Wexford Town Boil Water Notice remains

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water issued a fresh statement this evening (Friday) to remind customers served by the Wexford Town Water Supply that a Boil Water Notice remains in place. Areas impacted by the Boil Water Notice include Wexford Town, Taghmon and surrounding areas.

The notice, which was issued following consultation with the HSE on November 2nd, is in place to protect the health of approximately 25,000 customers. 

It was issued due to a decline in the quality of the raw water entering the treatment plant which resulted in the detection of giardia. Continuing issues with poor water quality have increased the turbidity at the plant which can impact the disinfection process.

Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of www.water.ie and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Irish Water customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. A map of the area is available to view on the supply and service section of water.ie. 

Irish Water Operations Lead, Catherine McDonough, has acknowledged the impact the Boil Water Notice is having on the community and regrets the inconvenience to customers. 

“Public health is Irish Water’s number one priority, and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health. We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to homes and businesses and would like to assure customers that we will lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation with the HSE,” concluded Ms. McDonough.

Tánaiste skips Clongeen tornado meeting

By Dan Walsh

In Dáil Éireann today, Independent Deputy Verona Murphy raised the matter that just over a week ago, there was a tornado in south County Wexford. It arose in Haggard and Ramsgrange and travelled to Balliniry and from Balliniry it went to Milltown and Ballycullane on to Clongeen and finally to Foulkesmill, leaving destruction in its wake for more than 40 families.

DEPUTY VERONA MURPHY T.D.

“Their homes and their properties were damaged beyond recognition in many cases. On inspecting the scenes their homes and properties resemble Armageddon.

“What was equally hurtful and possibly more damaging for the Government was that the 5,000-strong community of south County Wexford believe there was no support from the Government and no recognition of the event. I am afraid that the people feel very let down by the Government. I have visited many of the homes and have spoken to other affected householders on the phone.

AN TÁNAISTE LEO VARADKAR T.D.

“The Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, did visit. When he was asked what the families were to do, he told them to do nothing until they heard from him. If one is sitting with 40 families who have had the roof ripped off their house, which is probably the minimum of damage….

At this stage An Leas-Cheann Comhairle was reminding the Wexford Deputy “we are over time,” but Deputy Murphy continued; “how can a family do nothing? I ask the Tánaiste, for his own sake as the prospective leader, to come to Wexford next Tuesday night (Leas-Cheann Comhairle comes in again) “where a meeting will be held with the families and the communities, please.”

The Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar T.D. replied; “I thank the Deputy. The Minister of State, Deputy Browne, raised this matter with me only last night and made me aware of the situation. My sympathies go to the families and to the people affected. We have a Red Cross scheme, which the Deputy will be aware of”

Deputy Murphy; The schemes are no good. You have to visit the people.

An Leas Cheann-Comhairle; “Please, Deputy”

Deputy Murphy; “I specifically asked the Tánaiste if he would come to Wexford to meet the people. That is the question.”

An Tanaiste; “I cannot next Tuesday night because the Dáil will be in session, and I must be here. I will examine if it is possible to do so at some point.”

Funding for New Ross project

By Dan Walsh

Funding has been announced for the redevelopment of the oil tanks site on the quayside of the River Barrow at New Ross adjacent to the Dunbrody Famine Ship Visitor Centre.

River Barrow at New Ross.

Phase two of the New Ross Regeneration Project is costed at €1,017,991 with €814,393 announced by Minister Heather Humphreys from the Rural Regeneration Development Fund. The difference will be provided by Wexford County Council.
An Emigrant Park is to be developed on the site of the oil tanks which were removed recently.

Announcing the project, Minister Humphreys said; “The project will provide a new public realm offering on the site of the Old Oil Tanks which should extend visitor stays in New Ross, increase visitor numbers to the town, and guide the movement of visitors through the town, therefore increasing the economic and social impact of the visitors.”

Commenting on WexfordLocal.com, Senator Malcolm Byrne congratulated “Wexford County Council and the Dunbrody Centre for their foresight and vision in pushing this project and really enhancing the area beside the river in New Ross.”

One-Act Drama Festival in Gorey

By Dan Walsh

Gorey Little Theatre is the stage for the One-Act Drama Festival which will be officially launched by Senator Malcolm Byrne on Thursday and continues for three nights.

Thursday night features two plays; Camross Drama Group presents Glacier Bay by Frederick Stropped, and Kilmuckridge Drama Group presents The Book Club of Little Witterington by Joan Greening.

Friday night welcomes Coolgreany Drama with Poof by Lynn Nottage and New Ross Drama Workshop presents Lovely Head by Neil Nottage.

Three plays on the final night – Saturday; Moat Club Naas presents Idlewild by Jimmy Murphy; Navan Theatre Group presents Dead Man’s Bells by Méabh de Brún and Black Pepper Theatre presents From Eden by Stephen Jones.

8pm nightly, except 7.30pm Saturday. The adjudicator is Pauline Byrne from Duncannon and tickets are available online from gr8events.ie

Taoiseach asked for support in Clongeen and Foulkesmills

Johnny Mythen T.D. (Sinn Féin) was on his feet in Dáil Éireann yesterday (Wednesday).

The Enniscorthy-based deputy said; “I ask the Taoiseach to replicate the special emergency humanitarian support scheme the Tánaiste recently announced for the people in New Ross and Tullow after flooding in the towns. I am asking for the same support for the two small communities of Clongeen and Foulkesmill, in south Wexford. They are left with a trail of devastation following a mini tornado that struck those areas last week.

“One man had almost completed the building of his new home only to find it flattened, with no possibility of a claim, but thank God there was no injury or loss of life. Another woman lost the roof off her house. I ask the Taoiseach for some flexibility and to provide emergency humanitarian support for these two rural communities, which have suffered from this freak act of nature, as existing schemes mostly only cover flood damage.”

Deputy JOHNNY MYTHEN (left) and the aftermath of the tornado at Clongeen Foulkesmills last Thursday (right) which was raised with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dáil Éireann yesterday.

In reply An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said; “On the issue Deputy Mythen raised, we should be in a position to apply the flood scheme, the humanitarian assistance scheme. I will talk to the Tánaiste’s office and see if we can follow up on that, if that has not happened already, because there is no issue with that where storms happen and damage is done.”

Carnew Musical presents ‘Guys and Dolls’

By Dan Walsh

Carnew Musical Society is presenting its first full show since 2019 –Guys and Dolls – from Monday, November 21st to Saturday, November 26th in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew, and online booking is available from today (Monday).

Guys and Dolls is fable of Broadway and based on the stories and characters of Damon Runyon with Musical and Lyrics by Frank Loesser with book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Popular songs from the show include Luck be your Lady, Follow the Fold, Take back your Mink, Sit down your Rockin’ the Boat and Guys and Dolls. 

The Director for this production is Michael Dunbar, Frances Ryan is Choreographer and Conor McCarthy is taking over from Lar Duffy as Musical Director. 

MICHAEL DUNBAR Director of Carnew Musical Society’s production of Guys and Dolls coming to St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew, November 21st-26th 2022.

The role of Sarah Browne, will be played by Erin Hogan, who received a nomination as Best Actress for her portrayal of Laurey in Carnew’s production of Oklahoma in 2019.  Erin will play opposite Graham Finnerty who plays Sky Masterson. Graham played Will Parker in the last production. Nathan Detroit will be played by John Young, who won an AIMS award for his portrayal of Jud Fry in Oklahoma. There is a special welcome for Maria Forrest in her first show with the Society in the role Nathan’s long suffering girlfriend, Miss Adelaide and Paudie Breen in his first show as Nicely-Nicely Johnson. The young and versatile Richard O’Toole will play Benny Southstreet while General Cartwright and Arvide Abernathy will be played by the talented Jennifer Byrne and Jimmy Spellacy. Ronan P. Byrne (who played Ali Hakem in Oklahoma) will play Lt. Brannigan while Rory Robinson (who played Professor Higgins in Carnew Musical Society’s production My Fair Lady) plays Big Jule and John Duignan plays Angie the Ox. The rolls of Agatha, Rusty and Joey Biltmore will be played by Joan Duignan, Gerry Doran and Fergus Garrett and no Carnew Musical Society Production would be complete without Sean Hallahan playing Calvin in this his 52nd Carnew Musical Society production to play a role.

Vital to the production are the backstage crew who include Set Designers, Lar Duffy and Kevin McEvoy and the Set Construction crew led by Lar Duffy and Stage Manager Tommy Kavanagh. 

The costuming will be undertaken by Jacinta Kavanagh and her crew, hair by Marion O’Toole and crew the award-winning lighting expert is Kevin McEvoy.

Getting ready to welcome all patrons to St. Bridget’s Hall to the show is the President, Debbie Furlong, who is our Front of House Manager. 

At the helm, organising all aspects of the show is a hardworking committee under the leadership of Chairman, Lorna Doran McEvoy.

Tickets prices range from €10 –€20 (+ booking fee) from http://www.gr8events.ie Potential sponsors wishing further information in this regard, please contact any of the committee or members of Carnew Musical Society or phone 087 9323990 (This is not a booking number)

Online booking is now open November 7th on http://www.gr8events.ie

Call to help south Wexford tornado victims

By Dan Walsh

Cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District, Cllr Lisa McDonald, is calling on the Government to immediately intervene and provide support for those affected by last Thursday’s destructive tornado in the Clongeen-Foulksmills area of south Wexford. 

Aftermath of last Thursday’s tornado in Clongeen-Foulksmills area.

“I visited many of those affected in the area on Saturday and witnessed first-hand the devastation that has been caused,” said Cllr. McDonald, who added; “Homes and businesses have been ripped apart by this freak event, with hundreds of thousands of euro worth of damage done.”

Cllr McDonald recalled the aftermath of the Christmas Day flooding in Bridgetown and surrounding areas where “We saw several schemes opened to support those affected. Government and in particular Ministers O’Brien, Humphreys and Varadkar must act immediately to provide similar support for these people.”

“They will also need to show flexibility in some of these cases which may not be covered by the existing schemes. These schemes were initially designed to cover flooding and as we see an increase in the variety of extreme weather events they need to be amended by the government,” concluded Cllr McDonald.

Caoimhe ready to fight for Ireland

By Dan Walsh

Promising young boxing star Caoimhe Kinsella, (17), has been selected on the Ireland boxing team competing in the World Youth Boxing Championships in La Nucia in Spain later this month – November 12th-27th.

A native of Marshalstown, Caoimhne is a member of St Anthony’s and St. Patrick’s Boxing Club, Enniscorthy.

CAOIMHE KINSELLA from Marshalstown receives her Civic Award from Cllr Aidan Browne at the Enniscorthy Civic Reception in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, on April 21st 2022. Also in the picture are Caoimhe’s proud parents PATRICK and LYNDA KINSELLA.

Caoimhe Kinsella was honoured on becoming All-Ireland and European Boxing Champion 2019 and winning the Girl 6 Irish championship at the Enniscorthy Civic Awards last April. She was nominated by Cllr Aidan Browne.

A contemporary report said; “The Wexford 38kg fighter blasted her way to gold at the European Schoolgirls Championships (U14) in Georgia.

The St Anthony’s/St Pat’s fighter won her final in Tblisi with a second-round stoppage versus Turkey.

With long levers and big power, Kinsella looks a force to be reckoned with.”

Good wishes are pouring in for the Marshalstown boxing star at the world championships and let’s cheer her on to bring home a medal!

Barry O’Neill rides three winners

By Dan Walsh

Champion point-to-point rider Barry O’Neill had an amazing treble at Damma House in Kilkenny today.

O’Neill led all the way and won by 15 lengths on Agrirlcalledchloe for Tinahely owner/handler Philip Rothwell in the mares maiden race for five year olds and upward,

The Ballindaggin rider won the Winner of Two race on The Creaden Rogue for Gordon Elliott. The other runners in this contest felt the ground conditions against them and they all pulled up, allowing O’Neill’s mount to come home alone.

BARRY O’NEILL enjoyed three winners this afternoon in Kilkenny.

And the great Samcro, an impressive winner on his point-to-point debut at Tinahely last month for Gordon Elliott and Barry O’Neill won the Open Race by an incredible 65 lengths.

One other Wexford winner at the Kilkenny track was Making Headway, trained by Ellen Doyle for the Baltimore Stables Syndicate at Coolgarrow, near Enniscorthy, was the three lengths winner of the maiden race for four-year-olds with Brian Dunleavy riding out his claim.

No Wexford winners at the other point-to-points; Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary, yesterday, and Rathcannon, Co. Limerick, today.

REMINDER; Boil Water Notice for Wexford town.

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water has contacted WexfordLocal.com to remind customers served by the Wexford Town Water Supply that a Boil Water Notice remains in place. 

The notice, which was issued following consultation with the HSE on Wednesday, November 2nd, is in place to protect the health of approximately 25,000 customers. 

It was issued following the detection of Giardia (a tiny parasite) in the water supply along with poor raw water quality following heavy rainfall. The quality of the raw water has put the treatment plant under pressure. 

Areas impacted by the Boil Water Notice include Wexford Town, Taghmon and surrounding areas. Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of www.water.ie and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Irish Water customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. A map of the area is attached and available to view on the supply and service section of water.ie. 

Irish Water Operations Lead, John Gavin, has acknowledged the impact the Boil Water Notice is having on the community and regrets the inconvenience to customers. 

“Public health is Irish Water’s number one priority, and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health. We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to homes and businesses and would like to assure customers that we will lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation with the HSE.”

Water must be boiled for:

  • Drinking;
  • Drinks made with water;
  • Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating;
  • Brushing of teeth;
  • Making of ice – discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water.

Updates are available on Water Supply Updates section on water.ie, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.