Minister visits Rosslare school

MINISTER JACK CHAMBERS meets School Principal BOBBY KENNY and the pupils of Scoil Mhuire, Rosslare, to mark the completion of the Safer Routes to School Scheme.

By Dan Walsh

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications, Jack Chambers visited Scoil Mhuire National School, Rosslare, recently to mark completion of the ‘Safe Routes to School Scheme’ works there. Minister Chambers mingled with staff and students alike to discuss the scheme and welcome the upgrade works.

Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council hosted the event, attended by Minister of State, James Browne and Cllrs Jim Moore, Ger Carthy, Lisa McDonald, Jim Codd and Frank Staples alongside representatives from the NTA (National Transport Authority), An Taisce and Green Schools.

Cllr. Fleming thanked the elected members and school principal, Bobby Kenny for their support of the scheme which ‘has seen installation of footpaths and pedestrian crossings surrounding the school to allow students, parents and buggies walk and wheel to school.

Cllr Fleming remarked that; “It’s easy to forget that only a few months ago there were no footpaths in front of the school. Today there are children running outside, parents in conversation and reduced congestion outside the school. In addition, 250 metres of new footpath overlooking the sea on the Coast Road linking to Mauritiustown where many students here today travel from.”

School Principal, Bobby Kenny thanked all involved saying and said everyone is thrilled to unveil these fantastic upgrades. “This project has transformed the way our students arrive at school. Previously, parked cars on footpaths created a dangerous situation and restricted access for everyone, especially young children, parents with buggies, and wheelchair users. Today the attractive new lighting and landscaping elements not only enhance safety but also create a more cheerful and welcoming approach to the school.”

The Active Travel Team in Wexford County Council designed and supervised the project with works completed appointed contractor Paddy McGee Ltd.

The Safe Routes to School Scheme is a national programme to improve safety at school gates, increase walking and cycling and alleviate congestion in front of schools.

Rob James extends championship lead

By Dan Walsh

Three fixtures across the country and a nine-race card at Borris House made for a busy point-to-point Sunday and doubles for rider/handler Rob James, Jonathan Fogarty and Sean Doyle. Doubles for riders Jack Hendrick and Barry Stone. And in addition, a treble for Rob James puts him on the 34-winner mark for the season, four in front of defending champion Barry O’Neill.

At Borris House the Matchmaker Syndicate, handler and rider Rob James took both divisions of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings; Moneygarrow by two lengths in division one and Draco Malfoy by one length in division two.

The maiden race for five-year-olds was divided and Rob James clinched an early treble with newcomer Sporting Glance for Matthew Flynn O’Connor who had six lengths to spare. Inishnabro won the second division of this race for Jonathan Fogarty, Gaynestown Stud, Cleariestown and rider Conor Moore. Ten lengths the verdict.

ROB JAMES has gone four ahead of Barry O’Neill in the national point-to-point riders’ championship with three winners yesterday (Sunday) at Borris House.

Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan won both divisions of the four-year-old maiden race; Kadjat Des Mottes by an easy 16 lengths in division one and Marcel Magic – both newcomers – by two lengths.

Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, saddled his second winner of the weekend when O’Grady’s Hill (Brian Dunleavy up) came home eight lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus mares.

The final race of the day at the busy Borris House track provided handler Pat O’Rourke, Clonard, Wexford, with a well-deserved two lengths success with Due Course ridden by the handlers’ son, James O’Rourke.

Wings And Wands get the better of the opposition in a ‘neck and neck’ finish to the maiden race for four-year-old mares for Pierce Power from The Hook ridden by Shane O’Rourke.

There was a strong winning Wexford presence at Tattersalls, Co. Meath, today where Barry Stone enjoyed a first and last race double. Newcomer Easy Love had two and a half lengths to spare in the maiden race for four-year-old mares handled by Jonathan Fogarty, who also had a winner at Borris House – so a winning double on the day. Mullanour owned by Frank Hamilton and trained by William J. Martin gave Stone his second success of the afternoon with a one length victory in the maiden race. Stone has now ridden 35 career winners.

Jack Hendrick also rode a double to bring his career total to 80. He was aboard newcomer Classical Creek for Cormac Doyle, Ballindaggin, in division one of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. 10 lengths the verdict. And in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings Hendrick completed the double in partnership with Denis Murphy when Shattered Soldier opened a 20 lengths gap at the finish.

Paul Martin Pierce, Blackhall Stud, Killurin, made the trip to Droamhane, Co. Cork, today, and emerged with a six and a half lengths success with Mobile Mamma in the mares five-year-old plus maiden race. This was the 30th career winner for Duncormick rider Sean Staples.

Kilrush are All-Ireland drama champions

By Dan Walsh

Kilrush Drama Group have won the Premier Award and is taking the Claregalway Perpetual Trophy back to Co. Wexford following outright success in the BOSTIK All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals which concluded a short time ago in Mountmellick.

And there’s more success! The Best Director (The Broderick Perpetual Cup) has been awarded to Niall McGrath, Kilrush Drama Group, and Best Management Award (The Carrickmore Perpetual Trophy) has also been secured by Kilrush Drama Group.

Ecstatic winning Director of Kilrush Drama Group’s play Hooked NIALL McGRATH celebrating with the All-Ireland title and trophies won tonight in Mountmellick. (Pic; Eamon Doran)

It has been a whirlwind year of success for Kilrush Drama Group’s production Hooked by Gillian Grattan, directed by Niall McGrath and featuring Kay Cahill, Erin Hogan and John Redmond have won seven out of eight Festivals on the Drama Circuit

Kilrush Drama Group topped the leader board of the Confined Drama All Ireland League Tables, with Niall McGrath in his first time directing, winning seven Best Director Awards to date. Their hugely popular production of Hooked has wowed both adjudicators and audiences alike. The Group also won a host of Awards to date, including Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, Best Technical, Best Lighting, Best sound and Best Set.

And Saturday, April 27th 2024 will now go down in history when Kilrush Drama Group proudly wears the title of All-Ireland champions which was last conferred in 2015 under the stewardship of the legendry Mick Byrne, and believe it or not, Kilrush Drama Group is celebrating 60 years of existence this year. What a way to celebrate!

Denis Murphy saddles three winners

By Dan Walsh

Two fixtures today (Saturday) across the country and veteran handler Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, ended a memorable day’s point-to-pointing with three winners to his credit. There were doubles for handler Donnchadh Doyle and rider Jack Hendrick, who rode a bumper winner for Paul Nolan at Wexford races on Thursday.

Denis Murphy and Jack Hendrick were the winning partnership in the maiden race for four-year-old mares at Loughanmore, Co. Antrim today with Swing Davis coming home in front by three and a half lengths. Later the combination struck successfully again with Relieved of Duties who came home six lengths clear of the field in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Nice double for Hendrick, but Murphy went on to make it three for the afternoon when Fralimonti Bilbery (Sean Cotter up) scored a 10 lengths victory in the six-year-old plus novice riders race at Ballysteen.

DENIS MURPHY saddled three winners today at two point-to-point fixtures.

The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was divided and both divisions were captured by the Monbeg Syndicate, Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James combination starting with newcomer Talk To The Man who had three and a half lengths to spare. Half an hour later following the running of division two the Ballindaggin stables were celebrating a double with Theflyingking coming home two lengths to the good.

Bennys Jenny was a winner for Paul Martin Pierce, Blackhall, Killurin, and rider Eoin Staples in the maiden race for mares’ five-year-old plus.

And a victory in the final race at Loughanmore went to newcomer Backonthegoagain ridden by Sophie Carter for Colin Bowe stables. Winnign margain was two and a half lengths.

The first race at Ballysteen, Co. Limerick, was the maiden race for four-year-olds, it divided due to a large entry, and division one was won by newcomer Sign Again, owned and handled by Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure. Joey Dunne was the successful rider and the verdict was four and a half lengths.

Clondaw, Ferns, father and son, handler and rider respectively, Michael and Harry Goff were successful with Caitriona Goff’s Way Down South in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Half a length in at the end! Denis Murphy took the final race as recorded above, so it was a thoroughly good day for Wexford stables with a combined total of nine winners. Not bad for a Saturday’s work.

Rosslare-Cherbourg sailing starts Monday

BRITTANY FERRIES (File Pic)

By Dan Walsh

Brittany Ferries will add a third weekly return-sailing, connecting Rosslare with Cherbourg, starting on Monday. The company says the move will boost connectivity ahead of the arrival of its rail-ferry service in 2025. Ferroutage will link Bayonne with Cherbourg by rail, carrying trailers for onward transport by ferry.

