Pictured at the new Family Resource Centre at Temoleshannon were; Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Norma Foley TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government and Cllr Aidan Browne.
By Dan Walsh
Minister James Browne, together with Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, has formally announced the designation of Templeshannon Community & Childcare Centre as a new Family Resource Centre.
This decision follows several years of advocacy by numerous groups and individuals, including Enniscorthy East Community Development, with significant support from Wexford County Council.
Minister James Browne, who hosted Minister Norma Foley recently to visit Templeshannon’s centre in Enniscorthy said; “I am delighted to announce the establishment of a new Family Resource Centre for Ennsicorthy, based on funding secured as part of the Budget 2026 negotiations.
“A few weeks ago I brought Minister Foley to meet the incredible team in Templeshannon so she could see for herself what they are doing locally and all the initiatives that they provide to families and people in the area.
“I know first-hand the incredible work that Templeshannon Community & Childcare does every single day for families in Enniscorthy. This is a huge step for the brilliant staff and team in Templeshannon,” concluded Minister Browne.
The River Slaney just under two metres at 5pm this evening with the collapsed wall on Wexford road. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) met again today (Tuesday) as a preparatory measure during the continued period of unsettled weather and high flood risk.
A river flood advisory is currently in place for Wexford until 11am on Friday. River levels in Wexford are currently registering as High and will continue as such for the next few days.
The ground remains saturated and rain continues to fall, combined with high river levels and high tides this this week, leading to potential further flooding in these areas.
Yellow Rainfall Warning expired at 3pm today. Water at the Rafter Bridge measured just under two metres at 5pm this evening. Surface water levels are Elevated in the region so motorists should remain careful.
Heavy rainfall is expected again on Thursday, and rainfall warnings are possible again in Wexford later in the week.
We are in a period of high spring tides. Strong winds and high surge levels may lead to wave overtopping and coastal flooding and the period of High Tide Advisory in the county is in place until 10pm on Thursday.
High tides will further reduce the capacity for river discharge and increase the risk of flooding in low-lying coastal areas during high tide. This means that coastal levels are High for the remainder of the week.
The Wexford County Council Emergency Management Team continues liaise with the NDFEM and critical agencies and to monitor the weather situation, with crews remain on standby across the county as issues arise.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin addressing the media at Island Road, Enniscorthy, this afternoon flanked by Senator Cathal Byrne, Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, Minister of State at the Office of Public Works (OPW), Minister James Browne TD, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited Enniscorthy today where he announced that he has convened a meeting tomorrow with senior ministers and the National Emergency Co-Ordination Group (NECG) to review warning systems for weather events.
“There will be an overview of our systems and the framework that we have at the moment that deals with major events of this kind.
“They’re happening with greater frequency, and that’s something we will be examining,” said Mr. Martin while speaking to the media.
Mr Martin visited business premises and homes at Slaney Place and Island Road where 25 residents were damaged by last Tuesday’s floods acknowledged locally as the worst flooding in almost 30 years.
Mr Martin was invited into homes devastated by the heavy floods while skips of household items were lined up on both sides of Island Road.
Mr Martin promised that the Government will do everything it can to accelerate a flood relief scheme for the area. He said planning routes “have to be gone through”.
“We will do everything we can to speed up the progress of a scheme going through the planning process.
“These are very comprehensive schemes, they are complex. I’m not going to try and pretend that one can wave a magic wand and just deliver them. That would be wrong to do.”
AUDIO ADDITION; An Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking at Enniscorthy today.AUDIO ADDITION; John Lacey from J&M Motors explains to An Taoiseach the effects of flooding on his business.
A wall swept away by floods south of the Seamus Rafter bridge at Enniscorthy. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
A Status Yellow rain warning will come into effect for counties Cork, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford from 9pm this evening until 3pm tomorrow.
Rain falling on already saturated ground and swollen rivers is expected to lead to more flooding.
More heavy rainfall is expected throughout this week, with strong winds and High Spring Tides.
Wexford County Council is ready to respond to incidents as they occur, sandbags have been deployed where needed and crews are constantly monitoring the river levels and other areas of increased risk of flooding.
Members of the public are reminded that continued vigilance is needed on all roads in the county and do not enter flooded areas.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin is expected in Enniscorthy on Monday morning as part of his tour of flooding sites in counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford.
