Gorey communities are mourning the sad loss of well-known Gorey businessman, Paschal Whitmore, who was laid to rest in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Gorey, following Requiem Mass in St. Michael’s Church, Gorey, yesterday (Wednesday).
From The Avenue, Gorey, and formerly of Whitmore Jewellers 37 Main Street, Gorey, Paschal passed away peacefully on Friday, April 8th at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Dublin, surrounded by his loved ones.
PASCHAL WHITMORE
A kind and highly respectable member of the community Paschal was well-known from Whitmore Jewellers on Gorey’s Main Street a family business established by his parents, Jack and Bridie Whitmore, in 1957. Whitmore Jewellers also have a branch in Gorey Shopping Centre.
He was very much admired in sporting circles and served as President of Gorey Rugby Club, 2002 and 2003, and played in tournaments through his long involvement with Courtown Golf Club.
Deepest sympathy is extended to the beloved husband of Caroline, loving father of Cathal, Ciaran, Deirdre and Bryan, son of Bridie and the late Jack and brother of John, Brenda, Leonard, Lynda and Anna. Deeply regretted by his loving wife, daughter, sons, mother, sisters, brothers, uncle, grandchildren, daughter-in-law, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours. R.I.P.
A new public art commission will be launched in St. Edan’s Cathedral, Ferns. Do the Little Things is a new public artwork designed for two locations: Ferns and St David’s, Pembrokeshire, commissioned by Ancient Connections and is an EU funded cross border arts, heritage and tourism project.
Bedwyr Williams’ distinctive proposal was selected from a shortlist and Do the Little Things connects the two communities of Ferns and St David’s through the practice of beekeeping, reflecting the medieval story of St David and his friendship with St, Aidan, who, it is believed, brought bees back to Ireland from Wales.
“Bees have linked Wales and Wexford since the 6th century, when it is reported St David gifted a hive of bees to an Irish pupil to keep, after his monastery bees twice followed their favourite monk home to Ireland and had to be brought back”, said the Very Revd Paul Mooney, Dean of St. Edan’s Cathedral. Ferns, who added; “We’re delighted to welcome this striking symbol of the ties between us and to honour the friendship between our own Saint Aidan (Mogue) or Edan, and Saint David of Wales.”
Three oversized skeps (traditional beekeeper’s hives) made from cedar wood are being installed in both locations. These living sculptures will contain bee colonies that are being cared for by local beekeepers and community groups, who will be harvesting and selling honey in labelled jars designed by the artist and local school children.
Bedwyr says: “I’m interested in objects that invite communities to become active participants to make the artwork whole. St David’s last words were “Gwnewch y pethau bychain” or “Do the little things.” This ethos has guided the development of my proposal, which is founded on the story of St David and St Aidan and steeped in the magic and history of these two intertwined locations.”
Sited in the grounds of St Edan’s Cathedral Church heritage graveyard, the work opens to the public on Saturday from 12 pm. The launch event will bring community groups to the site for a question-and-answer session with the artist and local beekeeper from ‘Ferns Honey’, Joe Kelly; folklore and storytelling, and a performance of music and song by Melanie O’Reilly, David Creevy and the ‘Chord On Blues’ Ferns Community Choir, led by Mary Moulds.
Rock armour helping with coastal erosion at Ballinamona beach, Blackwater. (File Picture).
By Dan Walsh at special meeting of Wexford County Council
Wexford’s coastline consists of 260kms, one of the biggest in the country, and 211kms is described as ‘soft coastline’ and is vulnerable to erosion, members learned at a special meeting of Wexford County Council on “climate change, coastal erosion, coastal flooding and rising sea levels” held in the Council Chamber today (Tuesday).
Members became angry and raised serious concerns about the failure to address flooding and coastal erosion problems when it emerged that there “is no national strategy for managing coastal erosion.”
Cllr Jim Moore said there were 21 ‘risk zones’ in 260kms of coastline and he asked what supports are there? He was appalled that there is “no lead (strategy) on a coastline in an island nation that has a plethora of issues. He recalled that 3,000 acres of land was nearly lost to the sea last year and there is no lead agency dealing with this!
Cllr Joe Sullivan was amazed that out of 260kms, only 15kms had rock armour, and he felt that is “very low.” He drew attention to three private properties in North Wexford that are “land locked” because the roadway has been completely washed away.
Cllr Ger Carthy said that when it comes to coastal protection, “we are talking in a vacuum.” “Are we going to let land and houses go out to sea. We have no money, absolutely zero. We have no funding, no commitment for funding, and by the way, coast analysis for the value of houses is a job for auctioneers and valuers, not engineers. We are not serious about any of this,” he concluded.
