Enniscorthy celebrates a Rockin’ weekend

Minister JAMES BROWNE, who launched the Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival, and CLLR JACKSER OWENS, Leas-Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, at the official launch reception in Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, last night.

By Dan Walsh at Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy

The reflection of the fireworks on the River Slaney, the revolving bright lights of the giant Ferris Wheel and the glitter and glamour of the hurdy-gurdy’s lit up the Friday night sky in Enniscorthy as the town celebrates the start of the 9th annual Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival.

The 2024 festival was launched last night with a reception in the Riverside Park Hotel where the Festival Chairman, Eric Barron, welcomed everybody, promised a wonderful “family friendly festival” and thanked the sponsors, Wexford County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Ireland’s Ancient East, Enniscorthy Credit Union, Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy & District Chamber and Enniscorthy Castle for their loyal support.

Leas-Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Jackser Owens praised the organisers and welcomed people to accept the hospitality and friendliness of the town over the Bank Holiday weekend.

AUDIO ADDITION; Launching the festival, Minister James Browne was full of praise for the Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival at Enniscorthy.

Trish Doyle, speaking on behalf of Enniscorthy Credit Union said they were delighted to be associated with sponsorship of the Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival, wished the organisers well and hoped that people will enjoy the festivities.

Saturday and Sunday offer an opportunity to ramble through the winding medieval streets of Enniscorthy and take in a variety of tastes and flavours from over 70 Artisan Food and Craft vendors. There will be live chef demonstrations in the Food Marquee featuring well-known culinary artists including Kevin Dundon and Paul Hynes.

Families can look forward to a plethora of kids’ events and activities, ensuring little ones are entertained throughout the festival.

Kids can enjoy Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Classes in The Market Square on Saturday at 12.30pm and even participate in the Junior Bake Off, judged by Shane Smith. There will be live outdoor music throughout the weekend in Market Square with the best of Irish and International Rock ‘n’ Roll bands.

Barry O’Neill rides his 800th winner

By Dan Walsh

BARRY O’NEILL rode his 800th point-to-point winner today in Fermanagh.

Six times national point-to-point champion rider Barry O’Neill from Kiltealy reached another milestone in his career at Necarne, Co. Fermanagh, this afternoon where he achieved his 800th career success and his 30th victory during the current 2023-24 season which has only a few weeks left.

O’Neill was aboard Kingston Coole for local handler David Christie who carried him to an 11 lengths victory in the mare’s maiden race for five-year-olds.

There was a second local success at the northern track. Cash Cut owned and trained by John Edward Walsh, Preban, Tinahely, and ridden by his son James scored by two and a half lengths in the Winners of Three race.

Following in the hoofprints of Singing Banjo in the La Touche Cup yesterday there was further Wexford success at the Punchestown Festival today (Friday) when Private Ryan (9/4) won the Bishopscourt Cup by two and three quarter lengths.

Trained at Ballindaggin by Sean Doyle Private Ryan was the mount of Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, and the dual point-to-point winner and is now successful under the Rules. “That’s brilliant. We had him as a young horse, and we sold him. He appeared in Doncaster last year, he had never raced for Nicky Henderson as the syndicate fell out, and Henry (Chamney), a local farmer, was looking for something for this race.

“By luck we stumbled across this lad and he fitted the bill well so it all worked out. It’s like a dream come true for this man, he’ll absolutely love this, said Sean Doyle, who added; “You even see it here yesterday, young Barry Walsh rides out for me and he won the La Touche. It’s all about about getting a kick and it’s absolutely brilliant when it works.”

Oil discovered on Wexford beaches

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council are investigating reports of traces of oil washing up on beaches and possible oil deposits on some wildlife along the Wicklow and Wexford coastline.

Wexford County Council Environment Staff, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Coastguard and other relevant agencies are actively monitoring the situation. It is understood that helicopter surveillance was utilised today (Tuesday) in an effort to detect any sources that may be causing the problem.

Members of the public are asked to report any sightings of oil deposits on Wexford beaches or any evidence of traces of oil on Wildlife to customerservice@wexfordcoco.ie or on 053 9196000.

BALLYCONNIGAR BEACH fighting coastal erosion (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

WexfordLocal.com has failed to receive any official answer to the whereabouts of a fishing trawler stranded on the Blackwater Sandbank following a drugs incident last September. It was treated as a crime scene.

Two men, who are not Irish nationals, were arrested after their fishing trawler suspected to be carrying a large haul of cocaine ran aground on a sandbank off the Blackwater coast.

The sandbank is not visible from the beach but enquiries amongst the local population or the authorities have failed to ascertain whether the vessel may have been salvaged or abandoned, and if the latter was the case, perhaps, that is the source of the oil leak?

Singing Banjo plays the field at Punchestown again!

SINGING BANJO with trainer and jockey Barry John Walsh aboard returns to the unsaddling enclosure following success at Punchestown. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at the Punchestown Festival

At 14 years old Singing Banjo (28/1) was the veteran in today’s renewal of Ireland’s longest steeplechase at four miles one furlong and 11 yards the La Touche Cup at the Punchestown Festival and he pulled off a memorable success for his rider Barry John Walsh, who was saddling his first winner since receiving a trainer’s licence.

Speaking afterwards, Barry who trains at Ballyday, Gorey, said; “He loves the ‘banks’ and we aim him for these races the whole time. The ground was just against us all season, we want good ground. He won on firm here when taking the Ladies Cup and La Touche in one week (April 2021). I was delighted to see it drying a bit here yesterday. He’s lightly raced, and we’ll see how he comes out of this. He’s declared for Saturday and we’ll see tomorrow how he is.”

A family horse in every sense of the word, Barry’s father John used to train point-to-pointers with a large degree of success over the years. Singing Banjo won his point-to-point at Tinahely in 2016, scored that memorable Punchestown Festival double in 2021 and in June of the same year he was a winner at Wexford races.

Enniscorthy gets into Rockin’ Food mood

By Dan Walsh

Preparations are ongoing for the 2024 Rockin’ Food Festival which switches its launch away from the town centre to the Riverside Park Hotel on the Promenade and festivities will light up the Friday night skies with fireworks display and music by a group with the curious title Loose Arrangements from 8.30pm. The big Ferris Wheel will also be in full swing on Friday.

This is an opportunity to ramble through the winding medieval streets of Enniscorthy and take in a variety of tastes and flavours from over 70 Artisan Food and Craft vendors.

On Saturday and Sunday, there will be Live Chef Demonstrations in The Food Marquee (not sure where that is located at the time of writing?) where renowned chefs will take the stage to showcase their culinary expertise, sharing insider tips and tricks to inspire home cooks and foodies alike.

Saturday: 12pm – 12.30pm: The Baking Goddess, Lorraine from Daisy Cottage Farm – Scone Baking for the little ones with the Baking Goddess, book your space online.

12.30pm – 12.45pm     Maxim Costa, Earth Food – How chocolate can be healthy for you!

12.45pm – 1pm    Clovelly Coffee – From Sydney to Wexford, the story of locally roasted Clovelly Coffee from Joe O’Connor.

1pm – Paul Hynes, La Cote Restaurant and The Cheeky Cod, Wexford – One of Wexford’s best chefs, Paul Hynes serves up some seafood favourites with an Italian twist from The Cheeky Cod and La Cote Restaurant in Wexford

2pm Kevin Dundon – One of Ireland’s favourite chefs returns (he was in the Castle grounds last year) to the stage with some of his favourite seasonal dishes combining the best of Wexford produce

3.15pm – 3.30pm  Mor Taste – Less sugar, more taste – Wexford Food producer, Felix (?) talks us through his healthier alternative jam.

Sunday; 12pm – 1pm  Alan Kennedy, Kennedy’s Craft Butchers All about Meat! – Craft Butcher Alan Kennedy educates us on selecting the right cut of meat, how to cook it and getting the best from your local butcher!

1pm – 2pm    Junior Bake Off. Who will be crowned Junior Master Baker? 2pm – 3pm      Shane Smith. A regular on RTE’s The Today Show, award winning baker Shane Smith returns to the stage using the best of local ingredients for sweeter tastes!  (One lucky attendee will take one of his creations home!)

3pm – 4pm    John Whelan, The Devils Menu – Join the cult of fun and food with The Devils Menu as he spices up some local strawberries from Wheelock’s with red wine and Meadowfield Farm Goats Cheese!

4pm – 5pm    Wexford FC Bake Off  Food & Football fusion – Wexford FC Bake Off with some special surprise guests!

Families can look forward to a plethora of kids’ events and activities, ensuring little ones are entertained throughout the festival. From Puppet Shows, Paw Patrol Cookie Hunt, Disco with the Minions and Trolls to a range of interactive arts and crafts workshops to exciting games, there’s no shortage of fun for the young ones. 

Kids can enjoy Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Classes in The Market Square on Saturday at 12.30pm and even participate in the Junior Bake Off, judged by Shane Smith.

