WexfordLocal.com

Sean Doyle leads handlers’ championship

By Dan Walsh at Ballycrystal

Ballindaggin handler Sean Doyle is top of the Handlers’ Championship table tonight following the success of Old Style Humor in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings at the Island Hunt races at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, this afternoon.

**SEAN DOYLE and JACK HENDRICK shared a winner in Old Style Humor at Ballycrystal point-to-point races today.**

Owned by the Monbeg Partnership, Old Style Humor, who was runner-up at Tinahely on the previous Sunday, was ridden by Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick. He won by five lengths. Afterwards Doyle said; “He is a horse to have fun with” and he is hopeful of further success sometime in the future.

It was Doyle’s fifth success of the new point-to-point season and he is now one winner ahead of reigning champion Colin Bowe.

The only other Wexford trained winner at the picturesque track was Ryan’s Rocket, owned by the local Cullen House Syndicate, handled by Matthew O’Connor-Flynn whose family supplied the excellent track for todays racing. The winning rider was Brian Lawless and the winning distance were four lengths with Ihandaya coming home runner-up for the Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill partnership.

It was a brilliant day for Waterford handler Declan Queally and Mallow rider Chris O’Donovan who shared a treble success. Desert Cave was a short-head winner of the maiden race for four-year-olds; Desert Heather won the maiden race for five and six year old mares by three lengths; and the third success from three runners came in the final race of the day for ‘maiden six year olds and upwards’ when Rocky’s Howya demolished the opposition by 18 lengths. Queally scored with all three that he brought to the races and all three started favourites!

The Open Lightweight Race was confined to lady riders and it was Georgie Benson on The Storyteller, trained in Meath by Gordon Elliott, who took the spoils by four lengths.

The track was in excellent condition and there was a large attendance in Indian summer weather conditions.

There was also Wexford success at today’s second point-to-point races at Umma House, Co. Westmeath.

Donnchadh Doyle won the four-year-old mares’ maiden race with newcomer Omaha Wish and Rob James prevailing by ‘a neck’ in a tight finish. The mare is owned by the Monbeg Syndicate.

Jonathan Fogarty’s Gaynestown stables at Cleariestown enjoyed a nine and a half lengths victory with Down Memory Lane in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. The winning rider was veteran and former many times national champion Derek O’Connor.

Harley Dunne was owner and handler of Brooksway Fair, the six lengths winner of the Open Race which was confined to novice riders. It was a first success for 17 years old Cork rider Donal O’Connor, who has been riding out in the Clonroche area recently.

80 entries for Ballycrystal on Sunday

By Dan Walsh

The Island Hunt are hoping for a large attendance as they stage the autumn point-to-point fixture at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, tomorrow where 80 entries have registered for the six-race card. The going is expected to be ‘yielding’ and the first race is off at 2pm.

**ROB JAMES rode his 275th winner today.**

Rob James and Sean Doyle teamed up to win the maiden race for four-year-old mares with first timer Annabelle Magic in the colours of the Monbeg Partnership at today’s point-to-point races held at Loughanmore in Antrim.

Annabelle Magic made nearly all the running and survived a bad blunder at the penultimate obstacle but was still four lengths ahead of Nt Field Minnesota for the Colin Bowe/Barry O’Neill combination crossing the finish line. Wexford neighbours fighting out the finish there.

From Tomona, Kilanne, James who has victories at the Cheltenham Festival the Scottish Grand National under his belt was riding his 275^th career winner 10 years after his first ever success at Tinahely in 2012.

There was compensation for Barry O’Neill later in the day when he scored by six lengths on Ultimate Optimist for handler David Christie in the Winner of Two contest.

Music and fireworks in Wexford town

**The fireworks on Wexford Quay for the opening of the Wexford Festival Opera this evening.**

By Dan Walsh reporting from Wexford Quay

Thousands of people assembled on Wexford Quay earlier this evening for the launch of the 71^st Wexford Festival Opera with the traditional fireworks display and an enthusiastic official welcome from the Mayor of Wexford Cllr Maura Bell.

“This is my festival. This is your festival. This is everybody’s festival,” declared Mayor Bell to a massive cheer from the enthusiastic attendance made up mostly of family groups and young people.

AUDIO ADDITION; MC Maurice McCarthy introduces Mayor Maura Bell to open the 2022 Wexford Festival Opera on Wexford Quay earlier this evening.

**MAYOR MAURA BELL opens Wexford Festival Opera 2022**

Self-described as “a local girl from John’s Road,” Cllr Bell recalled memories from past festivals, praised the volunteers and everybody who contributed to the success of the festival, including attendees, members of the Festival Committee and Wexford County Council.

Chairperson of Wexford Festival Opera, Dr Maura Kelly also addressed the opening crowds. “It’s that time of year again when the summer has ended, schools are back, holidays are over, evenings are closing in, and Wexford is beginning to fill with the sound of music. Little by little, singers, choruses, technicians and musicians are beginning to fill the town. Sets and costumed are being readied,”

The evergreen Maurice McCarthy acted as master of ceremonies and complimented Casey Whelan who supervised the colourful fireworks display over the harbour.

Wexford Festival Opera runs until Sunday, November 6^th with top class performances in the National Opera House and many recitals, lunchtime events and other fringe events. Something for everybody so get hold of a brochure and select your favourite event… there is something for everyone at Wexford Festival Opera this year.

Irish Water progress in County Wexford

By Dan Walsh

The latest EPA Urban Wastewater Treatment Report for 2021 recognises the ongoing progress being made by Irish Water in upgrading Ireland’s public wastewater infrastructure while also highlighting the need for continued investment in our essential wastewater services.

Since 2014 when Irish Water assumed responsibility for public water services, 60% of raw sewage discharges by volume have been eliminated through targeted investment in new sewerage infrastructure where none existed previously, and we are on target to eliminate nearly all of the remainder by 2025.

In Wexford, investment in wastewater infrastructure in Duncannon, Arthurstown and Ballyhack has already led to improvements in water quality in the Barrow, Nore, Suir estuary, while also supporting housing and economic development in these areas.

Irish Water, worked in partnership with Wexford County Council, to end discharge of raw sewage from Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon. Works commenced in 2021 and this €12.8 million investment involved the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in Arthurstown which will also serve Ballyhack and Duncannon. The project is complete. SISK are carried out works on behalf of Irish Water.

Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, plan to deliver a sewage treatment scheme to serve the Kilmore Quay area. Sewage currently entering the Kilmore Quay public sewer network is discharged without treatment to the Eastern Celtic Sea. The discharges are close to Kilmore Quay Harbour and Marina, amenity waters and the Ballyteigue Burrow Nature Reserve. Works commenced in mid-2022 and project is due for completion in 2024.

Irish Water’s targeted programme of investment in existing wastewater infrastructure is also reaping benefits for communities around the country. The building of new treatment plants and upgrading of existing ones has led to continued improvements in the quality of receiving waters. Compliance rates with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive remain strong at 93% of plants – up from just 81% in 2015.

Michael Tinsley from Irish Water concluded; “The scale of delivery of this critical infrastructure is unprecedented: last year we invested €367 million in Ireland’s wastewater – the highest ever in a single year – and we are on track to increase that further over the coming years as we strive to deliver best in class wastewater services and infrastructure for Ireland now and in the future.”

Beer seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers seized approximately 23,600 litres of beer at Rosslare Europort following the search of an unaccompanied trailer that had arrived on a ferry from Dunkirk, France last Friday.

The smuggled alcohol had an estimated retail value of more than €94,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €44,000.

Investigations into these seizures are ongoing.

The seizure is 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.

Literature fringe events at Wexford festival

By Dan Walsh

The 71^st Wexford Festival Opera opens on Friday evening with crackling fireworks over the harbour and the National Opera House will accommodate the best singers and performers of national and international fame, but a traditional feature of the festival are the fringe events, and there is so many listed and catering for various personal interests.

A string of fringe events will take place at Wexford independent bookstore Red Books during the festivities. Owner Wally O’ Neill told WexfordLocal.com that the events would be ‘live literature’, an attempt to bring books alive and put their merit at the centre of artistic expression.

**WALLY O’NEILL owner of RED BOOKS, Wexford**

“We are lucky to have twelve live events coming up in the bookstore over the festival,” said Wally, who added: “These events are provided by the artistic community that has evolved around Red Books, including writers, poets, historians, film-makers and musicians. We’re going to increase our opening hours to facilitate these events, so we’ll now be open to the public 70 hours a week.”

