Safe and Sound

The Raft Race at the Wicklow Regatta Festival provided some great laughs for both competitors and spectators and there was relief all round that everyone made it back safe and sound - although not everyone managed to complete the course - commiserations Pirates, you gave it your all!
 

Well, making it back in one piece was never a problem when one of the teams was Wicklow RNLI.

The Raft Race

It's the Wicklow Regatta Festival and one of the highlights is always The Raft Race around Wicklow Harbour so, all aboard.



These A Team guys are real tough - do you like my tan?




Below, the Pirates are having a little bit of a problem!

Kilmacanogue Horse Show III

Our final look at the Kilmacanogue Horse Show, at Monastery Cross, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow and today we feature the adorable Miniature classes.

On the left, final preparations and, despite many attempts, I still can't get the little foal to look my way.

Below, all  in the ring and ready to parade.

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Kilmacanogue Horse Show II

The Kilmacanogue Horse Show, held at Monastery Cross, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow proved to be a great day out for all the family.  Today's post features some photos from the childrens "Happy Hunter" classes - for children from 3 years to 16 years old.

On the left, these class winners stand proudly.







And what can we say about these little competitors?

Kilmacanogue Horse Show

Above, approaching the last in the Clear Round Jumping event.

An all too fleeting visit to Kilmacanogue Horse Show, held at Monastery Cross, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, on Saturday last. Could only stay for some of the early events but on offer were a  great variety of showing classes including carriage driving, donkey classes, sheep classes and a family dog show.


On the left: A long wait for my turn!

Below, the winners of this particular event deep in concentration:

Flowering Herbs

Now, while our summer is just about hanging on, we have to capture, for posterity, some images of the flowering herbs in the backyard.  Above, chives and left, thyme.

Shopping Gaze - Greystones

Continuing our occasional shop front series, we are back in Greystones where we find numerous examples of good design mixed with quaint old traditional style.

Don't you just love the delivery bicycle above?  The fading blackboard script refers to the number of days their beef is hung!

And the name of this shop, left?

One of my favourires is this quaint old uphostery shop:

Work in Progress

Good progress has been achieved in recent months on the Greystones Harbour project and the main elements of the harbour, the north and south break-waters,the shoreline works, marina quay construction, reclamation and new north beach are now substantially in place.  This has been achieved, according to the developers, Wicklow County Council and Sispar, despite site constraints which necessitated unique design and construction methods, and other issues such as weather and sea conditions. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in September this year, with some of the remaining elements, public facilities and a Primary Care Centre, due next year.

Street Entertainment

For many, the highlight of the final day of Arklow's Seabreeze Festival was the Pig Derby, but, among the numerous other events taking place was the Pipe Band competition followed by a march down Main Street.

A job well done Princess, the pigs have flown!











And not forgetting the many other acts on stage including this young band who really rocked us!

And Pigs Might...

Well they just might, but here we are in Arklow, Co Wicklow for the closing day of the Seabreeze Festival and one of the most popular events - The Pig Derby - so, place your bets and off we go!






But first, let the Garda Mounted Division entertain you.












Winner alright, pay out!  Well, actually, it's the one at the bottom of the picture - and I missed him!

Old Fitz Has Retired

The title of this painting by Cliona Fox on show at her solo exhibition in the beautiful Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co Wicklow.

The exhibition, ambigously titled 'Stocks Are Down', "attempts to recollect an island's fishing industry", but a more modern analysis might suggest an interpretation which currently affects us all.

Cliona Fox: Stocks Are Down continues until July 30th.

Bray Summerfest - Slight Return

 

Promenading in Bray, it's hard to ignore the Funfair.

But there's always the beach, and the views to Killiney and Howth in the distance.

The main event site is on Bray Seafront and includes the Funfair, markets and music from the Bandstand, although, I think I'll wait for Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club on Sunday!

Bray Summerfest 2010 - The Funfair

Above, the ferris wheel against a broken sky.

Had to make a special trip to north Wicklow to check out the Bray Summerfest festival and especially the funfair on the seafront.  Is it summer festivals that keep us going just when our weather fails us?

The safer option is on the left or do we prefer dangling below?.

 

High Summer - Newcastle Beach

Dull at times, but a not unpleasant day and still the beach is deserted.

A sleepy backwater, the Sea Road from Newcastle Village is an impressive and secluded residential and farming area leading to the beach which lies within The Murrough, a coastal wetland system that stretches for 15km north of the New Pier at Wicklow Harbour and which is a special area of conservation.

The railway divides the wetlands and the beach.





Below, the old station house:

Time For A Pint

A miserable, dank and rainy day in this neck of the woods and what else can you do except go to the pub! So, its off to the local, McDaniels, Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow and, of course, I forgot my camera - but there's always my trusty Samsung camera phone.... and Photoshop!

 

Very quiet here but what would you expect at this hour?

Pretty Purlllllease!

Is this the prettiest shop in Ashford, Co Wicklow?  Probably, but just ignore the reflective snapper/blogger!
 

This is the first post of an occasional series featuring interesting/pretty shop fronts found on our wanderings around the county. 

Breakout!

The trouble with living next to a field where horses and young cattle are grazing is the occasional uninvited guests! Pictured above, the cattle are about to invade. Right, the round up and below, the last one back through the breach.

More Polo, Anyone?

Almost good to go - just love the pink!

Concluding our visit to the polo at Ballyhenry, we see some of the players about to make their way out to the polo field.

Go Tyrone!

    A thirsty business: