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.
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.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern speaking at the 1798 Battle of Ross commemoration at The Three Bullet Gate today.
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 30th and 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.
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.”
Pictured at the press reception at Enniscorthy Castle this evening were (left to right); Leo McCoy, Chairman of Wexford Normandy Cultural Association (WNCA), Brendan Crowley, President of Wexford Chamber of Commerce, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Mayor of Wexford Cllr Maura Bell in her role as Hon. President of WNCA), Cllr Cathal Byrne, His Excellency Vincent Guerénd, Ambassade De France En Irelande, Melanie O’Reilly, secretary WNCA and master of ceremonies, Catherine McPartlin, treasurer WNCA, Cllr John O’Rourke, Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Claire Lawless, Enniscorthy District Manager.
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy
The French Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Vincent Guérend visited Enniscorthy this evening where he advocated to “the strengthen the relationship between Ireland and France” and was delighted to participate in the 225th commemorations of the Rebellion of 1798.
Monsieur Guérend spoke at a press reception in Enniscorthy Castle, after he was given a tour of the castle by Eve Furlong, Deputy Manager, and the castle staff.
The ambassador returned thanks for the invite and described Ireland as “the EU’s closest country” post Brexit and alluded to the Year of the French, 50 years of Ireland’s membership of the EU, and referred to “the next chapter post Brexit.” He concluded by expressing his delight “to see so many friends of France.”
Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council welcomed Monsieur Guerend and spoke of the links between France and Ireland, and in particular, the Rebellion of 1798.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Chair of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre Committee, gave a brief history of Enniscorthy castle and the events of 1798.
Melanie O’Reilly from Wexford Normandy Cultural Association acted as master of ceremonies, welcomed all to the reception and a pleasant occasion was shared by all in attendance.
The ambassador was later guest of honour at the Lecture Programme held in the Presentation Arts Centre where the National 1798 Rebellion Centre in conjunction with the Wexford Normandy Culture Association presented a public conversation entitled The ideals of Revolution; Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
It featured historians, Dr. Liam Chambers of the University of Limerick and Dr. Elaine Callinan from Carlow College. The moderator was Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy from Wexford County Council.
Music was provided before the conversation by the Irish and French musicians of The Allabair Trio, Melanie O’Reilly (vocals), David Creevy (guitar) and Brewen Favrau (uileann pipes and Irish whistle).
This event was kindly hosted in conjunction with Wexford County Council, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, The Wexford Normandy Cultural Association and Melanie O’Reilly, who is a fluent French speaker.
Customers in Enniscorthy and surrounding areas on the Enniscorthy Regional Water Supply Scheme are advised by Uisce Éireann that essential night-time water restrictions are required from tonight (Friday) until Monday morning, from 11pm to 6am on each of the three nights to help reservoir levels recover.
Low water in the River Slaney at Barker Bridge (File Pic).
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com about conserving water, Uisce Éireann’s Regional Asset Operations Lead, Ronan Walsh said: “We are appealing to communities across Wexford to conserve water to give the reservoirs time to replenish. We have had a very dry period and with the warmer weather currently being experienced and more forecasted, supplies will come under increased pressure. Any reduction that customers can make in their usage can collectively result in significant supply improvements for all customers. I would ask that everyone in Wexford play their part to help conserve water this summer.”
Uisce Éireann working in partnership with Wexford County Council say that customers in Enniscorthy town and surrounding areas will experience low pressure and/or outages. It can take two to three hours following low pressure for normal supply to be fully restored to all areas as water refills the network.
Water demand will continue to be monitored and further restrictions may be required. Further updates will be issued. Communities across Co Wexford are urged to be mindful of their water usage as increased domestic and commercial demand is being exacerbated by warm weather conditions.
Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Éireann 24/7 at 1800 278 278 or on water.ie.
Michael Fortune (producer), Larry Connors (participant), Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council (who performed the launch) and Sally Murphy (tutor WWETB) at the launch of No Twixing or Crossing in Bunclody Library tonight (Thursday).