Glenn Carr, Director Commercial Business Units Iarnród Éireann/ Irish Rail & Port Authority Rosslare Europort told WexfordLocal.com; “We are delighted to see our shipping partner Brittany Ferries further increase services at Rosslare Europort. As we continue to significantly invest in facilities and infrastructure at the port it is great to see additional new services being introduced that further strengthens our links and connectivity between Ireland and France. 

“The addition of a third weekly rotation from Cherbourg is great news for hauliers and logistics companies,” said Christophe Mathieu CEO Brittany Ferries. “It means even more opportunity for freight operators to by-pass the UK entirely, cutting down on bureaucracy and delays that can occur the UK border.”

Rosslare Europort is Irelands number one port for direct freight and passenger services to the EU. Along with 58 weekly UK services, the port now also operates over 34 services to and from Rosslare to Bilboa, Cherbourg, Dunkirk and Zeebrugge and is the only port in Europe to have the three largest RoRo brands operating services collectively from the one location.

Brittany Ferries has massively grown the direct Ireland-France market since 2021 and has reaffirmed its freight and passenger traffic commitment.

The service will leave Cherbourg at 6.20pm local time on Monday, arriving at Rosslare at 2pm on Tuesday. It will then depart Rosslare at 6pm destined for arrival in Cherbourg on Wednesday at 5pm. Brittany Ferries has chartered Condor’s ferry the Commodore Clipper for the service.

In addition to three weekly rotations linking Rosslare with Cherbourg, Brittany Ferries operates two weekly Cork-Roscoff round trips and a bi-weekly service from Rosslare to Bilbao.

Lots of Gorey May Bush Féile events

By Dan Walsh

The annual decoration of the Gorey May Bush takes place in Gorey Civic Square, beside the Circe Pavilion next Sunday at 6pm and it promises to be an extra special community evening of traditional music, song, poetry, stories and dance while sharing and exchanging traditions around welcoming in Summer.  

THE GOREY MAY BUSH FÉILE 2024 (Photo Credit; John Ó Faoláin)

The message is bring along a chair, your instrument, a song, story or poem and your dancing shoes and be part of this wonderful community celebration. Fáilte roimh chách. “Let’s Decorate the May Bush, tá Bealtaine anseo”. If you would like to perform on the night please get in touch by emailing: thegoreymaybush@gmail.com

Special guests on the night include Gorey Pipe Band, Uilleann Piper Mark Redmond, Ceoltóir Óg 2024: Cliodhna Ní Chuilinn, Rinceoir Óg 2024: Shifra Dunbar agus Amhránaí Óg 2024: Chulainn Ó Faoláin. There will be songs of the Wexford Coast Community Choir and the annual crowning ceremony for the May Queen and King. 

The Gorey May Bush Féileis an annual intergenerational community led festival in Co. Wexford with an exciting programme of FREE events the festival promotes, documents and shares the May Bush tradition and the wider customs, traditions and cultural connections of welcoming in Bealtaine in Co. Wexford beyond.  

There are events to suit all ages. Schools, nursing homes, community groups/organisations, businesses, music/singing/dancing/writing groups and community artists across Co. Wexford are the faces and voices behind this festival and everyone is invited to be part of it! You can keep up with us all and see the FREE Féile events through: https://www.facebook.com/thegoreymaybush

As has been done in previous years the community are invited to put up their own May Bush and get involved with the programme of FREE events centred around the communal Gorey May Bush at Gorey Civic Centre.

The May Bush Decorating & Traditional Song Workshop for Families with Rachel Uí Fhaoláin takes place in Gorey Library today (Saturday April 27th at 11am – 12.30pm.

“A Penny on the May Bush”: The Gorey May Bush, Gorey Civic Square, beside the Circe Pavilion on Tuesday, April 30th (May Eve) at 6pm. Also dress for ‘An Sceach Gheal’ and “shower pennies on the children” as was the tradition. 