Cllr Lisa McDonald was appalled that there is no national lead agency, no national strategy, and she recalled that Minister Patrick Donovan said on a visit to Wexford that Youghal to Wicklow is the most vulnerable in the country. “The soft soil of Wexford is falling into the sea and there is no national plan. They are reclaiming land in other countries, but we are an island nation willing to let the land fall into the sea,” she added.
Cllr Jim Codd recalled the situation in Bridgetown at Christmas 2021. “That land was reclaimed from the sea and now it is going back to the sea.” He wanted to know what has been done differently to prevent flooding again at Bridgetown?
Cllr Pat Barden believed the council staff were doing their best without resources and he spoke about a situation at Grange beach where a man took action to prevent his home from being washed away and he ended up in court!
Cllr Michael Whelan raised concerns about 2kms of public road at St. Kearns where a wall has deteriorated in the last 12 months, and it is protecting land.
Cllr Cathal Byrne said he is “very disappointed”. “Eight generations of my family farmed land at Poulshone and now it is totally gone,” he said. Cllr Michael Sheehan referred to recent flooding in Wexford, Enniscorthy and New Ross.
It emerged from the meeting that rock armour was costing €8,000 per metre. This cost shocked the room. Cllr Pip Breen suggested opening old quarries to solve the rock armour supply from the nearest point. “There are about 60 closed quarries in the parishes where rock armour could be sourced. Bring back the small quarries, I’d say,” added Cllr Breen.
The meeting heard from Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, Frank Burke, Climate Action Co-ordinator, Gerry Forde, Senior Engineer, George Colfer, Coastal Engineer, and Mark Adamson, OPW Head of Flood Risk Management and Climate Adaptation Division. Cllr Mary Farrell was in the chair.
The big Easter Monday racing interest centred on the Irish Grand National meeting at Fairyhouse where long shots prevailed and odds-on favourites lost out, but Wexford interests were served well at three venues.
JAMIE CODD … a bumper winner at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.
At Fairyhouse Colm Murphy’s Killena, Gorey, stables enjoyed success with Mac’s Charm ridden by Brian Hayes in the handicap chase who did the business by two and a quarter lengths.
Jamie Codd captured the National day bumper on Firefox (evens favourite) for Gordon Elliott.
Barry O’Neill travelled to Cork and teamed up with Jim Dreaper on Lar’s Lass (13/2) and came home four and a half lengths to the good in the hunter’s chase.
They raced at Loughanmore in East Antrim on Saturday and were back to the same track today. Cormac Doyle raised the Wexford flag in the auction race for four year old maidens with Getaway Glory, ridden by Ross Sugrue in the colours of the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership, beating Benny Walsh’s Skin Full by one and a half lengths.
The county launch for Pieta’s Darkness Into Light (DIL) walk was held last Sunday in Whites Hotel, Wexford, and was officially opened by Beat FM radio presenter Shonagh Lyons.
Cllr Leonard Kelly addressed the attendance, talking about the importance of mental health and charities such as Pieta House on assisting those in need. He particularly focused on young people’s mental health and he emphasised that “they are our future.”
Suzy Freeman from Pieta told the gathering; “In 2022, over 115,000 people took part in Darkness Into Light. This support starts in small towns and villages such as in Wexford.”
RUAIRI RYAN is helping to organise Darkness Into Light for Enniscorthy.
She also gave details of Pieta’s services. “Providing suicide crisis Helpline and Text line staffed by qualified therapists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year,” she stated.
Sean Kinsella, from the Wexford DIL committee described his own personal journey with Pieta. praising Pieta for help he received from them in the past.
Ruairí Ryan, from the Enniscorthy DIL committee then spoke about his personal experience on his work with mental health and how he got involved in helping organise Darkness Into Light for Enniscorthy.
“After doing the walk last year in New Ross, I wondered, why we didn’t have a walk in Enniscorthy. So, I got in touch with Pieta and luckily so did Kerry, helping form a committee. I’m excited to play my part in bringing back the walk to Enniscorthy this year, after the Covid pandemic,” added Ruairi.
The annual Darkness Into Light walk takes place on Saturday. May 6th starting at Bellfield GAA club. “We realise that suicide has impacted every part of the community in Enniscorthy. Join us to show solidarity and support for Pieta’s vital services,” Ruairi Ryan told WexfordLocal.com today.
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Cllr Aidan Browne recalled the local events of the Easter Rising of 1916 and laid a wreath at the ’98 memorial during the annual commemoration in Market Square this morning.
