WexfordLocal.com

Paul Nolan’s winning favourite

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Races

Joyeux Machin (11/10 favourite) was scored a popular local success in a hurdle race for trainer Paul Nolan and Enniscorthy brothers, Jim and Sam McCauley running in the colours of Rectory Road Holdings Ltd, impressively by seven lengths at Wexford races this evening with Wexford jockey Sean Flanagan in the saddle.

PAUL NOLAN saddled a winner at Wexford races this evening.

“He travelled and jumped well. Hopefully that trip will just have him more in his comfort zone. We will keep him going now and touch wood he stays right. He will probably go for a beginners chase on his next run, and we will see where we go from there”, said Paul Nolan afterwards.

Tinahely trainer Philip Rothwell scored with 17/2 shot Away To Milan (Simon Torrens up) in the second division of the handicap hurdle. Six lengths the verdict. Afterwards Rothwell said; “I felt I was getting good at training horses to finish second! Coming down here tonight I thought this lad had a decent chance. He made two mistakes the last day and tonight looked like a lesser contest really.

“I’ll probably give him a break now for a month as he is a big raw five-year-old. He won nicely and it’s great to get a winner. The horses are flying, and that’s my third winner of the season,” he concluded.

Gordon Elliott, who was present on the track, supplied a 1-2 in the rated hurdle with As Tears Go By (13/2) and Corey McGivern getting the better of I A Connect by a neck!

Trainer Robert Tyner and jockey Philip Enright won the handicap hurdle for John P. McManus with Search For A Myth (9/2 joint-favourite) depriving Philip Rothwell of a double as Warm in Gorey finished runner-up beaten two and a half lengths.

Hartur D’arc (4/1) ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe for the Thomas Gibney stables Trim, Co. Meath stables, were followed home by two Wexford runners – Liz Doyle’s High City Roller (Sean Flanagan) and Bob The Builder with Ross Berry up. Only a neck separated the first two across the line.

The handicap hurdle went to Tramore and John Flavin’s Midnight Our Fred (11/2) while the bumper went the day of Mousey Brown (10/1) for Dermot McLoughlin from Meath. Jack Hendrick took the runner-up spot with Down Around, owned and bred by Noel Dooly from Courtnacuddy, Enniscorthy. Just a short-head separated them.

Next racing at Bettyville Park is a two-day fixture on Tuesday, June 20^th (daytime) and Wednesday, June 21^st (evening).

World premiere opens Festival of Ferns

By Dan Walsh

The Festival of Ferns is a two-day festival on Sunday and Monday next weekend – which is the June Bank Holiday – and it opens with a unique concert, a world premiere performance in the beautiful setting of St. Eden’s Cathedral, Ferns, on Sunday starting at 7.30pm.

Featuring The Allabair Trio with vocalist Melanie O’Reilly, guitarist David Creevy and uilleann piper Brewen Favreau, with guest local choir the Chord On Blues, the concert will premiere a new song cycle composed by Melanie alongside O’Carolan pieces and other favourites.

This is very much a community driven project where local group the Ferns Heritage Project, with the help of funding from the Ancient Connections programme, commissioned the piece and introduced a unique approach to the process.

The concept of the song cycle was inspired by the stories and connection between St. Aidan (St. Maodoc) of Ferns and St. David in Wales. The approach to composing the song cycle was unusual in that it involved Melanie conducting workshops in both St. David’s and Ferns over the past year. This was an authentic process of research and development in rehearsal and something new to Melanie’s method of composing.

“When contacted by the Ferns Heritage Project, the concept excited me because I had already been working on a piece associated with St. Aidan and was excited by the prospect of delving deeper into the life of St. Aidan and his relationship with St. David”, Melanie said.

Linking the local ‘Chord On Blues’ choir with Melanie O’Reilly and The Allabair Trio was a win-win for all. Mary Moulds, leader of the choir said; “it was an incredible opportunity for our choir to work with musicians of the calibre of Melanie and The Allabair Trio. It has challenged us; it has given us confidence and it has helped us to see our potential and to continue to challenge ourselves. The overall ethos of our choir has always been to make anything we did enjoyable for everyone involved and to give people of all musical abilities a chance to shine”.

