WexfordLocal.com

Kilmore Quay water works to start soon

By Dan Walsh

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, 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.

Christmas swims raise €9,150 for Fethard RNLI

By Dan Walsh

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.

4.3m cigarettes seized at Rosslare Europort

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.

Enniscorthy remembers Bloody Sunday

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy

A minute’s silence was observed and the names of fourteen civilians shot dead during a civil rights rally in Derry fifty years ago were read aloud and remembered in Market Square, Enniscorthy, today.

**DEPUTY JOHNNY MYTHEN addressing today’s Bloody Sunday 50th Anniversary event in Market Square, Enniscorthy.**

Johnny Mythen T.D. told WexfordLocal.com that the Bloody Sunday 50^th Anniversary remembrance event in Enniscorthy was organised by Sinn Féin, but it was non-political and open to everybody.

It was a dignified ceremony with Deputy Mythen reading the names of the victims, a minute’s silence was observed, Deirdre Barker and Marie Doyle read appropriate poems and the occasion concluded with Ger Sheehan singing ‘The Town I Loved So Well’.

Thirteen civilians were shot dead when British soldiers of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on people who had been attending a civil rights rally in Derry city on 30 January 1972.

They were Patrick ‘Paddy’ Doherty, Gerald Donaghey, John ‘Jackie’ Duddy, Hugh Gilmour, Michael Kelly, Michael McDaid, Kevin McElhinney, Bernard ‘Barney’ McGuigan, Gerald McKinney, William ‘Willie’ McKinney, William Nash, James ‘Jim’ Wray and John Young. A 14th person, John Johnston, who had been amongst the injured, died several months later.

AUDIO ADDITION; JOHNNY MYTHEN T.D. speaking about the Bloody Sunday 50th Anniversary event held in Enniscorthy today.

Wexford winners at Cork today

By Dan Walsh

Wexford stables got off to a winning start in the point-to-point at Ballyvodock, Co. Cork, today, with first timer I Goirni, winning the five-year-old mares maiden race for the Tector family from Rathnure.

It was the second winner of the season for handler Robert Tector and the victorious rider was Jack Hendrick from Mayglass. The verdict was one length and the mare is for sale.

**DENIS MURPHY enjoyed a victory at Cork today.**

Denis Murphy also saddled a first timer in An Tobar who enjoyed a twenty lengths success in the first division of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings with Inch rider Luke Murphy in the saddle. The Master of Ballyboy Stables was saddling his 240^th winner in the past 13 seasons.

There was a six-race point-to-point at Tyrella in East Down on Saturday, but while some Wexford raiders made the journey, none managed to reach the winning post first!

Wexford Hunt point-to-point races will take place at Ballinaboola, New Ross, next Sunday and the first race is off at 1pm. The card will feature a 4yo maiden, the first of the season; 5yo geldings maiden; 5&6yo mares maiden, 6yo geldings maiden (confined to novice riders) and a Winner of Three race.

THE’RE OFF…Good news for point-to-points

By Dan Walsh

Good news for point-to-point enthusiasts in the South East is confirmation that the Wexford Foxhounds meeting at Ballinaboola will go ahead as planned next Sunday, February 6^th.

There was doubts about the point-to-point fixture list going ahead while searching for an underwriter for insurance cover and, consequently, fixtures planned for Tinahely and Ballycrystal during January were cancelled.

A breakthrough courtesy of a new insurance scheme called The National Hunt Steeplechase, Point-to-Point and Field Insurance Programme (NHSPFS), provides insurance cover for hunting activities, including point-to-points, and all fixtures in the month of February can proceed as scheduled.

Ballinaboola will host Wexford Foxhounds start of the new four-year-old maiden season and it will be the opening race on the card. Other races include the 5yo geldings maiden; 5&6yo mares maiden, 6yo geldings maiden (confined to novice riders) and a Winner of Three race.

It has been twenty-two months since a point-to-point fixture has taken place without restrictions, many were held ‘behind closed doors’ (even limited press attendance allowed), but the time has come when online advance booking, contact tracing and social distancing will no longer be required.

It has been a tough time for everybody, but let’s celebrate freedom with increased attendances and local support, it is no more than the fans, the organisers and the participants deserve from a popular outdoor family fun day out. There is always a point-to-point event near you… check it out!

Bringing lunchtime into open spaces

By Dan Walsh

In an earnest effort to encourage and maintain social connections, Healthy Wexford is calling on all to develop their outdoor lunchtime social engagement with a new initiative called #OpenLunch, this is where you use your lunchtime, and the open spaces – parks, green areas, beaches etc. to meet and connect with others in your area.

Whether it is a meet up with friends, remote workers connecting, or residents making new connections locally this is an opportunity to use your lunchtime and the wonderful open spaces across the county. You know, you could incorporate a ‘walk & talk’ or simply ‘meet to eat’; whatever you do it’s an opportunity to get out and connect with those in your area.

Speaking about the initiative Healthy County Committee member Mary B. O’Leary said; “We’ve all suffered reduced social connection over the recent past, whether it is through reduced activities, moving to working from home, or simply due to what we now know as the new normal. This initiative is about making the conscious effort to keep and build our social connections, while enjoying the great outdoor resources we have in the county. We’ve been piloting this in my own area and the reaction has been great.”

**Wexford’s renowned MIN RYAN PARK is set to be a popular meeting place for the ‘walk and talk’ and ‘eat and meet’ lunchtime programme.**

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council is also enthusiastic and added; “We know that connecting is one of the five ways to well-being and I see this initiative being a catalyst to help people to do that in their own areas for a short time during the day”.

