The Waltzing in Wicklow festival returns to the Arklow Bay Hotel from Sunday 10 to Saturday 16 November. Patrons can look forward to an enjoyable and relaxing time beside the harbour on the shores of the Irish Sea.

Enjoy Travel hosted their inaugural event in the Arklow Bay Hotel last November and were delighted with the success of the venture. The patrons gave their endorsement by ensuring that accommodation for this year’s event in the hotel was booked out weeks in advance.

“You can always get a real sense of how much people enjoy an event when the vast majority re-book for the next one. That’s exactly what has happened with Waltzing in Wicklow,” says Gerry Flynn, CEO of Enjoy Travel.

Dermot Hegarty.

“Wicklow is the home county of Pat Jordan who has been an integral part of our promotions for two decades or so. Pat has his own band based out of Manchester and has a great love for Wicklow.

“This November we are running it over six days so it is a real holiday for many of our patrons. It will give time to those who wish to experience some of the lovely sights around Wicklow and they can head down to nearby Wexford as well.”

Brendan McGee.

Gerry and Pat are building the Waltzing in Wicklow festival on the same foundations that have proven so popular for their overseas ventures in Spain and Portugal over many years. “Our supporters know the format very well at this stage. We have country bands and singers for the dances while we also cater for the set dancers with a different céilí band each night.

“The bar sessions are a major part of the success of our festivals and the host for these is Mick Mackey from Clonmel. Anyone who wants to sing a song, play an instrument, tell a story or recite a monologue or poem is welcome to do so. People love the spontaneity of the sessions,” says Gerry.

Each day features afternoon dancing as well as four hours of dancing each night from 9pm to 1am. Among the artists who will feature during the week are Olivia Douglas, Glenshane Country (Pat McKenna and Hugh Turner), Dermot Hegarty, The Moynihan Brothers, Philip English, Brendan Magee and Eugene Cunningham, Stephen Smyth Band, Joe Davitt and band, Theresa and The Stars, Pat Jordan and Kieran Towey, and the Glen Flynn duo.

Olivia Douglas.

Céilí and set dancers will be entertained by Legacy on Sunday 10 November, Rise the Dust on Monday, the New Annaly on the Tuesday, Úi Bhriain CB on Wednesday, Johnny Reidy Céilí Band on the Thursday, and the Brian Ború band on the Friday.

Throw in jiving and dance classes and music tutorials and you get a feel for what this week is all about.

Local visitors are also welcome to come along and join the celebrations. A daily pass is €20, while admission to the night time shows is just €10 and people from the region are encouraged to ramble along any night of their choice where a warm welcome awaits all.

Get the full details on the artists appearing each night by contacting the Arklow Bay Hotel on 040-226 200 or Enjoy Travel at 0044 1254 445050.