Wexford Camera Club welcomes new members

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Camera Club opened its exhibition Moments In Time on Culture Night and it continues in Wexford Library until Sunday, October 9th.

Memories can be locked in a picture; such is the power of photography. Another aspect of photography is the possibility to reveal hidden detail. “Maybe you see something here you never noticed before. We hope you enjoy our work and the different approaches and techniques used by our enthusiastic photographers,” a club spokesperson told WexfordLocal.com. 

“We welcome new members at any meeting any time in the year and cater for both beginners and more experienced photographers. Our programme offers practical advice on photography and image editing; competition challenges; and presentations by top photographers from Ireland and the wider world.  

“So if you have an interest in developing your skills, get in touch and join us for the new season. You are very welcome to come along as a guest for a couple of meetings, to get a feel for the club and the way we operate. No elaborate camera equipment is necessary and if you are just starting out, we can help with advice on what sort of camera might suit you to get going.”

Wexford Camera Club meets in St Joseph’s Community Centre, Bishopswater, Wexford, Y35 A66C every second Monday at 7.30 pm and occasionally via Zoom. 

AUDIO ADDITION; MAIRE PHELAN from Wexford Camera Club tells DAN WALSH the club welcomes new members and the exhibition continues

Contact is wexfordcameraclub@gmail.com for further details.

Five Wexford winners on day one

By Dan Walsh

The autumn point-to-point season got off to a successful start at Toomebridge, Co. Antrim, today, providing five Wexford trained winners from six races, and the handler/rider champions Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill notched up a double in the first two races.

Sheeka Supreme is bound for the sales following a six lengths victory in the four-year-old mares’ maiden race and Waspy got ‘a head’ verdict for the Kiltealy stables in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

MARY ELLEN DOYLE trained two point-to-point winners today.

The along comes Mary Ellen Doyle from Baltimore Stables at Coolgarrow Lane, near Enniscorthy, to win the third and fourth races to record another double.

In the maiden race for five-year-old geldings’ race Haddock De Grissay, ridden by Darragh Higgins, scored by five lengths. A first winner for Cork rider Higgins.

Next Mary Ellen Doyle saddled up Master Splinter in the contest for the Winners of One race and scored by three lengths under Brian Dunleavy. This was Doyle’s 35th training success as she commences her fifth year as a handler.

Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, added a fifth Wexford winner today when first timer Frankly Fine was awarded the maiden mares race for five-year-olds or over when Kilnoo was disqualified following a steward’s enquiry. The winning rider was Jack Hendrick, Mayglass.

Cheering on the Dorans of Craanford

By Dan Walsh

Mairead Ronan is back on the hunt to find the nation’s fittest families as the popular programme Ireland’s Fittest Family begins its 10th season on RTE 1 on Sunday at 6.30pm.

The Dorans and Davy Fitzgerald on RTE 1

And there is a Wexford interest in heat one featuring the Dorans of Craanford – Ger, Eamonn, Caitriona and Ollie – with popular mentor Davy Fitzgerald.

Also taking part are the Fitzsimons, the Gallaghers, and the Finnegans.

Four vehicles in Oylegate collision

By Dan Walsh

There was considerable traffic congestion for a time after four vehicles were involved in a road traffic collision between the M11 roundabout and Oylegate village earlier this evening.

The incident occurred around 5.30pm. No injuries were reported.

Two units of Enniscorthy Fire Service, ambulance crews from the National Ambulance Service and the Garda provided emergency cover at the scene.

The road remained open to a single flow of traffic at all times but there was long tailbacks for a considerable time. Road conditions were dry at the time.

Two injured after Enniscorthy collision

Road closure on the R772 (old N11) between Blackstoops (seen here) and Scarawalsh roundabouts this evening. Diversions in place.

By Dan Walsh

Two people have been taken to hospital following a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the R772 (the old N11) between the roundabouts at Scarawalsh and Blackstoops on the northern outskirts of Enniscorthy town.

The collision occurred around 12.30pm today and emergency vehicles were quickly on the scene including the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117.

Two people were taken to hospital but their condition is “unknown” at this time.

The R772 remains closed and traffic is being diverted between Scarawalsh and Blackstoops roundabouts through Enniscorthy North Business Park.

Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident are asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on 053 9242580.

Trucks in collision on the N25

By Dan Walsh

Traffic was seriously disrupted on the outskirts of the N25 ring road at Wexford between the Maldron Hotel and the Whitford Hotel roundabouts this afternoon after two trucks collided.

It is understood that a flatbed truck flipped onto its side after colliding with a truck towing a flashing warning message for hedge cutting which was taking place on the hard shoulder.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene. It is reported that the truck driver received minor injuries while the driver of the signage vehicle escaped unharmed.

Gardaí took charge of directing traffic and large tailbacks built up over a few hours.

Night rail works coming down the tracks!

