The annual Baltinglass Classic Run takes place this Sunday, August 10 2025. As usual it supports great local causes including West Wicklow Daycare Centre and the Réalta special class for children on the Autism spectrum in Scoil Naomh Iósaf in Baltinglass.
Cars will be on static display in the street from 11 a.m. and the Road Run gets under way at 2 p.m. Entry is just €20 and includes a meal for the Driver, free entry into the Driver’s Draw, a goodie bag and much more. Additional meals are available to purchase at registration on the day.
As always, there is a scenic route for the run and then the Run returns to Germaines in Baltinglass for the meal, prize giving, a raffle and entertainment. There will be prizes in all the usual categories. A special feature will celebrate 50 years of the Mark 2 Ford Escort with more prizes for Escorts in many categories.
Social Dancing
The next Dance in O’Toole Hall Rathdangan will take place on Saturday, August 9. Music will be performed by Jimmy Hogan and Lar Kenny. Start time 9 p.m. until 12 midnight. Refreshments will be served.
Presentation by The Lalor Centre
Tearmann Community Garden committee were delighted to receive a donation from the Lalor Centre of €1,070 last week. The funds were raised by a fundraising walk on Monday, July 28 in the Gardens and will be used to purchase seeds for the growing season and contribute to replacing the orchard pathway. The Lalor Centre is thankful to all who so generously donated. There is still an opportunity to donate by dropping it in to the Lalor Centre to pass on to the Community Garden committee.
This fundraiser was prompted by the recent theft of all the community garden’s fruits and vegetables. It is heart-warming to see this spirit of solidarity come through during challenging times. Well done to staff and service users of the Lalor Centre for pulling this together so quickly with such a great result.
Women’s Group Talk
The next event of the Women’s Group is on Saturday, August 23 in Rural Revival, ’The Great Re-Wiring of Childhood’. The talk will focus on the theme of why mobile phones and social media are destroying children’s lives. The Speakers will be Brenda Murray aka Emerald Nanny @emeraldnanny and Graham Murray. All are welcome to attend. You can prebook your place by phoning Wendy at 087 6548689. Admission is €15.
West Wicklow Community Employment
Community Employment vacancies exist in West Wicklow. The positions include three Sports Ground Workers in Baltinglass Golf Club. The successful candidate will receive one-to-one Careers Support and Training in their chosen career area including CV writing/interview skills and full support in their position. Excellent training and development will be offered for all those who participate.
To check your eligibility or to apply for these positions attend the INTREO Office in Baltinglass (beside Borza). For more information on the positions you can contact Sondrine Byrne at 087 449 7731.
National Heritage Week
National Heritage Week is scheduled to take place from August 16 to 24, with an exciting programme of events planned for County Wicklow.
One highlight of the week is a two-day Michael Dwyer 200 event at Glenmalure: A Seminar on Saturday, August 24 and a bus tour on Sunday, August 25. The bus tour is unfortunately sold out but there are still places available for the Seminar.
A tour of the Medieval Church and Graveyard is planned for Wednesday, August 20 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Russborough House will put on a free Birds of Prey demonstration on Saturday, August 16 from 1.30 to 2.15 p.m. They will also put on an guided Architecture Tour of the House on Thursday, August 21 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
To find out what else is on for the week, and to book, log on to www.heritageweek.ie. This event is coordinated nationally by The Heritage Council and locally by the Heritage Officer of Wicklow County Council. If you are organising an event you can request merchandise from the Heritage Officer by email Deirdre Burns dburns@wicklowcoco.ie.
Tullow Show
The Tullow Agricultural Show is on Sunday, August 17 (entries close August 3), in Coppenagh (off the N81), starting at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many attractions for a fun filled, family day out. Enjoy cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs, live music and dancing, vintage & farm machinery, food & trade stands, children’s entertainment and much, much more. Admission €15 (€10 for Students/OAPs), children under 12 free.
To see all up and coming Shows log on to irishshows.org.
Creative Writing Group
On Saturday, August 9, the Creative Writing Group will meet in Baltinglass Library at 10.45 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. All are welcome.
Resistance Training
Are you looking to shape up in the Autumn? Why not join the Baltinglass Women’s Group Resistance Training sessions with added core and cardio.
There is a morning and evening option. The evening session starts on Monday, September 1 at 7 p.m. and the morning session starts on Friday, September 5 at 9.45 a.m. Both are for 6 weeks.
The training will take place in Hacketstown Gym and the cost is just €30 (subsidised by Baltinglass Women’s Group). To book contact Wendy at 087 654 8689. This training is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness.
Roundabout Vigil for Palestine
The Baltinglass Palestine Solidarity group will be at the roundabout on the N81 in Baltinglass at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 7 to show support for the people of Gaza.
Everyone is welcome to join and stand for justice, peace and an end to Israel’s attack on Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank. Just turn up.
Endings & Beginnings
We are sorry to see Mrs. Madunkeys close down after such a short time. But on the flip side, they will be opening again in a new location.
We look forward to more homemade pastries, bowls of chowder and a Baltinglass special, Ukrainian Borscht in near future. Keep an eye on their facebook page for updates.
Traditional Music Classes
The Lalor Centre is the venue for traditional music class for children and teenagers starting on September, 10 on Wednesdays. These will be run in six-week blocks.
Beginner (tin whistle) will take place from 4 p.m. – 4.45 p.m. Beginners for other instruments, from 4.45 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Improvers on all instruments from 5.30 p.m. to 6.15 p.m.
Learn to play Irish music by ear. Daily practice at home is expected to learn the music for the following week. Contact Eimear at 087 9549848 or email ectradmusic@gmail.com.
Sunflower Fundraiser
Friends of Kate Crampton and her daughter Ava will hold a Sunflower Fundraiser for them, and for research on Motor Neuron Disease following Kate’s MND diagnosis.
The Fundraiser will take place in Grangecon Demesne W91 D2CH on Saturday, August 9, from 12 noon to 5 p.m.
As part of this initiative, they aim to send Kate and her family on a short getaway break in Ireland, offering them a chance to create cherished memories. You can be part of this.
Come along on the day, join them for a cuppa, music and chat. If you are unable to attend, please donate through Kate s iDonate (Search: KATECRAMPTON), and spread the word. Stand tall like sunflowers together for Kate, for Ava, and for a future filled with hope.
Sympathy
We express our sympathy to the Doyle and Murphy family on the death of Mary Doyle (née Murphy) from Carrigeen, Baltinglass who passed away recently in the UK surrounded by her family. Mary will be sadly missed by her children Marie, Ann, Fiona, Francis, Patrick and Mark and her siblings Bernadette, Monica, Brenda, Seamus and Des Doyle, twin brother of her late husband, Frank and all her extended family, relatives and friends.
We pass on our condolences to the family of Ann Farrar (née Harbourne) of Bawnogues and late of Harbournes Bar, Main Street, Baltinglass. Ann was predeceased by her husband John and passed away from Tallaght Hospital on July 26. She will be sadly missed by her brother George, sister Majella and brother-in-law Mick and all her relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a nanam dílis.
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