Blackwater tops in community awards

Blackwater Tidy Towns pictured receiving their award at the Wexford County Council Environment Awards 2023 in the Ferrycarrig Hotel recently. (l to r)- Sonya Smith, Cllr Oliver Walsh, Doug Taylor (Chairman), Cllr Pip Breen (Cathaoirleach, Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District), Macrina Corri, Cllr Fionntan Ó Suilleabháin, Sheila Leacy (Wexford County Council). Pic: Jim Campbell https://www.jimcampbellphotos.com/

By Dan Walsh

Over 250 children, community groups, volunteers, resident groups and individuals attended the Wexford County Council Annual Environment Awards at the Ferrycarrig Hotel for an occasion of tremendous celebration of the environment and voluntary effort.

Elected members from all districts were available to present awards to 11 schools, 63 community groups and two individuals. Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, warmly welcomed and congratulated all the participants and went on to recognise the commitment and dedication of all committees and individuals who make such a real difference at a local level.

Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services said: “I’m struck not only by the level of commitment you make on a voluntary basis but also the quality and diversity of work being carried out and indeed the creativity and innovation we see from you as dedicated local volunteers. It is the hours you spend in your communities that enhances our County, helps Keep Wexford Beautiful and ensures that we continue to be known as ‘The Model County’.

The overall winners of the Keep Wexford Beautiful Competition were Blackwater Tidy Towns, and master of ceremonies, Alan McGuire, stated as he announced this award that “it’s not surprising that Blackwater Village is the Overall Winner in the Keep Wexford Beautiful Awards 2023, having already won Gold in the National Tidy Towns competition.”

The schools were well represented with eleven schools receiving presentations from Cllr John Fleming, Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, New Ross Educate Together National School and St Edan’s National School, Ferns were all recognised for receiving their first green flag and presented with a nest box sponsored by The Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club.

Coláiste an Atha, Kilmuckridge, Gorey Community School, Loreto Secondary School, Wexford, Ramsgrange Community School and Selskar College were awarded certificates for their participation in the Rubbish Film Festival Programme. Mercy School Wexford was awarded a Plaque as the overall primary school winner in the Christmas Decoration Competition 2022 for their group entry entitled ‘The Christmas Tree’. The entry was created by students Tomás Meyler, Fionn Quirke and Blake Thomas.

Full List of Award Winners;

GREEN SCHOOLS; Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, New Ross Educate Together National School, New Ross and St Edan’s National School, Ferns

ANNUAL ENVIRONMENT ARTWORK COMPETITION Overall Primary School Winner – Conan Kelly, Wexford Educate Together National School. Overall Secondary School Winner – Mikolaj Perek, Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge

CHRISTMAS DECORATION COMPETITION Overall Primary School Winner – Mercy School, Wexford, Rubbish Film Festival Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge, Gorey Community School, Loreto Secondary School, Wexford, Ramsgrange Community School, Selskar College, Wexford, School Battery Champion Ramsgrange Community School.

WEXFORD’S CLEANEST SCHOOL Kilmyshall National School.

SNAP INTO ACTION COMPETITION Community Group Winner – Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group.

KEEP WEXFORD BEAUTIFUL COMPETITION Overall Winner Blackwater Tidy Towns. Best Environmentally Aware and Presented Housing Estate; 1st Westwinds Residents Association, Kilrane; Joint 2nd; Carraig Dubh Residents Association. Blackwater and Watch House Village Residents Group, Clonegal; 3rd Hazelwood Residents Association, Gorey. Highly Commended Bridgemeadow Residents Association. Highly Commended Ounavarra Park Residents Association, Ballycanew. Best Environmentally Aware and Presented Town/Village; 1st Kilanerin Tidy Towns, 2nd Gorey Tidy Towns, Joint 3rd Kiltealy Tidy Towns and Bunclody Tidy Towns. Highly Commended Ballyduff Development Group. Best Community Environment Initiative; 1st Enniscorthy Community Allotments, 2nd Monageer Parish Grotto Group, 3rd Rosslare Harbour Kilrane Environment Group. Highly Commended Clonard Area Development Association, Wexford. Best Heritage Preservation and Conservation Project; 1st Duncormick Area Action CLG, Joint 2nd Gorey Tidy Towns and Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns, Joint 3rd Tomhaggard Pastoral Council and Ferns Tidy Towns. Highly Commended Killanne Development Group. Highly Commended Ballymurn Tidy Towns. Best Community Coastal Management Initiative; 1st Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group, 2nd Courtown Community Council, 3rd Rosslare Harbour Kilrane Environment Group.

