Kildare funds for new Wexford lifeboat

A view from the helm in Wexford Harbour (File Pic; RNLI/Wexford Lorraine Galvin)

By Dan Walsh

A small but dedicated group of volunteers from North Kildare RNLI have raised €117,000 to fund a new D class inshore lifeboat for Wexford RNLI. The new lifeboat is to be named Cill Dara in recognition of the inland branch’s efforts to save lives at sea.

Reaching such a major milestone is testament to the group’s tireless efforts and their long-standing commitment to the charity.

Over the past year, the North Kildare RNLI branch organised a wide range of fundraising events, all of which were widely supported by the local community. These included street collections, notably at the Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann in Wexford town last summer.

The branch has a special affinity with Wexford Lifeboat Station because a D class was provided in 2005 by the family of one of the branch’s fundraisers who died suddenly.

Now 20 years on, the branch is honouring that tradition and memory by bringing a new D class lifeboat to Wexford.

Brian Bradshaw, President of North Kildare RNLI, said the achievement was a source of great pride; “This is a wonderful achievement for the branch, and we are proud that due to the significant efforts of many, we have now raised all the funds needed to ensure Wexford RNLI will soon take possession of a new lifeboat and we are equally proud that it will be named Cill Dara. We want to thank everyone who supported our events and many collections over the last year; each and everyone of those people have made a wonderful contribution to the charity and particularly to the lifesaving service in Wexford.”

North Kildare RNLI members fundraising at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford town last August. (Pic; RNLI/North Kildare).

Wexford RNLI was established in 2002 and provides search and rescue cover for its part of the south-east coast. The station’s existing lifeboat, Alfred William Newman, has been on service since 2015 and in the last decade, launched 142 times, with its volunteer crews coming to the aid of 121 people, four of whom were lives saved.

While it has proudly served the station for 10 years, Wexford RNLI is ready to start a new chapter in lifesaving.

David Sherwood, Wexford RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said; “We are so delighted to hear the news that the North Kildarefundraising branch have hit this wonderful milestone that will see our station now receive a new lifeboat. We are incredibly grateful to everyone in the branch for all their efforts over the last year and we want to express our sincere thanks to all involved with the branch and to all who supported their events including the people of Wexford, whether that was buying a ticket and attending an event or by putting money in a collection box. These are vital funds that will power our next chapter in lifesaving at Wexford RNLI.”

End of the line for Wexford to Waterford?

The magnificent BARROW BRIDGE, once the longest in Ireland, 15 spans, 650 metres long, built 1902-1906, carried the Wexford-Waterford railway line until its closure in 2010. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com, 2021).

By Dan Walsh

The All Ireland Strategic Rail Review 2025 does not reference any prospective developments for the Wexford to Waterford line, which ceased operations in 2010, despite its inclusion in the 2024 review.

According to the rail campaign group South East on Track, this action has undone every attempt to restore service on the line overnight.

This week, Engineers Ireland urged the government to prioritise public transport funding over new motorways to offer greener commuting options.

Spokesperson Ciara Murphy says; “South East on Track is calling on the government to prioritise the re-opening of the Wexford-Waterford line and to oppositionTDs in the region to seek clarity andtransparency regarding this knee-jerk decision to halt regional development and progress in the south east.”

Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy was published on Tuesday by the Department of Transport and Department for Infrastructure.

The Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was launched following public consultation in July 2024 when the Minister for Transport was Green Party member Eamonn Ryan TD.

Road collision on N25 Rosslare Road

By Dan Walsh

A female driver in her 70s was removed to Wexford General Hospital this evening following a road collision on the N25 Rosslare Road at Ballykelly, Drinagh.

It is understood that a car collided with the wall of The Coal Bunker bar and restaurant about 6pm. No other vehicles were involved.

Emergency vehicles were quickly on the scene and medical assistance was administered to the driver of the car at the roadside. Her injuries were understood to have been non-life-threatening.

The crash was on a stretch of road where a man lost his life in October.

Get your message across on the roundabouts

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Municipal District Council are seeking expressions of interest for sponsorship of landscaping and maintenance of roundabouts in the Enniscorthy area.

This is not an original idea, roundabouts around Gorey have been sponsored for more than a decade!

According to the Council, “Sponsorship of the roundabout will entitle the sponsor to have defined advertising rights on the roundabout. Roundabouts offer an excellent promotional opportunity for businesses and organisations.”

 At this point businesses and organisations are invited to register their interest in sponsorship. When the interested parties are identified a short meeting will be held to outline the Sponsorship Scheme Policy.

To Register: Please send in the details of your company or organisation, the roundabout(s) you are interested in sponsoring and details of the person in your organisation who will attend the briefing meeting.

Expressions of Interest should be returned in a sealed envelope clearly marked to: “Expressions of Interest for Sponsorship of Roundabouts”, Enniscorthy Municipal District Office, Market Square, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Y21 W2V4. Closing Date extended to 31st December 2025.

Canon Nicola is encouraging vocations

By Dan Walsh

The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Revd John McDowell, has announced that the Revd Canon Nicola Halford, Rector of Enniscorthy and Monart Union, at the invitation of the House of Bishops, has accepted the position of Central Director of Ordinands for the Church of Ireland. 

