WexfordLocal.com

Mayglass water project in full flow for the Fleadh!

**MAYGLASS WATER SUPPLY PROJECT** (Pic; *Uisce Éireann*)

By Dan Walsh

Providing a reliable water supply for Co. Wexford continues to be a top priority for Uisce Éireann with the recent completion of the Mayglass Water Supply Project in south Wexford. The water mains works were completed ahead of the busy Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann festival.

Delivered through Uisce Éireann’s national Growth and Development programme, works involved the installation of over 3.5km of water mains which will take raw water from two boreholes; located near St Fintan’s Church and at Mulrankin, to the existing Mayglass Water Treatment Plant for treatment.

**LISA COGAN, Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann.** (Pic; *Uisce Éireann*)

Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann, Lisa Cogan told WexfordLocal.com; “This is a vital piece of infrastructure for the locality, and we are delighted to have completed this project for the people of Wexford. We would like to thank the local community for their support and co-operation as we carried out this essential work. South Wexford can look forward to a more resilient, reliable water supply that will benefit the local community for decades to come.”

Reflecting on the importance of the works, Fionnuala Callery, Acting Senior Engineer Water Services with Wexford County Council, said; “The installation of these new pipes in Wexford will provide a more resilient and reliable water supply for the area, and will have a positive impact and significantly benefit the daily lives of our local community.”

Ms. Callery recognised the “huge effort in getting this project delivered ahead of the Fleadh Cheoil” and added; “This new infrastructure ensures we were able to cope with the extra demands on the network during the festival, which attracted an estimated 650,000 people to Wexford this year, but will also ensure the resilience of the water supply in all seasons for South Wexford into the future.”
Coffey Construction Ltd, working on behalf of Uisce Éireann, delivered the works. The completion of this project marks another major milestone in Uisce Éireann’s work to upgrade and improve the water network across the country, prioritising investment where it is needed most and enabling these communities to thrive. To find out more visit www.water.ie.

New Ross theatre receives €49,500

By Dan Walsh

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, this week announced funding of €49,500 for St. Michael’s Theatre, New Ross, which is part of 53 projects nationwide, funded under the Project Development Measure (PDM) 3 of the Town Centre Suite of Supports 2024.

Minister Humphreys informed WexfordLocal.com that the “Project will develop plans for the replacement of the roof, upgrade of disability toilet facilities and enhancement of the front of historical St. Michaels’s Theatre. It will also include the design and specification of the energy savings measures, taking it through design and tender stage.”

**CLLR BRIDÍN MURPHY, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council.**

Welcoming the announcement, Board Member and Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council, Cllr Bridín Murphy thanked Minister Humphreys “who has invested a huge amount of money into our town.”

Cllr Murphy added; “Having been a board member on the theatre for the past five years I welcome this funding. I have always been committed to driving the Arts in our district and this will protect the priceless asset of our theatre.”

St. Michael’s Theatre on South Street has a long and distinguished history and was originally the Norman Church of St. Michael. The present building was built in 1806, eight years after the Insurrection of 1798, and served as the parish church until 1902 when the new parish church, St. Mary’s & Michael’s, was opened.

Today, St. Michael’s Theatre boasts a 298-seat theatre, a 50-seat studio venue, an art gallery, a cinema, a coffee shop and a bar. Now a fully-fledged arts centre, St. Michael’s has a staff of 12 who bring a year-round arts programme unrivalled in the South East to visitors and locals from New Ross town and district, and even further afield.

Join Castlebridge Town First Team

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council has announced that Castlebridge has been allocated €10,000 towards the establishment of a Town Centre First Team and extends an invitation to residents to join Castlebridge Town Team.

To ensure that as broad a representation as possible sit on the Castlebridge Town Centre First Team, Wexford County Council are hosting a drop-in information session in Castlebridge Community Hall, on Friday, August 30^th from 2pm to 6pm, looking for local people to express an interest in serving on the Castlebridge Town Team.

Welcoming the news Chair of the Castlebridge Town Centre First Team, Cllr. Robbie Staples said; “I am looking forward to working closely with the community and the new Town Team in starting a process that will strengthen Castlebridge Town Centre and enhance the lives of the residents of Castlebridge and surrounding areas. This is a great opportunity for Castlebridge and I would encourage as many groups and people as possible to attend this event.”

Town Centre First aims to create towns that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit. It supports towns to function as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community, is Government Policy informed by data and best practice and is delivered by local authorities in partnership with communities.

