Rainy day Walks in County Wicklow For all the Family

well it may be a damp drizzly day today but thats no reason not to pull on your anorak, walkign trousers  and walking boots and head out for a nice brisk stroll anyway.

The best part will be the feeling of satisfaction and clear head as you come back home or better still treat yourself to a nice bowl of soup or seafood chowder by a log fire in one of wicklows gorgeous bars – for eg the hotel in Laragh after walking round Glendalough,or the lovely river walk in Clara Vale – see photos below, Glenmalure lodge, Enniskerry after powerscourt, jacobs well Rathdrum after a stroll around gorgeous Avondale or indeed Devils Glen in Ashford (see photos ) and a visit to Chester Beattys ( lovely log fire).

The beauty of wooded walks is that you don’t really get wet! Avondale is ideal for this weather,.

Otherwise tomorrow should be a bit nicer – as met.ie say:
Tomorrow will be a bright breezy day with sunshine and showers, some heavy and possibly thundery.

In which case why not join up with Terry and the gang from Hilltop Treks for their new guided 1 day walks in Wicklow each Sunday throughout July.

In the meantime myself, skippy and his mate Snipe are off for a woodland walk ourselves and tomorrow we hope to meet up with Terry and the gang- will post exact meeting point later today.

they are meeting at Crone wood car park at 11am.

and here it is:

http://www.hilltoptreks.ie/walk_wicklowoneday.htm

Have fun!

Roz and Skippythedog
Living Life The Wicklow Way

The Park Restaurant Arklow Review

Located directly beside the carpark in Arklow that is situated opposite the Arklow dole office / garda station etc sits the impressive and inviting looking  Restaurant that is The Park.

Myself and a friend finally got a chance to check it out for lunch the other day and boy oh boy are we glad we did! Anyone who reguarly reads our blog will know how much I adore food and the use of interesting tastes and blends etc. ( well with 2 chefs in the family its not surprising I guess) .

Anyway we literally were in and out as had a busy day but from the moment we walked in to The Park an air of calm decended upon us.

We sat ( having been offered a few choice tables)  in the wonderfully muted and cooling room (HOT day!) that is the restaurant and were immediately offered a drink of our choice or perhaps just water?

Which is always nice as some folks feel awkward asking for regular water.

The menu had a fine range of light and savoury sandwiches ( the fancy kind) salads, stir fry type dishes to offer and myself and my mate both opted for the sizzling beef with pakchoi and stir fried veg  and shared a bowl of homecut chips- Forgive me if the exact ingredients are incorrect as I was in a slight hurry but it was truly GORGEOUS food!!  Beautiful zings of lemon and honey and neither too little or too much on the plate.

Maybe its a girl thing but the state of a restaurants’ toilet facitlites really matter to me ( and pubs – oh some pub toilets are sooo bad in Wicklow!!) and I am pleased to report that they are clean and pleasant in The Park Restaurant.

I just had a small cappucino afterwards which was very nice too and then unfortunatley we had to zoom on to our next port of call!

Being located literally by the car park is very convenient for meeting up with friends and we will definately be back again. Highly recommended for a nice lunch.

Total cost approx 27 euro altogether.  A bit pricey maybe for lunch but very very tasty and worth it – I had been thinking about that dish for 2 days afterwards! honestly.

The Park Restaurant,
Fenbyrne House,
Castlepark,
Arklow,
Co.Wicklow.

Opening Hours:
Breakfast 10am to 12pm Tuesday to Saturday
Lunch 12pm to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday
Dinner 6.30pm to 9.30pm Thursday to Saturday

T: 0402 23894, E: info@theparkrestaurant.ie W: www.theparkrestaurant.ie

HilltopTreks Full Moon Walks in Dublin/Wicklow Mts.

Next Walk on Fri June 5th.   Price €25

If interested you can ring Terry on 087-7849599 e-mail info@hilltoptreks.ie or visit www.Hilltoptreks.ie for more information

These night walks are very different and great fun.

The next Full Moon Walk will take place on Fri June 5^th.

We will meet up in Glendalough visitor centre @ 8pm.
The walk will take place in the scenic area of Glendalough County Wicklow.

