Huge festive market planned for Wicklow

THE Abbey Grounds in Wicklow town will be turned into a winter wonderland as a Christmas Market takes place over five days in December.

Visitors will find plenty of festive stalls, where they can try out some local artisan foods, buy some decorations or gifts or visit Santa Claus.

Entry to the market will be free so the whole family can come along and get into the festive spirit.

Ed Horgan has helped to arrange the market and is hoping for plenty of local support as Christmas fast approaches.

‘It should be great for the town and bring a bit of life to Wicklow over the Christmas period. We have an Alpaca experience whereby youngsters can walk an Alpaca around the grounds of the Abbey. We have a craft market and a fun-fair. Local school and town choirs will be performing on the days of the market. We will have plenty of handmade and other crafts which will be unique to the market and are not available on the high street. We have twelve stalls from Germany which will represent the twelve days of Christmas. There will be mulled wine and crepes. It should be a great experience,’ said Ed.

There will also be food, beverages, decorations, entertainment, workshops and Christmas trees to purchase.

The Wicklow Christmas Market will be open to the public on December 8, 9, 15, 16 and 22 from noon to 6 p.m.

The RTE Concert Orchestra will also be performing in Wicklow town for the first time as part of Christmas celebrations. It will play in St Patrick’s Church on December 21.

Tickets cost €20 and the line-up also features local talents Anthony Norton, Lindsey Aherne, Lorna Breen and Una Pedresch. Tickets are available on www. eventbrite.ie. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. for an 8 p.m. start time.