War plaque ‘disappears’ at Peace Park?

By Dan Walsh

A commemorative plaque erected in memory of all those from Enniscorthy and district who fought and died during the Great War, 1914-1918, has ‘disappeared’ from the wall where it was fixed at the Orchard Peace Park in Enniscorthy.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com at today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council Cllr Jackser Owens said only the screws fixing the plaque to the wall remained when members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society arrived at the location to lay a wreath to mark Remembrance Day.

Cllr Owens is appealing for the plaque to be returned. “The Council don’t know anything about the plaque going missing, so I am asking whoever has taken it to please return it,” he added.

Ray Murphy from Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society said that when the group approached the location, they first noticed that the plaque was missing. “We don’t know how long it has been missing,” stated Mr. Murphy, who added; “I hope that it will be returned as it is of no use to anyone.”

The plaque was erected by Enniscorthy Municipal District Council in 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War and remember those from the town and district who fought and died during the period, 1914-1918.

The Orchard Peace Park has been targeted in acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour since it opened to the public and Gardaí have been keeping a close eye on developments while Enniscorthy Municipal District Council has condemned those who abuse the facilities and are investing in more CCTV coverage.

Minister’s visit is cancelled today

By Dan Walsh

The proposed visit of Darragh O’Brien, T.D. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to Gorey and Enniscorthy this morning (Monday) has been cancelled due to the red weather warning that is in place for 15 counties, including Wicklow, but excluding Wexford.

Minister O’Brien planned to visit the St. Joseph’s Social Housing Construction site at Wexford Street, Gorey, the 20 Affordable Housing site at Ramsfort Park, which is at the tender assessment stage and the St. Waleran’s site on the outskirts of Gorey.

Afternoon Minister O’Brien was due to visit Market Square, Enniscorthy, to view the old Murphy-Flood’s site and hear about plans for Templeshannon.

SEPTEMBER 3rd 2021; Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy display plans for St. Waleran’s, on the site at Balytegan, Gorey. Also in photo (left to right); Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, Wexford County Council, Tom Enright CEO, Cllrs Donal Kenny, Joe Sullivan and Andrew Bolger, Minister James Browne, Diarmuid Heuston, Senior Executive Planner, Wexford County Council, Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council and Senator Malcolm Byrne. (Pic; Patrick Browne).

3 qualify for All-Ireland drama finals

Bunclody Kilmyshal Drama Group have qualified for the All-Ireland One-Act Drama Finals with their play ‘Dead Man’s Bells’

They will join their Wexford neighbours Coolgreany Amateur Dramatic Society (Open Section) and New Ross Drama Workshop (Confined Section) and are the first three groups to qualify.

The All-Ireland One-Act Drama Finals take place in Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan from Friday, December 1st to Sunday, December 3rd.

Sunshine racing at Knockmullen House

Rider JAMIE SCALLAN and handler SUSAN O’GORMAN holding Bright Sunrise and supporters following victory at Knockmullen House today.

By Dan Walsh at Knockmullen House

November sunshine made life pleasant for the attendance at today’s Wexford Hunt point-to-point at Knockmullen House, New Ross, where a good afternoon’s racing took place in heavy conditions.

The opening maiden race for four-year-olds concluded with the closest finish of the day; only a neck separated the Colin Bowe handled Wednesday Addams ridden by Rob James from Denis Murphy’s Santapietra and Jack Hendrick up. Jonathan Fogarty’s Aldaira and Barry Stone led by a big margin in the race until the partnership ended at the ninth fence.

Bright Sunrise proved a popular local winner of the maiden race for mares aged five years and upwards winning by fifth lengths in the familiar purple and gold colours of owner and breeder Jim Mernagh of Coolamurray Stud, Davidstown, who wasn’t present to enjoy the success. Ridden by Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, who was riding his 35th career winner, Bright Sunrise is handled by Susan O’Gorman, Kellystown, Adamstown, who was celebrating her 4th victory and is in her fifth year as a handler.

All other races at Knockmullen House went outside the county with handler/rider Declan Queally from Dungarvan recording a double; Artic Lane scored by eight lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings and Beau’s Candle doubled the winning distance in the Winners of One Race and was clear by 16 lengths at the finish.

Hannah Phillips from Fethard. Co. Tipperary enjoyed her second career victory on Jimmybrien, owned and handled by Michael Phillips by three-quarters of a length in the geldings’ race for novice riders. Claire ‘Connell travelled from Meath and took the maiden race for five-year-olds ridden by John Barry.

