Wexford Racecourse is currently unfit for racing due to parts of the track being waterlogged. There will be an inspection at 7.30am on Friday morning to determine if the fixture scheduled to take place on Friday can go ahead.
Paul Moloney, IHRB Clerk of the Course at Wexford said; “Unfortunately the weather is relentless at the moment and since entries on Monday we’ve had 16mm of rain at Wexford.
“We were heavy on Monday for entries, but following the heavy rain in the last couple of days the track is now waterlogged in places and unfit for racing at present.
“We are looking at it staying unsettled with the possibility of a further 15mm of rain prior to racing.
“Due to the current conditions and the forecast, we will hold an inspection on Friday morning at 7.30 to determine if Friday’s fixture can go ahead.”
Revenue officers have seized approximately 24,875 litres of beer with an estimated value of over €99,000 at Rosslare Europort.
The illicit beer, of multiple brands, represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €46,400.
The consignment was discovered during the search of an accompanied trailer which had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France.
Both the trailer and alcohol have been seized and the driver of the load has been questioned. Investigations are ongoing.
These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.
South East on Track, an organisation dedicated to the improvement of rail services across the South East Region have expressed ‘disappointment’ after noting an article in The Irish Times (April 2nd) entitled; NTA considering proposals to end direct rail services between Wexford and Dublin.
In a statement issued this evening, Joe Ryan, Acting Chair of South East on Track told WexfordLocal.com; “The proposals to terminate Rosslare & Wexford to Dublin trains at Wicklow or Greystones and provide a DART shuttle are based on two reports prepared by the National Transport Authority. We have requested copies of these reports, but based on past documents prepared by the NTA we expect that many alternate solutions to the shuttle proposal will have been ruled out of scope for spurious reasons.
“The facts of the matter are that this proposal will marginally improve services for Kilcoole and Wicklow, while making the service almost unusable for passengers at busier stations further south. According to the most recent Heavy Rail Census, Wexford Town had more passenger boardings than Wicklow Town, and Rathdrum, Arklow, Gorey, Enniscorthy, and Wexford Town had more passenger boardings than Kilcoole. There are no other proposals to terminate any other Inter City or Commuter services in neighbouring counties to Dublin.
Mr Ryan continues; “The NTA will likely claim that this proposal is the only option to improve services on the Rosslare line. This is untrue. In the short term, using the third track at Bray station, and extending the turnback at Grand Canal Dock could provide passing options to alleviate conflicts between Inter City trains and DARTs. In the long term, additional passing locations can be explored and developed.
“In the mid-2000’s the Bray-Dublin Connolly journey time on the Wexford train was approximately 31 minutes, compared to the current 47 minutes on the DART in 2024 for the same journey. This shows a consistent pattern of downgrading the service for the South Eastern commuter and rail user.
“The recent draft Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review proposed reopening the Wexford to Waterford railway line to improve connectivity in the South East region. Part of that connectivity is providing direct rail services along the East Coast to the Capital. The review also stated that any provision of a shuttle would be in addition to the existing direct Commuter services.
“While welcoming potential additional rail services, South East on Track will campaign vigorously against ending direct Wexford-Dublin trains, concluded Mr Ryan.
This photograph was taken March 28th 2023 at Clone Beach as Cllr Joe Sullivan points out the cut off to access the sea. The problem has reoccurred. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
A North Wexford public representative is calling on Wexford County Council Environment Section and local interest groups to come up with a resolution before the holiday season as access to the sea at Clone Beach has been cut off.
“For the past number of years there have been ongoing issues locally in the Castletown area of North Wexford in relation to the course of the Ahare River as it enters the Irish Sea,” said local Cllr Joe Sullivan, who added; “We have now arrived at the point that one cannot access the sea at Clone from the Beach as it is cut off by the fast flowing river.”
Cllr Sullivan explains that this situation arises due to the fact that as soon as the Ahare River arrives at the Clone Beach it turns North and continues on this course until it reaches the rocks at the most northerly point of the beach.
For generations and indeed hundreds of years the course of the river was managed by local people who although without university degrees had an innate knowledge of the river and its course. They in their infinite wisdom cut a channel the short distance across the beach and let the water directly out to sea thereby protecting the beautiful expanse of golden sandy beach.
Cllr Sullivan says that “modern thinking now suggests that the river should be allowed to flow north thereby doing away with the beach as we know it. This maybe the Environmentally correct thing to do but it does not come without its drawbacks, the first been that the river is cutting quite deep into the beach and is fast flowing thereby creating a danger to small children, secondly the ability of fish to travel up the river during spawning season is greatly compromised and thirdly the impact on this traditional tourist area during the summer months will be detrimental to businesses in the area that depend on the tourism industry for the majority of their annual income.”
