Anne Ireton launches her second novel

Playwright BILLY ROCHE (who launched Bohemian Whirlpools) with ANNE IRETON (author) at the launch ceremony in Red Books, Wexford, today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Red Books, Wexford

Courtown Harbour writer Anne Ireton has completed her second novel Bohemian Whirlpools which was launched by celebrated Wexford-born playwright Billy Roche in Red Books, Wexford, this afternoon.

Fans of Ireton’s debut novel Kaleidoscopic Times can now follow the further adventures of the unconventional cast of characters who enlivened that book, including Fiachra, Flaps, Sinead, Austin, Aisling and Voodoo, as they continue to live their lives out there on the edge.

Ireton’s prolific writing has established a large following over the last few years across the county, country, and she even boasts international fans.

Anne Ireton’s Bohemian Whirlpools is a wild and authentic trip through the abyss, squats and beaches where art, friendship and chaos all blur together. These are stories from the edge, told with a sharp eye and a full heart.

From London to Wexford, Ireton follows the drifters, lovers and dreamers who live by their own code. It’s messy, it’s funny, it’s dark, and it’s all true enough to sting.

Edited by Álanna Hammel with a foreword by Wally O’Neill, the book catches the beauty in the wreckage, the music in the noise. It’s a reminder of a time when art mattered more than rent, when friendship came before profit, and when dropping out was a kind of virtue.

Wally O’Neill’s foreword for Bohemian Whirlpools clearly establishes exactly who this writer is and what her writing is all about.

He said; “Anne Ireton is a writer of literary fiction. She draws from master chroniclers of the human condition as well as from her own rich experiences of fringe culture. Her aim must be to document the unruly heart of modern life.

“Ireton captures the brutal dark comedy of survival on the margins in the spirit of Irvine Welsh. She knows that art, music and friendship can hold back the ultimate slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” added Wally.

Today’s launch consisted of readings, music, culture and friendship and attracted a full attendance. Anne-Marie O’Byrne Hammel acted as master of ceremonies.

The Gorey launch of Bohemian Whirlpools  takes place on Thursday, October 16th at 7pm in Gorey Library.

Anne Ireton is from Courtown Harbour with two published anthologies of poetry and prose to her credit – Sunset and Indigo Corners (2020) and Zeitgeist – Spirit of Our Times (2022).

Her debut novel Kaleidoscopic Times was published by Red Books Press in 2023. Bohemian Whirlpools is the sequel. Both of her novels are in the genre of cult fiction.

Bohemian Whirlpools by Anne Ireton, edited by Alanna Hammel, 334 pages, paperback, €18, published by Red Books Press, available at Red Books, St. Peter’s Square, Wexford.

Barry O’Neill grabs the racing headlines

By Dan Walsh

Multi-times national champion point-to-point rider Barry O’Neill, Kiltealy, scored a double this afternoon at Portrush, Co. Antrim where one of his mounts’ the veteran Winged Leader was winning for a record 34th time.

Both of O’Neill’s successes were for Fermanagh handler David Christie beginning with Winger Leader, the most winning horse in point-to-point history who had six and a half lengths to spare in the Open Race. It was his 34th victory, a remarkable record, and he is not done yet!

O’Neill and Christie made it two victories in successive races with a one length success for My Like Be Like in the Winner of Three race.

SHANE O’ROURKE (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Garrett Murphy, Tullycanna, Ballymitty, who is in his fifth season as a handler saddled his 15th winner with newcomer Rattlin Home by one length in the maiden race for four-year-olds. Shane O’Rourke, Horetown, Foulksmills was in the saddle and Rattlin Home, who ran in the Turbine Syndicate colours, will go to the sales.

Life sentence for murder of 8 year old girl

By Frank Greaney

MALIKA NOOR AL KATIB (Pic; An Garda Siochana).

A man has admitted to murdering his eight-year-old daughter in Co. Wexford.

