Established in 2018, Release Wellness is Arklow’s only outdoor wellness festival, located by the coast alongside Arklow Nature Reserve. The annual festival is held over a weekend in August, with the aim to integrate more wellness awareness into people’s everyday lives. With live fitness demos including Pound Drumming, Yoga, Dance Fitness, and Jump Fit there are lots of fun interactive free activities for all the family. Browse the stallholders including PTs & fitness coaches, physios, healing and wellness providers and lots more local businesses with a focus on your health and wellbeing. Grab a bite to eat from the food truck onsite and relax in the outdoors as you breath in the fresh sea air. Email: releasewellnessark@gmail.com

The Brook House is a long-standing and popular establishment on the lower Main Street of Arklow. A traditional style pub popular with the locals, it is also home to Father Murphy Celtic Supporters Club who are AICSC members. Pop in and enjoy a game of darts, a match on the big screen or a quiet pint of Guinness. Address: Lower Main St, Tel: 086 6069656 Arklow, Co. Wicklow.

A traditional Irish family run pub in the small village of Redcross where you'll always receive a warm welcome, whether you're a regular or just passing through. Live music at weekends and you may even catch an impromptu trad session in the bar! Enjoy a game of darts or a chat with the locals about the latest Rugby goings on! Address: Main Street, Redcross, Co. Wicklow.

Arklow’s newest performance arts and music venue is the 70-seater black box style space of The Asgard Theatre, named after the famous Irish training Vessel The Asgard II. The theatre is situated just above Kenny’s Of The Harbour public house on Arklow’s Lower Main Street. The intimate space displays lots of memorabilia associated with the Asgard II, which was built just a few hundred metres away, and many photos of local musicians and bands, many of whom have gone on to achieve national and international success. An original ships bell was also donated from a supporter in American, sourced in a marine salvage shop in Chatham on Cape Cod! The Asgard has hosted some big names in Irish music including Mary Coughlan, Brian Kennedy and The Four of Us, as well as international acts like The Moxie Strings from the USA and Searsons from Canada. It also hosts comedy acts and stage productions, creating a really intimate atmosphere where the audience and performer are immersed in the evening’s entertainment together. Performances can be booked through Gr8 Events - Online Ticketing Solutions. Gr8 are a specialist platform for all event types - Musicals, Pantos, Concerts, Festivals, Fundraising events, live streaming and online events, large or small. Find them at www.gr8events.ie email Info@gr8events.ie, call 0402 49888, or follow them on social media at @gr8eventsIreland. 35 Lower Main St, Web: www.gre8events.ie Arklow, Phone: 086 867 4511 Co Wicklow.

Phelan Licensed Grocer is a gem of a spot! If you’re looking for a real old world experience from a bygone time, then why not pay a visit! Phelan’s is a shop and bar combined in the age-old tradition. Located by a stone bridge by the Avonbeg River in the tiny hamlet of Ballinaclash near Rathdrum, it has been going strong for three generations. There is also occasional live music in the bar. Stop by for a pint, loaf of bread or ice cream, all under the one roof! Address: Greenane Rd, Tel: 0404 46368 Ballinacarrig Lower, Co. Wicklow.

Friendly, traditional Irish pub located in the heart of Rathdrum. A great place to enjoy a pint in the evening. 19 Main St, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, (0404) 46654

Going strong in Arklow for over 40 years, the multi award-winning Avonmore Musical Society puts on several performances during the course of each year. If you are visiting Arklow while their shows are on, be sure to pick up a ticket if they are not already sold out! The Avonmore Musical Society is a proud member of The Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS). Recent box office hits include ‘Copacabana’, 'Oliver', 'My Fair Lady', 'South Pacific', ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Evita’ and 'Mack and Mabel'. In 2014 they were the first musical theatre group in Ireland to be granted the rights for “The Addams Family-The Irish Premiere”. They are renowned for not just professional acting and singing but also for the brilliance of the costuming and the scenery for every production. Future performances can be booked through Gr8 Events - Online Ticketing Solutions. Gr8 are a specialist platform for all event types - Musicals, Pantos, Concerts, Festivals, Fundraising events, live streaming and online events, large or small. Find them at www.gr8events.ie email Info@gr8events.ie, call 0402 49888, or follow them on social media at @gr8eventsIreland. Web: http://www.avonmoremusicalsociety.com/ Email: avonmoremusicalsociety1@gmail.com Phone: 086 872 2010

