The 2025-’26 point-to-point season kicked off last Saturday at Toomebridge, Co. Antrim and continued yesterday (Sunday) at Castletown-Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath where Ellen Doyle saddled Escapefromreality to a 17 lengths victory under Brian Dunleavy in the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings.
ELLEN DOYLE (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Owned by the Baltimore Stables Syndicate the Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, handler said “he will probably go for a winner’s race next.”
Many times champion Barry O’Neill got off the mark at the Westmeath track today on the Cian Collins handled Yewtree Hill by eight lengths in the Winner of Two Race.
Yesterday at Toomebridge Cian Collins, who is based near Navin in Co. Meath provided Rob James with his first winner of the new season on the first day – Walk in the Clouds by ‘a head’ in the five-year-old plus mares’ maiden race.
The champion combination of Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill had three ‘seconds’ – Lady Blackmore, Foetis Et Liber and Kano De Thaix – while second placings also for Robert Tector (Bee’s kiss) and Denis Murphy (Frailmonti Bilbery) – so five lively prospects for the notebook in the coming weeks.
Fixtures in the South-East are as follows;
Sunday, October 19th; Shillelagh & District at Fairwood, Tinahely.
Saturday, October 25th; Island Hunt at Peppards castle, Kilmuckridge.
Sunday, November 9th; Wexford Hunt at Knockmullen House, New Ross.
Sunday, November 16th; Wicklow Hunt at Fairwood, Tinahely.
Sunday, November 23rd; Killinick Harriers at Lingstown, Tomhaggard.
Sunday, November 30th; Carlow Farmers at Borris House, Co. Carlow.
Sunday, December 7th; Ballinagore Harriers at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy.
HEATHER HUMPHREYS speaking in New Ross in 2022. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Fianna Fáil’s candidate Jim Gavin has announced he is withdrawing from the Presidential Election “with immediate effect”. In a statement, he said recent days gave him “cause to reflect”.
Mr Gavin said: “I made a mistake that was not in keeping with my character and the standards I set myself. I am now taking steps to address the matter.
“I have also thought long and hard about the potential impact of the ongoing campaign on the wellbeing of my family and friends.
“Taking all these considerations on board, I have decided to withdraw from the presidential election contest with immediate effect and return to the arms of my family.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he fully understands Mr Gavin’s decision and believes “it is the correct one”.
Fianna Fáil’s leader said: “Jim has accepted that he made an error in relation to an issue that has arisen in recent days.
“He himself has said the office of Uachtarán na hÉireann is the highest in the land and the pinnacle of public service.
Speaking during RTÉ’s live Presidential Election debate today, Mr Gavin said: “That matter was over 16 years ago. It was a very stressful time for myself and my family.
“Like a lot of families and couples, we came into financial difficulty at that time.”
Mr Gavin said: “If it happened, I’m very sorry that it happened. I’m looking into it and I will deal with it with urgency.”
So as Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys go head-to-head to be the next Úachtaráin na h-Eireann, what happens next?
Will Micheál Martin be forced to resign? And the outcome of Budget 2026 on Tuesday will not help his case! Is partnership government in danger of collapse?
And are the members of Wexford County Council ashamed that they failed to nominate any of the applicants who sought their support?
The Presidential Election takes place on Friday, October 24th and WexfordLocal.com has been advised that Jim Gavin’s name will be one of three on the voting ticket???
Picturesque scene at Pig Market Hill, Enniscorthy faces a STOP/GO traffic management plan. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Passing through Enniscorthy town centre is challenging at the best of times and queues are a regular feature at busy times, but even more chaos is forecast daily during the remainder of October.
Wexford County Council have announced that Weafer Street, Duffry Hill and Pig Market Hill in Enniscorthy are set to close from Monday, October 6th to Friday, October 31st from 8 am to 6pm.
The closure is necessary according to the Council to facilitate essential works.
STOP/GO traffic management with some diversions will be put in place when required and local access will be facilitated.
Motorists are advised to expect delays and to take alternative routes when possible.
These works are weather dependent and as such many be subject to change at short notice.
Wexford County Council apologises for any inconvenience caused.
