ARKLOW SEABREEZE FESTIVAL SET TO THRILL

Issued 7th July 2008
The Arklow Seabreeze Festival returns this year for another three days of fun-filled activities taking place from the 17th to the 19th July.

The 2009 festival promises to be even bigger and better this year, and includes a wide variety of musical acts and free entertainment for all the family.Activities this year include a teddy bear’s picnic, fashion makeover show, burger eating competition, Seabreeze Princess competition and much more.

New to this year’s festival is the Seabreeze Festival Fashion Makeover Show, taking lace on Friday, 10th July in the Arklow Bay Hotel from 8pm. There will also be a swinging pubs competition, with shows taking place around the town.

Friday, 17th July will see the start of the festival with a bungee run on the Lower Main Street at 7.30pm, mini push at 8pm and a burger eating competition at 8.30pm.

The fun will finish on Friday with music by Feel the Pinch on Lower Main St at 9pm.More revelry will take place on Saturday, 18th July with a busking competition, teddy bear’s picnic at 3pm, gladiators at 7.30pm and the waiters’ race at 8pm.

Music will begin at 9pm with Dickie Rock.The final day of the festival will see fun events such as the ice-cream eating competition, children’s kit car race, pig derby and water volleyball. At 5pm the pipe band parade will take place down the Main St.

The festival will come to a close with fireworks on the river bank at 11pm.

For the latest Wicklow tourist news log onto www.visitwicklow.ie

SUMMER EVENTS AT GLENDALOUGH

A wide variety of events for all the fmaily to enjoy will take place this summer in the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

From lectures to family fun days out and more see the schedule below to find out what will be happening in the Wicklow Education Centre, Upper Lake, Glendalough this summer.

Summer Lecture - (No need to book)Location: Education Centre, Upper Lake, GlendaloughWhen: Thursday @ 8pm, 9th July Subject: 'An Introduction to Moths of Ireland' - By Angus Tyner of Moths Ireland

Family Fun Day - BOOKED OUTLocation: Education Centre, Upper Lake, GlendaloughWhen: Thursday @ 2pm-4pm, 9th July Subject: 'Flowers'

Family Fun Day - Bookings taken from Thursday 9th July only.Location: Education Centre, Upper Lake, GlendaloughWhen: Thursday @ 2pm-4pm, 16th July Subject: 'Birds'

Family Fun Day - Bookings taken from Thursday 16th July only.Location: Education Centre, Upper Lake, GlendaloughWhen: Thursday @ 2pm-4pm, 23rd July Subject: 'Bug Safari'

Summer Event Walk (Wear wellies!) - Bookings taken from 11th July only.Location: 11am Information Office, Upper Lake, GlendaloughWhen: 25th July 2009Subject: 'Bog Walk'

Family Fun Day - Bookings taken from Thursday 23rd July only.Location: Education Centre, Upper Lake, GlendaloughWhen: Thursday @ 2pm-4pm, 30th July Subject: 'Mammals'

To book please phone The Education Centre on +353 (0)404 45656 (Monday to Friday); or The Information Office on +353 (0)40445425 (Saturdays & Sundays)All events are free of charge.

For the latest tourist news log onto www.visitwicklow.ie

SUMMER FESTIVAL OF OPERA AT KILLRUDDERY HOUSE

This year’s Summer Festival of Opera in aid of the 6th Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition will take place on Sunday 9 August (Operatic Favourites) and Sunday 16 August (Operetta and Viennese) at 3pm in The Orangery, Killruddery House, Bray, Co Wicklow.

Tickets, to include wine and canapés, are €60 each.Sunday 9th August will feature: Claudia Boyle (Soprano), Sheelagh Greer (Mezzo Soprano), Anthony Kearns (Tenor) and Brendan Collins (Baritone) performing Arias and Ensembles from La Traviata, Carmen, Rigoletto and Faust. Sunday 16th August is still to be finalized but will feature Operetta and Viennese favourites.

