Children in 30 schools in Wexford are to benefit from a further extension to the Hot School meals Programme, said Deputy Paul Kehoe, who added; “Any remaining primary schools in Wexford who have not yet joined the scheme can now express an interest to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme with effect from September.
DEPUTY PAUL KEHOE
Deputy Kehoe said: “I am delighted that Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, have announced this further support to schools, which means an additional 150,000 children will benefit from nutritious hot meals, with many of those in Wexford.
“The Hot School Meals Programme was introduced in 2019 as a small pilot of 30 schools. Minister Humphreys has grown the programme significantly in recent years and over 2,000 primary schools are now eligible to receive a hot meal with plans to include additional schools later this year.
“Last year, Minister Humphreys signalled her intention to rollout the Hot School Meals Programme to all primary schools,” recalled Deputy Kehoe, who added; “Wexford schools that are currently not getting funding for hot school meals will now be able to express their interest in participating from September and I would strongly encourage them to engage in that process as soon as possible.”
BALLYCOGLEY PLAYERS…One of three Co. Wexford groups in the All Ireland Open Drama Finals 2024.
The draw for the Open All Ireland RTÉ Amateur Drama Finals 2024 taking place in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone, took place today (Sunday) and with three of the nine finalists having qualified from Co. Wexford the dates are important.
And they are as follows;
Thursday, May 2nd, the opening night of the festival; Bridge Drama and The Wake by Tom Murphy; Friday, May 3rd, Wexford Drama Group How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel; and Thursday, May 9th, Ballycogley Players Out Of Order by Ray Cooney.
Neighbouring riders Barry O’Neill and Rob James are ‘neck and neck’ at the top of the national point-to-point riders’ championship, and they had a winner apiece at Castletown-Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath, today (Sunday) and are 27-26 at the top of the table with about six weekends to go until the end of the 2023-’24 season.
James drew level with champion O’Neill when he partnered newcomer Drop A Threat to a 12 lengths victory for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. But an hour later and Barry was back on top again with an 8 lengths victory on Deravarra Rose for local Mullingar handler Ciaran Murphy with Rob in the runner-up spot on Notnoweve for David Christie in the mares’ maiden contest.
SEAN DOYLE and JACK HENDRICK enjoyed success with On The Bayou at the point-to-point in Castletown-Geoghegan today. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Sean Doyle initiated the first leg of a double with newcomer On The Bayou, running in the Monbeg Partnership colours and ridden by Jack Hendrick, Mayglass, in division two of the maiden race for four-year-olds in which only two finished at the Westmeath track.
Doyle made it a double on the day at Dromahane, Co. Cork, when saddling Dawn Miss, the 12 lengths winner of the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares and ridden by Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard,
Another Tomhaggard rider Tiernan Power Roche teamed up with Cleariestown handler Mark Scallan and the partnership enjoyed a double at the Cork venue. Newcomer Captains Speech in the colours of Denis Hayes scored by five and a half lengths in the second division of the geldings four-year-old maiden race and Laura Scallan’s Always A Reason made it a double for the rider/handler partnership by four lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
Peadar Mordaunt, Luke Murphy (rider), John Murphy (handler) with Committee Meeting following success in division one of the Goffs Punchestown Sales race at Ballycrystal point-to-point this afternoon.
By Dan Walsh at Ballycrystal
The national point-to-point riders’ championship is really hotting up following today’s Island Hunt fixture at Ballycrystal where Rob James rode a treble and is now only one winner (26-25) behind the reigning champion Barry O’Neill in the 2023-’24 championship race. There were also doubles for local handlers Donnchadh Doyle and Matthew Flynn O’Connor who saddled his 25th career point-to-point winner.
The four-year-old mares maiden race was divided and the 16 lengths success of Fruit De Mer was the first leg of a double for the Donnchadh Doyle/Rob James team. Only two of the eight starters finished with Colin Bowe’s Paul Collins (Barry O’Neill up) filling the runner-up position.
The sale race was also divided and division one went to Committee Meeting for the father and son team of John and Luke Murphy from Inch, Gorey. Division two was the first leg of a double for local handler Matthew Flynn O’Connor when Rucker Road ridden by Brian Lawless took advantage by four lengths.
Flynn O’Connor and Lawless were in the winners’ enclosure half an hour later with Je Viens Du Large who had an amazing 56 lengths success as only two finished in the Winners of One race.
Peggy’s Rock (Michael Goff/Mikey Sweeney) led throughout the Open Lightweight Race confined to mares but made a mistake at the final obstacle and was caught at the finish by Millie Supreme – half a length in it – to complete a double for Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James.
