As summer draws to a close, it can be too easy to slip into a habit of scrolling on your phone instead of making the most of the fine days. Finding a hobby can not only get you away from screens, but help you connect with new people and communities, and even discover something new about yourself.
From half-day micro classes to intensive 10-week long workshops, here's our pick of some of the best places to pick up a new hobby.
And of course, always check your local community centre, adult education centre and businesses for pop-up events and workshops throughout the year.
Fashion
Silver forging at Silverworks
If you've always wanted to learn to make your own jewellery, look no further. Located on Drury St, this cosy workshop runs a number of day courses. Choose from their silver ring forging class (€85pp), a gemstone laying class (€152pp) or even learn how to carve a ring from wax (€115). Materials are provided.
Clothes alteration classes at Change Clothes
Change Clothes is a community based clothing reuse hub that is committed to teaching visitors how to get the most out of their clothing. While it's popular for its swap shop, the team also run workshops on clothes alterations and repair, from hemming and mending, to creative embroidery and taking in or out your jeans. They also offer courses such as ones on machine sewing for €20 if you want to take your new skills home!
The School of Jewellery
Centrally located on South Anne Street, the School of Jewellery is practically a one-stop shop for immersing yourself in jewellery making. Founded in 2011 by Deirdre O'Donnell, a goldsmith and designer, and now led by Paul Coyne, students can learn everything from stone setting and enamelling, to gold plating (keum-boo). The Jewellery Skills class is three hours long, costs €195 and the cost of base materials are covered in the price.
Jewellery making at Beads and Crystals
If you found your calling making friendship bracelets for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this past summer, why not level up with a course? Beads and Crystals offers a 6-week Jewellery Making Course, during which you'll learn to make accessories, earrings, necklaces and bracelets and much more. Their next course kicks off in March and costs €250.
Crochet and more at The Knitting Room
A familiar sight for any Phibsboro locals, this pale blue knitting shop was founded in 2012, born from the practice of women gathering at the kitchen table with their projects and a cuppa to chat and work together. The team run classes for all levels in crochet, knitting and weaving in the studio, with plenty of support from experienced tutors. While classes are currently booked up, a recent 6-week crochet course cost €180. Check their site for more workshops.
Mending and dressmaking with When Poppy Met Daisy
Founded in 2011 by Lorna Daly, our owner and creative director, When Poppy Met Daisy was inspired by a family practice of dressmaking and mending. Classes take place in the central studio with courses available for all levels. Their 6-week dressmaking course costs €265, while their intro class to Sewing and Basic Alterations costs €120.
The City Seamstress
Run by Zaria Jackson, a designer working in Dublin 8, and housed in her own artist's studio, these small classes are perfect for anyone who wants more hands-on teaching. Zaria only runs the classes when her schedule allows and keeps student groups capped at six per class, so the atmosphere is intimate and friendly. She currently offers two courses, the Learn To Sew 3-week course for beginners, and the Continuing Sewing 3-week course for improvers, both costing €120, though there's a waitlist for both at the moment.
Creative arts
Calligraphy with Sarah O'Dea
Have a wedding coming up that you'd like to make your own invitations for? Or maybe you just need something beautiful to keep your hands busy. Either way, the ancient art of calligraphy is popular for a reason. Sarah O'Dea runs a number of workshops throughout the year. Her next class is a Festive Calligraphy in The Oak Centre Dunboyne on 29 November, costing €100. Check her website for more future dates.
Tell your story at the Irish Writer's Centre
A true hub for Irish writers, both aspiring and professional, the Irish Writer's Centre not only hosts a slew of courses every season, but has fostered a lively community of literature lovers from all backgrounds through its range of events. Whether you're a lifelong reader itching to give writing a go, or someone with a burning need to tell their own story, this is the spot for you. Courses are held online and in person and range from day courses to 10-week long workshops.
Homewares
Throwing Shapes pottery
This state of the art open-access community ceramic studio in Dublin 8 is the first of its kind in Ireland, designed to be a space where pottery lovers can come and go and practice their skills like a weightlifter would in the gym. Alongside membership packages, the brightly coloured studio also runs workshops on wheel throwing and hand-building. Their range of 6-week courses cover both and costs €225. They also offer shorter courses for €60, but keep an eye out for spaces as they book up fast!
Make your own lamp with Kopper Kreation
Do you have some leftover glass bottles lying around, for some reason, seem too pretty to throw away? Why not transform them into an elegant lamp fixture? Designer Emmet Bosonnet has become known for his stylish and industrial lighting designs, and shares those skills in his courses. Keep an eye on his Instagram for new courses.
Soap Making with MuMe
Founded by Emma Hyland, MuMe draws inspiration from her experience in aromatherapy and teaching in the beauty and makeup department at Blackrock Institute. Hyland offers a range of day courses in both Dublin and Wicklow, such as Soap Making for Beginners (€68) and Soy Candle Making (€60).
Fitness and wellbeing
Dublin Salsa Academy
Looking to heat up your cold evenings? This is the workshop for you. The Dublin Salsa Academy has been spreading the art of salsa and bachata for years and has a clear and accessible range of classes available. Eight-week courses are held in the Harbourmaster Restaurant in the IFSC and start every four weeks, so if you've missed the window to join, you won't have to wait long to sign up for the next one. Course prices range from €65 to €100, for one, two or three classes per week for 8 weeks.
Food
Fermentation classes with Fairmental
Headed up by Val and Mihaela, this innovative cafe in Grand Canal is leading the charge when it comes to fermentation and pickling. Eager to spread the joy of pickling, they've been running some fermentation workshops throughout the year, with each class limited to 12 people and focusing on creating your own pickles. While there's no workshops planned right now, keep an eye on their social media for announcements and get in there quick!
Make a perfect loaf at Bread 41
If you missed the sourdough craze of the Covid-19 lockdown, fear not: Bread 41, Dublin's beloved bakery-come-social-enterprise run an incredibly popular course (€140) on how to perfect your homebaked loaf. This hands on course lasts for three hours and will cover everything from maintaining a sourdough starter, shaping your loaf, baking it and more. Given you'll be learning from some of the best bakers in the city, it's unsurprising that this course books out months in advance, but no harm in putting your name down now!
Latte art at the Dublin Barista School
Love coffee and want to up your at-home barista game? The Dublin Barista School on South Anne Street has a range of accessible day-long workshops to help you fine tune your flat whites. Running each day from 9:30am to 4:30pm, classes include Barista Essentials for €159.
Howth Castle Cookery School
Located in the stately setting of Howth Castle's 18th century Georgian kitchen, these cooking classes range from day-long immersions in one cuisine or style of cooking, to long and intensive courses. My choice? The 2-hour workshop on Mexican street food (€109) would make for a very special present.
