Common Knowledge Reviews 

Everything that the course promised was delivered. A great atmosphere for learning, with fantastic instructors. I highly recommend the Common Knowledge Centre if you want to learn new skills, or brush up on any existing ones.

We attended the Dry Stone Wall course in 30 & 31 March 2024. On arrival we were met with extremely helpful and friendly staff. The course was very informative, literally hands on and over the 2 days we managed to complete a wall that has become part of the beautiful setting that is Common Knowledge. We learned the skill sets to be confident to build our own stone wall feature. Would highly recommend the course, the setting and the most amazing food. Thank you

An amazing experience all round. I couldn’t believe that after two days I would walk away with finished pieces after never having touched a lathe before. A wonderful introduction to wood turning with two experienced artisans and patient teachers in Zack and Ogie. And all in a welcoming environment with gorgeous food and likeminded company. I am hooked!

From arrival and meeting lovely Lena and Brendan, I knew it would be a good weekend! Friendly helpful people, comfy room, superb food and a wonderful basket weaving course with @westcountrywillows all contributed to my enjoyment. I really loved the weekend.

I have had a fabulous time at The Common Knowledge Centre in Kilfenora! I had never done Welding before and I am now confident to use my welder on my own, at home. The Staff were helpful and informative. The project they came up with was doable and challenging. The facilities in the Centre are great. The Chef deserves a big mention, for her supreme cooking skills. All in all, a fabulous experience. I am looking forward to discovering a new course there.

Carole

Incredible initiative!
I've done a Cooking with Confidence course with Aish , volunteered for a Meitheal now and have already booked several more courses including their Build Course. Staff are so friendly, excellent for teaching and have cultivated the perfect environment for learning.

I’ve completed 2 courses at Common Knowledge, Build School and Cooking with Confidence and am just about to book the DIY Skills course next March.

There’s a lovely relaxed yet dynamic atmosphere as soon as you arrive and the instructors are all expert, engaging and energising! I loved every second of both courses, and especially loved the cookery course with Ash, she is a flavour wizard and can conjure mouth watering flavours from simple, seasonal ingredients.

I’ve been putting all the skills I’ve learned to good use, and feel empowered, enabled and inspired by the courses. Can’t wait for the next one!

The Common Knowledge centre is a warm place, with lots of enthusiastic people with shared interest in learning and developing together. My course (Welding and Steel Fabrication) was brilliant! It was a great way to spend a weekend, I learned a lot and I am coming away with projects in mind and the confidence to start them.

I didn't have any experience with welding before I took this course, but now I'm confident and excited to put my new skill into practice at home!

The course had a very relaxed atmosphere, and we all got to learn and practice at our own pace, while the instructors floated around and guided us where they could see we were going astray or could improve.

The food at Common Knowledge also deserves a mention. It's almost worth doing a course there for the lunch alone! It's always so tasty and varied.

I did the dry stone walling course with Dominic Keogh. He's a brilliant instructor, very knowledgeable and good fun. His stories are great telling us about its history and the many places around the world he's worked in. It was lovely to work as part of a team to first take apart an old fallen down wall and then build a new one. Everyone went away after the weekend with the knowledge and confidence to start building dry stone walls on their own. The food we had on both days was delicious and we didn't want for anything. Thanks to everyone at the Common Knowledge Centre for a wonderful experience.

Experienced and laid back instructors allowing the student to work at their own pace...

I stayed in Common Knowledge during the weekend of November 24th to 26th. It was a most positive experience……the ethos and atmosphere of this unique place are special and life affirming. The people involved are just lovely …….and the breakfasts and lunches are to die for👏👏. The chef/cook is class!
I stayed here as I was taking a Willow Weaving course with Westcountry Willow…….which I so enjoyed! Kate and Alan were top drawer…..passionate about their craft/gift ….. so positive, encouraging and fun!
I recommend Common Knowledge very, very highly! You’ll surely find a course that excites you ….. from the menu of courses to choose from.
A BIG thanks to everyone who contributed to making this a great destination, course and experience.
Finally, a heartfelt appreciation to all participants on the Willow Weaving course itself. There’s no beating the company of good people!
We did well 👏👏👏👏.
Onwards and upwards!

The basket weaving course was exceptional. I learnt so much from kate and Alan, they were fantastic at teaching us with infinite patience, kindness, encouragement and joy. I will be recommending it to everyone and am delighted coming home with my two beautiful baskets.

Common Knowledge are a wonderful social enterprise, providing education, knowledge and skills to empower people in creating and shaping a sustainable home and life that reflects their individuality. It's nestled in a beautiful part of Clare, where you have the chance to step out of your regular and busy life and immerse yourself in a different kind of rhythm and space. The food provided is also absolutely delicious. I just did an amazing cookery class there and am already planning to sign up to a few more.

Fantastic course - I did the DIY course. The tutors were great - we covered a wide range of skills - particularly using the drill in different scenarios and tiling. Was great to be taken through so many skills - and be part of the wonderful Social Enterprise for the weekend. We even for a lovely tour of the land. The meals they supply are absolutely lovely. The carrot cake in the afternoon - WOW!. Also got to meet some great people from around the country on the course. Will definitely be back!

Highly recommended. Went alone to do the DIY course, was a bit nervous. The instructors were friendly and expert and I met lots of like-minded people on the course itself. I've been talking about Common Knowledge to everyone since, and recruiting friends to come with me next time, maybe for the cookery course or to take a crack at welding! Will definitely be back in 2024.

Fabulous experience- I took the DIY - home repair course and I learned so much in the two days - it is still in the early stages so accommodation and workshops are a bit rough and ready but it did not take away from a great learning experience - I’m not a vegetarian but would happily convert if I had this standard of food served up - congratulations to all involved

I’ve always associated the burren with long rambling walks, green roads, expansive karst landscapes and delicate sheltering orchids. Welding? – not so much. But hidden away on a remote bog road to the south east of Lisdoonvarna in the middle of the Burren you’ll find Common Knowledge running courses on practical skills like welding and carpentry. Last weekend I spent two very enjoyable days trying to get to grips with arc welding and – much to my surprise and delight – leaving on the Sunday evening with the fruits of my labour, a fine little stool. Common knowledge are still in the early stages of developing this site so the workshops were a bit rough and ready but they were fit enough for purpose and in a strange way added to the uniqueness of the experience. I met a great bunch of like minded welding newbies and under the skilled guidance of our excellent tutors Jordan and Gavin we had two full days of arcing and sparking, learning the basics that will give us the confidence to progress further in our own time. The only constructive criticism I might offer would be that at times it was a bit crowded and perhaps – with current facilities – participant numbers should be limited to 8, but that’s a minor niggle. Overall it was an excellent two days and an experience I’d highly recommend. I can’t finish this review without mentioning the food. The fare is entirely vegetarian. I’m not a vegetarian. It was tasty and delicious. Please consider offering courses on vegetarian cuisine. I’ll be signing up like a shot!!

Wonderful enthusiastic group of people sharing a learning experience with patient and expert teachers.