YOUR WEEK

Top things to do in the next 7 days

1

The Ashford Country Fair returns for a second year on Monday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Run by Killiskey Parish, the event takes place on the grounds of the Bel Air Hotel and will feature a kiddies corner with an art studio, pet corner, dog shows, a gundog demonstration, sheepdog demonstrations and a huge collection of stalls selling everything from edible goodies to plants, books, handmade crafts and secondhand clothes. Local vets will also be on hand to answer any questions. The County Final of the Macra Farms Skills will take place at the Fair and a vintage tractor display should also prove popular. Admission is €5 per car and the Fair runs on Monday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2

ONLY HEARD for a few short weeks each year, a Wicklow dawn chorus is a spectacular and unforgettable experience.

Why not set your alarm clock a little earlier than usual and join Niall Hatch of Bird Watch Ireland on a celebration of early morning birdsong at Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow? This guided walk takes place on Sunday May 4 at 4.30 a.m. The walk will be suitable both for experienced birdwatchers and complete beginners, and no prior knowledge of birds is needed.

Niall will explain what the dawn chorus is all about, why birds sing in the first place and how you can identify birds by sound.

Dress warmly and be prepared in case of rain; Tickets are limited and must be booked in advance. Visit www.powerscourt.com for more information.

3

Bray Jazz Festival will be on in venues all over the town at the weekend for its 15th outing. Mermaid Arts Centre and the Harbour Bar will provide stages, as well as pubs town-wide for the annual ‘pub trail.’

Venues include The Martello, The Royal Hotel, The Porterhouse, ‘‘The Well,’ and many more. Artists will travel to Bray from all over the world to participate in the renowned festival this bank holiday weekend. For a full programme go to www.brayjazz.com while information about tickets is available at Mermaid box office (01) 2724030.

4

COUNTRY music fans will flock to the Arklow Bay Hotel on Thursday, May 1 for the much anticipated concert featuring Nashville star Beth Nielsen Chapman.

The show forms the final date of her current Irish tour. A respected songwriter, Chapman has penned songs for artists such as Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill and Willie Nelson and is best known for her own songs ‘I keep coming back to you’ and ‘All I have’.

Tickets are on sale from the Arklow Bay Hotel, 040232309 at €25 or €40 for a pair if bought in advance.

5

A VINTAGE experience not to be missed takes place in Arklow this May Bank Sunday as the East Coast Classics host the club’s annual vintage show.

This year’s show in aid of Arklow Sea Scouts will see exhibitors from all over Wicklow and surrounding counties display a large and varied array of cars, tractors, lorries and other vehicles.

Registration takes place at the venue, Bridgewater Centre from 12p.m. and the show will run from 2- 4p.m. Music will be provided by Dinny Monahan with a guest appearance from Brian Lalor.