More good news for Enniscorthy

The existing Enniscorthy Fire Station on Lymington Road is to be replaced by a new station. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD has just announced €3 million in funding for a planned new fire station in Enniscorthy, as part of the State’s largest ever investment in fire and emergency services.

The location of the new fire station is unspecified, but it is believed to build close to the graveyard at Quarry Park. It will be neighbouring the new Tesco Ireland Store, which WexfordLocal.com has learned from a source close to the company has been granted planning permission and should be opening its doors within two years!

With an additional €2.4m approx. in funding approval to support the procurement of a new water tanker, Class B fire appliance, high volume pump capacity, and additional fire service equipment, that brings the total amount allocated to Wexford fire services under the new funding programme to €5.4 million.

It builds on the €4.2m provided to Wexford fire services under the 2021-2025 funding plan which delivered a new fire station at New Ross and significant refurbishment to Gorey Fire Station completed a few weeks ago.

Minister Browne said; “The government is committed to safeguarding communities. It is not enough for us to say how gradedication,re to our fire service personnel for the dedication they exhibit in their work and their commitment to the safety of their community. It is important to show gratitude by providing our firefighters with the modern facilities, appliances, and equipment to ensure they are equipped for the extraordinary work they do, responding to a variety of emergencies.

Minister Browne emphasised: “Fire services are typically the last line of defence in protecting lives, homes and businesses from a myriad of hazards. This investment ensures they have the modern tools, facilities and systems required to meet that responsibility. The new programme responds directly to the evolving nature of fire service response and the need to protect critical national infrastructure.”

Horse dies in New Ross fire

By Dan Walsh

A horse died after a fire severely damaged stables in Ballykelly, about 8km south of New Ross, last night (Monday). Several horses were moved to safety.

A spokesperson for Wexford County Fire Service said two units and a water tanker from New Ross and a further unit from Wexford attended the scene at Ballykelly, New Ross, after they were alerted to the fire just before 9pm.

NEW ROSS FIRE STATION (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

The spokesperson said: “On arrival, a large hay shed containing straw, hay and agricultural machinery was involved in a substantial fire.

“Firefighters worked long into the night before bringing the blaze under control into early hours of the morning.

“The scene is currently under control of the Gardaí and subject to investigation, therefore we have no further comment at present,” the spokesperson added.

Early investigations suggest that foul play is not suspected.

Uisce Éireann crews from Donaghmore to Campile

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann crews have repaired a major burst water main in Great Island affecting customers in Great Island, New Ross and surrounding areas in Co Wexford over the Easter weekend.

Meanwhile, families and businesses the North Wexford coastal area of Donaghmore can look forward to a stronger, more dependable water supply as Uisce Éireann wraps up important upgrade works on the local water network.    

As part of this project, over 1.25km of ageing water mains was replaced with modern, resilient pipes. These older pipes had been prone to bursts and leaks, causing supply interruptions and wasting treated drinking water, a precious resource.   

Crews will move on to Campile next, with works to replace old and damaged water mains starting in the coming weeks.  

Crews will be installing 1.85km of new, modern pipes that will strengthen the local network and reduce disruption to homes and businesses.  

The existing pipes were prone to bursts and leaks, leading to supply interruptions and the loss of treated drinking water, a valuable resource we all depend on.   

Works on this important water main replacement will take place between Dunbrody Bridge on the R733 and Abbey View via Horeswood on the L4305, as part of Uisce Éireann’s national Leakage Reduction Programme.  

MINISTER JAMES BROWNE compliments the Uisce Éireann improvements at Donaghmore and welcomes progress on the Campile waterworks which are about to begin. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD welcomed news of the completion works. “This is positive news for the people of Donaghmore who will benefit from a more reliable water supply through these upgrades to the pipe network. A reliable water supply is fundamental to family and community life. With upgrade works by Uisce Éireann’s to begin in Campile, I’m pleased to see further progress on improvements to Wexford’s water supply in the pipeline.” 

