Wexford County Council’s direct labour crew has recently completed works in Enniscorthy to improve water supply in the town.
Works began in October 2021 to replace 1.5km of problematic mains in Rectory Road, St Senan’s Road and Templeshannon in the town.
New service connections were made for more than 70 residential properties, one large demand commercial property and further supply links were installed to allow continuity of supply in the event of an outage in the area.
The works were completed with minimal disruption to supply due to frequent engagement between the local residents and the Local Authority working on behalf of Irish Water. Newsletters were issued periodically for the duration of the project to residents with updates on progress and the upcoming works.
Templeshannon area of Enniscorthy.
Irish Water has invested over €500 million between 2017 and the end of 2021 to reduce leakage and replace old pipes on the public water network.
Irish Water’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website or set your location on our website www.water.ie
CLLR OLIVER WALSH and his daughter RUBY at the entrance to Killila Graveyard, near Blackwater.
By Dan Walsh
Killila Graveyard is the site of a medieval parish church dedicated to St. Brigid and closed for a considerable time, but it is teeming with history and heritage, and local Cllr Oliver Walsh has requested Wexford County Council to lend a hand with clearing some of the overgrowth and assisting with the preservation of the ancient site.
Cllr Walsh raised the matter at the February meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com and taking us on a tour of the graveyard last Tuesday, Cllr Walsh said; “There are lots of these old graveyards and it is important that they be maintained to a certain standard. I accept they are not going to be kept immaculately, but here in Blackwater we have a local historical group who did quite an extensive work on this graveyard here at Killily and are willing to do it again.
“Thankfully, Wexford County Council do provide a grant to different areas to do a bit of work on graveyards and Blackwater Historical Society will be looking for that grant,” added Cllr Walsh.
Located close to Blackwater village, Killila is without any trace of its church that once served the old parishes of Kilesk, Balyvaldon and Ballyvaloo, but is dominated by an unusual ‘beehive like tomb’, the entrance is blocked off and a small marble plaque over the entrance on the west end records ‘Talbot and Ffrench’. The Talbot family were related to the Earl of Shrewsbury.
It is one of the unmarked resting places of the victims of the American registered emigrant ship Pomona shipwreck off the Wexford coast two days after setting sail on April 28th 1859. Most of the over 400 passengers were lost and a memorial to the Pomona was unveiled some years ago in Blackwater village.
A headstone to A. Richie is a feature of the ancient burial ground at Killila. It is recorded that it was reserved for several unidentified bodies of sailors and many are interred there having been washed ashore at Ballyconnigar Upper and Lower, Ballyvalood and Balyvaldon.
CLLR OLIVER WALSH and his daughter RUBY at the entrance to the Talbot tomb in Killila Graveyard pointing out the plaque to ‘Talbot and Ffrench’.
Many wrecks occurred on the Blackwater Bank with fatal losses of crew and it was in this plot they were buried. Richie (1916) would have been the last of the seafaring men washed up on Ballyconnigar beach and buried at Killila.
Richie lies beneath a British War Office standard 1914-1918 war memorial. The crest is an anchor with rope entwined around the shank, and the inscription reads; A. Richie, deckhand, Barbara Cowie, 4th October 1916, aged 50.”
The oldest grave belongs to Richard Geoghegan who died March 15th 1758, John Murphy (age 26) died on May 29th 1798 and it is believed that he was a native of the Unyoke and was killed in the Rebellion of 1798.
With St Brigid’s Day becoming a national holiday from next year many associations with St. Brigid may regain an importance and the community in Blackwater may be able to take tourism advantage?
AUDIO ADDITION – CLLR OLIVER WALSH speaking with DAN WALSH at Killila Graveyard.
Irish Water, in partnership with Wexford County Council, is replacing ageing, problematic water mains in Ballygarret to provide a more reliable water supply and reduce high levels of leakage. The works involve the replacement of approximately 2,300 metres of problematic water mains with new larger capacity modern pipes. The programme to replace the water mains in Ballygarret will commence in early March.
