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.

Welcome for Gorey Inner Relief Road

Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin welcomes news of the proposed Gorey Inner Relief Road.

By Dan Walsh

Wicklow-Wexford Sinn Féin TD Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin warmly welcomes planning approval for the long-awaited Gorey Inner Relief Road.

Wexford County Council engineers are now advancing the project to its next key stages.

“This critical milestone paves the way for major construction to at long last commence on the route in the summer of 2027,” said Deputy Ó Súilleabháin.

“When I first raised this issue on my election in 2014, I was cautioned by the then engineer that it could take as long as 10 years to link Creagh/Hollyfort Road with the town”
“Once completed, it should alleviate traffic from the centre of Gorey, which has become a bottleneck.”

Deputy Ó Súilleabháin is optimistic that this will facilitate the building of much needed extra housing in the town.

“We need to see movement on desperately needed housing at St. Walerans as well as the East Coast Sports Hub, but equally important are traffic calming measures, and safety for the Willow Park, Ballytegan Road and Rock areas.

“We need safe footpaths, especially out to Tara Rock GAA grounds, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and lighting and strict speed-control measures to be front-loaded before any car drive on it,” concluded Deputy Ó Súillleabháin.

Edermine Ferry Club at Irish Coastal Rowing Championships

Edermine Ferry in action at the Coastal Rowing Championships at Ballycotton, Co. Cork, recently. The weekend was truly a celebration of competition, camaraderie and sportsmanship, showcasing the strength of coastal rowing in Ireland.

By Dan Walsh

Edermine Ferry Rowing Club was represented by sixteen crews at the Coastal Rowing Championships, held at the National Rowing Centre in Cork and hosted by Ballycotton Rowing Club.

Over two days of fierce competition, the club enjoyed a highly competitive weekend of racing, and members brought home an impressive haul of medals,

The club’s first race of the championships saw the Coastal 4 U16 Ladies crew of Laura Gainfort, Eva Dempsey, Hayley Curran Whitney and Rubi Grocock, coxed by Josh Martin, take to the water. The girls produced an excellent performance in their heat, qualifying for the final in fourth place. In a closely contested final, where all crews crossed the finish line within seconds of each other, the Edermine crew secured an impressive seventh-place finish overall.

Edermine’s first medals of the weekend came in the Coastal 4 Masters Men final. Fintan Kinsella, Jim Power, Hugh Cunnea and John Kavanagh, under the guidance of cox Sinéad Kinsella, delivered a determined performance to claim third place and the club’s opening bronze medals.

In the Coastal 4 Masters Ladies event, Marie Kinsella, Bernie O’Leary and Carmel Devereux were joined by composite rower Katie O’Toole of Passage West Rowing Club and coxed by Josh Martin. The crew battled fiercely right to the finish, narrowly missing out on bronze by less than a second to finish fourth.

The Coastal 4 Junior Mixed crew of Mark Delahunty, Josh Martin, Clodagh Dempsey and Hannah Murphy, coxed by Sinéad Kinsella, also put in a strong performance, finishing fourth following the highly competitive category.

In the Coastal 4 Veteran Mixed category, Anne Dunne, Tom Dunne, Tina Kavanagh and Jim Power, coxed by Jason Roche, produced a solid performance to finish seventh overall.

The traditional racing events brought further success for the club, while racing against the powerful East Coast Skiffs. The Traditional Open Mixed crew of Mark Delahunty, Jason Roche, Jane O’Toole and Christine Carthy, coxed by Josh Martin, navigated the demanding multi-turn course superbly to secure a silver medal.

Another silver followed in the Traditional U14 event, where Tom Dunne, Tom Kiely, Ella Carbery and Mary Cahill, coxed by Mark Delahunty, delivered a strong performance to finish second.

The Traditional U16 Ladies crew of Laura Gainfort, Eva Dempsey, Hayley Curran Whitney and Rubi Grocock, coxed by Josh Martin, went one better, producing an outstanding race to secure gold medals.

Tadgh Sheridan, Matthew Jordan, Evan Sheridan and Megan Doolan, also coxed by Mark Delahunty, competed in the Traditional U18 event and earned a well-deserved silver medal.

The day concluded on a high note as the Traditional Open Ladies crew of Anne Dunne, Eimear Donohoe, Carmel Devereux and Karol-Anne Tyrell, coxed by Jason Roche, dominated their race from an early stage to bring home gold medals to Wexford.

The club’s youngest representatives, Teddy Daly, Michael Kirwan, Niamh Dunne and Ema Zdravcheva, coxed by Jason Roche, competed in the Coastal 4 U12 Mixed category. Although they did not progress to the final, they gained valuable championship experience that will undoubtedly stand to them in the years to come.

Sunday began with the Coastal 4 U18 final, where Tadgh Sheridan, Matthew Jordan, Evan Sheridan and Megan Doolan, coxed by Mark Delahunty, secured a strong seventh-place finish against tough opposition.

Edermine Ferry Rowing Club won bronze in the Coastal 4 Masters Mixed category at the Coastal Rowing Championships in Cork. Pictured (left to right); John Kavanagh, Bernie O’Leary, Josh Martin (cox), Marie Kinsella and Fintan Kinsella.

