Eddie Holton, Agri Aware with some hands-on learning at one of five National Dairy Council School Farm Visits taking place across the country this month, where upto 1,500 pupils will experience hands-on learning on working dairy farms. (Pic; Tom Scott Photos)
By Dan Walsh
Primary school pupils from Wicklow, Dublin, and Gaelscoil Moshíológ, Gorey, visited a working dairy farm in Wicklow as part of a hands-on educational initiative led by the National Dairy Council (NDC) through the EU School Milk Scheme. It is part of a wider national programme bringing up to 1,500 pupils to dairy farms across Ireland during the month of May.
On the farm of local dairy farmer Tom Short, pupils took part in milking demonstrations, calf feeding, and a series of interactive learning stations focused on animal welfare, nutrition, grass growth, and how milk is produced and supplied through their school milk co-operative, Tirlán.
Emma Walls, CEO of the National Dairy Council (NDC), said the programme helps children make meaningful connections between food, farming, and nutrition. “For many children, this is their first real experience of a farm and their first chance to see where milk comes from beyond the supermarket shelf.
Local dairy farmer Tom Short, who hosted the visit, said it was valuable to welcome children onto his farm and show them how food is produced.
Siobhán Smith, a teacher from Gaelscoil Moshíológ in Gorey, said the visit gave students a clear understanding of where milk comes from. “They saw it from the cows in the fields to the milking parlour and how it actually ends up on their table. The students were very engaged throughout the visit and full of questions,” she said.
“It’s really important for the children to know where their food comes from and to understand their responsibility in looking after the environment. It also gives them an awareness of how their food is produced from farm to table.”
The EU School Milk Scheme, co-funded by the European Union and Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, provides subsidised milk to schools alongside educational resources promoting nutrition and food awareness. It is delivered in Ireland by the NDC through its Moo Crew initiative.
By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge meeting at Gorey Civic Offices
Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council has voted 9-1 calling on Regnum Renewables to withdraw their proposal for Kilmichael Windfarm due to the overwhelming opposition to the project by the residents in the townlands of Mount Nebo, Craan Upper, Slievebawn, Monaseed Demense and Kilmichael Gorey.
The decision was taken at today’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District held in the Council Chamber at Gorey Civic Offices. Cllr Sullivan’s motion was seconded by Cllr Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach.
CLLR DONAL KENNY Cathaoirleach Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal Council
Cllr Sullivan said his motion was a belief in democracy and allowing the voice of the people to be heard. The people have come to realise how big and intrusive this (the windfarm) will look like in the areas affected. Cllr Kenny (seconding) said he did so in support of his neighbours, siblings and friends.
Cllr Oliver Walsh voted against saying that as elected representatives’ councillors had supported the planning process as it is in the County Development Plan. “We unanimously adopted wind energy in the County Development Plan,” said Cllr Walsh, who added; “This motion won’t affect it anyway. Everybody has a right to apply for what they want,” he continued and suggested that interfering with a planning application and pre-empting the planning motion is merely playing to the gallery.”
Cllr Pip Breen said he could see a case for both sides and said “I am not in a position to NOT support the motion” as he supported 100% for wind energy in the County Development Plan.
Cllr Nicky Boland supported the motion saying there are 630-odd houses in the area. “We are all elected members. We are here to represent our community and support the people who elected us.” Cllr Craig Doyle agreed.
Cllr Paddy Kavangh favoured the motion. He pointed out the shame of using good agricultural land for solar or wind energy and stated that the proposed pylons are way bigger than the original.
CLLR JOE SULLIVAN
In conclusion, Cllr Sullivan said;” Nobody is against wind energy, it is the positioning and the size of the windfarm that was concerning.
Cllr Mary Farrell said she fully supported renewable energy but spoke of the dreadful situation experienced by people living in the immediate vicinity. “I acknowledge what the people of the area is concerned about, but we do support renewable energy,” added Cllr Farrell.
Director of Services, Liz Hore, told the meeting that there is no plenary application at this time and that a strategic infrastructural development application would go straight to Coimisiún Pleanála. She pointed out that everyone has a constitutional right to the democratic process.
Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council approved consideration of a deputation request from the ‘No to Kilmichael Windfarm’ committee for the June district meeting.
