WHAT’S ON AROUND COUNTY WICKLOW
THURSDAY, AUGUST9 BEE TALK
Blessington Library will host a beginners level training workshop in bee habitat creation, bee-friendly planting and nest site creation. Taking place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m, the workshop will involve an indoor presentation followed by a short outdoor walk to see local bee habitats. This is a free workshop but places must be booked in advance by emailing the Irish Wildlife Trust at conservation@iwt.ie.
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, AUGUST10 BRICKS4KIDZ
Arklow Library welcomes Bricks4Kidz for an exciting Lego-based workshop for children on Friday, August 10, from 11 a.m. to midday. This free workshop is suitable for ages five – 12. Places are limited so booking is essential. Contact Arklow Library to book a place at 0402 39977.
GARDEN OPENING
The ‘Moments in Time: Dementia-Friendly Garden’ featured at this year’s Bloom will be officially unveiled at 12.30 p.m. by Minister Simon Harris at its new home on Seaview Avenue in Arklow.
CHRISTY MOORE
One of Ireland’s most accomplished and 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, AUGUST11 PARISH FÊTE.
The Redcross Church Fête takes place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the church grounds. There will be home baking, pony and train rides, pre-loved fashion, country produce, plants and shrubs, books, toys, bric-à-brac, raffle, chocolate fountain, sweets, barbecue and games. Entry is free and there will be free parking.
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, AUGUST12 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 a range of prizes open to participating cars and motorcycles, including special prizes for Ford Escorts as they celebrate their 50th aniversary. There will also be an indoor and outdoor auto-jumble sale and traders area. Spaces must be booked in advance and the cost 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.
GARDA BAND CONCERT
Parnell Park in Rathdrum will be filled with beautiful music as the Garda Band performs from 2 p.m.
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, AUGUST15 CEMETERY MASS
The Mass at the grotto/nun’s cemetery in Baltinglass will take place at 11 a.m.
THURSDAY, AUGUST16 SET DANCING CÉILÍ
A charity céilí takes place in Hollywood GAA Centre at 8 p.m. Admission is €10 and refreshements will be served. All sets called.
OUTDOOR MOVIES
The Greatest Showman will be screened on the seafront in Bray at 9.30 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair. No alcohol or pets.
SATURDAY, AUGUST18 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.
EXHBITION AND BARBECUE
Donard Glen Local History Group will be celebrating National Heritage Week with an evening of entertainment in Donard Hall from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be an exhibition, traditional music, dancing and a barbecue. Admission is €3.
ENNISKERRY HISTORY LECTURE
Historian Michael Seery will present at talk on Enniskerry’s ‘Archives, Notes, and stories from the Village’ in Enniskerry Library at 11.30 a.m. as part of heritage week. The talk will be about the range of archives available for studying local history. There’ll be a special emphasis on genealogy and highlights of some stories of people who lived in the village. The event will include essays, articles and images telling those stories. Contact smmulligan@wicklowcoco.ie with any queries.
SUNDAY, AUGUST19 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.
FAMILY FIELD DAY
A family field day will take place at the GAA pitch in Blessington from midday to 6 p.m. in aid of the campaign to purchase a new Blessington Rescue Boat. Avon Ri Adventure Sports will be present as will the Blessington Rescue Boat and there will be a selection of games, activities and stalls. A cake sale will take place and there will also be a Tiger Ice Cream van, a Moody Cow chipper trailer and a tea or coffee van. DJ Sam will be present to play all your favourite tunes.
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.
JIM’S WAY WALK IN AUGHRIM
The renaming of the Upper Aughrim Walk to ‘Jim’s Way’ will take place at 2 p.m., starting at Nursery Way. Come along and join Jim’s family, friends and colleagues for the renaming of his last project, which will honour his contribution to the community of Aughrim. Wear comfortable shoes and enjoy a stroll before having some light refreshments in the Pavilion afterwards.
TUESDAY, AUGUST21 TEENAGE BOOK CLUB
A Teenage Book Club meets at Arklow Library on Tuesday, August 21, at 5.30 p.m.’ The Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas is up for discussion and the club is aimed at people attending secondary school. Snacks will be provided on the day and copies of the book can be reserved at the library or by calling 0403 39977.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST22 WILD CHILD NATURE WALK
and and A ‘Wild Child Nature Walk’ will take place around Hollywood village, at 11 a.m. hosted by Tidy Towns. The event commences from Hollywood Community Centre and will run for an hour. Participation is free and to book, email hwoodtidytowns@gmail.com.
FRIDAY, AUGUST24
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, AUGUST25 ANNAMOE BARBECUE
The annual barbecue takes place at Annamoe Centre on Saturday, August 25, at 1 p.m.
SUNDAY, AUGUST26 CLASSIC AND VINTAGE CAR SHOW
East Coast Classics will be exhibiting a range of classic and vintage cars at Arklow Rugby Club from midday to 5 p.m. A great family day out, there will be bouncy castles, live music, ice cream, burgers and hot dogs. Admission is €10 for adults while kids go free.
NEWCASTLE HERITAGE WALK
The annual Newcastle Heritage Walk, as part of Heritage Week, takes place in the magical surroundings of Ballyvolan Wood. Meet at Community Centre at 2.30 to explore this ancient and undiscovered woodland.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 SPORTING PROUD TRIATHLON
The Sporting Proud Triathlon taking place at Brittas Bay offers competitors the chance to challenge themselves while fundraising for a number of national children’s charities, including St Catherine’s Association in Wicklow. The Olympic length event involves a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run, while the Sprint or fun event involves a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run. Registration is open now at sportingproud. org/register. Individual entrants are asked for a €100 registration fee with a fundraising target of €250 while teams of three have a €300 registration fee and a target of €600.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 THE RESERVOIR DOG
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 or registration details, 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 a range of salads. Children will