Wexford town is set to host Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann from August 4th-11th this year, but there is an extra cause for celebration as Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee, comprising Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann and Wexford County Council has announced that Wexford has been selected as the host town for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025.
The announcement was made last Saturday at a meeting of the Árd Comhairle of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
Cathaoirleach of the Fleadh Executive Committee and Interim Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Eddie Taaffe told WexfordLocal.com; “We are honoured to have been successful in our bid to host the Fleadh for a second year. Work is well underway for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024 and this is a great morale boost for the Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee for the many hours of work that have been put into the bid process over the past number of years. Momentum is gathering for a successful and enjoyable Fleadh for All in 2024, and we hope to build on this further for 2025”.
CLLR JOHN HEGARTY, Mayor of Wexford’ welcomes Fleadh Cheoil 2025.
Mayor of Wexford, Cllr John Hegarty, said; “The Fleadh Cheoil is an important cultural event in the Irish Calendar for lovers of traditional Irish music and dance. The event has grown from year to year and now brings more than 500,000 visitors with it to the host town. This is a very proud day for Wexford, to have succeeded in bringing this phenomenal event to our town for a second year. I have no doubt that the Fleadh Executive Committee will do us proud in 2024 and in 2025”.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr John Fleming, said he is delighted that the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will return to Wexford in 2025. “The event will bring an enormous social and economic benefit to our county. There are lots of people living in our town and county who will have never had the opportunity to experience live traditional Irish music. The Fleadh brings so many events free of charge to our streets for all our citizens to enjoy. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote greater participation in Irish traditional culture among the people of Wexford.”
The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024, A Fleadh for All, comes to Wexford this August 4th – 11th. For more information, seewww.fleadhcheoil.ie
Heavy overnight and early morning rain made for soft and heavy conditions at Killinick Harriers point-to-point at Lingstown, Tomhaggard, today, but following a delayed start due to getting the good-sized attendance onto the track, the six-race fixture went ahead safely, and the fence in the back straight was omitted due to the ground conditions, but it stayed dry for the afternoon.
There was drama at the final fence in the maiden race for four-year-olds when Rock On By (Jack Hendrick) and Apaloosey (Eoin Staples) both came down while in contention leaving Kingston Queen, ridden by Jimmy Kenny for his father and handler Liam Kenny, Craanford, Gorey, to score by eight lengths.
MATTHEW FLYNN O’CONNOR continued in winning form at Lingstown today.
Well-bred Final Demand, who cost €230,000 at Tattersalls Derby Sales, was an impressive six lengths winner of the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings. “He goes to the sales now,” owner/handler Matthew Flynn O’Connor, Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, said afterwards, who is on a fine winning run; this was his ninth success of the season, and he is already enjoying his most successful season to date.
Local handler Darragh Berry and the Run For Fun Partnership were celebrating after the Padge Berry Memorial Race for five-year-old maiden mares where Get Off Your Phone answered the call of victory by one and a half lengths with Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, in the saddle.
Nine runners took part in the Open Lightweight over the Banks Course. It was a thrill to watch, as usual, and this time success went to De Nordener ridden by Toni Quail. Three and a half lengths the verdict and the runner-up was Transprint in the colours of Richard O’Keeffe, Newtown, Taghmon.
Jimmy Kelly travelled from Cork to saddle Gentleman Toboot who scored by 12 lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings with Brian Lawless up.
For the second year in succession Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin, handler, Tom Dreaper won the maiden race for five-year-olds and upwards. He saddled Shabby Hill, a neck success with Cormac Abernathy up. Recently, Tom Draper has taken over the full training licence from his father, Jim Dreaper.
Barry O’Neill travelled to Belclare, Co. Galway, today where he rode a pair of winners; Epic West by three lengths for Donnchadh Doyle in the five and six-year-old geldings maiden and partnered Winged Leader for David Christie in the Open Lightweight Race.
Michael Goff, Clondaw, Ferns, also made his mark at the Galway fixture. He saddled Peggy’s Rock in the Winner of Two Race and scored by three lengths with Mikey Sweeney up.
Also point-to-point action today in West Waterford where Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, collected the prize after newcomer Future Prospect obliged by four lengths under Shane Cotter in te maiden race for four-year-old mares.
Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan added another Wexford winner when the partnership shared the success of Big Interest who won by ‘a distance’ in the maiden race for five and six-year-old geldings.
In line with the rest of the country voters in the Wexford constituency have rejected the two proposed changes to the Constitution on the ballot papers presented on Friday.
First citizens President Michael D. Higgins and his wife, Sabina, casting their vote on Friday.
The Family Amendment (39th) proposed extending the meaning of family beyond one defined by marriage and to include those based on “durable” relationships.
