MARTINA DEVLIN delivers the Mise Éire Easter Address in Oulart on Easter Sunday morning.
By Dan Walsh at Oulart
The annual Easter commemoration at the Mise Éire Memorial in Oulart, organised by the Oulart Hill Group, remembered the Oulart Company Volunteers with a roll-call and a short ceremony this morning. (Easter Sunday).
There was a welcome address by Chairman, John Dempsey, who introduced the special guest speaker Martina Devlin and outlined the programme for the event, which the organisers wish will become an annual event and grow in importance with each passing year.
The Mise Éire Easter address was delivered by Omagh native Martina Devlin is an author, journalist and playwright and writes a weekly current affairs column for The Irish Independent.
Ms Devlin said; “We are on the cusp of change and there are possibilities for Ireland” but favoured “evolution and not revolution” and she called for “reunion rather than unity.” She added; “Symbols matter and symbols are meant to be a unifying force and they have served us well, but we have to be open to change.”
Ms Devlin honoured the invitation from the Curator, Bridget O’Leary, to sign the distinguished visitor pages of Leabhar an Abhalloirt.
The roll-call of the Oulart Company Volunteers was read by Breda Jacob, the 1916 Proclamation was read by Bridget Mythen and the ceremony concluded with the National Anthem performed by the Oulart Folk Group.
AUDIO ADDITION; MARTINA DEVLIN talks to DAN WALSH about her Easter commemoration address in Oulart on Easter Sunday.
The Mise Éire Memorial was designed by local historian and Oulart native Brian Cleary, Paudric Doyle from Bunclody created the inscriptions and the stonework was finished by Martin Codd from Rathnure. It opened on October 1st 2017.
Following on from the Easter Rising of 1916 in Co. Wexford, and Enniscorthy in particular, it has been a tradition to remember the occasion publicly and in a dignified manner. Sinn Féin Co. Wexford is remembering Ireland’s Patriot Dead at annual Easter Commemoration wreath laying ceremonies across the county.
Johnny Mythen TD became the first Wexford Sinn Féin member of Dáil Éireann to attend today’s remembrance at the grave of Sean Etchingham, one of the volunteer leaders during the 1916 Easter Rising, who served in Dáil Eireann, 1919-1922, and held the position of Minister for Fisheries, at Ardamine graveyard.
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Leas-Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council gave a brief outline of Etchingham’s life and times and a wreath was placed on his grave while a Colour Party saluted his memory by lowering of the flags.
JOHNNY MYTHEN TD and CLLR FIONNTÁN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN laying a wreath at the final resting place of Sean Etchingham in Ardamine graveyard today.
Born at nearby Ballintray in 1870, Sean R (Redmond) Etchingham was the first Republican Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council and Cathaoirleach of Cumann Luthchleas Gael Loch Garman, 1902-1904, 1919-1922.
A journalist with The Gorey Echo, his home at Courtown Harbour was destroyed by the Black and Tans and he passed away at Courtown on April 23rd 1923. Sean Etchingham rests in Ardamine graveyard where a tall Celtic Cross stands, erected to his memory by his friends for his devotion to the cause of Irish Freedom.
Also, today (Saturday) Sinn Féin held a wreath laying ceremony at the grave of Máire Comerford at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Hollyfort, and later this evening at Ballymore, near Camolin. A wreath was laid at New Ross on Thursday.
Tomorrow (Sunday) ceremonies will be held at Wexford (12pm) and on Easter Monday at Murrintown (12pm) and Enniscorthy (2pm). For further information it is advised to contact the Sinn Féin area representative of cumann for further details.
Two Wexford winners at today’s point-to-point races at Loughanmorein East Antrim and both came in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings which was run in two divisions.
COLIN BOWE
Division one was won by first timer Yeah Man for Cormac Doyle who had a length to spare with Jack Hendrick in the saddle. Division two was a victory for Sound And Fury for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill by four lengths. This brings champion handler Bowe onto the 30-winner mark for the current season.
Racing also took place at Killelagh last Wednesday and two Wexford winners recorded at the Cork track.
Rob James won the maiden race for four-year-old mares on Love At Sea by three lengths for Donnchadh Doyle and the Monbeg Syndicate.
Jack Hendrick maintained his good form winning on Killybegs Junior for George Murphy and Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, in the Winners of One. The distance was ‘a neck’ and Killybegs Junior will be turning out at Monksgrange next Sunday, April 24th, when the second fixture of the Spring takes place under the auspices of Bree Hunt.
