WexfordLocal.com

Council challenged by economic crisis

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District meeting

Wexford County Council’s Draft Budgetary Plans setting out the General Municipal Allocations (GMA) for 2024 have been presented to all districts and remains at the same level as 2023 at €1,832,000 and the final presentations were made at Enniscorthy (yesterday) and Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council at today’s meeting held in the Council Chamber, Gorey Civic Centre.

The allocations to the districts are as follows; WEXFORD €407,000, ROSSLARE €257, 000, ENNISCORTHY €364,000, NEW ROSS €339,000 and GOREY KILMUCKRIDGE €465,000.

Gorey Kilmuckridge voted unanimously to support the Draft Budgery Plan, however, it was felt in the chamber that Gorey Kilmuckridge were “short changed” considering that Gorey and Kilmuckridge are two districts amalgamated.

Cllr Andrew Bolger activated the debate when he claimed that Gorey Kilmuckridge LEA (Local Electoral Area) received the least amount of money per electoral area – €232,500 per local area less than any other district? “We have been short changed,” he added.

Cllr Joe Sullivan stated that Gorey was behind Enniscorthy and Cllr Anthony Donohoe agreed that Gorey Kilmuckridge was not getting its fair share and “was lumped in as one municipal district. Cllr Donal Kenny claimed that “the figures don’t add up” and it was a case of the Council “throwing the toys out of the cot.”

Cllr Mary Farrell pointed out that Kilmuckridge was “very rural”, Cllr Willie Kavanagh asked how much was in it for Kilmuckridge and that leaves less for Gorey.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux proposed adoption of the Budgetary Plan (Cllr Kavanagh seconded) and reminded members of “spending money we don’t have” as the “county is going to struggle and is already €4 million behind the curve.”

Linda Leacy, Acting Head of Finance, told the meeting that the GMA for 2024 “have again been prepared against a backdrop of uncertainty in terms of the financial capacity of Wexford County Council to deliver a balanced statutory budget for 2024.”

“The war in Ukraine triggered a massive shock to the global economy, especially to energy markets, squeezing supply and pushing up prices to unprecedented levels,” stated Ms. Leacy, who added; “This economic crisis continues to see inflation and energy costs spiral with no clear end in sight.”

Ms. Leacy concluded that “the lack of a real and sustainable source of income for local government will continue to present challenges for the Council as we try to deliver annual budgets in an environment of unprecedented cost pressures caused by the impact of back-to-back economic crisis since 2020.”

Man in Enniscorthy fireworks prank

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí in Enniscorthy are investigating a dangerous weekend prank where a vulnerable local man was subjected to having fireworks placed in his pocket and then being set off!

The matter was raised at today’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council during a discussion on the illegal use of fireworks and plans to curtail the activity leading up to Halloween.

Cllr Jackser Owens drew attention to anti-social behaviour on the Fairgreen where fireworks were set off and bins were set on fire.

Cllr Owens recalled a dangerous situation where “fireworks were placed in the pocket of a man and set off”. He outlined the danger of such a prank and the Gardaí have been advised and the sequence of events are under investigation.

Later today, WexfordLocal.com became aware of man’s identity and circumstances and confirmation of the activity where he had fireworks placed in his pocket or held in his hand before setting them off, much to the glee of a cheering crowd. “The poor man will be burned up if somebody doesn’t stop this,” said a neighbour.

The target involves a local vulnerable adult who has been through difficult family circumstances in recent times and is regularly seen on the town, however, his neighbours and those who know him have respect for him, are appalled that he should be treated in this way.

Vinegar Hill walking trails upgraded

**VINEGAR HILL this afternoon. To the left the fresh gravel finish, to the right the tarmacadam trail to the ruins of the windmill.**

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting

The works on Vinegar Hill has been completed at a cost believed to be in the region of €50,000 and the development was very much on the agenda at today’s meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held in the Presentation Centre Chamber. Cllr John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach presided.

Anything related to activity on Vinegar Hill is always held up to public scrutiny and pictures of recent developments on social media has caused concerns and enquiries from many who are passionate about 1798 history and heritage who recognise Vinegar Hill as a protected environment and should be allowed retain its natural state as far as possible.

Rory O’Mahony, Senior Executive Engineer at Wexford County Council attended today’s meeting and briefed members on work on the trails on Vinegar Hill. Mr. O’Mahony said the Vinegar Hill works were progressing satisfactorily and included rehabilitating all the paths, stripping back the overgrowth and resurfacing with gravel. He assured members that there were “no new digging and no new build.”