Invitation to join Bunclody Town Centre Team

**The tree-lined Mall through picturesque BUNCLODY** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council extends an invitation to residents to join the Bunclody Town Team which has been allocated €10,000 towards the establishment of a Town Centre First Team, under measure 1 of the 2024 Town Centre First suite of supports.

To ensure that as broad a representation as possible sit on the Bunclody Town Centre First Team, Wexford County Council are hosting a drop-in information session in St Aidan’s Hall Bunclody, on Monday, September 2^nd from 2pm to 6pm, and they are looking for local people to express an interest in serving team.

Welcoming the news Chair of the Bunclody Town Centre First Team. Cllr. Barbara-Anne Murphy said; “I am looking forward to working closely with the Bunclody community and the new Town Team in starting a process that will strengthen Bunclody Town Centre and enhance the lives of the residents of Bunclody and surrounding areas. This is a great opportunity for Bunclody and encouraged as many groups and people as possible to attend this event.”

Town Regeneration Officer with Wexford County Council, Mick McCormack will be on hand to host information briefings on the hour and will meet and answer questions from anyone who calls to the event. It is hoped that all the sectors/groups within and around Bunclody will come and express an interest in sitting on this new Town Centre First Team, which are typically made up of representatives from business, community groups, residents, tourism groups, An Garda Siochana, charities, social enterprises, sports organisations, cultural groups, voluntary groups, Chamber of Commerce, retailers, developers, and educational facilities.

Castletown River and Nature Festival 2024

By Dan Walsh

The Castletown River and Nature Festival 2024 takes place this weekend – Saturday 2-4pm and Sunday 12pm-3pm – and the catchy theme is “Take A Walk On The Wild Side” and it happens in a most beautiful part of North Wexford at Kilanerin Woods and Clone Strand. It is part of the National Heritage Week programme of events.

**CATHY LEE, Chair of the Ahare River and Biodiversity Development Group welcomes all to Kilanerin Woods and Clone Strand to enjoy the two-day Castletown River & Nature Festival 2024.**

On Saturday assembly is at 2pm at the smaller lower car park at Kilanerin Woods, the travel up the Inch River Catchment and connect with the upper River community. According to Cathy Lee, Chair of the Ahare River and Biodiversity Development Group, this is “a family and nature lover event” and “you will discover the secrets of the river and explore the nature of the woods.” And before leaving there is an opportunity to take part in a woodland nature Treasure Hunt!

On Sunday at 12 noon Clone Beach, Castletown, is the destination with a Family Fun Day and lots of beach-based activities, celebrating Water Heritage Day.

**CLONE STRAND celebrating Water Heritage Day.** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

At Clone Strand there is a designated field for car parking which is signposted locally.
There will lots of traditional activities such as: An Egg and Spoon Race; A Sack Race; A Sand Art Competition; A Lucky Duck Race and a chance to take part in a Seashore Treasure Hunt and discover nature on the shore.

The message is to “bring the family, friends and a picnic and have a wonderful day!” For more details and to book events, see Eventbrite, friendsoftheahare river@gmail.com, the Ahare River Group on Facebook or call Cathy Lee (087 6254863) or Jackie Byrne (087 1231525).

Gorey plans will enhance road safety

By Dan Walsh

**CLLR JOE SULLIVAN**; “**This roundabout will enhance road safety in the area which has become very busy in the last number of years due to the success of Ballyloughan Business Park.”** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

A busy junction on the old Arklow Road a short distance from Gorey town centre will be safer for roadusers and provide better conditions for all when it is fully constructed and operational after planning has been approved.

Cllr Joe Sullivan welcomes the granting of planning last week to a local company in the Ballyloughan area for the provision of a roundabout at the junction of the R772 and the L5032 known locally as Ballyloughan Cross.

“This roundabout will enhance road safety in the area which has become very busy in the last number of years due to the huge success that the Ballyloughan Business Park has become,” Cllr Sullivan told WexfordLocal.com earlier today.

Wexford residents invited to join Town Team

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council under the National Town Centre First Initiative are establishing a Town Centre First Team in Wexford Town to help drive the town centre agenda in Wexford Town and will be central to the delivery of a Town Centre strategy and vision for Wexford.

To ensure that as broad a representation as possible sit on the Wexford Town Centre First Team, Wexford County Council are hosting a drop-in information session in the Wexford Town Library on Friday, August 23^rd from 1pm to 5pmand are looking for local people to express an interest in serving on the Wexford Town Team.

