Storey of Wexford’s 1996 hurling champions

Wexford captain MARTIN STOREY raises the Liam McCarthy Cup following All Ireland hurling success in 1996. (Pic; RTE Archive).

Dan Walsh recalls a memorable day in Croke Park

The 1996 All Ireland senior hurling championship final was played in Croke Park, Dublin, on Sunday, September 1st where Wexford beat Limerick by 1-13 to 0-14 to claim their sixth All Ireland hurling title overall and a first title victory in 26 years.

The Wild Swans topped the musical charts with ‘Dancing at the Crossroads’, Larry O’Gorman was named ‘Hurler of the Year’, Damien Fitzhenry, Rory McCarthy and Martin Storey became household names, Tom Dempsey is remembered for the only goal of the game, Manager Liam Griffin became a legend, and every town and village in Co. Wexford went wild with excitement and celebrated like never before!

On that memorable day I travelled to the match on the train from Enniscorthy and although I didn’t qualify for a Press Pass to the game, I brought my recording equipment and convinced a Croke Park official who permitted me onto the pitch to do radio interviews after the game.

When the final whistle blew, I was allowed pass from the Nally Stand onto the pitch and since Wexford had won the game the plan was really coming together. As Martin Storey was receiving the Liam McCarthy Cup my microphone was rolling and to mark the 30th anniversary here is the historic audio from that day!

AUDIO ADDITION; DAN WALSH celebrates with voices from many parts of Wexford following the All Ireland victory in 1996.

When the interviews were conducted, I took the first train out of Dublin and headed to Wexford Station, then onwards to South East Radio for a few hours of editing and the audio was transmitted on Monday morning on the Alan McGuire Show.

It was 7 o’clock in Monday morning before I left Wexford town as the celebrations were in full swing. On Monday evening it was the welcome home to Gorey Enniscorthy and Wexford town. New Ross held a welcome on Tuesday evening. And the celebrations continued for months afterwards.

The Liam McCarthy Cup wasn’t been back to Wexford since 1996, so it is fair to say that we are still celebrating that great September day, and hopfully, this remembrance article will remind an older generation and inform the present generation of days when all of Wexford was a sea of celebration and excitement.   

Oil spill disrupts traffic in Wexford town

By Dan Walsh in Wexford town

Wexford Fire Service spent Saturday afternoon cleaning up an oil spill stretching from 1798 Street to Rosslare Road in Wexford town.

Crews were tasked with closing a laneway down to clean the fuel off the road, and asked motorists to avoid the area if possible.

The affected areas were 1798 Street, Redmond Road, Wexford Bridge, Wexford Quay, Trinity Street, William Street, Maudlintown and the Rosslare Road.

Road users faced a few hours of disruption, but hardworking crews responded quickly and efficiently, fully restoring normal travel conditions.

The cause of the oil spill remains unknown.

Bree Macra advances to All-Ireland final

Bree Macra quartet successful in the Know Your Ag Quiz (left to right); Gary Murphy, Kieran Banville, Barry Murphy and David Finn. (Pic; Bree Macra).

By Dan Walsh

Bree Macra is preparing for the All-Ireland Final after winning the Wexford Macra “Know Your Ag” Quiz county title last Wednesday.

The team of Barry Murphy, Kieran Banville, Gary Murphy, and David Finn saw off stiff competition from around the county, successfully answering questions on dairy, sheep, tillage, and pig sectors, as well as on farming regulations and organisations, to take home the county title.

All four men are heavily involved in farming, with Barry working in the Organic Unit of the Department of Agriculture and growing spring barley for malting, while Kieran, Gary, and David are all dairy farmers.

The team have a strong track record in Macra’s farming scene, with Kieran and Barry having represented the county in the 2024 “Know Your Ag” Quiz All- Ireland Final, and Gary having represented Wexford in the 2025 Senior Dairy Stockjudging

All-Ireland Final, while David holds the position of Agricultural Affairs Officer on both county and club committee levels, organising a series of highly successful farm walks, talks, and events.

The club has won the All-Ireland “Know Your Ag” Quiz on one previous occasion, with the 1996 team of James Byrne, Liam Curtis, Shay Hennessy, and Philip Quigley.

