WexfordLocal.com

Progress at Wexford University Campus

By Dan Walsh

Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council has expressed his delight with progress in establishing a new University Campus in Wexford and today’s announcement that the local authority has successfully moved to the final stages of the CPO for the land acquisition with the Notice to Treat stage for the parcel of land for the university’s ambitious expansion plans.

**CLLR JOHN FLEMING, CATHAOIRLEACH WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL**

Cllr Fleming said; “Our commitment to the delivery of a new Wexford University Campus remains unwavering and will provide a legacy for future generations as one of the most strategic investments for County Wexford’s future. We are proud as the local authority to have played a key role in collaboration with our partners at SETU on this exciting investment project”.

Tom Enright, Chief Executive, stated that “this strategic land acquisition marks a crucial step in the South East Technological University’s commitment to providing students with state-of-the-art facilities, fostering enterprise and innovation, addressing the educational imbalance by increasing third level participation and providing a skilled workforce attracting inward investment as part of our economic development strategy. He went onto highlight that “the university campus will also facilitate opportunities to provide a multi shared sports complex.”

Mr. Enright paid tribute to the elected members of Wexford County Council for their commitment and support to the establishment of the new university campus in Wexford town and was keen to emphasise that the local authority had played a key role to deliver on the shared vision of a strong university presence for Wexford.

The next phase will see Wexford County Council working closely with SETU to develop a master plan for the university incorporating several strands including the university, sports facilities, and housing.

Mr. Enright stated; “We have advertised a tender process for the masterplan for SETU and will following assessment in the coming weeks expect to have a contract tender appointed next month. The acquisition of lands to facilitate the new SETU university Wexford campus is one of the most transformational infrastructural projects that will impact on the future lives of citizens in Wexford and regionally.”.

President of SETU (South East Technological University), Prof. Veronica Campbell welcomed the news that “following my recent meeting this month with Wexfod County Council, the CPO is now nearing its final steps and this will enable SETU to provide enhanced university facilities in Wexford in accordance with SETU’s strategic plan, Connecting for Impact.

Wexford Women’s Enterprise Day

National Women’s Enterprise Day panel of speakers at Newbay House Hotel were (left to right); NWED 2023 MC Maryrose Lyons of Brightspark Consulting, Liz Hore, Director of Services at Wexford County Council, Theresa Grant OBE, Keynote Speaker, Pauline Dunne Killowen Farm, Wexford NWED Ambassador 2023, Deborah Brock of Nua Fertility, Speaker and Panellist, Cllr Lisa McDonald and Breege Cosgrave Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Wexford.

By Dan Walsh

Over 130 female entrepreneurs, women in business and female-led businesses from all over County Wexford gathered in Newbay House Hotel, Wexford, yesterday (Thursday) to celebrate the 16^th National Women’s Enterprise Day 2023.

Wexford town-native Theresa Grant OBE led the panel of homegrown and international speakers and shared her story of delivering high-value outcomes for communities and local governments across the UK. Generating a positive organisational culture through leadership and teamwork has led Ms. Grant to be recognised with an OBE from the Queen for her work in 2021. Sharing how she has worked for major sporting events including the Commonwealth Games and the Sydney Olympics, as well as for government bodies, Prime Ministers and parliamentarians made for a compelling and inspirational morning.

Pauline Dunne of Killowen Farm was this year’s National Women’s Enterprise Day Ambassador for Wexford also spoke at the event. An NWED Ambassador is a business who has come through Local Enterprise Office services and have proven themselves to be an inspirational ambassador, leader and mentor for other female-led businesses and entrepreneurs.

Ms. Dunne’s story of growing a small family dairy farm to a major producer of both yogurt and cream cheese, who produce 4000 jars of their signature yogurts per hour gave inspiration and encouragement to businesses of all sizes in the room.

Deborah Brock of Nua Fertility explained how her business came from personal experience and how both people and science have played such a crucial role in her business journey.

Paying tribute to female entrepreneurs and businesswomen everywhere, Breege Cosgrave, Head of Enterprise at LEO Wexford, who this year is the joint National Chair for NWED, described the event as “a celebration of female entrepreneurship, leadership and empowerment by women who are both innovation and strategic in their thinking.

