Enniscorthy man appointed to Board of Irish Heritage Trust

By Dan Walsh

Former Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Services at Wexford County Council, Tony Larkin is one of four new directors appointed to the Board of Irish Heritage Trust following the unveiling of its 10-year Strategic Plan.

TONY LARKIN (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

The Enniscorthy native spent all his working life with Wexford County Council, apart from a short 18 months’ stint with Bray Urban District Council many years ago. He availed of retirement in March 2022. It is estimated he attended over 400 County Council meetings.

Established in 2006, Irish Heritage Trust are now a leading national organisation with four landmark heritage properties currently in its care: 11 Parnell Square, Dublin, where the Trust has its headquarters; Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens, Cork; Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens, Wexford and Strokestown Park & The National Famine Museum, Roscommon.

Irish Heritage Trust Chairperson, Clare McGrath welcomed Mr. Larkin and the new directors; “The Irish Heritage Trust is immensely fortunate to be enriched by the profound knowledge and expertise of our dedicated board members, who generously contribute their time on a voluntary basis. We are delighted to refresh our board by welcoming a host of new talent and experience to the Trust as we expand our heritage portfolio, working collaboratively with public and private partners.”

Minister Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, congratulated the board on the appointment of the new directors; “Whether they are tour guides or board directors, the more than 300 volunteers who work with the Irish Heritage Trust make an invaluable contribution to its work. and I am sure the newly appointed directors will help sustain this great progress. I wish them all the best in their new positions.”

3 injured in road crash near Gorey

By Dan Walsh

Three people, two men and a woman, have been taken to hospital following a two-car collision on the R772 about 700 metres north of the Tinnock Roundabout on the M11 north of Gorey this evening. The extent of their injuries is unknown currently.

The collision occurred around 7.10 pm and emergency services were quickly on the scene.

The R772 road from the Tinnock Roundabout to Bakers Cross, Inch, is currently closed until forensic investigators visit the scene. Diversion routes are signposted.

New Ross Post Office contract announcement this week

New Ross ‘Save Our Post Office’ rally on February 15th

By Dan Walsh

The people of New Ross have been resolute in their loyal support for the ‘Save Our Post Office on Charles Street’ campaign to retain the services in the building owned by An Post and serving the community since 1904. But matters have become complicated and confused over the weekend, or have they?

Ahead of last Saturday’s second planned rally outside the New Ross Post Office, on Friday evening, Enniscorthy-based Minister James Browne informed the organisers that he had left a meeting in Dublin, attended by Minister Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State, attending the Cabinet, in the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and the Chief Executive Officer of An Post, David McRedmond- where a decision was reached “that the service will be maintained in the current building in the town at Charles Street.”

In a statement recently, An Post said; “In line with the ongoing transformation of the national post office network An Post has announced that its office in New Ross will become a contractor run post office. New Ross joins the mainstream of national post offices of which more than 95% of the country’s 900 plus offices which are run by contractors. Fewer than 40 post offices nationally are run directly by An Post.

I haven’t seen a statement or being officially informed of matters pertaining to New Ross Post Office over the weekend, but my informed and reliable sources tell me that at Friday’s meeting An Post announced that the contract for the post office will be advertised early next week. “We have, however, given a commitment to work with the local authority or local development bodies on future usage of the post office building,” said An Post.

The plan is that the new Postmaster, when appointed, will be working from the current building on Charles Street, until the future use of the building is secure. An Post says there is ‘no question’ of any reduction in postal or other services as a result of any change.

According to a report by RTÉ South Eastern correspondent, Conor Kane; “Other areas where An Post followed a route now being pursued in New Ross and Tipperary include Phibsborough, Rathmines and Tallaght in Dublin, and Roscommon. Meanwhile, in Cashel, Co Tipperary, post office front desk services are being relocated next month from the existing base on Main Street to the SuperValu. Here, the service is already run by a contractor and there have been assurances that the move will not affect existing jobs.

Sunday ‘points’ success keeps coming

By Dan Walsh

Point-to-point action at two venues today (Sunday) and the Wexford raiders to the Tipperary track at Lisronagh fared best.

The Benny Walsh and Jenny Walsh team from Crossgales, Tomhaggard, sent out the newcomer Settle Down Jill in the maiden race for four-year-old mares and were victorious by three lengths under popular rider Barry Stone, Cleariestown, who rode his 30th career winner.

