Co. Wexford storm road funds unallocated

By Dan Walsh at July Wexford County Council meeting

“We asked for €20 million, but we are very pleased that Wexford County Council will receive €13.49 million from Minister Darragh O’Brien to support repairs to storm damage caused by Storm Chandra last January,” that was the good news at Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in County Hall. Cllr Lisa McDonald (Cathaoirleach) was in the chair.

But the bad news is that the councillors will go on their holidays not knowing how much funding is coming to their respective areas, but Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Services with responsibility for roads, Eamonn Hore has promised that “it will be fair and distributed proportionally.”

Taking to the land during the January floods. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Mr Hore said are 146 roads on the list, eleven need to be fully structured, full resurfacing is required on others, and more damage can be addressed by surface dressing.

Councillors called for their districts to be prioritised with Cllr Ger Carthy batting for Rosslare District; Cllr Pat Barden made the case for rural Wexford and the Adamstown area and said; New Ross has the worst roads in Ireland” and Cllr Jackser Owens pointed out that Enniscorthy has 650kms of road but only enough funding to surface 10/12 kms.

Mr Hore then announced the ‘worst roads” and the numbers eligible for the funding; NEW ROSS 49; ROSSLARE 32; ENNISCORTHY 29; WEXFORD 22 and GOREY-KILMUCKRIDGE 14. “The funding has not yet been allocated,” concluded Mr. Hore

Teenagers rescued off Clone Beach

COURTOWN RNLI were first on the scene and rescued teenagers from Clone Beach earlier this evening. (File Pic; RNLI/John Timmons).

By Dan Walsh

Three teenagers are safe and well after being rescued by Courtown RNLI from the sea off Clone Beach, near Castletown, this evening.

The teenagers entered the beach through the new access point and were paddle boarding when they got into difficulties at around 8pm.

After a call to the Irish Coast Guard, Courtown RNLI’s volunteer crew was launched and quickly reached the teenagers, bringing them safely ashore.

The boys were shaken by the ordeal but were uninjured and did not require medical assistance at the scene.

An Garda Síochána and Coast Guard helicopter R117 from Waterford also attended the scene.

Local Cllr Joe Sullivan who visited the scene, said he was relieved the teenagers were safe and well, praised the emergency services for their swift response, and urged people to take care during beach and sea activities.

Kilpatrick beach and coastal works

CLLR JOE SULLIVAN at Kilpatrick Beach where new rock armour will fight coastal erosion. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at monthly meeting of Wexford County Council and Kilpatrick Beach

Plans to install 80 metres of rock armour to facilitate the construction of a new entrance or access to existing properties which has been cut off due to coastal erosion at Kilpatrick Beach, Castletown, Gorey, were approved at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com Independent Cllr Joe Sullivan, who lives locally, he explained the €1 million plans for the successful passing of a Part 8 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 at this historic area of North Wexford.

“The works shall consist of installing 80 metres of Rock Armour at Kilpatrick Beach to facilitate the construction of a new entrance or access to existing properties that have been cut of due to coastal erosion. Replace existing culvert and realign beach access ramp.

“As the local representative for this area and having worked with all the stakeholders to ensure we arrived at this point I would like to warmly welcome the completion of this part of the project.

“I would like to particularly pay tribute to the two people without whom this project would not be happening. The people I refer to are of course Eamonn Hore Director of Services at Wexford County Council with responsibility for Environment who worked tirelessly to ensure that, plans were drawn, all environmental concerns were addressed and most importantly funding was secured.

“It’s at this point I want to extend a thanks to Kevin “Boxer” Moran  Minster of State for Public Expenditure Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation who once the case was made to him by Eamonn Hore came on board and supported the project while committing the funding from his Department.

“I now look forward to this project progressing in a timely manner for the betterment of the local residents’ wider community and the very welcome tourists who visit our beautiful beaches on a regular basis. “The last word must go to the residents of the houses who have had to endure hardship accessing their properties for a number of years. Your wait is nearly over and your persistence lobbying and patience is acknowledged, concluded Cllr Sullivan.

HISTORY; While visiting Kilpatrick Beach Cllr Sullivan brought me to see St Patrick’s Well – Toberpatrick -which is still venerated. According to On Our Own Ground – County Wexford Parish by Parish, Volume 1, by Edward Culleton (published by Wexford County Council Public Library Service in 2013), page 168 reads;

“In the Millennium Year of 2000, the community of Castletown restored the easily accessed site (the well) for use. The pure spring water which emerges from under the shale outcrop contains no sea water, unlike other springs in the area.”

Family Play Day at Enniscorthy

Flying the flag for Enniscorthy Municipal District Council at the Play Day in the Orchard Peace Park today were (left to right); Jenny Barcoe (Community Employment), Cllr Aidan Browne, Cllr Jackser Owens, Cllr Pat Kehoe, Cathaoirleach, Claire Lawless, District Manager, Barbara Nolan, Staff Officer and Lisa Moore, Assistant Staff Officer. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).

