“A huge influx of camper vans”

By Dan Walsh

As we head into another warm weekend and busy times at the seaside resorts the usual litany of complaints will re-surface. “Cahore was bedlam over the weekend. There was a huge influx of camper vans. They appear to have migrated from Curracloe to Cahore as people got a taste for the beach in the fine weather,” said Cllr Pip Breen.

Cllr Breen was addressing the issue at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council when seasonal seaside sanity pressures were up for discussion.

However, Cllr Mary Farrell said the camper vans were tourists. “We need to welcome tourists and encourage them,” She added that there may be a few motor homes that will not comply completely, but she pointed out that they do spend money and that is important for local tourism.

Cllr Oliver Walsh said that camper vans often get a bad name and he suggested options of parking beside the beach and gave Graiguenamanagh as an example where camper vans are welcome.

Scene One – Cahore Beach last Tuesday evening around 6pm.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said the nettle needs to be grasped and toilet facilities brought into the 21st century. He also sought a community warden for Ballymoney, Courtown and Cahore and wondered if they could be rostered Thursday to Monday as their normal working week!

Scene Two – Cahore Pier around 6pm last Tuesday evening.

Cllr Joe Sullivan witnessed jet ski’s, about 12 in number in the water at Courtown last Monday. He said the barriers were a waste of time as tape had been placed over the sensors and the barrier remained up!

Cllr Mary Farrell referred to a barrier at Cahore providing an obstruction to the launch of 8-10 boats by the Sea Angling Club at Cahore and she asked that the system to changed to allow them operate efficiently and safety.

Engineer Gerry Forde thanked the landowners for providing extra parking spaces at Morriscsatle. Regards toilets, he explained that a new style of portable toilet was being trialled at Vinegar Hill in the coming weeks!

Call for talks on future of banking

By Dan Walsh

Following the decision of AIB to withdraw certain cash services at branches in Gorey and New Ross, Senator Malcolm Byrne, along with his Fianna Fáil parliamentary party colleagues, are looking to meet with the Minister for Finance and AIB to discuss the future of banking services.

SENATOR MALCOLM BYRNE

In a statement to WexfordLocal.com this morning Senator Byrne said; “There is annoyance about AIB’s decision to withdraw a substantial proportion of its community banking services. This is particularly concerning for vulnerable service users and small businesses who rely on cash services provided in bank branches.
“While it has to be acknowledged that digital banking and new platforms such as Revolut are changing how consumers save and spend money, we must be cognisant that cash services remain vital to many.
“It is hoped that through engagement, particularly as the State remains a shareholder in AIB with the Minister for Finance holding the shares, a better outcome can be found. 

“There is a particular worry for some vulnerable groups who rely much more on cash than other sectors of society,” concluded Senator Byrne.

Six Wexford charities receive ALDI grants

By Dan Walsh

A total of six Wexford-based charities and community groups have become the latest beneficiaries of ALDI’s Community Grants programme, with each charity receiving a €500 grant from the ALDI store teams in Co. Wexford.

Receiving the €500 grants are Wexford Marine Watch, Raheen National School, Irish Red Cross, Talk to Tom and Blue Dolphins Special Olympic Club. Wexford People Helping People received multiple nominations from ALDI’s Wexford-based employees, receiving a €1,000 bursary grant. 

ALDI’s Community Grants programme helps fund local charities and community organisations that contribute vital work and services in their local communities. Each local charity supported is chosen by ALDI employees, enabling them to help the local good causes they are passionate about.

Pictured at the launch of ALDI’s 2022 Community Grants programme earlier this year is Padraig Barry, Communications Director with ALDI Ireland, Tina Boyle and Chico, Cavan SPCA, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, and Rhiannon McClelland, SOSAD Monaghan. . Pic; Conor McCabe Photography.

Commenting, John Curtin, Group Buying Director, ALDI Ireland said: “We are very proud to continue to support local charities across the country through the ALDI Community Grants programme and we’re pleased to see the impact of our donation in the local communities for County Wexford.”

