Bishop Adrian Wilkinson (extreme left) and Canon Trevor Sargent (extreme right) led the 250th anniversary celebrations in Saint Mary’s Church, Bunclody last Sunday.
A large congregation gathered last Sunday at Saint Mary’s Church, Bunclody, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the church’s consecration.
The Choral Eucharist was presided over by the Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, The Right Reverend Adrian Wilkinson, and he was assisted by The Reverend Canon Trevor Sargent, Rector of Bunclody Union of Parishes.
Among the clergy assisting were two former rectors of the parish, the Reverend Nigel Waugh and the Reverend Michael Stevenson. Canon Sargent, in his words of welcome, also noted the ecumenical and civic representatives present.
Music formed an important part of the service, and the Choir of Saint Mary’s Church and Friends were directed by Dr Jeffrey Cox. Valerie Twomey was the assistant organist, and the trumpet was played by Anthony Nolan.
Symbols of parish life and organisations were brought forward and placed in the sanctuary at the start of the service.
In his sermon, Bishop Wilkinson reminded the congregation that this church was consecrated while the ink on the American Declaration of Independence was still wet. Reflecting on the idea of ‘living stones’ in the epistle reading from 1 Peter, he reminded the congregation that ‘we are called not simply to preserve, but to embody the gospel, by serving, praying, and loving, so that this church remains a beacon of hope and grace in this community.’
Following the service, the congregation gathered in the adjacent hall for refreshments, where a special anniversary cake was cut.
Many tributes have been paid to actorGary Lydon, known for Billy Roche’s plays and films like Calvary, The Guard, and The Banshees of Inisherin, has died aged 61.
Speaking on behalf on behalf of Wexford Arts Centre, its Executive Director Elizabeth Whyte said she was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of his death.
“Gary had honed his craft as one of the finest actors in Ireland on the Wexford Arts Centre stage in many of Billy Roche’s plays. He forged a stellar career performing across Ireland and the UK,” she said.
“Though heartbreaking, it is fitting that his final role on our stage was performed alongside his son James Doherty O’Brien.
The lights in the theatre world are dimmer due to the loss of Gary, but we will cherish the memories of his performances with reverence.
“Deepest sympathies to his family, friends, stage and screen colleagues and to Billy Roche, his creative alliance collaborator for over forty years. May you be laid down softly Gary. May you rest in peace.”
Gary Lydon was born in 1964, in London, to Jimmy O’Brien from Wexford and Julie Lydon, London Irish.
The family moved back to his father’s home in Wexford when he was just nine. He would later take his mother’s surname for his professional career, one that lasted decades and saw him appear both on the stage and on the screen.
Lydon considered a business career before teaming up with Billy Roche, whose trio of plays advanced several careers.
First noticed on stage in Billy Roche’s famous Wexford trilogy, he is remembered as a thoughtful man who had much to say about the business of acting.
He won an IFTA for his performance as Patrick Murray, a counsellor in the RTÉ series The Clinic. Keep your eyes open and you will catch supporting turns in Calvary, Brooklyn and War Horse.
In recent years, he lived in Roscommon where he set up a theatre company.
FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Gary Lydon, (Gary Mark O’Brien) Shanballybawn, Leitrim P.O. formerly Clonard, Wexford Town, April 30th 2026, suddenly at his home. Pre-deceased by his parents Jimmy and Judy O’Brien.
Gary was deeply loved and will be forever missed by his adoring sons Seanluke and James and their mother Kara, partner Paula and her
daughter Aoife, brothers Anthony, Seamus and Ian, sisters-in-law Ann, Trudy and Liz, nephews Eoghan, Marcus, Finn, nieces Eve, Ciara,
Reposing at Shivnan’s Funeral Home Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon, F52 WT26, on Wednesday evening (May 6th) from 5 p.m. until 8p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Michael’s Church, Cootehall, F52 AF85, on Thursday (May 7th) at 12 noon followed by interment afterwards in Kileenan Cemetery, Cootehall.
Bank Holiday Monday point-to-point took place at Dawstown, Co. Cork today and there were winners for four Wexford stables.
The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was divided. The Denis Murphy stables continued an amazing run in division one where newcomer North Tipp scored by three and a half lengths under Shane Cutter and division two brought a two and a half lengths victory for newcomer Works For Me owned and trained by Luke Murphy, Corecannon House, Inch, Gorey. The winning rider was Donal O’Connor.
The same Luke Murphy was the successful rider on Park Hall for Paul Martin Pierce and Blackhall Stables partnership, Killurin, in the maiden race for five-year-old plus mares.
It was a good weekend for Murphy. Chicks For Free had a 13 lengths victory for owner, handler and rider Luke Murphy in the maiden race for four-year-old mares at Stowlin, Co. Galway, on Sunday.
ROBERT TECTOR enjoying his best season (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Robert Tector in his seventh season at Coolbawn, Rathnure, having his best season with 12 winners so far, scored his 30th career success when Supreme Force took the Winner of Two race with Jack Hendrick up.
Rob James skipped the point-to-point scene today (Monday) and headed to Down Royal where he was successful on the Donnchadh Doyle owned, Jack Foley trained Catalini (8/15 fav.).
James had three victories at the Punchestown Festival last week, another at Ballindenisk, Co. Cork yesterday (Sunday).
Two point-to-point fixtures today (Sunday) produced success for six Wexford stables.
HARRY GOFF shared a family success today. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
At Ballindenisk, Co. Cork, Wexford raiders won both divisions of the four-year-old mares’ maiden race. Handler Michael Goff and his son, Harry took the first division with newcomer Tactic by two lengths while another newcomer Lake Nagambie won division two by five lengths for Adamstown handler Susan O’Gorman and rider Shane O’Rourke.
The four-year-old geldings’ maiden was divided with the first division going to Maxi Twist for handler/rider Rob James by four lengths and The High Stool winning division two by four lengths for Cormac Doyle and the Monbeg farm racing Partnership. Donal O’Connor was in the saddle.
Denis Murphy had a sensational five victories last weekend and his good luck continued in division two of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden race with Airforce Marshal coming home first under Shane Cotter.
Robert Tector is having a fine season too and he was in the winners’ enclosure following the six lengths success with Spring Waltz ridden by Jamie Scallan, who was successful for Sean Doyle on Jetbob in last Friday’s Bishopscourt Cup at the Punchestown Festival.
Today’s other fixture was at Stowlin, Co. Galway, where newcomer Chicks For Free had a 13 lengths victory for owner, handler and rider Luke Murphy from Gorey, in the maiden race for four-year-old mares’.
Uisce Éireann crews are working to repair a burst water main in Wexford Town and restore water to customers affected.
The burst is impacting customers in Árd Carman and the surrounding areas.
Repairs are expected to be completed by 7pm today (Sunday).
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 interruption to the water supply, and we thank customers for their support while our works continue.”
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.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon presents Eoin Staples with the Champion Conditional Jockey title trophy at Punchestown on Saturday. (Pic; Horse Racing Ireland)
By Dan Walsh
Duncormick-born rider Eoin Staples, 22, has won the coveted title ‘Champion Conditional Jockey’ and was honoured today (Saturday) at the Punchestown Festival where the 2025-’26 National Hunt season came to an end.
Staples, who was stood down following a fall on Thursday which resulted in an arm injury, had three winners to spare, 33-30, over his nearest rival Michael Kenneally from Cork.
Staples said; “I’m absolutely delighted to win the champion conditional title and the Goffs Thyestes on Now Is The Hour for the BDS Syndicate and Gavin Cromwell has to be my season standout. I have to give special mention to Rob James, Andy Pierce and Colin Bowe for giving me all the experience and opportunities as an amateur before turning conditional.
“I have to give big thanks to my main supporters Gavin Cromwell and Paul Nolan and their owners for the amazing opportunities they have given me, along with the people around me – Garry Cribbin my agent, my family especially my mam and dad – I couldn’t have done it without them,” concluded Staples.
It was a very successful Punchestown Festival for Wexford jockeys with Rob James riding three winners. The Killanne amateur won the Ladies Cup on Fountain House for Kildangan, Co. Kildare trainer Ian McCarthy on Tuesday and returned with the same horse to win the Cross Country on Saturday. What a double success!
Ian McCarthy said: “We brought him to Ballinesker Beach in Wexford after he won on Tuesday and it is lovely for the likes of this horse to freshen them up. We bring them for a little walk up to their knees which is good for them.
“We wouldn’t have run him unless we knew he was 100% and we’ll get him home now and mind him. We have the got the best of Rob James’ 7 lb claim this week and this is absolutely brilliant.”
The reference to the 7 lbs claim and Rob James is that in future Rob can only claim 5 lbs on the track, even though he has ridden more than 400 point-to-point winners and shared the championship title with Barry O’Neill last season.
The McCarthy/James partnership were second in the Bishopscourt Cup on Friday with Hearts and Spades beaten eleven lengths by Jetbob, in the colours of Henry Chamney, trained at Ballindaggin by Sean Doyle and ridden by Jamie Scallan.
