WexfordLocal.com

Courtown residents bring concerns to Gorey

**Residents of Harbour Court estate in Courtown Harbour gathered on the steps of the Civic Offices in Gorey to highlight concerns affecting their homes.**

By Dan Walsh in Gorey

About 30 residents of Harbour Court estate at Courtown Harbour gathered outside the Civic Offices in Gorey today where the monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council was taking place. Many were bearing placards that read ‘No To The Land Swap’.

Residents of the 27-house estate said that all agree that a new hotel is essential for the survival of Courtown, but not at its proposed location in the public car park!

“The proposed hotel would be 50 feet away from our houses, virtually building a 100 feet wall parallel to our homes,” said spokesperson for the residents, David Millard, who added their disappointment; “We have had no communication from Wexford County Council, the developer or local public representatives since 2019. We have been ignored!”

They say that nobody has communicated with the residents most impacted by the proposed development or discussed their legitimate concerns and opinions. “We strongly suspect that right now, we are merely perceived as no more than a possible future hindrance and irritant and have no doubt whatsoever, that this proposed hotel is going to have a profound, immediate and long term devastating impact on all of the residents of Harbour Court and all of our immediate neighbours around and above us up to the top of the hill.”

They talk about a double volume top floor designed where large groups of people/guests will party the night away and then will board buses (10 bus parking bays provided plus nearly 300 car parking bays under the hotel) and then depart the village. “We repeat, this will be a nightmare for all local residents. If this succeeds, our lives as we now experience it, will change permanently to a daily grinding noisy misery, our nights and days will be guaranteed misery.”

The concerned residents said; “We welcome the upgrading plans for the village and beach development. We welcome the removing of the derelict hotel in the village and the proposed marina, the upgrading of the harbour side. We welcome a hotel, but not in the location being sought and on the massive disproportionate scale envisaged.

“We will, when required, produce a detailed and precise objection, once we are provided with more accurate plan details, dimensions, business plan and impact study by the developers.

“Finally, we strongly oppose the proposed land swap between a portion of the private land (Bay View site) and publicly owned land (the Car Park). Is this good value for the public purse”, they ask?

€89,000 worth of smuggled beer seized

Revenue officers seized over 22,230 litres of beer at Rosslare Europort last Wednesday. The smuggled beer of multiple brands has an estimated retail value of almost €89,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €41,500.

The beverages were discovered in an unaccompanied trailer that had arrived from Dunkirk, France.

Investigations are ongoing.

This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding such activities, they can contact Revenue on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

Enniscorthy welcomes new District Manager

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Meeting

There was a warm welcome for the newly appointed District Manager for Enniscorthy, Claire Lawless, and some words of expectation from the members at the February monthly meeting held in the Presentation Centre Council Chamber today. Cllr Aidan Browne was in the chair.

CLAIRE LAWLESS new Enniscorthy District Manager

Longevity appeared to top the agenda. First up to wish Ms. Lawless “the best of luck” was Cllr Jackser Owens, who recalled that in his political career he served under 10 managers and town clerks.

Cllr Cathal Byrne said he was three years on the Council and this is the third manager he has had in the room!

And to add laughter to the occasion, Cllr Aidan Browne said he has only been six months in the chair and Ms. Lawless is his third manager.

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy said the Monageer manager was very welcome to the chamber. “You are putting on the Enniscorthy jersey, that’s what we do as councillors, and you need to fight with us, not for us!”

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan stated; “We need to push on with plans for the town. Let’s get hope and get people back into the town,” she concluded.

Cllr John O’Rourke felt “It was great to have a woman in the position, a new broom sweeps clear. It’s all about team Enniscorthy and getting projects over the line.”

Councillors lose out on the Town Centre First team!

**All is peaceful in Enniscorthy town centre tonight.**

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal Council Meeting

Angry sentiments were aired at today’s (Monday) monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council when the six elected representatives who had formed a working committee some three years ago were informed that they could only have a single representative on the Town Centre First team.

Ructions broke out following a presentation by Mick McCormick, Town Regeneration Officer, with special responsibility for New Ross and Enniscorthy, who outlined the Town Centre First- A Policy Approach for Irish Towns.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne said the plan was “ambitious and a chance to make Enniscorthy special and great” but the mood dropped when it emerged that only one elected member could serve on the committee and five would be disappointed!

Cllr Cathal Byrne had concerns about the new Town Centre First elected representatives being reduced from six to one which he claimed; “dilutes the democratic mandate”. He added that “we need to be ambitious, but pointed out that claims for funding opens at the end of June and ‘six steps’ need to be completed before March 10^th.”

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy said she felt “really frustrated” and stated that Enniscorthy was not “a one-size fits all town” and the reduction of elected members was “undermining democracy.”

Mr. McCormick said these are the rules and must be followed to have any chance of securing URDF (Urban Regeneration and Development Fund) funds.

Cllr Jackser Owens felt ‘insulted’. He said they had worked for three and a half years as the Enniscorthy Team and now five members are gone! We want six members for the Enniscorthy Team and fight as a team to get €5 or 6 million. “This is not acceptable. It is an insult to the elected members of Enniscorthy district,” he concluded.

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan had concerns about Templeshannon. “We have had a lot of negotiation with the businesses over there and we need to have this stuff sorted. Templeshannon must be included in URDF Round 4.

Cllr John O’Rourke described Templeshannon as “the forgotten people” and emphasised that “we must put plans together and have a committee together. This is a kick in the teeth, and we must put our shoulder to the wheel for a cleaner Enniscorthy for the people of Enniscorthy. It must be fair and equal.”

At this point Mr. McCormick interjected and pointed out; “These are the rules of the game” and felt that doing otherwise could put the application for funding in jeopardy.

Cllr Byrne suggested; “Continue as we are. The committee remains in place. Call a meeting and invite the three Oireachtas members from the town,” (Cllr Owens seconded), and added; “We are kicked off the committee after three and a half years because the guidelines say one!”

Cllr Murphy referred to two URDF applications and asked who gets the final say? Mr. McCormick said the Municipal Council is the premier town authority, but the final say will be with the Town Teams.

“Not one person is going off this committee. We are going to fight it to the end,” thundered Cllr Owens.

At this point an Cathaoirleach told members that a decision had to be made today. The Council will have one member on the Town Team (the Cathaoirleach of the day) and it was agreed that the working group continue in an advisory capacity.

Mr. McCormick told the members that Town Centre First was both a policy approach equally applying to cities and small villages and an action plan specifically focussed on our towns and encourages Government Departments, Local Authorities, businesses and communities to put town centres at the heart of decision making.

Launched last February the Town Centre First policy aims to create town centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community.

The key roles of the Town Team are to comprise of local experts and made of diverse groups such as residents, business owners, community representatives etc. and may also have one local authority member, Public Partnership Network (PPN) member, representatives of tourism, culture groups etc.

Brilliant Barry at Ballycrystal

**BRENDAN WALSH and COLIN BOWE discussing today’s point-to-point at sunny Ballycrystal.**

By Dan Walsh at Ballycrystal

The leaders in the riders’ championship are pulling clear of the others as the season progresses following a brilliant treble for Barry O’Neill at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, and a double for Rob James at Nenagh point-to-point races this afternoon. Champion O’Neill is on the 35-winner mark and James, who rode his 300^th ‘points’ winner yesterday at Oldtown, Co. Meath, is on 29.

Barry O’Neill rode two of today’s victories for champion handler Colin Bowe who is also stretching his lead in a bid to retain the handler’s championship and is on the 17-winner mark.

Ben Solo put in a fine front running performance to score by four lengths in the maiden race for four-year-olds and Brechin Castle got home by a length in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. O’Neill’s treble was achieved on Extrapolation by five lengths in the maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards for Cavan handler Shane Donohoe.

Sean Doyle’s consistent mare The Forge Hill recorded her eighth point-to-point victory by one and a half lengths under Tralee rider Ross Sugrue in the Open Lightweight Race confined to mares.

Paurick O’Connor made the journey from Galway a worthwhile event when he saddled Merry Melody with Eoin Mahon up to win the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares by one length and Daniel Hyde travelled from Cashel to win on the family gelding Focus Point by five lengths in the Winners of One race beating Tara Cove for the Colin Bowe/Barry O’Neill partnership.

Rob James won the first two races at Nenagh today. Beginning with Mossy Fen Park for Sean Doyle (across the card double for the Ballindaggin handler as The Forge Hill was successful at Ballycrystal) in the four-year-old maiden race by 18 lengths and half-an-hour later teamed up with Donnchadh Doyle on newcomer Beneficially Yours in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and secured victory by nine lengths.

Golden De Couer was also a winner at the Tipperary track for handler Richard Black, Bunclody, in the maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards. Strolled home by 45 lengths under Luke Murphy from Inch, Gorey.

Ellen Doyle from Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, also saddled a double on the day – Woodbrook Boy ridden by Cara McGoldrick by 15 lengths in the Ladies Open Race at Nenagh and the maiden race for four-year-olds at Duhallow, Co. Cork, by six lengths with newcomer Doyen Magic with Brian Dunleavy up.

Rob James rides 300th winner

By Dan Walsh

The Ward Union point-to-point races took place today (Saturday) at Oldtown, Co. Meath where Killanne rider Rob James took the four-year-old maiden race on Jinko Blue and recorded his 300^th winner ‘between the flags’.

**ROB JAMES rode his 300th point-to-point winner at Oldcastle, Co. Meath, this afternoon.**

Making the occasion extra special Jinko Blue, who was making his debut, is also handled by James for the Matchmaker Syndicate and won by one length beating his neighbour Colin Bowe’s Jersey De Brosses and Barry O’Neill.

Rob James won his first point-to-point on the Donnchadh Doyle trained Amber Hill at Tinahely in 2012, has also gained much success on the track, and has the Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and the Scottish Grand National at Ayr to his career credits. He rides regularly for Gordon Elliott.

In recent years he has been training some young horses and Jinko Blu was his second winner of the season and his tenth career success as a handler. So, what a milestone victory!

In other news, Colin Bowe is tonight back at the head of the handler’s championship following a double this afternoon bringing his seasonal total to 15.

Walks Like A Man in the James Grace colours was the two lengths winner of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and Annalecka had five lengths to spare in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus mares contest. Both were well ridden by Barry O’Neill.

Donnchadh Doyle was also in winning form. He saddled Er Dancer for the Monbeg Syndicate who scored by four lengths with Alan Harvey in the saddle in the Open Race confined to novice riders.

Sunday racing features The Island Hunt fixture at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy where they have 79 entries and the first race is off at 2pm. “Good, yielding in places along the back straight” is the official ‘going’ overnight and tomorrow will be a mainly dry day with temperatures highest at 12 degrees Celsius. The host hunt is anticipating a large crowd.

64th Kilmuckridge Drama Festival

By Dan Walsh at Upton Court Hotel, Kilmuckridge

The 64^th Kilmuckridge Drama Festival runs for nine nights in Kilmuckridge Memorial Hall from Saturday, February 25^th to Sunday, March 5^th, inclusive, and the official launch took place last night (Friday) in the company of a large attendance in the Upton Court Hotel.

The privilege of officially opening the 2023 festival was bestowed on Joe Doran, a well-known local thespian who acted with several groups including Boolavogue, Monamolin, Kilmuckridge, Ballygarrett and Gorey Little Theatre Group, and, of course, a past legend on the hurling fields.

The attendance included Minister James Browne, Cllr Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council and Cllrs Pip Breen and Willie Kavanagh and there was a welcome for all from Festival Chairman, Liam Buttle.

There was a special welcome for Tom Byrne from Celbridge, with over 40 years involvement in amateur drama. “We are honoured to have him adjudicating our festival. I hope he will have a very special week in Kilmuckridge,” said Mr. Buttle.

There was also a huge ‘thank you’ to the sponsors for their “loyal and generous support every year and a special thank you to our nightly sponsors of this year Festival”, not forgetting the loyal patrons of the festival.

“I am delighted to say this is a unique opportunity to enjoy nine very different plays so sit back and enjoy some excellent performances,” said Mr. Buttle, who added; “We are looking forward to an entertaining season of quality drama on the Festival Circuit and would like to extend to all groups our best wishes and plenty of personal satisfaction on their festival journey.”

Local groups involved includes Enniscorthy Drama Group, Kilmuckridge Drama Group, Kilrush Drama Group, Ballycogley Players, Bridge Drama Group, The Wayside Players (Blackwater) and Wexford Drama Group. Visit the website www.kilmuckridgedramafestival.com for a list of the plays and a synopsis of the plays.

Norman Room opens at the Castle

At the official launch of the Norman Rooms at Enniscorthy Castle tonight were; Ray Murphy, Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society, Seán Doyle, who performed the official opening, Cllr. Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Mico Hassett, Manager at Enniscorthy Castle.

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

“Enniscorthy Castle has undergone a few changes over the winter. The ground floor has been re-imagined as an interactive, family-friendly space dedicated to the Norman history of the Castle with a period weapons display and an exploration of daily life in Norman times,” Manager Mico Hassett stated at the official opening held in Enniscorthy Castle tonight.

The official opening was performed by Sean Doyle, a member of the Enniscorthy Castle Board, who also gave a brief history of the Normans and the links with Enniscorthy Castle to the present day.

Mr. Doyle expressed his support for the inclusion of the Norman experience and complimented Enniscorthy Castle while he called for the reopening of the Athenaeum Hall next door as the next future project for the town.

The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Cllrs Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cathal Byrne and John O’Rourke, and members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society.

There are lots of new surprises along with the castle tour including new decorations such as a ‘chieftains’ throne’, a Knight in armour and heraldic shields featuring family names and coats of arms – all new attractions bringing medieval magic to young and old.

Enniscorthy Castle is open seven days a week and is a popular family visitor attraction for Co. Wexford and the South-East.

Teenager missing from Wexford town

**JIM BOB McDONAGH missing from his home in Wexford town.**

Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 16-year-old Jim Bob McDonagh who is missing from his home in Wexford Town. He was last seen on Thomas Street at 6pm on Sunday evening, February 12^th.

Jim Bob is described as approximately 6 feet tall with a broad build. He has brown hair and blue eyes. When last seen, he was wearing a grey tracksuit and a black McKenzie zip-up top.
Anyone with information on Jim Bob’s whereabouts is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

New mains for Enniscorthy’s Ross Road

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, is replacing approximately 260 metres of aged water mains with new modern pipes along Ross Road in Enniscorthy.

The project, which will commence this week, will provide a more reliable water supply and reduce the amount of treated drinking water lost to leakage.

The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply.

Joe Carroll, Regional Delivery Lead at Uisce Éireann, explained; “Old and damaged water mains are a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland, causing low pressure and supply disruption. Replacing these old water mains in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.”

Where water mains are being constructed traffic management will be in place during this time. Local and emergency traffic will be always maintained.

These works are being carried out by Shareridge Civil Engineering in partnership with Wexford

Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also make contact on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Water Supply Updates section or set your location on the website.