The Leader of the Opposition in Dáil Éireann and President of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald, T.D., will deliver the keynote address at the Liam Mellows 100th Committee commemorations at his graveside in Castletown Cemetery tomorrow (Sunday).
MARY LOU McDONALD T.D.
Participants will parade from the junction at the Golden Anchor in Castletown to the church grounds commencing at 2pm where Deputy McDonald will address what is termed ‘a national commemoration’. All are welcome to attend.
Afterwards, a reception will be held at Breen’s in Gorey where Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin will launch his new book ‘Liam Mellows and the Unfinished Revolution’ at 4pm. Music afterwards with The Púcas.
Earlier in the week commemorative stones and young oaks were laid and planted at schools in Castletown and Coolgreany to mark the centenary of the execution of Liam Mellows.
At the Liam Mellows Commemoration in the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, tonight; (left to right – Cllr Pip Breen, Cllr Donal Kenny, Paddy Mordaunt, Jim O’Callaghan, T.D., who delivered the presentation, and Cllr Joe Sullivan.
By Dan Walsh in Gorey
The Liam Mellows Commemoration Committee in North Wexford began the official commemoration marking the centenary of his death and invited Jim O’Callaghan, T.D., to deliver the official address in the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, tonight.
Deputy O’Callaghan said that at the time of his execution on December 8th, 1922, Liam Mellows had been a prisoner in Mountjoy Prison for five months, having been arrested and imprisoned as one of the leaders of the anti-treaty IRA Garrison in the Four Courts.
He was executed by firing squad alongside Rory O’Connor, Joseph McKelvey and Dick Barrett. Their executions by the Free State Government were in reprisal for the killing of Seán Hales T.D. by the IRA on December 7th, 1922. Even though none of them could have any involvement in Hales’ killing, the four were representatives of each of Ireland’s provinces.
“We know that Fianna Fáil was founded four years after Mellows’ death by people who shared his belief that imperialism had inflicted grave damage on the Irish people,” said Deputy O’Callaghan, who added; “They believed that the Irish people should be entitled to determine their own governance and their own future free from external influence and the societal hierarchy imposed by imperialism.”
Tomorrow (Sunday) the annual Liam Mellows Commemoration takes place at his grave in Castletown where the centenary oration will be delivered by former Taoiseach and key architect of the Good Friday Agreement, Bertie Ahern.
The current organising committee under the Chairmanship of former Fianna Fáil TD Lorcan Allen have a poignant and dignified event planned to mark this important historical event and all are welcome to attend.
The commemoration will commence with Mass ‘as Gaeilge’ at 11 am in St. Patrick’s Church, Castletown, followed by the commemoration ceremony at the graveside where Mr. Ahern will present the keynote address.
Seamus O’Keeffe, Breda Hayes and Seamus O’Brien (editor) with their copies of the latest Kilmore Parish Journal at the launch in the Stella Maris Centre, Kilmore Quay, last night.
By Dan Walsh at Kilmore Quay
The 51st Kilmore Parish Journal was launched in the Stella Maris Centre, Kilmore Quay, last night by Ruairí Ó Cuív, Public Arts Manager with Dublin City Council, who has discovered the beauty of the south Wexford region at Neamstown and Sarshill.
A grandson of the founder of Fianna Fáil and President of Ireland, Eamon de Valera, Mr Ó Cuív paid tribute to the editor (Seamus O’Brien) and the list of contributors and advertisers for producing “a really important social and historical record of the whole area for a very special people.”
“Please keep it going,” pleaded Mr Ó Cuív who spoke fondly about his association with the parish and stated how proud he was to be asked to launch the 51st Kilmore Parish Journal.
Editor Seamus O’Brien is standing down after ten years “to make way for new blood” and he received a special presentation for his “dedication and excellent work in putting all the contributions together into a first-class publication.”
Breda Hayes acted as Master of Ceremonies for the pleasant launch and acknowledged the work of getting the work printed and having the first ‘in person’ launch in three years although the publication was virtually launched during the covid years. “It is very much a team effort,” concluded Ms. Hayes.
The attendance included Teasy Murphy (née White), the only surviving member of the original Parish Journal Committee from 1972, who was honoured by cutting the birthday cake, Cllr Jim Moore and Fr. Pat Mernagh, parish priest.
KILMORE PARISH JOURNAL No. 51, 2022-2023, 150 pages, illustrated, ISSN 1649 284 will be appearing in all good bookshops in the coming days and would make an excellent Christmas present for parishioners at home or abroad.
Today (December 8th) marks the centenary of the execution of Liam Mellows in Mountjoy Jail and the annual Liam Mellows Commemoration takes place next Sunday at his grave in Castletown where the centenary oration will be delivered by former Taoiseach and key architect of the Good Friday Agreement, Bertie Ahern.
The current organising committee under the Chairmanship of former Fianna Fail TD Lorcan Allen have a poignant and dignified event planned to mark this important historical event and all are welcome to attend.
