WHAT’S ON AROUND COUNTY WICKLOW
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 OPEN MIC NIGHT
There will be an open mic night at Signal Arts Centre on Thursday, August 23. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. Anyone interested in performing can contact Margaret on 01 2762039.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 A CELEBRATION OF HARPS
The Bray Harp Ensemble, in association with Bre Comhaltas Ceoltoiri, will present new work composed by Rachel Duffy and the musicians of the ensemble. The composition will celebrate the past and present harpists of Ireland and especially the 1st Synod of Harpists from Ireland, England and Wales, who gathered in the 11th century in Glendalough. There will also be special guest performers. There will be a reception at 7.30 p.m. followed by the concert at 8 p.m. Tickets are free but places must be booked in advanced on eventbrite.com
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 ANNAMOE BARBECUE
The annual barbecue takes place at Annamoe Centre on Saturday, August 25 at 1 p.m.
POETRY AND MUSIC OF WICKLOW
Alchemy Music presents this concert at Tinahely Library at 1 p.m. featuring poet Jane Clark and musicians Cormac Breatnach and Eamon Sweeney.
CHARITY TAG RUGBY
Greystones RFC will be hosting a charity tag rugby blitz from 2.30 p.m. in aid of the IRFU Charitable Trust at their base on Mill Road. Afterwards, there will be prizes, a barbecue, drinks, music and plenty of fun. The cost of entry is €150 per team. To sign up or get more information, email grfctagblitz@ gmail.com.
DAHLIA SHOW
The Delgany and District Horticultural Society Dahlia Show will take place at St Patrick’s National School, Church Road, Greystones, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m There will be a brilliant exhibition of dahlias, sweet pea and other summer flowers.Pot plants, fruit and vegetables. Admission is €2. Tea or coffee and biscuits will be an additional €2.
POETRY AND MUSIC OF WICKLOW
Alchemy Music presents this concert at St Kevin’s Church in Hollywood at 8 p.m. featuring poet Jane Clark and musicians Cormac Breatnach and Eamon Sweeney.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 TASTE OF GREYSTONES REGATTA
Greystones Sailing Club will host its popular regatta from 10.30 a.m. It is hoped to have races finished by 2.30 p.m., with a prize-giving scheduled for 3.30 p.m. The cost of entry is €75 and entries can be registered through eventbrite.ie.
FAREWELL TO SUMMER FLING
Bid farewell to the summer with a garden party at Killruddery House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be traditional games, including egg-andspoon, sack and wheelbarrow races, and the traditional welly-throwing competition. The more energetic visitors can take part in orienteering on the Little Sugar Loaf with adventure partners Alive Outside – and for those who want to continue chilling, there will be food and drink aplenty.
CLASSIC CAR SHOW
East Coast Classics will be exhibiting a range of classic and vintage cars at Arklow Rugby Club from noon to 5 p.m. A great family day out, there will be bouncy castles, live music, ice cream, burgers and hot dogs. Admission is €10 for adults while kids go free.
ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
Bray Seafront Art & Photography Exhibition will run from noon until 4 p.m. showcasing the works of local artists and photographers at the bandstand. Enjoy this family-friendly day of art and photography as well as some fantastic music from 2.30 p.m.
WSPCA CHILDREN’S DAY
Wicklow SPCA is hosting a fun-filled children’s day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at its Sharpeshill sanctuary near Rathdrum. There will be pony rides with Tina Binions of Healing Hands Therapeutic Riding Centre, dog training with Emmaline Duffy Fallon of Citizen Canine Ireland, Black Sheep Crafts will be there with a selection of their wares and a children’s book stall. As always, families will have the chance to meet the lovely dogs and cats looking for their forever homes.
CANCER SOCIETY WALK
Clonmore Parish Cancer Society invite everyone along to its yearly crab walk at 2 p.m. People can register on the day for €10 or sponsorship cards are available in advance by contacting 085 7761570 or 087 3283150. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31 THE BUGLE BABES
The 1940s-style harmony trio ‘The Bugle Babes’ will bring a cocktail of jazz, swing, jive and lashings of vintage glamour to the Whale Theatre in Greystones at 8 p.m. as they perform the hits from their debut recording ‘Gee Whizz!’. Tickets cost €25 and are available from the Whale.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 SPORTING PROUD TRIATHLON
The Sporting Proud Triathlon taking place at Brittas Bay offers competitors the chance to challenge themselves while fundraising for a number of national children’s charities, including St Catherine’s Association in Wicklow. The Olympic length event involves a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run, while the Sprint or fun event involves a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run. Registration is open now at https://sportingproud.org/register.Individual entrants are asked for a €100 registration fee with a fundraising target of €250 while teams of three have a €300 registration fee and a target of €600.
