WEXFORD’S CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR WHAT’S ON GUIDE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27
‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ National Opera House, 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. Robert C. Kelly will present spectacular Christmas Pantomime ‘Beauty and the Beast’, featuring a star-studded cast including comedian Karl Spain, ‘Red Rock’ star Adam Weafer and RTÉ Junior star and kids favourite Clara Murray. The classic tale will be retold with big sets and glamorous costumes, with plenty of laughs along the way. THE RATHNURE PANTO Rathnure Hall, 6 p.m. Always a festive favourite, this year’s Rathnure Panto looks set to be bigger and more colourful than ever! The society are delighted to present their production - ‘A Fairytale Wedding - And You’re Invited’. The story begins at Princess Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty’s wedding, where she about to be married to none other than the King himself, Elvis! However, the evil Maleficent, of whom everyone thought was dead, reappears to destroy Aurora’s big day, placing a spell on her, that if one ray of sunshine hits her skin, she will die. So in true Rathnure Fairytale tradition, she must hide in the local blood bank, which is run by Dracula, his countess and a host of weird characters, where there is sure to be no sunlight. Tickets are available from the box office on 0870687801 or 0876954112. WEXFORD PEOPLE WEXFORD ON ICE Wexford Quay, Various times Winter wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a skate on a beautiful real Ice Rink – Wexford on Ice, set against the spectacular backdrop of Wexford Quay. Show off your skating skills while admiring the view over the water, then sip a coffee or a festive hot chocolate from our Coffee Dock. The Ice Rink features a state of the art sound and light display to entertain you as you glide across the ice!
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28
JACK L - MAGIC DAYS AT CHRISTMAS St Iberius Church, 8 p.m. Jack L returns to Wexford to perform his Magic Days Christmas show, featuring some festive classics along with key tracks from his hit album ‘Magic Days’ and some of your favourites from his extensive back catalogue. THE RATHNURE PANTO Rathnure Hall, 6 p.m. See Wednesday, December 27. MANY HAPPY RETURNS St Mogue’s Hall, Inch, 8 p.m. Coolgreany Amateur Dramatic Society presents ‘Many Happy Returns’ a Christmas comedy by Bernard Farrell, at St Mogue’s Hall, Inch. Tickets are €10 on the door or by phoning 087 2913222 or from Coolgreany Post Office ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ National Opera House, 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. See Wednesday, December 27. WEXFORD PEOPLE WEXFORD ON ICE Wexford Quay, Various times See Wednesday, December 27.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29
PIERCE TURNER Greenacres Gallery, 8 p.m. Wexford singer-songwriter Pierce Turner makes a welcome return to his hometown for a festive gig at Greenacres Gallery. Tickets from 053 91 22975. MICK FLANNERY Crown Live, 8 p.m. Crowd favourite Mick Flannery returns to Wexford once again for two gigs at the Crown Live venue. The award-winning Cork singer-songwriter will delight audiences with his unique sound. THE RATHNURE PANTO Rathnure Hall, 7.45 p.m. See Wednesday, December 27. MANY HAPPY RETURNS St Mogue’s Hall, Inch, 8 p.m. Coolgreany Amateur Dramatic Society presents ‘Many Happy Returns’ a Christmas comedy by Bernard Farrell, at St Mogue’s Hall, Inch. Tickets are €10 on the door or by phoning 087 2913222 or from Coolgreany Post Office. ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ National Opera House, 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. See Wednesday, December 27. WEXFORD PEOPLE WEXFORD ON ICE Wexford Quay, Various times See Wednesday, December 27.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30
MUCK SAVAGE SATURDAY Glynn Barntown GAA Pitch, 9.15 a.m. Junior registration for the 2.5K route starts at 9.15 a.m. with 5K registration taking place at 9.45 a.m. Entry is €5 per child, €10 for adults or €20 for a family. Prizes for first girl and boy home in u10, u14, u18 and adult categories. Refreshments will be served. SEAL RELEASE Courtown north beach 2 p.m. Seal Rescue Ireland will release five seals at Courtown north beach. All are welcome along to the last seal release of 2017. A bake sale will be held on the day and hot drinks will be served. MICK FLANNERY Crown Live, 8 p.m. See Friday, December 29. MANY HAPPY RETURNS St Mogue’s Hall, Inch, 8 p.m. See Thursday, December 28. ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ National Opera House, 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. See Wednesday, December 27. WEXFORD PEOPLE WEXFORD ON ICE Wexford Quay, Various times See Wednesday, December 27. WINTER FUN RUN/WALK Bree, 1 p.m. Bree Youth Club hold a winter Fun Run/ Walk in aid of the Wexford Women’s and Men’s Refuge. There is a 10k for €5 and a 5k for €3 on offer for participants. Registration is from 11.45 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. in Bree Community Centre before the event. A great family day out with some lovely spot prizes on the day.
