Wexford applications for ‘Support for Sport’

Former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan has launched the sixth Texaco Support for Sport funding initiative. Now open to sports clubs across Ireland, a fund of €130,000 will be distributed to 26 clubs on a county-by-county basis, with successful applicants receiving €5,000 in each case.

By Dan Walsh

Sports clubs from Co. Wexford and beyond are invited to apply for the sixth Texaco Support for Sport initiative in which a fund of €130,000 will be divided equally in €5,000 amounts and distributed to successful applicants in each of the twenty-six counties.

To date more than €600,000 has been distributed to over 125 sports clubs across Ireland, of which €5,000 each went to five successful Co. Wexford clubs: Kilmore United FC (2021), Menapians Athletic Club (2022), Aspire Gymnastics Academy, Kiltealy (2023), Naomh Éanna GAA Club (2024) and Edermine Ferry Rowing Club (2025).

Open to all sports clubs irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender (including clubs that may have been unsuccessful in their application previously), the initiative is one that “recognises and supports the valuable contribution that sports clubs make to communities and throughout Irish society”.

Launching the 2026 initiative, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand, described sports clubs as “an integral part of communities across Ireland, where people of all ages can enjoy the many physical, social and personal benefits that sport brings.”

Following lines similar to that which proved successful over the past four years, clubs wishing to apply should first register their interest on http://www.TexacoSupportforSport.com, followed, before closing date, by a completed application that should include details of their sporting activity, the importance of the club in their local community, the purpose for which the funding is sought, and the use to which the funds will be put.

A sole qualifying requirement is that clubs must be properly constituted and hold a valid GS Exemption Number (Games and Sports Exemption Number) that features on the list published by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners on July 2nd 2026.

Closing date for applications is January 21st 2027 with adjudication taking place thereafter.

Leading the adjudication process once again is Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan. Clubs that received funding to date span the spectrum of Irish sporting activity – archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, bowling, bowls, boxing, camogie, climbing, cricket, cycling, diving, GAA, Gaelic football, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, hurling, inline hockey, kayaking, rowing, rugby, soccer, squash, swimming, and tennis amongst them.

Missing person appeal

Gardaí are renewing their appeal for the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Sarah Louise Doyle (16), who was reported missing from Barntown, Co. Wexford on 22nd August 2026.

SARAH LOUISE DOYLE

Sarah Louise is described as being approximately 5 foot 7 inches in height, with a slim build, blonde hair and blue eyes.

When last seen Sarah Louise was wearing a black tracksuit.

Gardaí and Sarah Louise’s family are concerned for her well-being.

Anyone with any information on Sarah Louise’s whereabouts is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on (053) 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Preservation of 800 years at Enniscorthy Castle

Although Enniscorthy Castle is supporting scaffolding it is open for business as usual during the conservation works. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

Not for the first time in its 800 year history Enniscorthy Castle is undergoing repairs to guttering and downpipes and the presence of scaffolding recently has highlighted the works.

The work is expected to take 13 weeks and the good news is that the castle will remain open to the locals, visitors and tourists for the duration of the rooftop repairs.

Building the 13th century Norman castle was commenced by Philip de Prendergast ca-1205. It was walled and trenched by Gerald de Prendergast between 1225 and 1228 and when Gerald died in 1251 it passed to Maurice Rochford by his marriage to Matila Prendergast and was held by the Rochford family up to 1370 and later was occupied by the MacMurrough Kavanaghs, Kings of Leinster, who are best remembered as occupants of Ferns Castle.

Then along came Sir Henry Wallop in 1582 and it is on the record that “during his tenure the castle was put into a state of repair.” Oliver Cromwell came along next and laid siege to the castle while on his way to Wexford town.

In 1745, the first Earl of Portsmouth, a descendent of Sir Henry Wallop had repairs carried out to the building. Though restored from time to time the castle retained its characteristic Irish Castle shape – a rectangular keep with four circular towers at the four corners.

Between 1806 and 1812 the castle was restored as a modern residence by the Earl of Portsmouth. In 1900 it was sold to the Roche family from Woodville, New Ross, who had the building restored and enlarged as a residence for his son, Henry J. Roche as a wedding present and the Roches lived there until 1951.

