Explore ‘Gold Rush’ region on Croghan mountain walking trail

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Walking Trails, with the support of Wexford County Council, Healthy Wexford and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) are inviting people to get outdoors and explore some of Co. Wexford’s fabulous country trails during 2024.

Map courtesy of Wexford Walking Trails.

All are welcome. It may be a chilly, but weather conditions will be ‘dry’ for the first walk of the New Year taking place tomorrow (Sunday), just 17kms from Gorey and it’s the Croghan Mountain Walking Trail.

The walk will take place on an established and fully Sport Ireland accredited trail. The trail is graded as moderate and is suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness, but care is required. Good outdoor walking footwear, suitable clothing and snacks and/ or drinks are all recommended.

The walk commences at the entrance to Ratheenleagh Windfarm on the Ballyfad-Woodenbridge Road. The Irish name for Croghan is Cruachán Chinnsealaigh which signifies the association of the area with the ancient Uí Chinnsealaigh clan.

Meeting at the entrance to Raheenleagh Wind Farm at 2pm, the walk should take about two a half hours to complete over a distance of eight kilometres with an ascent of 300 metres. Teas/coffees/biscuits will be served in the Ballyfad Community Centre after the walk.

“In 1795 the area on the north-eastern flank of the mountain at Ballinvalley was the subject of Ireland’s only gold rush. Nuggets of gold were found in the stream (the Gold Mines River) and once word got out there was a rush of people to the area. It estimated that over 3,000 ounces of gold were removed by panning,” Peter O’Connor, Chairman Wexford Walking Trails told WexfordLocal.com, however, he cannot guarantee that any gold will emerge on tomorrow’s walking trail, but he does assure participants; “If weather conditions are right, you may be able to get a glimpse of the Welsh Mountains across the Irish Sea.”

Sunday’s point-to-point news

By Dan Walsh

Jumping the first fence at Tinahely (File Pic).

The first point-to-point fixture of 2024 takes place next Sunday at Fairwood, Tinahely, and although the entry is small – 60 entries – it is a good quality card that should attract a good crowd.

A course inspection took place today (Friday) where the going is reported as “soft, soft to heavy in places.” Weather prediction is ‘dry’ up to Sunday with temperatures of 0-5 degrees on Saturday night. The first race is underway at 12.30pm.

The card and entries for Sunday’s fixture at Fairwood, Tinahely (Eircode Y14 X523) is as follows; 12.30 pm; 5 years old mares maiden race (7 entries); 1pm; 5 years old geldings maiden race (19 entries); 1.30pm; Shillelagh & District Hunt Open Race (9 entries); 2pm; Winners of One Race confined to novice riders (7 entries); 2.30pm; 6 years old plus mares maiden race (6 entries); 3pm; 6 years old plus geldings maiden (12 entries).

Search for 2024 young artists

By Dan Walsh

The search to find the young artists who will excel in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition has begun.

Last year two students from Co. Wexford won prizes in the Competition, which is now in its 70th year and widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, February 28th. Judging will take place in March with winners to be announced in April.

More details are available at www.texacochildrensart.com or at Texaco service stations throughout the county. 

Match moves as darkness hits the park!

By Dan Walsh

Wednesday night’s first round O’Byrne Cup football clash between Wexford and Wicklow at Innovate Wexford Park produced a successful ‘moving venue’ scenario in very unusual circumstances.

Many spectators were already in their seats and the visiting Wicklow team were already out on the pitch and soon the game would start when the floodlights embarked on a flickering motion as an electrical fault developed.

Despite best efforts to rectify the troublesome technical crisis with a generator the fault could not be solved in time, and, consequently, the match was transferred to the Halo Tiles Centre of Excellence at Ferns at short notice with a revised 8.30pm kick off.

Eventually, the match got under way at 9pm and produced a good local result with Wexford defeating Wicklow, 4-15 to 2-12, strongly supported with goals from Mark Rossiter (two), Ben Brosnan and Conor Kinsella.

Male (30s) injured on the Duncannon Line

By Dan Walsh

The Duncannon Line stretch on the R733 between the Mountain Bar and the crossroads at Redshire Road has reopened to traffic following a road collision that happened last evening (Wednesday) shortly after 6pm.

A male pedestrian in his 30s, who is reported locally as having been directing another car onto the road, was struck by a passing vehicle.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene. He was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Waterford. His condition is described as “non-life threatening.”

Engaging communities and artists in Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh at the December meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council

Creative Places, Enniscorthy, is an Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon award, a new and innovative initiative from the Arts Council, who is also funding the projects, which hopes to embed creative arts practice into communities and was introduced at the December meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

In a presentation to the meeting, Daryn O’Callaghan, Co-Ordinator, explained that Creative Places will engage with communities and artists in Enniscorthy, over this 3-year award and hope to put down strong roots for the future for creativity in the lives of the people.

“The priorities include making arts experience more accessible and consider how artistic interventions can contribute to a sense of place and community,” said Ms. O’Callaghan.

The presentation was appreciated by the members, but the Christmas spirit soon evaporated when members learned that they had no role in the distribution of funding towards the programme which they negatively appreciated was “not in our control”.

CLLR JOHN O’ROURKE, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal Dist. Council

Cllr Jackser Owens questioned the lack of public representation on the committee. “This can’t be right. We need members of this Council on the committee,” he stated. Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy supported Cllr Owens and queried “a lack of input from the committee.”

