hi there robert , i am a woodturner from northern ireland and would be
glad to help you in any way that i can to try and find some woodturning
interests for your trip. i live about 100 miles from dublin which you
may find too far to travel , but u would be very welcome to visit and
see what we (myself and my wife) turn. we are into bowls and make them
from all local hardwoods ash, beech, elm, sycamore, yew etc. the bowls
range from 6-24inch. we also are small time timber suppliers to
woodturners of local harwoods.

there is a woodturning guild for dublin whichi you could contact
through the irish woodturning guild website - im sure someone from
dublin would meet up with you, or your trip may coincide with one of
their monthly meetings which im sure you would be welcome to attend.
also on my own website - www.geocities.com/tulipwoodcrafts there is a
link to a forum for irsh woodturners - there isnt much chat on it -
generally i am just posting messages of what i am cuitting - but plenty
of people watch it and if u post a message detailing your trip yoiu may
get a good response.
any further info required - please email and i will try and help you