NEW YEAR’S EVE DECEMBER 31
PANTO ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY BALL 50TH Riverbank House Hotel, 7.30 p.m. Wexford Pantomime Society celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a black tie New Year’s Eve ball. Tickets available from Linda on 086 194 2045. BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER NYE GALA CONCERT Movies@Gorey, 4 p.m. Celebrate the end of 2017 with the Berliner Philharmoniker’s glittering New Year’s Eve Gala Concert broadcast live from Berlin to Movies@Gorey. Conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, the show features star guest Joyce DiDonato. The cinema broadcast features exclusive interviews and programme insights. THE GLITTER BALL Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, 7.30 p.m. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the ballroom of the Ashdown Park Hotel at the New Year’s Eve Glitter Ball. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks, a five course meal, live music, DJ and dancing till late. Book on 053 9480500. NEW YEAR’S EVE AT SEAFIELD Seafield Hotel and Spa Resort, Ballymoney Ring in the new year with a four course gala evening meal in the Greenroom restaurant in Seafield Hotel, and dance the night away with live music and entertainment in the Village Bar and Grill. Phone 053 9424000 to book. NEW YEAR’S EVE BALL The Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, 7 p.m. The red carpet will be rolled out and the New Year rung in in style at The Riverside Park Hotel with their special New Year’s Eve Ball. This black tie event is being hosted by the Island Hunt and will get underway with a mulled wine reception at 7 p.m. This will be followed by a delicious meal at 8 p.m. and music from Denny Davitt & The Heartbeats, followed by a disco. Tickets are priced at €50 including dinner and can be purchased from Fiona Gahan on 0868153181 or Belinda Walsh on 087 2066815. WEXFORD PEOPLE WEXFORD ON ICE Wexford Quay, Various times (last skate 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. today) See Wednesday, December 27. NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Upton Court Hotel, Kilmuckridge, 9 p.m. Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Upton Court Hotel, Kilmuckridge, with dancing to Theresa and the Stars followed by a DJ and a late bar. The event includes buffet food, as well as a complimentary drink at midnight. Tickets are €20 and proceeds go to the Kilmuckridge community playground project. CORNER BOY IN THE CROWN Crown Bar, Monck St, Wexford, 10 p.m. Ring in the New Year with Wexford favourites Corner Boy who have teamed up with Grammy award producer Ted Hutt for a much anticipated release. Doors open at 9.45 p.m. for this standing show.
MONDAY, JANUARY 1 NEW YEAR’S DAY
SUNRISE TOUR Hook Lighthouse The world’s oldest intact working lighthouse will host its first Sunrise Tour Experience on January 1 offering visitors the opportunity to see the New Year dawning over the spectacular south east coast. Visitors will be taken on a bespoke guided tour experience, and enjoy views stretching across the Southeast of Ireland - a 360-degree sweeping panorama on the outdoor balcony. Visitors will savour Bucks Fizz, prosecco, fresh tea, and coffee along with a selection of breakfast canapés made from the finest local produce, including Ballyhack smokehouse smoked salmon on homemade brown bread. The New Year Sunrise Tour Experience at Hook Lighthouse is available for booking via Hook Lighthouse, call 051 397055 – tickets are €45 per person. This is an adult only experience. WEXFORD PEOPLE WEXFORD ON ICE Wexford Quay, Various times See Wednesday, December 27. Continues daily until Sunday, January 7 BALLYMONEY SWIM Ballymoney Beach, 12 midday The Tara Vale Swimmers take to the water at Ballymoney at midday on New Year’s Day. Sponsorship cards are available from Eamonn O’Connor or Fergus Rapple. Funds raised go to the Jack and Jill Foundation, North Wexford Hospice Homecare, and St Patrick’s Special School, Ennsicorthy. Entertainment afterwards in the Tara Vale lounge from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. CAHORE SWIM Cahore Pier, 2 p.m. Blow away the cobwebs with a dip in the sea at Cahore Pier at 2 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
This is the main annual fundraiser for Cahore Inshore Rescue Service lifeboat. Sponsorship cards are available from Gerry O’Loughlin on 087 2771473. Hot soup, hot whiskeys and more will be served on the pier, and the festivities will continue afterwards in the Strand Bar, Cahore, and the Schooner, Ballygarrett.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3
THE THREE AMIGOS The Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, 8 p.m. The Three Amigos - Jimmy Buckley, Robert Mizell and Patrick Feeney - return for a special night of music at The Riverside Park Hotel. Regarded as three of the most exciting names in Irish country music, the trio promise to put on one hell of a show as they go back over hits from years gone by along with some more current numbers and plenty of their trademark on-stage banter in a show that has gained rave reviews all over the country.
Admission is €30 and tickets are available from The Riverside Park Hotel.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5
NEIL DELAMERE Clayton Whites Hotel, doors open 7.15 p.m. Gifted comic Neil Delamere presents his new show, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Pensioner.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6
BRENDAN GRACE The Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, 8 p.m. A man that needs little introduction, the always hilarious Brendan Grace returns to Enniscorthy for a show in The Riverside Park Hotel. His latest show features some brand new material, as well as the old favourites from his repertoire spanning over 40 years.
Grace never fails to have the audience in stitches with characters like the legendary ‘Bottler’ popping up in every show. Tickets are available from The Riverside Park Hotel. THE FUREYS LIVE IN CONCERT National Opera House, 8 p.m. After a near sell out concert in December 2015, Irish Legends The Fureys return to the National Opera House for another great night of Irish music, songs and stories.
Hear them sing their timeless classics including ‘When You Were Sweet 16’, ‘The Green Fields of France’, ‘The Old Man’, and ‘Red Rose Café’, plus songs from their new CD ‘The Times They Are a Changing’.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7
‘FERRYCARRIG 5’ ROAD RACE Wexford FC, noon. St. Killian`s Athletic club host the sixth running of the annual Arachas ‘Ferrycarrig 5’ Five Mile Road Race with the event getting underway at 12 noon from the Wexford FC complex at Newcastle, where the race starts and finishes. Showers and changing facilities are also available.
The race will be chip timed and as well as the hat, there will be a goodie bag. Refreshments afterwards. Details at www.popupraces.ie/events/ arachas-ferrycarrig-5/
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9
WEXFORD PANTOMIME SOCIETY’S ‘CINDERELLA’ Dun Mhuire Theatre, 8 p.m. This year is Wexford Pantomime Society’s 50th anniversary production and all of the stops are being pulled out to ensure that this production is a very special one. Written by Thomas O’Leary, it features a stellar cast of young and seasoned performers.
Runs Tuesday to Friday, January 9 to 12, 8 p.m.; Saturday, January 13, 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, January 14, 2.30 p.m.