Drama festival winners in Carnew

Winners at the 16th South Wicklow Drama Festival in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew, on Sunday night. (Pic; Eamonn Doran)

By Dan Walsh

Kilmuckridge (confined) and Thurles (open section) were the winners at the end of nine magical nights at the 2023 South Wicklow Drama Festival in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew, which concluded on Sunday night.

Back stage crews transformed the stage each night setting the correct dramatic scenes for each of nine plays. Add amazing lighting designs, sound, costumes and makeup and the scenes were set for the actors to perform. 

Appreciative audiences were treated to simply wonderful week of drama. A welcome cup of tea was provided next door at the interval, where they enjoyed an extra treat in the form of an Art Exhibition, curated by Carnew Community Art Group. They also had the chance to share their own views on the merits of each performance. 

Anna Walker, ADA, Adjudicator for the week attested to the very high standard attained by all of the groups during the week. She said she enjoyed every minute of her time in Carnew and thanked the organising committee.

She then gave her final adjudication and the much-awaited results of the 2023 South Wicklow Drama Festival as follows….

Confined Section; 1st – Kilmuckridge Drama Group – ‘Sive’ 2nd – Wayside Players – ‘The Field’ 3rd – Lislea Dramatic Players – ‘See How They Run’

Open Section; 1st – Thurles Drama Group – ‘The Seafarer’ 2nd – Wexford Drama Group – ‘The Father’

3rd – Bunclody-Kilmyshall Drama Group – ‘The Night Alive’

Confined Section:

Best Supporting Actor – Ben Murphy, Wayside

Best Supporting Actress – Ellen Hannaway, Lislea

Best Actor – John Hearne, Kilmuckridge

Best Actress – Margo Whelan, Kilmuckridge

Best Director – Anthony O’Connor, Kilmuckridge

Open Section:

Best Supporting Actress – Margaret Farrell, Bunclody-Kilmyshall

Best Supporting Actor – David McElgunn, Thurles

Best Actress – Seona O’Connor, Wexford

Best Actor – Andy Doyle, Wexford

Best Director – Margaret McCormack, Thurles

Adjudicator Award 1 – Enniscorthy Drama Group for putting on a production by one of their own

Adjudicator Award 2 – Eugene McLoughlin as Bull McCabe, Wayside.

Adjudicator Award 3 – Stage Management Team from Lislea Dramatic Players.

Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Trophy) – Matt Tracey as Ivan, Thurles.

Magic Moment in Theatre (Pat Connaughton Award) – Director Kieran Tyrrell; Actor Billy

Canning for the finding of the turnip. (Bunclody-Kilmyshall)

Audience Cup (Altura Credit Union Award) – Thurles Drama Group – ‘The Seafarer’

Best Presentation – Bunclody- Kilmyshall DG, The Night Alive

6 people arrested in drugs bust

Six people have been arrested following the search of 15 houses as part of ongoing investigations into criminality in the Enniscorthy and Gorey areas.

It happened as Gardaí conducted an operation recently that is connected to Operation THOR.

During the search of 15 houses, over €13,000 worth of drugs were seized (subject to analysis) and over €1,800 in cash was seized.

Gardaí also recovered Stolen Property and six people were arrested.

Charges were preferred and two people will appear before the District Court charged with being in possession of controlled substances with the intent to supply.

Files to the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) will forwarded in relation to the other people who were arrested.

Thrilling finishes at Monksgrange

SEAN O’ROURKE (Old Style Humor) and BERTIE FINN (Tara Cove) dead-heated for first place at Monksgrange today.

By Dan Walsh at Monksgrange

A dead-heat in the Winner of Two race for novice riders was the highlight on day of close finishes and reliance on the photo finish camera at the Bree Hunt annual point-to-point races held in Spring-like conditions at Monksgrange, Rathnure, this afternoon.

Colin Bowe trained Tara Cove ridden by Bertie Finn, Oulart, and Old Style Humor from Sean Doyle’s yard and Sean O’Rourke could not be separated on the line. It was the eighth career winner for Bertie Finn, but a first success for Sean O’Rourke from Ballybeg, Ferns. There was a dozen length gap and a dead-heat for third place in the same race shared between Garm Colombe (Troy Walsh) and Well P (Eoin Middleton).

