WexfordLocal.com

Love Gorey or Craanford or Blackwater?

By Dan Walsh

Promotion of Gorey and North Wexford going forward was the theme of a presentation to the members of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council at last Tuesday’s January meeting held in Gorey Courthouse under Covid-19 guidelines given by Norma Quinsey. Cllr Pip Breen was in the chair.

Ms Quinsey gave a detailed account of LoveGorey.ie and pointed out that during the height of the pandemic LoveGorey adapted to assist communication for the region and social media posts on services were available even in the rural areas, details of how businesses adapted, such as takeaway meals, new opening hours adaptation and click and collect services.

The annual Big Switch On for the Christmas lights were cancelled and in its place was “a positive seasonal video” to remind people that Santa and the spirit of Christmas belonged to Gorey!

Some were overwhelmed and wrote to the committee. Fiona Doyle said; “It was absolutely gorgeous! It would bring a tear to a glass eye! What an amazing little town! Very well done to all involved. Missing home even more now.”

Director of Services Liz Hore said LoveGorey was an example of the local authority working in partnership with the businesses. She added that a review of the funding model is needed.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux stated that LoveGorey be used to its maximum and suggested that if we (Council) are going to fund it, we should fund it with additional funds, but questioned; “what do we get back in return?” He added that LoveGorey has evolved as a promotional unit, and we (Council) should give it funding to do so properly.

Cllr Joe Sullivan said the people of Gorey are very committed to LoveGorey and the funding from Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council was 10 or 15% when he was in the chair. “It would be better able to exist with extra funding,” he concluded. He also suggested that Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen be added as a committee member.

Cllr Mary Farrell described LoveGorey as “a fabulous tool’ and she found the Christmas video “amazing.” Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said Love Gorey was “money well spent.” Cllr Donal Kenny was satisfied and felt “Gorey is one of the greatest towns in Ireland,” Cllr Andrew Bolger felt it was “a great example of excellent marketing and attracting people” via Visit Wexford.ie

Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen said; “LoveGorey is a great success story, and they are doing a brilliant job.” Cllr Oliver Walsh thanked Ms Quinsey for the presentation and there was a small bit of banter to end this part of the meeting – members were left smiling on whether the title should be LoveGorey, LoveCraanford or Love Blackwater?

Tributes paid to Fr Jimmy Ryan

By Dan Walsh

The death has occurred of Rev. Fr. James (Jimmy Ryan), in his 79^th year, who was priest in residence at Cleariestown and acting parish priest of Rathangan. He died in Wexford General Hospital after a short illness.

Tributes have been paid on social media including Cllr Jim Codd who described Fr. Ryan as “a kind, compassionate man who always had a friendly and often witty word for everyone.”

A native of Horeswood, Fr Ryan was born in 1943 and ordained to the priesthood at St. Peter’s College, Wexford, in June 1967. He was immediately posted as curate to Mayglass and also served in Kilmyshall from 1972 and Bunclody in 1989.

Fr Ryan was appointed parish priest to Riverchapel-Courtown in 1995 where he served for 11 years until his retirement in 2006. In retirement he settled in Cleariestown where he celebrated over 50 years of his ministry.

FAMILY NOTICE; Rev Fr. James (Jimmy) Ryan Cleariestown, Priest in residence at Cleariestown and acting parish priest of Rathangan. Beloved brother of Nicholas, Peggy (Rowe) and the late Paddy, Johnny and Breda (Rowe). Deeply regretted by his brother, sister, nephews, nieces, Bishop Ger Nash, Fr. Denis Brennan and his fellow priests and parishioners. May He Rest In Peace

Reposing in Ryan’s Funeral home Wellingtonbridge on Sunday from 2pm, with removal at 6pm to St Mannon’s Church, Cleariestown arriving at 6.30pm. Funeral Mass on Monday at 2pm, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery, with adherence to government guidelines on Covid 19.

