Culture night Co Wicklow Friday 24th Sept

If you have not yet caught up on whats happening in Wicklow tomorrow for Culture night here’s a quick list of Wicklow Town events but there are lots of Family Friendly events throughout the whole county from Bray  to Baltinglass:

• Kilmantin Art Gallery staying open till 8pm
• School of Rock at the Grand Hotel Wicklow 6pm
• Art & heritage of Wicklow Town at Dominican Ecology Centre 7.30pm – 9pm
• Free Re-enactment of Wicklow Gaol Experience 7pm – 7.30pm SHARP
• Ceili and Set Dancing – the boathouse beside Leitrim Lounge – 8.30p – 10.30pm

Read more about wicklow culture night and whats on in Bray, Greystones, Arklow, Avoca, Rathdrum, Tinahely, Carnew, Baltinglass and Blessington here: www.culturenight.ie

Local Wicklow Artist Helen Pullen & Kilmantin Art Gallery

Helen Pullen is a local artist living and working in Wicklow town. Helen shows many of her paintings in the Kilmantin Art Gallery which will be open until 8pm tomorrow night as part of the Culture Night in Wicklow.

Helen also knits wire jewellery!  So this is an ideal opportunity to pop in and see some of her stuff.

Here Helen has been visiting her son in Sligo and speaks of the beauty of the landscape there and how it has inspired her:

I have always thought Wicklow had everything that would give inspiration to any artist to draw and paint.  I love Glendalough, which is really beautiful, there are mountains and lakes and of course my favourite – Wicklow Harbour.

Well, I haven’t exactly changed my mind but having spent a few days in Sligo I have found more inspiration in the beautiful scenery there.

Adam,. my eldest son  has just moved to Ballisodare to a new job.  The view from his house is really beautiful.  I can see mountains in the distance and just in front of the house is a river meandering along through lush grass.  Here and there reeds grow along the water’s edge with trees leaning gracefully over  the river and now and again you can see the odd fish jumping in the water.

In the early morning around dawn the mountain is covered in cloud and the colour of  the river is almost black, then as the light improves the clouds gently float away in wisps and the river turns a lovely silvery colour with  the trees reflected in the surface.  In the evening as the light  is fading the sky turns a lovely colour mixture of pink and orange and this is reflected in the river, I could sit and look all day!

Adam’s house is set in a mature garden, where there are two  beech  trees,  one is changing into lovely autumn colours, lots of copper and gold leaves and the other is a copper tree which is set against the scene I have just described.

Between the house and the river is a road (unfortunately!) but dividing the road from the meadow which leads down to the river is a lovely dry stone wall with wild flowers growing through and around the stones, with a small stone stile cut into it.

I have taken lots of photographs which I hope will give me new inspiration to paint.

~ Helen Pullen

We can’t wait to see the new paintings too! To view some of  Helens work and read  more of her wonderful blogging visit: www.helenpullen.blogspot.com

Glendalough ‘Lights in the Valley’ Event

Glendalough Arts network have a new website launching soon (www.glendaloughartsnetwork.com) and if you are working in the arts /crafts area and would like to be included on the site then Please contact Deborah on 0404 45600.

In the meantime we can look forward to the intriguingly entitled Lights in the Valley event which takes place  on friday 22nd October. The event will feature lantern gathering with music and refreshments.

As part of the lantern event there will be an arts and craft weekend at the Glendalough Hotel to promote arts and crafts in the area.

This is a community event and all are welcome.

For more details you can visit www.brockaghresourcecentre.ie

Hollywood  Notes September 20th 2010

GAA News

The Clubs Annual Social Night takes place on October 23rd in the Clubhouse.

St Kevin’s Juvenile GAA

Sponsored walk in aid of St Kevin’s Juvenile GAA, on Sunday next 26th September followed by BBQ in Hollywood GAA grounds.  Starting at 12.30pm in Hollywood village and walking around ‘ Hollywood Wool’.  We hope everyone will come along and enjoy this family day out.  We are also collecting  old and un-used mobile phones, so if you have any lying around collecting dust , any of our committee will be glad to take them off your hands.