When the castle became available for sale in 1961 Fr. Joseph Ranson persuaded the Governing Body of the Athenaeum to purchase it and convert it into a folk museum. It opened as the County Museum on Easter Sunday, 1962.

The present conservation work was badly needed and will secure the future of this historic building for future generations.

This project has received funding from The Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage under the Historic Towns Initiative.

Source; The County Museum Enniscorthy; an illustrated history and guide compiled by Fintan Murphy, printed by Courtney & Hogan Print Ltd, 28 pages, illustrated, undated.

Fethard RNLI volunteers are honoured

Fethard RNLI volunteers John Colfer, Jamie Chapman, Walter Foley, Dr John Cox and Peter Barry with their 30 year Long Service Awards presented by Domini Codd, Lifeboat Operations Manager (third from left). (Pic; Pat Kent)

By Dan Walsh

Fethard RNLI has honoured its volunteers, past and present, when they assembled in the lifeboat station recently to celebrate 30 years since the reopening of the station.

The event provided an opportunity to recognise three decades of lifesaving service by Fethard RNLI volunteers and to thank the many people who have supported the station since it reopened in 1996.

Visitors enjoyed tours of the station and lifeboat, meeting crew members and learning more about the RNLI. The day also offered an opportunity to reflect on the station’s history and the dedication of the volunteers who have answered the call whenever their pagers have sounded over the past 30 years.

A highlight of the day was the presentation of RNLI 30 Year Long Service Awards to five dedicated volunteers whose commitment has helped shape the station since its reopening. Walter Foley, Launch Authority and former Lifeboat Operations Manager; Peter Barry, Launch Authority and former crew member; Dr John Cox, Chairperson and former Lifeboat Medical Advisor; John Colfer, Helm; and Jamie Chapman, Helm, were all recognised for their 30 years of service to Fethard RNLI.

Earlier this year, Walter Foley and Dr John Cox joined fellow RNLI volunteers from around Ireland at a special RNLI Volunteer Recognition Event held at Clontarf Castle, where they were formally presented with their medals in recognition of three decades of dedication to the charity.

The anniversary celebrations at Fethard RNLI provided an opportunity for fellow volunteers, family members and supporters to acknowledge their achievements alongside those of the other long-serving award recipients.

Speaking at the event, Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Domini Codd said: “Today was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate 30 years of service and to thank the local community for the incredible support they have shown Fethard RNLI since the station reopened.

“I would also like to remind everyone that if they see someone in difficulty on the coast, or if they get into trouble themselves in, on or near the water, to call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

Cahore hosts Country Connects walk on Sunday

Cahore Pier is the trailhead for Sunday’s Country Connects autumn walking tours. (File Pic; Cahore Pier).

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Walking Trails has announced the launch of the Autumn schedule of Country Connects walks, inviting locals and visitors alike to put their walking shoes, explore the vibrant autumn landscape, and connect with local communities across County Wexford.

Where better to open the Autumn series than the stunning coastal path at Cahore hosted in partnership with the local Trail Management Organisation, Ballygarrett Tidy Towns. It takes place tomorrow at 2pm and the trailhead is at Cahore Pier (Sat Nav: 52.569 -6.202)  

Led by knowledgeable local guides sharing fascinating stories and insights you won’t want to miss, walkers will enjoy the rich heritage, the fresh sea air and the panoramic views up and down the coast as they make their way along the trail.

The walk will take approximately two hours. Refreshments served after the walk.

Mark your calendar for the remaining walks in the Autumn series. Full details for each event will be announced in the weeks before the event as details is finalised. Upcoming walks include Sunday, October 25th at Oulart Hill and Sunday, November 29th at Forth Mountain.

Country Connects, an initiative of Wexford Walking Trails, together with Wexford County Council, Healthy Wexford and the Irish Farmer’s Association, is a series of monthly walks inviting you to get outdoors and explore some of the fabulous trails in the Wexford Walking

These walks are taking place on the last Sunday of each month on one of the ninety-five waymarked trails across County Wexford. The trails will be graded as ‘easy’ or ‘moderate’ and suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness.

