Some of our 'special guests' entertaining all at the Family Fun day!

Well that’s it for 2017 but before we sign off we have to thank all those that helped the festival. If I've forgotten anyone sorry!
Our new Regatta Queen Becky Canavan did a fantastic job and was a worthy successor to the wonderful Chloe Shannon. Thanks to all the girls that entered this year and made it so memorable. Donal MacMahon of Rocket Pyrotechics put on an amazing firework display again this year and also gave us confetti canons for the crowning of the Regatta Queen. Thanks to Whistler’s bar for sponsoring the prosecco reception and to Mary Doherty and Milo Vambeck for taking the photos, Tinakilly House, Diamond Bowl and Go Wild Wicklow for entertaining the girls. To Sarahmarie Howes, Sophisticuts hair salon & Amanda's Hair studio for looking after the girls make-up and hair and to JJ Jewellers for sponsoring the queens crown and goodies bags. Brian Smullen very kindly updated the web page for us.
Big thanks to the Singing Pubs Judges Kirsty McDougall, Patricia Cartron, Damien O’Brien and to all those that entered and provided so much entertainment. Thanks also to Lynda Goodman for the photos. Kirsty also judged the Wicklow’s got talent with Christine Dunne and the fancy dress with Mary Kavanagh.
We are indebted to Colin O’Brien of Wicklow Print Solutions and Tim Kavanagh for giving so generously of their time in producing the programme.
The Young at Heart night was generously sponsored again this year by Michael and Noreen O’Sullivan and MC’d brilliantly by Andy Bolger. Thanks to all those businesses that sponsored the spot prizes and to Shane Lincoln and Emma Merrigan for the waltzing demonstration. Wicklow Kabs kindly provided the transport for those attending and also for the singing pub and regatta queen judges. Thanks to Evelyn Goodman for collecting the spot prizes.
Fr. Donal Roche very kindly allowed us to use the Abbey Grounds for the Family Fun day, St. Patricks GAA for the tables and chairs and An Garda for having the traffic corps present. Thanks to Brendan and Deirdre Flynn for organising The Kids Treasure Hunt and to Tesco Wicklow for supplying the goodie bags. Value Centre Cash & Carry Wicklow supplied the goodies at the Golly Fishing. Thanks to Tony Dunne and Audrey Dalton for judging the dog show.
A huge thank you to Rev. Jack Kinkead for allowing Wicklow Parish Church to host the Birds of Olympus in what was a truly memorable night. Thanks to Spud and the lads for one of the highlights of the festival. The Maguire Family also gave a great performance in the Market Sq again this year.
Much appreciation to Emeir O’Connaill and the staff at Wicklow Gaol for all their cooperation and for the radio ads. The Jailers Rest Café provided the coffee to keep us going! Thanks as well Wicklownews.net and East Coast FM for their press coverage.
Eugene Dooley organised the premises and June Leonard the prints for the old Wicklow shop window. John Finlay & Stan & Vincent O’Reilly are to be credited for their walk and talk on the local and maritime history of Wicklow again this year.
Thanks to Sr. Julie for the great tour of An Tairseach Ecology centre. We’re grateful to the organisations that organised their events to add to the festival, Wicklow Tennis Club, Wicklow Bridge Centre, Wicklow Swimming Club, Kilmantin Art Gallery, Wicklow Indoor Bowls Club and Robbie Dover of Wicklow Rovers.
We’re grateful to Wicklow Swimming club and Dave Brennan for supplying one of the safety boats and Wayne Hubbard the other so that we could run the raft race. Wicklow boat hire and Michael Mulvihill gave us the loan of extra life jackets and thanks to RNLI for their presence.
Thanks to Wicklow Co. Council and Ruben O’Neill for their support and to Malcolm Earls, Gareth O’Reilly, Geoff Kane, Noel Heatley, Das and Phillip for putting up the bunting. George O’Brien of the Vartry rowing club gave assistance in several events for which we are grateful.
To all our bag packers, flag collectors, volunteers, sponsors, patrons and donors a special thank you. Nothing happens without your generosity and effort.
Finally thank you to the committee for all your hard work in an incredibly short time: Wayne Dunne, Eoghan Whelan, John Dowling, George Mitchell, Mary Kavanagh, Mike Byrne, Eoghan Mooney, Bo Corkish and especially Joanne Costello who was secretary, treasurer, photographer and anything else that was needed.
See you next year at the Regatta.
John Goodman

A big thank you to Stan and Vincent O'Reilly of Wicklow Historical Society for giving an excellant talk on the maritime history of the town. Great that so many braved the rain and thanks to Wicklow Sailing club for allowing us to move indoors.