WexfordLocal.com

Cheltenham stars coming to Wexford

By Dan Walsh

The first of 12 race meetings during 2024 at Bettyville Park, Wexford, kicks off on St. Patrick’s Day (Sunday) with the first race of seven races off at 1.57pm.

The celebrity status of the occasion will be boosted by the presence of Cheltenham winning jockeys Rachael Blackmore, Paul Townend and Patrick Mullins, while winning trainers this week at the Cheltenham Festival – Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead – have entries from respective stables in neighbouring counties Carlow and Waterford.

The going will be heavy after a week of heavy rain. Horse Racing Ireland confirmed to WexfordLocal.com that Going will be “Heavy. Following 30mm of rain since entries. Unsettled with up to a further 10mm of rain prior to racing. Monitoring the situation. Hurdle track is 19 yards off innermost line and Chase track is 3 yards off innermost line.”

Met Éireann is predicting “Showers. High of 13 degrees Celsius. Chance of rain 50%” for Sunday in the south-east.”

It promises to be a great day’s sport with a good social dimension, and the chance to pick a few winners. Wexford racecourse would like to welcome all the loyal supporters and some new to the track to get the 2024 racing season at Bettyville off to the perfect start.

Seven males hidden in trailer at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Six men and one male juvenile discovered hidden in a truck trailer at Rosslare Europort around 6am this morning (Friday) was detained by Gardaí for alleged immigration offences.

They received medical attention at Wexford Garda Station and all were deemed to be safe and well.

The six men were refused leave to land and are now expected to leave the jurisdiction tonight on a return ferry to the country they arrived from.

The juvenile is currently in the care of Tusla’s Unaccompanied Minors Unit.

Gardaí said investigations are ongoing alongside the relevant international stakeholders.

Last January 14 people-nine men, three women and two young girls- were discovered hidden in a refrigerated trailer at Rosslare Europort and arrested for alleged immigration offences.

They were later released, and a man was arrested later in connection to a human trafficking investigation. He was later released.

Works to start on Mayglass water supply

By Dan Walsh

From next Tuesday Uisce Éireann will commence works to install over 3.5km of watermains in Mayglass to increase the water supply capacity, reduce the risk of interruption to water supply and support sustainable growth and development.

Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann, Lisa Cogan told WexfordLocal.com today; “We are delighted to be progressing this project for the people of Wexford and would like to thank the local community for their support and co-operation as we carry out this work. Once completed, the project will deliver a more resilient and reliable water supply and benefit the local community for decades to come.”

To safely facilitate works, road closures will be in place from Mayglass Water Treatment Plant to Mulrankin. The first road closure will be in place from Tuesday March 19^th at L3045-1/2/3 and L3046-4 at Tanner Hill, from its junction with the R739-4 at Walshestown to its junction with L-7094-3 at Cregg.

Alternative routes will be clearly signposted. Local and emergency access will be maintained. To minimise disruption, the road closure will be carried out in rolling stages. “We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient and works crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause,” said Ms. Cogan, who added; “Standard working hours will be in place from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.”

These works are being delivered as part of Uisce Éireann’s Growth and Development Programme. Coffey Construction Ltd. will carry out the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann, and they are expected to be completed in the final quarter of 2024.

Enniscorthy Swimming Pool take over by Wexford County Council

By Dan Walsh

The Board of Enniscorthy Swimming Pool and Leisure Complex Limited (trading as The Waterfront Pool & Leisure Centre) at Templeshannon has confirmed the operational transfer of the Pool & Leisure Complex to Wexford County Council.

Discussions with the Council have been ongoing for several months and concluded this week with a formal transfer process.

Following the centre’s successful 24-year operating period, a review was undertaken by the Board in 2023 in terms of succession planning. Arising from this review, the Board entered discussions with the Council about taking the Centre under the custody of the local authority – with the expressed intention of ensuring the complex continues to serve the people of Enniscorthy and District into the future.

Cllr John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council said; “The Waterfront Pool & Leisure Centre is a valuable and much-used amenity for the people of Enniscorthy District. I am pleased that Wexford County Council recognises the importance of the facility to the town in stepping in to take over operations.”

Cllr O’Rourke also acknowledged the significant voluntary contribution made by the original committee and Board members since 1995, “that has brought us to where we are today” and he is looking forward to many more successful years of operation.

Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services for Enniscorthy Municipal District, told WexfordLocal.com; “I am delighted to confirm the transfer process of The Waterfront Pool & Leisure Centre, Enniscorthy from the current Company Directors to the Council was completed this week. On behalf of Wexford County Council, I wish to formally thank the previous committee members and outgoing Board members, whose vision, ambition and resilience for Enniscorthy resulted in the opening of a state-of-the-art centre in 1999, in the heart of the town.

