WexfordLocal.com

Water tankers deployed at Ramsgrange, Duncannon, Arthurstown and Ballyhack

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, are advising that due to issues at the Water Treatment Plant in for the South Regional Water supply, customers in Duncannon, Ballyhack, Arthurstown, Ballycullane, Clongeen, Foulksmills, Saltmills, Ramsgrange and surrounding areas are currently experiencing supply interruptions and crews are working to resolve the issues and restore normal water supply as soon as possible.

Speaking about the unplanned interruption, Irish Water’s Ronan Walsh said: “There is a mechanical issue at the Water Treatment Plant, which has been exacerbated by low supply levels and high demand. Repairs are currently underway to minimise disruption to the community and restore water for all customers as soon as possible. We are not yet in a position to provide an estimated time for restoration of supply but will provide further updates during the day.

“In the meantime tankers of water have been deployed for customers at Ramsgrange National School, Duncannon Church, Arthurstown Quay and Ballyhack.

“While this water is fully treated and safe to drink, any customers taking water from the tankers should boil it before use as the containers they use to collect it may not be fully disinfected.

“We understand the inconvenience unplanned outages can have on customers and we appreciate your patience as we work to return the water supply to homes and businesses as quickly as possible.”

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water receive direct communications for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.

The customer care team is available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For further updates please see the Irish Water website www.water.ie

Large gorse fire on Mount Leinster

Crews from Carlow Fire and Rescue Service are battling a large gorse fire on Mount Leinster. “These are very difficult conditions for our fire crews to work in,” said a spokesperson for the fire service.

The road to the Nine Stones from the Bunclody to Myshal side is closed and will remain so for several hours.

The fire service is asking people to stay away from the area until further notice and are asking people not to light fires outdoors for any reason.

Joe Duffy unveils Inch River project

**RTÉ broadcaster JOE DUFFY and CATHY LEE, Chair of Ahare River and Biodiversity Development Group at a special launch at Inch this aftermoon.**

By Dan Walsh at Inch

A public information plaque on the Inch River was unveiled this afternoon by RTÉ broadcaster Joe Duffy as part of the Castletown River and Nature Festival taking place this weekend as part of National Heritage Week.

The plaque, located at Toss Byrne’s famous on the R772 Arklow to Gorey road, bypassed in September 2017 and formally part of the N11 Dublin to Wexford road, carries details of the river environment, ways of protecting the river, the challenges that the river face and a Do You Know list of Fishy Facts.

Erected by the Ahare River and Biodiversity Community Group, its chair Cathy Lee acted as master of ceremonies, invited all guests, and thanked everybody for their support. Attendance included Cllrs Joe Sullivan and Andrew Bolger and refreshments were provided on a sweltering afternoon.

Experts did some tests on the river for under water life and were surprised with the findings which were exhibited and explained to the people in attendance, many of them children, who were fascinated to see small trout and all sorts of tiny, exciting creatures and secret life inhabiting the river.

Information on the plaque – there is a similar information board at the Ahare River crossing – reads as follows; “From the foothills of Croghan to the Irish Sea at Castletown the Inch River is formed and flows through the green countryside, the joined by the Clonogue River and continues its journey from the floodplains at Ahare before exiting to the sea at Kilgorman on Clone Beach.

“Inch River is an important salmon river and this site at Inch is an important spawning ground. At the lower end of the catchment the river is also known as the Ahare/Kilgorman River.

AUDIO ADDITION; RTÉ broadcaster JOE DUFFY speaking at the unveiling of the Inch River information plaque at Inch today.

Events continuing tomorrow (Sunday). At 12 noon a Seashore Nature Treasure Hunt and Litter Pick with Jeshua Taucher from Seal Rescue Ireland.

Bring a picnic and don’t be left out at 1pm and in the afternoon there is a Family Sant Art Competition and Make a Seashore Mobile. Not sure what that’s all about so discover the secret by being there!

More information or to make a donation the contact is friendsoftheahareriver@gmail.com

Joy wishes Ferns hurlers good luck

**WEXFORD ROSE JOY QUIGLEY IS GIVEN A WELCOME ‘MEDIEVAL STYLE’ ON THE WEXFORD ROSES TOUR AT ENNISCORTHY CASTLE THIS MORNING.**

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

It was an emotional Saturday morning for Wexford Rose Joy Quigley as she was given a warm send-off with applause, flag waving and festive enthusiasm in her native Ferns where the bus made a brief stop with 33 Roses on the Wexford Rose Tour.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com at Enniscorthy Castle this morning, Joy said she was emotional in Ferns where family friends and the community came out to wish her well in the prestigious Rose of Tralee. “That’s what it is all about,” she said, before adding; “It’s all about the hurlers in the county final tomorrow and best of luck to the Ferns lads!”

Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Mico Hassett and staff at Enniscorthy Castle welcomed the girls to Enniscorthy. Also present were Cllr George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Minister James Browne, Cllrs Kathleen Codd-Nolan and Jackser Owens and the members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-Enactment Group. The occasion concluded with Cllr Lawlor singing Boolavogue.

AUDIO ADDITION; Wexford Rose Joy Quigley talking to Dan Walsh with the Wexford Rose Tour at Enniscorthy Castle this morning.

**Vikings, public representatives, 33 Roses enjoying the sunshine with Vinegar Hill in the background at Enniscortby Castle this morning.**

Following a brief tour of the castle with Eve Furlong and photo opportunities on the castle roof it was back onto the bus heading towards New Ross, Campile and Hook Head this afternoon.

The girls were in dancing form last night when attending the Wexford Rose Tour Reception in the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey.

The Wexford Rose Tour lasted three days in the hottest weather on record and the scene is set for big Wexford interest in the Rose of Tralee which will be televised live by RTÉ 1.

Joy leads the Wexford Rose Tour

By Dan Walsh

Thirty-three contestants in the Rose of Tralee International Festival are on the Wexford Rose Tour this week with local celebrity status focused firmly on the Wexford Rose, Joy Quigley from Ferns.

I will be joining the Wexford Rose Tour at Enniscorthy Castle at 9am tomorrow (Saturday) morning, but some information is coming in about the tour so far which is taking place in record-breaking weather conditions.

On Thursday the Roses checked into the Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey where they became acquainted with the local welcoming party and they enjoyed a light lunch and then it was back on the bus!

**Texas Rose Arden Stringer, (29, from Dallas) receives a Wexford coloured stetson from Cllr George Lawlor during a visit to Johnstown Castle. Photo By : Domnick Walsh.**

Next stop was Johnstown Castle for the Wexford County Council Reception and greeted by Mayor of Wexford Cllr Maura Bell and the Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr George Lawlor, who spoke eloquently and waxed lyrical with a rousing rendition of the popular tune ‘Rose of Tralee’.

At Johnstown Castle, Taste Wexford prepared some grazing boards packed with local Wexford producers for the Roses to sample.

The next stop of the tour was Wexford Quay where the Roses were treated to some fish and chips by The Cheeky Cod followed by some Scúp Gelato ice-cream. The final stop of the tour was back to Gorey town where the Roses were welcomed by the local community and business owners. Cllr Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council made all feel welcome as if he knew the names of every one of them as they alighted the bus and 33 times he uttered the immortal words – ‘Welcome to Gorey’.

Firefighters and farmers fight Ferns fire

By Dan Walsh

Upwards of 30 acres of land located at the back of Ferns GAA Park was ravaged by an outbreak of fire yesterday afternoon and took several hours to bring under control.

Six fire appliances from Wexford Fire Service and tankers from Wexford and Wicklow tackled the wildfire blaze that sent plumes of smoke into the air in temperatures around 30 degrees – up to that point the hottest day of the year!

Sources locally say the fire started spontaneously where some barley was growing, the wind carried it across the fields, it also got into some hedgerows and estimates reckon the flames were 15 to 20 feet high.

Local farmers also assisted in the operation by creating a firebreak, directing traffic away from the scene and moving bales of hay out of the way.

Courtown to conduct community survey

By Dan Walsh

Courtown Community Council will shortly commence a survey to gather the views of the community on the future investment and development of Courtown, Riverchapel and surrounding areas.

The Council will put to good use all of the information gathered to help develop the Courtown Smart Village Strategy.

According to the European Commission, “Smart Villages are rural areas and communities which build on their existing strengths and assets as well as on developing new opportunities”, where “traditional and new networks and services are enhanced by means of digital, telecommunications, technologies, innovation and the better use of knowledge”.

Members of Courtown Community Council engaged in training which was facilitated by the LEADER programme 2014–2020 to learn about the Smart Village Strategy with the aim of developing a strategy for the coastal area.

