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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.”
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
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 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)
WexfordLocal.com 