Guitars, Digital Pianos, Digital Drums and More

Met a lovely guy who really knew his stuff at the recent Wicklow Expo, who runs the Everest Music and Piano Centre in Bray. They have all sorts of musical instruments available and some great offers too including Digital Pianos from only €799 and guitar starter packs from €69.

Our nieces and nephews are all big into music and have been busy working on their guitar and keyboard skills, but if your looking to bring some melody into your world then why not pop by and see what hits the right note with you?

Visit them at www.everestmusic.com, tell Dave we sent ya!

BallynaGran Energy Plus Project

One of the speakers at the recent Wicklow Expo in the Grand Hotel was from the Ballynagran Energy Plus Project and had some very interesting info on options for the community involved to get aided energy audits…

Ballynagran is a rural community in East Wicklow comprising approximately 600 homes clustered around the village of Glenealy as well as dispersed throughout rolling green countryside in the heart of the Garden of Ireland. The area is about to embark on an ambitious project to become a Zero Carbon Community within the next fifteen years, focusing on energy consumption in buildings, transportation and food production.

Funding has been secured from Wicklow County Council in association with Greenstar Ballynagran Landfills Community Fund, for the first phase of the project, which will involve completing an energy audit of every home in the Study Area, retrofitting the local primary school with Passive House Standard materials and embarking on an intensive educational programme.

Read more here: www.ballynagranzerocarbon.com

Recent Expo at Grand Hotel Wicklow

The recent Expo at the Grand Hotel in Wicklow Town did not alas attract so many members of the public, however, many local business people did turn up and most of us made some good new networking connections so the day still proved  a success.

The atmosphere was very friendly and local chef Paul Smith of An Ceilteach Mistíuíl Teoranta (The Mystic Celt) did a really interesting cookery demonstration that demonstrated his skills at such gourmet delights as seaweed biscuits with rabbit followed by Handmade chocolates and strawberries dipped in chocolate assisted by my very own sister Linda ( she just LOVES chocolate).

Our main promotion of the day was our new partnership with Explore Wicklow – a new mobile app that you can download straight to your smartphone which features, well , pretty much everything you need to know, whether your coming to visit or live in Co Wicklow Ireland. ..

More on this to follow, but if you would be interested in getting added to this wonderful new APP then contact us today :

sales@thewicklowway.com or Tel 087 2990866.

View photos on our facebook page here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Wicklow-Way/103920287735

Kilcoole Notes Co Wicklow

FAMILY FESTIVAL

Byrne’s Irish House have announced a family festival on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June. The weekend festival will have fun for all – with live bands, kids entertainment, barbeque, monster draw and much more. More information to come.

COMMUNION

The boys and girls of Kilcoole Primary School will celebrate their First Holy Communion on Saturday 28th of May in St. Anthony’s Church.

BINGO

Bingo is held on Monday evenings in St. Patrick’s Hall. It starts at 8.20 p.m. and everyone is welcome.

SET DANCING

The monthly set dancing evening will be held on the last Wednesday of May (25th) in the Millroom, starting at 9.00 p.m. Thanks to everyone who has supported the group throughout the year.

KILCOOLE COMMUNITY THRIFT SHOP

The shop is located on Penny Lane, off Main Street. We are open from 11-5 Tuesday to Friday, and 11-2 on Saturdays. We gratefully accept donations of clean family clothing, books, bric-a-brac and household items. No electrical items please. Each month we make a donation to a local group or charity. Please call in for a browse, and support local initiative.

CONSTITUENCY CLINIC

Simon Harris T.D. has a new constituency clinic on Thursday evenings (except bank holidays) from 7.00 – 8.00 p.m. in the Mollys.

NOTES

Send to oharaj@iol.ie or phone 087 2867611

Hollywood Notes May 23rd 2011

Under-age Training

Hurling Training for U8, U10 and U12 every Tuesday evening in Hollywood GAA Grounds from 6.30 – 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Mass Rock

Pilgrimage to Mass Rock on Sunday 29th May, departing from the Church at 7am. Mass will be celebrated at approximately 9am, overlooking the Mass Rock site. All going well it is hoped to have a cup of tea after the Mass. Please remember that there will be no 8.30am Mass in the Church that morning.

