Water mains improvements in Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, is replacing ageing backyard water mains and providing new service connections for customers in St. John’s Villas in Enniscorthy.

The project, which commences this week, involves the replacement of water connections, typically made of iron or lead, that were installed in the back gardens of some older housing estates. The pipework, due to age and deteriorating condition, are a significant source of leakage and reduced levels of service.

Backyard services are usually shared, running through several neighbouring properties, making it difficult to detect and repair leaks. Since all properties share a connection, leaks and bursts affect all properties; usually resulting in low pressure. 

These works in St. John’s Villas, Enniscorthy also involve the decommissioning of ageing back yard water mains and the delivery of over 270 metres of new water mains constructed along the public road.

JOE CARROLL from IRISH WATER

Outlining the benefits the Backyard Service Replacement Project will bring, Joe Carroll from Irish Water, explained: “Replacing these old and problematic pipes on St. John’s Villas will reduce the drinking water lost by leakage and will bring an all-round improvement to water quality for the local community. 

Mr Carroll added: “In partnership with Shareridge Ltd and Wexford County Council, we have been engaging with the residents and aim to complete the works with as little disruption as possible. However, the works may involve some short-term water outages, but our project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48-hours’ notice prior to any planned water outages. 

“Where watermains are being constructed, traffic management may be in place. Parking spaces may be temporarily closed in order to complete works. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.” 

Irish Water’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website or set your location on the website www.water.ie

Air and sea rescue off Duncannon

By Dan Walsh

Fethard RNLI’s inshore lifeboat crew were attending the Shine A Light Festival at Hook Lighthouse where the crew were offering sea safety advice to the locals and visitors in the area, when Irish Coast Guard requested their assistance on Sunday at 3pm.

IRISH COAST GUARD HELICOPTER RESCUE 117

Fully prepared with shore crew and boat crew, they proceeded straight to Duncannon launching the lifeboat from Duncannon strand. Conditions were good with a force 4 south-westerly wind and a flood tide.

The lifeboat proceeded to the vessel in difficulty and established that the crew of the casualty vessel were all safe. Irish Coast Guard Helicopter, Rescue 117, stood by overhead until Fethard lifeboat crew carried out an assessment of the situation. The lifeboat crew then established a tow line, brought the yacht to deeper safe water, where the yacht made its way under its own power.

Speaking about the incident Fethard’s Volunteer Helm Eoin Bird said; “We’d like to thank the member of the public who dialled 999 or 112 to raise the alarm with the Coast Guard. As a general reminder, as this year’s leisure boat season gets underway, it is recommended to those taking to the water, to ensure that their maritime charts are up to date, that they have relevant tide tables, at least one means of communication and that all equipment on their vessel is fully operational and in date. And most importantly, that all crew on board always wear a lifejacket.”

50th win of the season for Barry O’Neill

By Dan Walsh

Champion rider-elect for the sixth consecutive season Barry O’Neill enjoyed his 50th victory of the 2021-’22 point-to-point season at Muskerry, near Blarney, Co. Cork this afternoon.

O’Neill was aboard newcomer Royal Defender for Colin Bowe in division one of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings and the partnership triumphed by ten lengths.

DONNCHADH DOYLE… two wins at Cork today.

Donnchadh Doyle and the Monbeg Syndicate scored a double with Thermusa by four lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old mares and Heros De Moutiers by half a length in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Both were ridden by Brian Lawless. The also had a runner-up in Guntier missing out on a treble by three and a half lengths.

Newcomer Slade Steel carrying the colours of the Hook Head Syndicate from Pierce Power’s stables was a two lengths winner in division two of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings ridden by Sean Staples, Duncormick.

Dunne and Murphy on the double

By Dan Walsh

Two point-to-point fixtures yesterday (Sunday) and the Wexford stables were in fine form with Harley Dunne and Denis Murphy recording a fine rider/handler double at East Galway.

DENIS MURPHY… double at East Galway yesterday.

They got off the mark with Take No Chances who won the maiden race for four-year-old mares by one length and had ‘a distance’ to spare when Moodofthemoment romped home in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Harley Dunne brought his career total of winners to 95.

Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill shared a winner – newcomer Chapeau De Soleil by five lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. Bowe’s 35th winner of the season.

Josh Berry, (17), is enjoying a great run of success with A Rated, running in the colours of his parents Shirley and Johnny Berry, Tomhaggard, and recorded three wins in-a-row with a seven lengths victory in the Open Race for novice riders.