It will be 2 -3 hrs long and there will also be a break on the walk for some lunch.

The walk will be kept at a pace to suit everyone to keep it as enjoyable as possible.

Yoga Walk in Glendalough

Saturday June 6th

Meet at the Brockagh Centre and Glendalough @11am

The Yoga Walk day is for anybody interested in getting out in the fresh air, going for a walk in the Wicklow area and also trying some yoga.

The Day will involve a yoga session in the morning at 11:00  (No yoga experience is required).

The Yoga session will warm you up, stretch your muscles and have you ready for the walk ahead.  After the yoga we then go for a walk in the Glendalough area.

The walk will be about 2 -3 hrs long, ideally up around the lakes in Glendalough and led by a walking guide.

There will also be a break on the walk for some lunch and many chances to take in the wonderful surroundings.

The walk will be kept at a pace to suit everyone to keep it as enjoyable as possible.

If interested you can ring Terry on 087-7849599 e-mail info@hilltoptreks.ie or visit www.Hilltoptreks.ie for more information

Sun 14th June – Walk Lugnaquillia, Leinster’s Highest mountain

Meeting at 11:00 in Glenmalure: (beside lodge)

The walk will take us along part of the Wicklow way up on to Carrawaystick Mt across to Corrigasleggaun and on up to Lugnaquillia. Where we will stop for a well earnt lunch. Hopefully it will be a clear day as the views from here are stunning.
If interested you can ring Terry on 087-7849599 e-mail info@hilltoptreks.ie or visit www.Hilltoptreks.ie for more information

Wicklows Future Looks Green and Keen

It is a rare but happy day when we get excited here at www.thewicklowway.ie, and today folks is one of those days!!

We have been contacted by two very enterprising groups who have great plans for Wicklow and Indeed Ireland.

First up is the soon to be opened Wicklow Hostel situated along the Moyne section of the infamous Wicklow Way Walk. This is an eco  friendly hostel and I forsee amazing times ahead.

Incidentally they need a bit of volunteer help to get the ‘Earthship Wall’ (? I dunno yet what it is but I am signing up!) built in time for the planned opening ( september 2009) and we will have more info on that very soon.

In the meantime check them out on: www.wicklowhostel.ie

Secondly but no less important is the entreprenurial Grainne Sherlock who basically wants to get more Wicklow businesses involved with discount offers for tourists visiting Ireland. The cards are  bought by tourists via her website in the form of a 20 euro discount card.

She works tirelessly promoting the scheme with her many tourism contacts and you, the wicklow business, get more tourists visiting you and therefore buying your goods! and for you its free.

They buy it for a whole year and can plan their trips to avail of whatever applicable discounts they wish to avail of.

Guys – this is a GREAT idea and she has done all the work for you. All you have to do is make an offer to be included! see  here for more explanation than I can offer!! on her website: www.emeralddiscounts.ie

Grainne has a wealth of experience within the Irish Tourism Industry and has many useful contacts which she is utilising.

This , my friends, Is how to suceed in a recession- join up – its FREE!!!!

Greystones Theatre – Take a Peek…

“

Dinner at Bates Rathdrum May Bank Holiday Weekend

What can we say guys? Bates restaurant in Rathdrum got the thumbs up again not only from us humans but from Skippy The Dog too!

The holiday weekend proved an ideal chance to enjoy some of Wicklows finest restaurants and bates restaurant is surely one of these! Myself and a friend headed up to bates on Saturday night to find the restaurant buzzing with a fun atmosphere pervading throughout.

We were welcomed by Alvaro and seated at a  comfortable table with the usual niceties of breads, dips and water to settle us in. ( I ADORE their olive tapenade!!). My friend is a vegetarian and found a good choice of meals to choose from , selecting the gnocchi whilst yours truly elected for the seasonal Lamb.

The whole meal was deliciously cooked by the wonderful Marino and there were small groups, couples, birthday party people and businessmen all enjoying the night.

We later chilled out outside in the cute and pretty cobblestoned lane then headed back home full of yummy food and with a special doggy bag for mr skippy. Needless to say he wolfed it up and says cheers to bates and hopes to see y’all again soon.

