RNLI seeking volunteers in Co. Wexford

By Dan Walsh

The RNLI is looking for new fundraising volunteers to join its lifesaving crew in Co. Wexford with opportunities to get involved with branches in Courtown, Wexford, New Ross, Kilmore Quay, Hook/Fethard and Rosslare.

Just like the charity’s lifeboats, the RNLI’s fundraising team need a dedicated volunteer crew. Volunteers are at the heart of the RNLI and make up 95% of its people. They are ordinary people who do extraordinary things and without them, the organisation couldn’t continue to save lives at sea.

Grainne O’Brien, Secretary of the Kilmore Quay Guild,

Grainne O’Brien, Secretary of the Kilmore Quay Guild, told WexfordLocal.com; ‘I come from a fishing family and my grandfather Paddy Hayes and my uncle John Hayes were both crew on the lifeboat in Kilmore Quay. From a kid growing up, I always knew the importance of the lifeboat to our community.

“I first got involved in volunteering as a teenager helping in the shop over the summer breaks. Then when I moved home after been away in Galway and Athlone, I wanted to give something back, so I started by helping out in the shop again and then I got involved in fundraising and now I am the secretary of the Kilmore Quay Guild.’

Mary Creedon, RNLI Fundraising Partnership Lead hails the selfless efforts of people like Grainne: ‘Without our volunteers, the RNLI simply would not be able to operate the way it does today. With 92% of the RNLI’s income coming from donations, the charity relies on the generosity of supporters and on the dedication of our fundraising volunteers to help raise essential funds.

To find out more about how you can sign up to be a fundraising volunteer at the RNLI in Courtown, Wexford, New Ross, Kilmore Quay, Hook/Fethard and Rosslare, or to apply, click on this link rnli.org/OneCrewVolunteers

Double for Denis Murphy at Tinahely

Arra Clonceid (No. 2) Paul Lake up; Bonny Dazzler (blue colours) Joanne Corish; and Forest Breeze (No. 6), the winner with Barry Walsh up taking a fence during the maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards at Fairwood, Tinahely, this afternoon.

By Dan Walsh at Fairwood Park, Tinahely

Denis Murphy was the handler in form at today’s Bray Harriers point-to-point races held at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, where he saddled a double, beginning with the 5/4 fav. Break My Soul by one and a half lengths in the maiden race for four-year-olds with Jack Hendrick in the saddle.

The double came for the master of Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, when Lough Derg Spirit came home three and a half lengths to the good in the Open Lightweight Race for novice riders. Lough Der Spirit was ridden by Joey Dunne and ran in the colours of the handlers’ mother, Catherine Murphy, and is likely to run in the Aintree Foxhunters Chase in April.

Barry O’Neill had to pull out all the stops on Red Notice in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings but scored by a neck for Colin Bowe just holding off Joie More for the Jack Hendrick/Denis Murphy stables.

Fortune Dancer won the maiden race for five-year-old mares for Sean Doyle with six lengths to spare. Jamie Scallan was in the saddle and the Gain mare’s final may be next for the Soldier of Fortune mare.

Elusive Mae got “a great ride” from Moira McElligott according to handler Willie Murphy from Ballycurragh Stud, Carlow, in a photo-finish (three quarters of a length and half a length covering the first three home) in the Winners of Two race. Elusive Mae’s next challenge may be the Gain mare’s final.

Local winners are always popular and none more so than Forest Breeze, who justified the favourite’s tag at 5/4), and scored easily by twelve lengths for father and son, John and Barry Walsh, from Ballyday, Gorey, in the maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards.

There was also racing at Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary, where there was mixed fortunes for Wexfordians – three wins for Wexford handlers, but top rider Rob James took a fall and suffered a broken shoulder and will likely miss the rest of the season and some choice rides that were coming his way at the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival.

The maiden race for four-year-olds was a thriller. Lady Balko ridden by Brian Lawless for Matthew Flynn O’Connor, Ballycrystal, Bunclody, got the better of Main Stage owned by the Kenny family from Craanford, Gorey, and partnered by James Kenny. by half a length.

There was another Wexford one-two and another tight finish in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. Bill Joyce handled by Benny Walsh for his wife Jenny and ridden by Tiernan Power Roche got the verdict by three quarters of a length over Express Surprise for Sean Doyle and rider Finny Maguire.

