Uisce Éireann crews have successfully completed repairs to a pump which has caused reservoir levels to deplete to unsafe levels resulting in low pressure and outages to customers in the areas of Wexford Town, Barntown, Townparks, Whitemill, Ard Carman, Coolcots and surrounding areas.
Dedicated crews continue with repairs to a complex burst water main and have reconfigured the network where possible to ensure the water supply is restored to all impacted customers, especially those at the end of the network or on high ground.
Crews are also working hard to replenish reservoir levels and Uisce Éireann is urgently appealing to customers to conserve water where possible to prevent pressure on the local supply and ensure normal pressure and supply can be fully restored to all.
While handwashing remains a priority, simple water conservation efforts can have a big impact on reducing demand. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth and shaving can save up to six litres of water per minute. Taking a shower instead of a bath or using a watering can rather than a hose when gardening can also make a big difference in water use. For more water conservation advice, please visit www.water.ie/conserve
MINISTER HEATHER HUMPHREYS at the official opening of the Geodesic Dome Training Centre in Enniscorthy today. Also in the photo is CLLR KATHLEEN CODD-NOLAN and CLLR JOHN O’ROURKE, Cathaoireach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
Report from Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy
Minister Heather Humphreys, TD, Department of Rural and Community Development was in Enniscorthy this morning to officially launch the Geodesic Dome Training Centre and Sensory Garden at the Enniscorthy Allotments at Gort na Gréine where proceedings were forced indoors due to heavy rain.
Minister Humphreys was very impressed at what she described as “very innovative, never saw anything like that before, but it is ground breaking in terms of what you are doing,” and she commended the work of Wexford County Council, the hard work of the community in Enniscorthy, and expressed the delight of her department in placing the funding into such a worthwhile project and she wished all the best with the project going forward.
AUDIO ADDITION; MINISTER HEATHER HUMPHREYS addressing today’s launch of the Geodesic Dome Training Centre at Enniscorthy today.
Chief Executive Tom Enright said today’s event marks the culmination of years of hard work by many people in the local community and pointed out that; “From the outset this project has been led by the Enniscorthy Community Allotments Group, which is an exemplar amongst community groups” and he added; “The result we see here today is a fantastic community resource for everyone to enjoy, and I wish and congratulate them on behalf of myself and all the staff at Wexford County Council.”
Mr Enright also pointed out that the Ukraine Response Unit at Wexford County Council continues to assist in placing displaced Ukrainian families in properties across County Wexford, both in rural and urban areas and ensuring that the necessary support services are provided. “To date over 3,000 Ukrainian nationals have been located here in County Wexford,” concluded Mr Enright.
There were contributions from Cllr John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Michael Devereux, Chairman of Enniscorthy Allotments Committee Group, who said the allotments started in April 2021 and officially opened in 2022, and once again has been nominated for an upcoming awards ceremony. Laura Cassin, SETU Horticultural Programme and Kildalton College Training Programme also welcomed the project.
Claude Clancy from the Community Development section at Wexford County Council acted as master of ceremonies. The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Cllrs Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Jackser Owens and Aidan Browne, Claire Lawless, Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager and Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, and Annmarie Laffan, Wexford County Council.
The availability of Government and local funding is the lifeblood of community development, as many of the speakers acknowledged, and funding supports for the Enniscorthy project includes the Community Recognition Fund, the Sláinte-Care Healthy Ireland Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Community Enhancement Programme, the Community Centre Investment Fund and LEADER.
MINISTER HEATHER HUMPHREYS TD opens the Emigrant Park at New Ross today. Also in the photo is CLLR JOHN FLEMING (wearing the chains of office), Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council.
By Dan Walsh at New Ross
The €1 million Emigrant Park located beside the boardwalk, with its eternal flame, and enhances the Dunbrody Visitor Centre on the quayside at New Ross was officially opened today by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.
The Park, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Rural Regeneration & Development Fund (RRDF) and Wexford County Council, is located on the site formerly used as a gasworks and later occupied by five large oil tanks, capable of storage for 4.61 million litres of fuel oil that were removed, and the site decontaminated in 2021.