“The outgoing Board members, Dan Kickham, Noeleen Redmond, together with Management Committee members Mary Carroll- Murphy and David Murphy have contributed an immeasurable amount of time as volunteers and have operated a twenty-five-year success story for the town,” concluded Ms Godkin.

It is envisaged there will be no significant changes for staff or current users of the pool. The ex-Board members and Wexford County Council will work together during the next number of months to help ensure a smooth operational handover.

Legend of bonesetting tradition dies at Myshall

By Dan Walsh

The death has occurred of Danny O’Neill, Hollybrook House, Myshall, Co. Carlow who was a legend in his own lifetime, carried on the bonesetting tradition in his family for more than 60 years, and his name is universally known, and he regularly featured in television documentaries and print articles. He was in his 94^th year.

Danny continued his bonesetting practice up to the Covid 19 virus outbreak where he was forced to retire on medical advice.

The O’Neill bonesetting gift goes back throughout the generations. Old timers in the Myshall area during the 1960s speculated that the gift was with the O’Neill’s for up to 400 years. In living memory, Danny’s grandfather Johnny O’Neill and his uncle Pat O’Neill were bonesetters.

Born into a farming background, Danny farmed for the best part of five decades on a mixed holding, and since his retirement in 1999, the farm has been managed by his son Jimmy.

Danny O’Neill has dealt with fractures, displaced bones and probably the full range of ailments relating to the 302 bones in the human body over a working life, providing relief from pain for people young and old ‒ men, women and children.

FAMILY NOTICE; Danny O’Neill, Hollybrook House, Myshall, Co. Carlow, passed away peacefully on March 13th, 2024.Predeceased by his beloved daughter Olivia and son-in-law Peadar. Danny beloved husband of Tess and much-loved father of Dan, Mary, Jimmy, Gretta, Claire and Treasa. Deeply regretted by his wife, sons, daughters, sons-in-law Fursey, John, Gerry and Kevin, daughters-in-law Bernie and Natalie, grandchildren Danny, John, Aíne, Joe, Marie, Therese, Maria, Danielle, Tess, Charlie, Daniel, Donal, Seana, Daire, Sean, Peter, Jack, Shane and Grace, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, kind neighbours and his many friends. May Danny’s Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.

Reposing at his home on Thursday from 12 noon concluding with prayers at 8pm. Requiem Mass on Friday at 2pm in the Church of The Holy Cross, Myshall, followed by burial in Lismaconly Cemetery, Myshall.

Wexford jockey wins at Cheltenham

**JJ SLEVIN rode his third winner at the Cheltenham Festival today. (File Pic).**

By Dan Walsh

Day one of the famous Cheltenham Festival got underway today (Tuesday) and Wexford jockey JJ Slevin rode Lark In The Park (9/1) to a fine success in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Slevin’s cousin Joseph O’Brien at Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, Lark In The Park was held up towards the rear and made good headway before three out, before taking up the running on the turn for home and staying on strongly to win comfortably by two lengths.

“I was worried big time about the rain. He’s been getting stuck in the ground at home all winter so we were worried, but I had a spin around on Colonel Mustard in the Champion Hurdle earlier on and after that I thought it wasn’t quite as bad as it walked. It’s Cheltenham and we had to let him take his chance,” said Slevin afterwards.

It was the third Cheltenham festival victory for JJ Slevin, from Kiltrea, Caim, Enniscorthy, having previously won the same race with O’Brien on Band Of Outlaws in 2019, while two years earlier he landed the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle on Champagne Classic for Gordon Elliott.

Accommodation call for Fleadh 2024

By Dan Walsh

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024 is coming to Wexford town August 4^th-11^th and the Fleadh Executive Committee is calling on the people of Wexford to extend a warm welcome to visitors and performers by renting any vacant rooms or houses they may have available.

With over 500,000 people expected to attend the week-long celebrations, the Fleadh Executive Committee are reaching out to Wexford homeowners who can offer a variety of accommodations to rent, including a spare room or a holiday home not in use. Those interested in providing property or rooms to visitors can register their accommodation.

Cathaoirleach of the Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee, Eddie Taaffe, said; “We are thrilled to welcome Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Wexford this summer. We are calling on locals to get involved in all aspects of the event, but accommodation is one area where we need help. If you have a space that could be used as a rental, we ask you to please register it for rent on our website. Help us showcase our legendary Wexford hospitality by opening your doors and offering a warm welcome to Fleadh festival goers!” For more information and to register your accommodation for the Wexford Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024, visit fleadhcheoil.ie

‘Wexford roads are dangerous’ says Verona Murphy

By Dan Walsh

Independent TD for Wexford, Verona Murphy, raised the issue of the roads funding model with the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, last Thursday in Dáil Éireann. “Many roads around County Wexford are in dangerous condition and are in bad need of repair”, according to Deputy Murphy.

