New South Wicklow North Wexford constituency selection convention

By Dan Walsh

The newly formed South Wicklow North Wexford Fine Gael Constituency will hold its first ever General Election Selection Convention tomorrow night (Monday) at 7.30pm in the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey.

The South Wicklow North Wexford Constituency was formed following the Electoral Commission Review Report of 2023. With a population of over 85,000, this 3-seater Constituency currently has no sitting TDs and the upcoming election will be the first opportunity to elect representatives from the area.

With the retirement of veteran TD Deputy Paul Kehoe, and South Wicklow never having returned a Dáil Deputy, a new generation of candidates will be put forward to contest the upcoming General Election, which must happen before March 2025.

Two people have been nominated to the Selection Convention as candidate(s) for the Fine Gael Party in the upcoming Election: Brian Brennan and Cllr Peter Stapleton

CANDIDATE PROFILES

BRIAN BRENNAN

BRIAN BRENNAN is a Gorey-based businessman and hotelier who previously owned and ran the Brennan Hotel Group which owned the Arklow Bay Hotel. Brian has founded and supports six orphanages in Sri Lanka.

He is heavily involved through his family in local sports in Arklow and Gorey including: Arklow Rocks Parnell’s, Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney, Arklow Rugby and Naomh Eanna GAA, Gorey Rangers Football and Gorey RFC. Brian previously was a title sponsor of the Wicklow GAA Senior, U21 and Minor Teams.

His priorities include sustainable long-term development of Arklow and Gorey, developing and supporting local businesses and ensuring agriculture remains at the heart of the local economy

TAOISEACH and FINE GAEL LEADER SIMON HARRIS TD with CLLR PETER STAPLETON.

CLLR PETER STAPLETON was elected to Wicklow County Council in June 2024, as a first-time councillor. Peter lives in Tinahely and has deep roots to the area through Duffy’s of Hacketstown, a business founded by his great-grandfather. Though no longer in operation the importance of business and agriculture to all in the region was instilled in him from a young age and both remain core policy areas of his.

Peter graduated from UCD with first-class honours in Business and Law, before training as a chartered accountant and working in finance in Dublin and London. He returned to Ireland to manage his family’s landscaping business.

Peter is a keen sportsman and plays for Tinahely GAA where he also acts as Club Treasurer. He has hit the ground running as a councillor, calling on the council to tackle vacancy and dereliction, while lobbying for more funding for roads and footpaths in rural areas.

His priorities include helping local business and agriculture, developing and improving housing and infrastructure, reducing taxation and supporting towns and villages and reinvigorating local communities.

Body of man (40’s) discovered in Gorey

By Dan Walsh in Gorey

The Garda Press Office has confirmed to WexfordLocal.com that Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body in Gorey earlier today (Sunday).

GOREY GARDA STATION (File Pic)

The body of a man (in his 40’s) was discovered shortly before mid-day at a residence in the Clonattin area of the town.

The Office of the State Pathologist has been notified and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course, the results of which will determine the course of the Garda investigation.
The scene remains preserved for technical examination. No further information is available at this time.

Gap Arts Festival 2024 launched

At the launch of the Gap Arts Festival 2024 in Gorey Civic Offices were; (left to right); Cllr Nicky Boland, Garrett Keogh. Festival Director, a character from the festival and Cllr Joe Sullivan.

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Civic Offices

The 14th annual Gap Arts Festival takes place in Ballythomas, Gorey, on the weekend, August 8th-11th and the official launch took place in Gorey Civic Offices last Tuesday with Cllr Oliver Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council and other elected members and Garrett Keogh, Director and other members of the Gap Festival Committee in attendance.

“Thanks to great audience support this year this theatrical festival will be extended to three nights”, said Garrett Keogh, who added; “This festival has adapted spaces indoors and out, bringing professional performances and art to this community place in the in the hills of north Wexford at Ballythomas.”

