French consulate for Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Mayor of Wexford Cllr Maura Bell and Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr George Lawlor welcomed French Ambassador, His Excellency, E. Vincent Guerend and Conseiller Monsieur Julien Bouchez to Wexford town, yesterday (Monday).

MAYOR OF WEXFORD CLLR MAURA BELL

In a statement on social media, Cllr Lawlor said he was delighted to join Mayor Bell and French Ambassador Vincent Guérend for the official announcement that the French Embassy in Ireland is to establish an Honorary Consulate in Wexford.

“This historic development had come about as a result of the hugely enhanced connections that have developed with Wexford and the region post Brexit,” stated Cllr Lawlor.

It is anticipated that this new post will help grow relations between France and the South East of Ireland as well as increasing economic growth in County Wexford.

The consulate which will be based in Wexford will serve counties Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny and Laois.

Night road works in Enniscorthy

The scene at Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy, tonight, as works commence on resurfacing the roadway from Abbey Square to St. Mary’s CBS.

By Dan Walsh

The R744 is closed tonight to facilitate road resurfacing works from Abbey Square and along Mill Park Road to St, Mary’s CBS causing traffic disruption entering and leaving Enniscorthy town centre on the Enniscorthy-New Ross route.

The works is being carried out by Roadstone Ltd on behalf of Wexford County Council and night-time closures will apply until Wednesday, February 8th from 7pm to 6am.

Local access will be in place and diversion routes will be signposted. In a communication to residents and business Roadstone Ltd has apologised in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

It should also be noted that these works are weather dependant and as such the dates and times may be subject to change at short notice.

The last time the Mill Park Road was totally resurfaced was in 1998 to facilitate the second stage of the Tour de France which travelled the N30 from Enniscorthy to New Ross.

Ballycogley Players première of ‘The Red Iron’ 

By Cian Cassidy

As the count down to the start of the 3-Act drama festival circuit continues, Ballycogley Players are preparing to begin their pre-festival run with their circuit entry for 2023, ‘The Red Iron’ by Jim Nolan.

The group are no strangers to Nolan’s work, having performed the amateur premiere of the Waterford playwright’s ‘Dreamland’ during the covid interrupted 2020 festival circuit.

Having just missed out on a place in the All-Ireland finals last year, the cast and crew, led by first time 3-Act director Ellen Cloney, will be eager to go one step further in 2023. The vastly experienced cast of Sean Carthy, Diarmuid Buttimer, Colm Doyle, Mag Cloney, Catherine Murphy and Pat Sinnott, who is making his debut with Ballycogley Players, having performed with Camross Drama Group for many years, began preparations under the guidance of director Ellen Cloney back in August.

‘The Red Iron’ was premiered under the direction of writer, Nolan, in his native Waterford in November of 2019. Set in September of 2017, as crowds gather on Waterford’s Quay to greet the county’s vanquished All-Ireland hurling team the now middle-aged members of a teenage gang return to the city’s long abandoned Red Iron Bridge to remember their recently deceased friend. The revelation of events surrounding the former hurling star’s death and the unexpected return of a long-exiled associate unravel the cords that bind the gang and expose the fragile nature of a thirty-year-old friendship.

The amateur premiere of the play will be held in Our Lady’s Island Community Centre, this coming Friday, February 3rd at 8pm, tickets are €10 and can be purchased on the door.

Just under two weeks later the group will perform at the National Opera House in Wexford for three nights between February 15-17th, with shows starting at 8pm nightly. Tickets are €15 and are available from https://www.nationaloperahouse.ie/whats-on/show/the-Ballycogley-players-present or by contacting the box office in the National Opera House.

The group will then begin their festival circuit journey in Kilmuckridge on March 1st, followed by performances in Kiltyclogher, Ballyduff, Charleville, Ballinamore and Shercock, before returning to home-turf to compete at Wexford Drama Festival on March 28th.

Barry O’Neill stretches his lead

By Dan Walsh

Champion point-to-point rider Barry O’Neill has stretched his lead at the top of the 2022-23 championship with a double at Cragmore, Co. Limerick today. O’Neill is now on the 26-winner mark and six ahead of Rob James.

O’Neill was aboard Workahead for handler Colin Bowe in the 18-runner maiden race for five-year- olds who was impressive with eight lengths to spare for owner Sean Kinsella, Knockhouse Stud, Kilmacow, Co. Kilkenny.

BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE enjoyed victory at Cragmore today.

David Christie supplied O’Neill with his second winner of the day in the Open Race where Winged Leader held the advantage by one and a half lengths at the finish line.

Saturday’s point-to-point action was run under the auspices of East Down at Tyrella and the wonderfully named Speranza Wilde delivered a late challenge to gain a two and a half lengths victory in the maiden race for five-year-old mares.

Handler and breeder Susan O’Gorman supplied the impressive winner for her father, Donal O’Gorman, Kellystown, Adamstown, and Speranza Wilde, who was having her first outing will be heading for the sales ring. It was a 30th career win for Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan.

Racing returns to Co. Wexford next Sunday, February 5th with the first four-year-old race of 2023 heading the card and 1pm start. It all happens at Ballinaboola, New Ross, with the Wexford Hunt inviting all to a sporting afternoon.

Birthday writer Álanna celebrates with another book

WALLY O’NEILL, publisher at Red Books Press, launched ÁLANNA HAMMEL’s latest book at Red Books, Wexford, tonight.

By Dan Walsh in Wexford town

Wexford’s latest literary sensation, Álanna Hammel enjoyed a double personal occasion tonight when she combined the celebration of her 21st birthday and the launch of her second book… When I Grow Up I Want To Be… at a gala launch in the company of family and literary friends at Red Books, St. Peter’s Square, Wexford.

Her latest work was officially launched by Wally O’Neill, publisher of Red Books Press, who praised Álanna on her work and outlined that he believes she has a great literary future ahead of her. The launch included a number of readings by family and friends.

WALLY O’NEILL talking to DAN WALSH at tonight’s book launch held in Red Books, St. Peter’s Square, Wexford.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, Álanna described her latest work; “It’s a memoir in essays and short stories based on my upbringing in Kilmuckridge, weekends spent in rural Wicklow, where my mother is from, and eventually from Wexford to Dublin for university.”

Last August, the talented Kilmuckridge writer launched a debut collection of 11 poems with the curious title, “Cruel and Vicious”. It was an immediate sell-out and she had to re-order more to satisfy the market.

Currently studying Irish and French at Trinity College Dublin, Álanna has also edited two volumes of The Wexford Bohemian, each with more than 50 contributors in each edition and is host of the podcast The Art of Conversation,

When I Grow Up I Want to be, Álanna Hammel, 60 pages, published by Red Books Press, ISBN 9781838215446, €10, available at Red Books, St. Peter’s Square, Wexford, www.theirishbookshop.com or from the author.

M11 reopens following crash

By Dan Walsh

The M11 Southbound has reopened to traffic shortly before 10pm tonight following a serious traffic collision earlier this evening.

Airlift from M11 at Gorey this evening.

Details of the collision are sketchy, but some sources claim it involved a truck and a car. One person was airlifted to hospital.

The road had been closed in both directions between junctions 23 and 24, for Gorey and Enniscorthy, from around 6pm and emergency services were quickly on the scene.

In a second road traffic collision on the M11 today, two people were taken to hospital following a single vehicle collision between junctions 20 and 21 South at Arklow.

23,000 litres of beer seized by Revenue

By Dan Walsh

Smuggled alcohol amounting to over 23,000 litres of beer with an estimated retail value in excess of €92,000 was seized by Revenue officers at Rosslare Europort yesterday. It represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €43,000.

The alcohol was discovered in an unaccompanied trailer that had arrived on a ferry from Dunkirk, France. The driver of the load has been questioned and investigations are ongoing. 

This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

Separately, Revenue officers seized 22.5kgs of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of over €460,000, at Dublin Airport yesterday.

The illegal drugs were discovered concealed in parcels described as ‘Car Parts and Healthcare Products’, that had arrived in air cargo consignments from Spain and were destined for addresses in counties Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny.

Investigations are ongoing.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the importation of illegal drugs. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number in 1800 295 295.

New Ross plans St. Patrick’s Day

By Dan Walsh

Traditional New Ross has one of the most colourful and best attended St. Patrick’s Day Parade for a town of its size and – the good news – preparations are underway for this year’s parade on Friday, March 17th and they would love to get you involved!

Welcome to New Ross on St. Patrick’s Day. from the bronze statue of President John F. Kennedy with his outstretched hand of friendship.

“We are inviting all groups and organisations to get involved to make this one of our best parades yet!” says a statement on social media, which adds; “All groups, organisations and businesses are most welcome to participate. If any group is considering putting in a float but need extra assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.”

Now there is a bit of a disappointment for some supporters of the parade. Unfortunately due to health and safety restrictions the organising committee are not permitted to have any artic trucks, however, all smaller lorries up to a 30-feet rigid size are allowed.

This year a “quiet area” and extra disabled parking near the stage area is available, and businesses are encouraged to take part in the Shop Window Competition.

Volunteers are also sought and all assistance will be appreciated on the day.

The route will remain the same as previous years. Walking groups will assemble at the Good Counsel College and all floats are asked to meet in the Irishtown from the traffic lights back towards St. Stephen’s Cemetery

Application Forms must be completed by all participants to comply with insurance regulations and these will be available by email/ from Facebook or from the Tholsel. All enquiries to Anthony Connick 087 2338350 or Ollie Somers 087 2571841.

Controversial Courtown ‘land swap’ on Council agenda

Boats in the bay like ships in the night at Courtown Harbour marina (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Tensions are rising in Courtown where details are emerging that a proposed “land swap” between the site of the old sea-front Bayview Hotel and the much more spacious Wexford County Council carpark is likely to be on the agenda at the March meeting of Wexford County Council for a vote of the full Council members to make a decision that would be a game changer for the future of Courtown as a top seaside destination.

Local businessman Thomas O’Loughlin. who owns the site of the old Bayview Hotel has outlined his plans to apply for planning permission for a 144-room hotel in Courtown. It has been suggested that this hotel would be constructed on the site of the Wexford County Council car park if a proposal for a land swap between the old Bayview Hotel site and the car park is approved and subject to planning permission being granted.

The proposal for the swap falls to a Section 183 decision and needs to go on the Council agenda and be voted on by the members of Wexford County Council before any decision is made.

Meanwhile, Courtown Community Council is calling on Oireachtas and public representatives to postpone a vote on the matter to the April meeting after the launch of the Smart Village Plan. In a statement issued today, the Courtown group said; “The important conversation about the future development of a new hotel in Courtown is one that all of us who live, work and enjoy the area should have the opportunity to have our views heard on.”

Courtown Community Council has been gathering the views from the community since October for the Smart Village Plan. One key area of the Smart Village Plan is the future development of Courtown and Riverchapel. “We will be launching the Smart Village Plan on March 13th and we notified Wexford County Council and the local elected representatives of this launch earlier this month.

“Unfortunately, the timing has now become an issue as it appears the CEO of Wexford County Council, (Mr Tom Enright), has stated the decision on this land swap or leasing will go to the councillors in a meeting in either March or April. “If this takes place in the March meeting, it will be in advance of the launch of the Smart Village Plan,” claims the Community Council, who added; “We have contacted all the local representatives to ask them to postpone a vote on this matter to the April meeting after the launch of the Smart Village Plan. This is such an important decision; it should be given the consideration it is due. You can contact our local representatives to let them know if you feel the vote should be postponed too.”

Meanwhile, the design for a hotel at Courtown has won a silver medal in one of the world’s most prestigious design competitions.

Fergus Flanagan Architects based in Wexford town has been given a Silver Winner Award in the category of Hospitality Architecture Concept in the ADC Annual Design Awards based in New York.

Leakage repairs soon at Ballysilla and Lacken

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, is replacing almost 2km of aged water mains with new modern pipes in the areas of Ballysilla and Lacken. The project, which will commence this week, is part of the National Leakage Reduction Programme.

The works are a critical step in conserving this precious resource and reducing high levels of leakage which have been a significant source of disruption and interruptions for customers.  

This project will also increase pipe flow capacity and maintain supply during peak demand periods for properties along the Airfield Road, in Ballybogan Upper and Mullinagower.

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.

Irish Water works,. Picture Clare Keogh

Outlining the benefits the water mains replacement project will bring, Joe Carroll, Regional Delivery Lead at Uisce Éireann, explained to WexfordLocal.com; “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.”

Mr. Carroll added; “I would like to thank the local community in advance for their patience and co-operation during the works, we know based on previous experiences that the short-term inconvenience will be overshadowed by the long-term benefits.

“Where water mains are being constructed traffic management will be in place during this time. Local and emergency traffic will be always maintained,” he concluded.

These works are being carried out by Shareridge Civil Engineering in partnership with Wexford County Council on behalf of Uisce Éireann and are due to be completed by the end of March. 

Uisce Eireann’s 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 of the Uisce Éireann website or set your location on the website www.water.ie