Government approval for upgrade works at Rosslare Europort

Deputy Paul Kehoe, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, and Glenn Carr, General Manager Rosslare Port Authority, at Rosslare Europort last Wednesday.

By Dan Walsh

Important news from Rosslare Europort this week with Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton confirming Government approval has been given for the OPW to proceed to tender for the development of the necessary permanent state infrastructure in Rosslare Europort.

The permanent facilities are needed to manage the requirements for checks and controls on trade with the UK as a consequence of Brexit and will replace the temporary infrastructure put in place in Kilrane in advance of the March 2019 Brexit deadline.

“I have been assured by Minister Naughton that the plans for the development of the new facilities will be done in a manner designed to minimise any negative impact on the port’s current operations and future business development,” Deputy Paul Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com.

Rosslare Europort has seen a significant expansion of services to the Continent since January 2021, with new weekly services going from 6 to 34. Services to and from the Port have been increased with Cherbourg and Bilbao with new routes introduced between Le Harve and Zeebrugge.

Rosslare Europort has experienced a huge increase in direct Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) services to mainland Europe over the last two years. This is in addition to the daily services from Rosslare Europort to the UK which provide an important alternative to Dublin Port for British traffic.

From November 2022, Brittany Ferries are introducing a new Cruise Ferry ‘the MV Galicia’ on its Rosslare-Cherbourg and Rosslare-Bilbao routes. This vessel will more than double passenger capacity on these routes and generate a substantial increase in Ireland’s tourism opportunities with France and Spain.

2021 saw a 371% increase in freight units through the Rosslare Europort to Europe and despite UK freight being down 34%. This represents the highest yearly growth in the port’s history and demonstrating the national importance of Rosslare Europort as a key connection for freight and passenger services to the UK and Europe.

Two vehicle crash in Wexford town

By Dan Walsh

MILL ROAD (Image credit: Google/Garda Siochana)

Wexford Gardaí are seeking witnesses to a two-vehicle collision which occurred at approximately 3pm today (Saturday) at the Mill Road entrance to Tesco, Distillery Road, Wexford.

Anyone with information or dash cam footage is requested to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200.

Wexford schools could be ‘Ireland’s Fittest’

By Dan Walsh

For the second year in succession, a call has gone out to schools in Wexford, and elsewhere across the country, from Irish Olympians, sprinter Phil Healy and fellow athlete, David Gillick, who have joined forces with Fyffes in a quest to find ‘Ireland’s Fittest School’.

For the second year in succession Irish Olympians Phil Healy and David Gillick have teamed up with Fyffes in a quest to find the fittest school in the country. .

Registration for the competition, which runs until March 31st 2023, can now be made online at www.fyffesfitsquad.ie, with the overall winner to be announced in April.

Coupled with monthly and spot prize rewards, one successful school will have the distinction of being chosen as ‘Ireland’s Fittest School 2023’, the prize for which will be a visit from Healy and Gillick and €5,000 worth of sports equipment.

The commencement of the competition coincides with the resumption this month of Fyffes children’s fitness programme of live school visits following a two-year break during Covid. The upcoming schedule will see some 7,500 pupils from schools throughout Ireland, North and South, participate in an interactive Fit Squad session between now and next March.

200,000 cigarettes seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers at Rosslare Europort seized approximately 200,000 cigarettes with an estimated retail value of €150,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €118,000, as a result of routine profiling yesterday (Wednesday).

The illegal cigarettes, branded ‘Dunhill’, were discovered with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner when Revenue officers stopped and searched a Bulgarian registered truck and its accompanying trailer, that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France.

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.

Boolavogue’s Penny is Leader of the Commons

By Dan Walsh

British Tory MP Penny Mordaunt, (49), who was once tipped as the next UK Prime Minister, steeped in Boolavogue and North Wexford ancestry, has returned to the cabinet as leader of the House of Commons, having endorsed Liz Truss after nearly beating her into the final two of the Conservative leadership race.

PENNY MORDAUNT MP, Leader of the House of Commons.

Most recently a trade minister, the naval reservist made history when she became the UK’s first female defence secretary in 2019 and had also been in cabinet in 2017 as international development secretary.

The former magician’s assistant is perhaps best known outside Westminster for appearing on ITV’s celebrity diving show Splash!

She is a niece of Henry Mordaunt, who maintains the family’s genealogy website. Henry traces their family roots back to Denis and Mary Mordaunt, born in north Co Wexford in the late 18th century.

The family were tenant farmers on land in Ballintlea, (carved as ‘Ballinaclay’ on the family memorial in Boolavogue graveyard) near Gorey, throughout the 19th century and in north Wexford.

Denis Mordaunt (1783-1868) was baptised in the parish of Kilanerin, near Gorey. He married Mary Byrne (1791-1851) in Avoca, Co Wicklow, in 1813, and held 30 acres in Ballinaclay, and may also have held land at Clone, near Monamolin. He died in 1868 and was buried in Boolavogue.

