CO WICKLOW CHRISTMAS WHAT’S ON
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, miniature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. A visit to the stables is free of charge.
WREATH-MAKING DEMONSTRATION
Join Sally Horn at Powerscourt from 10.30 a.m. to noon to learn how to make a willow wreath using Irishgrown foliage, foraged greenery, dried seed heads and fruit. Tickets cost €10 and are available from Powerscourt.
INFORMATION EVENING
St John the Baptist Church of Ireland Church in Stratford on Slaney will host an information evening at 8 p.m. as part of the church’s marking of the 16 days of action against domestic violence. Honoria Gilchrist from Carlow Women’s Aid will speak on the work they do and the supports that are available to those suffering domestic violence. There will be time for questions before a short ecumenical prayer service brings the event to a close.
OKLAHOMA!
Carnew Musical Society presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma!’ at 8 p.m. in St Brigid’s Hall, Carnew. With this being the society’s 53rd production, it promises to be a slick one and a great night’s entertainment. Tickets cost €18 for the balcony or €15 for the floor and are available by calling 087 6985275 between 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. or 1.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.
BACK TO THE ’80S
Loreto and Presentation College present this ’80s-inspired play at the Mermaid Arts Centre at 8 p.m. Join the class of 1985 as they experience the fun and heartbreak of growing up in a totally awesome decade. In the style of movies such as ‘Back to the Future’, ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ and ‘The Karate Kid’, ‘Back to the ’80s’ is a nostalgic romp through the greatest hits of the decade. Tickets cost €17 or €60 for a family of four and are available from Mermaid.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28 CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, miniature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. A visit to the stables is free of charge.
LADIES NIGHT
Ladies night will take place in Greystones on Thursday, November 28. The evening will include lots of offers in local restaurants and shops. Deals include discounts on cocktails, prosecco and nibbles, a free drink with a main course, discounts, make-up demos, goodie bags, mince pies and mulled wine at establishments across the town.
SUSTAINABLE GARDENING TALK
Aoife Munn will hold a talk on ‘Sustainable Gardening’ at 7 p.m. in Bray Library. Attendees will discover the best plants for nectar and how connected to wildlife they are and also learn how to provide for pollinator hedgehogs, birds and other local wildlife. To reserve a place, contact the library on 01 2862600 or email braylib@wicklowcoco.ie
OKLAHOMA!
Carnew Musical Society presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma!’ at 8 p.m. in St Brigid’s Hall, Carnew. With this being the society’s 53rd production, it promises to be a slick one and a great night’s entertainment. Tickets cost €18 for the balcony or €15 for the floor and are available by calling 087 6985275 between 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. or 1.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Model Box Productions present the Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ at The Castle Inn, Newcastle, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost €10 and are selling fast so people are advised to book early. Tickets are available from The Castle Inn or by calling 086 8609236.
BACK TO THE ’80S
Loreto and Presentation College present this ’80s-inspired play at the Mermaid Arts Centre at 8 p.m. Join the class of 1985 as they experience the fun and heartbreak of growing up in a totally awesome decade. In the style of movies such as ‘Back to the Future’, ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ and ‘The Karate Kid’, ‘Back to the ’80s’ is a nostalgic romp through the greatest hits of the decade. Tickets cost €17 or €60 for a family of four and are available from Mermaid.
JULIE JAY
Stand-up comic Julie Jay brings her new show ‘Julie Really Love Me’ to the Whale Theatre in Greystones at 8.30 p.m. The show explores her quest for validation, applying lessons gleamed from Oprah in the early nineties to modern life, navigating being childless in the stage of Gilead and guards. Tickets cost €15 and are available from the Whale.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 COFFEE MORNING
The Michael Dwyer Pipe Band, in association with Aughrim Community Group, will host a coffee morning from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in the Grainstore Restaurant, Aughrim, to raise funds for the Christmas tree lights.
RNLI FUNDRAISER
A fundraising coffee morning will be held in the Kingfisher Kitchen in Enniskerry from 10 a.m. to noon in aid of the lifeboats. There will also be a raffle and RNLI Christmas cards on sale.
CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, miniature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. A visit to the stables is free of charge.
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL NIGHT
A special Christmas social night will be held at 6 p.m. in the Parkview House, Shillelagh for all senior citizens (aged 65 or over). There will be music, dancing and a raffle. To book the meal, contact the Parkview House on 053 9429120 or Annette 087 6028614.
LADIES CHARITY BALL
The Woodenbridge Hotel will host a glamorous night of fashion and fun from 7 p.m. in aid of Wicklow Hospice Foundation. Guests will enjoy a drinks reception, music from Arklow Ukulele Players, a threecourse meal, a fashion show and music with Phil Cawley until late. Tickets cost €55 and are available from the Woodenbridge Hotel.
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES
Bray Musical Society present the panto ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarves’ at St Patrick’s National School at 8 p.m. Tickets cost €12 for adults or €7 for children (group and family rates available) and are available from 085 7801360, braymusicalsociety@gmail.com or online at eventbrite.ie.
OKLAHOMA!
Carnew Musical Society presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma!’ at 8 p.m. in St Brigid’s Hall, Carnew. With this being the society’s 53rd production, it promises to be a slick one and a great night’s entertainment. Tickets cost €18 for the balcony or €15 for the floor and are available by calling 087 6985275 between 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. or 1.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Model Box Productions present the Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ to The Castle Inn, Newcastle, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost €10 and are selling fast so people are advised to book early. Tickets are available from The Castle Inn or by calling 086 8609236.
BACK TO THE ’80S
Loreto and Presentation College present this ’80s-inspired play to the stage at the Mermaid Arts Centre at 8 p.m. Join the class of 1985 as they experience the fun and heartbreak of growing up in a totally awesome decade. Tickets cost €17 or €60 for a family of four and are available from the Mermaid.
