Wicklow Jazz Cafe Stocks Mc Cabes Coffee

Wicklow Jazz Cafe, in Earls Newsagents will be launching a new coffee on Friday 18th May from 10-12pm.

We have changed our coffee company to McCabe’s Coffee, they are a local coffee company who supply other reputable cafes.  They have won an award for their own blend of coffee which we now supply in the Cafe.

We have always supported local businesses and continue to do so.

Mc Cabes Coffee:

We only use the best Arabica coffees from the best growing areas around the world and all our coffee is roasted by us in our roastery in NewtownMountKennedy.

Our coffee is delivered within days after roasting so our customers get the coffee at its best flavour and quality.

To date, Clive and Stephen have the only coffee roasting business in Co.Wicklow and the business is now providing freshy roasted coffee and leaf teas to over 70 customers around Ireland and abroad.
www.mccabecoffee.com

To keep updated on our events visit us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/WicklowJazz

Universal Innovations at Ashford Film Studios

Today members of the Wicklow Chamber were invited along to a tour at Ashford Film Studios, located at Ballyhenry, Ashford. The film studios are situated beside the Glanbia garden centre on the Dublin Road out of Ashford village ( just before the N11 entrance)

Joe O’Connell and his daughter Shelley divided the group into two halves and took us on a spellbinding tour!

The Ashford Film Studios work on an ethos of minimum wastage, local product sourcing and environmentally friendly power. This was explained in detail and quite obvious to us during the tour where we were shown the solar power sources, wind turbines ( pretty and small but enough to power the Lots’ street lighting) , water tanks,  system layout and so so much more!

I am not an engineer but even I could see the amazing planning and attention to detail that has been put into this project.

With 3 studio stages, 2 of which are equal in size to Ardmores’  largest stage, and one that is big enough for both indoor and outdoor set filming, the Ashford Film Studios have been carefully developed to cater for (and attract) multi million pound movie making! ( and all that it brings)

With the Irish Tax Breaks (Section 481) appealing to overseas film producers, having a top facility such as Ashford Film Studios in the garden county has the potential to create hundreds of local and national jobs, opportunities and economic growth.

The tour included a visit around these facilities which were very exciting – you could imagine the buzz of the studio in the throes of a movie!

There are individual rooms for the day actors to rest in, with small living areas practically for the Stars, hairdressing studios, makeup departments, design etc.  Very inspiring stuff!

Shelley explained how they worked alongside film makers, crew, engineers etc to focus on their needs to the point where the actual layout of the rooms have been preplanned to reduce time wastage and increase productivity

An example of this is how the costume making area is leading to the fitting area and then to the extras’ changing area.

The technical aspects were also given extreme attention to detail with the 3 stages being close enough for the engineers above to rig them out easily and efficiently and a ‘no cables on the floor’ rule that sees them neatly run across shelf-type fittings above ones’ head. Every pipe, lead and power source is labelled and named clearly to allow the film crews a clear understanding of whats what and what goes where.

I think everyone on the tour was astonished, delighted and invigorated about such a wonderful project, however there was one point that I believe the people of Wicklow, and indeed Ireland should shout about, and this was the frustration being felt at the seemingly lack of support from the council planners in speeding up the approval of the development of the workshops (amongst other things) which would allow the studio  to begin attracting the service providers that it needs in order to remain a viable and sustainable business.

Finally we were treated to a short talk wth Morgan O Sullivan who explained how himself and Joe O’Connell got together in the first place to create a film hub for Ireland  with the creation of a modern film studio, one to compliment that of Ardmore studios, in order to be able to facilitate a larger number of movies being created here in Ireland.

As Morgan himself said ‘It’s a people business’ and I think we all know real people who could benefit greatly from this project. So make your voice heard and get on to your local TD and ask them to help this projects’ vision become a reality.