The Care Amendment (40th) proposed deleting references to a woman’s roles and duties in the home and replacing it with a new article that acknowledges family carers.
Counting of votes in the Wexford constituency took place with a total of 192 boxes being opened at St Joseph’s Community Centre, Bishopswater, in Wexford town.
Returning Officer Deirdre Burke said the highest turnout in the county was 51.14% at Ballyduff while the lowest was in Barntown at 30.4%.
Yesterday, the average turnout for voting in Wexford was in the high 30% range.
Chasing over the Banks Course at Lingstown races (File Pic; WexfordLocalcom)
By Dan Walsh
One hundred and twenty-two entries have been received for tomorrow’s Killinick Harriers point-to-point at Lingstown, Tomhaggard, with the first race off at 1pm.
The biggest entries are in the four-year-old geldings maiden race (36) and the five and six-year-old geldings maiden race (33), so ‘divides’ may be a possibility.
The track is reported as “soft, heavy in places” and the card features an Open Race over the Banks Course.
Sunday will be a mostly cloudy day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, turning persistent at times in the east. Mist patches too with highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees. North to northeast winds will be mostly light to moderate but will continue strong at times.
Racing took place today (Saturday) at Kirkistown, Co. Down and there was a victory for the national rider and handler champions, Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe when Birmingham Alabama, in the colours of Leo McArdle, got the verdict by a neck in the maiden race for mares five-year-old and plus.
RNLI Kilmore Quay lifeboat Victor Freeman begins escorting the fishing vessel. Pic; RNLI/St Davids.
By Dan Walsh
RNLI lifeboats from St Davids, Fishguard, Newquay and Kilmore Quay stations launched to a Mayday distress call from a fishing vessel taking on water on Friday.
The 24 metre Irish trawler had five crew onboard and was some 21 nautical miles North-West of Strumble Head when HM Coastguard alerted Welsh lifeboats just before midday.
The all-weather lifeboats and volunteer crew made best speed to the scene, with Coastguard search and rescue helicopter R936 from Caernarfon also tasked to assist. With no casualties reported, New Quay lifeboat was stood down en-route.
St Davids Tamar class lifeboat Norah Wortley arrived at 1.10pm with sea conditions rough in a force five to seven Easterly wind. Fishguard RNLI’s Trent class lifeboat Blue Peter VII arrived at 1.35pm. With no engine damage and the Coastguard pump sufficiently reducing the water level, it was decided the fishing vessel would be escorted the 35 nautical miles West to Ireland.
Kilmore Quay Tamar class lifeboat Victor Freeman was tasked by the Irish Coast Guard to complete the escort back to Ireland, launching at 2.10pm. At this point, Fishguard lifeboat was stood down and returned to Wales.
St Davids lifeboat escorted the trawler a further 20 nautical miles West South West towards Tuskar Rock until Kilmore Quay lifeboat arrived at 3:20pm and took over the escort. St Davids lifeboat arrived back at their station at 6pm, and Kilmore Quay arrived back to their base shortly after at 6.10pm.
ALEJANDRO MIZSAM (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com, January 2023).
Two people have been jailed following a dog attack in Enniscorthy which left a nine-year-old boy with serious facial injuries. The incident happened on November 27th 2022 at the Forgelands estate in the Milehouse area of the town.
Alejandro Mizsan, who is now aged 11, was attacked by an XL Bully dog while playing on a green with friends.
Karen Miller, 38, with an address formerly of Forgelands in Enniscorthy pleaded guilty at Wexford Circuit Court to two charges of endangerment in relation to the attack and a separate attack on another child four days earlier, on November 23rd 2022.
Karen Miller pleaded guilty at Wexford Circuit Court today. She also pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction, by failing to inform gardaí where the dog was while it was being put down.
Niall Byrne, 29, also with an address formerly of Forgelands in Enniscorthy, pleaded guilty to the inhumane destruction of an animal. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of threatening to kill or cause serious harm.
Judge James McCourt sentenced Karen Miller to three years in prison for each of the endangerment counts, with the final 12 months of each sentence suspended. He said he took the obstruction charge into consideration.
The judge handed down a sentence to Niall Byrne of three years for each of the threats to kill or cause serious harm and 20 months for the inhumane killing of the dog. Mr Byrne, who has been in custody since November 2022, was given a credit of 12 months for time already served. It means Karen Miller and Niall Byrne will each serve two years in jail.
The court was told the dog got loose from a lead after spotting another dog when he was brought outside by Karen Miller “to do his business.”
CCTV footage showed the dog running to an area where four children, including Alejandro Mizsan, were playing in a communal green area in the estate.
