Enniscorthy 19th century church for sale

The Presbyterian Church and house at Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy, is for sale by private treaty.

By Dan Walsh

The former Presbyterian Church on Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy, and the adjoining house, is being offered for sale by private treaty with a price tag of €700,000. Enquiries to Sherry Fitzgerald O’Leary Kinsella estate agents.

The church on Mill Park Road was built in 1866 by Mr Patrick Kerr and on March 26th, 1867, Rev. William Arnold was ordained in the church as pastor of the little flock and lived to minister under those in his charge for almost 48 years.

A splendid manse, with charming grounds was built for Rev. Mr Arnold, immortalised as Arnold’s Cross, who for 48 years ministered to those under his charge and the Presbyterians congregation at that time numbered about twenty. Mr Arnold passed away peacefully on October 24th, 1916, at the aged of 76 years.

The church was known as the United Presbyterian and Methodist Church for several years.

In 1747 John Wesley began his preaching in Ireland and a small number of Wesleyans, of Methodists, had a conventicle in Enniscorthy from 1768-1798, and in 1812 a meeting house was rented on the Tanyard Lane, near the foundry, where an itinerant preacher minister to about a dozen souls for some years.

It was 1816 that the Wesleyan Conference determined permit themselves to dispense the Lord’s Supper and up to that date laymen were preachers.

In 1835, the former Methodist church at Friary Place was erected and first opened for divine service on September 2nd, 1836, by the Rev. J.B. Gillman, Dublin, and Rev. Fossy Thackaberry, Drogheda.

SOURCE; History of Enniscorthy by W.H. Grattan Flood, printed at The Echo Printing Works, Enniscorthy in 1920.

Flooding at the Heritage Park

By Dan Walsh

The Irish National Heritage Park at Ferrycarrig reopens its restaurant and crafts shop today (Tuesday) from 9.30am to 5pm following serious flooding that closed the complex over the weekend.

However, the outdoor experience will remain closed until Friday, November 3rd due to the flooding.

In a statement issued on social media yesterday, the Heritage Park “apologises for any inconvenience caused and looks forward to welcoming you back in the future.”

Speaking to RTÉ News, Bernie Rath stated; “Unfortunately our newly renovated building has flooded again. It’s quite devastating for us really. I suppose, we were nicely settled back in and everything was going so well but unfortunately we’re here again today. Hopefully, we can get back open again very soon and we hope to see everybody around the Heritage Park again shortly.”

The Irish National Heritage Park reopened two months ago following a €1 million refurbishment programme.

“This is the worst flooding we’ve had at the height of the flooding,” said Adrian Doyle, Chair of the Trustees of the Heritage Park. Although history recalls flooding up to two feet in November 2004!

“The previous flooding was more devastating because we weren’t ready at the centre, we were this time at least, but it’s very substantial,” concluded Mr. Doyle.

Rosslare Strand families devastated by floods

CLLR JIM CODD using an appropriate mode of transport while supporting homeowners at The Haven, Rosslare Strand, who are in temporary accommodation tonight, following serious flooding over the weekend.

By Dan Walsh

Families at The Haven housing estate in Rosslare Strand are in temporary accommodation tonight after being forced to leave seven homes that were impacted by severe flooding during a weekend of heavy rain in south Wexford.

Local Cllr Jim Codd visited the scene today to support the residents and empathise with them in what is “an exceedingly difficult situation”. “I intend to demand that real solutions are found to these ongoing flooding issues,” said Cllr Codd, who added; “A big word of thanks to all those that are battling the flood waters.”

Director of Services at Wexford County Council Eamonn Hore feels that everyone will have to wait until the flood waters to abate before a resolution is found.

Wexford County Council has supplied two industrial sized pumps to pump water from the houses, but the water keeps returning! Mr Hore described the flooding at The Haven, which is opposite Rosslare Golf Club, “desperate” for the homeowners who are now in temporary accommodation.

Latest news on Wexford water supply

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann issued a statement today (Monday) via WexfordLocal.com to inform customers that following the completion of emergency repairs on a trunk water main supplying Coolcots Reservoir and Wexford Town at the weekend, resolute water service experts continue with works to ensure the reservoir recovers to safe levels and the water network fully recharges to all areas. 