Please contact vdisc@gcd.ie or phone 01 4150445 for details or to order tickets, or send cheque indicating date/s and no/s of tickets to: Friends of the Vocal Arts, C/O Griffith College, South Circular Road, Dublin 8.

For the latest Wicklow tourist news log onto www.visitwicklow.ie

LOUGHDAN WINS BEST B&B AWARD

Issued 1st July 2009
Wicklow County Tourism members Loughdan House have won a Gulliver Ireland Tourism Accommodation Award for 2008 for the East Midlands Region.

The winners were announced last month.Lough Dan House is situated over 1000 feet up in the Wicklow Mountains on an eighty-acre hill farm, overlooking Lough Dan, the largest natural lake on the east coast of Ireland.

It is the most ideal base for a walking holiday, whether for a short one or two day break, or for a much longer holiday.There were four awards categories in each of the seven tourism regions.

An award was made to the best hotel, guesthouse, B&B and self-catering property in each region. All Gulliver Ireland properties were evaluated on the basis of their online sales management, which included criteria such as room availability, allocation, competitive pricing and property information.

Announcing the winners, Dr Stewart Stephens, Managing Director of Gulliver Ireland said, “This year’s award winners clearly demonstrated a profound understanding of the importance of online marketing.”

The awards, which are in their fifth year, recognise online marketing excellence carried out by hotel, guesthouse, B&B and self-catering properties around the country.

For the latest Wicklow tourist news log onto www.visitwicklow.ie

BRAY SUMMERFEST GETS UNDERWAY THIS JULY

Issued 30th June 2009
Ireland’s largest free beach party festival will take place over six weeks this summer during July and August.

The event includes food markets, beach clubs, beach Shakespeare, Italian street fiestas, 3-club golf, enterprise zones, puppets, tennis academies, fireworks, dog shows, a pizza eating competition and more.

Bray Summerfest opens on Wednesday 15th July with Rattle and Hum; Thursday Peakin' Trippers will play and Jimmi Hendrix band member Natty Wailer will play on the Friday night.

The Saturday line up includes Colm Lynch, Bray Gospel Choir and Ghost In The Machine. Sunday night closes once again with the summertime’s most explosive fireworks extravaganza.

On Wednesday 22 July the Killruddery Garden Party Live will take place, an all-seated and ticketed performance by singer Lisa Hannigan.

Bray Summerfest 09 will be supported by Ireland’s biggest Beach Carnival Funfair, plus kiddies’ Bounceworld on the Seafront, running from Wednesday 15th July to Sunday 9th August.

The Carnival Funfair will close with a spectacular second fireworks display on Sunday 9th August.The 2009 Summerfest will include the return of the Bray Summerfest Air Display (Sunday 26th July).

For the latest Wicklow County Tourism News log onto www.visitwicklow.ie

HEALTHY HABITS CAFE CHEF LAUNCHES NEW BOOK

Issued 29th June 2009
Veronica O'Reilly, chef at Healthy Habits Cafe in Wicklow Town, has launched her new raw food cookbook this month, entitled 'Raw in a Cold Climate', which contains 75 delicious recipes.

Healthy Habits Cafe is a unique restaurant, based in Quarantine Hill in Wicklow Town, and serving a mouthwatering variety of raw, vegan and organic cuisine. Veronica's new book is a collection of 'living food' recipes and is available at the Healthy Habits store.

Healthy Habits Cafe will be hosting a special event on Saturday, 25th July at 4pm entitled 'The Remedy is in your Cupboard, Garden or Fields', with Geraldine Rothwell, Naturopath, Nutritional Therapist and Herbalist.

The event will be followed by a living food buffet. A short food demo will be given before the talk. Telephone +353 (0)404 68645. A small donation of €10 is requested to cover expenses.

