Enniscorthy skyline taking on a new appearance ahead of the August Bank Holiday Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival.
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy
The Enniscorthy skyline is undergoing a transformation this week as skilled ‘skywalkers’ are observed high above the streets, assembling the giant Ferris Wheel beside the Seamus Rafter Bridge at Abbey Square that will be one of the features of the Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival taking place over the August Bank Holiday.
The transportable Ferris Wheel is an amusement ride found at quality carnival, fairs and festival events, and while it has been to Enniscorthy before the Covid lockdown, it proves extremely popular. For those without a fear of heights, but curious regards dimension, the wheel measures 60 feet (18.3 metres) in diameter and has 16 seats that can accommodate 48 riders!
The Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival opens with a Friday night Fireworks Display on The Promenade from 9-11pm with the fireworks going up circa-10pm. It will be an occasion of music and fireworks on The Promenade and activities of the funfair for the whole family.
On Saturday and Sunday the streets will be lined with artisan food and a craft market, the Wexford Food Family Marquee will be located at Enniscorthy Castle with celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, Edward Hayden, Paul Hynes and more, and there are also free ‘grow your own’ sessions at Enniscorthy Community Allotments.
And, of course, there are endless music sessions, plenty of activity on the Market Square stage and in the various hostelries throughout the town. And the festivities flow over onto Bank Holiday Monday.
The programme is massive. Best advice is to grab a brochure or log in to #rockinfoodfestival or www.rockinfoodfestival.ie to peruse all the detail and mark up your choice for the best of festival enjoyment in the shadow of Vinegar Hill by the pleasant Slaney.
A man in his 30’s was arrested by An Garda Síochána and taken to a Garda Station in Co. Wexford today (Wednesday) following a €9.3 million seizure of cocaine at Rosslare Europort.
Revenue officers seized almost 133 kgs of cocaine with an estimated value of approximately €9.3 million at Rosslare Europort.
The discovery was made when Revenue officers, assisted by Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, stopped and searched a UK-registered accompanied freight unit that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France. The drugs were discovered concealed within the refrigerated trailer.
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 phone number 1800 295 295.
Gardaí in Wexford are appealing for witnesses to a public order incident in Wexford town on Monday evening,
Gardaí received report of an altercation between a number of men in the Belvedere Grove Estate. Gardaí attached to Wexford Town and the Regional Support Unit attended the scene.
A man (30s) was arrested at the scene and has since been charged. He appeared at Waterford District Court on Tuesday morning.
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Investigations are ongoing.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.
Any individuals who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the Belvedere Grove area of Wexford between 5pm and 6pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Wexford Garda station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
The Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan, one of the first in the country, was completed and collaboratively adopted by members of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council last January and details of the plan were explained at a well-attended public meeting held in Riverside Park Hotel tonight (Tuesday).
The Plan was presented by Dr. Conor Norton, Urban Design and Architecture assisted by Mick McCormick, Town Regeneration Officer, David Whitty, Executive Engineer Special Projects at Wexford County Council and Cllr Aidan Browne, Chair of Enniscorthy Town Centre First Team.
“Enniscorthy Town Centre will be a sustainable, thriving beautiful and welcoming place of unique sense of place and quality of life”, said Dr. Norton, who added; “Its regeneration will be for the benefit of the community, for all those working there, and for its many visitors and admirers.
SLANEY STREET … in the heart of ENNISCORTHY. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
“Enniscorthy Town Centre will be a safe, accessible and attractive place for all, including children, older people and families,” concluded Dr. Norton.
Targets include “the reuse and refurbishment of vacant homes and vacant residential floors of mixed-use buildings, and to eliminate the effective vacancy in the housing stock in the Town Centre by 2040.”
The Plan also aims to “transition to active travel and eliminate traffic dominance in the Town Centre as a critical condition for regeneration”; “to prioritise pedestrian movement in the Town Centre” and “to develop a sustainable traffic management strategy for the town as a measure to eliminate congestion and car dominance in the Town Centre.”
PACKAGE ONE; Civic Spine, Main Street-Market Square Castle Hill. This is an integrated regeneration package involving different stakeholders in partnership to deliver redevelopment, refurbishment, and improvement of urban space. This package will be the critical early catalyst to the rejuvenation of the function, fabric and image of the Town Centre.
PACKAGE TWO; The Castle Heritage Quarter. The Quarter will provide a focal point for the rich heritage of the Town. It will draw on the diversity of urban heritage in this important urban block. Including the Castle, the Athenaeum and the rich fabric of street buildings. The Quarter will be the focal attraction and orientation space for tourism in Enniscorthy.
PACKAGE THREE; Templeshannon Hub and Link. This package aims to intervene decisively to counter the worrying decline of the heart of Templeshannon, and its disconnection from the Town Centre. It aims to be a catalyst in the restoration of vitality and vibrancy through redevelopment, refurbishment and a radical improvement of its public spaces. It will explore the potential to redevelop a substantial leisure and recreation hub to complement the existing Waterfront Pool and Leisure Centre.
There was strong public views expressed from the floor, clearly there were mixed views on aspects of the Plan, however, the Plan has been adopted and it is now time to get the Plan working for Enniscorthy, going in search for funding, transforming the town into the 21st century prosperity, and, in particular there were passionate calls for Enniscorthy Municipal District, Wexford County Council and Wexford deputies in Dáil Éireann to get behind the Plan and ensure that the funding is provided and the Plan can commence without any further delay.
The attendance was welcomed by Cllr John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and included Deputies Paul Kehoe and Verona Murphy and Cllrs Jackser Owens, Leas-Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cathal Byrne, Barbara-Anne Murphy and Kathleen Codd-Nolan.
The Enniscorthy Town Centre First Team consists of Cllr Aidan Browne (Chair), Niall Byrne (Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce), Nicky Murphy (Enniscorthy Traders Association), Colm Neville (Visit Wexford Tourism), Mico Hassett (Culture), Dervla Tierney (Enniscorthy Community Forum), Syl Hipwell (Enniscorthy Garda Division), Margaret Nolan (Industry), Kieran Donohoe (FDYS Youth), Clare Ryan (WLD), Maria Nolan (Sports), Mick McCormick (Town Regeneration Officer) and Claire Lawless (District Manager, Enniscorthy Municipal District).
Bishop of Ferns Ger Nash has expressed his support and compassion for those in the farming community who are experiencing difficulties because of the recent spell of poor weather.
He asks everyone in the Diocese of Ferns to join with him in praying for favourable weather and, also in praying for all whose work or livelihoods depend on the weather conditions.
BISHOP GER NASH
“God our loving Father, we know that you care deeply for us. We ask you to bless us with the good weather we so badly need at this time.
Bless the work and efforts of all your people so that their endeavours may produce the results they need. Grant success to the work of our hands.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.”
At the launch of the Community Car initiative for the parish of Taghmon Camross officially launched by Cllr. Jim Moore, at the Taghmon Action Group building, (Pic; Wexford County Council).
By Dan Walsh
A new Community Car for the parish of Taghmon Camross was officially launched by Cllr. Jim Moore, at the Taghmon Action Group building, and the Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District welcomed the initiative.
Cllr Moore said; “This is a fantastic pioneering local development driven by the community with the support of commercial sponsorship and several agencies. The wonderful volunteers are reaching out across the area and providing a unique service by their commitment to their local community. Well done agus comhgairdeas go léir”.
Ann Marie Laffan said; “People can use this car to get to medical appointments but also it is hoped that it will help to alleviate social isolation and loneliness by allowing people to get to social events such as sporting events like GAA matches, religious events, bingo or just to visit friends or relations. Also, younger members of the community could use it to get to training courses, work, or job iterviews”.
Mary B O’Leary from Wexford Local Link noted that the Community Car will not compete with public transport but rather will compliment it and link passengers with ongoing bus services such as into Wexford Town or to Waterford for hospital appointments, which had been an issue identified particularly by older people.
