Cllr Bell is new Mayor of Wexford

By Dan Walsh

CLLR MAURA BELL elected MAYOR OF WEXFORD

Labour Party’s Cllr Maura Bell has been elected Mayor of Wexford. Independent Cllr David Hynes takes the position of Deputy Mayor.

Cllr Bell said; “Delighted to be elected as Mayor of Wexford today – it’s an honour and a privilege. I’ll do my very best to serve the people of Wexford district.

Cllr Bell thanked all her fellow councillors’ and offered “a big well done to the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Garry Laffan, and congratulated Cllr David Hynes, who was elected as Deputy Mayor.

Outgoing Mayor Cllr Laffan reflected on his year in office, thanked the councillors’ and officials for their support, and wished both Mayor Bell and Deputy Mayor Hynes the best of luck in their new roles for 2022-23.

Cllr McDonald takes Rosslare chair

At the annual general meeting of Rosslare Municipal Council (left to right); Noreen Cummins (District Manager) Cllr Ger Carthy, Cllr Frank Staples (Leas-Cathaoirleach), Cllr Lisa McDonald (Cathaoirleach), Cllr Jim Moore, Cllr Jim Codd and Annette O’Neill (Director of Services).

By Dan Walsh

Cllr Lisa McDonald was elected the new Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District Council at the annual general meeting held today at County Hall, Wexford.

Cllr McDonald was proposed by Cllr Jim Codd and seconded by Cllr Ger Carthy and was elected unopposed. Outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Jim Moore congratulated Cllr McDonald and handed over the chains of office to the new incumbent.

Cllr McDonald told WexfordLocal.com; “I am greatly honoured and privileged to have this morning been elected by my colleagues as Cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District. This is a proud day for myself, family, friends and supporters.

“I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and the Rosslare Municipal District staff in the year ahead to deliver for the people of the constituency,” she concluded.

Cllr Frank Staples is the new Leas-Cathaoirleach having been proposed by Cllr Jim Moore and seconded by Cllr Ger Carthy.

The meeting reviewed the past year and Cllr Jim Moore was congratulated on his leadership as Cathaoirleach and his work on behalf of the people of the district.

History is made at Enniscorthy Council

Outgoing Cathaoirleach CLLR CATHAL BYRNE congratulates the new incumbent CLLR AIDAN BROWNE using the latest technology at the annual general meeting held in the Presentation Centre Chamber today.

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Council Chamber

History was made in the Presentation Centre this afternoon at the annual general meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council where Cllr Aidan Browne (Fianna Fáil) was elected Cathaoirleach even though he wasn’t in the chamber!

Cllr Browne was appearing by zoom when his name was proposed by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, who told the meeting that Cllr Browne came from a long family tradition in politics – Sean Browne (grand-uncle), John Browne (uncle) and current Minister James Browne (first cousin) – he was elected at the first attempt in 2019, works hard and was committed to his role. Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan (seconded), there was no other nomination and Cllr Browne was deemed elected, although since he wasn’t present ‘in person’ there was no formal handing over of the chain by outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Cathal Byrne, but he was given a round of applause. There were many voices offering ‘congratulations’

Cllr Browne thanked his fellow councillors and officials for their support and outlined a number of issues that he wishes the Council can progress during his term in office. “Enniscorthy is a great place to live,” he said, but he also outlined other parts of the district, especially Ferns and Bunclody, and he promised to “work hard for the town” and hoped “we, all six of us can work together.”

Matters in the chamber were less cordial when the nomination for Leas-Cathaoirleach topped the agenda. Cllr Kathleen Codd proposed Cllr Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael) and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy seconded. No other name was proposed, and Cllr Byrne was duly elected as understudy to Cllr Browne and the pair promised to work closely together during the coming year.

Cllr Jackser Owens objected. “There are six councillors, and each councillor should have an opportunity to fill the position but for years now Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have excluded the Independents. It is wrong, it is greed, it is about power. Every councillor should have an opportunity to be Chair or Vice-Chair of the Council,” he concluded.

The meeting concluded after members agreed to maintain the usual practice of holding the monthly meetings on the third Monday of every month at 3pm.