The plan is to develop Vinegar Hill as formal walking trails with appropriate signage. Seating for the trails is on order to provide rest areas for users and the Council is awaiting update on Heritage Interpretive Panels from the Heritage Officer.

Cllr Cathal Byrne enquired about the works on Vinegar Hill. Cllr Jackser Owens said he was “delighted with the work” but asked if the surface be tarmacadamed as he had concerns about the gravel paths being washed away and felt the trails were unfriendly to visitors with disabilities.

€224,500 for Enniscorthy and New Ross projects

By Dan Walsh

Two innovative Wexford projects are to receive funding of €224,500 under the Community Safety Innovation Fund. The Enniscorthy “Community Plants and Places” project will receive €150,000 with Cumas New Ross receiving €74,500 for its “Safety in the Community” Project.

Welcoming the funding Deputy Paul Kehoe said that the Community Safety Innovation Fund is an innovative fund announced by the Minister for Justice in March this year which allows proceeds of crime to be directed into community projects to support community safety.

“These funds will ensure that the most appropriate proposals to improve community safety will access the funding they need, encourage the development of innovative ways in which to improve community safety from those people who best understand local community safety needs, allows best practice on community safety and youth justice to be shared with other partnerships and communities nationally as new proposals are developed and reflects and highlights the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing the proceeds from criminal activity,” said Deputy Kehoe.

“In Enniscorthy the project aims to provide opportunities for youth within the town to get involved in community gardening, public realm improvements, sustainability initiatives and place-making to support their learning and development, mental health and develop positive community engagement opportunities,” said Deputy Kehoe, who added; “The Cumas project proposes to address the need for community safety education for people with disabilities who are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. The project aims to create a website resource to provide learning in community safety through a 12-lesson programme that can be used by people with disabilities across the country.

Murphy and Hendrick double at Tinahely

By Dan Walsh at Fairwood Park, Tinahely

Handler Denis Murphy from the Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, and Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick were the stars of the point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, today (Sunday) when they teamed up for a double success.

**JACK HENDRICK.. a doubled today at Fairwood, Tinahely.**

Magneticattraction did the business for them in the maiden race for five-year-old mares, albeit, by the narrowest of margins -a short head – beating the curiously named Ixigreczed. Murphy also supplied the third placed Giveupyourauldsins (Shane Cotter up) who was nine lengths further back.

Murphy and Hendrick had one length to spare in the following race – the maiden race for five-year-old geldings – with Iriko D’Airy.

The French-bred Justatan was an impressive winner of the maiden race for four-year-olds trained by Michael Goff, Clondaw, Ferns and carrying the colours of Caitriona Goff. Afterwards, Goff described Jusatan as “a tough genuine horse and he jumps travels and stays.” Mickey Sweeney was aboard the winner who ousted the Rob James partnered and handled Fury Lad by half a length.

The Winners of One Mares Race went to Cork with an 18 lengths front running success for Dear Ryta for Alexander Ott from Mallow and ridden by Andy Burke Ott.

Thirteen faced the starter for the novice riders race and Aidan Fitzgerald from Borris handled the winner You No Me Too Well who was a four and a half lengths first riding success for Pandora Briseldon, from Marlborough in the United Kingdom who is a student at Trinity College Dublin studying Spanish and Arabic and rides out with Fitzgerald.

Focus Point, ridden by Daniel Hyde and trained by Timmy Hyde at Cashel, Co. Tipperary, was winning the sixth of his twelve runs with three lengths to spare in the Open Lightweight Race.

Good day’s racing. Both ground conditions and overhead conditions were autumnally perfect, a pleasant attendance, and the Wicklow Hunt will bring point-to-pointing back to Fairwood on Sunday, November 19^th.

Meanwhile, next Sunday, October 22^nd, the Island Hunt fixture takes place at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy with the first race at 2pm. Entries close on Tuesday.

82 entries for Tinahely on Sunday

By Dan Walsh

The Shillelagh & District Hunt has received 82 entries for the first point-to-point of the new season in the South-East which takes place tomorrow (Sunday) at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, and the first race off at 2pm.

The latest news from the track is that ground conditions are officially “yielding, yielding to soft in places” with a mainly dry forecast.

The organisers are hoping for a large attendance with good racing promised. The biggest entry of the day is 23 for the four-year-old maiden; 17 are entered for the West Wicklow Open Race and a similar number is entered for the final race of the afternoon confined to novice riders.

