Council farewell for five members

Attending Wexford County Council monthly meeting for the final time today were retiring members (left to right); Cllrs John Hegarty, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Diarmuid Devereux, Maura Bell and Jim Moore. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com). 

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council May meeting

Five dedicated members of Wexford County Council who by their own decision will not be declared candidates in the Local Elections on June 7th attended their final meeting at Council Chamber, County Hall today (Monday) where tributes were paid for loyal local authority service to retiring Cllrs Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Jim Moore, John Hegarty, Maura Bell and Diarmuid Devereux.

Cathaoirleach Cllr John Fleming reminded the members that this was the final meeting before the election, and he paid tribute to all the members and officials and everyone who contributed to the council over the past five years and this included the ‘famous five’ who are not seeking re-election.

Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe expressed thanks to the members not running again and he applauded their hard work and courtesy and wished them well “not so much retirement, but in the next phase of your lives.”

The annual general meeting of Wexford County Council takes place on Friday, June 21st where new members will form the next chapter in the evolution of Wexford County Council.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES; Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, a Fine Gael representative from Ballycarney and member of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, created her own place in local authority history when she became the first woman to serve a full term as Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council and she also served as Leas-Cathaoirleach in 2013-’13. First elected in 2004.

Cllr Jim Moore from Kilmore and a former Mayor of Wexford has 20 years’ experience in public service and as a Fine Gael member served as a member of Kilmore Quay Development Association  for many years, is a former CEO of the National Parent’s Council Post Primary Group, served as Chairman of WWETB and is currently Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District.

Cllr John Hegarty from Kilanerin played senior football with Wexford and was a Fine Gael member of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District where he served a term as Cathaoirleach. He is Deputy Principal of Wexford CBS and is serving this third term on the local authority and now lives in the Wexford Borough District. He is currently Mayor of Wexford.

Cllr Maura Bell is a member of The Labour Party and served a term as Mayor of Wexford, only the third woman in history to hold the honour. Elected in 2019, Cllr Bell was involved in the tourism industry and for almost 20 years held the post of Manager at the Irish National Heritage Park.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux has served one term as a Fine Gael member in the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District. A former Wexford County GAA Board Chairman, voluntary CEO of Gorey Chamber of Commerce and 26 years’ service with Telecom Éireann are amongst his accomplishments.  

 

Eddie Taaffe appointed Chief Executive

EDDIE TAAFFE new Chief Executive of Wexford County Council (Pic; Wexford County Council).

By Dan Walsh at County Hall, Wexford

Eddie Taaffe is the new Chief Executive of Wexford County Council. His appointment was approved by the elected members at a special meeting held in County Hall today (Monday) and follows a recruitment process conducted by the Public Appointments Service.

A native of Rosbercon, New Ross, Mr Taaffe has held the position of Interim Chief Executive since February this year, following the retirement of his predecessor Mr. Tom Enright.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. John Fleming said; “I wish to extend our congratulations to Eddie. A Wexford man at heart with Wexford blood in his veins. He is taking up the role at a good time with the start of a new term. I wish him well in the role.”

Commenting on his appointment Mr. Taaffe told WexfordLocal.com; “I am honoured and privileged to be formally appointed as Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, particularly as this is my home county. I look forward to continuing to work with the elected members and staff, striving to make Wexford the best place to work, live and do business for all our citizens. 

Mr Taaffe added that his key priority will be the delivery of the Council’s Economic, Social and Community Development Programme to attract and maximise economic investment, create greater employment opportunities for our citizens, “The continued delivery of social and affordable housing is also a key priority for the Council and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to achieve these objectives,” he concluded.

EDDIE TAAFFE’S Curriculum Vitae; Eddie Taaffe first joined Wexford County Council in 1997 as an Assistant Engineer in the Environment Section.  Since then, he has held various Engineering posts such as Senior Resident Engineer on Courtown Main Drainage Scheme, Senior Engineer in the Roads Section and Borough Engineer with Wexford Borough Council. He has also held the post of Director of Service since 2011 with responsibility for various council sections such as Water Services, Environment, Emergency Services, Corporate Services, Human Resources and Capital Development. He has also spent time working as Director of Planning and Transportation with South Dublin County Council. More recently, between 2020 and 2023, Mr Taaffe was seconded to the Local Government Management Agency where he led the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office. He has a degree in Civil Engineering and in Public Management. Mr Taaffe has also taken on the role of Chairperson of the Fleadh Executive Committee ahead of Wexford’s hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024 in August.

