Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024 is coming to Wexford town August 4th-11th 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
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 VERONA MURPHY
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.
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.”
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.
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.
WexfordLocal.com 