Other Dates to Remember

• Cemetery Sunday is on 12th June at 3.30pm.
• Corpus Christi Procession is on June 19th, taking place after 11.30am Mass. More information later.
• Hollywood Sports and Field Day on Sunday 10th July.

Cake Sale

Hollywood Fair Committee are holding a Bake n’ Buy sale in the Hollywood Centre after 6pm Mass on Saturday June 4th , 2011 and after 8..30am and 11.30am Masses on Sunday June 5th 2011. All support would be very welcome.

Bingo

Bingo will take place in the Hollywood Centre on Thursday evening at the usual time of 8.30pm.

Parish Office

Remember that the Parish Office is open from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1.30pm.

St V De Paul

St V De Paul shop in Church St, Ballymore Eustace, opening hours are 9.30-3.30 Monday to Friday. 12 – 2.00pm on Saturday. Donations of good Quality Clothing, Shoes, Bric-a-Brac, Bed Linen and Small Furniture always welcome. Phone 045 864977

Church Ladies Society

Volunteers are needed for the Church Ladies Society. With enough assistance, cleaning, and tidying would be done approximately every six months.

GAA News

The Annual Golf Classic is coming up soon, It is in Baltinglass Golf Club on Bank Holiday Monday, June 6th. It is €200 for a team of 4.

Lotto Draw

The numbers drawn in last week’s Lotto Draw were: 5,8,11,15. No Winner. The €20 winners were: Leanne Kiely, Hollywood. Kay Brophy, Dunlavin. Jessica Keogh, Hollywood. Pat Keogh, Blessington and Ann Daly, Ballymore. Next draw takes place on June 2nd in the Centre during Bingo. The Jackpot now stands at €2,400.

Field Day

The Field Day committee met last Tuesday to make preliminary plans for our annual Field Day. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday June 7th. As already noted the Field Day will take place on Sunday July 10th.

All help will be very much appreciated and so everyone who would like to be involved will be very welcome at the next meeting. Again, it must be remembered that the funds from the event go towards Hollywood’s community only.

The Church and Parish, School, GAA and the ICA benefit from this one and only annual combined fund-raising Parish event.

St Kevin’s Juvenile GAA

St. Kevin’s in conjunction with “The Hollywood Fair” are holding a “Make a Scarecrow” competition, judging is on Saturday 25th June in Hollywood GAA grounds at 7pm, followed by a BBQ. Winner receives €50 and their scarecrow will take Pride of Place protecting the corn for the Threshing at the Fair.

Entry fee €5 per scarecrow. More details from any St Kevin’s Juvenile Gaa Committee member or 045 483608. Mini leagues will also restart on same evening.

We are collecting unused and old clothes on an ongoing basis, we take clothes, curtains, bed-linen, shoes and work boots, no pillows or duvets. Contact Brian Keogh for drop off details.

Tractor Run

The Hollywood Hills Tractor & Classic Run took place on Sunday May 15th and was a great success despite rather unclement weather. Almost one hundred vehicles took part including Tractors, Classic cars, Motor Cycles and even a bicycle of World War Two vintage sporting a hayrake and pitchfork instead of a rifle.

The tractors ranged from 1950s classics to more modern machines and the cars were mostly classics of the 60s and 70s but included a lovely 1940s Ford Racing Special with a very interesting history. The route took in a nice trip around some of the area’s most scenic roads and was enjoyed by all.

Meanwhile in the field all the fun of the fair ensured that the non drivers were kept amused between the showers and the refreshments tent was very well patronised with over a thousand cups of tea and coffee being served and the hot food was a welcome treat after a trip on an open tractor.

Some nice prizes were won on the Wheel of Fortune while Goldfish were in great demand among the younger patrons.

The event raised a substantial sum for the National rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. The organisers, West Wicklow Classic & Vintage Vehicle Club, wish to thank everybody who took part in the run as well as all our sponsors and those who advertised in the programme booklet. We also wish to express our gratitude to all who donated prizes or other goods and services to the event.

