“Enniscorthy madness” in new book

By Dan Walsh in Enniscorthy

There was a packed gathering of family and friends in the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, this afternoon for the launch of a new novel by Tony Bolger entitled IN HINDSPITE.

TONY BOLGER signing copies of his book in the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy.

“There is a lot of Enniscorthy madness in the book and I want people to enjoy it,” Tony told WexfordLocal.com, while the rear cover declares in colourful and light-hearted sentiment; “This is the story of how far an idiot will go to avoid dealing with his own nonsense, as he navigates a tornado of self-made disasters, endless sandwiches and random bird attacks.”

This is the first novel for Enniscorthy native Tony Bolger who departed his home place at the age of 19, although he has visited a number of times, and today he returned as a published author and spoke briefly at a humorous launch. “It is nice to be home,” he stated.

He studied English in Creative Writing in Bristol, and although he has written articles for local and online publications, this is his first novel. He admits that his book “is light-hearted reading” and he hopes readers will enjoy it.

IN HINDSPITE is a paperback consisting of more than 200 pages, a variety of chapters and short stories, and is available on Amazon.

TONY BOLGER speaking at the launch of his book IN HINDSPITE in the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, this afternoon.

Edermine Bridge is closed

By Dan Walsh at Edermine

Edermine Bridge will be closed to traffic for some time after a tractor crashed through the steel parapet last night narrowly avoiding a catastrophic situation.

It appears that the tractor was coming from the east side when a loaded trailer tipped up causing the tractor to crash into the siding leaving significant damage to the railings.

No injuries are reported.

Known as Marmion Bridge, the single lane bridge, facilitates traffic from the R772 Enniscorthy- Oylegate M11 roundabout across the river Slaney to Bree.

It was officially opened by Wexford hurling legend Nicky Rackard on August 24th 1975.

There is no bridge operating between Enniscorthy and Wexford causing great inconvenience for users who need to cross the river Slaney for work or business.

Killurin Bridge is currently closed to traffic to facilitate scheduled repairs.

Offshore wind projects for Rosslare

Glenn Carr, Director Commercial Business Units for Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority Rosslare Europort, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers T.D. and Paul Lennon, Head of Offshore Wind and Hydrogen at ESB at Rosslare Europort.

By Dan Walsh

ESB and Iarnród Éireann (Port Authority for Rosslare Europort) have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate on the organisations’ respective development plans to support offshore wind projects in the Celtic and Irish Seas.

“Rosslare Europort is excited to work with ESB whose vision for the potential of offshore renewable energy aligns with our own,” said port authority director Glenn Carr, who added; “We believe there are strong synergies to be achieved as we work together to place this renewable energy industry at the heart of Ireland’s decarbonised future.”

ESB’s head of offshore wind and hydrogen, Paul Lennon, said ESB “is looking forward to ensuring that suitable port infrastructure is available at Rosslare, “to enable the successful delivery of these projects”.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, said offshore renewable energy is “integral” to meeting Ireland’s climate change ambitions.

Gorey’s Market House tops the local news

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Meeting

Recently, 60 people gathered in the Loch Garman Arms Hotel to support the newly formed Gorey Community Development Group where Cllrs Diarmuid Devereux and Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin represented Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council.

At last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the district authority Cllrs Devereux and Ó Súilleabháin submitted a motion of support that was unanimously accepted by the members.

THE MARKET HOUSE, GOREY,

It read; “Following a major public meeting attended by several community organisations on the 9th of February, this Council notes that the meeting voted unanimously in favour of the Council working with the newly formed Gorey Community Development Group to explore the need to keep the Market House in public ownership, restore the Market House as a cross functional community, heritage building and explore the development of a multi-use community centre to the rear of the Market House.”

Cllr Joe Sullivan, supporting the motion, stated that the Market House is falling into a further state of disrepair and the proposal is good and represents people who want to develop the Market House, including many organisations, and gives everyone ownership.

Cllr Devereux said the inaugural meeting of Gorey Community Development Group had 40 organisations represented and here is support for securing a positive future for the Market House.

Cllr Willie Kavanagh favours anything that supports old buildings. He wondered if some group could take a lease on the property.

Cllr Anthony Donohoe supported the motion and said that basically terms and conditions would have to apply for any investor coming in.

Cllr Pip Breen noted that the Market House would need an awful lot of TLC (tender loving care) but if no expressions of interest were forthcoming to go down that road.

Director of Services Ms. Liz Hore agreed that a town the size of Gorey needed a community building where diverse groups would come together. She outlined that the December meeting agreed at “one last attempt at expressions of interest” and lodging a new procurement process for the Market House, which is a protected structure.

Kilrush Drama Group on stage

By Dan Walsh

A scene from Kilrush Drama Group’s production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane; John Joe Murphy, Joanne Logue, Niall McGrath and Hilary Madigan (seated) in St. Brigid;s Hall, Carnew, this Friday and Sunday nights.

