Latest News

09-07-2018

Roisin crowned Princess

Arklow Seabreeze Festival kicked off in great style on Sunday night last as Roisin Long representing “The Gallery” won the coveted title of “Bridgewater Seabreeze Princess” for 2018 in the Midway Bar, Lounge and Restaurant. As well as winning the title Rosin walked away with an array of prizes, kindly sponsored by the Bridgewater Shopping Centre once again this year, including €500 in Bridgewater Vouchers, €50 Eddie Rocket’s Voucher, €50 Argos Voucher, Passes to Omniplex Cinema, Nail Treatment from Super Drug, Jewellery from Carrig Donn and a Peter Mark Hamper. A specially commissioned Tiara made by John Swan Jewellers awaited the winner, where last year’s winner Ellen Doyle, representing The Midway crowned this year’s winner.

Roisin is currently studying Psychology and Irish in College and would like to have a career in Counselling or Teaching once she finishes her degree and was the uniramous decision by all three adjudicators this year. This year’s panel of adjudicators was made up of: Elaine Cullen, Suzanne Walsh and Liam Redmond, who had a very difficult task as the standard was so high.

Runner – up Lauren Ciara Christie, representing D’Arcy McGee’s and originally from Dublin, has lived in Coolgreaney and Gorey before settling in Arklow. Lauren loves cars and has done some Modelling, Dancing and Singing and some of her more recent events include taking part in the X Factor last year and runner up in a Modelling competition in recent times. The runner up walked away with a Boot Hamper, Perfumes and Star Bucks Hamper.

This year’s contestants featured: Karianne Fagan – Pettitt’s SuperValu, Lyndsey Meyer – The Bridge Hotel, Aine Doyle – The Ginmill, Roisin Long – The Gallery, Rebecca Mc Clean – The Loft Restaurant, Lauren Ciara Christie – D’Arcy Mc Gees, Siobhan Mc Mahon – The Midway, Jessica Waters – Sally O’Brien’s, and Megan Long – John Joe’s

Many thanks to Noeleen Davenport and the team from Midway Bar, Lounge and Restaurant for hosting, Stephanie Staines, Bridgewater Shopping Centre Manger and all at the Bridgewater for supporting this year’s competition once again with a wonderful array of prizes, Sally Cullen for doing all the Sashes for the ladies, Mary Burke and Tina O’ Sullivan, Seabreeze Festival Chairperson for organizing the event. Also thanks to everyone who came out to support the night.

Not to be outdone by the ladies, “Mr. Seabreeze” also took place on the night with a great line up of guys taking part – Sean Bracken, David Rodgers, Patsy Kavanagh, Ryan Mulqueen, Thomas Moylan, Daryl Christie, Reece Plunkett, Liam Gregory, Craig Furlong, Jack Worton and Evan Martin. The eventual winner was Thomas Moylan who works as a receptionist with Birchdale House, B&B, Greenane, Rathdrum, who was a popular winner. Again, thanks to all the guys for taking part.

This week and next week sees the run up to the festival as the Swinging Pubs Competition takes centre stage and provide top class entertainment each night with the main part of the Festival which running from Friday 20th July – Sunday 22nd July. The line-up for this year’s Swinging Pubs competition is: Tuesday 10th July – The Old Ship, Wednesday 11th July – Arklow Bay Hotel, Friday 13th July – The Midway Bar, Lounge and Restaurant, Saturday 14th July – John Joe’s, Monday 16th July – The Gin Mill, Tuesday 17th July – The Gallery, Wednesday 18th July – Sally O’ Brien’s, Thursday 19th July – The Bridge Hotel and announcement of winners.

Other bands to feature on the weekend include “Inuendo” who will play in the Park on the Main Street on Friday 20th July at 9.30pm, Saturday night will feature “The Breakfast Club” on the Middle Stage while “LH 28” featuring local lady Amy Penston will be performing, all stages start at 8pm. Sunday night sees “The Navvies” on the Main Stage, with a number of additions to the band, “Feel the Pinch” will take to the Middle Stage and Drogheda band “E-motion” who are building up a great name for themselves play on the Bottom Stage, again all music will start at 9pm, with a fantastic Fireworks Display to end off the Festival at 11pm. Best viewing for this will be the River Walk or Bridge.

A packed line up of events is planned for this year’s Festival, looking forward to seeing you all during the Festival. Headline act this year is the multi-talented singing and dancing Jake Carter and his band and bound to rock Arklow on Saturday night 21st July on the Top Stage. Music on Saturday night will also feature, newly formed “The Breakfast Club” on the Middle Stage and LH 28, who are a Dublin based 4 piece band performing all the greatest anthems from the 80’s today. The band is newly fronted by Arklow’s own Amy Penston, who will appear on the Bottom Stage. All three stages start at 9pm and streets are closed from 6pm to midnight.

Sunday night has another wonderful line up featuring “The Navvies” with their new 6 pce band – Barry Moules (the Cap), Des (The Wexford Man), Daniel (Dansky the Mean Fiddler), Paul (the Piping Bear), Michael (fair play to himself Redmond), Patrick (Paddy the Geek) will take to the Top Stage, whilst “Feel the Pinch” will take to the Middle Stage and the Bottom Stage will feature Drogheda bases “E’motion” with lead singer Donna Donnelly and her band, bound to make an impact on Arklow audiences. Streets closed from 1pm – 11pm finishing with a fantastic Fireworks Display.