ENNISCORTHY GARDA STATION (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a fatal single-vehicle road traffic collision that occurred on the R702 near Curragraigue, near Ballindaggin, Enniscorthy, yesterday (Monday).
Emergency services responded following report of the collision, involving a car, that occurred at approximately 11.30am.
NATHAN BUTLER
The male driver of the car (aged in his 20’s) was pronounced deceased at the scene.
He has been named locally as Nathan Butler from Ballyhogue, son of Lisa Butler and Martin Carroll, Ballyeden, Davidstown, who passed away last February and brother of Kyle, Megan and Cora.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward.
Road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage and were travelling on the R702 between 10.30am and 11.30am on Monday 18th May 2026 are asked to make this available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on (053) 923 3534, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Boat had lost power and was adrift in the shipping channel north of the Barrow Bridge seen here (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Fethard RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked to assist a lone sailor whose boat had lost power and was adrift in the shipping channel north of the Barrow Bridge in Waterford Estuary last Friday.
Fethard RNLI inshore lifeboat Naomh Dubhán was tasked to launch by the Irish Coast Guard at 11.29am. The volunteer crew made their way by road and launched the lifeboat at Ballyhack. Conditions were good and the D-class arrived on scene at 12.17pm.
Having assessed the situation, the crew decided to take the casualty undertow to the closest marina in New Ross, as it posed a significant risk to navigation in the channel.
Once the casualty was secured in the marina at 1.30pm the lifeboat returned to Ballyhack to recover. The crew returned to station and were ready for service again by 2.49pm.
Domini Codd, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Fethard RNLI said; “The casualty did the right thing by calling for help as soon as possible. We would advise that anybody heading out on the water always carries an appropriate means of calling for help and always wears a personal flotation device, such as a lifejacket.”
The 10-metre fishing boat towed from the Keeraghs by Kilmore RNLI lifeboat last Saturday. (Pic; Elaine Walsh/RNLI)
By Dan Walsh
Kilmore Quay RNLI launched on Saturday afternoon to assist the crew of a 10-metre fishing boat with a fouled propeller drifting towards the Keeragh islands.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat RNLB Killarney by the Irish Coast Guard at 2.18 pm. The lifeboat under Coxswain Nigel Kehoe and with five crew members on board promptly launched and made its way to the scene, five nautical miles north west of Kilmore Quay at the Keeraghs.
Arriving at the location at 2.45 pm, the lifeboat crew checked that everyone on board the vessel was safe and well before assessing the situation. Taking into consideration the wind and tidal conditions on site, it was decided that the safest course of action was to establish a tow to bring the disabled craft back to shore.
Weather at the time was described as good with a Force 2 to 3 westerly wind and slight sea state.
The lifeboat was soon under way to the nearest available harbour at Kilmore Quay arriving at 3.50 pm. The fishing vessel safely secured at the pier, the lifeboat returned to its berth in the marina and was made ready again for service.
Speaking following the call out, Coxswain Nigel Kehoe commended the crew of the fishing vessel for their quick action in raising the alarm saying: “The lads made the right decision to call for assistance when they did. We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to always wear a life jacket and to always carry a means of calling for help. If you do get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
One of 200 road signs objecting to the proposed Kilmichael Wind Farm project. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
No to Kilmichael Wind Farm Community Group committee have requested that WexfordLocal.com publish its statement in reply to the one published from Regnum Renewables as part of our report.
WexfordLocal.com is happy to oblige. The statement reads as follows;
“We welcome Regnum’s engagement by means of a prepared statement to Wexfordlocal.com. They speak at length about community engagement, however the experience of our community is at complete odds to the picture they paint “They claim to have made contact with 119 homes located close to the proposed wind farm since the project started in 2023. As a result of this claim, in their statement they have had 67 direct interactions with property owners. There are over 2,000 residents within 3kms of the wind farm.
“As a voluntary group formed only two months ago, No to Kilmichael Wind Farm have collected 450 petition signatures, launched a dedicated website, erected 200 road signs, have a Whatsapp group with 370 members and have had two excellently attended public meetings. That is what public engagement looks like.
“They tell us that a dedicated full – time, on-the-ground, community liaison officer was appointed by them in 2024. The vast majority of residents didn’t know about his existence until March this year. The reality is that this is nothing more than another box–ticking exercise for Regnum as this officer has proved completely out of his depth and unable to answer questions posed to him. We would welcome this officer to a community meeting or to a head-to-head interview with one of our representatives on the radio.