**Mayor of Wexford, Cllr George Lawlor**; *“I am looking forward to building a team who are ambitious for Wexford and keen to develop a strategy that will ensure Wexford Town builds on its huge potential. (”*Pic; *Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD .)*

Town Regeneration Officer with Wexford County Council, Mick McCormack will be on hand to host information briefings on the hour and will meet and answer questions from anyone who calls to the event. It is hoped that all the sectors/groups within Wexford Town will come and express an interest in sitting on this new Town Centre First Team. Town Teams are typically made up of reps from business, community groups, residents, tourism groups, An Garda Siochana, charities, social enterprises, sports organisations, cultural groups, voluntary groups, Chamber of Commerce, retailers, developers, and educational facilities. “Each town, however, is different and it is important that the Team reflects the town,” added Mr. McCormick.

Welcoming the news, Chair of the Wexford Town Centre First Team, Mayor of Wexford, Cllr. George Lawlor told WexfordLocal.com; “I am looking forward to building a team who are ambitious for Wexford and keen to develop a strategy that will ensure Wexford Town builds on its huge potential.”

Mayor of Wexford, Cllr George Lawlor; “I am looking forward to building a team who are ambitious for Wexford and keen to develop a strategy that will ensure Wexford Town builds on its huge potential.”

Come and join the Taghmon Town Team

By Dan Walsh

Taghmon has been allocated €10,000 towards the establishment of a Town Centre First Team and to ensure that as broad a representation as possible sit on the Taghmon Town Team, Wexford County Council are hosting a drop-in information session in the Taghmon Action Group (TAG) building on Monday, August 26^th from 2pm to 6pm, with a wish to encourage local people to express an interest in serving on the team.

**CLLR JIM CODD**; “It is an opportunity to develop on the fantastic community development work that has been ongoing in Taghmon and I look forward to working with all groups including Taghmon Action group who have done fantastic work in the town and area.” (Pic; *WexfordLocal.com).*

Town Teams are typically made up of representatives from business, community groups, residents, tourism groups, An Garda Siochana, charities, social enterprises, sports organisations, cultural groups, voluntary groups, Chamber of Commerce, retailers, developers, and educational facilities. Each town however is different, and it is important that the Team reflects the ethos of the town.

Welcoming the news, Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District and Chair of the Taghmon Town Centre First Team, Cllr Jim Codd said; “I am looking forward to working closely with the Taghmon community and the new Town Team in starting a process that will strengthen Taghmon Town Centre and enhance the lives of the residents of Taghmon and surrounding areas. It is an opportunity to develop on the fantastic community development work that has been ongoing in Taghmon and I look forward to working with all groups including Taghmon Action group who have done fantastic work in the town and area.”

Illicit alcohol seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers seized almost 19,800 litres of alcohol, with an estimated value of €80,400, at Rosslare Europort on Saturday.

The illicit alcohol consisted of approximately 19,600 litres of beer and 180 litres of prosecco and represented a loss to the Exchequer of almost €38,000.

**ROSSLARE EUROPORT** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

The consignment was seized when Revenue officers stopped and searched an accompanied trailer that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France.

The driver that had accompanied the load was questioned in relation to the seizure, and the trailer carrying the alcohol products was also seized.

Investigations are ongoing.

This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.

Lecture and Garden Tour at Monksgrange

By Dan Walsh

Busy week of heritage celebration across Co. Wexford in the coming days, but booking is open for the Heritage Week Lecture and Garden Tour at Monksgrange, near Rathnure, Enniscorthy, which takes place on Saturday, August 24^th from 2-5pm.

**Magnificent MONKSGRANGE** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

The programme is as follows;

2pm; Doors open

2.30pm; Jeremy Hill reviews the Farmleigh Gallery photographic exhibition; The vision of a 19^th century lensman. Goddard Orpen 1852-1932.

3pm; The Edward Richards-Orpen Memorial Trust Annual Lecture. “Under the influence: contextualising Lutyens/Jekyll design principles in the garden at Monksgrange.” David Averill, FRIAI, architect and member of the UK Lutyens Trust, will discuss the influence of Lutyens’ worldwide garden design work on Edward Richards-Orpen’s own redesign of the garden at Monksgrange in the 1900s.

3.45pm; Garden tour.

4.30pm; Tea/Coffee

5.00pm; Close.

Tickets, €15, from Eventbrite www.eventbrite.ie/e/under-the-influencecontextualising-the-garden-at-monksgrange-tickets-938745281407