AUGHNAGLOWER BRIDGE on the R735 Adamstown-Clonroche road has reopened for traffic.
By Dan Walsh
The R735 regional road link between Adamstown and Clonroche has reopened to traffic having caused severe local access inconvenience since closure following the excessive rainfall that fell on Christmas Day.
Aughnaglower Bridge, known locally as Chapel Bridge, was washed away completely in the floods. Wexford County Council has acted swiftly in reopening the road with a new layout and temporary crossing and while care is necessary the roadway is open again.
Many bridges were damaged across Co. Wexford in the Christmas Day downpour and engineering inspections have been conducted with a view to repairs or replacement as quickly as possible.
Killanne rider Rob James was in brilliant form over the weekend winning six point-to-point races – three at Kirkistown in North Down on Saturday – and another treble at Comea, Co. Tipperary today.
James got off the mark in the maiden race for four-year-olds on first timer Willmount, trained at Kiltealy by Colin Bowe for Milestone Bloodstock Ltd, winning by two and a half lengths.
ROB JAMES wins six races in two days.
He followed up on Barnaleen for Patrick Ryan in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus confined. Just a length advantage at the finish.
James’ third winner on the day was Step Up Son by six lengths in the maiden race for six-year-old geldings and older for John ‘Shark’ Hanlon. Second success in two days for the Bagenalstown handler.
Colin Bowe and Milestone Bloodstock Ltd enjoyed a double success in the maiden race for four-year olds at Knockanard, Co. Cork where newcomer Captain Teague raced home by eight lengths with Barry O’Neill up. Both of Bowe’s Sunday winners are bound for the sales.
The state of play at the top of the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship shows Barry O’Neill just one winner ahead of Rob James, O’Neill on 27 (672 career total) and James 26 (261 career total).
State of Power was also a winner at the Cork track for owner/handler Harley Dunne, training at Rathfardon, Clonroche, in the five-year-old geldings maiden race. Tiernan Power Roche, Tomhaggard, took the mount as Harley Dunne was riding in the cross-country race at Punchestown.
Racing was also scheduled for Oldtown, Co. Meath, today, but heavy overnight rain caused the meeting to be abandoned and re-scheduled for next Saturday. The entries stand.
Barry O’Neill’s lead in the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship were narrowed down to three (26-23) today after Killanne rider Rob James rode a treble at Kirkistown in North Down.
James enjoyed an eighteen lengths victory on Beyondapproach for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle team in the mares Winner of Two race.
He also scored on Value Till Dawn trained by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon at Bagenalstown in the five and six year old maiden race by four lengths and added his third victory of the day for David Christie, Fermanagh, bringing home Some Man by twenty lengths in the Open Race.
An amazing record €5,812,989 has been made available for the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme in Co. Wexford and allocated to seventy-one clubs and organisations.
On social media, public representatives have been celebrating with their local successful applicants across the county and speaking to WexfordLocal.com Fine Gael TD, Paul Kehoe has welcomed the announcement and supplied a list of those benefitting from the funding.
“Sport plays an incredibly important part in our communities throughout the county and there will be widespread scope for improvement to the facilities available for everyone,” said Deputy Kehoe, who added; “The last couple of years have been tough for sports clubs but have also demonstrated the importance of sport in our lives. This funding will help to further develop access to sports and continue to make our towns and villages better places to live.”
“As well as grants to local clubs, there is also €887,000 awarded to three projects deemed to be of Regional significance, which will see the development of two full size artificial pitches in the County and a community gym/multisport facility.
“We have also seen a wide variety of sports funded today – as well as the major field sports, grants have been awarded for tennis, swimming, golf, boxing, handball and rowing clubs, as well as funding for community and multi-sport facilities.”
WexfordLocal.com haslearned that that any unsuccessful applicants will afforded the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision and information on the appeal process will issue to relevant organisations in the coming weeks. €6 million has been set aside to cover successful appeals under this process.
Enjoying the cycle in Gorey. (File Pic by Joe Dixon).
The grants for Co. Wexford are as follows;
GAELIC GAMES
St Abbans Adamstown GAA Club (floodlighting) €140,000.
Bannow-Ballymitty GAA Club (facility upgrade 2021) €124,910.
Buffers Alley GAA Club (gym and squash court) €70,207.