There will be live outdoor music throughout the weekend in Market Square with the best of Irish and International Rock ‘n’ Roll bands.

For more information and to book tickets, visit http://www.rockinfoodfestival.ie.

Tributes to ex-Wexford TD Michael D’Arcy

By Dan Walsh

Tributes have been pouring in following the news of the death of former Wexford TD Michael D’Arcy who gave a lifetime to politics and served the people of the Wexford constituency with diligence and loyalty throughout his lifetime. He is aged 90 years.

MICHAEL D’ARCY (Pic; Gorey Echo/Christy Farrell 2012)

Born on March 7th, 1934, Michael D’Arcy spent a lifetime in politics as a Fine Gael member of Dail Éireann, Seanad Éireann, Wexford County Council and Gorey Town Council

His political career began in 1958, when his father Timothy D’Arcy died and Michael was co-opted to his Wexford County Council seat, which he served for 15 years.

He served as a TD and Minister of State in a number of governments, having been first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1977 where he held his seat until 1987 when he lost in a General Election to Brendan Howlin (Labour Party).

In 1981, in Garrett Fitzgerald’s first government, D’Arcy was appointed a Minister of State for Agriculture and in Fitzgerald’s second government in 1982, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Fisheries and Forestry and at the Department of the Gaeltacht. He was dismissed in February 1986.

He regained his seat in the Dail in 1989 at the expense of Avril Doyle, who regained her seat in 1992 while Michael D’Arcy was elected to the 20th Seanad on the Agricultural Panel.

In the 1997 General Election he was returned to the 28th Dail, again unseating party colleague Avril Doyle before losing the seat himself in the 2002 General Election to Independent candidate Dr. Liam Twomey, who later joined the Fine Gael Party.

He was elected to Gorey Town Council for the first time in 1999. When Michael D’Arcy was elected Chairman of Gorey Town Council in June 2012 he was “the oldest Chairperson of a local authority in the country”. The following year he was re-elected to the position and in May 2014 chaired the last ever meeting of Gorey Town Council which was held in the Market House as a symbolic gesture, although the new Civic Offices had opened in 2012 and council business had been transferred there.

D’Arcy is married to Marie, and their son Michael W. Darcy is a former TD and Senator.

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has taken place of MICHAEL D’ARCY, Annagh, Gorey, (Peacefully surrounded by his loving family and in the care of the nurses and staff of Oakfield Nursing Home, Courtown) on May 1st 2024.

Beloved wife of Marie and loving father of Jude, Michael, Liam and the late Shirley, brother of Peggy, Emily, Nora, Frank and the late Jim. Deeply regretted by his wife, sons, daughter, brother, sisters, grandchildren Alex, Aoife, Ashley, Bill, Siobhan, Marie, Judith, Paddy, Catherine, Luke and Alyssa, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

May Michael Rest In Heavenly Peace.

Reposing at Murphy’s Funeral Home, The Avenue, Gorey, on Thursday, May 2nd from 3pm with removal at 7 pm to St. Peter and Paul’s Church Kilanerin arriving for 7.30pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 11am followed by burial in Limbrick Cemetery Kilanerin.

Ambitious plan for Gorey Market House unveiled

The proposed restoration of the Market House on Gorey’s Main Street progresses as a Part 8 application for funding will be lodged immediately.

By Dan Walsh at special meeting at Civic Offices, Gorey

Members of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held a special meeting in the Civic Offices, Gorey, today (Tuesday) where they unanimously gave consent to Wexford County Council to proceed to commence the Part 8 process that will restore the Market House to its original condition “with vision and ambition that will provide a transformative extension of high-quality design.”

The project is estimated to cost €8.1 million and funding will be sought through THRIVE (the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme) that aims to transform publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings within town centres through renovation, renewal and adaptive reuse.

Gorey Market House was chosen as Wexford County Council’s proposed project, plans were presented at today’s special meeting, and it is proposed to commence the Part 8 process tomorrow, May 1st and a decision should be known in June.

The meeting heard that public consultation events were held recently in Gorey Library and the Market House building and a mix of workshops for directly invited community groups also took place. Groups working with the Council on the proposed projects include Gorey Community Development Group and North Wexford Historical Society.

Director of Services Liz Hore introduced the project saying that the restoration of Gorey Market House has been identified as a priority for the district as it is designated a heritage building, the Part 8 proposal will be in Wednesday’s newspaper and the application will be submitted on Friday.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen thanked everybody who assisted with the project, and he expressed his delight. “I want to thank those associated with getting it to where it is today.”