One of his younger children, Edward Mordaunt (1831-1917), married Bridget Crowe (1841-1921) in Litter Parish (Kilmuckridge) in 1863. They lived on 86 acres at Cullentra until he was evicted in 1886 for non-payment of rent and was jailed for his role in the ‘Land War.’

Part of the memorial inscription reads; “To the memory of Edward Mordaunt, Monamolin, of Land League fame, who was a fearless soldier in the land wars of the 1880s after suffering a term of imprisonment. Died February 6th 1917, aged 85 years.”

The house was destroyed by fire, and Edward and his family later lived in Court Ballyedmond, Monamolin, where he was a farmer and shopkeeper. He died in 1917, and he was buried in Boolavogue, alongside his father and older brothers.

Edward’s son Patrick Mordaunt (1874-1914) was baptised in Monamolin and married Bridget Plunkett (1873-1957) in Wexford in 1898. He enlisted in a cavalry regiment and the family moved to Canterbury.

Claire Keegan’s date in Kilmore Quay

By Dan Walsh

Irish author Claire Keegan has been shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize. Keegan’s Small Things Like These, which, at 116 pages, is the shortest book in terms of pages in the prize’s history.

Award-winning writer CLAIRE KEEGAN

Award-winning Keegan is the star of this year’s Write by the Sea festival at Kilmore Quay, September 23rd-25th, when she chats with Dr. Richard Hayes, Head of Strategy, South East Technological University, about writing, teaching, ideas and inspiration, creativity and originality.

This event takes place in the Stella Maris Centre at 5pm on Sunday, September 25th. For tickets, programme updates and more information about the festival and the writers see writebythesea.ie

Keegan, who was brought up on a farm in Wicklow, close to the Wexford border, published her first volume of short stories, Antarctica, in 1999, and it went on to win the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature.

Her other acclaimed works include Foster and Walk the Blue Fields.

Remembrance at Enniscorthy UN Peace Memorial

The annual commemoration at the UN Peace Memorial at Enniscorthy on Sunday.

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy

For the first time in three years the IUNVA (Irish United Nations Veterans Association) annual commemoration took place at the UN Peace Memorial in the Orchard Peace Park at Enniscorthy on Sunday. The first event was held in 2013 and Covid-19 intervened in past years.

Michael O’Neill of Post 31 (Enniscorthy) and chairman of Enniscorthy Memorial Committee welcomed everybody “to honour of our deceased comrades, young men who gave their lives for world peace. They are gone, but not forgotten and never will be forgotten by our organisation.”

Mr O’Neill welcomed Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Jackser Owens and John O’Rourke. (Apologies were read on behalf of Cllrs Cathal Byrne and Donal Kenny). Canon Mark Hayden, who read a prayer, Supt. Denis Whelan representing An Garda Siochana, members of ONÉ (National Organisation of Ex-Service Personnel), the British Legion and our own members of IUNVA.

Cllr Aidan Browne said “it is an honour to be with you today together in Enniscorthy with people from County Wexford and those who have travelled from other parts of the country, who have come to pause, reflect and remember the service of our UN veterans.”

William Gilbert, Chairman of Post 3 (Gorey) delivered the keynote address. He said that we, Irish, do not serve our soldiers well and he called for more awareness in the schools and places where our history is told.

AUDIO ADDITION; William Gilbert speaking at the UN Peace Memorial at Enniscorthy last Sunday.

Wreaths were laid by Matt Kavanagh (Post 3) and Joe McGrath (Post 31) on behalf of IUNVA; Richard Wickham on behalf of “the families of the names on the memorial”; Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach, on behalf of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council; Supt. Denis Whelan on behalf of An Garda Siochána.

Roll of honour (all names on the memorial) were called out by Frank Shelly and Jim Gilbert, who also acted as master of ceremonies.

The dignified ceremony lasted about 20 minutes and concluded when Anthony Nolan (trumpet) sounded the Last Post and played the National Anthem.

Craanford remembers family friends and neighbours

The scene at Craanford village today where a memorial dedicated to Craanford Volunteers and Cuman na mBan was unveiled.

By Dan Walsh at Craanford

There was a large gathering in Craanford village this morning for the special unveiling of a memorial dedicated to the Craanford Volunteers and Cuman na mBan with inscriptions bearing the names of sixty-six people associated with the War of Independence.

Sarah Dreelan, daughter of John Reddy and Paddy Mordaunt, son of Michael Mordaunt and nephew of Mary Ann Mordaunt jointly unveiled the monuments followed by a blessing by Fr Brian Whelan.

On behalf of the Whelan family, Martin’s daughter Catherine and her son Ciarán laid a wreath in memory of Dan Whelan, their grandfather and great grandfather, Dan’s brothers Michael and Pat “corporal” Whelan, Catherine’s grand uncles. 

Catherine’s husband Timmy and their daughters, Emily and Orla laid a wreath in memory of Mary Doran, their grandmother and great grandmother and Mary’s brother, Peter, Tommy’s grand uncle. 

Piper Michael Roche played a lament in memory of those family members and friends remembered today. 

On behalf of the Whelan family, Martins daughter Catherine and her son Ciarán will lay a wreath in memory of Dan Whelan, their grandfather and great grandfather, Dan’s brothers Michael and Pat “corporal” Whelan, Catherine’s grand uncles. 

Catherine’s husband Timmy and their daughters, Emily and Orla will lay a wreath in memory of Mary Doran, their grandmother and great grandmother and Mary’s brother, Peter, Tommy’s grand uncle.

The project was the brainchild of Martin ‘Pops’ Whelan who was delighted but kept a low public profile and master of ceremonies Geraldine Murphy commended him and his efforts were greeted with loud applause.

“There are talkers and there are doers in the world, and Martin is definitely ‘a doer’. When he gets a notion, and some might say ‘a mad notion’ into his head, he just ploughs on and sees his projects through to the end. Nothing ever gets in his way, and that is what we call being passionate about things, Said Ms Murphy, who added; “In this case, this is history, history that is in individual minds, which could be lost in time, but it took one person, the where with all, to gather this information, spending hours and hours, I cannot stress the amount of time this project took, but when you sit down today or tomorrow and look through this booklet, you will be amazed at the amount of detail included in it, and realise a lot of clicking and searching on a laptop has taken place to ensure all these details are correct.”

“And as you pass by these monuments, you will be remembering your family, your friends, and your neighbours, which is what this project is all about, as a community, remembering those who were involved in Craanford Volunteers and Cumman na mBan and for that Martin, we all say a big thank you”, concluded Ms. Murphy. 

At the start of proceedings, Barry Lacey, Historian-in-Residence with Wexford County Council for the Decade of Centenaries, gave the large attendance a brief overview of events around the time of the War of Independence. 

Pádraig Kenny, grandson of Paddy Kenny offered a fine rendition of ‘Shall My Soul Pass Through Old Ireland”. 

The attendance included Senator Malcolm Byrne and Cllr Fionntán Ó Súillebháin. Enniscorthy Historical Re-Enactment Society and the members of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), Post 3 (Gorey) formed a guard of honour.

The Last Post played on trumpet by Anthony Nolan followed by the raising of the flag to full mast, followed by the Reveille and the National Anthem brought proceedings to a conclusion.

Neville’s Lad keeps Wexford punters happy

By Dan Walsh at Bettyville Park

Bridgetown trainer Seamus Neville flew the flag for the local punters at Wexford this afternoon when he saddled Brideswell Lad (11/4 fav) to follow up on his Limerick success in July to win the Wexford Racecourse Racing Club Handicap Chase under Caim jockey JJ Slevin.

Speaking afterwards Neville said; “He won pretty handy in Limerick. We were a little bit concerned about the ground today but he handled it okay. He would prefer quicker ground. I doubt if he’ll reach the heights of his half-brother Cloth Cap but with a bit of luck he might. I’ll look at Listowel for him now but it will depend on the ground.”

It was a memorable day for Anthony Bustin who rode his first winner on the track aboard Killoughteen (3/1) in the mare’s maiden hurdle. His two small sons, Harvey and Logan, dressed up in the identical silks to support their Dad and this was a family delighted in Wexford today.

“I rode one winner in a point-to-point in 2013 and then gave it up for six or seven years. I’m back at it now and myself, my brother-in-law and my wife own her. I said I wouldn’t ride again until I had my own horse because there’s no pressure and I can do whatever I want,” said Bustin afterwards.

Leading Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead got the day off to the perfect start with Magical Zoe (2/1 fav) getting home a length and a half to the good in the maiden hurdle under Conor Brassil.

One of the Three Tenors, Dr Ronan Tynan missed out on seeing his charge Kellies Dream (6/1) win the handicap hurdle for Andrew Slattery and claiming rider Cian Quirke. Tynan, who is closely associated on the racing scene with his singing colleague Anthony Kearns is a regular visitor to Wexford, but not present on this winning occasion.

Donagh Meyler won the handicap hurdle on Sean Says (10/1) for owner and trainer Rodger Sweeney from Castlelyons in Cork and the novice chase only attracted four runners with victory going to the Gordon Elliott trained Tullybeg (4/1) ridden by Davy Russell.

The final race of an interesting afternoon was the handicap chase with success for Ardaghs Choice (9/1) trained by Eamon ‘Dusty’ Sheehy at Graiguenamanagh and jockey Kevin Sexton who had seven lengths to spare over Philip Rothwell’s Walking The Walk.

The going was ‘good to yielding’ with a decent sized Saturday attendance and a small scattering of rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm.

The Tote aggregate was €69,747.96 compared with €46,843.94 last year.

Just two meetings left on the 2022 calendar for Wexford races and the dates to remember are the October Bank Holiday, Sunday and Monday, October 30th and 31st.  

Injured cyclist has died in hospital

By Dan Walsh

A 59-year-old cyclist who sustained serious injuries after a van and a bike collided on the N25 Wexford to New Ross road at Holmestown, near Barntown, has died at Wexford General Hospital.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the collision which occurred around 5.45pm on Wednesday evening.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward. They are also appealing to road users who were travelling on the N25 in the Holmestown area between 5.30pm and 6pm with camera footage (including dash cam), to make it available to them.

Anyone with information can contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.