A new documentary, ‘Croghan’s Gold’ about the Wicklow Gold Rush of 1795, commissioned by The Gap Arts Festival and financially supported by the Wind Farm Community Fund will be screened each night before the Dublin Theatre Company’s new play ‘Madeira’, featuring Geraldine Plunkett who played Mary Moran in Glenroe, The Clinic, and so much more, features in this year’s play.

The weekend will also feature photographic exhibitions, late night family movie under the stars, local history, talks, music etc. For more information contact http://www.GapArtsFestival.com

Free seed packets of peas, beans and spinach!

Pictured at the launch in Gorey Library were (left to right); Sinead Carey, Library Assistant; Mary Kearney, Executive Librarian; Meaghan Keenan, Gorey Library; Hazel Percival, Senior Executive Librarian; Cllr. Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council; Willie Masterson, Gorey Tidy Towns; Claire McCreegh, Edible Towns/Wexford Environmental Network) and Philip Knight, Gorey Municipal District Manager.

By Dan Walsh

LEAF (Literacy and Food Education), a new seed growing initiative to support people in County Wexford grow their own food, was launched in Gorey Library on Friday by An Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr. Pip Breen. LEAF has issued an invitation to collect free seed packs at your local library to grow your own food.

Speaking at the launch, An Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Pip Breen said; “I was delighted to meet local growers from Gorey Tidy Towns, the Edible Towns and the Wexford Environmental Network here in the library this morning to launch LEAF. This campaign that supports you to grow your own food, and gives you resources and online supports to do so, is an example of another timely initiative from your local library. I encourage as many people as possible to register to take part, to pick up your packet of seeds, sow them and watch nature happen.”

This LEAF literacy and food education programme is a partnership between GIY, (Grow it Yourself), Wexford Libraries and Libraries Ireland and to take part you are invited to register with the LEAF programme at http://www.libraryleaf.ie and call to your local library at Wexford, New Ross, Gorey, Enniscorthy or Bunclody to collect your free seed packet of peas, beans and spinach.

LEAF is funded under the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP Strand 2) is a pilot programme with GIY (Grow it Yourself Waterford). It is supported by Libraries Ireland and Government of Ireland.

Gorey on first night of the Festival

A view from the stage showing the vast attendance in Gorey’s Main Street tonight for the opening session of the Gorey Market House Festival. (Pic; Joseph Dixon).

By Dan Walsh at the Gorey Market House Festival

Gorey’s Main Street was normal today, then a giant stage was hastily erected, musical instruments were sound checked and around half past seven local performer Aoife Doyle got the crowd in celebration mood on the opening night of the 3-day Gorey Market House Festival.

By the time the headline act, Paddy Casey, took to the stage the crowd had grown exponentially and the festival was well and truly rocking and rolling and everybody was having a fabulous time at an event that is described as “three days of family friendly music, crafts and events throughout the town with something for everyone.”

The Gorey Market House Festival has always been about the community and the organisers are delighted to announce the return of The Family Fun Day in Gorey Town Park tomorrow, (Saturday) from 1pm, The Annual Busking Competition in association with Making Music is also happening tomorrow and entry forms are available from Making Music and Loch Garman Arms. More music on the big stage tomorrow evening.

Sunday kicks off with an Arts and Crafts Market on Gorey Main Street from 10am and The Superhero Fun Run in Gorey Town Park is timed 11am. Of course, more music on the street stage on Sunday and happening till late, so Gorey is the perfect place to spend the weekend.

BREAKING NEWS; Ferns ‘Boil Water Notice’ has been lifted

By Dan Walsh

The Boil Water Notice issued on June 28th to protect the health of customers due to the detection of cryptosporidium in the Ferns Public Water Supply has been lifted with immediate effect.

In a statement issued to WexfordLocal.com this evening Uisce Éireann said it wished to notify customers that the Boil Water Notice has been lifted following satisfactory sampling results.