Don’t forget to book your stall for our Artisan Food and Craft fair which will be on the street during the festival – places still available.

See our Facebook page for more information and updates…..

02-07-2018

EXCITEMENT BUILDING FOR ARKLOW SEABREEZE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL 2018

The launch of Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival 2018 took place on Thursday night last in Food Court Pavilion, Bridgwater Shopping Centre, Arklow where a large number of people gathered to hear plans for this year’s Festival were announced. Festival Chairperson, Tina O’Sullivan was delighted to welcome everyone and thanked all for their "continued support of the Festival in Arklow, which brings much need revenue to the town both in advance of the Festival and throughout the entire weekend” She went on to mention "all the local businesses who sponsor many of the events during the festival and to whom we could not stage the Festival without their continued support financially".

"It takes a lot of time and money to stage such a Festival" and she also thanked "all her fellow committee members who have been working in the background since last year planning this year’s events. It does not just happen, months and months of hard work goes into planning such an event and this could not be done without all the volunteers also who help out throughout the Festival".

This year’s festival runs from Sunday 8th July to Sunday 22nd July with something to suit all tastes from the very young to the very old, where a Carnival atmosphere will be created. Councillor Miriam Murphy and Cathoirleach of Arklow Municipal Council officially launched Arklow Sebreeze Music and Arts Festival 2018 and spoke of all “the positivity Arklow is experiencing at the moment with The Minister for Communications, Climate Change and the Environment, Denis Naughten TD, the CEO of Virgin Media, Tony Hanway, and members of Arklow Municipal District made a significant announcement regarding Virgin Media’s ongoing Project Lightning Network Expansion in Ireland and indeed Arklow this week". "Arklow Seabreeze is another positive and success story which Arklow can be proud of, with a wonderful group of volunteers staging such a huge undertaking for the town". Sunday 22nd July.

The Festival runs from Sunday 8th July to Sunday 22nd July and has many spin offs for the local economy of Arklow. Sunday 8th July, kicks off with the Bridgewater Seabreeze Princess competition in The Midway Bar, Lounge and Restaurant, Main Street where doors open at 8.30pm and will also feature the Mr. Seabreeze Competition 2018. Main Sponsors are the Bridgewater Shopping Centre where prizes valued of up to €1000 await the lucky winner and runner up contestants. It is still not too late to enter, the committee are still accepting entries but all participants must be over 18 years of age by 1st July this year to be eligible.. The Bridgewater S.C. have once come on board to sponsor this competition and a specially commissioned Tiara hand made by John Swan Jewelers will go to this year’s winner. A big thank you for your support. Entry forms available from Festival Chairperson, Tina O' Sullivan 087 9093848 or Mary Burke, Secretary 087 9259504 or indeed any committee member.

A pop up Princess Party took place on Saturday last in the Bridgewater Shopping Centre from 2pm-5pm, where the princesses of the future were treated to a nail bar, make up station, dress up and visited by Princess Denise Brennan who wowed them with some great Princess Stories and singing from a number of children’s classic Disney songs. This proved to be a wonderful event and thanks to all who came along on the day for the event.

Tuesday 10th July – Thursday 19th July sees a fantastic line up of shows in town for the Swinging Pubs Competition, as pubs battle it out for the title “Best Swinging Pub 2018”. The current title holders are the Bridge Hotel who will be back to defend their title. The line up is as follows: Tuesday 10th – “The Old Ship”, Wednesday 11th July, “The Arklow Bay Hotel”, Friday 13th July, “The Midway”, Saturday 14th July, “John Joe’s”, Monday 16th July, “The Gin Mill”, Tuesday 17th July “The Gallery”, Wednesday 18th July, “Sally O’Brien’s”, Thursday 19th July “The Bridge Hotel” and announcement of winners. Come out and support your local pubs, shows get underway each way at 9pm sharp.

An action packed programme of events will feature over the main part of the weekend which is Friday 20th July – Sunday 22nd July, featuring headline act Irish based pop sensation Jake Carter, who has taken the Irish pop music scene by storm since his launch on Irish national television (The Late Late Show) in March 2017, and now Jake has teamed up with pop queen Una Healey to release a brand new single ‘Take Me Dancing’. Jake has quickly developed a name for himself as one to watch on the pop music scene, and often compared to a young Robbie Williams Jake has wowed audiences across Ireland with his energetic live performances! To date Jake has released five singles and an EP titled ‘Three Things’, which have all received raving reviews from his newfound fans and from radio alike. In March of this year Jake won RTE’s ‘Dancing With Stars’ (RTE’s version of Strictly Come Dancing) and quickly established himself as a household name in Ireland. Following this Jake went on to tour Ireland with his live band and packed out venues such as Cork Opera House, The Waterfront Belfast and the INEC in Kerry. Jake and his band will take to the Main Stage at Arklow Seabreeze Festival on Saturday night 21st July at 9pm.