Thirty years on, the club hopes to take home the title once again. Bree Macra will face teams from across the country at the All-Ireland Final, which takes place at the Macra National Conference/Rally on October 23rd in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare.

There are one of two teams representing county Wexford, as Kilmuckridge Macra’s team of Cliona O’Leary, Sara Steacy, Lucy McCarthy, and Elizabeth Daniels, who were runners-up in the county final, will also be flying the purple and gold on the night.

Flanagan’s flying visit to Wexford races

Wexford jockey SEAN FLANAGAN came to Wexford races flying his own plane having ridden a winner earlier in Northern Ireland. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Wlsh at Wexford Races

Thunder, lightning and a heavy downpour shortly before 6 pm delayed racing at Wexford by 30 minutes this evening. Despite the disruption, all eight races were completed safely, although later than scheduled.

Unusually, there were no Wexford success. However, Wexford jockey Sean Flanagan entertained the attendance when he flew his plane into Bettyville Park to compete on Barry Connell’s Farrokh who could only finish fourth in the Dan & Breda Byrne Memorial Handicap Chase won by Chosen Shant (15/2) who was winning for the fourth time in his career for Aengus King at the Wexford track.

Earlier in the evening Flanagan landed his plane on a golf course at Down Royal in time to ride in the first race where he won on Nicky Larson (8/13 fav.) for Enniscorthy trainer Paul Nolan. Then he flew from Down Royal to Wexford, and the word at the track was that he was flying to Kerry for a party event!

Incidentally, two other Wexford jockeys were successful at Down Royal. JJ Slevin had a winner on Rare Fine (6/ fav) and Conor Stone-Walsh rode Knocknagoran Lady (8/1) to victory at the popular northern track.

Back at Wexford there were doubles for Darragh O’Keeffe on Boola Times (4/1 fav.) for Ken Budds and Sekakarma (10/3 fav.) for William Roper (who was in Down Royal) and Philip Enright on Cool Summer (7/2) for Hilary McLoughlin and Chosen Chant (15/2), already mentioned.

The Cody family from Kilkenny trainer Ray and jockey Paddy were successful with Game Point (4/11 fav.) at Wexford and Ray Cody achieved an across the card double with success for Teddy Jones (7/1) at Down Royal.

Two Wexford race meetings left on the 2026 racing calendar on the October Bank Holiday weekend – Sunday and Monday, the 25th and 26th.

Enniscorthy to reduce coffee cup waste

Pictured at the official launch of the Shareclub Enniscorthy project at Market Square, Enniscorthy, today were (left to right); Cllr John O’Rourke, Barbara Nolan, Staff Officer, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Clare Kelly, Climate Action Officer Wexford County Council, Jonathon Hughes, Chairperson Enniscorthy Tidy Towns, Cllr Pat Kehoe, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Tim Phelan, Café 98 and Billy Murphy, Enniscorthy Tidy Towns. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy

Enniscorthy Tidy Towns officially launched a new scheme in Market Square this afternoon to reduce single-use coffee cup waste in the town.

Grant funding from Wexford County Council and team work with Shareclub, an Irish reusability company already operating in other towns has spawned the project titled Shareclub Enniscorthy.

The launch was attended by Cllr Pat Kehoe, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr John O’Rourke, Clare Kelly, Climate Action Officer with Wexford County Council, Jonothan Hughes, Chairperson and members of Enniscorthy Tidy Towns and representatives of businesses signed up to the scheme.

Businesses signed up to the scheme so far includes Meraki Café (Akis Fannakis), Impresso (Joy and Brendan Doyle), Cooney’s Café (Mervyn Cooney), The Pantry (Lydia and Ryan), O’Brien’s (David Bolger), Barn Café (Dominic), The Little Spoon (Barry and Elaine Whelan), The Cotton Tree (Dylan Redmond) and Café 98 (Fiona and Tim Phelan).

The aim of the project is to raise awareness of the financial and environmental benefits of increasing the circulation of reusable cups in Enniscorthy and promoting more circular economy practices.

