News and Sport and Events that matter across County Wexford.
The public water supply is turned off in parts of Enniscorthy until approximately 11pm tonight to facilitate emergency repairs to a water leak.
The households affected are from Ross Road to Carley’s Bridge and includes Andy Doyle Close, Riverwood, Urrin Valley, Middlesbrook, Daphne View and Slí Na Sláine.
By Dan Walsh
Wexford Young Fine Gael (YFG) have issued a call for new members between the ages of 15 and 35 to join the group founded over 40 years ago by then Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald TD to act as a voice for young people from all over Ireland.
Currently Wexford local Steven Murphy (24), a primary school teacher from Screen, sits on the YFG National Executive as the Leinster Regional Organiser.
Wexford YFG members will be travelling to attend the YFG Cosgrave Weekend taking place in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone on Friday, 11th March – Sunday 13th March. The YFG Cosgrave Weekend will be the first in-person national event in over two years since the COVID-19 measures came into place, and features policy debates, training workshops and opportunities to meet like-minded young people in a fun setting.
Steven Murphy said; “I have made several great friends over the years from all over the country through YFG and have some outstanding memories from conferences, elections and campaign wins.
“YFG is a welcoming place with varied special interest groups such as the YFG Coiste na Gaeilge, YFG Second-Level Network, YFG Agriculture and Rural Affairs group, and the YFG Women’s Network which focuses on mentoring young women, running leadership skills workshops and policy areas that particularly affect women in Ireland.”
Wexford YFG has a proud track record of working closely with all Fine Gael elected representatives including Paul Kehoe TD, Cllr Bridín Murphy, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, and Cllr Jim Moore, Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District. Recent campaigns saw Wexford YFG participate in reform of the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant Scheme, the extension of trading hours for nightclubs and bars and calling on Minister Stephen Donnelly to provide universal access to free contraception for all women.
Wexford YFG has been frequently meeting online during the pandemic. Their first in-person activity will be meeting with Deputy Paul Kehoe at his constituency office in Enniscorthy on Saturday, 26th February for a leaflet drop, chat and refreshments. For more information on joining check out the Wexford Young Fine Gael Facebook page, or email steven.murphy@yfg.ie.
By Dan Walsh
Courtown Community Council are delighted to announce the Courtown/Kiltennel Walking Trail has received official accreditation from Sport Ireland following two years in development.
This unique coastal heritage trail is one of the countries only wooded dune systems in Ireland and is therefore a site of ecological importance. National Parks and Wildlife have designated this site a Natural Heritage Area. The Courtown Kiltennel Trail will form part of the Slí Charman Coastal Trail Rehabilitation Works which began back in the early 90s. The trail has now been added to the National Trails Register and will appear on the Sport Ireland website.
Courtown Community Council continues to work closely with Wexford County Council, Wexford Walking Trail and National Parks and Wildlife Service in the areas of maintenance, restoration and conservation.
Linda Sinnott of Courtown Community Council told WexfordLocal.com today; “In collaboration with The Irish Coast Guard and Wexford Walking Trail we are delighted to introduce a numbered emergency locator marker system along the trail to help trail users identify their location should an emergency arise.
“We are delighted to see so many people enjoying the trail already. Walking Trails have proved hugely popular since the beginning of the pandemic. There is no better way to immerse yourself in nature than to spend some time ambling throughout Courtowns extensive walking trail network,” she concluded.
By Dan Walsh
Walkers are being encouraged to join Wexford Walking Trail on April 2nd and go that extra mile for a ‘Climb With Charlie’ walk along the scenic route – 16.4km return – from Kiltealy village to the summit of Knockroe Hill in the Blackstairs Mountains.
The challenge begins at 10am and the task is to walk with RTE legend Charlie Bird raising valuable funds for two deserving charities – the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
The start and finish is at Kiltealy Community Centre and the route will take participants via Cullentra to Sculloge Gap, up Shannon’s Lane and on to the summit of Knockroe (4,964 ft) and the organisers advise that “a good level of fitness is required for the challenge and this walk is not suitable for buggies or families with children.”
Online registration is essential – go to Wexford Walking Trails – and all information about terrain, what to wear, what to bring etc. is all there.
HISTORY; Knockoe is famous in World War II history. On New Year’s morning, 1941, three members of the Shannon family were killed in their beds when a German aircraft dropped bombs on their home.
The German bomber dropped eight bombs on the Mount Leinster-Blackstairs Mountain range, The third bomb scored a direct hit on Shannon’s house.