Why not check out their videos on their YouTube to get an idea of the restaurant:
Bates Restaurant Wicklow- Videos >>> or visit their website on www.batesrestaurant.ie

Wicklow Business Directory

Get your wicklow business online now  on www.thewicklowway.com

p.s. I burnt my dinner making this!!

p.p.s I WILL learn to look straight at the camera and to stop fluttering my eyelashes lol!!

wicklow news for dance lovers

Just Dance ( no not lady gaga) in Bray Co Wicklow have lots of news for their wicklow dancers. Firstly they have some new venues, second they are offering a special 5th class free promotion and thirdly.. well let’s let them say it for us eh:

DO YOU SECRETLY SALSA ACROSS YOUR LIVING ROOM FLOOR? ….OR LONG TO JIVE AT PARTIES? …..OR MAYBE YOU CAN’T WAIT TO BUST A MOVE TO ALL THOSE LATEST TUNES?

….WELL YOU’RE IN LUCK

WHETHER YOU WANT TO KICK UP YOUR HEELS TO HIP HOP, BALLROOM OR SALSA/LATINO, WE HOPE TO HAVE YOU ALL DANCING YOUR WAY THROUGH 2009 BY INTRODUCING OUR JUST DANCE LOYALTY CARD

DO ANY 4 JUST DANCE COURSES IN 2009 AND GET YOUR 5TH FREE

DANCE YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE AT ANY OF OUR HIP HOP, BALLROOM OR SALSA/LATINO DANCE COURSES

PLEASE FIND OUR APRIL/MAY SCHEDULE ATTACHED

SOME OF OUR NEW VENUES INCLUDE CLONTARF, ASHBOURNE AND KILLINEY.

TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF OUR COURSES SIMPLY ARRIVE 20 MINUTES EARLY ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF YOUR CHOSEN COURSE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT US HERE ON 01 8273040.

FOR FUN….FOR FITNESS….FOR LIFE….JUST DANCE

Visit them here >>>

Music and Fun at Greystones This Weekend,

Ramona, Alan and crew have been busy bees as usual, organising fun stuff for all us Wicklow folks who like to party and this weekend is no exception!

Check out this update from Ramona below:

Tonight -Friday

we are so lucky to have headlining our No Covers Friday with the brilliant Alphastates, i cannot stress how good this band are, check them out on myspace, they are making big noises in the current International music scene and they’re current single’champagne glass’ is a big hit on the dance floors of New York. supporting them are localish bands Pushkin, the Deadly Nightshades and Equipt. As usual we are here to promote new original music and offer this gig free of charge till 9.30 10euro after with The Jukes at midnight following taking us to the early hours.
Saturday is the return of Disco Stew but before he gets us in the groove Greystones Unplugged showcases some of the great singer songwriter talent around with the likes of Rory Quinn, Lisa O’Brien, Justin Manville and more.

If you want to enjoy an evening of acoustic delight don’t miss this and if you are a singer songwriter contact us immediately and we’ll try get you on the bill. Starts at 8.30 5euro in till ten 10euro after.

If your not already signed up to their newsletter than do so now at www.greystonestheatre.com

Happy Weekend from

Roz and Skippy the dog
Living Life The Wicklow Way

Brockagh Bealtaine Festival – Glendalough, Wicklow May 2009

Events at a glance

• Sunday 3rd May            Car Boot Sale (special rates for active retirement)
• Tuesday 5th May          Us Then, Us Now – Swapping stories & ‘old time  lunch’ with children from St.   Kevin’s National School
• Thursday 7th May       “Mrs Pettigrew lives for a Day” – Conary Film Club, Avoca – 8pm Bus leaves Laragh 7.30 pm
• Saturday 9th May       Yoga Walk – Yoga Session followed by walk – discount to over 55s  11am
• Saturday 9th May         Cecilia Ahearn’s Mrs Whippy- with Mary McEvoy 8pm
• Sunday 10th May         Country Market & Craft Fair -11.30am -4pm
• Tuesday 12th May       “Opening Doors with Technology” – Mobile Phone, Camera, Email, Internet 11am – with Avondale Community College.
• Monday 18th May         Treasure Hunt for the Clueless (Wicklow Mountains National Park) – 11am – 2pm
• Sunday 24th May         Afternoon Tea Dance & Variety Acts – 3-6pm
• Saturday 30th May      Festival Dance with Tommy Carroll 9.30pm
• For further details visit their website here: www.brockaghresourcecentre.ie

Baltinglass Outdoor Education Centre Wicklow

Things to do in Wicklow this Easter hols

If your looking for something outdoors and fun to keep yourselves or your teens busy and happy in Wicklow over the easter holidays then why not check out a trip to baltinglass OEC Wicklow?

