Week-long festival kicks off in Avoca
ACROSS SOUTH WICKLOW an array of exciting events are already scheduled for The Gathering form part of the 82 national events already planned.
In Carnew, the regular St. Patrick's Day Parade will come alive in perfect Gathering form.
Visitors from overseas and members of the local community will be out in force from 2p.m. to take in the colourful floats and exhibits.
Organisers are already calling on schools, community groups, sport clubs and all other organisations to get planning and design a float for the parade.
It will conclude at Coláiste Bhríde where prizes will be presented. For further information contact 087 4154899.
A very special week-long festival will kick off in Avoca from Friday, May 24, for the Vale of Avoca Welcome Home Week. This festival will be celebrating national poet Thomas Moore along with the rich mining heritage in Avoca. On Friday 24, dancing at the crossroads will get underway with traditional music and entertainment.
On Saturday 25, participants will enjoy ‘ Trace your routes' followed by a Thomas Moore Percy French night celebrating the works of these two people later that evening.
Sunday 26, will see Avoca GAA v Avoca players from around the world followed by a family fun day and family activities. Vintage cars and more will be on display.
The week will also feature Beat on the Street, fishing competition and school reunion and more details will be posted nearer the time.
In Arklow town the local House of Stories will keep the flag flying for The Gathering as members welcome 60 Irish emigrants from Birmingham.
From June 22-29 the House of Stories will entertain and serve as guides to the visitors who will be based in the Arklow Bay Hotel from where they will tour the county. This visit comes as the result of strong links formed over the years with the Wicklow Association chaired by Ms. Queenie Mulvey who is a native of Tinahely.
School reunions are always a great way to catch up with old friends and venture down memory lane.
Annacurra National School will welcome back past pupils from near and far from June 23 to 30 for a festival of events which include a ceilí, walk through Roddenagh Woods, School tour for past pupils, exhibition of old photographs, and lots lots more.
As part of the annual Tinahely Show a special Wicklow Gathering International Sheaf Tossing competition will take place.
Organisers are building on the existing Sheaf Tossing event which has broken world records in 2010 and 2011. They will be inviting the best International Sheaf Tossers from all over the world to compete and try and break the current world record. This event is a very exciting event to watch, a great crowd pleaser.