• Other bands to feature on the weekend include “Inuendo” who will play in the Park on the Main Street on Friday 20th July at 9.30pm, Saturday night will feature “The Breakfast Club” on the Middle Stage while “LH 28” featuring local lady Amy Penston will be performing, all stages start at 8pm. Sunday night sees “The Navvies” on the Main Stage, with a number of additions to the band, “Feel the Pinch” will take to the Middle Stage and Drogheda band “E-motion” who are building up a great name for themselves play on the Bottom Stage, again all music will start at 9pm, with a fantastic Fireworks Display to end off the Festival at 11pm. Best viewing for this will be the River Walk or Bridge.

16-01-2018

THE GALLERY SWINGING PUBS

The AGM of Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival took place on Wednesday 20th December in The Bridge Hotel, Arklow, where the committee reviewed another successful year for 2017. Despite the small level of funding and Sponsorship, the committee were delighted to report costs were covered and the number who attended this year’s Festival were significantly higher with a lot of tourists from outside of Ireland attending.

Outgoing Chairman, Colm Moules thanked everyone who helped out in any way for their help and support during the Festival and to all the sponsors, businesses and volunteers without whom this could not take place. “It is big undertaking to take on such project each year and he also thanked his committee for their untiring help and hard work throughout the year”. “A special word of thanks to all the local press, media and photographers for their continued support and publicity. Thanks to Arklow Municipal Council, Wicklow County Council, Order of Malta, Gardai and all the people of Arklow and surrounding area.” Colm informed the meeting he would not be seeking re-election as Chairman this year and wished his successor the very best and his continued support.

Plans are already in place for 2018 where committee members are looking forward to another successful Festival. If anyone is interested in any way in helping out during the year or in the run up to the Festival, the committee would love to hear from you.

Dates for Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival 2018 are Friday 20th – Sunday 22h July, with a build-up of events taking place in the previous two weeks.

Officers and Committee for 2018: Chairperson: Tina O’Sullivan, Vice Chairman: Tommy Annesley, Secretary: Mary Burke, Treasurer: Tina O’Sullivan, Assistant Treasurer: Sharon Whelan, PRO: Colm Moules, Health & Safety Officer; Colm Moules

Committee members: Jim Hoey, Donal Molloy, Dicey O’ Reilly, Vinnie Byrne, Peter Kavanagh and Noeleen Davenport.

More information available from:
Colm Moules
PRO Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival

06-07-2017

THE GALLERY SWINGING PUBS

Dont forget to join us tonight at The Gallery swinging pubs, it promises to be a great night!

05-07-2017

MIDWAY PRINCESS SUCCESS

Sunday night last 2nd July saw Ellen Doyle, representing The Midway Bar Lounge, Main Street, Arklow win the coveted title of Bridgewater Seabreeze Princess Competition 2017, which kick-starts the Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival this year, Sunday 2nd July – Sunday 16th July. Runner up was Jessica Hurley, Arklow Bay Hotel.

A packed audience saw Ellen, win the title from 8 other hopefuls:Amelia Cantwell, The Bay Beauty Rooms, Jordan Kinsella, Christy’s, Natasha Duffy, Sally O Brien’s, Jade Duggan, The Gin Mill, Natasha Goggins, The Old Ship, Jessica Hurley, Arklow Bay Hotel, Megan Stokes, The Bridge Hotel and Laoise Whelan O’Neill, John Joe’s.

The judges: - Paul Pritchard, Mary Woods and Elaine Cullen had a very difficult choice in selecting from such a talented group of ladies, who earlier in the day met up with the judges for their interviews and on the night were introduced to the audience by Donal Molloy, MC. And gave a wonderful account of themselves.

21 year old Ellen, enjoys the fast lanes of Mondello Park and just recently attended a “Drifters” – girls racing day at the venue, works in Dun Laoghaire as a Montessori Teacher in the Childcare facility. In her spare time she likes to play Rugby, where she does with Arklow Rugby Club and attends the gym and likes keeping fit.

Many thanks to the Bridgewater S.C. for once again coming on board as main sponsors of this event and on the night Anneli Stack, Centre Administration Manager and Katrina Joyce, Marketing Manager for the Bridgewater S.C were on hand to say a few words and present the winner with her Tiara and prizes. With a prize fund of over €1000, we would like to thank them for their continuous support and generosity. The prizes were for the winner; €350 Vouchers from the Bridgewater S.C., €199 Voucher from Specsavers, Jewellery sponsored by Carrig Donn, a top of the range beauty hamper from Boots, Designer Sun glasses from Specsavers and John Swan, Crock of Gold, who sponsored the beautiful Tiara, specially commissioned.The runner up received €150 in vouchers from The Bridgewater S.C.

Also on the night Mr. Seabreeze featured with the winner announced as Owen Donegan and runner up Peter Stack. Congratulations to both guys and well done to all the guys who took part.

