Battle of Enniscorthy revisited

Scene from the re-enacted Battle of Enniscorthy at Castle Hill today.

By Dan Walsh at the Battle of Enniscorthy

Shots rang out on Castle Hill this morning as the Battle of Enniscorthy was re-enacted exactly a century after the event – July 2nd 1922 – and descendants of some families involved were present to witness the historic commemoration which was the highlight of the Wexford Library Arts Festival taking place this weekend.

CLLR CATHAL BYRNE hands over the chains of office to the new Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council CLLR AIDAN BROWNE today.

Aside from the re-enactment which featured members of Enniscorthy Re-enactment Historical Society and Lord Edwards Own with action emanating from Enniscorthy Castle pouring out onto the street, there were a number of speeches. Historian Barry Lacey acted as narrator and Maria Nolan was master of ceremonies.

Enniscorthy Municipal District’s Cllr Aidan Browne, who took over the chains of Cathaoirleach from Cllr Cathal Byrne, last Monday, welcomed the guests and the good sized attendance on the street, and offered some sobering words about the battle of a century ago.

Deputy Sean Haughey, grandson of former Taoiseach Sean Lemass, was the keynote speaker, while there were also contributions from Minister James Browne, Carmel Smyth, author of ‘Monteith-The Making of a Rebel and representative of the 1916 Relatives Committee.

COLM O’BRIEN and ORLA McKEOWN, relatives, laid wreaths at Enniscorthy Post Office in remembrance of Patrick O’Brien and Maurice Spillane who were shot dead on this spot in 1922.

Guests included Paul Kehoe T.D., Cllr George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Jackser Owens, John O’Rourke and Cathal Byrne. Anne Gilpin and Carmel Long represented the Literary Festival Committee, Bernie Quigley, Enniscorthy District Council and the Council staff were also praised for their co-operation and encouragement in the staging of this novel event.

Rev. Canon Nicola Halford read a prayer; Liam Doyle played a piper’s lament; Maria Nolan read a prose extract and the pleasant ceremony concluded with the National Anthem.

Afterwards the re-enactors marched to the Post Office where Colm O’Brien and Orla McKeown laid wreaths at the site where Patrick (Paddy) O’Brien and Maurice Spilanne were shot during the Battle of Enniscorthy in 1922. Their memory is preserved by a plaque on the Post Office wall.

AUDIO ADDITION – Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne set s the scene for the Battle of Enniscorthy this morning.

AUDIO ADDITION ; Historian and narrator BARRY LACEY in an extract from the Battle of Enniscorthy this morning.
AUDIO ADDITION – How the Battle of Enniscorthy came to an end

€5.6m Lotto ticket sold in Enniscorthy

Pictured celebrating having sold the big Lottery winning ticket at Day Today store, Slaney Place, Enniscorthy are on left Michael Molloy from the National Lottery, with in front, Frank Jordan and Kieran Walsh store owners, standing behind are store staff, Paige Dunbar, Tricia Carberry, John Morrissey and Cora Redmond. Photograph: Patrick Browne/Mac Innes Photography

By Dan Walsh

The Day Today store at Slaney Place, Enniscorthy, was celebrating yesterday after it was revealed as the selling location of last Wednesday’s Lotto jackpot winning ticket worth €5,612, 385.

The store is owned by Tipperary friends, Frank Jordan and Kieran Walsh, and they were overjoyed to hear the news about one of their customers life-changing win.

Mr Jordan said; “People won’t believe this story but on the very day of the draw, our local National Lottery Rep visited the store and I jokingly told him to send a winning ticket my way! Low and behold, only a couple of hours later, one of our customers has had a truly life-changing win and honestly, we couldn’t be any more thrilled for them.”

The National Lottery have confirmed that the winner of last Wednesday’s Lotto jackpot worth over €5.6 million has made contact and arrangements are being made for the prize to be paid.

Lovely hurling at the Wexford races!