Doyle’s front runner enjoyed a healthy advantage in the two-and-a-half mile contest and had his rivals on the stretch from the fourth last. “This has been the plan for a while,” said Doyle afterwards, and he added; “He probably wanted that bit of dry ground. In fairness Jamie (Scallan) came out with a plan in his head and by-God he executed it well.”
Rob James added another Punchestown winner on Friday when he partnered Wonderwall for Sam Curling in the Champion Hunters Chase.
There were also festival winners for JJ Slevin (Barry Lyndon), Sean Flanagan (Eachtotheirown) and Barry Stone on Adaboy for Declan Queally in the bumper on Thursday.
Arklow and Rosslare Harbour RNLI came to the aid of two sailors in the early hours of Wednesday morning after their 24ft yacht got into difficultly.
The crew on the sailing vessel requested assistance after having mechanical failure and losing power 15 miles south of Arklow.
Due to the location of the vessel, Rosslare Harbour RNLI’ all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard to assess the situation just before 2am.
ROSSLARE HARBOUR RNLI Lifeboat. (File Pic; RNLI)
Arklow RNLI later was requested to assist in the rescue and was launched at 3.10am.
The lifeboat from Rosslare arrived on scene first.
Weather conditions were good at the time with a light wind and clear visibility despite the darkness.
The crew observed that while the casualties were safe and well, the yacht could not make any safe onward progress due to having lost power.
A decision was made to secure a line to the vessel and tow the yacht north to the safety of Arklow Harbour which was more favourable due to the weather conditions and the north westerly wind direction at the time.
The Rosslare lifeboat was met by Arklow’s RNLI lifeboat where the tow was safely handed over and the yacht brought into the marina at 6.15am.
Speaking after the call out, Arklow RNLI Coxswain Brendan Dillon said: ‘We were happy to bring the sailors to safety this morning and would like to wish them well. We would also like to thank our colleagues from Rosslare for the great team work this morning and indeed commend them and all our volunteers who got out of their beds and responded to this call out in the hours of darkness.”
MAYOR OF WEXFORD Cllr Garry Laffan led the May Day commemorations at the 1911 Lockout Memorial at The Faythe, Wexford. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Wexford town
Mayor of Wexford Cllr Garry Laffan laid a wreath at the 1911 Lockout Memorial at The Faythe, Wexford town, on Friday evening marking the conclusion of the prolonged industrial dispute which lasted for six months 1911-’12.
Mayor Laffan welcomed everybody with a very special mention for those who had travelled the furthest – the members of Georgia Southern University in Savannah.
“Here on May Day, which throughout the world marks the day which celebrates the rights of working people we commemorate the sacrifice made by Wexford people over a hundred years ago,” stated Mayor Laffan.
Phil Ni Sheaghdha, General Secretary of the INMO, advocated for workers’ rights to union membership, fair treatment, and government consideration of their views to promote workplace fairness.
There was also a contribution from Michael Wall, Chairman of Wexford Council of Trade Unions.
Davy Hynes from the Lockout Committee delivered historical perspective surrounding the commemoration and the memorial, which was unveiled in 2012. The Faythe sculpture made by the late Peter Hodnett, was unveiled by Uachtaráin na h-Éireann, President Michael D. Higgins to mark the centenary of the Wexford Lockout.
Helen Corish Wylde gave a detailed outline of events surrounding the lockout and recalled that some 5,000 people gathered at The Faythe to celebrate the workers’ victory in the Foundry Workers’ Lockout which has begun the previous August. The main speaker was the IT&GWU Organiser, the great James Connolly who had negotiated the final settlement.
The lockout in Wexford arose not from pay or working conditions but from the ‘right of workers to join the ITGWU’, led by James Larkin which sought to unite skilled and unskilled labourers under one union.
The union first arrived in Wexford with dockworkers in June 1911, and soon after, ironworkers in local foundries joined. The lockout began in August 1911 when a well-known union member was dismissed from Pierce’s Foundry, as employers attempted to stop the ITGWU from gaining a foothold in the area.
On August 10, 1911, Doyle’s Selkar Ironworks initiated a lockout of its employees. In mid-August 1911, Pierce’s Foundry locked out approximately 400 workers. On August 29, 1911, Wexford Engineering implemented a lockout affecting around 200 employees.
Other employers, including Thompson Engineering and the Town Mayor Howard Rowe refused ITGWU members employment.
Over 700 men were out of work, directly impacting 3,000 residents. Police were brought in from surrounding counties and violent clashes occurred. Michael O’Leary, an innocent bystander died from injuries sustained by a baton.
Tara Farrell, Staff Officer, served as the master of ceremonies on behalf of Borough District Manager Anthony Bailey.