This wicklow outdoor adventure centre offers  day trips or week long activities for you to try your hand at including kayaking, hillwalking, high ropes, archery and much more.

Why not chek out their new wicklow website here:
www.baltinglassoec.com for more details and have yourself a Wicklow Adventure.

Sex and the City in Wicklow

Looking for something fun and different to do tonite in Wicklow?

Why not get your glam selves down to Greystones Theatre. Saturday 7th, They are bringing  ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ with Sex and the City on the big screen and Music to keep you dancing all night long.

Free b4 9.
Check out website www.greystonestheatre.com

Star Studded Show Friday Feb 27th

Two things, firstly Astronomy Ireland are holding a few star watch events next Friday 27th Feb throughout Ireland, the closet to us probably being in Carlow IT : http://www.astronomy.ie/venusmoon2009(feb).html

These events offer us the chance to view the sky jewels through amazingly high quality telescopes – Indeed when we went to see Jupiter in Roundwood at the star b q last year (?) I was really amazed at the detail.

Many galactic events are taking place (some for the last time in 30 years, some not again until 2012, bringing to mind the Mayan Prophecies methinks!) thus the star watch events taking place.

Secondly have a look at this link, it certainly makes you think!

http://www.astronomy.ie/perpespective.html

Roz and skippythedog
xx
living Life The Wicklow Way

Music at Brockagh this Weekend

Well, we’ve just been visiting our friends at the Brockagh Resource Centre in laragh Co Wicklow ( just near Glendalough) where they’re very busy setting up the stage for the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which begins tomorrow night.

Roundwood variety group are the drama extrodinares behind the show and the dates and times are as follows:

Thursday 29th January 2009 : 8pm
Friday 30th January 2009 : 8pm
Saturday 31st January 2009 : 8pm
Sunday 1st February 2009 : 8pm

Plus there are matinees shows on:
Saturday 31st January 2009 : 3pm
Sunday 1st February 2009 : 3pm

Apparently nearly all the seats are already sold out so if you fancy a night of entertainment and visual lighting mastery then get yourselves down to Brockagh now!

For tickets (€15) tel: 086 2451829

Visit their website below for further details.

www.brockaghresourcecentre.ie. Information can also be found on their ’sister’ site www.glendalough.ie

No Covers Friday at Greystones Theatre

Don’t forget that you can enjoy great music FOR FREE at Greystones Theatre every friday with their “No Covers Friday” nights.

Tonite features the very energetic music of Eric Noon and the Future Gypsies, plus if your still full of energy you can bop till you drop with a DJ kicking until 2.30 am.

see their website below for more and have a lovely weekend
www.greystonestheatre.com

roz and Skippy the dog
x
Living Life The Wicklow Way…

Ramada Hotel Bray, Three Qs, Mermaid Arts Centre

Just a brief note as promised to tell you all how the David O Doherty gig was at Mermaid Arts Centre Bray last weekend- in short it was great (although I was a teeny bit chilly ) and he (DOD) did mention how one must be careful about telling young kids that they’re heading to the mermaid next week – his neice was Sooo excited because she thought she was actually going to see a real live Mermaid!!
for all the latest in rts and events at mermaid check out their website here >>>

The Ramada Hotel rooms were very tastefully decorated in reds ( am sooo glad to leave florals behind!) and the staff were very pleasant plus it was no hassle at all to get a taxi straight away! the cost was only €69 for the room excludign breakfast so check out their website here for other great offers: www.ramadabray.com

The following morning we headed out to the Three Q’s restaurant in greystones where the lovely Quinn Brothers serve up a mouthwatering menu for brunch – they also do Lunch and Dinner with Early bird – for details contact them on Tel:+353 (0)1 287 5477.. Absolutely DIVINE!