Castletown Liam Mellows GAA Club (gym update) €8,515.
Clongeen GAA Club (club development plan) €112,500.
Cloughbawn GAA Club (development and equipment 2021) €923,981.
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy GAA Club (pitch requirements) €103,535.
Faythe Harriers Hurling and Camogie Club (net repairs, new sports wall) €140,000.
Ferns St Aidan’s GAA Club (pitch development) €46,000.
Glynn Barntown GAA Club (dugouts and gym development) €27,400.
Kilanerin Ballyfad GAA Club (new changing room facilities) €150,000.
Kilmore GAA Community Complex (synthetic pitch and hurling wall) €148,973.
Kilrush Askamore GAA Club (pitch development) €120,480.
Monageer Boolavogue GAA Club (floodlight full size pitch) €146,605.
Our Ladys Island GAA Club (all weather training facility) €145,000.
Oylegate Glenbrien GAA Club (astro turf) €130,000.
Rathgarogue Cushinstown GAA Club (multi-purpose area and astro turf including a ball wall) €40,455.
Sarsfields GAA Club (indoor sports area) €150,00.
Shelmaliers GAA Club (disability lift and solar power panels) €40,980.
St Mary’s Rosslare GAA CLUB (floodlighting) €81,001.
St. Martin’s GAA Club (walking track and tennis court lights) €57,575.
St. Mary’s Maudlintown (lighting and fencing and goalpost back stops) €113,000.
St. Patrick’s GAA Club Ballyoughter (floodlights for training pitch) €113,000.
Taghmon Camross GAA Club (Astro turf training area and ball stop fencing) €128.310.
Tara Rock Community Field Trust (gym equipment) €6,990.
SOCCER
Ajax AFC (Patrick Mernagh Park Development) €29,544.
All Blacks AFC (pitch drainage) €26,766.
Bree United Soccer Club (goal stops Astro training area) €14,715.
Bridge Rovers (sports equipment and machinery) €18,407.
Camolin Celtic (fencing and equipment) €2,674.
Corach Ramblers (all weather pitch) €125,050.
Courtown Hibernian AFC (application for sports equipment) €22,421.
Crossabeg AFC (pitch drainage) €30,000.
Curracloe United Trust Co. Ltd (development of natural playing surface) €93,330.
Forth Celtic AFC (artificial surface replacement and natural pitch drainage) €72,181.
Killenagh Wanderers (floodlighting) €25,240.
Moyne Rangers AFC (sports equipment) €27,580.
New Ross AFC (upgrade Astro turf pitches) €43,000.
North End United AFC (equipment only) €36,090.
St. Joseph’s FC (safety fence, mower, netting and goal posts) €34,735.
Shelbourne United AFC (equipment) €722.
St. Leonard’s FC (all weather fully lit Astro turf) €147,000.
St. Cormac’s AFC (new equipment) €22,815.
Tombrack United AFC (equipment grant) €9,600.
Wexford Albion Schoolboys FC (sports equipment) €16,820.
Wexford Celtic FC (pitch development and ride-on mower) €4,700).
GOLF
Courtown Golf Club (driving range practice area development) €96,310.
Enniscorthy Gold Club (green and bunker works, junior netting equipment) €104,134.
Rosslare Golf Club (changing rooms showers and toilets) €48,600.
RUGBY
Enniscorthy Rugby Football Club (compact tractor and ball stop netting) €51,500.
Gorey Rugby Football Club (showers, disabled toilet, heating upgrade) €51,030.
New Ross Rugby Football Club (LED floodlights on main pitch) €79,000.
Wexford Wanderers Rugby Football Club (Project 2024- Phase 1) €145,280.
BOXING
Enniscorthy Boxing Academy (portable heating system) €10,000.
SWIMMING
Enniscorthy Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre (fitness disability) €80,431.
HANDBALL
Ballymitty Handball Club (court development) €50,092.
MULTI-SPORT
Askamore Muintir na Tire Community Project (gym facility) €20,000.
Co. Wexford Community Workshop Enniscorthy (resurfacing artificial playing surface) €150,000.
FCJ Secondary School Bunclody (artificial playing surface) €150,000.
Fethard Community Development Association (lighting at Ashgrove Community Park) €14,750.
Rosslare Community Development Association (track lighting and sports equipment) €21,020.