Thanks also to all the volunteers and club members who helped with the preparations in the field and on the road as well as those who ran the catering on the day. Special thanks to the Duffy Family for the use of the field and for putting so much into making the event a success.

We would also like to thank An Garda Siochana and our marshals for their assistance on the roads and the Order of Malta who provided the First Aid cover.

The club would like to remind everybody that membership remains open and we can be contacted on wwcvvc@baltinglasstown.com or telephone 087 6863602. Our website is www.westwicklowclassics.com

Table Quiz

A Table Quiz will be held in Tutty’s Lounge , Hollywood on Friday 27th May in aid of Chernobyl Children’s project. Please support.

St Luke’s Hospital

The Mini Marathon Cake Sale for St Luke;s Hospital raised €620. Many,Many thanks to everyone who supported it.

Church Gate Collection

The Church Gate Collection for Cancer Research made €388. Many thanks to all who supported it.

Alzheimers Tea Day

The Tea Day held in Aid of Alzheimers Unit Baltinglass on May 10th in the Hollywood Centre made €450. Thanks to all for your very generous support.

Bookings/Notes

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.

Pamper Day Wicklow

Would you like to pamper yourself?
We will have a range of mini treatments for you to try at only €15 including:

• Massage:- Hand, Arm, Foot, Indian Head Massage
• Facials:- Aromatherapy, Hot Stone
• Make Up:- Eyelashes, Smokey Eyes, Foundation, Glossy Lips
• Manicures:- Mini sessions, File & Paint

Lots of advice on offer re coping with Stress or getting ready for the Debs, & information on up coming classes…

While you are there there will be gifts to browse through, a sparkling non-alcoholic drink and some nibbles,

Also Lauren MacLennan is joining us for Kinesiology

Like to give it a try? Lots of Free parking!!

When: May 28th 11am to 4pm

Where: Fionas Therapies, Ashford (beside Ashford House)

Who: Contact Fiona on www.fionastherapies.net for further details or if you have any queries.

Family Fun Wicklow

The Wicklow Arts Festival 2011 officially opened in fine style last Friday with a record attendance at the Grand Hotel in Wicklow Town.

www.wicklowartsfestival.ie

Skippy The Dog of Wicklow Way Fame

As many of you know The Wicklow Way websites were originally set up as part of a hobby site many moons ago in 2007. Based on the explorations of myself and my faithful hound Skippy the dog, who featured on many of the site pages and indeed has input his point of view on our Towns and Village Guide ( found under Places tag on www.WicklowTourism.ie)

Skippy had a great old life with many adventures and made many friends both in Wicklow and abroad through the site. Thus we have put together some of my favourite quotes from him and there is an album of photos on our facebook page for him which reflect his happy life Living in Wicklow Ireland.

He passed away peacefully yesterday and now joins My father Thomas, who also recently passed so to both of them we say Rest In Peace and Play again. xxx
Roz and Michael – The Wicklow Way Of Living.

Annamoe :

Without wishing to be considered a name-dropper (ahem-woof) the acclaimed film director John Boorman (deliverance -1972) currently lives here in Annamoe.

read more >>

Arklow:

There is also a nice riverside walk along by the nineteen arches bridge up along the back of Kittys restaurant. I must admit to being a little wary of the many geese that hang out here though as they are a bigger than me and sometimes honk at me thinking I have bread for them, but I have no pockets to carry bread in!!! silly geese!

read more >>

Brittas Bay:

In high season there are a variety of food vans selling yummy burgers, hotdogs and ice-creams and, although I do of course feel sorry for a ‘little one’ when their ice-cream falls, I am always happy to lick away the mess thus reducing the likelihood of attracting wasps! (see, I am a helpful little dog.)

read more >>

Enniskerry:

The powerscourt golf course is an 18-hole course with stunning views. My favourite however, is the Powerscourt waterfall which is small compared to such world famous falls as the niagra falls however, it is quite charming and is Irelands highest waterfall at (bless us! 398 feet. That’s about 397 times higher than me!!!