Revd CANON NICOLA HALFORD (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Archbishop McDowell said; “I am confident that Canon Nicola will build on the work of previous CDOs in helping to encourage vocations in a Church and on an island that has changed dramatically over the past twenty years.”

On accepting the appointment, Canon Nicola commented; “It is an honour to be asked to take on the role of Central Director of Ordinands and contribute to the important work of encouraging vocations within our Church.

“I enjoy my work as Diocesan Director of Ordinands for my Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. Spending time with people who are discerning God’s call on their life is a real privilege.

“I look forward to serving the Church in a wider capacity as Central Director for Ordinands and helping build on the wonderful work that is already being done by the Diocesan Directors of Ordinands across this island.”

Enniscorthy’s Digital Retail Village goes live!

Pictured at the launch of ‘Enniscorthy Digital Retail Village’ today were (left to right); Breege Cosgrave, Head of Enterprise & Economic Development Wexford County Council, Gabrielle Lombos, Tap Retail; John Walsh, Mahady-Breen shoes; Cllr John O’Rourke, Barbara Nolan, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council; Barry Moylan, Tap Retail; Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council; Claire Lawless, Enniscorthy District Manager; Stephen Hallahan, CEO Tap Retail; Theresa and Aidan Frayne, General Office & School Supplies; Senator Cathal Byrne; and Bipasha Kapadia, Tap Retail. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy

The Enniscorthy Digital Retail Village was officially launched in the Market Square today showcasing Co. Wexford’s first Digital Retail Village, featuring platform demonstrations, and a united message; Support small businesses — Shop Local. 

Fourteen businesses have signed up for the scheme, namely Stafford’s Butchers, Evolv Health Store, Gillen’s Café, My Sport, Mahady Breen’s shoe shop, Authentic European Food Shop, Prep and Go, Reid’s Off-Licence, General Office & School Supplies, Meet Brazil, Easons Toy Department, Meraki Greek Café, Londis and Pet Depot.

Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy stressed the initiative’s importance for the local economy. “The Enniscorthy Digital Retail Village is a major step forward in supporting small businesses and keeping our town’s retail sector strong and ensure towns are not left behind in retails digital transformation. By making it easier than ever to shop local, we are ensuring that Enniscorthy’s independent retailers continue to be at the heart of our community. This project shows the power of collaboration and innovation in protecting our local economy.”

Breege Cosgrave Head of Enterprise & Economic Development said that supporting small businesses is at the core of everything done at the Local Enterprise Office. “The Enniscorthy Digital Retail Village is an excellent example of how digital innovation can help local retailers grow, compete, and stay visible in a changing marketplace. We are delighted to support this initiative that encourages more people to shop local.”

Stephen Hallihan, CEO Tap Retail, highlighted the impact on small retailers. “The Digital Retail Village gives independent local retailers the digital tools they need to compete with big online platforms while making it simple for customers to choose local first. It is about creating something that works for retailers, customers, and the community, and I am excited to see the positive impact that this will have.”

Stephen Hallihan, Founder and CEO of Tap Retail designed the innovative Irish retail platform to make supporting small businesses easier, more convenient, and more accessible for everyone.  The initiative offers:

  • An online shopping village that highlights Enniscorthy’s local businesses
  • User-friendly eCommerce tools to help small retailers grow and compete
  • Training and digital support to businesses
  • Collective marketing campaigns to strengthen the shop local message
  • Click-and-collect and delivery options, making it easy to support local and offers free delivery within a 3km radius.

The Enniscorthy Digital Retail Village scheme funded by Wexford County Council’s Local Enterprise Office and Enniscorthy Municipal District, unites local businesses on a single digital platform and allows consumers to buy from multiple local shops in one single transaction.   

Every purchase made through the Digital Retail Village directly benefits Enniscorthy’s small businesses, helping them thrive and ensures that money spent locally continues to support local jobs and the future of Enniscorthy’s small business community.

Explore the Enniscorthy Digital Retail Village today on http://www.tap-retail.com

Santa Truck coming to Kilmuckridge on Saturday

Actor Ryan Andrews pictured alongside his wife Michaela Andrews and their son Rowen (13 months) at the launch of The Santa Truck in aid of LauraLynn, Ireland’s Only Children’s Hospice. The Santa Truck will be in Kilmuckridge on Saturday. (Pic; Justin Farrelly).

By Dan Walsh

Judge Haulage officially launched its beloved Santa Truck fundraiser for LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice with the help of actors Ryan and Michaela Andrews along with their son Rowan.

The couple joined Santa, Mrs Claus, and the crew at Judge Haulage to kick off the festive campaign, which will see the dazzling Santa Truck travel to towns and villages across Ireland this Christmas to raise vital funds for children with life-limiting conditions and will visit Kilmuckridge on Saturday from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. 

The Santa Truck is a heartwarming initiative that transforms a Judge Haulage truck into a mobile winter wonderland, complete with lights, music, and festive cheer while supporting LauraLynn. Families are invited to meet Santa, take photos, come on board and enjoy the spectacle with donations collected for LauraLynn.  