Winners for three Doyle brothers

By Dan Walsh

The Doyle brothers from Ballindaggin – Donnchadh, Sean and Cormac – were in winning form today with one success each at two point-to-point fixtures in Galway and Cork.

At Bartlemy Donnchadh Doyle got off to a flying start with newcomer Lady Kluck coming home one length to the good under Brian Lawless in the maiden race for four-year-old mares. Next it was the turn of Cormac Doyle in the second division of the gelding’s maiden race. He saddled by newcomer Sober Glory, gave Jack Hendrick the leg up leaving the parade ring, and he booked his place in the sales ring soon when coming home to a two and a half lengths victory.

SEAN DOYLE and JACK HENDRICK were amongst the winners today.

Meanwhile, the action had begun in Loughrea and Sean Doyle won the opener – mares maiden race for four-year-olds – with newcomer Hard Dealt by two lengths and Jamie Scallan was in the saddle.

Handler John Paul Berry whose stables are at Ballyboy, Tomhaggard, had a brilliant afternoon winning both divisions of the four-year-old geldings maiden race; Division one went to Catherine Mannion’s Kingkong Ciergues with Ross Sugrue up and 14 lengths the winning margin and Ross Berry was aboard Shirley Berry’s Joltin N Jivin to achieve the double by five lengths.

And finally, the champion team of Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe struck winning form with Deilskin by five lengths in the winner of two race.

Latta dreams of Paris Olympics bid

Lucy latta receiving trophy from HM Queen Camilla at Badminton Horse Trials (Pic; Irish Eventing Times)

By Dan Walsh

Part-time event rider Lucy Latta, (27), from Ballycarney, Enniscorthy,has achieved one of the greatest results in the history of Irish eventing, after posting a runner-up finish at the prestigious Mars Badminton Horse Trials in England today.
Eight faults on RCA Patron Saint in today’s jumping phase enabled Latta to rise to second from an overnight position of third in the 75th edition of the competition.
Latta was agonisingly close to ending the 59-year wait for an Irish victory, from Major Eddie Boylan’s triumph on Durlas Eile in 1965. Not alone was this Latta’s first time participating in one of the jewels of the global eventing calendar, this was her first ever five-star competition.
Astoundingly, she is a part-time athlete with a full-time job as a brand manager of a drinks company and RCA Patron Saint, who goes by the name of Paddy when not on the day job, is the only horse Latta rides.
Few would have chosen Latta from the Irish representation to join the group at the start of the week but she and the outstanding 13-year-old gelding relished the conditions to take the eventing world by storm.
“What a week,” said Latta, still trying to take it all in. “I’d have bitten your hand off if you told me this would have happened at the start of the week.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more from him. He’s the best cross-country horse there is, and I had a good round (today).
“I can dream about the Olympics, I would love to think I could go,” said Lucy, who concluded “My horse was phenomenal this week, and there’s still loads to improve on with him, in the dressage, and things to clean up in the show jumping.”

Ballycogley take 3rd in All Ireland festival

BALLYCOGLEY PLAYERS were placed third at the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival in Athlone. (File Pic.)

By Dan Walsh

The premier award didn’t come the way of any of the three Wexford finalists in the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival which concluded in the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone last night, but the Ballycogley play ‘Out of Order’ took third place overall and there were award winners and nominations that impressed the Wexford contingent.

Best Stage Lighting Award went to Cian Redmond, Wexford, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role went to Sean Carthy, Ballycogley.

There was an award for each nominee for the Bride Rosney Award for the Most Outstanding Newcomer and the nominees included Shay Hannon (Ballycogley Players), Joseph Sunderland (Bridge Drama Group) and Naoise O’Connor (Wexford Drama Group).

Fr Pat Mernagh (Ballycogley) was nominated for Best Actor while both Paul Walsh (Wexford) and and Pat Whelan (Bridge) received nominations for ‘Best Director’. Celine Treacy (Ballycogley) was nominated for a Best Stage Management award. Sophie Blaney Parslow (Wexford) was Best Supporting Actress nominee.

