Enniscorthy Castle has reopened to visitors for the Spring season and is hosting a newly curated exhibition of textiles and designs across its 2nd floor space, its first exhibition of the year entitled The Fabric of Wexford: Industry and Innovation.
Newly appointed Manager of Enniscorthy Castle and National 1798 Rebellion Centre, Mico Hassett told WexfordLocal.com; “We are excited to reopen with a fresh look and hosting an in-house curated exhibition with local and international appeal. With this show, we are aiming to connect the past to the present in a new space, exploring ideas generated by our castle team and inviting guest curators to present themes in their areas of expertise.
ENNISCORTHY CASTLE opens for the 2022 season. (File Pic)
Ms Hassett continued; “Creating opportunities to engage with both the community and visitors to Enniscorthy on a recurring basis is a key objective of Enniscorthy Castle’s strategic business plan for the year. We have a busy and varied programme to roll out and a great team (Board of Directors) to support us in our endeavours to attract even greater numbers to visit and enjoy Enniscorthy district”.
Deputy Manager Eve Furlong commented that entry to the exhibit 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. Running through to April 24th the opening times are Monday to Friday, 9.30am- 5pm (with last tour 4.30pm) and on weekends Saturday/Sunday, 12 noon to 5pm.
The Wexford Hunt point-to-point attracted a large attendance today (Sunday) for a seven-race card on good ground with plenty of close finishes and a dead-heat to rejuvenate the sport with the first unrestricted fixture in twenty-two months.
The first race for four-year-olds got today’s card up and running at Ballinaboola, New Ross, and Doyen For Money put in a brilliant front running performance and crossed the line one length victorious for combined rider, owner and handler Harley Dunne who is based at Rathturtin, Clonroche. Dunne has riding his 85th career winner.
The five-year-old geldings maiden race was ‘divided’ with eleven runners in each contest. Division one went to Wasini Island in the colours of Laura Scallan and handled by Mark Scallan, Cleariestown, and Sean Staples, Duncormick, was in the saddle. The winning distance was three lengths.
JACK HENDRICK and ANDREW LATTA dead-heated with Captain Checkdown at Ballinboola point-to-point races.
Division two may have been ‘a divide’ but the judge failed to split Chosen Witness (Barry O’Neill-Colin Bowe) and Captain Checkdown handled by Andrew Latta at Ballinakill, Enniscorthy, and ridden by Jack Hendrick, Mayglass. Shared honours and a dead-heat verdict.
Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan won the first leg of a double when Credrojava scored by half a length with a strong challenge by From This Moment ridden by Barry Stone in the maiden race for five- and six-year-old mares. They were celebrating again after the Winner of Three race when Is A Real Champ in the Monbeg Partnership colours lead the field home. Scallan from Tomhaggard enjoyed a double success bringing his career total to 24.
JAMIE SCALLAN rode a double at Balinaboola on Sunday.
The Devereux family from Rostoonstown Stud, Tomhaggard, were successful with the home-bred Worthatry, ridden by Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, the four length winner of maiden race for six year old geldings.
The only race to go outside the county was Uncertain Times success in the novice riders race giving David O’Brien a winner and handled by David Harry Kelly from Fethard, Co. Tipperary.
Racing also took place this afternoon at Bellharbour, Co. Clare, where Rob James scored twice. First on Out of Office, which he also trains at Killanne, in the maiden race for four-year-olds and, secondly, aboard Fact to File by six lengths for Donnchadh Doyle in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
Also racing today (Sunday) at Tallow, Co. Waterford where local rider James Hannon had a treble, including a one length victory on his first mount for Michael Goff, Clondaw, Enniscorthy, on Well Dick running in the colours of Caitriona Goff in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
The death has taken place of Fr James (Jim) Curtis who served almost 68 years in the priesthood and served as Diocesan Secretary to two bishops in the Diocese of Ferns.
Piercestown-Murrintown Parish posted the sad news on social media. “It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Fr. Jim Curtis, Pastor Emeritus of Piercestown-Murrintown. Fr. Jim was a dedicated, loving, kind, caring and good shepherd to the people of this Parish. He served the people of Piercestown-Murrintown and the Diocese of Ferns with compassion and faith. As we remember him as a Parish and a Community, it would be Fr. Jim’s wish that most importantly we would remember him in prayer, asking that God will be merciful and welcome him home to the gift of eternal life.”