Cllr Anthony Donohoe said it was an ambitious plan – he liked the umbrellas like they have in Wexford town! – and added that he is fully in favour of the project.

Cllr Joe Sullivan complemented the design team and felt “it has something for everybody “and he said to proceed to Part 8. “It’s as good as anything seen in the last 10 years. Let’s hope we get the finance,” he added.

Cllr Andrew Bolger had some questions about the cost and making up the shortfall if there was a difference. His queries were addressed.

Cllr Donal Kenny expressed credit to Sean Meylar and his team and added that “everyone in Gorey is passionate about the Market House” and he fully supported the proposal. “It links the Market Square and the Main Street and ticks all the boxes,” he added.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux described the plan as “absolutely fabulous”. He felt it was “the heart and centre of the town space and will be there for everybody. “It is joining the original architecture of the town with the Main Stret,” he added.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin added his support but said “there was no place to display the heritage of the past over the past 12 years – military uniforms, memorabilia, photographs and other historical items that are locked in attics and felt they could be displayed in the exhibition corridor.”

However, Ms. Hore said the space would be for multi-purpose use – it is not going to be a museum – and she patiently pointed out that historic exhibits need proper ventilation and storage to prevent deterioration and the newly renovated Market House would not facilitate these conditions.

HISTORY OF GOREY MARKET HOUSE; The Market House has had a turbulent history, and some would argue that the chapter remains to be completed, but it has served Gorey well and dates back to 1709 when it was rebuilt on the site of the former Tholsol. The cost came from the salaries of George and Andrew Ram, members of Gorey Corporation and members of Parliament for Gorey.

Gorey Town Commissioners were established in 1859, became Gorey Town Council in 1987 and when the town council was abolished in 2014 to make way for Gorey Municipal District Council, the final meeting took place in the Market House. History source; Historic Gorey by Michael Fitzpatrick, pub. 1987).

Wexford May Bush Festival begins today in Ballindaggin

By Dan Walsh

The May Bush is traditionally erected on the eve of May Day (April 30) and decorated with ribbons, seasonal flowers, painted eggshells and sometimes lights. Michael Fortune and his wife Aileen Lambert resurrected the tradition around the May Bush in 2017 in Wexford with ‘The Wexford May Bush Festival’ and now have hundreds of individuals, communities and groups putting up the May Bushes all over the county.

The popular Decorate the May Bush and Procession kicks off this evening (May Eve) in Ballindaggin vullage and has become Wexford’s flagship event and has grown considerably every year. This is the biggest May Bush event in the county and the annual procession and decoration of the village May Bush in the Community Park in Ballindaggin takes place. The procession will be led by the 2024 May Queen and King from Ballindaggin National School with music provided by St. Colman’s Pipe Band. There will be traditional music at the event thanks to local musicians Deirdre Jordan, Anna Mai White, Paddy Joyce and friends, while there will be songs, music and dancing by pupils from Ballindaggin school. There will also be a rare guest appearance of the full set of the Camross ICA Mummers.

Another major event takes place on Saturday, May 4th at 8pm in Ballindaggin Hall – the May Bush Concert and Dance. A feast of traditional music, song and dance featuring some of the finest traditional musicians, young and old.

Michael and Aileen are avid supporters of traditional music and song and have curated a programme that is hard to beat with special guests husband and wife duo Paddy and Nicola Egan, plus local musicians Leah Sweeney, Deirdre and James Jordan, Aileen Lambert, Annette Roban plus young traditional musicians and singers from Ballindaggin National School. Paddy Egan is a renowned concertina player from the Egan family of Parkbridge in Co. Wicklow and will be joined by his equally talented wife Nicola on uilleann pipes. As for local musicians, Leah Sweeney is one of Wexford’s rising stars on concertina while the organisers are thrilled to get brother and sister Deirdre and James Jordan on stage together.

One of the success stories of The Wexford May Bush Festival is the reach it has had on the ground and Michael works on the principle that “you are the festival”. So by putting up your May Bush in Craanford or Campile or in Kilanne or Killenagh – you are the festival, and you are part of the ground-up success which has seen the tradition revived in every corner of Wexford.

This is the third year of The May Bush Schools competition and Michael Forune tells us “there was a great uptake all over the county and schools are such an important part of this story”. This year he is asking schools to put up their May Bushes and submit your May Bush photos to folklore.ie@gmail.com, naming your school, class teacher and class involved by Thursday, May 2nd, and be in with a chance to win a host of goodies for your school. 