By Dan Walsh at Bettyville Park

Heavy early rain eased off as this evening’s race meeting at Bettyville Park progressed, but it failed to dampen the spirit of Wexford GAA Raceday and an enjoyable social occasion was celebrated with beef and salmon on the menu and music.

There were no Wexford winners on the track, but two well deserved winners from the marquee – Gayle Flood won the ‘Best Dressed Lady competition’ sponsored by Sarah King Boutique, Wexford, and Ray McGlynn took the ‘Best Dressed Gentleman’ prize sponsored by Hore’s Stores. The panel of judges consisted of Niall Hore of Hore’s Stores, Mairead O’Connor of Sarah King, the Wexford Rose Joy Quigley and Maria Nolan from Cairde Loch Garman.

No Wexford winners, but Noel Dooly from Courtnacuddy, came close as Slate Gray with Tiernan Roche-Power in the saddle finished four lengths runner-up to Hazelhatch Lady (33/1) partnered by champion point-to-point rider of many seasons, Derek O’Connor.

Niall Moore rode his first winner in Ireland on Our Bobby (13/2) in the Tote Handicap Hurdle. Moore said afterwards; “I was with Evan Williams for fifteen months. It was great and I rode three winners for him. This success has been a while coming but I’ve had great support from the Burke’s who would be second cousins of mine. I’m from Gortnahoo, it’s a small parish in Tipperary. I’m based with Philip Fenton and Gordon Elliott. I’ve had a good few rides for them both and it’s going grand. It’s nice to get off the mark here.”

The Tote aggregate was €91,003.15 compared with €70,213.82 last year.

Next day’s racing at Bettyville Park takes place on Friday, August 5th and the theme is Ladies Day.

Wexford Menapians AC gets the cheque

By Dan Walsh

Wexford’s Menapians Athletic Club, county winners in the recent Texaco Support for Sport initiative, has been presented with a cheque for €5,000 which will be used to reserve venues and fund equipment for its proposed Wexford Summer League, an undertaking aimed at getting young athletes involved in the sport.

Established in 2001, Menapians AC is a progressive athletics club with a diverse membership in terms of age and ability ‘from young to old, from joggers to Olympians’. With training provided at various locations – including Rosslare Strand, Wexford CBS and Enniscorthy Sports Hub – the club maintains a prominent presence across the county. 

Under the scheme – similar to that which proved successful last year when the Wexford county award was presented to Kilmore United FC – the presentation was made to the Club by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand.

Now in its second year, the Texaco Support for Sport initiative sees an annual fund of €130,000 set aside for allocation in equal amounts of €5,000 to successful applicants chosen on a county-by-county basis.  Overseeing the adjudication process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish rugby international and broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan.

Entries to the Texaco Support for Sport 2023 initiative will open in the Autumn.

Wexford’s Menapians Athletic Club, County winners in the recent Texaco Support for Sport initiative, has been presented with a cheque for €5,000 which will be used to reserve venues and fund equipment for its proposed Wexford Summer League, an undertaking aimed at getting young athletes involved in the sport. The presentation to Wexford’s Menapians Athletic Club members Mick McKeown, Catherine O’Connor, Oliver Stack, Margaret Malone, and Roisin O’Reilly and Padraig Kelly (both front), was made at Boggan’s Service Station, Wexford. Pictured with them was Texaco Dealer, Mark Boggan (centre) and Valero Area Sales Manager, Niall O’Rourke (second right). Mac Innes Photography

Enniscorthy in weekend battle mode?

The Battle of Enniscorthy will be re-enacted in the town centre next Saturday and all are welcome to attend.

By Dan Walsh

There is tension in Enniscorthy town this week after rumours spread that the Battle of Enniscorthy is imminent and likely to lead to gunfire and re-enacted fighting in the Enniscorthy Castle area of the town around 11am next Saturday morning.

Locals have reported the presence of armed period dress personnel in the area on several evenings this week and it is expected that they may be preparing for battle!

Staff at Enniscorthy Castle have refused to comment, but they did admit to WexfordLocal.com that the roof of the castle is likely to be commandeered and used to exchange gunfire, and it is believed that no resistance will be offered, although an opposition group may be placed at ground level.

