Romances start on the internet and end up in Gretna Green on the 29th of February, well all the best ones do anyway. Ali and Sarah leaped into their new and happy life together witnessed and enjoyed by close family and friends, a wonderful occasion.
Archive for the ‘Ballythomas Life’ Category
Ali and Sarah’s Wedding
Friday, March 2nd, 2012AeSect Support Xerath.
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011AeSect played a brain crunching opener as support for up and coming UK metal band Xerath in Dublin’s Pint Bar last Sunday. Shane, Luke, Aidan, Dave, and Smurf powered through a self penned set containing the American History X inspired “Bite the Curb” and “Consumed by the Machine”. Laying down a marker for what was to follow, a savage set from headliners Xerath, the boys can be well proud.
Wingfield Hunt, December 3rd, 2011.
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011The Shillelagh and District Hunt held their annual meet at Wingfield, close to Ballythomas and the Gap today. A good turnout on what was a chilly but nevertheless bright day. Lots of jumps and ditches to negotiate, especially between Wingfield and Toberpatrick. The hounds, ably led by huntsman and Master of the Hounds David Nolan were doing their stuff, those in the saddle were having a ball.
AeSect Drive On.
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011To gain respect bands have to be credible, to be real, AeSect are such a creature. Playing driving, riff based metal, they display both an understanding of the genre and an ability which could see them stake a claim for a position on a higher stage. In a tough uncompromising industry where posturing and bombast is so often a substitute for lack of musical talent, these guys are a breath of fresh air. Delivering a tight set of exciting, well structured, intelligent compositions, with just the right amount of head jarring stops and running sternum thumping bass riffs, Wacken watch out, the Irish will be headlining sooner than you think.
For more click on: AeSect Rock Fibbers.
Tally Ho Hunt.
Saturday, November 19th, 2011The Tally Ho hunt meets a mile down our lane and cuts across the town lands of Toberlonagh, Toberpatrick, and Wingfield, negotiating dikes, ditches, banks, and gates. Overcast, misty, and damp, a good crew set out led by huntsmen David Nolan, Colin Jackson and Howard Woods. I lost them in the bog close to Abbeylawn, an occasional blast of a hunting horn and the baying of hounds receding into the undulating countryside the only evidence of their presence.
AeSect Rock Fibbers
Sunday, October 23rd, 2011Images say enough, AeSect play metal hard and loud. Rifftastic, it’s hard to believe this is only their second gig. Storming through a 40 minute set Lamb of God, Slayer, and Testament come to mind, but hey this is all their own work. Rock on Shane, Luke, Aiden, and the two Dave’s.
Touchwood Rock Becky’s 18th.
Monday, July 25th, 2011The Ali’s know how to party and with Becky reaching a young milestone who better then to perform on her special night but Touchwood fronted by her brother Sam. Fresh from their storming set on the new bands stage at OXEGEN, Touchwood filled the air around Ballythomas with their own mix of haunting tunes and progressive rock. Harking back to early Simple Minds with a hint of Coldplay, Touchwoods music is fresh and vibrant. It was a joy to be there, the surrounding forests and fields reverberating to real quality, international music industry take note, “these guys mean business”.
The night however was about the birthday girl and the following images say it all, a great night which lasted well into the next day. Happy 18th Becky and many more of them.
ROCK ON BALLYTHOMAS, ROCK ONNNNNN!!!!
Wicklow Connemara, Schooling at Coolboy.
Monday, June 20th, 2011Tinahely Riding Clubs facility at Coolboy, Co. Wicklow is ideal for schooling incorporating as it does a floodlit sand arena, full cross country course, dressage arena, practice area, and ample room to park your rig. Mandy Hayden visits the grounds regularly to school Cloon-Dara her five year old 15.2 connemara with a view to qualifying for the “Connemara Performance Hunter” class at the Royal Dublin Horse Show in August.
After some flat work to warm up Mandy then proceeded to put in a few jumps.
Cloon-Dara although young is improving all the time and has no problem entering the water.
Or exiting either.
Roll on the Barntown, Co. Wexford qualifier this coming Wednesday.
Tinahely Riding Club Show Jumping Event, Coolboy, Co. Wicklow.
Sunday, May 15th, 2011A great day was had at the TRC show jumping event held at Coolboy last Sunday 15th May 2011. Committee and club members worked hard before the event gathering sponsorship and organising the various competitions and entries, with the result that everything ran like clockwork on the day.
Mandy Hayden marked the scores and ushered the various competitors into the arena.
Competitors and their steeds were well dressed for the occasion.
Competition was fierce and a jump off was required before the main prizes could be handed out.
A nicely laid out course in a very pretty location.
Lift those legs.
There’s always a jump to repair, rock on Howard Woods.
Tinahely Riding Club Hunter Trials, Coolboy, Co. Wicklow.
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011The TRC held a hunter trials at their Coolboy showgrounds last Sunday 10th April, 2011. The sun was splitting the stones with afternoon temperatures hitting 20 degrees, all preparations had been made and the crowds came out in force. One hundred and fifty five entries competed over various categories and a good day was had by all.
Proceedings were kept moving nicely throughout the day with singles and pairs competitions.
Privately owned, the TRC have developed a wonderful facility that includes a full cross country course, sand arena with floodlights, dressage arenas, and a warm up area. There is plenty of room for parking, local catering enterprises supply coffee, teas, soft drinks, burgers, chips, and snacks, while the Little Moon Public House (The official TRC club house) is a two minute walk away.
A real family day out the kids were having a ball.
Overseeing proceedings was progressive TRC chairperson Mandy Hayden.
The TRC facility at Coolboy is a great benefit to the community providing a social outlet enjoyed by everybody. A natural parkland that on event days explodes with life and colour.
For information on future events or becoming a member why not visit the TRC website, www.tinahelyridingclub.com.
