Water supply is returning to normal levels for Uisce Éireann customers in Bridgetown after the successful repair of a burst water main.
Uisce Éireann quickly crews located and repaired the burst main and water is now returning to impacted customers.
However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges. Customers are also being asked to be mindful of their water usage and to allow supply to catch up with demand.
Padraig Lyng of Uisce Éireann thanked affected customers for their understanding while these repair works were being carried out.
“Uisce Éireann acknowledges the disruption that can be caused by an unplanned outage such as this one and we wish to thank customers in the area for their patience while these repairs were underway,” said Mr Lyng.
Uisce Éireann crews are tackling a major burst in Bridgetown to restore water to customers affected today (Thursday).
The unplanned outage may cause supply disruptions to customers and businesses in Bridgetown, Kilmore and Tomhaggard.
Uisce Éireann’s Padraig Lyng has assured customers that every effort is being made to restore a full water supply as quickly as possible.
“We understand the inconvenience of an unplanned outage and we thank customers for their support while our works continue.”
Repairs are expected to be completed by 5pm today. Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.
To ensure the safety of the crews carrying out the repairs to the burst and the safety of the public, traffic management will be in place and will be clearly signposted.
Regina Redmond from Gorey follows the publication of her first book of poetry Buried Deep is the Child with Warrior Woman Truth Teller which be officially launched by Colm O’Gorman, founder of One in Four and former executive director of Amnesty International Ireland in Gorey Library tonight (Thursday).
The event will be hosted by Hot Press writer Jackie Hayden who lives in the south of the county. He will introduce several guests who will recite a selection of poems from Warrior Woman Truth Teller.
Already confirmed are Regina Redmond herself, her daughter Orla, Clare Williams (Manager, Wexford Rape Crisis Centre), poet and filmmaker Odhran Somers, Carol Boland of Boland Press, and close friend and confidante Anita Carroll.
Music will be provided by Aileen Mythen (former singer with the acclaimed Remedy Club) and Ian Doyle (highly regarded singer-songwriter who recently performed as The Man Whom).
Several poems from Warrior Woman Truth Teller have already been recorded by Regina as part of a separate project, with atmospheric music added by local musicians.
Regina has also expanded her artistic activities to take in painting, and some of her visual works are included in Warrior Woman Truth Teller.
“Buried Deep is the Child was subtitled A Healing Journey, and the title reflects how my writing has helped me deal with trauma suffered during my childhood,” Regina told WexfordLocal.com, and she added; “Warrior Woman Truth Teller shows me having become stronger and much more confident about facing my future. I think of my poems as shedding light on the path I’ve taken from deep darkness into the full light of recovery.
“Writing has a therapeutic value for me and publishing them has been enormously liberating. I have also recorded some of these poems for the BandCamp and YouTube platforms, and, since the healing power of music has long been established, adding music is a logical and valuable step for me as I continue onward on my exploratory journey with Warrior Woman Truth Teller,” she concluded.
Warrior Woman Truth Teller is published by Carol Boland of Boland Press and, like Buried Deep is the Child, is expected to resonate deeply with those who love poetry that comes straight from the heart. Her work has also attracted a very positive and appreciative response from others who have suffered childhood trauma.
Bree Macra Novice Debating team of Mark Waters, Sarah Byrne and Eddie Casey are heading for the National Semi-Finals in Cork.
By Dan Walsh
The National Quarter-Finals of the Macra Na Feirme Novice Debating Competitionwere held on Saturday evening in Bree Community Centre, where teams from across the country gathered to compete for a place in the National Semi-Finals.
The local Bree Macra team of Eddie Casey, Mark Waters, and Sarah Byrne, faced strong opposition from Angela Harney, Ciaran McDermot and Katie Doyle of Naas Macra. The teams debated the motion “That stay-at-home parents should be paid a salary.”
Bree Macra took on the role of proposing the motion and delivered a well-structured and compelling argument throughout the contest.
Their confident performance and effective defence of the motion earned them well-deserved victory on the night.
In addition to the team victory, Sarah Byrne was honoured by the judges with the award for Best Debater, recognising her exceptional delivery and engagement during the debate.
The Bree team advances to the National Semi-Finals in Cork on February 7th.
Pictured at the new Family Resource Centre at Temoleshannon were; Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Norma Foley TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government and Cllr Aidan Browne.
By Dan Walsh
Minister James Browne, together with Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, has formally announced the designation of Templeshannon Community & Childcare Centre as a new Family Resource Centre.
This decision follows several years of advocacy by numerous groups and individuals, including Enniscorthy East Community Development, with significant support from Wexford County Council.
Minister James Browne, who hosted Minister Norma Foley recently to visit Templeshannon’s centre in Enniscorthy said; “I am delighted to announce the establishment of a new Family Resource Centre for Ennsicorthy, based on funding secured as part of the Budget 2026 negotiations.
“A few weeks ago I brought Minister Foley to meet the incredible team in Templeshannon so she could see for herself what they are doing locally and all the initiatives that they provide to families and people in the area.
“I know first-hand the incredible work that Templeshannon Community & Childcare does every single day for families in Enniscorthy. This is a huge step for the brilliant staff and team in Templeshannon,” concluded Minister Browne.
The River Slaney just under two metres at 5pm this evening with the collapsed wall on Wexford road. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) met again today (Tuesday) as a preparatory measure during the continued period of unsettled weather and high flood risk.
