7 Things to do this week...
1 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA: It’s week two of the annual festival and there’s plenty to do, for visitors and families with children on their midterm break. The exhibition trail remains a firm favourite - and you can find a full list of all the exhibitions, in and out of town, in the Festival Special in this newspaper. The three main opera productions continue at the National Opera House: Felicien David’s ‘Herculanum’, Samuel Barber’s ‘Vanessa’, and Gaetamo Donizetto’s ‘Maria de Rudenz’. The popular ‘shortworks’ are also onstage in Clayton White’s Hotel in the afternoons. On the fringe, the Guinness Singing and Swinging Pubs competition reaches its climax on Thursday night, with results posted up in the Bullring. For full listings, check out our 20-page pullout.
2 CHARITY DARTS EXHIBITION: Darts fans are in for a treat as former world number one darts player Colin ‘Jaws’ Lloyd, and former world number four player Wayne ‘Hawaii 501’ Mardle play in an exhibition in The Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, on Friday, November 4, at 8 p.m. It promises to be a very entertaining evening, and a rare chance to see some legends in action, close up. Entry for the event is €10. Funds raised go to Ella’s Wish to Walk. All are welcome. For tickets, contact William on 085 8304993 or Eleanor on 087 6852402, or purchase at the door. Event sponsors include The Amber Springs Hotel; SK Windows and Doors; Gorey Print; and CCS commercial cleaning services.
3 JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK: All Ireland winners, Bridge Drama return to the stage with Sean O’Casey’s, ‘Juno and the Paycock’. The production, directed by Trish Doyle, runs in Wexford Arts Centre from November 1 until November 6. Tickets for the show can be bought through Wexford Arts Centre online or from the office.
4 LIFEBOATS FUNDRAISER: Killegney and Rossdroit parishoners are holding their annual coffee morning and sale this Friday, November 4, in Clonroche Community Hall, from 10 a.m. until midday. A mouthwatering selection of cakes will be on sale and locally grown produce. This is an ideal opportunity for people to shop for their Christmas cards from Irish Lifeboats and try your luck on the raffle or bottle stall. This is in aid of the Irish Lifeboats and the two parishes.
5 1916 COMMEMORATION: Camolin Historical Society will host a 1916 Easter Rising commemoration ceremony in Camolin this Sunday, November 6. The event has been organised to remember locals from the Camolin area who were involved in the Rising. Proceedings will begin at 10.30 a.m. with a Commemoration Mass, offered for those who participated. Immediately afterwards, a parade will proceed to the new memorial which will be unveiled and blessed. The ceremony will be followed by refreshments in the parish hall. All welcome.
6 MOZART’S REQUIEM: The haunting Mozart’s Requiem will be performed in Rowe Street Church at 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, November 6, by Carlow Choral Society, Wexford Festival Singers and the City of Dublin Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Kevin O’Carroll, together with noted soloists Sarah Brady, Soprano, Carolyn Holt, Alto, Anthony Gavin, Tenor, and Mathew Manion, Bass. This is a concert that should not be missed. Tickets at €20 are available at Wexford Arts Centre (053) 9123764 or through Wexford Festival Singers on 087 4692241.
7 BILLY ROCHE GIG: Playwright and musician Billy Roche will be warmly welcomed back to The Red Kettle Cafe on Mallin Street on Friday November 4 for The Red Guitar Tour. Organisers are promising an enjoyable evening of music in an intimate venue. Fans will need to act fast as tickets are limited and according to owner of the cafe Aidan Rea, they are already flying out the door. Tickets cost €15 and are available for purchase at the Red Kettle Cafe. During Billy’s most recent gigs in The Red Kettle Cafe in April, audiences were treated to some of the singers old favourites and some new tunes including an instrumental which he named after The Red Kettle Cafe.