1,997 Ukraine people in Wexford

By Dan Walsh

The most recent arrival figures indicate 55,800 BOTP’s (Beneficiary of Temporary Protection Order) have arrived in Ireland as of October 27th, with the latest data indicating 1,997 individuals in Wexford.

Nationally women aged 20 or over account for 46% of arrivals to date, with individuals from 0-19 (both male and female) comprise 35% of arrivals.

Wexford has the 11th highest number of BOTP’s which would approximately correlate with the population of Wexford.

The number of arrivals from Ukraine in Co. Wexford by municipal districts is as follows according to Central Statistics Office in September; Gorey (210), Kilmuckridge ((119), New Ross (547), Rosslare (390), Wexford (217), Enniscorthy (331). Total 1,814.

Dublin Airport is the main point of entry followed by Rosslare Europort and Dublin Port. The total arrivals as of November 1st are 3,501.

Wexford County Council have been awarded funding of €38,100 under The Ukrainian Refugee Health and Wellbeing Support Fund through Sláintecare and the Healthy Ireland Fund.

SOURCE for the above information is the Chief Executive’s Report presented at today’s meeting of Wexford County Council.

Call for redress scheme to include Wexford!

By Dan Walsh at meeting of Wexford County Council

Gorey public representative Cllr Joe Sullivan has been campaigning for support for homeowners affected by defective building materials and has brought the matter to several meetings, however, at today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council he had the full backing of the members that may assist those affected in Co. Wexford.

CLLR JOE SULLIVAN

Cllr Sullivan suggested that Wexford County Council call on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to extend the Defective Concrete Blocks Redress Scheme nationwide with immediate effect to automatically include all counties in Ireland as the 5% levy on concrete blocks, pouring concrete and other concrete products will apply nationwide.

“Furthermore, to include redress for houses whether complete or under the course of construction for concrete affected by Mica, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Alkall Silica Reaction or any other inappropriate aggregates or materials,” said Cllr Sullivan.

Cllr Sullivan’s motion was seconded by Cllr Michael Whelan, there was full support from the members, and the motion will now be forwarded to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for consideration.

Gorey Gardaí investigates hit and run

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí in Gorey are appealing for witnesses in relation to a serious injury hit and run road traffic collision that occurred at Ballydermot, Arklow Road, Gorey in the early hours of Saturday morning at approximately 2.30am.

Gardaí were alerted to a male pedestrian in his early 20s who was located on the side of the road with serious head injuries.

He was removed from the scene by ambulance to St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin where he remains in a serious condition. The offending vehicle failed to remain at the scene.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.

Road users travelling in Ballydermot on the Arklow Road, Gorey in the early hours of Saturday morning between 2am and 3am and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make it available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on (053) 942 1222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Gorey Gardaí celebrates century

Pictured at the Gorey Garda centenary celebrations today were (left to right); Inspector Sean Clince, Inspector Pat Cody, Sgt. Kevin Bolger, Inspector Laura Dragi, Canon Mark Hayden, Rector Gorey Group of Parishes, Supt. Denis Whelan, Sgt. Stephen Ennis and Senator Malcolm Byrne. (Pic; Joseph Dixon Photography).

By Dan Walsh in Gorey

Around a hundred serving, retired, and relatives of deceased members of An Garda Siochána who served in Gorey District were honoured with a medal and certificate to mark a century of the Gardaí at a pleasant ceremony in Christ Church, Gorey, today.

Superintendent Denis Whelan and Sergeant Stephen Ennis supervised the ceremony.

The Gardaí had earlier attended the Remembrance Service before assembling on the site of the demolished Rynvanney Police Barracks site at the entrance to Pettitt’s car park and close to Gorey Little Theatre.

A report in the Wexford Conservative newspaper (dated July 9th 1842)) and reproduced in Historic Gorey – A Pictorial History published by the late Michael Fitzpatrick (1987) it was the Police Barracks in 1842. “We are unsure when Rynvanney ceased to be used as a Constabulary Barracks, but at some stage it was re-sited at Main Street.”

The officers then marched behind Gorey Pipe Band along Main Street to the site on the present station.

A commemorative plaque on the wall of Gorey Garda Station was unveiled by James Browne, T.D, Minister of State at the Department of Justice in the presence of Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary, Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit, Superintendent Denis Whelan, Inspector Pat Cody, Inspector Sean Clince and Cllr Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District.

Gorey Garda Station is a three bay, two storey building 1932, as a replacement for a constabulary barracks destroyed by arson (1922) during “The Troubles” (1919-23),

After the coin and medals presentations refreshments were provided for all in the Christ Church Hall where copies of the recent publication ‘The Guards’ was available for purchase and signing from the joint-authors Tony Fagan and Tom Miller.

