7 Things to do this week...
1 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS EXTRAVAGANZA: The run-up to Christmas begins in earnest for New Ross this Saturday with the arrival of Santa Claus by boat to the town which is looking better than ever. New Ross will be the envy of the south east this festive season with their new Christmas lights and festive market taking place the following weekend. At approximately 4.15 p.m. this Saturday Santa will lead the New Ross Nollaig Christmas Parade along with New Ross Town FC elves, New Ross & District Pipe band and special guests, from St Mary’s & Michael’s Parish Church on Robert Street over to the Tholsel on Mary Street where crowds of people will see the town Christmas lights turned on for New Ross Nollaig 2018. There will be face painting, goodies and other events for the children to enjoy, along with local entertainment. The new Christmas lights are funded by the retailers and businesses of New Ross, along with additional funding from New Ross Municipal District council who have expanded the lights and festive attractions to Rosbercon this year.
2 WELL, ANYTHING QUARE? Enniscorthy Drama Group’s latest venture will continue its tour of Enniscorthy pubs this week with shows in Donohoe’s of The Duffry on Thursday and the IFA Centre on Friday. The hilarious comedy has already gained rave reviews and focuses on pub craic. Set in August of this year, it features plenty of hilarious takes on current events being debated by ‘the boys’ and ‘the women’. In short it’s a play about a pub, performed in a pub and using a pub as the set! Tickets are priced at €10 and are available from the host venues. Drinks will be served before and after the performance and all are invited to come along and support a truly imaginative venture.
3 THE NUALAS: The trio will return to Wexford Opera House on Saturday, November 17, when they bring their ‘Grand Slam’ show to the venue. With knock out, body slamming comedy guaranteed it promises to be a great night out. Firmly established as one of Ireland’s foremost comedy acts the performance is sure to be a sell out. Tickets, priced €22 and €20, are now available from the venue’s box-office on 053-9122144.
4 RONAN GUILFOYLE’S LIFE CYCLE: Having turned 60 in March of this year, Ronan Guilfoyle, one of Ireland’s leading composers and jazz musicians decided to mark the occasion by composing a suite of music called ‘Life Cycle’, assembling a world class ensemble to perform it, including his son Chris, Michael Buckley and Jim Black. The gig takes place on Friday in Wexford Arts Centre, at 8.30 p.m. tickets from wexfordartscentre.ie or 053 91 23764.
5 WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF HRT: Having opened last night at Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club, Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group will perform the uproariously funny play at 8 p.m. nightly until Friday. Starring Sinéad O’Gorman, Margaret Farrell and John Donoghue, it tells the tale of two women on the wrong-ish side of forty who share a mutual love for Daniel O’Donnell. During a trip to Donegal, they confront the realities of their lives: loveless marriages, faithless husbands and life passing them by. Tickets for the show are available at 0872269737.
6 HOOK EXHIBITION: A fantastic debut art exhibition by one of Wexford’s most promising local artists Helen Mason, from Slade, will be launched at Hook Lighthouse at 3 p.m. on Saturday. In the space of just one a year, Helen has gone from complete beginner to exhibiting in the Cockleshell gallery, the Green Acres gallery, Wexford Arts Centre and St Michaels Theatre. Her talent is also recognised abroad with paintings in private collections in the UK, the USA and in Canada. She is passionate about preserving local knowledge about the ‘Hook Rocks’ as seen in her ‘Along the Rocks’ exhibition works.
7 GOREY LITTLE THEATRE ONE ACT DRAMA FESTIVAL: Three nights of top class drama are on the bill as Gorey Little Theatre group host its One Act Drama Festival from Thursday, November 15 until Saturday, November 17. Groups from across Ireland will continue with their efforts to achieve enough points to qualify for the All Ireland One Act Drama Finals that will be held in Kilmuckridge. The performances begin at 8 p.m. nightly with the final performances beginning at an earlier time of 7.30 p.m. Results will be announced on the final night. Admission is €13. Patron tickets can be purchased for €25. Visit www.goreylittletheatre.ie for more information or to book tickets.