Gardaí are investigating a fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Rosslare Harbour, at approximately 2.20pm yesterday (Sunday) afternoon.
Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to a single vehicle collision involving a motor car in Rosslare Harbour.
The driver of the car and sole occupant, a man in his early 60s was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to Wexford General Hospital where a post-mortem will take place later.
A technical examination of the scene was conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and the road was closed and has since reopened.
Anyone with information on the collision can contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
These guys moo’d that that they didn’t care who won the All-Ireland, but they are concerned that Minister Eamonn Ryan wants to remove them from their natural ‘Green’ environment. “We share with udders, but the message hasn’t got through through that green begins with grass and we can convert it to milk and cream,” they said:.
By Dan Walsh at Killinick
It was a quite mid-July Sunday in the WexfordLocal.com newsroom. News stories were scarce. However, Wexford Fire Service successfully controlled a small gorse fire at Ballyboggan, close to the River Slaney at Ferrycarrig, which was noticed shortly after 2.30pm.
The ‘experts’ told us not to walk the dog because ‘the feet would burn off him/her’ – your pet would be miniature in a few hours even if he was a Great Dane in the morning (that’s a little humour for those who take the world seriously!) in the 24 degrees Celsius across Wexford this afternoon. Since I don’t own a dog, absolution on all counts!
Didn’t go to the beach because I can’t stand the bitching about poor traffic management, the stench from the toilets, and the pets left inside abandoned cars – but I can appreciate the concerns and they are genuine.
Instead, I ended up in the beautiful rural landscape of the Killinick area in south Wexford – and I watched the Big Match on the telly. So, it was leisure on a Sunday – as it should be for all of us.
And then I came across a field of wonderful cattle taking advantage of the fresh pasture and the soaring temperatures and they all looked happy and enjoying themselves in a natural habitat, but I heard rumblings about their future, and I reviewed the news of the day on arrival home. The following is the latest: The Climate Change Advisory Council has recommended carbon cuts of 22% to 30% of from the agricultural sector.
Green Party Minister Eamonn Ryan was asked if he was confident that he could persuade his coalition partners to agree a 30% cut. He replied; “I am confident we will get an agreement.”
Minister Ryan said some measures envisaged for agriculture will involve reducing the number of animals. “Some of the measures would increase income to Irish farming but would also see a reduction in animal numbers,” he concluded.
Outgoing Chairman of Wexford Ógra Fianna Fáil, Ruairi Ryan, was re-elected at the annual general meeting held in Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, last Friday while a new board was elected to support him and run the organisation.
Mr Ryan thanked the previous board for their hard work the past year and expressed interest in working with the new board and members over the next year.
RUAIRI RYAN returned as Chair of Wexford Ógra Fianna Fáil at agm.
“I would like to thank everybody for returning me as chair. We’ve accomplished a lot over the past couple of months since I took over and I want to continue this growth. One thing I wanted to focus on was charity and working with the local communities of Wexford,” said Mr Ryan, who added; “I think we have done very well in that regard with such things as our Ukraine fundraiser as well as our many other events. This unit has so much potential and I want to help us achieve that. I’d like to give particular thanks to Minister Browne for chairing this as one of Ógra’s strongest supporters.”
The meeting was chaired by Minister James Browne while Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy and Andrew Bolger were also in attendance.
The Wexford Ógra Fianna Fáil team for 2022-‘23 is as follows; Chairman, Ruairi Ryan; Vice-Chair, Niall Sinnott; Secretary, Sean O’Brien; Treasurers, Conor Brennan and Rory Cassidy; PRO, Michael Roche; Events and Campaigns Officer, Aderinsayo Adeji; Membership Officer, Ian Murphy; OCM’s, Aoibhlinn Ryan and Thomas Rodgers.
For anyone wishing to get involved email – wexfordografiannafail@gmail.com.
Presentation ceremony for Pride of Place runner-up award presented by Cllr Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach, Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council to Liam Nolan on behalf of Monageer Parish Grotto Group at the Grotto and Sensory Garden this morning.
By Dan Walsh at Monageer
The industrious community-based Monageer Parish Grotto Group gathered for the usual Saturday morning maintenance session today, however, it turned out to be a celebratory occasion with the official presentation of the runner-up Pride of Place award won in 2021.
