No water in Bridgetown on Wednesday 

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann has notified customers in Bridgetown, Co Wexford, of a planned outage which is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Wednesday, October 22nd from 9am until 5pm.

The outage will impact supply to homes and businesses in Bridgetown, Tomhaggard and the surrounding area. 

The planned outage is to facilitate several essential leak repairs on a water main in the area.

The repairs are part of extensive works being carried out by Uisce Éireann to alleviate ongoing supply disruptions in the area. To date, 20 leak repairs have been carried out in the area in recent weeks. 

Padraig Lyng of Uisce Éireann apologised for the inconvenience the outage will cause. “We acknowledge the impact that a planned outage has on our customers, and we assure affected customers that our crews will work as quickly as possible to complete the repairs and restore normal supply,” Mr. Lyng told WexfordLocal.com 

Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers on higher ground or at the end of the network.

The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.  

Wexford town gets new fire engine

Sub officer Patrick Busher made a presentation to Minister James Browne TD pictured with Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Sullivan at the handing over the keys of the new fire engine to Wexford Fire Station on Monday afternoon. Pic: Jim Campbell

By Dan Walsh

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D, has officially launched a new fire appliance for Wexford town and district today.

Funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and at a cost of €445,000, the Volvo FE ‘Class B’ fire appliance carries 1,800 litres of water, has an in-built main pump, and carries a variety of equipment including a selection of hoses, ladders, breathing apparatus equipment, hydraulic cutting equipment, chimney fire equipment and first aid equipment.

The vehicle is top of its class. Built in Tullow, Co. Carlow, it can hold six personnel on board, including the driver. The new appliance is based in Wexford town and brings the fleet in town to four frontline appliances.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan commented; “It is very positive to see such great investment into our fire service. This is a crucial, front line emergency service and it is critical that our crews are well equipped, for their safety and for the public. The new appliance will greatly strengthen frontline services for Wexford.”

Minister James Browne TD said; “This is an important milestone for our community in Wexford, and the top-class team we have here at Wexford Fire Station. This state-of the-art appliance marks our ongoing commitment to ensure the highest standards of safety, preparedness and service and the protection of lives and property in our community. The investment will help our firefighters continue their vital work even more effectively.”

Chief Fire Officer, Alan O’Neill welcomed the arrival of the new engine,  “The new appliance is a very welcome addition to the fleet, and I would like to thank all parties involved in its’ delivery.” 

Wexford Festival Opera unveils 2026 programme 

By Dan Walsh
Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi has announced the programme for the 75th Anniversary Wexford Festival Opera in 2026, showcasing the Festival’s unique discoveries over the decades.
The Festival will run for 17 days, from Thursday to Saturday, October 15th-31st. It is built around the theme The Best of: one for the head, one for the heart, one for fun.  Iris – Pietro Mascagni, 1898  L’equivoco stravagante – Gioachino Rossini, 1811  The Gambler – Sergei Prokofiev, 1929.
All three main stage operas were performed during the Festival’s history before the building of the award-winning National Opera House in 2008. They will all appear in new productions together with new critical editions reflecting recent scholarship. 
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com at the announcement of the 75th programme, WFO Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi said: “The 75th Anniversary is an incredible milestone and a very special birthday for Wexford, and for our Wexford Festival Opera family all around the world. Each opera is a rediscovery, but also a reflection of our own world, where difference can still divide us – and yet, art reminds us that empathy can always unite us.” The 75th Wexford Festival Opera will run from October 15th-31st, 2026. We look forward to welcoming you to celebrate this very exciting milestone.
Meanwhile, the 74th Festival is now underway, opening this weekend with the three main stage operas. The Festival runs until Saturday, November 1st. 

Gorey launch hails writer Anne Ireton

Master of ceremonies Mick O’Callaghan, Wally O’Neill of Red Books Press, publishers, and author Anne Ireton at the launch of Bohemian Whirlpools in Gorey Library. (Pic; Red Books Press).

By Dan Walsh

Friends, fellow authors and writers assembled in Gorey Library to celebrate the launch of Bohemian Whirlpools,the second book by literary genius, Anne Ireton from Courtown.

Master of ceremonies Mick O’Callaghan said Anne, who worked as a nurse in London and Wexford is a great storyteller with a deep empathetic nature for her fellow human beings.

“I have worked with many people over the years, but Anne is one of the few people I have met who keeps putting everyone else first. She never wants to take centre stage and is full of encouragement for any aspiring new writers,” said Mr O’Callaghan, who added; “Ann is a brilliant wordsmith, and I loved her story telling of the life of her London squatters. She assured me that the story was not autobiographical.”