The commemoration will commence with Mass at 11 am in St. Patricks Church, Castletown, followed by the commemoration ceremony at the graveside where Mr. Ahern will present the keynote address.
BERTIE AHERN TD
On a weekend of commemorations, the local committee have also arranged a talk by Jim O’Callaghan TD on Saturday, December 10th at 7.30pm in the Ashdown Park Hotel. Gorey. An interesting talk is assured, and all are welcome to attend.
Jim O’Callaghan TD and Fianna Fail Justice spokesperson has made notable and thought-provoking contributions to the high profile and warmly received Irelands Future events and recently delivered a paper on Irish reunification at Cambridge University.
JIM O’CALLAGHAN TD.
Liam Mellows was an important and hugely significant republican leader, being first involved in Na Fianna Eireann in 1911. He played a leading role in the fight for freedom across the 1916 to 1922 period.
Prior to his execution of which he only received a few hours’ notice, he wrote a series of letters, primary among them was his letter to his mother Sarah (nee Jordan). In this letter he asks to be laid to rest alongside his grandparents and among his people in Castletown.
After his execution he was buried in Mountjoy, however his final wish was honoured when he was reinterred in Castletown in 1924. However, this grave remained unmarked for several years until on the initiative of his former colleagues of Fianna Eireann, a memorial committee was formed to raise funds to place a fitting memorial for this brave and splendid Gael.
This committee under the Chairmanship of local Fianna Fáil TD, Dinny Allen included Tom Brennan TD, Bob Moran, Member County Council, TD Sinnott (long standing Wexford County Manager), Michael Kirwan and Pádraig Toibín, journalist with the Enniscorthy Echo newspaper and uncle to renowned award-winning author Colm Toibín, along with representatives of the National Association of Old Fianna.
The Headstone was officially unveiled by Eamon de Valera in 1945 and fittingly marks the final resting place of this important son of Wexford who has many close relatives in the North Wexford and South Wicklow area.
It is an honour to have such an important historical figure rest in our midst.
The cast of Pretend Sick on stage at Craanford Community Centre this weekend.
By Dan Walsh
Craanford Drama Group are back on stage at Craanford Community Centre with their chaotic comedy ‘Pretend Sick’ last night and tonight (Thursday) with two more shows still to come on Saturday and Sunday nights at 8pm.
The play will see Deirdre Malone in the role of Katie Logan – a woman who spends her days pretending to be a crippled and decrepit old lady so that her daughter Mary (Margaret Nolan) won’t leave her living alone. However as soon as Mary’s back is turned, Katie is running around the house like a spring chicken, plotting and scheming to make Mary’s life a misery.
Meanwhile, Katie’s son Sean (Patrick Lennon) squanders the family farm, spending every penny on the demon drink with his giddy pub buddies and flighty party girls played by Seamus Burnell, Brendan Doyle Caitlin Clauson and Priscilla Mullen. The loved-up next door neighbours – Tracey (Clodagh Kenny) and Jack (Oliver Doran) – are full of the joys of newly married life, which makes Mary realise that it’s time for her to wave goodbye to boyfriend Martin Puddler (Ger Doran) for the more sophisticated well-spoken Matt (Denis Eivers).
Directed by Brendan Doyle, this fast-paced comedy ‘Pretend Sick’ can be enjoyed in Craanford Community Centre on Saturday and Sunday, December 10th and 11th at 8pm nightly. Admission costs €10 for adults and €5 for children and tickets are available on the door.
Twelve community groups in Co. Wexford will share funding of €1,014,151, announced this morning. The funding will be used to upgrade, renovate and refurbish Community Centres, Parish Halls, Scouts Clubs, Youth Hubs, Family Resources Centres and Sports Complexes across the country.
WEXFORD ARTS CENTRE before refurbishment.
Funding for Co. Wexford is as follows;
Castlebridge Community Hall €19,337.50.
Terrerath Muintir na Tire Community Council €25,000.00.
Ferns Diocesan Youth Service €82,190.48.
St Joseph’s Community Centre €80,500.95.
Bree Community Development Group €61,375.68.
Wexford Arts Centre €100,000.00.
Barntown Community €100,000.00.
Kilmuckridge Memorial Hall Community Enterprise €28,975.00
Our Ladys Island Community Development €100,000.00
1st Wexford (New Ross) Sea Scouts €178,755.35
Taghmon Integrated Local Development Team €107,391.40
Rosslare Community Development Association €130,625.00
Welcoming the Funding, Deputy Paul Kehoe said; “Fine Gael in Government has showed time and again that we’re committed to community development. This ground-breaking investment in community centres will bring real improvements to the heart of communities across Wexford and will further accentuate the millions of euro of investment already put into facilities in Rural Ireland.”
BARROW BRIDGE linking Wexford to Waterford railway line to be pinned in the ‘open-to-shipping’ position. (Pic; South East on Track)
By Dan Walsh
Iarnrod Éireann has communicated with South East on Track to announce plans to pin Ireland’s longest railway bridge, the Barrow Bridge near Great Island in Co. Wexford into the ‘open-to-shipping’ position.