Speaking at the opening, Minister Humphreys said; “New Ross is a town with a vibrant history and this project has regenerated a key site in the town, creating a compelling a high-quality amenity for visitors who come to New Ross. Delivered with funding of €814,000 from my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, this project has completely transformed the old oil tank site into an attractive waterfront promenade and open space.”
AUDIO ADDITION MINISTER HEATHER HUMPHREYS TD speaking in New Ross today at the opening of The Emigrant Park.
Cllr John Fleming said; “I am delighted as Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, to see the opening of this wonderful park, particularly during my tenure as Cathaoirleach and in my own District. Thank you to Minister Humphreys and the Department of Rural and Community Development for providing the significant funding for the park and to my fellow Wexford County Councillors for their funding allocation towards it also.”
Cllr Anthony Connick, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District added; “I would like to welcome you all to New Ross’ Emigrant Park which will be a beautiful addition to the Quay front. Thank you to all involved in this project, especially Minister Humphreys’ Department who provided the funding, along with Wexford County Council. the Consultants, Contractors and the Executive and Special Projects team in Wexford County Council, for getting the project to where it is today. I especially want to commend our Director Eamonn Hore, who yet again has brought his ideas and creativity, to fruition. The park is a tribute to those generations who left the quay, hoping for a better life and will be a welcome place for current and future generations to rest and play and reflect on the Emigrant story.”
Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright warmly welcomed the opening of The Emigrant Park and thanked all those involved in bringing this project from an idea to a magnificent public realm space, representing and commemorating the emigration story of New Ross. “We are very grateful to the Department of Rural & Community Development for supporting this project and to the Elected Members of Wexford County Council for providing the significant match funding which has transformed a site which for many years had rusting oil tanks to a superb public park.”
Mr Enright continued; “I would like to thank all who worked on this project, including Director of Services Eamonn Hore and the New Ross Municipal District Team, Sean Meyler, David Whitty and all the Special Projects Team, Consultant Fehily Timoney with their partners Brady Shipman Martin, all of the many sub-contractors, and of course the main Contractors MJS Civil, for their excellent work on this project.”
There were contributions from the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Nancy Smyth and the Irish Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Eamonn McKee. Director of Services and Acting Chief Executive, Eamonn Hore, also addressed the fine attendance present.
The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, T.D., Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllrs Michael Sheehan, George Lawlor and Ger Carthy.
Alan Fitzharris, New Ross District Manager, acted as master of ceremonies. The new Emigrant Park was jointly blessed with prayers from Rev. Thomas Orr, C.C., New Ross, The Reverend Bruce Hayes, Dean of Waterford and Rector of Waterford Union of Parishes and Hafid Tribak, Muslim Imam. Music was provided by Marc Redmond.
The theme of The Emigrant Park reflects the maritime and emigration heritage and history of the port of New Ross and is finely laid out with seating facilities, a carved figure, and a play area, looking out towards the River Barrow and the former embarkation point for countless numbers of emigrants, the vast majority were never to see their homes and families again and set out to make a fresh life for themselves in the New World.
Uisce Éireann crews are working to restore the water supply to Coolcots Reservoir this evening following a large burst and pump failure in Wexford town. A further pump fault has also been identified which has impacted reservoir levels leading to the supply outage.
Crews are working on repairs in order to restore normal water supply as quickly as possible. While repairs are underway, customers in the following areas of Wexford Town may experience supply outages and/or low pressure: Barntown, Townparks, Whitemill, Ard Carman, Coolotts and surrounding areas in Wexford Town.
Repairs are expected to be completed by 10pm tonight, (Thursday) and customers are reminded that it typically takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage.
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.
Detector dog Daithi was the ‘hero of the day’ at Rosslare Europort yesterday (Wednesday) when Revenue officers seized over 13kgs of cocaine with an estimated value €918,000.
The detection was a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of Daithí and Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner,
The illicit drugs were discovered when a Bulgarian-registered cab unit was stopped and searched, having earlier arrived on a ferry from Dunkirk, France.
A man in his 40s was arrested by An Garda Síochána and taken to a Garda Station in County Wexford. Investigations are ongoing.
This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the importation of illegal drugs. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.