“People ask me why we bother with these events, and I think of Jen Campbell’s quote, ‘All bookshops are full of stories, and stories want to be heard.’ We’ve all gone through the very worst of times over the last two years. We were part of a twelve-member small shops group in Wexford town two years ago. Only two of those shops are still open now. We’re still here because book lovers supported us. Now we will continue to support these literary events in kind,” he concluded.

Among the events taking place in the bookshop will be a concert by Imelda Kehoe and Mick Egan on the 27th, a spoken-word open-mic on the 21st and a number if book launches and pop-up performances.

All events will be free but donation buckets for local charity Wexford People Helping People will be at hand for those who would like to make a donation.

An event titled ‘Lit-Opera’ hopes to fuse performers favourite literature together with musical expressions on Friday the 28th while Declan Reck will give a talk on the historical merchants of Wexford on Saturday the 5th.

The fourth issue of Red Books Press flagship publication the Wexford Bohemian will be launched in Red Books on Friday the 4th.

The 51st Annual Wexford Book Fair will conclude the literary events on Sunday, November 6th, taking place from 11-5pm in Wexford’s Talbot Hotel.

More information about are available from www.theirishbookshop.com or by visiting Red Books in Wexford’s St Peter’s Square or following them on Facebook or Instagram.

Will we ever walk Wilkie’s Way?

By Dan Walsh at the monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council

“There is a need to put in place a policy to manage the renaming of places, dedications, erection of seats, monuments, murals and structures in the Public Realm of Enniscorthy,” according to District Manager Ger Mackey speaking at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

Mr Mackey was responding to a query from Cllr John O’Rourke who suggested that Wilkie’s Walk would be an appropriate name for the revamped steps at Castle Hill opposite the castle some time ago and was seeking an update.

There was also a call for the erection of a plaque at 21 Main Street in memory of two unarmed Free State soldiers – Commandant Peter Doyle, (29), and Captain Thomas Doyle, (27), were shot dead after leaving a Mission Mass in St. Aidan’s Cathedral on October 10^th, 1922.

A centenary commemoration for the Doyles was held on the spot where they died recently. Full coverage can be found on WexfordLocal.com

Mr Mackey told the meeting he propose to bring a draft policy document for consideration by the members at the November meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

EDITOR’S NOTE; Sam ‘Wilkie’ Thorpe, Ross Road, Enniscorthy, died on November 1^st, 2005, aged 86 years, and is interred in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Enniscorthy. The late Wexford historian Nicky Furlong writing in The Ghosts of Bygone Days-an Enniscorthy GAA History by Sean Whelan (pub. 1998) recalls ‘Wilkie’ Thorpe.

Furlong writes; “Sam ‘Wilkie’ Thorpe never played for Wexford again after the summer of 1953. The colourful crowd entertainer from Vinegar Hill had contributed to his rich and talent, to both hurling and football, at the highest inter-county level for 20 years.”

Sad passing of Ceilí (15)

By Dan Walsh

Many tributes have been paid to the family, teachers, fellow students and many communities following the death of Ceilí McInerney, (15), which occurred in Crumlin Hospital, Dublin, on Monday. News of her untimely death caused shock and feelings of great loss in The Ballagh and Kilmuckridge communities.

A Transition Year student, Ceilí became unwell while attending the Open Evening at Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge, last Thursday evening.

She received medical attention from First Responders at the scene before removal to Wexford Hospital and Crumlin Hospital, Dublin, where sadly she passed away on Monday.

Many tributes have been paid to Ceilí. At Tuesday’s meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, Cllr Mary Farrell, who is a First Responder and Chair of the Board of Management at Coláiste an Átha expressed sympathy to the family, teachers and fellow students.

Coláiste an Átha posted on social media; “It is with heavy hearts that we must announce the passing of TY student Céilí McInerney this week. As a school we are devastated by the loss of such a beautiful soul. Our spirits were buoyed today listening to the many wonderful stories about her kindness, her fierce loyalty, her sense of fun and her sense of adventure. She left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
“The entire Coláiste an Átha school community would like to offer our sincere condolences to Céilí’s family and friends at this sad time. She will be sadly missed by everyone that knew her. May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace.”

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Ceilí McInerney, 5, Cluain Mhic Tire, The Ballagh, Enniscorthy. Unexpectedly, aged 15 years in the loving care of the staff at Crumlin Children’s Hospital surrounded by her heartbroken family.

