New €12m hotel and golf course for Curracloe

THERESE KELLY, EOIN NEVILLE and WILLIAM NEVILLE at the launch of the new Curracloe hotel and golf course plans. (Pic; Patrick Browne)

By Dan Walsh

The Neville Hotel Group has commenced a new €12 million development at Kilmacoe, located outside the village of Curracloe, that will incorporate 50 bedrooms, a bar, restaurant, spa, leisure centre and an 18-hole championship golf course into the resort.

The new hotel is expected to open in late 2023, while the second phase of the project, including 22 holiday lodges and the 18-hole championship golf course, is due for construction in 2024 at an additional investment of €8 million. Home to Wexford’s award-winning beach,

Eoin Neville, Company Director of William Neville & Sons, added: “We’re thrilled to be breaking ground here in Curracloe for our newest development. Planning permission was first sought for the project 25 years ago and a 10-year permission was granted by An Bord Pleanála in 2015. We have already invested €12 million in phase one of the development, and by time phase two is complete, we will have invested over €20 million in the property. The development has been welcomed and well received by locals as not only will it boost tourism in the region, but it will also create employment opportunities locally.“

Speaking at the launch, Therese Kelly, Company Director at Neville Hotels Group said; “We are really excited for this hotel development, which will have spectacular views overlooking the well-known Curracloe beach. This hotel will be the fifth in our portfolio, adding a third golf course to the group in addition to Druids Glen and Druids Heath. Wexford is a beautiful county, we see a lot of potential here so it is great to be expanding in our home county, and expanding the offering in the south-eastern region. “

Curracloe will be home to the fifth hotel within the Neville Group. The hotel, located on a 75-hectare site, will be designed by HM Architects in Waterford, who have previously worked with the Neville Group on the renovation and redesign of The Tower Hotel in Waterford, and most recently, the renovation and extension of The Bridge House at the Kilkenny River Court Hotel. The golf course will be designed by Jason Straka of Fry Straka from Ohio USA.

Barry O’Neill enjoys treble success

By Dan Walsh

Three successes for champion rider Barry O’Neill and an across the cards double for Colin Bowe, putting the champion Kiltealy handler on the 24-winner mark for the season were amongst today’s point-to-point headlines.

Barry O’Neill was in action at Castletown-Geoghegan today and the Westmeath track rewarded him with a treble. It started on Caher Rose Den for Milestone Bloodstock Ltd and Colin Bowe who ran on well and triumphed in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings by two and a half lengths,

BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE

O’Neill’s other pair of winners were for Fermanagh handler David Christie. Bold Enough by seven lengths in the Open Race and I See You Now, by a neck, in the maiden race for six-year-old plus geldings’ maiden event.

O’Neill and Bowe were denied in a short-head finish when Emily’s Choice was pipped by Melleray Hill in the Niall Hennessy colours in the five-year-old plus mares’ maiden race, This was a 70th career winner for handler Michael Goff who has been training at Clodaw, Ferns, for ten seasons.It was a fifth career winner for Cork rider Darragh Higgins and all have happened in the 2022-’23 season.

Colin Bowe saddled his second winner of the day at Rathcannon, Co. Limerick, when Rokathir, owned by Billy Connors and ridden by Bertie Finn, crossed the finish line with a one and a half lengths advantage in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

Also at Limerick 19 years-old Eoin Staples rode his first ever winner when Getaway Theatre scored by four lengths in the five and six-year-old mares maiden race for handler Paul Martin Pierce, Blackhall Stud, Killurin. Eoin is a brother of point-to-point rider Sean Staples and they are Duncormick,

Big turnout in the Hope & Dream 10k

By Dan Walsh

Over 1,000 runners and walkers turned out in ideal conditions for the annual Hope & Dream 10k which took place on The Promenade, Enniscorthy, this morning.

Some took their babies in buggies and others brought their canine friends. The atmosphere was full of fun, achievement, and, of course, a major fundraiser for the Hope Cancer Support Centre on Weafer Street.

About 150 volunteers were involved ensuring a safe route for the participants who travelled out towards the Davidstown area and back again.

The event was supported by An Garda Siochána, Enniscorthy branch of the Red Cross, Slaney Search & Rescue, G.H. Lett & Co supplied bottles of water and sponsored the main stage and after refreshments were provided in the Riverside Park Hotel.

The Hope Cancer Support Centre was founded on Easter week 1999 and its mission “is to provide our services free of charge to all who need our support. All this is only possible with the huge support of the public, through fundraising and volunteering.”

Learn to Cycle Park opens in Enniscorthy

CLLR AIDAN BROWNE, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council leads the way with the pupils of St. Aidan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy, at the official opening of the Learn To Cycle Park at Enniscorthy.

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy

A purpose-built facility to equip children to learn the skills to cycle safely on public roads was officially opened on Friday morning at the Learn To Cycle Park at Enniscorthy.

Believed to be the first of its kind in the country, the project was the brainchild of former Enniscorthy-based District Manager, Ger Mackey, and is located opposite the Enniscorthy Sports Hub and the Community Allotments at Gort Na Gréine, near the Ross Road roundabout.