Most areas will have seen a steady return of water yesterday (Sunday). For some customers on higher ground or at the end of the network, it may take longer for supply to return fully and intermittent outages may occur during periods of high demand.

The following areas may be impacted by reduced water pressure and/or water outages until water returns to the network: Coolcotts and surrounding areas in Wexford Town.

To continue to support impacted customers, alternative water supplies with clean drinking water are in place at: Clonard Village, Cluain Dara, Ferndale, Belvedere, Ard Carman and Clonard Church until normal water supply returns. Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure as per Health Service Executive (HSE) advice. 

Jim Fitzgerald, Regional Operational Manager, Uisce Éireann, commented: “Recovery is still ongoing for those on higher ground and at the end of the network, but the majority of customers will have seen a return of supply.”

“To help the network refill fully Uisce Éireann are appealing to customers to help conserve water as much as possible so it can reach those on higher ground and at the peripheries of the network. Further information on water conservation is available at www.water/conserve” 

Bright plans for Enniscorthy and Bunclody

At the opening of The Dome Training Centre and Sensory Garden at Enniscorthy (left to right); CLLR JOHN O’ROURKE, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, CLAUDE CLANCY, Wexford County Council who acted as master of ceremonies, TOM ENRIGHT, Chief Executive Wexford County Council and MINISTER HEATHER HUMPHREYS, Minister at the Department of Rural and Community Affairs.

By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright visited Enniscorthy last week and addressed proceedings at the launch of The Dome Training Centre and Sensory Garden at Gort na Greine, where he presented a positive picture of future developments for Enniscorthy.

Mr. Enright extended sincere congratulations to Michael Devereux and the Committee of the Enniscorthy Allotments Group and all their members for the fine work done to date and he wished them the very best of luck in going forward with their plans.

“We all know that the work of providing community facilities is never really finished; there will always be new demands, new challenges and new projects,” said Mr Enright, who added; “I look forward to seeing how the seeds that you have planted here will grow from acorns into wonderful trees.”

Mr Enright also remembered the elected members and thanked them for their support for other community projects being considered.

Speaking exclusively with WexfordLocal.com, Mr Enright said Wexford County Council has selected a site for a new Community Playground at Springvalley, on the Shannon side of the town, and approval is set to come before the next monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

The Council has been working in partnership with the GAA for the development of sporting and community facilities at Bellefield that will incorporate a playground, car parking and a market garden. Mr Enright acknowledged a significant financial investment from local businessman Sam McCauley towards this proposed development.

Meanwhile this week, Minister James Browne announced that Rapparees/Starlights GAA Club is to benefit from a grant to the value of €15,000 under the Healthy Ireland GAA Walking Tracks scheme.

Finally, Mr Enright stated the commencement of the planning process for a new playground, car park and public space in Bunclody.

Double for Bowe and O’Neill

By Dan Walsh

Point-to-point action went ahead in testing conditions at Tattersalls, Co. Meath, today and two winners for the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd, Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill partnership brought success to Wexford.

BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE (File Pic).

Two newcomers Honky Tonk Highway, a three lengths success in the maiden race for four-year-old mares, and Farfromnowhere, with a runaway 45 lengths victory in the maiden race for mares aged five years and over made the trip from the Kiltealy Stables worthwhile.

Reigning national point-to-point champions, handler Colin Bowe and rider Barry O’Neill are top of the leader board with 11 wins to their credit in the 2023-24 championships and Bowe (31%) and O’Neill (30%) both are impressive in the strike-rate stakes.

€389,000 cocaine and cash seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

With the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, Revenue officers seized approximately 5.5 kgs of cocaine with an estimated value of €385,000 at Rosslare Europort on Friday.

The illicit drugs were discovered when a Polish-registered freight unit was stopped and searched, having arrived on a ferry from Dunkirk, France.

A man in his 30s was arrested by An Garda Síochána and taken to a Garda Station in County Wexford. Investigations are ongoing.

Separately, on Thursday, Revenue officers were granted a three-month cash detention order by Judge Nicola Jane Andrews at a sitting of Wexford District Court.

This followed the seizure, on Wednesday of over €3,760 in cash and a small amount of foreign currency at Rosslare Europort. The discovery was made when Revenue officers stopped and searched a Bulgarian-registered cab unit in which 13 kgs of cocaine was also found.