The death has occurred of Jimmy Nolan, (83), peacefully at his home, Clohass, Davidstown, Enniscorthy who was well-known in GAA circles and father of Cheltenham winning horse trainer Paul Nolan.
JIMMY NOLAN
Born in 1938 at Clohass, Davidstown, Jimmy had a lifelong involvement with the GAA and played hurling for Davidstown GAA Club, Rathnure GAA Club, and Wexford, until a knee injury forced him into retirement from the field of play.
He then got involved with the administration of the GAA and served in a number of positions including selector, referee and chairman of discipline. He had fond memories of the great Wexford hurling teams of the 1950s.
Jimmy was a kind and friendly man with a smile and few words for everybody he knew. He was a good neighbour who devoted his time to his family and the community and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him or made his acquaintance.
FAMILY NOTICE; Jimmy Nolan, Clohass, Davidstown. Peacefully, at home surrounded by his family. Cherished husband of Margaret, dearly loved father of Paul, Mairead, Imelda and James and brother of Betty and the late Dan.
Sadly missed by his loving family, daughters-in-law Taragh and Catherine, his adored grandchildren Sarah, Barry, Darragh, Sean, Taragh, Leah, Katie and Evie, extended family, relatives, neighbours and many friends. May he Rest in Peace.
Reposing at Toberona Stables, Toberona, Davidstown (Eircode Y21 FH00) today Saturday, from 2 o’clock and again on Sunday from 2 o’clock.
Funeral arriving at St. David’s Church, Davidstown on Easter Monday for Funeral Mass at 12 noon with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
ST. AIDAN reads from the pages of his writings with Catherine McPartlin, Manager, and Margaret Christopher, staff at the Ferns Medieval Experience.
By Dan Walsh
The Ferns Medieval Experience based in Ferns Community Centre is Wexford’s newest visitor attraction that tells the story of a medieval past in an engaging and fun way using a range of modern media including virtual reality and audio visual.
Manager Catherine McPartlan has welcomed WexfordLocal.com to visit the attraction and share in the experience and we hear her comments and enthusiasm here;
AUDIO ADDITION; Manager Catherine McPartlin welcomes everybody to Ferns for the Medieval Experience and a feast of heritage.
Before the Normans arrived in Wexford, Gaelic kings dominated – and none more controversial than Diarmait MacMurrough, King of Leinster. The man some say was a tyrant who betrayed his people, while others say he was a man of his time! Visit this innovative attraction and come to your own conclusion and while you’re there, why not take the Inauguration Stone Challenge and see if you are fit to be a king!
Before MacMurrough’s time, another man chose Ferns as his base. Centuries earlier, a man born under miraculous circumstances in Co Cavan, was granted land in Ferns to build a monastery after he performed a miracle for the then King of Leinster, Brandubh. To this day, St. Aidan’s Monastery is a source of enquiry, with ongoing archaeological digs adding pieces of the jigsaw – unearthing the secrets buried for centuries and discovering the intersection of two time periods.
Ferns, the Ancient Capital of Leinster is central to Wexford’s medieval story and has a fascinating story to tell. The village itself has many reminders of a rich heritage and is the source of ongoing archaeological activity as more investigation is carried out to uncover even more of the heritage hidden by centuries of natural evolution, so why not visit and find out the hidden gem that is Ferns.
Walk in the footsteps of saints, Gaelic kings and Norman knights by taking a guided walking tour of key medieval sites in Ferns. You can pre-book a tour by contacting the Medieval Ferns Experience.
CLLR JOE SULLIVAN at the new housing development at Tober Mhuire View on Scholar’s Way, Gorey,; 12 units are ready but have yet to be occupied.
By Dan Walsh at Gorey and the April meeting of Wexford County Council
Speaking at the April meeting of Wexford County Council Chairman of the Council’s Strategy Policy Committee for Housing, Cllr Joe Sullivan, stated that there were, at least three locations where houses were completed and ready for occupation, but for whatever reason had not been allocated to tenants, and he requested urgent action on the situation at the April meeting.
In total there are twenty-six units countywide – Tober Mhuire View, Scholar’s Way, Gorey (12 units), Airhill, Belvedere Road, Wexford (7) and The Ballagh (7).
