Roundwood Festival 2013 – 18th to 21st of July 2013
A family orientated festival in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains featuring organized walks, cycles and canoeing events. For the less active there are historical, traditional music and cultural events and side shows including butter making, traditional craft display & ancient musical instruments and a historical look at Roundwood as it celebrates its 300 year anniversary.
2013 is the 300 anniversary of Roundwood as it was in 1713 when the name Roundwood was first mentioned officially. All the stops are out to ensure that this festival, coinciding with the Gathering will be remembered for the next 300 years.
‘Roundwood in Stitches’ will display in a colourful and innovative way the skill of locals, young and old as the village gets a wee transformation!
Thursday night set dancing in Kavanagh’s Lounge will set the ball rolling and get the feet tapping for the weekend. Live music and professional dance calling means that those new to dancing will be showing the hard core set dancers how it is done in no time!
Friday night kicks off with the ‘Hooley of all Hooleys’ for those from far and wide who have ever danced away the night in Roundwood Parish Hall since its construction back when the Navvies worked on the Upper Vartry Reservoir in the early 20th Century. Plenty of photographs of those bygone days will be on view!
For those in training for the real Beast of the East there is a small taster on Friday night in what we are calling ‘The Baby Beast’ which features a cycle – run – cycle in and around Roundwood.
Roundwood’s fantastic location with the Vartry Reservoir and surrounded by the Wicklow Mountains are the perfect setting for the following events which will all start in and around the village on Saturday 20th of July. So shake off those cobwebs and welcome to
ROUNDWOOD ON THE MOVE
A range of walks from short rambles suitable for adults, families and grandparents to full hills walks are on offer. A ramble around Roundwood village pointing out all the points of historical interest and for those who want to get their hands dirty while learning about the historical Derralossary Church & Graveyard, burial place of President of Ireland, Erskine Childers, there’s a work camp organised at Derralossary. Further information about the organised walks is available to download here: Roundwood on the Move
The organised walks will end at Roundwood Parish Hall where soup and rolls will be available for the participants. In conjunction with the Roundwood and District Historical and Folklore Society who are hosting ‘Ancient Music Ireland’. They will enthral musical lovers, young and old as they play and display replica musical instruments from Ireland’s Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Early Medieval times. These musicians will be joined by the Roundwood Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Group and other visiting musicians who will entertain well into the evening.
The first EVER canoe race on the Vartry Reservoir will take place on Saturday evening. Head down to the Filter Beds to see how some of the land lubbers take to the water and cheer them on!
Finish the partying in one of Roundwood five public houses or head up to Áras an Tochar to the Roundwood Rose organised by An Tochar GAA Club. With their dashing escorts dancing attendance, a great night’s entertainment is guaranteed as Roundwood’s finest ‘Roses’ are interviewed and perform their party pieces. The newly crowned Roundwood Rose and her handsome beau will start the party with music and dance into the night!
Sunday is a dedicated Family Street Festival with field day events suitable for all age groups and the Gig Rig at the Parish Centre. The star attractions will be the 8 metre high climbing wall and the cow milking game! Side shows include Tug of war, Cardiac First Responders Display, Dog Show, Fair Day attractions, Pets Corner, Kid’s corner with face painting, tattoos, etc., plants, craft, home baking and more at Roundwood Home Producers Market, butter making, historical presentation of Roundwood’s 300 years by the Roundwood Historical Society, photographic display, music, dance, Family BBQ and home cooked refreshments and the list keeps growing! Times of events will be confirmed nearer the date but keep checking out the updates on www.roundwood.ie. Also on Facebook – searching for roundwood.ie.