A big thank you also to the following:Roses Florists for supplying the roses for each of the Princesses, Sally Cullen for designing all the sashes, Tina O Sullivan, Mary Burke and Sally Cullen for organising girls and venue. A big thank you to Noleen Davenport and John Hughes from The Midway, Main Street for putting the venue at our disposal and arranging all the décor. Thanks to Donal Molloy, Tommy Annesley and all the committee for their hard work to date. Join us over the next two weeks for the Swinging Pubs competition.

Finally thanks to everyone for coming out to support the event. Please like and share our Facebook page and for keeping up to date with all the events in this years’ Arklow Seabreeze Festival which runs from 2nd – 16th July (both dates inclusive)

Further information available from:

Colm Moules

Chairman Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival>

info@arklowseabreezefestival.ie

19-06-2017

SWINGING PUBS COMPETITION 2017

A fantastic line up of shows around the town as pubs battle it out for the title 'BEST SWINGING PUB 2017'

The line up is as follows

Tuesday 4th July: Darcy McGee's

Wednesday 5th July: Arklow Bay Hotel

Thursday 6th July: The Gallery

Friday 7th July: Christy's

Saturday 8th July: John Joes

Sunday 9th July: The Midway

Tuesday 11th July: Sally O'Briens

Wednesday 12th July: The Gin Mill

Thursday 13th July: The Bridge Hotel and announcement of the winner

COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PUBS

04-07-2016

ARKLOW SEABREEZE FESTIVAL 2016

Winner of the Seabreeze Princess Competition for 2016 held last night in the Arklow Bay Hotel is 21 yr old Asia Jordan who was representing the Arklow Bay Hotel. Congratulations Asia and all the girls who took part. Thanks to the Bridgewater Shopping Centre who once again came on board as the Main Sponsors

14-07-2016

SEABREEZE FESTIVAL RUN

A new addition in 2016 to the Seabreeze festival is the "Seabreeze Festival Run" a family fun 4k run walk or stroll, or for those looking for more of a challenge there is an 8k route. Both routes start and finish on Arklow main street, these races are taking place on Sunday 17th July at 1.00pm and everybody will be back in time for all the on street fun and frolics. Our facebook event page is currently running a competition to win an entry into either of the distance, check out our event page

You can book online either at GoRun.ie

04-07-2016

ARKLOW SEABREEZE FESTIVAL 2016

Winner of the Seabreeze Princess Competition for 2016 held last night in the Arklow Bay Hotel is 21 yr old Asia Jordan who was representing the Arklow Bay Hotel. Congratulations Asia and all the girls who took part. Thanks to the Bridgewater Shopping Centre who once again came on board as the Main Sponsors

09-11-2015

ARKLOW SEABREEZE FESTIVAL 2015

The AGM of Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival 2015 will take place on Tuesday 24th November, at 8.30pm in the Arklow Bay Hotel.

Following another very successful this year, it is hoped that many new faces will be interested in helping out in some way for the 2016 Festival, if that is the case we would love to see you at our agm. Alternatively, let any of our committee members know if you are interested.

Many thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make it a success. A big thank you to all this year’s sponsors, without whom it could not have taken place and also to all those who volunteered their services in the lead up to and including the weekend of the Festival, it was greatly appreciated.

Please let us have your ideas, as this is always done a shoe string of a budget and need your help and support. Already we are excited and working on next year’s Festival.

Check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Arklow-Seabreeze-Festival-224167300956646/ for more information or our website www.arklowseabreezefestival.ie.

29-07-2015

ARKLOW SEABREEZE FESTIVAL 2015

Arklow celebrated in true Festival style at the weekend as the Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival 2015, pulled off another stunning weekend of music, song, dancing and free entertainment for all the people of the town and surrounding area.

A much welcome tourism boost to the traders of the town and locality, the emphasis was on fun and family entertainment, with many visitors to the town for the weekend and on holidays extending their stay to take in the wonderful things to do and see in Arklow and the locality. The positive vibe one got is a testimony to the huge amount of work the committee of Arklow Seabreeze Music& Arts Festival did during the year, all on a voluntary basis and on a very small limited budget.

Thank you to so many people for their help and support over the weekend and in the run up to the main part of the Festival, where the curtain raiser, the selection of the Bridgewater Seabreeze Princess on Sunday 5th July, saw Katie Doran, representing The Arklow Bay Hotel win the coveted title. Sincere thanks to the Bridgewater Shopping Centre for once again coming on as the main sponsor of this competition with John Swan Diamond Jewellers, providing the specially made Tiera for the winning Princess. Katie was a wonderful ambassador throughout the lead up to and including the weekend where she attended all the Swinging Pubs nights and officiated at all the events over the weekend.

Mr. Seabreeze, was won by Craig Doyle and this took place on Monday 6th July in Sally O’Brien’s. Well done and thanks for all your support over the weekend also Craig.

The annual Swinging Pubs competition 2015, saw a new winner declared as “Swinging Pubs” champions for 2015 with their show “Kenny’s got Talent”, namely Kenny’s of The Gallery, who opened their doors to the public recently. Results of the Swinging Pubs competition were:
Best Novelty/Comedy Act – The Breffini – “Men can Multi-Task”
Best Male Performer: The Gin Mill – Michael Flood
Best Female Performer: The Bridge Hotel – Trish Kavanagh
Best MC: The Bridge Hotel – Paul Burke
Best Overall Pub and Swinging Pubs winners 2015 – Kenny’s of The Gallery.