Details of An Taoiseach’s itinerary are unknown at this stage, however it is expected that he will visit householders on Island Road and following in the footprints of President Michael D. Higgins in 2015.
Communication with the business community could be less transparent on a Bank Holiday Monday when most businesses are closed. However, politics is a protective environment!
Micheál Martin visited Co. Wexford two weeks ago when he was entertained at Gorey Business Hub and Enniscorthy Technology Park.
The National Co-Ordination team met again on Sunday. The drier spell of the past 24 hours and into Monday is providing a temporary reprieve from the worst of the flood conditions, however the River Slaney and many other rivers remain full.
The persistent rainfall of the last number of weeks has left soils waterlogged and a further period of heavy rainfall expected from Monday afternoon will cause further threat of flooding this week.
We are also now entering a period of High Spring Tides.
More heavy rainfall is expected throughout this week, with strong winds and it is expected that the South and East will receive highest totals.
Wexford County Council is ready to respond to incidents as they occur, sandbags have been deployed where needed and crews are constantly monitoring the river levels and other areas of increased risk of flooding.
Members of the public are reminded that continued vigilance is needed on all roads in the county and do not enter flooded areas.
Uisce Éireann is advising customers served by the Creagh Water Treatment Plant in Gorey that operational issues have led to low reservoir levels this afternoon.
Due to the depleted reservoir levels, customers in Clonattin and Ballymoney may experience a water outage or reduced water pressure.
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 outage and we thank customers for their support while normal supply is being restored.”
He explained crews are on site and it is expected to have full supply restored by 10pm tonight.
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.
Two point-to-points took place today in heavy conditions, but only one Wexford winner and that came at Ballyvodock, near Middleton in Co. Cork.
DENIS MURPHY saddled a winner today. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Denis Murphy from Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, saddled Lady Aurora, ridden by Shane Cotter, and she scored by five lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old mares.
The Wexford Hunt point-to-point fixture scheduled for Ballinaboola, New Ross today (Sunday) was called off after the track was found unfit for racing and the fixture has been rescheduled for next Saturday, February 7th.
The card had received 76 entries and they will stand. First race at 1pm.
Pictured at the launch of A Most Remarkable Woman at the National 1798 Rebellion Centre, Enniscorthy today were Barbara Gutheie (costume designer), Maria Nolan (author) and Maura Bell who performed the official launch. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at the National 1798 Rebellion Centre, Enniscorthy
A new book from Maria Nolan entitled A Most Remarkable Woman was launched this morning by the Manager of Enniscorthy Castle and Vinegar Hill, Maura Bell, at a pleasant function held in the National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy.
Ms. Bell began by commenting on the size of the print which she described as ‘amazing’ and spoke about Maria Nolan’s book which she said was “an historic romantic novel”
She described the author as “an amazing person who connects and networks with so many organisations in the town” and concluded by saying it was an honour to launch the book – A Most Remarkable Woman -and wished Maria Nolan future success.
Maria Nolan spoke at length about the content of the book, thanked the attendance and said the book is “dedicated to all the remarkable woman that I know and all the remarkable women that I don’t know.”
Special guest at the launch was costume designer Barbara Guthrie who appears on the cover and the style of dress that Anna Leon-Owens would have worn.
The book is based on the true-life story of Anna Harriet Edwards Donaghue Leon-Owens, who became governess to King Mongkut of Siam instructing his 82 children in English and the ways of the western world between 1862 and 1867. Anna Leon-Owens, as she became when she married Thomas Leon-Owens and lived at Weafer Street, Enniscorthy. When Anna’s husband died, she was left with her son, Louis, at Enniscorthy but since she did not have any disposable income, she found it impossible to continue.
Anna’s uncle then found her a position as Governess to the King of Siam (now Thailand); however, she laid down strict conditions on acceptance. The King had to accept her young son, as well!
This presumptuous Enniscorthy woman and her love for her son, inspired a book Anna and the King of Siam and a musical and film The King and I with Yul Brenner and Deborah Kerr.
A Most RemarkableWoman is an intriguing tale of love, loss, bigotry, discrimination, self-invention, exceptional savvy, desperation, sexual intimacy, survival, freedom in action, thought and deed, and above all else strength and courage.
