WexfordLocal.com

Fiadh loses brave battle against illness

By Dan Walsh

Easter will be a sad occasion of public heartbreak interspersed with tears, prayers and compassion, and bottomless grief at the news of the sad passing of Fiadh O’Connor, Kilbride, The Ballagh, that occurred peacefully at her home short of celebrating her 5^th birthday.

Beautiful Fiadh, who had a public and media profile because of her terminal illness so bravely borne, surrendered her fight for life and died in her Mammy’s arms, holding her Daddy’s hand, surrounded by love.

Those who loved Fiadh described her as “an amazing, clever, kind, fun and most treasured and loved child who captured everyone’s heart.” R.I.P.

Fiadh will be forever loved and remembered by her parents Rory and Laura, her adored younger brother Páidí. Fiadh is predeceased by her beloved Grandad Jim and will be lovingly remembered by her Grandad Richard (Butch) O’Connor, nana Ger O’Connor, nana Mary Murphy, Great-Granny Peg Murphy, aunties Ciara, Sarah, Katie and Orlaigh Murphy and Ciara, Emma and Orla O’Connor and her uncles Eóin and Paul Murphy. Fiadh loved her cousins Séimí, Jay, “big” Conor, Sophie, Aoife, Fionn, “little” Conor, Ellie and Millie and they will always love her. She will be greatly missed by her Godfather James, Mikey, extended family, friends, teachers at Tara’s Montessori and all who supported her throughout her illness.

FAMILY ARRANGEMENTS; House for close family and friends from (today) 2pm on Thursday 6th April. Fiadh will be reposing in her home (Y21 N1K8) on Friday 7th April, 12-8pm – open to the public. Removal on Saturday morning to St. John the Baptist Church, The Ballagh, arriving for Funeral Service at 12 noon with burial afterwards.

House private on Saturday morning please.

New Wexford play revisits Civil War

By Dan Walsh

It is curtains up tonight (Thursday, 8pm) at Wexford Arts Centre for the Irish premiere of a play by home-grown talent Eoghan Rua Finn, titled Amongst Men which is a gripping theatrical production delivering powerful performances from stars of stage and screen, Mark Lambert and Noelle Brown.

Directed by Deirde Dwyer, Amongst Men is the latest play commissioned by Four Rivers theatre group and is set in the1960s in a tight-knit rural community in Wexford still riven by the legacy of the Civil War.

Eoghan Rua Finn is a playwright and a poet and is one of eight participants in the Wexford Playwrights Workshop, supported by Four Rivers, Wexford County Council and Wexford Arts Centre. Amongst Men is the fifth play Eoghan has written about Irish history. The Blackstairs Trilogy and Sons of Thunder were produced in 2016. Having worked so intensely on stories set against the backdrop of revolution, he felt like had no more to say on those topics, at least from a theatre perspective.

“However, when Wexford County Council asked for submissions in January 2022 to write a play around the theme of commemoration and Wexford’s role in the Irish Civil War, an idea came to me, and one that would allow me to explore the period through a different lens,” Eoghan told WexfordLocal.com.

“How might a woman, a participant of the three conflicts between 1916 and 1923, feel decades later when the dust had settled on the revolution but her vision for a more equal and compassionate Ireland had not come to pass?”

“With the assistance of Wexford Library and the Wexford County Archive, I began to research the Civil War period in Wexford to get a greater understanding of the people and events of the time.

“Killurin, in the parish of Glynn, is an ancestral home of mine. My maternal grandmother was born next to the railway track at Killurin Bridge and my grandfather worked for CIE as a goods inspector. Reading about the importance of Killurin as a point of attack during the War of Independence, and later the Civil War, there was no question as to where the play would be set.”

Amongst Men, with a cast of Mark Lambert, Noelle Brown, Arthur Riordan and Dylan Kennedy, is at Wexford Arts Centre from April 6^th-8^th and 12^th-15^th, starting at 8 pm. Contact the BOX OFFICE at 053 9123764 or boxoffice@wexfordartscentre.ie

Midweek winners for Wexford stables

By Dan Walsh

Midweek point-to-point races are rare enough but today’s Killeagh Harriers fixture went ahead at Ballyknock, Co. Cork, and returned handling victories for Wexford neighbouring stables of Colin Bowe and Sean Doyle.

**SEAN DOYLE enjoyed a point-tp-point winner in Cork today.**

First timer BD Cooper from the Monbeg Partnership and Sean Doyle’s Ballindaggin stables was the two lengths winner of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings with Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, up, beating Bowe’s Prends Garde A Toi ridden by Barry O’Neill. Handler Doyle saddled his 16^th winner of the current season, equalling last year’s total for the season, so a seasonal best is a likely bet with about eight weeks left to the end of the 22-’23 season.

But the O’Neill-Bowe partnership were compensated later when Painted Wolf, running in the colours of Benjamin Halsall, achieved a six lengths success in the maiden race for five-year- old geldings. Number 25 of the season for the reigning champion handler from Kiltealy.

€75,000 for ’98 Rebellion 225th commemoration programme

**The NATIONAL 1798 REBELLION CENTRE at Enniscorthy to host the 1798 Rebellion Summer Conference to mark the 225th anniversary of 1798.**

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council today announced that the Planning Department has received funding support of €75,000 from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for the development of a countywide commemorative programme to mark the 225^th anniversary of the events surrounding the 1798 Rebellion in Co. Wexford in the coming months.

The funding, administered through the Decade of Centenaries Historical Strand, will support some specific projects related to commemoration such as public talks, walking tours, demonstrations, and a 1798 Summer Conference in Enniscorthy as part of the extensive countywide commemoration programme.

A local steering group has been established to oversee the funding with representatives from Wexford County Council, VisitWexford tourism and the National 1798 Rebellion Centre.

The significant dates for the commemorations programme are from May 26^th to June 21^st marking the historical anniversary of pivotal battles that took place at Oulart Hill, the Three Rocks, Wexford, New Ross, Carrigbyrne and Vinegar Hill in 1798.

Minister James Browne TD commented; “I am delighted the Department is supporting this programme of events. As an Enniscorthy native, I am delighted to see the programme will culminate with a Summer School to mark the 1798 battle at Vinegar Hill. The National 1798 Rebellion Centre will be the focus of the Rebellion Summer School with talks, walks and demonstrations and will be a key asset promoting heritage tourism in 2023”, added Minister Browne.

Cllr. George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, stated; “There will be a countywide programme of events to mark this important 225^th anniversary throughout the five municipal districts and we look forward to attending these.”

Wexford County Council has promised WexfordLocal.com that the programme of events will be published and will soon be available in print and on social media.

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,

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 70^th 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.