Whist

Next Monday September 27th sees the return of the Whist to the Hollywood Centre, after the summer break.  Starting at 8.30pm , everyone welcome.

Board of Management Meeting

The School Board of Management will meet Monday September 27th in the school at 8pm .

Sponsored Walk

Annual Mullaghcleevaun Walk in aid of Irish Cancer Society Sat Sept 25th.  Leaving Lacken Shop at 11am .  Sponsor Cards available from Edel Zeller on 087 7541617.  Everybody welcome.

Afterschool Care Hollywood

Afterschool Care has now started in Hollywood .  Some places still available; 2pm – 3pm , 2pm – 6pm and 3pm – 6pm .  Weekly and Daily rates offered.  For more information contact Sonia on 087 2077227 or soniajones22@hotmail.com

Hollywood Bowls

Hollywood Bowls have had a great start to the 2010/2011 Bowling Season. Their first match was away to Rathcoole where they collected the full 5 Points in a 5-0 victory. Next up was away to Baltinglass where Hollywood were on the better side of a 3-2 result. Last  Friday the club hosted Ardclough ( who finished  just 4 points behind last year’s League Champions). This match was a very close fought game with Hollywood collecting the full 5 Points, one of the best results ever for the club.
The club continue the league program with Ballymore & Kildangan  due to visit in the coming weeks. The club nights are every Tue & Fri night from 8.00 to 10.00pm . The club are always looking for new members and invite everyone to come along on either night to see what the Indoor Bowling is all about
To book the Hollywood Centre or place a notice in the District section of the Wicklow People please contact the Centre on 045 864979 or Email: info@hollywoodcentre.ie

Kilcoole Notes 21 Sept 2010

NIGHT CLASSES IN COLAISTE CHRAOBH ABHANN

Adult Education courses start back in Colaiste Chraobh Abhann on Monday 27th September. You can enrol anytime by post or by phone 01 2870198 between 10.30am and 12.30pm Mon to Fri.

Courses include:

• Pilates,
• Yoga,
• Golf,
• Creative Writing,
• Sugarcraft,
• Home Baking,
• D.I.Y. and much more.

See the school website for more details or email adulted@colaisteca.ie

SET DANCING

Set dancing classes begin on Wednesday 29th September in the Mill Room at 8.00 p.m.

KILCOOLE MUSIC FESTIVAL

The music festival will take place on November 5th, 6th, 7th and 11th,12th, 13th & 14th. Please visit the new website Kilcoolemusicfestival. ie,or pick up a syllabus in one of the local shops.

BINGO

Bingo is back on Monday nights at the new time of 8.20 p.m. in St.Patrick’s Hall. There is a new Jackpot and all are welcome.

KILCOOLE IT CENTRE

ECDL course and Beginners course beginning shortly. For details, phone Stephanie on 01-2872017.

KILCOOLE WOMEN’S GROUP

The Women’s Group kick off their new season on Tuesday 21st September at 8.30 p.m. Please note our new venue is the Parish Centre (beside Scouts Den). New members are welcome. Phone 086 1701005 for details.

COMMUNITY THRIFT SHOP

Kilcoole Community Thrift Shop on Penny Lane is open Tuesday – Friday 11.00– 5.00 and Saturday mornings from 11.00 – 2.00. Enquiries 087 2867611.  Profits from the shop are donated each month to a different local group or charity. The shop stocks a large range of clothing for all the family, as well as bric a brac, books, toys and household items. Donations are gratefully accepted. Enquiries 087 2867611

CONSTITUENCY CLINIC

Fine Gael County Councillor Simon Harris will host a constituency clinic in the Mollys Pub on Main Street on Saturday 25th September from 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.

