Animals on show at Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy

The live Christmas Animal Crib returned to Enniscorthy today following a break due to the Covid interruption and it proved a huge hit with families turning out in record numbers.

There was a presence of animals at the crib including two-week-old lambs and their mother, an alpaca, Jacob sheep and mother and son donkeys. They patiently endured a four-hour stint being patted, spoken to, requested to share in selfies and generally soaking up the admiration in rainy conditions, but they all appeared to enjoy the experience away from the farm environment for a few hours.

Animals at today’s Animal Live Crib in Enniscorthy (Pic; Aidan Browne)

Organised by Wexford IFA (Irish Farmer’s Association) it was a fundraiser for St. Patrick’s Special School, Enniscorthy, and took place at the Farm Centre on Mill Park Road.

Chairperson of the IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee, Alice Doyle, told WexfordLocal.com; “It has been a brilliant day. We are overwhelmed by the numbers and may have to run over closing time to facilitate everyone. We will have a nice cheque for St. Patrick’s Special School, which is great, and I’d like to compliment all our volunteers who did great work in setting it up and supervising over a few days.”

The animals were a big attraction, especially with the little folk, but Santa Claus was also busy throughout the afternoon and there were music sessions, a children’s concert, plenty of food, and displays of farm produce and a fun endurance test with Macra Na Feirme.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be back in action,” Chairman Wexford IFA, Jer O’Mahony, said, and he added “The central location of the Farm Centre building in Enniscorthy makes it an ideal venue to host the event which is supported by Wexford County Council.”

Amongst the public representatives in attendance (while I was there) included Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllr Bridín Murphy and Cllr Jim Codd.

In conclusion, Alice Doyle said, “It is fantastic to have the live crib back. It’s traditional in Ireland. It is also great to see the urban/rural mix.”

Donnchadh Doyle keeps on winning

By Dan Walsh

DONNCHADH DOYLE

Ballindaggin’s Donnchadh Doyle is having a great point-to-point season and is amongst the top handlers going into 2023 and he maintained his good run of form when he supplied the only Wexford winner today when saddling Speed Davis at Boulta, Co. Cork.

First time out, French-bred Speed Davis, in the Monbeg Syndicate colours, won the maiden race for four-year-old geldings by eleven lengths to give Doyle his ninth winner of the season.

It was the third winner of the season for Tinahely rider James Walsh and his 65th career winner.

Man (80s) dies in Killinick collision

By Dan Walsh

A pedestrian in his 80s has died following a road traffic collision on the N25 at Killinick. It occurred yesterday (Friday) just before 5pm.

It is understood the deceased may have been returning to his home after shopping locally when he was struck by a van.

The man was taken to Wexford General Hospital where he died from his injuries. The driver of the van was not injured in the incident.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses and any road users who were travelling in the area at the time and may have camera footage are asked to make it available to Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

New Sensory Garden coming to Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

A new sensory garden proposed for Enniscorthy will be one of the largest in the country and it becomes a step closer with the allocation of €234,000 from the latest round of Town and Village Renewal funding announced yesterday (Wednesday).

An artist’s impression of the proposed Wellbeing and Activity Garden coming to Enniscorthy.

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne TD has confirmed that €234,000 will go towards a new Enniscorthy Wellbeing and Activity Garden which will be one of the largest sensory gardens in the country.

Minister Browne said; “The exact location within the town has yet to be confirmed,”, but Deputy Paul Kehoe, speaking on South East Radio stated that the location would be on the St. John’s Hospital site on Munster Hill?

Deputy Paul Kehoe said; “The aim of this project is to fully enhance the newly designed green space in order to encourage greater use and enjoyment of this sizeable and currently very underutilised space.”

Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, stated; “Enniscorthy Wellbeing and Activity Garden will be a special and safe place for people with sensory challenges to be able to fully participate in our community.”

It has also emerged that €100,000 has been allocated towards the improvement of streetscapes in Enniscorthy, which is earmarked for improvements to shopfronts in the town centre area. It is understood that the funding will be spent in Castle Street!

Restoration of Duncannon Fort

By Dan Walsh

€500,000 funding from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme has been allocated to Duncannon for the restoration and development of the historic Duncannon Fort. Work is expected to begin in early 2023.

Minister James Browne and Cllr Michael Whelan at Duncannon Fort

Minister James Browne welcomed the news, and he expressed thanks to Cllr Michael Whelan, who, he said; “has been working on this project for several years.”

Duncannon Fort is an impressive presentation of a bastioned fortress perched on the Wexford side of the stunning Hook Peninsula, and part of Ireland’s Ancient East. This historic structure has gathered countless intriguing and awe-inspiring stories over its 450-year history and holds one of the best vantage points to take in the beautiful Waterford Estuary.

Duncannon Fort, built in 1588, used to incorporate a maritime museum, and was open for guided tours in the past.

New Land Tax on the way

By Dan Walsh

The Government’s Housing For All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland proposed a new tax to activate vacant land for residential purposes as a part of the pathway to increasing new housing supply.

The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) was introduced in the Finance Act 2021 and the process to identify land to which the tax applies is now underway and the tax will be payable from 2024.

The objective of the tax is to activate land that is serviced and zoned for residential use or mixed use, including residential use, to increase housing supply and to ensure regeneration of vacant and idle lands in urban locations.

These locations have been identified within existing statutory land use plans at Gorey, Courtown, Bunclody and Rosslare/Kilrane. 

Identification and mapping of the land in scope for the tax is undertaken by local authorities through the publication of draft and supplemental maps.

The draft map for County Wexford, is available to view and is available for inspection at the Planning Department in Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford, at Bunclody Public Library and Gorey Public Library.      

Administration of the tax, which is to be undertaken by the Revenue Commissioners from 2024 onwards.

€250,000 for Kilrane-Rosslare Harbour

By Dan Walsh

Rosslare Harbour and Kilrane village development team were delighted to receive the good news that they are to get funding of €250,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Pictured outside the bank building in Rosslare Harbour are (left to right); Cllr Jim Moore, Nóirín Cummins, District Manager, Minister James Browne, Annette O’Neill, Director of Services, Cllr Lisa McDonald, Cathaoirleach Rosslare Municipal District, Cllr Frank Staples, Cllr Ger Carthy and Paul Kehoe, T.D.

Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District, Cllr Lisa McDonald welcomed the news and said; “the investment will transform the old bank building.”

Cllr Ger Carthy said this funding will allow for the development of the old bank building to be used as multi-purpose community facility.

Thanks were expressed to Wexford County Council, Paul Kehoe TD, Minister James Browne and Minister Heather Humphreys.

The Bank of Ireland branch at Rosslare Harbour was closed (along with Taghmon) in 2021 and was later purchased by Wexford County Council for a reported €150,000 following a request from local Council members who saw community potential in the building.

€984,000 for three Wexford projects

By Dan Walsh

Three Wexford projects will share €984,000 from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which is a change from previous years, as the funding has been awarded to larger scale projects requiring significant funding to ensure their completion.

DEPUTY PAUL KEHOE welcomes funding for Wexford projects.

€500,000 goes to Duncannon for the restoration and development of the historic Duncannon Fort.

€234,000 will fund the Enniscorthy Wellbeing and Activity Garden at St. John’s Hospital, a development of the outdoor activity green space for the public of Enniscorthy.

€250,000 will assist the delivery of a Community and Enterprise Resource Centre/Hub in the strategic village of Rosslare Harbour and Europort to address an urgent deficit in multi-use community enterprise facilities in the village and hinterland.

“Each of these projects will deliver massive scope for immediate and future development for the area in terms of tourism, business and enterprise, health and wellbeing and enhancing the community as a whole,” said Deputy Paul Kehoe.

Today’s funding will bring to €6,740925 in Wexford Towns and Villages since the introduction of the programme in 2016. This funding has delivered immeasurable progress and development to towns and villages throughout Wexford, with enormous work put into the projects by the County Council and committed and dedicated Local Development Groups.

€203,356 for Wexford animal charities

Five animal welfare charities in Co. Wexford are to receive funding to the tune of €203,356. The funding was announced as part of the recent Animal Welfare Awareness Day.

The recipients include Wexford SPCA (€92,375); North Wexford SPCA (€46,500: Seal Rescue Ireland, based in Courtown Harbour (€33,906; New Ross SPCA (€24,400) and Chipper’s Sanctuary €6,175).

Nationwide, the Department of Agriculture has allocated €5.8 million to 99 different animal welfare charities which shows an increase of more than €2 million in funding compared to last year.

“Animal welfare is important to all of us and is a priority for me and my government colleagues,” said Minister James Browne, who added; “Those who work for County Wexford’s animal welfare charities are frontline workers and treat it as a vocation.”

Two injured in Ferns gas explosion

Rescuing belongings outside of the devastated Kearns family home at Clone, Ferns, today.

By Dan Walsh in Ferns

A father and son, John Kearns, (91), and Andrew Kearns, (42), were hospitalised early today following a horrific gas related explosion at Clone, Ferns, which occurred around 7.30am.

Both men were removed to Wexford General Hospital for medical treatment where John is still detained tonight while Andrew was transferred to the Burns Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, this afternoon. Injuries sustained in both cases are described as “non-life-threatening.”

Devastated family members told WexfordLocal.com that their father lived alone and his son, who lives nearby, made his regular call to care for him and ensure he was OK.

However, an explosion occurred while lighting a gas stove and devastated the building while a fire also broke out. Windows from the house were blown across the road into a ditch and onto an adjoining neighbour’s garden.

Andrew is a family hero as he fought through the devastation to bring his father to safety. “It is a miracle how he got Daddy out,” said one of his sisters.

Emergency services were at the scene throughout the morning, including two units of Enniscorthy Fire Service. Family members and neighbours also spent most of the day trying to recover property, but the single storey house is structurally devastated throughout and is roofless. Every room in the house is destroyed.