“It will allow children to develop safe cycling skills in a safe and realistic environment,” said Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, who was one of the driving forces behind the project. He thanked all the local authority staff associated with the completion of the project.

Cllr Browne performed the official ribbon cutting ceremony in the presence of Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, John O’Rourke, Cathal Byrne and Jackser Owens, CEO of Wexford County Council, Mr Tom Enright, Claire Lawlor, Enniscorthy District Manager, Council officials and engineers, children from St. Aidan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy, and staff from Sheilbaggin Outdoor Pursuits in association with WEETB.

The park is cleverly laid out with mini versions of two-lane roads complete with roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, crossroads, junctions and traffic light stops.

It is funded by Sláintecare and Enniscorthy Municipal District. The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme (SHCP) is a new initiative, led by Sláintecare and Healthy Ireland in the Department of Health and delivered locally by Wexford County Council.  

Public access in doubt at Clone Beach?

The deep chasm measuring two-metres high behind Cllr Joe Sullivan on the right and the fast flowing river places a dangerous situation in gaining access to the sea at Clone Beach. This image was taken last Thursday. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).

By Dan Walsh at Clone Beach, Castletown

Clone Beach in North Wexford could be closed to the public this season if immediate action called for by a majority who attended a public meeting held in the Golden Anchor, Castletown, on Thursday night is ignored by Wexford County Council.

About 40 concerned locals attended the meeting which was well publicised in advance and chaired by local Cllr Joe Sullivan “in a determined effort to improve matters and to formulate a framework of action going forward for the betterment of the entire community.”

The debate was focussed on the excessive volume of water in the Ahare River causing consistent flooding of adjacent lands, impeding traffic on the road between Castletown and Tara Hill and the stagnation of water at the bridge prior to the river emptying into the sea on Clone Beach.

It was a lively meeting with plenty of input and locals seeking immediate action, especially in relation to the two-metre-high sand cliff edges that have developed on Clone Beach.

Cllr Joe Sullivan told WexfordLocal.com that Clone Beach is “a safety hazard in its current state and it is impossible to cross to the beach.” Cllr Sullivan is engaging with Wexford County Council and has been calling for action for some time, but to no avail. He is bringing the thoughts and feelings of the coastal community to the Council, and the Green Party, again, and unless something isn’t done immediately the concerned residents are requesting that “all access to the public beach should be curtailed for safety reasons” and it is believed locally that cutting a channel, like used to happen in the days when the locals managed the rivers, would solve most of the existing problems and prevent such drastic action.

They are calling on Wexford County Council to hastily respond and engage with the close-knit North Wexford community. The matter will be on the agenda for the April meeting of Wexford County Council.    

Demandrivingdouvan all the way in the first

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Races

The early part of this evening’s races at Wexford was dominated by the wet conditions but the opening race brought early pleasure to the punters when the curiously named Demandrivingdouvan (15/8 fav) lead all the way in the auction maiden hurdle and secured a local victory by eleven lengths.

MARY ELLEN DOYLE saddles a winner at her local track.

The six year old gelding who won his point-to-point at Borris House in March 2022 is owned by the American-based Buttonwood Farms, trained at Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, by Mary Ellen Doyle and was well handled by amateur jockey Brian Dunleavy.

There was a thrilling finish to the mare’s maiden hurdle with Emily Roebling (10/3), ridden by JJ Slevin from Caim, Enniscorthy, getting the better of Rachael Blackmore on Music Of Tara (1/2 fav.) by a short head verdict.

Emmet Mullins owned and trained Hardy Bloke (10/3) who won the novice hurdle for seven-pound claimer Conor Clarke. Nine and a half lengths was the winning margin.

Philip Rothwell from Tinahely saddled Oscer Romero (9/1) in the novice chase and the Paddy O’Hanlon ridden gelding held off Mercury Lane from Paul Nolan’s stables with Sean Flanagan up for another local one-two.

Charlie Stout (9/2) was a popular winner of the handicap chase for Kildare trainer Shane Nolan and jockey Kieran Callaghan who defeated the Gavin Cromwell trained Darver Star who won his first race at Wexford in April 2019 and finished third in the 2020 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle.

The Wexford Supporter’s Handicap Chase was run in two divisions. The Byrnes family from Ballingarry, Co. Limerick won the first division with Aodhan May (3/1 fav) for Cora (owner), Charles (trainer) and Philip Byrnes (jockey) by two lengths beating the Liz Doyle trained Fox Le Bel (Aidan Kelly) in the JP McManus colours.

The final race of the day supplied a shock 20/1 victory for Stolen Moment from Sean Aherne’s Conna, Co. Cork stables with Philip Enright in the saddle.

The day’s Tote aggregate was €108,010.90 compared with €120,651.71 last year. The going was ‘heavy’ Next fixture at Bettyville Park is scheduled for Saturday, May20th.

