The Old Irish Goat in Collage

MORE DATES Due to Popular Demand
July 19th – 26th, 2026

Learn More and Register HERE

Our first week sold out so fast, we have added more dates. Don’t delay! We have quite an extensive waiting list.

A comprehensive workshop that will take you through the collage process step-by-step. We will begin with technique to transfer your Old Irish Goat reference image to the substrate, then we will paint with acrylic to establish shading and fun color. Then, using the gel plate, we will create our own collage paper palette which will be torn into tidbits and applied on top of the under-painting to create an impressionistic, painterly collage.

For many years, the Old Irish Goat was believed to be extinct—an ancient landrace that had quietly disappeared from the Irish landscape. Then, remarkably, a small surviving population was discovered near the village of Mulranny on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way in County Mayo. These goats, with their long sweeping horns, thick shaggy coats, and rugged independence, were identified as the last living examples of the original Old Irish Goat. Today, Mulranny is home to the only protected conservation herd of this rare breed, making it a truly special place where history, landscape, and wildlife intersect. Their story of rediscovery and survival has made the Old Irish Goat a powerful symbol of resilience and a meaningful source of inspiration for artists visiting the region.

Essence of Mulranny Arts is located in the seaside village of Mulranny on Clew Bay in County Mayo, along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way at the far western edge of Europe. Here, where the land meets the vast Atlantic, the landscape carries a sense of quiet power and inspiration—an ideal setting for creative exploration. Across the bay rises Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s sacred mountain, lifting dramatically from the sea. For centuries, both ancient seekers and modern-day pilgrims have climbed its steep path to the summit, where a small chapel stands at the top, catching the light and glinting against the sky.

What’s Included:

• Seven nights lodging - private rooms

• Transportation from Westport to the Studio (it is recommended to fly into Dublin airport and get a train to Westport where we will meet you to take you to Mulranny)

• All meals except - one lunch and one dinner

• All tour and excursion fees

We Will Cover:

• Choosing a reference image. of the Old Irish Goat (local to Mulranny)

• Transferring your reference image to your substrate as a sketch.

• How to paint your sketch with a full range of colors and shading.

• How to create your own collage papers with the Gel Plate.

• Ripping and gluing and applying your papers in a painterly manner.

• How to tear with and without white edges, how to keep your pieces perfectly flat without cockling, and how to vary your paper brush marks in size and shape.

At the completion of this workshop, you will have the skills and confidence to create an impressionistic, painterly collage–your very own Paper Painting!

Learn More and Register HERE

Learn more about Mulranny HERE

See the Supply List: Scroll down to The Old Irish Goat

See the YouTube videos below for more information and stunning images of Mulranny