Tributes paid to Declan MacPartlin

By Dan Walsh

The death has occurred of Declan MacPartlin, Baylands, Camolin, a public affairs consultant and a member of Wexford County Council for a decade.

DECLAN McPARTLIN

Born in Dublin, he came to live in Wexford in 1979 and settled in the parish of Ferns from where his mother Margaret Maguire had migrated to Dublin in the 1920s.

He was elected as a Non-Party member of Wexford County Council in 2004 and served until 2014. He contested the Seanad Election in 2007,

In tribute the Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr George Lawlor said Declan was “one of the most affable and courteous public representatives you could meet with a passion for rural Ireland.”

He was associated with many local initiatives and developments, including serving as former Chairman of North Wexford Hospice and committee member, and deepest sympathy is extended to his sorrowing wife Catherine, sons and daughters, extended family and friends.

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Declan MacPartlin, Baylands, Camolin. Beloved husband of Catherine, loving father of Jenny, Alistair, Fionn, Caoimhe and Oisín, brother of the late Tom and Ann. Deeply regretted by his wife, sons, daughters, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, daughter-in-law, Rachel, Naomi (Partner of Oisín), and grandchildren; Euan, Molly, and Beren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace Reposing at Kavanagh’s Funeral Home, Castlelands, Ferns, from 4 o’clock until 8 o’clock on Tuesday. Funeral Mass in St. Columba’s Church, Ballyduff, at 11 o’clock on Wednesday. Burial afterwards in Ballyduff Cemetery. House private, please.

Promoting “quality foods directly from source”

By Dan Walsh

South East Food Stories has been launched to help promote the wide variety of producers, providers and makers delivering quality foods directly from source to plates across the South East.

The South East is known for an abundance of naturally sourced food and drink, and for its unique and inventive makers and producers. Anyone who has tasted the area’s high quality local food, foraged on beaches and in forests to find the best natural foodstuffs, and tasted the local beverages, will have a story to tell about it.

The pilot agri-food initiative incorporates produce from across Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford and highlights the businesses working hard to keep food sustainability at the heart of what they do.

Speaking about the impact of South East Food Stories, Brian O’Flynn, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East said; “We are delighted to see tourism businesses across the South East coming together to create high quality food trail experiences aligned to the Ireland’s Ancient East Brand.”

LORRAINE O’DWYER OF GALLIVANTING TOURS pictured here in the fabulous Courtown Woods said; “I am really excited for this project, as not only is it a way for us to boost our local economy and give visitors a reason to explore this region outside of the traditional summer months but it’s an opportunity to draw people away from big chain supermarkets and into their local farmers’ markets and grocers.” Picture; WexfordLocal.com.

Director of Ireland South East, Alan Quirke, said; “The South East offers a varied tourism experience, blending heritage, coastal activities, gardens with other activities and attractions. What stands out about the South East is its vast agri-food market and we’re delighted to be able to showcase the wide range of produce across the five counties.”

The campaign is inspired by the importance of food and its production as part of our overall tourism experience. All five counties have hundreds of years’ worth of heritage and history with wonderful visitor experiences, which serve as a backdrop to fresh experiences and new stories.

Lorraine O’Dwyer from Gallivanting Tours in Gorey; “I am really excited for this project, as not only is it a way for us to boost our local economy and give visitors a reason to explore this region outside of the traditional summer months but it’s an opportunity to draw people away from big chain supermarkets and into their local farmers’ markets and grocers. Supporting local food producers is good for you and fantastic for Mother Earth!”

Cheque presented to the Red Cross

The Ukraine Coffee Morning held in the Slaney Inn, Oylegate, last month was an outstanding success, and thanks is expressed to all who supported the event so generously. Ruairí Ryan, Chairman Ógra Fianna Fáil, presented a cheque for €2,450 to Paddy Redmond of Enniscorthy branch of the Red Cross. Minister James Browne and Cllr Willie Kavanagh were in attendance.