Step one would be for them to get the local planners to physically go out and visit the place before they make any decisions….(Seriously!)

p.s. Well done to the Wicklow Chamber – and new president Roy Conway – for making this tour possible and best of luck to all at Ashford Film Studios from us here at The Wicklow Way Of Living.
Ashford Film Studios, Ballyhenry, Ashford, Co Wicklow, Ireland
SatNav: Lat: 53.021030,Lon: -6.104793

View Ashford Film Studios in a larger map

Literary Cabaret 12 May Wexford Arts Centre

Come along to a very special Literary Cabaret this coming Saturday, 12th May at The Wexford Arts Centre at 8pm, Adm €10.

For the Fly By Night Cabaret, it’s our honour to be “in cahoots” with Ireland’s premier literary journal, The Stinging Fly, as part of their national tour.  Declan Meade of Stinging Fly will present some of Ireland’s best new writers and Helena Mulkerns brings to the stage some excellent music and entertainment from the South East.

You can also attend a wonderful poetry workshop earlier in the day with the Stinging Fly’s Poetry Editor Eabhan Ní Shúileabháin, and a lunchtime talk by Publisher Declan Meade.

In the line-up will be :

• Mary Costello, whose first book of stories, The China Factory, has just been published by Stinging Fly Press;
• Enniscorthy fiction writer Paul O’Reilly, who has a story in Stinging Fly’s Spring 2012 issue;
• Welsh poet and performer, writer and musician Gwyn Parry;
• Special Guest in the music department maestro fiddle player Colm Mac Con Iomaire (The Frames, Swell Season); singer songwriter Marita Connelly;
• Dancer Reka Fodor, and
• The Featherhead Trio.

Download PDF for more info here: 2012-CacaMilis-PR-5em

You can book ahead on www.wexfordartscentre.ie or 053-912-3764
Also – don’t forget to check out www.cacamilis.org and  www.stingingfly.org

Historic Car Day at Russborough May 7th

What better way to entice you to our Historic Car day than to share our RTE radio advertisement with you. RTE are magnificent and they couldn’t have said it better….

“On Bank holiday Monday Russborough Co. Wicklow will develop wheels…lots of them.

It’s Historic Car Day and Russborough will provide the spectacular backdrop to a stunning collection of classic, vintage and veteran cars.

From motor shows and paintings to artefacts and tours, Russborough, Blessington is not just a place…it’s an experience.”

www.russborough.ie

Last Minute May Bank Holiday Breaks

One of the gorgeous Ashford Self Catering cottages is still available for this coming May Bank Holiday Weekend but hurry!

With prices as low as €150 per night – sleeps 6 ( min stay 2 nights) or a full week for only €700 (again sleeping 6 people) and cute baby lambs and calves on their farm next to it, this makes an ideal fun farm holiday break for a family or group of friends.

Conveniently located in the picturesque village of  Ashford (just off the N11) you can get out and about easily by car or taxi without breaking the bank!

Contact Margaret today on +353 (0) 404 40831 (after 6pm) or on mobile: +353(0)86 3384695 .

Alternatively you can book through their website here >>
www.ashfordselfcatering.com

• Pets welcome
• Geothermal heating
• Ideal for family holidays
• Ideal for walking groups
• Ideal for girlie weekend breaks
• Ideal for a quiet romantic break
• Ideal for foraging breaks
• Availability also last weekend of May to 3rd June inclusive
• Availablity for Wicklow sailfest 2012 dates (21 -24 June)

Hotspot Cafe Greystones – Gigs, Food & Internet Cafe

Hot Spot Cafe - Internet Coffee House – Business Centre – Wine Bar – Venue

The only café in Greystones with a seaview! And… only 2 minutes walk from the DART Station

May Bank Holiday Events at Hotspot Cafe:

Hotspot Cafe,
Mill Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow

Tel: +353(0)1 201 6888
Email: info@thehotspot.ie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HotSpot Greystones
Web: www.thehotspot.ie

Late night Cafe & Wine Bar, Sticky Ikys Ashford

Enjoy Tapas and Home Baked Goods at Sticky Ikys Cafe, Ashford

Sticky Ikys is a gorgeous welcoming bistro located in the heart of Ashford village. Managed and owned by Petra Iky Herlihy Sticky Ikys Cafe is the perfect place to enjoy lunch with the girls or sit outside on a fine day!

