Presentation of cheque for proceeds of Christmas swimming activity at Fethard RNLI. (Pic; RNLI/Liam Ryan Photography).
By Dan Walsh
Fethard RNLI fundraising committee members, joined by some of Fethard’s volunteer crew, gathered last week to receive funds amounting to €12,985 raised by the Hooked On Swimming Group and two businesses with local links.
In its third year, the dedicated group of local swimmers took part in their annual 12 Swims of Christmas, taking to the chilly December waters surrounding the Hook Peninsula, whenever conditions allowed. The group also organised a much looked forward to coffee morning, with delicious home baked treats and a monster raffle. Every December, they create a fantastic community atmosphere, a social outlet during the winter months, all while raising vital funds for their local lifeboat. This year’s total also included the generous donation of €3,500 from the Greenlink project, and a separate donation of €2,500 from Scurri, a locally owned delivery management software company.
Volunteer fundraising committee representative, Sarah Bates, accepted the cheques on behalf of the RNLI and expressed a huge ‘THANKS’ and said: “The RNLI is independent of the Coast Guard, and the government, and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As we enter in to our 200th year of lifesaving, donations like we received today, are just as important as ever for us to continue saving lives at sea.”
Wexford Macra are holding a dance in the IFA Centre, Enniscorthy, next Friday, January 19th, in aid of two great causes – Little Blue Heroes and Talk to Tom. With music by award-winning country star Stuart Moyles.
As a grassroots organisation, Wexford Macra are committed to engaging with, and improving, the wider community around them.
Founded in 2012, Talk to Tom is a South East-based charity, working towards suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and bereavement support and its supports the region’s mental health services, and in the last twelve years, they have provided support to over 2,000 people struggling with suicidal ideation and mental illness.
The mental health of young people in rural Ireland is a priority for Macra, both locally and nationally. Little Blue Heroes, established in 2017, is a charity voluntarily led by Garda members, retired Garda members and civic minded people from communities. “We chose these two charities because they are local”, says County Macra Chairperson, Ronan Finn. “Talk to Tom is a great charity, especially for the younger generation, in terms of mental health, and mental health is so important to us all. Little Blue Heroes do amazing work for children, and we would love to be able to help them out in any way we can.”
This event is open to the public, with people of all ages and abilities welcome. Doors will open at 9pm, with music starting at 9.30pm. Entry is €10 on the door (cash only), with proceeds going to the two selected charities.
ROB JAMES … a point-to-point double today in Tipperary.
Killanne rider/handler Rob James travelled to Turtulla, Co. Tipperary, today (Sunday) where he recorded a double success on a fine afternoon in heavy ground conditions.
Newcomer Old Tom Morris in the Matchmaker Syndicate colours gave James a rider/handler combined success in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Now bound for the sales, the well named Old Tom Morris had two and a half lengths to spare over Millforce in the Orphan Girl Syndicate colours, handled by Liam Kenny at his Craanford stables, and ridden by the handler’s son, James Kenny.
Rob James made it a double success on the day when given the successful mount on Now So Jake for handler David Harry Kelly, from Fethard, Co. Tipperary, in the adjacent maiden race for five-year-olds plus. The wining margin was eight lengths.
Next Sunday’s point-to-point action happens at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, where the Ballingore Harriers stage a six race card. First race starts at 12.30pm.
New Special Protection Area (SPA) covers over 305,000 hectares of marine waters off the coast of Wexford to improve protection for twenty species of birds and Seas off Wexford increases the percentage of protected marine waters around Ireland to almost 10%, in line with European commitments.
This announcement by the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD marks the largest SPA in the history of the State.
The new Seas off Wexford Special Protection Area (SPA), which is to be designated under the EU Birds Directive, will cover more than 305,000 hectares of important marine waters for a range of bird species throughout the year.
Surpassing the Northwest Irish Sea SPA that was designated as the largest site for marine seabirds just last year, the Seas off Wexford SPA, at more than 3,000 square kilometres, becomes the largest Special Protection Area in Ireland.
The new SPA adjoins eight existing SPAs already designated in this area, four of which are designated for breeding seabirds, and the publication of detailed information and maps for the site brings certainty and clarity to a long-mooted proposal for protections for marine birds in this area.
Minister Noonan said; “At 305,000 hectares, the Seas off Wexford SPA is bigger than County Wexford itself and the largest ever area to be protected for birds in the history of the State. I’m delighted to be able to announce this significant step forward for nature, and particularly for marine seabirds.