Deputy Murphy told the Dáil; “We (Co.Wexford) have the tenth greatest length of non-national roads in the country. The breakdown making up the 3,522 km is: 529 km of regional roads; 865 km of local primary roads; 1,482 km of local secondary roads; and 646 km of local tertiary roads.”

Deputy Murphy explained the problems with the current model of roads funding; “The issue is that the funding is not reflective of road condition. No matter what way we look at studies, funding is allocated on a per kilometre basis and not on a roads condition basis.

The Independent TD added “In recent weeks, I have seen flooding causing surface water which is posing a serious rick to motorists of aquaplaning on many roads in County Wexford. It is a very serious issue. We are talking about basic maintenance here andthere is no money for drainage. Wexford County Council, to its credit and that of the chiefroads engineer, Eamonn Hore, who is also the Director of Services, is well managed. Our engineers do their best with what they get, but I have been out and around for months and I have never seen anything like the damage this winter weather has caused. There is €66 million owed in funding from previous years that must be forthcoming and a complete review of the future funding model based on existing reports must be implemented if things are ever to improve”.

In response, Minister Neale Richmond recommended that a meeting between Wexford County Council and the Minister would be in order.

Honours for long service at Killinick Harriers

**Making presentations to Killinick Harriers long servers in the parade ring at Lingstown last Sunday.**

By Dan Walsh at Lingstown races

Last Sunday’s point-to-point races at Lingstown, Tomhaggard, was a major success on the track, but there was also an opportunity for the Killinick Harriers to honour some of its longest serving and devoted members of the organising committee.

A presentation took place in the parade ring without speeches as Jim Underwood distributed congratulatory envelopes to three outstanding contributors to the Lingstown races over centuries.

First up was Scott Mernagh, who was elected as Chairman in the 2016-2017 season and firmly held the reins until 2023.

Anita Ronan (nee Kent) was elected Hon. Point-to-Point Secretary in the 2016-2017 season and served until 2023. Katie Stafford, Dennistown, the new Hon. Point-to-Point Secretary has had a baptism of fire as today was her third point-to-point in less than five months!

Aileen Cardiff was elected as Hon. Point-to-Point Secretary for the 1981-1982 season and retired from that position after 35 years in March 2016.

Last Sunday Aileen Cardiff told WexfordLocal.com; “It was a pleasure for me to have held the position of Secretary for 35 years, many of my closest friends are members of the Killinick Harriers Hunt Committee and the horse racing fraternity and I left the job in the capable hands of Anita Ronan.”

Council backs farmers Enough Is Enough campaign

**CO. WEXFORD IFA members held a rally outside Wexford County Council buildings today.**

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

Farmers from all parts of Co. Wexford brought their machinery to Carricklawn today where Wexford County Council held the monthly meeting as they rallied against over regulation and invasive restrictions forced on the everyday lives of farmers and won for support for the Enough Is Enough campaign.

A few public rallies have taken place recently in the south-east, but the Chair of Wexford IFA Jer O’Mahony and fellow officials have been in discussions with Wexford County Council and Mr. O’Mahoney accepted an invitation to address the elected members today by Cathaoirleach Cllr John Fleming and he received a warm reception and universal support.

Mr O’Mahony said Wexford is the first county in Ireland – the first Council and first IFA Executive- to come together and meet with each other on the Enough is Enough campaign. “Jackie (Whelan- Fagan) and I have put together a protocol on inspections and we had meetings with Wexford County Council and got it over the line thanks to Carolyne (Godkin) and her team.” Mr O’Mahoney added that the IFA representatives sit on a few committees including the Environment Committee, the JPC and the LCDC.

Mr. O’Mahony believes that “if we are not in here talking to each other there is no point in being out there shouting because you are not going to listen to us and you are not going to hear us, but this way through the environment section a collaborative approach yields results.”

Mr O’Mahony expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to allow him to address the Council on issues that affect farmers. “We are here for farmers. We are here for farmers livelihoods. We are here for farmers wellbeing, and we are here for farm families,” said Mr O’Mahony, who added; “A farm is not an entity that stands on its own out in the countryside. There are people living there. There are families raised there. Children going to school there and everything that affects us with regards to the Department of Agriculture, including the green agenda, environment and housing, affects us, not just in monetary terms, but in our minds and in our hearts. Our farm is our castle.”

Mr O’Mahony spoke of department officials coming onto a farm and outlined some of the obstacle’s farmers have to overcome on a daily and yearly basis starting with fines for incompletion of forms. “The Department didn’t tell you that you’ve done anything wrong until the day you get your payment. When your payment doesn’t turn up, and you call them, and they tell you that that you dotted your ‘i’ wrong!”

Cathaoirleach Cllr John Fleming thanked Mr O’Mahony and Jackie Whelan-Fagan for addressing the elected members although he didn’t allow individual contributions from the floor due to time constraints. A loud round of applause captured the strong support for the farming community and a promise to protect rural Ireland.