Congratulations to everyone who took part this year: Sally O’Brien’s, Christie’s, The Breffini, Kenny’s of The Gallery, The Gin Mill, The Arklow Bay Hotel and The Bridge Hotel. This year the standard of entertainment was particularly high, giving them a headache deciding on the eventual winners. A huge amount of work was put in by each of the pubs, and thank you to everyone who came out to support their local, which was crucial for its success.

Friday night 17th July saw another great night of free fun and entertainment for all the family with Beat The Cube proving once again to be a great success and hit with the large crowd who turned out in The Park, Main Street. The Burger eating competition sponsored by Trade Winds once again, proved a battle ground the contestants in the adult section with reigning champion, Jamie Keddy from Newtown, being narrowly beat by this year’s champ, Michael Sweeney and Garreth Kenny coming in a very strong third place. Meanwhile in the Junior section, Nathan Flynn was declared winner. Live music in The Park was provided by “Small Town Crisis” proving a great end to festivities for the night. Meanwhile the Carnival on throughout the weekend gave it a great festival feeling.

On Saturday 18th another packed jammed day of activities were the order of the day. Busking on the Main Street during the day brought a great buzz to the town, with a lot of talent on display. Winners were: Oisin & Niamh Redmond, while Anna & Megan Kenny were runners up. The Byrne Sisters – Tin Whistle, Fiddle & singing and “The Foxes” were joint third place. Well done to everyone who took part, great up and coming talent to watch out for.

AGB organised a Feast of Football in Pearse Park on Saturday morning, with teams travelling from Wicklow, Wexford and Carlow respectively in the under 10 girls. Many thanks to all the teams for travelling and to Mick Healy AGB for organising.

The Dainty Bakery Baby show was not short on beauties over the weekend and resulted in the following winners:
0-1yrs: 1st Sean, 2nd Mia Byrne, 3rd Evan
1-2yrs: 1st Danica, 2nd Amelia and 3rd Ruby
2-3yrs: 1st Evie, 2nd Freya and 3rd Emily

Overall Winner: Millie
Many thanks to Mary Burke, Sally Cullen and Donal Molloy for organising and running so effortlessly.

Arklow Youth Centre “The Vaults” Music Showcase gave a wonderful afternoon of music and song from their music programme in association with EWYS and Crosscare at the Bandstand in the Park, Main Street, where Arkadia, Empathy, Lisa Hamilton, Niamh McBride and friends showed off some of their wonderful talent together with D’uke Box Ukele Group hosted by Ronan McCauley also gave a top class performance. Arklow Seabreze Festival were delighted to showcase this talent and organised by Tommy Breen, a big thank you guys.

Monkey business saw another event sponsored by It’s Fresh – The Banana Eating competition (one of your daily 5 fruits) where in the Children’s section was won by: Patrick O’Donnell and in the Adult Section: Andrew O’Reilly capture the title.

Once the street was closed at 6pm it was the turn of Arklow Music & Arts Scene on the Top Stage, where the Prize giving and Prize winners showcase took place. This was Arklow Music & Arts Scene American Themed competition ran on facebook by Yvonne Kenny, and was a huge hit. This was the 4th competition ran and the most successful to date, receiving entries from all ages and abilities from as far away as NY and Florida, totalling 14 sections including artwork and receiving in excess of 120 entries. Well done to everyone who took part and congratulations to Yvonne for organising. Denise Brennan, sang "Sailing with the Wind" which will be available on iTunes in the coming days in aid of ARKLOW LIFEBOAT. Make sure to check out, as well as one of the numbers from her new Album, due to be released shortly. Congats Denise.

Further street entertainment included, Waiters Obstacle Course and Wheelbarrow Race and a great performance from Inbhear Mor Marchers on the main street before music from the three stages took place. Top Stage was The Navvies, Middle Stage, Black Cherry and Lower Stage Sweet Alibi, all of whom really got the large crowds going and sending them into a real party mode. Luckily the rain stayed away and just managed to catch the end of the gigs. Well done everyone great music from all three stages.

Sunday 19th July saw the streets closed from 1pm with Artisan Food & Crafts on the street, McDonald’s Teddy Bear’s Picnic, kindly sponsored by Mc Donald’s Arklow and saw Ronald Mc Donald make a special visit to Arklow for the Festival, proving a huge hit with the childen and parents alike with goodie bags, face painting and balloon making also. Fantastic afternoon’s entertainment, and organised by Mary Burke, Sally Cullen and DJ Donal Molloy.

The Pipe Band Competition sponsored by Arklow Motor Factors, (Tommy Hyland) is always eagerly looked forward to and this weekend proved no exception. Top class bands from around the country provided spell binging performances with the results as follows
Grade 3:
1st: New Ross & District
2nd : Arklow Pipe Band
Best Drums: New Ross & District
Grade 4A:
1st: Gorey Pipe Band
2nd: St. Lawerence, Howth
Best Drums: St. Lawerence, Howth
Grade 4B:
1st: New Ross and District
2nd: Killeshin, Carlow
3rd: De Le Salle Wicklow
Best Drums: New Ross & District
Open Section:
1st: New Ross & District
2nd: Arklow
Best Drums: New Ross & District
Many thanks to all the bands for taking part and Ray Finn for organising and once again to the sponsors.

