May Bush celebrations in Gorey

CLLR ANDREW BOLGER performing the official opening of Gorey May Bush Féile events in Gorey Civic Square this evening.

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Civic Square

Gorey Civic Square was alive to the sound of music and celebration this evening to mark the Gorey May Bush Feile decorations and the welcome of summer and Bealtaine in a pleasant outdoor atmosphere of music, song, dancing and storytelling.

The well attended ceremony commenced with John Cullen of St. Michael’s Pipe Band playing appropriate tunes to open the event and welcome everybody to sit, listen or participate.

The official opening was performed by Cllr Andrew Bolger who emphasised the importance of the event and what it means to Gorey, he complimented the performers for their astonishing talent and congratulated the organisers and the support received from Springmount Garden Centre.

This year’s respective King and Queen are Ultan McGinty and Nessa Dooley, two amazing young ambassadors for the event, who also contributed a party piece to the entertainment section.

The ‘monarch’s’, with the assistance of Amanda Doran, ensured that the May Bush was decorated with ribbons, and remained at the centre of the community event that was all inclusive.

Rachel Uí Fhaolain was master of ceremonies, Éire agus Chulainn Ní Faoláin performed and assisted with musical accompaniment and other participants included Rince Óg and storytellers, poets and singers, including James Doran, Richard Kimmons, Mick O’Callaghan, Ola Riquet, Johnny Tennant, Anne Ireton, Bróna Ní Chionnfhaolaigh, Alannah Hammell, Ann Walsh, Bernie Walsh, Gerry Walsh and Myles Carroll. This is not a complete list of performers as it was an open event and anybody with a contribution to make were invited to step up.

RACHEL Uí FhAOLÁIN speaking with DAN WALSH at the May Bush Féile event in Gorey Civic Square this evening.

Staples brothers each win one

By Dan Walsh

The Staples brothers from Duncormick enjoyed a winner each at Dromahane point-to-point today (Sunday).

SEAN STAPLES and brother EOIN each enjoyed a winner today.

Sean Staples was aboard Ivegotdapower in the colours of Connie Rooney, Ballyduff, and handled by John Paul Brennan at Monasootha, Camolin, and was successful by a short head in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

And his younger brother, Eoin Staples, (19), won the next race on the card – the maiden race for four-year-old geldings – on Colin Bowe’s newcomer Chosen Judge by two lengths.

Fresh from riding his 70th career winner at Moira yesterday (Saturday) Luke Murphy headed to the Cork track where he recorded a double success.

Murphy enjoyed a winning ride on Bootfulofbags for David Kelly by four lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old mares’ plus and made it a double when given the leg up on Gray Rock owned by Noeleen Kenny and handled at Craanford stables by Liam Kenny – six and a half lengths the verdict – in the Winners Final race.

Donnchadh Doyle saddled the winner of the maiden race for four-year-old mares, newcomer Jayapura by eleven lengths ridden by Brian Lawless.

Also point-to-point action today in East Galway where Oulart rider Bertie Finn teamed up with Clonmel handler John Nallen and steered Minella Missile to a one length victory in the maiden race for six-year-old geldings.

70th victory for Luke Murphy

By Dan Walsh

Wexford riders Luke Murphy, who recorded his 70th career winner, and Bertie Finn were amongst the winners at yesterday’s (Saturday) point-to-point at Moira, Co. Down.

LUKE MURPHY rode his 70th career winner in Co. Down

Inch, Gorey rider Luke Murphy won the maiden race for four-year-olds on newcomer El Granjero for Meath owner/handler Peter Flood. It was a tight finish – a head verdict – with another newcomer Feeling Festive in the colours of the Cullen House Syndicate and Matthew Flynn O’Connor, Ballycrystal, with Brian Lawless in the saddle securing the runner-up spot.

Bertie Finn, Oulart, joined forces with David Christie and enjoyed a three lengths success on Bold Enough in the Open Race. Seventh success of the season for Finn.

