Latest news with #HappyPear
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Free Wicklow wellness day to introduce people to ‘Greystones way of life'
Bray People A free event in Greystones on Saturday is set to mark Global Wellness Day by launching a new local wellness magazine and offering people the chance to experience the 'Greystones way of life'. Known for it's swimrising at The Cove, handstands with The Happy Pear twins, numerous coffee shops, saunas and organic produce, Greystones has a different feel to other Wicklow coastal towns, and this is what organiser Fatima Alvarado from the Greystones Wellness Hub wants to show people this weekend. There will be talks, runs, all kinds of yoga for all ages, Zumba, boxing, family soccer, trampolining, reiki, a sound bath and meditation, with more than 60 local practitioners, businesses and advocates present. Along with the activities, people will be able to sample products, make use of a kids play area and enjoy and range of coffee and snack stalls. Speaking ahead of the event, which launches the Greystones Wellness Magazine, Fatima said: 'This not-for-profit event marks a significant milestone in our journey to becoming a centre of excellence for holistic wellness, lifestyle, and intentional living. 'With support from over 60 local wellness practitioners, businesses, and advocates, the event is a vibrant celebration of health, community, and connection. From sunrise run clubs to sound baths, face yoga to family fun, this is an open invitation to experience the 'Greystones way of life'.' The event starts at 7.30am at the Harbour Plaza Market Green and will run until 6pm, with Fatima highlighting the global meditation and sound bath with Serenity Space at 12.30pm as the main event of the day. Bringing the day to a close from 4pm will be live music from the Greystones Music Academy, dancing and an open music jam. People are encouraged to bring food to share at this party. Although all events are free of charge, it is asked that people RSVP via Anyone who does will be kept in the loop as the Greystones Wellness Hub rolls out more events. Fatima explained: 'With thanks to our main sponsor, Druids Glen, Greystones Wellness Hub will continue to host a series of wellness and fitness events over the coming weeks.' The new magazine, priced at €1, will be available online at the wellness hub's website, but 1,000 copied of the first edition will be printed also.
RTÉ News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
11th annual Poetry Day taking place nationwide today
The 11th annual Poetry Day Ireland is taking place nationwide today, with over 50 events organised across every province, both in person and online. This year's celebration, run by Poetry Ireland, has the theme "May Day" which is rooted in Ancient Traditions; including the fire festival of Bealtaine, and asks poets and participants to celebrate renewal, hope and abundance. Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, explains that "May Day" was chosen for this year's event as it marks the start of a month in which "nature seems to be bursting out of her skin, filling hedgerows and fields with wildflowers, the month of fire and light." She goes on to say that she believes "poetry is an important way to understand and empathise with the world around us, which, at this moment in history, is deeply meaningful." The day's first event got underway bright and early in Greystones Co. Wicklow with a Sunrise Swim & Poetry morning at 5.50am. Swimmers and poets gathered together to watch the sun rise, have a dip, and listen to poems read in all languages, both original and not. Representatives from Poetry Ireland, Scríobh Arís, the local poetry group in Greystones, and Dave and Steve Flynn from the Happy Pear, led the charge this morning. Francis Browner, a local poet in Greystones, a member of Scríobh Arís, and key in the organisation of the event, says it's been going for 4 years now. She says, "initially it was just let's give them all a stone with some poetry on it when they go into the sea, and then people started spontaneously reading poetry when they came out". It has now become a staple in the Poetry Day Calendar. Deirdre McKernan Crosby is also a member of Scríobh Aris, which she joined through the Greystones Cancer Support group, and she says, " I was writing [poetry] before I knew it and was successfully published early on in my journey." She says poetry has been "very cathartic" for her. Also in attendance this morning was Poetry Ireland's Poet in Residence, Anne Tannam. This is the last official event of her tenure. She told Morning Ireland about the importance of today and celebrating poetry: "It is one day that we can all, for a moment stop, and really appreciate the incredible diversity of voices across the whole island of Ireland. So, its a really really special day where everybody can stop and share or read or write a bit of poetry and really celebrate our love of language." There are a wide range of other events happening across the day, all over the country including creative writing and poetry workshops, spoken word events, pop-up poetry performances, as well as online events and a podcast dedicated to poetry. As part of this year's celebration Poetry Ireland has also selected twelve poems to be showcased. They'll be displayed across the Iarnród Eireann rail network, as well as in libraries nationally. Some of the poets chosen include: Lorna Shaughnessy, Rosamund Taylor, Othuke Umukoro, and Alan Titley. Another feature of this year's festival is a series of special poetry readings by well-known Irish voices such as Manchán Magan, writer and broadcaster, Joe Duffy, RTÉ radio host, and Michael Darragh MacAuley, All-Ireland Gaelic Football Champion.
