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DAVID CONDON WOODCRAFT
Woodturner & Woodturning Teacher | Craft Supplies Ireland
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Woodturning Courses in Tralee, Co. Kerry – Beginner to Advanced Tuition in Ireland
What Makes My Woodturning Courses Unique?
Getting started with woodturning can feel overwhelming—especially if you're unsure about the right tools, workshop setup, or even where to begin. That’s why my woodturning courses in Tralee, County Kerry are designed to give beginners and developing hobbyists a clear, practical introduction to the craft.
Whether you’re picking up a spindle gouge for the first time or starting to explore bowl turning, I focus on building a solid foundation, guiding you toward the right equipment and teaching reliable, hands-on methods that can save you time, money and frustration.
🎥 Not a full tutorial below — just a quick look at some turning in action and what you might experience during your own session.
Unlike many woodturning classes in Ireland that follow a rigid format, my personal tuition is flexible, informal, and tailored to your skill level and goals. I offer one-to-one woodturning lessons or small group sessions, allowing you to gain real confidence at the lathe, not just spin your wheels. Scroll down to explore more about my teaching approach, course options, and what makes this practical woodturning experience in Kerry truly unique.
This hands-on approach is also reflected in my Woodturning Blog, where I share practical, experience-based articles covering everything from beginner mistakes to tools, techniques, and long-term skill development. also offers practical, experience-based advice for beginners and more experienced turners alike.
If you’re booking for friends, family, or a small group, I also offer group woodturning sessions for 3 or 4 people through my woodturning experience listing page.
📣 Student Feedback
“Had two days training with David and enjoyed every minute – highly recommend!”
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Woodturning Tuition Options for 1 or 2 People - Gift Vouchers Available
✍️ Check Dates & Book Your Session
Not sure what to do? Follow these steps in Order.
● Choose the Tuition, Class or Experience above that suits you best. For larger group activities, visit the Experiences page.
● Check the Calendar for available dates. 🟢 Green Dot = Available 🔴 Red Dot = Booked
● Use the Contact Page to send me your preferred date and the exact name of the session you want to book
📛 Please use the exact name of the listing so I know which one you mean.
📞 Please don’t call—I'm usually in the workshop and rarely answer the phone!
📧 Check your email within a few hours (including your spam folder) for my reply.
● Once the date is confirmed, I’ll book your session and change the calendar dot to 🔴 red.
● 💶 Payment can be made through the listing in advance or on the day of your session.
●📘 Please read the Student Information section below before attending..
● 🕙 Sessions start at 10am. Aim to arrive around 10 minutes early so you get the full benefit of your booked time.
● 😷 If you are unwell with a cold, flu, Covid or similar symptoms, please contact me and we can reschedule.
● 🔁 See Cancellation Policies if you need to cancel or change a booking.
● 🎁 Booking as a gift? Gift Voucher options are available through the dropdown menus in the relevant listings.
● 👥 I also offer a Group Woodturning Introduction class for up to 4 people.
✉️ I always reply to contact form messages—usually within 2 hours.
🌟 Real Feedback From Real People
"Lovely experience! David was amazing in teaching us the first steps of woodturning and it is great to build something from scratch! Woodturning is a difficult art that you can master in years but David is able to show you how it works and make you try some moves! Definitely recommend this activity as a way to experience the beautiful art of woodturning!"
⭐ Google Review
"I had 2 days training with David and enjoyed every moment.
His extensive experience and easy going style are perfect for helping people grow in confidence and skill.
County Kerry and Tralee are wonderful to visit. Highly recommended."
⭐ Google Review
🌟 Want to see what others think?
👉 Read more reviews here or check out my Google Reviews.
(And yes—most people don’t leave reviews, so I truly appreciate it when they do!)
Woodturning Tuition for Beginners and Returning Turners
My woodturning tuition is suitable for complete beginners, returning turners and people who already have some experience but want to improve their technique or confidence at the lathe.
Beginners can start from the very basics, while returning or more experienced turners can use the session to refresh skills, correct problems or work on specific areas they have been struggling with.
If you are returning to woodturning after a break, or looking for a follow-on session after an earlier lesson, you will also find dedicated Refresher Woodturning Lessons among the listings below.
Not ready for a class? No problem — feel free to browse my Hamlet Woodturning Tools, Hampshire Sheen finishes, sanding essentials, or even a range of woodturning blanks and craft supplies I keep in stock.
Looking for Something More Relaxed?
If you would prefer a shorter or more informal introduction, take a look at my Woodturning Experiences. These are hands-on instructional sessions designed as an accessible way to try woodturning without committing to a full tuition class.
Gift Voucher options are available within the listings below, and you can also read more about Buying Gift Vouchers here.