The Marching Bands competition, part of the IMBS,and the first of the 2015 IMBA Season, took place at Arklow Celtic Football Club on Coolgreaney Road with over 350 musicians and dancers, organised by Oisin Molloy and his committee, with bands from: Tallaght Youth Band Cadettes, Clondalkin Youth Band, Celtic Crusaders, Mullingar, Vikings Drum Corps, Dublin, Clonmel Blue Hawks, Tipperary and Inbhear Mor Performance Ensemble. Winners were: Mullingar Town Band- Celtic Crusaders in the Premier Class and Tallaght Youth Band Cadets winning the Junior section, well done to all the teams and everyone involved in preparing the bands for competitions.

Other features of the Day were: WWF Wrestling, The Caveman Challenge, sponsored by Forge Gym and was won by Stephen Tracey, The Rock. Congratulations to Stephen. The Pig Derby went ahead and proved a very popular feature of the festival also. Ice Cream eating completion and the Pipe Bands Parade down the street following the results was also a great spectacle.

A new addition to this year’s programme was a Soap Box Derby, with prizes for the Race Winner, who was from Baltinglass and local Orla Annesley winning 2nd prize. An event which which attracted huge crowds and will feature as part of next year’s programme of events.

Finishing off an action packed on the three stages were: Top Stage Mariachi San Patricio sponsored by Cairde le Cheile and a huge hit with their Mexican music, Middle Stage: The Moore Brothers and Lower Stage: local band China White.

The Fireworks display finished off the weekend with a Bang on the River Walk and once again was hailed as an outstanding success by everyone.

Many thanks to Arklow Municipal, Wicklow County Council for their generous help and support and we would like to thanks the people who gave of their time and money, when they did not have to. Finally, thanks to everyone who made the Festival happened including the hardworking committee of Arklow Seabreeze Festival 2015, under the Chairman of Colm Moules.

The order of Malta were also on hand throughout the weekend and we thank them for all their help and ensuring everyone had a safe and enjoyable weekend. All the press and media for their coverage and support.

15-07-2015

PIG DERBY

The Arklow Seabreeze Festival Pig Derby has been running for many years now and has proved to be one of the most popular events of the entire Festival annually.

It is a series of short ‘races’, five in total, where the pigs are brought in under the supervision and care of the farmer who reared the pigs.

The welfare of the pigs is of the utmost concern and importance to us, and we feel that this will hold up under rigorous scrutiny. We take a very proactive approach to this ensuring that the animals have plenty of food and water, a pig handler is also present to ensure no harm or cruelty is inflicted on any of his pigs.

On very sunny and warm days we have even applied sun tan cream on the pigs to ensure they do not get sun stroke as their skin is very sensitive, as I am sure do all the other festival pig race organisers around the country including: Watergrasshill, Co. Cork, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Belmullet, Co. Sligo, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Killaloe, Co. Clare, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick and Cahir, Co. Tipperary, to name but a few.

Arklow Seabreeze Festival Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for the overwhelming support we have received this week for the Pig Race and indeed the Festival as a whole.

Arklow Seabreeze Festival Committee

14-07-2015

THE GIN MILL SWINGING PUBS

"50 Shades of Entertainment" the title of the Gin Mill show last night in this year's Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival 2015, Swinging Pubs competition.

Defending their title, The Gin Mill did not dissapoint and put on a great show featuring: Stephen Doyle, Reveonna Brauders, Josh Fortune, Caroline Daniel's, Michael Flood, Noelle Herandez, Philly Loughlin, Lynda Fortune and Kelly Fisher and M.C. Oisin Molloy and a host of other people behind the scenes.

This group had the place rocking, congratulations to Antoinette and all the team from The Gin Mill last night on a great performance.

Please continue to like and share our page with your friends. Tonight sees Kenny's " The Gallery" take to the stage. Show gets underway at 10pm sharp, so get there early.

13-07-2015

THE BREFFNI SWINGING PUBS

Last night (Sunday) 12th July saw The Breffni (formerly Murphy's) take to the stage in this year's Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival, Swinging Pubs competition.

The spies from other licensed premises were out and about to see the competition, which is really hottening up after two great nights, Thursday night in Sally O'Brien's and Friday night in Christie's.

Well done to both on a great show. Congrats to Gerry and the team, with huge crowds out, there was barely standing room https://www.facebook.com/TheBreffni?fref=ts

If you have any photos you would like to share with us please send to info@arklowseabreezefestival.ie

13-07-2015

CHRISTIES SWINGING PUBS

With a theme of Old Ireland and great trad throughout the night, Christie's gave a great account of themselves in this year's Swinging Pubs competition, as part of Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival on Friday night. Congratulations and well done to John and all the team. Make sure to come out and support all the wonderful local talent in the town of Arklow and it is free!

Please continue to like and support our Face Book Page and tell all your friends, this is your festival and let us make it one of the best.