FR JIM CURTIS
A native of Carrigbyrne, Fr Curtis attended Carrigbyrne National School where his mother was school principal and was ordained to the priesthood at St. Peter’s College, Wexford, in June 1954.
He served as Diocesan Secretary to Bishop James Staunton (1938-1963) and Bishop Donal Herlihy (1964-1983) and appointed Administrator to Wexford Parish in November 1972.
Fr Curtis became parish priest of Piercestown in 1979, was parish priest in Ferns from 1990 and Vicar Forane for Enniscorthy Deanery. He retired in 1995.
FAMILY NOTICE; Curtis, Fr. Jim (Rathjarney, Piercestown, Co. Wexford), February 4, 2022, sadly missed by his nieces Úna and Ita, nephew Brendan, nephew-in-law Norbert, niece-in-law Martine, grand nieces and nephews Darren, Aisling, Patrick, Niamh, Rachel and Sophia, Bishop Ger Nash, the clergy of the Diocese of Ferns and parishioners of Piercestown. May He Rest in Peace.
Reposing in Mulligan’s Funeral Home, The Faythe, Wexford, on Sunday from 3pm until removal at 6.30pm to St. Martin’s Church, Piercestown. Funeral Mass on Monday at 1pm, burial afterwards in Courthoyle Old Cemetery.
A large entry of 161 for tomorrow’s point-to-point fixture at Ballinaboola, New Ross, run under the auspices of the Wexford Hunt has forced the organisers to get the card underway half an hour earlier than originally scheduled at 12.30pm.
The track was described today as “in beautiful condition” and the going ahead of tomorrow is officially “good, good to firm in places.” The track was aerated today (Saturday) with 5-6mm rain forecast over Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
They’re off at Ballinaboola on Sunday!
The card is as follows;
12.30pm; Tattersalls NH Four-Year-Old Maiden Race. 2 miles 4 furlongs. (26 entries).
1.30pm; Cooney Furlong Five- and Six-Year-Old Mares Maiden Race. 3 miles (25 entries).
2pm; Jason Higgins Sporthorses Six-Year-Old Geldings Maiden Race. 3 miles (23 entries).
2.30pm; Nitrofert Seven-Year-Old Plus Maiden Race for Novice Riders. 3 miles. (30 entries).
3pm; Ballywalter Farms Winner of Three Race. 3 miles (13 entries).
It has been twenty-two months since a point-to-point fixture has taken place without restrictions and there is no need for online advance booking and contact tracing and social distancing will no longer be required.
The message from the organisers is to come along to Ballinaboola tomorrow for an enjoyable day’s point-to-point races. “We would love to have all our regulars back and bring some new people along for a great day out for all the family,” concluded a spokesperson for the Wexford Hunt.
For those not familiar with the track location the Eirecode Y35 D968 will take you there.
A new ‘Town Centre First’ policy aimed at revitalising towns and villages supported by targeted funding for regeneration and support for ‘above shop’ and town centre living has been published by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.
For the first time, towns will also gain their own dedicated Town Regeneration Officers, who will be crucial to driving future development. They will be full-time dedicated positions within Wexford County Council working with Town Teams and local business groups to design and implement town plans.
Wexford Fine Gael TD, Paul Kehoe is enthusiastic about the policy and believes it “will revitalise towns across county and benefit local communities.”
Deputy Kehoe said; “Fine Gael is working to create stronger safer communities and this new ‘Town Centre First’ policy is crucial to that. It is designed to support the regeneration of our towns and villages with targeted funding to support above-shop and town centre living.
“This ambitious and far-reaching policy contains a range of measures and funding supports aimed at making towns in Wexford more viable and attractive places in which to live, work and visit, whilst ensuring they are social, cultural and services hubs for the local community,” he added.
The ‘Town Centres First’ policy contains a major new strategy to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into town centres. A recent policy paper by colleagues Deputy Emer Higgins and Senator John Cummins put forward 26 proposals for consideration, which could enhance by over 10,000 the number of vacant homes becoming available for early use.
Enniscorthy’s Market Square. Will we see the return of families reared above the shop again?