A MAN in his 60s was fatally injured in a road traffic collision on the N25 at Ballykelly, Drinagh, 4kms south of Wexford town early this morning (Sunday).
The collision involving a van and a jeep occurred at approximately 1.10am. The driver of the van, a male in his 60s, was fatally injured. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
His body has been removed to the morgue at Wexford General Hospital where a post-mortem examination is due to take place.
A passenger in one of the vehicles was brought to Wexford General Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injury.
The driver of the 4×4, a man aged in his 40s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of offences under the Road Traffic Act and is currently detained at a Garda station in Wexford under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
The road is closed and the scene is preserved pending a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N25 between 12.30am and 1.30am on Sunday 5th October, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
BREAKING NEWS, Friday, 11.30pm; Cathal O’Sullivan has been located “safe and well.”
Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 52 year-old Cathal O’Sullivan, who was reported missing in Ballycanew, Co. Wexford, on Thursday evening, October 2nd 2025.
CATHAL O’SULLIVAN
Cathal was last seen at approximately 10.10am in Ballycanew.
Cathal is described as being approximately 5 feet 9 inches in height with a medium/stocky build and brown hair.
When last seen, Cathal was wearing a white long-sleeve shirt, black gilet and blue jeans.
Cathal is believed to have travelled in a 202-D registered blue/green Peugeot 5008.
Gardaí and Cathal’s family are concerned for his well-being.
Anyone with any information on Cathal’s whereabouts is asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on 053 942 1222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Uisce Éireann crews are working to repair a burst water main in Tomhaggard and restore water to customers affected. Repairs are expected to be completed by 5pm today.
The burst water main will result in outages for customers in Tomhaggard, Bridgetown and surrounding areas.
Uisce Éireann’s Padraig Lyng has assured customers that every effort is being made to restore a full water supply as quickly as possible.
“We understand the inconvenience of an unplanned outage and we thank customers for their support while our works continue.”
Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.
To ensure the safety of the crews carrying out the repairs to the burst and the safety of the public, traffic management is in place and will be clearly signposted.
Uisce Éireann has completed works to restore normal water supply for customers in Ballindaggan and the surrounding areas following an interruption to supply at Ballindaggan Water Treatment Plant. It typically takes three to four hours for regular supply to be fully restored to all areas as water refills the network, especially for those on higher ground or at the end of the network. Uisce Éireann’s Operations Manager, Padraig Lyng said; “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding while crews worked to restore supply to impacted areas.”
Fine Gael TD for Wicklow-Wexford Deputy Brian Brennan requested “an update on behalf of the people of Gorey on the new ambulance station and the primary healthcare centre”, with the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in Dail Éireann yesterday (Friday) and the outcome appears to be ‘positive’.
DEPUTY BRIAN BRENNAN
Deputy Brennan said; “Gorey is one of the fastest-growing towns in Ireland. Come summertime, an extra 40,000 people move in between Courtown, Castletown, Ballymoney and these areas. We just do not have the medical infrastructure to cater for these people.
“We feel the primary healthcare centre has been pushed down the line. The current module is not fit for purpose. The ambulance staff are dedicated professionals but currently operate from a prefab building. This is simply not acceptable in 2025. The people of Gorey really deserve an update on both of those issues, added Deputy Brennan.
In reply, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said; “I know he (Deputy Brennan) has been a very strong advocate for the Gorey primary care centre, the need for which has been well identified. A tender process has been undertaken. As he is aware, a preferred provider had been selected, with a letter of intent issued in 2019. Unfortunately, that selected preferred provider encountered difficulties regarding economic viability resulting in the collapse of the process in 2024.
“To facilitate the readvertisement of this primary care centre, a full review was taken with relevant stakeholders. A number of stakeholders require accommodation in that centre and a scope has been established. That review is now complete, and a tender process is under way.
“The stage 1 tender advertisement was published on 24 June 2025. Stage 1 expressions of interest were received and evaluated, and letters have now issued to all parties. The readvertisement and retender process for the project are necessary under the procurement rules.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health.
“On the ambulance service, HSE capital and estates, in collaboration with the National Ambulance Service, has identified and agreed a suitable facility for use as an NAS ambulance base and is in the process of securing approval to purchase same, subject to planning approval being obtained.
