Denis Murphy saddles three winners

By Dan Walsh

Two fixtures today (Saturday) across the country and veteran handler Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, ended a memorable day’s point-to-pointing with three winners to his credit. There were doubles for handler Donnchadh Doyle and rider Jack Hendrick, who rode a bumper winner for Paul Nolan at Wexford races on Thursday.

Denis Murphy and Jack Hendrick were the winning partnership in the maiden race for four-year-old mares at Loughanmore, Co. Antrim today with Swing Davis coming home in front by three and a half lengths. Later the combination struck successfully again with Relieved of Duties who came home six lengths clear of the field in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Nice double for Hendrick, but Murphy went on to make it three for the afternoon when Fralimonti Bilbery (Sean Cotter up) scored a 10 lengths victory in the six-year-old plus novice riders race at Ballysteen.

DENIS MURPHY saddled three winners today at two point-to-point fixtures.

The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was divided and both divisions were captured by the Monbeg Syndicate, Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James combination starting with newcomer Talk To The Man who had three and a half lengths to spare. Half an hour later following the running of division two the Ballindaggin stables were celebrating a double with Theflyingking coming home two lengths to the good.

Bennys Jenny was a winner for Paul Martin Pierce, Blackhall, Killurin, and rider Eoin Staples in the maiden race for mares’ five-year-old plus.

And a victory in the final race at Loughanmore went to newcomer Backonthegoagain ridden by Sophie Carter for Colin Bowe stables. Winnign margain was two and a half lengths.

The first race at Ballysteen, Co. Limerick, was the maiden race for four-year-olds, it divided due to a large entry, and division one was won by newcomer Sign Again, owned and handled by Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure. Joey Dunne was the successful rider and the verdict was four and a half lengths.

Clondaw, Ferns, father and son, handler and rider respectively, Michael and Harry Goff were successful with Caitriona Goff’s Way Down South in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Half a length in at the end! Denis Murphy took the final race as recorded above, so it was a thoroughly good day for Wexford stables with a combined total of nine winners. Not bad for a Saturday’s work.

Rosslare-Cherbourg sailing starts Monday

BRITTANY FERRIES (File Pic)

By Dan Walsh

Brittany Ferries will add a third weekly return-sailing, connecting Rosslare with Cherbourg, starting on Monday. The company says the move will boost connectivity ahead of the arrival of its rail-ferry service in 2025. Ferroutage will link Bayonne with Cherbourg by rail, carrying trailers for onward transport by ferry.

Glenn Carr, Director Commercial Business Units Iarnród Éireann/ Irish Rail & Port Authority Rosslare Europort told WexfordLocal.com; “We are delighted to see our shipping partner Brittany Ferries further increase services at Rosslare Europort. As we continue to significantly invest in facilities and infrastructure at the port it is great to see additional new services being introduced that further strengthens our links and connectivity between Ireland and France. 

“The addition of a third weekly rotation from Cherbourg is great news for hauliers and logistics companies,” said Christophe Mathieu CEO Brittany Ferries. “It means even more opportunity for freight operators to by-pass the UK entirely, cutting down on bureaucracy and delays that can occur the UK border.”

Rosslare Europort is Irelands number one port for direct freight and passenger services to the EU. Along with 58 weekly UK services, the port now also operates over 34 services to and from Rosslare to Bilboa, Cherbourg, Dunkirk and Zeebrugge and is the only port in Europe to have the three largest RoRo brands operating services collectively from the one location.

Brittany Ferries has massively grown the direct Ireland-France market since 2021 and has reaffirmed its freight and passenger traffic commitment.

The service will leave Cherbourg at 6.20pm local time on Monday, arriving at Rosslare at 2pm on Tuesday. It will then depart Rosslare at 6pm destined for arrival in Cherbourg on Wednesday at 5pm. Brittany Ferries has chartered Condor’s ferry the Commodore Clipper for the service.

In addition to three weekly rotations linking Rosslare with Cherbourg, Brittany Ferries operates two weekly Cork-Roscoff round trips and a bi-weekly service from Rosslare to Bilbao.

Lots of Gorey May Bush Féile events

By Dan Walsh

The annual decoration of the Gorey May Bush takes place in Gorey Civic Square, beside the Circe Pavilion next Sunday at 6pm and it promises to be an extra special community evening of traditional music, song, poetry, stories and dance while sharing and exchanging traditions around welcoming in Summer.  

THE GOREY MAY BUSH FÉILE 2024 (Photo Credit; John Ó Faoláin)

The message is bring along a chair, your instrument, a song, story or poem and your dancing shoes and be part of this wonderful community celebration. Fáilte roimh chách. “Let’s Decorate the May Bush, tá Bealtaine anseo”. If you would like to perform on the night please get in touch by emailing: thegoreymaybush@gmail.com

Special guests on the night include Gorey Pipe Band, Uilleann Piper Mark Redmond, Ceoltóir Óg 2024: Cliodhna Ní Chuilinn, Rinceoir Óg 2024: Shifra Dunbar agus Amhránaí Óg 2024: Chulainn Ó Faoláin. There will be songs of the Wexford Coast Community Choir and the annual crowning ceremony for the May Queen and King. 

The Gorey May Bush Féileis an annual intergenerational community led festival in Co. Wexford with an exciting programme of FREE events 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 beyond.  

There are events to suit all ages. Schools, nursing homes, community groups/organisations, businesses, music/singing/dancing/writing groups and community artists across Co. Wexford are the faces and voices behind this festival and everyone is invited to be part of it! You can keep up with us all and see the FREE Féile events through: https://www.facebook.com/thegoreymaybush

As has been done in previous years the community are invited to put up their own May Bush and get involved with the programme of FREE events centred around the communal Gorey May Bush at Gorey Civic Centre.

The May Bush Decorating & Traditional Song Workshop for Families with Rachel Uí Fhaoláin takes place in Gorey Library today (Saturday April 27th at 11am – 12.30pm.

“A Penny on the May Bush”: The Gorey May Bush, Gorey Civic Square, beside the Circe Pavilion on Tuesday, April 30th (May Eve) at 6pm. Also dress for ‘An Sceach Gheal’ and “shower pennies on the children” as was the tradition. 

Bread and Cheese: Hawthorn History, May Folklore and Song with Lorraine O’Dwyer and Rachel Uí Fhaoláin: Gorey Library on Tuesday at 7pm. Lorraine O’Dwyer and Rachel Uí Fhaoláin are joining forces for this special community in-conversation event in Gorey Library. Lorraine O’Dwyer, Foraging and Folklore Guide will be sharing tales from local traditions and superstitions on the Hawthorn Tree, what makes one a fairy tree and not the other, why it’s known as Bread and Cheese Tree and why so many of our Rag Trees are hawthorns? Lorraine will also be bringing along her own homemade Hawthorn chutney to taste! 

Traditional Singer and Folklore Collector Rachel Uí Fhaoláin will be exploring May Folklore and Song from Wexford and beyond. As part of the conversations, Rachel will be sharing her work on The Nursing Home Project, residents recalling their own beliefs and practices, along with some local voices and accounts from her wider research and collecting work. 

Both Lorraine and Rachel look forward to developing important community conversations around welcoming in Summer, on May Eve in Gorey Library. Booking required through Gorey Library: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/4203929

The Gorey May Bush Féile 2024 is supported by County Wexford Arts Department as part of the Small Arts Festival Scheme in partnership with Arts Council Ireland.

Pencil bollards brings safety to St Aidan’s

MINISTER JACK CHAMBERS and FRANK MURPHY, School Principal, join with students in ‘thumbs up’ celebration of the new safety measures at St Aidan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy. (Pic; Wexford County Council).

By Dan Walsh

Minister of State Jack Chambers visited St. Aidan’s Primary School Enniscorthy recently to meet with students and parents and to mark completion of upgrade works outside the school under the ‘Safe Routes to School’ Scheme.

Minister Chambers outlined that the ‘Safe Routes to School’ Scheme is for the safety of children and parents. He described Wexford County Council as one of the top performers nationally in implementing the scheme.

The project had an initial allocation of €80,000 in 2023. This was increased upon application by Wexford County Council to increase the project scope to €310,000.

Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council hosted the event attended by Minister of State, James Browne TD, Paul Kehoe TD and Cllrs John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Jackser Owens, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathal Byrne and Aidan Browne alongside representatives from the NTA (National Transport Authority), An Taisce and Green Schools.

Cllr. Fleming thanked the elected members and school principal, Frank Murphy for their support of the scheme which “has seen installation of footpaths and pedestrian crossings surrounding the school to allow students, parents and those pushing buggies walk and wheel to school.”

“Traffic speed outside the school has been reduced and the new pencil bollards have stopped cars parking on footpaths,” said Cllr Fleming, who added; “Works have also included upgrades to existing junctions at Bohreen Hill and Moran Park to serve peoples travelling from The Moyne and Bellefield where many students of St. Aidan’s live.”

School Principal, Frank Murphy stressed that the project has child safety as the primary focus will always be the priority of St. Aidan’s and he thanked the agencies and design teams involved.

The Active Travel Team in Wexford County Council designed and supervised the project with works completed by appointed contractor H&H Group Ltd.

€4million for Wexford Library Services

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council Library Service benefits from €4 million under new Department of Rural and Community Development Libraries Capital Programme Investment.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, said; “County Wexford will stand to benefit from the Libraries Capital Programme with funding of €1.7 million towards an extension and refurbishment of New Ross Library and a contribution of €262,500 toward a new mobile library vehicle. The match funding to complete these projects will be provided by Wexford County Council through the Councils Economic and Community Capital Investment Programme and will bring the total investment to over €4 million.”

EDDIE TAAFFE, Interim Chief Executive Wexford County Council said; “This funding is recognition of the important contribution that libraries make to local communities here in County Wexford.

Interim Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eddie Taaffe said; “This funding is recognition of the important contribution that libraries make to local communities here in County Wexford. Our libraries are a valued and trusted civic space, providing free and universal access to information and literacy. They provide opportunities for life-long learning through their wide-ranging programme of events, services, up-to-date book stock and e-Resources.”

Mr Taaffe told WexfordLocal.com that “the new mobile library will replace the existing 24-year-old vehicle that services North County Wexford,” and he added; “In a rural county such as Wexford, mobile library services are an essential way of expanding the reach of the library service into our rural communities. They help combat loneliness and social isolation faced by our older citizens as well as providing an essential literacy service to our rural schools.”

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. John Fleming welcomed the news and stated; “This funding will make a big difference to the lives of existing library users throughout the county.”

Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, Cllr. Anthony Connick was equally positive about the news, stating; “The team in New Ross Library deliver a fantastic service to the people of New Ross. The community and visitors to the town of New Ross will enjoy a warm, welcoming and bright space that will increase the quality of life for all who visit”.

The new mobile library will allow for many of the new literacy promotion initiatives that are being provided by the library service to be made available to pre-schools and primary schools around the county”.

The existing New Ross Library was opened in 1982 as a purpose-built library. The refurbishment and extension of the existing Library will almost double the existing space.

The existing library opens for 43 staffed hours per week but there is an ambition to increase this significantly when the new library opens. The total project cost will be in the region of €3.4 million.

Paul Nolan makes the headlines at Wexford

Bumper winner Farfromnowhere with Jack Hendrick (jockey), Paul Nolan (trainer), Ciara Walsh (goom) and some supporter’s at Wexford races today.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Races

Local trainer Paul Nolan took four horses to his native track at Bettyville Park, Wexford, this afternoon and made the racing headlines and delighted the local punters ending up with two successes and two runner-up positions.

It all got off to the perfect start when Kiltealy Park (15/2) scored a half a length victory under Sean Flanagan from Robinstown, New Ross, in the mares’ maiden hurdle. Running in the colours of the Browne Brothers Partnership from Waterford, the five-year-old was winning for the first time. Kiltealy Park was placed in three point-to-points for handler Colin Bowe and this was her third run for Nolan.

The Master of Toberona Stables, Davidstown, had to wait until the final contest of the day – the bumper – to complete the double when the six-year-old mare Farfromnowhere (9/1) ridden by Jack Hendrick got in front by a neck and then had an anxious wait until cleared following a steward’s enquiry. Competing for joint owners, David Flynn and John Brennan, Farfromnowhere won her only point-to-point at Tattersalls last October.

Sam Magee (6/4 fav) for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead ran Nolan’s charge Givehimthehonour (Conor Stone-Walsh up), who lead for most of the novice hurdle, into the runner-up spot and Tranquil Sea (Sean Flanagan up) fared likewise for Nolan as Mossy Fen (13/2), owned and trained by Mark Molloy from Thurles got up by half a length under Liam Quinlan in the handicap hurdle.

There were three steeplechases on the card. Bocelli’s Voice (9/2) won the beginners chase for Dermot McLoughlin and jockey Ben Harvey; Doyen Ta Win (15/2) took the mares beginners chase for Waterford trainer Declan Queally and jockey Kevin Sexton; and the handicap chase was won by Shadow Rider (11/10 fav) in the famous John P McManus colours trained by Padraig Roche and ridden by claimer Aidan Kelly from Monasterevin.

Wexford Racecourse Managing Director, Ursula Sinnott, made a special presentation to champion jockey Paul Townend in recognition of his big races successes this season at Cheltenham, Aintree and Leopardstown and wished him well at next week’s big Punchestown Festival meeting.

Behind the scenes the new stables were used for the first time and plenty of praise ensued. Horse boxes are now parked in the centre of the track and the runners are taken across to the new stables. The plan worked well on day one.

Next scheduled fixture at Bettyville Park is Saturday, May 18th. Looking forward to it already.

Top trainers and jockeys are coming

By Dan Walsh

All of the leading national hunt yards in the country have runners at Wexford races where the first meeting of the season gets under way tomorrow (Thursday) with a seven race card and the first is off at 4.05pm.

Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead and Gavin Cromwell have all got entries as does local trainers Paul Nolan and Philip Rothwell, likewise the leading jockeys will be in action including Paul Townend, Jack Kennedy, Rachael Blackmore and Patrick Mullins and local jockeys Sean Flanagan, Sean O’Keeffe, Jordan Gainford, Conor Stone-Walsh and James O’Sullivan.

The going is “Yielding, yielding to soft in places. Possibility of light showers (3mm approx) prior to racing. Hurdle track is 19 yards from innermost line and Chase track is 3 yards from the innermost line. Fence 1 (the last fence) will be omitted. (Information Source; Horse Racing Ireland).

Wexford Racecourse is hoping for a reasonable sized crowd as this fixture is the first one of the season and compensation for the loss of earlier scheduled fixtures on March 17th and April 5th which were both lost after incessant rain rendered the track unfit for racing on both dates.

Jude (7) wins top prize in Texaco Art Competition

By Dan Walsh

Seven-year-old Wexford student artist, Jude Gregan, from St. Kevin’s National School, Tara Hill, Gorey, has won a top prize in this year’s 70th Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

Jude won a Special Merit Award for her artwork entitled ‘Jungle Leopard’, which Final Adjudicator, Gary Granville, Professor Emeritus of Education at the National College of Art and Design, said “demonstrated high levels of skill and imagination”.

The Texaco Children’s Art Competition is popularly regarded as the longest-running sponsorship in the history of arts sponsoring in Ireland, with an unbroken history that dates to the very first Competition held in 1955.

This year, as has been the case throughout its life, it has been a platform on which young artists from Wexford and counties throughout Ireland have had their talents recognised and their creativity commended.

New Ross achievements are acknowledged

By Dan Walsh

An attendance of more than 200 attended a Civic Reception organised by New Ross Municipal District in the Brandon House Hotel recently where 18 individuals/groups from the district previously nominated and endorsed by the members of New Ross Municipal District were honoured.

CLLR ANTHONY CONNICK, Cathaoirleach New Ross District Council. (Pic; Wexford Local.com)

Presentations of a framed, newly commissioned, bronze piece depicting the New Ross crest were presented by the New Ross councillors to each recipient.

Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, Cllr Anthony Connick, described “a fantastic opportunity to showcase and recognise excellence in sporting achievements of the sportsmen and sportswomen of the district, whilst it is also fitting to express gratitude and appreciation of the vast number of superb volunteers and community groups for their tireless efforts in serving their communities.”   

The full list of the recipients honoured with a Civic Award are as follows…

EXCELLENCE IN SPORT: New Ross Rugby Club – Ladies Team, New Ross Boat Club, Sean Lyng, Ballycullane Ploughing Association, Gusserane Ladies Football Team, Michael (Mikey) Kent, Geraldine O’Hanrahan’s GAA Club – Poc Fada Winners, Derek Roche, New Ross Rugby Club – Junior Team (under 16 boys), Kai Butler, Evan Bailey and Denny Bookle.

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY; Alan Bailey, Rathnure Pantomime Society, Cloughbawn FC, Clonroche Poulpeasty Meals on Wheels, Rathgarogue Community Cooperative Society and Courtnacuddy Development Group.

Monck Street opens under roof canopy

By Dan Walsh

The official launch of the first street in any Irish town to have a retractable roof canopy for its entire lengths has happened at the 80-metres long Monck Street in Wexford town. It cost over €1.5 million.

The Monck Street Canopy is the final part of a major regeneration scheme that has transformed the once congested narrow street into a carefree pedestrianised zone where locals and visitors can chill for a while and enjoy a feast of local hostelries and food offerings.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor of Wexford, Cllr John Hegarty welcomed “this unique addition to Wexford town,” and His Worship added, “I hope it is something that will add to the experience for locals and visitors alike as they come to enjoy this vibrant and thriving part of our town.” 

Mr. Eddie Taaffe, Interim Chief Executive Wexford County Council said; “This is a new and innovative scheme for Wexford town and hopefully will lead the way in making our town centres even more vibrant and attractive places to come and visit.  We are particularly thankful to the National Transport Authority and Fáilte Ireland for the support they have provided in turning this vision into a reality for all to enjoy.  The Monck Street area will be a vibrant and popular place during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August and for the next two years”.  

MONCK STREET and its new retractable canopy roof – the first of its kind in Ireland (Pic; Wexford County Council).

Mr. Alan O’Shea, Senior Executive Engineer, Active Travel commented; “The Civil works involved in the pedestrianisation of Monck Street -Wexford’s newest pedestrianised street – was funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority’s Active Travel Programme to a value of €1,230,099 as part of a multi annual spend.

Head of Ireland’s Ancient East Brian O’Flynn said: “One of Fáilte Ireland’s key objectives is to encourage tourists to explore and stay in the region for longer, increase spend and help to drive revenue for local businesses. Wexford is an important part Ireland’s Ancient East and we’re pleased to further enhance this destination with the newly opened Monck Street Outdoor Dining Infrastructure, funded by Fáilte Ireland’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme and developed in partnership with Wexford County Council. Outdoor dining is now a permanent feature of our hospitality offering and we are committed to supporting businesses to facilitate this for longer periods throughout the year.”

HISTORY OF MONCK STREET; Monck Street takes its name from General George Monck, Duke of Ablemarle, who was granted the land and ferry rights in the 1650’s.

It was previously known as Ferryboat Lane, from where the ferry to the opposite bank of the river departed prior to the construction of the 1794 bridge. It was renamed Monck Street in the late 1700s.

The Borough Council changed the name to McDonagh Street in 1920, but this name failed to be ratified in the plebiscite of 1932.

Would it have been a clever idea to rename it Ferryboat Lane now that it becomes a social hub for tourism and recreation beneath the canopy of everyday social intercourse?

(Source; “The Streets of Wexford” by Nicky Rossiter, first published by Nonsuch Ireland, 2009, ISBN 978 184588 959 3).