Chair of Wexford’s Healthy County Committee, Cllr John Hegarty encouraged people all around the county to organise an #OpenLunch in their own areas. “You don’t need anything special, and the concept can be flexible to suit you and your needs – make it an early or late lunchtime, walk and talk, just meet to eat, rotate the location – whatever works for you and your group,” he concluded.

Healthy County Co-ordinator, Annette Dupuy has set out some tips for organising an #OpenLunch and is encouraging people to check out the Community Walking Resources from Get Ireland Walking and sharing on social media use the #OpenLunch hashtag with your location so others in your area can find out what is happening.

Death of Wexford editor Gerry Breen

By Dan Walsh

The death has occurred suddenly and unexpectedly of Gerry Breen, (88), Rocksborough, Wexford, who was former editor of The People Group of Newspapers and the Ireland’s Own over many years and was also associated with historical publications.

He began his journalistic career with The People Newspapers as a young reporter in the mid-1950s and became a sub-editor and assistant editor to the late Tom Fane, before taking on the role of editor prior to Independent Newspapers purchasing the company in the early 1970s. He concluded his career as the editor of Ireland’s Own.

In recent times he was associated with Rosslare Historical Society and was editor to its five published editions of the Rosslare in History series.

Back in 1980 he consented to the invitation to be editor and wrote the foreword for BREE; The Story of a County Wexford Parish by Dan Walsh. We worked together for many years and we were lifelong friends. He was a great mentor and in recent years often interviewed him on radio.

Gerry Breen was a very kind and caring man who transformed the presentation and newspaper style from the old hot metal to a more vibrant publication and he also was an active supporter of history and heritage with a passion for his native Wexford town aligned to his generous coverage of rural parish activity across Co. Wexford.

FAMILY NOTICE; Breen (Rocksborough, Wexford), January 26, 2022, Gerry (Gerard), beloved husband of Marie and loving father of Áine, Colm, Ciarán, Nollaig, Brendan and Carol, brother of Laurence and the late Jackie and Anthony (Patrick), sadly missed by his family, son-in-law Keith, daughters-in-law Jan, Sandra, Lynn and Gill, brothers-in-law Gerard, Brendan and Raymund, sisters-in-law Ann and Brigid, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Rest in Peace

Reposing in Mulligans Funeral Home, The Faythe, Wexford today (Friday) from 4pm until removal at 5.45pm to Church of the Assumption, Bride Street. Funeral Mass on Saturday at 12 noon, burial afterwards in St. Ibar’s Cemetery, Crosstown.

Glanbia Ireland plants 100,000 native trees

By Dan Walsh

Glanbia Ireland and its farm family suppliers have achieved their Operation Biodiversity target of planting 100,000 native trees and hedgerow plants one year ahead of schedule and to celebrate the landmark sustainability commitment and to mark the significant decision taken by Glanbia Co-op to take full ownership of Glanbia Ireland.

10,000 potted native trees are provided at no cost to farm family suppliers and customers through the network of CountryLife Garden Centres. In Wexford, CountryLife has centres in Campile, in New Ross where the give-away were launched, and in Bunclody.

The trees are limited to one potted tree per customer. In-store horticulturists are available to discuss which variety best suits different soil types and where trees will thrive. The trees are available on a first come, first served basis.

Wexford-based John Murphy, Chairman of Glanbia Ireland and Glanbia Co-op said: “Our farm family suppliers have demonstrated strong commitment to sustainability action by embracing the Operation Biodiversity initiative with great gusto. We pledged to plant 100,000 native trees and hedgerows in two years. It was one of several on-farm commitments also included in our ‘Living Proof’ sustainability strategy. Today, we are delighted to report we have reached this target – a full year ahead of schedule.

“Our farm family suppliers and customers have embraced this initiative and joined us on our Living Proof sustainability journey. Our Co-op members have also taken the positive decision to acquire full ownership of Glanbia Ireland.

“This will ensure that we continue to better serve our communities, farmers and colleagues for this generation and the next generation to come. We want our farm family suppliers and our customers to celebrate this decision and mark it by planting a native tree in their garden or on the farm,” concluded Mr Murphy.

At the launch of the initiative in CountryLife New Ross, Wexford, were, from left: Noel Leacy, Horticulturist at CountryLife New Ross; farmer and Glanbia Ireland council member, John J Murphy and his daughter, Bridget Mai Murphy Ballyfoyle, New Ross and John Murphy, Chairman of Glanbia Ireland and Glanbia Co-op. Photograph: Patrick Browne.

The 10,000 free native trees include Alder, Birch, Crab Apple and Oak and are now available for pick up in Glanbia Ireland’s CountryLife Garden Centres. The latest stage of the Operation Biodiversity programme continues for 2022. Separate to the 10,000 trees made available at no cost, bundles are also available for sale through the programme.

Tree and hedgerow bundles is grouped by soil type, ensuring everyone chooses the right variety with the best chance of flourishing for generations to come.

Progress at Enniscorthy Technology Park

By Dan Walsh

A new state-of-the art office block is taking shape at Killagoley and at the January meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Acting District Manager, Bernie Quigley, reported that the building is “progressing well and the windows are currently being installed on site.”

Enniscorthy Business and Technology Park has progressed well in recent months and many passers-by on the Enniscorthy-Wexford road and by rail across the River Slaney have noticed the growth of the modern building and generally people are impressed.

**ENNISCORTHY BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY PARK is progressing well.**

The sod was turned on Enniscorthy Technology Park in August 2018, located on 35 acres on the southern outskirts of the town, the land was purchased for €18,000 per acre from the HSE, and when completed at an estimated cost of €2.5 million it is designed to accommodate small and medium enterprises and bring jobs to the Enniscorthy town and district.