Traditionally the popular Gorey Market House Festival takes place on the August Bank Holiday but since Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann comes to Wexford, August 4-11th, a new date has been set for the Gorey Street festival.
The Market House Festival will move to the weekend of July 20-21st, with memorable two days of family friendly music, arts and events throughout the town with something for everyone.
“The committee is working tirelessly to present a weekend to remember and although it is a little different from previous years, we can’t wait to share what we have instore for you this year”, said a statement issued today (Wednesday).
The festival promises to be action packed for the whole family with fringe events happening throughout the weekend including the ever popular Play Day, which will take place in Gorey Town Park on the Saturday, and will feature fun for the whole family with Puppet Shows, Magicians and Face Painting.
PopularFine Gael public representative and Mayor of Wexford Cllr John Hegarty will not be standing as a candidate in the forthcoming June local authority election.
MAYOR OF WEXFORD CLLR JOHN HEGARTY
In a statement, today (Wednesday), Cllr Hegarty said; “I will continue to represent people in my role as councillor and Mayor of Wexford until June and after that who knows what the next challenge will be?”
“This has been a difficult decision but one that I have thought long and hard about it. I want to sincerely thank all those who have helped me along the way, as none of this would have been possible without the incredible support of my family, friends and supporters,” said Cllr Hegarty, who added; “I consider it a massive honour to have spent three terms representing firstly the people of Gorey and then Wexford district in Wexford County Council.”
A native of Kilanerin, Gorey, now resident at Crosstown, Wexford, Cllr Hegarty was first elected to Wexford County Council in 2009, served as Chairman of Gorey district on three occasions, and Chairman of Wexford County Council in 2018 as well as his current role as Mayor of Wexford town.
“So, three terms later, I still believe that at a local level, it’s time for new people to step forward. I’m not retiring from anything, just not seeking re-election to Wexford County Council!” he concluded.
TOM ENRIGHT has attended his final meeting of Wexford County Council in the role of Chief Executive.
By Dan Walsh at the February meeting of Wexford County Council
“We have all worked together to make Wexford better through a shared vision leading to ambitious plans and the capacity to invest. Much delivered, more to come, but Wexford has a bright future,” the departing words of Tom Enright, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council following a review of the past decade and his final report presented before members at Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in the Council Buildings, Wexford.
Mr Enright was addressing his final meeting in his role as Chief Executive and many achievements and developments were reviewed from across the county and in all five districts including the emergencies from a few difficult storm events and the global pandemic and Covid 19 that resulted in lockdown for almost two years.
Mr Enright thanked the councillors, the management team, past and present, the staff of Wexford County Council for the secretarial support and “the people of Wexford.” And then the members paid tributes.
Cllr Pip Breen was first to speak and declared that Mr Enright is “a hard act to follow.” Then came Cllr George Lawlor, who complimented Tom on “the vision that you brought to the county with drive, enthusiasm, passion and ambition” and he wished him well in his next endeavours.
Cllr Davy Hynes described Tom as “a visionary and innovative” and he added; “The Council was in a bad way when Tom came here. We had suffered the loss of the Town Council. Tom put Wexford to the forefront every time he could.”
Cllr Michael Whelan pointed out that “every project you worked on was for the benefit of Wexford.” Cllr John Hegarty described Tom as “progressive and ambitious” and spoke of generational projects and believed that in years to come generations of Wexford people will benefit from “your ten years here.” Cllr Hegarty described Tom as “an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to work with” and concluded with the words; “Every decision was for the good of Wexford.”
Cllr Michael Sheehan said Tom had “a high sense of where he wanted to go, he was ambitious, he had a vision and a plan, he was an exceptional worker with great work ethic and was a team player.” Cllr Willie Kavanagh said; “He was a gentleman to work with.”
Cllr Ger Carthy referred to Tom Enright’s “outstanding public service” and added; “The county has progressed ten-fold and he must have invested north of €1 billion. You worked through the storms, snow and virus, You left the county in a lot better place and thanks for that.”
