Latest news with #Arklow-based
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Arklow table tennis ace bridges 15-year gap to last title
And it's not any old title, either, but one that traces its history back to the 1940s. Fair to say Arklow-based table-tennis player Erwin de Zwarte can take a well-earned bow. de Zwarte was already a three-time champion in the Open Singles competition at the Bray and District Table Tennis Championships three times, so he is certainly a local legend of the sport, but with his last title claimed well back in 2010, the chances of winning for a fourth time may have looked remote to casual observers. But de Zwarte, who plays for Carrickmines-based Wayside Table Tennis Club, rolled back the years in the most comprehensive manner possible; not only did he win the Open Singles title, he bagged two more to go with it. 'I managed to reach the finals as well two years ago, but I lost 3-2,' he told The Wicklow People and The Bray People. 'Every now and then, however, you have one of those nights when everything comes together.' And what a night it was. Beating club colleague Seán Woods in a deciding set – a set he won 11-8 from 5-8 down – would have been reward enough. But on a night dominated by Wayside, he paired with Woods to take the Men's Doubles title. Furthermore, he combined with Arklow's Ilona Siuda – the only non-Wayside player involved on finals night – to claim the Mixed Doubles crown. Not bad for someone who started playing table tennis in his native Rotterdam almost 50 years ago.
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Co Wicklow cycling club hosts quiz night for epic charity challenge
Played in good spirits but with a competitive edge, the quiz drew crowds from far and wide, with a raffle and plenty of spot prizes raising more than €1,200 towards South East Road Club's fundraising efforts. On May 17, the Arklow-based club will embark on a cycle challenge in aid of Arklow RNLI that will see club members traverses the country, starting at the RNLI Arklow station and cycling to Limerick, with riders making the return journey the following day. As part of the broader fundraiser, the club has also raised €2,370 via their GoFundMe page and will host a spin-a-thon at the Bridgewater Shopping Centre this Saturday, May 10, from 10 am to 4 pm. Delighted with the turnout at the Old Ship, Sinead Rock from South East Road Club said: 'We made €880 from the quiz, and the rest of the over €1,200 on the raffle, which puts us over the €3,000 mark now in total – and we're delighted with that. 'A big thanks to the Old Ship and all the local businesses and individuals who donated prizes for the night, which there were a lot of. 'For a seaside town like Arklow with strong links to maritime activity, the community is and has been very reliant on the RNLI and the excellent commitment of their volunteers and crew who provide such a vital service for the town and local coastal area. 'South East Road Club is delighted to be supporting the RNLI and hopes that the local community will also show their support in the run up to the big event on May 17.' To support South East Road Club's fundraiser, visit
