Racing at Fairwood, Tinahely (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
The new point-to-point season gets under way at Fairwood, Tinahely, on Sunday, with Shillelagh & District Hunt hosting the fixture. The first of six races starts at 1pm.
Seventy-six entries were received, in line with early-season expectations and the recent prolonged dry spell. The four-year-old maiden drew 22 of them, with Colin Bowe (six entries) and Denis Murphy (four) dominating the field.
The going report is “Good. Good to Yielding” and parts of the hilly track is watered to ensure safe ground.
Always a popular track with owners and handlers and the supporters the organisers are hoping for a good-sized attendance and Sunday’s forecast is for “dry conditions, with maximum temperatures coming in at around 13 degrees!
Laura Nolan, who has been awarded the 2026 Ecclesiastical/Wexford Festival Opera Volunteer of the Year Award and David Lane Managing Director at Ecclesiastical Ireland.(Pic; Mark Stedman)
By Dan Walsh
Wexford Festival Opera proudly announces Laura Nolan, who has been volunteering with the Festival for 37 years, as the 2026 Ecclesiastical/Wexford Festival Opera Volunteer of the Year.
Laura was chosen through a public vote by fellow volunteers, board and staff of the Festival.
Laura is currently the Head of the programmes team. The team covers all Opera Festival events both in the National Opera House and at other venues, including the Community Opera, Lunchtime Recitals and more.
The announcement was officially made by Artistic Director, Rosetta Cucchi and David Lane, Managing Director Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland from the stage of The National Opera House on the night of the first public dress rehearsal, Iris, which opened the 75th Wexford Festival Opera. It was attended by an audience of Festival volunteers.
David Lane, Managing Director Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland said: “Volunteers play such an important role in making Wexford Festival Opera what it is, and Laura’s commitment over more than 35 years is really something to celebrate. Giving that amount of time to the Festival, while always being there to help audiences and fellow volunteers, is a fantastic achievement.”
Ecclesiastical Insurance, a specialist insurer of the Arts, has supported Wexford Festival Opera’s volunteer programme for 13 years.
Gorey Cllr Darragh McDonald has urged Wexford County Council to deny Uisce Éireann road opening licences unless proper traffic management can be guaranteed, after motorists around Gorey faces major disruption.
CLLR DARRAGH McDONALD
Cllr McDonald said: “Uisce Éireann are currently carrying out works on two major roads into Gorey, with temporary traffic lights taking over ten minutes to change, even during rush hour. This is simply not acceptable.
“Everyone recognises the need for investment in infrastructure, and nobody is suggesting that essential works shouldn’t take place. However, there has to be a reasonable expectation that disruption to the public will be properly managed and minimised where possible.
“If Uisce Éireann cannot adequately resource these works and put effective traffic management arrangements in place, then Wexford County Council should be refusing them permission to open the road until they can.
“What we are seeing at the moment is lazy and ineffective traffic management, with ordinary people paying the price through unnecessary delays on their daily commutes, school runs and journeys to work.
“If a private developer was causing this level of disruption, the Council would rightly be demanding immediate improvements. I see absolutely no reason why a public body should be held to a different standard.
“We cannot have a situation where major routes into Gorey are effectively brought to a standstill because nobody has taken responsibility for ensuring traffic can move efficiently.
“The message needs to be simple: if you want permission to open our roads, you must demonstrate that you can manage the traffic properly. If you can’t, the licence shouldn’t be granted,” concluded Cllr McDonald.
Fireworks over Wexford Harbour marks the the beginning of the 75th Wexford Festival Opera. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Wexford Quay
The 75th Wexford Festival Opera opened last night (Thursday) before a packed Wexford Quay, as the traditional fireworks display lit up the sky over the harbour to launch an internationally renowned musical celebration featuring 75 events over the next 17 days.
Mayor of Wexford CLLR VICKY BARRON (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
This year’s festival is special “and promises an unforgettable celebration of 75 years of extraordinary.” So runs the festival motto!
Sparking from the stage the Mayor of Wexford Cllr Vicky Barron said; “The festival belongs to the people of Wexford, and generations of Wexford people wherever they are. 75 years of extraordinary achievement. Happy 75th Wexford Festival Opera.”
AUDIO ADDITION; Mayor of Wexford Cllr Vicky Barron speaking at the opening of Wexford Festival Opera 2026 on Wexford Quay.
Master of ceremonies, the inimitable Maurice McCarthy, introduced special guest Anna Murphy, co-winner of Traitors 2026, who was honoured to officially launch the 75th Wexford Festival Opera.
AUDIO ADDITION; Anna Murphy speaking from the stage as she officially opened Wexford Festival Opera 2026.
