WexfordLocal.com

Eoin Staples is Champion Conditional Jockey

**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.

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.

Sailors aided by Arklow and Rosslare lifeboats

By Dan Walsh

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.”

May Day Wexford Lockout commemoration

**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.

€2.6m for Enniscorthy storm floods

**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.

Bring a chair to Gorey May Bush Féile

By Dan Walsh

The Gorey May Bush Féile is an annual intergenerational community led festival featuring an exciting programme of FREE events from today Thursday, April 28^th to Bank Holiday Monday, May 4^th.

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 3^rd 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.

May festival weekend in Enniscorthy

**Celebrating the official launch of the 2026 Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival in Enniscorthy Castle.** (Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

Enniscorthy will host the 11th annual Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival over the May Bank Holiday, officially launched by Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government James Browne TD at Enniscorthy Castle on Tuesday evening.

This marked Minister Browne’s fifth time officiating the opening ceremony, during which he expressed his pleasure at inaugurating “this outstanding local festival.”

He pointed out that under the Chairmanship of Ger Mackey, a former Town Manager in Enniscorthy, the food element of the festival enjoys a phenomenal reputation and the Rock n’ Roll element of this festival, under the Chairmanship of Eamonn Doyle, ensures our streets reverberate like no other during the May Bank holiday weekend and bring in crowds and colour and something for everyone to enjoy.”

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, praised the festival organisers and sponsors for attracting many visitors to Enniscorthy to enjoy food and music.

Chair of the Festival Committee Ger Mackey paid tribute to Minister Browne for his contribution to the festival and welcomed special guests including Senator Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cllrs Aidan Browne, Pat Kehoe, Trish Byrne and Jackser Owens, Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager Claire Lawless, Chief Executive Wexford County Council Eddie Taaffe, a number of sponsors including Keith Groake and M.J. Furlong from AIB, Ger Reynolds on behalf of sponsors BD Enniscorthy (formerly Clearstream), Kevin Lawlor, Enniscorthy Credit Union and representatives of An Garda Siochana.

Richie Cotter, member of the South East Rock n’ Roll Club said the Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival was on the doorstep and the Rock n’Roll community led by Eamonn Doyle and Willy O’Rourke have organised 45 ‘live’ gigs during the festival from Friday, May 1^st into Bank Holiday Monday, May 4^th and he wants everyone to join in and enjoy themselves. “Sing, dance and make people happy is the plan for this weekend,” concluded Mr. Cotter.

Jimmy Gahan served as master of ceremonies. Appreciation went to Maura Bell and the Enniscorthy Castle staff for their facilities. The Baily Bar supplied food, and delicious Wexford strawberries came from The Village at Wheelocks.

A full programme of events is available in brochure form locally or on www.rockinfoodfestival.ie

Yacht crew rescued off Carnsore Point

**ROSSLARE HABOUR RNLI all-weather lifeboat at sea.** (Pic;. *RNLI/Nigel Millard*)

By Dan Walsh

At 12:10 pm on Monday, the Rosslare Harbour RNLI lifeboat crew were called by the Coast Guard to an incident two miles northeast of the Fundale Buoy off Carnsore Point.

Weather conditions at the time were good with a light wind and good visibility.

When the volunteer crew reached the scene they were informed by the crew that their outboard motor on their 24ft yacht had failed.

Having assessed the situation and given that the yacht could not make any safe onward progress, in consultation with the yacht crew, it was decided to attach a line and tow the vessel to the safety of the lifeboat pen in Rosslare Port.

The lifeboat and yacht arrived safely at 3pm.

Speaking following the call out, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Coxswain Keith Miller, stressed the importance of sailors having the necessary communications equipment onboard and wearing the proper safety equipment.

Press Exhibition opens in Enniscorthy Castle

Minister James Browne and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, were in Enniscorthy this evening for the opening of the AIB Press Photographer of the Year Exhibition in conjunction with the official launch of the 2026 Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival in Enniscorthy Castle. (Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

The AIB sponsored Press Photographer of the Year Exhibition has been officially opened by the Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, James Browne TD in conjunction with the official launch of the 2026 Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival in Enniscorthy Castle this evening.

The attendance included Senator Cathal Byrne, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy and Cllrs Aidan Browne, Pat Kehoe, Trish Byrne and Jackser Owens, Chief Executive Wexford County Council Eddie Taaffe, Claire Lawless, District Manager, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and award-winning photographer James Crombie.