A Most Remarkable Woman by Maria Nolan is available at Easons bookstore, Court St., Enniscorthy in paperback and at Amazon as an e-book or paperback.
The floods at Island Road, Enniscorthy, on Tuesday. Water levels are rising again tonight. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
UPDATES; Cllr Pat Kehoe informs us that the L-2006-1 at Clohamon/Slaney Meats is currently flooded and impassable to traffic until further notice.
A lecture entitled ‘Sinking of the Pomona’ by Paul Byrne, Co. Wexford Historian in Residence planned for Enniscorthy Castle tomorrow (Saturday) has been postponed due to the weather.
The River Slaney has burst its banks at Enniscorthy and the Riverside Park Hotel will be closed tomorrow (Saturday).
Cllr Ger Carthy tells us that the GAA pitch at Our Lady’s Island is completely under water tonight. The lake is overflowing.
Edermine is flooded now. Please avoid intil further notice.
By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy, Friday 7pm
River levels continue to rise across Co. Wexford this evening and surface water is building on all routes across the county.
There is a very significant risk of flooding in Enniscorthy town again tonight and over the next 24 hours.
Wexford County Council is advising motorists to avoid Enniscorthy town overnight as traffic is currently at a standstill.
Wexford County Council teams are on site in Enniscorthy and around the county where there is an imminent risk of serious flooding and river gauges are constantly monitored.
The River Slaney has burst its banks at The Promenade and the quayside south of the Seamus Rafter Bridge is already closed to all traffic.
Please do not to bring children anywhere near flooded areas as the water is flowing rapidly and there may be underlying manholes that have become dislodged and other debris from lands and the river.
At this point, flood waters should be treated as contaminated.
Our Lady’s Island Lake is currently at risk of flooding onto the road so be careful in the vicinity.
There is a huge amount of water on the R730 between the Heritage Park and Ballymackess this evening while a large amount of flood waters is crossing the M11 Oylegate to Ferrycarrig stretch of road south of Kyle Cross.
Please take care on all roads, local and national, as water is accumulating in places – be especially mindful on dark or quieter roads where flooding may not be obvious.
The County Council emergency line is open 24 hours on 05391 96000 if you are impacted by flooding.
Life-threatening situations should be reported to the Emergency Services on 999 / 112 and the relevant agency will be informed.
Parish communities in the Diocese of Ferns will host outdoor prayers for St. Brigid’s Day which occurs on Sunday, February 1st.
Brigid Clauson, a member of the Ferns Diocesan Pastoral Council, described the events as “an opportunity for everyone in a community to spend some time in nature and pray together. Some parishes can gather at their local holy well while other parishes may be inclined towards gathering at a place of scenic beauty. The day offers the opportunity to gather with reverence, prayer and faith in the surroundings of earth, sea and sky.”
Celebrations will be held in at least four locations across the Diocese of Ferns.
An afternoon walk will be held in Kilrush on Sunday, February 1st. At 2pm, people will gather at the Holy Well in Kiltilly. A 6km pilgrimage will take place before an ecumenical service is held at 4pm at Kilrush Catholic Church (Eircode Y21 YO32).
On Bank Holiday Monday, February 2nd, Our Lady’s Island will hold a celebration starting in the car park at 11am. From there, a walk will visit the site of the original parish holy well before concluding at the edge of Our Lady’s Island Lake. The prayer service will take place there. If the weather is poor, the service will be held in Our Lady’s Island Community Centre instead.
Members of Riverchapel Parish will celebrate St. Brigid on Sunday, February 1st. Everyone is welcome to meet in the public car park beside Courtown Playground. The group will gather from 12 noon and set off around 12.15pm on a short pilgrimage walk through Courtown Woods via the Chestnut Walk to Kilbride Cross. Weather permitting.
A short outdoor gathering will begin in the car park of St. Brigid’s Church Clologue (Eircode Y21X5W9) on Sunday, February 1st at 12pm.
A Mass will be celebrated at St. Brigid’s Well, Crossabeg on Sunday, February 1st at 12.30pm.
St. Michael’s Parish in Gorey will host a talk entitled St. Brigid – The Life Behind The Legend on Friday, January 30th at 7pm in the Pastoral Centre.
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