110th Enniscorthy 1916 Rising Commemoration

MARKET SQUARE will remember the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthyn on Easter Monday. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

The 110th anniversary of the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthy takes place on Easter Monday with a celebration of Mass at 10am in St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy.

The Reserve Defence Forces’ Colour Party and St. Colman’s Pipe Band, Ballindaggin, will lead the parade through Main Street, Pig Market Hill, Wafer Street, and into Market Square, where the Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr. Barbara Anne Murphy will lay a wreath.

It is understood that the newly formed Slaneyside Players and Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society will be wearing period costume for the annual Easter event.

A series of events will follow at the Athenaeum in Castle Street, (headquarters of the Volunteers during Easter Week 1916), which cost £2,207 to build in 1892, including;

Laying of a wreath by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, a brief outline of Easter week by historian Barry Lacey, a poem written by Jer Ennis for the occasion will be read by Graham Cadogan, a guard of honour for Padraig Pearse by Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society members, an extract from a Padraig Pearse speech, a rendition of The Foggy Dew by Niamh Crowhurst and some refreshments to close the proceedings.

‘Points’ wins keep rolling for Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Easter Saturday point-to-point races took place at Loughanmore, Co. Antrim where four of the seven winners had made the long journey from Co. Wexford.

Rob James trained and rode newcomer Glebe House in the Matchmaker Syndicate colours to victory in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

Boolavogue rider Matt Gahan scored a fine victory on French Adventure for Caitriona and Michael Goff, Clondaw, Ferns, in the maiden race for five-year-old mares.

Barry Stone, Cleariestown, in the colours of Deborah Halley steered Common Sense to an 18 lengths success for Coolbawn Rathnure, handler Robert Tector, who is enjoying a great season, in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

And champion rider Bary O’Neill teamed up with David Christie to win the Winner of Two race with Fortune Lad who had an incredible 32 lengths advantage at the finish line.

ELLEN DOYLE enjoyed midweek success.

There was a midweek point-to-point at Ballyknock, Co. Cork, on Wednesday where Ellen Doyle and the Baltimore stables Syndicate from Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, were successful with Pointofdifference who won the Winner of One race by six lengths with Brian Dunleavy in the saddle.  

Sign fell down at 1798 Centre

A major portion of the signage at the National 1798 Rebellion Centre has fallen from the roof. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

A large portion of the signage on the roof at the entrance of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy has come crashing to the ground.

The unprecedented incident happened last week ahead of the busy Easter period at the Centre, however, the soothing news is that the Centre continues to welcome visitors and the café is open for business.

The news comes just days before the €287,864 Historic Towns Initiative funding announcement for Enniscorthy, although since the ’98 Centre is less than three decades in existence it is unlikely to qualify under the heritage banner.

The National 1798 Rebellion Centre was built on the site of the CBS Monastery in 1998 to commemorate and mark the bicentenary the 1798 Rebellion.

There was controversy in 2020 when Wexford County Council decided not to proceed with the sale of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre in Enniscorthy after conceding that it would probably not get the support of councillors.

In an email sent to councillors, the Council said a Section 183 notice, which would allow for the sale to a private company will not now proceed.

The sale of the centre was due to come before councillors at their monthly meeting on Monday.

It was intended to attract more than 100,000 visitors annually. However, at the meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Council official Carolyne Godkin said the number of visitors to the centre “didn’t cover the cost of the electric”.

It was planned for the 1798 exhibits to be rehoused in the castle.

Local Enniscorthy Cllr Cathal Byrne said the original decision to sell the centre “came as a bolt out of the blue” and he welcomed the change of heart.

“The proposal was met with shock by the entire Enniscorthy community. I have been inundated with constituents dismaying their shock at the proposal.

“The sale of the 1798 Rebellion Centre would have represented a hammer blow to the town at the worst possible time,” said Cllr Byrne who is currently a member of Seanad Éireann.

Good Friday news for Enniscorthy heritage

ENNISCORTHY CASTLE (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Enniscorthy is to receive €287,864 in funding as part of the Historic Towns Initiative, which is a joint initiative between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.

The funding will help tackle vacancy, provide jobs through heritage-led regeneration, and will support traditional building skills.

The Enniscorthy funding will enable essential conservation works to Enniscorthy Castle and upgrade works at Enniscorthy’s Atheneum Hall.

James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government told WexfordLocal.com; “This is essential funding for my hometown of Enniscorthy. This is about protecting our town’s built heritage and historical character.

“The funding awarded is important in making sure our town is a growing and accessible place to live and work and will protect our older buildings.

“The Historic Towns Initiative works because it provides practical financial support to keep historic buildings in use, ensuring that they retain their position at the heart of community life.

The Heritage Council previously funded a heritage-led regeneration plan for Enniscorthy in 2023 and funded streetscape works to historic properties on Slaney Street in 2021.

The Historic Towns Initiative, which has been running since 2018, seeks proposals that encourage the specific re-use of historic buildings.

Gorey school awarded LGBTQ+ Quality Mark

Pictured receiving the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark at a ceremony in The Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, to create safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ young people are staff from Creagh College, Gorey. 

By Dan Walsh

Creagh College, Gorey, has received the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark, recognising its work over an 18-month period to create safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ young people, at a ceremony in The Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Creagh College was among 39 post‑primary schools and Youthreach centres from across Ireland recognised at the event, in total representing over 2,300 staff and 22,000 students from across the country.  

The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark is the first national accreditation of its kind, supporting schools and centres in Wexford and across Ireland to embed sustainable, long‑term practices that protect LGBTQ+ students’ wellbeing and foster a culture of belonging.

The event brought together school leaders, teachers, Youthreach staff, students, and representatives from across the education sector to celebrate the impact of the programme and the progress being made nationwide.