And the day ended at the Galway track with a victory for Rob James. He was aboard Ultimate Optimist for Donnchadh Doyle in the maiden race for six-year-olds and over and won by six lengths.

Sunday action at Dromahane also and a dead-heat involving Wexford stables brought an exciting conclusion to the maiden race for four year olds. Marty McFly from the Paul Martin Pierce stables at Blackhall, Killurin, ridden by Sean Staples, and Donnchadh Doyle’s Pride of Erin (Brian Lawless) crossed the line together and the judge couldn’t separate them.

Master Splinter was a winner for Mary Ellen Doyle, Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Brian Dunleavy was the victorious rider, and the verdict was ‘a neck’.

Jonathon Fogarty from Cleariestown saddled Pougne Aminta in the maiden race for five-year-old mares and she ran out an eight and a half lengths winner under Conor Moore. Tenth career winner for Moore from Kilmore Quay, five of them this season.

Kilmuckridge welcomes its drama champions

MARGO WHELAN (played the role of Pegeen Mike), ANGELA DEVEREUX (PRO and crew member), RICHARD DEVEREUX junior (cast) and ANTHONY O’CONNOR, winner of the Best Director prize and Director of the All-Ireland winning play The Playboy of the Western World pictured at the homecoming in Kilmuckridge this evening.

By Dan Walsh in Kilmuckridge

The newly crowned All-Ireland drama champions Kilmuckridge Drama Group were afforded a hero’s welcome on return from Donegal this evening and were cheered through the village and were proudly paraded through the village aboard a large truck.

Award-winning Director Anthony O’Connor and his cast and crew were given a great reception. “It was absolutely brilliant coming back to our own village and our own parish with the trophies. I could not believe it, drove down the street and the crowds on both sides of the street. It was absolutely stunning!” said an almost emotional Mr O’Connor.

Liam Buttle, Chair of Kilmuckridge Drama Festival, offered congratulations to the cast and crew and stated how proud the people are to have the All-Ireland title back in Kilmuckridge again.

John Hearne, who played the part of Michael John Flaherty in the play, acted as master of ceremonies for the homecoming and he extended congratulations and appreciation to everybody associated with the All-Ireland success, but he didn’t forget many who played a role in promoting and supporting the drama group over many years.

Trophies won by Kilmuckridge Drama Group at the All_Irelands

The celebrations commenced immediately in Hammels Lounge in the village and it may be months before they end! The community is proud of its champions.

Kilmuckridge Drama Group won the Claregalway Perpetual Trophy and the Premier Award for their production of The Playboy of the Western World by John Millington Synge. They also picked up the Ray Leonard Memorial Trophy for ‘Best Presentation’, Anthony O’Connor won ‘Best Director’ and Richard Devereux was adjudged ‘Best Supporting Actor’ as Old Mahon.

Kilmuckridge Drama Group was reformed in 2007 and has taken part each year on the three-act circuit and later on the one-act circuit. The group reached the three-act confined finals from 2008 to 2012 and were first crowned winners of the confined finals in 2014.

In 2015 and 2018 the group reached the three-act All-Ireland finals of the Open Section. The group returned to the confined section in 2019 winning many awards and reaching the three-act confined finals in 2019. In 2022 Kilmuckridge Drama Group are winners at the Bostik All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals held at Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.

All-Ireland winning cast and crew at the homecoming reception in Kilmuckridge this evening.
AUDIO ADDITION; ANTHONY O’CONNOR describes his feelings on the homecoming reception this evening.

Blackwater Parish Hall officially opened

The newly enlarged Blackwater Parish Hall was officially opened this morning by Bishop of Ferns, Most Rev. Ger Nash following celebration of Mass in St. Brigid’s Church with Very Rev. Brendan Nolan, parish priest of Blackwater.

Liam Buttle, Chairperson) welcomed guests and members of the community to the event which concluded with refreshments for all.

The attendance included Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, Cllrs Andrew Bolger, Willie Kavanagh, Donal Kenny and Oliver Walsh and Johnny Mythen T.D.

Kilmuckridge are All-Ireland champions!

A scene from Kilmuckridge Drama Group’s Playboy of the Western World at Carnew in March. They are now All-Ireland confined drama champions.

By Dan Walsh

Kilmuckridge Drama Group’s production of The Playboy of the Western World by John Millington Synge has been declared winners at the Bostik All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals at Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. Adjudicator Paul Fowler announced the winners just before midnight.