“I am personally at this moment in time, having great difficulty trying to get my head around what is going on with these houses and as an elected representative feel that I have a personal responsibility to exert as much pressure as I possibly can, on behalf of people who are voiceless,” said Cllr Sullivan from the Gorey-Kilmuckridge district, who added; “I would, therefore, exhort you and your esteemed colleagues within Wexford County Council and Wexford Housing Department to use your good offices, and as a matter of priority, get these outstanding 26 properties into service, Immediately.”
Director of Services with responsibility for housing, Carolyne Godkin told the meeting “The last thing I want to see is houses lying idle” but she pointed out that “some issues need a resolution.” She indicated that some offers are on the way while one is private-led and there are still some snagging problems. She hoped for good news by the May meeting.
Today, Cllr Sullivan invited WexfordLocal.com to Gorey where a dozen state-of-the-art units are ready for occupation at Tober Mhuire View, but are currently lying idle, apparently some snagging issues need to be resolved to the Council’s satisfaction, but this is a slow process and the local public representative is annoyed and is calling for urgent action.
“I want to expediate this process as quickly as possible because we have a huge housing list in Gorey and when you have twelve houses of this quality ready for occupation and to see them lying idle, is, in my opinion, needs to be addressed and addressed very urgently,” said Cllr Sullivan who raised the matter at the Wexford County Council meeting and brings the matter to the top of the agenda at next Tuesday’s meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Council.
Cllr Sullivan concluded that 2022 promised “housing for all”, however, he is sceptical that it could be a scenario of “housing for very few.”
AUDIO ADDITION – CLLR JOE SULLIVAN calling for houses at Tober Mhuire View, Gorey, to be allocated.
The famous Croke Park has been recognised as the first Age Friendly Stadium in the world and an Age Friendly Ambassador for each county has been announced and Tony Dempsey, Barntown, takes up the role for Co. Wexford.
A native of Davidstown, Enniscorthy, and former Principal of Enniscorthy Vocational School, Dempsey was Fianna Fail TD for the Wexford constituency, 2002-2007 and served on Wexford County Council from 2009 till 2019. He was the youngest Chairman of Wexford GAA County Board when chosen in 1976.
Tony will help to promote the work that Wexford County Council and partner organisations in the state and voluntary sectors are doing to make Wexford a better place for older people to live.
The stadium has improved its accessibility, including access routes, accessible seating and signage.
Wexford was represented at the event by Cathaoirleach Cllr. Barbara-Anne Murphy, Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Garry Laffan, Wexford County Council. Age Friendly Programme Manager Ann Marie Laffan, Wexford Older Peoples Council Chairperson Kevin Molloy and Wexford Age Friendly Ambassador Tony Dempsey.
In photo (left to right); Wexford Older People’s Council Chairperson Kevin Molloy, Wexford Age Friendly Ambassador Tony Dempsey, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Garry Laffan and Wexford County Council Age Friendly Programme Manager Ann Marie Laffan.
Peter McKenna, Croke Park Stadium Director said; “We pride ourselves in setting high standards in the stadium – and indeed across the GAA – in everything we do and our new found status as the first Age Friendly Stadium anywhere is a source of great pride to us.
Alana Officer, Unit Head, Demographic Change and Healthy Ageing at the WHO added; “I welcome the Age Friendly Stadium guidance document which shows how with bold leadership and a systematic approach, Ireland has ensured that its largest sporting and cultural centre – Croke Park Stadium, the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association – has been transformed into the first Age Friendly Stadium”.
Age Friendly Ireland has a vision in Ireland that every city, county, village is age friendly, meaning people of all ages can actively participate in their communities and are treated with respect, regardless of age.
Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer, Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service, Meath County Council added: “ Croke Park is to be commended for being the first stadium internationally to undergo a formal process to achieve Age Friendly recognition.
The inclusive developments in Croke Park Stadium will benefit not only GAA patrons from every county, but also the wide cross section of Irish society who attend conferences and events in the stadium throughout the year.
David Minogue, Communications Officer, at Wexford County Council, issued the following statement this evening.It is published here on WexfordLocal.com without alteration or comment:
“It is unfortunate and regrettable how an email intended to create opportunity for an improved working relationship and to avoid future discord can be misinterpreted so as to have the directly opposite effect. It would appear this is exactly what has happened in relation to my email of 25th March 2022 to South East Radio.
“As Wexford County Council Communications Officer, I recognise the significant importance of the relationship between our local radio station and the Council. It is my responsibility to protect and develop that relationship. The suggested criteria that I outlined in my email of 25th March for consideration by and for further discussion with South East Radio were an effort on my part to identify a number of areas that had led to previous difficulties between the Council and the radio station.
DAVID MINOGUE, Communications Officer, Wexford County Council (Picture credit ; Independent.ie)
“I believed that in identifying these areas, and by suggesting what I considered were reasonable steps to deal with these areas in the future, I was not only future-proofing the working relationship between Wexford County Council and South East Radio but also offering opportunity to enhance it.
“My email and its contents were designed to improve the working relationship between Wexford County Council and South East Radio, not to damage it further as I appear inadvertently to have done.
“Wexford County Council fully respects the role of the media and the absolute right of the media to be able to act independently and without undue influence from any source. My email was never intended to suggest otherwise nor should it in any way be interpreted as seeking to do so.
“I intend to make contact with Mr. Eamon Buttle, General Manager, South East Radio, to clarify the matters outlined on my email of 25th and to reaffirm my genuine intentions behind that email as described above. In doing so I hope to establish a sound basis for a renewed professional working relationship between the Council and South East Radio, a relationship that I know both organisations wish to see in place. I am confident that an amicable and mutually acceptable outcome can be achieved to this on-going engagement process.
“I wish to apologise to the Elected Members and to my colleagues at Wexford County Council for the manner in which my well-intentioned efforts to rebuild a strong working relationship between the Council and South East Radio have given rise to public controversy – David Minogue.
Last year (2021) Aldi sourced over €9.5 million of locally produced food and drink from Wexford based suppliers. Aldi partners with nine Wexford producers including long-term relationships with Sean Stafford Bakeries and O’Connor Nurseries. Last year Aldi began working with two Wexford suppliers for the first time, Wild about Food and The Ring of Hook Smokehouse.
Niall O’Connor, Group Managing Director, Aldi Ireland said: “Our goal is to make a positive impact in every local community that our stores serve. Our operations and stores contribute to businesses, communities and families right across Wexford.
“We have invested €23.5 million in our Wexford stores over the last number of years, while we sourced more than €9.5 million of locally produced food and drink from Wexford based suppliers last year. Multiple local charities have also availed of our support through our FoodCloud partnership and Community Grants initiative.”
Operating seven stores in Wexford, Aldi employs 185 full time staff, spending €5 million on wages annually.
All available opportunities can be found on the Aldi Recruitment website.
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS at Carricklawn, Wexford.
By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council Meeting
Proposed conditions attached to an advertising deal with editorial control and conditions between Wexford County Council’s Head of Communications, David Minogue, and the Managing Director of South East Radio, Eamonn Buttle, publicly leaked and published in a national newspaper at the weekend, fitted the agenda at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council.
Mr Minogue gave a detailed account of the matter. It emerged that Mr Minogue had asked that, going forward, South East Radio would not broadcast “personal views or opinions of presenters”; that they retain all raw recorded material for a period of two years in case of a dispute with the local authority and that once Wexford County Council avails of a right to reply on an issue, that this should be the end of the matter and it should not be raised again.
“I’m the Head of Communications and I didn’t ask or discuss the matter with Tom (Enright) at all. I did this myself and I won’t have Tom dragged into this, “said Mr Minogue.
Explaining his actions, Mr Minogue stated that he had reached out to South East Radio following the SIPO investigation to “move matters on and rebuild what I considered to be a necessary working relationship”.
Mr Minogue stated that he had a constructive meeting with Mr Buttle at South East Radio on January 24th and they discussed how similar issues to those raised in the SIPO report could best be avoided in future. “When I left the meeting that day, I felt we made quite good progress,” he said.
“In that meeting I indicated to Mr Buttle that I fully expected the council to continue advertising with the radio station and, for the record, we never stopped. We’ve no plans to stop. I estimated the value of that to be around €40,000 to €50,000 per year, which is roughly what we’re spending now. At the end of the meeting, we agreed I would go forward to South East Radio’s advertising department and would agree a service level agreement, basically setting out the criteria for how we might deal with each other going forward.”
Mr Minogue said that he indicated to Mr Buttle that Wexford County Council intended to proceed with advertising as planned in an email on March 23th, adding “I further stated in my email that there were a few criteria that the council would like to see in place as part of any annual commercial dealing with the radio going forward. Given that these things were not necessarily advertising related,
“Mr Buttle replied on March 25th and expressed his thanks that South East Radio could budget for €40,000 to €50,000 in advertising and in his email, he asked if I could elaborate by what I meant in relation to criteria I’d like put in place. I replied on the same day and it appears that the content of this particular email is the one which has led to Saturday’s coverage in the national press.”
