7 Things to do this week...
1 THE NORMANS: The Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy is currently providing the venue for a special workshop based around the Normans. The final, free workshop will take place on Saturday, October 19. It will see participants getting involved in a Norman art project with artist Nadia Corridan. County Wexford is well known for how the Normans left their influence on the social fabric of the county and it’s a fact that is evident in many of the family names synonymous with the county. The overall Norman influence on the county will be one focus of attention during the workshop which will place an emphasis on examining, through art and history, the huge influence the Normans had on shaping the culture of the model county. Participants of the workshop will be encouraged to enter into dialogue and in keeping with the truly interactive nature of the initiative, open discussions will also take place based around a number of different topics. The workshop in the Presentation Centre is open to all members of the family and will begin at 1.30 p.m. For more information contact the Presentation Centre on 053 9233000.
2 THE WEXFORD SPIEGELTENT FESTIVAL: Following an absolutely stellar first week, things are ramping up a notch on Wexford’s quayfront this week as the Spiegeltent Festival forges ahead. Among the major acts hitting the stage this week are John Bishop, Jools Holland, Smokie, Reginald D Hunter, Neil Delamere and two much-anticipated shows from The Coronas. All the fun of the Roaring Twenties will also be on offer at the Prohibition Party and this week also sees high-octane action from OTT Wrestling. While a lot of shows sold out in record time, there are still tickets available from the festival box office or by visiting www. wexfordspiegeltent.com.
3 Gorey Choral Group will be celebrating Gorey 400 on Saturday, October 19, from 3 p.m. at Gorey Library and all are welcome to attend and join in the fun. The group will be performing some choral favourites for all the family and songs will include popular hits from ‘The Lion King’, ‘The Greatest Showman’ as well as from artists like Coldplay and Bruno Mars. There is sure to be something for everyone during the uplifting afternoon of song.
4 FAMILY FUN RUN: On Sunday, Rathgarogue Community Development committee are holding the inaugural Rathgarogue 3km, 7km or 14km fun walk or run. This event is a fundraiser towards achieving the committee’s goal of a new community facility. Discounted online registration from €10 to €12. For more information, see the Rathgarogue Community Development or Rathgarogue Fun Run Facebook pages or call 087 2027224 or 087 6380145.
5 TALK ON HISTORIC HOUSE: The magnificent classically designed period residence Monksgrange House in Rathnure is the focus of a New Ross Historical Society lecture this Thursday in St Michael’s Pastoral Centre, Michael Street, New Ross at 8 p.m. Monksgrange House was built in 1769 by Goddard Richards, the noted collector, historian, photographer and academic. The restored archives are among the best in Ireland today and the subject of a recent book by Dr Philip Bull. Over 2,000 photographic 19 century glass plates have recently been digitised.
6 FASHION SHOW: A fashion show will take place in the Riverside Park Hotel on Wednesday, October 16, in aid of Bree Community Playground. Enniscorthy-based shops ‘Glamour’ and ‘Ottiva’ are supplying the fashion while ‘Perfection by Mon’ will take care of make-up. Liam Sharkey will be MC for the night. The money raised on the night will go towards the cost of developing the new playground and the organisers are encouraging as many people as possible from within the local community to go along and give their support to the event which promises to be a great night out. Tickets for the event, priced €10, are now on sale in Garry Byrne’s, Riverside Park Hotel and they are also available from any committee member.
7 VALDA 21ST ANNIVERSARY RECITAL: The renowned Valda Chamber Choir are set to mark their 21st anniversary with a very special lunchtime recital in the beautiful surroundings of Wexford County Council’s headquarters in Carricklawn this Saturday at 1 p.m. A nine-piece mostly a cappella choir, the group has carved out a massive reputation over the years with a wide repertoire including light music and jazz, madrigals, sacred and secular music, gospel, spirituals and even African Chants! There’ll be something for everyone in this special show with support from saxophone quartet Saxology. Tickets are priced at €15 and are available from www.wexfordartscentre.ie.
Have you an event for our What’s On pages? Email the details (with a picture, if possible) to: whatson@peoplenews.ie