ROUNDWOODFESTIVAL PROMISESFUNFORALL
THE Roundwood Festival returns this week, featuring everything from live music, street entertainment and a vintage vehicle parade to canoe races, obstacle courses and craft shows.
Things start this evening ( Wednesday, August 1) with a guided tour of Altidore Castle where visitors will discover the history of the castle and its significance within the Roundwood area. The tour costs €10 and places must be booked in advance by calling Cleo on (087) 9293737.
On Thursday at 6.30 p.m., there will be a free, fun team challenge featuring an obstacle course challenge at the GAA centre. Teams of four can enter and should include a maximum of two adults (over 16) and up to three children (aged eight or older).
Set dancing will take place in Kavanagh’s Vartry House, with live music and an admission price of €5. There will be lessons at 8.30 p.m. with the dancing starting at 9 p.m. No previous experience is required so everyone is welcome to come and try it out.
On Friday, August 3, a charity walk will take place at 7 p.m. to raise funds for the formation of Roundwood Cancer Support. The 6.4km walk on the Upper Reservoir Trail will leave from Roundwood AFC on the Bray road.
A family céili and set dance commences at 7.30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Join Sheila Kavanagh and the McGrath Flood School for some waltzes, céili and set dancing. The event will be suitable for all ages and abilities. Admission is €5 and kids go free.
Saturday will be packed full of activities, beginning with a hill walk. The meeting point is the Vartry House at 9 a.m. Pre-booking is essential so bus transport can be arranged and it will cost €5 to take part. Email info@roundwood.ie to book a place.
A free Teddy Bear’s Picnic takes place at GAA Centre from 11 a.m. featuring games and entertainment for the kids. Guests can also bring along their own picnic.
The ever-popular canoe races on the Upper Vartry Reservoir will start at 4.30 p.m. and canoe and water safety equipment will be supplied. The entry fee €5. Veteran and it is an adult and youth competition open to all swimmers aged 13 years and older.
A veteran challenge football game will be held at Roundwood AFC at 7.30 p.m., when some of the more mature foot- ball whizzes from the village slog it out.
A night of fun is promised at Aras an Tochar at 8 p.m. with Blind Date. The doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is €10.
Jim McCabe of Classic Hits 4FM will also MC at various events over the weekend.
An eye-catching vintage vehicle parade starts things off on Sunday, including an IUNVA colour party and the 17th Wicklow Scout Group. The parade gets going at 2 p.m. Field attractions will include bungee trampoline, vintage car and tractor display, dog show, scarecrow competition, pet’s corner, bungee run and kid’s corner, bottle throwing, fishing, face painting, First Responders, guess the weight of the lamb, duck herding, horseshoe throwing, chin-up challenge, sheaf pitching and nappy hanging competitions. There will also be young, local talent in the entertainment tent while the tea tent will serve refreshments.
Registration for tug of war and the youth and inter-pub competitions takes place at 4.30 p.m. There will also be street music and a barbecue at Tochar House, the proceeds from which will go toward the cost of running the festival.
The inter-club fun race begins at 3p.m. with the barman’s race starting at 4 p.m. A raffle and the Load of Balls Downhill Ball Race take place at Vartry House from 6.30 p.m.
There will be a traditional craft show taking place in the Parish Hall from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring pottery, wood turning, quilters, weavers, lace making, basket weaving, farrier, origami and kimono wearing, ‘earthquake elephants’ fundraising. Roundwood Home Produce Market will be selling fabulous wares as well.
Things draw to a close on the Sunday night with a Byrne and Woods and Vartry House street party from 8.30 p.m. featuring Citizen J and special guests.