Members of the St. Patrick’s Fife & Drum Band assisted Deputy George Lawlor singing ‘Freedom’s Pioneers’ with lyrics by James Connolly and concluded proceedings with Amhrán na bFhiann.
Templeshannon Quay and Abbey Quay flooding from Storm Chandra. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Mr. Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, has announced the approval of €6.6m to eight local authorities, to introduce interim flood protection measures, in response to flooding from Storm Chandra, earlier this year.
Commenting Minister Moran, who visited communities impacted by Storm Chandra, said: “For most, this flooding was not for the first time and for some, including Enniscorthy, Arklow and Aughrim it was ahead of flood relief schemes being delivered to these communities.
Meeting with the Chief Executive and Director of Service from Wexford County Council, and elected representatives, the Minister thanked the local authorities for their response to those flooding events during Storm Chandra.
He acknowledged their commitment to identify and bring forward promptly flood protection measures that can help mitigate the impact to communities from a similar flood event, ahead of next winter.
While Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme is still in the planning phase, a number of practical, interim measure have been promised by Wexford County Council, these measures were outlined at a Special Meeting of Wexford County Council in February.
Mr Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive, at that meeting was confident that the government, through the OPW, would provide the necessary funding for the following Interim Measures, which may not fully stop any future flooding episodes but should at least help reduce the impact:
• A sandbag wall behind properties on the Island Road which will remain in place for the indefinite future (this has been done).
• An aquadam will be employed on Templeshannon Quay.
• An earth bank will be constructed to protect the Waterfront Pool & Leisure Centre.
• The wall on Abbey Quay, which dips at its centre, will be raised by 300mm.
• Demountable barriers will be installed at the two pedestrian access points on Abbey Quay.
• Sump and pump systems will be purchased and installed on Templeshannon Quay and Abbey Quay.
• An aquadam will be utilised on The Promenade.
• Council engineers will work with affected homeowners around individual house barriers.
* Electronic warning signs are being considered for the Quays which will show the status of the river and display any warnings.
In addition to Enniscorthy, there would be interim measures also for Wexford town, Bunclody (where 14 houses and four businesses were flooded) and Bridgetown.
Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, James Browne TD has announced that approval has been granted for €2,613,504 for Wexford County Council to introduce their interim flood protection measures. This funding includes €440,000 for Bunclody which has been welcomed by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy.
At Enniscorthy following Storm Chandra (left to right); Senator Cathal Byrne, Minister Kevin Boxer Moran TD, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, Minister James Browne TD, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Senator Cathal Byrne said; “The key priority remains the permanent Flood Defence Scheme and associated works for Enniscorthy. It is a vital infrastructure project for the town of Enniscorthy and we must continue to put pressure on at every level to ensure it progresses in a timely manner.”
Fine Gael TD for South Wicklow North Wexford, Brian Brennan TD said; “I witnessed at first hand the devastation caused to communities in Enniscorthy and Bunclody, both during the Storm and in the weeks that followed.
“This funding must be put to immediate use to mitigate against any repeat of the flooding that we saw in January and to future proof the impacted areas for the homeowners, businesses and community facilities.
“For the community of Enniscorthy, this funding remains an interim measure ahead of the planned flood relief schemes that are being delivered to these communities.
Preparatory work for these various measures, such as gathering the appropriate information, has started and the measures themselves are due to begin later this summer and be completed before the end of this year.
Today’s one-time funding is issued as a response to Storm Chandra.
The Gorey May Bush Féile is an annual intergenerational community led festival featuring an exciting programme of FREE events from today Thursday, April 28th to Bank Holiday Monday, May 4th.
The festival promotes, documents and shares the May Bush tradition and the wider customs, traditions and cultural connections of welcoming in Bealtaine in Co. Wexford and beyond.
There are events to suit all ages. Schools, families, nursing homes, community groups/organisations, local businesses and community artists across Co. Wexford including Rachel Uí Fhaoláin and John Ó Faoláin are the faces and voices behind this festival and everyone is invited to be part of it!
As has been done in previous years the Féile invites the community to put up their own May Bush and get involved with the programme of FREE events centred around the communal May Bush at Gorey Civic Centre.
Join the activities from 6pm on May Eve (Thursday April 30th) for what promises to be an extra special evening. Bring a chair and your decorations and be part of this wonderful community celebration as we welcome in summer together. Fáilte roimh chách. “Let’s Decorate the May Bush, tá Bealtaine anseo”.
The Gorey May Bush Féile 2026 Community Concert in Christ Church Gorey takes placeon Sunday May 3rd at 6pm.
The Gorey May Bush Féile is supported by County Wexford Arts Department as part of the Small Arts Festival Scheme in partnership with Arts Council Ireland.
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