Wexford’s Ukraine refurbishment programme

By Dan Walsh at the January meeting of Wexford County Council

The Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT) will meet next month to consider the Ukraine Refurbishment Programme for Co. Wexford and letters of consent have been issued for three properties in Wexford town, three properties in Enniscorthy town and district and a new project for Ryland Road, Bunclody.

This information was announced to elected members today (Monday) at the January meeting of Wexford County Council held in the Council Chamber, Carricklawn, Wexford. Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach, was in the chair.

It was stated that the LAIT “continues to place displaced Ukrainian families who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection Orders (BTPO’s) in properties across Wexford, in both rural and urban areas.”

Unity Square is the new title for the old Garda Station on Roche’s Road in Wexford town and it is expected to have an occupancy of 57 and a completion date of December 2024.

The site became a vacant building when the new Garda Headquarters opened at The Folly, Mulgannon, in 2017. The OPW-owned property at Roches’s Road which included the station measuring 440 square metres and two semi-detached houses of 75 square metres each along with a yard and outbuildings, and was sold to a County Wexford buyer by auctioneers Sherry Fitzgerald Radford for €150,000 more than the original guide price.

Later, the OPW instructed the auctioneers to place it on the open market with a guide price of €650,000. Last March, the property was sold at auction for €800,000.

WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS at Carricklawn, Wexford.

Other Wexford town properties include numbers 94,96 and 98 Main Street, the former Colman Doyle properties with an occupancy of 58, and properties at numbers 1 and 2, Michael Street, Wexford town, has plans to accommodate a total of 19. April and September, the completion dates here!

The old Ulster Bank site at 22, Rafter Street, Enniscorthy (15), and Borrmount Lodge, Borrmount Village, Bree, (37), first recorded here on WexfordLocal.com (see September 14th 2023 report on the website) are expecting completion in April and June

Templeshannon House in Enniscorthy is earmarked for an occupancy of 15, and the completion date is March, while a new project at Ryland Road, Bunclody, will have an occupancy of 21 from April.

While it is anticipated that engagement with the public may improve, the general view is that communications will consist solely of information, but the policies are in place, and it will be no more than a token gesture. Private arrangements! It is going to be a difficult year for our elected representatives and the relationship of support as the local authority elections are just four months away!

Foggy view for Fairwood racing fans

Limited visibility due to the fog at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, this afternoon.

By Dan Walsh at Fairwood Park, Tinahely

Many of the brave hardy crowd who gathered for the Shillelagh & District Hunt point-to-point at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, today (Sunday), got the better of the bookies, but were deprived of viewing the thrill of success by the complete lack of visibility as a blanket of fog persisted all afternoon.

Commentator Richard Pugh was forced to put aside his binoculars as he could see absolutely nothing through the fog that invaded his commentary position. Punters had to rely on the official results after each race before knowing if their luck was in or out!

Nevertheless, the six-race card went ahead on schedule and safely and for some it was an occasion to remember – even if it will never make an entry to the video archive!

Popular Conna, Co. Cork, rider John Barry recorded his 200th career winner on Locken Lady in the maiden race for five-year-old mares. Ellmarie Holden from Balyhale, Co. Kilkenny was the successful handler.

Jordan Kidd, (21), from Kentstown, Co. Meath, enjoyed his first every winner on Arverne for Gavin Cromwell by half-a-length in the Open Lightweight Race. Kidd, who admits to being ‘a bit heavy to be a jockey’ has been riding out at Cromwell’s stables for about a year and looking forward; “I would like to be a trainer,” he said afterwards.

Christine Worrell, (20), from Monasterevin, also notched up her first winner on her third ride in point-to-points and one spin on the track. She provided a winner for owner/handler Paddy Quinlan on Elusive Touch by one length in the mares’ maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards.

Barry O’Neill rode his 20th winner of the season on Colin Bowe’s Admiral Stewart in the maiden race for five-year-olds with a six lengths front running performance finishing ahead of Skuna Bay (Denis Murphy and Jack Hendrick) with Mount Rinjani (Robert Tector and Jamie Scallan) two lengths further back in third place.

