Summer in Co Wicklow: From air shows, to regattas and music festivals

No matter what your personal tastes are, or regardless of your age, you are bound to find a Wicklow event over the summer months which will be right up your alley.

Wicklow 200 Cycling Challenge

Established in 1982, the Wicklow 200 is one of Ireland’s premier cycling sportives, with the 41st edition taking place on Sunday, June 8.

The Wicklow 200 starts and finishes at Russborough House in Blessington and takes in many of the most iconic climbs the Garden County has to offer. It’s considered among the most arduous and most revered annual cycling events on the Irish calendar.

As the name suggests, the event covers over 200 kilometres around Co Wicklow, a major international cycling destination. The shorter Wicklow 100km takes place on the same day, and shares most of the route with the Wicklow 200.

Sign up at wicklow200.ie

Beyond the Pale

The fourth edition of Beyond the Pale Festival takes place over three days at the Glendalough Estate, running from June 13 to 15.

Arklow disco queen Róisín Murphy will be playing her first ever gg in her home county of Wicklow. Jon Hopkins, Berlioz and Broken Social Scene will all be performing at Beyond the Pale, which will be their first Irish show of the summer, while Boney M will be playing their first Irish show in nearly a decade.

Brooklyn-based rockers, TV on the Radio, will perform their first show in Ireland in 17 years, with festival-favourite Marc Rebillet, BadBadNotGood, and recent Brit Award winners Ezra Collective joining a bumper line-up of acts.

The jam-packed weekend will culminate with another high-energy performance by Marc Rebillet, along with TV on the Radio, Death in Vegas, Samantha Mumba, And So I Watch You from Afar and Wicklow native Fionn Regan.

Buy tickets at itsbeyondthepale.ie

Kaleidoscope Festival

Kaleidoscope Festival celebrates its fifth anniversary when it returns to Russborough in Blessington from July 4 to July 6.

Its known as one of Ireland’s most family-friendly music festivals with entertainment and facilities suitable for all ages groups.

As a birthday celebration one of its stages will be transformed into a house party featuring Abbaesque and their smash-hit ABBA tribute show, a Daft Punk tribute, alt rock scene-loving The Year Grunge Broke, disco-loving DJ queen Kelly-Anne Byrne, a floor-filler live show from Love Sensation, and These Charming Men and their tribute to indie rock favourites The Smiths and Morrissey.

Other headliners and main stage music acts already confirmed consist of legendary Scottish band Texas, homegrown favourites The Coronas, Ocean Colour Scene, acclaimed Limerick’s Hermitage Green and one of Ireland’s brightest young music stars, Allie Sherlock.

Tickets at kaleidoscopefestival.ie.

Kilmacanogue Show

The Kilmacanogue Show is one of the most popular events in the county and returns for its 53rd renewal on July 26 to Enniskerry Horse Farm, with all the usual fun and activities for all the family.

At the heart of the show are the horse and pony classes, with everything from rein to in-hand to showjumping and working hunter opening the event up to every kind of equestrian.

But it’s not just about horses; there’s a dog show, classes for sheep and a host of entertainment away from the rings. Last year K2 Alpacas came, and a famous goose-herding collie dog, as well as a woolspinning expert and a wood sculptor.

Expect free pony rides, a kids games zone, and face painting, with the full schedule to be released soon at kilmacanogueshow.com.

Wicklow Regatta Festival

The Wicklow Regatta Festival is now in its 147th year, making it the oldest maritime-themed festival in the land, and will take place this year in Wicklow town from July 25 to August 4.

You can expect all the fan favourites the regatta is renowned for, including golly fishing, ‘Young at Heart’ and the opportunity to crow the Regatta Queen. The Singing Pubs competition takes place each year and gives members of the public the opportunity to showcase their considerable talents.

You can also enjoy heritage walks, street busking and live music, art trails, a dog show, a teddy bears picnic, a barman’s race, a kids treasure hunt, along with art workshops.

The schedule will be at wicklowregatta.com.

Bray Air Display

Wicklow’s biggest event of the year by far is the Bray Air Display, which will bring tens of thousands of visitors to the seaside town on Saturday, August 2.

This year’s show promises to be a spectacular event, featuring the awe-inspiring skills of world-class pilots who will fill the skies over Bray with thrilling aerobatics and breathtaking formations. Marvel at the stunning flying skills of talented pilots as they paint the skies with mesmerising aerobatics.

But the excitement isn’t just in the sky. On the ground, visitors can revel in the thrills of the Seafront Funfair, explore the static display by the Irish Defence Forces, and indulge in delicious offerings at the food and craft village.

It’s free to view the Bray Air Display, with viewing points along the beach, in the harbour and even up Bray Head, but be sure to go early to get the best spot. Details at brayairdisplay.com.

Tinahely Agricultural Show

Dating back to 1935, the historic Tinahely Agricultural Show takes place on August bank holiday Monday at Fairwood Park.

The popular event always attracts thousands of visitors, featuring a series of competitions, covering categories including equestrian, cattle, goats, sheep, dogs, poultry and many others, providing children and families with a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals.

Alongside the competitions are acres of trade stands, a funfair, live music, food, machinery displays, dog and baby shows, sheep shearing, sheaf tossing, machinery displays and plenty more.

Tickets available at tinahelyshow.ie.