A major burst on a water main close to the reservoir is likely to cause a widespread water supply outage in Enniscorthy and its environs this afternoon.
It has just been announced that water tankers will be deployed at Mr Price, Clonhaston; Ross Road Recycling Centre and Enniscorthy Cemetery, Blackstoops, after 7pm. People using water from tankers are requested to boil the water before use.
Crews have been mobilised quickly and are working to resolve the issue and restore normal water supply to the town and the catchment area.
Speaking about the issue, Irish Water’s Ronan Walsh said; “A major burst on one of our main water mains that brings water supply to the town burst earlier today and it is likely that a significant portion of the town and surrounding areas will be affected. The town is on a Boil Water Notice and we are carrying out works separately to resolve that issue.
“We anticipate that the repair will continue into this evening, and maybe tonight. We regret any inconvenience to the residents and businesses and ask them to conserve the water they have as much as possible.
“We are working as hard as we can with our colleagues in Wexford County Council to get the issue resolved as soon as possible. Alternative water supplies will be available, details of the locations to follow.”
Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.
Irish Water understands the inconvenience when bursts occur and thanks customers for their patience while we work to restore normal supply to all impacted customers. The Irish Water customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates, please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website.
A major burst on a water main close to the reservoir is likely to cause a widespread water supply outage in Enniscorthy and its environs this afternoon.
Crews have been mobilised quickly and are working to resolve the issue and restore normal water supply to the town and the catchment area.
Speaking about the issue, Irish Water’s Ronan Walsh said; “A major burst on one of our main water mains that brings water supply to the town burst earlier today (Tuesday) and it is likely that a significant portion of the town and surrounding areas will be affected. The town is on a Boil Water Notice and we are carrying out works separately to resolve that issue.
“We anticipate that the repair will continue into this evening, and maybe tonight. We regret any inconvenience to the residents and businesses and ask them to conserve the water they have as much as possible.
“We are working as hard as we can with our colleagues in Wexford County Council to get the issue resolved as soon as possible. Alternative water supplies will be available, details of the locations to follow.”
Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.
Irish Water understands the inconvenience when bursts occur and thanks customers for their patience while we work to restore normal supply to all impacted customers. The Irish Water customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates, please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website.
Wexford Ógra Fianna Fáil is holding a Coffee Morning in aid of Ukraine on Bank Holiday Monday, June 6th between 10am and 12pm in the Slaney Inn, Oylegate.
RUAIRI RYAN, Chair Wexford Ógra Fianna Fáil
All are welcome and all the proceeds will go to the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Emergency Appeal.
Wexford Ógra’s chair Ruairí Ryan told WexfordLocal.com; “It’s important we support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine going through a struggle much like our ancestors did and support those fleeing their homes to avoid the conflict. “We in Ógra want to help the people of Ukraine in what capacity we can therefore we are planning a coffee morning with all proceeds to go to the great efforts of the Irish Red Cross.”
The 2021-2022 point-to-point season ended today at Tralee and Ballindaggin rider Barry O’Neill claimed his sixth national point-to-point riders championship in sensational style with two winners at Stratford on Friday, and two more yesterday (Saturday) at Drumahane, and one today at Tralee that brought his seasonal total to 61 winners.
BARRY O’NEILL enjoyed a sensational end of the point-to-point season
On Friday O’Neill crossed the pond to Stratford racecourse where he rode two winners for David Christie, the Fermanagh handler that has shared some many successes together over several seasons.
O’Neill was aboard Ask D’Man who had three-quarters of a length to spare in the Champion Novice Hunter’s Chase and enjoyed a four lengths victory on Vaucelet in the Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunter’s Chase.
O’Neill brought his seasonal tally to 60 with a double at Drumahane yesterday (Saturday). It was a Colin Bowe 1-2 in the maiden race for four-year-old mares with Shiroccosmagicgem (Barry O’Neill) beating Barrons Land (Rob James) by two and a half lengths. Bowe, who takes the national handler’s championship title for the 10th time hit the 45-winner mark.
O’Neill completed his double aboard Paul Nolan’s Shawshank by ten lengths in the Open Race.
Today at Tralee, O’Neill teamed up with Colin Bowe to win the second division of the maiden race for five year old geldings by one and a half lengths on Montmarte Abbey while division one of the same race went to Denis Murphy, The Ballagh, who saddled Fortuitus Find ridden by Harley Dunne. The verdict was 12 lengths.
Michael Goff, who trains at Clondaw, Ferns, saddled three winners over the weekend to experience his best seasonal total of 10 victories, surpassing his previous best seasons of nine winners in 2018-2019 and 2016-2017.
At Dromahane and running in the colours of Caitriona Goff, Kaituna River (Mikey Sweeney) had six lengths to spare in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and Finding Freedom (Dan Nevin) got the winning verdict by a neck in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.
On Sunday at Tralee, the Goff stables saddled newcomer Some Scope to score by four and a half lengths in the maiden race for four-year-olds under rider Mikey Sweeney.