Already Have More Experience?
For turners who are already comfortable with the basics, I also offer a separate range of Advanced Woodturning Skills & Project Sessions.
These include focused two-hour Skills Clinics covering sharpening, sanding, finishing, bandsaw setup and problem solving, together with a growing selection of project-based sessions.
Visit the Advanced Woodturning Skills & Projects page to see the full range.
🧾 Information for Students – Please Read Before Booking
If you would like to learn more about woodturning before or after your lesson, visit my Woodturning Guides & Articles page. I have organised my growing collection of guides into sections covering beginner techniques, tools, timber, sharpening, safety and more, making it a useful knowledge source for both new and existing woodturners. You may also find some useful Woodturning videos here on my David Condon Woodcraft Youtube Channel.
✨ Why Choose My Woodturning Tuition?
Most of my tuition is one-to-one or for two people, usually in four or five-hour sessions. Keeping the student numbers low allows me to watch what you are doing closely, correct problems as they happen and adapt the lesson to your own pace and experience.
I do not follow a rigid syllabus. Every student is different, and a single question about tools, sharpening, technique or something you have struggled with at home can take a session in a completely different and often more useful direction.
If you would like to see the rough progression I normally follow with beginners, read the There Is No Fixed Syllabus section in my post How Many Woodturning Lessons Does a Beginner Need?
🎓 Hands-On Woodturning Instruction – Experience Sessions
Although my Woodturning Experiences are structured differently from my regular tuition classes, each session is still delivered as practical, hands-on woodturning instruction.
I demonstrate and explain the tools, techniques and processes throughout the session, while guiding each participant as they work on their own piece. The emphasis is on learning and instruction rather than entertainment, although the sessions are designed to be relaxed and enjoyable.
For many people, an Experience session provides a good first introduction to woodturning and can also act as a stepping stone towards more detailed tuition later.
🧰 Preparing for Your Lesson
A little preparation will help you get the most from your time in the workshop.
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Wear comfortable clothes that you do not mind getting dusty or dirty.
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Avoid loose clothing, fleece and wool around the lathe.
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Wear flat, closed-toe footwear. Sandals and raised heels are not suitable.
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Please aim to arrive around 10 minutes before the 10am start time.
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Face protection is provided and must be worn while the lathe is running.
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Dust masks are available if required.
If you already own woodturning tools and would like me to look at them, feel free to bring them with you.
🛒 Buying Tools or Supplies During Your Lesson
You are welcome to buy tools, abrasives, finishes or other supplies while you are here.
If you already know what you need, sending me a rough list beforehand is helpful because my stock is stored in several locations. If you are unsure, we can discuss suitable options during the lesson before you buy anything.
🧍 Before Your Lesson
When booking, please let me know if you are left-handed or if there is anything that may affect your comfort or use of the lathe.
For younger students, please contact me before booking so we can discuss whether the session will be suitable.
🏨 Travelling a Long Distance?
If you are travelling a considerable distance to attend a four or five-hour session, staying locally the night before can make the day much easier.
Tralee has plenty of hotels, B&Bs and other accommodation, and some students choose to turn their visit into a short break in Kerry.
🛡️ Special Offer – SA Cloth Face Shields
As a thank-you to students, and now to anyone who spends over €20 on tools or finishes — I offer discounted SA Cloth Face Shields on this page. These can be worn under protective face shields to add comfort while you turn.
❓ Still Have Questions?
You will find answers to many of the most common questions in the FAQ section below, including lesson suitability, experience levels, gift vouchers, rescheduling and what to expect on the day.
🎁 Buying a Woodturning Tuition Gift Voucher
Buying tuition as a gift can feel tricky if you are unfamiliar with woodturning, so here is the simplest way to choose.
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If your recipient has shown a real interest in woodturning or is struggling to get started, my 4 or 5-hour one-to-one tuition weekday session is usually the best place to begin.
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For complete beginners, I generally recommend one to three sessions, depending on how much they practise between lessons and how far they want to progress.
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Choose the 1-Person Gift Voucher from the relevant tuition listing and select the number of sessions you would like.
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Buying for two people? The 2-Person Gift Voucher allows them to attend and learn together.
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If you would rather let the recipient choose their own tuition, a Tuition Credit Gift Voucher is also available.
Please see my Gift Voucher Terms & Conditions for validity, booking and general voucher information.
🎁 Gift Vouchers for Woodturning Experiences
If the recipient has a more casual interest in woodturning, enjoys craft activities or simply wants to try something new, a Woodturning Experience may be a better fit than full tuition.
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The Ornament Making Experience is an accessible introduction and includes a finished piece to take home.