Linda Sinnott from Courtown Community Council told WexfordLocal.com; “It is vital that all members of the community take the opportunity to feed into the development of this Strategy as we hope it will serve as the blueprint for future investment and development of our local area.”

Some of the topics that aim to address through the Smart Village Plan include service provision gaps; key investment projects; transport, environmental projects and challenges; enterprise opportunities and challenges.

The public consultation will launch in the coming weeks and Courtown Community Council looks to the people to “take a few minutes to share your views with us on the future of Courtown and Riverchapel,”

Timelines include; September: Draft survey for general public, organise logistics for public meetings, advertise public meetings and launch survey.

October: Host public meetings, close survey. Begin analysis.

November: Develop recommendations.

The key people the Council want to consult with?

● Long term residents

● Holiday home/mobile home residents

● Business owners

● Community groups

● Education providers – school and Courtown LTI.

Medieval Day in Wexford town

By Dan Walsh

**Guided tours of Wexford Town Wall on Saturday.**

Living history comes alive next Saturday with a Medieval Day taking place at the old Town Wall in the Green area behind Westgate Tower/Heritage Centre. It is part of National Heritage Week and is a free event.

Monica Crofton will be leading guided tours of the Town Wall at 12pm and 3pm from Westgate Centre. Ms Crofton is author of 30 Paces Outside the Town Gate which explores the history of Wexford Castle and Military Barracks.

Other atractions include Weaponry and Combat Displays, Living History Tents and Craft Displays with Fingal Living History Society. Striking Viking Coins and Falconry Display with the Irish National Heritage Park. Baya The Storyteller, The Big Dig Workshop, School of Irish Archaeology, Shield Painting, Face Painting, Children’s Art Competition, and Music by Craobh Loch Garman Comhaltas.

AUDIO ADDITION; County Heritage Officer CATHERINE McLOUGHLIN tells DAN WALSH about Medieval Day in Wexford town on Saturday.

Enniscorthy stage set for ‘Farsiders’ premiere

By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy

Summer theatre comes to the Presentation Arts Centre at Enniscorthy with the world premiere of Farsiders, a new play written and directed by local talent Fintan Kelly from August 24-27^th which was launched at a pleasant reception held tonight (Wednesday) in the IFA Farm Centre at Enniscorthy.

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.

Local journalist and broadcaster Jimmy Gahan 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 additional debut as a playwright.

AUDIO ADDITION; Fintan Kelly speaking at the launch of his play Farsiders at the Farm Centre, Enniscorthy, tonight.

Maria Nolan acted as master of ceremonies welcomed the invited guests, especially Minister James Browne and Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan whom she stated “both have been tremendous supporters of drama in Enniscorthy” and she acknowledged the absence of Deputy Paul Kehoe who is enjoying holidays, on behalf of the talented super star Fintan Kelly.

€122,400 for 64 Wexford community groups

By Dan Walsh

Community groups responsible for managing walking trails in Wexford will receive grands of €1,000-€3,000 under new funding announced today.

Deputy Paul Kehoe welcomed news from the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, that funding of €122,400 will be available to support and improve some 64 walking trails across the Wexford.

Deputy Kehoe said: “Trail walking is a great activity for families in Wexford to enjoy the great outdoors and explore our hidden gems this summer. These trails also attract visitors to small businesses in our rural towns.

“The community groups receiving the grant in Wexford can use it to maintain, improve and promote its use to locals and visitors. “This vital work is done by the groups which are known as Community Trail Management Organisations.

“Community Trail Management Organisations are registered with Sport Ireland and work in conjunction with Wexford County Council, Coillte and the Local Development Company (LDC) in maintaining their local trails.

**CLLR FIONNTÁN Ó SUILLEABHÁIN welcomes everyone to the walking trails at Annagh Hill in North Wexford.**

Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the funding and told WexfordLocal.com; “There are wonderful walking routes that are much appreciated. I make use of many of them myself and know they are great for physical and mental health,” concluded Deputy Kehoe.

Senator Byrne praised the work of various community development groups who maintain these trails and where these small grants will be put to good use. “We are second only to the much larger County of Cork for the number of trails we have. Walking in Wexford is Wonderful!” he concluded.

Minister Heather Humphreys added some sound seasonal advice; “With the sunshine set to continue this week, I would encourage everybody, young and old, to get active and enjoy the wonderful walking trails we have all across rural Ireland”, she suggested.