Colin Bowe saddled a double when Captain Butler (Barry O’Neill) beat Captain Wallace (Jack Hendrick) in a ‘short head’ verdict after a terrific finish to the maiden race for five year old geldings.

Ballybough Aine from Ian McCarthy’s Kildangan, Co. Kildare, stables had ‘a head’ to spare when winning the maiden race for four-year-old mares with the Pa King ridden mare getting the better of the locally trained favourite Joueuse Royale for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill.

Michael Goff from Clondaw, Ferns, saddled San Frandisco (Mikey Sweeney up) running in the colours of Caitriona Goff who came home four lengths to the good in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

Florencethemachine was an impressive winner of the maiden race for five-year-old and upwards mares race Naas trainer Alan Donoghue and Kilkenny rider Troy Walsh. The winning margin was three lengths.

Peter Maher’s Kildare stables supplied Jet Fighter with Benny Walsh, Tomhaggard, in the saddle, who grabbed a ‘short-head’ victory over Colin Bowe’s  Seattle Seahawk (Barry O’Neill) in the maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards geldings. Maher said Jet Fighter will be aimed at the Bishopscourt Cup at the Punchestown festival next month.

It was a great day’s racing. Exciting finishes. Good attendance. The track rode well. Back to Monksgrange for another day’s point-to-pointing on Sunday, April 23rd. Mark the date in your diary.

Racing also today at Ballynoe, Co. Cork, where Donnchadh Doyle was on the scoresheet. He trained newcomer Illico De Cotte who scored by twelve lengths under Alan Harney in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

Another Wexford handled winner at Loughrea, Co. Galway was Annie Express (Brian Lawless up) for Sean Doyle – across the card double for him today – by seven lengths in the maiden race for five-year-olds upwards mares.

Search for missing Wexford teenager

Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 17-year-old Jim Bob McDonagh who is missing from his home in Wexford Town since Tuesday, March 21st.

Jim Bob is described as approximately 6 feet tall with a broad build. He has brown hair and blue eyes.

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.

Man (30s) injured in Courtown

Gardai in Gorey are investigating an incident outside of a premises in Courtown Harbour yesterday (Saturday) where a man was injured, although not confirmed, believed to have been stabbed.

The incident occurred at approximately 2.30pm.

The man, who is understood to be in his 30s, was taken from the scene by ambulance to St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin.

His injuries are thought to be non-life threating.

Enquiries are ongoing.

Major industrial fire in New Ross

By Dan Walsh

Several units of the fire service from Wexford and Waterford battled a major industrial fire at the Culcita furniture manufacturing storage building near Kent’s Cross, in New Ross, today.

Smoke and flames shooting into the sky at the fire in New Ross today.

The fire was first noticed around 10.30 am when clouds of dense black smoke were seen coming from the premises and the emergency services immediately rushed to the scene.

The smoke could be seen up to five kilometres away and traffic diversions were put in place. The burning roof collapsed, and the building was destroyed. The fire was brought under control around 2pm. No injuries were reported.

Wexford County Council said, in a statement, “Please avoid the area and, as a precautionary measure, keep windows and doors closed until smoke and fumes disperse.”

Culcita manufactures garden and outdoor furniture and has been in the textile manufacturing business in New Ross for 50 years. It opened the garden furniture manufacturing plant in 2009.

Bree races at Monksgrange on Sunday

By Dan Walsh

Ground conditions are expected to be ‘soft’ at the annual Bree Hunt point-to-point races taking place at Monksgrange, Rathnure, tomorrow (Sunday).

A strong entry of 120 has been received for the six races and the first race off at 2pm.

JAMES WALSH.. winner today at Lisronagh

Two meetings today (Saturday) and some Wexford success. At Portrush, Co. Antrim, newcomer Worldwide Fury (Brian Lawless up) scored a two lengths victory in the maiden race for four-year-olds for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle. Barry O’Neill had an easy 27 lengths success on Winged Leader for David Christie in the Open Race and the plan is to head for the Aintree Foxhunters in three weeks’ time.

At Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary, today Rob James saddled newcomer Just Gino (James Walsh up) and enjoyed a one length victory in the maiden race for four-year-olds.

Woodbrook Boy was the six lengths winner of the Ladies Open Race at the Tipperary track for handler Ellen Doyle and the Baltimore Stables Syndicate, Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, and rider Cara McGoldrick.  

Consultants appointed for Wexford Flood Relief Scheme

By Dan Walsh

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Patrick O’Donovan T.D., visited Wexford on Thursday where he welcomed the appointment of Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd as engineering and environmental consultants to carry out the design of the Wexford Town and Environs Flood Relief Scheme.

The Wexford Flood Relief Scheme is part of the government’s €1.3 billion investment in flood relief measures under the National Development Plan, as part of Project Ireland 2040.

Minister O’Donovan said; “I am delighted to be here today to announce this appointment and to confirm to the people and businesses of Wexford the government’s commitment to progressing this scheme. This is an important investment for the town and will provide protection to some 180 families and businesses.

“They and the public can be assured that there will be extensive public consultation as the scheme progresses during the design stage. My Office and Wexford County Council will continue to work closely together with Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd to bring this scheme to construction. The scheme, when constructed, will be adaptable to continue to provide protection against today’s flood risk and the growing risk from climate change into the future.”

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Mr. Tom Enright welcomed the appointment of Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd. Consulting Engineers, and the commencement of the design of the Flood Relief Scheme for Wexford Town and Environs. “The development and implementation of flood defence works in Wexford will allow for the protection of existing properties and the future development of the town centre,” concluded Mr Enright.

Minister Patrick Donovan visited Enniscorthy on December 26th 2021 to see the flooding devastation. No action was taken? He is flanked by Tom Enright, CEO., Liz Hore, Director of Services, Tadgh O’Corcora, Senior Executive Engineer, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).

26 jobs to go at Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

Twenty-six staff members are facing lay off at DB Enniscorthy, formerly ClearStream Technologies, who employs more than 490 people in the Enniscorthy North Business Park at Moyne Upper.

Employees affected were informed of the lay-offs, which the company has described as temporary, at meetings today (Thursday).

According to a spokesperson for BD; “The lay-offs are being made ‘to right-size its manufacturing operations with today’s realities’ This difficult strategic decision is not a reflection of the performance of the Enniscorthy site, but because of “other business factors”.

BD (Becton Dickinson & Co. are a medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical devices, reagents and instruments and employs over 1,200 people across its Irish operations in Enniscorthy, Limerick, Drogheda, and Blackrock in Dublin.

The company intends to continue investing in its Enniscorthy and other operations.

Safety measures needed at Clone beach

Beautiful Clone Beach, near Castletown in North Wexford where there is a public call “to make it safe”.

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District monthly meeting

A situation at Clone Beach with a build-up of sandbanks and steep sandy cliff edges created where the Ahare River flows into the sea is causing concerns locally and Cllr Anthony Donohoe made a sincere call to “make it safe” when he raised the matter at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council.

Cllr Joe Sullivan backed up Cllr Donohoe and told the members that “this situation is created as a result of total inaction by Wexford County Council” and claimed there is a lack of capacity in the river channel and all there was is a warning sign on the road to alleviate the fill of water on the river.

Cllr Sullivan believes there needs to be a cut at the head of the river to reduce pressure on the water upstream and he claims fish life is being taken out of the river.

He said the Ahare River report has done nothing for the people of Castletown. “The road was flooded again last week. There is massive coastal erosion on Kilpatrick beach. The people of my county deserve better than this,” he stated.

Cllr Pip Breen supported Cllr Sullivan. He said that the Ahare River, by its nature, always depended on the locals to get it out to sea. “There is capacity enough if it is let away and let out to sea,” said Cllr Breen, who also reminded the members that trees have died because they are constantly under water.