“I am delighted to be supporting the Santa Truck fundraiser this year in aid of LauraLynn, who do incredible work for seriously ill children and their families right across the country.” said Ryan Andrews. “Make sure to check the Santa Truck in Kilmuckridge and get out and support LauraLynn all while having an amazing festive evening. It’s not to be missed!” 

LauraLynn provides specialist palliative care to children from birth to 18 years, offering services such as symptom management, music and play therapy, psychological support, and end-of-life care, all delivered in the hospice, in hospitals, and in family homes across Ireland.  

Donations for LauraLynn will be collected at each event or online at www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/LauraLynnSantaTruck25. 

Christmas Art celebrated in New Ross

Celebrating Christmas in New Ross.

By Dan Walsh

New Ross Municipal District is celebrating the success of the first-ever Christmas Art Competition for local primary schools, with hundreds of colourful and imaginative entries bringing festive cheer to the town.

Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, Cllr John Dwyer, extended heartfelt thanks to every primary school that participated and to the pupils who poured their creativity into capturing ‘The Meaning of Christmas’, the theme for the Art Competition.

The competition was divided into four age-based categories (Junior & Senior Infants, 1st & 2nd Class, 3rd & 4th Class, and 5th & 6th Class), with one lucky overall winner having the honour of switching on the lights alongside Santa Claus at our Christmas Lights Switch-on Event, which took place recently.

Lucky winners of each category:

  • Victoriia Yanevska, winner of the Fifth & Sixth Class Category, in 5th Class in Clongeen National School.
  • Emmanuella Chinaka winner of the Third & Fourth Class Category, in 3rd Class in Raheen National School.
  • Matvii Milkovsky, winner of the First & Second Class Category, in 1st Class in Ramsgrange National School.
  • C.J. Young, our overall winner having won the Junior & Senior Infants Category, in Senior Infants in Scoil Mhuire, Horeswood.

While entry to the competition was completely free, schools were invited to make a voluntary donation towards charity partners, South East Palliative Care Centre (Oak Ward).

Judge Ciaran Brennan had the difficult task of selecting the winning entries from each category. All of the entries are currently on display at New Ross Public Library.

Bree Macra are best speakers in Ireland

Members of Bree Macra celebrating All-Ireland Public Speaking success.

By Dan Walsh

Bree Macra has been crowned this year’s All-Ireland Public Speaking champions at the National Final in Macroom, Co. Cork, last Saturday.

The team of chairperson Mary Byrne, and speakers Sarah Byrne and Eddie Casey, saw off teams from Tullyallen Macra, from Louth, and Waterfall Macra, from Cork, to claim the title. The Bree trio spoke on the topic “Prison in Ireland is like a hotel experience” with Eddie examining whether our open prisons compared to a hotel stay, and Sarah discussing our medium- and high-security prisons and comparing the experiences of prison officers with those in the hospitality industry.

The presentation was skilfully chaired by Mary Byrne, who earned the title of Best Speaker on the night. Saturday’s win makes her the only person from Wexford to win Macra’s Team Public Speaking competition twice, having also been part of the 2023 All-Ireland winning team.

The Bree team were ably assisted by coaches James Byrne and PJ D’Arcy, two Bree Macra alumni that have each achieved great success in Speaking and Debating, both as competitors, and as coaches.

James was a member of the first Bree team to win an All-Ireland Debating title in 1986, while PJ was a member of the 1970 team that won the All-Ireland Team Public Speaking – the first ever All-Ireland Title for Bree Macra. The club has gone on to win the Public Speaking competition a total of five times; in 1970, 1980, 2001, 2023, and now 2025.

As National Public Speaking champions, the team each received a commemorative plaque, while Mary also received a trophy for her performance as Best Speaker. The three speakers have been awarded a place on the annual Macra Prizewinners Trip, which will take place next year. They were also presented with the Rory Murphy Perpetual Trophy – the very same trophy that the 1970 Bree Public Speaking team first won.

179 homes delivered in Enniscorthy

Pictured at Cnoc na Gréine, Enniscorthy, last Monday were; (left to right); Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive Wexford County Council, Anthony Neville, Neville Homes, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD and Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council. (Pic; Wexford County Council).  

By Dan Walsh

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD has launched the new housing development – Cnoc na Greine at Greenville Lane, Enniscorthy – where 179 homes have been delivered including 48 social homes and 16 affordable purchase homes.

The attendance included Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council; Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Cllrs Aidan Browne, Pat Kehoe, Patricia Byrne and John O’Rourke.

Akso present were Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive Wexford County Council, Anthony Neville, Neville Homes, Darragh O’Grady, Anthony Neville Homes, Carol Kavanagh Director of Planning & Legal Affairs Neville Homes, Anthony Neville, Neville Homes and Director of Services, Carolyne Godkin.

The development at Cnoc na Gréine, Greenville Lane, Enniscorthy, involves a multi-phase residential project. The initial phase, was approved in November 2023, includes the construction of 89 dwellings with various house types, a new link road, and associated infrastructure.