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Ornament Making Plus includes more hands-on turning for someone who would like to be a little more involved.
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Experience Gift Vouchers are available from the individual Experience listings.
Vouchers are sent by letter through An Post.
➡️ Explore all Woodturning Experiences.
🛠️ Buying Tools or Finishes During Your Lesson
You are welcome to purchase tools, finishes, abrasives or other supplies while you are here.
If possible, email me a rough list beforehand because I do not store all stock in one location. If you are unsure what you need, we can discuss suitable options during the session before you buy anything.
🧍 A Few Things I May Need to Know Before Your Lesson
Please let me know when booking if:
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You are left-handed, as this can affect how some techniques are demonstrated.
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You are particularly tall or short and may need a different lathe setup.
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The booking is for a younger student.
I generally recommend tuition for students aged 16 and over.
Younger students may sometimes be accommodated depending on their height, confidence and suitability for the equipment, but please contact me before booking so we can discuss this properly.
👕 How to Prepare for Your Class
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Wear clothes that can get dusty or dirty.
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Avoid wool, cashmere, fleece and loose clothing around the lathe.
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Wear flat, closed-toe shoes. Open sandals and raised heels are not suitable.
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Plan your journey so you arrive around 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.
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If you know that you are particularly sensitive or allergic to wood dust, please let me know in advance.
I use dust extraction in the workshop, but no extraction system removes 100% of airborne dust.
🥽 What I Provide
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An impact-resistant face shield, which must be worn whenever the lathe is running
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Dust masks if required
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Seating if you need a short rest during the session
You will spend much of the class standing, so comfortable footwear is strongly recommended.
If you already own woodturning tools and would like me to inspect or discuss them, feel free to bring them along.
🩺 If You Are Unwell
Because tuition and Experience sessions involve working closely together, please do not attend if you are unwell with cold, flu, Covid or similar symptoms.
Contact me as early as possible and we can arrange to reschedule your session.
🏨 Travelling to Tralee for Tuition?
If you are travelling a fair distance, staying in Tralee the night before or after your session can make the day much more enjoyable, particularly if you have booked a four or five-hour class.
If you are looking for somewhere nearby, I can recommend Ashville House in Ballyard, which is not far from my workshop.
And if you decide to make a short break of your visit, I also have several local guides on my David Condon Finds website covering:
A woodturning class does not have to be the only reason for the trip — you may as well enjoy a little of Kerry while you are here.
Select your session today and take the first step into the rewarding craft of woodturning!
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
🎓 Woodturning Tuition
Q: Do I need any prior woodturning experience?
A: No. My main woodturning tuition sessions are designed for complete beginners, developing hobbyists and anyone who wants to build a solid foundation from the start.
You do not need to own tools or have a workshop before attending. I will explain the basics, introduce the equipment and guide you through the turning process step by step.
Q: What happens if I am nervous or have never used a lathe before?
A: That is completely normal.
Beginner tuition starts at a comfortable pace and I demonstrate each stage before asking you to try it yourself. You will not be expected to know anything in advance.
The aim is to build confidence gradually while learning safe and reliable techniques.
Q: What will I learn during beginner tuition?
A: The exact content depends on the session, but the focus is always on good basic technique.
This can include workshop safety, lathe setup, tool identification, stance, bevel control, sharpening basics, spindle turning, bowl turning, sanding and finishing.
I also try to explain why each stage is done a particular way so that you can repeat the process more confidently at home later.
Q: What usually happens during the first session?
A: The first session normally concentrates on the foundations.
We may look at equipment, basic sharpening, safe lathe setup, tool presentation, body position and controlling simple cuts on a spindle.
I do not rush beginners into making complicated projects. Getting the basic cuts right first usually makes everything that follows much easier.
Q: Will I make something during the session?
A: Most tuition sessions involve practical turning, and where possible you will work on a piece yourself.
The exact project or amount completed depends on the type of tuition, your pace and the skills being covered.
The priority is always learning the process properly rather than rushing simply to finish a piece.
Q: When will I start bowl turning?
A: Bowl turning is normally introduced once I am happy that you have enough control over the basic tools and understand the fundamentals.
For some students that happens relatively quickly, while others benefit from more spindle work first.
I would rather introduce bowl turning when you are ready than simply follow a fixed timetable.
Q: How many tuition sessions will I need?
A: There is no fixed number because everyone learns at a different pace.
For a complete beginner, I generally find that two or three separate sessions can provide a much stronger foundation than trying to absorb everything in one day.
The time between sessions is also useful because you can practise at home, discover what you are struggling with and come back with better questions.
Q: Do I need to practise between sessions?
A: It helps enormously.