Six of the nine finalists were from Co. Wexford, and a few weeks ago Kilrush Drama Group won the Confined All Ireland trophy with Niall McGrath at the helm, so overall a fantastic year for thespians and the masters of stagecraft across Co. Wexford. 
The Perpetual Trophy (1st Place) went to Ballyduff Drama Group, Waterford, with ‘The Ferryman’.

Donnchadh Doyle’s double

By Dan Walsh

DONNCHADH DOYLE double today at Toomebridge races.

Today’s point-to-point action was in Toomebridge, Co. Antrim and two Wexford handled winners, both from Donnchadh Doyle’s stables at Ballindaggin for the Monbeg Syndicate,

Lifetime In Milan scored by half a length in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings to provide Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan with his 18th victory of the season which is a personal best.

Donnchadh Doyle’s second winner was Belle Wish by one and a half lengths under Brian Lawless in the maiden race for mare’s aged five years and upwards. Doyle now moves into second place in the national point-to-point handler’s championship with a total of 21 successes, nine behind reigning champion and his neighbour Colin Bowe.

33 Wexford sports clubs share €865,426

By Dan Walsh

Sporting groups across Co. Wexford will receive funding of €865,426 for various types of equipment which will benefit their members and athletes alike.

Fine Gael TD, Paul Kehoe has welcomed the allocations made to Wexford groups through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).

Deputy Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com; “We have the largest ever allocation of grants nationwide for equipment under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. This funding will benefit 33 clubs in Wexford. Active engagement in sports not only helps keep people healthy, but it also builds confidence, independence and promotes team building.

“It is welcome news that work will now begin on assessing the capital applications with the allocations to be announced later in the year, “ said Deputy Kehoe who added; “It is crucial that we invest in sport for the overall health and wellbeing of our population and that is why this programme is so important as it delivers stronger communities.”

AMERICAN FOOTBALL; Wexford Eagles American Football Club, €3,107.

ARCHERY; Dunbrody Archers, €13,604.

ATHLETICS; Adamstown Athletic Club, €9,657; Enniscorthy Athletic Club, €7,918; Wexford County Athletics Board, €63,735.

BADMINTON; Monaseed Community Group Company Ltd, €5,559.

BOXING; Enniscorthy Boxing Academy. €8,903; St. Aidan’s Boxing Club, €9,169.

CANOEING/KYAKING; Bunclody Paddle Sports Club, €25,091.

DIVING/SNORKELLING; Wexford Sub Aqua Club Ltd,34,283.

GAELIC GAMES; Ballyhogue GAA Club, €8,570; Craanford Community Field, €30,000; Kilanerin/Ballyfad GAA Club, €11,000; Our Lady’s Island GAA Club, €38,000.

GYMNASTICS; Synergy Gymnastics, €24,920; Coolcotts Gym Centre Ltd (Wexford Gymnastics), €62,418.

HANDBALL; Taghmon Handball Club, €1,814.

HOCKEY; Gorey Hockey Club, €12,639.

MULTI-SPORT; Edmund Rice Schools Trust Limited, Wexford CBS Gym, €39,672.

ROWING; 1st Wexford New Ross, €47,921; Ferrycarrig Rowing Club, €10,450; Killurin Rowing Club, €7,500; New Ross Boat Club €97,021.

RUGBY; New Ross Rugby Club, €4,000.

SWIMMING; Enniscorthy Swimming Club, €1,800; New Ross Swimming Club, €53,823; Swim Club Courtown, €55,240; Wexford Swimming Club, €6,801.

SOCCER; Adamstown AFC, €32,000; Curracloe United Trust Co. Ltd, €44,894; Forth Celtic AFC, €50,737; New Ross Celtic AFC, €18,000.

TENNIS; Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club, €75,000.

John Murphy reappointed Chairperson at Tirlán Co-Op agm

By Dan Walsh

Tirlán Co-operative Society Limited has confirmed that Wexford farmer John G. Murphy from Ballinacoola, Craanford, Gorey, has been reappointed as Chairperson for a further two-year term.

Tirlán Chairperson John G Murphy farms at Ballinacoola, Craanford, Gorey, Co Wexford.

Chairperson Murphy was appointed to the Board on June 29th, 2010, and to the position of Vice-Chairperson on June 2nd, 2017. He was first appointed Chairperson on October 8th 2020. He has completed a Diploma in Corporate Direction from University College Cork.