Sergeant Sylvia Byrne from Enniscorthy Garda Station told the court the dog was an XL bully, which is a restricted breed. The dog was not microchipped and not registered and Ms Miller did not have a dog licence, she said.
Sgt Byrne said both Karen Miller and Niall Byrne owned the dog, but she said it was correct to say Ms Miller had more responsibility for the animal.
The court was told that eyewitnesses were “looking on in horror” as the XL bully attacked the young boy and was “effectively mauling Alejandro in the face.” One neighbour was hitting the dog with a baseball bat trying to stop the attack and to try to free the child.
Following the attack, which happened at around 4pm, Alejandro was airlifted to Children’s Health Ireland Crumlin in Dublin with what was described as “catastrophic injuries” to his face.
Medical evidence from doctors was read out by prosecution barrister Sinead Gleeson.
The court heard Alejandro Mizsan suffered “devastating” and “life changing” injuries to his face during the attack. He suffered a complete tearing of his cheeks on both sides, almost from ear to ear, and he lost a substantial portion of his lower lip. The boy also sustained puncture wounds to his thighs, the court was told.
Alejandro’s family, who are originally from Romania, said he has “pain in his heart” and he doesn’t want to go to school or play with his friends because of the way he looks.
The court heard the 11-year-old was in a “deep depression” after the massive trauma he has been through, and he is “afraid he will be pushed and bullied because of his looks.”
Alejandro and all members of his family are in “a very shocked trauma.”
The court heard there had been “a lot of tensions” in the estate and Sgt Ryan said Ms Miller was evicted from her property.
In passing sentence, Judge McCourt said he was considering mitigating factors including their guilty pleas, their co-operation with gardaí and their apologies.
He said he accepted Ms Miller’s claim that she had become “a pariah” and is subjected to public odium.
However, the judge said “you didn’t heed the first warning” after the first incident involving the dog with another boy four days earlier.
He also told Mr Byrne that he had no doubt the two people he made threats against “felt genuinely threatened by your behaviour”. And he described the way the dog was destroyed as an aggravating factor.
He expressed his sympathies to Alejandro and his family. “You had a beautiful child, and you still have a beautiful child,” he said. “You have my sympathies and blessing and good wishes.”
The court was also told that a GoFundMe account, set up to raise money for the family, has generated over €100,000.
Wexford-born BBC Scotland presenter Nick Sheridan has died after a short illness. His death at the age of 32 was announced by the BBC on Thursday morning.
NICK SHERIDAN
BBC Scotland Head of News Gary Smith said Nick had been a “wonderful colleague to those of us who have worked with him”. He added: “He was a hugely talented journalist, presenter and author – and one of those rare people who light up the lives of everyone around them. Funny, clever, kind. A lovely man.”
Nick graduated with a degree in journalism from Dublin City University in 2010. He worked as a reporter and presenter for RTE News for three years before making the move to Glasgow to take up a position with STV News before going to work for BBC Scotland.
He joined BBC Scotland as a researcher, before becoming in turn a camera journalist, correspondent and presenter.
He left his staff post to focus on writing children’s books but continued as a regular freelance presenter on BBC Scotland’s radio and TV news programmes.
FAMILY NOTICE; NICK SHERIDAN (30th October 1991-6th March 2024), Dalmarnock, Glasgow, Scotland and formerly of Kilmuckridge and Kilcorral, Castlebridge, Co. Wexford. Unexpectedly but peacefully at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow. Beloved son of Nick and Bernie, Nick will be sadly missed by his heartbroken parents, partner Lewis, brother Brian, grandmother Maura, sister-in-law Vivienne, godson Seán, niece Sadhbh, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and his wide circle of friends and colleagues in Ireland and Scotland. May Nick Rest In Peace.
Wexford County Council has published the local authority’s Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. The plan was adopted by the Elected Members at the Wexford County Council Meeting on February 12th last.
The plan sets out Wexford County Council’s responsibility for enhancing climate resilience, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, across their assets, services and infrastructure, while also taking on a broader leadership role in influencing and facilitating others to meet their own targets, within the county.
A significant aspect of the plan is the establishment of Enniscorthy Urban Area as Wexford County Council’s first ‘decarbonisation zone’ (DZ) which will act as a key pilot zone and testbed for climate change mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity measures, as well as community led climate action projects. The DZ requires the same reduction in carbon emissions as is required for the rest of the county.
Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services Housing, Community, Libraries & Arts,Environment & Climate Change, Emergency Management told WexfordLocal.com; “The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Amendment Act 2021 required Wexford County Council to produce a Climate Action Plan. This plan incorporates actions that will aid both Wexford County Council and the people of County Wexford to contribute to reducing our Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) by the required 51% by 2030.”