“Women are intuitively innovative, adaptable and forward thinking – these are the skills that we need to harness now to secure a strong economy where female entrepreneurship is allowed to flourish,” said Ms. Cosgrave, who added; “Businesses are facing growing energy costs, a shortage of labour and skills, climate change and increasingly uncertain global security and women are well equipped to deal with these challenges.”

Patricia Hurl exhibition opens in Wexford

Pictured at the opening of Patricia Hurl’s solo exhibition, Irish Gothic, at Wexford County Council Buildings were Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Patricia Hurl, artist, Liz Burns, Wexford Arts Officer and Elizabeth Whyte CEO, Wexford Arts Centre.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council Buildings

Wexford County Council and Wexford Arts Centre in partnership with the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) tonight (Thursday) launched Irish Gothic, a solo exhibition by Patricia Hurl in ‘the Street’ at Wexford County Council headquarters at Carricklawn, Wexford.

Liz Burns, Wexford Arts Officer, said the exhibition was selected from a major retrospective hosted by the IMMA last year, and presents one of Ireland’s most accomplished artist, Patricia Hurl, whose work is by its nature political and traverses the disciplines of painting, multimedia and collaborative art practice.

Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council welcomed the exhibition to Wexford, complimented the artist and all who helped get it on display, and he hoped large numbers will drop into County Hall and view the exhibition over the coming weeks.

The exhibition was officially opened by writer, academic and activist, Ailbhe Smyth, who spoke passionately about Patricia Hurl and their mutual affection and friendship and an overview of her achievements. “While dealing with a range of difficult topics, humour is often deployed,” said Ms. Smyth, who added; “Sketchbooks, diaries, magazines, and newspaper cuttings are central to Hurl’s practice and an integral part of her process, a selection of which is included in the exhibition.”

Ms. Hurl, originally from Dublin and winner of the Norah McGuinness award for painting in 1984, was given a rousing welcome to Wexford by tonight’s invited attendance and stated that she appreciated the support and was delighted to have her exhibition available to the public in Wexford.

The Irish Gothic exhibition can be viewed at Wexford County Council Buildings, Wexford, until November 19^th.

Plans for Enniscorthy Country Walk extension at a standstill!

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting

Enniscorthy’s proposed 600-metre loop extension at the Urrin Bridge on the Riverside Walk or Country Walk beside the River Slaney, which was granted €200,000 funding in 2021, has to go direct to An Board Pleanála for planning because it is in a special area of conservation, and nothing has happened to date.

The matter was raised at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council where Cllr Jackser Owens requested an update on developments, or lack of progress, and passionately claimed that “wheelchair users are denied access to the country walk and have never seen it”, and he wondered when the work will be completed?

Mr. Rory O’Mahony from the Environmental Section of Wexford County Council told the meeting of plans to extend the Riverside Walk and complete the 600-metre loop and confirmed the funding of €200,000, said there was “a good landowner agreement, but the plans were expensive, and the work must go to consultants because the Wexford County Council has no ’in-house’ staff to prepared the plans.

In reply to a contribution from Cllr Aidan Browne, Mr. O’Mahoney admitted that the proposed 600-metre loop has not yet gone to planning. He confirmed Cllr Browne’s comments that “it is no ordinary planning process” and must go to An Bord Pleanála, which could delay the project by years! Cllr Browne asked for a commitment to spending the allocation and suggested that, perhaps, the Blackstoops to Island Road walkway could be progressed in the meantime.

The planned project, known as the 600m loop, will provide users with an alternative route around the River Urrin footbridge to get access to the lower Country Walk trail. Users would avoid the footbridge by following a 600m loop path along the northern bank of the Urrin, crossing over at St. John’s Bridge and return along on the southern bank which used to provide an old rail link into Davis Mills, cross the road, and into the foundry until the 1960s. A redundant Irish Rail underpass could be used to re-connect the loop to the existing country walk.

Established as the Country Walk in 2010, the popular trail is a 6km round trip scenic walk along the western bank of the River Slaney south of Enniscorthy town. The trail starts along the promenade walk at the southern end of the town and heads past a playground, crosses a footbridge at the River Urrin and follows a gravel path through a semi-wild meadow and is part of an extensive Special Area of Conservation.

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.