The Three Q’s
Gweedore Church Road Greystones Co Wicklow
Tel:+353 (0)1 287 5477

If you like to Laugh Do NOT Miss This Show!!

Funnyman and musician extraordinaire (literally) David O’Doherty or THE DOD as he is affectionately known will be playing at The Mermaid Arts centre in bray this Friday (jan 16th) at 8pm.

Tickets are a ridiculously cheap 18 quid max which is very recession friendly and so yours truly will def be there- have tickets already! We can’t wait!!!!

for more info on this gig click here >>>

Venue:
Mermaid Arts Centre
Main Street
Bray
Phone: +353 1 272 4302
Email: administrator@mermaidartscentre.ie
Website: http://www.mermaidartscentre.ie

These Full Moon Walks are an excellent opportunity to see beautiful landscape by the light of the moon.The walks will be short 3-4 hr walks starting at 7 in the evening during the Winter months.

You will visit some of the most scenic parts of Wicklow in places such as Glendalough, Luggala, Djouce and many more. If you have never had the opportunity to do some nigfht walking then don’t miss this as it’s an altogether different experience.

The next Walk will take place on Sat Jan 10th and we will meet up in Kilmacanogue at the Glencormac Inn car park @ 7pm.

You will have a choice of doing 1 of 2 short walks (depending on numbers ). The walks will take place up and around the greater and smaller sugar loafs. Both walks give excellent panaramic views of the surrounding landscape and eastern coastline.

How to get to Glencormac Inn carpark fronm Dublin. Follow the M50 on to the N11 towards Wexford. Take the turn for Glendalough, Roundwood R767, crossover the bridge acoss the N11 turn right at roundabout after bridge and then right again at next roundabout. The Glencormac Inn is on your left.

All the guides on theses walks are fully qualified and trained so you are in safe hands.

You will also be trained on the skills of night navigation, gain some knowledge of the stars and you could even experience a night time rainbow.

These walks are very reasonable at only €25.

For more info Visit http://www.hilltoptreks.ie/fullmoon.htm

This event is aimed at giving unattached people the opportunity of meeting each other under more relaxed environments.

HillTopTreks are proud to team up with Muddy Matches to host their first Muddy Matches event in Ireland. We are delighted to be able to invite you along for a guided walk in the stunning Glendalough region of the Wicklow Mountains National Park followed by dinner in the highly-recommended Wicklow Heather Restaurant.

Tickets cost €56 (approx £55)

Price Includes

* Guided walk with qualified guide

* Lunch for walk

* Evening Meal in the Wicklow Heather restaurant.

For more details and booking visit the  Website http://www.hilltoptreks.ie/walk_valentine.htm

Cherrylane Gallery is one of Irelands leading Contemporary galleries of painting and sculpture.

cherrylane fine arts delgany wicklow

The gallery is housed in 400-year-old buildings on the old site of the historical Killincarrig Cherry orchards.

Cherrylane run a full annual exhibition calendar exhibiting a wide range of artists and styles. Recognised artists such as Francis Matthews, David Begley, Louis le Brocquy, Andrew Hood, Robert Ryan, Gillian Lawler, Jack B Yeats, and Frank Mc Kelvey among many others can be first of all admired and also may be purchased if one pleases.

They stock a range of fine art prints including specially commissioned series of local scenes. they also run various free lectures and demonstrations within the visual arts field through out the year. Music recitals also feature in the calendar. There is also small area to sit enjoy a free coffee and browse through the galleries art library.

All are welcome!

Cherrylane Gallery opening hours are as follows:

• MON – FRI 9am-6pm and closed for lunch from 1pm-2pm.
• SAT 12am-6pm
• SUN Changes (Call to enquire)

Address: Cherrylane Fine Arts, Killincarrig, Delgany, Co.Wicklow. (Greystones)
Phone: (01) 2875565/0879689177
Email: info@cherrylanefinearts.com
Web: www.cherrylanefinearts.com