A Great Family Day Out Sat and Sun

okay, so Springmount garden centre is not ‘quite’ in Co Wicklow as it is located on the old wexford road out of gorey before Ballycanew, however, if you fancy taking your wicklow family out for a weekend drive then what better destination?

They have a whole variety of events planned for 2010 and they all start off tomorrow - Sat 6th march - so come along- we will be there on sunday to check up on all the local crafts!!

Here’s what they have to say:..

Spring has officially arrived, and with it a new indoor and outdoor layout at Springmount! We hope you enjoy the new format, which is designed to make shopping easier and more interesting.

SEEDS have arrived – just in time as the weather seems to be warming up at last. A new range of colourful CHILDREN’S WELLINGTONS are in store. The 2010 FURNITURE RANGE, GIFTWARE and SILK FLOWERS are all due to be delivered the week commencing 8th March.

Tomorrow, Saturday 6th March, Iain MacDonald (www.thebaygarden.com) will give a talk and practical demonstration on what should be happening in the garden at this time of the year as well how to cut back and prune. Don’t miss “Spring Pruning & Preparing Your Garden for Summer” at 2pm, all welcome and free of charge.

On Sunday 7th March, a CRAFT FAIR will be upstairs in the shop. A series of craft and home produce fairs, pottery and jewellery making classes for adults and children, wedding fair, a wide range of lectures and demonstrations, a hen sale and an animal corner … are planned throughout the season – commencing this weekend, so please keep an eye on signage in store and on our website for details.

There are some spaces remaining for the Beginner’s Guide to Growing Your Own Fruit and Vegetables course on Sunday 14th March and the weekend 10th and 11th April.  The weather is beautiful, come and enjoy a day out AND learn all about growing your own, even if you only have space for a few containers.

Finally, we are delighted that Rory and Ann Marie Hammel from Castle Delights in Kilmuckridge have brought their home-baking expertise to CAFE JARDIN. They look forward to serving you with lots of new treats, as well as soup and sandwiches and other goodies. Cafe Jardin will be opening seven days from Saturday 27th March and is now open weekends until then.

We look forward to seeing you soon.
The Springmount Team

View Springmount Garden Centre in a larger map

www.springmount.ie

Wicklow Self Sufficiency Grows in Size

Some of you may know that here at the wicklow way we have been putting our hand to self sufficiency and so far our fruit trees and egg laying hens are all doing nicely.

We even got some tasty potatoes dug up yesterday.

I have got to hand it to whichever poor hen had to deliver this baby though!!

Ouch!…

Wicklow Ireland

The Wicklow Way blog is all about living in county Wicklow Ireland.

If your a wicklow based club or community then why not send us in your local Wicklow events and we will publish them free on the blog.

Our Wicklow Way Portal offers local information on accommodation in wicklow, things to do in wicklow, information on the wicklow towns and villages plus much more.

Visit our portal at www.wicklowway.ie

We also offer an amazing rate of only 25 euro for a listing in our modern search engine friendly business directory for a whole year - visit www.thewicklowway.com business directory for more >>

Whats more we have recently reduced our banner advertising rates to help wicklow businesses get noticed quickly online for a reasonable cost!

For advertising rates visit our rates page here >>>

Roz and Skippythedog
Living Life The Wicklow Way

Hen parties and Stag Nights in Wicklow

Check out our new hen and stag party information pages on the main website and get planning that mother of all parties!!

Wicklow has of course lots to offer the wilder stag party with activites such as airsoft, paintballing, kayaking, fishing and the happy hen party group looking for adventure activites, mountainbiking, archery, paintball also, cooking classes, pampering spas and shopping breaks.

• Hens parties wicklow

• Stag parties wicklow

Brockagh Resource Centre Laragh - Whats On

The Brockagh Resource Centre in Laragh Co Wicklow,  is busy with a choice of events lined up such as Stitch & Sew Workshops, Bodhran Classes for Beginners, Get Vocal,New or Nearly New Sale, craft market and more!! here’s what they have to say…

Stitch & Sew Workshops

Stitch & Sew Workshops on Wednesday mornings from 10am until 1pm.  Learn how to stitch & sew by hand or machine, repair items, design and customise your wardrobe and much more.

Contact Aisling on 087-7691032.

Bodhran Classes for Beginners.

Learn how to play along to any Irish tune in just 5 easy lessons.  Students must have their own bodhrán and stick.  Lessons will take place in the Brockagh Centre at 8 pm on Mondays.

Places are limited so contact Alan on 086-3543206 now.

