7 Things to do this week...
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NEW ROSS PIANO FESTIVAL: St Mary’s Church and various venues around New Ross will play host of the 11th New Ross Piano Festival, billed as a unique festival concentrating on the piano repertoire - mostly classical, but with a little bit of jazz.The 2016 programme - which runs from September 22 to 25 - will feature one of the world’s most successful string quartets, the Quatuor Ebène, collaborating with two stars of the international piano world: American pianist Nicholas Angelich and Australian pianist Piers Lane, along with Finghin Collins, who is also the Artistic Director of the weekend.Also present will be the winner of the 2015 Dublin International Piano Competition, the French pianist Nathalia Milstein, for a morning recital. 2016 will also be the final year of the three-year, 15-work Ros Tapestry Suite where the organisers commissioned 15 Irish composers to respond to the panels of the Ros Tapestry with a fiveminute solo piano piece. With ‘play me’ pianos dotted round the town’s public spaces for all to play, with masterclasses to sit in on, Ross will be the place to be.
2
WEXFORD WALKING TRAIL FESTIVAL. The festival which takes place this weekend will showcase routes along the Wexford Walking Trail network. The year there will be events along the Askamore, Bunclody and Enniscorthy River Slaney trails. All walking events are free with complimentary refreshments at each location. The festival begins on Friday at 5.30pm with a ramble around Enniscorthy led by Aileen Lambert and Michael Fortune. This will be followed by a welcome reception at 7.15pm in Enniscorthy Castle. On Saturday there are two walks at 11am and one at 4.30pm. On Sunday there is a walk along the banks of the River Slaney.
3
WRITE BY THE SEA: The inaugural ‘Write By The Sea’ festival of writing and reading takes place in Kilmore Quay this weekend, from September 23 to 25. The event will include a packed schedule of workshops, readings, conversations and interviews, with well-known Wexford based authors such as Billy Roche, Margaret Hawkins, Paul O’Brien, Cat Hogan, A.M. Cousins, Margaret Galvin, Jackie Hayden, Daithi Kavanagh, Jim Maguire, Peter Murphy and Fiona O’Rourke among the contributors. Full details, including ticket booking, are available on the website www. writebythesea.ie
4
BASKET WEAVING WORKSHOP: A oneday workshop aimed at both complete newcomers to the craft of basket weaving and those who have a bit of experience and would like to improve on their skills is due to take place at the Irish National Heritage Park from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, September 24. During the workshop you can expect to make a small basket as well as covering the growing, harvesting, storing and preparation of the willows for working. To book your place, call (053) 9120733.
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ALONE IT STANDS: The Rasper Players present the acclaimed ‘Alone it Stands’ in Gorey Little Theatre from September 20 to 24, at 8 p.m. The hilarious comedy tells the story of the only time Munster, or any Irish side, beat the All Blacks on a celebrated day in 1978 in Thomond Park, Limerick. A multitude of stories interlink to convey the hype and the nervousness running up to and during the match. The show is directed by Stephen Acton and features a cast of seventeen who play 64 characters. Tickets at €12 can be booked on 087 3345465.
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PADDY CASEY: Singer-songwriter Paddy Casey makes a welcome return to Gorey to play in the intimate surroundings of the Cellar Bar in Katie Daly’s on Friday, September 23. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets, priced €25, can be purchased in Katie Daly’s, or by phoning 053 9483920. Proprietors Boris Ivanoff and Daragh Kelly are delighted to welcome Paddy after his performance at this year’s Gorey Market House Festival. Paddy Casey has toured Ireland and Europe extensively, supporting the likes of REM, Ian Brown and the Pretenders, in addition to his own headline gigs and playing Glastonbury.
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CAMPILE COLOUR RUN. Campile United is holding a 5km colour run this Sunday at 3pm in memory of Chris Banville who played a very active role with the club. Proceeds from the run will be donated to Campile United and to Wexford Hospice HomeCare. The colour run is a celebration of Chris’ life and the organisers have worked hard to make it a fun, family event. Anyone can take part in the event and participants can run or walk the route. Tickets are €20 per adult and €10 per child. There is a special family offer of €50 for a family of five. All tickets can be purchased on eventbrite.ie or you can pick up a sponsorship card by calling Anthony on 0872378702. There is also details on the Facebook page.