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin paid tribute “ on behalf of all in North Wexford” and he continued “you steered through very difficult times, yet you delivered through the difficult times. You were always very approachable and very accessible. Enjoy yourself. Go néirí an tá libh.
“Your level of ambition came through in the last 10 years,” said Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, who added; “You made tough decisions but brought the county with you.” Cllr Joe Sullivan added a little humour to the chamber when he congratulated and admired the Chief Executive “despite not being the best boy in the class” and he acknowledged his achievements. “At least you (Tom Enright) are going out on your own terms which may not be the case for some members here in the chamber come next June and the local elections. (laughter).
Cllr Jackser Owens said Tom was “a gentleman” and thanked him for the work he did for Enniscorthy and County Wexford and he wish him “every success” and he concluded “I will miss arguing with you.” (laughter). Cllr Jim Codd referred to some “battles at meetings” but described Tom as “a good democrat who acknowledged us as members” and he wished him the best of luck.
Cllr Mary Farrell admired his “enthusiasm, integrity and honesty. You were inspirational, a true gentleman” and she congratulated him on his ‘phenomenal achievements’. Cllr Oliver Walsh complimented Tom Enright on all the great work he did following in the footsteps of Seamus Dooley and Eddie Breen. “Your legacy will live long in this county,” concluded Cllr Walsh.
Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan referred to a trip to Savannah where she admired the hard work that Tom did to make connections for the benefit of the county. She also recalled his work during the pandemic and the care for elderly people. She described Tom as “decent and honourable” and wish him the best of luck.
Cllr Anthony Connick spoke of a “a very honest man” and said that while the presentation was lovely “it was only the tip of the iceberg.” Cllr Garry Laffan asked to be associated with all the comments, spoke of Tom’s “accessibility” and wished him “the very best of luck for the future.” Cllr Andrew Bolger pointed out that being Chief Executive as “a really difficult job” but Tom was “always professional, made me welcome and I wish you all the best for the future.”
“Always available and only a quick phone call away,” was how Cllr Aidan Browne remembers the Chief Executive. Cllr Frank Staples described his achievements as ‘phenomenal’. “You are a hard act to follow, and I want to thank you for your support to me (Frank Staples) and my family.”
Cllr Cathal Byrne was excited about securing Ballyhogue’s old post office as a shared community space for a community population of 300 people and he told Tom Enright that is his legacy in Ballyhogue and the people of the village will always remember that forever.
Cllr Donal Kenny added his good wishes. Cllr Bridín Murphy said; “you spoilt us, which are the characteristics of a fantastic leader.”
Cathaoirleach Cllr John Fleming summed up by describing Tom Enright’s “outstanding contribution to County Wexford” and shaking hands he concluded; “it has been an honour and a pleasure to work with you.”
Eamonn Hore, Director of Services, paid tribute to Tom Enright on behalf of the officials and staff at Wexford County Council and said his legacy will be “his outstanding contribution to his adopted county” and he wished him well in his future endeavours.
ABBEY SQUARE where the Viewing Stand will be located for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
By Dan Walsh
Preparations are intensely happening under the newly formed St Patrick’s Day Committee who are calling on all Enniscorthy groups, organisations and businesses to make St. Patrick’s Day in Enniscorthy on Sunday, March 17th, a special day to remember.
The theme for this year’s parade is ‘Mardi Fleadh’. As Wexford is hosting Fleadh Cheoil na Eireann in 2024 the committee are encouraging groups taking part in the parade to include a Fleadh element with Irish music and to express creativity, colour and fun where possible in their entries.
Enniscorthy Municipal District, Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Creative Places have kindly sponsored prizes for the St. Patrick’s Day festival this year. The prizes up for grabs are as follows:
Win €500 for Best Overall Commercial Entry in the parade.
Win €500 for Best Community Entry in the parade.
Win €500 for Best Dressed Business Window Display.
Pettits Supervalu in Enniscorthy have kindly sponsored a €100 Hamper Prize for the Best Dressed person on the day.
The most creative entries will be awarded the prize in recognition of their efforts. The winning entries will be announced on the day.
