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 300th 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.
Pictured at the launch of the 64th Kilmuckridge Drama Festival launch held in the Upton Court Hotel were; (left to right); Minister James Browne, Cllr Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, Joe Doran, who performed the official launch, and Liam Buttle, Chairman, Kilmuckridge Drama Festival.
By Dan Walsh at Upton Court Hotel, Kilmuckridge
The 64th Kilmuckridge Drama Festival runs for nine nights in Kilmuckridge Memorial Hall from Saturday, February 25th to Sunday, March 5th, 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.
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.
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 12th.
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.
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
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.
North Wexford is in mourning following the tragic death of Colm Donnelly, (18), who was seriously injured in a freak accident at his home in Tinnock, Gorey, last Thursday, but lost his fight for life five days later at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin.
The 6th year student at Gorey Community School was carrying out repairs to a car at his home last Thursday evening when he became trapped under the vehicle. He was known for his passion for cars.
He suffered serious injuries and was rushed to St. Vincent’s Hospital where he remained in a coma for several days and died yesterday (Tuesday) causing intense grief throughout the community.
COLM DONNELLY
At Gorey Community School, Principal Michael Finn and the entire school community offered their condolences to the devastated family.
“As a school community, we are heartbroken over the sudden and untimely passing of Colm. His classmates are particularly devastated, as are his teachers. Colm was very involved in rugby in the school and had a great passion for farming, machinery and cars. He absolutely excelled at everything that he did.”
“Everyone at Gorey Rugby Club would like to offer our sincere condolences to Walter, Louise and Niamh Donnelly on the tragic passing of their son and brother, Colm.
“Colm was a very popular player and cherished teammate at the club, playing for many years from Minis through to Youths with great distinction.
“He will be sadly missed by everyone at the club, and by his teammates with whom he had formed a strong bond. Our entire club, team and coaches are devastated by this sad loss. Our hearts go out to his family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,” added Gorey Rugby Club.
Deepest sympathy is extended to his sorrowing parents, Walter and Louise, sister Niamh, his Granny, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives, school community and many close friends. R.I.P
Colm will be reposing at Flood’s Funeral Home, McDermott St., Gorey, this Friday (17th) from 2pm until 10pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday (18th) at 11am in St. Patrick’s Church, Castletown, followed by cremation in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, Dublin,
An aerial view of WEXFORD GARDA DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS at Mulgannon. (Pic; Scollard Doyle/OPW)
By Dan Walsh
An Garda Siochána is in the news this week. Chief Superintendent Derek Hughes shall assume responsibility for Wexford and Wicklow Garda Divisions on promotion. Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit shall assume responsibility for Waterford and Kilkenny/ Carlow Garda Divisions on transfer, commencing on February 22nd.
Courtown has seen one of the greatest decreases in Garda numbers of all stations in Wexford over the past decade, according to Official Garda figures published by the Department of Justice that gives information on policing in Co. Wexford in the ten years, 2013 to 2022.
There are concerns at the level of cover. Courtown Harbour Station has decreased by 75% from four to one. Bunclody Garda Station has decreased by 50% from eight to four.
Meanwhile, larger urban areas in the county have seen a rise in numbers in the same period, including Enniscorthy, Gorey, Wexford and New Ross.
At a recent Wicklow and Wexford Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting held at the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit acknowledged concerns around staffing levels in Courtown Garda Station, among others. Some local councillors had raised concerns and sought clarity on the matter.
“We need to make sure that urban areas are stocked and then we can look at the likes of Courtown, Ferns and Bunclody,” he said at the meeting. “We hope to be in a better position next year.”
“The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme, which was implemented in An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013, sought to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within An Garda Síochána. “The review concluded that a revised district and station network commensurate with the organisation’s resource base would best meet public demand.
“On foot of the Programme, some 139 Garda stations were closed and some 32 districts were amalgamated to create 16 enlarged districts.
As part of this process, in November 2013, the Gorey District was amalgamated with the Enniscorthy District resulting in an enlarged Enniscorthy District and I (Deputy Brendan Howlin) am informed that no station within the former Gorey District was closed. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the District Officer at Enniscorthy, in conjunction with the Inspector at Gorey, ensure that the policing arrangements within the Gorey area are effectively managed on an ongoing basis and there is no diminution in the policing service provided within the context of existing available resources in the Gorey area.” (Source; The Dáil Record).
While working for the Gorey Echo I covered numerous public meetings in Gorey town and district where the community was calling out loudly for promotion and more gardaí to cover Gorey town, Courtown Harbour and the rural areas of North Wexford.
Another significant development in Co. Wexford was the closure of Wexford Garda Station and the official opening of the newly constructed Divisional Headquarters at Mulgannon, Wexford.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan T.D. was joined by the Acting Garda Commissioner Dónall Ó’Cualáin to open the new Garda Station in Wexford town costing €29 million on August 1st 2018.
Speaking at the opening, Minister Flanagan said: “We are now seeing the results of the unprecedented public funding provided to An Garda Síochána in recent years.
“The opening of the new Divisional Headquarters is taking place at a time of major reform and investment which will redefine our national police service as an organisation.”
The new Wexford Garda Station on Mulgannon Road in Wexford Town was designed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) Architectural Services team led by State Architect Ciaran O’Connor.
And the current figures: Other stations in Wexford have also seen changes in garda numbers over the past decade.
Wexford: 133 (up from 85). Enniscorthy: 60 (up from 36). Gorey: 56 (up from 45). New Ross: 54 (up from 41), Rosslare Harbour: 11 (up from 6), Bunclody: 4 (down from 8). Taghmon: 3 (down from 1). Ferns: 3 (up from 2). Ballycullane: 2 (same as 2013). Kilmore Quay: 2 (down from 4). Carrickbyrne: 2 (same as 2013). Castlebridge: 2 (down from 3). Clonroche: 2 (up from 1). Duncannon: 2 (down from 4). Glynn: 2 (up from 1). Rosslare Strand: 2 (same as 2013). Campile: 1 (up from 0). Carrick-on-Bannow: 1 (same as 2013). Blackwater: 0 (down from 2). Oulart: 0 (down from 1). Oylegate: 0 (down from 1).
A relatively new feature in rural areas is the arrival of pop-up garda stations and chatting benches.
Rosslare Harbour RNLI came to the aid of two sailors last Thursday after the all-weather lifeboat was requested by the Irish Coast Guard at 3.20am and went to the aid of two people after their 10-metre yacht got into difficulty off the Wexford coast.
The lifeboat under Coxswain Eamonn O’Rourke and with six crew members onboard, launched immediately and made its way to the scene at South Blackwater Buoy, some 12 nautical miles north of Rosslare Harbour.
The night-time weather conditions were described as good with a Force 3 wind and a calm sea.
Arriving on scene, the lifeboat crew observed that the two male sailors were safe and well. The yacht had got into difficulty when it experienced engine problems.
Having assessed the situation, a decision was made to tow the yacht and her crew safely back to Rosslare Europort, where the operation ended successfully at 6.40am.
Speaking following the call out, Jamie Ryan, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “We were delighted to help the sailors and we wish them a safe onwards journey. I would also like to commend our selfless and dedicated team of volunteers who despite the early hours of the morning responded without hesitation to go to aid of the sailors.
“We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to always go prepared. Always wear a lifejacket or suitable buoyancy aid for your activity and always carry a means of communication. Always let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,” concluded Mr. Ryan.
Wexford County Fire Service attending to a fire in Castlebridge on May 22nd last year. (File Pic).
By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting
Speaking at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy referred to consistent advertising for people to join Wexford Fire Service and wondered why there was a slow take-up on the positions, which she said, offered decent rates for the job and is a rewarding career.
Cllr Michael Sheehan noted that it was difficult to get firefighters. Cllr Davy Hynes also contributed, and Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan felt that since the positions were ‘part-time’ it was not attractive to people who may be seeking mortgages. Cllr Tom Forde said the position had to be in close proximity to their residences.
Director of Services Ms. Caroline Godkin acknowledged that all contributions were well made and recalled that six night courses had been held recently in Gorey, Bunclody and New Ross.
The discussion coincided with the publication of the Fire and Emergency Operations Plan 2022-2027 which was circulated to members.
Wexford Fire Authority maintains a fire service consisting of a fire brigade in each of the principal towns of the county; Wexford, Enniscorthy, Gorey, New Ross and Bunclody with the Headquarters in Wexford town.
Other duties undertaken by Wexford Fire Service include various fire prevention and protection activities, community fire safety and planning for major emergencies.
Wexford County Council invites applicants for post of Retained (part-time) Firefighter in the following Stations: Bunclody, Gorey and New Ross.
TFI Local Link Wexford new rural bus service connecting the towns of Wexford and Enniscorthy commences today, Monday, February 13th.
Known as Route 384 it will operate five return services per day Monday to Saturday and four return services on Sunday serving areas on the western side of the River Slaney stopping through villages and areas such as Glynn, Killurin, Ballyhogue, Bree, Wilton and Tomnalossett.
The new service will provide improved connectivity to regional bus and rail services from Wexford to Enniscorthy and will facilitate onward travel to South Wexford, Waterford, Carlow, Wicklow and Dublin.
WexfordLocal.com 