Carnew hosts 15th Drama Festival launch

By Dan Walsh

The 15th annual South Wicklow Drama Festival takes place in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew, from Sunday to Saturday, March20-26th and the festival was launched in Jim Byrne’s Lounge, Carnew, last Thursday night by Philip Howlin from Camross, who is a member of the Drama League of Ireland Committee.

Philip was a longstanding member of Rathnure Pantomime & Musical Society, both acting and behind scenes and in 2012 took part in the very successful Camross Passion Play and being a man of many talents has since then has been involved with all aspects of drama with Camross Drama Group, including acting, directing, lighting, sound, set building and promotional work. 

Philip Howlin, who performed the official launch with the Perpetual Trophy at the launch of the 15th annual South Wicklow Drama Festival in Jim Byrne’s Lounge, Carnew, last Thursday night. Also in picture is Kevin McEvoy (Secretary), Mandie O’Keeffe and Eamonn Doran (Chairperson). Pic by Eamonn Doran.

A frequent visitor to St. Brigid’s Hall for the festivals over the years, Philip said he was honoured to be asked to launch the 2022 festival. He commended to committee for the welcome audiences always receive when they attend the festival plays and for always going out of their way to put them first.

Philip had another exciting duty he carried out at the launch. In his travels he has come across a Perpetual Trophy (Cup) which was found in a house in Dublin. The Cup is inscribed Feile Carn Nua in an old Irish lettering, and underneath is inscribed Corn Taylor-Keith. 

Chairman Eamonn Doran gave an overview of the plays coming up in the Festival and thanked Sponsors and Patrons for their continued support of the Festival.

Thanks was expressed to Jim Byrne for hosting the launch, and to Jim and Mary Doyle for providing the refreshments.

At the launch of the 15th annual South Wicklow Drama Festival held in Jim Byrne’s Lounge, Carnew, were (left to right); Kevin McEvoy (Secretary), unknown, Mary Doran (PRO), Jim Byrne (proprietor) and Raymond Brennan. Pic; Eamonn Doran.

Line up of Plays for Festival:

Sunday 20th March: Coolgreany Amateur Dramatic Society – The Odd Couple by Neil Simon

Monday 21st March: Ballycogley Players – The Beacon by Nancy Harris 

Tuesday 22nd March: Kilmuckdridge Dramp Group – The Playboy of the Western World by John Millington Synge

Wednesday 23rd March: Bunclody /Kilmyshal –The Good Father by Christine O’Reilly

Thursday 24th March: Camross Drama Group – The Kings of the Kilburn Highroad by Jimmy Murphy

Friday 25th March: Prosperous Dramatic Society – God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza

Saturday 26th March: Saturday 26th March – Class by Kilrush Drama Group

Patron Tickets for the Festival are available from any of the Festival Committee, from Mark Kennedy in Hall’s Shop, Main Street, Carnew; Carnew Training & Development Centre and from Candy’s, Carnew. Purchasing a patron ticket enables you to see the seven plays listed for just €35.

RNLI seeks new shop volunteers

By Dan Walsh

The RNLI is looking for new shop volunteers to join its lifesaving teams at Courtown, Wexford and Kilmore Quay and just like the charity’s lifeboats, the RNLI’s retail team need a dedicated volunteer crew -people of all ages and abilities – who can give a little time to help save lives at sea.

Rose Murphy is the RNLI Shop Manager at Courtown RNLI and a member of the original team who established the shop when it first opened 31 years ago.

ROSE MURPHY at COURTOWN HARBOUR (Pic; RNLI/Courtown)

“It was my husband Jim who got me involved when there was a community inshore lifeboat in Courtown.’ Rose explains. ‘When the RNLI took over in 1990, he was one of four senior helms and the training co-ordinator, and he is now a Deputy Launching Authority at the station. I have been on the fundraising committee since it began and have had many roles including P.R.O., secretary and shop manager.

“I have worked in retail all my life in Gorey and love everything about it and I have always had a great love for the lifeboat. There is a team of seven shop volunteers here and they are unbelievable. The shop is open seven days a week from May to October – all day for four days and for a few hours each of the other days,” concluded Rose.

Meanwhile, Johnny Moore is the Shop Manager at Kilmore Quay RNLI.“I was shore crew first, helping to launch the all-weather lifeboat when there was a call out. When I saw an opportunity for the shop in the station to be open, I got involved in 1996 and have been helping out since. I enjoy meeting people and the craic. We had a great season last year and the funds raised make a difference.

JOHNNY MOORE at KILMORE QUAY (Pic; RNLI/Kilmore Quay).