Chair of Wexford Festival Opera, Paul Cleary, addressed the crowds and mainly paid tribute to the background volunteers and performers who make the festival what it is. There was a special recognition for the boys and girls of Scoil Mhuire Loch Garman who performed on stage.
There was an amazing onstage performance from the Ivy Sisters featuring Sharon Clancy, Jilly Cox and Aileen Donohoe and Rachel Grace also performed.
On a still night, the fireworks were visible for miles, set to classic tunes that lifted the spirits of the crowd, made up mostly of young families!
Wexford town is set for a weekend of books and literary events as the annual Wexford Book Fair expands into the first Wexford Book Festival running this weekend (Friday to Sunday, October 16th to 18th) culminating in the 55th annual Wexford Book Fair at the Talbot Hotel on Sunday.
“We want Wexford to become a town of books for the weekend,” said festival organiser Wally O’Neill of Red Books. “The Book Fair has been running for fifty-five years now, making it the longest running Book Fair in Ireland. Expanding it into a festival seemed like the perfect way to celebrate that.”
The weekend will feature three book launches, with Margaret Hawkins, Gordon D’Arcy and Phil Hughes all launching books during the festival.
On Friday, Kinfolk will host Ireland’s first ever book rave, while Outspoken Spokenword Open-Mic will take place next door in Red Books Underground, following the launch of Margaret Hawkins “The Blood Cure”.
On Saturday, Eclectic Avenue will host a paperback book market as the festival continues across the town. There will be a pop-up Gaeltacht in Red Books Underground and the South-East launch of “Birdlife” by Gordon D’Arcy. Phil Hughes will be launching “The Rebel and the Seeress” in Red Books on Thursday.
The weekend will then culminate with the traditional Wexford Book Fair at the Talbot Hotel from 11am until 5pm on Sunday,
As well as the book dealers who have made the fair a fixture of Wexford life for more than half a century, Sunday will feature a celebration of independent publishing, talks on Wexford history and local poetry, and special events for children.
“The great thing about a book festival is that it can belong to everybody,” Mr O’Neill said. “You don’t have to be a serious collector or know anything about rare books. You can be looking for an antiquarian edition or simply bringing a young reader along to discover something new. Everyone is welcome.”
The expansion marks a new chapter for a Wexford tradition that has continued through economic booms and downturns, the rise of Amazon and the disruption of the pandemic.
“This is about building on those fifty-five years,” Mr O’Neill added. “The Book Fair remains at the heart of it. We’re just giving people another two days to celebrate books around Wexford.”
Autumnal Enniscorthy by the River Slaney. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at the reopening of the Captain Wafer Hall
Speaking at the reopening of Enniscorthy’s Captain Wafer Hall last Monday morning, Wexford County Council Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe praised the local community’s hard work and highlighted what can be achieved when proactive local government is backed by strong ministerial support.
Mr Taaffe said the Templeshanon project “represents just one piece of a much larger investment into Enniscorthy and the wider county.” He stated; “Wexford County Council working hand-in-hand with the Government, is actively reshaping Enniscorthy to ensure that it can sustainably grow to its full potential.”
“The availability of these Government funding streams is the lifeblood of Community Development, here (in Enniscorthy) and throughout the County,” said Mr. Taaffe, who added; “Current supports through the Departments and Local Authority include the Community Recognition Fund (availed of for the Captain Wafer Hall project), the National Civic Fora, the Local Enhancement Programme, the CLÁR programme, the Community Centre Investment Fund and others.
“Just look at our vibrant Enniscorthy town centre. Through the Governments Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, we recently welcomed a landmark €18.3 million allocation for Wexford, which includes €9 million specifically for Phase One of the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Regeneration Programme, alongside funding to advance Templeshannon regeneration.
EDDIE TAAFFE, Chief Executive Wexford County Council.
“Construction is almost complete on a new Sports Hub building at the Enniscorthy Athletics Track.
“But a community needs more than just excellent facilities; it needs homes. Housing delivery remains our absolute number one priority; a focus and a plan clearly close to the Minister’s heart. We are incredibly proud to say that our housing team, in partnership with Minister James Browne and the Department of Housing and Local Government.
“Through schemes like the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, we have successfully launched and delivered much needed starter-homes at developments like Cnoc na Greine and Old Forge Road, here in Enniscorthy.
“A major proposed development featuring approximately 50 housing units, community facilities, a skatepark, sports facilities, and outdoor amphitheatre is due to go to Planning shortly for the Turret Rocks (Killagoley).
“Furthermore, through the transformative Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, the Government has backed five major infrastructure projects across the county. This includes €20 million for the Milehouse to Moyne Link Road and €4 million for the Turret Rocks Link Road. This massive funding injection unblocks key constraints, directly fast-tracking thousands of new homes and paving the way for sustainable community growth.