Members of Enniscorthy Tidy Towns at the launch of the Shareclub Enniscorthy project in Market Square today (left to right); Phil Millar, Gia O’Grady, Jonathon Hughes, Chairperson, Rosemary Lalor, Margaret Murphy and Billy Murphy. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

This ties in perfectly with the Enniscorthy urban area being Wexford County Council’s first ‘Decarbonisation Zone’ (DZ) acting as a key pilot zone to test and implement local climate action, emissions reduction, and sustainable energy measures.

Jonathon Hughes, Chairperson of Enniscorthy Tidy Towns, speaking to WexfordLocal.com said; “Several coffee shops in Enniscorthy have confirmed their commitment to participate. This project will boost the image of participating businesses, will boost our town’s reputation, and will help us retain our gold medal in the national Tidy Towns competition. It will also set Enniscorthy apart as a vibrant, cleaner, and ‘greener’ town to visit live, work, and trade in.”

Outlining the environmental impact of single-use cups, Sarah Fliessbach of Shareclub said; “Single-use cups cost both businesses and our environment through the throwaway nature of these products. When new EU packaging regulations come into effect from 2027, which will require takeaway businesses to provide options for customers to use their own containers and, from 2028, to offer reusable packaging within a reuse system, the Enniscorthy businesses participating in this new initiative will be ahead of the curve.”

Many participants in the Shareclub Enniscorthy project attended the launch in Market Square this afternoon. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

So how does it work? The Shareclub Enniscorthy project works on a deposit-and-return basis with no upfront cost to the participating businesses. Enniscorthy Tidy Towns has secured grant funding from Wexford County Council to purchase a consignment of 10oz/300ml reusable cups which are being distributed to participating outlets.

A €2 refundable deposit is charged to the customer on their initial takeaway coffee/other beverage, and the customer can claim this back at any participating outlet or swap for a fresh, clean cup when they next visit a participating shop. Some of the participating businesses will offer a discount to customers using a reusable cup.

Wexford Races on Friday

By Dan Walsh

Racing returns to Bettyville Park tomorrow (Friday) with the first of eight races off at 3.40pm.

There is a large entry, competitive fields, and ground conditions are expected to be ‘good’.

The card consists of five hurdle races and three steeplechases.

This is the final Wexford race meeting of the summer with just two fixtures left in 2026 on the October Bank Holiday weekend – Sunday and Monday, the 25th and 26th.

New passport rules for sea travel via Rosslare

New passport rules will be introduced on the Rosslare ferry routes to Britain from September 28th. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Ferry companies Stena Line and Irish Ferries informed customers today (Wednesday) that new passport rules will soon affect ferry travel between Rosslare Europort, Pembroke and Fishguard.

Ferry passengers between Ireland and Britain will need a valid passport from the end of next month, according to requirements of the UK Border Force.

Currently, passengers are not always asked to show a passport but have sometimes been required to have another form of photo ID.

Stena Line said all passengers travelling between Holyhead and Dublin or Fishguard and Rosslare will now need to show a passport on departure and no other forms of ID will be accepted.

It said the rule applies to all passengers regardless of age or nationality.

There is no change to the ID requirements for business or leisure passengers travelling with Stena Line from Belfast, Liverpool, Cairnryan or Heysham.

In a similar statement, Irish Ferries said; “All passengers, including Irish and British citizens, travelling between the Republic of Ireland and Britain (both directions) will be required to carry a valid passport.”

The operator encouraged all passengers to check they have an in-date passport or passport card before arriving at the port.

Under the century-old Common Travel Area agreement, Irish and British citizens do not legally require a passport to travel between Ireland and Britain.

However, certain airlines have required a passport for boarding and the measure for ferries comes into effect from Monday, September 28th.

Rosslare-Fishguard 120 Exhibition

Rosslare Harbour Heritage Centre shipmates pictured at the opening of the 120th Anniversary Rosslare to Fishguard Ferry Service Exhibition in the Terminal Building, Rosslare Europort; (left to right); Leo Coy, John Boyce, James Taylor, Enda Murphy, Brian Cleare, Capt. Sean Boyce who performed the official opening, Pat Byrne, Richard Cusack and Brian Boyce. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Rosslare Europort

The first sea crossing from Fishguard to Rosslare took place on 30 August 1906. Marking its 120th anniversary, a week-long exhibition celebrating the route’s enduring role in travel and community connections opened last night in the Terminal Building at Rosslare Europort.