Anthony O’Connor, who also won Best Director, was presented with the coveted Clare Galway Perpetual Trophy and it is on its way back to Wexford.

Camross Drama Group was the other Wexford group of the nine finalists with The Kings of the Kilburn High Road by Jimmy Murphy.

New exhibition opens in Enniscorthy Castle

MICO HASSETT (Manager) and MICHAEL FORTUNE (Curator) at the new exhibition running in Enniscorthy Castle for the summer

By Dan Walsh

“That’s true, you know!” is a new and exclusive exhibition running in Enniscorthy Castle from today until July 29th as part of their 2022 summer programme.

Curated by the respected folklorist Michael Fortune of www.folklore.ie , it’s a first of its kind in the country as a sole showcase focusing on folkloric customs and beliefs from across Ireland. 

Wexford features strongly throughout the exhibition with objects, stories, photos and videos collected from every corner of the county and beyond.  Michael told WexfordLocal.com; “I’m delighted to be invited by Manager Mico Hassett and her team to curate ‘That’s true, you know’ for Enniscorthy Castle as the old museum was the first museum I visited as a child.  It’s a great opportunity to display and share both the traditions and superstitions of local and national voices and have their stories and objects profiled in such historic surroundings”.

Mico Hassett commented; “The exhibition has a mixture of elements from a series of large and beautiful hanging displays focusing on areas around Holy Wells and Sacred Spaces, to the supernatural world of Fairies and the Banshee. To complement that you will also be walked through the calendar year with display boards for every month highlighting traditional dates of importance”.

Newly appointed Deputy Manager, Eve Furlong said ‘We have also curated a room focused on superstitions and beliefs aimed at children and teenagers which contains interactive aspects from walking under ladders, to stepping on cracks – a space sure to create some intrigue and wonder. To top it all off, Michael has also brought together a host of objects which he has acquired and borrowed from people and communities from all over Ireland.”  

Admission Tickets for the castle exhibition are available at the castle reception seven days a week or by calling 053 9234699. With a family of five tickets (2 plus up to 3 kids) just €15, an affordable and interesting day out is assured.  

Dunne and Staples on the double

By Dan Walsh

Point-to-point races took place on Friday and Saturday at Largy, near Ballymena, Co. Antrim, and two Wexford riders, Harley Dunne and Sean Staples enjoyed a winner on both days.

Sean Staples was aboard Seeyouinmydreams, the 15 lengths winner of the maiden race for four-year-old mares maiden race yesterday for handler Paul Martin Pierce and the Blackhall Stables Partnership from Killurin.

BARRY O’NEILL and COLIN BOWE at Monksgrange races.

Today, Staples had winner number two in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings by 15 lengths on Gametime for owner Laura Scallan and handler Mark Scallan, Cleariestown.

Harley Dunne’s Friday winner was for Aidan Fitzgerald’s Carlow stables on Tara Line by six lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old mares and today (Saturday) won the maiden race for five-year-olds and upwards on Step Above for David V. O’Brien by two and a half lengths.

The champion rider and handler combination of Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe won today’s maiden race for four-year-old geldings by three and a half lengths on newcomer Divilskin, who is bound for the sales.

And another Wexford winner from yesterday. Some Woman from Donnchadh Doyle’s Ballindaggin stables won the maiden race for six-year-old and upwards mares by twelve lengths ridden by Wicklow rider Brian Lawless.

Benny Walsh scores again!

By Dan Walsh

Veteran Tomhaggard amateur jockey Benny Walsh topped off a brilliant week at Punchestown races today (Saturday) riding his second winner of the festival over the unique banks’ course on Hurricane Darwin (22/1) in the Cross Country Chase.

BENNY WALSH… memorable week at Punchestown

Trained at Ballycrystal, Bunclody, by Cormac Farrell, Hurricane Darwin went to the front two from home and had three and a half lengths to spare at the finish.   

This was his first outing for new trainer Cormac Farrell and indeed new owner Douglas Taylor, breeder of Samcro.

“I’ve only two or three for the track and two of them ran this week, we mostly train point-to-pointers and breeze-up horses. It’s a big team effort and I have to say thanks to all the team at home,” said Farrell afterwards, and he added; “Benny was brilliant on him and to get two in the week is brilliant for him.”

Benny Walsh won the Ladies Cup on Vital Island (7/2) for trainer Richard O’Keeffe, Newtown, Taghmon on Tuesday – the first day of the five-day festival which saw the crowds back at the popular Kildare track since 2019 due to the Covid-19 lockdown.