7 Things to do this week...
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More than a dozen parades will be staged around County Wexford on St. Patrick’s Day, bringing community and sports clubs, entertainers, floats and a variety of bands on to the streets as Wexford goes green for a day. Wexford town marks a milestone on Friday with the staging of the 100th parade. As well as all the usual participants, Buí Bolg will be making a very special appearance to mark the anniversary. Parades are also taking place in Gorey, Enniscorthy, New Ross, Bunclody, Carrig-On-Bannow, Coolgreany, Clonroche, and Fethard, as well as just over the border in Carnew and Graiguenamanagh. The village of Monamolin is hosting its first ever St. Patrick’s Day parade, starting at 11 a.m. It’s organised by the daughters of 97-year-old Margaret O’Leary of Garrydamiel to fulfil her wish of seeing a parade in the village. The most unusual parade on Friday takes place in Duncannon - on the crescent shaped beach. The village is also hosting lots of family activities and a craft exhibition featuring the work of students of Ramsgrange Community School.
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DEEPEN YOUR CONNECTION TO NATURE: Join landscape designer Mary Reynolds for a two-day ‘Deepen Your Connection to Nature’ course at the Irish National Heritage Park beginning on Saturday, March 18. With you, Mary will she explore how to deepen your connection with nature to better understand the land’s own intentions and requirements. Run as a Forest school. Most of the day will be spent oustide. Elements to be covered include understanding our ancient partnership with nature and our role in creating sacred spaces and listening to the lands own intentions and requirements. Cost: €160 per person. Pre-booking essential. Call 053 9120733
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AMANDA DORAN EXHIBITION: In celebration of International Women’s Day ‘The Devine Feminine, an ongoing body of work’ by Gorey artist Amanda Doran is on in the Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, on March 16 at 4 p.m. There will be a variety of free events including workshops, talks, performances, free yoga classes and these will be open throughout the duration of the exhibition. Contact Amber Springs on, 053 94 84000.
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HOLLYFORT RUN: The village of Hollyfort in North Wexford will host a 10k run and a 5k walk on Sunday, March 19. The event kicks off in the village at 11 a.m. The entry fee for runners is €15, while entry for walkers is €5. Children go free. All are welcome along for what promises to be a fun morning. The top prize for the fastest female and for the fastest male is a €50 sports voucher. Light refreshments will be served. All proceeds go to the upkeep of Hollyfort village.
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GERMAN CONCERT BAND: A special concert will take place in St Mary’s Church, New Ross, on Saturday, March 18, at 8 p.m. The 40-piece Todtnau concert band from Germany will perform a fantastic show. The band are parading in Kilkenny on St Patrick’s Day and will be travelling to New Ross on the following day. The historic church grounds have recently undergone a major refurbishment and the building on Mary Street is illuminated at night making it visible from miles around. This concert is a fundraiser for the church, so there will be a voluntary retiring collection.
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VINTAGE ROAD RUN: Owners of vehicles of all shapes and sizes are invited to enjoy a drive through the scenic countryside of south west Wexford at the Christy Purcell Memorial Road Run which takes place on Sunday, March 19. Registration will take place in Foulksmills from 12 p.m. and drivers will be leaving at 1 p.m. sharp heading in the direction of Adamstown. Last year the Forge Vintage Club vehicle group even had cyclist join them. There will be a hot dinner severed in the Oak Tree bar and a free raffle for all participants upon their return. All proceeds will go to local charities.
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ELEANOR MCEVOY IN ENNISCORTHY: Eleanor McEvoy is performing in the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, on March 18 at 8.30 p.m. Tickets cost €18 and can be purchased from the Wexford Arts Centre. Eleanor McEvoy presents a pioneering collaboration between the renowned Irish songwriter and acclaimed English painter Chris Gollon. It includes lyrics and melodies from the songs on McEvoy’s 2016 album ‘Naked Music’, alongside 22 of Gollon’s stunning paintings inspired by the music on that album. Through song and story Eleanor takes audiences on an intimate magical journey with her own compositions. For more information contact the Arts Centre on, 0539123764.