WHAT’S ON AROUND THE COUNTY THIS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, minature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. A visit to the stables is free of charge.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Visitors to Christmas Island in Rathdrum will enjoy an exciting journey on the North Pole Express train, a trip to Christmas Island to meet Santa’s all-singing, all-dancing elves and then climb aboard the giant sleigh boat to go see the big man himself in his grotto. The experience takes approximately two hours. Limited availability from 2 p.m. Tickets cost €8 for infants, €20 for children (aged one to 12) and €14.50 per adult and are available from christmasisland.ie.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
The whole community of Delgany is invited to bring their voices – and some instruments – along to the annual Christmas carols event in the village. Participants should gather at 7 p.m. at the Mini Mart. There will be mulled wine, mince pies, treats for the children and plenty of festive cheer.
CAROL SINGING
The Cecil Beare ecumenical carol singing group returns to Greystones. Anyone can come and join the group, which meets each night at 7.20 p.m. to start at 7.30 p.m. They meet at Nature’s Gold to cover Killincarrig Road, Lower Burnaby, St Vincent Road, Erskine Avenue and Lower Whitshed road.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY
Dunlavin Parents Group will be hosting a children’s Christmas party from 10 a.m. to noon at the Imaal Hall. Entry is free to this festive celebration, which will have treats, Christmas carols, cookie decorating and lots of fun activities.
CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, minature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. A visit to the stables is free of charge.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Visitors to Christmas Island in Rathdrum will enjoy an exciting journey on the North Pole Express train, a trip to Christmas Island and a trip aboard the giant sleigh boat as they visit Santa. Limited availability from 1.45 p.m. Tickets cost €8 for infants, €20 for children (aged one to 12) and €14.50 per adult and are available from christmasisland.ie.
CAROL SINGING
The Cecil Beare ecumenical carol singing group returns to Greystones. Anyone can come and join the group, which meets each night at 7.20 p.m. to start at 7.30 p.m. On Thursday, Decmeber 13, the meeting point is Donnybrook Fair, to cover Grattan Park and Kindlestown Park.
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
The popular Carols by Candlelight festive event hosted by Cruinniú chamber choir takes place at Ss Mary and Peter’s Church, Arklow at 8 p.m. Performances will be given by Cruinniú (under the baton of Rosarii Kinsella), Arklow Shipping Silver Band, soloist Stephen Walker and accompanist John Bonner. MC for the evening will be Paul Sharkey. Admission is free but donations of €5 will be gladly accepted in aid of Arklow Community Action Resource Centre.
MOVIE SCREENING
To usher in the Christmas season, the Courthouse Arts Centre is screening festive classic ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at 8 p.m. This moving and beautifully told film, tells tale of rivalry and despair. The story finds George Bailey (James Stuart) in turmoil, having been framed by his arch rival, torn between his own desires and aspirations, but struggling to always do the right thing. This inner conflict proves too much for Bailey, who sees suicide as the only option. In classic Hollywood style, Heaven sends a guardian angel to remind him how worthwhile his life has been and to treasure the good times when the going gets tough. Admission is €6/€5.
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Transition Years students from the Dominican College Wicklow bring the fascinating tale of Dorothy and her unusual friends to the stage in Fatima Hall. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets cost €12 for adults or €7 for students and are available from the school office, Earls newsagents and Wings and Things.
THE HISTORY OF DELIA MURPHY
Enniskerry History Society will welcome Carmen Cullen to speak about Delia Murphy, one of Ireland’s most famous singers, at its meeting at 8.30 p.m. in the Powerscourt Arms. Members and non-members welcome. Admission is €5.
THE EMMA AND JULIE SHOW
The Emma and Julie Show will take place at Whale Theatre in Greystones at 8 p.m. Ireland’s favourite female comedy duo and online sketch stars will regale the audience with punchy one-liners, loads of gags, and top-shelf observational humour. Both Julie Jay and Emma Doran are well known in the comedy world. Tickets cost €12/€10 and are available from the Whale.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14 CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, minature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. A visit to the stables is free of charge.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Visitors to Christmas Island in Rathdrum will enjoy an exciting journey on the North Pole Express train, a trip to Christmas Island and a trip aboard the giant sleigh boat as they visit Santa. Limited availability from midday. Tickets cost €8 for infants, €20 for children (aged one to 12) and €14.50 per adult and are available from christmasisland.ie.