The attendance at the launch included Cllrs Jim Codd and Leonard Kelly, a number of council officials including Annette O’Neill, Director of Rosslare Municipal District, Nóirín Cummins, Rosslare District Manager, Claude Clancy, Community Development, Annette Dupuy, Healthy Wexford and Ann Marie Laffan, Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme, and Enda Newport from main sponsors, Bolands of Wexford Town.
Despite the poor weather many members of the local community turned out in force to hear about the pilot project and find out more about how it will operate. The organisers of the initiative, Ann Marie Laffan, Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme, Mary B O’Leary, Wexford Local Link, Emily O’Rourke, Wexford Local Development) and John Waters, Taghmon Action Group, spoke at the event and answered questions from those present including many from Taghmon Day Care Centre.
The project which is open to people living in the parish of Taghmon Camross will get underway shortly and it is aimed primarily at people who are no longer eligible to drive or those who have no access to transport in their homes.
John Waters from Taghmon Action Group thanked all those involved in making this project happen and in particular to Bolands of Wexford Town for supplying the 161 Ford Focus car which was on display for the launch. The car is branded and very visible and will be regularly spotted around the parish.
The project received 100% funding from the Department of Health’s Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme which is managed locally by Wexford County Council.
The umbrellas are up amongst the large crowd attending the opening of the Kilmuckridge Garden of Remembrance in the village today.
By Dan Walsh in Kilmuckridge
The unwanted summer rain failed to dampen the pride of community spirit as a large attendance gathered at Greenwood Avenue in Kilmuckridge village where local Cllr Mary Farrell officially launched the impressive new environmentally friendly Kilmuckridge 1916-1922 Garden of Remembrance this afternoon (Sunday).
Cllr Farrell was brief in her speech but acknowledged her delight at being chosen to perform the official opening; she had an almost endless list of ‘thank yous’ and wondered why such dreadful weather conditions prevailed in July! and, of course, she also acted as master of ceremonies.
John Hearne, Vice-Chair of Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns thanked WLD (Wexford Local Development) for grant-aid, the sponsors of the trees, rose bushes and beeches, local businesses, the residents at Greenwood Avenue, and everybody who contributed in any way for progressing and bringing the project into existence.
John Dempsey, Chair of Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns complimented the volunteers for their contribution to the village and outlined their determination and enthusiasm for the existence of the Garden of Remembrance.
Local historian, Pat Rath, spoke passionately about the history behind the Garden and outlined the symbolism of the layout, the planting of the various trees, the memorials and time capsule space.
The ceremony commenced with a Colour Party from the IUNVA (Irish United Nations Veteran’s Association) Post 3, Gorey and Post 31 Enniscorthy providing a guard of honour at the raising of the tricolour. Maeve Townsend sang Amhrán na bFiann. Fr. Frank Murphy, P.P., Kilmuckridge-Monamolin blessed the garden.
A wreath was laid by Tommy and Pamela Mallon, grand-nephew, and grand-niece of Michael Mallon (1874-1916), who was executed for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising, beside the portraits of the executed leaders. Cllr Mary Farrell sang Grace, which was appropriate to this part of the ceremony.
Items destined for the Time Capsule, which will remain unopened for 50 years, were organised by John and Orry Murphy and presented by Joe Hammel, Sonny Harney, Josie Murphy and representatives of the local primary and secondary schools.
Music was provided by the Monamolin Kilmuckridge Comhaltas Group. Refreshments were provided to all afterwards in the Kilmuckridge Memorial Hall (KMH).
The event was organised by a sub-committee of Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns’ and Kilmuckridge Development Group that included John Hearne, Shane Forsey, Pat Rath, Cllr Mary Farrell, Johnny Dempsey, Angela Kelly and Ger McCormick.
Wexford County Council has recently adopted the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan, which is described as “a roadmap for the sustainable regeneration of Enniscorthy’s town centre” and it should make considerable progress this coming week when it will be made available for public scrutiny.
A Public Presentation Event for the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan takes place in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, on Tuesday, August 1st at 7pm. All are welcome.