Uisce Éireann’s Portfolio Manager Dave Murphy is looking forward to delivering another project for customers in the area. “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 in advance for their cooperation and patience while we complete these works.”  

The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply.  

Shareridge Ltd. is carrying out the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann which are expected to be completed by early summer. 

Enniscorthy Easter 1916 remembered

Laying a wreath at the ’98 Memorial in Enniscorthy today were Martin Whelan, Master of Ceremonies, Cllr John O’Rourke, Cllr Pat Kehoe, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Minister James Browne TD and Cllr Aidan Browne. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy

The 110th anniversary of the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthy took place this morning beginning with Mass celebrated by Fr. James Cullen in St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy. Wreath laying ceremonies at Market Square, the Athenaeum and the Seamus Rafter monument were amongst the highlights.

The Colour Party from Enniscorthy Coy 3rd Batt., Co. Wexford consisting of Capt. Aidan Doyle, Cpl. Gareth Lloyd and Cpl. Francis Harrigan, and St. Colman’s Pipe Band, Ballindaggin, with Pipe Major Jim Byrne lead the parade through Main Street, Pig Market Hill, Wafer Street, and into Market Square, where the Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr. Barbara Anne Murphy delivered an address and laid a wreath on the 1798 Memorial.

Cllr Murphy reminded us that: “On Thursday of Easter Week, April 27th, 1916 the leaders of the Easter Rising in Enniscorthy, took control of several important buildings in the town namely, the castle, the courthouse, the railway station and the Athenaeum where which they made their headquarters. On that same day, the Irish tricolour was raised by members of Cumann na mBan over the Athenaeum. The three young women were Una Bolger, Gretta Comerford and Marian Stokes.

Una Bolger, an Oylegate native who later married 1916 leader Robert Brennan holds a singular place in our history as one of only two women who was ever granted membership of the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

A week later Enniscorthy was the last town to surrender in all of Ireland on Monday, May 1st.”

Judy Heffernan read the 1916 Proclamation, a minutes’ silence was observed, Anthony Nolan played the Last Post and Ballindaggin Pipe Band brought proceedings to a conclusion with Amhrán na bFhiann. The Martina Leacy School of Dancing also made a musical contribution to the occasion.

Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy laid a wreath at the Seamus Rafter Memorial. Also in the picture are Cllr Pat Kehoe, Cllr Aidan Browne and Martin Whelan. (Pic WexfordLocal.com)

The attendance included Minister James Browne TD, Johnny Mythen TD, Cllrs Aidan Browne, John O’Rourke and Pat Kehoe and former TD John Browne. Apologies from Senator Cathal Byrne and Cllr Trish Byrne. Martin Whelan was master of ceremonies.

Other participants included INVU (Irish United Nations Veterans), O.N.E. (Organisation of National Ex-Service Men and Women). Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society members, ’98 Le Chéile, students and professors from Georgia Southern University, and Cllr Murphy thanked “my friend Dr. Howard for his dedication to strengthening the Wexford Savannah connection, the Easter Monday Commemoration Committee and the staff of Wexford County Council and “each and every one of you who come to this commemoration every year.”

Cllr Pat Kehoe laid a wreath at the Athenaeum, headquarters of the Irish Volunteers in 1916 marking the 10th anniversary of its renovation, and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy laid a wreath at the Seamus Rafter memorial on Abbey Quay.

Oulart Easter Commemoration

The annual Easter Commemoration at Mise Éire monument in Oulart. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Oulart

The 5th annual Easter Commemoration took place at noon today (Sunday) at the Mise Éire monument in Oulart village honouring and remembering local volunteers from the 1916 Rising.

Guest speaker was James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government who claimed he was honoured to be asked to speak in Oulart on Easter Sunday.