This Government is working hard to ensure robust biodiversity protections, just as we are working hard to deliver on our offshore renewable energy objectives. Biodiversity action and climate action must go hand in hand, and we must continue to work together to protect nature while delivering a swift transition to more sustainable and renewable forms of energy.”
Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Niall Ó Donnchú, said: “This designation of the Seas off Wexford is another determined step by Ireland to protect our marine birdlife. The 20 species protected at this site are some of our rarest and most threatened birds, and these waters are a valuable feeding resource for the seabirds that return every spring to Wexford’s coastal and island colonies to breed. Outside of the summer months, these relatively shallow coastal waters provide safe feeding and roosting opportunities for a range of marine birds overwintering here or on passage.
These protections are vital in a time when the pressures on our nature and biodiversity have never been greater, and the challenges of the climate emergency have never been more pressing.”
New Ross Community Hospital Board Directors, Deirdre Caulfield, John O’Shea, and Sean Reidy are planning a gala dinner dance on March 2nd 2024
By Dan Walsh
New Ross Community Hospital Board of Directors are organising a grand gala dinner dance for Saturday, March 2nd.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, Sean Reidy said; “The fundraising event will provide us with the opportunity to gather in celebration of our past and to present our outline plans. All our supporters, stakeholders and families can dress up and dance the night away while knowing their participation will provide much needed financial support to evolve into a modern care setting with wellbeing at its core”.
Chairman John O’Shea added; “There’s great excitement for the changes ahead over the coming years in repositioning our services and reinvigorating our health offerings to meet the demands of caring for our residents”.
The hospital’s voluntary sub-committee working together on the event calls on locals, past staff and those across the district to take this chance to connect and enjoy the Joe Davitt Band in the ballroom of the Brandon House Hotel, New Ross.
A full five course table d’hote menu will be served on the night; individual tickets are on sale now at €65 with the option to host a table of ten guests for €650. Contact Kitty in the hospital office directly on +353 (0)51 421305 or by email on info@nrch.ie
At the signing of the Trinity Wharf project with the Engineering and Architectural Design Team. Back row (L to R): Luke O’Connor (Ayesa); Dana Stepanceva , (Ayesa); AJ Browne, (AtkinsReális); Eddie Taaffe (Wexford County Council); Paul McEvoy (ORHT); Ben Mong (AtkinsReális); Gary Smyth (ORHT); Michael Malone (Wexford County Council); Front row (L to R); Tom Enright (Chief Executive, Wexford County Council), Cllr. John Fleming (Cathaoirleach of Wexford County County), Cllr. John Hegarty (Mayor of Borough District of Wexford),and Martin Gohery (Ayesa).
By Dan Walsh
Good news emerged today (Friday) as Wexford County Council appointed Ayesa (formerly ByrneLooby) as the Design and Construction Services provider for the next phases of the Council’s flagship urban regeneration project at Trinity Wharf in Wexford Town with works to start on site in 2024.
The transformational project is being funded under ‘Call 2’ of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) which has been established to part-fund projects aimed at enhancing urban areas to make them more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest.
The 10-acre Trinity Wharf project is central to Wexford County Council’s ambitious plans to attract foreign direct investment and high-quality employment opportunities to County Wexford. With overall project investment estimated at €120 million, including more than €24 million of public investment, the huge regeneration project is central to the long-term regeneration and enhancement of Wexford town and environs by creating a new urban quarter for the south of Wexford town with new links to the Crescent and town centre, as well as improving access to the waterfront.
The Council acquired the site in 2016 and prepared a masterplan and preliminary designs for the creation of a high-quality mixed-use development of modern office space, hotel accommodation, multi-storey carparking, a landmark cultural and events multi-use building together with dozens of residential units, a new marina and a boardwalk linking Trinity Wharf to Paul Quay and the Crescent.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr John Flemming described the appointment as a truly significant milestone in Wexford’s economic development. “The transformation, regeneration, and redevelopment of Trinity Wharf will have a major positive impact in prosperity and economic activity here in County Wexford and beyond, lifting a central part of the town out of dereliction and providing a first-class public amenity,” said the Cathaoirleach.
Mayor of Wexford Cllr John Hegarty also welcomed today’s announcement. “Regeneration projects such as Trinity Wharf are a rare opportunity to take neglected areas and provide more attractive places in which to live, rest, work, visit, and invest, bringing a benefit the whole community,” said Mayor Hegarty.
Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Mr. Tom Enright described Trinity Wharf as one of the most exciting and ambitious economic developments projects ever proposed in the county. “Trinity Wharf is a prime example of how the local authority has integrated a diverse set of- economic, social, and recreational needs into a generational opportunity to deliver a progressive and modern multi-use development project that can transform the economic and social landscape of the county,” said Mr. Enright.