Encouraging others to get involved, Johnny said: ‘You can gain some invaluable skills and training whilst volunteering at a shop and become part of an incredible team. If you enjoy meeting and interacting with people, are confident in handling money, it really is a role you will love.’

RNLI shops started out as simple cake stalls run by volunteers to raise money for their local lifeboat station.

“These stalls started selling commemorative RNLI products in around 1920 and quickly moved on to selling souvenirs and Christmas cards with all profits helping save lives at sea,” said Pauline McGann, RNLI Community Manager, who added; “Today, we have over 170 RNLI shops around the coast and inland, all of which are still run by our dedicated volunteers. They attract many visitors throughout the year and stock an excellent range of unique souvenirs and gifts.

“The pandemic unfortunately hit our shops hard as they closed for periods of time in line with Covid-19 restrictions. We were delighted when we could reopen them safely in accordance with government guidance and are looking forward to welcoming our visitors in 2022. To do this successfully, we want to grow our team of shop volunteers and are looking for people who enjoy interacting with others, can help us to provide a high level of customer service and ensure our shops continue to be friendly and welcoming places.”

University Governing Board announced

By Dan Walsh

The former Provost of Trinity College Dublin and native of Oulart, Co. Wexford, Dr Patrick Prendergast has been appointed as the first Chairperson of the new Technological University of the South East.

DR PATRICK PRENDERGAST appointed first Chairperson of the new Technological University of the South East.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Science and Innovation, Simon Harris, made the announcement this morning on a visit to Waterford Institute of Technology.

Minister Harris confirmed the new university will open its doors on May 1st.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said: “After decades of debate, the technological university for the South East is finally a reality. Today, I have formally granted designation status to the fifth technological university in the state.”

Dr Prendergast will be joined on the new Governing Board by Mr Jim Bergin, CEO of Glanbia, and Ms Ruth Beadle, who holds a key leadership role at Sanofi, which has a manufacturing facility in Waterford.

Welcoming these appointments, Deputy Paul Kehoe stated; “these appointments show both the overall ambition of this project and indicated the direction that the new Technical University will take.

“This is the first university presence in the region and marks a truly historic moment in higher education for staff, students, regional stakeholders and local communities in the South East.

“This announcement follows the news last week that Wexford County Council has been given the green light to proceed with a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on a site which will house a state-of-the-art campus as part of the new Technological University of the South East,” concluded Deputy Kehoe.

Tributes paid to Ballythomas victim

By Dan Walsh

The brave Wexford County Council worker who lost his life in a freak accident at Ballythomas, on the Wexford-Wicklow border last Friday has been named locally as William ‘Billy’ Kinsella, (59), from Ballythomas Hill. Many tributes have been paid.

BILLY KINSELLA

Billy and his work colleague Jimmy Stanley were clearing debris and fallen trees following Storm Eunice in the Ballythomas area. It is believed that the men were using a chain saw to cut up fallen trees when, unexpectedly, another tree fell over onto the road fatally injuring Mr Kinsella. The incident occurred within a mile of his residence which makes the tragedy even more poignant.

Emergency services were quickly dispatched, but sadly, Mr Kinsella was pronounced dead at the scene. The Health and Safety Authority and An Garda Siochána are carrying out separate investigations into the incident.

North Wexford and the County Council community has been traumatised by events and sympathy is been extended to his family and friends.

FAMILY NOTICE; Beloved husband of Rita and loving father of Conor, son of the late Paddy and Bridie, brother of Patrick, Elizabeth, Shay, Sean and Aileen. Deeply regretted by his loving wife and son, his brothers and sisters, aunts, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, grandnephews, grandnieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours, work colleagues and friends. May He Rest In Peace.

Reposing at his home on Tuesday from 4pm to 8pm. Funeral arriving to The Church of Our Lady of the Nativity, Ballyfad, on Wednesday for Funeral Mass at 3 p.m. followed by Burial in the adjoining cemetery.

New railway bridge at Rosslare Strand

The railway bridge at Station Road, Rosslare Strand, is soon to be replaced by a modern 6-metre carriageway.

By Dan Walsh

The single lane bridge over the Dublin-Rosslare Harbour railway line at Rosslare Strand is to be demolished in the coming months and replaced by a 6-metre road carriageway.

This announcement was made by Cllr Ger Carthy today who told WexfordLocal.com; I’m delighted to announce that railway bridge on the Station Road, Rosslare Strand, will be demolished in the coming months. It will be replaced by a 6-metre-wide road carriageway with a footpath and cycle access for safe movement of the local community and tourists alike.

This project is a substantial investment by Iarnrod Eireann and Wexford County Council, believed to cost in the region of €0.5 million and will address the road safety issues on that bridge dating back decades.