Cllr Mary Farrell, Chair of the Climate Change, Biodiversity & Environment Strategic Policy Committee said; “This Climate Action Plan will allow County Wexford to transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.”
Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council stated; “Wexford County Council will deliver climate action across all council services and functions and is well placed to influence and facilitate climate action at local level through individuals, communities and businesses.”
The published Wexford County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 is available on the Council website. Hardcopies of the plan are available to view in County Hall and in the five Municipal District Offices.
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council CLLR JOHN O’ROURKE speaking at the flag ceremony on Vinegar Hill today.
By Dan Walsh on Vinegar Hill
The annual historic ceremony of raising the Tricolour on Vinegar Hill took place today (Thursday) marking the 176th anniversary of the events of March 7th 1848 at Waterford and Enniscorthy. A public event, there was a welcome to all from Edel Nolan, Staff Officer, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, who performed the duties of master of ceremonies.
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr John O’Rourke said it is “an honour to welcome you all to this commemoration ceremony” and stated that “he is delighted that Wexford County Council marks this important occasion.” He continued; “This is a significant event worthy of us coming together to remember the meaning behind the Tricolour and drawing its relevance in our own lives in 2024.
“It is a wonderful day for us all to remember the brave men and women who believed in celebrating Ireland, a day to remind us about the significant historic events that Enniscorthy has witnessed, and a day to remind us to strive towards honouring the noble vision of the Enniscorthy patriots who sang, cheered and saluted the Tricolour on its way to this very location 176 years ago,” concluded Cllr O’Rourke.
Guest speaker and renowned local historian Brian Cleary delivered an inspired address and began by claiming that Enniscorthy “must rank among the best Councils in all-Ireland for remembering our history and most striking in recent years by the initiation of the 1798 Bicentenary here on this Hill with the massive Bastille Day Celebrations in 1989.”
“We are all aware of the unfurling of our Tricolour in Waterford and Enniscorthy on March 7th 1848; and that it only became our national flag after 1916 – when it flew over the GPO and over the Athenaeum in Enniscorthy in repudiation of British colonialism and affirmation of an Irish nation and identity,” stated Mr Cleary.
The Tricolour was hoisted by Sgt. John Tyrrell and Lieut. Conor Furlong of the 3rd Infantry Battalion, James’ Barracks, Kilkenny and Oglaigh na h-Éireann. Anthony Nolan sounded the Reveillie on the trumpet and the short ceremony concluded with the National Anthem.
Attendance included Deputies Johnny Mythen and Paul Kehoe, Cllrs Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Jackser Owens, Cathal Byrne and Aidan Browne, Colette Nolan, Enniscorthy LEA Sinn Féin election candidate, members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society, representatives of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre and Enniscorthy Castle and Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Enniscorthy branch of the Red Cross. Edel Nolan was master of ceremonies.
Cllr John O’Rourke and other dignatories pose for the camera at Vinegar Hill.
Wexford RNLI Volunteers Mick Nicholas, Rosslare Harbour RNLI, Lorraine Galvin, David Maguire and Simon Gulliver Wexford RNLI and Robbie Connolly Kilmore Quay RNLI in attendance at special Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, London, to celebrate and commemorate 200 years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. (Pic; RNLI/Lorraine Galvin)
By Dan Walsh
The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea on Monday with crews from Wexford’s lifeboat stations in attendance at the unveiling of two stamps from An Post, in Dublin, which depict the charity’s lifesaving work in Ireland and a Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey in London.
At Westminster Abbey, volunteers from crews across Wexford attended the special Service of Thanksgiving and joined with colleagues from around Ireland and the UK to mark the foundation of the charity which was founded following a meeting in The London Tavern on this day in 1824.
Representing were Simon Gulliver, David Maguire and Lorraine Galvin of Wexford RNLI, Mick Nicholas of Rosslare Harbour RNLI, Walter Foley of Fethard RNLI, Elaine Walsh, Declan Roche and Robbie Connolly of Kilmore Quay RNLI.
On the day the charity turns 200, the RNLI announced that its volunteer lifeboat crews have saved 8,357 lives in Ireland since it was founded, and aided a further 35,477 people. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland, including four on inland waters. The charity designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes. Its most recent all-weather lifeboat, the Shannon, was named after the Irish river in recognition of generations of Irish lifeboat crew. The first RNLI lifeboat in Ireland was established in Arklow in 1826. Over 200 years of lifesaving in the RNLI two things remain unchanged – the charity’s reliance on volunteers who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which fund the service.
At North Wall Quay in Dublin, Fethard RNLI’s Nadia Blanchfield, Eugene Kehoe and Michelle Devereux from Kilmore Quay RNLI were among a number of RNLI crew from around the country who marked the birthday with the launch of two special edition stamps from An Post.
WexfordLocal.com 