Not too late to sign up for the Walk

PEPI CODY (Chief Steward), RUAIRI RYAN and MINISTER JAMES BROWNE promoting Darkness Into Light at Bellefield GAA Complex.

By Dan Walsh

Registration for the Darkness Into Light Walk in Enniscorthy was held recently in Bellfield GAA Complex where the clubhouse was decorated with Pieta signs and covered in the yellow colours, which have grown to be associated with the walk.

However, the good news is that it is not too late to sign up! You can sign up for the Walk at darknessintolight.ie. 

The annual Darkness Into Light walk will be taking place on Saturday, May 6th at 4.15am, starting at Bellfield GAA Complex. 

An opportunity to join with family, friends, club or organisation community for the most important sunrise of the year and help raise much needed funds for suicide prevention.

The funds raised will go towards Pieta’s vital services. Taking over 28,000 phone calls on their 24-hour helpline last year, as well as funding crisis counselling sessions, therapy sessions and bereavement counselling. All Pieta’s services are free of charge and no referral is needed, making it accessible to anyone. 

More information at https://www.darknessintolight.ie/sign-up#challengeSection or visit Facebook page Enniscorthy Darkness Into Light 2023.

Restoring water supply to Gorey district

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann and Wexford County Council are working to maintain water supply to customers following an overnight operational issue at Ballyminaun Water Treatment Plant and while every effort is being made to maintain supply to as many customers as possible, some customers in Gorey Town, Clough, Ballymoney, Courtown, Riverchapel, Pollshone, Ballycanew, Killenagh, Monamolin, Kilmuckridge and surrounding areas will be experiencing low pressure and, or water outages.

Crews are working as quickly, and efficiently as possible and normal water supply is expected to be restored by 3pm today. It typically takes three to four hours for the water network to refill following operational works.

Uisce Éireann’s, Ronan Walsh said; “Uisce Éireann understands the inconvenience when an unplanned outage occurs and would like to thank customers for their patience while the work to repair the operational fault at Ballyminaun Water Treatment Plant and restore normal supply to impacted customers as quickly as possible.”

The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please see the water supply and services section of www.water.ie

Missing woman located at Roney Rock

Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117, the Courtown RNLI Lifeboat crew, Gardaí and ambulance personnel were involved in locating a missing woman at Roney Point, near Ardamine in North Wexford this afternoon (Wednesday).

The woman had been missing from her home since the previous day (Tuesday) and was located on a rocky shoreline on the north side of Roney Rock.

Although the woman had been in the water her condition was described as “alive and responsive” and was transferred to a waiting ambulance at Courtown Harbour Lifeboat Station.

Plans for the 1798 Summer School

By Dan Walsh

Details of events associated with the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion have been announced with the highlight expected to be the National 1798 Summer School at the National 1798 Rebellion Centre in Enniscorthy taking place May 26th-28th.

With a range of historic talks, guided walks and tours and cultural events on the schedule, the Summer School offers engaging events for the local community and visitors to Enniscorthy alike.

The opening night will take place in the Presentation Arts Centre with keynote speaker, Dr. Kevin Whelan, on the topic ‘The 1798 rebellion in Wexford: what should we think about it now?’. Following the lecture, the Fr. Murphy Centre at Boolavogue is hosting an evening of song at The Harrow and all are encouraged to attend.

Saturday will see a series of guided walks and tours around Enniscorthy town, Enniscorthy Castle, The National 1798 Rebellion Centre and Vinegar Hill. Saturday evening will see the Bygone Days Story House commemorate the Battle of Oulart Hill with stories and songs in this picturesque and poignant location.

Three talks will be held at the Presentation Arts Centre on Sunday, beginning with the Battle of Arklow by Christopher Power, who will have copies of his book available on the day. Local archaeologist and historian, Barry Lacey, will provide a rural view of the Rebellion with ‘Who fears to speak of 98′ exploring the legacy of the 1798 rebellion using the Ballycarney area as a case study. Dr. Margaret Ward of Queens University, Belfast, will finish the afternoon with ‘Through women’s eyes: two centuries of rebellion in Ireland’ and an in-depth look at the role of women during the fight for Irish independence.