AFRICAN-THEMED FUNDRAISER
Mickey Finn’s Pub in Redcross will host this evening of African Street Food, craft beer, African dancers and a DJ set from Today FM’s Phil Cawley in aid of Mellon Educate. The event kicks off at 5.30 p.m. and tickets, costing €25, are available from eventbrite.ie.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 BLESSING OF THE GRAVES
The annual blessing of the graves will take place at St Kevin’s, Glencree, at 9.30 a.m.
THE RESERVOIR DOG
The Reservoir Cogs Cycling Club in Blessington presents an animal of a challenge around scenic west Wicklow. The Reservoir Dog Sportive offers riders the choice of two distances: the 125km route, with its challenging climbs and scenic spin through the mountains, and the 65km route, which offers a picturesque spin around the reservoir. Online registration is open until Sunday, August 26, and costs €30 – this will rise to €35 on the day (a one-day licence for non-Cycling Ireland members will cost an additional €5). For more information or registration details, visit reservoircogs.ie
BACK TO SCHOOL FAMILY FUN RUN
The Back to School Family Fun Run in aid of Carnew LGFA and camogie club takes place at noon. Registration takes place from 11.15 a.m. to 11.45 a.m. in the GAA field and the cost of entry is €10 for adults and €5 for children. Wacky hair and glasses are a must. No prizes just sheer enjoyment.
PARISH BARBECUE
Wicklow Parish is hosting this fundraising event in aid of the parish and St Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar, from 1 p. m. at Killmullen House in Moneystown. There will be steak, hog roast and a vegetarian option, along with a range of salads. Children will be entertained with a selection of carnival- style games, activities and a treasure hunt. Tickets, costing € 25, are available from eventbrite. ie while children (€ 8) and family tickets (€ 55) will be available on the gate or in advance by contacting Brian on 086 3428226.
BLESSING OF THE GRAVES
The annual blessing of the graves will take place at St Patrick’s, Curtlestown, at 3 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 A HOLY SHOW
The Mermaid Arts Centre hosts this new comedy based on the 1981 hijacking of an Aer Lingus plane by an ex-Trappist monk with a bottle of water as his weapon, the Pope as his nemesis and a burning desire to know The Third Secret of Fatima. Created and produced by the Mermaid, A Holy Show will be performed as part of Dublin Fringe Festival in the Abbey Theatre. The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets, costing €16 are available from the Mermaid.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 BAGATELLE
The Enniskerry Festival will begin in fine style as firm-favourites Bagatelle perform in the marquee at Monastery House as part of their 40th anniversary tour. Kicking off at 8 p.m., fans will be treated to a variety of the band’s biggest hits, such as Summer in Dublin, Second Violin and Trump Card. Tickets, costing €20, are on sale at enniskerryfestival.ie
ANNUAL SHEEP SHOW
The 51st annual Aughrim Sheep Show and Sale will take place in Carnew Mart on Friday, starting at 9 a.m. Entries forms are available from Alan Kinsella 087 2792157 or padraighealy4@hotmail.com The presentation cabaret will be held on the night in O’ Toole’s, Aughrim at 9 p.m. Copies of the commemorative book are still available from all committee members for €15.
DINNER CONCERT
Aspects of Opera, the trio of classically- trained singers, will perform at Wicklow Golf Club at 8 p. m. to raise funds for Wicklow RNLI. The experienced singers will perform a mix of popular classics, show songs and ballads as guests enjoy a meal by chef Paul Smith. Tickets cost € 25 and are available from Tom on ( 087) 2516940 or ( 087) 2856257.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 THE LAKES 10K AND HALF-MARATHON
Celebrating its ten-year anniversary, the Lakes 10k and half-marathon takes runners and walkers on a scenic route around the Blessington lakes – and there’s muffins at the finish line! Registration is open now on popupraces.ie and costs €22.45 for the 10k and €32 for the half-marathon.
LIAM KELLY MEMORIAL RUN
The Garden of Ireland Vintage Car Club will begin it’s weekend of events with the Liam Kelly Memorial Garden of Ireland Run. Registration begins at 9.30 a.m. at the Grove Bar in Delgany. For further information, call the club on 087 8329235 or email goivcc@ gmail.com.
OUTPOST STUDIOS FUNDRAISER
When a fire ripped through Outpost Studios in Bray on February 20 this year, it destroyed the works, materials, tools, books, archives and livlihoods of eight artists. Now the creative community is coming together to help get them back on their feet. The show, which begins at 8 p.m., will include live music and comedy from special guests, including Wyvern Lingo, We Cut Corners, Sharon Mannion and Paul Timoney. Tickets cost €25 and are available from the Mermaid Arts Centre.
RATHMICHAEL FETE
Rathmichael parish and school garden fete will take place on from midday until 4 p.m. at Rathmichael National School. There will be lots of bargains, activities for children, and fancy dress in the afternoon for the younger attendees.