**JAMES KENNY.. a winner at Portrush today and in action again at Tinahely tomorrow**.

Two Wexford trained winners at today’s (Saturday) point-to-point fixture at Portrush, Co. Antrim. Colin Bowe saddled Jurancon in the colours of Benjamin Hansall in the four-year-old maiden race and the French-bred had eight and a half lengths to spare under Barry O’Neill at the finish. Jurancon now heads for the Cheltenham Sales in November.

Gray Rock provided the Craanford father and son team of Liam and James Kenny with a fourth success in the Winner of Three Race. Gray Rock led or disputed throughout the race and had two lengths to spare on the finish line.

€166m Border Control Post for Rosslare

**MInister Patrick O’Donovan (with shovel) turning the sod on the new Terminal 7 and Enabling Works project at Rosslare Europort last Thursday.**

By Dan Walsh

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., was in Rosslare Europort on Thursday to mark the commencement of works for the Terminal 7 and Enabling Works project that will see a new terminal built and a new Border Control Post set up.

The Terminal 7 facility will facilitate the processing and exit routes from the passenger and freight ferries that use Rosslare Europort. The construction works will cost approximately €166 million.

Works will include the demolition of existing buildings and construction of 28 new permanent buildings totaling circa 9,361 m2.

These upgrade works are necessary to provide permanent Brexit infrastructure at Rosslare Europort to ensure compliance with EU Customs, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and official food controls legislation, thereby providing protection for the EU single market.

Following a competitive tender process, the Office of Public Works (OPW) awarded John Paul Construction the contract and work commenced on site.

These buildings include facilities for a range of activities such as An Garda Síochána Immigration facility, a Revenue Enforcement and Stopping Area, live animal inspection facilities for equine and domestic pets, checks on animal products, regulated plant products and foods of non-animal origin entering the Union. There will also be a new main access road, a roundabout, internal road and freight entrance plaza along with significant hard-standing and truck-set/car-storage facilities to be constructed.

Speaking at Rosslare Europort, Minister O’Donovan said; “I am delighted to see that works have commenced on site now for this critically important State infrastructure in Rosslare Europort. The size of this project is vast – 28 new permanent buildings – and will provide the permanent infrastructure required for a new border control post and improved processing facilities at one of our largest and busiest ports in the country.

“The OPW has worked very closely with all State agencies and the Port Authority, Iarnród Éireann, to bring this project to this important milestone. Rosslare Europort continues to operate as a live operational port and the OPW, together with main contractor John Paul Construction are working closely and collaboratively with the port authorities to ensure that this immense construction project will proceed in tandem with the busy operations of Rosslare.”

Liam Kenny, Managing Director, said his company are delighted to have been awarded the contract. “This is not just a significant project for John Paul Construction, but for Ireland as a whole, given the role the upgraded port will play in a post Brexit euro economy. We look forward to working collaboratively with the OPW, the Port Authorities, and our local supply chain to deliver this nationally and regionally important infrastructure project.”

Wexford overnight water restrictions

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann advises customers in Wexford Town and surrounding areas that essential overnight restrictions will be required from 10pm to 7am each night to allow water levels at Coolcots Reservoir to recover.

The restrictions are required due to a combination of factors, including high demand, poor raw water quality, and upgraded works at the Newtown Water Treatment Plant.

To improve reservoir levels and maintain a sufficient water supply to homes and businesses during the daytime, customers in the following areas will experience low pressure and/or outages from 10pm until 7am the following morning: Coolcots, Ard Carman, Clonard, Townparks, Mount Prospect, Mulgannon and The Green in Clonard Village.

These areas may also experience low pressure and temporary intermittent outages during the day due to decreased reservoir levels, especially those on higher such as The Green in Clonard Village.

Uisce Éireann advises customers not to use appliances that use a constant water flow while the water isn’t running from the cold kitchen tap (e.g., dishwashers). As per best practice, most homes and businesses will have on-site water storage to provide a backup source of water for sanitation purposes.

Alternative water supplies with clean drinking water are in place at Belvedere Grove, Ferndale Park, Ard Charman, Cluain Dara, Clonard Village 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.

Dedicated water services crews continue to work around the clock, 24/7, to restore normal water supply to customers as quickly as possible.

The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also make contact on X (formerly Twitter) @IW_Care. For updates on local water supply issues, please visit the Water Supply Updates section of www.water.ie.