Mr O’Callaghan continued; “For her second book Anne has dug deep and did exhaustive research and rewriting of material which has culminated in this beautiful book Bohemian Whirlpools.

Anne Ireton has travelled that road and produced Bohemian Whirlpools showing her great talent for writing, her determination and sheer brilliance as you will discover when you read this excellent novel,” concluded Mr O’Callaghan.

Veronica Lombard, long-time friend and a doyennne of the literary and dramatic life in Gorey who read an excerpt

Mary Keogh Hansen a member of Hollyfort Writers did a reading, as did Odhran Somers who recently has published his collection of poetry called Finally Finite .

Anne Colgan of Wordsmith writers’ group Gorey read an excerpt.

Anne Ireton called on Jackie Hayden to speak and formally launch Bohemian Whirlpools.

She thanked Jean, Martina and all at Gorey library for hosting the launch.

The event concluded with music by Alec Wilson and some refreshments.

Bohemian Whirlpools by Anne Ireton, edited by Alanna Hammel, 334 pages, paperback, €18, published by Red Books Press, available at Red Books, St. Peter’s Square, Wexford.

Denis Murphy saddles his 300th winner

DENIS MURPHY, who trained his 300th winner, and SHANE COTTER who rode a double happy with their success at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, this afternoon. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Fairwood Park, Tinahely

Today’s point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, was held in pleasant autumnal conditions where the highlights were doubles for Denis Murphy, Shane Cotter and Barry O’Neill, while Jessica Grant (19) from Kilmacow, Mullinavat rode her first winner.

Denis Murphy saddled a pair of winners – Finisk Pride by seven lengths in the maiden race for four-year-olds and Empire Soldier by five and a half lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Both were ridden by Shane Cotter.

Empire Soldier gave handler Murphy is 300th point-to-point success. In his 19th year as a handler Murphy trains at Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, and has made a fantastic start to the new season with four winners in the first three weeks!

Champion Barry O’Neill also scored a double. He was aboard Ersudaly for Colin Bowe in the maiden race for five-year-old mares and added the Open Lightweight Race on the Gordon Elliott trained Chemical Energy by six lengths.

Tipperary raider Iorens won the Mares Winner of One race for handler Sam Curling and rider David Doyle.

Kilkenny rider Jessica Grant enjoyed her first win from six point-to-point rides with an easy 15 lengths victory on Roman Parish handled by David O’Brien from Piltown. Jessica rides out for O’Brien and at Colin Bowe’s stables in Kiltealy.

There was also point-to-point action at Umma House, Co. Westmeath where Adamstown handler Kieran Roche saddle a double and both were newcomers.

Taranis in the Michael Kenny colours won by half a length in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings and the same combination clinched the double with Arklow by 12 lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old plus mares. Both were ridden by Donal O’Connor from Mallow.

Dutton Law in the Aidan Byrne colours scored for handler Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, and rider Brian Lawless by an impressive 32 lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old mares.

Rob James and Eamonn Doyle shared winning ways with Kenzo DesBruyeres who beat the field by 22 lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

The Island Hunt point-to-point takes place at Peppardscastle, Kilmuckridge on Saturday, October 25th. First race at 1pm. Entries close on Wednesday.

€14.2m cocaine seizure at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

ROSSLARE EUROPORT (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Revenue officers seized approximately 202.50 kgs of cocaine at Rosslare Europort on Saturday.

The illicit drugs, with an estimated value of approximately €14.2 million, were discovered when an accompanied freight unit had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France, was stopped and searched by Customs officers.

A man in his 30s was arrested by An Garda Síochána and is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda Station in the South East Region.

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.

View Wexford Camera Club exhibition

Member and exhibitor Ian Moriarty at Wexford Camera Club’s Photography Exhibition. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com) 

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Camera Club exhibition

The popular Wexford Camera Club Photography Exhibition is open at the Friends’ Meeting House (Loch Garman Band Hall) on High Street near the National Opera House.

The exhibition features approximately 50 of the best photographs chosen by members from their annual collection.

The club commends Enniscorthy Camera Club for their assistance and the Loch Garman Band for hosting at their premises

Founded in 1979, Wexford Camera Club meetings are held every second Monday evening, and new members are welcome at any time of the year.

The exhibition is a fringe event for the Wexford Festival Opera and is well worth a visit. It continues until Sunday, November 2nd.

Sunday racing returns to Tinahely

By Dan Walsh

Sixty-seven entries were received for the first point-to-point of the new season in the South East that takes place tomorrow (Sunday) at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, run under the auspices of Shillelagh & District Hunt.

Ground conditions are reported as “good” and the first race is off at 1pm.

The card consists of four maiden races (one confined to novice riders), an Open Race and a Mares Winner of One.