“There is something unique in the 1916 generation. They saw nationalism as a way to bring people together, not to divide! They rejected the idea of nationalism as a way of asserting superiority of just one tradition,” said Minister Browne, who continued; “This way of seeing the nation is something that was missing in Europe at the time, and I believe it is one of the key reasons why ours is the only new State to have emerged after the first World War which survived free and more, who nevertheless worked together to strengthen this Republic.”

“All of this is to reflect that we have to drive on with the ambition of the men and women from Oulart and throughout Ireland in continuing to build an Ireland that serves its people which works towards the home emerging and even old and different divisions,” concluded Minister Browne.

Thirty-five names of the Oulart Company 3rd Battalion North Wexford Brigade were remembered with a roll call presented by Sean Dempsey.

The 1916 Proclamation was read by Peter O’Brien. James Adams sang ‘The Foggy Dew’, Eva Wiltshire played Róisin Dubh and The Boys of Wexford on the uileann pipes. Finishing off with Michael Collins and Amhrán na bhFiann beautifully performed by Cllr Mary Farrell.

Bridget Mythen acted as master of ceremonies and welcomed everybody. The attendance included Cllr Pip Breen, Cllr Mary Farrell, Willie French, Chairman of Wexford Historical Society, Pat Hackett, Membership Secretary Wexford Historical Society and local acclaimed historian and author Brian Ó Cléirigh.

Minister Browne signed the distinguished Book of Oulart, following in the footsteps of journalist Martina Devlin, Dr Ray Bassett, renowned newspaper editor, writer and historian Tim Pat Coogan and last year, Barry Lacey, the Ballycarney-born archaeologist and historian.

Refreshments were served afterwards at the renovated Bygone Days homestead.

The Mise Éire Memorial, designed by Oulart historian Brian Cleary with inscriptions by Paudric Doyle, Bunclody, and stonework by Martin Codd, Rathnure, opened on October 1st, 2017.

Easter double for Mark Scallan

By Dan Walsh

Cleariestown handler Mark Scallan enjoyed a double training success today (Sunday) beginning with Sittin On a Fortune in the colours of the Know When to Foal’em Syndicate who came home one and a half lengths clear of the field in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings with Brian Lawless up at Quakerstown, Co. Clare.

BARRY STONE had a winner in Waterford today. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Scallan’s second winner came at Curraghmore, Co. Waterford which facilitated four Wexford winners this afternoon. The Ocean Queen owned by William Bates, Kilmore, was an eight lengths winner in the five-year-old mares’ plus maiden race for Scallan. Luke Murphy was the winning rider.

Barry Stone won the maiden race for four-year-old mares on Robert Tector’s Whiskeyontherocks. The verdict was four lengths.

Jonathan Fogarty saddled newcomer Lead Officer (Finian Maguire up) who registered a two lengths success in the maiden race for geldings.

And Vincent Devereux, Tacumshane, saddled Meetmebythelake ridden by Shane O’Rourke who was the three lengths winner of the first division of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

110th Enniscorthy 1916 Rising Commemoration

MARKET SQUARE will remember the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthyn on Easter Monday. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

The 110th anniversary of the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthy takes place on Easter Monday with a celebration of Mass at 10am in St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy.

The Reserve Defence Forces’ Colour Party and St. Colman’s Pipe Band, Ballindaggin, will lead the parade through Main Street, Pig Market Hill, Wafer Street, and into Market Square, where the Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr. Barbara Anne Murphy will lay a wreath.

It is understood that the newly formed Slaneyside Players and Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society will be wearing period costume for the annual Easter event.

A series of events will follow at the Athenaeum in Castle Street, (headquarters of the Volunteers during Easter Week 1916), which cost £2,207 to build in 1892, including;

Laying of a wreath by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, a brief outline of Easter week by historian Barry Lacey, a poem written by Jer Ennis for the occasion will be read by Graham Cadogan, a guard of honour for Padraig Pearse by Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society members, an extract from a Padraig Pearse speech, a rendition of The Foggy Dew by Niamh Crowhurst and some refreshments to close the proceedings.