Minister visits Rosslare school

MINISTER JACK CHAMBERS meets School Principal BOBBY KENNY and the pupils of Scoil Mhuire, Rosslare, to mark the completion of the Safer Routes to School Scheme.

By Dan Walsh

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications, Jack Chambers visited Scoil Mhuire National School, Rosslare, recently to mark completion of the ‘Safe Routes to School Scheme’ works there. Minister Chambers mingled with staff and students alike to discuss the scheme and welcome the upgrade works.

Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council hosted the event, attended by Minister of State, James Browne and Cllrs Jim Moore, Ger Carthy, Lisa McDonald, Jim Codd and Frank Staples alongside representatives from the NTA (National Transport Authority), An Taisce and Green Schools.

Cllr. Fleming thanked the elected members and school principal, Bobby Kenny for their support of the scheme which ‘has seen installation of footpaths and pedestrian crossings surrounding the school to allow students, parents and buggies walk and wheel to school.

Cllr Fleming remarked that; “It’s easy to forget that only a few months ago there were no footpaths in front of the school. Today there are children running outside, parents in conversation and reduced congestion outside the school. In addition, 250 metres of new footpath overlooking the sea on the Coast Road linking to Mauritiustown where many students here today travel from.”

School Principal, Bobby Kenny thanked all involved saying and said everyone is thrilled to unveil these fantastic upgrades. “This project has transformed the way our students arrive at school. Previously, parked cars on footpaths created a dangerous situation and restricted access for everyone, especially young children, parents with buggies, and wheelchair users. Today the attractive new lighting and landscaping elements not only enhance safety but also create a more cheerful and welcoming approach to the school.”

The Active Travel Team in Wexford County Council designed and supervised the project with works completed appointed contractor Paddy McGee Ltd.

The Safe Routes to School Scheme is a national programme to improve safety at school gates, increase walking and cycling and alleviate congestion in front of schools.

Rob James extends championship lead

By Dan Walsh

Three fixtures across the country and a nine-race card at Borris House made for a busy point-to-point Sunday and doubles for rider/handler Rob James, Jonathan Fogarty and Sean Doyle. Doubles for riders Jack Hendrick and Barry Stone. And in addition, a treble for Rob James puts him on the 34-winner mark for the season, four in front of defending champion Barry O’Neill.

At Borris House the Matchmaker Syndicate, handler and rider Rob James took both divisions of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings; Moneygarrow by two lengths in division one and Draco Malfoy by one length in division two.

The maiden race for five-year-olds was divided and Rob James clinched an early treble with newcomer Sporting Glance for Matthew Flynn O’Connor who had six lengths to spare. Inishnabro won the second division of this race for Jonathan Fogarty, Gaynestown Stud, Cleariestown and rider Conor Moore. Ten lengths the verdict.

ROB JAMES has gone four ahead of Barry O’Neill in the national point-to-point riders’ championship with three winners yesterday (Sunday) at Borris House.

Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan won both divisions of the four-year-old maiden race; Kadjat Des Mottes by an easy 16 lengths in division one and Marcel Magic – both newcomers – by two lengths.

Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, saddled his second winner of the weekend when O’Grady’s Hill (Brian Dunleavy up) came home eight lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus mares.

The final race of the day at the busy Borris House track provided handler Pat O’Rourke, Clonard, Wexford, with a well-deserved two lengths success with Due Course ridden by the handlers’ son, James O’Rourke.

Wings And Wands get the better of the opposition in a ‘neck and neck’ finish to the maiden race for four-year-old mares for Pierce Power from The Hook ridden by Shane O’Rourke.

There was a strong winning Wexford presence at Tattersalls, Co. Meath, today where Barry Stone enjoyed a first and last race double. Newcomer Easy Love had two and a half lengths to spare in the maiden race for four-year-old mares handled by Jonathan Fogarty, who also had a winner at Borris House – so a winning double on the day. Mullanour owned by Frank Hamilton and trained by William J. Martin gave Stone his second success of the afternoon with a one length victory in the maiden race. Stone has now ridden 35 career winners.

Jack Hendrick also rode a double to bring his career total to 80. He was aboard newcomer Classical Creek for Cormac Doyle, Ballindaggin, in division one of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. 10 lengths the verdict. And in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings Hendrick completed the double in partnership with Denis Murphy when Shattered Soldier opened a 20 lengths gap at the finish.

Paul Martin Pierce, Blackhall Stud, Killurin, made the trip to Droamhane, Co. Cork, today, and emerged with a six and a half lengths success with Mobile Mamma in the mares five-year-old plus maiden race. This was the 30th career winner for Duncormick rider Sean Staples.