Constructed in 1906, the Bridge has continuously operated for over a century although regular passenger services on the line ceased in 2010.
Following a ship striking the bridge in February 2022, Iarnrod Éireann has announced plans to pin the bridge in the open-to-shipping position by the end of December 2022. Iarnrod Éireann has noted that significant repairs have become necessary costing in the region of €5-10 million and these repairs are expected to commence once funding has been obtained from the vessel’s insurers.
South East on Track has written to Iarnrod Eireannn seeking clarification on the decision to pin the bridge open, as well as requesting that the work proceed as soon as possible without waiting for funding from the ship’s insurers.
A series of maintenance trains crossed the bridge in 2022, after the damage took place.
In 1991 a ship struck the Barrow Bridge requiring repairs in the region of £3-5 million.
These repairs were completed in three months, with the High Court case involving Irish Rail and the ship’s insurers lasting until 2001.
As a result of this, South East on Track is asking Irish Rail to proceed with the repairs and not wait until the funds are dispersed.
The Wexford-Waterford railway line is currently under examination for reopening as part of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and it is imperative that the Barrow Bridge being out of service does not impact on the overall viability of the line.
CLLRS TOM FORDE, DAVID HYNES, DEPUTY JOHNNY MYTHEN, T.D. and CLLR FIONNTAN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN. (Pic; Sinn Féin)
By Dan Walsh
Long serving public representative and twice Mayor of Wexford, Cllr David Hynes, who applied to join Sinn Féin in November, has today had his membership approved by Sinn Féin’s Ard Oifig and will begin work with the party immediately.
Cllr Hynes has been involved with local politics for 25 years, for many years as a member of The Labour Party, and since the 2019 Local Elections as an Independent representative when he received 756 first preference votes.
Cllr Hynes said; “It has become increasingly clear to me over the last number of years that there is a passion and enthusiasm towards a fairer Ireland at the core of Sinn Féin’s party policy, both locally here in Wexford and nationally, and I believe I can match that passion and enthusiasm with my own hard work and commitment.
“I have been very fortunate over the years to be successively elected by the people of Wexford, who have put their trust in me to speak up for them, and I’m proud to say that I am now a member of a socialist party who will do the same. Yes, there is a lot of work to be done, but working together we are up to that task.”
Cllr Hynes has been given a warm welcome from the Sinn Féin organisation in Wexford.
Cllr Tom Forde said: “I couldn’t be happier at his decision to join our team in Sinn Féin, as I know his principles and beliefs for the future of our country align very closely with our party’s policies. Davy’s passion for the trade union movement shines through in all his work and, after being elected twice as an independent, he continues his efforts to give a voice to workers and young families.”
Long serving public representative CLLR DAVID HYNES
Deputy Johnny Mythen said; “I am more than confident that he will be a very welcome inclusion in our team, and I am excited at his decision to join Sinn Féin. Cllr Hynes shares similar views to us, that it’s time to get back to basics, to get our workers and families a decent roof over their heads, a bed in an emergency department or access to a GP should they ever need one, and an acceptable cost of living so they can afford to feed, clothe and heat their families without having to choose just one or two out of those three necessities.”
Cllr. Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said; “Like many others joining Ireland’s largest 32-county party, Cllr Hynes is most welcome among our team here in Wexford. As the centenary commemoration of Liam Mellows approaches this coming weekend in Castletown Gorey, we are reminded that there is still a lot of work to do to achieve the Republic dreamt of by people like Connolly, Markievicz and Mellows, but we are closer now than ever before and the message from Sinn Féin is one of hope and optimism for the fairer United Ireland that we know we can achieve.”
Gardaí have today arrested a woman aged in her 30s in connection with an incident at Old Forge Road, Enniscorthy, on Sunday, November 27th in which a nine year old boy was savagely attacked by a dog.
She is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Enniscorthy Garda Station.
ALEJANDRO MIZSAN
Gardaí confirmed on November 29th that they had arrested a man in his 20s in relation to the same incident.
He was detained at Enniscorthy Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
Alejandro Mizsan was playing with his friends in a housing estate near his home when he was attacked by a dog – a pit bull cross.
He was taken by helicopter to Crumlin Children’s Hospital where he is recovering from life-changing injuries.
Rob James rode two winners at Quakerstown, Co. Clare today. Not as good as his four-timer at Lingstown last Sunday, but it maintains a good run of success and he is now on the 11-winner mark for the season.
ROB JAMES keeps the winners flowing
James scored on Ideal Des Bordes for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle by three and a half lengths in the maiden race for four-year-olds and later teamed up with David Christie on Ultimate Optimist who came home one and a half lengths ahead of the field in the Winner of Two Race.
Also point-to-point races at Ballindenisk, Co. Cork, today where The Doyen Chief, who was a first fence faller at Lingstown last Sunday, made amends for owners Billy and Michael Bates by two and a half lengths in the maiden race for geldings of five-year-old plus. Handled by Mark Scallan and ridden by Jack Hendrick, Mayglass, The Doyen Chief is now heading for the sales.
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