Cllr Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, was on hand to congratulate and present the inscribed glass award to Liam Nolan, secretary, on behalf of the group members. Also present was Very Rev. Fr. William Cosgrave, parish priest,
Cllr Kenny praised Michael Sweeney and recalled the good work he had done in Craanford. “Michael was a big help to us in Craanford and he will stay with you to the top! These things don’t happen by accident. It needs a lot of work from people on the ground. The more you do the more you have to do. Best of luck for more success in the future.”
Cllr Pip Breen was district Cathaoirleach when Monageer were announced runners-up in the 32-county ‘Grotto and Sensory Garden’ section at the awards night in Killarney in 2022, but due to the Covid-19 regulations the official presentation awaited until now.
“Great credit to the committee and all involved for the wonderful work that you do, and continue to do,” said Cllr Breen. Also, in attendance and lending support was Cllr Willie Kavanagh.
Liam Nolan echoed the thoughts of previous speakers and acknowledged the support of Wexford County Council and Michael Sweeney on this project. “It’s unbelievable the amount of work that goes in behind the scenes, trying to get the application right, then following up with an interview ‘which was a zoom’ call, he recalled.
Mr Nolan continued; “This was a 32-county competition and to come second was a major achievement. It’s a pity weren’t there on the night – it had to be postponed a number of times because of Covid-19, but it was broadcast – we were listening in, and it was great to hear us (Monageer) being called out as runners-up.”
Mr Nolan became emotional when he acknowledged the amount of work that occurred on the site in ‘the six weeks when he was away’. “Volunteerism and the spirit is out there, and it is in Monageer in spades,” and he thanked everyone including Wexford County Council and “all who attended here today.”
Michael Sweeney described Wexford County Council’s involvement as ‘a partnership’. “You turned an old quarry into a marvellous facility for public use,” he concluded.
Dramatic changes happening in the Diocese of Ferns were announced yesterday (Friday) by Bishop Ger Nash, Bishop of Ferns. Taking on board retirements and changes of personnel, the Diocese is also faced with the challenge that “it is no longer possible to provide a priest for each parish or curacy.”
A new structure of ministry for the Diocese with priests working together as team to provide an opportunity for priests to focus on those areas of ministry which are life enhancing for them while at the same time providing an effective ministry to the people in the pastoral area when it is no longer possible to provide a priest for each parish or curacy.
In announcing new appointments Bishop Nash is conscious of the effect this new form of team ministry will have on the people of the parishes. He thanked the lay ministers and people who support the work of the parish and encouraged them to continue their vital roles in building up the family of God in their locality.
BISHOP GER NASH, Bishop of Ferns
Bishop Ger Nash, Bishop of Ferns has made the following appointments within the Diocese.
Fr Jim Doyle C.C. Cathedral Enniscorthy has been appointed Chaplain, Irish College Paris and to pursue further studies at the Institute Catholique, Paris. The appointment is for a three-year period.
Fr Danny McDonald, PP Marshalstown and Castledockrell to retire. Bishop Ger thanked Fr Danny McDonald for his lifetime of ministry as teacher and parish priest and wished him many long, happy and healthy years in retirement.
The parishes of St Aidan’s, Enniscorthy, St Senan’s Enniscorthy and the parish and curacy of Marshalstown and Castledockrell to be assigned to the pastoral care of a team of three priests. Frs Tom Dalton, Paddy Banville and Billy Caulfield.
Fr Billy Caulfield, C.C. Galbally will join the team and reside in the Manse, Enniscorthy.
Fr Paddy Banville, Adm, St Senan’s will join the team and reside in Marshalstown.
Fr Tom Dalton, Adm. St Aidan’s will join the team and remain in the Manse, Enniscorthy
Fr Michael Byrne P.P. Bree will assume the pastoral care of the curacy of Galbally and Ballyhogue.
The appointments will take effect from Monday, August 15th 2022.
GARRY LOMBARD and his son, GARRETT LOMBARD, at the rehearsals of Tuesdays with Morrie in Gorey Little Theatre. Booking details below.
By Dan Walsh in Gorey
Gorey Little Theatre has a successful reputation for presenting summer theatre and the July eight-night production of Tuesday’s with Morrie, directed by Michael Byrne, an award-winning producer with Kilrush Drama Group, and it promises to make the box office busy with an unprecedented demand for seats in the audience.