BEST NEW ENTRY; 1st St Brendan’s Residents Association, Rosslare Harbour, 2nd Community of Oulart Womens Society, 3rd Wexford Bat Group. Highly Commended Talbot Greenfingers, Wexford. Highly Commended Ballindaggin Development Group / Ballindaggin Tidy Towns. Best Community Project To Improve Accessibility to Infrastructure; 1st Kiltealy Tidy Towns. Best Community Project to Improve Accessibility in Gardens / Parks; 1st Taghmon Action Group, 2nd Monageer Parish Grotto Group, 3rd Gorey Tidy Towns. Highly Commended Foulksmills Tidy Towns. Best Community Project That Tackles And Reduces the Impact Of Climate Change; 1st Sustainable Enniscorthy, 2nd Ferns Tidy Towns. Best Community Biodiversity Project; 1st Monageer Parish Grotto Group, 2nd Enniscorthy Tidy Towns, Joint 3rd Bridgetown Community Development and Kiltealy Tidy Towns. Highly Commended Clonegal Tidy Village Association; Best Community Waste Prevention/Re-Use Project; 1st Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group, 2nd Foulksmills Tidy Towns, 3rd Carrig on Bannow Tidy Towns. Highly commended Boolavogue Tidy Towns.

North Wexford 2K Clean; 1st Hollyfort Development Group, 2nd The Gap Tidy Towns Heritage Group, 3rd Askamore Community Council/Tidy Towns. Outstanding Individual Contribution to Wexford’s Environment; Mary Cogley and Catherine Redmond.

Brian Hayes 64/1 double at Wexford

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Racecourse

Brian Hayes was the jockey in form at Wexford today where the partnered a 64/1 double; Double Pink (12/1) in the mares’ hurdle and Kiln Time (4/1) for trainer Michael Bowe in the second division of the handicap hurdle and the final race at Bettyville Park for the 2023 season.

Amateur rider Danny Fitzgerald enjoyed his first winner on the track aboard Glorytogod Tom (22/1) in the opening maiden hurdle in the closest finish of the day with ‘a nose’ separating the winner from Slim Marvel (Trevor Ryan).

Noel Meade’s Meath stables supplied Sportinthepink (10/1) who scored a two and three-quarter length victory in the maiden hurdle with Sam Ewing in the saddle. Sean Flanagan was aboard Paul Nolan’s Iceberg Theory in the runner-up position.

The Listed M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase was a close affair with victory going to Minella Crooner (4/1) for Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott by half a length following a mistake at the last obstacle by Joyeux Machin with Sean Flanagan on board for Paul Nolan.

After two ‘seconds’ there was compensation for Sean Flanagan in the beginner’s chase where he partnered The Kong Of Prs (8/1) for Gavin Cromwell and had a length to spare over Willie Mullins’ charge, Henn See, ridden by champion jockey Paul Townland.

Philip Fenton’s Tipperary stables were also in form. The Niall Moore ridden Jeriko De Baune (9/2) took the second division of the handicap hurdle with Courting Vickie and JJ Slevin.

It was a good day’s racing and the rain held off until the end as the season concluded and next day out racing at Bettyville Park is scheduled for Sunday, March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, 2024. Incidentally, Wexford will have an extra feature – 12 in all – next year.

The Wexford Racecourse Member’s Supporter’s Club annual general meeting takes place at the IFA Centre, Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy, next Friday, November 24th at 8pm. 2024 membership will be available on the night.

Wilton Bridge reopens for traffic

WILTON BRIDGE reopened to traffic this morning after closure for two years.

By Dan Walsh

The character and stonework at Wilton Bridge, linking the parishes of Bree and Davidstown over the River Boro, has been retained and flood damage repaired by Wexford County Council and the road and bridge re-opened for traffic this morning.

Wilton Bridge was wrecked and has been closed to traffic since the Christmas Day inundation in 2021.

Speaking exclusively to WexfordLocal.com at last Monday’s meeting of Wexford County Council, Eamonn Hore, Director of Services, said the restoration of the bridge has taken a bit longer than anticipated; “We retained the five stone arches as a feature instead of having just a flat concrete structure as a replacement. It is an historic bridge and this is what the locals preferred, so while it took a longer time to complete, it has retained its five arch appearance and the local community are pleased by this.”

The bridge was originally a narrow passageway to facilitate horse drawn carriages serving nearby Wilton Castle. A local resident told WexfordLocal.com that the bridge was washed away in the floods of 1947, and it happened on St. Patrick’s Day. It was rebuilt, but it has been getting attention over the years and there was a recent investment of almost €50,000!

This is not the first time that Wilton has been in the news. The Furlongs and the Butlers were there since 1247. The Alcock family arrived in 1695, the castle was burned in 1923, and today, the windows are once again illuminated as Wilton Castle is a tourism accommodation facility.