“In their statement, they describe in full their feasibility study which identifies Kilmichael Hill as a suitable site for a wind farm. They fail to mention that the area has been categorised by Wexford County Council’s Wind Energy Strategy as an area unsuitable for further wind farm development.
“There was no public consultation carried out as part of their feasibility study or mentions of the high population in the area. In their statement, they talk about the Community Benefit Fund and potential rates income for the local authority. Amazingly, and of great concern, they show a complete lack of empathy to the overpowering health concerns of local residents by failing to mention them.
“As a group, we have had a lot of interactions with other wind farm groups and there is a common theme developing of insufferable misery where turbines are located close to where people live. Additionally, they fail to mention the issue of sterilisation of land, whereby local people will be unable to get planning permission for homes for their children in the future.
“Regnum’s company slogan is “Building a better world”. In reality, it is a company where the only thing that matters is the bottom line. Why are they repeatedly ringing residents close to the turbines offering them more and more money to buy their silence? We know of one couple where Regnum officials are ringing both the husband and wife on an almost daily basis.”
Michael Murphy’s Redbridge Stables at Duncormick was in winning form at Ballindenisk, Co. Cork, today (Sunday) where they enjoyed a double both ridden by Darragh Higgins.
Newcomer Dan De Champ was a two lengths winner of division one of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings while Order Another One, in the colours of Warren Ewing, gained a five and a half lengths victory in the maiden race for five-year-old plus mares’ race.
JAMES MURRAY…winner at Cork (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Sean Doyle and Barry O’Neill shared a six lengths success with newcomer Kingside Lady in the maiden race for four-year-old mares.
Mark Scallan, who trains at Cleariestown, saddled newcomer Harzwood who prevailed by six and a half lengths in division two of the four-year-old mares maiden ridden by Luke Murphy from Gorey.
James Kenny from Craanford was amongst the Cork winners too. He saddled Maganey in the colours of Noeleen Kenny with Ferns rider James Murray up and they came home seven lengths to the good in the Winner of One Race.
Gearóid O’Loughlin, who trains at Kiltealy, won division two of the maiden race for five-year-old plus geldings with newcomer Bet Wise. Joey Dunne took the winning mount.
Also point-to-point action at Loughrea, Co. Galway, today (Sunday) where two Wexford winners emerged. Michael Goff won the maiden race for four-year-old mares with Fortunate Miss by ten lengths ridden by Matt Gahan from Ferns and Ballindaggin rider Cormac Byrne won the Open Race confined to novice riders on Hearts and Spades for Ian McCarthy.
Celebrating the success of the Colin Bowe trained Morell River at Wexford races today were Pat Nolan, jockey Sean O’Keeffe, Amy Kelly (groom), Brendan Fitzpatrick (owner) and Brendan Walsh, assistant trainer to Colin Bowe. (Pic; WexfoLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Wexford Races
Colin Bowe’s star Kiltealy stables are normally associated with point-to-point success -he has held the trainers’ championship for the past 13 years – but his horses were in winning form at Wexford races today with a double success on the 8-race card.
Morell River (7/1)registered a second career success today, both at Wexford, landing that course’s Forth Mountain Trails Mares Handicap Hurdle for Straffan, Co. Kildare owners Brendan and Mary Fitzpatrick, trainer Colin Bowe and Taghmon jockey Sean O’Keeffe.
The six-year-old mare’s maiden success came in October and today, on seasonal reappearance, was produced from rear to lead at the last to win by one and a half lengths.
O’Keeffe, with his fourth winner in May, said “There was no pressure on, with it being her first run of the season and in fairness to Colin Bowe, he’s a top man to have them ready.”
Bowe’s double with nine-year-old North Of Nashville (9/1) bridged an almost three-year gap between Wexford wins today, landing her second career success for trainer Colin Bowe in the Treo Eile Handicap Chase.
Carrying the colours of Milestone Bloodstock Limited, North Of Nashville’s previous success came at today’s course in September 2023 and today under Ricky Doyle raced prominently and maintained her gallop, to score by nine lengths.
Bowe’s assistant Brendan Walsh said afterwards; “North Of Nashville was a really good winner here a few years ago, she likes it down here and had a nice run the last day over a shorter trip.
