New Ross Piano Festival is launched

SENATOR MALCOLM BYRNE launching the 16th NEW ROSS PIANO FESTIVAL on the Dunbrody Famine Ship this evening.

By Dan Walsh in New Ross

The ancient deck of the Dunbrody Famine Ship, showpiece of New Ross tourism, was the appropriate setting for the launch of the 16th New Ross Piano Festival this evening by Senator Malcolm Byrne. The festival runs September 21st-25th and will bring large numbers to the town.

Senator Byrne spoke about the importance of music to get everyone back to festivals again, he described the New Ross Piano Festival as a wonderful event with a superb programme that should appeal to audiences and said it was an honour to formally launch the festival and he wished it well.

AUDIO ADDITION – SENATOR MALCOLM BYRNE speaking at the New Ross Piano Festival in New Ross this evening.

Artistic Director and pianist Finghín Collins thanked Senator Byrne for his “very wonderful words so eloquently expressed” and he saluted Malcolm for fighting so much for the arts during the awful time that was Covet! “He agitated strongly for the reopening of the arts that lagged behind other forms of community living and it was great to have a voice in the Senate,” he concluded.

Festival Administrator Connie Tantrum welcomed invited guests to the outdoor launch on board the Dunbrody Famine Ship and thanks was expressed to Cllrs Bridín Murphy and John Fleming, New Ross District Council officials, sponsors and loyal supporters of the festival.

Ms. Tantrum also offered remembrance of the late Jimmy Fitzgibbon who passed away this week and was the first Chairman of Music for New Ross. Sympathy is extended to his family and friends.

Following a pleasant reception and launch speeches guests were treated to short piano performances from Alexandra Keane and Finghín Collins.

The New Ross Piano Festival runs September 21st-25th in St. Mary’s Church featuring renowned pianists Máire Carroll, Finghín Collins, Dmytro Choní, Tamara Licheli, Jonathan Plowright, Francois-Xavier Poizat and Craig Taborn with the Albion Quartet and Origin Story.

Tickets are for allocated seating except for Wednesday evening and Friday noon concerts. Tickets will also be available for each concert at the venue. Call St. Michael’s Theatre Box Office on 00353 51 421255 or book tickets online – www.newrosspianofestival.com

Support scheme for New Ross flooding

By Dan Walsh

An Emergency Humanitarian Support Scheme to assist small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations, unable to secure flood insurance and affected by recent flooding events in New Ross has been opened.

Deputy Paul Kehoe said; “I contacted the Tánaiste as soon as I was aware of the impact of the flash floods in New Ross and I received his assurance that a fund would be opened as a matter of urgency. I welcome this move and hope that it serves to mitigate the damages caused by this weather event.

“I hope this funding will go some way towards helping those businesses get back on their feet. After what has been a really tough couple of years, managing flood damage is the last thing they need. We want to help them get back up and running as quickly as possible,” concluded Deputy Kehoe.

Torrential rain and flash floods at New Ross on August 15th.

As with similar weather events in the past the Irish Red Cross Society will administer and make payments under the Scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The funding is targeted at small businesses (up to 20 employees), sports clubs and community and voluntary organisations and will have two stages:

1. The first stage will commence immediately and will provide a contribution of up to €5,000, depending on the scale of damage incurred. It is anticipated that this will meet the needs for the majority of those affected. The intention is to process payments as fast as possible.

2. In the event, that the premises have incurred significant damages above €5,000, businesses can apply for additional funding, following an assessment by the Irish Red Cross. The total level of support available for both stages combined is capped at €20,000.

Applications forms for support will be available on the Irish Red Cross Society website.

175 years of service at Kilmore Quay Lifeboat Station

By Dan Walsh

This summer marks 175 years since a lifeboat service was first established in Kilmore Quay and the distinguished occasion will be celebrated with an exhibition curated by local author and historian, John Power, this weekend on Saturday and Sunday in the Stella Maris Centre, Kilmore Quay.

In 1846 the Royal National Lifeboat Institution was asked by Inspector General Dombraine to provide a lifeboat for Kilmore Quay. The Institution sent a lifeboat on the 28 July 1847. It was put under the care of the Coastguards stationed in Kilmore Quay at the time and so began 175 years of voluntary service to save lives at sea.

John Power is an authority on local maritime history and has published three volumes on the subject – A Maritime History of County Wexford, Vol. 1 (1859-1910); Vol II (1911-1960) and Vol. III (1961-1998), as well as the book Above and Beyond the Call of Duty, a tribute to local rescue services published in 1993. This will be John’s 12th exhibition.

JOHN POWER

Speaking about the upcoming exhibition, John Power said told WexfordLocal.com; “A lot of material has been collected for this Exhibition through photographs, artefacts, and models of some of the lifeboats that served at the station, including many of the rescues carried out over that period. Hon secretaries, coxswains, engineers and lifeboat crews, volunteers and fundraisers will be features and many more surprises’

Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, John Grace added; “The RNLI lifeboat service is an integral part of Kilmore Quay, and we are thrilled with the exhibition that John has put together and incredibly grateful to him for all his effort. We hope everyone can come down and enjoy the story of how it all started through to today’s modern service and see the tremendous commitment of our volunteer crews through the years.’

The exhibition will open at 6pm on Friday with the official launch taking place at 7pm. The exhibition will be open on Saturday from 11am to 5.30pm and on Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Admission is free.

Wexford Rose Joy hugs everyone!

Wexford Rose JOY QUIGLEY and host DAITHÍ Ó SÉ in the Rose of Tralee on RTÉ last night.

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Rose Joy Quigley from Ferns was the final interviewee on last night’s televised International Rose of Tralee Festival, and she gave a masterful performance with lots of laughter and banter with host Daithí Ó Sé.

“I am so much a hugger,” Joy told Daithí and she continued; “I just love a hug. I love affection. It is certainly my love language. People’s love language is usually touch, but mine is hugging.”

Joy had a great appearance on the show and acknowledged the presence of her parents in the audience, Linda and John, and other relatives and friends who supported Joy from Ferns to Tralee.

Eighteen Roses were featured and the final fifteen will appear on RTÉ television tonight (Tuesday) and the winner of the 2022 Rose of Tralee will be announced soon after 11pm.

AUDIO ADDITION; Wexford Rose Joy Quigley at presenter Daithí Ó Sé on the Rose of Tralee stage. (Pic; RTE).

Fintan’s ‘Farsiders’ premiere sold out!

FINTAN KELLY typing the last few words of his first play Farsiders.

By Dan Walsh

Enniscorthy-born actor Fintan Kelly is writer and director of an exciting new play ‘Farsiders’ and the world premiere takes place in the Presentation Arts Centre on Tuesday night, and there are also performances on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and Saturday.

Fintan told WexfordLocal.com; “I’m delighted that the premiere night is all sold out. It is in memory of Joe Doyle who died during Covid when we were under lockdown and we didn’t get a chance to say a proper farewell, so this is a celebration of Joe Doyle’s life.” Joe was a tremendous supporter of Enniscorthy Drama Group and all proceeds are going towards the Wexford branch of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

‘Farsiders’ is an original play by Fintan Kelly set in a ‘dole’ (unemployment) office in 1981, featuring seven characters on stage, exploring love, tragedy and events that were part of life at the time with particular focus on the social weekend events and the the way we were back then!

The play was launched recently at a pleasant reception held at Enniscorthy IFA Farm Centre by local broadcaster and journalist Jimmy Gahan.

Jimmy said he was privileged that Fintan asked him to launch his play. “Apart from being a wonderful actor and theatrical personality” Fintan is a wonderful and successful person that has appeared in many plays and film pieces, including Fair City (RTE 1). Gahan gave a detailed outline of his progress and success, and he wished him well with the world premiere of Farsiders which marks his debut as a playwright.

Liam Doyle, Chairman of Enniscorthy Drama Group thanked Fintan Kelly for writing the play “because without a play we couldn’t have any great cause to be here,” and he complimented Fintan for giving his time to produce and direct the play as well, and he thanked the cast and committee in producing this play.

Tickets are still available for shows towards the end of the week and full details are available at www.presentationcentre.ie

Gorey Fire Service helping the neighbours

By Dan Walsh

Gorey Fire Service helping out at a fire at Croghan Industrial Estate in Arklow today (Pic; WicklowNews.Net)

Gorey Fire Service assisted units from Arklow and Wicklow at a major fire at The Croghan Industrial Estate in Arklow on Sunday afternoon.

The Arklow Fire Service team were quickly to the scene as it was located in the same estate, the blaze was quickly brought under control and extinguished due to the quick response.

There were no reports of any injuries, and the cause of the blaze is not known at this time.

Swordsman in the Dungeon at the castle

CLLR AIDAN BROWNE, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, unveiling the Digital Swordsman from the Dungeon with MICO HASSETT, Manager, at Enniscorthy Castle this evening. The exhibition runs until Halloween.

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

The Digital Survey of a Swordsman in the Dungeon was officially launched this evening at Enniscorthy Castle by Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council as part of the ‘Writing on the Wall’ autumnal exhibition.

