7 Things to do this week...
1 ’HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE’ WEXFORD DRAMA GROUP: Having enjoyed a wonderful year on the AllIreland Drama Circuit, winning over 40 awards and qualifying for the finals in Athlone, Wexford Drama Group return home with another staging of Paula Vogel’s ‘How I Learned to Drive’.
Under the directorship of Paul Walsh, the play tells the story of Lil Bit, a girl from a poor Baltimore family who dreams of making it as a writer in New York. When her aunt’s husband, Peck, offers her driving lessons she finds herself in the arms of an older, married man. Following her from her teenage years up to the age of 35, the play is an epic story about finding your voice. Lil Bit is played by All Ireland Best Actress Seona O’Connor, Uncle Peck by Enniscorthy Drama veteran Fintan Kelly, Male Chorus by All Ireland Best Actor nominee Sean Byrne, Female chorus is played by light opera stalwart Sophie Blaney Parslow and Teenage chorus is played by Bree actress and singer Sarah Byrne.
Wexford Drama Group won three separate festivals with this production and you can see what the fuss is about on Friday night, April 12, at The National Opera House. Tickets from nationaloperahouse.ie
2 WOODLAND WALK ON WILD SIDE: Dedicated to the memory of John F. Kennedy, whose great-grandfather, Patrick, was born in the nearby village of Dunganstown, this arboretum near New Ross is a riot of colour this month and now is a great time to go explore. It covers a massive 252 hectares on the summit and southern slopes of Slieve Coillte and contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world. The cafe is open and there are great options. The lake is perhaps the most picturesque part and is a haven for waterfowl. There are amazing panoramic views from the summit of the hill. A visitor centre houses engaging exhibitions on JFK and on the arboretum itself.
3 BLACKWATER OPEN FARM: This is a great fun day out for all the family. Visitors can get up close to all the bunnies and chicks, meet the larger animals, play in the playground, milk Jessie, the model dairy cow and ride the tractors. There is also a doggie playground which is an adventure playground for dogs.The farm is fully wheelchair and buggy accessible, has plenty of parking, indoors and outdoor play and picnic areas and boasts a zip line and a climbing frame.
4 Michael English, Stuart Moyles and Celtic Brothers headline Gorey concert. Country and Irish music stars Michael English, Stuart Moyles and Celtic Brothers will headline at the Ashdown Park Hotel on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13. On Friday night, Michael English and his band, Stuart Moyles and Stacey Breen will perform. Admission is €20 and guests can pay at the door. On Saturday night, there will be a gala dinner at 6.30p.m. followed by a concert featuring Celtic Brothers, Gary Gamble and Gavin Gribben. Admission to the concert and dance is €25. The dinner and show package is €55.
5 Tractor, Vintage Car and Truck Run: Buffers Alley are set to host a Tractor, Vintage Car and Truck Run on Sunday, April 14. Registration will take place from 11 a.m. at Buffers Alley GAA grounds. Vehicles will depart Buffers Alley (Y25 XT50) at 12 p.m. and will be doing the loop from Buffers Alley to Kilmuckridge and back to Buffers Alley to finish where refreshments will be served. Entry fee is €20 per vehicle and includes refreshments. All vehicles are welcome and activities for the children are also planned for the day. Seamus Kenny from the Buffers Alley Mayoral campaign is organising this event and they’re asking everyone to support this fundraiser and spread the word. Please contact Doireann on 087 4616884 if you have any questions.
6 MEGASLAM WRESTLING EVENT: Oooh yeah, there’s a royal rumble coming to New Ross this weekend. Wrestling fans from across the region will be pumped to see Megaslam wrestling live tour 2024 coming to Co Wexford this Saturday, April 13, at 7.30 p.m. at St Michael’s Theatre in New Ross. Offering two hours of wrestling moves (with an interval) the event has been rated the number one live experience for kids. Having visited the theatre last year, drawing a huge crowd, it returns to New Ross as Megaslam presents its huge 2024 Live Tour. Team Megaslam battle it out with Team Nasty in a series of exciting, edge of your seat matches designed to get the whole family out of their seats and cheering on their favourites! If you are looking for spectacular family entertainment with the wow factor this April, look no further than Megaslam. Grab your foam fingers, take your seats and get ready to witness the Megaslam spectacular. Featuring a whole new line-up, including International stars from across the globe! Door time: 6.45pm, event starts at 7.30 p.m. Running time: 2 hours. Tickets: €45 (Family), €16 (Adult), €10 (Children).
7 DEREK RYAN WITH LISA MCHUGH AND LOUISE MORRISSEY: One of Ireland’s best loved country stars, Derek Ryan, returns to the National Opera House stage on Saturday night, April 13, bringing with him some stellar special guests. As part of his biggest concert tour to date, Ryan returns with material from his new album, alongside chart-toppers like ‘Hold On To Your Hat’, ‘Down On Your Uppers’ and ‘God’s Plan’ all of which have cemented his position as one of Ireland’s best-selling country singer/songwriters.
Tickets for the show are priced at €30, plus facility fee and are available now from nationaloperahouse.ie.
Have you an event for our What’s On page? Send the details (with a picture, if possible) to whatson@peoplenews.ie