Well done to the Edel & John ‘Ginty’ Brady Family who won the 2016 Roundwood Fun Family Challenge in Aras an Tochar last night, two years in a row! The John ‘Sinn Féin TD’ Brady family from Bray were a very close second behind the Roundwood Brady in an exciting final. Well done to Janine Brennan, Shay Nolan and team for putting together a diverse course for the 16 families who took part & to all the supporters who came to cheer them on!

The Men’s Chin Up challenge was won again this year by the super champion Martin O’Toole who just about got 50 ‘ups’! Shay Cullen was a not a very close second but did the best of the rest!! The lady’s competition was won by Aoife Martin with Cindy Hayes coming a close second. There was great interest in the youth chin up competition too with over 30 taking part, keeping the two Shay’s – Cullen & Nolan busy on ‘chair duty’. Winner on the night was Jack Leacy with 16 just pipping Connor Byrne by 1 for the gold medal.

Joe Synnott’s arm wrestling table was dusted off again and despite being put under extreme pressure throughout the arm wrestling bouts it lives on for the 2017 competition. Evan Cullen holds on to the crown of Arm Wrestler extraordinaire in the men’s competition. Sean Pierce gave him a good fight with a 1:1 draw after the left & right hand wrestle.  The right handed Evan won the toss for the final and with his strong right arm took the top prize for the last match. Again Liz Byrne crunched her way through all before her to reach the ladies final with Cindy Hayes coming in a strong runner up!

Great night of free entertainment and fun for all (more photos to follow on the Roundwood.ie Facebook page. Roll on the next event –  the Variety Concert in Roundwood Church tonight (29th of July), doors open 7pm, admission €10, accompanied children free. Check out the festival programme for the rest of the events throughout this August Bank Holiday weekend

An extra event to compliment the Roundwood Festival line up! Calary Church plays host to Derby Browne who with accompaniment, performs a personal tribute to the life and music of Edith Piaf at 8pm on Thursday 18th of July. Tickets are available at €25 by emailing derekneilson@eircom.net or calling John on 01 2818146. See poster above for further information

ROUNDWOOD FESTIVAL

The festivities start with Roundwood Fun Family challenge on Thursday 28^th of July at 6:30pm, followed by set dancing in Kavanagh’s Pub. Tickets for the Church concert on Friday 29^th are selling well in local outlets. Saturday is the activity day with teddy bears picnic for the kids and hill and historical walks for the adults. The canoe race on the Vartry Reservoir is at 4:30pm on Saturday evening. Sunday’s activities will kick off at 2pm with the Post 21 IUNVA Colour Party and the Parnell Memorial Pipe Band with a full day of events and attractions throughout the village. Please see posters on display locally for further information or check out the Roundwood.ie website or Facebook page.

FESTIVAL ~ HISTORIC WALK

Will take place in the grounds of Glendalough House on Saturday the 30th of July. The Glendalough Estate provides a fitting location this year with the centenary of the 1916 Rebellion and its associations with the Barton and Childers families. Members of the Roundwood and District Historical and Folklore Society have kindly agreed to guide this walk which will be both informative and scenic. All those attending are requested to meet in the car park at Aras an Tochar at 10:30am  (please note change of time) to allow for car-pooling before heading down to Annamoe. There is a charge of €5 for taking part in the walk.  This money is used to cover the costs associated with organising the festival

SCARECROW COMPETITION

Enter your family scarecrow in the scarecrow competition which will be judged on Roundwood Street Festival Day on Sunday 31^st of July.  Please phone John on 086-8225705 if you need straw to make your scarecrow.  John has some of the 2015 entries in storage. So if you want to remodel your 2015 creation give him a call! Bring your scarecrow into the village on Sunday and display it. Get there early to get a good spot!

FESTIVAL HILL WALK

The hill walk this year will take on the morning of the 30th of July. The confirmed route is Glendalough, the Spinc, Lugduff to Glenmalure (the route is changed from that previously advertised). The majority of the route is over a marked trail and is approximately 4 hours long. You must pre-register for this walk as numbers are needed for the bus transfer. Please email info@roundwood.ie with the name(s) and a contact phone number to save your place(s) on the walk. Further information on the walk will then be sent to you.  There is a cost of €5 for taking part. The money goes towards the funding the organisation costs of the festival.  Gerry O’Toole is providing the bus transfer for this hike free of charge – thanks Gerry!

FESTIVAL FAMILY CHALLENGE

The very popular Roundwood Family Fun Challenge will take place at 6.30pm at Arás and Tóchar on Thursday the 28^th of July. This event will kick off the Festival this year and. as always is free! So grab four members of your family (there must be one adult, one male, one female and at least two kids aged 8 or more) and see how you fare on the whacky obstacle course custom designed by Team Janine! Race against another local family to see who will make the grand final. Who will be taking home the perpetual trophy this year? Also on the night there is youth and adult chin up challenge and the adult arm wrestling competition. Come along and join the fun!

TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC

Another free event being organised for the kids as part of the Roundwood Festival.  Pack up your picnic goodies, bring along the kids and their favourite teddy bear(s) to Aras an Tochar (Roundwood GAA Club) at 10:30am on Saturday 30^th of July. Lots of fun and games are guaranteed for teddies & their owners. Parent or guardian must remain with children at all times

FESTIVAL CONCERT

A variety concert will take place in the beautiful surroundings of St Laurence O’Toole’s Church on Friday the 29^th of July at 7:30pm (door open at 7pm). A fantastic line up of talent including Jack Byrne, Female Barbershop Quartet, Will Fitzpatrick, Brendan Kennedy, McGrath Flood Irish Dancers, Joe McKenna, Bronagh McLaughlin & Special Guests! Light refreshments will served afterwards in Roundwood Parish Hall. Tickets are on sale at €10 for adults (children free when accompanied by an adult) in Roundwood Parish office, Roundwood Veterinary and Roundwood Post Office.

ANNUAL PATTERN DAY WALK

The Annual Pattern Day Walk to Lady’s Well, Ballymanus Upper – on Carrick Mountain will take place on Sunday 14^th August at 6 pm, leaving from Moneystown Community Centre.  The walk is 5½ miles in total – Wear Good Walking shoes!  No Dogs allowed!

MONEYSTOWN DANCE

The Wicklow Man will play in Moneystown community centre on Friday 12 August from 9.30 pm till 12.   Teas served, refreshments also available, door prizes.  Come along and enjoy a night of waltzing, jive, linedancing, etc

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OUTING

The Roundwood and District Historical Society’s outing this year is to the Medieval town of Carlingford and the Dundalk History Museum on Sat 13th August. We will depart Roundwood Community Centre at 08.30 by coach and plan to return at about 8 pm. There will be guided tours of the Carlingford ‘old town’ and the Dundalk museum – which has an exciting ”1641 to 1916” exhibition currently running. The cost, including coach hire and both guided tours is €25. Lunch and dinner have also arranged, but are not included in this charge.  Anyone is welcome to join us on this exciting tour and if you would like to go on the trip, please phone David (0878363181) or email  menzies.david@gmail.com by Friday, 29th July.  New members are always welcome to join the society and we would love to see you joining us on the outing

DERBY BROWNE’S PIGALLE IN CALARY CHURCH

Calary Church will be the venue for Wicklow Proms production of Derby Browne’s “Pigalle” – Édith Piaf and Le Chat Noir – the world of love and loss as reflected in les chansons des rues de Paris. This will be presented by Derby Browne (chanteuse), David Way (clavier) and Derek McKenna (accordéon). Réalisation by George Fleeton. The show will begin at 8 pm on Thursday 28 July. This show recently performed to a sell out crowd at Loughcrew and promises to be a special event. Tickets, which are €25, can be booked by ringing John on (01) 2818146 or emailing derekneilson@eircom.net

ATHLONE TRIP

Therew ill be a day trip on Saturday 3^rd September to St. Mel’s Cathedral and various other places and shopping in Athlone.  The cost is .€70 per person and names and money must be in to me before 20^thAugust. Scones, tea and dinner and bus included.  To book your place please contact Susan on 087 6273032

HANDS ON HERBS

Learn to make herbal vinegars, mascerated oils, salves, pesto and kimchi, and how to use herbs daily in your diet.  Workshop in Roundwood Parish Hall on Thursday 4^th August from 7.30 – 9.30.  Fee – €50.  To secure a place contact Isobel Keeling, Herbalist on 086 8837564

LOTTO RESULTS

There was no jackpot winner last week.  The numbers drawn were 7, 12, 21 & 24. There were twelve match three winners, Gerry Patterson, M. Shelly, Eva Kneofsey, Megan Ward, Ash Cahill, Liam Taylor, A & D Price, Jane Hayes, Edel Kennedy, P.K. Halligan, Jessica Driver & Mary Doyle.  Next weeks jackpot will be €19,400.