Kyle Vally was a winner for rider Ross Sugrue in the Winners of One for novice riders, who was favoured by the “ground conditions”, sporting the colours of Caroline Doyle of Tullow and handled by Sean Osborne from Clonegal.

Michael Murphy’s Redbridge Stables at Duncormick enjoyed the first success of the season with Class Award in the gelding’s maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards. He scored by ‘a neck’ under rider Darragh Higgins.

The fog never relented although the view changed regularly and there was always the hope that it would drop away but the low temperatures persisted. The track performed well “soft, soft to heavy in places” was the official going and the well wrapped up point-to-point enthusiasts never complained!  

Explore ‘Gold Rush’ region on Croghan mountain walking trail

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Walking Trails, with the support of Wexford County Council, Healthy Wexford and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) are inviting people to get outdoors and explore some of Co. Wexford’s fabulous country trails during 2024.

Map courtesy of Wexford Walking Trails.

All are welcome. It may be a chilly, but weather conditions will be ‘dry’ for the first walk of the New Year taking place tomorrow (Sunday), just 17kms from Gorey and it’s the Croghan Mountain Walking Trail.

The walk will take place on an established and fully Sport Ireland accredited trail. The trail is graded as moderate and is suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness, but care is required. Good outdoor walking footwear, suitable clothing and snacks and/ or drinks are all recommended.

The walk commences at the entrance to Ratheenleagh Windfarm on the Ballyfad-Woodenbridge Road. The Irish name for Croghan is Cruachán Chinnsealaigh which signifies the association of the area with the ancient Uí Chinnsealaigh clan.

Meeting at the entrance to Raheenleagh Wind Farm at 2pm, the walk should take about two a half hours to complete over a distance of eight kilometres with an ascent of 300 metres. Teas/coffees/biscuits will be served in the Ballyfad Community Centre after the walk.

“In 1795 the area on the north-eastern flank of the mountain at Ballinvalley was the subject of Ireland’s only gold rush. Nuggets of gold were found in the stream (the Gold Mines River) and once word got out there was a rush of people to the area. It estimated that over 3,000 ounces of gold were removed by panning,” Peter O’Connor, Chairman Wexford Walking Trails told WexfordLocal.com, however, he cannot guarantee that any gold will emerge on tomorrow’s walking trail, but he does assure participants; “If weather conditions are right, you may be able to get a glimpse of the Welsh Mountains across the Irish Sea.”

Sunday’s point-to-point news

By Dan Walsh

Jumping the first fence at Tinahely (File Pic).

The first point-to-point fixture of 2024 takes place next Sunday at Fairwood, Tinahely, and although the entry is small – 60 entries – it is a good quality card that should attract a good crowd.

A course inspection took place today (Friday) where the going is reported as “soft, soft to heavy in places.” Weather prediction is ‘dry’ up to Sunday with temperatures of 0-5 degrees on Saturday night. The first race is underway at 12.30pm.

The card and entries for Sunday’s fixture at Fairwood, Tinahely (Eircode Y14 X523) is as follows; 12.30 pm; 5 years old mares maiden race (7 entries); 1pm; 5 years old geldings maiden race (19 entries); 1.30pm; Shillelagh & District Hunt Open Race (9 entries); 2pm; Winners of One Race confined to novice riders (7 entries); 2.30pm; 6 years old plus mares maiden race (6 entries); 3pm; 6 years old plus geldings maiden (12 entries).

Search for 2024 young artists

By Dan Walsh

The search to find the young artists who will excel in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition has begun.

Last year two students from Co. Wexford won prizes in the Competition, which is now in its 70th year and widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, February 28th. Judging will take place in March with winners to be announced in April.

More details are available at www.texacochildrensart.com or at Texaco service stations throughout the county. 

Match moves as darkness hits the park!

By Dan Walsh

Wednesday night’s first round O’Byrne Cup football clash between Wexford and Wicklow at Innovate Wexford Park produced a successful ‘moving venue’ scenario in very unusual circumstances.

Many spectators were already in their seats and the visiting Wicklow team were already out on the pitch and soon the game would start when the floodlights embarked on a flickering motion as an electrical fault developed.