700,000 coming to Wexford for the Fleadh

**WEXFORD… host to Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann 2024 August 4-11th (WexfordLocal.com File Pic)**

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

Upwards of 700,000 are expected to mingle merrily in festive mood across Wexford town next August (4-11^th) for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which is the biggest event of its kind in the world and plans to ensure a safe and family friendly traditional festival are already under way.

A brief outline of the enormous logistics involved in hosting the Fleadh featured in a presentation before members at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council by Eddie Taaffe, Director of Services with responsible for Special Projects, and Chairperson of the Wexford Fleadh Committee.

Mr Taaffe said that over 500,000 visitors are expected for the occasion with 20% of them coming from overseas and 7,000 musicians. 4,500 competitors will feature in 180 competitions at 40 venues. There will be All-Ireland competitions, a Gig Rig and TG4 will be the broadcasting partners.

Accommodation, camper van and extended car parking facilities, crowd management, signage and general safety measures will require about 1,000 volunteers. Irish Rail, Bus Éireann, Wexford Bus and Local Link will provide extra services to get people in and out of Wexford safety during the days of the Fleadh.

The main sponsors are Wexford Credit Union and Fáilte Ireland, but other sponsorship is likely to be included.

The presentation was welcomed by all members. Cllr Michael Sheehan suggested that the event should also include fringe events in Gorey, Enniscorthy and New Ross. Cllr Michael Whelan asked the committee to consider a Park and Ride facility in Wellingtonbridge and Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain welcomed “a festival of Irish culture”.

Cllr Jackser Owens recalled when last Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was held in Enniscorthy (1999 and 2000) and he assured members that the event “will bring benefits to the whole county.”

Cllr Maura Bell made a call for people to make available their homes to accommodate visitors and provide a friendly welcome to Wexford town and ensure than all visitors have a good experience and will spread the word that Wexford is a great town to visit.

Chief Executive Tom Enright described bringing the Fleadh to Wexford as “a major undertaking”, but he felt confident that the town will rise to the occasion and that all necessary arrangements will fall into place with the co-operation of An Garda Siochána, Wexford County Council, National Ambulance Service and Voluntary Ambulance Services, Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann, sponsors and supporters, the local Committee and the volunteers, and the message goes out to any groups in Co. Wexford wishing to come forward to get involved in any way, that they should contact the Fleadh Committee and they will be made most welcome.

It will be the fifth time the South-East county has hosted the popular festival, which is the world’s largest celebration of Irish traditional music, language, songs and dance.

Presentation Sisters leaving Wexford town

By Dan Walsh

Over two centuries since a Mr Carroll of Wexford bequeathed £1,600 to Bishop Patrick Ryan (1768-1819) that enabled him to a secure a foundation for the Presentation Nuns in 1818, the sisters are leaving Wexford town.

It is an historic moment that marks the end of a long chapter that began with the Presentation Sisters have dedicated themselves to the education of both boys and girls of the town and surrounding district.

To mark their departure, there will be a Mass of Thanksgiving, presided by Bishop Ger Nash, this Friday, October 13^th, at 5.45pm in Rowe St Church, Wexford, followed by refreshments served afterwards in the Presentation school. All are welcome.

All priests of the diocese are welcome to come and concelebrate. Wexford parish encourages parishioners, past pupils from across the diocese and former teachers to come along and pray in thanksgiving on the evening.

“It will also be an occasion to celebrate the seeds sown by the Sisters that still grow in the ethos of the Presentation School and good carried forward. While there is sadness at the end of an era, we still look forward in hope and thank the Sisters for their loyal dedication to the people of Wexford for over two centuries,” Bishop Nash told WexfordLocal.com.

BRIEF HISTORY; The first Superioress was Mother de Sales Devereux from Wexford who had made her profession in the Presentation Convent in Kilkenny. Her colleague in the new foundation at Wexford was Sister Mary Baptist Frayne, and on October 2^nd 1818, Mass was celebrated for the first time in the new house at Wexford by Fr, John Corrin, who died in April 1835 aged 86 years.

After eight years Mother de Sales was asked to found a new order in Enniscorthy by Bishop James Keating, (1783-1849) and accordingly she left Wexford in 1827.

Mother Baptist died on January 31^st, 1857, and in 1862, Mother Agnes Kenny built two new schools and a cloister leading to them from the convent. She also formed an industrial class for embroidery and lacemaking,

Another two centuries of Wexford history fades into the archives and soon will be no more than folk memory, however, it is right and fitting to record the event with thanksgiving and remembrance and service to so many generations from soon after the 1798 Rebellion, through the Famine years, and the following centuries when people struggled with poverty and survived with nothing but faith, hope and charity.