WexfordLocal.com

Enniscorthy civic recognition awards

By Dan Walsh at the Presentation Centre

There was a distinguished gathering in the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, last night (Wednesday) where groups and individual were invited to recognise their achievements at local, county and national level.

Speaking at the event Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council said the event was organised by Enniscorthy district of Wexford County Council. “As chair of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council I really enjoy attending on nights like tonight.

“This evening we all get an opportunity to pay tribute to people who have gone above and beyond in their chosen work. Tonight, we honour the men and women of drama, sport, community and education.

“So, to the many people receiving Civic Recognition tonight I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your fantastic achievements to date.” said Cllr Browne, who added; “May I encourage you all to make Enniscorthy town and district a great place through drama, community and sporting activities.”

Brief citations were read by Claire Lawless, Enniscorthy District Manager, and the awards were presented by the public representative who submitted the nominations. The awards went to…

Erin Kiernan LCA (Leaving Certificate Applied) and Jason Bolger LCA presented by Cllr John O’Rourke.

Enniscorthy Community Allotments and Katie Whelan, Leinster Rugby were presented by Cllr Aidan Browne, who also nominated Alan Franklin, Referee at Ireland FAI Youths Final, who was unable to attend.

Dominik Morycki, international call up to the Poland rugby team was presented by Cllr Jackser Owens.

Andy Doyle, best actor at the All-Ireland Drama Finals was presented by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy.

Orla Wafer and Aoife Wafer from Enniscorthy Rugby Club and women’s international rugby was presented by Cllr Cathal Byrne.

And Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan presented Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society for its contribution to the 1798 commemorations.

Boat catches fire off Hook Head

By Dan Walsh

Two people have been rescued after their vessel caught fire four miles southeast of Hook Head yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

Dunmore East RNLI Lifeboat responded to a call from the Irish Coast Guard seeking emergency assistance for a vessel on fire at 1.27pm.

Fortunately, the situation had been brought under control and extinguished by the time the lifeboat arrived on the scene approximately 12 minutes after leaving the pontoon.

Upon arrival, it was found that the crew of the vessel had followed their emergency procedures successfully, managing to control and safely extinguish the fire onboard. Despite that, the vessel was now without power and adrift.

Lifeboat coxswain, Roy Abrahamsson, spoke highly of the vessel’s crew. “Their actions today were commendable. It’s a testament to their experience and training that they managed to extinguish the fire swiftly, preventing what could have been a very serious situation. They did the right thing in calling for help, and we were there to provide the support they needed. This incident underlines the importance of safety procedures and emergency preparedness at sea.”

RTÉ’s David McCullagh in Gorey

By Dan Walsh

Popular RTÉ Six One News presenter David McCullagh is also an accomplished author and learned historian, and he is a special guest in Gorey Library on Saturday where he will deliver a talk entitled Crown and Harp; from Free State to a Republic from 3pm.

His contribution is full of intrigue. How much freedom did the Treaty really give? Why did it lead to a Civil War? And how did successive Irish government dismantle it to allow Ireland to emerge on the world stage? Featuring: wading through blood; a country with no ships at a naval conference; Éamon de Valera supporting true love; and deadly insults at a state banquet.

**DAVID McCULLAGH is in Gorey Library next Saturday.**

Starting with the Treaty and the split that led to Civil War, McCullagh will then look at how the Treaty was dismantled by Cosgrave and then de Valera, and finally the declaration of the Republic in 1948.

David McCullagh is a journalist, author and presenter with RTÉ, where he has presented the Six One News since August 2020. He previously presented the current affairs television programme Prime Time from 2013 to 2020 and was Political Correspondent with RTE News and Current Affairs. He has also written the book A Makeshift Majority: The first inter-party government, 1948-51, and a biography of John A. Costello. The Reluctant Taoiseach: A Biography of John A Costello, was launched in 2010.

Booking essential, anyone requiring additional assistance to participate in this event, please contact the Gorey Library on 053 9483820.

