The notion of nude life drawing models on TV well before the 9pm watershed has sparked a flurry of interest in our national newspapers but with a thriving artistic community in our locale, we are somewhat more enlightened. Inspired by the new series, Life Class: Today's Nude, which airs on Channel 4 this week, I decided it was high time I took a break to appreciate the finer things in life and jetted off to Dublin on a life drawing holiday.

As the sister of an established artist in Corfu, I have always fancied that the skill lay somewhere within my genes. In fact, in my youth I used to try and teach myself to draw by using my left hand to draw my right. After some practice I got quite good at it, but beyond doodling the odd farm animal for my children, I haven’t really dabbled in art for many years, although that hasn’t stopped me from appreciating the works of others in my local area. Naturally, when the opportunity arose to appreciate several major Irish art collections and to test out my drawing skills on a two-night art themed break at the five star Merrion Hotel, Dublin came my way, I grasped the opportunity with both hands.

Checking in at The Merrion, I got glimpse of the impressive artworks on show the moment I stepped into the front hall. After calling in at my sumptuously furnished room and freshening up its equally large and luxurious bathroom featuring underfloor heating, bath and shower, I met up with fellow guests for a champagne tour of the rest of the collection, which carries on through all the principal reception rooms and along corridors and staircases the length and breadth of this stunning boutique hotel.

Accompanied by a guide from the National Gallery of Ireland we studied the works of artists such as Jack B Yeats (younger brother of the poet WB Yeats), Sir John Lavery, Mainie Jellet, Daniel Maclise, Paul Henry and Louis le Brocquy, and we learned this astonishing, privately-owned collection, bought together by one of the owners of the hotel, is now so acclaimed that a visit is an essential part of the curriculum for art students in Ireland.

Opened in 1997, The Merrion was originally four magnificent Grade I listed Georgian townhouses, built by Lord Monck. Once home to wealthy Dublin merchants and nobility, including the Earl of Mornington whose first son, Arthur Wellesley (first Duke of Wellington) was born at No 24, the hotel is now one of Dublin’s most treasured destinations.

Situated in the heart of the city, The Merrion is a short walk away from The National Gallery in Merrion Square and Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane (www.hughlane.ie) - hub of contemporary Irish art and final home of Francis Bacon’s Studio where we head the following morning. The gallery contains other works by the artists on display at The Merrion. For me the highlight of the collection is The Eve of St Agnes by celebrated Irish stained-glass artist Harry Clarke. Also on view are renowned paintings from the Hugh Lane Bequest 1917 including La Musique aux Tuileries by Edouard Manet, Bains de Mer by Edgar Degas and Lavacourt under Snow by Claude Monet.

Drawing from the inspiration of the paintings, The Merrion has teamed up with the Hugh Lane Gallery to offer life drawing classes as the heart of its weekend experience.

Next, we head upstairs from the public galleries of the Hugh Lane to try life drawing for ourselves. Although some of my fellow visitors are former art students or practicing artists, I don’t feel out of place as our tutor takes us through some warm-up exercises to stretch out our bodies and relieve tension before we start. Then we go in gently by just making lines on the paper in an abstract way without paying too much attention to our model, who unlike the Channel 4 participants, remains very far from nude throughout the half hour session.

Initially, we only have a minute to make a sketch and are advised not to linger on any particular detail, though this rises by increments to about five minutes on our final pieces. Under the guidance of the teacher, we started to incorporate the fall of light, muscle tension, body shape – a whole range of approaches to experiment with and develop.

Using coloured pastels and charcoal, I experiment with different thicknesses of line from tentative ‘brush strokes’ in my first attempts to bolder blocks of colour.

Overall, I found life drawing much more enjoyable than I’d first imagined. Having toured some of Bacon’s works beforehand we got an impression of how personal and intense it can be to study the human form. We were literally encouraged to step out of our comfort zone and trust our own sense of proportion, shape and style. Having the option of using charcoal, pastels, pencils or a combination of all three, we sketched our model in various stances from standing and seated positions.

Looking at each other’s work afterwards, we were really struck by how different each person’s approach to the subject had been. Our tutor complimented the lightness and fluidity of my lines which made me feel even more satisfied with this artistic endeavour.

After the morning’s cultural pursuits, we were free to explore the museums or the city at our leisure. I opted for a bus tour taking in all the sights including Dublin Zoo and Trinity College (home of the Book of Kells), Dublin Castle and the Guinness Storehouse where the famous brew is made. A hop on hop off service, the tour is lively and informative and is a great way to get to know the city and get your bearings. After my sightseeing sojourn it was back to The Merrion to join the other guests for Arts Tea for Two. The hotel’s award winning pastry chef, Paul Kelly and his team have worked meticulously to develop this exquisite afternoon tea with a strong art flavour, all presented on a shortbread pallet and easel and surrounded by a host of fruit, chocolate and icing sugar portraits of The Merrion’s own collection. The cakes were truly delicious and afforded us the perfect pick me up.

Suitably fortified, I headed out to enjoy a pint of Guinness in O'Donoghue's just around the corner from the hotel in Merrion Row. A favourite of Christy Moore and The Dubliners during its illustrious past, the pub is a favourite haunt of locals, who come to the bar to hear the live music, which take place seven days a week. On my visit I was treated to a sonorous and lilting set featuring a small band comprising a flawless female singer who sang both accompanied by a whistle and fiddle and solo.

While in Dublin, a visit to the famous Abbey Theatre is a must. The Abbey Theatre was founded in 1903 by WB Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory. Although rehoused after a tragic fire in 1951, and now awaiting a move to its new home due for completion in 2012, this world-class theatre continues to actively engage with and reflect Irish society on every level. The theatre presents both classical and contemporary plays with future events including playwright Brian Friel’s 80th birthday celebration and The New Electric Ballroom by Enda Walsh (winner of two 2009 Irish Times Theatre Awards and a Scotsman Fringe First Award at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival). The theatre also offers behind the scenes tours on Thursdays at noon. Booking for shows and tours is strongly advised well in advance of your visit, www.abbeytheatre.ie

For a pre-theatre dinner, The Ely group have three restaurants to choose from whether you’re looking for a light bite over a glass of wine or a more substantial repast. The Ely offers a wide range of home grown organic meat sourced from its own farm in The Burren, Co. Clare and an extensive wine list with more than 90 varieties available by the glass. www.elywinebar.ie

Well fed and watered, I returned home clutching my life drawing pages. Having gone away to find the inspiration to have a go at art I shall be looking for a local class to further develop my enthusiasm soon.

Life Class: Today's Nude is on Channel 4 from 6-10 July at 12.30pm.

Life drawing classes with Harrow artist Cheryl Gould are held at The Frobisher Studio, Bushey Museum, Rudolph Road, Bushey every Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm. Details: 020 8385 7735, 07956 809772.

The Art of The Merrion - Priced at €530 per person (approx £455). The Merrion, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Telephone + 353 1 603 0600 / E-mail: reservations@merrionhotel.com www.merrionhotel.com