Repair plans for damaged Kiltilly Bridge

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council, the Fisheries Authority and the ESB are working in tandem to restore Kiltilly Bridge which was seriously damaged following the infamous torrential Christmas downpour. The bridge closure is causing annoying inconvenience forcing some local families to take an 8km round trip.

There has been a bridge at Kiltilly since the early 1700’s carrying traffic between the parish and half-parish of Kilrush and Askamore. The current bridge consisted of five stone-built arches, but four were long ago blocked off by overgrowth and the single arch was capable of coping with all storms for generations until the Christmas Day deluge.

The crystal clear fast flowing stream that flows beneath Kiltilly Bridge rises in the high ground and flows towards Ballamon, about 3kms away, and from there is piped to Ferns where it serves houses and residences as the Ferns Public Water Supply constructed in the 1970’s.

Power cables controlled by the ESB also use the bridge crossing. The underground cables originate at the Knocknalour windfarms and are carried in the direction of Tombrack.

**Local resident Jimmy Lancaster and Cllr Donal Kenny inspecting the damage to Kiltilly Bridge in the Christmas Day floods.**

Local Cllr Donal Kenny has been to visit the damaged bridge and speak with affected residents. He told WexfordLocal.com that Senior Engineer at Wexford County Council Eamonn Hore visited the site on Thursday and confirmed that “a full under bridge inspection” will be held and “all foundations must be checked.”

Local resident Jimmy Lancaster told WexfordLocal.com that the stream approaches the bridge from the side, which he claimed “is unusual” and it escaped any damage. It was the exit of the arch that gave way. “We have never seen anything like this before,” he concluded.

AUDIO ADDITION ; CLLR DONAL KENNY talks to DAN WALSH about the damage to Kiltilly Bridge and plans for its safe restoration.

Wexford football will not tolerate abuse at matches

By Dan Walsh

The Wexford Football League, The Wexford & District Schoolboys League, The Wexford & District Womens/Schoolgirls League and The Wexford Branch of the Irish Soccer Referees Society have issued a joint statement condemning the increasing level of abuse towards match officials in all grades of football.

The statement reads; “We have noticed the increasing level of abuse towards Match Officials in all grades of football. They are being abused before, during and after matches, with decisions they make being questioned by Players, Managers, Coaches and Supporters. This type of behaviour is unacceptable, and it is a trend we do not want in our game.” Zero tolerance will be applied.

The statement also notes reports of racist and discriminatory remarks are also on the increase. The League’s condemn Racism in any form, either on or off the field of play, and FAI sanctions will be applied.

The statement continues; “Some of the comments being made on social media platforms are inappropriate, offensive and derogatory. Players/Clubs should note that comments made on any social media platform are in the public domain as soon as they get posted.” FAI sanctions will apply.

“Match officials deserve our utmost respect in carrying out their duties as without them we would have no games,” concludes the statement issued on Thursday night.

Glanbia Co-op advances acquisition of Glanbia Ireland shareholding.

Glanbia Co-operative Society (“Glanbia Co-op”) today announced that it has completed the placement of 5.75 million ordinary shares in Glanbia plc (equivalent to approximately 2% of Glanbia plc’s issued share capital) at a price of €12.25 per share. The share placement will raise approximately €70 million for Glanbia Co-op.

Following the completion of the share placement, Glanbia Co-op holds approximately 30.5%* of the issued share capital of Glanbia plc.

Glanbia Co-op has also confirmed that it has raised €250 million through the launch of an Equity-Linked Exchangeable Bond. The five-year Exchangeable Bond is linked to a pledge of approximately 15.1 million Glanbia Plc shares (5.3% of the issued share capital). The Co-op retains full ownership of the pledged shares until such time (if any) as an exchange is exercised in accordance with the terms of the Exchangeable Bond and will continue to benefit from any dividend paid by Glanbia plc on the shares.

