WHAT'S ON AROUND NEW YEAR'S
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28
ALADDIN Arklow Sports and Leisure Centre 8 p.m. Arklow Panto Creations will kick off their first ever show this evening as their production of the fantastic ‘Aladdin’ takes to the stage. Tickets: €15 adults, €10 children, €40 for a family of four (available by calling 085 2820770).
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29
ALADDIN Arklow Sports and Leisure Centre 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets: €15 adults, €10 children, €40 for a family of four (available by calling 085 2820770).
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30
CHARITY MATCHES Wicklow Rovers, Whitegates From 4.30 p.m. The over 40s of Wicklow Rovers and Arklow Town will pull back on their boots for what promises to be an epic encounter on the playing field. Past players, supporters and friends are all invited to come along and support this fundraising afternoon, which is in aid of the Parkinson’s Association. ALADDIN Arklow Sports and Leisure Centre 8 p.m. Tickets: €15 adults, €10 children, €40 for a family of four (available by calling 085 2820770).
NEW YEAR’S EVE
SANTA DASH Coolgreany Inn 11.45 a.m. and noon Croghan Athletics Club is hosting this fun event for all the family, which can be run over two distances - a five mile (8k) race or a 5k fun walk/run. Registration will take place from 11 a.m. in the Coolgreany Inn, with the 5k race starting at 11.45 a.m. and the five mile race at noon. Entry for the five mile race is €15 while entry for the 10k is €10. NEW YEAR’S HOOTENANNY Hot Spot Music Club, Greystones 8 p.m. Ring in the new year with the Los Paradiso Band (aka Ladies in the Blues house band) plus special guests. There will be nibbles and bubbles at midnight. Tickets: €14/€18 NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH BAGATELLE Royal Hotel, Bray 8 p.m. Enjoy a drinks reception on arrival, a five-course gala dinner and a live performance by Bagatelle, followed by a champagne reception to ring in the new year plus a DJ until late. Tickets: €59 RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR Germaines of Baltinglass 8 p.m. Ross D will be warming up the celebratory crowd with live music from 8 p.m., followed by a DJ from 10 p.m. NEW YEAR’S SUPPER Grand Hotel, Wicklow town Live it up this New Year’s Eve with a delicious four-course meal in The Friary 1896 restaurant at the Grand Hotel, followed by live music and bubbly in Wynne’s Bar at midnight. Tickets: €35 CLUB DISCO Black Tom’s, Tinahely 10 p.m. Tinahely Ladies’ GAA Club will be hoping to fill the dancefloor at their New Year’s Eve disco. Admission: €10.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
FIRST SUNRISE OF THE YEAR WALK Lynham’s Hotel, Laragh 6.15 a.m. Get your New Year off to a healthy start by joining Footfalls on a unique walking experience to see the sun rise over the Irish Sea for the first time in 2017. It will be a moderate walk (11km in length and 310m ascent) and registration will begin at 6 a.m. in Lynham’s. The walk will follow part of the Wicklow Way to the summit of Brockagh Mountain and back down the spur of Brockagh Mountain to rejoin the Wicklow Way and back to the hotel. Cost: €30 per person (includes breakfast). NEW YEAR’S FUN RUN Powerscourt Arms, Enniskerry 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bray Vintage Car Club will be hosting a short run ( weather- permitting) to start 2017 in style. All vintage and classic cars are welcome to join in. This event has been planned more as a social gathering rather than a long run. 5K TRAIL RACE Avondale House 11 a.m. Parnell Athletics Club invite all to kick-start their running year with this 5k trail race and one mile kids race. Participants are welcome to walk, run or jog the routes. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at Avondale House. There will be cash prizes. Entry: €10 for adults, €5 for juniors and €50 for a family of four. GOAL MILE Murphy’s Hotel, Tinahely Noon Walk or stroll the mile while raising vitals funds in support of GOAL’s work globally. The start and finish will be Murphy’s Hotel. For further details find us on Facebook or contact Hugh at 087 6207193. SWIM FOR CHARITIES Bray seafront Noon The Bray charities sea swim will take place opposite the Strand at midday. This is the 34th year of the event, organised by Bray Lions club. Proceeds will go to Wicklow Hospice, WH Five Loaves, Order of Malta, Bray and Bray Lions Senior Citizens and Carers’ Fund. For a sponsorship card email brayswim@ gmail.com. BURKES’ ANNUAL CHARITY SWIM South Beach, Arklow Noon This is the seventh annual swim run by Mary and Eamonn Burke, Beech Road in aid of St Vincent’s Foundation. All are welcome and feel free to wear fancy dress to add to the festive fun. STATIC CAR SHOW The Beehive Inn Noon to 3 p.m. Wicklow Vintage Club will host a static show and meet-up on New Year’s Day in aid of Epilepsy Ireland. Everyone is invited to come along, see the cars, meet the drivers and have a chat with them about their pride and joy, while also helping a good cause. CHARITY ROAD RUN Carnew Mart 12.30 p.m. Cars, tractors, lorries and walkers are all welcome to take part in this charity run to raise funds for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Registration starts at 11.30 a.m. with the run itself starting an hour later. Entry: €10 for walkers or €20 for cars, tractors and lorries.
MONDAY, JANUARY 2
‘CAFE SOCIETY’ SCREENING Mermaid Arts Centre 8 p.m. In 1930s New York, Bobby Dorfman needs a change of scenery after putting up with his bickering parents, gangster brother and the family jewellery story. So he heads to Hollywood to try his luck and his life takes a new – and very romantic – turn. As part of the Mermaid’s ‘First Mondays, the short film ‘Whistle-Blower’ will be screened before hand. Tickets: €8.50/€7
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6
LITTLE CHRISTMAS LADIES’ LUNCH Arklow Golf Club 1 p.m. The annual Arklow Lions Club Little Christmas Ladies’ Lunch takes place in the beautiful setting of Arklow Golf Club. Tickets can be purchased at Abbey Flowers on Main Street in Arklow or by calling Imelda 087 2809171 or Carmel 086 8284064. GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS Mermaid Arts Centre 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Miriam Lambert, from the wellknown Lambert family of puppeteers, brings to life Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the classic tale of a little girl who pays a visit to the home of the adorable baby bear. Devised, written and performed by Miriam Lambert. Suitable for ages three and up. Tickets: € 8 or € 30 for a family of four ANNUAL SET DANCING Avondale Sports Complex, Rathdrum 9 p.m. The Bass and O’Kane Ceili Bands will provide the music for the annual set dancing in aid of Fr Willie Walshe’s African Missions.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7
OPERATION TRANSFORMATION NATIONAL WALKS Bray and Wicklow town 9.30 a.m. Wicklow Local Sports Partnership and Wicklow Hospice invite everyone to join in Co Wicklow’s two events as part of the Operation Transforation National Walks. Both walks start at 9.30 a.m., with the Bray group meeting at the bandstand and the Wicklow group leaving from Leitrim Place.