2026 – Schedule
Peannairí, the Association of Irish Calligraphers, has been offering classes in calligraphy and associated skills for over 30 years.
We sincerely hope you enjoy your experience with us! Just click the desired link below to be view the class details.
Uncial, Half Uncial and Pointed Pen Uncial Hand
Introduction to Italic Calligraphy
How to do things with Capitals (Workshop)
Uncial, Half Uncial and Pointed Pen Uncial Hand
A series of 8 classes will be held on Tuesday evenings.
Tutor: Noeleen Frain
Class Dates:
- January 20th, 2026
- January 27th, 2026
- February 3rd, 2026
- February 17th, 2026
- February 24th, 2026
- March 3rd, 2026
- March 31st, 2026
- April 7th, 2026
Time: From 7pm to 8:30pm
Venue: Holy Cross Church Parish Centre, Main Street, Dundrum, D14 K820, close to Dundrum Shopping Centre.
There is parking beside the Church Parish Centre and also in the nearby Shopping Centre. There are good transport links, as Dundrum is on the Green Luas line and is served by several bus routes.
Cost:
Peannairí members: €100
Non-members: €135 (includes 15 months membership until March 31st, 2027)
Brief outline and materials
These classes are suitable for all improvers and for the more advanced students in the art of calligraphy.
RETURNING STUDENTS: In this term, we will concentrate on project work, making use of the calligraphic hands, uncial, half uncial and pointed pen uncial, which were introduced over the spring and autumn terms of 2025.
NEW STUDENTS: If you are proficient in a hand other than uncial, you may also join this class and use your preferred hand to complete the projects.
Tools and materials:
- Pointed nib [available from the class for €1 each]
- 3.8 Pilot Parallel Pen, straight pen holder and nibs
- Winsor & Newton, Designers gouache, Primary colour set, inks
- A3 marker pad, a metal ruler and 2 HB PENCILS.
- If you have attended classes already, you should have most of the above.
Any other watercolour paints and Finetec gold etc will be demonstrated over the term
If you have attended classes already, you should have most of the above. Any other watercolour paints and Finetec gold etc will be demonstrated over the term.
Payment:
Introduction to Italic Calligraphy
A series of 8 classes will be held on Tuesday evenings.
Tutor: Jane Connolly
Class Dates:
- January 20th, 2026
- January 27th, 2026
- February 3rd, 2026
- February 24th, 2026
- March 3rd, 2026
- March 24th, 2026
- March 31st, 2026
- April 7th, 2026
Time: From 7pm to 8:30pm
Venue: Holy Cross Church Parish Centre, Main Street, Dundrum, D14 K820, close to Dundrum Shopping Centre.
There is parking beside the Church Parish Centre and also in the nearby Shopping Centre. There are good transport links, as Dundrum is on the Green Luas line and is served by several bus routes.
Cost:
Peannairí members: €85
Non-members: €120 (includes 15 months membership until March 31st, 2027)
Brief outline and materials:
This Introduction to Italic Calligraphy course is designed for both Novice calligraphers and Beginners wishing to learn the basics of the Italic hand.
It will include letter proportions, achieving writing rhythm and using a pen with a broad nib which we use to achieve thick and thin lines.
Tools and materials
- Pilot Parallel Pen with a 3.8mm nib.
- A3 size Layout Pads or Marker Pads, however the paper must be bleed proof.
Some pad may have semi-transparent paper which can be used with guidelines. - Pencil
- Ruler
Payment:
How to do things with Capitals (Workshop)
Format: Two-day workshop
Tutor: Kevin Honan
Dates: Saturday, 28th February and Saturday, 28th March, 2026
Time: 10am to 4pm
Venue: Holy Cross Church Parish Centre, Main Street, Dundrum, D14 K820, close to Dundrum Shopping Centre.
Cost: €100 for Peannairi members and €135 for non-members (non-members become members when they pay for the class).
Workshop outline:
This workshop extends over two Saturdays: 28th February and 28th March. The aim is to develop our use of capitals – writing a salient word completely in capitals, with colour– as a focal point in a calligraphic composition.
We will extend the range of capital styles at our disposal and incorporate them into calligraphic compositions that can then, at a later stage, be bound in a single volume to be displayed at future classes and the Mini-Festival. We could bind good quality colour copies of the images so that you can keep your own original.
Our texts will be seasonal haikus – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter—with suitable colour choices and also some early Irish short texts on the seasons.
Some of you will have come across these styles before. If you haven’t this will be an opportunity to explore something new. Some experience is preferable but not essential.
During the first Saturday we will work on mastering a selection of capital styles and in the second workshop we will produce the A3 haikus and finish the project.
The illustrations shown below are simply to illustrate possible options for the participants; we will work on some of them during the first half of the workshop.
Tools and materials
- Double pencils, and a range of other pencils for tonal work. (HB, 2B, 4B)
- Ruler, eraser, sharpener
- Tracing paper or Layout paper (also available)
- Chisel edged calligraphic nibs (brause nibs)
- Some gouache colours (and/or watercolours)
- Brushes (including one for detailed work)
- Some materials – gouache, pencils, layout paper, Pilot Parallel Pens– will be available in the workshop.
To reserve your place, please use the payment buttons below.
Payment: