WHAT’S ON AROUND COUNTY WICKLOW
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 FOSSETT’S CIRCUS
Fossett’s Circus will coems to Ballinglen, Tinahely on Wednesday, July 11, and Thursday 12. Tickets cost €10 and are available by calling 087 7978518.
TABLE QUIZ
A table quiz will take place in the Harbour Bar in Bray on Wednesday, July 11, in aid of the film ‘Where we Fall’. The short film, written and directed by Byron Hayes, is a dark psychological drama exploring the impact grief and vengeance can have. Spot prizes on the night to include small featured roles in the film. Two Male and two Female. Admission is €20 for a team of four.
THURSDAY, JULY 12 FESTIVAL OF RUNNING
The Wicklow Hospice Foundation Four-Day Festival of Running returns to Avondale Forest Park and, with a choice of five miles, 10 miles, 15 miles, 20 miles or a full marathon to run each day, there is something to suit all levels of runner. The marathon starts at 8 a.m. with all other distances at 9 a.m. Entry is €25 for one day, €40 for two days, €70 for three days and €90 for all four days (any distance). For details, visit wicklowhospice.ie.
FOSSETT’S CIRCUS
Fossett’s Circus comes to Ballinglen, Tinahely, on Wednesday, July 11, and Thursday, July 12. Tickets cost €10 from 087 7978518.
OUTDOOR MOVIES
Top Gun will be screened on the seafront in Bray at 10 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair. No alcohol or pets.
FRIDAY, JULY 13 FESTIVAL OF RUNNING
The Wicklow Hospice Foundation Four-Day Festival of Running returns to Avondale Forest Park and, with a choice of five miles, 10 miles, 15 miles, 20 miles or a full marathon to run each day, there is something to suit all levels of runner. The marathon starts at 8 a.m. with all other distances setting off at 9 a.m. Entry is €25 for one day, €40 for two days or €70 for three days (any distance). For registration details, visit wicklowhospice.ie.
BOBBY MESSETT MEMORIAL
Glencormac Utd, in conjunction with the Messett family, will host a match that sees Glencormac take on a Garden County team in an over-35s game in memory of the late Bobby Messett. Kick-off will be at 6.30 p.m. in Ryder’s Field, Kilmacanogue, and the game will be followed by music in Plucks at 9 p.m. and an auction and raffle at 10.30 p.m.
BRAY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL.
This new festival, hosted by the Cheile Community Choir from Bray, will feature special guests Coro Sarzanae Concentus from Italy as well as the Wicklow Community Choir and the Avoca Valley Singers. The show starts at 8 p.m. in the Mermaid Arts Centre and tickets, costing €8, are available from the Mermaid.
APRÉS MATCH
The Aprés Match trio have been taking the Michael out of the great world of football commentary for 20 years now and pay a visit to Greystones’s Whale Theatre at 8 p.m. on this, the eve of the World Cup Final. Tickets €20 or €18 concession and are available from the Whale.
SATURDAY, JULY 14 FESTIVAL OF RUNNING
The Wicklow Hospice Foundation Four-Day Festival of Running returns to Avondale Forest Park and, with a choice of five miles, 10 miles, 15 miles, 20 miles or a full marathon to run each day, there is something to suit all levels of runner. The marathon starts at 8 a.m. with all other distances setting off at 9 a.m. Entry is €25 for one day or €40 for two days (any distance). For registration details, visit wicklowhospice.ie.
RUNLAVIN 5K AND 10K
This 5km and 10km run around the roads of Dunlavin is in aid of development and upkeep at the local GAA club. The runs begin at 10 a.m. from Dunlavin Green. Refreshments will be served in the clubhouse afterwards, where changing and showering facilities will be available. Entry is open now at popupraces.ie or from 8.30 a.m. on the day. Call 085 1274139 for more information.
BALLINATONE FÊTE
The annual Ballinatone fête takes place in the grounds of Ballinatone Church from 2.30 p.m. All the usual attractions will be on offer, including bric-à-brac stall, book stall, cake stall, plants and afternoon tea.
SUMMER FAMILY FUN DAY
The women’s group at Greystones Family Resource Centre will be hosting a fun day at Dr Ryan’s Community Centre, Kenmare Heights, from midday till 3 p.m. There will be lots of activities for young and old, including a bouncy castle, hook a duck, face painting, name that teddy, guess how many sweets and refreshments.
CHURCH FÊTE
The church fête will be held in the grounds of Ballinatone Church, between Ballinaclash and Greenane, on Saturday, July 14, at 2.30 p.m. It will include all the usual attractions such as afternoon tea, bric-à-brac, books, bottle stalls, plants and cakes.
BOB MARLEY TRIBUTE
Buffalo Soul reggae band is a six piece collective of musicians from all over the world based in Dublin. The band pays tribute to the legendary Bob Marley. They visit the Hot Spot Music Club in Greystones and tickets are €10 to €12.
THE WRITING LIFE: EOIN MCNAMEE
Since his first novel the Resurrection Man, Eoin McNamee has written a string of compelling novels that combine the dark fascinations of detective and spy novels with breathtaking prose and deep insights into the hidden undercurrents of contemporary society. From 8 p.m., Eoin will discuss with local writer Philip St John his eagerly awaited forthcoming novel the Vogue, and his back catalogue. Tickets cost €12 and are available from the Mermaid Arts Centre.
BRENDAN GRACE
Brendan Grace, one of Ireland’s favourite comedians, will bring his live show to the Grand Hotel. Just a limited number of tickets (costing €30) remain. Call the hotel at 0404 67337.
SUNDAY, JULY 15 FESTIVAL OF RUNNING
The Wicklow Hospice Foundation Four-Day Festival of Running returns to Avondale Forest Park and, with a choice of five miles, 10 miles, 15 miles, 20 miles or a full marathon to run each day, there is something to suit all levels of runner. The marathon starts at 8 a.m. with all other distances setting off at 9 a.m. Entry is €25 for one day (any distance). For registration details, visit wicklowhospice.ie.
SANDCASTLE BUILDING COMPETITION.
A family sandcastle building competition will take place at South Beach, Arklow. Come along and show off your sandcastle talents at this family event. Register at Árus Lorcáin.
MOTORCYCLE RUN
A 100km motorcycle run will begin at 12.30 p.m. at Coolmoney Camp in the scenic Glen of Imaal. The event is in aid of Davidstown Church Roof Restoration Fund and will be followed by a barbecue and refreshments. Cost of entry is €20 per person. For more information, call 087 9082781 or 087 2588097.
RIDE AGAINST SUICIDE
The Warg Riders Motorcycle Club will depart on its third Bikers Ride Against Suicide at 1 p.m. from the Bridgewater Shopping Centre in Arklow. Entry is €10 for a bike and rider and €5 for pillion.
ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.
Take a trip down the rabbit hole with Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s outdoor theatre presentation of this classic tale of Alice’s trip to the magical world of Wonderland. Featuring beautiful Victorian costumes and set in the walled gardens at Powerscourt, this is an event for all the family. The show begins at 2.30 p.m. Tickets, which are non-refundable, are available from Powerscourt and cost €19 for adults, €16 for students, children and seniors or €56 for families (two adults and two children). Children under five go free.
PARTY IN THE PARK
Rathdangan Community Council is inviting people of all ages to come along to a party in the park from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Hillybilly Porter will be providing music while the playground, jungle bus and a few other surprises will keep younger guests entertained. Bring a picnic. This event will move to O’Toole Hall if the weather is bad.
CEMETERY MASS
The cemetery Mass at Tyneclash in Kiltegan will take place at 7.30 p.m.
MONDAY, JULY 16 MOVIES AT MERMAID
Mermaid Arts Centre presents Jeunne Femma at 8 p.m. Broke, with nothing but her cat to her name and doors closing in her face, Paula is back in Paris after a long absence. As she meets different people along the way, there is one thing she knows for sure: she’s determined to make a new start – and she’ll do it with style and panache. Admission is €8.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 MARATHON TALK
Wicklow Marathon Runners will be hosting its annual marathon evening in the Glenview Hotel from 7.30 p.m. Speakers will include Frank Greally, Brendan O’Shea, Gerry Curtis, Aisling Kirwan and Catherine from East Coast Physio while there will also be some tips from regular DCM pacers, hosted by Billy Porter and covering areas such as training, nutrition, care and pacing advice. Entry will be €2.
THURSDAY, JULY 19 SHELTON ABBEY GARDENS
Shelton Abbey Open Centre will open its gardens to the public from
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a tour of the gardens, historical talks on the house, face painting and refreshments. There is no entry fee, however, any donations will go to the Wicklow Hospice Foundation.
FRIDAY, JULY 20 SEABREEZE FESTIVAL
The Arklow Seabreeze Festival gets under way with an all-day carnival, Arklow’s Fittest Family Challenge, Trade Winds Burger Eating Contest and a demonstration by Arklow Community First Responders. Evening entertainment commences at 7.30 p.m. and live music in the park will feature Inuendo from 9.30 p.m.
GROWING OLD (DIS) GRACEFULLY
The Dalkey Players present Lua McIllraith in this riotous look (in song) at the perils of getting older. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets cost €15 and are available from the Whale.
CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN AT THE MERMAID
Irish-French chanteuse Camille O’Sullivan returns with her critically acclaimed concert of music, paying tribute to Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel. Camille performs from her album Brel, and summons the haunting Parisian soul within Brel’s repertoire, including such favourites as ‘Amsterdam’ and ‘Ne Me Quitte Pas’. The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets, costing €25, are available from the Mermaid.
SATURDAY, JULY 21 CARNEW SHOW
Carnew and District Agricultural Show society will be hosting the annual show at Umrigar, with a full programme of classes for horses, ponies, sheep, poultry as well as a dog show, baking, crafts and flowers. For more information, call 087 1429325.
SEABREEZE FESTIVAL
A full day of festival fun begins with the AGB Festival of Football at 10 a.m. followed by the International Marching Bands and Drum Corps Competition in the Arklow Celtic FC grounds from 1.30 p.m. Throughout the day, the Dainty Bakery Baby Show takes place at 2 p.m. followed by the Busking Competition from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Drum Corps Rock the town from 7.15 p.m. and the Great Pint Challenge from 8 p.m. There will be music by Jake Carter, The Breakfast Club and LH28. The carnival and street fun and games will also take place.
WINGS FESTIVAL
Wings Food Fest is back with a great line-up of activities taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The weekend food festival is dedicated to the mighty chicken wing and includes 15 wing pop-up shops. There will be barbecue pitmasters at work cooking meats on the grill and the search is on to find who can survive the hottest wings challenge, who can eat the most wings but most importantly who has the best wings in Bray.
OPEN GARDEN
Denali garden opening The Denali garden will be open at the Charlesland house in Greystones from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be a plant sale held. Admission is €5 and refreshments will be available. Proceeds will go to Greystones Cancer Support.
BLESSING OF THE GRAVES
The blessing of the graves will take place at 3 p.m. in Glenealy. Tea and refreshments will be served afterwards in the hall.
SUNDAY, JULY 22 CHARITY CYCLE
Bray Wheelers will host their annual Padddy Martin Memorial Randonee, with proceeds going to Aware. There is a choice of three distances: 70km, 90km and 120km. Sign-on will take place in Bray Wheelers CC clubhouse from 8.50 a.m. to 10 a.m. and all routes take in some of Wicklows most beautiful countryside. Admission is €15, including water and food stops.
WINGS FESTIVAL
Wings Food Fest is back with a great line-up of activities taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be barbecue pitmasters and the search is on to find who can survive the hottest wings challenge, who can eat the most wings and who has the best wings in Bray.
SEABREEZE FESTIVAL
The final day of the year’s Seabreeze Festival begins with the Artisan Food and Craft Fair from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the McDonald’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic at 2 p.m. The Pipe Band Competition runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the Wicklow Minors Comhaltas Group will be on stage from 2.30 p.m. The pig derby will be at 4 p.m. followed by the Pipe Band Parade at 5 p.m. and Midway Chilli Madness at 6.30 p.m. The Great Ball Race commences at 7.15 p.m. followed by the final of Arklow’s Fittest Family at 7.30 p.m. There will be music by the Navvies, Feel the Pinch and E’motion from 9 p.m. and the festival will draw to a close with fireworks at 11 p.m.
OPEN GARDEN
The Denali garden will be open at the Charlesland house in Greystones from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be a plant sale held. Admission is €5 and refreshments will be available. Proceeds will go to Greystones Cancer Support.
PARISH FUN DAY
St Joseph’s Parish invites people to come along for plenty of fun and games from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Baltinglass Parish Centre grounds.
THE ALEXANDRIA SINGERS
The Alexandria Singers from Virginia in America will join Gaudium from Bray for this very special concert at 8 p.m. in St Patrick’s Church, Greystones. This will be an evening of songs from the shows (including the Lion King, Wicked, The Greatest Showman) as well as choral classics, American folk and Irish Trad music. Tickets cost €10 and are available on the door or by calling 087 6250823/01 2867123, with all proceeds going to Open Door.
MUSIC IN CALARY
Calary Church will host a performance from Lorna Breen (soprano), Andrew Gavin (tenor) and Mairéad Hurley (accompanist) who will perform opera arias, Irish airs and pieces by Gilbert and Sullivan. The concert will follow an optional supper in aid of Sister Mary Killeen’s work in Nairobi. The concert starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are €18 or €15 with a concession.
TUESDAY, JULY 24 GARDENING FOR BIRDS
Declan Murphy will give an introduction to the birds that live closest to us at 7 p.m. in Bray Library. Declan will advise on what plants to grow to entice them into our gardens as well as how to feed them and encourage them to nest. Call the library to book.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 THE ADDAMS FAMILY: THE MUSICAL
Sheevawn Musical Youth Theater (seniors) bring everyone’s favourite creepy family to life at 7.30 p.m. Based on the characters created by Charles Addams, and featuring a wonderful musical score by Andrew Lippa, the story shows the family trying to hide their macabre tendencies for the sake of the daughter Wednesdays love life. Tickets cost €15 and are available from the Mermaid.
THURSDAY, JULY 26 6KM TRAIL RACE AT CLARA VALE CHURCH
Rathdrum Community First Responders will host this 6k fundraising trail race from Clara Vale Church, near Rathdrum. Registration starts at 6 p.m. and entry is €5 for juniors, €10 for adults and €20 for families of four. For more information, contact Billy at 087 2928660.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY: THE MUSICAL
Sheevawn Musical Youth Theater (seniors) bring everyone’s favourite creepy family to life at 7.30 p.m. Tickets cost €20 and are available from the Mermaid.
FRIDAY, JULY 27 ELLEN YORKE MEMORIAL NIGHT
This charity event in aid of the daffodil nurses kicks off at 7 p.m. in Lawless’s Hotel, Aughrim. There will be a raffle with plenty of prizes and Albert Webster will spinning the tracks and filling up the dancefloor. Entry is €5.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY: THE MUSICAL
Sheevawn Musical Youth Theater (seniors) bring everyone’s favourite creepy family to life at 7.30 p.m. Tickets cost €20 and are available from the Mermaid.
SATURDAY, JULY 28 KILMACANOGUE AND DISTRICT HORSE SHOW.
The Kilmacanogue and District Horse Show will take place at Monastery Cross from 10 a.m.
BRAY AIR DISPLAY
A spectacular line-up has been announced for this year’s Bray Air Display with the Irish Aviation Authority. Over two days, actis will include the Red Arrows, Wildcat Aerobatics, Tranchant jet team and many more.
FAM FEST
A ‘Fam Fest’ for the whole family takes place in the Abbey Grounds, Wicklow town. There will be fun, games and music including an obstacle course and giant slide. The event will be a celebration of families of all shapes and sizes and is run in association with the World Meeting of families. The fun takes place from midday to 5 p.m.