Apart from being a brilliant play, it has only two characters and they are real-life father and son, Garry Lombard, a life-long performer with Gorey Little Theatre, and Garrett Lombard, who is a professional actor with Druid Theatre Company.
“It’s great to come back and bring the play to Gorey and special to be on stage with Dad,” Garrett told WexfordLocal.com as he looks forward to curtains up next week.
Tuesdays with Morrie is a memoir by American author Mitch Albom about a series of visits Albom made to his former sociology scientist Morrie Schwartz, as Schwartz gradually dies.
Garry told WexfordLocal.com what people have been saying about the play: “It’s about a man dying, who wants to see that! But its about communication, its about love, and in the end of the play it is about the triumph of the spirit. So, it’s a happy play, you might not think that; it’s not morbid or drab, it’s a hopeful play,”
The rehearsals have been intense, but the play is coming together nicely, and the Lombard legends are eager and ready to entertain audiences with the utmost professionalism and it has all the hallmarks of an outstanding production.
AUDIO ADDITION ; Garrett and Garry Lombard talks to Dan Walsh about the summer play at Gorey Little Theatre.
Tuesdays with Morrie goes on stage at Gorey Little Theatre from Wednesday to Saturday, July 20th-23rd; and again from Wednesday to Saturday, July 27th-30th. Curtain up at 8.15pm. Admission €15. Bookings @gr8events.ie. info@goreythreatre.ie or tel. 053 9421474.
Irish Water is reminding the public in Wexford to be mindful of their water usage in the coming weeks as some supplies are experiencing increased demand in the spell of warm weather.
Since March, Irish Water has been carefully monitoring all raw water sources in county Wexford, that is the water from lakes, rivers, springs and ground sources that feed our water treatment plants.
Speaking about the developing situation, Irish Water’s Ronan Walsh told WexfordLocal.com; “We are appealing to the public in Wexford to be mindful of how they use their water at home, as we have had a very dry period recently and the temperature is set to soar this weekend. As the busy summer holiday period kicks in, many people will be outdoors a lot more, watering the garden or washing cars. We are just asking people to be sensible about how they use their water so that we have enough for everyone to use during the daytime and that the businesses of Wexford can function to their optimal.”
Main areas of concern around the county currently would be;
• South Regional Water Supply Zone – Ballyhack, Arthurstown, Duncannon, Fethard-on-Sea.
• Fardystown Water Supply Zone – Rosslare, Carne, St.Helen’s, Kilmore, Bridgetown, Piercestown, Murrintown.
• Wexford Town, Barntown and Taghmon.
• Sow Regional Water Supply Zone – Ballymurn, Castlebridge, Crosstown, Ardcavan, Curracloe, Blackwater.
“Water is such a precious natural resource, and we are working hard along with our colleagues in Wexford County Council to ensure the people in Wexford have a safe and reliable water supply,” concluded Mr Walsh.
Irish Water has recently replaced filter media to the value €200,000 and plans are in place for a larger upgrade at Vinegar Hill Water Treatment plant (€10m) to bring a safer and more reliable supply to homes and businesses in Enniscorthy. Similarly, an upgrade (€5m) is planned for the Newtown Water Treatment Plant in Wexford town and in Gorey where the Creagh Water Treatment Plant has already received an investment of €200,00 with a bigger upgrade due in 2023. The new Gorey Regional Water Supply scheme including the new treatment plant at Ballyminaun, with an investment of €17m is due for completion this year. This will bring a more robust and safer water supply to the people of Wexford.
The Irish Water customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates, please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website.
The beautiful grounds of Johnstown Castle will host the biggest outdoor jazz festival in the South East this weekend.
By Dan Walsh
The biggest outdoor jazz festival in the South East will take place in the beautiful grounds of Johnstown Castle, near Wexford town, across three days this weekend, from Friday to Sunday, July 15th to 17th, inclusive.
Over 16 bands and 30 musicians from throughout the country are participating in the first outdoor musical festival to be hosted by Johnstown Castle.