Remembering the 1916 Rising in Market Square, Enniscorthy, this morning.
Cllr Browne said it was an honour to preside at the 107th anniversary of the Easter Rising. “Today we remember the people who believed in the republican cause and influenced events that saw the Tricolour flying over Enniscorthy for a week. As we gather to remember the events of the past it is fitting to recall the events that took place in these streets 107 years ago this week,” said Cllr Browne.
Outlining the sequence of events, Cllr Browne recalled that the 1916 Rebellion in Enniscorthy began at 4am on Thursday of Easter week. The first headquarters was based in Irish Street and Keegan’s house was the base for 90 men who marched to the Athenaeum.
The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cathal Byrne, Jackser Owens, Ger Carthy and John Fleming
The ceremony began with Mass in St. Aidan’s Cathedral and an FCA Colour Party led the parade up Main Street, across Pig Market Hill, down Weafer Street into Market Square where Claire Lawless, District Manager, acted as master of ceremonies.
The event was attended by Ballindaggin Pipe Band, IUNVA Post No. 3 – Gorey and IUNVA Post No. 31 – Enniscorthy, members of O.N.E and members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society. Judy Heffernan read the 1916 Proclamation and Anthony Nolan played The Last Post.
DR RAY BASSETT (guest speaker), BRIDGET MYTHEN, BREDA JACOB and Chairman JOHN DEMPSEY at the Mise Éire commemoration in Oulart this morning.
By Dan Walsh in Oulart
Members of Oulart Company 3rd Battalion North Wexford Brigade who were active during the 1916 Easter Rising were remembered with a roll call at the second annual Mise Éire commemoration held at the Mise Éire monument in Oulart this morning (Sunday).
Ms. Bridget Mythen read the roll of honour while Ms. Breda Jacob read the 1916 Proclamation in the company of a good local attendance which included many of the local families. Cllr Mary Farrell was in attendance.
Mr. John Dempsey, Chairman of the Oulart Hill Development Group welcomed everyone, acted as master of ceremonies, and introduced the speakers and thanked them for their contribution.
The Easter address was delivered by Dr. Ray Bassett, a former member of the Irish Government Delegation to the All-Party Talks in 1998. His antecedents come for the Hook area of Co. Wexford.
Dr. Bassett’s speech reflected on the Good Friday Agreement, and he began by thanking Brian Ó Cléirigh and the local organisers for the invitation to speak in Oulart which is famed in Wexford’s history since the Insurrection of 1798.
“Twenty-five years ago, I was in Castle Buildings in Belfast as part of the Irish Government delegation, led by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, at the negotiations which led to the conclusion of the Good Friday or Belfast Agreement.
“It was an extraordinary privilege to be present and to participate in that event. It was without a shadow of doubt, the pinnacle of my career, a career the bulk of which I spent on issues relating to Northern Ireland.
DR RAY BASSETT talking to DAN WALSH in Oulart this morning.
“As I listen to much of the commentary around the anniversary, I am struck by the various attempts particularly those “experts” in the media who re-interpret what was achieved on that occasion. They also seek justification for previous policy positions which in the more distant past proved to be futile, including the policy of exclusion of some political movements. The reason why the Good Friday Agreement negotiations were successful is because it was a radically different approach and outcome from all previous attempts.
“The central thrust of the negotiations was to achieve an end to political violence in the North and this meant bringing the Republican movement and the Loyalist groups on board while keeping a broad swathe of Unionism and Constitutional nationalism from walking away. Without securing Sinn Féin’s agreement and the Loyalist parties too, then the exercise would have been pointless, a position which I was glad to hear former British Prime Minister Tony Blair emphasise recently. That primary objective was achieved, and the bulk of the violence ended.
Dr Bassett continued; “One question that must be asked is whether the final outcome made the ultimate goal of Nationalism/Republicanism, Irish unity more likely or less likely. It cannot come as a surprise to anyone that as a former delegate to the Talks process, I firmly and sincerely believe that the Good Friday Agreement was a major milestone on the road to unity.”
In relation to a Border Poll, Dr. Bassett said: “With voting and attitudinal changes occurring inside the North, it is time the Irish Government, in particular as a co-signatory of the Good Friday Agreement, began to press for a timetable for a border poll. We should not be in anyway shy about doing this and although some groups will say that a demand for a poll will be destabilising, I believe that ignoring the terms of the Agreement is both unconstitutional in the Republic and is also I believe destabilising.
“The Good Friday Agreement is now part of the Irish Constitution. We need to respect our Constitution and there is a duty on the Irish administration to see its terms upheld.
