VICKY PHELAN. Wexford presents Book of Condolence. (Pic; Courtesy of RTÉ)
By Dan Walsh
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr George Lawlor has opened a Book of Condolence to allow the people of County Wexford to express their heartfelt sympathy to the family of the late Vicky Phelan. The book of condolence is located near the entrance to County Hall, Newtown Road, Wexford.
At today’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge District Council held at Wells House and Gardens, Ballyedmond, an Cathaoirleach Cllr Donal Kelly, members, officials, and press, observed a minute’s silence in memory of Vicky Phelan. May She Rest in Peace.
GOREY’S MARKET HOUSE could house ‘Gorey’s historical past’?
By Dan Walsh at Wells House and Gardens
A proposal to transform the old chamber room in the Market House into a Gorey historical feature and retain historical books and documents in Gorey for the people of Gorey and district was supported unanimously at today’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held in Wells House and Gardens at Ballyedmond.
Cllr Diarmuid Devereux confirmed that he had spoken to the CEO of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright, and asked that the suggestion be expediated. “There are plenty of willing volunteers to run the place and convert the Market House into a tourist attraction,” he said.
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhán reminded the members that the matter was raised at Monday’s meeting of Wexford County Council and he supported the proposal. “It is very positive,” he said, and added the two centenary events at Castletown soon and claimed there are some amazing collections that could be placed on display. “Perhaps, we could be ready for next Easter – the centenary of Sean Etchingham – and the start of the tourist season.”
District Manager Philip Knight had concerns about artefacts deteriorating and felt they would be better in the County Archive conservation space!
Cllr Devereux objected to any suggestion that the historical material go to Wexford, but to keep them in Gorey where people can have access.
Cllr Joe Sullivan agreed with his fellow members and spoke of the rich trove from North Wexford covering the 1916-1922 period and said people would be reluctant to let it off to Wexford! He suggested the restoration of the Market House to its former glory, put the artefacts on display, and he hoped the management of the County Council would be supportive.
Cllr Pip Breen said the artefacts not only cover the 1916-1922 period, but the Civil War and the events of 1798 too! He recalled people generously submitting historical items to the Castle Museum at Enniscorthy and they were taken to the Wexford archive. They are not documented and didn’t come back! “Market House is the ideal place for a display of the history of Gorey.”
Cllr Breen said preservation of the history is necessary, called for plans to work on the roof. “It (the Market House) has to be restored to what it was and protected for the future,”
Cllr Andrew Bolger said he agreed with the historical aspect for the people of Gorey to understand the history of Gorey.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
WexfordLocal.com 