LUKE MURPHY successful at Lisronagh today.

Luke Murphy from Gorey was the handler and rider of newcomer Think It Through who beat off all the opposition in the mares’ race for five and six-year-olds. Four lengths the winning margin.

Rob James, like Ellen Doyle was having his second winner in as many days, and he was associated with Jo Koko from Ian McCarthy’s Kildare stables and the team in the winners enclosure at Punchestown yesterday (Saturday). It was a close finish – only half a length in it – and the runner-up was Epic West (Alan Harney up) for Donnchadh Doyle’s Ballindaggin stables.

Ellen Doyle’s Coolgarrow stables, near Enniscorthy, fine run in the maiden races for four-year-olds continued today (Sunday) at Kildorrery, Co. Cork, when she saddled newcomer mare Magic Boum who came home two and a half lengths ahead of the field with Brian Dunleavy in the saddle.

Good day for Wexford stables at Punchestown

By Dan Walsh

Ellen Doyle, Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, has made a good start in the four-year-old maiden races since the beginning of the year and she added to her tally when she saddled newcomer They Want Me, running in the Baltimore Stables Syndication colours scored by two lengths under Brian Dunleavy at Punchestown point-to-point today (Saturday).

Matthew Flynn O’Connor, Ballycrystal, Kiltealy saddled Additional Time in the gelding’s maiden race for five-year-olds and he was rewarded with a six lengths success under Brian Lawless. Sixth winner of the 2023-’24 season and 20th career success for handler Flynn O’Connor.

SEAN DOYLE saddled a winner at Punchestown today.

Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, is also having a winning streak and he led in another winner today as Private Ryan came home five lengths ahead of the field in the Confined Hunt Winners race ridden by Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard.

The father and son team of James and Vincent Devereux from Tomhaggard enjoyed success with Kerlogue by two lengths in the maiden race for gelding’s aged six years and over to give Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, his 55th career winner.

And Rob James rode a winner. He was aboard Eyes Off Annie, the four lengths victory in the mares five-year-old plus race was for Kildare handler Ian McCarthy.

Ballindaggin man (25) dies in Bali

By Dan Walsh

A Wexford community has been plunged into shock and mourning following the tragic news that Val Brooks, (25), Wheelagower, Ballindaggin, has died suddenly in what is believed to be a drowning accident in Bali.

VAL BROOKS

Val Brooks emigrated to Australia about a month ago and his heartbroken parents, Val and Anne, are liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs to obtain more details.

Val was a talented tradesman and worked and worked at Karl Cullen Fitted Kitchens, Enniscorthy, and JV Kitchens in Tullow.

Many tributes have been paid. “Val was a young man heading off to Australia to make a new start in his life. It’s a terrible shock,” stated local parish priest Fr. Jim Fegan.

Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan said “everybody is just shocked and devastated” by the tragic news and she added; “I know Val senior is involved in the Ballindaggin Pipe Band and the entire family is very well thought of in the local area.”

A family notice has been posted records “the untimely death has occurred abroad of Val Brooks, Meadow Breeze, Wheelagower, Bunclody. Beloved son of Val and Anne and loving brother of Patricia, Catherine and Seán. Deeply regretted by his Mam, Dad, sisters, brother, brothers and sister-in-law, Eugene, Mikey and Aisling, Nanna Pender, nephews Michael, Paudie, Tadhg and Donal, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours and friends. Predeceased by his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Reposing at his home on Thursday (29th February) from 10am. Funeral arriving to St. Patrick’s Church, Kiltealy, on Friday afternoon (1st March) for his Funeral Mass at 3pm. Burial afterwards in Kiltealy Cemetery.

Kilmore Quay water scheme is completed

KILMORE QUAY WASTEWATER PLANT is completed (Pic; Uisce Éireann)

By Dan Walsh

A new community sewerage scheme is completed in Co. Wexford. Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Wexford County Council today (Thursday) announced the completion of the Kilmore Quay project which follows the successful completion of new wastewater infrastructure investment in Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon. 

The project which involved the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant and sewerage infrastructure has ended the discharge of municipal raw sewage into the quay and harbour areas, which will see enhanced water quality.

