What’s on in Wicklow – 7 things to do this week

With melodies inspired by fairies and folklore and traditional arrangements for Irish harp and flute, Cruitirí Chill Mhantáin will showcase the very best of local harping talent at Coollattin House on Friday at 8 p.m. to celebrate our rich cultural heritage.

The concert will feature highly regarded harper Aisling Ennis and harper and PhD researcher at TU Dublin, Rachel Duffy from Bray, who will collaborate with local flute maestro Jack Hennessy.

Appearing at Coollattin House on Sunday at 8 p.m., ‘Roamer’ brings together four of Ireland’s most internationally active improvising musicians, including acclaimed vocalist Lauren Kinsella (Snowpoet), saxophonist Matthew Halpin (Last Chance Dance), the first Irish musician to receive the presidential scholarship to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Simon Jermyn (Wood River) and Matthew Jacobson (Anna Mieke), a Fulbright Scholar. Tickets for both concerts can be booked at courthousearts.ie

2 PARTY WITH POP GODS: Get ready for the most epic Party with Pop Gods at O’Sheas Corner, Wicklow town, taking place on Saturday, May 11.

You can don fancy dress to receive a free shot upon arrival and enjoy this event that promises to be a thrilling experience like no other.

Dress up in your most creative costumes and let loose as live musicians and the Pop Gods take to the stage to entertain all night long with the biggest and best 80s and 90s hits and a fully costumed UV show.

Get ready for a night of pure entertainment and excitement. The doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 10.30pm and runs until late into the night. Tickets at €15 are available for purchase at Eventbrite.

3 THE BIG CYCLE: East Coast Samaritans volunteer Paul Sutton will take on a 247km fundraising cycle from Cork to Arklow on Monday, May 13.

Starting at Cork Samaritans on Sunday, Paul will stop at the Kilkenny branch before continuing to Arklow, where festivities will begin at the band stand on Monday at 4.30 p.m., followed by food in the Old Ship.

To support Paul, search ‘The Big Cycle for Samaritans’ on iDonate

4 THE MUSIC OF NINA SIMONE: Singer, writer, storyteller, and public speaker Karen Underwood, who resides in Cork, returns to Mermaid, Bray, on Friday, May 10, with The Music of Nina Simone. The evening will also include stories about Karen’s life in Chicago and her move to Ireland in 1997. She will be accompanied by renowned pianist, Gary Beecher. Karen has performed at The Cork Opera House, The Everyman, The Olympia, The Gate, Vicar Street, The Blackbox and The National Concert Hall and has produced several shows, including The Story of Soul, the Journey of Soul Music in America.

5 GLENDALOUGH CRAFT FAIR: The all-new Glendalough Craft Fair takes place at the Brockagh Resource Centre on Sunday, May 12, from 10am to 3pm.

There will be crafters from all over Ireland present to display a variety of specially crafted items, with something to suit all tastes.

Crafters are being invited to take part in the fair and can contact on 087 264 6481 to book or email brockaghoffice@gmail.com.

The monthly Glendalough car-boot market takes place on the same day at the Brockagh and features plenty of bargains, such as gifts, clothes, plants, books, toys, aloe-vera products, artwork, tools and household items. It’s open to the public from 10am to 3pm. Tea, coffee and food snacks will be available.

6 DARKNESS INTO LIGHT WICKLOW: The Darkness Into Light walk takes place in eight locations across County Wicklow this year – Greystones, Bray, Arklow, Baltinglass, Blesington, Carnew, Wicklow town and Tinahealy – after Carnew and Greystones were this year given ‘official’ status. All of the events begin at the same time, kicking off dark and early at 4.15am, on Saturday, May 11. Each year, since its inception in 2009 in the Phoenix Park, the walk has provided an opportunity for men, women and children to connect with their community and to bring hope to those who have been impacted by suicide.

As the town of Greystones prepares for it first official walk this year, the organisers chose the legendary David Flynn, co-founder of The Happy Pear, who will be serving as the ambassador. As an influential figure in the health and wellness community, David’s partnership with Darkness Into Light was viewed as a “significant step towards promoting mental wellbeing and fostering a sense of community”. Registration is still open for those who want to take part in one of the Wicklow walks, at: darknessintolight.ie

7 ELEMENTAL DANCE: Students from Arklow and Gorey Dance Studios will present three stunning performances of their 2024 production, ‘Elements’, at St Mary`s Concert Hall in Arklow from Thursday, May 9 to Saturday, May 10.

Taking place at 7.30 p.m., this celebration of music and dance is inspired by the elements of space, air, fire, earth and water.

The unique show will feature an ensemble of talented students aged 3 up to 18 years old dancing in a variety of genres, including classical ballet, modern theatre dance, tap, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre and acro.

Tickets are €15 and available via gr8events.ie