WexfordLocal.com

The missing councillors!

By Dan Walsh

While attending today’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities many parents may be addled by their children asking about the absence of the local councillor – the one that came to the house a few years ago and Daddy threatened Mammy that if she didn’t vote… – well, they are not on the reviewing stand today, and the young ‘uns are curious!

While the traditional St Patrick’s Day parades and associated festivities return to Co. Wexford for the first time in two years seven elected representatives will be missing their neighbourhood after Wexford County Council agreed at the February meeting to pay their expenses to splash the green in the United States.

It was decided by the Council’s Corporate Policy Group (CPG) to send the sitting Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara- Anne Murphy and Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Garry Laffan, but also included the previous years’ Cathaoirleach – Cllrs Ger Carthy and Michael Sheehan – and Mayors Cllrs Leonard Kelly (who withdrew and decided to celebrate on Wexford Quay instead) and George Lawlor, all who missed out on any kind of foreign trips due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Five members are in Savannah, Georgia, however, the CPG also decided that the current Deputy Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllrs Anthony Connick and Lisa McDonald should represent Wexford in New York.

**CLLR LEONARD KELLY declined to take up the airline tickets to the USA and preferred to stay in Wexford town on St. Patrick’s Day.**

All will to be accompanied by officials and Wexford County Council will foot the bill.

Cllr Tom Forde objected to sending six members to Savannah for St Patrick’s Day. I think the current Cathaoirleach and Mayor would be plenty,” he stated, before adding “I think it would be wrong to send so many on this trip when resources are so tight.”

Cllr John Hegarty said that fostering links with Savannah would show “real economic benefit” for Wexford.

There was a small number against the motion, however, it passed by a large majority. Cllr Cathal Byrne voted against his Fine Gael colleagues, while Cllr Jim Codd felt the decision sent out “the wrong message. It is not sensible. We need to lead by example.”

County Secretary David Minogue pointed out that Wexford would not be the only county to send a delegation from the past three terms. “Those who signed up would be away from their families for a while, which was not easy for some and the trip to Savannah is seven days and New York is four.”

There were no objections towards sending two members to New York and Rosslare district would send two members to Dunkirk in France. Cllr Ger Carthy suggested Cllr Jim Moore (Cathaoirleach) and Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr Jim Codd, but Cllr Codd refused the offer.

Enniscorthy-based Minister of State James Browne is in the Czech Republic.

Wexford wears Green for St. Patrick’s Day

By Dan Walsh

Thankfully, the pandemic has gone and the St. Patrick’s Day festivities are welcome back restoring pride in our nationhood, celebrating in our own inimitable style, music and entertainment at the parades and a social gathering that is all-inclusive and a joy to experience. There is a parade near you and WexfordLocal.com has compiled a list (not every event may be listed, there may be a few around that county that we missed out on!) so choose your location, or scrutenise the timetables and you may be able to include several. Lá Féile Padraig.

WEXFORD; The Wexford St. Patrick’s Day parade dates from 1904, making it the oldest parade in the country. This year’s event will be led by St. Patrick’s Fife & Drum Band, with an 11am start, and concluding on Wexford’s famous quayside. Always popular with family groups, Wexford town’s annual presentation is renowned for its colour and musical traditional style supplemented with modern dancing and choreography from local youth groups.

GOREY; Gorey St. Patrick’s Day parade takes the familiar route from the ’98 monument through the long Main Street to the review stand at Esmonde Street. A 3 o’clock start and Gorey Pipe Band will lead. The Grand Marshal is ace photographer and ‘Cycle for Suicide’ activist Joe Dixon who claims to be the “longest Grand Marshal in history” having been selected in 2020 but denied this opportunity until now due to the pandemic lockdown.

THE HARROW-BOOLAVOGUE; Groups will march from The Harrow to Boolavogue and return to The Harrow starting out at 1pm. The honour of Grand Marshal falls to Dorothy Hall who has been described by her friends as “Queen of Boolavogue”.

COOLGREANY; After an absence of two years Coolgreany is all set to restore the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and festivities and the parade moves off at 12.30pm. The Grand Marshal for 2022 is Declan Merrigan, a staunch supporter of committees, organisations and sporting activity in the Coolgreany area. One of a small number of rural parades across the county and always entertaining and a great day out for all the family it is cleverly marketed as “the friendliest” parade anywhere.