The Coastal 4 Masters Mixed category has proven to be a successful one for Edermine Ferry since the club’s first entry to the category in 2021, and this year was no exception. Marie Kinsella, Fintan Kinsella, Bernie O’Leary and John Kavanagh, coxed by Josh Martin, fought stroke-for-stroke with their rivals right to the line, securing another bronze medal for the club.

In the Coastal 4 Junior Women final, Christine Carthy, Clodagh Dempsey, Hannah Murphy and Jane O’Toole, coxed by Josh Martin, waited patiently for their opportunity before making their move at the halfway mark, and the crew passed several boats to earn a deserved silver medal.

The Coastal 4 U14 Mixed crew of Tom Dunne, Tom Kiely, Emily McGuire and Ella Carbery, coxed by Mark Delahunty, took on one of the most competitive races of the weekend, and gave it their all, finishing ninth.

The Coastal 4 U14 Ladies crew of Pearl Daly, Aoife Murphy, Mary Cahill and Amelia Doyle, also coxed by Mark Delahunty, narrowly missed qualification for the championship final after finishing sixth in their heat. However, their time secured them a place in the U14 Ladies Plate Final. Taking the experience gained from their heat into the closing race of the championships, the crew produced a fantastic performance to claim silver medals and finish the weekend on a high.

Edermine Ferry Rowing Club extends sincere congratulations to all rowers and coxes whose commitment, dedication, and hard work throughout the season were reflected in the excellent results achieved over the weekend.

The Club would like to thank all club members, and neighbouring Wexford clubs, whether they travelled to Cork or supported from afar, for their unwavering support throughout the championships. Thanks also, to the parents, families, and friends, who travelled to Cork to support the teams.

Sunday River and Nature Festival at Clone Beach

By Dan Walsh

National Heritage Week is proving a success, with strong attendance reported during the first half of the nine-day programme. More than 100 events are taking place across County Wexford before it concludes on Sunday, August 23rd.

WexfordLocal.com’s weekend promotional highlight is the Castletown River and Nature Festival, organised by the Ahare River and Biodiversity Group.

It kicks off on this evening (Friday) with a Bat Walk and bat box making workshop and is a “Wild Child ” event.

On Sunday they celebrate “Water Heritage ” with a Family Funday on Clone beach. There will be some nature seashore exploring and lots of fun and games for all the family.

CATHY LEE, Chairperson of The Ahare River and Biodiversity Group is welcoming all to Clone Beach for a family fun day on Sunday. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com).

Cathy Lee, Chairperson of The Ahare River and Biodiversity Group told Wexford Local.com; “We are delighted that with the support of Wexford County Council the pedestrian bridge over the estuary has been reinstalled with ramp access aligning with the existing path to the beach. This will involve a mixture of ground works and beach mats.

“This not only enables wheelchair users to access the beach but also people with mobility issues and families with young children and buggies. A beach wheelchair is also available for the festival weekend courtesy of Wexford County Council,” added Ms. Lee.

On Sunday, August 23rd, there will be plenty of celebrations with a family fun day on Clone Beach. It gets under way at 12 noon and will feature the Coast Guard, the Gorey Bat Group, RNLI and the Inland Fisheries and others. If you have any interest in the environment then Clone Beach is the place to be for fun, family and information.

There’ll be something for everyone, including: A thrilling Duck Race, Sand Art Competition, Egg and Spoon Races, family games and activities, nature-themed displays and demonstrations. And lots more surprises throughout the day!

Bring a picnic, gather your family and friends, and enjoy a fantastic afternoon by the sea filled with fun, laughter and community spirit.

Campile celebrates a more reliable water supply

By Dan Walsh

Families and businesses in Campile can expect a stronger, more reliable water supply following Uisce Éireann’s completion of major upgrades to the local network.

As part of the project, Uisce Éireann replaced more than 1.85 km of ageing water mains with modern, durable pipes.

The ageing pipes were prone to bursts and leaks, disrupting supply and wasting precious treated drinking water.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD welcomed news of a more reliable water supply for Campile. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD welcomed news of the completed works. “This is critical news for the people of Campile who will benefit from a more reliable water supply through these upgrades to the pipe network. I want to see more of this. We know that having a reliable water supply is fundamental to family and community life.”

Uisce Éireann’s Dave Murphy is delighted to have delivered another project for customers in Wexford. “This essential work is part of a significant investment by Uisce Éireann to improve the water network across the country, prioritising investment where it is needed most, enabling these communities to thrive.

“We would like to thank the local community for their cooperation and patience during these works, some remaining reinstatement works will be completed in the coming weeks,” said Mr. Murphy.   

Shareridge Ltd. delivered the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann. 

These improvements are all about supporting everyday life in the community, whether it’s putting the kettle on in the morning, running a local business, or keeping community services flowing smoothly with clean, reliable water. 

This project was delivered as part of Uisce Éireann’s national Leakage Reduction Programme. The upgraded water network now brings greater reliability to homes and businesses in Campile.