There was another point-to-point fixture at Dromahane, Co. Cork, where Barry O’Neill recorded a double success. Moon Over Mexico dead-heated in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill and afterwards O’Neill teamed up with David Christie and they were eight and a half lengths winners of the Open Race with Ferns Lock.

Garrett Murphy from Ballymitty saddled newcomer Northern Air in the maiden race for four-year-old mares and with Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, in the saddle success was achieved by four lengths.

Next Sunday’s local point-to-point is the Wicklow Hunt meeting at Fairwood, Tinahely. First race at 12.30pm and entries close on Tuesday.

The cancelled two-day Bank Holiday races at Wexford have been given a rescheduled date – it happens next Friday, November 17th. Free admission. And the annual general meeting of Wexford Racecourse Supporter’s Club takes place in the Farm Centre, Enniscorthy, on Friday, November 24th at 8pm. All are welcome.    

Book tells how Mick Carty recalls local sports

By Dan Walsh

Rathangan Bar was packed on Friday night for the launch of a new sports biography named ‘Sportsman Mick; A Lifetime in Local Sports” by local man Mick Carty that gives an intriguing insight into the often exciting and controversial world of local GAA, soccer, pool and skittles.

“Everything I’ve written about is the truth as I recall it,” said Mick who commenced writing during Covid 19 lockdown, and he declared; “Some people won’t like it and I suppose that’s the nature of sport, it brings people together but can also prove very divisive at certain times. 

“I’ve been involved with several GAA and soccer clubs in South Wexford, and in pool and skittles for the past forty years. Some people think that these games are just past times, but they’re wrong. We take it very serious and sometimes we can fall out,” concluded Mick whose launch was held in “the front row before the home crowd.”

Author Mick Carty, Cllr Jim Codd and publisher Wally O’Neill at the launch in Rathangan Bar last Friday night.

Speaking at the launch, local Cllr Jim Codd paraphrased Patrick Kavanaghs poem ‘Epic’, stating that “Homer made the Iliad from local feuds such as these” and what Mick Carty has done in this book is like what great men like PJ McCall and Dick Lambert done before him, the chronicling of our local area, customs and characters. It’s great to see larger than life members of our community who have passed on, like Frank Jordan, being recorded here. I’m sure that fifty years from now, elderly men and women will gather around battered old copies of this book and say, God, remember all those characters and those times.”

This is the 39th publication by Red Books Press, the publishing arm of Red Books in Wexford’s St Peter’s Square and owner Wally O’Neill said that he was proud to be able to publish a book from his longtime friend Mick Carty.

“There are probably Mick Carty’s in every parish in Ireland, people who sacrifice all for the love of their sports, so this book has a universal appeal. I’ve known Mick for over twenty years and one thing that has never changed in that time is his unwavering enthusiasm and energy for sports,” concluded Wally.

Local musical personality John Wickham, who acted as MC for the launch, praised Mick as a man who might fall out with you, but who never carried that ill-will off the pitch or out of a meeting. He said that he had been there at many of the events that Mick had written about. Everything must start somewhere, and this book gives a rare peak into how much of what we now take for granted was won and established in this parish.”

“Sportsman Mick: A Lifetime in Local Sports” can be purchased now at Red Books in St Peters Square, Wexford, local shops in the Rathangan area, and at www.theirishbookshop.com.

Macra Music Bingo in Camolin

Wexford Macra are holding Music Bingo next Friday, November 17th at 8.30pm in The Pike Inn Camolin. Books are €10 each and there are a wide variety of prizes up for grabs that will come in handy any day of the year. All are welcome to join this fun filled night!

The Music Bingo marks the start of fundraising for the Wexford Macra 75th Anniversary Dinner Dance, which is being held in the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, on March 16th 2024. More details to follow.

Further information about Macra or about the Music Bingo night please contact the Chairperson, Ronan Finn on (089) 204 7972.

New Ross point-to-point on Sunday

By Dan Walsh

Eighty-eight entries have been received for next Sunday’s Wexford Foxhounds point-to-point at Knockmullen House, located one mile from New Ross town, and used as a popular Autumn fixture track since 2019.

The first race is off at 12.30pm. Going conditions are ‘soft’.

The organising committee would love to welcome a large attendance. The track is set over three fields, it has been described as a fair track and with a good uphill finish.  There are two fences on the home straight, one at the top and two on the back straight.