Sunday evening will welcome Paddy Cullivan to the Presentation Centre stage for ‘The Murder of Wolfe Tone’, a compelling one-man show, sure to educate and entertain.

Additionally, on June 9th, Enniscorthy will be pleased to host a visit from the French Ambassador to Ireland, Vincent Guérend, in conversation with historians Liam Chambers of University of Limerick and Brian O’Cléirigh of Oulart on ‘The Ideals of Revolution: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité – how the French Revolution impacted Irish Rebellion’ at the Presentation Arts Centre. Music will be provided before the conversation by the Irish and French musicians of The Allabar Trio. This event is kindly hosted in conjunction with the Wexford Normandy Cultural Association and Melanie O’Reilly.

All events are free to the public, thanks to funding provided by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, but most events must be booked in advance at www.presentationcentre.ie

Complete schedule and programme information can be found at www.1798centre.ie

25 car parking spaces planned at Bellefield Road

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council today announced to WexfordLocal.com the proposed development of a new public realm space at Bellefield Road, Enniscorthy.

An artist’s impression of a new public realm planned for Bellefield Road, Enniscorthy.

The development will be on land which is being made available to the Council for public use by the Rapparees Starlights GAA Club, adjacent to the new car park entrance to the GAA complex.

In a statement, Wexford County Council confirmed that “it will provide 25 new car parking spaces for public use, a playground for younger children, seating areas, landscaping, a pedestrian crossing and public lighting.

“This public space will enhance this part of Bellfield Road and provide further community benefit by the provision of a link path to the new walking track and sensory garden, currently being developed by the club as part of their ambitious master plan.  

€200m tender approved for Rosslare Europort

CLLR LISA McDONALD, CATHAOIRLEACH Rosslare Municipal District Council welcomes today’s news at Rosslare Europort.

By Dan Walsh

A €200m plus tender for significant upgrade works at Rosslare Europort has been approved by government.

Cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District Cllr. Lisa McDonald has warmly welcomed the government’s agreement that will see major investment in Rosslare Europort. 

These upgrade works are necessary to provide permanent Brexit infrastructure at Rosslare Europort to ensure compliance with EU Customs, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and official food controls legislation, thereby providing protection for the EU single market.

“I welcome the announcement from government today,” Cllr McDonald said; “The port will be brought up to Tier One status which will act as a significant economic driver for the district I represent as well as the entire county and country.

“It is essential that we have proper facilities and resources in place so that Ireland can play its part in ensuring that the EU Single Market continues to function efficiently and effectively following Brexit,” she concluded. 

Gorey Visitor Centre facing May closure?

GOREY VISITOR CENTRE is facing closure at the end of May.

By Dan Walsh in Gorey

The staff at Gorey Visitor Centre located in the historic Market House on Gorey’s Main Street say, “they are devastated to share news of the impending closure of Gorey Visitor Centre.”

The public were informed of developments at the Centre when a notice was placed on the window last week, signed by the staff of Gorey Visitor Centre, and while there are concerns from the public there doesn’t appear to be any official response.

Many regard the closing down of the Visitor Centre as the summer season approaches to be a negative tourism blow for Gorey and North Wexford.

A call for a statement by WexfordLocal.com has received no reply to date, and therefore, the public are in the dark regards the future of North Wexford tourist information and the promotion of works by local craftspeople who enjoyed their works on display in the Centre over many years.

The staff at Gorey Visitor Centre said; “We do not want to say goodbye and were so disappointed by this decision. We truly believe that this centre is a valuable asset to the community, supporting local artists and assisting visitors to the Gorey area. We will do our best to support the artists until the end, which we have been informed is the end of May. We would love to remain in service to our community.”

The public is advised to contact Wexford County Chamber with their concerns and enquiries.