To enter the Best Dressed Window Display competition please email your interest to emdreception@wexfordcoco.ie by March 10th.
This year’s Enniscorthy St Patrick’s Day Parade will commence at 3pm on Sunday, March 17th, starting at Shannon Chapel marching down the Shannon and through Templeshannon, along Shannon Quay to the Seamus Rafter Bridge, through Abbey Square and over Mill Park Road, up Friary Hill, turning left onto Court Street and turning right up Hospital Lane onto Lymington Road.
From there it will go over to Duffy Hill, to John Doyle’s corner and down Main Street. The walkers will finish at Market Square and disperse from Wafer Street with vehicles going back to Abbey Square.
The viewing stand will be in Abbey Square with music in the Market Square during and following the parade. Once the parade ends there will live traditional music performances on the Market Square.
Rosslare Harbour RNLI lifeboat was launched following a request by the Irish Coast Guard at 5.26pm last Sunday and shortly afterwards reached the scene two miles north of Rosslare Harbour where a 15-metre-long fishing vessel had an entangled propeller.
The crew of the rescued vessel were wearing flotation devices and were safe and well. The weather was clear with slight seas and good visibility.
Having assessed the situation and consulted with the five crew onboard, a decision was made to tow the vessel to Rosslare Harbour. A tow line was secured, and the vessel was safely towed to the harbour.
Jamie Ryan, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “I would like to commend the crew of the fishing vessel for wearing their flotation safety devices and for carrying communication equipment. It is essential that sailors and fishers contact the Coast Guard when in difficulty. To do this call 999 or 112.”
Pictured are Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, Inspector Graham Rowley, Cllr Michael Whelan, Chair of Joint Policing Committee, Tom Enright, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, with members of An Garda Siochana and staff of Wexford County Council at launch of the Garda Youth Awards 2024
By Dan Walshat Wexford County Council HQ
The annual Wexford Garda Youth Awards 2024 were launched by An Garda Siochana Wexford in association with Wexford County Council in the Council Chamber, Carricklawn, Wexford.
Cllr. Michael Whelan, Chairman of the Joint Policing Committee said; “Wexford County Council enjoys a very close and strong working relationship with An Garda Siochána, especially through the Joint Policing Committee. These awards offer an opportunity to further strengthen these ties of inter-agency co-operation towards the betterment of the lives of all the citizens of County Wexford.
“The Garda Youth awards is a very good initiative, it shows young people in a good light and I would encourage more groups and individuals to put forward more candidates for the awards,” continued Cllr Whelan, who added; “The Awards are an important opportunity for Wexford County Council and An Garda Síochána to celebrate our exceptional young people and the contribution they make in their communities”.
In launching this year’s Awards, Inspector Graham Rowley of Wexford Garda Station, said; “It is important that An Garda Siochana continue to recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people in every community throughout county Wexford, and that we as a society are very proud of them. I encourage you to nominate any young person you feel are deserving of recognition for their positive contributions.”
Awards will be presented in four categories:
Individual Award – Making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.
Group Award – Group of two or more, making a positive contribution to the community, making it a better place to live.
Special Achievement Award – Overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds and whose commitment deserve recognition.
Community Safety Award – Through a crime prevention or safety initiative/innovation, have made their community a safer place to live.
Anyone can nominate a young person between the age of 13 and 21 years for an award. Nominations will be completed through an online process, available at: Garda Youth Awards | Wexford County Council (wexfordcoco.ie)
For further information please contact; Inspector Graham Rowley at wexford_ds@garda.ie 053 9165280, Garda Liam Kavanagh at liam.j.kavanagh@garda.ie 051 426037 or your local Garda Station.
DEPUTY PAUL KEHOE is not running in next General Election
Party leader and An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has wished long standing Wexford TD Paul Kehoe “the very best in whatever he decides to do next” after he announced tonight (Monday) at a meeting of the Fine Gael Party in Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford, that he will not be contesting the next General Election.
Deputy Kehoe told the meeting that “this has been a very difficult decision to make but I feel that now is the right time for me and my family”.