Good outdoor walking footwear, suitable clothing and snacks/drinks are all recommended. Full details available on our website: http://www.wexfordwalkingtrails.ie

Woman, (70s), dies in Clonroche road crash

By Dan Walsh

A local woman in her late 70s has died in a road traffic collision on the N30 at Ballymackessy, near Clonroche, which occurred around 2.40pm today (Friday).

She has been named locally as Mary Keating (nee Crean), aged 77 years, living at Ballyboro, Clonroche. Funeral arrangements later.

The woman, who was driving one of the vehicles, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The driver and sole occupant of a second car, a man in his 50s, was airlifted to a Dublin hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

The occupants of the third car did not require immediate hospital treatment.

The road remains closed this evening while gardaí carry out a technical examination, with local diversions in place.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and have asked anyone who was travelling in the area at the time and may have camera or dash-cam footage to make it available to them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on 051 924 2580, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Upgraded water supply for Enniscorthy estate

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann has completed the upgrade works as part of the Leakage Reduction Programme at Parnell Avenue estate in Enniscorthy which was constructed in 1939.

The works in Parnell Avenue involved the decommissioning of the ageing backyard water mains and the delivery of over 179 metres of new, modern water mains constructed along the public road. New service connections for customers have also been provided.  

These improvements will help improve water quality, reduce leakage and provide a more reliable water supply for customers in Parnell Avenue.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD has welcomed news. “This is positive news for the families and residents living in Parnel Avenue who will benefit from a more reliable water supply through these upgrades to the old backyard network.

“A reliable water supply is fundamental to family and community life. With upgrade works by Uisce Éireann now complete in the area I’m pleased to see further progress on improvements to Wexford’s water supply network.”   

Uisce Éireann’s Dave Murphy is delighted to have delivered another project for customers in Enniscorthy. “This essential work is part of a significant investment by Uisce Éireann to improve the water network across the country, prioritising investment where it is needed most, enabling these communities to thrive.”  

“We would like to thank the local community for their co-operation and patience during these works, which involved accessing their properties,” stated Mr Murphy.   

This project was delivered as part of Uisce Éireann’s national Leakage Reduction Programme which continues to deliver significant benefits to communities across Ireland, including improved water quality, provision of a more resilient and sustainable water supply for customers, and considerable water savings.    

Wexford sports clubs urged to apply for funding

By Dan Walsh

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD has announced the next round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF). Fine Gael TD for Wicklow-Wexford Brian Brennan is urging local sports clubs to prepare their applications as the funding round opens next Monday, September 28th.

The new funding round introduces a redesigned three-tier structure, higher grant ceilings and simpler application requirements, making it easier for sports clubs, community organisations and local authorities to access Government support. 

BRIAN BRENNAN TD is urging Wexford sports clubs to apply for funding.

Speaking with WexfordLocal.com, Deputy Brennan said; “The amount available to successful applicants is a huge amount of money. I’ve sat down with over 100 clubs over the last year that reached out to me in relation to this fund, and I honestly feel, in relation to all clubs of all sports, that this is an opportunity not to be missed.

“If we take for example Kilrush Askamore GAA Club – they’ve bought their land, they’ve developed their grounds and the next stage of their development is building a clubhouse. So, I’m hoping that if they are successful, this fund will in some way help them in their journey to achieve that new clubhouse.

“I strongly recommend that you do apply for this fund, and if you haven’t already reached out to me, do not hesitate to contact my office in relation to this fund, because it is a huge fund, and it is hugely important to the social fabric of every town and village within my constituency.

Deputy Brennan continued; “This is excellent news for clubs across Wexford. Every community knows the difference that good sporting facilities make—not only for players, but for volunteers, families and local communities.

“In recent years we’ve seen clubs across Wexford secure significant Government investment through this fund, delivering new pitches, floodlights, dressing rooms, walking tracks and community sports facilities. I want to see even more local projects benefiting from this new round,” concluded Deputy Brennan.

Registration will open on Monday, September 28th, on the Department’s new SPRAOI online system. Existing organisations already registered on the previous OSCAR system will automatically transfer to the new platform. 

An information guide with detailed terms and conditions will be published the week of October 12th.

Applications will open on Monday, October 19th.

Application window will remain open until Friday, February 26th, 2027

Further details, including the ‘Guide to Making an Application’, will be published by the Department.