It is also learned that traffic management will be enforced in the Castle Hill, Church Street, Castle Street area on Saturday morning and barriers will be in place to ensure safety.

The public is invited to gather for the Centenary Commemoration event which is the first re-enactment of the Battle of Enniscorthy which occurred on July 2nd 1922 – a centenary to the exact day – at Enniscorthy Castle at 11am on Saturday morning.

Ambitious plans for New Ross district

By Dan Walsh

“Year four is always a pivotal year in the life of the Council. This time next year, we will be cantering into the final stretch of the term into the Local Elections. So, it is important that we set ourselves an ambitious programme that delivers for all the District, that we deal with issues that affect all the district and initiate new projects to strengthen all the district,” newly elected Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Sheehan told members at last Monday’s annual general meeting of New Ross Municipal District Council.

CLLR MICHAEL SHEEHAN Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council

Cllr Sheehan predicted that by this time next year, “We will have opened the new fire station opened, new ambulance station opened, High Hill Park, the Oil Tank Park started and the Norman Heritage Experience Building on to the next stage of process and the construction of the Advanced factories in Butlersland.

He also outlined several objectives in detail. “New Ross has a renewed identify, let’s build on it. New Ross has a renewed sense of purpose, let’s direct that. New Ross has a renewed sense of confidence, let’s harness it,” Cllr Sheehan continued.

“Let us once again express our condolences to Cllrs. (Anthony) Connick and (Michael) Whelan, their families and communities. May God hold them in His hands and feel His Almighty Grace when times are low. We will be there with them all,” Cllr Sheehan concluded.

Bishops united in friendship

By Dan Walsh

Bishop Ger Nash has welcomed and congratulated the new Church of Ireland Bishop Adrian Wilkinson of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory.

“I wish to warmly welcome Bishop Adrian Wilkinson as the new Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory. I spoke to Bishop Adrian following his election and I offered my congratulations to him on his new appointment as Bishop, and also extended my good wishes to his wife Jackie, said Bishop Nash.

“I assured Bishop Adrian and Jackie of my prayerful support and wish them God’s blessings as they undertake their new diocesan responsibilities. I look forward to working closely with them into the future,” he concluded.

BISHOP ADRIAN WILKINSON
BISHOP GER NASH

Bishop Adrian has an established connection with his new diocese as his late father, Archdeacon Ken Wilkinson, previously ministered as Rector of Enniscorthy and Monart Union of Parishes from 1970 until 2002. He died at Hazelwood, Gorey, last October.   

Aussie Mayor visits Vinegar Hill

At the civic reception in Enniscorthy Castle tonight; (left to right) Jacqui Hynes (jt-editor (with Dr Ronan O’Flaherty) of Vinegar Hill; The Last Stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798; Cllr Jackser Owens, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Leas-Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Deputy Mayor Cllr Brad Bunting, Ms. Norma Bunting, Cllr John O’Rourke, Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, and Bernie Quigley, District Manager Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

Dialogue around the ‘twinning or sister relationship’ between Vinegar Hill in Wexford and Vinegar Hill in Australia has taken a step forward today when Enniscorthy Municipal District Council hosted a civic reception for Deputy Mayor Cllr Brad Bunting of Blacktown, Australia, at a pleasant function held in Enniscorthy Castle.

The aim of the visit was to acknowledge the common historical link between Enniscorthy and Blacktown, that being the Battle of Vinegar Hill.

CLLR CATHAL BYRNE making a presentation to DEPUTY MAYOR CLLR BRAD BUNTING at Enniscorthy Castle tonight.

Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr Cathal Byrne, deputising for the Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne, presided and welcomed Mayor Bunting, his wife Norma, and brother-in-law David, saying that a civic reception is the highest honour the town can bestow, and it is our distinguished privilege and “we look forward to increase links between our town and your city.”