Cllr Browne said he was delighted to unveil the exhibition and acknowledged that Enniscorthy Castle is home to a rare piece of medieval graffito, incised in the dungeon wall – a one-metre-tall figure with sword in hand and this work of wall art from times past is the centre piece.

Manager Mico Hassett explained that an archaeological report was completed in 2012 and thanks to Heritage Council funding it was recommended a full digital survey of the swordsman figure. “Originally referred to as a Halberdier, the figure is in fact, a swordsman thought to date to the late 16th century. Further funding allowed us to complete the digital survey using 3D laser imaging, 3D photogrammetry and 2D RTI imaging,” she concluded.

Eve Furlong, Deputy Manager of Enniscorthy Castle said; “The 3D print allows us to bring the Swordsman out of the dungeon and into the main exhibition space of the Castle, which creates better accessibility, opportunities for up-close engagement and additional educational materials to be showcased.”

Lisa Byrne, Visual Arts Manager at the Presentation Arts Centre spoke about the popularity of the Enniscorthy Walls Project showcasing wall art or murals that adorn parts of the town and aspects of this project are incorporated into the ‘Writing on the Wall’ which will be open for public viewing at the castle until October 31st.

This evening’s launch is part of the Heritage Week programme and the attendance included Catherine McLoughlin, County Heritage Officer, Deputy Johnny Mythen, Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy and Kathleen Codd-Nolan, members of the local media and other invited guests.

Admission to the exhibition is €6 with a family of five just €15, making it a great value proposition for a tour. The full display explores the history of graffiti and wall art from the Neolithic to the present day. The focus on political graffiti, the rise of graffiti in the 80’s and the local Enniscorthy Walls Project offers patrons plenty of insight to graffiti art through the ages from across the world. 

Major fire closes M11

By Dan Walsh

The M11 northbound lane between junctions 24 (Frankfort/Clough) and 25 (Ballydawmore/Enniscorthy is closed to traffic after a trailer loaded with straw caught fire and spread onto the embankment sending high flames and smoke into the air.

Major fire on M11 this afernoon (Pic; Joseph Dixon)

The incident occurred around 4pm this afternoon. Sources at the scene say that the tractor was disconnected from the burning trailer load and was saved from damage. No injuries are reported.

Emergency services including units of Enniscorthy and Gorey Fire Services are at the scene.

A major clean-up and safety procedures are in place.

Roadusers are advised that the M11 northbound lane will be closed for a number of hours and diversions are taking place through Enniscorthy.

Monksgrange Heritage Open Afternoon

MONKSGRANGE HOUSE (File Pic)

By Dan Walsh

A one hour guided tour with personal commentary by Jeremy Hill on the heritage of landscape and garden at Monksgrange next Sunday will commence at 2pm. Outdoor footwear is suggested.

You will hear about the role of landscape trees, admire the oaks of the original avenue planted in 1750 and hear about design principles of the later curved avenue and the importance of a ‘burst.’ The influences of landscape designer Humphrey Repton and the Edwardian Arts and Crafts garden designers Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens will be discussed during the walk.

At 3.30pm a seminar will be presented in The Gallery. Anthony Hobbs will present the Edward Richards-Orpen Memorial Trust 2022 Annual lecture: The photography of historian Goddard Orpen (1852-1932). Archivist Lesley Whiteside will present an update on the latest news from Monksgrange Archives including the installation of a made-to-order storage chest for the map collection. The acquisition of this chest has been supported by a 2022 Heritage Council grant.

The afternoon is free of charge, but seminar seats are limited and must be booked in advance. It is essential to book for the seminar talks as seating is limited.

WexfordLocal.com is advised that this event has sold out online.

Presented by Monksgrange Archives and the Edward Richards-Orpen Memorial Trust in association with National Heritage Week 2022. https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/monksgrange-heritage-open-afternoon. email: grangearchives@gmail.com

Youths last seen in Bridgetown area

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 15-year-old youths Charli and Ruby McGlynn who were last seen in the Bridgetown area at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday, August 13th.

Charli is described as approximately 5 foot 6 inches in height with a slim build, brown hair and brown eyes. When last seen, Charli was wearing a black hoody, black shorts and black shoes with white laces.

Ruby is described as approximately 5 foot 4 inches in height with a slim build, brown hair and brown eyes. When last seen, Ruby was wearing a white singlet with a pink flower on the front, grey shorts and flip-flops.

Both Charli and Ruby are known to frequent the Blanchardstown area of Dublin.

Anyone with information on Charli and Ruby’s whereabouts is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.