Mr Murphy recently attended the annual general meeting of Gorey Agricultural Show held in the Loch Garman Arms, Gorey, and confirmed that Tirlán is the main sponsor for the Gorey Agricultural Show taking place at Ashton, Ballycanew, on Saturday, June 15th.

Gerard O’Brien from Co. Waterford and Thomas Phelan from Co. Laois have been appointed to the two Vice-Chairperson positions.

Pat Murphy, Vice-Chairperson and Patrick Whyte retired as Directors from the Board of the Co-op at this week’s annual general meeting. James O’Brien from Co. Kilkenny and James Finn from Co. Tipperary were appointed to the Co-op Board because of the vacancies arising.

May Bush book launch in Gorey Library

Pictured at the launch of The May Bush in County Wexford tonight were (left to right); Elizabeth Howard, Creative Communities Engagement Officer, Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert, joint authors and Gerard Fleming, Chairman North Wexford Historical Society who performed the official launch in Gorey Library.

By Dan Walsh in Gorey Library

The launch of a new book, The May Bush in County Wexford, by Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert was hosted in Gorey Library tonight by the North Wexford Historical Society and officially launched by the Society Chairman, Gerard Fleming, who praised the authors and complemented them on a unique work of stories and words.

Elizabeth Howard, Creative Communities Engagement Officer with Creative Ireland in Wexford County Council, who supported the publication, also addressed the occasion and expressed her congratulations to the authors and spoke highly of the May Bush tradition and the way it is being preserved through this book.

Michael Fortune said The May Bush in County Wexford consists of 130 pages of source information with stories, photographs and texts from every corner of Wexford – from Campile to Coolgreany and accounts from every town in the county. “There are also examples from rural Newfoundland and also sections on the shared practices in Germany, Spain, Poland and Finland,” he added.

He also pointed out that if you want to learn about the May Bush tradition and May folklore from County Wexford – this is the book for you. “There are also QR Codes to interviews I’d have recorded since 2002 while Aileen has a whole section on songs with QR Codes to hear the songs and listen to the airs,” stated Michael, who added; “The book is 20 years in the making and researched, produced and printed in Ireland. Grab a copy – you won’t be disappointed.”

It was a pleasant event with speeches, a summary of the book contents, a meet and sign session at the end with anyone up for a chat, and for many in the audience the highlight was the beautiful singing from Aileen Lambert and the talented voices of the children, Eppie, Nelly and Nan.

The May Bush in County Wexford by Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert (folklore.ie), 130 pages, lavishly illustrated, costs €15 and you can order copies on www.folklore.ie. This book was produced with the support of Creative Ireland in Wexford County Council.

Gorey Community School produces Best Film

Presentation of trophy for Best Film to Gorey Community School (from left to right; Cliona Connolly, Environment Section, Josh Tuan Tu O’Reilly, Geneviene Fleming, Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach of Gorey Municipal District, Alannah Ní Craith, Faerne Zahra Jade Hammon, Justin Cullen Createschool and Michael Finn, Principal Gorey Community School.

By Dan Walsh

Funded by the Environmental Section and facilitated by Createschool, Wexford County Council hosted this year’s Rubbish Film Festival which challenged students to create a one-minute short film on an environmental theme such as climate action, reducing waste and sustainability.

The festival received a great response from the six participating secondary schools, with transition year students showing their creativity and innovation in producing short films that were both educational and entertaining.

Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District presented the trophy for Best Film to students at Gorey Community School for their film entitled ‘In The Eyes Of Innocence’ and said that the festival received a great response from schools, with students showing their creativity and innovation in producing short films that were both educational and entertaining. He said; “It is inspiring to see students deliver their message and raise awareness of environment issues amongst their peers.”

Mayor of the Borough District of Wexford, Cllr John Hegarty presented trophies to Selskar College, Wexford, who were awarded Best Runner Up Film and Best Poster for their short film entitled ‘The Act’.

Cllr. Hegarty congratulated all the students involved and said; “The students used film to develop and express their views on a range of climate action and sustainability topics, and in doing so showed great skill and creativity. The films not only entertain but inspire action for a more sustainable planet.”

Cliona Connolly, Environment Awareness Officer said; “The Rubbish Film Festival is a fantastic initiative that demonstrates the creativity and enthusiasm of young people in Wexford, and we congratulate all those involved in making it such a success.”

The Best Film and Best Poster will now go forward to represent Wexford at the National Awards in Co. Meath tomorrow, Friday, May 10th.