Shut the gate!

Spotted this old LNER (London and North East Railway) warning sign while strolling through Avoca village.  Wonder how much the fine is in euros?

Avoca Village

Above, St Mary's and St Patrick's Catholic church.  Pity it was such a dull day for photographs - a picturesque village with flowers and plants adorning every house and business.

Vale of Avoca

Above and left, views from Avoca Bridge. One of the prettiest villages in Co Wicklow, Avoca is where the BBC's fictional series Ballykissangel was filmed, and where the Avoca Mill, the oldest working woolen mill in Ireland, was established in 1723.

Normal Service Resumes!

After the excitement of the Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race last weekend, everything is now back to normal in Wicklow Harbour. Above is the beam trawler Bridget Carmel and on the left is Island Shipping's Husky. For all things maritime in and around Wicklow click here.

Pride of Wicklow

Really must get up earlier - I missed Pride of Wicklow crossing the line at 05:51 and a few others too:

And finally, click these links to visit the official site of the Conway MediaRound Ireland Yacht Race, the home of the race - Wicklow Sailing Club and the premises pictured here for some great hospitality!

Va-Va-Vroon

A new definition of the quality of being exciting, vigorous, or attractive, previously associated with a certain French footballer, has surely been passed on to Piet Vroon and his crew of Tonnere de Breskens who were first over the line at the Round Ireland Yacht Race, arriving in the early hours (far too uncivilised an hour for your blogger to record the event graphically!) of Thursday morning.  

Although Piet, who was taken to hospital for treatment on Saturday night, could not take part, it is now almost certain that Tonnere de Breskens is the Overall Winner and, although we await confirmation of the result, we provisionally extend our congratulations to the winning team. 

Here are some photos from the East Pier, Thursday:

An eerie silence was evident on the East Pier this evening while we awaited the arrival of overall second placed Inis Mor, but gradually a small crowd gathered to greet Bernard Gouy's boat which eventually crossed the finish line at 19:38 cheered on by the crew of Tonnere, although some of that team still needed their beauty sleep!

Across the line:

A lot done, more to do:

The future's bright:

Sailfest 2010 - Wrap Up

To wrap up proceedings:

The send off:

See you guys back here in a few days:

Sailfest 2010 - The Main Event

The 2010 Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race got under way at midday on Sunday.  Huge crowds turned up for what proved to be a spectacular event.

Safety first:

Moving out:

Maybe not so daft:

Off and Running:

That's all folks:

Sailfest 2010

There's a great atmosphere here in Wicklow this weekend for the Sailfest.  The Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race is the main event but a huge number of complementary events are taking place around the town.  We've been really blessed with the weather and, consequently, crowd turnout has been huge.  Here is some of the early action from South Quay:

Final preparations:

Meanwhile on the East Pier:

Don't try this at home:

And definitely don't try this:

:

Tactically speaking:

And don't forget:

Back on the Square:

People watching:

A bit early for the Midsummer Mardi Gras Ball in Wicklow's Historic Gaol:

And lets not forget the girls from Zoe Patterson's F.Y.I. Dance Club - MJ would have been proud: