Water quality under review at Duncannon

FERGUS GALVIN, Chair, addressing delegates at the Water Quality Seminar held in Duncannon Community Centre (Pic; Wexford County Council)

By Dan Walsh

Over 50 people from the across the government sectors as well as the National Federation of Group Water Schemes were in attendance at Duncannon Community Centre for the quarterly meeting of the South Eastern Regional Operational Committee on Water Quality recently.  

Chaired by Director of Services, Fergus Galvin of Waterford City and County Council and supported by the Local Authority Waters Programme, the Southeast Regional Operational Committee is one of five committees which supports Ireland’s efforts to address the decline in water quality and protect public health and the valuable resource that clean water is for all.

Issues of concern discussed at the meeting included the protection of bathing and shellfish waters and public health along the Wexford coastline, agriculture across the counties and actions that Irish Water are undertaking to protect water quality.

Also attending the meeting were representatives of Southeast Technical University who outlined their work in collaboration with Wexford County Council and BIM.

Michael Goss of Úisce Eireann gave an overview of the significant upgrades being undertaken by Irish Water and the underground mapping of drainage networks in Wexford and across the region.

A key focus of the meeting was the Duncannon Blue Flag Farming Communities Scheme EIP which is a collaboration of farmers that is led by Wexford County Council and other bodies involved in the scheme include Teagasc, Geoff Barry Agricultural Consultants, Tirlán, Bord Bia and IFA that play a vital role in achieving the main objectives of the EIP.

Eoin Kinsella, Agricultural Scientist with Wexford County Council gave a presentation of the excellent work being undertaken by the project and the participant farmers to protect the water quality of Duncannon beach and its Blue Flag.

Cathal Somers, Agricultural Support and

Advisory Service advisor with Teagasc, gave a fascinating account on the benefits that multi-species swards can give when managed to suit the local farm situation. These include the requirement for much lower nitrate fertiliser application, better climate resilience of the crop, higher protein content, greater biodiversity and often a savings to the farmer.

The absence of a water treatment plant at Ramsgrange is still an issue and it was agreed that it would be advantageous to bring this into the Arthurstown wastewater treatment plant as soon as possible.

Agencies represented on the day included the Department of Agriculture, Food and the  Marine, Uisce Éireann (Irish Water), Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), BIM, Inland Fisheries Ireland, National Federation of Group Water Schemes, Teagasc, EPA, and the County Councils of Wexford, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Carlow, Kildare, Offaly and Laois.

Sailors in trouble south of Duncannon

FETHARD RNLI Inshore D Class Lifeboat was called out on Saturday (Pic; RNLI/Fethard)

By Dan Walsh

Two sailors raised the alarm after their 20-foot boat encountered engine difficulties and broke down north of Templetown Bay at Stonewall Bay, south of Duncannon, on Saturday afternoon.

Fethard RNLI were requested to launch their inshore D class lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard at approximately 2.45 pm.

Weather conditions at the time were good with flat calm seas, a Force 1 south easterly wind with good visibility and some cloud.

On arrival, the crew observed that both onboard were wearing lifejackets and were safe and well. Having assessed the situation, a decision was made to tow the vessel to the nearest safe port at Passage East.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com following the call out, Fethard RNLI Helm Mick Roche said; “The two onboard reacted as they should when they encountered engine problems and raised the alarm, and we would commend them for being prepared by having a means of communication and for wearing their lifejackets. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,” he concluded.

Two ‘shouts’ for RNLI to Saltee Islands

Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat towing a RIB to safety from the Saltee Islands last Saturday (Pic; Elaine Walsh/RNLI)

By Dan Walsh

Kilmore Quay RNLI responded to two separate requests from the Irish Coast Guard for assistance to pleasure crafts in the vicinity of the Saltee Islands over the weekend. Weather and sea conditions were good on both occasions.

The first call was at 2 pm on Saturday to assist a rigid inflatable boat (RIB.) with five people on board that had lost steering. The lifeboat launched at 2.18 pm and made its way to the south side of the Great Saltee where the crew of the RIB. had managed to tie on to a buoy and await assistance. All on board were safe and well. The lifeboat crew established a towline and brought the boat back to Kilmore Quay arriving at 3.12 pm.

At 5.30pm on Sunday evening, the crew responded to assist a lone sailor on an 8-metre yacht approximately six nautical miles southeast of Kilmore Quay. The yacht had experienced a navigation system failure. Arriving on scene at 6 pm and after checking the person on board was safe and well, a towline was established. The yacht was brought back to Kilmore Quay harbour arriving at 7.25 pm.

Kilmore Quay RNLI Coxswain, Eugene Kehoe, told WexfordLocal.com; “Even the best maintained equipment can sometimes go wrong, so it is important to always be prepared for when it does happen as these people were. They did the right thing in calling for help when they did. I would urge anyone heading out to sea always carry a reliable means of communication, VHF, or a mobile phone in a waterproof case in case you need to call for help and always wear a life jacket. If you do get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,” he concluded.

