€15.6m Uisce Eireann project opens at Arthurstown

At the opening of the Arthurstown wastewater treatment plant today were (left to right); Paul Kehoe TD, Minister James Browne, Paul Fallon, Úisce Éireann, Cllr Michael Sheehan, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council Minister Darragh O’Brien (who performed the opening ceremony), Cllr George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Senator Malcolm Byrne and Verona Murphy TD. (Pic; Úisce Éireann). 

By Dan Walsh

The new wastewater treatment plant in Arthurstown was officially opened by Minister Darragh O’ Brien, TD, Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and officials from Uisce Éireann and Wexford County Council today.

The €15.6 million investment by Uisce Éireann involved the construction of a new, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant in Arthurstown, three new pumping stations and new sewer pipelines which will also serve the nearby villages of Ballyhack and Duncannon.

Minister O’Brien commended Uisce Éireann and Wexford County Council on the completion of this significant project for the area. “The delivery of this vital project for the communities of Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon is pivotal to stopping the discharge of raw sewage into the estuary and protecting our natural environment,” stated the Minister.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr George Lawlor added: “I am delighted to be here today to witness the opening of the treatment plant and sewage scheme for the three local communities. The new infrastructure will lead to enhanced tourism opportunities for this beautiful part of the sunny South East.” 

“Eliminating the discharge into these important rivers and estuaries has long been a goal of Uisce Éireann and Wexford County Council, and we can now look forward to the benefits of cleaner waterbodies,” concluded Cllr Lawlor.

Paul Fallon, Uisce Éireann, stated; “The size and scale of the challenge to end raw sewage discharges is well documented. At the end of 2022, Uisce Éireann had built new wastewater infrastructure for 21 towns and villages across the county where treatment had never existed before. 

A ceremony to mark the official opening of the new wastewater treatment plant in Arthurstown and completion of the sewerage scheme was led by Minister Darragh O’Brien TD and supported by Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr George Lawlor and Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, Cllr. Michael Sheehan. Also in attendance was Minister of State for Law Reform, James Browne TD, Senator Malcolm Byrne and local TDs, Deputies Verona Murphy and Paul Kehoe as well as representatives from Uisce Éireann and Wexford County Council, New Ross Municipal District, members of the local business community and pupils from St. Catherine’s National School, Ballyhack. 

The new treatment plant and associated infrastructure will bring significant benefits to the local community in terms of protecting the environment and improving the water quality to the Barrow, Nore, and Suir Estuary. It will also act as an enabler for housing and will support economic growth and development in these areas.

Uisce Éireann is also progressing works to end the discharge of raw sewage in Kilmore Quay with construction of a new sewerage scheme and wastewater treatment infrastructure well underway for the village.

Enniscorthy celebrates 175 years flying the Tricolour

By Dan Walsh

A public ceremonial event takes place on Vinegar Hill on Tuesday at 4pm to mark events on March 7th, 1848, where a demonstration was held in Enniscorthy to celebrate the success of the French Revolution in Paris.

The ceremony is focussed on the Tricolour and a more elaborate ceremony took place in Waterford city last Sunday where the main speaker was An Taoiseach, Leo Vardakar T.D., who said the flag was integral to our national identity and it espouses ideals of peace, inclusion and unity, which are “so important in determining how we view and relate to one another on our island, in Europe and on the international stage.”

In recent days I have been asked a number of times wearing my local historians’ hat to explain the connection between the Tricolour and Enniscorthy. Here are the results of my research.

Tricolour in St. Aidan’s Cathedral since 1961.

HISTORY; The Tricolour was brought from Paris in 1848 by a deputation sent to convey the greetings of the Irish Confederation to the new French Government after the overthrow of the monarchy that year. Thomas Francis Meagher and William Smith O’Brien were members of that deputation.

A reception in Dublin on April 15th, 1848, is regarded as the introduction of the first Tricolour to Ireland, however, Enniscorthy can claim that the Tricolour was displayed in the town six weeks before its presentation by Meagher to the Dublin meeting.

On March 7th, 1848, a demonstration was held in Enniscorthy to celebrate the success of the French Revolution in Paris.

The following quotation is from the contemporary newspaper ‘The Freeman’s Journal’: “The men of Wexford have heard of the downfall of French tyranny with lively and heartfelt satisfaction. A spontaneous movement to celebrate this great triumph of freedom was made in this town on yesterday evening. Vinegar Hill had its brow crowned by brilliant illumination which was visible from Mount Leinster to St. George’s Channel and was hailed by tens of thousands of ‘true men’ as an omen of hope for fatherland. Our town was also lighted by bonfires in the Market Square and other quarters and enlivened by the temperance bands which played through the streets attended by an immense crowd at the head of whom was carried a Tricolour flag (the colours, green, orange and white) which was frequently saluted by loud and rapturous acclamation.”