Get Vocal

A choral programme for over 55s in 6 locations across Wicklow (including Laragh).  These 6 locations will have professional choral conductors and all six sections will come together as one county choir to perform a concert on 20th June 2010.

To participate contact Ann Nolan on 087 9723059 - €20 registration fee required (less than €1.50 per session). (Get Vocal is a project led by Wicklow County Arts Office in partnership with County Wicklow Network for Older People, County Wicklow VEC, Mermaid and Courthouse Arts Centre.

(Other venues include Blessington, Baltinglass, Tinahely, Greysones, Wicklow town)

New or Nearly New Sale

Do you have anything to sell that is in new or nearly new condition (too good for a car boot sale)?  We are currently looking for traders for a recession-beating indoor sale which will be held in the Centre on a Saturday between 2 and 5 pm.

The cost of a table will be €10.  All sellers must contact Colette on 0404-45600 in advance.

Events at a Glance (further details below)

Friday 5th March
Health Food Made Easy – Free Course for over 55s – 11am until 1pm x 4 Fridays

Sunday 7th March
Car Boot Sale from 11am until 4pm

Wednesday 10th March
Free Introductory Session to Meditation & Healing with Nóirín Callanan 10.30am until 12.30

Sunday 14th March
Country & Craft Market with Monster Book Sale
11am until 4pm

Saturday 20th March
My Rhythms Body Movement Dance 7.30-10pm
Cost €5

Saturday 27th March
Dance Night with Tommy Carroll from 9.30pm

Fri & Sat 9th & 10th April

Kirikee Drama Group– Cupid Wore Skirts 8pm nightly – hilarious comedy

Regular Events

• Tuesday night Dance Night with the Wicklow Man from 10pm
• Citizen’s Information 1st & 3rd Tuesday month 10am to 12 noon – March 2nd & 16th
• Mobile Library every second Thurs – new time 11am until 12 noon. 11th March & 25th March –
• Closed AA meetings every Monday night 8.30pm – newcomers welcome –
• Car Boot Sale 1st Sunday of month – next date 7th March
• Country Market & Craft Fair 2nd Sunday of the month – next date Sunday 14th March.
• Adult Guidance Service 1st Monday of month 11am -1pm– (book app Irene 086 8061569)

Friday 5th March - Healthy Food Made Easy

Healthy Food Made Easy is a free, 4 week, 2-hour programme especially for the over 55s.  This fun course teaches you about nutrition and cooking with practical cookery demonstrations and you get a chance to try out the recipe.

It commences on March 5th (from 11 am until 1 pm).  If you are interested please contact the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600.

Sunday 7th March - Car Boot Sale

Car Boot Sale.  The next Car Boot Sale will take place on Sunday 7 March from 11am til 4pm.  Vans must be booked in.  Contact the Brockagh Centre on (0404) 45600.

Wednesday 10th March - meditation and healing

Nóirín Callanan, a new resident of Laragh, is going to run a six-week course on meditation and healing and is offering a free introductory session to anyone who would like to find out more about the course.  The session will take place on Wednesday 10th March from 10.30 am until 12.30 pm.

Sunday 14th March- Country & Craft Market

Country & Craft Market with Monster Book Sale.  The next Country & Craft Market at the Brockagh Centre will take place on Sunday 14 March from 11am until 4pm. The market will feature a Monster Book Sale with books for all ages at bargain prices – not to be missed.  Also Free customer raffle. Contact Colette on (0404) 45600.

Saturday 20th March- My Rhythms Body Movement Dance

My Rhythms Body Movement Dance sessions at the Brockagh Centre on Saturday 20th March 2010 from 7.30-10 pm.  You will be sure to de-stress your tired body, have fun, energise yourself, meet new people and come away with your batteries recharged.  Where else could you get so much for so little …. all this for a mere €5.  For more information contact Sherron on 086 8788311.

Saturday 27th March - Saturday Social Dance Nights

Saturday Social Dance Nights.  Our next social dance night will take place on Saturday 27th March (with Tommy Carroll).  Doors open at 9.30 pm and refreshments will be available.

Fri & Sat 9th & 10th April - Kirikee Drama Group

Kirikee Drama Group will present another hilarious comedy this year in the Brockagh Centre at 8pm  on Friday and Saturday the 9th and 10th of April.  The group will be performing Cupid Wore Skirts by Sam Cree.

Directed by Ann Byrne, the action takes place in the living room at the rear of Andrew Coulter’s antique shop. When a widower advertises for a wife, he finds the respondents are not quite what he imagined.