This plan outlines a comprehensive strategy for long-term social, economic, and environmental revitalisation of the town. It also highlights priority regeneration projects that can serve as catalysts for Enniscorthy’s sustainable regeneration.
All are cordially invited to attend a public presentation by Dr Conor Norton from Loci, the authors of the plan.
During the presentation, there is the opportunity to learn about the plan’s preparation process and the transformative regeneration projects that Wexford County Council aims to advance for the town.
The Enniscorthy Plan has had a chequered beginning. At the December meeting of the Municipal District Council, it was agreed to discuss the Plan ‘in committee’ because the elected representatives felt they should peruse the content and have first preference in any decision making.
At the February meeting, ructions broke out following a presentation by Mick McCormick, Town Regeneration Officer, with special responsibility for New Ross and Enniscorthy, who outlined the Town Centre First- A Policy Approach for Irish Towns.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne said the plan was “ambitious and a chance to make Enniscorthy special and great” but the mood changed when it emerged that only one elected member could serve on the committee and five would be disappointed!
The councillors protested but Mr. McCormick said these are the rules and must be followed to have any chance of securing URDF (Urban Regeneration and Development Fund) funds. “These are the rules of the game”, he said and added that doing otherwise could put the application for funding in jeopardy,
Cllr Jackser Owens felt ‘insulted’. He said they had worked for three and a half years as the Enniscorthy Team and now five members are gone! We want six members for the Enniscorthy Team and fight as a team to get €5 or 6 million. “This is not acceptable. It is an insult to the elected members of Enniscorthy district,” he concluded.
At this point an Cathaoirleach told members that a decision had to be made (today)) immediately. The Council will have one member on the Town Team (the Cathaoirleach of the day) and it was agreed that the working group continue in an advisory capacity.
Launched last February the Town Centre First policy aims to create town centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community.
The key roles of the Town Team are to comprise of local experts and made of diverse groups such as residents, business owners, community representatives etc. and may also have one local authority member, Public Partnership Network (PPN) member, representatives of tourism, culture groups etc. The public presentation should be interesting.
Pictured at the annual general meeting of Wexford Ógra Fianna Fail held in Enniscorthy recently are; (left to right); Cllr Andrew Bolger, Maria Wall, Niall Sinnott, Sean O’Brien, Ruairí Ryan, Michael Roche.
By Ruairí Ryan, National Press Officer Ógra Fianna Fáil
Wexford Ógra Fianna Fail held its annual general meeting for 2023 in the Wexford Farmer’s Club, Enniscorthy, attended by members from across the county and in the presence of Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy and Andrew Bolger.
Ruairí Ryan the outgoing chair gave thanks and praise to the officer board during his tenure. “It’s been an absolute pleasure serving as chairperson for the last 18 months. I’m very happy to say I’ve made some good friends in the role. We’ve done a lot, raised money for charity through our coffee morning, had debates with other parties and kept a presence at countless events, most notably our stand at the Gorey Agricultural Show.
“We’ve local elections coming up next year and we’re going to encourage many young people to be a part of it whether that be as a candidate or as the many other roles of running an election. I’m proud to have been chair and for you all to have elected me twice. So thank you,” concluded Mr. Ryan,
The election of officers resulted in Sean O’Brien taking on the role as Chair, Niall Sinnott as Vice-Chair, Rory Cassidy as Secretary Michael Roche as PRO, Ruairí Ryan as Youth Officer to the senior party, Cian Cassidy as Treasurer.
The incoming Chair, Sean O’Brien thanked the members for electing him and presented his address focusing on what he wants to achieve in his new term.
“The local elections are coming up and that’s something we as Ógra and I as chair want to focus on in the next year. I’m proud to be sitting next to Andrew Bolger our Ógra councillor in Gorey and we’re going to get out canvassing and particularly helping in his election as well as any other young candidates,” said Mr. O’Brien.
The meeting was then addressed by Cllr. Bolger who thanked Sean and Ógra for their continuous support and wished Sean well in his new role.
WexfordLocal.com 