These works are being carried out as part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme. The section of works will take place on the L5119-1 road from Ballygarrett Village to the junction with the L5122 at Kilmichael.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com; Irish Water’s Programme Delivery Lead, Joe Carroll said; “We are delighted to continue with the replacement of more ageing pipes in Wexford. The works are being carried out by our colleagues Wexford County Council and their own direct labour crew, and once complete, will improve the quality of water supply for the community in Ballygarrett. The benefits will see fewer bursts and water outages and will ensure a reliable supply of water to customers and local businesses in the area. The new pipes will eliminate existing leaks and reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.”
“In order to complete the works in a safe and efficient manner, the L5119-1 road will remain closed from during working hours (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday) from Wednesday 6 March to Friday 6 May. Local access will be facilitated. A diversion from Ballygarrett to Kilmichael via Clonevin and Seaview via the R742, L5123 and the L5122 will be signposted on approach.”
The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply. Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead these will be replaced as part of this improvement work.
Irish Water’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website or set your location on our website www.water.ie
After a two year break the Amateur Drama Festival circuit resumes this week. In preparation, Ballycogley Players, who won the All Ireland Confined Finals in 2018 with The Night Alive by Conor McPherson, make a welcome return to Wexford Arts Centre by putting on the amateur première production of The Beacon by Nancy Harris on Friday and Saturday, March 4th and 5th starting at 8pm and, tickets €14/12 at https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873624288
The production goes to Our Lady’s Island on Friday, March 11th at 8pm, tickets and €10 available at the door. The group will take part in Festivals in New Ross, Tipperary, Carnew, Shercock, Kilmuckridge, Ballinamore and Wexford.
The Ballycogley Players cast of The Beacon preparing for the amateur drama festival circuit.
About The Beacon by Nancy Harris, it was commissioned by Druid Theatre in 2016 for a co-production with the Gate Theatre as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival in 2019.
A mysterious accident. A dead husband. People are talking. Secrets are resurfacing from the depths. Beiv, (played by Pauline Doyle), a celebrated artist, has moved from her suburban home in Dublin to her holiday cottage off the Cork coast. Her estranged son and his new young wife arrive, and she must face some difficult questions. It’s an intriguing, thoughtful and humorous play with some adult themes. Over 16’s.
The Women’s Coalition vision is “a county with equal representation at all levels of society, including politics; that Wexford is a place of equal opportunity with a parity of voice reflecting the diversity of its population.” and the official launch of Wexford County Council’s Women’s Coalition takes place on Wednesday 9th March in the Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy.
The coalition is a cross party forum made up of the following six female elected members of Wexford County Council:
Cllr. Maura Bell, Chair of the Coalition. Member of Wexford Borough Council.
Cllr. Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council and member of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
Cllr. Lisa McDonald, Rosslare Municipal District
Cllr. Kathleen Codd Nolan, Enniscorthy Municipal District
Cllr. Mary Farrell, Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District
Cllr Bridin Murphy, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District
The group was established to support an increase in the number of women in politics, to support each other as female members of the council and to encourage other women who are interested in politics to take the leap and get involved.
There are similar groups in Dáil Éireann and other local authorities, but this is the first time such a group has been formed in Wexford County Council with its inaugural Chair, Cllr Maura Bell. The coalition is an official sub-committee of the County Council and has its own Mission Statement, Strategic Plan and Constitution.
Michelle O’Neill, the acclaimed Wexford-born League of Ireland Referee and global leader on the sports stage as World Cup / Olympic FIFA International Assistant Referee, is the guest speaker and will perform the official launch.
Chair of the Women’s Coalition, Cllr. Maura Bell said; “I am honoured to be elected as the first Chairperson of this dynamic group of female councillors to help encourage as many women as possible to get involved in politics at any level. If women want their experiences represented and to have the power to make decisions about the infrastructure and economic development of their community, then they need to be encouraged and supported to enter politics. Women helping women is what the Women’s Coalition serves to do.”