National Biodiversity Week 2023

Planting a native Irish Rowan tree in the grounds of Kennedy Park school to mark National Biodiversity Week 2023.

By Dan Walsh

To mark the official launch of National Biodiversity Week (May 19th-28th), Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr George Lawlor, planted a native Irish Rowan tree in the grounds of Kennedy Park National School in Wexford town.

Cllr Lawlor was delighted to perform the official launch and said: “This week is all about connecting people with nature and the benefits of protecting and enhancing our biodiversity.

“Spending time in nature can improve health and well-being. Biodiversity initiatives currently being undertaken by Wexford County Council include the gathering of scientific baseline data on wetlands, ecology and barn owls,” added Cllr Lawlor.

Mayor of Wexford Cllr Maura Bell said; “National Biodiversity Week is also about learning and having fun. Many of the events are family friendly and there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Catherine McLoughlin, Heritage Officer with Wexford County Council, pointed out that “A simple action that we can all take as individuals or communities to help biodiversity is to reduce the frequency of mowing of lawns and grass. This action will help all of our pollinators and more information on this can be found at http://www.pollinators.ie’.

The attendance included Deputy Principal Sylvia Wickham and the children of Kennedy Park National School Green Committee.

Nationwide and Wexford events can be found listed in the National Biodiversity Website at https://biodiversityweek.ie/ .

Big weekend for Berry and Bowe

By Dan Walsh

Colin Bowe had a weekend treble, two of them ridden by Ross Berry, at the final weekend of the 2022-’23 point-to-point season.

Today at Inchydoney, Bowe saddled Seattle Seahawk in the colours of Maria Kavanagh, Arklow, to a nine lengths success in the maiden race for six-year-olds plus ridden by Ross Berry (21), son of John A. Berry, a former rider who won three national championships and rode over 300 winners.

COLIN BOWE… Champion handler for the 11th time.

There was only one Wexford winner on the second day of Ballingarry and that went to Colin Bowe’s home bred Croi Corcra in the colours of Patrick Fortune, Doonooney, Adamstown and a first winner for Sophie Carter by eight lengths in the Mares Winner of Three race.

I must apologise to loyal readers that I missed out on a winner for Colin Bowe and Ross Berry at Ballingarry in yesterday’s (Saturday) report. Stranger Danger dead-heated with Focus Point (Dan Hyde) with Bold Enough (Barry O’Neill) third, beaten a neck, in a thrilling finish to the Open Race. Over the weekend three wins for Colin Bowe and a double for Ross Berry).

Back at Inchydoney in West Cork, today, Chief Lady, handled by Rob James had a three lengths success in the maiden race for four-year-old mares giving James Cousins, (17), from Kilmore his first point-to-point victory.

Harley Dunne saddled newcomer Marcus Furius in the race for four-year-old maiden geldings and with Tiernan Roche Power up had 14 lengths to spare at the finish. The gelding was bred by Stephen Cousins, Camolin.

Georgie Burgess, a catchy name obviously inspired by Roddy Doyle’s character in The Snapper left his mark on the maiden race for five-year-old geldings with a one length success for Michael Goff’s Clondaw, Ferns, stables with Michael Sweeney up.

I’ll arrange a summary of the point-to-point season soon but the main points are that Colin Bowe (46 winners) wins his 11th handlers title and Barry O’Neill (64 winners) retains the riders’ championship and was also leading rider for the season in the North (25 winners) and the East (28 winners).

Harley Dunne saddles the first two

By Dan Walsh

There was point-to-point action today at Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary, where Harley Dunne saddled the first two home in the maiden race for four-year-old mares and there was only a neck separating them.

HARLEY DUNNE saddled first and second in the same race at Balingarry today.

Seventeen years old Frankie Murphy from Skibbereen was on the winner Breaking Silence and Tiernan Power Roche rode newcomer Cant Touch This.

There was a winner for Garrett Murphy and the Turbine Syndicate from Tullycanna, Ballymitty, as Boys Will Be Boys scored by one length under Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, in the four-year-old maiden auction race.

And Sean Doyle saddled his 19th winner of the season – Moves Like Monty by an impressive 14 lengths – with Ross Sugrue in the saddle in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

Two meetings tomorrow (Sunday); a second day at Ballingarry and also action from Inchydorney.

Goodnightngodbless at the Wexford races

Jockey James Kenny and winning connections with World Of Fortunes following his success in the mares bumper at Wexford today.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Races

It was a family day at Wexford racecourse this afternoon with a large attendance in summer conditions and a fair amount of local involvement on the seven-race card and some good competitive racing.

Amateur jockey James Kenny from Craanford rode his eighth career winner on the track when bringing World Of Fortunes (6/1) home with six and a half lengths to spare in the concluding mares bumper. The five-year-old chestnut mare is owned by Michael Broderick from Ballymore Eustace and is trained by the winning jockey’s father, Liam Kenny, near Gorey. Runner-up was Familiar Dreams ridden by Jamie Codd and in third place was Colm Murphy’s Rhaenyra ridden by James O’Rourke from Clonard, Wexford.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins was successful in the mare’s maiden hurdle with Cinsa (4/11 favourite) ridden by Sean O’Keeffe, Harveystown, Taghmon.

