Latest news with #Blessington
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Kaleidoscope 2025 at Russborough House with Texas and The Coronas: Ticket information, what's on for kids and more
Kaleidoscope is billed as Ireland's most family-friendly, fully inclusive festival of the summer and runs this weekend from Friday, July 4th, , to Sunday, July 6th, in the grounds of Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow . The organisers expect thousands of families for three days and nights, the week after the final school bells rang for summer holidays. How do I get there? Russborough House and Park in Blessington, Co Wicklow, is located just off the N81, about 30 minutes from Dublin. The Eircode is W91 W284, and GPS co-ordinates are: 53.1417N, 6.5695W. Cars, caravans and campervans should follow the festival traffic signs, and directions of stewards and gardaí. There is no right or left turn allowed off the N81 at the L3863 towards Russborough House. From Dublin/M50/N81 route : Drive through Blessington town on the N81 and turn right at the Burgage roundabout, then left on to the Kilmalum road. Continue on the L6052 until the L3863, turn left and be directed into the car parks via Gate 1. READ MORE From Naas/M7/M9/M7/M9 route : Take the south Naas exit from the M7 junction 10), take the Naas ring road as far as the R411 roundabout and join the R411 and through to Ballymore Eustace. Follow the L6056 and enter the festival site via Gate 1. From Carlow/N81 northbound route : All festival traffic heading northbound on the N81 will be directed to Ballymore Eustace. Follow the L6056 and enter the festival site at Gate 1. What's on? There will be hundreds of family activities, shows and surprises alongside headliners featuring global and Irish music stars Ocean Colour Scene, Texas and the Coronas. . The line-up also features The Riptide Movement, Allie Sherlock, Simple Things and Hermitage Green. You'll also find a bubble show, an array of cooking, circus and acting displays, baby sensory events, children's author talks, the national reptile zoo and robotics experts. Tickets Tickets are still available at and Ticketmaster , with an adult weekend pass for €115 plus booking fee and a child weekend pass for €87.55. There are also day tickets, with children's from €39.40 and adult's from €56.25 plus booking fee. Babies go free, but must be booked. Take note that ID is required for all ticket holders, regardless of age. Security is family-friendly, with the main concern that parents and children don't get separated. Children get a paper wristband on which their parent's number can be written. Organisers encourage parents to choose a memorable meeting point on site. Times Car parks are beside the campsites, which fill up quickly, so walking distance from car to tent can vary. Driving is not permitted on the camping fields and trolleys/buggies are permitted to help move belongings. Camping equipment and cooking The campsite at the festival. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Barbecues and hot coals/ash must be disposed of in metal bins, and not plastic bins, in the campsite cooking area. Barbecues can only be used in the designated campsite cooking area. No gas barbecues are allowed and no barbecues can be used in the main tent camping space. Caravans and campervans can use awnings, but be mindful not to interfere with the space of fellow campers. There are communal charging points at the site but no electric hookups. All camping gear, equipment and vehicles are to be cleared from the site by noon on Monday, July 7th. The festival asks visitors to leave no trace, to help protect and maintain the area. At the Babazone campsite, there are facilities to heat up and sterilise baby bottles. Food and drink Festivalgoers can bring their own food, soft drinks and water, but no glass is allowed. Bring reusable and refillable water bottles for all the family – there are plenty of free drinking water points. Organisers ask you not to bring your own alcohol beyond your tent. Day-ticket holders cannot bring their own alcohol. Alcohol purchased at Kaleidoscope can be consumed anywhere on site. There will be searches between the campsites and main arena and any alcohol found will be confiscated and disposed. Payment Kaleidoscope has partnered with AIB to bring AIB Tappy to the festival. Everyone's wristband will include a RDIF chip that can be topped up via your phone, on the festival website and via the QR code on the wristband, or at one of the AIB Tappy kiosks using cash or card. Festivalgoers can pay for food, drinks, merchandise, funfair rides and activities via AIB Tappy. Inclusivity All Abilities Ireland are working with the festival on its accessibility programme. There are accessible campsites with plenty of room for those with all abilities and needs, wheelchair-accessible toilets in the accessible campsite and accessible showers in the shower block beside the campsite. Accessible car parking is near the campsite. The main stage and Zozimus stage both have accessible viewing platforms. The All Abilities Sensory Tent is open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm. It's a fun and calming space to get a break from the buzz of the festival. Throughout the day the team will offer audiovisual, tactile and messy play activities to entice all the senses. The All Abilities Sensory Tent is located in the east courtyard of Russborough House, on the way to the arena.
