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.

Bird saves sheep from the rising tide

By Dan Walsh

Fethard RNLI responded to an unusual call out on Tuesday, approximately one nautical mile north of Duncannon, where a sheep had fallen from a ledge and was confronted by a rising tide.

Crewman Diarmuid Bird saves sheep from the rising tide (Pic: RNLI/Fethard).

The weather was fine with a light southerly breeze in Waterford Estuary when the lifeboat launched at Duncannon and proceeded to the area, known locally as Lady’s Bay, where they observed the animal in difficulty.

Crew member Diarmuid Bird entered the water, collected the sheep, and brought it to the nearby pebble beach to safety.

Speaking after the launch, Fethard RNLI Helm Mick Roche said; “This evening’s launch highlights the importance of taking care and be wary of all edges around the sea and waterside. Slips and falls happen in all kinds of locations, not just high cliff edges. We would remind animal owners to never get themselves in danger trying to rescue a family pet or animal from the water. If you are worried about animal’s safety, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

Mayor honours Wexford’s Billy Roche

Pictured at Mayoral Reception for Billy Roche at Wexford Arts Centre, (left to right); Conall Morrison (Stage Director), Gary Lydon (Actor), Dermot Murphy (Actor), Mayor of Wexford Cllr John Hegarty, Billy Roche, Ben Barnes (Artistic Director, Four Rivers Theatre Company) and Elizabeth Whyte, CEO, Wexford Arts Centre.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Arts Centre

Mayor of Wexford Cllr John Hegarty paid the Council’s highest possible tribute to multi-talented internationally renowned writer Billy Roche with a celebrated Mayoral Reception held in Wexford Arts Centre in the town this evening. Mr. Roche also added his name to the Distinguished Visitors Book.

Mayor Hegarty commenced; “As Mayor of Wexford it is a great honour to welcome ye all here  this evening to celebrated the life, the work, the wonderful contribution of a remarkable individual, a true Wexfordman whose amazing talent has captivated audiences all over the world; not just as a playwright, but as a master of prose, songwriter, singer, actor, member of Asdána and one of Ireland’s greatest ever playwrights – the one and only Billy Roche. Billy, I’m really delighted to welcome you here this evening to this special event.”

Billy Roche savoured the honour and was modest in his address which outlined where it all started, his climb up the ladder of success and explained that he was about to embark on a new journey. He showed his appreciation to the Mayor and the Council and met, talked and shook hands with everybody in attendance.

Mayor of Wexford Cllr John Hegarty with Billy Roche and his wife, Patty, at the Mayoral Reception in Wexford Arts Centre this evening.

Ben Barnes, Artistic Director of Four Rivers Theatre Company, added his congratulations to Billy Roche and previewed a host of events coming to Wexford Arts Centre such as Billy Roche’s A Handful of Stars which is being revised by Four Rivers in partnership with Wexford Arts Centre to marks its  50th anniversary. The first play in Billy’s The Wexford Trilogy, A Handful of Stars explores how thwarted ambitions can both destroy dreams and shape character in small town Ireland.

First staged at Wexford Arts Centre as The Boker Poker Club in 1986, it appeared at The Bush Theatre, London as A Handful of Stars two years later  and described by The Guardian newspaper as ‘one of the year’s great theatre events.’A Handful of Stars is finally coming home in June with a fortnight run at Wexford Arts Centre (6th to 9th June and 11th – 16th June).

Wexford Borough Council District Manager Anthony Bailey acted as master of ceremonies and commenced by greeting Billy Roche, his wife Patty and family and friends and welcoming the large attendance to Wexford Arts Centre this evening.

“We are here to recognise and thank Mr. Billy Roche for his work as a singer, playwright, writer, actor and tutor of aspiring writers,” said Mr Bailey, who added; “It is an opportunity for the Council to celebrate one of our own.”

The attendance included Cllrs Garry Laffan, Maura Bell, George Lawlor, Tom Forde and Davy Hynes, actors Gary Lydon and Dermot Murphy and Conall Morrison, Stage Director.

Cannabis worth over €3.6m seized in Wexford and Dublin

Yesterday, as part of intelligence-led operations involving Revenue’s Customs Service and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), two separate consignments of herbal cannabis, with a combined weight of approximately 184 kgs and an estimated value of €3,680,000 (subject to analysis) were seized in Wexford and Dublin.

One man in his 60s was arrested by An Garda Síochána following the seizure of 139 kgs of herbal cannabis and is currently being detained in the South Eastern Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

In a second operation, one man in his 50s was arrested by An Garda Síochána following the seizure of 45 kgs of herbal cannabis and is currently being detained in a West Dublin Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

Investigations are ongoing.

Bowe assured of 12th championship title

By Dan Walsh

COLIN BOWE… just three weeks away from winning his 12th point-to-point title.

Colin Bowe saddled a winning treble and brought his seasonal total to 30 and is 11 winners clear in the national point-to-point handler’s championship which ends in a few weeks’ time with a most successful day at Dawstown, Co. Cork this Monday May Bank Holiday. This will be his 12th title marking a successful period for the popular Kiltealy yard.

And the battle for the riders’ title was fierce today with a treble for Rob James and a double for reigning champion Barry O’Neill. Tonight, James leads O’Neill, 37-35, with three weeks to go before the 2023-24 championship is decided.

Barry O’Neill got Bowe off to a flying start with a four lengths success on newcomer Walks In June in division one of the geldings maiden race for four-year-olds. O’Neill and Bowe also tasted success in division one of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings when Harrenhal obliged by one and three quarter lengths.

Bowe’s treble became a reality in the mares maiden race for five-year-olds plus when newcomer Simple Times dead-heated with Rob James up.

It was James’ third victory of the afternoon. Earlier he won division two of the maiden race for four-year-olds by one length with Moon Over America which he handles himself at Tomona Stables, Killanne. James’ third winner of the day came on Fort St Angelo for handler Luke Murphy at Corecannon House, Gorey, who scored by a neck in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Fourth winner in his first season as a handler for Murphy.

Denis Murphy saddled Manowest to a half-length victory in the maiden race for geldings six-year-old plus. The winning rider was Shane Cotter. And Gragreen who won the Winner of Two race for Carlow handler William Murphy is owned and bred by Leo Doyle from the Killinick Hunt area of south Wexford.