It’s all go for tomorrow’s point-to-point fixture at Ballycrystal, near Kiltealy, with 146 entries for the six races run under the auspices of the Island Hunt. The first race is at 2pm.
The going is described as “soft to heavy” and the weather forecast for the region is “mainly dry” on Saturday.
Island Hunt were due to unveil a new course at Peppards Castle, between Kilmuckridge and Ballygarrett on the east coast, but persistent heavy rainfall ruled out this exciting prospect and the fixture was switched to Ballycrystal.
The organisers are hoping for a good attendance, it is a strong programme, and a great day’s point-to-point is guaranteed.
Bishop Ger Nash has expressed his support and compassion for those in the farming community and other sectors who are experiencing difficulties because of the prolonged spell of poor weather.
He asks everyone in the Diocese of Ferns to join with him in praying for favourable weather and also in praying for all whose work or livelihoods depend on the weather conditions.
Bishop Nash’s prayers comes after nationwide media coverage was given to a Mass held in St. Brigid’s Church, on Monday evening with Very Rev. Joseph Power, parish priest presiding, and the congregation included The Reverend Canon Trevor Sargent, Rector of the Bunclody Union.
Fr. Power said a member of the public approached him to lead prayers over the wet weather situation. “The Mass was well attended and brought in a crowd from different faiths,” concluded Fr. Power.
Coastal erosion along the Wexford coastline is high on the agenda again following recent storms and persistent heavy rainfall and the difficulties affecting seaside communities was raised at last Monday’s April meeting of Wexford County Council held at County Hall, Wexford. Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach, presided.
During the recent Storm Kathleen, at Seaview, near Kilmore Quay, up to three metres of cliff disappeared into the sea! An access route serving Connibeg Cottages and Lismore Cottages, installed by Wexford County Council less than two years ago, is now out of commission because of erosion, while there are real worries about the future of the houses themselves.
Senior Engineer with Wexford County Council, Gerry Forde said the average loss of coastline over the years was about half a metre per year, but in recent times this has increased significantly.
CLLR LISA McDONALD
“Over the weekend here, we lost about three metres at the edge of the access road and the access road to seven of the houses here has gone,” he said.
Storm activity during the last number of years has increased, bringing more erosion to soft coasts such as south Wexford.
Local Cllr Lisa McDonald told the meeting of Wexford County Council that the coastline is “very vulnerable due to the heavy storms hitting the southeast coast lately.” Cllr McDonald said; “Our coastline here is not rocky, it’s very vulnerable, it’s very soft, very soft soil. “We’ve been known for our golden beaches but now we’re seeing large chunks of our coastline being eaten up by each storm.”
Planning permission was granted to the council yesterday (Monday) for further rock armour work, to add to the protection work carried out two years ago, but it now needs to go to tender.
“The process is too slow,” Cllr McDonald said. “We need the OPW to keep the speed up because climate change has sped up and if it doesn’t keep pace with climate change, we’ll see large chunks disappear into the sea,” she added.
MINISTER PATRICK DONOVAN, CLLR JIM MOORE, CHAIR ROSSLARE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT, CLLR GER CARTHY and local residents at Seaview, Kilmore, today where severe coastal erosion has occurred. (PIC; OPW first published WexfordLocal.com November 2021).
On Monday, members agreed a proposed Part 8 planning development which involves “the protection of approximately 300 metres of cliff frontage at Seaview beach with integrated ramp access to the beach. This protection consists of rock armour revetment to the to the existing cliff face” and other works.
Cllr Ger Carthy felt that “we (the Council) are not taking coastal erosion seriously.”
Cllr McDonald said that access to the beach at Ballyhealy is gone and many more up the coast and she lamented “a lack of taking this seriously.”
Cllr Jim Moore said that Seaview has been a long-standing issue and he claimed, “there is a race against time to prevent making matters worse.” He continued; “Seaview is under threat. Neighbouring beaches are under threat. Repeated storms will put other people at risk. What is the Council going to do?”
Director of Services Carolyne Godkin appreciated what the members were saying, and the Council is engaging with multiple groups. “A temporary road has gone. The pinch point for access is under review at the moment.”
Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe said the Council will activate this scheme as quickly as possible. It will cost tens of millions of euro to get things done and Mr Taaffe confirmed that engineers have visited the scene.
Cllr Jim Codd raised issues around Cullenstown beach and Mr Taaffe recalled 25 years ago when he worked in coastal environment and is familiar with issues at Cullenstown beach.
Cllr Joe Sullivan told the meeting that Kilmichael, north of Courtown, has taken “a battering” and he felt there was no major plan for coastal erosion in North Wexford. “It is a large area of soft coastline, said Cllr Sullivan, who added; “Kilpatrick has lost 100 acres in the past 35 years.”
At the Clonroche Amenity Park planting programme were (left to right); Front row; Kay Stafford, (Anchor) Jim Redmond, (Clonroche Development Association) Tom Furlong, (Clonroche Development Association) Richard Mulcahy, Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Cllr Michael Sheehan, New Ross Municipal District, Martin Kelly, (Clonroche Development Association), and Robert O’ Connor, Forestry Services. Back row; Philip Rossiter, (Anchor) and John Fitzpatrick (Anchor).
By Dan Walsh
Clonroche Amenity Park has been planted with 2,500 native trees in the company of Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Cllr Michael Sheehan, New Ross Municipal District, members of Clonroche Development Association, members of the local community, Richard Mulcahy and representatives from the Forestry Services were in attendance.
Cllr John Fleming welcomed all and said; “It was great to see Clonroche Amenity Park planted with native trees as part of the 100 million Trees project.” He thanked the Clonroche Development Association, Richard Mulcahy, Wexford County Council and Uniphar for making this project happen. He paid a special word of thanks to all in the local community for their commitment and dedication in keeping the park and the village of Clonroche looking so well’.
Richard Mulcahy said; “We are delighted to partner with Clonroche Development Association and bring the total number of young native trees planted to just over 200,000 across 99 sites.” He thanked Uniphar for their sponsorship for the 2023 / 2024 planting season and stated that the planting in Clonroche Amenity Park will provide so many benefits to the local community and for biodiversity.
Two motions centered around Youth Mental Health and Agriculture submitted by Local Election candidate Darragh McDonald through the Gorey branch of Fine Gael were passed at the parties Ard Fheis held in Galway last weekend.
DARRAGH McDONALD A candidate for Gorey district in the forthcoming Local Elections who addressed delegates at last weekend’s Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Galway.
The first motion was heard at the Building Healthy Communities Session and called on the government to address Youth Suicide in Ireland and to standardise mental health education in schools.
Mr McDonald said “mental health challenges and suicide is on the rise in this country. We need to acknowledge that we have not done enough to address this and must urgently put in place the proper supports to both fix the backlogs in our professional mental health services, and improve education so we can help identify when we ourselves, our friends and our family need professional help.”
The second motion was heard at the Agriculture and Food Session and called on the government to recognise the increased pressure on small and medium sized farms to make a living. The motion also called for a change in approach towards Ireland’s agricultural community with a focus on streamlining regulatory reporting and simplifying incentives for investments in green technology.
“We need to recognise and respect our agricultural community including farmers and contractors. I’m no farmer, but from canvassing throughout North Wexford, I’ve had the pleasure of talking to many who work in the sector. What I’ve seen is a community passionate about our land and their work and, who are far more in touch with the environment than I could ever hope to be,” said Mr McDonald.
Speaking on a potential General Election run on June 7th next, Mr McDonald told WexfordLocal.com; “I want to go where I can best represent the people of Gorey and North Wexford. My priority is the local elections, without success in them there is no general election run for me. Like in sport, there are steps in qualifying for the biggest events. Anyone who thinks you can or should go straight to the top without first proving yourself to the electorate is very naive, that type of politics belongs in another generation.”
By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council monthly meeting
The monthly meeting is centre stage for Wexford County Council, but today’s (Monday) renewal at County Hall, Wexford, exploded into a tense verbal battle between the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Cathaoirleach of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District when Cllr Pip Breen, the current district chair raised a matter that “reflected badly on the members of Gorey Municipal District.
Cllr Breen told the meeting that “we had our meeting on the 26th of March and the next morning numerous letters went into the Kilmuckridge district telling people what they received on headed note paper by the Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin and it was totally erroneous and misleading, telling people they got money they had requested, not what they were granted.
CLLR PIP BREEN Cathaoirleach Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council.
Cllr Breen continued; “That fact that it only went out in the (Kilmuckridge) distrct – it didn’t go to Gorey – I’m deeply disappointed at what has happened. I have spoken to my two colleagues in the Kilmuckridge district and they have all got complaints from the people who were affected by this. I think an explanation is needed! Fionntán Ó Súilleabhaáin has been a councillor for 10 years, he should have known better than to send out letters that are totally erroneous.”
Cllr Mary Farrell concurred with Cllr Breen and stated that numerous groups were informed they had received huge amounts of money. “They were thrilled and looking forward to spending the money and suddenly it wasn’t there,” said Cllr Farrell, who was supported by Cllr Oliver Walsh who was disappointed that “what should have been a good news story for Kilmuckridge district was turned into a bad news story.”
CLLR FIONNTÁN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN Leas-Cathaoirleach Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council.
Cllr Ó Súilleabhain, who is recovering from the flu and was speaking via zoom, gave a detailed explanation saying he did not sign as “Leas-Cathaoirleach”, had a busy day, was working on two separate Excel spread sheets on a screen and made a genuine mistake. Many people in this room make mistakes.”
He continued; “I apologised immediately to the five groups concerned and a letter of apology has been sent out and I apologise here again today” he also added that he had received insulting phone calls.
But the matter didn’t end there. Cllr Breen, supported by Cllr Farrell disputed that five groups were contacted and put the number at 20. “You have broken a serious code of ethics,” stated Cllr Breen.
Cllr Farrell said it was disingenuous and point scoring to say that there was an election coming up, but suggested that maybe the councillor was being “fearful of his opponents.”
Cllr Willie Kavanagh stated that he had received phone calls from about ten organisations and added; “I think this is a serious breach of protocol that should be reported to SIPO for investigation.”
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr John Fleming concluded that “this was a good story that turned into a bad story. I am very disappointed.”
“I have already apologised three times,” added Cllr Ó Súilleabhain.
An Exhibition titled The War of Independence and Civil War in County Wexford opens today (Monday) in The Street at County Hall, Wexford, and will be available until May 3rd and can be viewed during office hours.
The Civil War in Ireland ended on May 24th, 1923, following five years of unrest and political, economic and social turmoil. People lost their lives, their family and friends, property and way of life.
CLLR GER CARTHY
This exhibition commissioned by Wexford County Council Library Service and scripted by Celestine Murphy, historian, traces the progression to the War of Independence and Civil War in County Wexford.
The Leas Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Ger Carthy told WexfordLocal.com; “I’m delighted to bring this exhibition, “The War of Independence and Civil War in County Wexford’ here to County Hall. This new information collected provides new evidence to add to the historical record of County Wexford. And as important, it also gives us the opportunity to put on record the contribution made by families whose ancestors were directly involved in events which led to the formation of our state.”
This exhibition is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative.
For further information, visit the exhibition at Wexford County Hall or contact the Local Studies Librarian at 053 919 6330 or libraryhq@wexfordcoco.ie
CONOR MOORE… a winner today at Tattersalls, Fairyhouse.
Clashing with the Aintree Grand National next Saturday, April 13th, Island Hunt were due to unveil a new course at Peppards Castle, between Kilmuckridge and Ballygarrett on the east coast for their upcoming point-to-point, but the fixture has now been switched to Ballycrystal, near Kiltealy.
The programme of six races remains unchanged, with the card set to begin at 2pm with a four-year-old maiden and entries close at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 9th.
Only one fixture survived the weather conditions this weekend, the Louth Foxhounds meeting at Fairyhouse, Co. Meath, today (Sunday) and just one Wexford winner.
Newcomer Flamingo Grove cruised to an eight lengths victory in the maiden race for four-year-old mares for handler Jonathan Fogarty, Gaynestown Stud, Cleariestown, and a 12th career success for Kilmore Quay rider Conor Moore.
The organisers of the annual Hope & Dream 10 event are delighted with today’s renewal on The Promenade, Enniscorthy and are saying “it was a big success and great credit to everyone who took part and the large numbers that turned out to cheer the runners, walkers and juggers at the finish line.”
A large crowd cheering the participants in the Hope & Dream 10 at The Promenade, Enniscorthy, on Sunday morning.
With a registration of 1,675 – up 400 more than last year – at 10.15 am eager and excited participants headed out along the various routes in the country before the fittest and fastest returned to The Promenade some 45 minutes and longer at the end. Everybody finished safely.
Results; Male Section, 1st Conor Brennan 41 mins 31 secs; 2nd, Davy Byrne 41m 48s; 3rd, Sean Doyle 42m 39s. Female Section; 1st, Sonia Redmond 46 mins 53 secs; 2nd, Sharon Kehoe 49m 00s; 3rd, Amy Stafford 49m 42s.
The event is in aid of the Hope Cancer Support Centre. “The proceeds will again go into supporting services for clients and we are in the process of redeveloping the Centre and incorporating new premises into the old,” they said in a statement, and added; “It is important to note that a complete separate funding stream will be utilised to fund the development and no Hope & Dream 10 proceeds will be used for this development.”
A motorcyclist has died in an incident at Tombreane, Carnew on Saturday evening at 6.30pm.
The man in his 20s, was taken to Beaumont Hospital with serious injuries. He was later pronounced deceased.
A technical examination of the scene has been conducted by Forensic Collision Investigators and the road has since reopened.
Gardaí are appealing to “any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Tombreane area between 6.15pm and 6.45pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Baltinglass Garda Station on 059 6482610, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
WexfordLocal.com 