SMALL TOWN CRISIS

SMALL TOWN CRISIS will be playing in the Band Stand on Friday night as part of this year's Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival 2015. A great young band please support, giving local talent an opportunity to showcase their wonderful talent.

06-07-2015

BRIDGEWATER SEABREEZE FESTIVAL PRINCESS WINNER 2015

Bubbly 19 year old Katie Doran, from Avoca, Co. Wicklow captured the title of Bridgewater Seabreeze Festival Princess competition 2015 at the Arklow Bay Hotel last night, with Leona O’Brien, Arklow Majorettes coming in runner up position. Katie’s mam, Mary was there to see her daughter crowned Princess and thanked Arklow Seabreeze Festival committee for all their hard work and for organising the event. A socialite, Katie, also enjoys reading books, plays sport and is a big Harry Potter Fan.

A total of ten girls took part in this year’s selection which included: Cathy Costello, representing “The Dressing Room” Gorey, Leona O’Brien, Arklow Majorettes, Chloe Hurley, Darcy McGees, Jessica O’Brien, The Old Ship, Sophia McGee, The Bridge Hotel, Tracey Teelan, Murphy’s, Katie Doran, The Arklow Bay Hotel, Aoife Clarke, The Bay Beauty Rooms, Shannen Walker, Sally O’Brien’s, Nadine Gaule, The Gin Mill.

With a prize fund in excess of €1000, the Bridgewater Shopping Centre, Arklow, were the main sponsors of the event once again. A specially commissioned perpetual Tiara handcrafted by John Swan of John Swan Diamond Studio’s, formed part of the prize fund, Eddie Rockets and GCG cinema generously offed a cinema meal deal also as part of the overall fund. Next and New Look kindly given some fashionable accessories, Costa gave a gift card and Hickey’s done up wonderful hampers full of goodies, also for the lucky winners.

Katie will also receive a €350 Bridgewater Shopping Centre Voucher and the runner up received €150 Bridgewater Shopping Centre Vouchers. All ten girls were outstanding and a great night was had by all.

A big thank you to Benita’s and Define for doing all the hairs for the girls on the day, Mirror Mirror Beauty- Sharon Kenny, for supplying make up, Sally Cullen, for making all the sashes including the winning Princess, Mary Burke for organising and Tina O’Sullivan and Bay Hotel for the use of premises on the night. Donal Molloy did MC on the night and did a wonderful job, with Dicey O’Reilly helping out on Sound and Lighting.

Tracey Cullen, part of the management team at the Bridgewater S.C. expressed her thanks and appreciation to everyone for making it such a wonderful night and how delighted they were to once again come on board as sponsors. Finally a big thank you to the adjudicators: Gillian Byrne, Stephen Acton and Megan Swart, Wicklow’s representative in the Rose of Tralee competition this year.

Check out our website; www.arklowseabreezefestival.ie , Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Arklow-Seabreeze-Festival/224167300956646 and Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArklowFestival for full and up to date information on this year’s Festival. Make sure to like and share our page with your family and friends at home and abroad.

A reminder that the annual Swinging Pubs competition runs from Thurs 9th July – Thurs 16th July, make sure to check out the amazing talent that exists in Arklow and support your local pubs. Shows each night commence at 10pm. The line-up is as follows: Thursday 9th July – Sally O’Brien’s, Friday 10th July, Christy’s, Sunday 12th July, Murphy’s, Monday 13th July, The Gin Mill, Tues 14th Kenny’s of The Gallery (formerly Butlers), Wed 15th July, Arklow Bay Hotel, Thurs 16th July, The Bridge Hotel.

This year’s Festival takes place from Friday 17th – Sunday 19th July (both dates inclusive).

Looking forward to seeing you at some or all of our events.

29-06-2015

FESTIVAL LAUNCHED AT GLITZY MEDIA EVENT

Murphy’s, Main Street, Arklow was the scene for the official launch of Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival 2015 on Thursday night last, which takes place from Monday 6th July to Sunday 19th July (inclusive). An exciting programme of activities was announced by Chairman, Colm Moules, together with the launch of the new festival website. www.arklowseabreezefestival.ie, and twitter feed and Facebook page. Special thank you to Peter Kavanagh and Aidan, in Cleveritsystems.ie, based in Arklow Enterprise Centre, for designing the new website, which looks amazing. So do not forget to tell your family and friends to visit the site and our Facebook page for updates of all that is happening throughout the Festival.

Cllr. Pat Kennedy, Vice- Chairman of Arklow Municipal District, spoke of the importance of the Festival to the town of Arklow, “the fantastic work the committee do each year to provide a fun filled free family event, and all of whom volunteer their time providing huge tourism potential to the area at a time of high unemployment.” Pat also asked everyone to come out and support the festival” and said “the members of Arklow Municipal District were delighted to be able to support this year’s Festival”

A number of contestants in the Bridgewater Seabreeze Festival Princess competition were also present, where the Bridgewater Shopping Centre, are main sponsors, to whom the committee are very grateful to once again for their support. The Princess competition will take place on Sunday 5th July at 8pm in the Arklow Bay Hotel. A specially commissioned Tiara designed by John Swan Diamond Jewellers will adorn the head of the newly crowned Princess together with vouchers We are delighted that Bridgewater Shopping Centre are the main sponsors of this event again with a total prize fund in excess of €1000. Eddie Rockets and GCG cinema have generously offered a cinema meal deal as a prize. Also Next and New Look have both kindly given some fashionable accessories. Costa have also given us a gift card and Hickeys have generously done up hampers for prizes. The lucky girl will also win €350 Bridgewater Shopping Centre Voucher and there are prizes for the runner up too including €150 Bridgewater Shopping Centre Vouchers.