Inscription on the plaque in St. Aidan’s Cathedral.

From John Mitchel’s newspaper, ‘The United Irishman’ (dated March 11th, 1848) comes the following quote; “Enniscorthy from seven o’clock to ten o’clock on Tuesday night, we had the amateur band parading the town, playing national airs followed by not less than 3,000 persons, carrying an Irish Tricolour – orange, green and white – and a half-dozen pitch barrels. Six or eight of the latter were burned on Vinegar Hill; the night being very dark they had a splendid effect from that venerated eminence.”

Meagher had arrived from Dublin the previous night accompanied by John Blake Dillon. They ordered a car to bring them to Ballinkeele House where Smith O’Brien was staying since the previous day. John Maher of Ballinkeele House had become a member of the Irish Confederation on March 23rd, 1848. While the car was getting ready the two men sat before the fire in Rudd’s Hotel (also known as Nuzum’s Hotel, Bennett’s Hotel and the Portsmouth Arms Hotel, which was demolished in 1976).

We also know that a flag of orange and green was carried at the great Amnesty Meeting held in Abbey Square, Enniscorthy, on October 17th, 1869, to urge the release of the Fenian prisoners.

In another newspaper report dated June 9th,1867, “A Fenian flag was discovered floating from the old windmill on Vinegar Hill. It was taken possession of by the police.”

Carried into battle by the Wexford insurgents of 1798 and banned as an emblem of rebellion through the 19th century, the Green, White and Orange emerged as the National Flag in 1916.

Enniscorthy was one of the few towns outside of Dublin to join in the Insurrection of Easter Week, 1916. The Irish Volunteers in Enniscorthy had their headquarters in the Athenaeum Hall on Castle Street. A Tricolour of green, white and orange was raised over the building and suitable military honours were accorded to it. No other flag was raised over the building.

Enniscorthy’s association with the National Flag was fittingly commemorated on Easter Sunday, 1961, when the townspeople presented the Tricolour to St. Aidan’s Cathedral. The colours were blessed by Bishop Staunton and accepted by his Lordship where they now hang above a plaque.

(SOURCE; Article by Micheál Toibín first published in The Past; The Organ of Uí Cinnsealaigh Historical Society, No. 7, 1964, printed by The Echo Printing Company, Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy).

Eight ‘points’ wins for Wexford stables

There were point-to-point fixtures at three venues today and it was a good day for Wexford stables who came home with eight victories.

At Borris House, newcomer Tellherthename was a five lengths winner under veteran rider Benny Walsh for Shirley Berry and Johnny Berry, Tomhaggard, in the maiden race for four-year-olds. Runner-up was another newcomer from the Colin Bowe stables in Kiltealy Joyau Allen with Barry O’Neill up. Walsh, from Murrintown, was registering his 120th career point-to-point winner.

BENNY WALSH enjoyed his 120th ‘points’ career winner today.

Colm Murphy who trains at Balinadrummin, Killena, saddled Scorsese in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and he came home one length to the good under Jimmy O’Rourke, Horetown, Foulksmills.

Newcomer Rose In  The Park obliged for Donnchadh Doyle and James Walsh by a length in the mares maiden race for five-year-olds and upwards.

And also at the Carlow track, One For Dan, owned by Connie Rooney from Ballyduff, trained at Camolin by John Paul Brennan was the winner in the maiden race for six-year-old geldings confined to novice riders. It was a first success for rider James Murray, (17), from Ferns.

Harley Dunne sent newcomer Jack N Jones to Ballycahane, Co. Limerick, to contest the maiden race for four-year-olds and it successfully ended in a six lengths victory under Tiernan Roche Power.

There was more success at West Waterford. Denis Murphy kept up his good strike rate with Queensbury Boy taking the four-year-old maiden race under Joey Dunne. Only one length in it!

Gavin Kinch’s New Order, handled at Craanford by Liam Kenny was the six lengths winner of the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings. The handler’s son, Jimmy Kenny took the successful mount.

And the concluding race at Waterford – the five-year—old plus unplaced maiden – proved good for Cormac Doyle who saddled Romeo Magico and with Jack Hendrick in the saddle they proved strongest at the finish with two lengths to spare.

Paul Nolan trains a double at Wexford

Winner of the beginners’ chase at Wexford today, Mercury Lane with Paul Nolan (trainer) Ciara Walsh (groom), Sean Flanagan (winning jockey), owner Brendan McNicholas and his father Pat McNicholas celebrate their success.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford races

Locals had a successful day at Bettyville Park today where the first race meeting of 2023 took place in pleasant conditions, but the Toberona House stables of Paul Nolan at Davidstown, near Enniscorthy, hit the headlines with a double success and both were partnered by Wexford jockeys.

Feet Of A Dancer (9/1) got the ball rolling with a three and a quarter lengths victory in the opening mares maiden hurdle with Taghmon jockey Sean O’Keeffe in the saddle “She is owned by Phil Byrne who is a very good owner in the yard and hopefully she will step up and keep going forward,” said Paul Nolan afterwards.

Nolan added the beginners chase with Mercury Lane (4/1) scoring by four and a quarter lengths under Sean Flanagan from Robinstown, Clonroche.

Sean O’Keeffe narrowly missed a double when finishing second on Tennessee Titan trained by Seamus Neville at Brideswell, Duncormick, behind Tony Martin’s Secret Rock (7/1) ridden by Peter Carberry in the maiden hurdle.

Heliko Conti (15/2) trained by Liam Burke from Mallow won the novice hurdle with Darragh O’Keeffe up depriving the Martin/Carberry combination of a double. Heliko Conti is owned by Peter Mulvany who has links with the Baldwinstown area of Wexford.

Doyen To Win (2/1) followed up wins at Naas and Limerick to make it three victories on the trot for the Newbury Syndicate from Clonmel with Kevin Sexton up in the feature race – the Michéal Ó’Murchadha Memorial Handicap Hurdle for Waterford trainer Declan Queally. The five year old bay mare by Doyen out of the French-bred mare Tarentine was bred by Paddy and Betty Kelly, Ballybrittas, Bree, so another success with a close Wexford connection.

Conor Maxwell won the handicap chase with the Dermot Anthony McLoughlin trained Ocean Legacy (22/1).

Champion trainer Willie Mullins, accompanied by his mother Maureen, who had a winner at Leopardstown a few hours earlier arrived at Bettyville Park in time to see Dancing City ( ) score in the bumper with champion amateur Patrick Mullins in the saddle.

It was a pleasant day’s racing with dry conditions and fast ground. The next races at Bettyville Park is on Friday, March 31st, the first evening meeting of 2023.

 

DATELINE; MARCH 7th, 1923. BREAKING NEWS – Wilton Castle burned down

WILTON CASTLE today! The renovated building on the left and the ruined shell on the right. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Special retrospective report by Dan Walsh

Wilton Castle, the beautiful residence of Capt. Philip C. Alcock, which is situated about three miles from Enniscorthy near Bree, was burned to the ground last night (March 5th 1923) after about 30 men bearing tins of petrol reduced the building to ashes.

It was the fourth mansion in the Enniscorthy district to fall at the hands of incendiaries as Civil War raged throughout the country. Others included Bellevue, Coolbawn and Castleboro.

Wilton Castle had been unoccupied for about 13 months before the burning. Capt. Alcock, his wife and family, had removed to Ludlow, in Shropshire, due to the unsettled situation in the country and their Irish home was left in the hands of a caretaker, James Stynes, who occupied rooms in portion of the castle.

Shortly after 9pm on Monday (March 5th 1923) the caretaker was visiting the steward’s residence when the steward, George Windsor, answered a knock and was confronted by a number of armed men who demanded the keys to the castle. “We have come to burn down the place, we are sorry,” said one of the leaders.

Soon the crashing of glass was heard in the ground floor. Soon the magnificent edifice was consumed by flames leaping to great heights in the night air. Every room was ablaze and there was a wind blowing. Attempts to save the castle were hopeless.

In a short time, the roof fell in, floors collapsed, and nothing remained of the once stately mansion, but smoke begrimed roofless walls, broken windows and a smouldering heap of debris.

CAPT. PHILIP ALCOCK (1861-1946) the last of the family to reside at Wilton Castle. They first came in 1695 and called it Wilton.

Capt. Alcock and his wife never again returned to Wilton Castle. Their daughter, Mary Galloway, who lived in Waterford, visited the castle site on many occasions and she told this reporter when we met many years ago while researching for a book; “Capt. Alcock, for years afterwards considered returning to Wilton and rebuilding the castle but his idea never materialised.

Malicious claims for £100,000 pounds were lodged for the loss of property, but Ms. Galloway claimed that her father only received about one tenth of that figure.

Alcock was compensated to the tune of £10,000 pounds. During the hearing Wilton Castle was described as “a very fine house in excellent condition” with excellent mantlepieces, two Chippendale bookcases, seven reception rooms and 17 bedrooms.” The estate comprised of 2,000 acres.

The Irish Land Commission divided the land amongst local farmers, while the woodland, including Bree Hill and Park Wood were taken over by the Department of Forestry.

SOURCES; Bree, The Story of a County Wexford Parish (1980) and 100 Wexford Country Houses; an illustrated history by Dan Walsh (1996, reprinted 2001).

Major fire at Wexford car park

By Dan Walsh

Firefighters succeeded in bringing a major fire under control when a blaze broke out on Friday evening and up to four vehicles were engulfed in a multi-storey car park at the Stonebridge in Wexford town.

Emergency services were alerted by members of the public who observed the fire at around 5pm.

Three units of Wexford Fire Service were quickly summoned. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus ensured that all people inside the building known as Talbot Suites were evacuated as quickly as possible.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Ray Murphy, said the fire “started in one car” and quickly spread to other vehicles parked close by.”

The blaze was brought under control within an hour, but firefighters remained at the scene to dampen down the area. No injuries were reported.

Wexford pedestrian killed in Cork

By Dan Walsh

A pedestrian in his 60’s who died in a fatal traffic incident on the N25 in Midleton, Co. Cork, last Thursday, has been named as Ger Jones, a native of Clonard in Wexford town and well-known and respected on the local soccer circuit. Tributes have been paid.

A minute’s silence was observed to Mr. Jones memory before last Friday’s Soccer League Game at Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford, where Wexford FC defeated Athlone Town, 3-0.

A post on social media tonight reads; “The Wexford Schoolboys League was saddened to learn of the passing of Ger Jones who had refereed our games for many years. Sincere sympathy is extended to Ger’s wife Caroline, daughters Leah and Hailey and extended family at this very sad time.

GER JONES

Gardaí say the collision occurred at approximately 9.15pm on the N25 near to the junction of the Old Youghal Road. A male pedestrian, a man in his 60s, received fatal injuries during the incident.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information to come forward to them. In particular, any drivers who were on the N25 between the Lakeview Roundabout and the junction at the Old Youghal Road between 9pm –9.20pm and who may have witnessed the incident or who may have video footage (including dash-cam) is asked to contact Gardaí.

Gardaí can be contacted at Midleton Garda Station on 024 462 1550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Two injured in Tagoat road crash

By Dan Walsh

Two people were injured and removed from the scene of a road traffic collision near Tagoat village this evening. It is understood their injuries are ‘non-life threatening’.

The incident occurred around 7pm at the turn-off for Broadway at Twelveacre. Two vehicles were involved.

Ambulance, Fire Service and Gardaí were quickly on the scene. Diversions are in place.

The Emergency Department of Wexford General Hospital is closed following last Wednesday’s major fire and the casualties were transferred from the scene to University Hospital Waterford by ambulance.

New racing season opens at Wexford

By Dan Walsh

The first of 11 race meetings allocated to Bettyville Park, Wexford, takes place tomorrow (Sunday) with 85 entries for seven races.

The first race is at 1.40pm. Going is described as “good, good to yielding in places”.

The Carlow Farmers point-to-point races also take place tomorrow at Borris House with 143 entries for six races. The first race is at 1pm.

Point-to-point races took place this afternoon at Tyrella in East Down and a Wexford one-two in the first two races and success for the Doyle handlers from Ballindaggin.

First timer Vision De Maine handled by Cormac Doyle and ridden by Jack Hendrick scored by four lengths in the maiden race of four-year-olds chased home by Colin Bowe’s newcomer Invicta Du Berlais ridden by Barry O’Neill.

Bowe and O’Neill were runners-up again in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares with Barron’s Land who was beaten two lengths by newcomer Bobbisilver ridden by Liam Gilligan for Sean Doyle.

Hospital fire bravery Masses in all parishes

The scene of a major outbreak of fire at Wexford General Hospital last Wednesday. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Bishop Ger Nash and parishes in the Diocese of Ferns will offer Masses of Thanksgiving following the devastating fire at Wexford General Hospital which resulted in the major safe evacuation of over 200 patients and the immediate closure of the entire wards and services.

In a statement this evening Bishop Nash told WexfordLocal.com; “Since the shocking fire at Wexford General Hospital on Wednesday I have been overwhelmed by stories and examples of courage, kindness and mercy of the women and men of our emergency services and medical staff, whose prompt actions no doubt saved human lives.

BISHOP GER NASH; “I invite each parish of the Diocese of Ferns to include prayers of Thanksgiving in their Masses over this weekend”,


“I have been told of people who took risks in love and charity, and who went the extra mile to help the sick and vulnerable and remove them from the distressing circumstances of the raging fire. I wish to salute the bravery of our fire service personnel and, in particular, the leadership of hospital manager Linda O’Leary, and her management team. She has indicated that services are due to return on a phased basis as soon as vital infrastructure is restored. From the bottom of my heart, I thank God for our unsung heroes, these Good Samaritans, in our community.
“It is miraculous that there was no loss of life caused by this extensive hospital fire and that over 200 patients were safely protected and transferred to other hospitals. This weekend I intend to offer a Mass of Thanksgiving to God in gratitude that no person was killed by the fire, and for the intentions of every person who helped to remove patients from danger and successfully contain the fire.  “I invite each parish of the Diocese of Ferns to include prayers of Thanksgiving in their Masses over this weekend”, concluded Bishop Nash.