Information on how to book tickets for the concert in the Cathedral can be found on fernsvillage.ie. Details on festival events including music in local music on June 4^th as well as headline events on Monday, June 5^th to include a fantastic parade with giant puppets, re-enactment and outdoor performances can also be accessed on fernsvillage.ie website and social media.

Bride and groom on the crest of a wave

**Trevor Devereux and Michelle Hinchy sharing wedding day memories with Kilmore Quay’s Tamar class all-weather lifeboat, *Killarney*.**

By Dan Walsh

Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat lovers, Michelle Hinchy and Trevor Devereux switched their lifejackets and yellow wellies for wedding day finery in a beautiful marriage ceremony in the presence of family and friends.

Between them the bride and groom have over 50 years voluntary service with Kilmore Quay RNLI. Michelle, currently the station’s only female crew member, is also training to become a lifeboat navigator. Trevor is a qualified lifeboat Coxswain and mechanic, and alongside his volunteering duties, recently took up the role of Regional Resilience Coxswain Mechanic working at other lifeboat stations when needed.

Speaking following their wedding, Michelle said; “We had a wonderful day. The RNLI is a huge part of our lives, and it was odd not to be carrying a pager today but fantastic to celebrate with all our family, friends and especially our RNLI family, some that had travelled from far and wide to be here.”

Members of the station team were delighted to join the happy couple on their special day and the whole crew extend their best wishes to Trevor and Michelle for continued happiness in their life together.

John Grace, Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Michelle and Trevor are very much a part of our RNLI family here in Kilmore Quay. All of us at the station send them our congratulations and wish them fair winds and following seas.”

Wednesday racing at Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Bettyville Park plays host to a promising midweek Wednesday jump racing seven-race card with the first race off at 5.30pm.

There is a warm dry forecast which creates the ideal opportunity for families and a large attendance while the track is undergoing a watering programme to ensure safe conditions and the going is described as “good.”

5.30pm; The Wexford Racecourse Rated Hurdle of €17,000, 2 miles 1½ furlongs (8 runners).

6pm; The Boylesports Handicap Hurdle (Division 1) of €10,500, 2 miles 1½ furlongs (14 runners).

6.30pm; The Boylesports Handicap Hurdle (Division 2) of €10,500, 2 miles 1½ furlongs (14 runners).

7pm; The Wexford Racecourse Supporters Club Maiden Hurdle of €10,500, 2 miles 4 furlongs (9 runners).

7.30pm; The Support The Irish Injured Jockeys Maiden Hurdle of €12,000, 3 miles (5 runners).

8pm; The Country Fest Wexford August 13^th Handicap Hurdle of €10,500, 3 miles (14 runners).

8.30pm; The Racing Again June 20^th Flat Race of €10,500, 2 miles 4 furlongs (14 runners).

New 1798 memorial unveiled at Ballycarney

**ALAN OWENS and JOHNNY FOLEY jointly unveiled the new Redmond Brothers 1798 Memorial at Ballycarney crossroads this evening.**

By Dan Walsh at Ballycarney

The 225^th anniversary commemoration of the 1798 Rebellion moved to Ballycarney, beside the River Slaney, this evening (Sunday) were a stone memorial was unveiled at the crossroads where the earliest casualties – the Redmond brothers – of the rebellion lost their lives on the day before the Battle of Oulart Hill.

Castledockrell Pike Group with support from Bunclody and Kiltealy marched behind St. Colman’s Pipe Band, Ballindaggin from Redmond’s former homestead in Corah to Ballycarney crossroads for the unveiling ceremony.

The honour of unveiling the new memorial was jointly bestowed on Alan Owens and Johnny Foley. The blessing and prayers at the memorial were shared between Very Rev. Patrick Cushen, parish priest of Ferns, and Dean Very Rev. Paul Mooney of Ferns Union of Parishes.

Ben Plummer recited a poem entitled Ballycarney and the Ballindaggin Pipe Band played Amhrán na bFiann to conclude the dignified ceremony and all present retreated to the Old Post Office in Ballycarney for refreshments.