By Dan Walsh in Bunclody
A new book called No Twixing or Crossing was launched in Bunclody Library tonight by Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Aidan Browne, who complimented all associated with “this collection of superstitions, beliefs, practices, ritual cures, verses and stories from Bunclody.”
Cllr Browne told the large attendance presence that the work was transcribed and interpreted by artist and folklorist Michael Fortune from conversations with a group of Traveller Women from Bunclody area in January and February of this year and he paid tribute to everyone involved with the publication.
Michael Fortune pointed out that what is striking about this collection is the lack of names associated with the stories.
“For many folklorists, collectors and historians, this very fact goes against all the standards of recording and documenting, as the person’s name is a vital part of the story,” said Mr. Fortune, who added; “However, this was the condition that the group made with me prior to this publication; all the stories were to be nameless. The stories were of and from their community and not the individual.”
Mr Fortune singled out Larry Connors for his contribution, said it was a privilege to be working with the travelling community, gave a few brief examples of the text, and hoped that volume two would come soon and concluded that “the traditions and superstitions have a very special place that embraces everybody.”
One of the tutors, Sally Murphy from WWETB (Wexford Waterford Educational Training Board) paid tribute to everyone who shared their stories and also to Wexford Library Services for supporting the project and the staff at Bunclody Library, in particular, Shane Gibbons and Lorraine Massey.
Librarian Shane Gibbons welcomed everybody, especially local public representatives, Cllrs Browne, Barbara-Anne Murphy and John O’Rourke and acted as master of ceremonies. The launch concluded with light refreshments for all.
No Twixing or Crossing, Volume 1, produced by Michael Fortune and Wexford Library Services, 75 pages. Illustrated, ISBN 978-1-7398403-1-0. A folklore.ie production.
Two of Co. Wexford and Ireland’s greatest sporting ambassadors have been disgracefully disrespected after their images posted on an Enniscorthy derelict building on Shannon Quay have been smeared with graffiti style protest scribbling.
The tribute panel has nine Wexfordians of distinction including Nickey Rackard of hurling fame, Lisa Jacob of Hockey Ireland, Annie Jameson and her son Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of the wireless (radio), international tenor Anthony Kearns, local patriot Seamus Rafter, world famous designer Eileen Gray and the internationally acclaimed writer Colm Tóibín.
However, the images of world-renowned horse trainers Jim Bolger and Aidan O’Brien have been obliterated with messages across Bolger declaring that “horse racing is a form of cruelty” and O’Brien is defaced with the words, obviously concluding a sentence, “done only by rich guys.” The other images are untouched.
This unwanted activity appears to have happened over the weekend. The pictorial panel has been located on a derelict building beside the bus stop for a few years and has enhanced the streetscape. It has escaped attack until now!
Enniscorthy has seen an epidemic of graffiti throughout the town in recent weeks, particularly around the river.
A heritage stonewall guarding private property has had graffiti applied to two premises on the Promenade. Stonework under the Barker Bridge is covered in red images and locked up private property beside the bridge also bears the hallmark of the ‘nocturnal talent and paintbrush warriors.’ Other areas of Enniscorthy town have also been targeted.
Maybe nobody cares, but I thought the ordinary decent public and the caring townspeople will be calling on the local authority to improve the proud image of a town like Enniscorthy.
The Festival of Ferns parade from the cathedral to the castle filled the air with atmosphere and ancient character.
By Dan Walsh in Ferns
The mid-day Bank Holiday parade was always going to be the highlight for many at the Festival of Ferns and the signs were positive long before the spectacle begins as families lined the streets and took up vantage viewing areas from early morning.
Setting off from the grounds of St. Eden’s Cathedral the parade invoked elements from the legend of St. Aidan and St. David and a representation of the crossing between Ireland and Wales back in the distant centuries.
The giant sea monster with moving mouth and large body carried a chain of performers accompanied by dancers animating fins and waves, bringing the sea monster to life.
The Horsemen of Éire cut quite a dash during the parade, dressed in medieval costume, and they did a jousting exhibition as the crowds gathered in the grounds of Ferns Castle.
