Wicklow Arts Festival Launch in Tinakilly House Rathnew

So we found ourselves at the Grand Tinakilly House Hotel in Rathnew Co Wicklow for the launch of the Wicklow Arts Festival and awaited the arrival of Martin Cullen, Minister for arts, sport and tourism in Ireland.

Welcomed by the wonderful pipe band who played in the rain, we all trooped inside and found our way to the festival launch room and helped ourselves to a glass of wine or in the case of yours’ truly , a glass of water.

As I sat back and took in the surroundings I was approached by the artist Mary Duffy. Mary is holding an exhibition of her paintings at Tinakilly House on Saturday 10th may as part of the Arts Festival and some of her paintings are already hung in the reception area of the hotel.

Indeed one painting had already caught my eye earlier though I didn’t know they were by Mary at that time.

Mary then introduced me to a few others at the event including Helen Maher who did a really great job on the graphics for the festival promotional material and was intrigueingly familiar looking!!

Thanks to the two ladies who chatted away to me as I am actually quite shy in real 3D life!!

Anyway, the Minsiter got up and said a few words including how he’d much rather be chilling out in Wicklow then having to go back to the Dail tonight to work:

oh well, no rest for the wicked eh?

After which the arrestingly interesting looking group that is The Blood Red Mountain Band struck up and  did their Thang!

Great sounding music alright – I’d like to hear it outdoors at a big hostel with loads of mates!! (oh and apparently that album launch in whelans was last year SO DON’T GO EXPECTING TO SEE THEM- so the guys are gonna update their website real soon ).

Check out their music here >>> wait a few mins and the song will start automatically – nice, ( I like ‘nice one Rosalita’, for obvious reasons!! and skippy likes the whistling at the end ha ha )

However, they do play the  kind of music that will have you dancing no matter what before the night is through. Alas I could not wait to see if this happened as I had to get home for Skippy who was staaaarving!!! If you don’t believe me wait till you see the video – he’s SHOUTING at me!! I swear!

Anyway, well done to all those who have put so much effort into the event and you – the general public, can do your bit to support the arts and all that makes life itself that bit more beautiful, thought provoking and interesting, by going along to any of the many and varied events that are taking place over this bank holiday weekend and indeed the following weekend too.

For more information see the wicklow arts festival website on www.wicklowartsfestival.ie

see you there.

Roz and Skippythedog.
Living life The Wicklow Way…
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