Anyone travelling in the North Wexford areas into counties Carlow and Wicklow today are warned to take serious notice of weather conditions in the area and only travel if the journey is essential or use an alternative safer route.
The Nine Stones at Mount Leinster (Pic; Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service)
Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service told WexfordLocal.com that the road to the Nine Stones car park on Mount Leinster is impassable from both the Borris and Myshall sides.
This is due to the current weather conditions as a STATUS YELLOW WARNING is in place for the entire country.
A STATUS YELLOW WARNING has been issued for most of the South East including counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Tipperary as well as counties Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Offaly and Wicklow.
Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, was in Wexford town last Thursday for the official ‘turning of the sod’ on Phase 1 of the iconic waterfront development at Trinity Wharf.
Wexford County Council estimate that Trinity Wharf has the potential to provide over 2,000 jobs over the next five to ten years.
Minister Darragh O’Brien stated that it was fitting that the newly established Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) will be located on the waterfront here at Trinity Wharf, providing the first anchor tenant. The agency will be responsible for licensing for marine activities, offshore renewable energy, which will play a key part of the climate action programme to reduce our carbon emissions by 2030 at national level. With the potential to create up to 200 jobs, it will be on a par with the Environmental Protection Agency already established at Johnstown Castle.
Chief Executive Officer at Wexford County Council, Tom Enright, said; “The Trinity Wharf development will provide an ideal property solution for the world’s leading companies to invest and grow. The ambitious economic project will deliver a public private partnership of €110 million investment in the flagship project and I want to commend Minister Darragh O’Brien who allocated over €20 million under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund towards the project.”
Mr Enright continued; “The investment in the Trinity Wharf development will complement the provision of the new purpose-built university campus in Wexford by South East Technology University (SETU). Cllr. George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach stated; ‘It is wonderful to turn the sod on the first of many major works contracts that will see the transformation of the old factory site into a new modern, state of the art urban quarter on Wexford Town’s waterfront”. He added that ‘The provision of world class commercial property solutions for multi-national companies will enhance Wexford’s reputation as a destination for companies in the life sciences, technology and financial services area’.
Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Maura Bell, stated that; “In a post Brexit economy Wexford is an ideal location as a European hub for multi-national companies seeking a location that will attract talent with a great life style. Today we create a future for our young people by investing in the new urban quarter that will see the delivery of a major capital project in the beautiful setting of Wexford Harbour.”
Mr. Enright congratulated Glas Civil Engineering Ltd on being awarded the €2.5 million works contract. He commented that Glas Civil Engineering is a firm with a strong track record of delivering projects in Wexford including the South East Greenway, and “we are delighted to have them onboard.” Phase 1 of the Trinity Wharf project is due to consist of:
A new access road linking Trinity Street to the new railway level crossing at Trinity Wharf,
Signalised junction at the Trinity Street junction
New bus stops on Trinity Street
Watermain upgrade from Parnell Street to Trinity Wharf
Installation of deep services crossings under the railway line. These works are expected to complete in Autumn 2023, with the next works contract to commence in 2024.
Bree Macra would like to congratulate Sarah Byrne, who competed in the semi-final of the Impromptu Public Speaking in Cork last night, and succeeded in qualifying for the All-Ireland Final.
She spoke on the topics of Freedom of Speech, The Energy Crisis, and Cats Vs. Dogs. Sarah recently captained the Novice Debating team, who were runners-up in the All-Ireland Final in January.
The Impromptu Public Speaking All-Ireland Final will take place on March 11th at 7.30pm in Cloughleigh Community Centre, Ennis, Co. Clare. V95K31X. Best of luck Sarah!
Raising the Tricolour on Vinegar Hill today marking an historic event from 175 years ago (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walshat Vinegar Hill
The Tricolour was ceremoniously unfurled and raised on Vinegar Hill today marking the 175th anniversary of the historic occasion when the Tricolour was first flown publicly on March 7th, 1848.
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Cllr Aidan Browne said he was delighted that Wexford County Council was marking this important occasion. “This is a significant event worthy of us coming together to remember the meaning of the Tricolour and its relevance to our own lives in 2023,” he stated.
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council CLLR AIDAN BROWNE delivering the keynote address on Vinegar Hill today.
Brian Ó Cléirigh, in his role of Chairman of the Robert Emmet Association, outlined a brief history of the Tricolour and how the colours originated in the Netherlands and France and came to Ireland and Enniscorthy.
An t-Úas Ó Cléirigh presented copies of Emmet’s Proclamation of 1803 to An Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne, the leader of the Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society, Ray Murphy, and Sean Óg O’Dubhghaill, who he described affectionately as “an old personal friend.”
District Manager Claire Lawless welcomed everybody to the ceremony and acted as master of ceremonies.
Cllrs Jackser Owens, Barbara-Anne Murphy and Kathleen Codd-Nolan were amongst the attendance, Supt. Denis Whelan represented An Garda Siochána, Mico Hassett and Keith Doyle and staff of Enniscorthy Castle and members of the Board of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre.
The Tricolour was raised by Sergeant Tommy Comerford and Lieutenant Billy Molloy from the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Kilkenny.
Trumpeter Anthony Nolan played the Reveille and Amhrán na bhFiann to conclude the pleasant and reverent ceremony on Vinegar Hill.
A reception was held afterwards in Enniscorthy Castle.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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).
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.
WexfordLocal.com 