferries connect Holyhead, Pembroke, and Cairnryan to Dublin and Rosslare, making it straightforward to bring your own painting kit and travel at a relaxed pace.
We handle the rest. Once you arrive, Hugh and the team manage all local logistics — painting locations, transport between sites, and local knowledge built up over three decades.
What's Included in Your Art Workshop
Our July 2026 workshop runs 13 to 19 July 2026. Here is what you can expect:
• Daily plein air painting sessions in hand-picked coastal and countryside locations
• Personal tuition from Hugh O'Neill in all painting media — watercolour, oils, acrylics, and pastels
• Small group of just 8–10 artists for genuine one-to-one attention
• Luxury hotel accommodation available in sterling
• Non-painting partners welcome — custom itineraries available
Pricing for UK Artists
Option Price
Workshop only (EU/UK residents)
€690 (limited early offer)!Expires soon
Hotel accommodation (per person sharing)
£1,040 sterling Single room £970
About Your Instructor — Hugh O'Neill
Hugh O'Neill has been teaching painting in Ireland for over 30 years, making Ireland Art Tours the longest-running art travel workshop of its kind on the island. A professional artist in his own right, Hugh teaches across all painting media and is particularly known for his ability to help artists at every level find and develop their own distinctive style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an experienced artist?
Not at all. Our art workshops in Ireland welcome complete beginners through to experienced painters. Hugh adapts his instruction to suit every level in the group.
What painting styles and media do you cover?
Hugh teaches watercolour, oils, acrylics, and pastels. You are welcome to work in whichever medium you prefer.
Can my non-painting partner come along?
Yes — we offer custom itineraries for spouses and companions who want to experience Ireland while you paint.
How do I get from the airport to the workshop locations?
Hugh and the team will provide full joining instructions and guidance on local transport once you register. All participants from the UK are picked up at Dublin Airport free of Charge.
Secure Your Place — July 2026
Places in our Ireland art workshops are strictly limited to 8–10 participants to ensure every artist receives personal attention. The July 2026 workshop is already receiving strong interest from UK artists.
Register Today — July 2026 Workshop: [Link to your registration page]
Contact Hugh directly with questions: [Link to your contact page]
Blog 3:No Perfect Moment -Today is the Moment
Confidence doesn't always arrive with a bold entrance. Even most of the masters were not masters from the beginning. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. The workshop in Ireland was designed by me, Hugh O’Neill, to ensure all of my students feel they are gaining knowledge every day and guidance that fits their personal goals and aspirations.
Progress happens when we choose to try, even when we're unsure of the outcome. Every time you pick up a brush despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you're capable. Confidence isn't about creating masterpieces from day one — it's about trusting that you can figure it out along the way with Irish artist and teacher Hugh O’Neill by your side.
Start Where You Are
The key to making things happen in Ireland or right now isn't waiting for the perfect moment; it's starting with what you have, where you are.
Learning to paint En Plein Air in Ireland may seem overwhelming when you look at the work of other artists. But momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you're working toward your first finished painting or dreaming of creating a personal collection, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently.
Action creates clarity. That first brushstroke outdoors within the Irish Landscape may feel uncertain, but it leads to a second, then a third. Over time, those steps forward add up to something real — skills you've developed, paintings you've completed, and a creative practice that's truly yours.
You Don't Need to Be Fearless
You don't need to be fearless to become a painter; you just need to be willing.
Willing to try, even if your first paintings don't match the vision in your head
Willing to learn from each piece you create
Willing to believe that you're capable of more than you know
The road may not always be smooth — you'll mix muddy colors, struggle with proportions, and wonder if you're improving. But growth rarely is smooth. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the possibilities for your creative journey.
Your First Step Starts Today
Every artist you admire started exactly where you are now: as a beginner, holding a brush, wondering if they could do it.
They didn't succeed because they were naturally gifted. They succeeded because they started. Because they kept painting through the uncertain early days. Because they chose to believe in their potential before they had proof.
Your creative journey is waiting for you. Not tomorrow, not when you have better supplies or more time or more confidence. Today. Right now. With whatever you have. That is how I started my journey, and the paintings of Ireland you see by me originated from this source. Art workshops in Ireland are the best way to witness Plein Air painting in motion, which in turn produces the Art.
Pick up that brush. Make that first mark. Trust the process.
You're already capable. You just need to begin.”Hugh O’Neill
Ready to start painting?
Learn more about all the resources, supplies, and guidance you need to take your first confident step into the world of art. Your masterpiece isn't waiting to be found — it's waiting to be created, by you.
