FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
of the East Coast Rowing Season. Crews from Skerries, Dalkey, Bray, Stella Maris, St Michael’s, Arklow, Greystones, Fingal and Wicklow will compete. The races start at 11 a.m.
DONOUGHMORE FÊTE
All roads lead to Donoughmore on bank holiday Monday, where, from 1 p.m., there will be a carriage driving show and competition, junior jiving dance-off, old fashioned stalls, fun for all the family and afternoon tea. Guests can also visit the peaceful and historic church and churchyard. Entry is €3 for adults while children are free.
BALLOON BURST
A balloon burst will take place in Murphy’s, Tinahely at 5 p.m. Two balloons will contain €250 and lots of other prizes will be given away. Tickets cost €5 and all proceeds go to the Robert Nolan Fund.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9 ANNUAL FIREWORKS
The fireworks display will be back with a bang – literally – in Rathdrum. There will be entertainment in Market Square from 9 p.m. with the fireworks following after 10 p.m. in Parnell Memorial Park.
OUTDOOR MOVIES
Dirty Dancing will be screened on the seafront in Bray at 10 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair. No alcohol or pets.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 GARDEN OPENING
The ‘Moments in Time: Dementia-Friendly Garden’ featured at this year’s Bloom will be officially unveiled at 11 a.m. by Minister Simon Harris at its new home on Seaview Avenue in Arklow.
CHRISTY MOORE
One of Ireland’s most celebrated performers Christy Moore brings his solo show to Bray for one incredible night. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets, costing €40, are available from the Mermaid.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 CLAY PIGEON SHOOT
Ballinacor Community Project will host a clay pigeon shoot from midday to 6 p.m. at Ballinacor Community Park, Kirikee. There will be a barbecue and refreshments. Entry is €20 for two man flush or €5 for pool stand.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 CLASSIC CAR AND MOTORCYCLE RUN
The West Wicklow Classic and Vintage Vehicle Club presents it’s ninth annual run from Baltinglass at 2 p.m. Participants will be gathering from 10.30 a.m. There will be an indoor and outdoor auto-jumble sale and traders area. Spaces must be booked in advance and the cost of entry is €20, with proceeds in aid of the Solas unit and West Wicklow Day Care. To enter, call Ned at 089 2160673 or Ciara at 087 3595469 or email westwicklowclassics@gmail.com.
FAMILY FUN DAY
Ballinacor Community Project will be hosting its annual family fun day from 2 p.m. in Ballinacor Community Park. There will be lots of fun and games, as well as the usual stalls.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15 CEMETERY MASS
The Mass at the grotto/nun’s cemetery in Baltinglass will take place at 11 a.m.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16 OUTDOOR MOVIES
The Greystones Showman will be screened on the seafront in Bray at 9.30 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair. No alcohol or pets.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 RUN THE RIDGE
Challenge yourself with a 20km mountain and trail run across the Derrybawn Ridge near Laragh or an 8km trail-only run in Derrybawn Woods, all in aid of Laragh GFC and Glendalough Athletic Club. Both events will start and finish at the GAA grounds, with 20km run setting off at 12.30 p.m. and the 8km trail and fun run starting at 1 p.m. To add to the excitement, the local sports day kicks off at 2 p.m., ensuring plenty of hustle and bustle as the first finishers arrive back to cross the line. Early bird tickets are available now online and cost €25 for the 20km and €20 for the 8km. Registration will be open on the day from 11.30 a.m. For registration details, visit runtheridge.ie.
PICNIC ON THE GREEN
The community is invited to come along to a get-together on the green in Kiltegan from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be fun for all the family and people are welcome to bring a picnic. The Hub will have a stall serving hotdogs, sandwiches, ice cream and refreshments. This is a fundraiser for the Hub, Kiltegan Tidy Towns and the senior citizens group.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19 FR WILLIE WALSH WALK
The 34th annual Fr Willie Walsh sponsored African appeal walk will depart at 11 a.m. from Fenton’s pub in the Glen of Imaal. Check-in will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Fenton’s, where refreshments will be served after the walk. Sponsorship cards are available in local shops.
IVVCC POWERSCOURT ESTATE 41ST PICNIC.
The Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club present this picnic at the walled garden from 11.30 a.m. till 5 p.m.
BLESSING OF THE GRAVES
The annual blessing of the graves in Kilmacanogue will begin at 3 p.m. in the old graveyard before moving up to the new cemetery.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 A CELEBRATION OF HARPS
The Bray Harp Ensemble, in association with Bre Comhaltas Ceoltoiri, will present new work composed by Rachel Duffy and the musicians of the ensemble. The composition will celebrate the past and present harpists of Ireland and especially the first Synod of Harpists from Ireland, England and Wales, who gathered in the 11th century in Glendalough. There will also be special guest performers. There will be a reception at 7.30 p.m. followed by the concert at 8 p.m. Tickets are free but places must be booked in advanced on eventbrite.com.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 ANNAMOE BARBECUE
The annual barbecue takes place at Annamoe Centre on Saturday, August 25, at 1 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 RESERVOIR DOG SPORTIVE
The Reservoir Cogs Cycling Club in Blessington presents an animal of a challenge around scenic west Wicklow. The Reservoir Dog Sportive offers riders the choice of two distances: the 125km route, with its challenging climbs and scenic spin through the mountains, and the 65km route, which offers a picturesque spin around the reservoir. Online registration is open till Sunday, August 26, and costs €30 – this will rise to €35 on the day (a one-day licence for non-Cycling Ireland members will cost an additional €5). For more information, visit reservoircogs.ie.
PARISH BARBECUE
Wicklow Parish is hosting this fundraising event in aid of the parish and St Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar, from 1 p.m. at Killmullen House in Moneystown. There will be steak, hog roast and a vegetarian option, along with salads. Children will be entertained with carnival-style games, activities and a treasure hunt. Tickets, costing €25, are available from eventbrite.ie while children (€8) and family tickets (€55) will be available on the gate or by contacting Brian at 086 3428226.
BAGATELLE
The Enniskerry Festival will begin in fine style as firm-favourites Bagatelle perform in the marquee at Monastery House as part of their 40th anniversary tour. Kicking off at 8 p.m., fans will be treated to a variety of the band’s biggest hits. Tickets, costing €20, are on sale now at enniskerryfestival.ie.
DINNER CONCERT
Aspects of Opera, the trio of classically trained singers, will perform at Wicklow Golf Club at 8 p.m. to raise funds for Wicklow RNLI the experienced singers will perform a mix of popular classics, show songs and ballads as guests enjoy a meal by chef Paul Smith. Tickets cost €25 and are available from Tom at 087 2516940 or 087 2856257.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 THE LAKES 10K AND HALF-MARATHON
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the Lakes 10k and half-marathon takes runners and walkers on a scenic route around the Blessington lakes – and there’s muffins at the finish line. Registration is open now on popupraces.ie and costs €22.45 for the 10k and €32 for the half-marathon.
LIAM KELLY MEMORIAL RUN
The garden of Ireland Vintage Car Club will begin it’s weekend of events with the Liam Kelly Memorial Garden of Ireland Run. Registration begins at 9.30 a.m. at the Grove Bar in Delgany. For further information, call the club at 087 8329235 or email goivcc@ gmail.com.