FRIDAY, AUGUST 24
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION
The Medieval Bray Project is looking for volunteers to come and join them between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for an archaeological excavation of two trenches at Raheen na Chluig Medieval Church on Bray Head. Suitable for children under-12. IRISH MEGALITHIC ART
Join Erika Tyner in Bray to learn about Irish Megalithic Art. Workshop participants will research ancient Irish heritage and try painting themselves. Places are limited and must be booked in advance – visit erikatyner.com for more information. Workshops take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cost €75 for adults or €70 for students/OAPs. GLENDALOUGH EXCAVATIONS
Glendalough Heritage Forum has organised a guided tour of the UCD School of Architecture excavations at Glendalough. Guests can examine the trenches and artefacts and find out how archaeologists figure out the stories beneath the soil. Participants should meet at the round tower ahead of a 2 p.m. start. GRAVEYARD TOUR
Tour the historic graveyard at Glendalough alongside members of the local heritage forum, who have surveyed and recorded the cemetery. Tour begins at 3 p.m. DISCOVER DUNLAVIN.
Dunlavin and District Forum is inviting people to come on a nature adventure at 7 p.m. Leaving from green, walkers will be guided by an environmental expert who will teach them about local biodiversity. HISTORY OF GLENCREE VALLEY
An Óige has invited Frank Tracy along to Knockree Youth Hostel to give a free presentation on the history of the Glencree Valley at 7 p.m. Frank will bring guests on a journey through time, from the 12th century, when Glencree was a stronghold of the O’Toole clan, to modern times.
NUN’S CROSS CHURCH
Nun’s Cross Killiskey Parish invite people to come and see some of the astonishing array of ‘treasures’ at the historical Nun’s Cross Church, including a rich collection of items in wood, stone and marble. Open from 10.30 a.m. till 4 p.m. ART OF MARKET CROSS
Glendalough Heritage Forum/The Discovery Programme are hosting a free painting workshop for all ages examining the beautiful stone panels of the Market Cross that once stood in Glendalough and giving participants the chance to explore 3D models of the cross and other Glendalough monuments. The workshop takes place from from 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. at Glendalough Visitor Centre. BRIAN WHITE AT KILLRUDDERY
Barbara Cafferky, the head of visitor experience at Killruddery House and Gardens, will host local historian Brian White for a morning talk at 11 a.m. in the historic library at Killruddery. Booking is required, contact guides@killruddery.com. TUNES IN THE PARK
Dunlavin and District Forum invites local musicians to bring along their instruments and join in a relaxed morning of traditional music in Market Square from 11 a.m. to noon. BUTTERFLY WALK AND SEED BOMB WORKSHOP.
BirdWatch Ireland invites people to come along on a butterfly walk of Blackditch Wood using identification guides and recording sheets and, afterwards, to make their own seed bomb, which is brilliant for pollinators. This event takes place at the East Coast Nature Reserve in Newcastle from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. IRISH MEGALITHIC ART
Join Erika Tyner in Bray to learn about Irish Megalithic Art. Workshop participants will research ancient Irish heritage and try painting themselves. Places are limited and must be booked in advance – visit erikatyner.com for more information. Workshops take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cost €75 for adults or €70 for students/OAPs. WICKLOW CLIFF LOOP WALK
Join the friends of the Murrough on this panoramic coastal walk through a Special Protection Area. Beginning at the Glen Turn Beach car park at 11.30 a.m., the walk will include a historial talk at Lime Kiln Bay regarding the ruins of a penal church. Seals are a common sight, binoculars are recommended and dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. BURIAL GROUND TOUR
Take a guiden tour of the old burial ground in Delgany with Lailli de Buitlear and see some fantastic domeshaped gravestones dating from the 16th century and fine examples of Elizabethan lettering. This free tour takes place from 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. GLENDALOUGH EXCAVATIONS.
Glendalough Heritage Forum is leading this open day at the UCD School of Archaeology excavations at Glendalough, with tours, displays and interactive activities from midday to 4 p.m. WHALE WATCH IRELAND
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group invites everyone to their annual, free and guided land-based whale watches from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at both the pitch and putt car park at Bray Head and the Black Castle car park in Wicklow town, as part of all-Ireland Whale Watch Day. ALLOTMENTS VISIT
Season Park Farm in Newtownmountkennedy invites people to come along to see their 32 active allotments, talk to the allotment holders, bring a story or musical instrument, taste some home produce and meet people from different walks of life and cultures. Open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A free event but booking is required via grace_garde@hotmail.com. STORIES FROM ST KEVIN’S
St Kevin’s Reformatory operated in Glencree from 1859-1940 and the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation invites anyone with memories of it – former relatives, teachers, caretakers and workers – to come and share it’s history at the centre from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Booking is required by emailing val.kiernan@ glencree.ie. BALLYMORE AND THE SPANISH FLU
The great flu epidemic of 1918-1919 killed more people worldwide than any other major catastrophe. Ballymore Eustace History Society will examine the effects it had on the local community in Ballymore and the surrounding areas at 3 p.m. in the local resource centre. VICTORIAN BRAY
Join Bray Cualann Historical Society on a walking tour of Victorian Bray. Beginning at Sidmonton Square at 3 p.m., the walk will take in Sidmonton Road, Novara Terrace, Galtrim Road and Meath Road – areas which were developed after the coming of the railway. A CELTIC MISCELLANY
Blessington Comhaltas present this free concert in the Church of St Kevin’s at 8 p.m. It will be an acoustic celebration of Wicklow’s heritage through music, poetry and Gaeilge.