“The facility will require capital investment to fit it out as a purpose-built ambulance base. The NAS and HSE capital and estates have completed the necessary documentation to facilitate the progression of the project in Quarter 4 of 2025.
“The HSE is working to appoint a design team in this quarter, with the aim of developing and submitting a planning application in early 2026 to progress the project. Those are two important updates for Gorey,” concluded Minister Carroll MacNeill.
The Wexford Local Community Safety partnership was officially launched with its first meeting at the Council Chamber in Wexford on Tuesday.
The partnership will expand joint policing committees to include wider community, voluntary, and statutory involvement, all working to improve safety across the county.
Wexford County Council will oversee the partnership and report to the National Office for Community Safety within the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Wexford is the first county to conduct a partnership meeting to start the process of creating a three-year Local Community Safety Plan for the county.
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan said: “I am extremely pleased that the Wexford Local Community Safety Partnership has been established, and its first meeting has taken place. This marks another significant step on the rollout of these partnerships nationwide and this government’s new approach to community safety.
“The next step for this Partnership is to develop and implement its own, tailored community safety plan. The National Office of Community Safety based in my department will be on-hand to support the Partnership as it begins its important work.”
“Bringing together local representatives, community groups and state agencies allows Wexford Local Community Safety Partnership to develop a plan that identifies community safety needs in their own area.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in Wexford LCSP for being part of this significant new chapter in community safety. I look forward to following their progress,” concluded Minister O’Callaghan.
The scene outside the former Adoration Convent on Bride Street, Wexford, last Wednesday, as the conversion to student accommodation commenced. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Adoration Convent, Wexford
Wexford County Council and Georgia Southern University of Savannah are celebrating commencement of extensive refurbishment of the historic Adoration Convent on Bride Street, Wexford, which is being converted into modern student accommodation.
The €6.5 million project, delivered in partnership between Wexford County Council and Georgia Southern University, will see the full refurbishment of the former Adoration Convent and when completed in early 2027, the building will provide housing for up to 56 students from Georgia Southern University, with study, recreation, cooking, and laundry facilities, creating a vibrant international student hub in the heart of Wexford Town.
Speaking at the ceremony, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Joe Sullivan said; “Today marks not just the beginning of a building project, but the start of an exciting new chapter for one of Wexford’s most iconic and beloved landmarks. The redevelopment of the Adoration Convent is a symbol of continuity and renewal, preserving the fabric of our history while adapting it to meet present and future needs.”
Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, highlighted the importance of the partnership between Wexford County Council and Georgia Southern University.
“This project represents an investment in both heritage and education. Georgia Southern University has been a valued part of our community since 2019 and today’s groundbreaking deepens that relationship — providing a long-term base for their students and strengthening ties that will endure for generations,” said Mr. Taaffe.
Dr. Kyle Marrero, President of Georgia Southern University, reflected on the significance of the moment; “Today marks both an ending and a beginning. For 133 years, this convent was home to the Adoration Sisters, whose presence filled it with purpose and service. As we reimagine this space, we honour their legacy while creating a home away from home for our students. This project embodies gratitude for the past and confidence for the future, strengthening the bonds between Wexford and Georgia.”
The redevelopment follows a 15-year lease agreement between Wexford County Council and Georgia Southern University. The project not only secures the future of a treasured heritage building but also expands Wexford’s role as a centre for international education, cultural exchange, and opportunity.
Nevin Construction of Waterford won the project contract. Bernard Nevin, Managing Director was in attendance
In the shadow of the former Adoration Convent on Wexford’s Bride Street were (left to right); Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive Wexford County Council; Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council; Dr. Kyle Marrero, President of Geogia Southern University; Mayor of Wexford Cllr Gary Laffan; and Dr. Avinardan Mukherjee, Provost and Executive Vice-President Georgia Southern University. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
HISTORY; Built in 1886 by pioneering businesswoman Mary O’Connor — known locally as “The Builder”, the convent was home to the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration for more than 130 years. Their legacy of prayer and service continues to be cherished in the local community.
The property was acquired from The Sisters of Perpetual Adoration for €600,000 in 2022. It has been empty since the November 2019, when the final seven Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Wexford departed from their Bride Street convent and moved to Newtown Road.
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