St Patrick's Day IV

We continue our review of the St Patrick's Day Parade in Bray, Co Wicklow with this look at the Rochdale Boomerang Marching Band.

You Too Can Dream

Looking back along the coast from Bray Harbour towards salubrious Killiney Hill, home to some very famous music types. You too can dream!

The Uke-Guitar Man

Back at the World's Best Bar - Harbour Bar, Bray, Co Wicklow - we are entertained by Will Harrison, looking like Jacques Brel and singing and playing his odd ukelelee-guitar - tuned like a guitar, sounds like a ukelelee.

World's Best Bar

The Lonely Planet Guide recently named The Harbour Bar, Bray, Co Wicklow as the world's best bar in the "Off The Beaten Track" category and we're glad to feature it again here because it's a great favourite of ours too!

An old world bar with nautical references, it has three distinct parts; the old main bar which has a traditional look and often has traditional music nights, the back lounge, a great location for indie bands and the conservatory area. There is also a beer garden located outside for smokers.

Blind Yackety

This is Blind Yackety, the multi-instrumental, multi-vocal and very unusual band playing at the much loved Harbour Bar, Bray, Co Wicklow last weekend.

The Wexford Mummers

Now you may well say that this is a Wicklow and not a Wexford blog, but the Wexford Mummers did a star turn at the Carnew Heritage Day in Carnew, Co Wicklow on Sunday last and therefore qualify for inclusion in this esteemed blog by way of association.

So, what is this Mumming?  Now very rare in Ireland and concentrated largely in Co Wexford, Mummers combine dancing, mime and pageantry, much as was performed in medieval times. The rhythmic beating of wooden swords against each other is a feature of the entertainment.

Up to twelve participants are called-on by their Captain and each has a long rhyming introduction describing the circumstances and deeds of the character which he represents. Each has a ‘sword’ like a flat wooden ruler about two feet long. In two lines they go into an intricate step-dance accompanied by fast clashing of the swords. Teams dress alike in sashes like baldrics, and special hats.

Man, It's Organic!

There's always a buzz in the air when you pass The Happy Pear, natural food market, in the seaside town of Greystones, Co Wicklow, weather permitting that is. 

Today, actually, a couple of weeks ago, we're serenaded by this jazz player as we down our wheatgrass shots and comtemplate their upcoming Happy Heart Program.

Below left is The Happy Pear's next door neighbour, A Caviston, fishmonger, delicatessen and café.

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!