ENFRANCHISEMENT OF WOMEN
On December 14, 1918, women (over 30, educated and of means) cast their votes for the first time in a general election and Outpost Studios invites the public to the civic plaza in Bray to remember this pivotal moment. An event at 1 p.m. will remember that there were still women who could not vote, that there are still women who face barriers to voting, and that there are still many inequalities in this country and across the world. The event is being held to remind people that it is important that men and women work together to bring down the inequalities of class, gender, creed and race.
COFFEE MORNING
Bray Youthreach is hosting a Christmas coffee morning and craft fair at the centre from 11 a.m. There will be festive goodies made by the kitchen skills group and gorgeous gifts created by the woodwork and pyrography students. Donations from the event and any money raised through the craft sale will be donated to Bray Women’s Refuge.
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Greystones Family Resource Centre will host a three-course Christmas Dinner in Greystones Golf Club from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Along with a delicious meal, there will also be a raffle with a top prize of a 32’ LED TV, spot prizes, music from DJ Paul Kelly and Kris Kringle, with all guests asked to bring a small gift costing no more than €5. Tickets are available by contacting Sarah or Nicola at the centre at 01 2557528.
LIGHT UP AVOCA
Avoca will be gripped by festive fever as the whole community dons the Christmas jumpers and turns out to welcome Santa into the village at 6 p.m. The man in red will perform the very special job of switching on the Christmas lights and there will be plenty of goodies for the kids. Grown-ups are asked to park in church car park.
SHIMMY DOWN THE CHIMNEY
Studio 55 Dance Academy in Arklow presents its Christmas Show, ‘Shimmy Down the Chimney’, in St Mary’s Hall at 6.30 p.m. Doors will be open from 6.10 p.m. and tickets cost €8 for adults, €5 for children or €25 for families.
GLENEALY GETS FESTIVE
The whole community is invited to dig out their Christmas jumpers come along to the lighting of the Christmas tree at St Joseph’s Church in Glenealy. There will be carol singing from members of the local youth club. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the communty hall.
ACTIVE RETIRED
The Avoca Active Retirement Christmas Dinner takes place in Fitzgerald’s, Avoca, at 7 p.m. Call Joan at 087 2260968 or Colette at 087 6635508 to book a place.
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Wicklow Choral Society will host its annual Carols by Candlelight at 7.30 p.m. in the atmospheric surrounds of the Dominican College Chapel. The special guest this year will be Rebecca Kelly, who will be representing Ireland in the upcoming World Championships for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. After the concert, there will be a reception with mulled wine and mince pies. Tickets are available now from Earls newsagents but will also be available on the door. Tickets cost €10 per person for €25 for a family of four.
NIGHT OF STORYTELLING
Storytellers from around the county will gather at Tinakilly House in Rathnew as Wicklow Toastmasters host an evening of storytelling, filled with amusing, inspiring and exciting tales. Doors open at 7.30 p.m., with the stories starting at 8 p.m. Admission is €10 and tickets will be available from Earls newsagents or any member of Wicklow Toastmasters.
CHRISTMAS DISCO
A teenage Christmas disco will take place in the O’Toole Memorial Hall, Rathdangan, in aid of the Sophia Counselling Centre. The disco, which takes place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., will be fully supervised and there will be prizes for the most festive outfits. Tickets cost €10 and will be available on the door.
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Transition Years students from the Dominican College Wicklow bring the fascinating tale of Dorothy and her unusual friends to the stage in Fatima Hall. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets cost €12 for adults or €7 for students and are available from the school office, Earls newsagents and Wings and Things.
TABLE QUIZ
Pop on a Christmas jumper and crank up the brain power then head along to the Harbour Bar in Arklow for a fun table quiz in aid of the Arklow Community Action Resource Centre. The quiz begins at 8.30 p.m. and tables of four will cost €20.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 CHRISTMAS MARKET
Killruddery’s Christmas market offers an oasis of local produce, festive gift ideas and some scrumptious seasonal treats from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, minature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. A visit to the stables is free of charge.
SANTA’S JOURNEY
Visitors to Djouce Golf Club near Roundwood can board the train at Gingerbread Junction to set off on an enchanted journey to meet Santa. Cookie the Elf will meet them at the North Pole Station and bring them to meet Mrs Claus in her winter cabin. From there, it’s off to Santa’s winter Workshop for a special mini-show with the elves before meeting the man himself. Time slots are available between 10 a.m. and 6.40 p.m. and tickets, €14 for adults and €18 for children, from santasjourney.ie.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Visitors to Christmas Island in Rathdrum will enjoy an exciting journey on the North Pole Express train, a trip to Christmas Island and a trip aboard the giant sleigh boat as they visit Santa. Extremely limited availability from 9 a.m. Tickets cost €8 for infants, €20 for children (aged one to 12) and €14.50 per adult and are available from christmasisland.ie.
GRAPE TIDY TOWNS MARKET
The Greystones Tidy Towns Greystones Art and Photography
exhibition (GRAPE) Christmas Market takes place at the Boat Yard Market at the harbour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The market is a major fundraiser for Greystones Tidy Towns, and all the proceeds are funnelled back into the town on projects, equipment and ongoing programmes to enhance and make the town a better environment.
8KM TURKEY RUN
Irish Trail Races is promising a cracker of a run as it hosts its first Turkey Run in the Devil’s Glen. The 8km route has plenty of ‘little’ hills plus many twists and turns. The race will be timed and there will be prizes for the first and second male and female home, as well as prizes for the best dressed and most original ‘turkey’. The race begins at 11 a.m., registration is at 10 a.m. and there will be a race brief at 10.45 a.m. Trail shoes and rain jackets are recommended. It costs €25 to enter and registration is now open online at primoevents.com.
CHRISTMAS MARKET
The Abbey Grounds in Wicklow town will be transformed into a Christmas Market from midday to 6 p.m. There will be a selection of artisan foods, decorations, gifts and workshops. There will be chances to meet Santa Claus in his magical grotto and there will also be plenty of entertainment, including local school choirs. They will also be hosting an Alpaca experience where adults and children will get a chance to mingle with all things woolly and wonderful. There will also be a fun fair.
LIGHT UP YOUR GINGERBREAD HOUSE.
Cool Planet Experience at Powerscourt House is hosting workshops at midday and 3 p.m. where children (aged six to 11 years) can create, decorate and light up their own gingerbread house. This is a two-hour workshop and costs €20 per child. Places can be booked on coolplanetexperience.org/book.
BLESSINGTON LIGHTS UP CHRISTMAS.
There will be a great buzz around Blessington as the town’s Christmas lights are officially switched on. There will be a range of events taking place from 12.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., including music from ‘The Rockabilly Rebels’ from 12.30 p.m. and a number of market stalls. The lights will be switched on a 1 p.m. followed by the arrival of the man himself, Santa.
SANTA’S CRAFTY LAB
Children can engage in the awesome world of chemistry at this two-hour festive science workshop at Killruddery Farm Market from 1 p.m. Participants will explore glittery slime, be amazed by intriguing polymers, design their own electric Christmas card, learn about light energy and plenty more besides. The workshop costs €15 and places can be booked through the Killruddery.com website.
MRS CLAUS AND SANTA
Mrs Claus will return to Tinahely Farm Shop and is bringing Santa and elf Trixie along too for some festive fun. At 1 p.m., 2.30 p.m. and 4 p.m., Mrs Claus will bring the children along to meet Santa before they get free entry to the activity barn. The cost is €15 per child (adults go free) but places must be booked in advance by contacting the farm shop.
SANTA’S GROTTO
Take a break from the Christmas shopping to visit Santa’s grotto in the Bridgewater Shopping centre from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., there will be a children’s disco on the mall with glow in the dark facepaints, Christmas music and a light-up dancefloor.
CAROL SINGING
There will be carol singing in aid of the Simon Community in Powerscourt House from 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Manor Kilbride Music School presents its Christmas concert in the local community hall at 6.30 p.m. Taking to the stage will be the Kilbride and Lacken senior ensemble, junior ensemble and singsong group, as well as special guests Sing and Tonic acapella group. Admission is €10 for adults, accompanied children go free.
JOY TO THE WORLD
Soprano Niamh Murray and the Enniskerry Concert Choir present ‘Joy to the World’, a special Christmas musical celebration at St Mary’s Church in Enniskerry at 7 p.m. Guests will be treated to a wonderful mix of traditional and modern Christmas favourites under the baton of Musical Director Gloria Smith and accompanist Charles Pearson. This year’s concerts will support local charities including the Wicklow Homeless Five Loaves, Kilmacanogue National School and, through the parish, St Vincent de Paul. Tickets, costing €20, are available between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from the parish offices in Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue or from the Parting Glass in Enniskerry.
TONOS: WINTERSONG
Come along to a night of music for mid-winter in aid of Killiskey Parish. The concert, which begins at 8 p.m. in Nun’s Cross Church, comprises Christmas-themed music of the 16th – 18th centuries from Ireland, France, Spain, England and further afield for voice, lute, Renaissance and Baroque guitars. There will be music from William Byrd, Aodh Mac Aingil, the Dublin Lute books, and that most prolific of ancient composers ‘Anonymous.’ Tickets, costing €16/14, are available from Eventbrite or on the door.
BRAY CHORAL SOCIETY
Bray Choral Society present the Best of Christmas at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer at 8 p.m. The society, under Musical Director Frank Kelly, will perform traditional carols from across the lands, favourites from Handel’s Messiah, and more. Tickets cost €15 (€12 concession) and are available from choir members or on the door.
CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG
Chéile Community Community Choir will host their Christmas Singalong in the Cornerstone Church at the the Well (opposite the Royal Hotel in Bray) at 8 p.m. There will mulled wine, non-alcoholic mulled wine and mince pies served. Admission is €7 for adult and €3 for children.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 CHRISTMAS MARKET
Killruddery’s Christmas market offers an oasis of local produce, festive gift ideas and some scrumptious seasonal treats from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Visitors to Christmas Island in Rathdrum will enjoy an exciting journey on the North Pole Express train, a trip to Christmas Island and a trip aboard the giant sleigh boat as they visit Santa. Extremely limited availability from 9 a.m. Tickets cost €8 for infants, €20 for children (aged one to 12) and €14.50 per adult and are available from christmasisland.ie.
CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, minature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. A visit to the stables is free of charge.
SANTA’S JOURNEY
Visitors to Djouce Golf Club near Roundwood can board the train at Gingerbread Junction to set off on an enchanted journey to meet Santa. Cookie the Elf will meet them at the North Pole Station and bring them to meet Mrs Claus in her winter cabin. From there, it’s off to Santa’s winter Workshop for a special mini-show with the elves before meeting the man himself. Time slots are available between 10 a.m. and 6.40 p.m. and tickets, costing €14 for adults and €18 for children, are available from santasjourney.ie.
GRAPE TIDY TOWNS MARKET
The Greystones Tidy Towns Greystones Art and Photography exhibition (GRAPE) Christmas Market takes place at the Boat Yard Market at the harbour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The market is a major fundraiser for Greystones Tidy Towns, and all the proceeds are funnelled back into the town on projects, equipment and ongoing programmes to enhance and make the town a better environment.
SANTA DASH
The annual Santa Dash in aid of Our Lady’s Children Hospital, Crumlin, takes place at Jack White’s pub at 11 a.m. A fun event for the whole family, there will be face painting, a kids’ dash and Christmas music as well as refreshments. Registration will open on the day at 9 a.m. and is open now online at popupraces.ie. The cost of entry to the 5k is €12 for adults, €8 for children and €36 for families, while the cost for adults doing the 10k is €15. People, who take a sponsorship card and raise over €50 can enter for free while €80 will guarantee free entry for a family (two adults and two children). Places are limited to 700.
WREATH MAKING AND WINTER WALK
Join BirdWatch Ireland at 11 a.m. for a festive walk around the East Coast Nature Reserve in Newcastle to celebrate the return of the winter migrants. Afterwards, participants will have the chance to make a winter wreath and bird feeder.
CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING
Join Sally Horn of Sally Garden from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Orangery at Killruddery House to create a beautiful handmade wreath. Participants will enjoy and afternoon of creative crafting with some mulled wine, mince pies and plenty of festive fun. The cost of the workshop is €70 (€65 for Killruddery members) and places can be booked at killruddery.com.