Kilrush Drama Group will take to the stage in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew, this weekend with their production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane before heading off on the Festival Circuit in a bid to reach the All-Ireland finals in Athlone.

Performances on Friday, February 24th and Sunday, February 26th and audience tickets are available.

Following from the success of last year’s production of Class by Iseult Golden and David Horan, which was directed by Pat Whelan and came fourth in the All-Ireland Finals in Athlone, this year Kilrush Drama Group are busy preparing for the All-Ireland Open Circuit with one of the modern classics of Irish theatre. The Beauty Queen of Leenane by world renowned playwright, Martin McDonagh.

It is set in the mountains of Connemara and tells the story of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely woman in her early 40s, and Mag, her manipulative, aging mother.

Mick Byrne directs this powerful drama, and the role of Maureen Folan will be played by Joanne Logue. Playing the formidable role of Mag Folan, Maureen’s mother, is Hilary Madigan. Also in the cast are Niall McGrath from Carnew and John Joe Murphy from Kilrush who play the roles of Pato and Ray respectively.

Working on the set is Lar Duffy and his crew, and Lar will also take on the onerous task of Stage Manager for this year’s production. All-Ireland Best Lighting Award Winner, Kevin McEvoy will 

take on the lighting of the show, and the sound engineers once again are Paddy Byrne and Dougie Doyle.

Ballinaboola crash victim is named

By Dan Walsh

The man who died in last night’s three vehicle road traffic collision on the N25 Wexford-New Ross road on the Wexford side of Ballinaboola has been named as P.J. Whitty, Hillview, Carnagh, Gusserane, New Ross.

PJ is survived by his loving parents Kathleen and Paddy (Whitty), partner Melissa (Whelan), daughters Abby, Katie and Emily, brothers Larry, Mark, Liam, Diarmuid and Óisín, sisters Amanda, Jamie and Áine, nephews, nieces, extended family and a large circle of friends.

P.J. WHITTY

Funeral arrangements to be announced later.

The collision involving two cars and a tractor occurred at approximately 7.10pm last evening (Wednesday).
The driver (P.J. Whitty) of one of the vehicles, a male in his early 40s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two juvenile female passengers of this vehicle were taken to University Hospital Waterford to be treated for serious Injuries.
The two male drivers of the other vehicle, aged 70s and 30s, were taken to University Hospital Waterford to be treated for serious injuries.
No other injuries have been reported.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling along this route between 6.40pm and 7.15pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Man (40s) dies in road collision

By Dan Walsh

A man in his 40’s has died, and four others were taken to University Hospital Waterford following a road traffic collision involving two cars and a tractor on the N25 (Wexford to New Ross road) at Balinaboola at approximately 7.10pm on Wednesday.
The driver of one of the vehicles, a male in his early 40s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two juvenile female passengers of this vehicle were taken to University Hospital Waterford to be treated for serious Injuries.

The two male drivers of the other vehicles, aged 70s and 30s, were taken to University Hospital Waterford to be treated for serious injuries.
No other injuries have been reported.
The road is currently closed for technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling along this route between 6.40pm and 7.15pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

What’s good for Our Lady’s Island doesn’t apply to the Ahare River!

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council Meeting

Cllr Joe Sullivan has long been campaigning for action on the Ahare River (also known as the Kilgorman or Inch River) which flows into the sea at Clone Beach in North Wexford and he alerted members to current events at Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held in the Civic Centre chamber in Gorey.

The Ahare River closed due to flooding (File Pic January 2021)

“The Ahare River has turned left and is heading north and there is a huge movement of sand and is destroying the beach as well,” said Cllr Sullivan who asked George Colfer, Environment Officer, if some kind of channel could be cut to assist the water levels like that done a few weeks ago at Tacumshane Lake in the southern region of Our Lady’s Island?

Cllr Sullivan was shocked at Mr. Colfer’s expert explanation as to why the Ahare River could not be treated like Tacumshane Lake!

He said the channel at Our Lady’s Island was under the National Parks Wildlife service and Wexford County Council performs the channel cutting “where properties are at risk”, and Mr. Colfer concluded that in the case of the Ahare River “no properties were at risk”.

“So, there are one set of rules for Our Lady’s Island and a different set of rules for Kilpatrick and North Wexford,” gasped Cllr Sullivan, who added that the swell of the river had been successfully handled by local farmers for hundreds of years.

Cllr Sullivan said the Ahare River had been managed by local people up to ten years ago. “You can’t beat local knowledge,” he quipped. His main concerns are water spilling onto the public road.

Cllr Pip Breen mentioned a sand bar at Courtown blocking access to the harbour. He also asked Mr. Colfer about issues relating to coastal erosion at Cahore.