For the latest Wicklow County Tourism News log onto www.visitwicklow.ie

GET WICKLOW GARDENS INFO DIRECT TO YOUR SAT NAV

Issued 29th June 2009
GPS co-ordinates for all thirty-two gardens participating in Wicklow Gardens Festival 2009 now available to download onto your Garmin GPS device

Wicklow County Tourism is delighted to announce that, in association with www.myPois.ie, the co-ordinates of all thirty-two gardens taking part in this year’s Wicklow Gardens Festival are now available to download directly onto your Sat-Nav device completely free of charge.

This means that you can now find the remotest of gardens with ease.

John Dundon of myPOIs commented, "We are delighted to be working with Wicklow County Tourism on this project. We have further plans to bring more of the top attractions, activities and places to eat and stay in County Wicklow onto sat-nav devices over the next short while.”

To download the co-ordinates go to www.visitwicklow.ie/gardens, click on ‘Download Gardens Locations to your Sat-Nav’ and in just a few simple steps the Wicklow Gardens Festival will be on your Garmin GPS device.

For more information on the Wicklow Gardens Festival 2009 and all the latest tourist information in Wicklow this summer, don’t forget to visit www.visitwicklow.ie

WICKLOW GOLF CLASSIC

Take Part in Wicklow County Tourism’s Annual Golf ClassicWicklow County Tourism is delighted to confirm that the annual Wicklow Tourism Golf Classic will be held on Thursday, 24th September at the renowned Powerscourt Golf Club, one of the top golf courses in Ireland.

The event will be an afternoon shotgun competition.The annual Golf Classic is a fundraising event for Wicklow County Tourism, and it is an opportunity for members and the wider community to support tourism in Wicklow in a very enjoyable way.

To take part in this year’s event, which includes many prizes and promises to be an excellent day out, contact the office on 0404 20070.

We are very appreciative of your continued support. Monies raised will help us continue our marketing efforts both at home and abroad promoting Wicklow as a tourist destination.

If you wish to participate please call Wicklow County Tourism at +353(0)404 20070 or send an email to info@visitwicklow.ie

For the latest Wicklow Tourist News log onto www.visitwicklow.ie

LEINSTER FLEADH KICKS OFF THIS JULY

Issued 24th June 2009
Wicklow County Tourism is delighted to announce that the 2009 Leinster Fleadh will take place in Wicklow Town this month from 10th – 12th July.

The Fleadh is a celebration of Irish music and dancing with a wide variety of concerts, events and competitions taking place over the three day festival. More information on the festival can be found by logging onto http://www.leinsterfleadh.ie/.

For the latest Wicklow news log onto www.visitwicklow.ie

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, 10th July

7pm - 10pm Fleadh Pub Sessions: The Mariner Bar, Main St., Grand Hotel, Abbey St, Old Forge, Abbey St.

8pm Official Opening Of Fleadh Laighean 2009, Fatima Hall, Dominican Convent

8pm - 10pm Concert - Dúchas na hEireann, Fatima Hall, Dominican Convent, Traditional Music, Song & Dance Extravaganza, Featuring Eleanor Shanley, Ger Butler and several All-Ireland winning musicians and dancers. Admission: €15

Saturday, 11th July

1pm - 4pm Fleadh Pub Session, Ernie’s Bar, Market Sq

2pm - 5pm Street Entertainment, Abbey St.

3pm - 5pm Irish Music Street Entertainment Competition, Abbey St. 1st Prize €600; 2nd €400; 3rd €200. Best U-15 €200; Best Overseas €100. Free entry via website, Fleadh Office, or at Gig Rig

4pm - 7pm Fleadh Pub Session, Old Forge, Abbey St.

6pm - 8pm Concert - Ceoltóirí Oga Laighean, Gig Rig, Abbey St.

7pm - 10pm Fleadh Pub Sessions, Leitrim Lounge, Seafront, Bridge Tavern, Bridge St., Old Forge, Abbey St.