Ceilí will forever be remembered and loved by her parents Carol and Ciaran and their partners Alan and Deborah, her loving brothers and sister Ciaran, Stephen, Shannan, Aaron, Ceidhlim and Cadán and their partners Cathy, Trinny and Anto, her nephew Jacob, her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and many friends.

Reposing at her home tomorrow (Wednesday) from 2 o’ clock to 7 o’ clock. A celebration of Ceili’s life will take place at Newlands Cross Crematorium on Thursday afternoon at 2 o’ clock followed by cremation. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to The Asthma Society.

Change of bus stop locations in Gorey?

**A proposal to relocate the Bus Stops away from the Main St., Gorey, was discussed at today’s meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Council**

By Dan Walsh at Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Council meeting

A proposal to relocate Bus Stops from Gorey’s Main Street to the car park at the railway station is to be investigated and discussed with interest groups following a discussion the matter at today’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held in Gorey Civic Centre with Cllr Donal Kenny (Cathaoirleach) in the chair.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux told the meeting he had concerns about Bus Stops on either side of the Main Street and witnessed long tailbacks when a number of buses arrive at the same time and the town traffic is held up. He said there is a huge carpark at the railway station and added;” We cannot go on like that if we are expecting the 30% increase in population over the next 10 years or so.”

Cllr Kenny was in agreement with Cllr Devereux and mentioned the difficulty of 52-seater buses near schools. Cllr Bolger also alluded to “the back up of traffic in the town”.

Cllr Devereux offered a solution to taking the buses off Main Street and using the railway station carpark by entering and exiting the town off the M11 at junction 23!

It was agreed that everyone needed to be on board, an obvious reference to the bus operators, Age Friendly, wheelchair users etc., concerning the options for relocation and Cllr Pip Breen said there was a Transport SCP next month and the matter could be raised there.

Cllr Anthony Donohoe felt what is needed is road alterations and upgrades in conjunction with a traffic management plan.

Proposals at relocating the bus stops from the Main Street to another location has been on the agenda a few times before but users and shop owners adjacent to the stops have been steadfastly against any such move.

ASBO’s could be needed in Enniscorthy

**Dark days at the Orchard Peace Park at Enniscorthy due to anti-social behaviour. More action is needed for health and safety there.**

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council

It is not the kind of news that many people want to hear in Enniscorthy, but it emerged from today’s monthly meeting of the Municipal District Council that ASBO’s (anti-social behaviour order) may soon be enforced by An Garda Siochána in relation to reoccurring anti-social behaviour at the Orchard Peace Park.

District Manager Ger Mackey said the Peace Park is an amenity where the people should feel safe, it is well lit and CCTV cameras are installed there, but the situation is getting more serious and the health and safety of the area is being discussed with An Garda Siochána.

It is alleged that drugs have been found in the park. Windows have been broken in private residences and damage has been caused to the adjoining school. When the gates are locked individuals are able to go in and congregate there!

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy mentioned a recent occasion when she and this journalist were challenged by some undesirables while involved in a private conversation in the park!

Cllr Murphy said “it is up to us as a Council to make the place safe. She condemned the damage caused to the school nearby. And in an aside, Cllr Jackser Owens requested that the car park at St. Aidan’s Parish School be reopened. Apparently, it has been closed since before Covid-19?

Cllr Cathal Byrne was critical of the old Murphy-Flood’s site in the centre of town, now owned by Wexford County Council with plans for a library, units and apartments, which he labelled “the biggest eyesore in the town centre.”

This area of the town is used for drug exchanges, according to local sources, drinking and parties, and other forms of anti-social behaviour, and recently, smoke was observed emerging from the derelict site.

The meeting agreed that action was needed in cleaning up the town centre and improving its image as a safe place to do business and enjoy.

The new much-publicised public toilet on Vinegar Hill was back on the agenda. Apparently, it is reported that there was some interference with the door lock. We don’t have much to go on, but access was denied to some users!

And another amazing story to emerge from today’s meeting. It seems that fly-tipping is old fashioned, and the covers of the drains are lifted, rubbish of all description is placed in there and the drains get blocked! Engineer Neil Dempsey said his staff are coming across the practice on a regular basis and he is asking people to stop doing it!