Embracing Wicklow’s Very Great Outdoors

South Beach Festival THURS14AUG25

atest press release from Wicklow Sports & Recreation Partnership, issued on Friday, July 17th 2026…

From sea swimming to mountain bouldering, Wicklow Sports and Recreation Partnership invites adults and teens to try something new as its popular summer showcase expands to the whole community.

Wicklow Sports and Recreation Partnership (WSRP) has officially launched the highly anticipated Wicklow Outdoors Week 2026, running from Monday 10th August to Sunday 16th August.

Building on the fantastic success of HER Outdoors Week in previous years, this year’s initiative expands its focus to welcome everyone in the community, offering a diverse programme designed to help people of all ages connect with nature, try new sports, and embrace active lifestyles.

A major highlight of the week is the return of the Greystones Beach Festival on Thursday, 13th August (4pm to 8pm) at Greystones South Beach. Now in its third year, this vibrant evening features beach sports, sailing, and a dedicated wellness zone hosted by the Greystones Wellness Hub, alongside free children’s entertainment and sensory play. More details on the festival will be announced soon.

Highlights of the Wicklow Outdoors Week events Include:

⦿ Intro to Trail Running (Monday, 10th August Bray Seafront) A relaxed, beginner-friendly evening run on Bray Promenade guided by She Summits founder Alicia Christofi-Walshe.

⦿ Intro to Bouldering (Monday, 10th August Glendalough) A practical outdoor climbing workshop based in the valleys of Glendalough, focusing on basic movement, techniques, and safety.

⦿ Intro to Sailing (Tuesday, 11th August Bray Seafront) Friendly, instructor-led taster sessions on the water hosted by Bray Sailing Club.

⦿ Discover the Mountain Environment Hike (Tuesday, 11th August Glendalough) A scenic, guided 10km trek up to Camaderry exploring local tracks, flowers, and rock features.

⦿ Intro to Sea Swimming (Tuesday, 11th – Thursday, 13th August Arklow, Bray & Greystones) Supportive, beginner-friendly taster sessions focused on open-water safety, breathing, and basic confidence-building.

⦿ Hiking with Your Phone (Friday, 14th August Laragh) A practical one-day mountain navigation course focused on using the HiiKER app for route planning, offline mapping, and safety.

Commenting on the programme, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Dr. Caroline Winstanley said, “Wicklow Outdoors Week is a great example of organisations and local clubs working together to create opportunities for people to get active. I encourage people of all ages to get involved, try something new and enjoy the many outdoor spaces we have across County Wicklow.”

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, commented, “One of Wicklow’s greatest strengths is the range of outdoor facilities and natural amenities available across the county. Wicklow Outdoors Week encourages people to make use of these spaces and shows how accessible outdoor recreation can be, whether you’re a beginner or looking to try a new activity.”

Coordinator of Wicklow Sports and Recreation Partnership, Aisling Hubbard, said, “We’ve worked with local clubs, national governing bodies and activity providers to develop a varied programme for the week. Most sessions are suitable for beginners, with equipment provided where needed, making it easy for people to come along, give an activity a try and find something they enjoy.”

The initiative is anticipated to attract hundreds of participants across the region, boosting local active participation and fostering long-term wellness. Please note that places are limited, and most activities require registration unless marked as drop-in.

You can check out the full schedule of events and secure your tickets on the official Wicklow Sports and Recreation Partnership website here.