By Dan Walsh at Orchard Peace Park, Enniscorthy

Hundreds of children enjoyed themselves at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council’s second annual free family Play Day, held this afternoon in the sun-soaked Orchard Peace Park.

Newly elected Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Cllr Pat Kehoe told; WexfordLocal.com; “It was a very successful day. Huge crowd and plenty of activity for the children and the weather was amazing.

Cllr Kehoe praised the Council office staff and outdoor staff for bringing everything together and keeping everybody happy and safe. “It was great to see the Orchard Peace Park used in this way and Enniscorthy is privileged to have such a wonderful public facility, and I hope it will be used more for family entertainment and public events,” concluded Cllr Kehoe.

Local artist and facilitator Anita Petry was curator for the event with artists Jenny Roddy (Natural Materials Art Making) and Elder Trindade (face painting) providing creative art and play opportunities for children and young people.

Anita attended the training workshop for Play Day last July provided by Enniscorthy Municipal District and facilitated by Martin O’Donoghue of Let’s Play Cork.

This year she returned and put those skills to work with a fun afternoon of play and creativity with tug of war, hopscotch, sack race, face painting and many more activities.   This year there was the addition of a sensory space to allow for those with sensory issues to take some time out if needed.

Enniscorthy Public Library staff also provided a display of children’s e-books and literary information, while cool drinks were plentiful and the ice cream queue remained steady throughout the two-hour event.

7.7 million cigarettes seized

As part of an intelligence led operation involving Revenue officers based in Kilkenny assisted by Revenue officers based in Rosslare Europort, over 7.7 million cigarettes were seized in Co. Wexford. 

The smuggled cigarettes, branded ‘L&B’, have an estimated value of over €7.3 million, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €5.7 million.

The contraband was discovered during a search of an unaccompanied trailer.

Investigations are ongoing.

These routine operations are part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity.

If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

6-weeks hosepipe ban from Thursday

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that a Water Conservation Order, commonly referred to as a hosepipe ban, will be in place for parts of Co. Wexford, from 00:01 on Thursday, July 16th for a period of six weeks.

Night-time restrictions are in place in Courtown North, Killenagh, Kilmuckridge North and Clonroche areas to protect daytime supplies and allow treated water reservoirs to recover overnight.

From Thursday, a Water Conservation Order will come into effect for the communities of Bunclody, Gorey, Castlebridge, Curracloe and across South Wexford.

While the Order applies only to the affected areas where demand is exceptionally high – Gorey, Bunclody, Castlebridge, Curracloe and South Wexford, Uisce Éireann is appealing to all customers across the County to reduce non-essential water use while supplies remain under pressure. 

The Water Conservation Order prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities.

Households, farms and businesses can help by hanging up the hose, putting the power washer away, reusing household water in the garden, checking for leaks, taking shorter showers and using water only where it is needed.

Padraig Lyng, Water Operations Manager with Uisce Éireann, told WexfordLocal.com; “Our top priority is to protect water supplies for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and other essential services. The current hot and dry spell has driven very high-water use, and we need to reduce non-essential use now to help protect supplies for everyone.”

Uisce Éireann teams continue to monitor supplies, manage the network, repair leaks and take targeted action where needed to protect water services. The Water Conservation Order will remain under review and may be lifted if conditions improve or extended if necessary, depending on weather conditions and water availability.

Frank Mulrennan was proud Bunclody man

By Dan Walsh

The funeral has taken place today of Frank Mulrennan, The Chase House, Bunclody, who has passed away in his 93rd year.

FRANK MULRENNAN

Frank Mulrennan was born in the street of Bunclody and apart from his years at Blackrock College he has lived in and been part of Bunclody community for all of his 93 years. He was very proud of his Bunclody roots!

The death of his own dad when he was only 19 years old brought very early responsibilities in the running of a family business in a small town.

The Mulrennan business on the corner of Main Street was a large drapery/hardware store with a fuel and fertiliser business at the rear.

It had an old-style coin and cash dispenser where the tills ran along the wires at the top of the ceiling from the sales floor to the office.

In the early ‘seventies Frank and his family moved full time into farming and moved from Ryland Road up to The Chase where he spent the next 55 years. He loved farming!

His life was blessed with good friends. He loved his golf either at the old Newtownbarry Golf Course across the bridge or during his years at Enniscorthy or Borris, and he was so proud to be able to hand over the Newtownbarry trophy, which he won in 1955, to the new Bunclody Golf Club when it opened 18 years ago.

A devoted family man, Frank loved the craic and the banter with his friends, always had time for a good joke and a laugh, he loved his garden and his passing is an immense loss for his family and close friends and a community that shared his kindness for nine decades.