Cast: Andy – Jody Ferguson, Grandad – Liam Farrington, Daphne – Niamh Kinlan, Brian – Mikey Healy, Harriet – Annie Morshead, Gladys – Liz Heffernan, Ingrid – Claire Begley, Miss Stanfield – Joan Power, Ronnie – Larry Roe.  Not to be missed.

See you there
Roz and Skippy

Photography Walk In Wicklow

HilltopTreks and the Killruddery House in Wicklow have teamed up for this unique walking and photography event.

If you enjoy walking in the great outdoors and have often thought about getting some photography lessons and improving your camera skills so you catch that wonderful sunset, then this is the walk for you.

As the name suggests this is hands on outdoors experience 1 day basic photography course.

You will learn basics of photography, including composition, focusing, exposure.

While visiting very scenic parts of the country.

Price €65 - Sun April 18th 2010

Includes:

* Introduction to landscape Photography
* Guided walk
* Lunch
* Entrance to Killruddery Grounds

For more information about these walks and others

Visit http://www.hilltoptreks.ie/photo_walks.htm

Email: Info@hilltoptreks.ie

Or Phone 087-7849599

Avoca Hosts Tom Waits Night

for those who cannot make it to the courthouse in Tinahely on thursday for the Tom Waits tribute night worry not!

The Tom Waits tribute night will be taking place also on Saturday 27th Feb 2010 at the Conary Hall in Avoca - doors: 8.30pm

Trail Walking Festival Tinahely

You may remember we mentioned the new walking trails being put in place back in October ( view post: http://thewicklowway.ie/blog/2009/10/24/wicklow-walking-news/) in Tinahely Co Wicklow.

Well they are now ready to go and Tinahely will be celebrating the launch of the three new Failte Irleand Approved Loop Walks on the weekend of April 17 and 18th.

This walking festival will take place along with the Wicklow Outdoors Festival that is being organised by County Wicklow Tourism (visitwicklow.ie), the aim of which is basically to show all those who have yet to discover, the many amenities and outdoor things to do in this beautiful Wicklow Countryside.

One event that grabs my attention in particular is the guided walk along the Railway walk and the famous Tomnafinnoge woods ( all that is left of the once extensive oak woodlands of south Wicklow).

Full details will be posted as we get them but in the meantime you can contact Tinahely Walkers on 087 148 2468 or by email to : tinahelywalkerswelcome@eircom.net

Music In Tinahely Co Wicklow

As an avid Tom Waits fan I was delighted to hear of the planned Tom Waits tribute night next Thursday 25th February in the Courthouse Cafe, Tinahely at 9pm.

Featuring artists such as:

• The Rory Adams Trio,
• Frank Gallagher,
• Brian Whelan,
• Ferdinand Korff-Schmising,
• Deirdre Starr,
• John & Bridget Heffernan,
• Damien Murphy,
• Darragh Gallagher
• John Mullen.

Relax over coffe or wine in this intimate setting and experience a warm Tinahely welcome.

Doors open 8.30pm, tickets are abvailable on the door- no need to book

Web: www.tinahely-courthouse.ie

Learn how to make traditional Irish music in Wicklow

The Brockagh Centre in Laragh, Glendalough is running Bodhran classes for complete beginners. As any visitor to these shores know, the Bodhran is a popular instrument in Traditonal Irish Music. So if you have a rythmic soul then maybe this is for you?

Details:

• Bodhran Classes
• 5 week course
• Students must have own bodhran and stick
• Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh
• Tel: 086 354 3206 or visit their website at www.brockaghresourcecentre.ie

Brockagh also run a variety of other classes from skills to hobbies so why not check them out today.

Keep walking in Wicklow this February

Hilltop treks are busy continuing with their very popular wicklow mountain walks this spring and the next one is not too far away!

Take it away Terry!

Full Moon Walks in Wicklow with HilltopTreks.

Dates: February 26^th and 27^th 2010.

Meet: Feb 26^th Enniskerry (beside clock tower) 6pm

Meet: Feb 27^th Glendalough hotel (lounge) 6pm

Price: €25

These night walks are very different and great fun with an excellent opportunity to see Wicklow’s beautiful landscape by the light of the full moon.

The walk will be short 2-3 hr covering wonderful parts of Wicklow including Powerscourt Waterfall and the valley of Glendalough with time to stop for a bite to eat along the way. No previous walking experience is required.

For more information visit
http://www.hilltoptreks.ie/fullmoon.htm

Email: Info@HilltopTreks.ie or Phone 087-7849599.

Lots to do in Greystones Wicklow this Valentines Weekend!