News of the bridge reopening is welcome as it caused almost two years of major inconvenience to local landowners and commuters between Davidstown and Bree, but it is much appreciated locally that the arches are retained in the refurbishment and the ancient character of an historical place in the modern environment has survived. A good news story in the end!

Man (68) dies in workplace tragedy

By Dan Walsh

A man died yesterday evening (Wednesday) in a workplace tragedy at a premises in Coolafancy, near Tinahely.

JOHN SMYTH

He has been named locally as John Smyth, (68), from Cummerduff, Gorey, and Springhill Nursery, Coolafancy.

Gardai responded to a call at 6.10pm and found the body of the man at the scene. Emergency services arrived and the body was removed for a post mortem examination.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) confirmed that they are aware of the man’s death and are now investigating the circumstances surrounding it.

A Garda investigation is ongoing.

Man (60s) dies in Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

A man in his 60s has died in a road traffic collision in the Duffry Gate/Bellefield area of Enniscorthy this morning (Thursday).

The incident occurred shortly after 7am when a car collided with a pole. The sole occupant of the car was pronounced dead at the scene. The body was removed to Waterford University Hospital for a post mortem.

ENISCORTHY GARDA STATION

Gardaí in Enniscorthy are appealing for information in relation to this incident.

Anyone in the vicinity Duffry Gate, Enniscorthy this morning between 6.30am and 7am is asked to come forward. Those with camera footage, including motorists with dash cam, within this timeframe are asked to share it with investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on 053 9242580, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Joe Duffy opens Askamore Art Exhibition

HELEN KEARNEY, Chairperson Askamore Community Council and JOE DUFFY at tonight’s launch of the Askamore Art Exhibition.

By Dan Walsh at Askamore Community Centre

Renowned RTÉ broadcaster Joe Duffy was guest of honour at Askamore Community Centre tonight (Wednesday) where he performed the official opening of the 5th Askamore Art Exhibition before a packed attendance.

The exhibition features 31 local artists and 98 pieces of work and has seen huge growth in the numbers exhibiting, the quality of the work and local support for the event.

Chairperson of Askamore Community Council, Helen Kearney acted as master of ceremonies, introduced Joe Duffy, thanked all the artists for exhibiting their works and showed appreciation for all who brought the exhibition to fruition and invited everybody to visit the exhibition over the next few days.

Artists whose work is on display includes Susan Crampton, Alison Hayden, Kay Kinsella, Mary O’Toole, Eilish Kilbride, Anne-Marie Sweeney, Miriam Henshaw, Margaret Kenny, Breda Byrne, Jackie Christian, Mary Doran, Barry O’Sullivan, John Hempenstall, Theresa Hogan, Naoise Hennessy, Grace Hennessy, Una White, Barbara Jameson, Alison Bayne, Joan Byrne, Cloida Morris, Shannon O’Bracken, Mica Warren, Thomas Patchell, Mary Stacey, Breda Moynihan, Robyn Stephens and Dave Pearson.  

Tributes were paid to the excellent efforts and organisational ability of the Art Exhibition Committee consisting of David and Alison Bayne, Anne Bernie, Dave Pearson, Jackie Christian and Jim Tomkins.

The Exhibition is open to the public daily from Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. All are welcome.

Water restrictions for Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

Essential overnight water restrictions are necessary for customers supplied by Enniscorthy Town Water Supply to ensure daytime supply for the community according to Uisce Eireann, working in partnership with Wexford County Council.

The restrictions will be put in place tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow night (Wednesday) from 11pm until 6am, to help reservoir levels recover after essential repairs were carried out over the weekend. 

The areas affected include Enniscorthy Town and surrounding areas.

Some customers may experience reduced pressure while others may experience water outages during these times. Water levels are being reviewed daily and the restrictions will be in place until Thursday morning.

Uisce Éireann’s Jim Fitzgerald told WexfordLocal.com; “We understand the impact restrictions have on a community, but they are essential to allow reservoir levels to recover overnight and maintain a consistent supply of drinking water for customers during the day. We thank the community for their support and ask them to consider their water usage in the days ahead.”

The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and updates are also issued via WexfordLocal.com.

€250m Master Plan on Wexford site

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council monthly meeting

A €250 million Master Plan for the SETU Campus, schools, housing, large scale sports and community facilities at Killeens and Clonard on the outskirts of Wexford town was presented to members by Chief Executive Tom Enright at yesterday’s (Monday) monthly meeting of Wexford County Council.

The Strategic Land of over 120 acres will also provide over 600 social, affordable and private homes, two new schools and community facilities. 

TOM ENRIGHT Chief Executive Wexford County Council

“Following the signing of documents for the compulsory purchase of the lands for a new Southeast Technological University (SETU) campus in January of this year the process is now at an advanced stage,” said Mr Enright, who continued; “The Campus will serve as a National Centre of Excellence with Wexford County Council leading the preparation of the Master Plan with SETU determining the faculties.” 