read more >>

Rathdrum:

An ideal location for the nature lover Rathdrum is a lovely place to live or visit – especially if you’re a dog like me! Indeed just two weeks ago as my human and I were enjoying an evening stroll by the river we saw a stoat, two hares, a bunny rabbit and a heron being chased by a rook!!

read more >>

Tributes from fans of Skippy:

“skippy was a very cool dog and i will miss him, and he was sumtimes called ‘skippy the bush kangaroo’. he was very cute and wen he was a pup he was very lively. but sice hes on da internet he is emortal. so gonna miss ya loads skippy. he loved u loads roz and u gave him a happy life and da best 1. xxxxxxxx”

~ Leah – Rosslare ( aged 11)

Skippy was the happiest most walked dog in ireland! He loved barking and was a great guard dog. He loved his human soo much and she was really kind to him and gave him lots of hugs and love. He had lots of adventures and went to all the tourist spots in wicklow and won many awards for being such a good dog. rest well in doggie heaven skippers!! xx ~ Samantha wexford

Skippy, the Legend of Wicklow.
Steven- cork

Skippy was the cutest little thing when dad brought him home in the back of his work van he crept out from behind a tin of paint covered in ivory paint!!! awwwww…………. such a happy clever dog he had the best life living with you roz.x ~ Linda – Rathdrum

Ah Roz, so sorry to hear but what an amazing life he lived! He’ll be welcomed in doggy heaven! Xxx lots of love, ~ Aoife – blessington

skippers. you will always have a special place in my dog memories. x ~ Mateja- Austria

He’s gone to the great kennel in the sky he’s up there with my jakey baby!! He did have a wonderful 100 years here thou (doggy years) xxx
~ Kat Wicklow

“Keep on Keeping on Skip”  ~ Connolly, Dublin

Visit us on Facebook to leave your comments or check out his photo album, www.facebook.com/thewicklowway

VW Campervan hire in Ireland

Motorhome rental and hire in Ireland, Campervan rental and hire in ireland, whatever you want to call it, LazyDays camper Van Hire located in Co Wicklow has just the camper van for your road trip!

But don’t take our word for it- check out what these LazyDays Clients had to say:

We hired Charlie for a week in November and couldn’t have had a more fantastic trip. Right from the start Sue and Pat couldn’t have been more helpful or accommodating. Sue was always very quick to respond during the hiring process, even helping organise our journey from the airport to pick up Charlie.

Charlie is a beautiful, well-equipped bus. Every time we needed a piece of equipment we found it was already supplied, be it a corkscrew or a rag to wipe the windows. Both Pat and Sue took us through everything we could need to know about Charlie, including how to drive him and where everything was kept.

We always felt that they were just on the end of the phone should we need anything. We had such a lovely and fun week touring beautiful Ireland in Charlie that we’d happily do it all over again.” … Keren & Paul

Spa breaks 30 min from Dublin

A Gorgeous Spa break offer at this Powerscourt Spa:

Enjoy a savvy one night Spa break away that won’t break the bank. Included in this great value spa break deal is 1 nights Bed and Full Buffet Breakfast with Evening Meal as well as a full body Swedish Massage per person at Rainforest Day Spa and access to the day spa’s thermal facilities including sauna, steam room & hot tub on balcony.

A wide range of activities and attractions available in the area such as Powerscourt House, Gardens and Waterfall, horse riding, hill walking, forest treks, swimming, shopping in Victorian village of Enniskerry or award winning Dundrum shopping centre and much much more.

Add an extra night for just €50.00 per person dinner bed & Breakfast. Spa Treatments must be pre-booked in advance directly with the day spa to ensure your appointment.

To book day spa break, please call 01-2748080 to book click here >>

Contact details:
Summerhill House Hotel, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow
www.summerhillhousehotel.com
info@summerhillhousehotel.com
Tel: 01 2867928

Summerhills’ Powercourt Spa also have some great mini spa break packages and duvet day deals on offer so your sure to find one that suits your needs.  Mmmm!