Wexford discussion on Climate Action

Pictured at the Climate Action Event in County Hall; Back row; Gerry Forde (Senior Engineer), Dr. Yvonne Byrne (Event Moderator), Mary Reynolds (We are the Ark), Sheila Lacey (Environment), Cllr Leonard Kelly (Member of the Climate Change, Biodiversity & Environment SPC, Barry Caslin (Teagasc), Frank Burke (Climate Action Co-ordinator), Caroline Sinnott (Environment), Clare Kelly (Climate Action Officer). Front row; Clare McCreesh (ENViTE Edible Towns Network), Micheal Devereux (Enniscorthy Allotments), Cllr Mary Farrell (Cathaoirleach of the Climate Change, Biodiversity & Environment SPC), Richard Mulcahy (100 million Trees Project), Carolyne Godkin (Director of Services). Pic; Wexford County Council/Mary Browne.

By Dan Walsh

Close to 150 people attended the recent Climate Action sessions held in County Hall, Wexford, providing useful information and possible actions that they could implement, as part of their individual, community, or business contribution towards positive climate action.

Experts from business, government bodies and voluntary groups relayed their knowledge on Climate Action across a variety of topics, including transport, agriculture and energy.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr George Lawlor, remarked that “County Wexford is not immune to the challenges posed by climate change. As the global climate continues to change, Wexford faces several significant impacts that require immediate attention and proactive measures.”

Cllr Lawlor outlined some of the key challenges facing County Wexford from climate change that include rising sea levels and coastal erosion. “The impact of mitigation measures on our hugely important Agri sector must also be assessed. It is important that we all play a key and fair role in our efforts to curb the impact of climate change on our county,” Cllr Lawlor added.

Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services with Wexford County Council noted; “The Climate Action Event is part of a programme of education and awareness the Council is undertaking as part of the development of the new Climate Action Plan. The speakers who attended from a variety of organisations demonstrate the knowledge and expertise that we already possess within our county to make a positive impact in this space.”

Frank Burke, Climate Action Co-ordinator thanked all those who contributed to the organising of the event from within Wexford County Council and gave special mention to the twenty speakers, stating; “The presentations were inciteful and inspiring and illustrates what can be done, when you adopt a “can do” attitude!” concluded Mr Burke.

Wexford County Council is required to identify and implement a range of actions under a new Climate Action Plan to help meet targets of a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and the longer-term goal of a climate neutral by no later than 2050.

Speakers at the event included representatives from SEAI, Enniscorthy Allotments, Solar Farms, 100 Million Trees Project, ENViTE Edible Towns Network, Wexford County Council, Teagasc, Wexford Bus, Local Link, Active Travel, Southeast Energy Agency, Enniscorthy Sustainable Energy Communities and the Local Enterprise Office.

Nighmare living with pyrite and stink

Director of Services Wexford County Council CAROLYNE GODKIN discussing concerns with the residents of Ballyminaun Hill outside of County Hall yesterday with Cllrs Fionntán Ó Sulleabháin and Joe Sullivan.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

“Same disgusting smell. Different decade” read a placard carried by one of several residents from Ballyminaun, near Gorey, where ongoing issues around the obnoxious smell have been around for a decade now and a group gathered outside County Hall before yesterday’s (Monday) monthly meeting to protest at the slow progress in resolving the matter.

Before the meeting Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, Wexford County Council, met with the concerned residents, listened to their views and outlined the current situation. The residents were also welcomed in the public gallery when the matter was discussed at the meeting.

Ms. Godkin said she briefed the residents and engaged with them before Christmas about the ecological sensitive areas and said she is trying to get a resolution and mount a comprehensive plan to resolve the matter.

The residents were supported by Cllr Joe Sullivan and Cllr Fionntán O Súilleabháin. “The stink from the composting plan is a nightmare for residents,” they agreed.

Concerns were also expressed about pyrite and one of the residents on the protest had his house badly damaged by pyrite and featured on RTE’s PRIME TIME seeking a resolution to the matter, but felt he was struggling to get support.

Cllr Sullivan said; “the pyrite issue is hugely concerning and there has to be a follow up.” He explained that it is exactly a year since the Ballyminaun residents sat in the County Chamber seeking redress and now the pyrite issue is “a living nightmare.”

Cllr Donal Kenny expressed his support for “a heavy push on Ballyminaun” and the blocks case (pyrite) but said it doesn’t matter where the blocks came from.

Both the smell from the Ballyminaun plant and the case for the pyrite compensation issues are certain to remain on the agenda and will resurface, but those concerned are growing tired of inaction and more public protests may take the matters to Dublin.

Councillors back Courtown Land Swap, 24-7

By Dan Walsh at the June meeting of Wexford County Council

The controversial Land Swap at Courtown, came before the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council today as a Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 and the members voted in favour of the proposal by 24 votes to 7.