The EDUCENA FOUNDATION (astroturf playing pitch) €150,000.
Wexford County Council (fitness studio) €41,820.
Wexford County Council (2021 Rosslare Bowling Green Replacement) €133,720.
Wexford County Council (upgrade sports facilities in Pearse Park) €21,700.
TENNIS
Hillbrook Lawn Tennis Club (surface replacement) €68,260.
Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club (upgrades to courts and boats pontoon section) €145,250.
ROWING
1st Wexford New Ross (improved access to River Barrow) €43,805.
SEAN DOYLE officially launched the new exhibition The Fabric of Wexford; Industry and Innovation at Enniscorthy Castle tonight.
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle
A newly curated exhibition of textiles and designs located in Enniscorthy Castle entitled The Fabric of Wexford: Industry and Innovation was launched officially this evening by Mr Sean Doyle, Chairperson of Enniscorthy Castle and the National 1798 Rebellion Centre Committee.
Mr Doyle who is a former member of Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Town Council is also renowned for his knitting and was displaying a purple and gold scarf of his own creation. “Knitting is my favourite hobby,” he quipped.
Mr Doyle welcomed the exhibition to Enniscorthy and spoke about the history of textiles and designs and encouraged large numbers of people to visit the exhibition in the castle over the coming weeks. He paid tribute to the people who conceived the idea. He also gave a formal welcome to the newly appointed Manager of Enniscorthy Castle and the 1798 Centre, Ms. Mico Hassett. “We wish her well in her new post,” he added.
Ms. Hassett thanked her staff for putting the exhibition together. “This is a home-grown exhibition – we did it entirely ourselves – and we are really pleased to share it with you here tonight.”
She explained; “The larger room explores the history of the textile industry in Wexford with key pieces loaned from the Wexford County Archives and Mount Carmel Lace sitting alongside contemporary examples by local creative industries from Ros Tapestries, Ceadogán Rugmakers to Emblem Weavers. The Wexford County Archives through Grainne Doran has generously loaned the Castle examples of needlepoint, lace and embroidery, as well as an early woollen Irish Tricolour flag and an embroidered Irish dancing dress.”
At the exhibition launch at Enniscorthy Castle; Bernie Quigley, Acting Manager, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Sean Doyle, who opened the exhibition, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Mico Hassett, Manager Enniscorthy Castle and the National 1798 Rebellion Centre, and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council.
The exhibitions smaller space features local contemporary makers in textiles, including embroiderer Tess Reynolds, weaver Terry Dunne, fibre artist Nicola Browne, multi-media fibre artist Gráinne Kenny along with showcasing the 2021 Junk Couture winning piece designed by Enniscorthy Coláiste Bride secondary school student Alicia Rostermundt.
AUDIO ADDITION; CLLR CATHAL BYRNE, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council speaking at the Enniscorthy Castle launch.
The exhibition runs until April 24th and entry is included in the castles’ general admission tour ticket which at €6 per adult (€5 student /seniors) or only €15 for up to a family of five, is super value. Enniscorthy Castle is open Monday- Friday 9.30am- 5pm (with last tour 4.30pm) and on weekends Saturday and Sunday 12noon to 5pm.
Wexford’s Deputy Johnny Mythen (Sinn Féin) used Dáil Éireann Question Time on Thursday to raise the urgent need for increased Government funding for Wexford County Council to deal with the critical situation of the chronic structurally distressed roads within the county, as verified in a report by the Local Government Audit Service.
JOHNNY MYTHEN T.D.
Deputy Mythen said; “The report states that since the start of measurements in 2014 Wexford has ranked bottom of the list for road conditions. A study by the National Oversight and Audit Commission in 2020 found that 31% of primary roads and 44% of secondary roads in County Wexford were structurally distressed and a cause for serious concern. As can be deducted from these figures, County Wexford is genuinely in need of emergency assistance on this matter. Will the Tánaiste consider the National Oversight and Audit Commission findings and examine the case for additional funding for Wexford County Council to deal with this serious situation?”
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar thanked Deputy Mythen for his question and replied; “The Minister for Transport will shortly be making allocations for the maintenance and restoration of local and regional roads. There will be an increase in the budget on last year, but I do not know how much of it will go to Wexford. There is a formula as to how that is determined. I appreciate the point the Deputy makes, and I will make the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, aware that he raised the issue in the House today.
Aldi today (Thursday) unveiled its newly revamped and extended Wexford Trinity Street store following a €2.8 million overhaul and the store has been redesigned to be as environmentally friendly as possible and powered by 100% green electricity.
Over the past number of months the store has undergone a complete refurbishment, including the building of a new €2.8 million extension, increasing the shop floor space by 37%. Featuring Aldi’s exciting award-winning Project Fresh layout and design, the floor size has been extended from 850sqm to 1,162sqm, and features wide aisles and hi-spec fixtures and fittings. There are also 86 car park spaces available to Aldi shoppers, along with a bicycle rack stand.
The revamped Wexford Trinity Street store will also be the first Aldi store in Ireland to trial Electronic Shelf Labels in place of traditional paper price labels in stores. These electronic labels will mean that price or stock changes can easily and quickly be communicated to customers.
Originally built in 2004, the store overhaul and extension has created four new permanent jobs in the local area in addition to the current team of 18 staff. This brings the total number of staff working in Aldi’s six Co. Wexford stores to over 185.
Speaking at the store reopening, Declan Kealy, Aldi Trinity Street Wexford Store Manager said; “Our new and improved store is fantastic news for local shoppers! The spacious design means it is easier for customers to pick up what they need, and our aim is to ensure the very best customer shopping experience. In addition, it’s great to see new jobs being created in the town.”
Aldi has made a capital investment of €23.5 million in Co. Wexford since 2004. Aldi claims to be the best paying supermarket in Ireland and currently employs over 185 full-time staff across the county.
Aldi’s existing stores across Co. Wexford are deeply involved in their local communities. To date, the stores have donated almost 59,000 meals to local charities through FoodCloud, saving the charities more than €73,000. Each store is also part of Aldi’s Community Grants network, with Jonah Special School and South East Animal Rescue some of the several charities that have availed of the €500 bursary grant last year.
In addition to supporting local charities, Aldi is the first retailer in Ireland to commit to planting one million native Irish woodland trees by 2025, working together with Green Belt.
Aldi currently partners with nine Irish food and drink producers across Co. Wexford and spent €9.6 million with its Co. Wexford suppliers in 2021. Aldi is committed to growing its Irish supply base and increasing the number of locally produced Irish products available at its stores. Last year, Aldi spent €1 billion with its Irish food and drink suppliers.
The Wexford store opening hours are: Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 22:00. Saturday to Sunday; 09:00 – 21:00.
A motorcyclist has died after his bike collided with a wall on the R730 Rocklands-Kerlogue road, near the turn off onto the Coolballow road, south of Wexford town.
The incident occurred around 2pm and emergency services were quickly on the scene.The man, believed to be in his 30’s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The road from the Rosslare Roundabout is closed and diversions are in place.
Ireland Reads is an annual campaign to get the country reading and leads to a national dayon Friday February 25th to celebrate reading and, consequently, Wexford Library Service has teamed up with authors, local bookshops, publishers and libraries nationwide this year for Ireland Reads.
As part of this year’s campaign, Wexford Libraries are working to help remove barriers to reading for people living with visual challenges, dyslexia or literacy challenges.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy said: “I warmly welcome the addition of these Reader Pens to the many excellent resources offered by Wexford Library Service. The Reader Pens are part of the STAR collection of assistive resources and toys that are borrowed from our libraries by those who need them. Our libraries are continually working to support inclusion and access to books, literacy and assistive resources for everyone, so I am delighted that the introduction of these Reader Pens will help people living with dyslexia, visual, language and literacy challenges to enjoy reading throughout our county.”
How will they help people? Reader Pens read words and full lines of text aloud for independent reading. Those with dyslexia, or difficulty with reading or pronunciation, those learning languages or with vision problems will find the pens extremely helpful pieces of technology. The pen reads text aloud with a natural speaking voice. The devices have built-in dictionaries, offering users the option to access definitions of the words as they read them.
The Reading Pens are part of Wexford Library Service STAR collection (Sensory Toys and Assistive Resources) and can be requested and borrowed from all our branches. A STAR card is obtained for free from any library branch or mobile library in Wexford. All needed is some form of photo ID and proof of address. The Reader Pens can be borrowed, by any library user, for a three-week loan period.
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