HI EVERYONE
Great event on this weekend plus lots of acts coming up including:

• THE CHAPTERS
• HAM SANDWICH
• DIRTY EPICS
• THE HIGH KINGS on 16th March
• GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT
• O’EMPEROR

for more visit us on: www.greystonestheatre.com

Valentine’s Special Singles Walk in Glendalough February 13^th

Walk in The Wicklow Mountains.

Its not too late to book and this is a seriously fun and light hearted way to meet other singles who enjoy walking and the outdoors, yours truly did it last year- it was great fun, when your walking you can easily change pace to chat to different people and the views etc automatically give you something to talk about.

Everyone is there for the same reason- have fun and if you click with someone great! terry and the guys make everyone feel welcome so if your a bit shy just chat to them until you feel more adventurous!

trust me - this is a winner way to meet someone nice.

This walk is organised for like minded single people who enjoy the great outdoors and also to provide the venue for them to meet someone new.

Walking can be an excellent, fun and informal way to meet new people.

The walk will be an easy type of 2 -3 hrs in length with a break for lunch that’s provided as we stop along the way. There will be plenty of stops and chances to take in the incredible scenery around the valley.

Afterwards we will return for an evening meal in the Glendalough Hotel.

Then we can go for a drink in a nearby bar with some live music.

No previous walking experience required.

Tickets cost : €65 or €109 with Accommodation.

Price Includes

Guided walk in Glendalough area with qualified guide.

Packed Lunch for walk.

3 course Evening  Meal in the Glendalough Hotel’s Restaurant.

Transport  from  Dublin.

Places are limited so book now to secure your place.

You can ring Terry on 087-7849599, e-mail:  info@hilltoptreks.ie or visit http://www.hilltoptreks.ie/walk_dinner.htm for more information and booking.

If you wish to book and don’t have access to the internet, you can book your place by postal order or cheque made payable to Hilltoptreks Ltd.

And post it to Hilltoptreks, 17 Dodder Lawn, Dodder valley Park, Firhouse D24.

Local Wicklow Artist Helen Pullens Arts Article is in..

When I go out for the day to Dublin or somewhere local or even when I am on holidays abroad I always go into a gallery for a browse.

It is interesting to see how other artists reproduce images and it is an eye opener especially for me as I feel I have so much to learn.  I will always remember the paintings in Australia, they had such expansive skies and much more light than I am used to here.

I am a member of Kilmantin Art Gallery in Wicklow town and as part of my membership I do duty behind the counter from time to time, so on Saturday I found myself behind the counter.  I feel so lucky to be able to spend time like this in a gallery and I always walk around the gallery looking at the pictures that are on display.

We have some fantastic artists in the gallery and as I browse through the pictures I come across a detailed oil of a sailing ship, a really beautiful pastel of a Labrador, a quirky acrylic of fishes and much much more.

I really enjoy watching the customers that come into the gallery and listening to their comments – mostly favourable!

On Saturday a little girl and her mother came in and the little girl went around the gallery oohing and aahing, really enjoying herself – really lovely to listen to.

Now if I could only get my own sons to make the same sounds when I show them one of my paintings!!”
~ Helen

for more from Helen read her articles on  wicklow ways artzone here >>

Support the wicklow arts festival this 2010

Wicklow Table Quiz Leitrim Lounge

Here at The Wicklow Way we are big fans of The annual Wicklow Arts Festival and are delighted to see they have a lovely new website and are already busy drumming up support and fundraising events for this years festival!

The Wicklow Arts Festival provides a much needed release for all us busy wicklow people and no doubt this years schedule will offer great family fun events and enjoyable evening entertainment for everybody!

One such fundraising  event taking place is the Wicklow Lions Club Table Quiz in the Leitrim Lounge next Thursday feb 18th at 8.30pm and running to 11.30pm!

Myself and some of the wicklow way gang hope to be there even if it is a school night!!

So do get your friends and work colleagues  together and have a bit of craic whilst helping fund a really great local cause that all the community can enjoy!

Visit their website at: www.wicklowartsfestival.ie

See you then

Wicklow News & Tourism Info Portal

As our regular readers know, here at the wicklow way group of websites , we are constantly trying to keep our sites as user friendly as possible, and value feedback from our clients and readers.

To this end we have now amalgamated our www.wicklowtourism.ie with our news portal www.wicklowway.ie , which means that all information for both visiting and living in county wicklow, can be found on the one website: www.wicklowtourism.ie.

Our blog offers news and events in wicklow that  feeds into this portal, and  offers visitors quick updates via our wicklow tourism rss feed.