The Council’s site, measuring 1.65 acres approx. located at Ballintray Lower and originally acquired by the Council from Peter J. Redmond of the Taravie Hotel, is to be disposed of and is currently used as a public car park. The site is to be transferred to TYOL Bayview Limited, Ardamine, Gorey.

The Council’s site is to be transferred for the development of a hotel, of a scale to be agreed by Wexford County Council. In exchange for this transfer the Council will receive from TYOL Bayview Limited, in exchange, the site of the former Bayview Hotel.

The disposal, if approved, is subject to TYOL Bayview Limited lodging a planning application for the development of the site as a hotel within 12 months of the passing of this resolution and other conditions.

This has been a controversial public issue in the community for some time and has led to protests outside the Civic Offices, Gorey, while Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council were sitting and today, a group objecting to the project gathered outside the Council Chamber at County Hall and were represented at the meeting.

At the May meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, after a sometimes heated and lengthy debate, councillors voted 5-4 to bring the proposal before today’s county meeting for a decision.

Cllr Joe Sullivan spoke strongly against the proposal. “This will have a significant impact on the future of the area,” He questioned much of the reasoning behind the Council’s plans?

Cathaoirleach of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, Cllr Donal Kenny, claimed “we are not giving away the land”, backed the vote to bring it here (full council) and said the issue had been going on for three and a half years and it was time to move forward and decide.

While acknowledging the potential economic benefit for the area Cllr Andrew Bolger declared to vote against the Land Swap. “My job is to represent the residents of Courtown, and Harbour Court, in particular. The community is against the project and our job is to bring the community with us,” he added.

The decision to put the matter to a vote was proposed by Cllr Donal Kenny and seconded by Cllr Anthony Donohoe, both members of Gorey Municipal District Council. Director of Services Liz Hore clarified some queries from the floor and CEO Tom Enright acknowledged members right to protest ahead of a decision by the full council. “That is democracy in action. It is a free vote,” he stated.

Cathaoirleach Cllr George Lawlor allowed the vote to proceed.

The vote was as follows; IN FAVOUR (24) Cllrs Maura Bell, Pip Breen, Aidan Browne, Cathal Byrne, Cllrs Ger Carthy, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Anthony Connick, Anthony Donohoe, Mary Farrell, John Fleming, John Hergarty, Willie Kavanagh, Leonard Kelly, Donal Kenny, Garry Laffan, George Lawlor, Jim Moore, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Bridín Murphy, John O’Rourke, Michael Sheehan, Frank Staples, Oliver Walsh and Michael Whelan. AGAINST (7); Cllrs Pat Barden, Andrew Bolger, Jim Codd, Tom Forde, Davy Hynes, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin and Joe Sullivan. ABSENT (3) Cllrs Lisa McDonald, Diarmuid Devereux and Jackser Owens.

Speedboat rescue off Courtown Beach

By Dan Walsh

Three people were rescued yesterday afternoon (Sunday) after their speedboat started taking on water off Courtown Beach.

Courtown RNLI crew launched their inshore lifeboat at approximately 3.41pm and it was launched shortly after at 3.50pm. They arrived on scene at 3.55pm and observed that the speedboat had made its way onto the beach.

A tow line was attached to the speedboat and was safely towed into the harbour by the lifeboat.

The conditions were favourable at the time with partial cloud and a south easterly wind.

Speaking following the call out, Billy Byrne, Courtown RNLI Deputy Launching Authority told WexfordLocal.com ; “We were delighted to help and wish the three onboard the speedboat well. We would commend them for all wearing the appropriate lifejackets, that is always the right thing to do.

“We would encourage all boat owners to maintain their craft and always have a means of calling for help. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,” concluded Mr. Byrne.

School bus in road crash

A school bus with 20 occupants on board was involved in a road traffic collision at Larkin’s Cross on the N25 near Barntown, on the outskirts of Wexford town.

The incident occurred around 8.30am this morning (Monday) and involved a school bus and a vehicle. Emergency services were quickly on the scene, but fortunately, no hospital treatment was required.

1798 Battle of Ross commemoration

By Dan Walsh at New Ross

There was an excellent turnout for today’s 1798 Battle of Ross commemoration where former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was a special invited guest and was given a warm welcome on behalf of the townspeople by Cllr Michael Sheehan, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council.

