Community spirit grows in Tombrack

DENIS MOYNIHAN with his sons, TIERNAN and BLAYNE, LILY RALPH and MARGARET KELLY at the water feature in Tombrack Community Garden.

By Dan Walsh

Tombrack Community Garden is one of the jewels in the crown when it comes to community spirit and environmental biodiversity and as the Spring brings higher temperatures and an acceleration of growth the place comes alive.

The garden has many features including twenty plots that are let to interested parties for a small annual fee and transformed into a haven for potatoes and other vegetables of their choice.

There is an excellent water feature and quiet clearly the garden is a work in progress but the enthusiasm and pride in the development is magic.

Denis Moynihan, Chairman, said the project is located at the rear of Tombrack National School on a productive piece of land, 1.3 acres in size, generously donated by local farmer and journalist Pat O’Toole, whose family have been farming at Tombrack for generations.

Mr Moynihan said the idea originated locally after some developments in the grounds of the school for the children and with the aid of some grant funding from Wexford Local Development the seeds were first sown in 2019.

The natural organic facility is available to all members of the community and on Fridays the children leave their uniforms at home and slip into the affectionately described ‘dirty clothes’ and spend much time playing their role in developing the garden and learning about nature in their own environment.

Mr Moynihan added that Sean Lacey was a major factor in the development process of garden and he commended Mrs Gahan, a teacher at Tombrack School since January, who is supportive to introducing children to biodiversity and the development of the garden.

A comprehensive report from Tombrack Community Garden featuring interviews with Denis Moynihan, Lily Ralp and Margaret Kelly can be heard on Mid Week Voices, 8pm on South East Radio on Wednesday.

AUDIO ADDITION; DENIS MOYNIHAN tells DAN WALSH about Tombrack Community Garden.

Four Wexford groups in All-Ireland drama finals

By Dan Walsh

Four Wexford drama groups – two in the open section and two in the confined section – will contest the All-Ireland drama finals in the coming weeks and the draw for the final line-up was completed by the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI) on Easter Sunday.

The Bostik All-Ireland Confined Finals will be held over nine nights in the Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, and Camross Drama Group takes to the stage on the opening night (Friday, April 22nd) with Kings of the Kilburn High Road by Jimmy Murphy and directed by Michael Stafford. Kilmuckridge Drama Group will present the J.M. Synge classic The Playboy of the Western World on Tuesday, April 26th.

Pádraig D’Arcy and Maireád Connaoughton in a scene from The Good Father by Bunclody-Kilmyshall Group heading for the All-Ireland finals.

The RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival takes place in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone for nine nights in early May and two Wexford groups have made it through to the finals.

Bunclody-Kilmyshall will take to the stage on Saturday, May 7th with The Good Father by Christian O’Reilly which features only two characters played by Pádraig D’Arcy and Maireád Connaughton and is directed by Kieran Tyrrell. It should also be noted that this play will give two pre-All-Ireland performances in Gorey Little Theatre on April 28-29th.

On Wednesday, May 11th it is the turn of Kilrush Drama Group and Class directed by Pat Whelan.

It is a fantastic tribute to the high standard of drama amongst Wexford groups that four are worthy of competing at the highest level and we wish all four finalists the best of luck on the All-Ireland stage.  

Barry O’Neill’s Easter Monday treble

By Dan Walsh

While today’s major action was the Irish Grand National meeting at Fairyhouse the point-to-point fraternity who had been at Loughanmore on Saturday returned to the East Antrim track for the traditional Easter Monday fixture where champion rider Barry O’Neill notched up three winners.

ANDREW LATTA was amongst today’s point-to-point winners.

O’Neill had a double success for Fermanagh handler David Christie – Alice O’Byrne in the Winner of One race and Some Man by eight lengths in the Open Race.

O’Neill’s third winner of the day was aboard Near Dark by 12 lengths in the maiden race for mares aged six-years-old or over trained at Ballinakill, Ballycarney by Andrew Latta and sporting the family colours. O’Neill is now on the 45-winner mark, 14 ahead of Rob James from Killanne.

At Cork racecourse today the point-to-point bumper was won impressively by Monbeg Park trained by Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, and ridden by Jack Hendrick. Three lengths was the verdict.

Easter Sunday winners from Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Three point-to-point fixtures yesterday (Easter Sunday) and Wexford winners across the board. Not surprising the best strike rate was in the neighbouring county of Waterford where Curraghmore held centre stage.

Matthew Flynn-O’Connor from Ballycrystal was the owner and handler of first timer The Gooner who won the maiden race for four-year-old geldings with 12 lengths to spare in the hands of Wicklow rider Brian Lawless.

Michael John Murphy who trains at Kilmore saddled Smart Lady (Micky O’Connor up) in the maiden race for mares of five years and over and ended up in the winners’ enclosure.

Michael Murphy from the Redbridge Stables, Duncormick, saddled Dream View in the maiden race for geldings, six years old and plus, and with Alex Harvey in the saddle came home two and a half lengths to the good.

JAMES KENNY… Easter Sunday winner at Oldcastle.

Gorey rider Luke Murphy won the confined maiden race on Master Campbell for Richard O’Hara who trains only a few fields away from the Waterford course. And another Wexford rider Shane O’Rourke won on Scamallach Liath for former Kilkenny star hurler turned owner/handler Kieran Purcell.

In-form Harley Dunne was amongst the winners at Quakerstown, Co. Clare. He was in front all the way on Noplacetobe for Paul Pierce, Blackhall Stables, Killurin and enjoyed a five lengths advantage on the line in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares.

Racing also at Oldcastle, Co. Meath. Fortunate Soldier was a winner for Gorey hotelier and businessman, Paddy Redmond, in the maiden race for four-year-olds. Ridden by James Kenny and trained by his father, Liam Kenny at Craanford, it was a six lengths success.

The Scallans down Cleariestown way also had a day to remember following Notkeepinyagoing’s incredible 45 lengths victory in the maiden race for five and six year old mares for Laura Scallan (owner), Mark Scallan (handler) and Jamie Scallan (rider).

Man (40s) arrested in Gorey

Gardaí attached to the Detective Unit, Gorey who were on patrol in the town on Friday arrested a man aged in his 40s who was wanted for interview in relation to criminal activity.

GOREY GARDA STATION

He was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. The man was interviewed in relation to crimes of Aggravated Burglary, Assault, Burglary and Thefts which occurred in Gorey, Bunclody, Enniscorthy, Tullow, Rathvilly and Waterford.

Warrants issued for his arrest for failing to appear in Court previously were also executed.

The man was charged and held until he appeared in Court. He was remanded in Custody to appear before the Court at a later date.

Oulart men of 1916 remembered

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.

Annual Easter Commemorations in Wexford

By Dan Walsh at Riverchapel

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.

A week of Wexford winners

By Dan Walsh

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.

Death of GAA stalwart Jimmy Nolan

By Dan Walsh

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.

Medieval Ferns reveals a rich heritage

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.