The latest EPA Urban Wastewater Treatment Report published today, shows the progress being made in tackling long-running issues like raw sewage discharges, while also underlining the need for continued investment in essential wastewater services.
2022 saw the highest annual investment in wastewater to date as Uisce Éireann continues to make progress in priority areas such as locations where there is raw sewage entering the rivers, lakes and the sea, and sites identified by the European Court of Justice under the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
The building, repair and upgrading of Ireland’s wastewater treatment plants and sewer network will require a multi-billion-euro investment programme over many years. Uisce Éireann is focussed on delivering the best possible service improvements, while maximising return on investment.
In County Wexford, a €12.8 million investment by Uisce Éireann has led to improved wastewater treatment in Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon. The newly completed sewage scheme for Kilmore Quay has eliminated the discharge of raw sewage into the Eastern Celtic Sea and will help protect the local environment.
Works are currently underway to upgrade the wastewater network in Enniscorthy, and once completed, will eliminate untreated discharge to the River Slaney and improve water quality.
Further upgrades are also planned for Grahormac (Tagoat) and Wellingtonbridge under the Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme. These projects will be progressed through the current and future investment cycles, subject to approval and planning.
Brian Sheehan, Uisce Éireann’s Head of Infrastructure Delivery, told WexfordLocal.com “Ending raw sewage discharges and improving wastewater treatment for communities across the country are priorities for Uisce Éireann. We are making huge strides in addressing these issues and we are now seeing real and tangible benefits from the unprecedented level of investment in this essential infrastructure. To date over 70% of raw sewage discharges nationwide have been eliminated and we are on track to end the majority by 2025.”
The Manse, or St. Aidan’s Presbytery, Enniscorthy, looks the same today as it did in this 1914 postcard image. (Photo; Dan Walsh Collection).
By Dan Walsh
Mass attendees at St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, last weekend, were shocked at the news that The Manse, home to generations of priests since 1911, has gone on the property market and is for sale by private treaty.The market price is believed to be in the region of €950,000.
The high cost of maintenance and the decline in numbers entering the priesthood has forced the Diocese of Ferns to part with this iconic listed building with its distinguished architecture and elevated site beside the cathedral with exceptional views of the town and Vinegar Hill.
According to Images of Ireland; ENNISCORTHY* St. Aidan’s Presbytery, popularly known as ‘The Manse’ was built as a presbytery for the administrator and his curates and was completed in 1909 to coincide with the silver jubilee celebrations for Most Rev. James Browne, Bishop of Ferns, 1884-1918.
Inspired by Administrator, Fr. Robert Fitzhenry, the building was designed by Thomas Slevin & Sons, Dublin, and built by William Fortune, Lower Church Street, Enniscorthy.
The residence which has served as the Parochial House since its construction is listed in the National Inventory of Ireland and is described as ” a detached four- or six-bay two-storey parochial house, built 1908-9; occupied 1911, on a rectangular plan including single-bay two-storey “tower” with single-bay single-storey flat-roofed advanced porch to ground floor; four-bay two-storey side elevations.
Part refenestrated, set in landscaped grounds including terrace centred on flight of eight cut-granite steps.” The property has been maintained in good condition throughout and has an abundance of character. On entering, the feature staircase is illuminated by the large atrium above.
The main living room has excellent proportions and is full of natural light due to its large feature windows maximising the picturesque views over Vinegar Hill.
The ceiling heights are excellent throughout and the property has beautiful coving and cornices throughout.
Accommodation briefly comprises four reception rooms, kitchen, utility, laundry room, w.c., and stores to ground floor. Upstairs has six bedrooms and two bedroom suites and four bathrooms. Outside there are four garages and some old outhouses.
The property stands on a large site of circa-1.2 acres of gardens. It has the benefit of all mains services and oil-fired central heating.
Images of Ireland, compiled by Dan Walsh, published by Gill & Macmillan Ltd, Dublin 8, and in Great Britain by the Chalford Publishing Company, 1998.
AN TAOISEACH, LEO VARADKAR TD, opens the 72nd Wexford Festival Opera on Wexford Quay.