In conclusion, Mr Taaffe said today’s individual result at the Enniscorthy Community Alliance (and the official reopening of the Captain Wafer Hall) is just one example of that strategic approach working, now and for the future.”
Blackwater Garda Station which was closed following an arson attack last May. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting
Wexford County Council has the unanimous backing of elected members to call on the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works “to prioritise and expediate the completion of refurbishment works at Blackwater Garda Station and facilitate its reopening without further delay.”
The motion, proposed by Cllr Oliver Walsh and seconded by Cllr Robbie Staples, was tabled at Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council in the Council Chamber at County Hall, Wexford. Cathaoirleach Cllr Lisa McDonald chaired the meeting.
Cllr Walsh said; “Following the malicious fire that caused significant damage to the station, the Blackwater area has been without a functioning Garda Station for almost six months.
“This prolonged closure is causing considerable concern among local residents and undermines confidence in the availability of local policing services,” added Cllr Walsh.
The motion read; “The Council believes that the people of Blackwater and the surrounding areas are entitled to the restoration of this important public service and urges that all necessary measures be taken to ensure the station is returned to operational use as a matter of urgency.”
There was unanimous support for the motion.
Extensive damage was caused to the interior of Blackwater Garda Station in an arson attack at approximately 2.50am on Tuesday, May 26th, 2026.
The place was unoccupied at the time. It has remained closed ever since.
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL Headquarters at Carricklawn, Wexford. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
All offices of Wexford County Council, including District Offices, Libraries and Civic Amenity Sites will be closed to the public on Wednesday 14th October due to the escalation of industrial action measures among public sector unions.
Emergency Services will continue to operate. A central phone line service will also operate.
Some services are available online and where possible, members of the public are advised to utilise eplanning.ie or motor tax.ie for urgent business.
Please allow for possible delays with phone services, due to reduced staff numbers on duty. Wexford County Council will endeavour to maintain operations, but members of the public are advised that full services cannot be guaranteed on the 14th.
Wexford County Council regrets any inconvenience caused. Further updates will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.
Pictured at the official reopening of Captain Wafer Hall at Springvalley, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, following refurbishment are (left to right); Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive Wexford County Council; Brian Kehoe, Wexford Local Development; Claire Lawless, Enniscorthy District Manager; Niamh Hogan, Enniscorthy Community Alliance; Irene Cadogan, Enniscorthy Community Alliance; Carolyn Godkin, Director of Services; Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, who performed the official reopening; Paddy Wildes, Enniscorthy Community Alliance; Cllr Lisa McDonald, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council; Cllr Pat Kehoe, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council; Senator Cathal Byrne; Enniscorthy District Cllrs Trish Byrne, Barbara-Anne Murphy, John O’Rourke and Aidan Browne. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Captain Wafer Hall, Enniscorthy
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD officially reopened the newly renovated Captain Wafer Hall in Springvalley, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, on Monday morning. Praising everyone involved, he described it as “a wonderful facility that will benefit the whole community.”
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Lisa McDonald said that the financial backing for this project was delivered by the Department of Rural and Community Development from the Community Recognition Fund and was delivered by Wexford County Council.
“We want to give one heartfelt thanks to the Board of Enniscorthy Community Alliance, their workers, volunteers and the local community, for the hard work they put together and brought this building repurposed and ready for community use which is so valued,” said Cllr McDonald, who added; “This day is about you and the wonderful community around this area. We are delighted to acknowledge your success in bringing this project to fruition. You should be really proud of what you’ve done and what you have achieved and deserve all the plaudits you get today.”
Cllr Pat Kehoe, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council welcomed everybody to the celebration and emphasised that “the renovation of this important building was supported by the Community Recognition Fund 2024 for use by all members of the community and over €98,000 has gone into this renovation.”
He concluded; “This new community hall now provides a modern space where people from across the town meet, take part in activities and foster community connections.”
Chief Executive Wexford County Council Eddie Taaffe said; “This morning marks the culmination of years of hard work by the local community here in Enniscorthy. A project like this is what happens when grassroots local ambition meets proactive local government and strong Ministerial support.
“From the outset this project has been led by Enniscorthy Community Alliance which has been driving a number of projects in the area, most recently with particular attention to the Templeshannon area,” said Mr. Taaffe, who added; “The result is a fantastic community resource for everyone to enjoy and I congratulate them on behalf of Wexford County Council.”
Irene Cadogan from the Board of Enniscorthy Community Alliance acted as master of ceremonies. Having introduced the various speakers and welcomed the invited guests she thanked the Minister and elected representatives for supporting the project.