View our Menu here: Click here to view Sticky Ikys Menu

Facilities include:

• Free wifi
• Late Night Opening – now open friday and sat till 10pm,
• Tapas and Wine
• Cosy,comfy seating,like somebody’s living room
• Cakes,cookies,pastries  all homemade
• Healthy fresh sandwiches,quesadillas,salads.
• Seating outside at the decking area

Opening times:

• Mon- thur 9am – 4pm
• Fri 9am – 10 pm
• Sat 10:30am – 10pm

Sticky Ikys takes reservations, however walk-ins are very welcome.

Sticky ikys

Bakery, Bistro, Wine Bar

Main Street, Wicklow Ashford, Ireland

Tel: +353 (0) 404 42680
Email: iky@stickyikys.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/StickyIkys

Web: www.stickyikys.com

Amazing Cookies, Cakes & Coffee. Also fresh breads baked daily. Based in Ashford Wicklow.

Bank Holiday Weekend Family Fun

Special Offer for the May Bank Holiday Weekend at Diamond Bowl….

• Saturday 5th April, Sunday 6th April  & Monday 7th April.
• ½ price bowling
• Between 11 – 1pm (inclusive)
• €12.50 per lane

Also at Diamond Bowl is KidZone

Monday: Closed
Tuesday & Thursday: 10am – 6pm
Wednesday & Friday: 12pm – 6pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11am – 6pm

www.WicklowBowl.ie

SOS: Save Our Streets - Bonfire Night in Arklow

Come out this Wednesday evening, May 2nd to celebrate bonfire night on the Riverwalk!

The evening will kick off at 7pm with live music from local bands Feel the Pinch, The Lazy Babies and Bail Out.

With free snacks for the kids, face painting, good music and aroaring bonfire, this is a night the whole family will enjoy!

• Where: Arklow Riverwalk (Behind Christy’s)
• When: Wed May 2nd 2012 – now that the rain is gone:)

Cost: FREE!

Gourmet Greystones Sunday 6th May, 2012

Workshops and Demonstrations Taking Place at various venues throughout the town

• Raw Milk Butter Making, Cheese & Dairy Talk by David Tiernan of Glebe Brethan Cheese
• Foraging with Ed Hick, 3 Q’s and Slow Food Sugarloaf Convivium
• Wine Tasting with John Wilson, Irish Times Wine Correspondent
• Growing Vegetables in a small garden with John Markham
• Black Pudding Talk & Tasting, Hands on Pork Curing & Charcuterie with Jack McCarthy and Ed Hick

Live Cooking Demonstrations Main Stage, Meridian Point

• Catherine Fulvio, Ballyknocken House
• Sunil Ghai, Ananda
• Chakra Indian Cuisine & A Caviston showcasing Mackerel
• A Caviston Seafood Cookery
• Jeff Norman, Backstage@Bels

Street Food

At various locations throughout the town including Rory Morahan  the Druid Chef Restaurants will be offering tasting dishes from their premises.

Live Music on the Street

Final of Wicklow on a Plate Cookery Competition

This is a schools based “Masterchef” style cookery competition, sponsored by Failte Ireland – the final of which will be held on the day.  For information on Wicklow on a Plate Competition contact martin.potts@failteireland.ie

Contact Details:

• Wicklow Food Producers Market  - Meridian Point
• Call  Elaine Willis on  087 131 8124
• Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/GGreystones for up to date information
• For more information on events call Gráinne Mc Loughlin on 086 8329686
• Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/gourmetgreystones