Something for the weekend ....
Tough Mudder at Oldcastle - Saturday and Sunday
Tough Mudder takes place on 9th and 10th July in Loughcrew Adventure Centre when 8,000 participants will get down and dirty as they challenge themselves on this seriously tough obstacle course.
Tough Mudder is a team-oriented 10 plus mile obstacle course designed to test physical strength and mental grit. It is not a timed race but a team challenge that allows participants to experience world-class obstacles they won’t find anywhere else. Founded in 2010, 2 Million people have taken part in Tough Mudder events to date, with an additional 60 events happening worldwide in 2016.
Spectators can enter 'Mudder Village’ from 7am on either event days. Mudder Village is the heart of the event and marks the start of the spectator route. This route will let you follow your friends and loved ones around the course, giving them moral support, while watching them get supper muddy.
It stretches for about two miles, which means you don’t have to walk the entire course – you can take shortcuts to all the best obstacles and cheer for your Mudders as they take them on. Along the Spectator route you will find the Loughcrew Coffee Shop which is modelled on a nearby classical gate lodge.
Irish Maritime Festival at Drogheda Port - Saturday and Sunday
The Irish Maritime Festival takes place at Drogheda Port next weekend and promises something for everyone, both on and off the water. From races and battles on the water to fashion, health, beauty, artisan food and craft brewing, two live music stages and loads of activities for youngsters, there’s lots of fun promised.
The quayside in Drogheda will be lined with ships of all sorts including The Spirit of Oysterhaven, the Celtic Mist, vintage lifeboats and customs cutters. There is an opportunity, when the tide is high, to board to these ships and to imagine what life is like on the high seas.
The Spirit of Oysterhaven will arrive on Friday with a complete crew of sail trainees and depart with a new trainee crew again on Sunday.
New for 2016 is ‘The Phoenix’ which movie lovers will recognise as ‘The Sancta Maria’ from Ridley Scott’s movie about Christopher Columbus.
A series of river races will take place including the 14 km long Inver Colpa Rowing Race from Clogherhead to Drogheda, the Howth to Drogheda yacht challenge and the legendary Drogheda Raft Race. Perhaps the most gruelling and personally challenging of all the races is the Boyne Swim, where 200+ swimmers of all ages will take to the river for the 2.5 km past the festival site.
Le Cheile Arts & Music Festival launch - Saturday
Loughcrew Megalithic Centre will host the 19th Le Cheile Festival launch party featuring live music, BBQ and the best views around.
The launch party starts at 8pm, with free admission for all, with a BBQ and music from Blackbird and Crow. They are a two-piece act from Donegal, and are a foot stomping, dynamic, blues outfit. In true festival music style, the band was booked after Le Cheile chairman, Noel Finnegan, liked what he heard of them at the recent Rory Gallagher Festival. All are invited to enjoy the sunset in the Loughcrew hills while listening to some honest and raw edge music this weekend. All details available at www.lecheile.com
Bike and Trike Run - Sunday
The family of the late Sandra Cross has organised a bike and trike run this Sunday to raise funds for Meath River Rescue and show their appreciation to the voluntary organisation for their assistance in returning Sandra’s remains to them earlier this year.
The event is being organised by Sandra’s brother Mossey Coffey, who builds trikes, and has been involved in organising a number of fundraising runs over the years, mostly for children’s charities.
The run will set off from Mossey’s house at Tankardstown, on Kells Road outside Navan, close to the Martry (formerly the Silver Tankard). Registration is from 12 noon and there will be refreshments at the house before they set off. The route will take in Navan, Nobber, Kingscourt, Bailieboro, and Virginia before returning to the house, where there will be food, a raffle and prizes.
Grace's Day Garden Party at Ardboyne Hotel - Sunday
Feileacain, the stillbirth and neonatal death association of Ireland will benefit from Grace's Garden Party in the Ardboyne Hotel on Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. There will be kids' entertainment and games, facepainting, a BBQ, cake sale, auction and raffle, and a special appearance by singer Nigel Connell, as well as the opportunity to throw wet sponges at certain politicans in the stocks!
Family Fun Day at Fairyhouse Racecourse - Sunday
On Sunday, Q102 hosts a family fun day at Fairyhouse, with a puppet show, bouncy castles, a mega disco slide tractor, Dino playzone, games, face painting, balloon modelling, pony rides, and more.