A specially commissioned painting of Frank at its new home in Courtown Harbour by local artist Kate Kos, was presented by the station to Liz and Martin Bandey by Sam Kennedy to give to Kathleen Watkin on their return to England. (Pic; Jackie Tighe/RNLI)
By Dan Walsh
At a special naming ceremony and service of dedication held today Courtown RNLI officially named its inshore D class lifeboat, Frank.
The honour of handing over the lifeboat and officially naming her went to Martin and Liz Bandey, close friends of the late Frank Watkin who the lifeboat is named after. The couple were representing Frank’s wife Kathleen who was unable to attend the ceremony.
The lifeboat which went on service in January 2020 is funded by Frank and Kathleen, who together shared a love for the sea and sailing.
During today’s naming ceremony, Anna Classon, RNLI Head of Region for Ireland, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the charity from Martin Bandey, before handing her over into the care of Courtown Lifeboat Station.
Ms. Classon said; “This D class lifeboat is the thirteenth lifeboat on station here in Courtown since the lifeboat was re-established in 1990. The original lifeboat station began operations in 1865 and closed in 1925. Since the station reopened, our inshore lifeboat crews have answered over 240 calls for help, bringing 515 people to safety, 46 of whom were lives saved, while operating these D class lifeboats.’
She then praised the efforts of all those who supported the work of the station: ‘We are immensely proud of all our volunteers who give up their time here at Courtown Lifeboat Station and throughout the organisation and we thank you for the dedication, commitment and sacrifice made by each of you to help others. Whatever your role – crew, station management, fundraiser, donor, you are the embodiment of the RNLI – willingly and selflessly helping others in need.’
Lifeboat Operations Manager Sam Kennedy accepted the lifeboat on behalf of Courtown RNLI ahead of Frank being blessed in a service of dedication led by Father Tom Dalton, the station’s Lifeboat Training Co-ordinator, and the Reverend Margaret Sykes. The lifeboat was then officially named by Liz Bandey.
Mr Kennedy said the event was a special occasion for the lifeboat station adding that the crew were most grateful to Kathleen for her generous gift in memory of her husband which had funded this lifeboat, Frank.
“As Lifeboat Operations Manager along with the deputy launching authorities, part of my job is to authorise her launch when requested. It’s my job to send a message to the volunteers, asking them to get down to the station as quick as possible.
‘When the crew arrive here, and get kitted up, and head out to sea, we’ll have peace of mind because this lifeboat will help to keep them safe, as they save others. So, on behalf of all the station volunteers, I would like to thank Kathleen and the late Frank. Your generosity has given Courtown a lifesaver.”
At the end of the ceremony, a specially commissioned painting of Frank at its new home in Courtown Harbour by local artist Kate Kos, was presented by the station to Liz and Martin to give to Kathleen on their return to England.
The D class Frank replaces the Caird Au Chuain which served Courtown RNLI for over 10 years. During that time, the lifeboat launched 50 times bringing 61 people to safety, four of whom were lives saved.
Many well-wishers turned up to see the lifeboat officially named with a bottle of champagne poured over the side of the boat before it launched at the end of the ceremony.
Among the guests on the platform party were Mark Chambers, Courtown RNLI Deputy Launching Authority, who welcomed guests and opened proceedings, Martin and Liz Bandey, close friends of Frank and Kathleen who handed over and named the lifeboat, Anna Classon, RNLI Head of Region for Ireland, who accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI and handed it over into the care of Courtown Lifeboat Station, Sam Kennedy, Courtown RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, and Courtown RNLI Helm Yvette Deacon who gave a vote of thanks and closed proceedings.
There may be a few tickets (€20) left for the All-Star Wexford Concert Wexford Concert taking place in St. Mary’s Church, Enniscorthy, on Saturday at 8pm.
REV. CANON NICOLA HALFORD
Special guest performer will be Ukrainian pop star Maryna Odolska and a stellar line up of Wexford talent including Tony Carty, George Lawlor, Lorna Mahon, the Presentation School Choir, Enniscorthy Gospel Choir, Mark Redmond, Grace Murphy and others.
“It promises to be a fantastic evening in St. Mary’s Church and all proceeds go to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal in association with Fáilte Enniscorthy,” Rev. Canon Nicola Halford, Rector of Enniscorthy Union of Parishes told WexfordLocal.com
The event is organised by Enniscorthy Lions Club in association with Fáilte Enniscorthy and tickets are available from Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce, St. Aidan’s Parish Office, St. Senan’s Parish Office, St. Mary’s Parish Office (2-5pm daily 053 9239009), Enniscorthy Cleaners, Abbey Square, and Enniscorthy Lions Club members.
AUDIO ADDITION; REV. CANON NICOLA HALFORD, Rector Enniscorthy Union of Parishes talking to DAN WALSH.
Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council confirmed today (Thursday) that the Boil Water Notice issued last Friday, May 20th, for consumers supplied by the Enniscorthy Public Water Supply will remain in place over the coming weekend. Consumers are reminded to continue to boil their water for consumption purposes.