“This major new policy is going to be a game changer for Wexford with local communities and local businesses central to reimagining and planning their own futures through a tailored plan. Our towns will benefit from Government funding, which will emphasise the importance of town centres as the central hub of our communities,” said Deputy Kehoe, who added; “It is important that this ambitious programme be backed up by significant Government funding.
“It is underpinned by multi-billion euro investment spread across major Government schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), Crói Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Last year, over €410 million was distributed nationwide under the URDF.
“For the first time, towns will also gain their own dedicated Town Regeneration Officers, who will be crucial to driving future development. They will be full-time dedicated positions within Wexford County Council working with Town Teams and local business groups to design and implement town plans. They will also work to identify derelict buildings and assist in bringing them back into use, a key objective of the Town Centre First policy,” Deputy Kehoe said.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, said; “Many of our towns face significant challenges. Town revival requires a co-ordinated and comprehensive response. Through ‘Town Centre First’, the Government will provide towns with the supports, resources and funding to enable them map out a coherent vision for their future and to take ownership of their future.”
The Minister of State for Planning and local Government, Peter Burke TD, said; “Local authorities will play a vital role in assisting towns shape their futures. Town Regeneration Officers and technical expertise will assist local Town Teams in formulating their local responses and accessing regeneration funding. The National Town Centre First Office will help drive this new approach to revitalising town centres and bring together the stakeholders who can help towns realise a vision for their future.”
“We know that many of our town centres are underutilised for housing and have limited housing choice despite being close to all amenities and public services. We are determined to act on this and ensure that we tackle dereliction by providing new and much needed housing supply within our town boundaries,” concluded Minister Burke.
Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne T.D. has announced an update on funding for Enniscorthy.
Minister Browne states that Enniscorthy has been granted €855,000 in active travel funding for specific projects in the last 18 months, plus €177,000 for upgrade of Slaney Street and €200,000 for the promenade walk, totalling €1,232,000.
Funding has also been granted under safe routes to school for the town of at least €25,000 and Enniscorthy and has gotten its fair share of €900,000 in general allocation of funding for the county for upgrades of footpaths and walkways giving Enniscorthy a total of over €1.4 million in funding for footpaths, pedestrian crossings, walkways, etc.
SLANEY STREET (File Pic.)
At the January meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Acting Manager Bernie Quigley told the members the works on Slaney Street Historic Towns Initiative have been completed with the exception of one premises and some additional works are required at a few properties. It is envisaged that these works will be completed in the next few weeks. Michael Tierney Conservation Architect has been procured to supervise the conservation works element.
Chartered Accountants Ireland has launched a call for young members and students in County Wexford to apply to become the profession’s next Chartered Star. The winner will secure a place to attend the One Young World summit in Tokyo in May, representing Chartered Accountants Ireland and Chartered Accountants Worldwide on the world stage alongside international leaders.
Open to students and young professionals of Ireland’s largest professional accountancy body across the island of Ireland, the Chartered Star award recognises exceptional achievement among the next generation of chartered accountants that lead, motivate, and inspire as they build their career.
OLIVIA MacDONALD and her boyfriend DYLAN CURRAN.
This year’s County Wexford entrants have an opportunity to follow Olivia MacDonald who represented the profession at the One Young World summit in Ottawa, Canada in 2016. Olivia now works with Vena Solutions as Manager, Financial Systems and Operations.
Recalling her experience winning Chartered Star 2016, Olivia said; “Being awarded Chartered Star and having an opportunity to represent Ireland at the One Young World summit in Ottawa alongside world leaders and Nobel Prize winners was an absolute dream come true.
“Part of the discussions were on using technology to advance the world, with an emphasis on Chartered Accountants’ role in the future. This encouraged me to pivot my career into the tech sector and I cannot imagine ever looking back! Six years on, I am now a senior manager in a fintech company, Vena Solutions, and a permanent resident of Canada. Apart from it being an amazing and insightful week, it totally changed my career trajectory.
“Becoming a Chartered Star has been immeasurably beneficial for me, both in my personal life and my career. The connections and friendships I made as part of the experience have proved invaluable and I encourage all Chartered Accountants in County Wexford to get involved and apply,” concluded Ms MacDonald.
