An Taisce Green Schools programme

Pictured at the launch of Uisce Éireann continued sponsorship of An Taisce’s Green-Schools programme are last year’s, Green School, Winners of Secondary Water School of the Year: Eniola Best Olumeyan, Mary Igbinigun and Yinka Adedokun from Balbriggan Community College. PIC: MAXWELLS.

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann has confirmed its continued sponsorship of An Taisce’s Green-Schools programme to support schools working to gain a Green Flag under the Water Theme. Now in its 10th year, the sponsorship has seen over 2.6 billion litres of water saved, which is equivalent to filling 1,040 Olympic size swimming pools. 

52 students across Wexford and the Southern Region are water ambassadors for the programme with 161 schools involved with Green Schools. In total over 370,000 students across Ireland have completed the programme, to date, achieving 1,310 Green Flags, as well as participating in a range of additional initiatives, including poster and video competitions, Walks for Water, Water Ambassador programmes and a range of workshops with Irish Water and other stakeholders in the water sector.

Speaking at the launch, Eamon Gallen of Uisce Éireann, said; “We are immensely proud to continue our sponsorship of the Water Theme and our association with Green Schools. This partnership is the perfect fit as it and embodies our core values while helping the next generation understand and appreciate Ireland’s water resources and encourage conservation from a young age.

“It is truly inspiring to see how the schools taking part in the Green-Schools Water Theme are setting an example for how we should all value our precious water resources and have proved just how much water can be salvaged.”

Joanne Scott, Green Schools Manager, added; “We are delighted to have the continued support of Uisce Éireann. The support over the past nine years has enabled us to create and develop resources, events, and ongoing initiatives to assist schools as best we can with their work on our Water Theme. Each year our schools have achieved incredibly low water use and a strong school-wide culture of water conservation which is demonstrated in the massive water savings made since the sponsorship began.”

The Water Theme is tailored to students at all stages of their development, from junior primary to secondary level with a range of activities to suit all ages. In addition to developing awareness around water conservation the sponsorship incorporates wider engagement around stewardship of our water resources, including raising awareness of the impacts of wastewater on inland and coastal waterways. 

€12m upgrade to Wexford water supply

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, has announced the signing of a major new construction contract that will result in critical upgrades to the drinking water supply in Wexford town and surrounding areas. The project will ensure the delivery of safe, clean drinking water to homes and businesses and improve water quality and treatment standards for 26,000 customers. 

The project will involve a €12 million upgrade to the Newtown Water Treatment Plant and includes significant improvements to the water treatment processes at the plant, ensuring raw water is treated to the highest water quality standards and compliance with current EU drinking water quality regulations.

IAN O’NEILL of Uisce Éireann

The project will also include a new standby generator to provide a safe and clean drinking water supply during extreme weather events. Irish engineering firm Glan Agua Ltd have been awarded the construction contract and will deliver the project on behalf of Uisce Éireann Construction, which is due to begin in March, and is set to be completed by the end of 2024. 

Commenting on importance of this project for the people of Wexford town, Ian O’Neill, Infrastructure Delivery Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann, told WexfordLocal.com this morning; “This project is an important milestone and represents a significant investment by Uisce Éireann in future-proofing and safeguarding the water supply for the people of Wexford The completed upgrades will modernise and improve the water treatment processes at the plant, ensuring raw water is treated to the highest water quality standards and will ensure a safe, clean drinking water supply in Wexford for current and future generations.”

“This project is just one of a number of critical projects been undertaken to safeguard the drinking water supply in Wexford and to ensure it is capable of meeting current and future demand,” added Mr. O’Neill.

Uisce Éireann continues to keep customers informed about their water and wastewater supplies across multiple platforms 24/7 and encourage customers to engage with us on Twitter @IWCare and through our customer care helpline which is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and by setting their location on www.water.ie.

Doubles for Murphy, Elliott and James

Saddling up for the final race of the day at Fairwood, Tinahely, this afternoon.

By Dan Walsh at Fairwood, Tinahely

Today’s point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, took place in heavy ground conditions, but dry overhead, and it was an afternoon of double success for handlers Denis Murphy and Gordon Elliott and rider Rob James.

With no four-year-old races until next month the card got underway with a seven-runner contest for five- and six-year-old mares and a three and a half lengths victory for Coco Mademoiselle with Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick up. “We fancied her today. She will be a nice mare and she is for sale,” said winning handler Denis Murphy from Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh.

Murphy added a second success with Garcon Dargent by one length in the Winners of One Race confined to novice riders and provided Joey Dunne from Dunboyne, Co. Meath with his third career winner.

Gordon Elliott sent several runners from his Meath stables, and while he wasn’t present but saddling up on the track at Naas, he bagged two Tinahely winners.

Barry O’Neill was aboard Hardline in the Open Lightweight Race and scored by three lengths while Elliott provided Rob James with the first leg of a double on Happy Victory who had four lengths to spare at the end of the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings.

James made it a double in the final race of the day for geldings of seven-year-old and upwards easily by 16 lengths on Rockandrose for Fermanagh handler David Christie.

Only three faced the starter in the maiden race for mares aged seven years and upwards, they all got around safely, and the five lengths winner was Elusive Mae ridden by Moira McElligott for Carlow handler William Murphy.

Funding for groups working with victims of crime

By Dan Walsh

Organisations working with victims of crime in Co. Wexford are to receive €77,100 in additional funding following a Ministerial announcement that €5.25 million will be shared by more than 65 organisations to work with victims of crime.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Paul Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com; “I am particularly pleased that two organisations in Wexford; Wexford Rape Crisis (€55,000) and Wexford Women’s Refuge (€22,100) are to receive a total of €77,100, which will prove a very welcome boost to delivery of the services available to victims of crime.

DEPUTY PAUL KEHOE

“The work of organisations in Wexford and across the country that help victims of crime is outstanding. They provide support, information and advice on the rights of victims, outreach work, court accompaniment and crime victim helplines,” stated Deputy Kehoe.

The allocations cover national and larger organisations such as Women’s Aid, Ruhama, and One in Four; Local organisations working with victims such as Domestic Violence Support, Women’s Refuge and Rape Crisis outlets; General victims support organisations including Victim Support at Court; and specialist organisations including Migrant Rights Centre and Dignity 4 Patients.

Funding is given to organisations that meet the objectives and that can show they have the required management and compliance policies and procedures in place.

Minister for Justice, Simon Harris T.D. said; “I know that being the victim of a crime can be very traumatic and difficult, and we’re determined to ensure that the necessary range of supports and services to help is available.

“The work of so many organisations across the country that help victims of crime is outstanding. They provide support, information and advice on the rights of victims, outreach work, court accompaniment and crime victim helplines.” concluded Minister Harris.

The search for young artists 2023

The search to find the young artists who will excel in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition has begun. Now in its 69th year, it is widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland.

The closing date for entries is Tuesday, February 28th. Judging will take place in March with winners to be announced in April.

Details are available at www.texacochildrensart.com or at Texaco service stations throughout Co. Wexford.

Same day crime spree strikes in Caim

By Dan Walsh

Gardai at Enniscorthy is asking householders and property owners in the Caim/Clonroche areas, in particular, to be extra vigilant following four burglaries in an afternoon in the district on New Year’s Eve.

ENNISCORTHY GARDA STATION

The crimes were committed at;

Killoughrim, Caim, between 4pm and 7pm

Knockmore, Caim, between 3pm and 8pm.

Cloheadon, Caim, between 4.20pm and 5pm.

Ballyboro, Clonroche, between 1.30pm and 6pm.

The pattern was similar in all cases. Breaking glass doors and items taken included cash and jewellery. A massage gun and cigarettes were also stolen.

Gardai would like to hear from anybody who may have observed a black car, possibly an Audi or a similar vehicle acting suspiciously in the areas where the burglaries occurred. 

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on 053 9242580, the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Arrows ‘just the tip’ of New Ross 2023!

Shooting the arrows in the same direction on New Year’s Day at Hook Head; (left to right), Cllr Michael Sheehan, Cathaoirleach, New Ross Municipal District Council, Cllr Michael Whelan, Eamonn Hore, Director of Services, Cllr John Fleming, and Mick McCormick, New Ross District Manager.

Every New Year’s Day, in a custom resurrected from the Normans, an arrow is cast into the sea to claim the land and waters of the Hook Head area for the year ushering in an era of prosperity.

At yesterday’s ceremony, the symbolism of the arrows all going in the same direction into the channel isn’t lost, the arrows are only the tip of what’s to come in 2023 to drive New Ross forward after a very good 2022.

There will be big changes and big news on the horizon that will change our area: some immediate, some changes are a slow burner.  

Early in ’23, Failte Ireland will be showcasing its Destination Town Programme. New Ross was one of a group of towns selected to be a tourism hotspot, after all the works and murals etc. the programme is due to be formally launched to show how towns can rebrand themselves and thrive.

With a new Town Centre Development Officer and Team, a Vacant Homes officer and backed up with significant financial resources, projects in the town centre will be moving up a gear.

Towards the end of March, the first section of the Greenway (O’Hanrahan Bridge to Glenmore) will be opened, after which the work on Lot 4 on the Mount Elliot side will commence, with a goal completion date in 2024. Over 250,000 visitors are projected annually.

Parallel to the opening of the greenway, the redevelopment of the ring road as an additional spur on the trail will be lodged for funding with the Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The old ring road (N25/N30) will see a dedicated bicycle lane, upgraded paths, improved access for all and proper public lighting for all year usage connecting the whole town.  With the Maritime Park on the Oil Tank Site starting in the spring, and a new skate park in Pease Park for the latter part of the year, the approach roads will see a whole new energy in 2023.

This year, now in full public ownership, the Courthouse and the John Street Enterprise Centre will be well advanced, with the Murphy Building, the Advance Factory and St. Josephs School processes progressing towards completion. A new 24/7 Ambulance Station based in the old fire station in Michael St, will give the crews a station fitting for their services and respect they deserve.

2023 will bring big changes to the downtown appearance; Quay Street will be pedestrianised, the potential site for a hotel will be identified and Brennan’s Lane/ The Shambles will be fully restored. The finalisation of plans to overhaul O’Hanrahan bridge due in 2024 will link the greenway, former Stafford site and Rosbercon to the rejuvenation of the town centre. 

This year will also be a defining year for commercial activity in Town. It could well be the year the brand names arrive. A new development plan will commence mid-year setting the direction for the next five years and be the first plan post Bypass opening. This plan will have to protect the town centre and facilitate retailers who want to be out of town. 

Overall, 2023 has the promise for New Ross is to be a great year.“We should be confident in delivering the bulk of these in the year ahead. But events can, and often do, intervene. However, like the arrows, all of them are going the same way, not all at the same pace! Happy New Year and look out for one another this year,” said Cllr Michael Sheehan, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council.

Barry O’Neill’s Happy New Year!

The first point-to-point fixture of 2023 got underway in Ballindenisk, Co. Cork, this afternoon (Sunday) and champion rider Barry O’Neill marked the occasion with two winners to bring his seasonal total to 22 winners and maintain a six-winner lead over his neighbour Rob James.

BARRY O’NEILL.. a brace of winners in Cork this afternoon.

Larkfield Legacy, owned and bred by James Brennan, Killanne, scored a one length victory in the maiden race for six-year-olds and over, to give O’Neill his second success of the day. This was a handling success for Richie Rath, Ballybawn, Screen.

Earlier O’Neill teamed up with owner/handler Gearóid O’Loughlin when first timer Native Speaker romped home 20 lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick also enjoyed success. He was aboard Totowolfe for Ian McCarthy in the six-year-old-plus gelding’s maiden race.

Point-to-point action returns to Fairwood Park, Tinahely, next Sunday, when the annual Shillelagh & District Hunt fixture takes place. Six races with the first off at 12.30pm. The organiser’s would love to welcome everyone along for a great day’s sport.

Teenager missing from Bridgetown

Gardaí in Wexford are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing 16-year-old Daniel O’Mahony, who was last seen in the Bridgetown area of County Wexford on Friday, 30th December,.

Daniel is described as being 6ft in height, of medium build with short dark hair and brown eyes.

It’s understood Daniel may have travelled to County Cork.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on (053) 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.