ROUNDWOOD A.F.C. A.G.M

Roundwood AFC are holding their AGM on Wednesday 27th of July in Parish Hall Roundwood at 8pm.  All motions and nominations to be sent to the Club Secretary in writing prior to the AGM. All new members very welcome

 

SET DANCING SUNDAY

There will be set dancing in Roundwood parish hall on Sunday afternoon the 7th August from 4pm to 7-30pm, in aid of Roundwood and large first responders and friends of Wicklow community services. Music by the Avonmore  Ceili band. Refreshments served, all welcome

ROAD CLOSURE

In order to ensure public safety during the soap box derby and street party which forms part of the 2016 Roundwood Festival a road closure permit has been granted by Wicklow Co Council for the section of road from Kavanagh’s Pub to Keeley’s Corner from 4pm on Sunday 31^st of July until 4am Monday 1^st of August. Diversion signs will be in place. Apologies for an inconvenience caused.

 

LUNCH CLUB

A reminder that the Active Retirement Lunch club will take place on Friday 29^th July in Byrne & Woods, Roundwood at 1.30.

WHIST RESULTS

The results of the whist are as follows:- Top Score: Pat Fisher; First Lady: Catherine Doyle; Second Lady: Mary Cullen; First Gent: Jimmy Molloy; Second Gent: Margaret Kennedy; First Half: Richie Culllen; Second Half: Tom McHugh; Longest Sitting : Kitty Kennedy & Lowest Score: Shay Brady  Raffle prizes werew won by Shay Brady, Tom McHugh & Richie Cullen.  Next whist will be on Wednesday 3^rd August in The Parish Centre.

OUR LADY ISLAND

A day Pilgrimage to Our Lady Island on Sunday 21^st August Leaving Roundwood at 10am. Tea, Scones, Dinner & Bus €60 per person, Money before the 1^st August to Susan at 087 6273032

NATURE EXPLORERS

Takes place every Wednesday in the Wicklow Mountains National Park 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children learn how to identify and appreciate the natural world and is aimed at children aged 5 to 11 years. This is an outdoor programme, and most activities will take place off track. Please dress accordingly. There is a different theme each week as outlined below. Booking is essential. Sessions can fill up extremely quickly. In order to make it fair for all, bookings will be taken from 9 a.m. one week prior to each Nature Explorers day.  On Wednesday 3^rd August its bugs with bookings taken from Wednesday 27^th July, with Flowers on the 10^th August with bookings taken from 3^rd August,  Wednesday 17^th August, Badgers with bookings from the 10^th August, & finally Birds on the 24^th August with bookings taken from the 17^th August.  To book, please phone 0404 45656 (Mon to Fri). The large National Park sign in the corner of the Upper Lake Car Park, Glendalough is the meeting point every week. Adults and children are welcome. Please note that an adult must stay with their children, and be prepared to help! No dogs. This event is free of charge, but please be aware that the Upper Lake car park (Wicklow Co. Council) has a €4 charge. For further information on the 2016 events programme please seehttp://www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie/documents/Events2016.pdf

PARISH HALL

The  Roundwood Hall  is always available for all social events, meetings, children’s parties, christenings, workshops, training courses etc. These great facilities are now available. For more information contact us on 087-9627527 , 087-3932730 or theroundwoodparishhall@gmail.com

SET DANCING

Set Dancing continues every Thursday night in Kavanagh’s Lounge from 9pm til 11pm with music this month by the O’Kane family.  Come along and join us for a night of good fun, great exercise and a very social night out.  Newcomers always welcome and great way to meet some locals.  Cost for night of dancing and entertainment is still only €5.

MEDJUGORJE

Pilgrimage To Medjugorje October 5th for a week. Places available.  Cost € 649.00.which includes flights (Aer Lingus) Insurance half board in house beside Church.  Accompanied by Spiritual Director.  For more information / booking.  Contact Mary King on 087 2185067