Cllr Sullivan is calling on the Wexford County Council Environment Section along with all local interest groups to get together and to come up with a pragmatic and common-sense resolution to this issue before the holiday season kicks in so that everyone is safe in the knowledge that the Castletown area offers the best natural amenities to be found anywhere in County Wexford or indeed Ireland.
Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, is replacing approximately 1.6 kilometres of old water watermains in Duncannon. The watermains that were prone to frequent bursts and leakage are being replaced with new modern pipes. Once complete, the works will provide a more reliable water supply, and reduce high levels of leakage.
The works take place along a section the R733 in Ballyvaroge from the T-junction at the R737 and end at the R734 crossroads. These works commenced in late March and are scheduled to be completed by May 2024.
Once completed, customers in this area will enjoy an improved water supply with less disruption. Sharerdige Civil Engineering are contracted to carry out the work on behalf of Uisce Éireann.
Commenting on the project, Dave Murphy, Uisce Éireann Programme Manager, said “To facilitate the safe delivery of the project and to minimise impact on the community, areas of work will be limited to short sections. Traffic management will be in place at this time, in the form of a stop/go system and traffic lights. Hours of work will be 8am – 5pm (Monday – Friday) and 8am – 1pm (Saturday). Local and emergency traffic will always be maintained”.
Dave continued “This essential work is part of a significant investment by Uisce Éireann to improve the water network across the country, prioritising investment where it is needed most enabling these communities to thrive.”
Customers can phone Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 if they have any questions about the project or visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Uisce Éireann website for regular updates.
The annual Sinn Féin commemoration crossing Rafter Bridge at Enniscorthy this afternoon.
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy
The annual Easter Monday commemoration organised by Loch Garman Sinn Féin to remember the men and women of the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthy took place in sunshine this afternoon.
A lone piper led a colourful and dignified parade from the Rafter Bridge, up Castle Hill and into Market Square and onto Weafer Street, concluding at St. Mary’s graveyard at Blackstoops.
Wreaths were laid and the main speaker was Kathleen Funchion TD and Ireland South European Election candidate. The attendance included Johnny Mythen TD, Sinn Féin councillors and candidates for the forthcoming Local Elections.
Earlier on Easter Monday the annual commemoration at Murrintown took place.
It was one of a series of commemorations held in Co. Wexford. The Wexford Town commemoration took place on Easter Sunday. Assembly was at Crescent Quay Car Park and the parade finished at Crosstown Cemetery. The main speaker was Johnny Mythen TD.
The Riverchapel Commemoration took place on Easter Saturday at Ardamine Graveyard, final resting place of Seán Etchingham. Speakers were Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin and Local Elections candidate Kevin Molloy. Another commemoration took place at Ballymore, Camolin later that evening.
CLLR JOHN O’ROURKE, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council laying a wreath at the 1798 memorial in Market Square tis morning.
By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy
The 108th anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916 in Enniscorthy was commemorated this morning at a colourful ceremony held in the Market Square.
“It is an honour to speak with you this Easter Monday morning as we commemorate the 108th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising,” said Cllr John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, who continued; “Today we remember the people who believed in the republican cause and influenced events that saw the Tricolour flying over Enniscorthy for a week. As we gather to remember the events of the past it is fitting to recall the events that took place in these streets 108 years ago this week.”
Colour Party leads the Enniscorthy 1916 Rising Parade through Weafer Street this morning.
Outlining the sequence of events, Cllr O’Rourke recalled that the 1916 Rebellion in Enniscorthy began at 4am on the Thursday of Easter week. The first headquarters was based in Irish Street and Keegan’s house was the base for 90 men who marched to the Athenaeum.
Cllr O’Rourke ceremoniously laid a wreath on the 1798 memorial in Market Square.
The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Deputy Johnny Mythen, Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Aidan Browne, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cathal Byrne and Jackser Owens.
AUDIO ADDITION; CLLR JOHN O’ROURKE delivers the oration at the Enniscorthy 1916 Rising commemoration in Market Square.
The ceremony began with Mass in St. Aidan’s Cathedral celebrated by Fr. Paddy Banville. The Reserve Defence Forces provided a Colour Party that led the parade from the cathedral, up Main Street, across Pig Market Hill, down Weafer Street into Market Square where Claire Lawless, District Manager, acted as master of ceremonies.
The event was attended by Ballindaggin Pipe Band, IUNVA Post No. 3 – Gorey and IUNVA Post No. 31 – Enniscorthy, members of Organisation of National Ex-Service personnel and members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society. Judy Heffernan read the 1916 Proclamation, Anthony Nolan played The Last Post and the event concluded with the Ballindaggin Pipe Band playing Armhán na bFhiann.