TIR NA NÓG
Sonny Condell and Leo O’Kelly (Tir Na nÓg) join forces on Friday, November 29, for their annual appearance at the Hot Spot Music Club at 8 p.m. They have been described as alt folk, prog folk, psych folk and even space folk! The duo, formed in 1970, transcend all these categories. For tickets, go to thehotspot.ie or call 087 2917519.
THE CHASER FUNDRAISING NIGHT
Ballymore Eustace GAA Club is holding ‘The Chaser’ fundraising night in Tulfarris Hotel from 8 p.m. The event is based on the TV show ‘The Chase’ and will be followed by a disco (for adults). The Chaser is a family-friendly event. A family ticket costs €50 (four adults or two adults and three children) while single tickets cost €20. Tickets must be bought before the show and can be purchased by calling 087 9956085.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
St Saviour’s NS in Rathdrum will host its Christmas craft fair at the school from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be Christmas gifts, art, jewellery, handmade crafts, needlework, woodwork and plenty more on offer. A raffle with great prizes will also take place.
WICKLOW CHRISTMAS MARKET
Wicklow Christmas Market is set within the magical Abbey Grounds in Wicklow town. So why not come on down and try out some local artisan foods, buy some decorations or find a gift for a loved one family or friend. Experience the Santa Express where Oribel the mischievous and fun elf will transport you on a magical journey aboard the Santa express train to Santa’s Wonderland. There will also be live entertainment, the Alpaca Experience and funfairs. It runs from 12 noon to 6 p.m.
FAMILY TIME
Get into the Christmas spirit at Wicklow Library with some quality family time from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Families can drop in any time for some Christmas crafting, to help decorate the library, to curl up in the cosy reading corner or to borrow some old and new Christmas favourites.
ANNUAL FESTIVE FAIR
The St David’s School Christmas Fair takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Greystones. There will be 70 stalls packed with artwork, seasonal crafts, gifts, cosmetics, toys, accessories, jewellery and seasonal foods.
CHRISTMAS FAIR
St Coen’s NS in Rathnew will host a Christmas fair from noon to 3 p.m. Santa will open the fair at noon and this will be followed by lots of festive fun, including a wheel of fortune, face painting, carol services, spot prizes and loads of stalls selling all sorts of tasty treats and gifts.
FOLLOW THE STAR FESTIVAL
The ‘Follow the Star Christmas Festival’ in Enniskerry takes place from noon until 6 p.m. and is being run by Powerscourt Parish and National School. The highlight of the day will be the live crib making its way through the village at 4.30 p.m. Leaving from St Joseph’s Church. Mary, Joseph and their donkey will make their way through the village, stopping in at two ‘inns’, and then go on towards Powerscourt Church. There will be crafts and food stalls, Christmas trees, an elves’ workshop, mince pies and mulled wine.
UNITY GOSPEL CHOIR CONCERT IN GREYSTONES
Unity Gospel Choir will present a concert at Hillside Evangelical Church in Greystones on Saturday November 30 at 8 p.m. in aid of Tiglin addiction services. The choir is directed by Dr Neville Cox. Ashford-based Tiglin provides a Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems for men and women. Tickets are €15 or €5 for children, including tea or coffee and biscuits at the interval. For tickets, call Mervyn Story on 087 7632924, email mastorey@eircom.net, or contact Tiglin on 0404 40010.
BLESSINGTON LIGHTS UP
An afternoon of fun is planned to mark the switching on of Blessington’s Christmas lights. There will be fun in St Kevin’s Hall from 1 p.m. to 3.45 p.m., followed by the big switch-on in the square at 4.30 p.m. There will be a craft, gift and food fair, hot chocolate, a presentation from Reservoir Cogs, music and entertainment and, of course, a visit from Santa.
PARISH SALE
Conary Parish Church will hold a sale from 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Conary Church Hall. There will be homemade cakes, jams and vegetables for sale, while a raffle with a top prize of a food hamper, will also take place. Tickets can be purchased on the day. There will also be teas and other stalls. All money raised will go towards church funds.
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES
Bray Musical Society present the panto ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarves’ at St Patrick’s National School at 2.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. Tickets cost €12 for adults or €7 for children (group and family rates available) and are available from 085 7801360, braymusicalsociety@ gmail.com or online at eventbrite.ie.
RUSSBOROUGH LIGHTS
Russborough House in Blessington will be kick-starting its Christmas programme with a free event at 3 p.m. as the Christmas lights are switched on. There will be mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas carols, while one lucky child will be selected to push the all-important button.
BALLYCOOG LIGHT UP THE NIGHT TRACTOR RUN A ‘Light Up the Night Tractor Run’ will take place at 7 p.m. in aid of Ballycoog Macra and Pieta House. Gathering from 5.30 p.m., the cost of entry is €15. CHILDREN’S DISCO
Blessington St Patrick’s Day Parade committee will host their last children’s disco of the year from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in St Joseph’s Hall, Blessington. The disco is open to fifth and sixth class pupils from all local schools. It will also be the last disco held as a fundraiser for the Blessington Day Care Centre. Admission is €10.
GALA BALL
A ball in aid of Ark Housing will take place in the Parkview Hotel in Newtownmountkennedy. There will be a prosecco reception at 7.30 p.m. followed by a four-course Christmas dinner and music from Take it Easy. Tickets cost €60 and are available by calling 087 9491887.
CHRISTMAS DINNER
The annual St Peter’s Parish Christmas dinner will take place in St Peter’s Parish Centre in Kiltegan at 8 p.m. Tickets cost €25.