Commenting on their appointment, Luke O’Connor Design & Build Lead for Ayesa said; “We take pride in being part of this significant development, working in close partnership with Wexford County Council and all stakeholders to ensure positive impacts for generations to come.”
Trinity Wharf is a phased project. Phase 0 is the foundational phase currently under construction. Phase 0 is integrated with the overall project, focused on providing access and utility connections from the existing public realm to the new development. After Phase 0 is complete, the next Phases 1-3 will deliver the main elements of Trinity Wharf.
Ayesa are the Design Team lead and their delivery partners include AtkinsReális and O’Reilly Hyland Tierney & Associates (ORHT), whose representatives also attended the Contract Signing.
Earlier today (Friday) Revenue officers seized approximately 49 kgs of suspected cocaine at Rosslare Europort.
The drugs with an approximate value of €3,430,000 were discovered because of risk profiling. Investigations are ongoing.
This operation is part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.
CLLR JOE SULLIVAN is delighted to see work recommence on the Tober Mhuire site in Gorey.
Good news on the housing situation in Gorey where Cllr Joe Sullivan has confirmed that work has recommenced on the Tober Mhuire site at Scholar’s Walk, and he stated; “Once completed it will provide a further 31 social housing units that are so badly needed in the Gorey town area.”
In April 2022, Cllr Sullivan invited WexfordLocal.com to Gorey “where a dozen state-of-the-art units were ready for occupation at Tober Mhuire View, but were lying idle, apparently some snagging issues needed to be resolved to the Council’s satisfaction.”
Cllr Sullivan has campaigned relentlessly to see this site up and advancing towards completion and continuously raised the issue at district and county level over the past year.
“I am looking forward to the new tenants getting their keys as soon as possible,” Cllr Sullivan told WexfordLocal.com this afternoon.
An Garda Síochána at Wexford Garda Station have commenced a human trafficking investigation following the discovery of 14 people in a shipping container arriving in Rosslare Europort at approximately 3am on Monday, January 8th 2024.
Gardaí were alerted by UK authorities in advance and a co-ordinated plan was put in place with emergency services in Wexford in anticipation of their arrival to the port.
ROSSLARE EUROPORT (File Pic).
The nine men, three women and two girls have been assessed by medical personnel and have been deemed to be in good health.
Gardaí attached to Wexford Garda Station, supported by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, are investigating all the circumstances of this incident. They are liaising closely with international counterparts through Europol in The Hague.
The ship’s crew are assisting An Garda Síochána with these enquiries.
Anyone with any information in relation to this incident, no matter how insignificant it may appear, is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station 053-9165200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 66 11 or any Garda Station.
Last September Wexford County Council hosted the Governor of Jiangxi Provisional People’s Government, Mr. Ye Jianchun, who is one of the most senior government representatives of China and the Governor has now extended an invitation to the Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Fleming to lead a Wexford delegation to a reciprocal visit to Jiangxi province during 2024.
CLLR JOHN FLEMING, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council will lead a delegation from Wexford to China during 2024.
The matter was on the agenda for last Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council where Liz Hore, Director of Services, informed the members of the invitation to the Cathaoirleach and stated; “I am seeking approval for a delegation to attend on behalf of Wexford County Council.”
Wexford was the only location outside Dublin visited by the China delegation in September while visiting Ireland, and while in Wexford, included a tour of Danone, employing 380 people, and on a journey of net-zero emissions and of particular interest to the delegation was “Danone as a market leader in sustainability within the food manufacturing industry.”
“In addition to meetings with Wexford County Council and in order to promote economic trade, education culture and tourism activities between the tour regions, there were meetings with senior management of Danone, Rosslare Europort and Wexford CBS Secondary School,” said Ms. Hore, who added; “A letter of intent was signed to progress the strategic linkages and to work towards embracing each regions cultural strengths.”
Approval for the trip to China met with silence from the members although Cllr Jim Codd couldn’t get his head around the “close ties between China and New Ross?” and Cllr Davy Hynes, stopped short of suggesting that the delegation should go by boat, but questioned “the effects of air travel on the environment.” Cllr Fionntán Ó Súillabháin also spoke out strongly against foreign travel.
This reporter has no further information on Wexford County Council’s trip to China, but if you can get the right odds with your local bookmaker – it will probably happen on St. Patrick’s Day! Cllr Fleming’s tenure expires at the end of June!
WexfordLocal.com 