SETU Wexford Campus is “one step closer”

By Dan Walsh

The Wexford Campus of the South East Technological University (SETU) is “one step closer” with confirmation today (Thursday) that the Local Authority in Wexford “is now obligated to acquire the property and the owner is required to surrender same.”

Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Paul Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com; “This represents significant progress in the acquisition as Wexford County Council move to the final stages of the CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) process with the “Notice to Treat” being served.

DEPUTY PAUL KEHOE TD

“This campus has been a long held vision for County Wexford and will ensure access to the highest levels of education for Wexford students on their doorstep – something that has not been available in the past,” said Deputy Kehoe, who added; “The long term impact of this on our county will be phenomenal affording greater access to education, higher educational attainment, attracting investment and employment opportunities and ensuring that people have the opportunity to stay in Wexford to live and work into the future.”

“I really believe this can be transformative for education in Wexford and look forward to seeing this development progress,” concluded Deputy Kehoe.

Wexford County Council are now working with SETU to develop a masterplan for the entire site, part of which will facilitate a new higher education campus for Wexford. This masterplan has gone to tender stage and a design team appointment will be made this month.

In parallel to this, SETU is engaging with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to develop a Business Case for the development of the infrastructure on the proposed site under the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF).

Enniscorthy plans for international investment

By Dan Walsh

IDA and Wexford County Council have confirmed today that they are partnering to secure an advanced planning permission for an ABS (Advanced Building Solution) in Enniscorthy.

Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Paul Kehoe said; “The partnership will see the design and planning for state-of-the-art facilities to be used for investment by multinational companies seeking to invest in the area. This development is a vote of confidence in the ability of Wexford to attract investment and sustain multinational operations, which will in turn bring massive benefit to the county, in terms of employment opportunities, further inward investment.

Deputy Kehoe added; “There have been several key developments in Wexford over the last number of years which have made this progress possible. Connectivity provided by the expansion of the M11, the establishment of the SETU and today’s news that the Wexford Campus is getting ever closer, the expansion of Rosslare Port to name a few.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was drafted by IDA and shared with Wexford County Council for review. IDA has been informed via email that the terms of this MOU are agreed and we are awaiting return of the signed document for execution.

Once this is complete a tender will be issued by Wexford County Council for the design team to be appointed and following this an announcement will be made by WCC with the support of IDA’s Regional Communications team.

In other Enniscorthy news, Simon Harris T.D., Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is in the Riverside Park Hotel tonight where he will address the Enniscorthy and District Chamber luncheon.

Minister Harris is deputising for An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D., who was originally Enniscorthy bound, but was unable to keep the date as he is in Paris today (Thursday) to attend the International Conference on Humanitarian Assistance for the Civilian Population in Gaza.

Wexford sports club invited to seek funding

Former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan has launched the 2024 Texaco Support for Sport funding initiative. For the fourth successive year, the scheme is now open to sports clubs across Ireland with a fund of €130,000 to be distributed to 26 clubs on a county-by-county basis, with successful applicants receiving €5,000 in each case.

By Dan Walsh 

Applications from sports clubs in Co. Wexford and beyond are now invited under the fourth Texaco Support for Sport initiative in which a fund of €130,000 will be divided in €5,000 amounts and distributed to successful applicants in each of the twenty-six counties.

Over the past three years, a gross figure of €385,000 has been divided amongst 77 sports clubs across Ireland, of which €5,000 each went to three successful Co. Wexford clubs; Kilmore United FC (2021), Menapians Athletic Club (2022), and Aspire Gymnastics Academy, Kiltealy (2023).

Open to all sports clubs irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender (including clubs that may have been unsuccessful in their application previously), the initiative is one that ‘recognises and supports the valuable contribution that sports clubs make to communities and throughout Irish society’.

Following lines similar to that which proved successful over the past three years, clubs wishing to apply should first register their interest on www.TexacoSupportforSport.com, followed, before closing date, by a completed application that should include details of their sporting activity, the importance of the club in their local community, the purpose for which the funding is sought, and the use to which the funds will be put.

Leading the process once again is Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan. Clubs that received funding to date span the spectrum of Irish sporting activity – archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, bowls, boxing, camogie, climbing, cricket, diving, Gaelic football, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, hurling, kayaking, rowing, rugby, soccer and tennis amongst them.

Closing date for applications is 31st January 2024 with adjudication taking place thereafter.