Wexford lifeboat responds during Storm Boelo

By Dan Walsh

Wexford RNLI volunteers launched their inshore lifeboat at 3.20pm on Saturday after the Irish Coast Guard received reports of a windsurfer in difficulty near Ardcavan beach in Wexford Harbour.

The lifeboat helmed by Damien Foley launched and proceeded to the scene at a moderate speed. Conditions at the time were rough as Wexford was experiencing severe weather brought on by Storm Boelo, featuring a strong south-westerly wind gusting force 8 at times against a rising tide, creating a heavy swell in the harbour.

When the lifeboat arrived at the scene at 3.38pm, the windsurfer had already made it safely to the shoreline unaided. After confirming that the windsurfer was safe and well, the crew were stood down and proceeded back to the station.

The return journey proved particularly challenging amidst the Storm Boelo conditions, with the lifeboat battling a 1.5m short swell driving spray, force 9 winds, a rough sea state, and moderate visibility amid cloudy rain that made visibility poor.

The call out marked the first operational launch for the station’s new lifeboat, Cill Dara, after Kildare RNLI Fundraising Branch raised €117,000 for the lifesaving asset.

DAMIEN FOLEY (Pic; RNLI/Lorraine Galvin)

Speaking after the call out, Wexford RNLI Helm Damien Foley said: “The crew did exceptionally well handling the difficult weather conditions out on the water. It was a challenging first shout for our new lifeboat, Cill Dara, but everyone performed brilliantly.

‘We would remind anyone planning a trip or activity at sea to always check weather and tide forecasts before heading out, to wear a suitable personal flotation device, and carry a means of calling for help such a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. If you get into difficulty or see someone in trouble on or near the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,” concluded Mr Foley.

Today’s Wexford races are cancelled

BREAKING NEWS By Dan Walsh

Following 16mm of rain overnight, the track at Wexford now has water lying in places and the fixture has been cancelled.

In a statement issued by Niall Madden, IHRB Clerk of the Course, he said; “We have got more rain than we were expecting, and the majority of the rainfall has come since 5am. The sheer volume of rain in a short time has left water lying on parts of the track.

“The rain was due to ease a little while ago with strong winds throughout the day, but we still have persistent rain at present.

“In light of the current conditions on the track and with the rain still falling, we are making the unfortunate decision to cancel the fixture.”

Trainer PAUL NOLAN receiving a trophy from URSULA SINNOTT, Managing Director, at Wexford racecourse this afternoon. (Pic; Wexford Racecourse)

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Races on Sunday

Despite low sun causing problems in some races at Wexford today (Sunday), the eight-race meeting was enjoyable, with local Enniscorthy trainer Paul Nolan grabbing the headlines.

Nolan trained five of the maiden hurdle’s 11 runners, with four claiming the first four places—a remarkable result more often associated with Aidan O’Brien or Willie Mullins!

El Bilo (33/1), ridden by Jordan Gainford, powered to a 20-length victory followed home by Well Friend (Sean O’Keeffe), Whelkeen View (Sean Flanagan), and Coffeemorninggirls (Alan O’Sullivan).

It was a double on the day for Nolan. He also had a hurdle victory with The Two Degrees (10/3) ridden by Sean Flanagan.

Colin Bowe is top of the table

COLIN BOWE (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Colin Bowe is back at the head of the National Point-to-Point Handlers Championship with nine winners following a double success at Tattersalls, Co. Meath, today (Sunday).

Cluain Meala, a first fence faller at Tinahely a week ago, made amends with a victory in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings under Barry O’Neill.

Bowe’s double was achieved with Surf The Way coming home by one and a half lengths in the maiden race in the five-year-old unplaced maiden race. This was a third victory for Kildare rider Roland McParlan.

Now U Have It in the colours of Shirley Berry, trained by JP Berry at Tomhaggard and ridden by Josh Berry, scored by two and a half lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old mares.

There were a further three Wexford trained winners at Curraghmore, Co. Waterford today (Sunday). Gary Murphy’s stables continued its successful run with grey newcomer Verdict Is In gaining an eight and a half lengths victory in the maiden race for four-year-old mares ridden by Shane O’Rourke.

Robert Tector’s Coolbawn stables is going well too! Newcomer El Jacko scored an eight lengths victory in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. The winning rider was Jack Hendrick.

Monbeg Park won the Open Lightweight Race for Donnchadh Doyle. Alan Harney was in the saddle.

Next point-to-point action in Co. Wexford is Sunday November 8th with Wexford Hunt fixture at Knockmullen House, on the outskirts of New Ross.

Jamie Scallan wins at Cheltenham and Peppards Castle

JAMIE SCALLAN at Peppards Castle where he had a winner today following success yesterday at Cheltenham. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Peppards Castle races

Well-known Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan travelled to Cheltenham on Friday and rode Brandt (10/1) to a deserved victory in the amateur handicap chase for trainer Cian Collins.

Today (Saturday) he was in action at The Island Hunt point-to-point fixture at Peppards Castle, Kilmuckridge, and visited the winners’ enclosure again following an eight lengths success for Brideswell handler Seamus Neville on Boston Common in the maiden race for six-year-olds plus.

Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill won the four-year-old maiden race with Morning Fog, bred by Mrs Sheelagh Hickey, defeating the Gary Murphy trained Coin Collector, ridden by Shane O’Rourke by one and a half lengths.

GARY MURPHY makes a great start to the season. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

The O’Rourke/ Murphy team struck back in the auction maiden race for four-year-olds with a four lengths success for Secret Dispatch in the colours of Billy Bates. Kilmore.

Gary Murphy has made a great start to the season, and this was his 25th winner in six season’s training while Foulksmills rider Shane O’Rourke celebrated his 75th career success.

Harley Dunne saddled Brume D’Ete in the five and years old maiden race with Frankie Murphy in the saddle and they held off the Bowe/O’Neill challenge with Amaretto Sour by one and a half lengths.

Denis Murphy didn’t have far to travel from his stables at The Ballagh, but it was all worthwhile as Keppols Poet (Shane Cotter up) took the five-year-old geldings race by three and a half lengths.

The Open Lightweight race was confined to lady riders and Nicole Lockhead Anderson teamed up with Sean Doyle and the result was a ten and a half lengths victory for Between Waters, whose next engagement is likely a hunters’ chase at Fairyhouse.

It was a safe day’s racing. The ground rode well at ‘yielding’ and wind and rain cleared to give the good-sized crowd an afternoon of relative comfort.

Two day’s racing on the track at Wexford Racecourse tomorrow (Sunday) first race at 12.50pm and on Bank Holiday Monday, first race at 1pm.

Next point-to-point action in Co. Wexford is Sunday November 8th with Wexford Hunt fixture at Knockmullen House, on the outskirts of New Ross.

Two days of Wexford Bank Holiday racing

A memorable occasion at Wexford Racecourse. Paul Hillis (breeder) and Michael Murphy (Track Manager), celebrating the success of Corach Rambler in the 2023 Randox Aintree Grand National when the coveted trophy visited the home track as part of the ongoing celebrations. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Wexford racecourse marks 75 years at Bettyville this weekend with a two-day meeting on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

The clocks change by an hour on Saturday night, setting the mood for two eagerly anticipated days of National Hunt racing.

They’re under starters orders for the first of eight races on Sunday at 12.50pm. The first two races are steeplechases, and all the top trainers have runners entered.

There is a total of 89 entries.

According to Horse Racing Ireland the going is predicted as ‘Soft’. It added; “Following 27mm of rain in the last 12 hours. Possibility of further 20-25mm (approx.) of rain prior to racing. Chase track is on outermost line, and Hurdle track is 11 yards from innermost racing line.”

HISTORY: Horse racing is believed to have taken place on the Slobs near Wexford since the 1870s.

However, contemporary local newspapers reported that 17,000 people attended the first meeting at the current Bettyville course in October 1951 – 75 years ago this week.

Over the years, various improvements and developments have been made to the course, and it has been levelled several times.

A significant gamechanger occurred in May 2016, when Wexford became a jumps only racecourse a year after switching from being a right-handed to a left-handed course.

2022 Aintree Grand National winner Noble Yeats (Emmet Mullins/Sean Bowen) turned up later the same year to win the M.W. Hickey Listed Chase. That was a memorable day for Wexford races.

The staff, comprising entirely dedicated racing enthusiasts, continue to work hard on both the facilities and marketing of Wexford Racecourse to this day, truly positioning it as an essential and attractive venue in the Irish horseracing scene for both those in the equestrian industry and racegoers alike.

Blackwater’s big day in Croke Park

Co. Wexford’s tidiest thoroughfare. The R742 through Blackwater. Congratulataions again! (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Building on its strong record in the national SuperValu Tidy Towns competition, Blackwater is County Wexford’s tidiest entry and one of six in the county to win a Gold Medal. Beautiful Blackwater is synonymous with Tidy Towns’ success.

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary TD made the announcement to over 600 Tidy Towns volunteers who attended the SuperValu Tidy Towns awards ceremony at the Hogan Suite, Croke Park in Dublin today.

Blackwater (405 marks), Wexford (404), Enniscorthy (403), Bree (402), Duncormick (401) were the top five.

Gold Medals for Blackwater, Wexford, Enniscorthy, Rosslare Harbour/Kilrane, New Ross and Gorey.

Silver Medals for Bree, Duncormick, Kilanerin, Rosslare Strand. There was a Bronze Medal for Ferns and Campile secured an Endeavour Award.

Adjudicators comments have not been available at the time of going to press, however, a dozen medal winners will be celebrating over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Full results for Co. WEXFORD;

CATEGORY A; Duncormick 401 (Silver Medal), Foulksmills 391, Ballyduff 387, Ballyfad 262.

CATEGORY B; Blackwater 405 (County First and Gold Medal). Bree 402 (Silver Medal), Kilanerin 398 (Silver Medal), Kilmuckridge 386, Ballycanew 362, Killanne 356, Hollyfort 354, Ballymurn 350, Coolgreany 345, Campile 342, (Endeavour Award), Askamore 340, Carrig-on-Bannow 339, Bridgetown 329, Oylegate 322, Ballycullane 322, Courtown Harbour 291, Ballindaggin 276, Ramsgrane 265.

CATEGORY C; Rosslare Harbour/Kilrane 398 (Gold Medal), Rosslare Strand 397 (Silver Medal), Ferns 389 (Brone Medal), Bunclody 332.

CATEGORY E; New Ross 399 (Gold Medal).

CATEGORY F; Enniscorthy 403 (County Third and Gold Medal), Gorey 397 (Gold Medal).

CATEGORY G; Wexford 404 (County Second and Gold Medal).

Saturday racing at Peppards Castle

By Dan Walsh

86 entries were received for the The Island Hunt point-to-point races taking place tomorrow (Saturday) at Peppards Castle, Kilmuckridge. First race at 1pm.

Naturally, the largest entry is 25 for the four-year-old maiden which is the first on the six-race card.

IHRB Inspector Leighton Asple (with Sean Doyle) have examined the ground ahead of Saturday’s fixture.

“The track is very well laid out with a great covering of grass. The going is ‘yielding’,

Met Éireann predictions for North Wexford on Saturday. “Rather wet and windy tomorrow morning with widespread rain and fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds, reaching near gale force or gale force near coasts.

“A clearance to blustery showers will follow through the afternoon as Storm Boelo tracks to the north of the country. Highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees.”

The Eircode for Peppards Castle is Y25 HY96.

Bunclody CCTV on track for Christmas?

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District meeting

Subject to unforeseen delays, the Bunclody CCTV system is expected to be fully operational within four to five weeks and is viewed as this year’s Christmas present for the town.

CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

In reply to a query from Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, District Manager Claire Lawless provided an update on the CCTV situation at Bunclody which has been a some time coming!

Ms. Lawless said; The ESB works have now been completed. The CCTV contractor is ready to proceed and will commence installation once confirmation is received that power is available at all locations.”

The scheme will provide a deterrent to crime and anti-social behaviour, improve public safety and assist emergency services when investigating an incident and assist the Local Authority in the management of public areas for the wellbeing of the town.

There is also progress on Bunclody’s public toilets. The Environment Department is currently examining the installation of a temporary steel ramp to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. In addition, two new accessible parking bays will be installed.

A new application is currently being prepared for submission under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) for Bunclody Park. The proposed project will include the construction of a new accessible public toilet and a Changing Places facility.

€30,000 Ballybrennan conservation work

The ruins of Ballybrennan church have been preserved. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Essential conservation work has taken place at the ruins of the ancient church at Ballybrennan, just off the R730 Ballymackessy-Wexford road in the shadow of Bree Hill.

The graveyard surrounding the church ruins contains many fine 18th-century headstones, including several commemorating people killed in the 1798 Rising and the graves of a number of priests and monks.

In April of this year, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Wexford TD James Browne announced €30,000 of funding dedicated towards the repair works at Ballybrennan church.

Dedicated to St. Cuan, an 8th century abbot of whom little is known about, the church has a rich history dating back to the medieval period and was once associated with the Knights Hospitallers whose origins lay in the Holy Land.

Today, Ballybrennan is best known for its grotto and St. Cuan’s Well, dedicated in 1958 and cherished by many devotees.

These works are being managed by Wexford County Council’s Heritage Section with support from the Community Monuments Fund.

Wexford County Council prepares for Storm Austen

By Dan Walsh

Storm Austen is due to make landfall in County Wexford with high levels of rain from 2am to 8am Friday morning.  Flooding may occur across the county, along with strong winds. 

Wexford County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team met today (Wednesday) to ensure all necessary preparations are in place for this Orange-level rain and Yellow-level wind event. 

Although Storm Austen is expected to pass over by Friday lunchtime, further unsettled weather is expected throughout the weekend until Tuesday.

A statement released by Wexford County Council this evening states; “We expect heavy rain, surface water and poor visibility with some localised spot flooding, which will make driving conditions challenging. 

“Whilst river levels are currently low in general, there is a possibility of flooding after the heavy rainfall and road users should be vigilant in the coming days.

“In advance of Storm Austen please make the necessary preparations to protect your property – secure any loose outdoor items such as bins, garden furniture, trampolines and temporary structures before Thursday evening.

“Trees remain in full leaf at this time of year, making them more vulnerable to strong winds.  During and after the storm, motorists should remain alert for fallen trees, debris and difficult driving conditions, particularly during Thursday night and Friday’s morning commute.

“Never attempt to drive through flooded roads. We have been advised by Met Éireann that flood warnings and weather warnings do not follow the same timing pattern – the risk to the public from flooding will not end when the storm finishes, so please continue to follow safety precautions. Motorists should allow extra time for essential travel – adjust travel plans if necessary.”

For latest weather information see www.met.ie

For fallen or damaged ESB lines: 1800 372 999

In an emergency, threat to life or property: 999/112

For storm related issues affecting public roads or council houses, please contact Wexford County Council Out of Hours emergency number 05391 96000.

If you experience flood damage to a private property, please report this to Wexford County Council on 053 9196000 to inform recovery operations, possible grant support, and future flood response.