The share placement and exchangeable bond issue follow the decision taken at a Special General Meeting (SGM) of Glanbia Co-op shareholders on 17 December 2021 to approve the acquisition of 40% of Glanbia Ireland from Glanbia plc. Completion of the share placement and exchangeable bond completes the funding arrangements of Glanbia Co-op in connection with the proposed acquisition of Glanbia plc’s 40% shareholding in Glanbia Ireland (as originally announced on 10 November 2021).

Subject to satisfaction of outstanding conditions, including the approval of the proposed transaction by Glanbia plc independent shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) at a date to be confirmed, Glanbia Co-op proposes to pay €307 million to acquire Glanbia plc’s 40% shareholding in Glanbia Ireland.

Currently, Glanbia Ireland operates as a strategic joint venture, 60% owned by Glanbia Co-op and 40% owned by Glanbia plc.

John Murphy, Chairman of Glanbia Co-op, said: “I am pleased to confirm to Co-op Members that we have successfully completed the financing arrangements required to put in place the funding for our proposed acquisition. Our Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking 100% ownership of the world-class processing assets closest to our farmers’ interests and we look forward to closing that transaction in the coming months, subject to the approval of Glanbia plc’s independent shareholders at their EGM.”

JOHN MURPHY Glanbia Co-op Chairman, and JIM BERGIN, Glanbia Co-op CEO, pictured at the Glanbia Co-op virtual Special General Meeting on 17 December, 2021. Glanbia Co-op shareholders approved a proposal to acquire full ownership of Glanbia Ireland at the meeting. Picture Dylan Vaughan.

Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited is Ireland’s largest Co-operative, with 11,200 members and a current value of approximately €1.6 billion. Glanbia Co-op is the largest shareholder in Glanbia plc, holding approximately 30.5% of the issued share capital of the Company as at the date of this announcement.

Glanbia Ireland is a world-class integrated agri-food and nutrition business with eleven processing facilities, 52 agri-branches and over 2,100 employees. It is Ireland’s number one dairy company, with a three billion litre milk pool and paying over €1.3 billion directly to farm families for milk and grain this year. It is the largest buyer and user of Irish grains, with over 270,000 tonnes handled each year.

Its award-winning brands are household names in Ireland, with Avonmore fresh milk being Ireland’s number one dairy brand. Glanbia Ireland has a strong global footprint with a market presence in the UK, France, Germany, UAE, the US, North Africa, Japan and China. Glanbia Ireland currently exports to over 80 countries.

Bridge inspections are priority

By Dan Walsh

Many roads and bridges in the Enniscorthy district are marked for inspection and survey following the torrential rain that fell on Christmas Day and Executive Engineer Neil Dempsey updated members at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held under Covid-18 guidelines at the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy. Cathaoirleach Cllr Cathal Byrne presided.

Mr Dempsey said work has started at the bridges of Kilcarbery and Finchogue and will commence at Ballybrennan in a week or two. At Ballybrennan the Ballinavary Bridge, which is open to traffic, will be inspected but a substantial portion of the wall at the road junction was swept away. There are also enormous amounts of debris in the river area including an extra-large tree across the River Boro opposite the old quarry complex.

**A large section of a wall and entrance to a field at Ballybrennan was completely swept away in the Christmas Day floods.**

Mr Dempsey added that the Council had meetings with the fisheries and bridge engineers and work on clearing the debris has started. A preservation order has been submitted to the Department in relation to Kilcarbery and Wilton.

Mr Dempsey assured members that progress is taking place, but it is a slow process and water levels are still quite high and hampering works like under bridge inspection.

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan noted the importance of inspecting all the bridges in the district. “Some are not in great nick and potentially dangerous,” she concluded.

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy thanked the Council workers for responding to the appalling conditions that befell the district on Christmas Day and their commitment to the public in the days that followed, and she hoped that the district would get “a really good allocation” to complete repairs to roads and bridges.

In other matters relating to poor road conditions. Cllr Jackser Owens reported the situation at Peg’s Lane in Ballyboy, Ferns, and he also noted weeds overgrowing at Killagoley. “There is no footpath now and the area is dangerous for pedestrians,” he added.