A Colour Party from the New Ross FCA Pipe Band under Pipe Major Pascal Bolger followed by The Three Bullet Gate Pike Group under Captain Joe Cullen and Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society led by Ray Murphy opened proceedings with a march from the Youth Centre to the Three Bullet Gate Memorial Park where the commemorations took place.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern honoured an invitation to rededicate the Three Bullet Gate Memorial Park which he officially opened in 1998 marking the bicentenary of the Battle of Ross during the Rebellion of 1798.

Afterwards Mr Ahern held a lengthy audience with the young students from Georgia Southern University who attended the ceremonies.

Former Taoiseach BERTIE AHERN speaking at the Three Bullet Gate, New Ross.

The keynote speech was delivered by Professor Kevin Whelan who explained the meaning of the events of 1798 and made comparisons with the modern era in an international context.

There was large emphasis on music. The Three Bullet Gate is commemorated in Amhrán na bFiann as An Bearna Baoil (The Gap of Danger) and in many other patriotic poems and songs.

**PASCAL BOLGER, Pipe Major New Ross FCA Pipe Band reading the 1916 Proclamation at today’s 1798 Battle of Ross commemoration ceremonies.**

Performers included New Ross & District Pipe Band led by Pipe Major Brian MacMahon, traditional airs from Danescastle Ceilí Band, the premiére of the Ballad of the Bullet by Cathy Purcell was given a warm welcome, the Cumas Traditional Ceilí Band sounded great, Hayley Crosbie’s Ensemble contributed, and excellent master of ceremonies Seamus Kiely kept everything flowing smoothly and added a few appropriate songs.

The Battle of Ross was a military engagement that took place at The Three Bullet Gate on June 5th, 1798, fought between the Society of United Irishmen rebels and the government forces garrisoning the town.

The attack on the town was an attempt by the recently victorious rebels to break out of Co. Wexford, cross the River Barrow, and spread the rebellion into Kilkenny and Munster.

The rebels advanced from their camp on Carrigbyrne Hill to Corbet Hill, just outside New Ross town. The battle, is described in some sources as “the bloodiest of the 1798 Rebellion.”

It began at dawn when the Crown garrison was attacked by a force of almost 10,000 rebels, massed in three columns outside the town. The attack had been expected since the fall of Wexford town on May 30^thand the garrison, consisting of 2,000 troops, had prepared defences both outside and inside the town.

Trenches were dug and manned by skirmishers on the approaches to the town while cannon were stationed facing all the rapidly falling approaches and narrow streets of the town to counter the expected mass charges by the rebels, who were mainly armed with pikes.

Crew rescued from Yacht Race mishap

By Dan Walsh

A crew of nine were rescued in a joint operation on Wednesday evening by Rosslare Harbour and Kilmore Quay RNLI after their 12-metre yacht got into difficulty after breaking its rudder off the Wexford coast. The yacht had been taking part in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Yacht Race.

Kilmore Quay RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat Killarney, by the Irish Coast Guard at 8.40pm. The lifeboat under Coxswain Eugene Kehoe and with six crew members onboard immediately launched and made its way to the scene.

The yacht had been taking part in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Yacht Race. A second yacht taking part in the race stood by with the stricken vessel until the lifeboat arrived.

The Rosslare Harbour volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Severn class lifeboat Donald and Barbara Broadhead, by the Irish Coast Guard at 9.25pm. The lifeboat under Coxswain Micheál Ferguson and with five crew members onboard immediately launched and made its way to the scene arriving at 9.55pm where a towline had been established to the yacht by the Kilmore Quay crew.

The sea was moderately choppy in a moderate north-easterly wind. Visibility was good. Given the location of the vessel and the conditions at the time, it was decided that the safest option was to tow the vessel to Rosslare Harbour.

The towline was secured to the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat at 10.40pm. The yacht was safely berthed in Rosslare Harbour at 11.50pm alongside the lifeboat. All nine crew on board the yacht was wearing a flotation device and were unharmed.

Speaking following the call out, Tony Kehoe, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said; “We were delighted to work with our colleagues at Kilmore Quay RNLI to bring these nine sailors to safety. We would like to commend the sailors for going to sea prepared and for wearing proper flotation devices and having good communication equipment when at sea, that is always the right thing to do.”