“This decision follows consultation undertaken with the Health Service Executive (HSE). The estimated 1,723 customers impacted by the Boil Water Notice to the Ferns Public Water Supply, can now resume normal use of the public water supply,” said a spokesperson who added; “Uisce Éireann acknowledges the impact of the notice on homes and thanks the community for their support while we worked to lift the notice. Our primary focus remains the protection of public health. We worked to lift the notice as quickly as it was safe to do so. We would like to thank customers again for their co-operation and patience while we worked to resolve the issues impacting the treatment plant.”

Uisce Éireann expressed its gratitude to the media, elected representatives and members of the public for sharing their updates and keeping the public informed.

The Uisce Éireann Customer Contact Centre, open 24/7 on freephone 1800 278 278, is available to answer queries in relation to the lifting of this notice.

Memorial plaque honours John ‘Urney’ Byrne

Family and Council colleagues, officials and councillors at the dedication of a memorial plaque to John ‘Urney’ Byrne at Duffry Gate. (Pic; Slaney News)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy

There was a special occasion held at Enniscorthy’s Duffry Gate this morning where a memorial plaque was placed on a bench in memory of John ‘Urney’ Byrne on the second anniversary of his untimely death on June 18th 2022.

Cllr Jackser Owens gave a brief eulogy on Urney’s life and times and said he was delighted to see this bench erected to his memory in the part of Enniscorthy that he hailed from – Duffry Gate.

Claire Lawless, District Manager, recalled that Urney was a dedicated and popular member of the outdoor staff at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and this bench is a fitting tribute to his memory.

The attendance at the brief ceremony which took place in poor weather conditions included Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr John O’Rourke, family members and former work colleagues.

The Late JOHN ‘URNEY’ BYRNE (Pic; Dee O’Leary).

John Byrne, (59), affectionately known as ‘Urney’ was a popular member of the outdoor staff of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council who died suddenly while attending to his duties at the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy on July 18th 2022.

The shock incident occurred as members and officials were preparing to attend the July meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council in the Presentation Centre and, as a mark of respect for the family, Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne cancelled the meeting with immediate effect.

In recent times local councillors unanimously agreed to honour John ‘Urney’ Byrne’s memory and recognise his contribution to the town with a plaque on a park bench. Today that tribute was honoured and ensures that his memory will never be forgotten.

Car collided with pole at Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

A male driver was taken to hospital this afternoon after a car collided with a pole carrying telephone wires at Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy. The incident occurred around 2pm.

Ambulances from the National Ambulance Service, units of Wexford Fire Service based at Enniscorthy, outdoor staff at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Gardai attended the emergency.

Diversions were put in place. The road has reopened after closure for a few hours and traffic is now moving normally.

Landline telephone services were lost in parts of the town and technicians are working to restore normal services as quickly as possible.

Swimming ban at Booley Bay Beach

By Dan Walsh

DO NOT SWIM notices have been erected at Booley Bay Beach, near Duncannon, after sampling conducted as part of Wexford County Council’s normal monitoring of bathing water quality showed elevated levels of bacteria.

In a statement, Wexford County Council said; “Following consultation with the HSE, it is necessary to issue “Do Not Swim” warning notices at Booley Bay Beach in accordance with the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008 and in the interest of public health.

Further samples have been taken today and results are expected on Saturday, July 20th at which stage the bathing prohibition notices will be reviewed. In addition, the Council’s Environmental Technical Team are investigating the matter.

More information on bathing water quality can be obtained on http://www.beaches.ie

BREAKING NEWS; Cathal and Bridín set satnav for the Dáil?

By Dan Walsh

Two sitting Fine Gael members Cllr Cathal Byrne, Ballyhogue and a member of Enniscorthy District and Cllr Bridín Murphy, Clonroche, a member of New Ross Municipal District Council have been selected to run for Fine Gael in the next General Election. Two of least ‘kept secrets’ in local politics were ratified at the General Election Convention held last night. Congratulations and good luck to both excellent public representatives.