Commenting at the event, Amylee O’Brien, Teacher at Creagh College said; “Belong To have provided a huge opportunity to schools to showcase the amazing work students and educators are doing every day. It is fabulous to have the focus on inclusion and diversity showcased and acknowledged. We are so proud of our students in Creagh College for achieving the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark for our school.”

Comóradh na Cásca 1916

Sinn Fein Easter Commemoration took place in New Ross on Easter Thursday.

By Dan Walsh

Despite poor weather conditions on Easter Thursday New Ross Sinn Féin held the first 1916 Easter Commemoration in County Wexford. Remembering Michael O’Hanrahan and all those who fought for Irish Freedom.

Main speaker Kayley Goodison spoke about remembering the past and recognising the continued relevance of the ideals set out in the 1916 Proclamation.

The ceremony featured reading the Proclamation, poems and music supported with the Colour Party.

Attendance included Johnny Mythen TD and Cllr Tom Forde.

“Join us this Easter, as right across County Wexford, we remember the brave rebels of the 1916 Rising and all those who have fought and died for the freedom of Ireland. Wear your Easter Lily with pride,” said Wexford Sinn Fein TD, Johnny Mythen.

John Busher Exhibition at Enniscorthy Castle

Enniscorthy-born artist JOHN BUSHER’s Exhibition Fallow Bridge can be seen at Enniscorthy Castle until April 11th.

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

Enniscorthy-born artist John Busher presents Fallow Bridge, a new commission and site-specific installation supported by Wexford County Council (Commemoration Award 2025) in Enniscorthy Castle.

A series of sculptures was created in response to the destruction of infrastructure during the War of Independence and Civil War in a local context, which is explored from sites such as Taylorstown Viaduct, Wellington Bridge Railway Station, and Palace East Railway Station in collaboration with Bannow Historical Society.

Taylorstown Viaduct is a seven-arch viaduct built over a river valley, built between 1904/6 and opened in 1906. It was almost destroyed in 1922 but was reconstructed in 1923 following the Irish Civil War.

This was part of the broader Fishguard and Rosslare Railway (FRR) line. Following the partition of Ireland into a Free State, guerrilla warfare saw roads, bridges and railways come under attack, such as Palace East Railway Station.

Research in collaboration with Bannow Historical Society fed into outcomes in a local context, collecting research orally and from a variety of other sources, such as archival services within the County Library and national archives.

A puffball nestles between 75 fallen stars, each commemorating the civil war dead in Co. Wexford. The coming spring, rooting for their abundant growth and transformation.

John Busher is a native of Enniscorthy who graduated from NCAD with an MA Art in the Contemporary World (2015), a Post Grad (2008), and an Honours Degree (1999). Selected solo shows include When All Else Fails, Rathfarnham Castle (2025), Tidal Ballads Sung Wrong, City Assembly House, Dublin (2022), We Often Forget, The Complex, Dublin (2020), and Jostle, Pallas Projects, Dublin (2017).

Works can be found in the collections of the OPW, Wexford County Council and Department of Education & Science.

The Exhibition ‘Fallow Bridge’ by John Busher runs until Saturday, April 11th at Enniscorthy Castle, Castle Hill, Enniscorthy.

Motorcyclist seriously injured near Enniscorthy

HSE Air Ambulance landed at Fairfield, near Enniscorthy, and brought road traffic accident casualty to Cork University Hospital. (Pic; HSE)

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a serious injury road traffic collision around 4pm yesterday (Tuesday) involving a van and a motorcycle at Fairfield on the Enniscorthy to Monart road.

The motorcyclist (an adult male in his late teens) was brought by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries.

The driver of the van was not injured.

A technical examination of the scene was carried out by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, and the road has since fully reopened.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward. Road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage from Enniscorthy to Monart road between 3.40pm and 4.10pm are asked to make this available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on 053 92 42580, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Pay parking coming to Ferns?

Wexford County Council will consider the introduction of pay parking on the Main Street in Ferns. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District monthly meeting

Just when motoring costs have skyrocketed at the fuel pumps and insurance costs have soared, there are calls for the introduction of pay parking on the Main Street in Ferns.

Conscious that today (Wednesday) is April 1st, I wish to clarify that the matter was raised by Cllr John O’Rourke at last week’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

The plan is to facilitate local residents, however, it is also aimed at eliminating long stay parking in historic North Wexford village where traffic management stress has been eliminated since the opening of the M11 by-pass in 2019.

Meanwhile, there is a discussion on Bunclody parking by-laws which were raised at the December Town Team meeting.

The Town Team are carrying out a parking survey to get feedback from businesses and residents in Bunclody.

Enniscorthy Municipal District’s Parking By-Laws 2023 for Bunclody state that there is Free four-hour Max Stay parking on The Mall and in the Market Square areas. It has been agreed to enforce these parking by-laws for Bunclody going forward.

A Traffic Warden is currently patrolling the area for illegal parking only i.e. parking on footpaths and double-yellow lines. Signage about 4-hour free parking will be installed in the coming weeks.

A meeting regarding Parking Permits is due to take place shortly.

Is Ferns ready for such confusion and hassle going forward? Watch this space!

Duncormick teenager safe and well

ABBIE REID

UPDATE; Abbie Reid has been found safe and well. No further action is required. Thanks to the media and the public for their help.

Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Abbie Reid (15), who is reported missing from Duncormick, Co. Wexford since Sunday 29th March 2026.

Abbie was last seen in Waterford city shortly after 4pm on Sunday 29th March 2026.

Abbie is described as being approximately 5 feet 5 inches in height, with brown eyes and brown hair.

Gardaí are concerned for Abbie’s well-being.

Anyone with information on Abbie’s whereabouts is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on (051) 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.