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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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