Remembrance Service in Gorey

By Dan Walsh at Christ Church, Gorey

The annual Remembrance Service took place in Christ Church, Gorey, today, where the address was delivered by Deputy Cathal Berry T.D. before a large congregation where the message was clear; “When you go home, tell them of us and say; for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE in Christ Church, Gorey (Pic; Joseph Dixon Photography))

The welcome was one of remembrance from Canon Mark Hayden, Rector of Gorey Group of Parishes, who said it was the first service since 2019, he offered a special welcome to the French Embassy, and recalled it was the 100th anniversary of the foundation of An Garda Siochána and 200th anniversary of the Irish Coast Guard.

The First Reading was delivered by Sgt. Stephen Ennis of An Garda Siochána and the Second Reading was read by Linda Sinnott of the Irish Coast Guard Service (Courtown)).

Music was provided by Arklow Shipping Silver Band and Gorey Pipe Band.

The Colour Party consisted of members of the Irish United Nations Veterans’ Organisation ((Post 3, Gorey) under the command of Sgt-Major William Gilbert.

The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputies Verona Murphy and Brendan Howlin, Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllr Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach and Cllrs Pip Breen, Joe Sullivan, Diarmuid Devereux, Anthony Donohoe, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin and Mary Farrell.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of IUNVO, the French Embassy, An Garda Siochána, RNLI Courtown Lifeboat, County Wexford Civil Defence, Irish Coast Guard ((Courtown), Wexford County  and Rescue Service (Gorey and the county), the Ambulance Service, the Royal British Legion, Gorey Pipe Band, Arklow Shipping Silver Band, the Masonic Order, North Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Irish War Society, Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, ONÉ (National Ex-Service Personnel), and a Peace Wreath in remembrance of all the men and women who gave their lives for the Cause of Irish Freedom.

Doubles for O’Neill and Neville

By Dan Walsh

Barry O’Neill, who had a treble success in Fermanagh yesterday, followed up with a double at the Wexford Foxhounds point-to-point at Knockmullen House, New Ross, this afternoon.

Shiroccosmagicbaby, running in the colours of Martin Murhy, and trained by Colin Bowe triumphed by four lengths in the mare’s maiden race for five-year-olds and upwards got O’Neill into victory style.

JACK HENDRICK had a winner at Knockmullen House today.

Half an hour later O’Neill was in the winner’s enclosure again following a three lengths victory on Clonmeen for the Rathoe, Co. Carlow stables of William Murphy.

The four-year-old mares maiden race went to newcomer Future Perfect for The Ballagh handler Denis Murphy and Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick. The winning distance was one and a half lengths.

Donnchadh Doyle and Brian Lawless won the maiden race for four-year-old geldings by 20 lengths with Flash In The Park owned by the Monbeg Syndicate.

Michael Goff, Clondaw, Ferns, saddled Dare To Shout, in Caitriona Goff’s familiar colours, in the maiden sale race for five year old geldings who came home 12 lengths to the good under Adam Leahy.   

Seamus Neville, who trains at Brideswell, Bridgetown, had an across the card double at Dromahane and New Ross today.

He saddled Tennesse Titan (Troy Walsh up) to win the ‘older’ geldings maiden race confined to novice riders by five and a half lengths at the Wexford track and Neville also had a winner at the Cork track. He saddled Notice To Close, running in his wife’s colours, the five lengths winner of the Open Race with Mikey O’Connor riding.

Ellen Doyle, Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy won the mares four-year-old maiden contest at Dromahane, Co. Cork, today with first timer Pinot Rouge for the Baltimore stables Syndicate by two lengths with Brian Dunleavy up.

Sunday racing at New Ross track

By Dan Walsh

Seventy-four entries for tomorrow’s Wexford Foxhounds fixture at Knockmullen House, New Ross. The first race is off at 12.30pm.

The latest report on the ground conditions is that the going is “soft, soft to heavy in places.”

BARRY O’NEILL was in great form today…three winners in Fermanagh.

Saturday’s point-to-point took place at Necarne in Co. Fermanagh, no Wexford trained winners to report, but Barry O’Neill was on fire in the last three of the six races and bagged a treble. He is now on the 16-winner mark for the season.

His winners were Marronstown by five lengths for David Christie in the Winner of Two Race; The Storyteller by two lengths for Gordon Elliott in the Open Race, and Sizing Diamond by six lengths for Tom Dreaper in the maiden race for geldings aged six years or over.