The www.wicklowtourism.ie portal also offers a local directory for both tourism related businesses and local businesses alike , to get listed on this google-friendly business directory costs a mere 25 euro for a whole year- why? because we believe in getting wicklow businesses back on track throughout this recession.

The portal also features videos on wicklow and photos from our travels, both of which we hope to expand throughout the year.

We welcome feedback and suggestions for what you would like to see on the site - we have the know-how so just ask!

Should you or your club /business have an event that you would like our 100,000 plus readers to know about , then why not email us at office@thewicklowway.ie and start living life the wicklow way!

www.wicklowtourism.ie

Dog Kennels in Enniskerry Wicklow

Skippy the dog would like to tell everyone about some great dog boarding kennels based in Enniskery Co Wicklow:

WOOF!

The Beeches Brook Boarding Kennels are a happy place for your pet to stay whilst you go away for the weekend or indeed a long break!

Guaranteed to be looked after, your dog will be most at home in these professionally run boarding kennels.

Available for Short or long stays and also suitable for dogs in heat . With supervised walks and plenty of cuddles you can rest assured that your ‘best friend’ wont miss you too much!

Beeches Brook Boarding Kennels serve South Dublin and Enniskerry.

woof, well done guys!

~ Skippythedog

For details you can contact Patricia on 0862345462 or email her here >>

Visit their website at: www.bbboardingkennels.com

Wicklow Mountains National Park Events 2010

The Wicklow Mountains National Park is based round Glendalough Co Wicklow and they are holding a variety of events this year for all the family!

Astronomy Ireland are holding a star gazing night there on Saturday 6th March from 8pm to 10pm.

Just come along- no booking neccesary. As regular readers will know these star gazing nights are good fun and exciting for younger children. The AI team bring powerful telescopes with which you can see amazing planetary detail and they are always ready to explain what your looking at and more!

Naturally this event will depend on good weather so you must  phone 0404 45425 on the day, to check that the event will be taking place…

4-5 hour Grouse Hike

This walk will interest the bird loving folks amongst you all- myself incuded! The red grouse is a declining species in Ireland and the Wicklow Mountains National Park have a programme in place to try to protect them.

The walk is a slow hike of 4 to 5 hours on the Wicklow Way near Djouce, during which the protection & habitat management programme will be discussed in detail.

Booking for this walk  is essential and bookings can be taken from Saturday 13th March only via 0404 45656(weekdays) ; or 040445425 (weekends).

The Wicklow Mountains National Park run a huge variety of interesting activies throughout the year and kids especially love them. later in the year they have bug walks, bat walks, wildflower walks, conservation walks , rut walks and much much more.

To see all the events they have planned for 2010 why not visit them on:

http://www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie/wmnpevents2010.html

tell them skippythedog says hi!

Roz and skippythedog
Living Life The Wicklow Way!!

Full Moon Walk Enniskerry proves popular

Last night 40 plus hill walkers including yours truly, set off with Terry and the guides from Hilltop Treks for their Full Moon walk to Prince Williams Seat in Enniskerry County Wicklow.

We met a the clock tower in Enniskerry village and due to the enormous volume of walkers, some took the mini bus whilst the rest of us drove ourselves up to the starting point from where we all set off.

The walk was a good to moderate walk  in beautfiul moonlit surroundings. We could see as far as Glencullen (home to Johnnie Foxes) and later Dun laoghaire harbour!!

I had a great time catching up with my old pal Linda and also enjoyed chats about the snow ( yes, there was snow up there!!) with some of the other walkers in the group including helpful Cathal who was one of the guides and constantly checking in on us to see if we were ok.

Terry also had some great informtaion about the cycle of the moon and how it affects our planet plus a general insight into the stars and their positions on the night! well done Terry!

It is important to wear the right clothing of course so if your intending to do a walk like this check out the advice on clothing and so on here from Wicklow Mountains National Park website:

http://www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie/MountainSafety.html >>>

For full details of Hilltop Treks Full Moon Walks this year you can view their website page on same here:

http://www.hilltoptreks.ie/fullmoon.htm

Don’t forget they are running a singles walk this Valentine weekend in Wicklow so why not get some romance and fresh air into your life?

read more >>

Looking forward to the next wicklow walk!!

Looking for a fun night out in wicklow?

check out the ever popular greystones theatre website for th elatest news on gigs, parties and plays!

This weekend includes:

Friday Night and Saturday Night we will be screening Heima - A film by Icelandic group Sigur Ros with special extended features.
DJ and Music will follow both nights till 3am.
BYOB as usual.

for more visit www.greystonestheatre.com