Cllr Aidan Browne drew attention to the “poor performance of some street lights” and the engineer agreed to pursue the matter future.

**BALLINAVARY BRIDGE has been connecting the parishes of Bree and Davidstown since 1865 and it continues to serve that important purpose.**

HISTORY ADDENDUM; Today I visited Ballinavary Bridge, an area I would have been familiar with while growing up in Bree, and, using modern technology managed to decipher the barely legible stone plaque that reads; ‘Ballinavary Bridge, 1865’.

It is an impressive single arch, and a short distance away is a smaller arch that used to carry the millrace to serve Wilton Mills. It still carries water having separated from the River Boro at Ballybrennan Bridge on the road past the grotto to Ballymackessey, however, I’m told that it no longer continues towards Wilton Mills, but rejoins the River Boro short of the ruins.

Wilton Mills, although in the townland of Ballinavary, built as a flax mill by Charles Pounell in the mid-1800s. It was never an enormous success and was sold to the Kennedy family who used it to grind corn and saw timber and it later passed to the Murphy family. Power was served by a waterwheel that was eventually sold for scrap.

Housing crisis in North Wexford

By Dan Walsh

The five-year (2022-2026) Housing For All Plan is being presented to District Councils across the county and the members of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District were given details at the monthly meeting on Tuesday.

The policy has four pathways to achieving housing for all; supporting home ownership and increasing affordability, eradicating homelessness, increasing social housing delivery and supporting social inclusion, increasing new housing supply and addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock. It is a complicated document.

The minimum target distributed by gross demand is 1,150 houses comprising of Enniscorthy (253), Gorey Kilmuckridge (297), New Ross (168), Rosslare (96) and Wexford (336).

Geographical distribution of social housing demand and approved delivery for the Gorey Kilmuckridge District (i.e, the number of households on SSHA ‘social housing assessment) is 363, broken down as follows; Ballycanew/Ballygarrett/Camolin/Craanford (17); Ballymurn/ Glenbrien/Oylegate (12), Blackwater (9); Boolavogue/Monageer (7); Coolgreany (7); Gorey (249); Hollyfort/Kilanerin (6); Kilmuckridge (14); Monamolin (4); Oulart/The Ballagh (14); Riverchapel/Courtown (24).

**MAIN STREET, GOREY, looking towards Tara Hill. (File Pic).**

Some of the constraints and challenges facing the Plan includes the availability of mains water and wastewater in some areas of the county; limited existing land bank and the ability to acquire good sites in the right location; availability and capacity of contractors (It is stated that Housing for All will require a further 27,500 construction workers (nationwide?); the cost of raw materials and availability; a buoyant private market in terms of demand and limited turnkey options for Local Authority and AHB’s, and, of course, there is also Covid uncertainty.

Cllr Andrew Bolger told the meeting “It is easier to buy property in Dublin than in Gorey.” He added that it was a serious issue and called for a radical housing programme for Gorey.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhán called for a Council led development and claimed the private market was the problem. “When it comes to affordable rent there is nothing in Gorey”, said Cllr Ó Súilleabháin, who repeated his call for the Council to build social housing.

Cllr Willie Kavanagh wondered when the 27 houses at The Ballagh will be allocated?

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux explained how nobody can built a house in Camolin and it was “choking the life out of the community – the Church of Ireland parish, the Roman Catholic community, the school, the GAA and other sports and community organisations – because Irish Water is protected by the government and political system. He added that there are seven new houses coming to Ballyoughter. Cllr Devereux mentioned that it can take seven years from buying the land and progressing through the planning and tendering progress before people can live in a house.

There was mention of holiday homes empty for 9-10 months, Cllr Joe Sullivan referred to 75 acres at St. Waleran’s and land at Rathínculain owned by the Council. Cllr Donal Kenny felt that there were several parcels of land available, and Cllr Anthony Donohoe said that Irish Water was under-funded when handed over.