KILCOOLE NOTES

If you would like to have your notice included in the Kilcoole Notes, phone Jennifer on 087 2867611, email to oharaj@iol.ie, or call in to Community Thrift Shop, Penny Lane, off Main Street

Glenealy Notes Sept 20th 2010

GLENEALY IT CENTRE

Enrolment is now taking place for the following courses:

• ECDL-evening and daytime courses,
• Word Advanced-daytime course,
• SageQuickPay and Sageline 50-daytime courses,
• Web Design.
  New courses available are
• Digital Photography Workshop-Ready to improve your photography skills? This course is for both beginners and improvers.  From understanding how to use your camera effectively to seeing and capturing beautiful compositions.  You will take field trips to take photographs and be shown how and what to do with the images once they are transferred to the computer.
• 2007 Skills Update Course-Aimed at individuals with computer skills who wish to update their skills in using Office 2007 and familiarise themselves with the new Office environment (Duration 3 hours).

  For enrolment or further information on any of our courses please ring 0404 44980.

GYMBOREE

There will be Gymboree classes in the hall on Tuesday mornings from 10 until 12 noon. The class involves promoting a love of music through song, dance, movement games and instruments.

Activities vary depending of the child’s age and ability.  Booking is essential.  For further information contact Rachel on 086-8330212.

HUMPTY DUMPTY

Humpty dumpty classes will be every Friday morning from 10 until 12 noon.  Introduce your child to play with other children, singing, games and crafts.  Run by Cuidiu – Irish Childbirth Trust.
For further information contact Rachel on 086-8330212.

COMMUNITY GAMES BADMINTON

There will be junior badminton in the village hall every Wednesday from 6 until 8.30pm starting the 15th September. For further information contact Sheila on 0404-44808.

WHIST CARD DRIVE

There will be whist card drive in the hall this Thursday the 23rd of September starting at 8:45pm.

BADMINTON

Why not take up a hobby that keeps you fit and you can meet new people in a social setting.  All welcome from the experienced to the complete beginner.  Classes are from 7.30 to 10.30 in Glenealy Village Hall.  All enquiries to Leslie on 0404-67755.

BALLROOM AND LATIN AMERICAN DANCE CLASS

• There will be ballroom and Latin American dance classes in Glenealy Village Hall every Friday.  These classes are for both adults and children from the age of four.
• There will be NEW ballroom and Latin class for 4-7 year olds at 5.15 -6pm.
• Ballroom and Latin class for 8-15 year olds at 6-7pm.
• Adult ballroom and Latin at 8.15-9.15pm.

  If you would like more details please email info@wicklowlatindance.com or call 086-3262635.

AUCTION

Our Autumn auction will take place in Glenealy Village Hall on Sunday the 3rd October. We would appreciate donations of saleable items.
Please contact 0404-44040/44635. All proceeds to Glenealy Hall Development.

NOTES

If there is anything you would like to see in the notes in future, please contact Rebecca on 0404-44040 or glenealyvillagehall@eircom.net before 12 noon on Friday.

Aughrim Notes 20 september

Granite Village Golf

A great day out was enjoyed by the Society at Mount Wolsley last Sunday.  Conditions proved testing as always on this great course.  Congratulations to a very worthy winner, Paddy Byrne from Aughrim.

Our last outing is of course the Captains Day at Woodenbridge on Friday October 8th.  Please book places as soon as possible with James O’Toole.

Active Retirement Group

Next outing of the active retirement group is to the Arboretum in Carlow on Thursday October 14th. Those interested in going please contact Margaret on 0402 36660.

A group of seven has been booked to go to the activity day at the Brockagh Centre, Laragh on Friday September 24th. Only those who have filled in the form can attend. Please contact Declan at 36896.

The Desktop Publishing course starts on Wednesday  September 22nd for eight weeks. Those interested please contact Declan on 0402 36896.