By Dan Walsh
Wexford County Council has been informed of its 2022 allocation of €23,749,787 for regional and local road funding for Co. Wexford and included is €4 million under the category ‘severe weather’ which will cover some of the damage to roads and bridges in the Christmas Day flooding weather event.
Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, Eamon Ryan, today announced details of a €597 million investment programme for 2022 for regional and local roads. Overall funding will increase by over 4% this year. The funding package will allow approximately 3,100kms of roads to be maintained and 2,550kms to be strengthened.
Minister Ryan stated: “The main priority in 2022 continues to be the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network. Last year I introduced a climate change adaptation grant for works on roads at risk due to the impact of climate change and severe weather events. I am pleased to say that this funding will continue in 2022 with €15 million being allocated for 355 climate change adaptation projects.”
Minister Ryan added: “Specific provision of €4 million has been made to assist Wexford County Council with road repair works arising from the flooding event that occurred in Wexford on Christmas Day.”
“”I would also explain that these grants supplement local authorities’ own resources expenditure on regional and local road projects and do not represent the total investment in regional and local roads for this year,” concluded Minister Ryan.
By Dan Walsh
Condolences are expressed to Wexford Independent Deputy Verona Murphy and family on the loss of their mother, Breda Murphy, Ramsgrange.
Mrs Murphy’s Funeral will arrive on Wednesday to St. James’ Church, Ramsgrange, for Funeral Mass at 11am followed by burial afterwards in Ramsgrange Cemetery.
Members of Wexford County Council at Monday’s meeting and Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District meeting on Tuesday expressed sympathy to Deputy Murphy.
Also, condolences were expressed to Cllr Joe Sullivan on the recent passing of his mother, Margaret Sullivan, Durrow, Co. Offaly, in her 102nd year and to Cllr Maura Bell, on the recent loss of her mother, Emma Bell, Coolcotts, Wexford town.
By Dan Walsh
The R735 regional road link between Adamstown and Clonroche has reopened to traffic having caused severe local access inconvenience since closure following the excessive rainfall that fell on Christmas Day.
Aughnaglower Bridge, known locally as Chapel Bridge, was washed away completely in the floods. Wexford County Council has acted swiftly in reopening the road with a new layout and temporary crossing and while care is necessary the roadway is open again.
Many bridges were damaged across Co. Wexford in the Christmas Day downpour and engineering inspections have been conducted with a view to repairs or replacement as quickly as possible.
By Dan Walsh
Killanne rider Rob James was in brilliant form over the weekend winning six point-to-point races – three at Kirkistown in North Down on Saturday – and another treble at Comea, Co. Tipperary today.
James got off the mark in the maiden race for four-year-olds on first timer Willmount, trained at Kiltealy by Colin Bowe for Milestone Bloodstock Ltd, winning by two and a half lengths.
He followed up on Barnaleen for Patrick Ryan in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus confined. Just a length advantage at the finish.
James’ third winner on the day was Step Up Son by six lengths in the maiden race for six-year-old geldings and older for John ‘Shark’ Hanlon. Second success in two days for the Bagenalstown handler.
Colin Bowe and Milestone Bloodstock Ltd enjoyed a double success in the maiden race for four-year olds at Knockanard, Co. Cork where newcomer Captain Teague raced home by eight lengths with Barry O’Neill up. Both of Bowe’s Sunday winners are bound for the sales.
The state of play at the top of the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship shows Barry O’Neill just one winner ahead of Rob James, O’Neill on 27 (672 career total) and James 26 (261 career total).
State of Power was also a winner at the Cork track for owner/handler Harley Dunne, training at Rathfardon, Clonroche, in the five-year-old geldings maiden race. Tiernan Power Roche, Tomhaggard, took the mount as Harley Dunne was riding in the cross-country race at Punchestown.
Racing was also scheduled for Oldtown, Co. Meath, today, but heavy overnight rain caused the meeting to be abandoned and re-scheduled for next Saturday. The entries stand.
Gardaí are investigating an incident that occurred at approximately 8.15pm on Saturday in the Priory Lane area of New Ross.
A man in his 40s was arrested and he is currently being detained at New Ross Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
No injuries were reported during the course of this incident. Investigations are ongoing.
By Dan Walsh
Barry O’Neill’s lead in the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship were narrowed down to three (26-23) today after Killanne rider Rob James rode a treble at Kirkistown in North Down.
James enjoyed an eighteen lengths victory on Beyondapproach for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle team in the mares Winner of Two race.
He also scored on Value Till Dawn trained by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon at Bagenalstown in the five and six year old maiden race by four lengths and added his third victory of the day for David Christie, Fermanagh, bringing home Some Man by twenty lengths in the Open Race.
WexfordLocal.com 