There was a general consensus that Gorey Kilmuckridge needs housing and the villages should be provided with small housing schemes like in times past, but, delivery is going to be a major challenge due to rising costs and regulation and restrictions on fresh water and wastewater services.

Focus on Gorey’s Market House in 2022

By Dan Walsh

Gorey’s historic Market House on the Main Street should be prioritised for development during 2022 and there was strong support from members at today’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held under Covid-19 guidelines in Gorey Courthouse this afternoon.

Cllr Joe Sullivan suggested that the Market House be placed in the middle of plans for Gorey in 2022. “In the seven years that I have been on the Council the Market House and Esmonde Street have been under discussion and I want developments be brought to fruition,” he stated.

Cllr Donal Kenny said the Market House could be “a game changer for Gorey” and he asked that the CEO, Tom Enright, be invited to the Market House swiftly and see can progress be made.

Cllr Anthony Donohoe stated that in his seven and a half years on the council “the Market House was on the books” and he hoped “2022 could get something moving.”

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin reminded the members that the historic chamber room was “falling into disrepair” and he hoped it could be restored to display “priceless objects.”

**MARKET HOUSE, Main Street, Gorey. (File Pic)**

Enniscorthy Flood Relief; “the money is there”

By Dan Walsh

Executive Engineer Larry McHale updated members on the Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme at today’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held under Covid-19 guidelines at the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy.

Referring to the most recent flooding Mr McHale described “a serious event” that brought Minister Patrick O’Donovan, who has responsibility for the OPW, from his home and family in Limerick to Enniscorthy on St. Stephen’s Day where he met with members and officials and witnessed for himself the importance of the scheme.

Minister O’Donovan promised to meet with the members and discuss the delays in progressing the scheme and that special meeting took place on January 5^th.

The meeting with Minister O’Donovan was described as “very positive” and that funding is secure for the scheme, and “it is very important for people to hear that.” There are problems with court challenges, but the Council is awaiting approval and the contract documents are ready for signing.

**River Slaney burst its banks and spilled onto the roadside at Enniscorthy on St. Stephen’s Day 2021.**

Cllr Jackser Owens told the meeting he had met the Minister, who he described as “frank and honest”, and he was assured that “the money is there.” Cllr Owens made reference to objections to the scheme and wondered if there were a time limit on legal objections.

Cllr Codd-Nolan said it was “a very positive” meeting with the Minister and she was relieved that “the money is there” for the scheme, but she questioned the legal agreements and consultants on huge money holding up the scheme.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr Cathal Byrne, reported that the Minister confirmed that the money for the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme is ringfenced with his Department but that he is awaiting approval of the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme from Minister Michael McGrath and the Department of Public Expenditure who are currently reviewing the environmental surveys and impact assessments as part of a legal approval process. “I again raised the need for this process to be sped up so that the works can start, he added.

Sen. Byrne calls for exams hybrid model

By Dan Walsh

Senator Malcolm Byrne has been urging that clarity be provided for this year’s students since last summer and today he reiterated his call that a hybrid model of predicted grades and sat exams be used again for this year’s Leaving Certificate class.

“Those in this year’s Leaving Cert experienced as much disruption to their learning as the Leaving Cert Class of 2021 and provision needs to be made for that. In some cases, it can be through adapted exam papers, but I think the hybrid model that worked well last year should also operate for the Class of 2022. It is also important that a decision is reached soon in order to provide certainty,” he stated,

Senator Byrne confirmed to WexfordLocal.com that he has spoken to groups of students in County Wexford “and the overwhelming majority of students favour the hybrid model.”

“I have raised this with the Minister, and she has not made a decision, but is listening to all the partners in education. The student representatives are strongly supporting the hybrid model, but the executives of the teaching unions want to see the traditional exam this June.”

Senator Byrne has highlighted that there are “more higher and further education places provided than ever before and so more options for those sitting exams.” He also asked that allowances be made for, and certainty given to students due to sit the Junior Certificate.