Colm Moules, Chairman of Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival, thanked everyone for their continued support of the festival and highlighted a number of new events taking place this year including Arklow Youth Centre “The Vaults” Musical Showcase, Arklow Music & Arts Scene showcase and awards presentation, the Caveman Challenge, Soap Box Derby and a great line up of bands for the main weekend – Friday 17th July – Sunday 19th July, finishing with the Festival Fireworks Display on Sunday 19th July. He also thanked all the committee members for all the hard work put in over the past year, the support of Wicklow County Council, Arklow Chamber of Commerce and all the sponsors of this year’s events and activities.

The emphasis is again on Family Fun and free entertainment and Colm stressed the point” we need everyone to come out and support our festival and to tell all our family, friends both at home and outside the country” to come to Arklow for the Festival and “take a short break, enjoy the many wonderful places and things to do in Arklow and “The Garden County” of Ireland. There is so much talent in Arklow, come out and enjoy the opportunities the Festival is giving to our young people”.

Ann Mc Govern, President of Arklow Chamber of Commerce, was delighted to be associated with the wonderful work the festival do and the huge logistical task it takes to organise a festival of this size annually and that “if we all work together anything is possible”.

A fantastic line up of shows around the town will take part in the Swinging Pubs competition which takes place from Wed 8th July to Thursday 16th, as pubs battle it out for the title “Best Swinging Pub 2015”, come out and support your local pub, further details on our Website and Facebook pages.

Thanks also to Murphy’s, Main Street, for hosting the launch and Donal Molloy, Le Chef for providing the finger food, local councillors – Miriam Murphy, Tommy Annesley, Pat Fitzgerald, Mary McDonald and Pat Kennedy for their support and help.

Other events as part of the programme include: AGB Festival of Football on Saturday 18th July in Pearse Park, Vale Road, Arklow from 10am, Marching Band & Drum Corps Competition at Arklow Celtic Football Club, Coolgreaney Road on Sunday 19th July from 2pm – 4.30pm, street on Sat 18th July performance by Inbhear Mor Marchers on Saturday 19th July at 7.30pm.

If you are interested in having a stand as part of the Artisan Food & Craft Fair during the Festival, where you would like to showcase your wonderful talents, contact 0872886845 for further details.

Further information available from Colm Moules 0872886845

25-06-2015

FESTIVAL LAUNCH

Arklow Seabreeze Music & Arts Festival 2015, will hold the official launch of this year's Festival programme and Website on Thursday 25th June (this Thursday) at 8.30pm in Murphy's, Main Street, Arklow, Co. Wicklow. Meet our sponsors, volunteers and committee members. It is also an opportunity to meet some of the contestants in the Bridgewater Seabreeze Festival Princess competition, which will take place on Sunday 5th July in the Arklow Bay Hotel. All are welcome.

23-06-2015

SOAPBOX RULES

Are you taking part in the Soap Box Derby at Arklow Seabreeze Music and Arts Festival on Sunday 19th July @ 7.30pm? If you are, it's essential that you read the guidelines posted on our facebook page before you enter. See the guidelines here - Soapbox Guidelines

08-06-2015

ARKLOW SEABREEZE ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015

Arklow Seabreeze Music and Arts Festival 2015, will take place from Friday 17th July - Sunday 19th July, with something to suit all the family. Over the years the Festival has changed to be more family orientated, this year being no exception. There will be lots of free fun and entertainment on the streets over the weekend. Currently the programme is being finalised, so make sure to keep an eye on this page.

SWINGING PUBS COMPETITION 2015

This year's Swinging Pubs competition will take place from Tues 7th July and the last night will be Thurs 16th July, where the winners will be announced.

RULES:
1. All shows start at 10pm sharp

2. Show should not be less than 30 minutes and not more than 45mins long

3. Ensure your show has a variety of entertainment (i.e. not just music) – maybe singing, jokes, dancing etc. Costuming props etc. all allowable also

4. Points will be awarded as follows:
25 points for Variety of Show
25 points for quality of performers
25 points Continuity/MC
25 points Audience interaction

5. Each participating pub nominates a judge who must attend all shows and cannot vote for their own pub. An independent adjudicator will also be nominated by the festival to attend all shows.

6. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
Best Comedy or Novelty Act
Best Cabaret Act
Best Traditional Act
Best MC
Best Overall Swinging Pub 2015

Winners will be announced following final night of the Swinging Pubs Competition on Thursday 16th July

Once you have paid your sponsorship call Donal on 086-815431 or Colm on 087-2886845 and what night you wish to have your show.