Two New Ross councillors in mourning

By Dan Walsh 
Two sitting members of Wexford County Council and New Ross Municipal District Council, Cllr Anthony Connick, outgoing Leas-Cathaoirleach, and Cllr Michael Whelan, incoming Leas-Cathaoirleach, have been bereaved with the sad loss of their, respective mothers, Peggy Connick and Myra Whelan.
Tributes have been paid to the councillors and their families on the deaths of Mrs Connick and Mrs Whelan, both of whom were well-known and popular and will be missed by family, friends and the general community.

MARGARET (PEGGY) CONNICK

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Margaret (Peggy) Connick (nee Ryan) Dowsleys Barn, New Ross, and formerly of Milltown, Glenmore / Millbanks, Rosbercon Co. Kilkenny. Margaret (Peggy) who passed away Wednesday 22nd June. Adored wife of the late John and cherished mother of Helen, Seán, Bernie and Anthony. Beloved daughter of the late Laurence and Mary Ryan. Sadly missed by her loving brothers and sisters Tom, Annie, Ned, Pat, Mary and Kathleen. Predeceased by her brothers and sister Richard, Bridget, Jim, John and Larry. Fondly remembered by her sons-in-law David and Anthony, daughters-in-law Lourde and Caroline, grandchildren Mark, Brian, Cora, Niall, Gemma, and Aoife, their partners Michelle, Helena, and Chris, great-grandchildren Mason, Alfie and Áine, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives and friends. May You Rest Easy In Grace and Love Reposing in Doyle’s Funeral Home, The Old Rectory, Rosbercon, New Ross, today, Friday, from 3pm concluding with Rosary at 8pm. Removal will take place (walking) from Doyle’s Funeral Home at 10.45am on Saturday to arrive at The Church Of The Assumption Rosbercon for 11am Requiem Mass, with burial afterwards in the adjoining Cemetery. House Strictly Private Please.

MYRA MARY WHELAN

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Myra Mary Whelan (neé Moore), Ballycullane Post Office, Ballycullane. Beloved wife of the late Seamus, mother of John, Joy, Thomas, James, Annette, Michael, Patrick, Paul, Kevin, Eamon and the late Mary and Noel and sister of the late John and Noel. Deeply regretted by her loving sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, relatives and many friends. May She Rest In Peace Reposing at her residence today, Friday, from 12 noon – 10pm. Removal on Saturday to St Martin’s Church Ballycullane arriving for funeral mass at 2pm, followed by burial in Ballycullane cemetery.

This brings to four the number of sitting council members who have lost their mothers since the beginning of the year. Cllr Joe Sullivan from Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council and Cllr Maura Bell, Wexford Borough District Council. Our prayers are with all of them in their great personal loss.

New Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory

By Dan Walsh

The Episcopal Electoral College for the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, meeting in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, has elected the Ven Adrian Wilkinson, Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, as the new Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. He succeeds the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, who was translated as Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe last April, following his election to that role in January of this year.

ARCHDEACON ADRIAN WILKINSON is elected Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory.

The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, who chaired the Electoral College, said: ‘I am delighted that Archdeacon Wilkinson has been elected Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory.  Ahead lies a most fruitful time for the bishop to get to know the clergy and people of the diocese and to establish him in the wider community of Kilkenny, Waterford and the South East. May God guide and equip Bishop Adrian in the days and months ahead as he embarks on his episcopal ministry in the Church of God.”

The Bishop-elect said: ‘I am humbled and honoured to have been elected Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. While I will be sorry to leave Cork, a place where I have served very happily for over twenty years, I look forward to this new chapter in ministry. My childhood years were spent in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory and I look forward to working with the clergy and people there in the years ahead, as we proclaim our faith in word and action.”

Following confirmation of the election by the House of Bishops, the Bishop-elect will be consecrated as a bishop on a date to be determined.

Biography of Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson

The Venerable Adrian Wilkinson (aged 53) was born in 1968 and ordained in 1994.  He initially served as Curate in Douglas Union with Frankfield, in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross (1994-1997), and then as Rector of Dunboyne Union, in the Dioceses of Meath and Kildare (1997-2002), during which time he was also Chaplain at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and a Minor Canon in the Chapter of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.  He was also Rector of Rathmolyon with Castlerickard, Rathcore and Agher, in the same diocese (2001-2002), before returning to Douglas Union as Rector in 2002 and serving in that role since then.