Despite best efforts to rectify the troublesome technical crisis with a generator the fault could not be solved in time, and, consequently, the match was transferred to the Halo Tiles Centre of Excellence at Ferns at short notice with a revised 8.30pm kick off.

Eventually, the match got under way at 9pm and produced a good local result with Wexford defeating Wicklow, 4-15 to 2-12, strongly supported with goals from Mark Rossiter (two), Ben Brosnan and Conor Kinsella.

Male (30s) injured on the Duncannon Line

By Dan Walsh

The Duncannon Line stretch on the R733 between the Mountain Bar and the crossroads at Redshire Road has reopened to traffic following a road collision that happened last evening (Wednesday) shortly after 6pm.

A male pedestrian in his 30s, who is reported locally as having been directing another car onto the road, was struck by a passing vehicle.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene. He was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Waterford. His condition is described as “non-life threatening.”

Engaging communities and artists in Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh at the December meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council

Creative Places, Enniscorthy, is an Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon award, a new and innovative initiative from the Arts Council, who is also funding the projects, which hopes to embed creative arts practice into communities and was introduced at the December meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

In a presentation to the meeting, Daryn O’Callaghan, Co-Ordinator, explained that Creative Places will engage with communities and artists in Enniscorthy, over this 3-year award and hope to put down strong roots for the future for creativity in the lives of the people.

“The priorities include making arts experience more accessible and consider how artistic interventions can contribute to a sense of place and community,” said Ms. O’Callaghan.

The presentation was appreciated by the members, but the Christmas spirit soon evaporated when members learned that they had no role in the distribution of funding towards the programme which they negatively appreciated was “not in our control”.

CLLR JOHN O’ROURKE, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal Dist. Council

Cllr Jackser Owens questioned the lack of public representation on the committee. “This can’t be right. We need members of this Council on the committee,” he stated. Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy supported Cllr Owens and queried “a lack of input from the committee.”

Cllr Cathal Byrne felt this was an attack on local democracy and stated that it was important that a councillor be on the committee. Cllr Aidan Browne added his support to the debate.

Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Rourke complimented Daryn O’Callaghan, project co-ordinator, and Elizabeth Whyte, CEO Wexford Arts Centre, who was also in attendance for the excellent presentation and was promised the Council’s support for Creative Places, Enniscorthy, during its three-year existence.  

Plans for two Co. Wexford schools

By Dan Walsh

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth TD today (Tuesday) launched the next phase of the school retrofitting pathfinder programme.

Two Co. Wexford schools are included in the programme; St Kevin’s National School at Tara Hill, Gorey and Kennedy College, New Ross.

Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the announcement. “Schools often face significant bills for heating and energy use. Any way to make them more energy efficient is positive. These are two good schools in Wexford that will benefit but ultimately, it is hoped all schools could be retrofitted,” he concluded.

SENATOR MALCOLM BYRNE welcomes schools retrofit funding.

Up to 14 schools will be retrofitted and upgraded to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B with renewable heating to reduce their CO2 emissions by 51 per cent. There is a targeted budget of €50 million for this new phase of the Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder Programme. It is being jointly funded by the Department of Education and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The programme will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Department of Education, with delivery support from Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB).   

2024 investment projects for Rosslare

By Dan Walsh

Preliminary figures from Iarnród Éireann show rail passenger journeys in 2023 achieved one of their highest ever totals, as the post-COVID recovery continued. An estimated 45.5 million journeys have been made during the past 12 months, up from 35.8 million in 2022.

Looking forward to 2024, Iarnród Éireann states that new train carriages will enter service, new DART carriages will begin to arrive, and major rail projects in all cities and Rosslare Europort ORE project are set to progress. 

Iarnród Éireann is also Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, and its status as Ireland’s Gateway to Europe has been confirmed with 36 services operating directly between the Port and Europe each week. 

As well as investment in the Port Masterplan, an ambitious €200 million plan to become Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy Hub is progressing, with the port uniquely placed to support the development of the industry in the Celtic and Irish Seas. The planning process for this key national and regional strategic investment will be progressed throughout 2024.

Waterford’s Plunkett Station is being relocated to be part of an integrated transport hub under plans to develop the city’s North Quays.