Jazz at Johnstown begins on Friday evening and concludes on Sunday afternoon. The programme is as follows;
Promoted by Jazz at Johnstown, some of the biggest names in Irish jazz will bring star-studded bands to the Wexford venue.
A series of outdoor stages – the Castle Stage, the Sunken Garden, the Visitors Centre, the Courtyard – will host two full days of jazz on Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the festival is free for members and just €9 a day for non-members or €24 per day for a family of two adults and two children.
For full details contact the Johnstown Castle website…
As the July daily temperatures embrace the popular sunny south-east reputation, a pleasant beachside ceremony at Rosslare Strand on Tuesday morning marked the launch of the new Wheelchair Mat.
Cllr Lisa McDonald, Chair of Wexford Local Community Development Committee and the Rosslare Municipal District said “it was great to see the launch this morning of the new Wheelchair Mat.
Cllr McDonald told WexfordLocal.com; “Dr. Vivian Rath (from Morriscastle) came to me with this idea last year and I am delighted today to see it come to fruition so members of the disabled community will have further access to the beach!”
This mat is the second of its kind in the country and the first in Wexford. While it is a pilot project it is hoped that we will see similar mats around the county in time.
CLLR LISA McDONALD (wearing the chain of office in the middle of the picture) and local supporters at the launch of the Wheelchair Mat at Rosslare Strand on Tuesday morning.
IRISH STREET – Vacant site could be a game changer for Enniscorthy town centre development plan.
By Dan Walsh at July meeting of Wexford County Council
Wexford County Council has announced its proposal to develop a ‘brownfield site’ in the centre of Enniscorthy, on a vacant site formerly the location of Murphy-Flood’s Hotel, and empty buildings bounding Irish Street and Barrack Street.It is recommended that the development proceed subject to an archaeological survey of the site and the provision of a record survey of the existing buildings in the area.
The development comprises the demolition of the empty buildings and the construction of a new multi-storey structure of mixed development incorporating basement parking, (for 27 cars, four of which would be accessible for people with disabilities accessed from Barrack Street) two floors of commercial/office/community use space at ground and first floor levels and three upper floors containing 18 apartments and shared commercial space at Irish Street and Barrack Street.
But there are still challenges to be overcome. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are recommending that an archaeological impact assessment be carried out by relevant expertise, as the Department notes that; “A number of buildings located within the development site are identified and listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.”
Three submissions from the public have been received during public consultation and are contained in the Chief Executive’s Report which was presented to members at Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held at County Hall, Wexford.
One concerned town resident claimed that “a seven-storey building is not in keeping with the streetscape and Enniscorthy is a historical rural town, and the building would dwarf all of the existing preserved shopfronts. It was also noted that “making the area from Market Square to Irish Street pedestrian would only add to traffic congestion following on from existing pedestrianisation.”
Another resident claims “that the scale of the building proposed does not suit the streetscape of the conservation area, is not proportionate to the historic area of the town and will impact negatively on the streetscape of Irish Street.”
Another observation states that “the opportunity to widen the entrance to Irish Street would be lost. The proposed social housing should be made available for older people,” and it concludes: “The height of the proposed development in relation to the adjoining buildings and surrounding streetscape lacks integrated urban development and planning, and will have a major impact on views of Vinegar Hill.”
The proposed development for Irish Street and Barrack Street could transform Enniscorthy town centre (Image – Wexford County Council).
The report was welcomed by the Enniscorthy members with support from Cllrs John O’Rourke and Jackser Owens, while Cllr Cathal Byrne supported the proposed developments, he had questions regards the traffic flow and whether two-way traffic could be accommodated in the area?
Acting Chief Executive Eamonn Hore, in the report, points out the following; “There is no pedestrianisation proposed with this development at this time and there are no plans to pedestrianise Irish Street or Barrack Street. However, if the town centre is to be successful as a pleasant place to live and do business, the dominance of the car in the town needs to be rebalanced. The widening of Irish Street or Barrack Street is not recommended as the existing street widths are adequate for traffic, however, the new buildings set back will improve pedestrian safety.”
The proposed development is considered to comply with the Enniscorthy Town and Environs Plan, 2008-2014 (extended) and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. It is, therefore, recommended that the development proceed subject to an archaeological survey of the site and the provision of a record survey of the existing buildings in the area.
WexfordLocal.com 