This race is for fun runners and serious athletes as well. Starts near the RSC and this relatively flat couse is a good fast course heading out towards Tramore and back in the main road finishing on the track at the RSC.

Parking, Showers, Regreshments and Prize giving at the RCS. This race is not suitable for walkers.

Entry fee €22 on line €30 on the day Contact Tom O’Brien tom@waterfordac.com

Ireland has long been known as a land of myth and legend, but there are some modern day myths that you should be aware of before you travel there – or you may be in for a surprise!

1. People in Ireland wear green

Just because they everyone does it on St. Patrick’s Day, doesn’t mean they do it on every other day.

Indeed, even on the national holiday, the Irish themselves typically DON’T wear green – this tradition is today observed more by visitors to Ireland, or by Irish descendants and friends abroad.

2. People in Ireland wear Aran sweaters

Don’t make the mistake of packing your back full of chunky, creamy woollens. There’s no other way to say “I’m a tourist” in Ireland, than to wear an Aran sweater.

You’ll still be able to buy Aran sweaters in gift shops, of course – but Irish people wouldn’t be seen dead wearing them!

As it happens, Aran sweaters don’t even originate from Ireland.

While made on the Aran Islands off Ireland’s west coast, similar thick, water-resistant woollens had long been worn by fishermen from Britain. Indeed, the Irish word for sweater, “geansai”, means “Guernsey”, one of the Channel Islands.

3. Leprechauns live in Ireland

In places like the US, the words “Ireland” and “leprechaun” are synonymous. In Ireland, however, leprechauns are nowhere to be seen. Not just in the flesh – there are no leprechaun dolls, leprechauns toys, or leprechauns cartoon characters on cereals boxes.

The only place you will find such things are in gift shops – because Irish people find the association with leprechauns frivolous, even offensive. Some call this view of Ireland “Paddywhackery”, and they are at pains to move away from this image.

4. Irish people are poor

On the contrary, Irish people are among the wealthiest in Europe, and the cost of living is quite high. Take a look at some restaurant menus and prices online, before coming, to get an idea of what you’ll need to budget.

While at the time of writing (April 2009), Ireland is experiencing a severe recession; it is doing so on the back of fifteen years of tremendous economic growth. During that time the country’s infrastructure has greatly improved, and Ireland has become the European base of choice for many of the leading US technology companies, such as Intel, Microsoft, Google and Ebay.

5. Northern Ireland is dangerous

The “troubles” in Northern Ireland – the low-level guerrilla war between (mainly) the IRA and the British government – are more or less over. A power-sharing local government (called the Executive) has been established in Northern Ireland, with mandatory representation from both sides (Protestant/Unionist and Catholic/Nationalist) of the community.

While there is still hurt and distrust between the two communities, there seems to be a general consensus that no-one wants to return to the “bad old days”.

Relationships between the Irish Government, the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are strong and cordial.

Meanwhile, travel between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is unrestricted. There are no border checkpoints.

North/South Tips:

• In the Republic of Ireland, the currency is the Euro, while road signs/speed limits are displayed in kilometres.
• In Northern Ireland, the currency is British pounds (sterling), while road signs/speed limits are displayed in miles.

Highlights

The seaside resort of Bray is famous for its Victorian promenade and scenic views, as well as indoor marine attracts that will delight the entire family.
Nearby Blue Flag beaches along Brittas Bay are popular destinations for day trips from Dublin, and unique dunes that support a wide variety of coastal wildlife adorn them.
For those who enjoy the wilder, more untamed areas of the Irish coastline, Kilmichael Point is an interesting area, offering rocky pools inhabited by small sea creatures, and opportunities for fishing and snorkeling as opposed to peaceful bathing.
For an elegant change of pace, visitors enjoy the refined scenery at Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall, a formally designed horticultural attraction that includes Japanese gardens, groves of exotic trees and Victorian flowerbeds—all surrounding the elegant eighteenth century manor house. Nearby Powerscourt waterfall is the highest in the British Isles, and the perfect place to spend the day relaxing and rejuvenating.

History

The name of County Wicklow (and the town as well) is taken from the Irish ‘Cill Mhantain’ –or ‘Church of the Toothless One”. It was established by the Vikings some time in the latter half of the ninth century.
The story behind the name comes from an Irish folktale about Saint Patrick, in which he and his comrades, traveling by sea, tried to land at Wicklow and were assaulted by a group of local citizens. One of the group lost his front teeth in the skirmish, giving rise to the name of the locality.
Bronze Age settlements can be found in the area and serve as evidence of early human occupation.
The Normans, whose influence is still widely evident across the region, occupied County Wicklow extensively.
Common surnames in County Wicklow include: Kelly, Mc Keough, O’Byrne and O’Toole.