By Dan Walsh

Iarnróid Éireann is informing the public of essential railway maintenance works in Enniscorthy during night-time hours on Saturday and Sunday, October 1st-2nd between 11pm and 6am.

Enniscorthy tunnel

This is essential linear track maintenance works involves the use of heavy machinery and can only be carried out at night when trains are not running.

Iarnróid Éireann assures that every practical effort will be made to minimise the impact on and the disruption to local residents.

A written notification has been delivered only to local residents in proximity to the railway work area, however, further information is available on the website; https;www.irishrail.ie/news/iarnrod-eireann-night-time-track-works

Green Flag status for Rosslare Harbour, Our Lady’s Island and Foulksmills

CATHAOIRLEACHJ of Rosslare Municipal District CLLR LISA McDONALD with members of Rosslare Harbour Memorial Park and Gardens committee proudly display their Green Flag Community Award 2022/23. (Pic; Wexford County Council).

By Dan Walsh

Rosslare Municipal District assisted the entry of three community parks -Rosslare Harbour Memorial Park & Gardens, Our Lady’s Island and Foulksmills Community Park – in the 2022 Green Flag Community Awards Scheme which was open to parks and gardens across Ireland.

Following site visits and the completion of the An Taisce judging process, Rosslare Municipal District is delighted to report that as per the official announcement made by An Taisce recently that all three parks have been accredited Green Flag status for 2022/23.

Cllr Lisa McDonald, Cathaoirleach Rosslare Municipal District told Wexford Local.com that it is “a great success story for the District considering only 19 Community Parks were recognised for this award nationally.”

The scheme is only open to freely accessible public green spaces and is enthusiastically received by Park and Garden Management as it delivers major wins for the delivery of quality green spaces by respective parks and park departments.

Strategically these include: Co-ordinating the improvement and sustainable development of parks and gardens; Delivers recognition for well-run community green spaces; and provides a network for acquiring and disseminating best practice for park management and development.

Green Flag Community Award applications are judged against the following seven criteria;  •    A Welcoming Place
•    Healthy Safe and Secure
•    Well Maintained and Clean
•    Environmental Management
•    Management of Biodiversity, Landscape and Heritage
•    Community Involvement
•    Management
“The Rosslare Municipal District Members would like to acknowledge the achievement of the three communities involved with the excellent management and delivery of these fantastic public spaces”, concluded Cllr McDonald.

Tobacco beer and wine seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Tobacco, beer and wine with a combined value of €300,000 has been seized over the past week in three routine operations at Rosslare Europort.

Last Saturday, Revenue officers seized approximately 77.5kgs of ‘roll your own tobacco’ and over 500 litres of wine, with a combined estimated retail value of €61,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €46,000.

The smuggled tobacco and alcohol were discovered with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, following the search of an Irish registered truck and its accompanying trailer that had disembarked a ferry from Le Havre, France.

Also on Saturday, Revenue officers seized almost 26,000 litres of beer following the search of a Polish registered truck that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France. The smuggled alcohol had an estimated retail value of over €103,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €48,000.

Last Tuesday, Revenue officers seized almost 11,300 litres of wine with an estimated retail value of over €137,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €73,000, following the search of an unaccompanied trailer that had arrived on a ferry from Zeebrugge, Belgium.

ROSSLARE EUROPORT (File Pic)

Investigations are ongoing following these operations.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and smuggling. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295. 

Attention to detail in Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Council meeting

A few matters relating to Enniscorthy town centre were raised by members at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held in the Presentation Centre with Cllr Aidan Browne in the chair.

Cllrs Jackser Owens and Cathal Byrne were concerned about the bin collection taking place while people were trying to enjoy outdoor dining and the inappropriate occurrence of tasty bacon and eggs competing with the nasty smell of waste bin contents. They wondered if the bin companies could leave it later in the day to clear the town’s waste collection? This matter had been on the agenda before, and the councillors requested an update.

Acting Manager Bernie Quigley told the meeting that the Council had written to the contractor asking for bins to be collected earlier, but there is no reply yet! “We are awaiting a reply,” stated Ms Quigley.

Cllr Cathal Byrne raised the concerns of street cleaning and footpaths and asked if Parnell Road and the old Dunnes Stores car park were included.

Senior Engineer Tadhg Ó Corcora reported that Market Square, Wafer Street, Castle Street, Castle Hill and Slaney Street were cleaned recently.

Cllr Jackser Owens spoke strongly against the possibility that the Christmas lights could be affected in the town in December. “The Christmas lights must not be turned off,” thundered Cllr Owens, who quipped; “They will be trying to stop Santy next!”

Director of Services Carolyne Godkin informed the meeting that no decision has yet been made regards the Christmas lights. She said the Council would be guided by whatever decision on the matter taken at national level. “It will not be a local decision. Any decision taken at national level we will follow,” concluded Ms. Godkin.