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council and member of the Women’s Coalition Cllr. Barbara-Anne Murphy said; “Women are widely involved in leadership roles on school boards, community groups sporting and other organisations, so it is only a small jump to step into official politics. The prospect may be a daunting one for many women, due to the lower levels of representation in Irish politics overall but we are here to show that it is a very worthwhile and rewarding occupation.”
Members of Wexford County Council Woman’s Coalition; Cllrs Mary Farrell, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Barbara-Anne Murphy (Cathaoirleach)), Lisa McDonald, Maura Bell (Chair) and Bridín Murphy. (Pic; Wexford County Council).
Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick was the king of Fairwood, Tinahely, today where he grabbed the headlines riding three winners at the annual Bray Harriers point-to-point races. He is enjoying a good season and this was number 12 out of a career total of 28 wins.
Only four of the 24 entries faced the starter for the maiden race for four-year-olds and Idalko Bihoue came home alone for Monbeg handler Cormac Doyle and the first of Jack Hendrick’s memorable treble.
Jamie Codd was present to see his father, Billy Codd saddle Earl of Desmond in the Winners of Two race and victory was his by eight and a half lengths with Jack Hendrick up. Owned by Basil Holian from Galway, Jamie said afterwards. “He is a fun horse. We don’t know where he will go next. We’ll have to discuss with the owner. We’ll see.”
Jack Hendrick, George Murphy (owner), Susan O’Gorman and Patrick O’Sullivan pose with Killybegs Junior following his success at Tinahely today.
Jack Hendrick’s hat-trick was completed on Killybegs Junior in George Murphy’s colours and trained at Coolbawn, Rathnure, by Robert Tector. The winning distance was five lengths and Hendrick expects the gelding will be aimed at a winner’s race on his next outing.
JAMES KENNY was in the winners’ enclosure at Tinahely.
Jack Hendrick missed out on a four-timer aboard Captains Nephew for Cormac Doyle in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings having lead over the final fence but caught on the run in by Colin Bowe’s General Officer ridden by James Kenny. The verdict was a neck.
Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, has ambitious plans for Lough Derg Spirit, the sixteen lengths winner of the Open Lightweight Race for novice riders under Conor Smithers. “He will go for a Lightweight Open and we’ll also consider a trip to Aintree. He will improve,” added Murphy.
Brian Lawless from Delgany was happy to have a winner at the Bray Harriers point-to-point and it came on Time To Rocco by two lengths for Cork handler Colin Motherway in the maiden race for five-year-old mares.
The Bray’s were facilitated by the Shillelagh & District Hunt where a good size crowd gathered and braved a hail shower but the track rode well and the pace was fast and furious in all six races.
JACK HENDRICK had a day to remember at Tinahely today.
It was a successful weekend for Barry O’Neill who travelled to Farmacaffley on Saturday and recorded a double – On The Sod for David Christie in the Open Race and added in a five length victory on Colin Bowe’s Gunnery Officer by five lengths in the maiden race for six year old geldings plus.
Today, O’Neill made the journey to Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary, where he rode his third winner in two days. He was aboard newcomer Haveanothergoflo for Colin Bowe in division three of the maiden contest for five-year-old geldings. Three winners also for Bowe, one yesterday at Farmacaffley and across the board double today at Tinahely and Lisronagh.
There were two other Wexford winners at the Tipperary track. Sean Doyle trained newcomer Between Waters to victory in the mares four-year-old maiden race – a 25th career winner for Jamie Scallan from Tomhaggard – and the runner-up, eight lengths adrift of the winner, was Realisation from Mary Ellen Doyle’s Coolgarrow Lane Stables near Enniscorthy.
Richie Rath sent Come On Paddy Mac from his Ballybawn, Screen, stable and was rewarded with a three lengths success in the first division of the maiden race for six-year-olds plus race. Tom Hamilton was the successful rider.
Ace photographer and community activist with Cycle Against Suicide, Joe Dixon is the Grand Marshal for the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Gorey on March 17th and he proudly accepted the honour at tonight’s launch held in Browne’s Lounge, The Parade, Gorey.