These seizures are 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 1800 295 295. 

Beware flash floods on Wexford roads

By Dan Walsh

Serious heavy rainfall has hit Co. Wexford this evening with many reports of flooded roads.

The N25 Larkins Cross – Maldron Roundabout is currently flooded, but passable with care. Several roads in Wexford Town also affected. Marsh Lane New Ross flooded. N30 Palace to Clonroche flooded but passable with care. Waterford Road at Staffords, New Ross, flooded but passable with care. Summerhill has Wexford manholes popping up on the road, drive with care. Wellingtonbridge road now open to traffic. Bridgetown flooded. Edermine Bridge flooded please avoid.

Wexford Fire Service is busy attending flooding incidents. All area staff in Wexford, New Ross and Rosslare District out at flooding incidents. Gorey and Enniscorthy districts appearing to have missed the worst of the rainstorm and are not as badly affected at present. Threat of coastal flooding in Wexford has receded.

The public is advised to avoid car journeys useless absolutely necessary.

Horse racing is due to take place at Bettyville Park, Wexford, tomorrow (Sunday) and Horse Racing Ireland has advised WexfordLocal.com that there will be a precautionary inspection of the track at 7.30am

WEATHER UPDATES; TONIGHT. Rain will continue overnight, heavy or thundery in parts with chance of localised flooding, before easing towards morning with some patches of mist or fog developing. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees with fresh to strong easterly winds for a time near the coast, easing later. Winds generally light inland.

TOMORROW; Further showers or longer spells of rain tomorrow with a slight chance of a heavy or thundery shower. Some dry intervals too, with bright or sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in moderate to fresh variable winds becoming moderate southeasterly.

Wexford County Council are advising the public for emergencies contact 112 or 999. Flooding issues can be reported on 24hr line 053 9196000.

Clocks go back one hour on Sunday

By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy

The clocks go back one hour at 2am on Sunday marking the end of the extended daylight period of the year – commonly known as winter time.

So, all the clocks and watches will need to be manually adjusted to the new time, however, the impressive new clock above Walter Bourke & Son at 8 Market Square is atomic design and will automatically adjust to winter time.

The fourth generation family business known as Bourke’s Jewellers recently added an enhanced feature on the town centre streetscape in Enniscorthy – the clock (seen here in our illustration) made and erected by Stokes of Cork and based on The Irish Times dial with a classic roman numeral layout.

Walter Bourke & Son was established in 1959, originally at 18 Main Street and founded by Walter and son Nicholas, and moved to 8, Market Square in 1987, formerly a female boutique known as Essie’s.

Medieval Ferns features in new book

CLLR JOHN O’ROURKE, C athaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council at the launch of Discovering Medieval Ferns book launch this evening with editors Dr Michael Potterton and and Dr. Stephen Mandal looking on.

By Dan Walsh in Ferns

Discovering Medieval Ferns is the title of a new book launched by Cllr John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council at a pleasant event held in St. Mogue’s Cottage in the heritage town of Ferns this evening. Joint-editors Dr Denis Shine, Dr Stephen Mandal and Dr Michael Potterton from the Irish Archaeological Field School and the Ancient Connections project team were also present.

“This compilation document of the archaeological explorations in Ferns, from the previous excavations over several decades, through to the more recent Irish Archaeological Field School and the Ancient Connections project, recognises the academic import and the deep historical significance of the very ground we stand on in Ferns,” said Cllr O’Rourke, who added; “The new data, reports and academic papers bring the story of Ferns as the ‘Ancient Capital of Leinster’ ever more to life.”

“Finally let us put Ferns on the map of places to experience for our tourists and visitors and this work will be their guidebook for everything that Ferns has to offer,” concluded Cllr O’Rourke.

Replying on behalf of the editorial team, Dr Stephen Mandal paid tribute to the people of Ferns and everybody associated with the project which employed about 100 students during the archaeological dig and particular thanks was expressed to Pat Cousins, the landowner where the excavations took place “for his patience and kindness in allowing access. None of this would be possible without him.”

Discovering Medieval Ferns, Co. Wexford, edited by Michael Potterton, Stephen Mandal and Denis Shine, 272 pages, paperback/softback. ISBN 9781801510219, published by Four Courts Press Ltd, Dublin. Available in all good bookshops.