September Talk at Tintern Abbey

TINTERN ABBEY, CO. WEXFORD (Pic; Heritage Ireland)

By Dan Walsh

On Thursday, 24 September at 7pm, Dr Breda Lynch will present the Wexford Normandy Cultural Association’s September talk, ‘A Church Already Changing: Ireland, the Cistercians and the Norman Arrival’, at Tintern Abbey.

Dr Breda Lynch is a historian and heritage professional with more than twenty-five years’ experience in Ireland’s heritage and conservation sector. She works with the Office of Public Works while also pursuing independent historical research.

Her work explores medieval religious institutions, monastic landscapes and church reform, particularly the influence of belief, patronage and political power on Ireland’s historic places and communities.

When Anglo-Norman forces arrived in Ireland, they encountered not an unreformed Church, but one already undergoing profound change. This talk traces the Irish led reform movement from the synods of Cashel, Ráith Bressail and Kells through the work of Cellach, Gillebert and Malachy of Armagh.

It explores the creation of territorial dioceses, metropolitan provinces, new clerical ideals and changing relationships between Church, kingship and ordinary Christian life.

Set within Tintern Abbey itself, the lecture reveals how reform, conquest and patronage reshaped Ireland’s institutions, communities and physical landscape.

This is a free event, but it is required to register on https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/a-church-already-changing-ireland-the-cistercians-and-the-norman-arrival-tickets-2000004741019?aff=oddtdtcreator

Bunclody bids farewell to Canon Trevor Sargent

THE REVEREND CANON TREVOR SARGENT.

By Dan Walsh

Canon Trevor Sargent, Rector of Bunclody Union in the Diocese of Ferns, has been appointed Rector of the Parish of St Ann with St Mark and St Stephen in Dublin.

Commenting on his departure from St Mary’s Rectory in Bunclody, Canon Sargent said: “It will be difficult and sad to leave all the many friends Áine and I have made in this active rural parish, but I am confident, by God’s grace, that Bunclody Union is in a good position to thrive and attract a new Rector who will bring fresh collaborative ideas to the work of witnessing to Christ’s love in this union of four parishes and in this farming community”.

A native of Ashbourne, Co. Meath, Trevor combined his early teaching career with living bilingually, by residing with a Gaeltacht family when teaching in the Model School, Dunmanway, Co Cork. On being appointed Principal of St George’s NS in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, Trevor immersed himself in parish and community life and was elected to Dublin County Council in 1991 and Dáil Éireann in 1992, representing Dublin North as a Green Party TD. He became the first leader of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas, and later Minister of State for Food and Horticulture in the 2007–2011 coalition government.

After losing the general election in 2011, Trevor was asked to write and illustrate a book about his experiences of politics, agriculture, life and growing food in limited spaces, known as ‘Trevor’s Kitchen Garden’. Trevor and his partner, Áine Neville, then moved to Co Wexford, where they were married in St Enoch’s Church, Killinick, in 2014.

Following a time of prayerful discernment, and with the support of Bishop Michael Burrows, Trevor was selected for training to full–time ministry in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.

He was ordained deacon in Shillelagh in 2017 and was ordained priest in Christ Church Cathedral Waterford in August 2018 and prior to that assisted in the Tullow Group of Parishes where he was ordained deacon in Shillelagh parish church in 2017.

On February 5th, 2021, Canon Sargent was instituted as Rector of Bunclody Union during the Covid–19 pandemic.

Canon Sargent collaborated with Dr Jeffrey Cox in developing a thriving St Mary’s Choir and young chorister programme, and with many others to organise table tennis, badminton, bowling, GFS and Boys Brigade, as well as Youth and Family Services in St Fiaac’s Church, Clonegal.

2026 has marked the 250th anniversary of St Mary’s Church, Canon Trevor has helped with the calendar of special occasions marking this milestone, not least the publication of Oliver Deacon’s beautifully illustrated and well researched landmark history of the parish.

Bunclody is also blessed with excellent primary and secondary schools, especially Carrigduff National School where he has chaired the Board of Management.

Bunclody Union of Parishes has four churches; St. Mary’s Church, Bunclody; St. Fiaac’s Church, Clonegal; St. Paul’s Church, Kildavin and St. Brigid’s Church, Kilrush.