Woodturning is a practical skill and repetition is an important part of learning. Even a small amount of practice between sessions helps reinforce tool control and makes it easier to build on what we covered previously.
It also gives you a chance to identify problems in your own workshop that we can look at during your next session.
Q: What if I learn faster or slower than expected?
A: That is not a problem.
I use a general progression rather than a rigid syllabus. Some students need more time on basic cuts, while others progress more quickly and are ready to move onto additional techniques.
Because the tuition is normally one-to-one, I can adjust the session around your pace rather than trying to keep an entire group together.
Q: Why do you use shorter tuition sessions rather than full-day beginner courses?
A: Full-day classes can be very useful, but they can also involve a lot of information in a short period of time.
I prefer shorter, focused sessions because they give beginners time to absorb what they have learned, practise it and then return for the next stage.
One-to-one tuition also means the pace is based on you rather than on the slowest or fastest person in a larger group.
Q: Do I need to bring my own tools?
A: No. Everything needed for the session is available in my workshop.
If you already own tools and would like me to look at them, you are welcome to bring them along. This can be especially useful if you are having difficulty with sharpening, tool shape or setup.
Q: Is the tuition one-to-one?
A: Most of my tuition is one-to-one so that I can work at your pace and focus on the areas where you need the most help.
Two-person options are available on selected sessions where suitable.
Q: Do you sell or help with second-hand woodturning tools?
A: I don’t personally inspect or guarantee second-hand equipment, but I have created a Woodturning Buy & Sell page for woodturners in Ireland looking for used lathes, tools, chucks, sharpening equipment and other workshop items.
If you are new to woodturning, I would suggest learning the basics before spending heavily on used equipment. A tuition session can also help you understand what tools and machinery you actually need before you buy.
Q: I already own a lathe and tools. Can you help me with my own setup?
A: Yes.
Many students come to me after buying equipment and trying woodturning at home. If you are having problems with particular tools, sharpening, setup or technique, bring as much information as you can and we can work through the issues together.
Photographs of your workshop setup can also be useful if bringing the equipment itself is not practical.
Q: Is this suitable if I have already tried woodturning at home?
A: Yes.
Many people come to me after experimenting on their own and want help building better habits, understanding their tools or correcting problems before they become difficult to undo.
If you already have stronger practical experience and want to focus on specific techniques or more demanding projects, my Advanced Woodturning Skills & Projects page may be more suitable.
Q: What age do you accept for woodturning tuition?
A: In general, I find age 16 and over is the most suitable starting point.
Woodturning requires concentration, coordination and the physical ability to control the tools safely.
If someone under 16 has a genuine interest in woodturning, you are welcome to contact me and I can consider it on a case-by-case basis. 📚 See my blog post: When is the Right Age to Start Woodturning?
Q: How do I book my tuition session?
A: Please use the Contact Page to request a booking.
I do not currently use an automated calendar booking system because direct contact helps me make sure the correct session is chosen and avoids misunderstandings about dates, duration or ability level.
Please include the full name of the tuition option you are interested in when contacting me.
Q: How do I pay for woodturning tuition?
A: Once your booking has been confirmed, I will explain the available payment options.
The price shown on the tuition listing is the session price. Pay through the listing or pay on the day by cash or card.
Q: What happens if I am nervous or have never used a lathe before?
A: That is completely normal.
Beginner tuition starts at a comfortable pace and I demonstrate each stage before asking you to try it yourself. You will not be expected to know anything in advance.
The aim is to build confidence gradually while learning safe and reliable techniques.
Q: Will I make something during the session?
A: Most tuition sessions involve practical turning, and where possible you will work on a piece yourself.
The exact project or amount completed depends on the type of tuition, your pace and the skills being covered.
The priority is always learning the process properly rather than rushing simply to finish a piece.
Q: Do you offer tuition for more experienced woodturners?
A: Yes.
I have a separate range of Advanced Woodturning Skills & Project Sessions for turners who already have practical experience and want to improve specific techniques, solve recurring problems or work through more challenging projects.
These include focused Skills Clinics and Advanced Project Sessions.
💌 Gift Vouchers
Q: How do I buy a tuition gift voucher?
A: Gift Voucher options are available through selected tuition listings.
Choose the appropriate voucher option on the listing and follow the checkout instructions. If I need the recipient's name or any additional details, these can be sent separately through the Contact Page.
Q: What if I don’t know which tuition session to buy as a gift?
A: A Tuition Credit Gift Voucher is often the safest option if you are unsure.
The recipient can contact me afterwards and we can choose the most appropriate session based on their experience and what they would like to learn.
This is particularly useful for someone who already has some woodturning experience, as more advanced sessions need to be matched carefully to the participant.
More useful FAQ can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page.