Operating seven stores in County Wexford, ALDI is deeply involved in the local community. To date, the stores have donated over 58,000 meals to local charities through ALDI’s partnership with FoodCloud, saving the charities more than €774,000. ALDI partners with nine innovative Wexford food and drink producers, spending over €9.6 million with them in 2021. 

Penny from Boolavogue drops out!

By Dan Walsh

Once favourite to become UK Prime Minister Penny Mordaunt, (49), who has created recent public interest because her ancestry is traced directly to Boolavogue, was knocked out of the Tory leadership contest today.

The Right Honourable Penny Mordaunt MP.

Ms Mordaunt, born in Torquay, who is MP for Portsmouth North, has held government posts under Boris Johnson and Theresa May, including Defence Secretary, Paymaster General, Trade Minister, and the Women and Equalities and International Development portfolios.

Ms. Mordaunt received 82 votes today, which is not enough, and means that Rishi Sunak (115) and Liz Truss (71) will go head to head during the month of August to find out who leads the Conservative Party and succeed outgoing Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Penny 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.

Enniscorthy mourns for John Byrne, (59)

By Dan Walsh

Many glowing tributes have been paid to John Byrne, (59), a popular member of the outdoor staff of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council who died suddenly while attending to his duties at the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, last Monday afternoon.

Medical aid was available without delay, but efforts at resuscitation failed. The shock incident occurred as members and officials were preparing to attend the July meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council in the Presentation Centre and, as a mark of respect for the family, Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne cancelled the meeting with immediate effect.

The Late JOHN BYRNE (Pic; Dee O’Leary)

Councillors and officials offered sympathies to John’s family who were quickly on the scene.

Cllr Browne said; “No matter where you were around the town you would see him and he would always have a word for you and he will be a very big loss to the town.”

Cllr Jackser Owens said; “The whole town is in shock. You would meet him everyday doing work for the council and he always wanted to talk and he loved having a chat with people passing by.”

John, a native of Duffry Gate, was a friendly face every day while going about his work in the town. This reporter would stop and chat with John most days whether it would be community gossip, the hurling and football or the horse racing! “He was an Enniscorthy-man with a great pride in his own place and he enjoyed life working and socialising amongst his family, neighbours and friends.”

At Tuesday’s meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District, Cllr Willie Kavanagh and Director of Services, Liz Hore, who worked with John when they were located to Enniscorthy district, both offered their condolences to his family.

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of JOHN BYRNE, Spout Lane, Enniscorthy, Formerly 34 Duffry Gate. (Suddenly). Beloved son of the late Anna May and Jack, brother of Catherine, Margaret, Bridget, Ann and the late Patrick (Urney) and partner of Bernie. Sadly missed by his loving sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace.

Reposing at Crosbie’s Funeral Home today Thursday from 3pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 12 noon in St. Aidan’s Cathedral. Burial afterwards in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Floods funding for Bridgetown

RNLI on rescue duty in Bridgetown following the Christmas Day flooding in the area. (File Picture).

By Dan Walsh

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Patrick O’Donovan has announced €157,770 of funding to provide demountable flood gates and barriers to affected properties of the Christmas Day flooding in Bridgetown.

Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District Council Cllr Lisa McDonald told WexfordLocal.com; “Having consistently raised the need for flood defences to be put in place since the events of last Christmas, I welcome the announcement today. We need to do all we can to prevent this happening again.”

At the time WexfordLocal.com visited Bridgetown and wrote; “It was heartbreaking to walk through the village of Bridgetown and observe people’s possessions either sitting outside their homes or piled high on lorry-sized skips awaiting collection having been devastated by the torrential Christmas Day rainfall that created flooding across large parts of Co. Wexford.”

“I would be afraid of this happening again,” said one elderly resident, and another asked; “Could it be possible that this is the beginning of things to come at regular intervals?”

And this was two days after the worst weather event to hit south Wexford in living memory. Cllr Jim Codd said; “The people are devastated here. Their Christmas ruined. People trapped in submerged car parks.”

End of the line for seaside train?

The seagulls watching the kiddies train on the sea front at Courtown this evening. Could it be the last time the train runs along this track?