“We’ve no fancy plans; we’re just delighted to get another day out of her. She always threatened a lot and hasn’t really delivered but that’s two days out of her now so we’re happy enough.”
Although training in Kildare nowadays, Wexford-born Conor O’Dwyer loves having runners at his ‘local’ track and he saddled the winner of the handicap hurdle, Teenage Kiss (5/1), ridden by his son, five-pound claimer Charlie O’Dwyer for champion owner John P. McManus.
There was also a double for Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead with Workahead (11/8 fav.), (Darragh O’Keeffe) and The Besty Woman (6/4 fav.), ridden by John Gleeson in the INH Flat race. It is interesting to note that that Workahead finished ninth in the 2026 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham won by Lossiemouth!
The next day’s racing at Wexford is Wednesday, May 27th (evening).
One of dozens of signs on the Gorey-Carnew road. This one is at Craanford. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District will consider a motion on the agenda submitted by Cllr Joe Sullivan. It reads as follows;
“This Council of the Gorey / Kilmuckridge Municipal District calls on Regnum Renewables to withdraw their proposal for “Kilmichael Windfarm” in the townlands of Mount Nebo, Craan Upper, Slievebawn, Monaseed Demense and Kilmichael Gorey due to the overwhelming opposition to the project by the residents of the aforementioned areas”
A statement issued to WexfordLocal.com states that Regnum Renewables Developments Ltd (Regnum) is currently at the pre-planning stage of a proposed eight turbine wind farm development at Kilmichael Hill, in addition to a 110kV substation at Glandoran, Co. Wexford. “Subject to planning approval, the project has the potential to generate approximately 55 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity, supporting Ireland’s transition towards a more secure, sustainable and domestically produced energy system. Ireland’s national energy strategy aims to achieve 80% renewable electricity by 2030.
“Given current threats to our energy security and the need for additional generation to support a growing population and economy, renewable energy is central to achieving these objectives.
“Located approximately 5km west of Gorey, Kilmichael was identified as a potentially suitable location for the proposed development following detailed site assessments.
“Regnum recognises the strong local interest in the proposed Kilmichael Wind Farm and welcomes the fact that members of the community will have a range of views and questions regarding the project, as is common with all renewable energy developments of this nature.
“It is important to us that local residents have access to clear, factual and up-to-date information throughout every stage of the process, alongside meaningful opportunities to engage directly with the project team, raise queries and share feedback.
“Through the development phase, Regnum has engaged with local residents, landowners and stakeholders and remains committed to maintaining an open, transparent and constructive dialogue as the project progresses.
“A dedicated full time Community Liaison Officer was appointed to the project in 2024 and, together with the wider project team, remains available to meet with and respond directly to anyone in the local area with an interest in the proposal.
“Regnum first identified Kilmichael as a potentially suitable location for the project in Q1 2023, with initial engagement commencing with local landowners shortly afterwards. Engagement with elected representatives began in June 2024, when meetings were held with all Gorey–Kilmuckridge councillors to present an early outline of the proposal, followed shortly afterwards by engagement with local TDs.
“Wider community engagement commenced in June 2025 through an initial consultation process on the proposed development, following further progression of discussions with landowners regarding the proposed development and completion of a preliminary feasibility assessment.
“As part of this process, the Regnum team conducted door knocks and leaflet drops at 119 properties located approx. 1,200m from each proposed turbine, resulting in direct engagement with 67 property owners.
“A second round of localised community engagement took place in February 2026 following the finalisation of the proposed substation location. During this phase, 121 properties were visited, including those located within a 500m radius of the proposed substation, resulting in 56 direct engagements with local property owners. “Project information leaflets, including contact details for the dedicated project team, were left at all properties where residents were unavailable. Follow-up visits were held with any resident who requested one.
“Regnum has maintained regular engagement with Wexford County Council officials and elected representatives to ensure they remain informed as the project develops.
“Should the project proceed, it will deliver a significant long-term community benefit fund (circa €250,000 per annum) and property rates (circa €700,000 per annum), administered at local level and shaped through community input to ensure it supports the priorities and needs identified by those living closest to the development.
“Regnum encourages anyone with questions or an interest in the project to engage directly with them, by phone on +353 87 233 1340 or via email at kilmichael@regnumrenewables.ie.”
WexfordLocal.com 