Knight in period dress Paul Walsh played an exceptional role as master of ceremonies as he explained the historical features of Diarmait MacMurrough and Eva, the skills of the young hurling athletes, and generating the atmosphere beneath a clear blue sky and intense heat.
The Festival of Ferns was officially opened in the grounds of Ferns Castle on Monday by Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Aidan Browne, who pointed out that “This is very much a community driven project between the local Ferns Heritage Project, with the help of funding from the Ancient Connections programme,”
Ancient Connections is a 4-year EU funded project led by Wexford County Council and Pembrokeshire County Council (Wales) which aims to revive the ancient links between these two Celtic communities.
The two-day festival opened on Sunday with a top-class concert in St. Eden’s Cathedral, Ferns, 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, and the concert premiered a new song cycle composed by Melanie alongside O’Carolan pieces and other favourites.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com at Ferns, Melanie O’Reilly was very impressed by the enthusiasm shown at the concert. “We had a full house, and everyone enjoyed the concert. Great atmosphere. Thanks to Ferns for a great weekend,” she stated.
Participants in the festival included Ancient Connections/Ceangal Ársa/Cysylltiadau Hynafol, Lantern, Wexford County Council, Fearna Men’s Shed, Dunn Create, Small World Theatre, Horsemen of Éire, Medieval Ferns Experience, Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society, Chord on Blues, Span Arts, Deirdre Furlong’s Dance School, Helena Dunbar’s School of Music and Bloco Garman.
Fr. Lar O’Connor and Rev. Canon Trevor Sargent prepare for prayers while the pikemen form a guard of honour at the 1798 memorial in Bunclody.
By Dan Walsh at Bunclody
St. Colman’s Pipe Band, Ballindaggin, led by Pipe Major Jim Byrne and the Bunclody/Kilrush/Kilmyshal Pike Group under the command of Group Leader Walter Skelton led the commemorative pike march in Bunclody this evening (Sunday) to remember the Battle of Newtownbarry (Bunclody) which broke out on June 1st, 1798.
The Battle of Bunclody or Newtownbarry as it was then called, took place on June 1st, 1798, when a force of some 5,000 rebels led by Fr Mogue Kearns attacked the garrison at Bunclody as part of the Wexford rebels campaign against border garrisons.
The first wreath was laid at the ’98 memorial on Chapel Road where the inscription reads; “Erected to the memory of the pikemen of 1798. A.D. 1875.” The honours were bestowed on two of the youngest pikemen during the bicentenary in 1998 – Matthew Skelton and Ciarán Kelly.
Th second wreath was laid by Ian Kidd and Kate Skelton at the 1938 plaque on Bunclody bridge. The inscription (as Gaeilge and English) reads; “Erected to the memory of the men who fell fighting for Ireland at Bunclody on June 1st, 1798.”
Very Rev. Laurence O’Connor, Parish Priest of Bunclody, and The Reverend Canon Trevor Sargent, Rector, Bunclody Union of Parishes recited prayers at both sites. The attendance also included retired priest and historian, Canon Seamus S. de Bhal.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, who also took part in the pike march, acted as master of ceremonies and explained a brief history of the battle. Apparently, about 250 people died in the battle and were interred in a mass grave beside the River Slaney where the 1938 plaque is located, but in 1875 when the bridge was rebuilt the bodies were exhumed and reburied in the graveyard on Chapel Road where a Celtic Cross stands proudly in the western corner, hence the significance on two wreath laying choices.
The wreaths were presented for laying by Aoife and Emer Nolan while Adam Fitzpatrick presented a bunch of flowers to Gloria Binions at the proceedings in The Square where the ceremonies ended.
Seamus Kelly read a poem; “The Battle of Newtownbarry (Bunclody)’, Niall Wall gave a rousing rendition of Boolavogue and the Ballindaggin Pipe Band played Amhrán na bFiann.
Afterwards, proprietor Michael Kehoe generously sponsored complimentary refreshments for all at the Rivers Edge restaurant.
Ballindaggin Pipe Band and Bunclody/Kilrush/Kilmyshal pike group marching to the Battle of Bunclody grave site this evening.
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