As part of Positive Ageing Week in Co Wicklow, the Retirement Group is having an open afternoon of craic, song, music, tea and sandwiches in the Pavilion on Rednagh Road at 2pm on Monday September 27th.

All elderly, friends and strangers alike, are invited and encouraged to attend so that an enjoyable time can be had by all.

Don’t forget all proposed contributions to the Aughrim Times newsletter must be submitted before October 1st to allow time for issue in mid-November.

All contributions to be in Word document to decstaunton@ireland.com

Don’t forget the Monday morning drop-in for coffee in the Pavilion at 10.30am.

The next General Meeting on Tuesday October 5th at 3.00pm in the Pavilion.

Photography Exhibition and Prizegiving

Aughrim Business Association cordially invites you to attend an exhibition of the entries submitted in its recent photography competition.  The exhibition will be opened on Sunday  September 26th at the Pavilion, Rednagh Road.

Proceedings will commence at 2.30 p.m. with the announcement of the overall winner of the photography competition and the presentation of prizes to the winning person and to the eleven runners up.

The presentation will be made by the competition’s sponsors, Skoda and Aughrim Motors.  The Aughrim 2011 Calendar, featuring the twelve finalists, will be launched at the exhibition and copies will be available to purchase.

The exhibition will run until Saturday  August 30th and will be open during the following times: Tue – Fri, 10.00 – 1.00 and 2.00 – 4.00. and Sat. 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.  All are welcome and admission is free.

Irish Classes

Irish class for adults only, starting in the Pavillion Aughrim on Tuesday nights from Tuesday 21 September at 8pm.  For details contact Séadna at 086 8500 388.

Tennis Lessons

Tennis Lessons for boys and girls aged 5 – 14 yrs start again shortly on Saturday afternoons in Aughrim’s Community Sport’s centre, Rednagh Road.

Phone or text David Sheehan 0878166525 for more details or to reserve a place. Numbers limited.

Market

The Market is open every Saturday 10.am – 2.oo.pm.  Enjoy Country Shopping at its best in Ireland’s Tidiest small Town in the Pavilion, Rednagh Road.  Please try and support this local enterprise. New stall holders are always welcome. Enquiries to 086 0865838.

Lotto

The numbers 4, 6, 22 and 27 were drawn in last week’s sports club lotto.  Match three winners were Rory O’Brien, Katie Brown, Kevin Byrne and Ann Byrne c/o Pat Canavan. The jackpot was not won. Next week’s jackpot is €7350.

Hilltop Treks and Mountain Ventures Hostel Wicklow did it!

Despite the current miserable rain that falls outside my window as I type, this morning at 7.02am I was watching the sunrise over the famous Lugnaquillia mountain in Wicklow!

Guided walks group Hilltop Treks and the countrystyle Mountain Ventures Hostel organised a sunrise walk today sept 18th. And what a walk it was!

Firstly there was all the excitement and fun of preparing to go and arriving at Mountain Ventures Hostel which is located practically at the foot of Lugnaquillia, just 3.5km from Donard Village in West Wicklow. To be met by a charming whitewashed cottage building with chalet type ‘dorms’ of various numbers ( we had a 4 bed to ourselves with GREAT shower!!) and the smell of turf burning in the stove fire was great and we did not have long to wait before the rest of the group turned up from Dublin via Terry of Hilltop Treks minibus collection ( only 10 euro return!)

A few other Giggily girlies arrived by car and everyone settled into their rooms then met with Aaron and Terry in the gorgeous common room to have pep talk about what to expect the following morning. Things like, oh you now, the usual- getting up at 3.30am!!! arghhhhhhhhh. but then , we knew that was the plan, so in order to ensure we could all doze off we decided it made sense to go down to the local for a few pints- just 2 or three you understand….

So off to Fentons pub with us – a very popular pub that has oldstyle Traditional irish charm, historic notices and photos all over it and a very friendly and welcoming bar man and local!