J P McManus has a good record at Wexford, particularly in the steeplechases, and today was no different when Goodnightngodbless (17/2) ran out to a 10 lengths success in the handicap chase for trainer James Motherway and was ridden by Charlie O’Dwyer, son of former top jockey Conor O’Dwyer who grew up close to Wexford racecourse.

Gordon Elliott supplied the winner of the mares handicap hurdle with Fruit Blossom (11/2) ridden by Keith Donoghue.

There was a long shot success in the Sulzer Wexford Celebrating 50 Years in Business handicap hurdle in Corkbeg (18/1) ridden by Denis O’Regan from David Harry Kelly’s Fethard, Co. Tipperary stables.

Edward O’Grady’s Ceroc (15/2) won the handcap hurdle with Philip Enright up and Tangental from Colm Murphy’s Killena, Gorey, stables finished in third place for J J Slevin.

Watch House Cross (11/4) took the novice chase for the trainer and jockey combination, Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe.

The day’s Tote aggregate was €92,857.26 compared with €90,802.79 last year. The jackpot of €3,769.73 was not won. The next races at Wexford is on Wednesday, May 31st – just 11 days away!

Wexford’s 18 best beaches and marinas

By Dan Walsh

Six Wexford beaches received the prestigious Blue Flag award for “high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety.” Ballinesker, Ballymoney North Beach, Carne, Curracloe, and Morriscastle and Rosslare Strand.

In the Green Coast category, which pays particular attention to the work of local clean coasts groups, 10 Wexford recipients at Ballyhealy, Booley Bay, Cahore Point, Cullenstown Strand, Culleton’s Gap, Grange, Old Bawn Beach, and St. Helen’s Bay were commended along with Rosslare Harbour.

There was more success for Wexford in the Blue Flag Marinas section with both Kilmore Quay Marina and New Ross Marina among the ten national winners.

A total of 159 awards were presented by the Minister of State for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD., at an awards ceremony held on the Shoreline Hotel, Dublin.

Ms. Cathy Baxter, Director of the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce, said; “It takes immense dedication and effort to manage a beach or marina to meet the rigorous standards set by these prestigious award programmes, and we extend our warmest congratulations to all the deserving sites that have achieved this remarkable reward.”

Wexford Saturday summer racing

By Dan Walsh

A warm and dry forecast should boost the attendance at the Saturday summer races at Bettyville Park where there is a seven-race jumps card with the first race away at 1.40pm.

The track is described as “yielding, good in places (watering) and a competitive afternoon’s racing is guaranteed. The card is as follows;

PAUL HILLIS (breeder) and MICHAEL MURPHY (track manager) with the 2023 Aintree Randox Grand National trophy at Wexford racecourse following the brilliant success of the Wexford-bred Corach Rambler.

1.40pm; The Wexford Racecourse Mares Maiden Hurdle of €10,000 over 2 miles 4 furlongs (12 runners).

2.15pm; The Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Mares Handicap Hurdle of €12,000, 2 miles 4 furlongs (12 runners).

2.50pm; The Sulzer Wexford Celebrating 50 Years in Business Handicap Hurdle of €10,500, 2 miles 1 furlong (12 runners).

3.25pm; The Support the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Hurdle of €11,500, 3 miles 50 yards (12 runners).

4pm; The Poolcourt Novice Chase of €13,500, 2 miles (7 runners).

4.35pm; The Ambrex Switchgear Handicap Chase of €11,500, 3 miles 1 furlong 50 yards (12 runners).

5.10pm; The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race of €11,000, 2 miles (12 runners).

Injured fisherman off Kilmore Quay

By Dan Walsh

An injured fisherman on board a fishing vessel 33 nautical miles south of Kilmore Quay was brought to safety by Kilmore Quay RNLI last night.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat Killarney, by the Irish Coast Guard at 10.23pm.

KILMORE QUAY RNLI Killarney (Pic; RNLI)

The man was working on a 24-metre fishing trawler located 33 nautical miles south of Kilmore Quay when he suffered a serious injury to his hand.

The lifeboat under Coxswain Eugene Kehoe and a crew of six arrived at the scene at 11.45pm. Once on scene, the casualty was assessed and then taken onboard the lifeboat where he was attended to by RNLI first aiders on the return journey to Kilmore Quay. The lifeboat arrived back in the harbour at 1.17am where an ambulance was waiting to take the casualty to hospital.

Speaking following the call out, Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Coxswain, Eugen Kehoe said; “This was a good outcome and thankfully conditions were calm and favourable. We want to wish the injured man all the best and a speedy recovery. I would also like to commend our volunteer crew who despite the late call and darkness of night, did not hesitate to respond.”