Irish Water’s Ronan Walsh acknowledged the impact of this notice on the community and regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers. He told WexfordLocal.com; “Firstly, we would like to acknowledge that the Boil Water Notice is an inconvenience for the community and thank them for their patience and co-operation as we work to resolve the issues as soon as possible. We wanted to inform the residents and the businesses of Enniscorthy well in advance of the weekend that the Boil Water Notice would remain in place. There is a warm spell of weather promised over the weekend too so we would ask sporting organisations and community groups who will gather at events to be mindful that the BWN remains in place and to bring boiled water that is cooled to matches or outdoor activities.
“We understand that this is not ideal, but as I have said previously, public health is Irish Water’s number one priority, and we are working closely with Wexford County Council to restore drinking water quality for all impacted customers in Enniscorthy and to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly as it is safe to do so, and in consultation with the HSE.
“We continue to work at the water treatment plant and carry out water quality testing. Once we are satisfied that the water supply is safe to drink again, we will lift the notice in collaboration with our colleagues in Wexford County Council and in consultation with the health experts in the HSE”
Irish Water already has a plan in place to deal for a long-term solution, progressing with a significant upgrade of the Enniscorthy Water Supply Scheme. The upgrade includes upgrades to the intake at Clonhaston, raw water main replacement and upgrades to Vinegar Hill Water Treatment Plant. The project is at design and planning phase with works programmed to progress to tender in 2022 and construction to commence in 2023.
The Boil Water Notice was put in place to protect the health of approximately 11,187 consumers supplied by the Enniscorthy Public Water Supply scheme following the ongoing detection of cryptosporidium found at the Vinegar Hill Water Treatment Plant supply.
There was heavy rainfall in the Enniscorthy catchment area over the past week or so and after consultation with the HSE, Irish Water and Wexford County Council issued a precautionary Boil Water Notice with immediate effect to protect the health of consumers. Any consumer with health concerns is advised to contact their GP.
This notice applies to all consumers on the Enniscorthy Public Water supply.
All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking.
Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water will receive direct communication on this Boil Water Notice and are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled and cooled. In line with HSE advice on hand washing, Irish Water advises that the water remains suitable for this purpose and boiling the water is not required.
Updates are available on the Supply and Service Updates section of the Irish Water website, on Twitter @IWCare and via the customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.
Students from St. Joseph’s Primary School at Green-Schools Water Awards
By Dan Walsh
St Joseph’s Primary School in Creagh, Gorey, were named the regional winner in the ‘Water School of the Year’ category at the annual Green-Schools Water Awards hosted by An Taisce Green-Schools and Irish Water.
Over the past school year, over 123,000 students in 551 schools all over Ireland have participated in the Green-Schools water theme which is sponsored by Irish Water. The water theme looks at developing awareness around water conservation and how to effectively manage this precious resource in our schools and at home.
St Joseph’s Primary School were named the regional winner in the ‘Water School of the Year’ category as they continue to spread their water conservation messages of “Saving water is in our hands” and “Save the flow, save H2O”.
St Joseph’s, consisting of over 550 students and teachers, completed all essential green schools’ actions, as well as conducted a water use survey, carrying out surveys/questionnaires to gauge awareness around water conservation, investigated the possibility of rainwater harvesting in the school and investigated the water lifecycle of the school.
For their action day they all wore blue, carried out water-related science experiments, and the senior classes did a 3km walk for water around the town park. They also learned a water rap that the caretaker composed. Students also took part in the Green-Schools Water Poster competition and displayed their internal winners on their website. The students continue to spread the message of their two green codes: “Saving water is in our hands” and “Save the flow, save H2O”.
Speaking at the awards, Geoffrey Bourke of Irish Water congratulated all the winners for their efforts to highlight the value of water; “We have seen how the younger generation has taken the lead in the battle against climate change. We all have a role to play in safeguarding our water and they are leading by example through outstanding water conservation, communication and education initiatives. Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who has taken part in this excellent programme.”
This is the ninth year of the Green-Schools partnership with Irish Water, and in that time over 1,600 schools have taken part, attending interactive water workshops or Walk for Water events, hosting talks from Irish Water staff or visiting their local water and wastewater treatment plants.
Thirteen-years old Wexford student artist, Isabel Rossiter, from St. Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross, has won a top prize in this year’s 68th Texaco Children’s Art Competition.
My Grandmother by Isobel Rossiter wins top prize at 68th Texaco Children’s Art Competition
Isabel won a Special Merit Award for her artwork entitled ‘My Grandmother’, which Final Adjudicator, Professor Gary Granville said; “displayed high levels of skill and creativity.”
The Texaco Children’s Art Competition is popularly regarded as the longest-running sponsorship in the history of arts sponsoring in Ireland, with an unbroken history dating back to the very first competition held in 1955. This year, as has been the case throughout its life, it has been a platform on which young artists from Wexford and counties throughout Ireland have had their talents recognised and their creativity commended.
From May 31st to June 30th, Belfast’s Royal Ulster Academy of Arts is hosting an exhibition of the top 126 winning paintings in this year’s Competition. Admission is free and the Academy is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-5pm.
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