Friday evening racing at Wexford

UNDER STARTER’S ORDERS; Lining up at Bettyville Park for a great evening’s racing. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

The clocks have gone forward, the evenings are longer, the real Spring weather is just around the corner and the first evening meeting of the 2023 Horse Racing Ireland season happens at Bettyville Park, Wexford, this evening (Friday).

Sixty-four entries for the seven races with the first off at 4.10pm.

Small entries in some races, however, all will be competitive and the card features four steeplechases and three hurdle events, so plenty of action.

The track has a good covering of grass, but overnight and early morning rain is expected to clear towards evening and the going will be officially ‘heavy’.

A good crowd is anticipated, but for those who can’t make it, all races will be televised live on the Racing UK channel.

THE CARD;

4.10pm; RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle (4yo plus) of €20,000. 2 miles 4 furlongs. 150 yards. (9 runners).

4.40pm; Tomcoole Farm Ltd (Mares) Maiden Hurdle (4yo plus) of €10,500. 2 miles. 4 furlongs. 150 yards. (13 runners).

5.10pm; Brendan Cullimore Electrical Novice Hurdle of €11,500.3 miles. (6 runners).

5.40pm; Download BoyleSport App Nov Handicap Chase of €16,500. (5yo+,) 2 miles 3 furlongs 170 yards, (7 runners).

6.10pm; Arctic Tack Stud Veterans Handicap Chase of €22,000. (9yo+,) 2 miles 3 furlongs 170 yards, (7 runners).

6.40pm; Wexford Supporters Club Handicap Chase (DIV I) of €10,500. (5yo+,) 3 miles 1 furlong 100 yards, (11 runners).

7.10pm; Wexford Supporters Club Handicap Chase (DIV II) of €10,500. (5yo+,) 3 miles 1 furlong 100 yards, (11 runners).

Wexford winner of the Golden Fleece Award

By Dan Walsh

Ardcavan, Wexford-born, London-based, Irish visual artist and fashion designer, Richard Malone was awarded the Golden Fleece Award for Visual Arts 2023. 

The Golden Fleece is Ireland’s largest independent award for visual and applied arts, established by pioneer Helen Lilias Mitchell and first awarded in 2002. It celebrates artists and practices that cross several disciplines.

Malone’s practice looks at things that are invisible – particularly class, queerness, place, language and rurality, which, he believes, continue to be overlooked and are rendered in techniques that aren’t often accepted as visual art – stitch, dyeing, drapery etc. 

Richard Malone in Residency at Blackbird Cultur-Lab. (Pic. Karla Sánchez).

Malone plans to use his Golden Fleece Award to purchase specialist equipment that will allow him to refine the physicality of his sculptural and performance pieces, and to continue his research into Irish folklore and queer histories using archival collections at University College Dublin and the National Library.

Responding on Instagram, he said: “I want to say a huge thank you to each of the judges whose practices and work I sincerely admire. Thank you to all of the trustees, I really appreciate your kind words and all of your careful consideration in rewarding each prize, every artist shortlisted represents incredible cross disciplinary work. 

“Huge thank you to the incredible people who’ve supported my work across several spaces, without whom we wouldn’t have such rewarding and engaging exhibitions and programmes around the country,” he added.

Richard Malone recently engaged in a 4 week-residency of research and experimentation at Blackbird Cultur-Lab, Haresmead, Foulksmill, which is a creative cultural laboratory based within a working farm that follows regenerative agriculture practices. It aims to provide an environment for farmers, artists, academics, and practitioners from various disciplines to experiment and work beyond traditional boundaries. It is a non-for-profit organisation that works to instigate new ideas and opportunities involving the arts and seeks to foster local participation in a non-traditional format. 

Its main objectives are to promote cultural exchange and the better understanding of the connections between the soil, the land, the environment and our every-day lives.  Blackbird Cultur-Lab does this through different seasonal programs such as research residencies, dialogue sessions, children’s workshops, and other activities. 

Is nothing sacred in the Peace Park?

Scene from the Orchard Peace Park at Enniscorthy; the nun’s graveyard to the left, Vinegar Hill to the right.

By Dan Walsh

Anti-social behaviour in the Orchard Peace Park at Enniscorthy was again on the minds of members at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council where Cllr Jackser Owens described the “disgraceful and mindless vandalism” at the nun’s graveyard.

Cllr Owens said that eight headstones had been damaged in recent weeks. They have been taken away for repairs and a lock has been placed on the entrance gate.

The foundation stone for the Presentation Sisters convent was laid on April 16th, 1839; the sisters moved in on July 1st 1840; the chapel in the Gothic style was blessed and opened in 1859; the sisters were given a civic reception by Enniscorthy Urban District Council when they left in 2001; the property, including the care of the nun’s final resting place, was taken over by Wexford County Council.

Cllr Owens called on the council to concrete the walkways in the Orchard Peace Park to facilitate wheelchair users and those pushing buggies.

Cllr Owens also said that private property was being interfered with and residents on Irish Street have made complaints. There were also calls for the presence of CCTV cameras and garda patrols were recently observed in the park.

Anyone with information about the vandalism in the park or at the enclosed cemetery is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station in confidence on 053 9242580.