“Our three traditional parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour were all founded by men, who were steeped in revolutionary Republicanism and who vehemently rejected splitting Ireland into two States. Therefore, as the dream of their founders now appears as a realistic possibility, the party leaders of these political organisations should rejoice and feel a sense of achievement. But some, though not all, radiate a fear of its accomplishment. As with many issues in life, the fundamental motivation is self-interest, masked by claims of acting for the national good.
“The Irish Government argued for years with Republicans to get them to accept the principle of democratic consent. This was achieved after a long struggle. For us to turn around and renege on that principle would be morally wrong and discredit all those who risked their lives for peace. It is also breath taking in arrogance that some Southern politicians can casually state that Unionists are incapable of accepting the outcome of a democratic referendum.
“There are several lessons to be learnt from the major Constitutional change, namely Brexit, which occurred in our British neighbour. The first and foremost is that people voting on a border poll need to know what they are voting for in some detail. In this respect a great deal of preparatory work needs to be done. We need to maintain good relations with the British in the interests of Irish unity.
“I would hope it is not just an extension of the present Irish State to cover the 32 counties. The possibility of unification offers us all a chance to reboot the State and to reflect the full range of interests of the Irish people.
DR. RAY BASSETT signs the distinguished Leabhar an Abhalloirt
“I believe that we should look forward with enthusiasm and an open mind to the reunification of our country. Of course, there are many obstacles but there are enough brains and innovation in both States to overcome these difficulties. I am fed up with politicians and some elements of the media preaching very negative sentiments and openly attacking some of the fundamental cornerstones of the Good Friday Agreement while piously proclaiming their adherence to it.
As Parnell, one of my personal heroes, put it succinctly, “No man has the right to fix a boundary to the march of a nation.” and the small-minded nature of some political figures in Dublin are seeking through self-interest to do just that. Let us greatly welcome the prospect of Irish unity and embrace it with enthusiasm and generosity.”
The Oulart ceremony concluded with the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann by the Oulart Folk Group.
Dr. Bassett honoured the invitation from the Curator, Bridget O’Leary, to sign the distinguished visitor pages of Leabhar an Abhalloirt afterwards in the House of Stories.
Today’s point-to-point action at Oldtown, Co. Meath featured winners for Wexford riders and handlers and rider James Walsh, Preban, Tinahely, recorded his 70th career point-to-point win in the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings.
JAMES WALSH rode his 70th point-to-point winner today.
Walsh was aboard Grand Albert for local owner/handler Virginia Considine from Rathmolyon and the winning margin was a comfortable twelve lengths.
Rob James, who is out of the saddle through injury, was successful wearing his handler’s hat in the maiden race for four-year-olds when Oak Grove prevailed by a neck with Finian Maguire in the saddle.
Newcomer Dairylane Daisy was a winner for John C. Byrne from Kilmore in the five- and six-year-old mares’ maiden race. Barry Stone, Cleariestown, was in the saddle and the winning margin was one length.
Barry O’Neill is one winner away from the half century for the season following a four lengths success on Bold Enough for David Christie in the Open Race.
The 107th anniversary of the Easter Rising in Enniscorthy, 1916, will be remembered in the annual commemorative event organised by Enniscorthy Municipal District Council on Easter Monday.
Ceremonies will commence with a celebration of Mass in St. Aidan’s Cathedral at 10am followed by a procession to Market Square where Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne will lay a wreath at the 1798 monument.
In a separate remembrance ceremony, craobh Inis Cóirthe Sinn Féin Cumann will stage its annual Easter Monday commemoration, assembling at 2pm on Rafter Bridge and at 2.30pm marching to St. Mary’s Cemetery. The main speaker is Kathleen Funchion, TD.
Several wreaths will be laid along the way. The return procession will travel via Nunnery Road and terminate at the Market Square with Amhrán na bhFiann.
There will be a function in Bellefield GAA Complex from 5pm onwards. All are encouraged to wear an Easter Lily in honour of the patriot dead.
Today’s Easter Saturday point-to-point fixture at Loughanmore in East Antrim produced two Wexford handled winners.
Jenny Walsh, owner, and handler and rider Benny Walsh, Murrintown, won the four-year-old mares’ maiden race by seven lengths with Star of Hoiho, who is now on her way to the sales.
Ellen Doyle saddled the Baltimore Stables Syndicate’s newcomer I Play County for division two of the four-year-old geldings maiden which ended with a two lengths success under Brian Dunleavy.
This was Ellen’s 11th winner of the year, so she is enjoying her most successful season so far in five years of holding the licence.
WexfordLocal.com 