It is a hump-backed single lane bridge with no clear vision of oncoming traffic until the summit is reached, but has served the community since the 1870’s.  

Cllr Carthy added; “We’re working hard on a similar solution to Mauritiustown Bridge in Rosslare. That is a work in progress.” That project would be further down the line!

Battle of the elements at Ballycrystal

By Dan Walsh

The wet and windy conditions at Ballycrystal today were tough going but some close finishes and competitive racing was the order of the afternoon.

Colin Bowe sent out a 1-2 in the opening maiden race for four-year-olds with the hot favourite Sleeping Satelitte and Barry O’Neill getting home two lengths ahead of the appropriately named Puddlesinthepark with Jimmy Kenny up.

JACK HENDRICK (File Pic).

The five- and six-year-old maiden race ended in a hard-fought finish with Rock The Hill in the colours of the Coolbawn Stables Partnership scoring for local handler Robert Tector, saddling his third winner of the present season and the 25th career winner for Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick. Three-quarters of a length separated Rock The Hill from Some Woman taking the runner up spot for the Donnchadh Doyle-Rob James team.

Eoin Middleton from Birr had his first winner on the family owned Well P in the five-year-old maiden geldings’ race. The successful handler was Mary Ellen Doyle from Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy.

The Winner of One race went to Waterford when the Vincent Halley trained Mizuma came home three quarters of a length ahead of the field to record a double on the day for champion rider Barry O’Neill.

Delgany rider Brian Lawless won the last two races to bring his career total to 35, ten of them this season. He won the mares open race on Ifeoinly for Limerick handler Eoin McCarthy (two and a half lengths the verdict) and was aboard Red Ford Lad in the colours of the Glen of the Downs Syndicate and trained by his father, Gerard, who was first time out and won by four lengths in the maiden race for six-year-olds and over.

Rosslare Road closed following crash

By Dan Walsh

The N25 Rosslare Road south of Ashfield Cross roundabout is closed to traffic tonight following a two-vehicle road traffic collision earlier this evening.

The collision involved a car and a truck and emergency services were alerted just before 6.30pm. Ambulance paramedics, fire service crews and An Garda Siochána rushed to the scene.

A female driver suffered serious injuries while the truck driver was uninjured. Both casualties were taken to Wexford General Hospital.

Traffic is being diverted between Killinick and Tagoat to allow a forensic examination of the scene.

Tree falls on van at Murntown

By Dan Walsh

This morning a driver had a lucky escape when a tree fell from a ditch onto the commercial vehicle he was driving at Murntown in south Wexford in windy conditions during Storm Eunice.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene, but it took almost an hour to free the man who was trapped in his vehicle.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics before taken to Wexford General Hospital for further treatment for his injuries which are described as “not life -threatening.”

Alternative water supply in Wexford town

By Dan Walsh

In a statement issued this evening Irish Water working in partnership with Wexford County Council is advising customers who are supplied by the Newtown Water Treatment Plant that power outages continue to cause supply interruptions in certain parts of Wexford town.

An alternative water supply is available at the following locations; Coolcotts Lane, Clonard Church, Barntown Church and St Joseph’s Community Centre. The areas affected in the town are Carricklawn, Hill St, Georges St, Rowe St, Wygram, Ard Carmen, Coolcotts, Barntown, Clonard, Whitemills and Townparks.”

Speaking about the supply interruptions, Irish Water’s Regional Operations Lead, Ronan Walsh said; “The power outage continues to delay the return of normal water supply and means that production at the Newtown Water Treatment Plant has stopped and with water levels being so low, we are not producing adequate supply to meet the demand.

“We expected power to be restored by this afternoon, but we may still have ongoing issues as the reservoir levels are quite low. Our colleagues in Wexford County Council will be providing an alternative water supply and this water must be boiled when brought home as a precautionary measure. We thank customers for their patience and cooperation as we work to resolve the issues as quickly and as safely as we can.”

Irish Water understands the inconvenience water supply interruptions can cause and thanks customers for their patience while we work to restore normal supply to impacted customers. The Irish Water customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries.

Power failure in Bunclody

By Dan Walsh

A power failure is impacting the Water Treatment Plant in Bunclody, however, there are no supply interruptions in the area and the ESB has an estimated power restoration this afternoon.

MAIN STREET, BUNCLODY.

Irish Water’s Regional Operations Lead, Ronan Walsh said; There are no customers without water in Bunclody at the moment so we would expect less interruption there. We thank customers for their patience and co-operation as we work to resolve the issues as quickly and as safely as we can.”  

Irish Water understands the inconvenience when a burst occurs and thanks customers for their patience while we work to restore normal supply to impacted customers. The Irish Water customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries.