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. 

Senator thanks emergency crews

By Dan Walsh

Senator Malcolm Byrne has expressed his thanks to the crews at Wexford County Council, the Fire Service, Civil Defence and the ESB and Gardai for all their work during this week’s horrendous weather.

Flash floods in Gorey town on Thursday evening. “Thanks to the emergency crews,” said Senator Malcolm Byrne.

Senator Byrne said to WexfordLocal.com; “The teams went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that they got roads passable again and to keep people safe after unbelievable levels of rain fell on Thursday. I saw myself the challenges that they faced, and they rose to them. There were areas particularly around Gorey town that had never flooded to the extent that we saw.”

Senator Byrne claims he has already raised with Government the fact that there may be additional resources needed for Wexford County Council to carry out certain repairs all over the County as a result of the inclement weather.

“I will continue to work to ensure that there is funding provided for any repairs as well as looking at long term mitigation measures,” he said, and added; “We are seeing far too many of these freak weather events. We really need to take Climate Change seriously. We are going to see drier, hotter summers and stormier winters and this will pose challenges for all of us.”

Don’t forget the Wexford Book Fair on Sunday

ALANNA HAMMEL (Editor) and MAYOR OF WEXFORD CLLR MAURA BELL (who performed the launch) at the launch of The Wexford Bohemian at Red Books, Wexford. Pic; Red Books.

By Dan Walsh

Great excitement in Red Books, St. Peter’s Square, Wexford, last night for the launch of the 4th edition of The Wexford Bohemian, excellently edited by Alanna Hammel, and featuring a large collection of new poems and original stories from about 50 contributors.

The launch was performed by the Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Maura Bell, who also wrote the foreward, and there was an overflowing attendance.

The launch featured beautiful performances from Martina Byrne, Deirdre McGarry, Maeve McCormack, Eire Ni Fhaolain, Daragh Fleming, Meritxell Grau-Butinyac, Alice Doyle, Ceri Quinn, Jimi Rivets, Margaret Galvin and Alanna Hammel.

However, the launch must not be allowed overshadow the 51st Wexford Book and Collectables Fair taking place in the Talbot Hotel, Wexford, on Sunday, from 11am to 5pm.

Organiser Kieran O’Brien (with Wally O’Neill) told WexfordLocal.com that the Wexford Book and Collectables Fair is “Ireland’s longest running independent book fair,” and he promises that Sunday’s event will be bigger and better with more dealers than ever before.

The event has always been a popular fringe event marking the final weekend of the Wexford Opera Festival.

Sunday in the Talbot Hotel will feature collectable, antiquarian and second-hand books, ephemera (sports and open event programmes etc.), banknotes, coins, curios, antiques and postcards.

As well as trading books, buying and selling, advice and information from a wide range of dealers from around the country will also be in place.

New collection of poetry launched

LIAM REGAN with his debut book of poetry ALONG THE GRASSY PATH

By Dan Walsh in Wexford

Liam Regan was born in Louth, lives in Stradbally, Co. Laois, retired from working in Carlow, and last night he chose Red Books in Wexford town to launch his debut collection of poetry entitled ‘Along the Grassy Path’

An original work of 49 poems, the attractive cover was designed by his partner Geraldine O’Neill and the publication was published under the Red Books Press label.

Liam has been a writer all his life, but he has substantially increased his creative talents since retirement. He is a member of the local Men’s Shed and a very active community volunteer, supporting the homeless and those in need.

Liam has been writing poetry for years, inspired by the beauty of nature to create his vivid, emotional and striking pieces. He takes part in local writing groups and lists his poetic idols as Seamus Heaney and Alfred Tennyson.

Speaking at the launch of his debut collection, publisher Wally O’Neill paid special tribute to a friend he has known for many years. “Liam Regan is a true Gaelic poet, a throwback to the days of Amergin and the great Ollamhs. In another age, the greatest poet, the one who could sense the shift of age upon the land and feel it groan, was as well regarded as the high king. Their significance was never doubted nor was the profuse value of words.”

‘Along the Grassy Path’ by Liam Regan, paperback, 68 pages, 49 original poems, is available now at Red Books or online at www.theirishbookshop.com

for a tenner.

Minister faces query on dental services in New Ross

By Dan Walsh

Serious public concerns about the lack of dentists in the New Ross area taking on patients with medical cards is to be raised with the Minister for Health.

Sinn Féin New Ross area representative Marie Doyle told WexfordLocal.com; “I have been contacted by many people in New Ross highlighting the lack of dentists that accept medical card. Last week one woman who was in severe pain had contacted me looking for assistance as she couldn’t afford to pay private fees. 

DEPUTY JOHNNY MYTHEN is to raise concerns about dental services in New Ross and other parts of Co. Wexford with the Minister for Health.

“This is just one of several similar stories we have heard over the last while,” said Ms Doyle, who added; “When I contacted the Wexford Health Centre for the list of dentists available in New Ross they told me there are none. This is an appalling situation that needs to be addressed urgently”

Sinn Féin TD for Co. Wexford Deputy Johnny Mythen is to bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly T.D. in Dáil Éireann.

“Issues with access to dentists for those with a medical card are ongoing in the county. I have tabled questions to the Minister for Health on this, given the urgent nature of the problem,” said Deputy Mythen, who added; “People cannot be left suffering in pain with nowhere to go.”

“More must be done to recruit and retain dentists on the Dental Treatment Service Scheme, said Deputy Mythen. “I will be watching this situation closely and will continue to raise this with the Minister,” he concluded.

Flooding mayhem on M11 and Gorey

The flooding in Gorey, this evening. (Pic; Minister James Browne)

By Dan Walsh

UPDATE at 10pm Thursday; The M11 has reopened for traffic having been closed for a number of hours this evening due to flash flooding following heavy rainfall.

The emergency services are stretched to the limit in North Wexford this evening after an extraordinary heavy downpour of rain saturated the district and caused flash flooding as people were leaving their workplaces.

The M11 Northbound is closed between junction 22 and 24 due to extremely heavy flooding while the M11 Southbound is reduced to single lane traffic and there are long tailbacks.

There were reports of a car floating on the high waters earlier this evening and a number of small road traffic collisions were noted.

On social media there was a call for help from a roaduser stranded on the M11 for over two hours with a small child in the car.

Extreme flooding is also reported at the railway bridge and Ballyloughan on the Arklow Road.

Flooding on the Courtown-Gorey road, at the Banogue River and the Ahare River and many rural roads in North Wexford require extreme caution.

Fire services from Wexford County Council and Arklow Fire Service are at the scene and thankfully, the rain has ceased, and the flood waters are receding slowly.

Roadusers are advised to avoid the affected areas and take extreme caution if travelling tonight. “Unless the journey is essential and unavoidable don’t travel,” is the general advice.

25,000 affected by Wexford ‘Boil Water’ notice

By Dan Walsh

A Boil Water Notice to protect public health has been issued for all customers supplied by the Wexford Town Public Water Supply with immediate effect.
Following consultation with the HSE, Irish Water and Wexford County Council this notice is being issued to protect the health of approximately 25,000 customers following the detection of Giardia in the water supply along with poor raw water quality following heavy rainfall which has put the treatment plant under pressure.

Areas impacted include Wexford Town, Taghmon and surrounding areas. Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of http://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. All customers on this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.
Irish Water Operations Lead, Colin Cunningham, regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers, and told WexfordLocal.com; “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.”
Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled. If impacted customers are feeling unwell, they should contact their GP for medical advice.