This will be the first parade since 2019 and Joe Dixon laughed as he declared himself “the longest serving Grand Marshal in the history of the Gorey parade” having had the title bestowed on him in 2020, but due to the Covid there was no parades since.
Joe told WexfordLocal.com that he feels “honoured, proud and delighted in taking on the Grand Marshal role” and he thanked the committee for selecting him. He will bring a positive and honourable feature to the parade by showcasing the frontline workers who braved the pandemic in the interest of the general public.
Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council said the parade will be a spectacle starting at the ’98 monument, marching down the Main Street and concluding at the Review Stand in Esmonde St. “There will be sporting groups, three bands and a huge parade is expected,” he added.
Pictured at the launch of the 2022 Gorey St. Patrick’s Day festival in Browne’s Lounge, Gorey, tonight (left to right); Conor Brennan (committee), Cllr Donal Kenny, Philip Knight, (District Manager), Michael Gleeson (Chairperson Gorey St. Patrick’s Day Committee); Joe Dixon (Grand Marshal), Cllr Pip Breen (Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council), Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Leas-Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, and Mary Breen (committee).
Recently appointed District Manager Philip Knight is looking forward to “my first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Gorey” and he outlined that the Council is fully supportive of the occasion and every effort will be made to make it the best parade ever.
St. Patrick’s Day Committee Chairperson Michael Gleeson is excited about the forthcoming event. “It’s the first parade in three years. It will be great to have the crowds back and to see everybody enjoying themselves. We have the arrangements almost complete, but we could do with more volunteers on the day, so anybody out there who would like to help with the parade, or, indeed, take part in the parade, give us a call before March 7th and we’ll delighted to have you.”
AUDIO ADDITION; CLLR PIP BREEN speaking about the 2022 Gorey St. Patrick’s Day Parade at tonight’s launch.AUDIO ADDITION; MICHAEL GLEESON, Chairperson Gorey St. Patrick’s Day Committee talks to DAN WALSH at tonight’s launch.
Fianna Fáil public representative in the Rosslare LEA, Cllr Lisa McDonald, has today welcomed funding approved under the Towns and Villages Renewal Scheme for Murrintown.
CLLR LISA McDONALD and MINISTER JAMES BROWNE
“I am proud to announce today that I have obtained €220,918 for Murrintown under the Towns and Villages Renewal scheme”, said Cllr. McDonald.
“The funding will be used for the development of a Remote Working Hub with high-speed broadband and a café to support job creation in Murrintown. The aim of the project is to enhance the existing social and economic infrastructure in the area”.
“The announcement this morning is testament to the huge work done by the Community Centre committee headed by Colm Dunne. Thanks also to Minister James Browne for his assistance with this project.” “I’m delighted after all our hard work to get this over the line”, Cllr. McDonald concluded.
Four Wexford projects will share €920,914 in funding under the Town and Village Renewal funding scheme announced this morning.
NEW ROSS receives the highest amount – €500,000- and this project has two elements; Renovating Brennan’s Lane which is the main link from the town centre to the Library Park, Barrack Lane and the main town centre parking facilities, and renovating the Shambles as a vibrant multi-functional space.
MURNTOWN receives €220,914. This proposal is for the development of a Remote Working Hub with high-speed broadband and a café to support job creation in the rural area of Murrintown. The aim of the project is to enhance the existing social and economic infrastructure.
CRAANFORD gets €100,000 for the provision of a remote working hub in Craanford village located in the former village shop which is currently derelict.
RAMSGRANGE also receives €100,000 for repurposing of an unused, derelict space within the former convent at Ramsgrange Centre through the development of a rural remote working hub with high-speed broadband.
Fine Gael TD, Paul Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com ; “I am delighted to that this latest round of funding is targeting a number of areas that will see vacant and derelict town centre buildings being transformed into spaces that with be of high value to the community.
“There is also a strong focus on remote working projects in this round of funding and I am pleased to see that a number of projects that set out ambitious marketing plans aimed at attracting remote workers to relocate.
WexfordLocal.com 