On the first point, Mr Minogue had asked that the station retain raw interview recordings, even those not broadcast, for a period of two years, stating “such material can then be made available for review should a dispute between the radio and Wexford County Council arise.”
Secondly, his email to Mr Buttle stated: “Wexford County Council does not consider it appropriate that a South East Radio broadcaster offers personal views or opinions on South East Radio. I ask for assurances that South East Radio will take steps necessary to ensure that such personal views or opinions are not broadcast in future.”
Mr Minogue and Mr Buttle exchanged emails and Mr Minogue expressed his disappointment that the contents of the emails had been leaked to the press.
“Suffice to say that I’m surprised and disappointed that someone has seen fit to bring our correspondence to the attention of national media, that’s an understatement to be frank,” he said, and he added; “I completely fail to understand his purpose in doing so. The sole motivation for engaging with Mr Buttle since January last and my email was to seek to put the recent differences behind us and to look to renew the excellent working relationship that has always existed between the Council and South East Radio.
“I believe the tone and input of my email was balanced and I think it was reasonable and the criteria set out were clearly to be considered by South East Radio. They were not conditions imposed by the Council and they shouldn’t have been represented as such. I consider Mr Buttle’s reply to be a blatant, possibly mischievous misrepresentation of my email to him. The tone and content of his email was completely at variance with our discussions at his office.
Mr Minogue concluded that Mr Buttle has significantly misinterpreted “my email and its contents.” “With that in mind, I intend to make contact with Mr Buttle this week to address that misinterpretation and clarify the nature of my request for his consideration and seek to, once again, establish a basis for a renewed professional working relationship between the Council and South East Radio; a relationship I know that both organisations wish to see in place once again. This is obviously an ongoing process and I remain confident that an amicable and mutually acceptable outcome can be achieved and I’m very happy to keep the members informed of my progress on this issue.” The matter was then opened to members. Cllr Jackser Owens said South East Radio is one of the best radio stations in Ireland and felt it should not be sanctioned.
Cllr Willie Kavanagh described the matter as “making a mountain out of a molehill” and it was “a misunderstanding” between the County Secretary and South East Radio.
Cllr Tom Forde was of the opinion that the matter “reflected badly on the Council” but he suggested “plough ahead” and he always got fair coverage on South East Radio.
Cllr George Lawlor said the Council had a very good relationship with South East Radio, and that relationship was not under question, but the importance of community service broadcasting and to repair what has gone on. He called on both parties to resolve the matter and move forward.
Cllr Jim Codd described the situation as “disappointing” and outlined the freedom of the press is paramount and testament to democracy. “Rebuild this relationship,” urged Cllr Codd.
Cllr Lisa McDonald got good support from her fellow members when she advised that “both bodies should have had a solicitor and shouldn’t have to listen to – all do your best – that is just silly.” She said the law is there regards the storage of information and told the meeting “sort it out.”
Cllr Davy Hynes recalled getting a phone call from a national newspaper regards the matter and he was not impressed!
Cllr Michael Sheehan said he was in total agreement with what was being said in the chamber but felt that some may have misrepresented the language. Cllr Sheehan said the parties were in contract negotiations, which were not completed, and he asked the pertinent question – who leaked the emails to a national newspaper?
Cllr Oliver Walsh felt Mr Minogue gave a very good explanation – it was an unfortunate episode – but he suggested they fix it as “both need each other.”
Cllr John Fleming called for a resolution and ‘move on’. Cllr Jim Moore also said – ‘move on’, but, warned about correspondence via e-mail. “The Council needs to consolidate its relationship with the media,” he concluded.
Cllr John Hegarty expressed the view that Wexford County Council and South East Radio co-exist and urged both to work on a service level agreement.
Cllr Ger Carthy called for the important relationship between South East Radio and Wexford County Council be maintained.
Cllr Pip Breen said “we should draw a line under this, we need each other I propose the County Secretary meet with Eamonn Buttle and there be no more about it.” Cllr Anthony Connick seconded.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy accepted the proposal and there were no dissenting voices.
The Communications Officer expressed ‘disappointment’ and apologised that the issue had ended up in the national newspaper headlines and stated he is open to dialogue and bringing the process forward and he would speak to Mr Buttle and South East Radio and “put the matter to bed”. “I bear no ill will to anybody,” concluded Mr Minogue.
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