‘Points’ wins keep rolling for Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Easter Saturday point-to-point races took place at Loughanmore, Co. Antrim where four of the seven winners had made the long journey from Co. Wexford.

Rob James trained and rode newcomer Glebe House in the Matchmaker Syndicate colours to victory in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

Boolavogue rider Matt Gahan scored a fine victory on French Adventure for Caitriona and Michael Goff, Clondaw, Ferns, in the maiden race for five-year-old mares.

Barry Stone, Cleariestown, in the colours of Deborah Halley steered Common Sense to an 18 lengths success for Coolbawn Rathnure, handler Robert Tector, who is enjoying a great season, in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

And champion rider Bary O’Neill teamed up with David Christie to win the Winner of Two race with Fortune Lad who had an incredible 32 lengths advantage at the finish line.

ELLEN DOYLE enjoyed midweek success.

There was a midweek point-to-point at Ballyknock, Co. Cork, on Wednesday where Ellen Doyle and the Baltimore stables Syndicate from Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, were successful with Pointofdifference who won the Winner of One race by six lengths with Brian Dunleavy in the saddle.  

Sign fell down at 1798 Centre

A major portion of the signage at the National 1798 Rebellion Centre has fallen from the roof. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

A large portion of the signage on the roof at the entrance of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy has come crashing to the ground.

The unprecedented incident happened last week ahead of the busy Easter period at the Centre, however, the soothing news is that the Centre continues to welcome visitors and the café is open for business.

The news comes just days before the €287,864 Historic Towns Initiative funding announcement for Enniscorthy, although since the ’98 Centre is less than three decades in existence it is unlikely to qualify under the heritage banner.

The National 1798 Rebellion Centre was built on the site of the CBS Monastery in 1998 to commemorate and mark the bicentenary the 1798 Rebellion.

There was controversy in 2020 when Wexford County Council decided not to proceed with the sale of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre in Enniscorthy after conceding that it would probably not get the support of councillors.

In an email sent to councillors, the Council said a Section 183 notice, which would allow for the sale to a private company will not now proceed.

The sale of the centre was due to come before councillors at their monthly meeting on Monday.

It was intended to attract more than 100,000 visitors annually. However, at the meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Council official Carolyne Godkin said the number of visitors to the centre “didn’t cover the cost of the electric”.

It was planned for the 1798 exhibits to be rehoused in the castle.

Local Enniscorthy Cllr Cathal Byrne said the original decision to sell the centre “came as a bolt out of the blue” and he welcomed the change of heart.

“The proposal was met with shock by the entire Enniscorthy community. I have been inundated with constituents dismaying their shock at the proposal.

“The sale of the 1798 Rebellion Centre would have represented a hammer blow to the town at the worst possible time,” said Cllr Byrne who is currently a member of Seanad Éireann.

Good Friday news for Enniscorthy heritage

ENNISCORTHY CASTLE (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Enniscorthy is to receive €287,864 in funding as part of the Historic Towns Initiative, which is a joint initiative between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.

The funding will help tackle vacancy, provide jobs through heritage-led regeneration, and will support traditional building skills.

The Enniscorthy funding will enable essential conservation works to Enniscorthy Castle and upgrade works at Enniscorthy’s Atheneum Hall.

James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government told WexfordLocal.com; “This is essential funding for my hometown of Enniscorthy. This is about protecting our town’s built heritage and historical character.

“The funding awarded is important in making sure our town is a growing and accessible place to live and work and will protect our older buildings.

“The Historic Towns Initiative works because it provides practical financial support to keep historic buildings in use, ensuring that they retain their position at the heart of community life.

The Heritage Council previously funded a heritage-led regeneration plan for Enniscorthy in 2023 and funded streetscape works to historic properties on Slaney Street in 2021.

The Historic Towns Initiative, which has been running since 2018, seeks proposals that encourage the specific re-use of historic buildings.