On any given night in Arklow, you are bound to find a pub or venue with live entertainment. From Irish trad sessions and country tunes to rock bands and occasionally a contemporary jazz session. Here are some the best venues in Arklow and surrounding areas for live music and dance. The Old Ship is one of Arklow’s best live music venues offering the best bands on the east coast each weekend. On Thursday nights they host the Ri Sessions Folk Club, one of the best in the region for singer songwriters to come and showcase their talents, no matter what genre of music or instrument. https://in-good-company.editorx.io/arklow-town/post/the-old-ship Kenny’s of the Harbour is an authentic old-style Irish bar known for is friendly and warm atmosphere and a wonderful pint of Guinness! Find live music at Kenny’s usually on Sunday afternoons. Check out more about Kenny’s here - https://in-good-company.editorx.io/arklow-town/post/kenny-s-harbour-bar John Joe's Arklow is a long-established traditional pub which has been recently renovated by its new owners. Find live contemporary style music most Friday and Saturday nights. Check out more about John Joe’s here - https://in-good-company.editorx.io/arklow-town/post/john-joe-s-sports-bar The Gin Mill With offers regular live entertainment, often Thursday to Sunday, with acoustic sessions showcasing great local singers. Check out more about The Gin Mill here - https://in-good-company.editorx.io/arklow-town/post/the-gin-mill Christy’s is known for its great food, lively atmosphere and weekly live Music entertainment. You’ll usually catch a high-octane band here on a Saturday night til late. Check out more about Christy’s’ here - https://in-good-company.editorx.io/arklow-town/post/christy-s The Gallery Bar is a cosy intimate spot with great live music every weekend, generally with a guaranteed performance on a Sunday afternoon. A wide range of acts from easy listening acoustic to cover acts and trad bands all feature from time to time. Check out more about The Gallery here - https://in-good-company.editorx.io/arklow-town/post/the-gallery-bar The Goldmines Bar at the Woodenbridge Hotel is the only venue around that offers live music 6 nights a week during the summer months and every weekend year-round. Generally, it’s a Trad Night on Monday and Wednesdays, some night with Irish Dancers, an acoustic session on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a livelier band or singer on Friday & Saturday nights. Check out more about The Goldmines Bar & Bistro here - https://in-good-company.editorx.io/arklow-town/post/goldmine-s-bistro O’Toole’s Traditional Bar have a regular traditional music session on Thursday nights as well as live music at weekends. Check out more about O’Toole’s here - https://in-good-company.editorx.io/arklow-town/post/o-toole-s-traditional-bar

This is a lovely pub, full of character and charm on the Rathdrum’s pretty Main Street. Rathdrum is home to the annual International Cartoon Festival to which the The Cartoon Inn pays homage with many hand drawn cartoons displayed. Check out the work of Bill Eirner, Hunt Emereson, Ulrich Schroeder, Bob Foster who are among some of the famous artists whose work can be seen at close quarter. The Cartoon Inn is famed far and wide for the rich and humourous cartoons which adorn its welcoming walls. The Cartoon Inn always has an open fire going, and the friendly staff ensure a great atmosphere. The outdoor pub with seating area is a lovely place to enjoy a drink on a sunny day and there is an outdoor pod with seating for up to 4 people. Address: 28 Main St, Tel: 0404 46774 Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow.

This community-based Art Gallery in the heart of Arklow Town celebrates artists at every level. The gallery is run in partnership by Arklow Visual Arts, and Sunbeam House Services, who provide a range of supports to adults with intellectual disabilities. Irish art and local artists are showcased under one roof and many art exhibitions are hosted throughout the year. Artist Spotlight: Elaine Tobin Elaine is an abstract artist based on a dairy farm by the coast, just outside Arklow. Elaine draws inspiration from where she lives which impact on the colours and textures that appear. When you spend a lot of time outdoors you begin to see amazing colours in the world around you. You see textures and fine details that could be so easily passed by. Elaine’s work is bright, expressive and full of marks and texture often using mixed media and breaking the rules! You can see some of Elaine’s work in Arklow Visual Art Gallery or on her online shop here - https://elainetobinart.com/. Open 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. 29 Main Street, Web: https://www.arklowvisualarts.com/ Arklow, Email: arklowvisualarts@gmail.com Co Wicklow Tel: 089 424 8376

The Avoca Gallery is an exhibition space, artist studio and home to Avoca Painting School, located 10km from Arklow on the main road (R752) from Rathdrum to Avoca, near the Meetings of the Waters. Resident artist Rod Coyne shows a vast selection of his paintings and canvas prints here. You can meet the artist; view works in progress or peruse various gift ideas available. There is also an extensive online shop and offer free shipping. Interested in learning how to paint? Receive professional tuition in acrylic and oil painting and drawing from highly experienced, practicing artist Rod Coyne. Studio art classes, outdoor painting workshops, demonstrations and painting vacations are on offer, with an informal atmosphere in the “Garden of Ireland”. Services are designed for visiting tourists as much as locally based people with a creative urge. The Avoca Painting School can also provide tuition and demonstration at your art group’s location. From absolute beginners to experienced painters – It is an ideal chance if you have dabbled and want to learn a few more techniques. Enjoy the process and see your surroundings with new eyes. Open weekends 12pm – 5.30pm and by appointment Knockanode, Web: http://avocagallery.ie/​ Avoca, Email: rod@avocagallery.ie Co Wicklow. Phone: 402 35555

The Great Wall of Arklow is a vibrant, ever-changing wall of Graffiti art, covered with a vibrant collection of murals created by local artists. The Wall used in situated by the North Coastal Walk and is home to Coral Leisure Centre. The façade has now become an evolving canvas for artists to let loose their creativity! As part of a graffiti jam event organised as part of the Seabreeze Festival, some of the top graffiti artists in the country made their way to Arklow recently for a to take part in a day-long graffiti session at The Great Wall. All the art was done entirely freehand and with spray cans. Repeat visitors to the Graffiti Wall are constantly enthralled by the quality and vibrancy of the works and due to the temporary nature of graffiti, old works are erased to make way for new pieces all the time. You will see the colourful graffiti theme popping up in various locations and businesses around Arklow town as premises embrace the talented artists to bring to life their businesses. Open: 24 hours Seaview Avenue, Arklow, Co Wicklow