JACK HENDRICK will be out of action through injury until after Christmas. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

One promising rider missing from the scene until after Christmas is Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick, who has 109 winners to his credit.

Jack is on the sidelines following a fall at Listowel in late September when he suffered a serious injury. “I fractured my left humerus in three places and fractured my shoulder joint as well,” said Hendrick, who underwent surgery and is doing physio and added; “I’m not feeling too bad now.”

Meanwhile, point-to-pointing took place today (Saturday) at Loughanmore, Co. Antrim which produced four Wexford winners in the first four races.

Denis Murphy saddled newcomer Eskyland in the maiden race for four-year-old mares’ and she ran home five and a half lengths clear of the field with Shane Cotter up. Eskyland now goes to the sales.

Jonathan Fogarty saddled his first winner of the new season – newcomer Golden Heart in the Gaynestown Stud Partnership colours by half a length under Finian Maguire in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

Now in his 14th year as a handler, this was the Cleariestown-based handler’s 40th point-to-point success.

Hello Fortune won for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle in the maiden race for five-year-old plus mares. Two and a half lengths the verdict. Rob James the successful rider.

Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill teamed up to win the mares maiden for five-year-old plus with Kano De Thaix. One and a half lengths the distance.

 Fireworks launch for Wexford Festival Opera

The best seat in the house for the annual Wexford Festival fireworks earlier this evening. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Wexford Opera Festival 
Thousands gathered on Wexford Quay in mild October weather for the official opening of the 74th Wexford Festival Opera and its traditional fireworks display tonight (Friday). Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi opened this year’s festival to mark her 30th anniversary with Wexford Festival Opera.
Italian-born Rosetta, now an Irish citizen, expressed her gratitude for Wexford and its famous opera festival as she was delighted to launch the 2025 Wexford Festival Opera. She was given a huge cheer from the large attendance.
There were also contributions on the main stage from Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Garry Laffan, and Paul Cleary, Chairman of Wexford Festival Trust. Maurice McCarthy acted as master of ceremonies.
There was a full house at the opening main stage opera, Verdi’s Le trouvère, in the National Opera House. 
Earlier that evening the Community Opera, A Little Midsummer Night’s Dream, had its first of five sold-out performances.  
The much-loved Lunchtime Recitals are back for the 74th Wexford Festival Opera, taking place in the O’Reilly Theatre and the 18th century St Iberius Church, each venue offers its own special atmosphere. Over 13 recitals, and Festival artists will share a wide variety of music, from operatic arias and lieder to oratorio, concert works and popular song.

Wexford Festival Opera runs for 16 days and ends on Saturday, November 1st.

Enniscorthy historic landfill site

LUCAS PARK landfill site to be transformed into a public space. (Pic; Wexford County Council).

Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Library

The old municipal landfill site at Lucas Park outside of Enniscorthy on the N30 Enniscorthy-New Ross road is so compact and environmentally matured that people pass it daily without noticing that it exists!

The site was revisited last night at a public consultation held in Enniscorthy Library as part of The Creative Ireland programme at Wexford County Council that has teamed up with the Environment Office to consult with the communities living close to the sites about their vision for what they could become in the future.

Cultural producer Karla Sanchez and Engineer Rory O’Mahony lead a consultation workshop, inviting the communities to share their thoughts and ideas.

Using innovative consultation methods, the sessions aim to encourage progressive thinking about what might be possible on the sites.

I am not going to reveal the suggestions put forward towards the consultation process, however, the environment, protection of wildlife and a public amenity is sure to emerge.

Lucas Park landfill site, referred to locally as ‘site of the old town dump’, is a two-hectare site that served municipal waste for 40 years from 1940 until it closed in 1980.

Located on the River Urrin it is also near the Slaney Valley SAC and Wexford Harbour and Slobs (SPA) Specially Protected Area.

The site contains an estimated 69,300m3 of waste to depths of 4-11 metres and is currently planted with trees and vegetation.

It is not too late to forward suggestions as to the future of Lucas Park; contact rory.omahony@wexfordcoco.ie

Four sites are under consideration Carcur near Wexford Town, Lucas Park near Enniscorthy, Ballykeerougue near Campile in the New Ross Municipal District and Gorteen near Inch in the Gorey Municipal District.

Meetings at Carcur and Lucas Park have taken place, but Ballykeerogue, Campile, on Friday, November 7th at 7pm in Campile Community Hall and Gorteen, Gorey is on Saturday, November 8th at 4pm in St, Mogues Community Centre, Inch are to come!

Email elizabeth.howard@wexfordcoco.ie for the Ballykeerogue and Gorteen sessions.