Public representatives present included Minister James Browne and Cllrs John O’Rourke and Barbara-Anne Murphy.

The event was organised by Ballycarney Development Group and historian Barry Lacey outlined the introduction and background to the memorial and he also acted as master of ceremonies.

The inscription on the memorial reads; “Erected to the memory of Pat and John Redmond, from the nearby townland of Corah, who were killed at this crossroads on May 26^th 1798 by Bunclody Yeomanry. Also their brother Mogue who was wounded but survived and lived into old age. All three were civilians and possibly the earliest casualties of the 1798 rebellion in Co. Wexford – Erected by the Ballycarney Development Group in 2023.”

All pikemen remembered on Oulart Hill

The scene on Oulart Hill this evening for the 225th commemorations of the Rebellion of 1798.

By Dan Walsh on Oulart Hill

Deceased members of Oulart pikemen (and women) from past commemorations in 1948 (150^th anniversary) and the bicentenary events in 1998 were remembered with pride for their community devotion in maintaining the history and heritage at the 225^th commemoration of the 1798 Rebellion in a dignified ceremony held on Oulart Hill this evening (Saturday).

There was a large gathering at the car park on Oulart Hill, site of the first major battle and victory, where John Dempsey, Chairman of Oulart Hill Development Group, presided over a warm welcome to everybody and acted as master of ceremonies. Local pikeman Declan Roche offered a special welcome to the local pike groups represented which included Oulart/Blackwater, Monageer and Boolavogue.

Peter O’Brien of Monavullen was afforded the privilege of unveiling a new stone-based memorial to the United Irishmen, the excellent work of Gorey sculptor Peter Kavanagh, whose talent was acknowledged by the crowd. Carol Ann Waldron presented a new painting of Tulach a t’Solas.

Leading historian Brian Ó Cléirigh spoke of the significance of the harp as an emblem of the Irish nation and the United Irishmen and he gave a brief, but most interesting outlook on Oulart Hill and its history relating to the events of 1798.

Music was a major part of the occasion. Aileen Kennedy and her talented young harpists gave outstanding renditions; Jimmy Adams sang ‘Four Green Fields’, Paddy White played an Irish selection on the accordion and Mary Farrell sang Boolavogue.

Mary Farrell performed Amhrán na bFiann to bring proceedings to an end in the car park and a Colour Party from the Capt. Wafer branch of O.N.E. lead a march from Hill Lane to Oulart Community Centre. Also represented were IUNVA Post 3 from Gorey and IUNVA Post 31 from Enniscorthy.

Afterwards, there were refreshments for all with camaraderie and chat in Oulart Community Centre, compliments of the Oulart Hill Development Group, organisers of the commemoration.

Man (21) charged with Enniscorthy murder

A man has appeared at Gorey District Court today (Saturday) charged with murder, assaulting and obstructing gardaí, attempting to escape custody and production of a weapon.

Adrian Zelek, who is 21 years old and from Westbury Wood in Enniscorthy, is charged with the murder of Michael Gladyszewski at an address in Enniscorthy on Thursday.

Detective Garda Paul Hayes told Judge Kevin Staunton that he arrested Adrian Zelek at Westbury Woods at 9.45pm on Thursday, May 25^th.

He charged him with all of the above offences at Enniscorthy Garda Station at 2.35pm today. The accused made no reply when charged.

The Judge said as the District Court cannot grant bail on a murder charge, he would remand Adrian Zelek to appear before Gorey District Court on Thursday, June 1^st.

At Boolavogue as the sun was setting…

**The participants at the pike march from The Harrow in the grounds of the Boolavogue Centre earlier this evening.**

By Dan Walsh at Boolavogue

With pride of place and a dignified ceremony the community of Boolavogue was joined in history and heritage by neighbouring groups at this evening’s (Friday) well attended and impressive pike march from The Harrow to the Fr. John Murphy Centre at Boolavogue proudly marking the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion.

Wreaths of remembrance were laid along the marching route from Bookey’s Stream at The Harrow performed by Aidan Kehoe, the honour was shared by ’98 Senator Seamus Burke and Walter Hall at the ’98 monument in Boolavogue Cemetery, while the famous Shorehole Jack Murphy (1744-1816) was also fondly remembered.