“The Wexford Fine Gael organisation put their faith in me by selecting me to run in the 2002 General Election and I hope that I have repaid that faith over the past 22 years as a TD for the constituency,” said Deputy Kehoe.
From Bree, Deputy Kehoe, was first elected to Dáil Éireann in the 2002 General Election, when he succeeded Ivan Yates, has served as a TD for Wexford for 22 years and served as Government Chief Whip and as Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said; “I wish Paul the very best in whatever he decides to do next. He is a man not to be under-estimated, is a good judge of character and understands how politics is done.”
The United States Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency, Claire Cronin, was formally welcomed to Civic Offices, Gorey, today (Monday) by Cathaoirleach of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, Cllr Pip Breen and Philip Knight, District Manager, where she signed the distinguished visitors’ book, addressed the Council and met informally with local elected representatives.
Ms. Cronin held a brief meeting and posed for photographs with representatives from the Wexford Eagles, Wexford’s only American Football team, established in 2015 and the current National Division Two champions.
Her Excellency, CLAIRE CRONIN, United States Ambassador to Ireland was in Gorey today. (Pic; The Boston Globe).
The Ambassador travelled to St. Mary’s National School, Ballygarrett, where she was welcomed by the Principal, Niall Madden and students from the school.
Here the Ambassador recalled links between Ireland and the United States and the many families that left Ballygarrett in the 19th century and founded the town of Refugio in Texas. It was also recalled that a number of those emigrants fought at the Battle of the Alamo.
The itinerary included a visit to IWP Pallets at Wells, the largest pallet manufacturing company in Ireland, and a meeting with founder and joint Managing Director, Mary B. Walsh.
Irish Country Meats at Camolin was also visited. This is the largest lamb processing plant in Ireland and the company is now looking to export into the United States.
Then the CSC Global Financial Markets, M11 Business Park, Gorey. A Delaware company that opened in Gorey in late 2020 and is planning significant expansion. Managing Director, Paul Whelan, briefed the Ambassador on their work and US links and introduced Ms. Cronin to members of staff.
The tour concluded with a brief tour of Gorey Hatch Lab, the business incubation unit in the M11 Business Park, where CSC are based, and an introduction to GrandPad, a San Diego company.
Tom Enright attends his final meeting of Wexford County Council at Carricklawn Council Buildings this afternoon (Monday) as he bows out from the position of Chief Executive after ten years dedicated service and many tributes will follow in the days and weeks ahead.
AUDIO ADDITION; MINISTER JAMES BROWNE speaking in tribute to Chief Executive Tom Enright in Enniscorthy last Tuesday.
TOM ENRIGHT Chief Executive Wexford County Council
The tributes have already started, Last week at the sod turning of the Sam McCauley Bellefield Park Minister James Browne paid tribute to Mr Enright on his final official visit to Enniscorthy.
Minister Browne thanked Mr Enright for taking risks on behalf of the county and he wished him well going forward.
In reply, Mr Enright spoke of the long-term benefit that the new facilities will bring to Enniscorthy. “Wexford County Council is pleased to be part of this wonderful project that will bring real, long-term health and wellbeing benefits to the wider town of Enniscorthy. These new facilities are a testament to the added value that can be brought to a project when private, public and community investment is aligned and coordinated,” he concluded.
The latest round of Active Travel Investments based on the Council’s submissions to the Government has just been announced. Wexford County Council has been awarded €3.750,000, which is a welcome amount for the county.
CLLR ANTHONY BOLGER
However, Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Cllr. Andrew Bolger is disappointed and angry when it comes to projects in the North Wexford district.
“Looking at the total figure awarded combined with the population you would expect that approximately €1 million would be coming to North Wexford,” said Cllr Bolger, who added; “When in fact €50,000 has been awarded to the Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District for an existing project in the safe routes to school at Gorey Central School. That’s 1.3% of the total allocation.”
Cllr Bolger points out what was made on the last round of funding that “the allocation to this area was simply not enough and it has happened again. “There is a continuing failure by the Council to invest in North Wexford. It’s clear now in black and white, there is no urgency to carry out and complete projects in North Wexford.”
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