The presentation following the success of Justatan in the Cooney Furlong Winner of Two race at Monksgrange today; (left to right); Matt Gahan, Óisín Goff, Harry Goff, who rode his first ever point-to-point winner, Caitriona Goff (owner), Marguerite Furlong representing Bree Hunt Club and the sponsors presented the cup, Caitlin Goff, Michael Goff (handler), Cian and Billy Goff.
By Dan Walsh at Bree Hunt races at Monksgrange
The Bree Hunt point-to-point at Monksgrange survived an early morning inspection and the fixture went ahead in heavy conditions, much to the delight of local rider Rob James who rode three of the seven winners and the Goff family from Clondaw, Ferns, whose son, Harry (18), rode his first winner and they added an across the card double with success at today’s other point-to-point at Quakerstown, Co. Clare.
Racing got underway with the maiden race for four-year-old mares and a one length success for Jackie Hobbs, ridden by Sean Staples for Paul Martin Pierce. “Bought for €36,000 at Goffs Spring Store Sale Jackie Hobbs will now be destined for the sales,” said the Blackhall, Killurin handler Paul Martin Pierce who was recording his 35th career success.
The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was run in two divisions; The first divide went the way of He Can’t Dance, handled and ridden by Rob James for the Matchmaker Syndicate by two and a half lengths and the second divide was a victory for owner/handler Thomas Byrne from Kilmore who is having a good season with a small string with Chef’s Kiss. Josh Berry was in the saddle and the verdict was ‘a head’ with Michael Goff’s Hurricane Pat coming close with Harry Goff up. First victory of the season for Kilmore’s Josh Berry, but his fifth career success. Chef’s Kiss is another winner sales bound.
The Winner of Two Race was confined to novice riders, and it was a first success for Harry Goff on the Tinahely winning gelding Justatan owned by the rider’s mother Caitriona Goff and trained by his father Michael Goff, so a popular family success and an occasion to celebrate for the Goffs. Four lengths the winning margin.
Another local handler Cormac Doyle saddled the 16 lengths winner of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings Soldier In Milan ridden by Jack Hendrick. Out of a half-sister to the 2011 Grand National runner-up Oscar Time, Soldier In Milan now goes to the Goffs Aintree Sales.
Rob James recorded a double on Kate Of The Lodge for champion handler Colin Bowe, by 16 lengths and only two of the seven starters finished, in the maiden race for mares five-years-old and upwards. The Brian Kenny owned bay mare had fallen on her previous outing at Knockanohill putting champion rider Barry O’Neill on the sidelines for a short spell.
Rob James clocked up his third victory of the day on Kakadu Park for Donnchadh Doyle by four lengths beating Colin Bowe’s Primitic (Bertie Finn) in the final race, the maiden for for six-year-olds and upwards geldings.
Michael Goff also saddled a winner at Quakerstown, Co. Clare, this afternoon; newcomer Jordans Cross ridden by Mikey Sweeney scored by five lengths in division two of the maiden race for four-year-olds.
Cleariestown handler Mark Scallan also succeeded at the Clare track; Star of Diamonds scored a four and a half lengths victory for rider Jimmy O’Rourke, Clonard, Wexford – on his 74th career winner mark -in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
An extended congregation is anticipated in St. John the Baptist Church. Caim, today (Easter Sunday) for the Funeral Mass of local businessman and popular member of the community, Robert Rackard.
ROBERT RACKARDin his shop at Caim.
Robert took over the popular shop and pub business in Caim from his late parents, John and Nuala Rackard, and was also well-known and respected as an auctioneer and for his open days at his antiques showroom.
Robert loved the daily interactions with everyone in the community between the shop and the pub. He was always a person to call on for a helping hand or rely on for some kind words of advice.
Robert was so well-known, respected and loved within the parish of Caim and far beyond. His absence will be hugely felt by all that knew him.
His heartbroken family are incredibly appreciative of the support, prayers and offers of condolences from everyone. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
FAMILY NOTICE; Robert Rackard passed away peacefully at his home in Caim, Enniscorthy, surrounded by his loving family. Robert, loving husband of Peggy, father of Ciara, Shane and Donna and brother of Annette, John, Fionnuala and the late William. Pre-deceased by his parents John and Nuala. Sadly missed by his wife, daughters, son, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, brother, sisters, grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral arriving at St. John The Baptist Church, Caim, on Easter Sunday for his Funeral Mass at 10 o’clock. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
THE ATHENAEUM…Headquarters of the Volunteers during the Easter Rising 1916 where the tricolour flew above the building. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
The annual commemoration remembering the Easter Rising 1916 in Enniscorthy takes place on Easter Monday and is organised by Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
Ceremonies commence with the celebration of Mass in St. Aidan’s Cathedral at 10am followed by a procession to Market Square where the Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr John O’Rourke will lay a wreath at the 1798 monument in Market Square. All are welcome to attend.
WexfordLocal.com 