Council family in final farewell to Billy

CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council leads officials and Council workers as Billy Kinsella’s cortege arrives at Ballyfad village for his Funeral Mass and burial this afternoon.

By Dan Walsh at Ballyfad

Wexford County Council work colleagues, officials and public representatives formed a guard of honour and lead the tributes to Billy Kinsella, (59), who was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery following Funeral Mass in The Church of Our Lady of the Nativity, Ballyfad this afternoon.

The Wexford County Council worker from Clonroe lost his life while clearing debris and fallen trees following Storm Eunice in the Ballythomas area.

The incident occurred within a mile of his residence around 11am last Friday which makes the tragedy even more poignant.

Celebrant Fr. Richard Lawless told the overflowing congregation that “Billy’s good work in life came to a sudden end last Friday. He was a quiet, selfless character and a rock of good sense. He was a proud family man and would give his time to anybody.”

On behalf of the community Fr Lawless expressed sincere and heartfelt condolences to Billy’s sorrowing wife, Rita; their son Conor; brothers and sisters Patrick, Elizabeth, Shay, Sean and Aileen; aunts, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, grandnephews, grandnieces and extended family,

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council, Tom Enright, Chief Executive Officer, Tony Larkin, Deputy CEO, Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council and Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Leas-Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, lead a legion from Wexford County Council in attendance at Billy’s funeral.

As a mark of respect Wexford County Council closed all its offices from 1pm today.

Colonel Stephen Howard, Aide-de-Camp represented President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina. James Browne T.D., Minister of Law Reform at the Department of Justice represented the Government.

There was also a guard of honour by members of Kilanerin GAA Club and he was remembered by his friends in the local Vintage Club – a model of a Massey Ferguson tractor was one of the gifts placed on his coffin during the Mass.

Billy Kinsella was laid to rest in Ballyfad Cemetery where Fr. Lawless recited the final prayers and the sad occasion ended with a solo rendition of Boolavogue. May He Rest in Peace.

Gorey-Sri Lanka Cricket Tour launched

Pictured at the Gorey Cricket Club launch in the Loch Garman Arms, Gorey, last night were; (left to right) Anslem Diaz, Cllr Andrew Bolger, Al FitzGerald (Chairperson), Pradeep H. Gamage (Club Captain), Bartle Esmonde (who presented a Esmonde Perpetual Cup) and Rob Millard (MC).

By Dan Walsh in Gorey

About 30 members have signed up for next year’s Gorey-Sri Lankan Cricket Tour 2023 involving cricket matches, sightseeing, assisting in the construction of children’s homes in the wake of the Tsunami 2004, and generally growing stronger links between the two countries.

Details of the tour were unveiled last night at a pleasant presentation organised by Gorey Cricket Club in the Loch Garman Arms Hotel, Gorey.

Club Captain Pradeep H. Gamage introduced the itinerary and updated plans for the 14-day trip next February. There was a presentation on Sri Lanka, which is a tropical island famously described by Marco Polo as “undoubtedly the finest island of its size in the world.”

Though the efforts of Brian Brennan, who addressed the gathering via video, the link will continue to grow stronger as Gorey will be visiting the Arklow Boys Home and the Wexford Girls Home during the tour while a fundraising campaign will soon take place.

Gorey Cricket Club’s presentation was addressed by Al Fitzgerald (Chairperson), Herbie Honohan (Development Officer with Cricket Leinster, and Mr Bartle Esmonde, who kindly sponsored the Gorey/Kilmuckridge Colleges Esmonde Perpetual Trophy in honour of his esteemed family from Ballynastragh, whose links with cricket date back to the 1800s.

Rob Millard acted as Master of Ceremonies and welcomed everybody to the function, thanked the speakers, and wished all well on the Sri Lanka tour.

AUDIO ADDITION; Chairperson of Gorey Cricket Club AL FITZGERALD talks to DAN WALSH at Tuesday night’s launch in Gorey.

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.