BreakingNews.ie
01-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Woman (60s) in serious condition after car crash in Wicklow
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a serious injury road traffic collision on the N81 near Blessington, Co Wicklow, on Sunday. Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the collision involving two motor vehicles on the N81 at Tinode, Blessington, Co Wicklow, on Sunday night at approximately 11:30pm. Advertisement One female driver, aged in her 60s, was seriously injured and removed from the scene. She remains in a serious condition at Tallaght University Hospital. The second driver, a male aged in his 20s, was not injured. A technical examination of the scene was conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. Road users who were travelling on this stretch of the N81 near Blessington between 11:15pm and 11:45pm and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make it available to investigating gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Baltinglass Garda Station on 059 6482 610, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Irish Independent
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Popular Hillbilly charity tractor run to return to Wicklow for 20th anniversary
The first charity Hillbilly Tractor Run organised by Harry Farrington and Martin Byrne took place in 2005, and the popular event continued every two years up until 2018, with no run having taken place since before Covid. The hard working committee responsible for organising this year's event are putting in the final touches before the big day on Sunday, June 29. Harry Farrington said: 'We are delighted to be returning for the first time since the Covid restrictions were in place and we will be celebrating 20 years since we held our first run. 'Down the years the event grew from strength to strength. We have been receiving great feedback and we should have tractors from all over the country taking part on the day, they are even coming over from England to participate. 'There are now lots of new people involved with great, fresh ideas. 'We are hoping for some good weather and we will be raising funds for three very deserving causes, including Blessington and District Senior Citizens Care Association. We will also be raising funds for Western Gaels Hurling Club which is an amalgamation of Dunlavin, Hollywood, Valleymount, Blessington and Kilbride/Lacken, who play at juvenile level. Funds will also be raised for St Kevin's Juvenile Football Club, which is an amalgamation of Valleymount, Kilbride/Lacken and Hollywood.' Registration for the run takes place at the picnic area in Ballyknockan from 10am, with the run departing at 12.30pm. No trailers or boxes are permitted and a distance of 20m should be maintained between all vehicles. Cullen's Lounge will host live music from Colin Cahill from 5pm to 7pm after the convoy has returned, followed by an auction with some great prizes to be won. After Dark will close the night out as they perform from 9pm. Donations towards the Hillbilly Tractor Run's charities of choice can be made by visiting
Irish Independent
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
New throw-in times for Wicklow County League finals
The game, between Bray Emmets and Carnew Emmets, had been down for decision from 6.30pm this Saturday, June 19, at Echelon Park in Aughrim. The venue and date remain the same, but the match will now thrown in at the earlier time of 3pm. The game will precede the Division Four decider between Annacurra and Blessington, which has now been pushed back from 4pm to 5pm.
Irish Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Censorship was comical
Sir,– I was eight years old and it was 1954. The year that Seán Ó Faoláin was commenting on the powers that were and their criticism of crossroads dancing, V-necks, silk stockings and late dances. To this list of debauchery was added mixed bathing and advertisements for female underwear. And either close dancing or bikinis was a passport to hell. One Sunday my mother arrived home from first Mass, in Lacken, with news. READ MORE The curate, in a stentorian voice, had warned the congregation against 'turning over the pages of the rags of Fleet Street'. Despite her less than perfect eyesight my poor mother managed to decipher the small print on the back pages of my Beano and Dandy which showed that they were printed at DC Thompson's outpost in Fleet Street. Dennis the Menace and The Bash Street Kids weren't actually banned from the house but my father reckoned it was 'the thin end of the wedge'. My parents were unanimous in their belief that the relatively young curate was well qualified to set the moral compass for the youth of west Wicklow. And why wouldn't he; wasn't his father a guard in Bray? – Yours, etc, MATTIE LENNON, Blessington, Co Wicklow.
