About us
The aim of Peannairí is to encourage and develop the practice of calligraphy in Ireland. We introduce calligraphy to anybody who is interested through classes and workshops, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. We organise weekend and one-day workshops on a variety of related skills: gilding, bookbinding, illumination, paper crafts to enhance the calligraphic work. The group welcomes everyone from complete beginners to enthusiasts who want to revive a skill. Peannairi is dedicated to advancing education, participation and qualification in the artform of calligraphy.
We offer high quality classes (all levels) led by enthusiastic teachers.
These classes and workshops are supported by the Design & Craft Council of Ireland
2026
Autumn schedule
We have new classes from September!
Please use the link in each one of the offerings below to access their full details.
Workshop: Layout and Composition
In this practical workshop, Kevin Honan will focus on how to lay out a piece of work, starting from first principles. You will analyse a large variety of formal arrangements: how to place a piece of text in a rectangle, a square, a circle; how to create a focus point; how to use tone and colour to capture and direct the eye around the piece; how to use contrasts of size, colour and shape to express the content of your words.
We will work through a range of exercises and how to use images with text. During the workshop we will complete a finished piece or two.
Click here to access workshop full details
Introduction to Copperplate (class full)
Tutor: Noeleen Frain
These classes are suitable for improvers and more advanced students in calligraphy, but you don’t need to have previous experience with copperplate.
Click here to access class full details
Introduction to Italic Calligraphy (class full)
Tutor: Jane Connolly
This Introduction to Italic Calligraphy course is designed for beginners who have no previous experience of calligraphy and also for improvers who may have attended previous classes.
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.