He has been Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross since 2014.  Archdeacon Wilkinson is a member of the General Synod and its Standing Committee, the Representative Church Body and its Executive Committee, the General Synod Board of Education (Republic of Ireland), and the Priorities Fund Committee.  He has also served on the Governing Council of the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.

Archdeacon Wilkinson is married to Jacqui, who is lecturer in teacher education at the Church of Ireland Centre at Dublin City University, and they have three grown-up children – two sons and a daughter.  He graduated in geography and sociology from Trinity College Dublin before training for ordination, and his interests in his free time are walking, travel and reading.

Sunday free family fun in Ferns

SUMMER FEELS is a free family event taking place in Ferns St Aidans GAA Park on Sunday, June 26th from 1 pm to 4 pm. It promises to be a great day out with plenty of entertainment and activity.

This is being funded through Wexford County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media through the Local Live Performance Scheme 2022.

Sod turned on €200m continental cheese site

Picture at the turning of the sod on Glanbia Co-Op and A-ware’s €200 million continental cheese facility at Belview Co. Kilkenny are from left; John Murphy Chairman Glanbia Co-op, Jan Anker Chief Executive of Royal A-ware, Jim Bergin Chief Executive of Glanbia Co-op, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Photograph; Patrick Browne

By Dan Walsh

The sod was turned at the site of a new continental cheese facility being built at Belview in south Kilkenny today. The sod-turning was performed by Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue.

This strategically important national project will support the incomes of over 4,500 family farms, 80 jobs and 400 construction jobs in the south-east.

The new facility will be one of the most efficient and sustainable continental cheese production facilities in Europe. It is planned that the first continental cheese will be produced for global markets at the facility in 2024.

The facility, which is being built by Kilkenny Cheese Ltd, a joint venture between family-owned Dutch dairy producer Royal A-Ware and Glanbia Co-op, will have a footprint of 18,000 square metres. It will produce over 50,000 tonnes of continental cheese per year, including Edam, Gouda and Emmental cheese varieties which will be brought to market by Royal A-ware through their established channels.

The production facility will utilise approximately 450 million litres of milk from Glanbia milk suppliers each year.

The Tanaiste said; “It’s an honour to be in Belview today to turn the sod on this brand new €200m continental cheese facility. It’s a huge boost for the south-east which has experienced significant and long overdue investment and jobs growth in the past year or two. The UK’s decision to leave the European Union was a seismic event for Ireland’s agrifood sector and the over 163,000 people it employs here.

Minister McConalogue said; “It is a real honour to be in Belview to turn the sod on this really exciting project. It is great to see this really important project finally come to fruition. This is a great day for the 4,500 Glanbia farm family suppliers as well as for the wider Irish agriculture sector and Irish farmers as a whole.”

Glanbia Co-op CEO Jim Bergin, said: “We are delighted to partner with Royal A-ware, a leading global producer of continental cheese, to build this world-class facility in the south-east of Ireland. The joint venture approach brings expertise in continental cheese production and a new route to market for our farmers. Today marks a significant step on the road to diversifying our product offering post-Brexit.”

Royal A-ware CEO Jan Anker said: “When we first announced our partnership with Glanbia Co-op in 2019, we said we were taking another step towards achieving our goals of working with strategic partners to build innovative and sustainable agri-food chains and offering our customers an enhanced product portfolio. Today’s milestone will see our company bring high-quality continental cheese produced through a local supply chain into the marketplace. We look forward to this great new facility opening in 2024.”

Kilkenny Cheese Ltd will invest in highly advanced carbon-efficient processing technology and its enhanced sustainability design ensures it will be a best-in-class facility.

The new facility delivers new continental cheese products for new markets, providing diversification opportunities from the UK cheddar market and supporting the incomes of over 4,500 family farms.

The Kilkenny Cheese joint venture was announced in January 2019 and was scheduled for commissioning in 2022. It is now on track to commence cheese production early in 2024.