Bread and Cheese: Hawthorn History, May Folklore and Song with Lorraine O’Dwyer and Rachel Uí Fhaoláin: Gorey Library on Tuesday at 7pm. Lorraine O’Dwyer and Rachel Uí Fhaoláin are joining forces for this special community in-conversation event in Gorey Library. Lorraine O’Dwyer, Foraging and Folklore Guide will be sharing tales from local traditions and superstitions on the Hawthorn Tree, what makes one a fairy tree and not the other, why it’s known as Bread and Cheese Tree and why so many of our Rag Trees are hawthorns? Lorraine will also be bringing along her own homemade Hawthorn chutney to taste! 

Traditional Singer and Folklore Collector Rachel Uí Fhaoláin will be exploring May Folklore and Song from Wexford and beyond. As part of the conversations, Rachel will be sharing her work on The Nursing Home Project, residents recalling their own beliefs and practices, along with some local voices and accounts from her wider research and collecting work. 

Both Lorraine and Rachel look forward to developing important community conversations around welcoming in Summer, on May Eve in Gorey Library. Booking required through Gorey Library: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/4203929

The Gorey May Bush Féile 2024 is supported by County Wexford Arts Department as part of the Small Arts Festival Scheme in partnership with Arts Council Ireland.

Pencil bollards brings safety to St Aidan’s

MINISTER JACK CHAMBERS and FRANK MURPHY, School Principal, join with students in ‘thumbs up’ celebration of the new safety measures at St Aidan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy. (Pic; Wexford County Council).

By Dan Walsh

Minister of State Jack Chambers visited St. Aidan’s Primary School Enniscorthy recently to meet with students and parents and to mark completion of upgrade works outside the school under the ‘Safe Routes to School’ Scheme.

Minister Chambers outlined that the ‘Safe Routes to School’ Scheme is for the safety of children and parents. He described Wexford County Council as one of the top performers nationally in implementing the scheme.

The project had an initial allocation of €80,000 in 2023. This was increased upon application by Wexford County Council to increase the project scope to €310,000.

Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council hosted the event attended by Minister of State, James Browne TD, Paul Kehoe TD and Cllrs John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Jackser Owens, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathal Byrne and Aidan Browne alongside representatives from the NTA (National Transport Authority), An Taisce and Green Schools.

Cllr. Fleming thanked the elected members and school principal, Frank Murphy for their support of the scheme which “has seen installation of footpaths and pedestrian crossings surrounding the school to allow students, parents and those pushing buggies walk and wheel to school.”

“Traffic speed outside the school has been reduced and the new pencil bollards have stopped cars parking on footpaths,” said Cllr Fleming, who added; “Works have also included upgrades to existing junctions at Bohreen Hill and Moran Park to serve peoples travelling from The Moyne and Bellefield where many students of St. Aidan’s live.”

School Principal, Frank Murphy stressed that the project has child safety as the primary focus will always be the priority of St. Aidan’s and he thanked the agencies and design teams involved.

The Active Travel Team in Wexford County Council designed and supervised the project with works completed by appointed contractor H&H Group Ltd.

€4million for Wexford Library Services

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council Library Service benefits from €4 million under new Department of Rural and Community Development Libraries Capital Programme Investment.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, said; “County Wexford will stand to benefit from the Libraries Capital Programme with funding of €1.7 million towards an extension and refurbishment of New Ross Library and a contribution of €262,500 toward a new mobile library vehicle. The match funding to complete these projects will be provided by Wexford County Council through the Councils Economic and Community Capital Investment Programme and will bring the total investment to over €4 million.”

EDDIE TAAFFE, Interim Chief Executive Wexford County Council said; “This funding is recognition of the important contribution that libraries make to local communities here in County Wexford.

Interim Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eddie Taaffe said; “This funding is recognition of the important contribution that libraries make to local communities here in County Wexford. Our libraries are a valued and trusted civic space, providing free and universal access to information and literacy. They provide opportunities for life-long learning through their wide-ranging programme of events, services, up-to-date book stock and e-Resources.”

Mr Taaffe told WexfordLocal.com that “the new mobile library will replace the existing 24-year-old vehicle that services North County Wexford,” and he added; “In a rural county such as Wexford, mobile library services are an essential way of expanding the reach of the library service into our rural communities. They help combat loneliness and social isolation faced by our older citizens as well as providing an essential literacy service to our rural schools.”

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. John Fleming welcomed the news and stated; “This funding will make a big difference to the lives of existing library users throughout the county.”

Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, Cllr. Anthony Connick was equally positive about the news, stating; “The team in New Ross Library deliver a fantastic service to the people of New Ross. The community and visitors to the town of New Ross will enjoy a warm, welcoming and bright space that will increase the quality of life for all who visit”.

The new mobile library will allow for many of the new literacy promotion initiatives that are being provided by the library service to be made available to pre-schools and primary schools around the county”.

The existing New Ross Library was opened in 1982 as a purpose-built library. The refurbishment and extension of the existing Library will almost double the existing space.

The existing library opens for 43 staffed hours per week but there is an ambition to increase this significantly when the new library opens. The total project cost will be in the region of €3.4 million.

Paul Nolan makes the headlines at Wexford

Bumper winner Farfromnowhere with Jack Hendrick (jockey), Paul Nolan (trainer), Ciara Walsh (goom) and some supporter’s at Wexford races today.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Races

Local trainer Paul Nolan took four horses to his native track at Bettyville Park, Wexford, this afternoon and made the racing headlines and delighted the local punters ending up with two successes and two runner-up positions.

It all got off to the perfect start when Kiltealy Park (15/2) scored a half a length victory under Sean Flanagan from Robinstown, New Ross, in the mares’ maiden hurdle. Running in the colours of the Browne Brothers Partnership from Waterford, the five-year-old was winning for the first time. Kiltealy Park was placed in three point-to-points for handler Colin Bowe and this was her third run for Nolan.

The Master of Toberona Stables, Davidstown, had to wait until the final contest of the day – the bumper – to complete the double when the six-year-old mare Farfromnowhere (9/1) ridden by Jack Hendrick got in front by a neck and then had an anxious wait until cleared following a steward’s enquiry. Competing for joint owners, David Flynn and John Brennan, Farfromnowhere won her only point-to-point at Tattersalls last October.

Sam Magee (6/4 fav) for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead ran Nolan’s charge Givehimthehonour (Conor Stone-Walsh up), who lead for most of the novice hurdle, into the runner-up spot and Tranquil Sea (Sean Flanagan up) fared likewise for Nolan as Mossy Fen (13/2), owned and trained by Mark Molloy from Thurles got up by half a length under Liam Quinlan in the handicap hurdle.

There were three steeplechases on the card. Bocelli’s Voice (9/2) won the beginners chase for Dermot McLoughlin and jockey Ben Harvey; Doyen Ta Win (15/2) took the mares beginners chase for Waterford trainer Declan Queally and jockey Kevin Sexton; and the handicap chase was won by Shadow Rider (11/10 fav) in the famous John P McManus colours trained by Padraig Roche and ridden by claimer Aidan Kelly from Monasterevin.

Wexford Racecourse Managing Director, Ursula Sinnott, made a special presentation to champion jockey Paul Townend in recognition of his big races successes this season at Cheltenham, Aintree and Leopardstown and wished him well at next week’s big Punchestown Festival meeting.

Behind the scenes the new stables were used for the first time and plenty of praise ensued. Horse boxes are now parked in the centre of the track and the runners are taken across to the new stables. The plan worked well on day one.

Next scheduled fixture at Bettyville Park is Saturday, May 18th. Looking forward to it already.

Top trainers and jockeys are coming

By Dan Walsh

All of the leading national hunt yards in the country have runners at Wexford races where the first meeting of the season gets under way tomorrow (Thursday) with a seven race card and the first is off at 4.05pm.

Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead and Gavin Cromwell have all got entries as does local trainers Paul Nolan and Philip Rothwell, likewise the leading jockeys will be in action including Paul Townend, Jack Kennedy, Rachael Blackmore and Patrick Mullins and local jockeys Sean Flanagan, Sean O’Keeffe, Jordan Gainford, Conor Stone-Walsh and James O’Sullivan.

The going is “Yielding, yielding to soft in places. Possibility of light showers (3mm approx) prior to racing. Hurdle track is 19 yards from innermost line and Chase track is 3 yards from the innermost line. Fence 1 (the last fence) will be omitted. (Information Source; Horse Racing Ireland).

Wexford Racecourse is hoping for a reasonable sized crowd as this fixture is the first one of the season and compensation for the loss of earlier scheduled fixtures on March 17th and April 5th which were both lost after incessant rain rendered the track unfit for racing on both dates.