ENNISCORTHY; Enniscorthy’s Grand Marshal is ex-public representative Sean Doyle, who is chair of Enniscorthy Castle and the National 1798 Rebellion Committee and a life-long activist for many causes in support of a better life for the people of Enniscorthy. Starting in the Shannon at 3pm, the parade route crosses the River Slaney and concludes in Market Square. Enniscorthy is not only celebrating Ireland, we are also raising much needed funds for UNICEF Ukrainian Appeal, Admission to both Enniscorthy Castle and the National 1798 Rebellion Centre will be €5 per person or €10 per family with all proceeds being donated. There will also be live music by the brilliant Jason O’Connor in Enniscorthy Castle from 1pm-3pm on St. Patrick’s Day. All are welcome.

NEW ROSS; The St. Patrick’s Day parade by the River Barrow gets underway at 2pm in the Irishtown and follows the traditional route to the Quay. Michael Fottrell, a musician, teacher, conductor of brass bands, producer in the ‘tops of the parish’, are just a few of his community achievements over the past half century has been chosen as Grand Marshal 2022 and this honour is truly deserved. Look out for the ‘best dressed window’ competition and the Barrow Princess introducing a river cruise service between New Ross and Waterford will be quayside ahead of Friday morning’s maiden voyage!

CURRAGRAIGUE, BALLINDAGGIN; Already in the history books as the smallest, shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world, the Curragraigue event sets out at 1pm and ends five minutes later (maybe four)! A piper, a vintage vehicle and some sheep, goats, dogs and ducks will be admired from the reviewing stand placed on a secure tar barrel. A humorous tribute in rural surroundings.

BANNOW-BALLYMITTY; Organised by Bannow Ballymitty Local Community Development Group this event honouring the memory of St. Patrick sets off from the School Field at 2pm. Local groups are invited to participate.

CLONROCHE; Always a gala occasion the Clonroche St Patrick’s Day parade assembles at Cloughbawn Church at marches to the village at 1pm. The organisers say “some surprise inclusions” may occur, but, plenty of music and teas and refreshments in Clonroche Community Hall afterwards. All participants are welcome.

BUNCLODY; Proceedings commence with the traditional blessing of the shamrock at 10.45am and shortly afterwards the parade will take place from Market Square and up one side and down the other along The Mall and the organisers claim it’s “the viewing is the best in the country.”

CARNEW; Carnew St. Patrick’s Day parade starts a little earlier than traditionally -at 12.30pm – and travels from the Gorey Road, through the Main Street, and the reviewing stand is opposite St. Brigid’s Hall where the 15^th South Wicklow Drama Festival opens next Sunday. The 2022 Grand Marshal is Emer Kennedy, star player with Wexford Youths Women’s FC.

**A traditional view of St. Patrick’s Day in this shop window display in Enniscorthy.**

Taghmon area added to Boil Water Notice

By Dan Walsh

The Boil Water Notice issued for Wexford Town Public Water Supply remains in place and has also been extended to include the Taghmon area due to necessary changes that will ensure a continued water supply to the area.

Irish Water and Wexford County Council are continuing to assess the situation with a view to having the notice lifted as quickly as possible. In the meantime, all customers in Wexford Town and Taghmon are advised to boil water before use until further notice.

Ronan Walsh, Water Operations Lead for Irish Water said; “Our number one priority is public health and the safety and well-being of our customers. Following an issue at the treatment plant last night, there continues to be high turbidity – or cloudiness – in the water source supplying the area meaning the disinfection of the water may be compromised. Therefore it is important that all customers continue to boil the water before use.

“We will continue to work closely with Wexford County Council and the HSE to monitor the supply and lift the notice as quickly as it is safe to do so. An update will be issued as soon as we have any developments, but we can expect the Boil Water Notice to remain in place until next week at least. We understand and apologies for the inconvenience this notice is having and thank you for your patience and cooperation.”

For customers who wish to check if their property is on the Boil Water Notice, please go to the following link on the Irish Water website: https://www.water.ie/?map=supply-and-service-updates, and enter the property’s Eircode. Customers can also call our customer care helpline on 1800 278 278.

Call for improved dental services in Gorey

By Dan Walsh

A call has been made to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD in relation to a lack of dental services in North Wexford and the need for the HSE to evaluate the problem and take appropriate action.

Cllr Joe Sullivan said it has come to his attention that there are only three Dental Practices operational in Gorey town and district catering for a population in the region of 25,000 people.

“The situation appears to be most acute amongst people who are medical card holders and new residents of the area be the public or private patients. From the information available to me it would appear that the three practices operational are doing so at optimum capacity.

“In view of the fact that this situation would appear to be impacting mostly on public patients I am requesting that Minister Donnelly mandate the HSE to evaluate this problem and take the appropriate action,” concluded Cllr Sullivan.

Call for more Garda resources in Gorey

By Dan Walsh

With the busy St. Patrick’s weekend approaching and significantly increased numbers anticipated in Gorey town and the coastal district and participating in the many activities planned a local councillor has called for extra resources for Gardaí in the North Wexford area.

Cllr Andrew Bolger has called on the Department of Justice and Garda Headquarters to work together on adequately resourcing Gorey Garda Station with patrol cars. Cllr. Bolger has suggested that the best way to tackle this issue is to “allow the local station or district headquarters to source the cars.”

“The current system is too centralised. If the funds were allocated to the local district headquarters to source the cars where there is a gap. For example, Gorey is in a situation where a call might come in and there will be no available car to attend the incident,” stated town-based Fianna Fail Cllr. Bolger.

He stressed the urgent need for three regular cars in Gorey not including the detective and drug units. “In addition, we need guards who can drive the cars. There needs to be an emphasis on the driving courses in Templemore. Some stations have guards who can drive but not with lights. I hope this can be addressed,” concluded Cllr Bolger.

Wexford Boil Water Notice remains in place

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water and Wexford County Council stated this evening (Monday) they wished to jointly remind customers supplied by the Wexford Town Public Water Supply, that the Boil Water Notice issued on Friday due to high turbidity remains in place.

Ronan Walsh, Water Operations Lead for Irish Water said; “Our number one priority is public health and the safety and well-being of our customers. Whilst we are seeing a reduction of turbidity, the reservoirs are taking longer than expected to reach a satisfactory level, which is important to ensure reliability of supply.

Experts from Irish Water and Wexford County Council are continuing to assess the situation with a view to having the notice lifted as quickly as possible. In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.

Vulnerable customers who have concerns can contact the Irish Water customer care team on 1800 278 278. For customers who wish to check if their property is on the Boil Water Notice themselves, please go to the following link on the Irish Water website: https://www.water.ie/?map=supply-and-service-updates, enter the property’s Eircode and you will then see if your property is on the Boil Water Notice.

Locals share the success at Lingstown

Jumping a bank fence in the Open Lightweight Race at Lingstown, Tomhaggard today; Loggan Lady (Tim Love), the winner is in front followed by Ballinasilla (Simon Cavanagh), Bajan Excel (Joey Dunne), Vital Island (Benny Walsh), Tech Talk (Barry O’Neill) and Some Are Lucky (Gerard Spain).

By Dan Walsh at Lingstown

The Killinick Harriers point-to-point races were the only raceable fixture completed today at Lingstown, Tomhaggard, where the highlights included a double for local rider Jack Hendrick and victory for Loggan Lady in the Open Lightweight contest over the ‘famous Lingstown banks course’.

Barry The Butcher, first timer for the Monbeg Farm Racing Syndicate and Ballindaggin handler Cormac Doyle got Hendrick on the scoresheet in the maiden race for four-year-olds with ten lengths to spare. “He’s a nice horse. He did everything well. We were going to Ballyarthur today but it was called off, so we re-routed. He goes to the sales this week if all is well,” said Cormac Doyle afterwards.

Hendrick teamed up with local handler Billy Codd on Earl of Desmond in the Winners of Two and following successes at Carrigarostig and Tinahely, Basil Holihan’s chestnut gelding made it three wins in a row. He scored by two lengths. Hendrick has had 14 winners this season and today’s double brings his career total to 30. Afterwards handler Billy Codd confirmed that Earl of Desmond will be entered for the hunter’s chase at Cork over Easter.

The Open Lightweight Race over ‘the banks course’ is always a spectacle and three of the ten contestants exited from the race at the wooden rails fence early in the race. Victory went to Loggan Lady ridden by Tim Love for handler John Walsh, Ballyday, Gorey, by two lengths. Afterwards, John said; “Her mother (Loggan Lass) won nine races in total for us, six of them at our local track in Fairwood, Tinahely. She will now go for the Ladies Cup at Punchestown in April. Tim (Love) gave her “a super spin and she jumped well throughout the race”. Loggan Lady’s regular pilot Barry Walsh is out of action with injury but he hopes to be back in the plate for Punchestown!

**HARLEY DUNNE had a winner at Lingstown today.**

Ross O’Sullivan made the trip from Kill, Co. Kilare, and was successful with Alfie’s Princess in the maiden race for five-year-old mares with three lengths to the good under a patient ride from Derek O’Connor. “She’s a lovely mare with a very good pedigree. Derek (O’Connor) was very keen to ride her, and he is delighted at her performance. She is owned by Galway-man John Murphy and will now head to the sales,” said Ross O’Sullivan afterwards.

Way Out gave a game performance for Gaynestown Stud and Cleariestown handler Jonathan Fogarty, winning the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings by ‘a head’ from Imonlysaying (Pa King) representing Pat Doyle’s Tipperary stables. Way Out was partnered by local rider Barry Stone from Cleariestown.

Good For Scope made all the running for owner/handler and rider Harley Dunne to win the maiden race for five-year-olds and upwards. This event was for entries from handlers who have 10 wins or less. Although he made all, afterwards Harley Dunne said; “It’s not the ideal way to ride him. He idles in front, but there was no pace, so I had to go on. He’s a nice horse – a good solid horse that jumps and gallops – and is for sale.”

Bunclody and Kilmuckridge are Gorey winners

Bunclody-Kilmyshal Drama Group (Open) and Kilmuckridge Drama Group (Confined) were the winners at the South Leinster Drama Festival which concluded in Gorey Little Theatre last night.

The full result was as follows;

OPEN SECTION

1^st; Bunclody-Kilmyshal Drama Group; The Good Father by Christine O’Reilly.

2^nd; Kilrush Drama Group.

3^rd; Butt Drama Circle.

CONFINED SECTION

1^st; Kilmuckridge Drama Group; The Playboy of the Western World by John Millington Synge.

2^nd; Kilworth Dramatic Society.

3^rd; Camross Drama Group.

New daily river cruise between New Ross and Waterford

**Rachel Power and Declan Bates of the Three Sisters Cruise Company aboard new river cruise boat the *BarrowPrincess.ie* which commences sailing Friday 18th March.**

By Dan Walsh

Tourism and adventure in the South East will be enhanced with a daily river cruise service between New Ross to Waterford when the Barrow Princess commences its schedule on Friday, March 18th.

Departing from New Ross marina each morning, a 90-minute cruise will bring passengers from New Ross down the river Barrow, taking in the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge and the Barrow River Railway Swing Bridge among other landmarks.

As the Barrow Princess reaches Cheekpoint, it will then follow the river Suir west into Waterford city where passengers will disembark at the Clock Tower Marina. Passengers will return to the point of embarkation in New Ross via a bus service (included in the ticket price). Passengers can enjoy all the sights from our open-air upper deck or relax indoors in our cosy lounge. Hot and cold refreshments will be available onboard sourced from local suppliers in New Ross and Waterford.

A return service will offer passengers from Waterford a similar cruise experience back to New Ross. Passengers will return to the point of embarkation in Waterford via a bus service (included in the ticket price). Initially, there will offer an additional one-hour mini-cruise out of Waterford City to where the Suir and the Barrow meet returning to Waterford city.

This is a million pound plus project with about €800,000 invested to date by Declan Bates of the Three Sisters Cruise Company along with public funding from Wexford Local Development (WLD), Leader, Wexford County Council LCDC.

Three to four jobs will be created as the business rolls out over the coming year and footfall to the Greenway builds further with the opening of the South East Greenway.

“We have a great family package available: two adults and three children for only €70 for the full cruise experience between the two ports. Adult fares are €30, children €15. Mini-Cruise fares: Adults €20 Children €10. Full schedule and online booking facility is available www.barrowprincess.ie All tickets must be pre purchased online- no onsite sales.”

Full Cruise Departs New Ross 10am and arrive Waterford 11.30am approximately and return by coach transfer.

Full Cruise Departs Waterford 1.30pm and arrive New Ross 3pm approximately and return by coach transfer.

The Barrow Princess will be on show St. Patrick’s Day by the quayside in Waterford from 10am to noon before departing for New Ross for public viewing at the dockside only from 2.45pm.

Ukraine nationals arriving at Rosslare

Reports have emerged on social media that the Department of Justice have today (Friday) advised Wexford County Council that up to 60 Ukrainian nationals will arrive at Rosslare Europort over the weekend.

They will be accommodated in Hotel Rosslare following arrival here and supports and services will be provided over the coming weeks.