7 Things to do this week...
1 CULTURE NIGHT: On Friday, September 21 people from all across the county can lose themselves in their imagination and an explosion of creativity as Culture Night returns. Highlights include a concert in Nun’s Cross Church, Ashford featuring award-winning singer-songwriter Luan Parle and Eamon Sweeney in the company of Jessica Harris and James Mahon of Kila and Afro-Celt Soundsystem on traditional music on pipes and flute. Pianist Fiachra Garvey and mezzo soprano Rachel Kelly will be in concert at Russborough House, Blessington, while The Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray presents the Oscarnominated animated movie The Breadwinner. Leading personal trainers and overall wellbeing expert Karl Henry will be offering all kinds of advice at Greystones Library. An open day takes place at Tinahely Courthouse from 11 a.m. Bray Town Hall will host the Bray Literary Festival from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. The full programme of events and participating venues for Culture Night 2018 is now available at culturenight.ie.
2 CHAMBER AWARDS: The Arklow and District Chamber Ball takes place this Friday night, September 14, in the Arklow Bay Hotel. The evening will start with a drinks reception at 7 p.m. followed by dinner at 8 p.m. The presentation of awards will take place after dinner. The awards recognise local people and businesses and their achievements in a number of categories. Three nominees have been chosen in each category and the overall winner will be revealed on the night after the independent judging panel has completed its deliberations. Also on the night the 2018 ‘Person of the Year’ award will be presented to well known Arklow athlete and hero, Mary Hickey. Tickets for this black-tie event which is open to members and non members are available from the Arklow Chamber office at 0402 26909 or email chamber@arklow.ie at a cost of €60 or a table of 10 for €550.
3 HOSPICE RUN: The Wicklow Hospice 10k and Kilomarathon takes place on Saturday, September 15. The first 250 to register get a T-shirt and all participants receive a medal. Runners start and finish at the Beehive. Number pick up and on the day registration is from 7.30 a.m. and both distances begin at 9a.m. Contact Sinéad at 087 0954137 or sinead@wicklowhospice.ie for more details. Alternatively you can register for the event online by logging onto itsplainsailing.com/club/wicklowhospice/entry.
4 CHURCH CONCERTS: MUSIC in Cal a ry continues this month with no less than three different concerts taking place in Cal a ry Church. Last Saturday soprano Sarah Power was accompanied by Andrea Lin sb a er on piano, with Ella N aggy joining them with piano so los. Tonight, Wednesday, September 12, pianist F ia ch ra Garvey will play the works of Brahms, Chopin, Field, and Ra ch ma ni nov. He will also be performing the same show in Germany three days later and at various U. K. festivals. On Friday, September 14, Miriam Roy croft on cello and Luke Co burn on piano will play works by Beethoven, Chopin, Mar ti nu and Mo eran. Each concert start sat 8 p.m. sharp and refreshments will be served during the interval. Tickets cost €18 or €15 for a concession. Contact Derek Neil son or John Med ly cot tat (01) 281 8146 or derekneilson@eircom.net
5 NATURE TODDLE: A nature toddle for children aged 1-5 will take place at Wicklow Mountains National Park. The meeting point on Thursday, September 14 is at the Upper Lake car park in Glendalough at 10 a.m. This event is organised by education staff based at Wicklow Mountains National Park. The nature toddle is free of charge but please be aware that the Upper Lake car park has a €4 charge for parking. You are advised to bring rain coats and wellies and please leave your dog at home. Pre-booking is essential, contact (0404) 45425.
6 DECLAN O’ROURKE GIG: Declan O’Rourke is back at Mermaid Arts Centre on Saturday, September 15. Acclaimed by his peers, Declan has achieved many plaudits with his five albums released to date. Declan’s soulful music, rooted in folk and trad, has attracted the praise of countless industry giants, including John Prine, and Paul Weller. O’Rourke’s songwriting style moves between impressionism, and storytelling, and can be at home in almost any form. A dynamic performer, he is at once as comfortable fronting a 50-piece orchestra, as playing solo with a guitar. Songs of Declan’s have been covered by a growing list of established artists ranging from Christy Moore, to Eddi Reader, and Josh Groban. Tickets available from box office on 01-2724030 or at www.mermaidartscentre.ie.
7 PAINTING WORKSHOP: On Saturday, September 15, artist Rod Coyne will host an outdoor painting workshop on the shores of the Upper Lake in Glendalough. Rod’s workshop which takes place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. promises quality time channelling St. Kevin’s hermitage on the shores of the Upper Lake. During the workshop Rod will provide a drawing/painting demonstration as introduction before the group start their own art works. After a lunch break the group continue their afternoons painting with one-to-one support form Rod. The workshop is suitable for absolute beginners to experienced painters. It is an ideal chance for those who have dabbled and would like to learn a few more techniques. Artist Rod Coyne is the resident artist at Avoca Studio Gallery, the owner-manager at AvocaGallery.com and facilitator at the Avoca Painting School. To book log onto avodagallery.com.