Mayor Bunting thanked Enniscorthy for “putting together a fantastic day”, he said that discussions had been going on for some time regards “twinning or a sister relationship” and he felt that talks had moved along, and he also appreciated the tours and the civic relationship.

Jacqui Hynes, joint-editor (with Dr Ronan O’Flaherty) of the award-winning publication Vinegar Hill – The Last Stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798, gave a short talk on the rebellion and outlined that the results of the recent archaeological dig are contained in this comprehensive account. A copy of the book was amongst the presentations made to Mayor Bunting to mark his visit to Enniscorthy. 

The civic reception was attended by Cllrs Cathal Byrne, Jackser Owens, John O’Rourke, Barbara-Anne Murphy and Kathleen Codd-Nolan.

Mayor Bunting was given a tour of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre with guide Derek Meyler, he was also afforded the spectacular views from Vinegar Hill and aspects of the battlefield site were explained.

AUDIO ADDITION; Mayor Brad Bunting speaking at the civic reception in Enniscorthy Castle earlier tonight.

Cllr Sheehan is Chair at New Ross

By Dan Walsh

Long serving Fianna Fáil public representative Cllr Michael Sheehan was elected Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council at yesterday’s annual general meeting. He succeeds Cllr Bridín Murphy (Fine Gael).

CLLR MICHAEL SHEEHAN (Cathaoirleach) and CLLR JOHN FLEMING (Leas-Cathaooirleach) congratulate each other at New Ross Municipal Council.

Cllr Sheehan said he was honoured to be elected and promised that he would work hard for the betterment of the town and district in the coming year. Cllr Sheehan was first elected to New Ross Town Council in June 1999 and Wexford County Council since 2014 and is a former Cathaoirleach.

The Leas-Cathaoirleach is Cllr John Fleming (Fianna Fáil), from Palace, Clonroche, who was first elected in 2014, served as Cathaoirleach of New Ross District in 2019, and specialises in rural affairs.

Turn Vinegar Hill into ‘a goldmine’!

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Council Meeting

Funding is to be sought for the development of Enniscorthy’s most famous landmark and battlefield following the presentation of a draft masterplan entitled Vinegar Hill Amenity Park and Heritage Site at the June meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

The draft deals with two headings – short term actions and long-term actions – and was presented by District Manager Bernie Quigley at the request of the members who have been campaigning for a better deal for Vinegar Hill.

Cllr Jackser Owens said action on the report is a priority. “If Vinegar Hill was in Killarney it would be a goldmine?” He called for someone working on the site five days a week, toilets, seats and a guide to explain what happened in these fields, he was critical of the lack of signage, but admitted; “This is a start and it will put Vinegar Hill on the map and funding should be sought.”

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan questioned some of the items listed in the draft report and she was very supportive of promoting the site and acknowledged that “a lot of work has been done on the hill.” She suggested that “the Council might buy some acreage?”

Cllr John O’Rourke described the draft report as “a positive step forward to put Enniscorthy on the map”. He suggested that since “we are trying to sell Vinegar Hill to visitors we should encourage visitors to the National 1798 Rebellion Centre also – I know it is a different experience -both have a lot in common.

Ms Quigley said the 1798 Centre do send visitors to Vinegar Hill.

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy had questions about the walking trails, bus parking or drop off facilities at the bottom of the hill. Cllr Aidan Browne said it was great to see something happening on Vinegar Hill and added; “I would like to see a walking trail between Vinegar Hill and the 1798 Centre established.”

Cathaoirleach Cllr Cathal Byrne, on his last opportunity in the chair, was impressed and noted “a lot of good ideas here at the meeting”, but he reminded the members that it was just a draft, but looked forward to the full plan, hopefully in September.

The short-term suggestions include two panels of heritage interpretive, pedestrian counters, a dry toilet trialled to the end of September, ecology audit and biodiversity interpretation, develop a formal walking trail and signage and passive seating.

The long-term action, which could take a little longer to achieve, according to Director of Services, Carolyne Godkin, would include parking and access, battlefield interpretation strategy and tourism promotions.