Cllr Cathal Byrne felt this was an attack on local democracy and stated that it was important that a councillor be on the committee. Cllr Aidan Browne added his support to the debate.

Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Rourke complimented Daryn O’Callaghan, project co-ordinator, and Elizabeth Whyte, CEO Wexford Arts Centre, who was also in attendance for the excellent presentation and was promised the Council’s support for Creative Places, Enniscorthy, during its three-year existence.  

Plans for two Co. Wexford schools

By Dan Walsh

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth TD today (Tuesday) launched the next phase of the school retrofitting pathfinder programme.

Two Co. Wexford schools are included in the programme; St Kevin’s National School at Tara Hill, Gorey and Kennedy College, New Ross.

Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the announcement. “Schools often face significant bills for heating and energy use. Any way to make them more energy efficient is positive. These are two good schools in Wexford that will benefit but ultimately, it is hoped all schools could be retrofitted,” he concluded.

SENATOR MALCOLM BYRNE welcomes schools retrofit funding.

Up to 14 schools will be retrofitted and upgraded to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B with renewable heating to reduce their CO2 emissions by 51 per cent. There is a targeted budget of €50 million for this new phase of the Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder Programme. It is being jointly funded by the Department of Education and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The programme will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Department of Education, with delivery support from Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB).   

2024 investment projects for Rosslare

By Dan Walsh

Preliminary figures from Iarnród Éireann show rail passenger journeys in 2023 achieved one of their highest ever totals, as the post-COVID recovery continued. An estimated 45.5 million journeys have been made during the past 12 months, up from 35.8 million in 2022.

Looking forward to 2024, Iarnród Éireann states that new train carriages will enter service, new DART carriages will begin to arrive, and major rail projects in all cities and Rosslare Europort ORE project are set to progress. 

Iarnród Éireann is also Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, and its status as Ireland’s Gateway to Europe has been confirmed with 36 services operating directly between the Port and Europe each week. 

As well as investment in the Port Masterplan, an ambitious €200 million plan to become Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy Hub is progressing, with the port uniquely placed to support the development of the industry in the Celtic and Irish Seas. The planning process for this key national and regional strategic investment will be progressed throughout 2024.

Waterford’s Plunkett Station is being relocated to be part of an integrated transport hub under plans to develop the city’s North Quays. 

Shooting arrows in the rain at Hook Head

Dunbrody Archers shooting arrows into the air in miserable weather conditions for the annual New Year’s Day tradition at Hook Head today.

By Dan Walsh at Hook Lighthouse

“It was nice to get the honour. It was a fantastic experience and will go down in the history books,” Cllr Anthony Connick, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council, told WexfordLocal.com today having led the way at the annual New Year’s Day ‘shooting the arrows’ celebration held at Hook Head.

Cllr Connick, armed with bow and arrow and carefully supervised by the Dunbrody Archers, was one of over 20 archers who sent arrows into the air in the presence of a large crowd who braved heavy rain and atrocious weather conditions.

Cllr Connick said the ceremony is symbolic of “taking ownership of the estuary”. He added; “It is a unique ceremony, and it was organised so well today, and we managed to weather the storm!

The age-old tradition dates to 1687 when the mayor and the corporation of New Ross Town Council claimed their authority over the Tower and waters by travelling to the point of the Hook and shooting an arrow into the sea from Hook Head Lighthouse.

The tradition was revived about 20 years ago and has become a popular New Year’s Day activity. “It is a very important occasion, attracts a great deal of public attention and is great for Hook Lighthouse tourism,” said Lorraine Waters, Manager, Hook Heritage, who was the chief organiser. She thanked New Ross Municipal District Council, the Coast Guard, An Garda Siochána, the Dunbrody Archers, New Ross District Pipe Band led by Brian MacMahon and the large crowd who turned up in the worst possible weather conditions for supporting the event

The attendance included Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council and Cllr Michael Whelan, Chairman and Wexford County Council’s representative on the board of Hook Lighthouse and Heritage Centre.

The Visitor centre which is open year-round at Hook Lighthouse and offers guided tours of the Medieval lighthouse tower, built by William Marshal, the Earl of Pembroke and the most famous Knight of his time, as part of the development of his Lordship of Leinster. Purpose built as a lighthouse 800 years ago, and still fully operational today.

Guided tours take you through the lighthouse with fascinating insights, stories and facts of this unique building. Enjoy the spectacular view from the balcony. Our Visitor Centre located in the former keepers houses where there is a first-class gift shop, café and bakery.

Two injured in motorcycle collision

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí in Arklow are seeking information about an incident in the early hours of yesterday (Saturday) morning when a motorcycle struck a pavement kerb and the driver and passenger were ejected from the machine.

Both the driver and passenger made their way home afterwards, however, the driver, a man in his 50s collapsed and was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, where he remains in ‘a serious condition’.

The passenger, a woman in her 40s, was also taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital where she is being treated for ‘non-life threatening’ injuries.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. Any road users or pedestrians who were in the vicinity of the R772, at exit 20 from the M11 southbound travelling towards Arklow town on Saturday morning, between 12.15 and 12.45am and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Arklow Street Garda Station on 0402 32304, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.