Terry had brought his guitar so we all coerced him into bringing it into the pub and having a bit of an ol singsong ( as you do!) Well the craic was mighty as they say and everyone relaxed and got to know one another before the long hike in the morning. The pub owner very kindly turned down the tv and refulled the turf fire for us too which was a lovely gesture.

We were very good and literally had 2/3 pints ( for one member of the group this was a first taste of guinness moment- she likes it!) then headed back and all scooted off to bed to try to sleep for the 4 hours before wake call up.

Having dreamt that I had finished the walk , the alarm that went off at 3.30 am seemed a bit surreal, however excitement prevailed and we all got up and dressed whereupon we were dropped up to Fentons pub again – no, not for more pints ha ha, but to begin our walk.

The walk was moderate with some difficult patches but once we took our time and stopped for a few small breaks we all made it ( even one member who was gtting over a serious chest infection – Super Well Done to Her!!) to the top just in time to see the gorgeous sun rise up in front of us and bathe us in it’s orange glow.

Ahhhh. lovely, time for tea and a truly sumptuous slice of ‘Sunrise cake’ made by the lovely Sue ( mountain ventures hostel, thanks sue) and then it was time to head back down.

I won’t kid you, coming down was hard – those walking sticks really are a must for something like that – (thanks John for lending me yours ) and then everyone headed off for a lovely hot shower before trooping into the common room to be served up a really really great full Irish breakfast which got the thumbs up from everyone.

I must say that I really enjoyed this experience, the additional craic from terry of Hilltop Treks makes it such a fun experience and it was plain to see that Aaron and Sue have been working their hearts out on the lovely Mountain Ventures Hostel with plans to have a minibus soon and we here at The Wicklow Way wish all parties a seriously great 2011 – You deserve it!

Now, time for me to have a nap! but first check out our pics on flickr and we should have a video clip on our You Tube channel shortly – I will post it once its up.

Roz ( and skippy came in spirit)
Living Life The Wicklow Way

Last chance to book a great wicklow walk Fri/ Sat

Here at The Wicklow Way we are getting rather excited abut tomorrow nights hostel stayover at the gorgeous looking Mountain ventures hostel at the foot of Lugnaquillia mountain by Wicklow Mountains National Park ( far side of glendalough) and the early morning hike (4am) to the top to watch the glorious sunrise.

There’s still time to book AND you can even get a special bus from Dublin for only a tenner!

So come on- get some fresh air into your lungs, get those legs looking good for Christmas and most importantly get out and HAVE FUN!

www.mountainventures.ie – have a look- its gorgeous!

www.hilltoptreks.com – Terry knows lots of interesting stuff about the area

read our previous post with all the details here >> Come and meet us

National Trails Day -Free Guided Walk

Glencree and Prince William’s Seat Walk on Sunday 3rd Oct

Meeting at Enniskerry Clock Tower for registration.

We will then drive to Curtlestown Wood and walk along part of the Wicklow Way trail to the top of Prince William’s Seat. From here there are great views over the whole of Dublin, North Wicklow and Ireland’s East coast.

The walk is very varied and we pass through some great woodland, open hillside and along old Boreen tracks.

We will stop along the way for a bite to eat by the side of Glencree valley.

Suited to beginners

Guided Walk with HilltopTreks

• About the Walk: Moderate Walk 2-3 hrs
• Length 8Km ascent 500m
• Where to Meet: Enniskerry @ 11am
• Price: Free .

  Book by sending an email with your contact number to Info@hilltoptreks.ie with National Trails Day on Subject.

• Pickup available from Stephen’s Green Fitzwilliam Hotel @10am (€10 return)
  Places are limited so please book early.

For more info Visit www.hilltoptreks.ie

HilltopTreks  – A Breath of Fresh Air!
Tel: Irel: 00353(0)87-7849599

Web: www.HilltopTreks.ie
Blog: http://hilltoptreks.wordpress.com/
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