Ballindaggin Pipe Band led the parade which included pike groups from Boolavogue, Monageer and Oulart. The pleasant occasion ended in the preserved farmyard beside the Fr. Murphy Centre which was officially opened in 1998 by the then President of Ireland Mary McAleese.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, Padraig Sinnott, Chair of the Boolavogue Centre Committee paid tribute to the pike groups for their participation in this evening’s commemoration. They were rewarded with refreshments and a music celebration is taking place tonight in Kelly’s of The Harrow.

Mr. Sinnott acknowledged recent grant aid of €40,000 which will be used for re-roofing and re-thatching of the outhouses which deteriorated in recent years. “The work is under way,” he stated.

The Centre spans a 250-year period embracing both the historical and rural aspects of the area.

Fr. John Murphy was the Curate at Boolavogue from 1785 to 1798. He lived with the Donoghue family in the Townsland of Tomnaboley (an Irish word that means “the place for gathering the cows”) which is now known as the Fr. Murphy Centre until he went to lead the local insurgents in the 1798 Rebellion.

The message is; “Come to Boolavogue and hear his story as you wander around this typical traditional Irish farmyard and pose for some great photos with the vintage farming tools!” The Fr. John Murphy at Boolavogue is open seven days a week and all are welcome.

Arrest following fatal assault at Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí are investigating a fatal assault on a man that occurred in Enniscorthy on Thursday evening.

At approximately 8pm, Gardaí received reports of an unresponsive male with serious injuries at a residence at Westbury Woods, Enniscorthy.

The man, aged in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The body remains at the scene this morning.

The office of the State Pathologist has been notified and a post-mortem examination is expected to take place later today.

A man in his 20s has been arrested as part of this investigation. He is currently being detained at a Garda station in Wexford under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

A full investigation is currently being conducted at Enniscorthy Garda station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO). A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been appointed and will keep the family informed of this investigation.

The residence at Westbury Woods remains preserved for technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information that can assist with this investigation to come forward.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on 053 9233534, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

1798 225 events kick off today!

At the launch of VINEGAR HILL… The Last Stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798 were (left to right); Liz Hore, Head of Enterprise and Tourism, Tony Larkiin, Deputy CEO, Wexford County Council, Jacqui Hynes (co-editor), Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Ronan O’Flaherty (co-editor), Cllr Aidan Browne, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council and Cllr Jackser Owens. Pic. Patrick Browne ; Dateline September 2021 (File Pic).

By Dan Walsh

The 225^th anniversary of the Rebellion of 1798 in County Wexford kicks off this evening (Friday) with a number of events, continues over the weekend and for a number of weeks, and thanks to the staff at the National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy WexfordLocal.com aims to keep everybody informed of events happening, although it must be accepted that some timelines are close together, but it is the people’s choice to attend at their favourite location.

FRIDAY (today) events; A wreath laying ceremony will be held in The Harrow at 6.30pm followed by a pike march to the Fr. John Murphy Centre at Boolavogue and the commemorations continue with music and other entertainment at Kelly’s Bar, The Harrow.

At 7pm in Presentation Arts Centre at Enniscorthy, leading historian Dr. Kevin Whelan will open the new Summer School initiative and his talk is entitled “The 1798 Rebellion in Wexford; What should we think about it now? This is a free event.

SATURDAY events in Enniscorthy includes; 11am, Battle of Enniscorthy Tour with Fintan Kelly. Assemble in Market Square.

12.30pm; Battle of Enniscorthy event on Enniscorthy Castle Roof.

2pm; Guided tour of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy.

4pm; The Battle of Vinegar Hill with Jacqui Hynes and Ronan O’Flaherty, editors of Vinegar Hill – The Last Stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798 – (published by Four Courts Press, 2021).

Saturday 6pm; A memorial to the United Irishmen will be unveiled at Tulach a tSolas on Oulart Hill. Afterwards, there will be a pike march back to Oulart village followed by stories and songs accompanied by Aileen Kennedy’s harpists, a few words from historian Brian Ó Cléirigh and refreshments. All are welcome.