Either On was a winner for Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares at the Tipperary track. Half a length the verdict and Liam Gilligan the successful rider.

Yesterday (Saturday) Barry O’Neill made the long journey to Farmacaffley for the point-to-point run under the auspices of the Tynan and Armagh Foxhounds and while there were no Wexford trained winners, the champion rider enjoyed a double success.

O’Neill teamed up with Tom Dreaper for an eight lengths victory on Carrigeen Castle in the Confined Hunt Winners race and David Christie gave him the leg up on Winged Leader in the Open Race and they came home eleven lengths to the good.

“Enniscorthy madness” in new book

By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy

There was a packed gathering of family and friends in the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, this afternoon for the launch of a new novel by Tony Bolger entitled IN HINDSPITE.

TONY BOLGER signing copies of his book in the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy.

“There is a lot of Enniscorthy madness in the book and I want people to enjoy it,” Tony told WexfordLocal.com, while the rear cover declares in colourful and light-hearted sentiment; “This is the story of how far an idiot will go to avoid dealing with his own nonsense, as he navigates a tornado of self-made disasters, endless sandwiches and random bird attacks.”

This is the first novel for Enniscorthy native Tony Bolger who departed his home place at the age of 19, although he has visited a number of times, and today he returned as a published author and spoke briefly at a humorous launch. “It is nice to be home,” he stated.

He studied English in Creative Writing in Bristol, and although he has written articles for local and online publications, this is his first novel. He admits that his book “is light-hearted reading” and he hopes readers will enjoy it.

IN HINDSPITE is a paperback consisting of more than 200 pages, a variety of chapters and short stories, and is available on Amazon.

TONY BOLGER speaking at the launch of his book IN HINDSPITE in the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, this afternoon.

Edermine Bridge is closed

By Dan Walsh at Edermine

Edermine Bridge will be closed to traffic for some time after a tractor crashed through the steel parapet last night narrowly avoiding a catastrophic situation.

It appears that the tractor was coming from the east side when a loaded trailer tipped up causing the tractor to crash into the siding leaving significant damage to the railings.

No injuries are reported.

Known as Marmion Bridge, the single lane bridge, facilitates traffic from the R772 Enniscorthy- Oylegate M11 roundabout across the river Slaney to Bree.

It was officially opened by Wexford hurling legend Nicky Rackard on August 24th 1975.

There is no bridge operating between Enniscorthy and Wexford causing great inconvenience for users who need to cross the river Slaney for work or business.

Killurin Bridge is currently closed to traffic to facilitate scheduled repairs.

Offshore wind projects for Rosslare

Glenn Carr, Director Commercial Business Units for Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority Rosslare Europort, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers T.D. and Paul Lennon, Head of Offshore Wind and Hydrogen at ESB at Rosslare Europort.

By Dan Walsh

ESB and Iarnród Éireann (Port Authority for Rosslare Europort) have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate on the organisations’ respective development plans to support offshore wind projects in the Celtic and Irish Seas.

“Rosslare Europort is excited to work with ESB whose vision for the potential of offshore renewable energy aligns with our own,” said port authority director Glenn Carr, who added; “We believe there are strong synergies to be achieved as we work together to place this renewable energy industry at the heart of Ireland’s decarbonised future.”

ESB’s head of offshore wind and hydrogen, Paul Lennon, said ESB “is looking forward to ensuring that suitable port infrastructure is available at Rosslare, “to enable the successful delivery of these projects”.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, said offshore renewable energy is “integral” to meeting Ireland’s climate change ambitions.

Gorey’s Market House tops the local news

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Meeting

Recently, 60 people gathered in the Loch Garman Arms Hotel to support the newly formed Gorey Community Development Group where Cllrs Diarmuid Devereux and Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin represented Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council.

At last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the district authority Cllrs Devereux and Ó Súilleabháin submitted a motion of support that was unanimously accepted by the members.

THE MARKET HOUSE, GOREY,

It read; “Following a major public meeting attended by several community organisations on the 9th of February, this Council notes that the meeting voted unanimously in favour of the Council working with the newly formed Gorey Community Development Group to explore the need to keep the Market House in public ownership, restore the Market House as a cross functional community, heritage building and explore the development of a multi-use community centre to the rear of the Market House.”

Cllr Joe Sullivan, supporting the motion, stated that the Market House is falling into a further state of disrepair and the proposal is good and represents people who want to develop the Market House, including many organisations, and gives everyone ownership.

Cllr Devereux said the inaugural meeting of Gorey Community Development Group had 40 organisations represented and here is support for securing a positive future for the Market House.

Cllr Willie Kavanagh favours anything that supports old buildings. He wondered if some group could take a lease on the property.

Cllr Anthony Donohoe supported the motion and said that basically terms and conditions would have to apply for any investor coming in.

Cllr Pip Breen noted that the Market House would need an awful lot of TLC (tender loving care) but if no expressions of interest were forthcoming to go down that road.

Director of Services Ms. Liz Hore agreed that a town the size of Gorey needed a community building where diverse groups would come together. She outlined that the December meeting agreed at “one last attempt at expressions of interest” and lodging a new procurement process for the Market House, which is a protected structure.

Kilrush Drama Group on stage

By Dan Walsh

A scene from Kilrush Drama Group’s production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane; John Joe Murphy, Joanne Logue, Niall McGrath and Hilary Madigan (seated) in St. Brigid;s Hall, Carnew, this Friday and Sunday nights.

Kilrush Drama Group will take to the stage in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew, this weekend with their production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane before heading off on the Festival Circuit in a bid to reach the All-Ireland finals in Athlone.

Performances on Friday, February 24th and Sunday, February 26th and audience tickets are available.

Following from the success of last year’s production of Class by Iseult Golden and David Horan, which was directed by Pat Whelan and came fourth in the All-Ireland Finals in Athlone, this year Kilrush Drama Group are busy preparing for the All-Ireland Open Circuit with one of the modern classics of Irish theatre. The Beauty Queen of Leenane by world renowned playwright, Martin McDonagh.

It is set in the mountains of Connemara and tells the story of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely woman in her early 40s, and Mag, her manipulative, aging mother.

Mick Byrne directs this powerful drama, and the role of Maureen Folan will be played by Joanne Logue. Playing the formidable role of Mag Folan, Maureen’s mother, is Hilary Madigan. Also in the cast are Niall McGrath from Carnew and John Joe Murphy from Kilrush who play the roles of Pato and Ray respectively.

Working on the set is Lar Duffy and his crew, and Lar will also take on the onerous task of Stage Manager for this year’s production. All-Ireland Best Lighting Award Winner, Kevin McEvoy will 

take on the lighting of the show, and the sound engineers once again are Paddy Byrne and Dougie Doyle.

Ballinaboola crash victim is named

By Dan Walsh

The man who died in last night’s three vehicle road traffic collision on the N25 Wexford-New Ross road on the Wexford side of Ballinaboola has been named as P.J. Whitty, Hillview, Carnagh, Gusserane, New Ross.

PJ is survived by his loving parents Kathleen and Paddy (Whitty), partner Melissa (Whelan), daughters Abby, Katie and Emily, brothers Larry, Mark, Liam, Diarmuid and Óisín, sisters Amanda, Jamie and Áine, nephews, nieces, extended family and a large circle of friends.

P.J. WHITTY

Funeral arrangements to be announced later.

The collision involving two cars and a tractor occurred at approximately 7.10pm last evening (Wednesday).
The driver (P.J. Whitty) of one of the vehicles, a male in his early 40s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two juvenile female passengers of this vehicle were taken to University Hospital Waterford to be treated for serious Injuries.
The two male drivers of the other vehicle, aged 70s and 30s, were taken to University Hospital Waterford to be treated for serious injuries.
No other injuries have been reported.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling along this route between 6.40pm and 7.15pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Man (40s) dies in road collision

By Dan Walsh

A man in his 40’s has died, and four others were taken to University Hospital Waterford following a road traffic collision involving two cars and a tractor on the N25 (Wexford to New Ross road) at Balinaboola at approximately 7.10pm on Wednesday.
The driver of one of the vehicles, a male in his early 40s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two juvenile female passengers of this vehicle were taken to University Hospital Waterford to be treated for serious Injuries.

The two male drivers of the other vehicles, aged 70s and 30s, were taken to University Hospital Waterford to be treated for serious injuries.
No other injuries have been reported.
The road is currently closed for technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling along this route between 6.40pm and 7.15pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.