By Dan Walsh at the Wexford Festival
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, was on Wexford Quay this evening where he performed the official launch of the 72nd Wexford Festival Opera. The event was accompanied by a colourful fireworks display in pleasant weather conditions.
AN TAOISEACH, LEO VARADKAR TD, speaking at the opening of the 72nd Wexford Festival Opera earlier this evening.
Cllr John Hegarty, Mayor of Wexford, spoke briefly and encouraged the large attendance “to get out over the next two weeks and enjoy yourselves at the many events taking place in the town.”
Chairman of Wexford Festival Opera, Paul Cleary said it was a great honour to be present and to participate in the 72nd Wexford Festival, which he stated; “Has grown from humble beginnings to the international festival it is today.”
Also on stage this evening was Paul Kehoe TD, Maurice McCarthy was brilliant in the master of ceremonies role, as always, and a number of performers participated in the ‘warm up’ before the arrival of the dignitaries and the fireworks.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, President of County Wexford Chamber of Commerce, Brendan Crowley, expressed his delight to welcome everyone to the 69th Fringe Festival. “The Fringe Festival has always run side-by-side with the very special Opera Festival offering something different in terms of music and entertainment alongside the three featured operas being performed this year,” stated Mr. Crowley.
One of the most popular fringe events is the Guinness Singing and Swinging Pubs competition which visits 25 different establishments this year and a calendar is available in the Wexford Fringe 2023 Guide.
The festival runs for 13 days – October 24th to November 5th – with 70 events.
The River Slaney is quite high through Enniscorthy today, with a rising tide, however, fingers are crossed that flooding will not be making the headlines.
The next high tide is 4.4m at 3.04pm and the next lowest tide is at 9.45pm.
The M11 Motorway northbound from Scurloughsbush roundabout (Oylegate) to Ballydawmore Junction has reopened after being closed due to flooding earlier today. Traffic was diverted on the R772 through Enniscorthy.
WEATHER OUTLOOK. TODAY. A mix of cloud and sunny spells today with scattered showers. Some may be heavy. Top temperatures of 12 to 14 Celsius in light to moderate east or southeast breezes, becoming light variable this afternoon.
TONIGHT; Largely dry tonight with clear spells and isolated showers. Areas of mist and fog will form in light variable breezes. Quite chilly with lows of 2 to 5 Celsius.
TOMORROW (Wednesday). Mist and fog will clear during the morning. Dry with sunny spells for a time. Cloud will increase and rain will gradually spread northeastwards across Leinster during the afternoon and evening. Some heavy bursts are possible with a chance of spot flooding. Top temperatures of 11 to 13 Celsius in light southeast breezes, increasing moderate to fresh during the afternoon.
The road through Craanford in North Wexford was unpassable for a time today after the local river burst its banks during the heavy downpour that lashed counties Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny today.
A house in the village was also flooded, but many roads were affected by severe amounts of water cascading from the higher ground.
Seven residences on a laneway off the Ballyconran road were completely cut off after floods ran off adjoining fields and tore away the road surface. The filling from the road blocked the road between Askamore and Craanford at Ballyconran, however, locals took action and cleared the road to allow passage once more.
CLLR DONAL KENNY
Local Cllr Donal Kenny told WexfordLocal.com that he had been aware of the constant floods on the Ballyconran road and the laneway where the seven houses are located. Cllr Kenny said he has been lobbying on behalf of the locals to get a hard surface laid down, however, he reckons that it could take upwards of two years to complete.
Cllr Kenny has informed Wexford County Council of the damage caused by today’s flooding and is inviting engineers to visit the area to inspect the damage and restore the roads and protect local property, and going forward, to ensure that a more permanent solution is implemented.
In the Rosslare District, Cllr Frank Staples posted on social media that “a huge amount of water on the roads, the road from Mayglass to Bridgetown is unpassable unless you have an SVU. Lot of water in Mulrankin, the Moor, Cregg and many other roads.”
Cllr Jim Codd reported roads flooding at Bridgetown, Scar, Taghmon, Rathaspeck, Johnstown, Murrintown, Kates Cross, Sleedagh, Ballycapogue and Killrane.
WexfordLocal.com 