The Council also purchased an additional 55 acres of land adjacent to the Loreto School at Killeens from a Receiver.

Also announced were proposals for new €20 million Multi-Purpose State-of-the-Art Sports and Community Facilities to serve the Community, the new University and Schools.   

This includes a significant proposal to facilitate the relocation of Wexford FC Stadium and facilities from Ferrycarrig Park to new high-quality facilities in Killeens as it is expected that the planned M11 Olygate to Rosslare Harbour major road scheme will bisect the existing facilities at Ferrycarrig.  

Speaking of the Transformational Change Project, Mr Enright said; “This is a really important development, we don’t just want a state-of-the-art University in Wexford, but we want state-of-the-art large scale sporting facilities as well. The facilities being proposed will be available to clubs but also to the university and the schools and to the wider community.”

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr John Fleming welcomed the proposals which when completed will be transformational for Wexford Town, County Wexford and the South East Region. “This is a very important day for Wexford and we must have the ambition to provide educational and sporting facilities on a par with other locations which already have a Technological University Campus and large-scale sporting facilities.”

The developments will require the full backing of Council members who were universally very positive and supportive of the Master Plan presentation.

Cllr Ger Carthy said; “This will be a game changer for Co. Wexford with the construction of the campus, sports facilities and housing developments and will need the full resources of Wexford County Council.” “An extremely exciting day for Wexford, the county and the region and Wexford County Council will be in the driving seat for the Master Plan,” stated Cllr George Lawlor.

Cllr Jackser Owen was excited that “our children can go to our own college”; Cllr Leonard Kelly praised the vision of grouping the sports clubs; Cllr Oliver Walsh described the plan as “a most ambitious and exciting programme; Cllr Michael Sheehan said it was “a good proposal” and he wished it well; There was support from Cllr Lisa McDonald; Cllr Jim Codd, who has been teaching in the Rosslare district for the past 30 years spoke of “a great day for Wexford.”

Cllr Jim Moore described the project as “ambitious and visionary and transforming, not just the region, but the town and county” and he was delighted at “the integration of all other facilities.” However, Cllr Moore reminded the members “we should not forget what we have got and managing the changes is a significant challenge.” There were also words of support from Cllrs Aidan Browne, Willie Kavanagh, Cathal Byrne and Pip Breen.

Whistle blows on Ferrycarrig Park

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

Ferrycarrig Park will soon fade the floodlights and hang up its boots on soccer games and Wexford FC will find a new home in Wexford town following compulsory purchase to facilitate the extension and completion of the M11 between Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour.

Details were provided at today’s (Monday) meeting of Wexford County Council by Chief Executive Tom Enright who said that Wexford FC were pressurised to secure an alternative home or risk losing the club’s League of Ireland status and following discussions and agreement Wexford County Council will provide a new site at Killeens on a reasonable long-term lease.

“This announcement is not just great news for Wexford FC, but it’s great news for Wexford football as a whole,” said Wexford FC CEO Tony Doyle, who added; “These facilities will be there for everyone – the Wexford Football League, the Women’s League and Wexford FC as the League of Ireland club. It’ll be a game-changer across all strands of our game.”

“We’re really looking forward to working with Wexford County Council, SETU (South East Technological University) and the FAI to deliver this great sporting project for Wexford,” said Mr. Doyle, who added; The FAI support has been vital as they negotiated the early stages of this move and will continue to be going forward.”

First calendar goes to Cathaoirleach

The Calendar Guys; (left to right). Dymphna O’Connor, Senior Executive Officer, Community, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. John Fleming, and Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

The Community Team at Wexford County Council launched its first Community Calendar for 2024 at Wexford County Council HQ today (Monday) and the first calendar was presented to Cathaoirleach Cllr John Fleming.

Cllr Fleming said; “Whether you are interested in arts and culture, sports and recreation, education and training, or community development and support you will find something in the calendar that suits your needs and interests.”

Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services with responsibility for Community said; “We are proud to share this, our first calendar, that showcases some of our work and celebrates our Wexford communities,” and Dymphna O’Connor, Head of Community added; “Our calendar is more than just a collection of dates and events, it is a reflection of our passion, dedication, and diversity as we serve the people of Wexford in various ways.’

The Community team includes work under the brands of Wexford LCDC, Healthy Wexford, Sláintecare Healthy Communities, Wexford Age Friendly and Sports Active Wexford.

The calendar includes local photos and includes key messages and dates each month which the team hope will act as a further support to communities and citizens across County Wexford.

Calendars will shortly be available for free across County Wexford at local Municipal District Offices, at County Hall and through our Wexford Public Libraries. The Community Team will also be distributing in the course of their work over the next few weeks.