This year, entrants are being challenged to demonstrate to the judging panel the ways in which they are making a difference and working towards, or supporting, the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The deadline for entries is midnight, February 7 2022. The competition can be entered through the dedicated form online and people can nominate themselves, a friend or colleague. To enter, simply complete the form on the following webpage: https://charteredaccountantsworldwide.com/star/
A new sewerage scheme and wastewater treatment infrastructure for Kilmore Quay will commence in the coming weeks. It was announced today Jon Sisk and Sons Ltd. has signed the contract with Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, to carry out works to end the discharge of raw sewage into the Eastern Celtic Sea with works on the project due for completion in 2024.
Once completed, the new sewer infrastructure will ensure compliance with wastewater discharge regulations. It will also improve the performance of the sewer network and water quality in the receiving waters and the Celtic Irish Sea. The new scheme will involve the design and construction of a new wastewater treatment plant, underground pumping stations, pipelines, as well as testing and commissioning works.
Séamus Glynn, Regional Infrastructure Lead with Irish Water said; “We are looking forward to delivering this important project on behalf of the local community in Kilmore Quay. This project will improve water quality around the quay and wider harbour area, enhance the amenity value of the coastal waters and ensure compliance with national and EU regulations relating to the treatment of urban wastewater. All new infrastructure has been sized to accommodate future population growth and will play an integral part in the development of Kilmore Quay.”
CLLR JIM MOORE
Cllr Jim Moore, Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District expressed his delight at the announcement. “I am delighted to see this most welcome infrastructure which will give a huge impetus to the development of Kilmore Quay in terms of environment, industry, community, housing, and tourism. I would like to thank all concerned for their efforts in reaching this important milestone for Kilmore Quay and the surrounding district and region.”
Director of Services with Wexford County Council Eamonn Hore stated; “It has been a long road to get to this point however the future is bright for Kilmore Quay following this fantastic news. Together with the current sewerage scheme works in Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon this represents a major improvement in Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure in County Wexford.”
Mr Hore added that Irish Water and the appointed Contractor, Jon Sisk & Sons Ltd. will be in contact with the local community in Kilmore Quay in advance of works commencing and throughout the delivery stage of the project.
The Irish Water customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also make contact on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. Updates are available on the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website.
An innovative fund raiser involving 12 Swims of Christmas during December at Baginbun Beach raised an amazing €9,150 presented to Fethard RNLI at a ceremony held in the boathouse yesterday.
Set up by local artist Helen Mason, this safety conscious swimming group who prefer to swim in numbers, grew from single figures to almost 70 and in an effort to stay motivated during December, as the sea temperatures dropped, the group set themselves a goal of 12 swims, and a fundraising target for Fethard RNLI.
Helen, the swimmers, and their families, presented the cheque to volunteer lifeboat fundraising committee member Sarah Bates and Fethard RNLI chairperson Tony Molloy at Fethard RNLI’s boathouse.
Presentation of the 12 Swims of Christmas proceeds at Feathrd RNLI boathouse yesterday. (Pic; Liam Ryan Photography).
Speaking at the presentation, Helen said: “To help stay focused, we decided to turn the month of December into a fundraiser for our local RNLI in recognition of the time and dedication given by our local RNLI volunteers. We enjoyed every minute of it, and how we laughed and joked!”
Commenting on this amazing amount raised, Tony Molloy said; “It is dedicated fundraisers like Helen and the swimmers that help keep RNLI stations going. As a charity we depend on these generous acts of fundraising to run our station, train our crew, and update our lifesaving equipment. Thanks to everyone who got involved in the swims and all who logged on to the charity page and made their donation. It is because of everyone involved; we get to save lives at sea,” concluded Mr Molloy.
Revenue officers seized 4.3 million cigarettes at Rosslare Europort last Saturday. The cigarettes branded ‘Marine Blue’ and ‘Marine Green’ have an estimated retail value of €3.2 million, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €2.5 million.
The illegal cigarettes were discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched a Dutch registered truck that had disembarked a ferry from Cherbourg, France. The search, which was carried out with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, led to the discovery of the illegal cigarettes.
A Bulgarian national in his 40’s was questioned. Investigations are ongoing.
This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295.
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