The largest field of the day -15 – turned out in the maiden race for five and six-year-old maidens and victory for Cloonainra for handler David O’Brien from Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, and third winner of the afternoon for Rob James.
Derek O’Connor, who won the Foxhunters at Aintree on Thursday, scored on Kara Sacre for the Tipperary handler Sam Curling in division two of the maiden race for four-year-old mares. Six lengths the verdict.
Mickthesoldier was an eight lengths winner of the maiden race for six-year-olds for Denis Ahern of Dungourney, Co. Cork. This was a second point-to-point victory for Michael Kenneally, who had a spell as a flat jockey in the United Kingdom.
It was a good day’s racing, two divides, an 8-race card, the going was ‘soft to heavy’, a nice Saturday crowd and the Aintree Grand National was screened and enjoyed thanks to the Island Hunt team.
PAUL HILLIS brought the Aintree Grand National Trophy to Wexford Racecourse following success in 2023. Seen here with track manager MICHAEL MURPHY. Will the trophy be back in the winners’ enclosure at Wexford following today’s big race? (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
The world famous Aintree Grand National takes place today with the big race off at 4pm and there is fierce Wexford interest from the Wexford-bred Corach Rambler attempting to win the race for the second time in a row while several Wexford-born jockeys will be lining up for what could be the greatest sporting day of their lives.
This year’s favourite is Corach Rambler (7/1, jockey Derek Fox), a winner a year ago, named after a well-known local soccer team by the River Corach, near Wellingtonbridge, the 10 year old son of Jeremy bred by Paul Hillis, from the Bannow Ballymitty area of south Wexford, who is a partner with three Scottish enthusiasts in a winning syndicate known as The Rambler.
Last year Corach Rambler succeeded in the world’s toughest steeplechase to a great reception and wearing the favourites tag, but the runner-up also had a Wexford connection. Vanillier was ridden by Sean Flanagan from Robinstown, New Ross. Vanillier (10/1) will line up this afternoon again with Flanagan in the saddle.
Other Wexford jockeys in action in the big race this afternoon includes Jordan Gainford, Caim, who takes the mount on front runner, Coko Beach (22/1); Panda Boy (10/1) is the mount of JJ Slevin, Caim, Enniscorthy, who won his second Irish Grand National a few weeks ago at Fairyhouse; and Sean O’Keeffe, Harveystown, Taghmon, is on the 50/1 outsider Adamantly Chosen.
London-based property millionaire and amateur jockey David Maxwell, 45, rides Ain’t That A Shame (40/1) trained by Henry de Bromhead in the neighbouring county of Waterford and he has very close Wexford connections. He is son of Judy Maxwell (née Spring), formerly of Ballinadara House, Enniscorthy, who was my neighbour in our school days, who married and settled in Downpatrick, Co. Down, a long number of years ago. Judy’s Dad, Julian Spring (1922-1987) was Master of the Bree Hunt for many years and he also hunted the Wexford’s and The Island.
Pictured at the launch of RNLI 200 Concert; A Celebration of Volunteers, Their Families and the Community taking place in the National Opera House, Wexford, on May 23rd. (Pic; RNLI/Lorraine Galvin).
By Dan Walsh
RNLI 200 Concert is a special commemorative event marking the 200-year legacy of the RNLI and pays tribute to the brave volunteers who crew the boats, their families who make sacrifices, and the communities that support them. It takes place in the National Opera House, Wexford, on May 23rd next.
RNLI 200 promises to be an unforgettable journey through history, showcasing the courage and dedication of RNLI volunteers. The one night only spectacular will feature a diverse range of performances, including song, dance, spoken word, and video presentations.
Audiences will be treated to stories ranging from the foundation of the RNLI to epic rescues carried out by RNLI crews along the South East of Ireland, namely Courtown, Wexford, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore Quay and Fethard RNLI.
Local talents such as George Lawlor, Tony Carthy, Chris Currid, The Craic Pots, Wexford School of Ballet and Performing Arts, and Dara Pierce Ballet Academy will grace the stage alongside nationally recognised artists like renowned piper Mark Redmond and tenor Glenn Murphy. Under the baton of composer Liam Bates, the evening promises to be a symphony of emotion and celebration. Adding to the star-studded line-up, Celtic Thunder star Ryan Kelly and Celtic Woman star Chloe Agnew, and fresh from their sell out performance at the National Concert Hall, The Sea of Change Choir, will make a special guest appearance, with more surprise guests to be announced in the coming weeks.
RNLI 200 is set to captivate audiences with its blend of entertainment and heartfelt tribute. Proceeds from the event will go to the RNLI. Tickets for RNLI 200 are priced at €30 each and are available for purchase from www.nationaloperahouse.ie.
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.
WexfordLocal.com 