The exhibition, entitled ‘120th Anniversary Fishguard to Rosslare Ferry Service’, was assembled by Rosslare Harbour Heritage Centre with support from Wexford Model Railway Club and officially opened by Capt. Sean Boyce before a large audience.

Local seafarer Capt. Boyce stated that for 120 years, the Rosslare–Fishguard route has provided a vital link between Ireland and Wales, connecting generations of families, holidaymakers, businesses and communities on both sides of the Irish Sea.

“The exhibition explores how the ferry service has evolved over the decades, while highlighting the role the route has played in travel, trade and family connections,” he added.

There was a welcome for the exhibition from Cllr Frank Staples, Cathaoirleach Rosslare District Council and Cllr Lisa McDonald, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, both reflecting on the development of the ferry service and its importance with Cllr McDonald describing the port as “a lifeline for the community.”

Senator Cathal Byrne spoke about progress at Rosslare Europort. Harbour Master Capt. Tom Curran contributed while renowned historian Oliver Doyle gave a brief history of the Fishguard-Rosslare route and its development through the decades, and he threw in a few maritime stories that were well received.

The attendance included Verona Murphy TD, Ceann Comhairle, Mayor of Wexford Cllr Vicky Barron, Mayor of Fishguard Cllr Stephen Hughes and Cllrs Ger Carthy and Catherine ‘Biddy’ Walsh. Leo Coy acted as master of ceremonies. Sea shanty entertainment was provided by the High C’s.

The exhibition features a large collection of historic photographs, memorabilia and archive material, charting the remarkable history of the ferry service and its importance to the people of Wexford and Wales.

The Rosslare Harbour Maritime Heritage Centre has been involved in preserving and sharing the maritime history of the area since 2004, ensuring that stories and memories connected to the port and its services are not lost and they are now delighted to be sharing via this exhibition.

Organised by the Rosslare Harbour Maritime Heritage Centre, the commemorative exhibition runs until Sunday, August 30th, and is open daily from 2pm to 7pm. Admission is free.

Water Conservation Order extended in Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that the Water Conservation Order for Wexford will be extended until September 30th, as water sources and public water supplies in the county remain under pressure and need more time to recover.

The current nationwide Order is due to expire on Wednesday. However, the Order will remain in place in Wexford and 12 other counties where continued protection of water supplies is required. The extension is subject to prevailing weather conditions and the availability of water for distribution.

Uisce Éireann’s Padraig Lyng told WexfordLocal.com; “Although conditions have improved in many parts of the country, Wexford water sources and public water supplies need more time to recover. Extending the Water Conservation Order will help us protect the water that is available and reduce the risk of disruption to customers.

“Simple actions can make a real difference. Taking shorter showers, fixing dripping taps or leaking toilets, running washing machines and dishwashers only when full, and using a watering can instead of a hose will all help,” added Mr. Lyng.

The Water Conservation Order was introduced on July 16th for Wexford following a prolonged period of hot and dry weather, high water use and growing pressure on public water supplies.

Water supplies in Wexford continue to experience sustained pressure following a significant increase in demand during June and July. In the South Wexford Water Resource Zone, demand reached record levels and remains elevated, despite improvements following the introduction of conservation measures.

Customers are being asked to continue using only the water they need and to avoid non-essential water use. This will help conserve the water currently available and protect supplies for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services. 

The public can help by reporting visible leaks on the public water network to Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 or through water.ie. Further water conservation advice is available at water.ie/conservation.

Search for missing Barntown teenager

Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Sarah Louise Doyle (16), who was reported missing from Barntown, Co. Wexford since Saturday, August 22nd.

SARAH LOUISE DOYLE

Sarah Louise is described as being approximately 5 foot 7 inches in height, with a slim build, blonde hair and blue eyes.

When last seen Sarah Louise is wearing a black tracksuit.

Gardaí and Sarah Louise’s family are concerned for her well-being.

Anyone with any information on Sarah Louise’s whereabouts is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on (053) 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.