Uisce Éireann’s Paul Fallon told WexfordLocal.com; “The end to the discharge of municipal raw sewage will greatly enhance the amenity value of these coastal waters for the local community and visiting tourists, and protect the environment. In addition, the new treatment plant will provide additional capacity to support growth and development in the area for a population equivalent of approximately 850”.

The completion of this critical infrastructure will ensure compliance with national and EU regulatory standards relating to the treatment of urban wastewater.

John Sisk & Sons Ltd. delivered the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

Kilmore Quay is among 31 towns and villages around the country benefiting today from cleaner waters and enhanced amenities due to the construction of new treatment plants where none existed previously. 

Safety concerns in Ballycanew village

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council meeting

Five talented schoolchildren from St. Enda’s National School, Ballycanew, supported by the Principal Seamus Dempsey appeared before public representatives of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council at the monthly meeting held in the Council Chamber at Civic Centre on Tuesday where they made a sincere and well researched plea for better safety measures outside the school.

Mr Dempsey told the meeting that there are 240 children in the school from Ballycanew, Kilmuckridge, Craanford and Monamolin areas, and 160 families are dropping off their children every day. “There is gridlock sometimes, we are like the village that time forgot, but we want to make our village safer for children to come to school,” stated Mr. Dempsey.

The children publicised a local survey which focussed on the busy R741 Gorey to Ballycanew road that is approached by a long straight from the Gorey side which causes speeding from some drivers and sometimes irresponsible road users neglect the 50km/h speed limits through the village and ignore the traffic lights on the pedestrian crossing outside the school entrance.

Council members were supportive and promised active action on the matter and Cllr Diarmuid Devereux pointed out that four elected members in the room on the Special Projects Committee on transport so they should be able to do something positive for Ballycanew and its future safety.

Cllr Mary Farrell was critical of “driver behaviour” but felt that the safety of children is paramount. Cllr Andrew Bolger hoped to “make it a better place to live and make the school a safer place. Cllr Anthony Donohoe said he had heard all ‘the usual clichés’ and urged the Council to “prioritise” the Ballycanew traffic chaos. “There is an accident waiting to happen here, so let’s take action,” stated Cllr Donohoe.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen thanked the children and their principal for the brilliant presentation while Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin concluded that it was “the best presentation he had ever seen in this chamber”

Ferns Diocesan Pilgrimage in May

From May 16th to 21st this year many people will make the journey to Lourdes as part of the Ferns Diocesan Pilgrimage led by Bishop of Ferns, Bishop Ger Nash.

“As Covid disrupted our gatherings for a few years, we now look forward to welcoming our assisted pilgrims, our youth and youth leaders and the hospitalité once again to join with us as a Diocesan family,” said Bishop Nash, who added; “Together, we can reflect on our spiritual journey and realise that God is there waiting for us with open arms.”

The Pilgrimage Director is Fr. Odhran Furlong and the Spiritual Director is Fr. Brian Broaders.

For booking and further details contact Marian Pilgrimages on 01 8788159.

Will Gorey relocate the Bus Stops?

Could the Main Street bus stops be relocated further up the street closer to the Garda Station? (File Pic; Gorey Main Street).

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council meeting

The relocation of the Bus Stop from Main Street in Gorey town was raised again today (Tuesday) at the monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre. Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen presided.

Cllr Anthony Donohoe raised the matter of relocating the bus stops off the Main Street and he sought information on the matter. He believed that the relocation would be to the Railway Station, as has been mentioned on previous occasions, however, Roads Engineer Joanne Kehoe informed the meeting that the relocation was under review, but consideration is being given to moving the bus stops to the vicinity of Gorey Garda Station.

The matter stays there for the moment, but the District Manager’s (Philip Knight) Report records that a meeting took place between Wexford County Council officials and representatives from Gorey Chamber of Commerce whose members raised several suggestions that they felt may enhance the town. Top of the list was to relocate the bus stops from Main Street to the railway station, but it now appears that the likely relocation is to the Garda Station/Christ Church less active area of Main Street.

The Chamber also suggested to the Council to consider purchasing lands adjacent to Esmonde Street for the provision of car parking, carry out work on Esmonde Street during the night, improve lighting on Paul Funge Boulevard, pursue available land that is currently for sale on The Avenue and improve all footpaths by giving them a thorough clean