Dr. Billy Colfer honoured at Wexford Arts Centre

Members of Dr. Billy Colfer’s family; Niall, Eoin and Paul in reflection at the launch of the Dr Billy Colfer exhibition in Wexford Arts Centre today.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Arts Centre

Wexford Arts Centre today launched an exhibition celebrating the life and work of Dr. Billy Colfer. Curated by Karla Sánchez O’Connell and Rosemary Hartigan; the exhibition will run from November 15th to December 23th in the new Billy Colfer Gallery.
This exhibition aims to celebrate Dr. Colfer’s life and work by offering a glimpse into his working process including all the research, writing, editing, drawing, mapping and photographing.  At the same time, the exhibition presents some of the treasured watercolours and drawings that belong to the Wexford County Collection, and the private collections of Dr. Colfer’s five sons: Paul, Eoin, Donal, Niall, and Eamonn.  
Director Elizabeth Whyte stated to WexfordLocal.com; We are delighted to be launching a new gallery in Dr. Billy Colfer’s name as part of the completion of new capital works.  Billy was instrumental in the establishment of Wexford Arts Centre and contributed greatly as a board director, artist, historian, teacher, set designer, and advisor over the years. This exhibition celebrating his life and works will be an inspiration to our visitors on how to make a positive creative impact within the local Wexford community. We are very grateful to the Colfer family for their support for this exhibition and for the naming of our new gallery in their late father’s name to inspire future generations visiting Wexford Arts Centre.”
A native of Slade on the Hook Peninsula, Dr. Billy Colfer (1939-2013) was the author of many publications that are now classics of Wexford history such as “The Hook Peninsula” (2004), “Wexford: A Town and its Landscape” (2008) and “Wexford Castles: Landscape, Context and Settlement” (2013).
A man of many talents, Dr. Colfer was an active member of the Wexford Historical Society, being president from 2007-2010 and editor of their journal from 1984-1991. He was both an actor and set designer for Wexford Drama Club; his beloved wife Noreen was the lead actress for many years. Dr. Colfer was key in the establishment of Wexford Arts Centre and the National Heritage Park in Wexford, and his involvement in other organisations such as the Wexford SubAqua Club and Wexford Golf Club left a positive and indelible mark.

This exhibition will run in the Dr. Billy Colfer Gallery from Tuesday 15 November to Friday 23 December 2022. Opening hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

New Wexford Arts Centre is officially opened

Minister Peter Burke speaking at the official opening of the new extension to Wexford Arts Centre today.

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Arts Centre

Minister Peter Burke, T.D., Minister of State at Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage performed the official opening of the new extension to Wexford Arts Centre in the presence of the Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Maura Bell, this afternoon.

It was a celebratory occasion with contributions by Minister Burke, Mayor Bell, Elizabeth Whyte, CEO Wexford Arts Centre, Sean Meyler, Project Manager, Rosemary Hartigan and Tom Enright, CEO Wexford County Council and a member of the Board of Wexford Arts Centre.

AUDIO ADDITION; CEO of Wexford County Council addressing the friends and guests at Wexford Arts Centre today.

Wexford Arts Centre has been enlarged with a €2.6 million extension.

The project at Cornmarket in the town centre was funded to the tune of €1 million by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with Wexford County Council which owns the protected Arts Centre building funding €1.6 million of the cost.

The renovation project has been a slow development having been forced to shelve previous refurbishment plans back in 2008 due to a lack of Government funding following the economic crash.

The renovation project which required the closure of the Arts Centre for the interior work, was designed by ODKM Architects of Dublin and incorporates a new entrance, additional gallery and workshop space and upgraded facilities including dressing rooms and toilets.

There is disabled access to all areas of the historic building for the first time, with the installation of a new lift.

The contract was awarded to McKellen Construction of Macmine, Bree, and was originally scheduled to be completed by April 2022 but was delayed due to Covid restrictions. Sean Meyler of Wexford County Council was the Project Manager for the works.

Pedestrian found injured in Gorey

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí in Gorey are investigating an incident on the R772 Arklow Road at Aske, Gorey, which occurred last night or early today.

GOREY GARDA STATION

A single vehicle road traffic collision resulted in a pedestrian sustaining ‘serious injuries’ and he was discovered at the scene around 6am.

Emergency services were summoned to the scene and the injured party was removed to hospital by ambulance.

It appears to be ‘a hit and run’ incident as no vehicle was found at the scene. It is also unknown when the incident took place.

If anyone can help Gardaí with their enquiries they can contact Gorey Garda Station on 053 9430690 or the Garda Confidential number 1800 666 111.