Minister Browne recalled photographs from the old Strawberry Fair years ago and remarked “that’s what photography is all about, catching those moments and how we remember all those people as we go back. It’s absolutely fantastic.”

The AIB Photographer of the Year is celebrating its 48^th year, celebrating all that is good about photography.

“The exhibition features all the winning and short-listed images covering events at home and abroad in 2025 and highlights dedication and skill.

“The exhibition features over 100 prints from all walks of life; news, sport, arts and entertainment and they are really an archive and I would encourage people to come into the castle and admire them.

“The exhibition is part of the Enniscorthy Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival weekend, and it gives me great pleasure to officially launch everything this evening,” concluded Minister Browne who also added congratulations to volunteers and sponsors, the outdoor workers from the Council, the Gardaí and all who contribute to the staging of the festival.

Colin Hunt, Chief Executive Officer said; “AIB is proud to once again sponsor the Press Photographer of the Year Award 2025 and added that 2025 was another exceptional year for press photography in Ireland and this year’s entries show the humanity of our world around us.”

The exhibition runs until Saturday, May 9th.

Community Concert in Christ Church

**CHRIST CHURCH, GOREY, is the venue for a fundraising Community Concert on Sunday, May 3rd at 6pm. Tickets available.** (Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

By Dan Walsh

The organisers are particularly excited about The Gorey May Bush Féile 2026 Community Concert in Christ Church Gorey this year and are especially calling on the community to come out and support the evening.

This much-loved intergenerational community event will once again bring together local musicians, singers, and performers for an evening of traditional music, song, and poetry on Sunday May 3^rd at 6pm as we welcome in Summer i Loch Garman.

Community Concert lineup for 2026 features Templemichael Ceilí Band, TJ Morrissey – Ceoltóir Óg 2026, Wexford Folk Orchestra and Éire agus Cú Chulainn.

The Community Concert has an extra special purpose this year. Usually, the concert is a free event but they’ve decided to host it as an important fundraiser in support of essential repair works to Christ Church.

The Gorey May Bush Féile and indeed many other community groups in North Wexford have had the pleasure of hosting concerts in this beautiful space and this is their way of giving back in a small way.

By purchasing tickets which are €10, the community will not only enjoy a rich celebration of local culture and talent but will also be contributing directly to preserving this historic and much-valued building for future generations.

We all get to play our part in that! Please support this important cause and be part of a meaningful night where tradition and community come together i Mí na Bealtaine!

Tickets are €10 and are available through the Eventbrite link below: https://www.eventbrite.ie/…/the-gorey-may-bush-feile

National Broadband Plan for North Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Sinn Féin TD for North Wexford/South Wicklow Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin has welcomed the National Broadband Plan in the Hollyfort and wider area and into south Wicklow.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, Teachta Ó Súilleabháin said; “It is very welcome that 947 Wicklow homes and businesses across the border near Hollyfort can now connect to fibre broadband on the NBI network. This includes 465 premises in rural areas surrounding Carnew including Coolboy and Coolattin, and further 482 premises in south Arklow.

In other North Wexford news, Teachta Ó Súilleabháin told WexfordLocal.com; “I am delighted that progress has been made on plans for a long-awaited Primary Care Centre for Gorey and North Wexford. We had submitted various Parliamentary Questions as well as engaging with local GPs and I also addressed the Minister as recently as February outlining the GP crisis in North Wexford.

Our most recent communications from the HSE was to inform us that “Stage 2 of the tender process was advertised on the E Tenders Procurement Platform in Q4 2025 and the tender returns are currently being evaluated and finalised.”

“I am increasingly seeing people attend my office who simply cannot get a GP in their area. One individual recently told me they searched within a 20km radius and still could not find a GP accepting new patients. This person has a medical condition requiring routine blood tests — and without a GP, they cannot access this essential care.
Wexford General Hospital agreed to carry out the blood tests, but this is only a short‑term solution and not sustainable.
“I was also informed that one GP practice in the area now has a waiting list of 200 people looking for a GP. This is just incredible and completely unacceptable. This system needs to change. Access to a GP is a basic necessity. With a growing population, the Minister for Health must urgently address this escalating crisis.”

Teachta Ó Súilleabháin added that he has contacted the Minister for Health regarding this ongoing issue and is awaiting a response.