By Dan Walsh at Council Meeting and Courtown Harbour

There was an element of surprise at today’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council when it was strongly suggested that the popular seaside train that has been part of the summer season at Courtown Harbour for many years would be discontinued!

Cllr Mary Farrell asked about the removal of the train from Courtown, and District Manager, Philip Knight told the meeting that the train is “a mechanically propelled vehicle” and should not be used on the footpaths as it created a danger to people using the facilities. He had complaints and he was adamant that the train be derailed with immediate effect. He also alleged that “the new plaza is not designed to carry the train.”

Cllr Joe Sullivan questioned the halting of the train and said he was in Courtown two or three times yesterday and it was running all day! He wanted to know who was responsible and he was told to call the guards!

Director of Services Liz Hore said correspondence had been sent to the owner of the train and called for a pause to give the owner the chance to respond!

After the meeting this reporter travelled to sun-soaked Courtown where the train was operational – tiny little happy kids having the time of their life – just a few people around the seaside front area in question and, yes, ‘the guards’ did witness the scene which appeared tranquil and orderly.

The train has been part of Courtown for many years and is operated by a local family fun adventure and holiday experience company with an impeccable record in safety and a vital cog in the wheel of summer in Courtown!

This is a story that is going to get legs. Is the Council acting above its station? Will they cover their tracks? Or will the train face into the dark tunnel with no light at the end?   

Three rescued off south Wexford coast

KILMORE QUAY RNLI (Pic; RNLI/Elaine Walsh)

By Dan Walsh

Three young people onboard a four-metre RIB that suffered engine failure and was drifting on the tide approximately one mile south of the Great Saltee Island were rescued by Kilmore Quay RNLI last night.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney, by the Irish Coast Guard at 9pm. Weather conditions at the time were calm.

When the lifeboat, under Coxswain Philip Walsh with six crew members onboard, arrived on scene, the crew checked that everyone on board the RIB was safe and well before assessing the situation. It was decided to establish a towline and transfer those on board to the lifeboat.

With a towline secured and the crew of the RIB safely aboard, the lifeboat was soon underway back to Kilmore Quay, arriving back at the harbour at 10.07pm.

Speaking following the call out, John Grace, Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “Thankfully there was a positive outcome to this evening’s call out. With such good weather more people are spending more time on the water making it the charity’s busiest time of year. Even the best maintained equipment can encounter problems, so it is important to always be prepared for when it does happen. We would urge anyone heading out to sea to tell someone where you are going and when you will be back, carry a reliable means of communication, VHF or a mobile phone in a waterproof case in case you need to call for help and always wear a lifejacket.”

€1.5m drugs seized at Rosslare Europort

Revenue officers seized approximately 77kgs of herbal cannabis at Rosslare Europort yesterday (Monday) as a result of routine profiling and with the assistance of An Garda Síochána.

The drugs, with an estimated value of more than €1.5 million, were discovered when Revenue officers searched an unaccompanied trailer that had arrived on a ferry from Cherbourg, France. 

Investigations are ongoing.

These routine operations are part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting drug smuggling. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

MP Penny Mordaunt PM challenger has Boolavogue family roots!

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PENNY MORDAUNT challenging for the leadership of the Tory Party and could be the next UK Prime Minister who has family roots in North Wexford. SOURCE; Public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. (UK).

By Dan Walsh in Boolavogue

Not since the days of Fr. John Murphy has there been so much excitement in the Boolavogue area after it was disclosed in the national media at the weekend that Penny Mordaunt, tipped by many to be the next Tory leader and likely Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as successor to Boris Johnson has strong family roots in north Wexford.

Ms Mordaunt, (49), born in Torquay, who is MP for Portsmouth North, has held a number of government posts under Boris Johnson and Theresa May, including Defence Secretary, Paymaster General, Trade Minister, and the Women and Equalities and International Development portfolios.

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.

The Mordaunt family memorials in Boolavogue cemetery.

Earlier today, I visited Boolavogue graveyard and observed the well-kept memorials that are testament to the Mordaunt family, and should Penny aspire to lead the United Kingdom as Prime Minister the footfall will increase and, perhaps, she may be invited to come and visit!