A river flood advisory is currently in place for Wexford until 11am on Friday. River levels in Wexford are currently registering as High and will continue as such for the next few days.
The ground remains saturated and rain continues to fall, combined with high river levels and high tides this this week, leading to potential further flooding in these areas.
Yellow Rainfall Warning expired at 3pm today. Water at the Rafter Bridge measured just under two metres at 5pm this evening. Surface water levels are Elevated in the region so motorists should remain careful.
Heavy rainfall is expected again on Thursday, and rainfall warnings are possible again in Wexford later in the week.
We are in a period of high spring tides. Strong winds and high surge levels may lead to wave overtopping and coastal flooding and the period of High Tide Advisory in the county is in place until 10pm on Thursday.
High tides will further reduce the capacity for river discharge and increase the risk of flooding in low-lying coastal areas during high tide. This means that coastal levels are High for the remainder of the week.
The Wexford County Council Emergency Management Team continues liaise with the NDFEM and critical agencies and to monitor the weather situation, with crews remain on standby across the county as issues arise.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin addressing the media at Island Road, Enniscorthy, this afternoon flanked by Senator Cathal Byrne, Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, Minister of State at the Office of Public Works (OPW), Minister James Browne TD, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited Enniscorthy today where he announced that he has convened a meeting tomorrow with senior ministers and the National Emergency Co-Ordination Group (NECG) to review warning systems for weather events.
“There will be an overview of our systems and the framework that we have at the moment that deals with major events of this kind.
“They’re happening with greater frequency, and that’s something we will be examining,” said Mr. Martin while speaking to the media.
Mr Martin visited business premises and homes at Slaney Place and Island Road where 25 residents were damaged by last Tuesday’s floods acknowledged locally as the worst flooding in almost 30 years.
Mr Martin was invited into homes devastated by the heavy floods while skips of household items were lined up on both sides of Island Road.
Mr Martin promised that the Government will do everything it can to accelerate a flood relief scheme for the area. He said planning routes “have to be gone through”.
“We will do everything we can to speed up the progress of a scheme going through the planning process.
“These are very comprehensive schemes, they are complex. I’m not going to try and pretend that one can wave a magic wand and just deliver them. That would be wrong to do.”
AUDIO ADDITION; An Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking at Enniscorthy today.AUDIO ADDITION; John Lacey from J&M Motors explains to An Taoiseach the effects of flooding on his business.
A wall swept away by floods south of the Seamus Rafter bridge at Enniscorthy. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
A Status Yellow rain warning will come into effect for counties Cork, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford from 9pm this evening until 3pm tomorrow.
Rain falling on already saturated ground and swollen rivers is expected to lead to more flooding.
More heavy rainfall is expected throughout this week, with strong winds and High Spring Tides.
Wexford County Council is ready to respond to incidents as they occur, sandbags have been deployed where needed and crews are constantly monitoring the river levels and other areas of increased risk of flooding.
Members of the public are reminded that continued vigilance is needed on all roads in the county and do not enter flooded areas.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin is expected in Enniscorthy on Monday morning as part of his tour of flooding sites in counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford.
Details of An Taoiseach’s itinerary are unknown at this stage, however it is expected that he will visit householders on Island Road and following in the footprints of President Michael D. Higgins in 2015.
Communication with the business community could be less transparent on a Bank Holiday Monday when most businesses are closed. However, politics is a protective environment!
Micheál Martin visited Co. Wexford two weeks ago when he was entertained at Gorey Business Hub and Enniscorthy Technology Park.
The National Co-Ordination team met again on Sunday. The drier spell of the past 24 hours and into Monday is providing a temporary reprieve from the worst of the flood conditions, however the River Slaney and many other rivers remain full.
The persistent rainfall of the last number of weeks has left soils waterlogged and a further period of heavy rainfall expected from Monday afternoon will cause further threat of flooding this week.
We are also now entering a period of High Spring Tides.
More heavy rainfall is expected throughout this week, with strong winds and it is expected that the South and East will receive highest totals.
Wexford County Council is ready to respond to incidents as they occur, sandbags have been deployed where needed and crews are constantly monitoring the river levels and other areas of increased risk of flooding.
Members of the public are reminded that continued vigilance is needed on all roads in the county and do not enter flooded areas.
Uisce Éireann is advising customers served by the Creagh Water Treatment Plant in Gorey that operational issues have led to low reservoir levels this afternoon.
Due to the depleted reservoir levels, customers in Clonattin and Ballymoney may experience a water outage or reduced water pressure.
Uisce Éireann’s Padraig Lyng has assured customers that every effort is being made to restore a full water supply as quickly as possible. “We understand the inconvenience of an unplanned outage and we thank customers for their support while normal supply is being restored.”
He explained crews are on site and it is expected to have full supply restored by 10pm tonight.
Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.
Two point-to-points took place today in heavy conditions, but only one Wexford winner and that came at Ballyvodock, near Middleton in Co. Cork.
DENIS MURPHY saddled a winner today. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Denis Murphy from Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, saddled Lady Aurora, ridden by Shane Cotter, and she scored by five lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old mares.
The Wexford Hunt point-to-point fixture scheduled for Ballinaboola, New Ross today (Sunday) was called off after the track was found unfit for racing and the fixture has been rescheduled for next Saturday, February 7th.
The card had received 76 entries and they will stand. First race at 1pm.
WexfordLocal.com 