May He Rest in Peace.

Much loved husband of Evelyn and devoted dad to Frank, Madeleine, Monica and Paul (pre-deceased). He will be sadly missed by his wife, children, daughter-in-law Teresa, sons-in-law John and Colin, and grandchildren Alexandra, Elizabeth, Paul, Louise, Sean, Eoin, and Jinya, great-grandchildren Cillian and Ethan. Brother of Colette and pre-deceased by Tess, Maeve, Madeleine, Cecilia and Paddy.

Funeral Mass in Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Bunclody, was celebrated by Fr. Patrick Duffy PP, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery, Bunclody.

Illegal dumpers “should be locked up in jail?”

CLLR PADDY KAVANAGH

By Dan Walsh at the July meeting of Wexford County Council

The Minister of State with responsibility for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon recently confirmed that he has signed the commencement order providing for a substantial increase in litter fines.

From September 1st, 2026, the fixed-payment on-the-spot fine for littering will rise from €150 to €250.

The matter was raised at Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Wexford by Gorey Kilmuckridge Cllr Paddy Kavanagh who described the Minister’s action as “a joke.”

Cllr Kavanagh told the members of a disgusting and sickening event near Enniscorthy recently concerning illegal dumping or so-called fly tipping.

Cllr Kavanagh described approaching a black plastic sheet and when it was taken back it contained the decaying carcase of a dead goat! The smell was horrendous and Wexford County Council staff who are normally charged with removing illegal dumping content, were removed from the scene on health and safety grounds.  A knackery company had to be brought in at extra cost to remove the offensive carcase which threatened public health.

Cllr Kavanagh was angry and stated that the perpetrators should be fined “thousands of euro” and “should be locked up in jail!”

“I don’t expect to see an end to fly tipping,” said Cllr Kavanagh, who added; “Nobody ever seems to be caught! Yet, they can inflict rubbish on the community and on the outskirts of towns and villages. It is horrendous what they are doing to our environment and countryside”, added Cllr Kavanagh.

Co. Wexford night-time water restrictions

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann is asking customers in parts of County Wexford to be mindful of their water use as night-time restrictions are being introduced to help maintain daytime water supplies for local communities.

The current spell of warm weather has led to a significant increase in water demand across the county, with demand exceeding the volume of water that can be treated and distributed in some areas.

To help treated water reservoirs recover overnight and protect daytime supplies, night-time restrictions will be in place from 11pm until 6 am each night until further notice.
The restrictions will apply to customers in the Courtown North, Killenagh, Kilmuckridge North and Clonroche areas.

Customers may experience low water pressure or temporary interruptions to supply during these hours.

These restrictions form part of a wider range of measures being implemented to protect water supplies across County Wexford during a period of sustained warm weather and exceptionally high demand.

Padraig Lyng, Water Operations Manager with Uisce Éireann, said to WexfordLocal.com; “Last week, we appealed to customers across Wexford to reduce non-essential water use. While many customers have responded and are making an effort to conserve water, demand remains exceptionally high and continues to outstrip the volume of water that can be treated and supplied in these areas.

“Night-time restrictions are now required to protect daytime supplies and allow treated water reservoirs to recover overnight. Taking this action now will help safeguard water supplies for homes, businesses, farms and essential services across the affected communities.”

“We are asking everyone to continue playing their part by using water wisely and reducing non-essential use wherever possible. Every small action can collectively make a real difference during this period of exceptionally high demand,” stated Mr. Lyng.

Simple steps taken at home, on farms, in gardens and in businesses can make a real difference in protecting supplies during this period. Water conservation tips and advice are available on water.ie. For further updates, visit the Water Service Updates section of water.ie.

Six people rescued at Rosslare Strand

By Dan Walsh

Six people were rescued from the water at Rosslare Strand on Sunday afternoon following an incident where a young swimmer was in difficulty in the water and brave rescuers ended up in difficulty themselves.

All of those brought to hospital are currently believed to be in a stable condition.

Operations Resource Manager with the National Ambulance Service Ger Carthy confirmed that the National Ambulance Service responded to a significant incident at Rosslare.

“They transferred five people by land ambulance and our colleagues from Rescue Helicopter 117 airlifted one person to a waiting ambulance at Wexford Wanderers Rugby Club for transfer to Wexford General Hospital which is close-by.

“This multiple agency response again reassured the public of the capability of our emergency services in a time of grave need,” said Mr Carthy, who also praised “the fast actions of An Garda Síochana, the Coast Guard and the general public during the emergency incident.”

This was a rapid emergency response with the Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter, Rosslare and Curracloe Coast Guard Units, Rosslare Harbour Lifeboat, Gardaí and the National Ambulance Service (NAS) all in attendance.