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!!