8pm - 9pm Sean Nós Dancing Competition, Gig Rig, Abbey St. 1st Prize €250; 2nd €100; 3rd €50. Free entry via website, Fleadh Office, or at Gig Rig

9pm - 11pm Concert - Electric Céilí, Gig Rig, Abbey St.9.30pm - 1am Set Dancing Céilí, St. Pat’s GAA Hall. Music by Ger Butler & The Tico Tico Band, Bean an Tí - Angela Bernard, Adm. €10

Sunday, 12th July

10am - 6pm Fleadh Competitions, Various Competition Venues. Admission: Adults €5, U-18 €3, U-3 Free

1pm - 4pm Fleadh Pub Session, Tá Sé’s Bar, Market Sq.

1pm - 4pm Open-air Set Dancing, Wicklow’s Historic Gaol. Music by The O’Kane Family

4pm - 6pm Sean Nós Dancing Workshop, St. Pat’s GAA Hall. Instruction by Ger Butler. Admission €19. Beginners welcome

3pm - 5pm Gig Rig Entertainment, Abbey St.

4pm - 7pm Fleadh Pub Session, Old Forge, Abbey St.

5pm - 7pm Concert Featuring Fleadh Competitors, Gig Rig, Abbey St.7pm - 9pm Concert - Eleanor Shanley, Gig Rig, Abbey St.

7pm - 10pm Fleadh Pub Sessions, Fitzpatrick’s Bar, Abbey St., Healy’s Bar, Main St.

9pm - 1am Fleadh Party, Grand Hotel, Abbey St. Music by Electric Céilí. Admission

PHOTOSHOOT @ WICKLOW GAOL

Issued 16th June 2009
'Offshoot Camera Club’ from Dalkey took over the Jail in Wicklow Town and turned it into a peculiar photography studio. "The purpose of our event was to portray the gaol and its people, with a modern twist."

Says Carl Farmer, organizer of the event. The models eclectic look and styling lent well to this aim with their unique character coming across really well on camera.

Photographers: Carl Farmer, Stephen Crozier, Kazi Ushioda, Jonathan McGee, Marc Palmer, Maik Sinkovec, Paul O'Donnell, Kyle Tunney, John Roche, Darragh Sherwin, Ian Murphy, Peter Whitaker, Roy Sugars and Paula BanksModels: Neil Motherway and Melissa HaywardMakeup and Styling: Models self styled

View the making of at: http://www.visitwicklow.ie/news/Wicklow_jail_photoshoot.htm

Keep updated on the latest Wicklow news at http://www.visitwicklow.ie/

NEW WICKLOW COUNTY TOURISM GUIDE LAUNCHED

Pictured is Wicklow Rose 2009 Jane Deering and Chairman Tom Fortune at the launch of Wicklow County Tourism's new guide.

Issued June 2009
2009 Wicklow Rose launches tourist guideWicklow County Tourism has launched a brand-new compact tourist guide, packed full of essential information for visitors to the Garden County this summer. The pocket-sized A5 book contains listings of every Wicklow County Tourism member, colour-coded for ease of use, as well as maps, attractions and more.

Chairman of Wicklow County Tom Fortune and the 2009 Wicklow Rose Jane Deering launched the new guide this week. Commenting on Wicklow County Tourism’s latest publication, Chairman Tom Fortune said that this guide is the first of its kind in the county. “Our handy new guide contains all that you need to know about Wicklow during your visit. We have festival listings, all of the Garden County’s top attractions and a comprehensive directory of all our members, covering every service you may need during your holiday in Wicklow.”

He added, “Our guide is packed with useful information and stunning images of Wicklow to give you a taste of some of the beautiful sights and attractions to enjoy. Don’t forget to log onto our website http://www.visitwicklow.ie/ regularly to check out the latest special offers and tourist news.”Whether you are a local or just visiting Wicklow, this guide contains all the information you will need to know about accommodation, food and drink, transport, health and beauty, shopping, attractions, arts and crafts and much more.

The booklet also contains handy county maps with grid references so you need never lose your way!Copies of the new guide are now available from tourist offices and key attractions around the county, or you can request a copy online (click here) or by ringing 0404 20070.

For more information log onto http://www.visitwicklow.ie/