35-year-old Mohammed Al Shaker Al Tamimi pleaded guilty today to the murder of Malika Noor Al Katib on December 1st last year.

He also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of her mother, Aisha Noor Al Katib, at the same premises on Lower William Street in New Ross.

He will be handed a life sentence when the case returns to court in December.

Enniscorthy Castle turns green for Mental Health

Some of the attendance at Enniscorthy for the lights ceremony tonight. (Pic; Wexford Local.com)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

World Mental Health Day was marked in Enniscorthy tonight where the annual Shine.ie ribbon campaign – converting the lights on Enniscorthy Castle to green – took place in the presence of a large crowd.

Leas-Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Cllr Pat Kehoe said; “It is lovely to be here tonight and see the castle illuminated in green – a colour that symbolises hope, renewal and growth.

“By coming together as a community, we can continue to raise awareness and show support and stand together with everyone who may be struggling. We must make mental health a priority for all,” concluded Cllr Kehoe.

The event was organised by Patrick Hipwell, who master of ceremonies Maura Bell, General Manager at Enniscorthy Castle described as “an ambassador for mental health.”

Mr Hipwell said; “Today is World Mental Health Day and it is very important that we mark the occasion because everyone has troubles. We must get the word out there; “It is OK to feel OK and it’s OK not to feel OK.”

There were also contributions from Senator Cathal Byrne and Thomas Devereux, County Chairman Wexford Macra Na Feirme.

The attendance included Deputy Johnny Mythen TD, Cllrs Aidan Browne, Trish Byrne and Jackser Owens while there were apologies from Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy who is representing Enniscorthy district at the London-Wexford Association dinner this weekend.

Five young members of Enniscorthy Boxing Club gave a sparring demonstration, Mylie Connors performed a song, and St. Colman’s Pipe Band from Ballindaggin contributed music to the event.

Water supply back on in Taghmon

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann crews have completed emergency repairs to a burst watermain in Taghmon, and supply is now returning to customers in the affected areas.

Customers in Monastery Avenue, Ard Munna, Taghmon and surrounding areas experienced disruption following the unplanned burst earlier today. Uisce Éireann’s crews worked quickly to repair the main and restore supply.

Uisce Éireann’s Water Network Operation Manager for Wexford, Padraig Lyng said; “We understand how disruptive an unplanned outage can be, and we thank all our customers for their patience while our crews worked as safely and quickly as possible to restore supply.”

Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.

Water works repairs in Taghmon

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann crews are working to repair a burst in Taghmon and restore water to customers affected.

The burst watermain will result in outages for customers in Monastery Avenue, Ard Munna, Taghmon and surrounding areas in Co Wexford.

Uisce Éireann’s Water Network Operation Manager for Wexford, Padraig Lyng has assured customers that every effort is being made to restore a full water supply as quickly as possible.

“We understand the inconvenience of an unplanned outage and we thank customers for their support while our works continue,” said Mr. Lyng.

Repairs are expected to be completed later today. Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.  
To ensure the safety of the crews carrying out the repairs to the burst and the safety of the public, traffic management will be in place and will be clearly signposted.

Old landfill sites to become public spaces

By Dan Walsh

County Wexford’s four historic landfill sites are due to be transformed into public areas in the coming years.

These sites include Carcur near Wexford Town, Lucas Park near Enniscorthy, Ballykeerougue near Campile in the New Ross Municipal District and Gorteen near Inch in the Gorey Municipal District.

The Creative Ireland programme at Wexford County Council has teamed up with the Environment Office to consult with the communities living close to the sites about their vision for what they could become in the future.

Cultural producer Karla Sanchez will lead these consultation workshops, inviting the communities to share their thoughts and ideas. Using innovative consultation methods, the sessions aim to encourage progressive thinking about what might be possible on the sites.

CLLR JOE SULLIVAN STATES “it is very important that our communities have a say in how the landfill sites are shaped for future generations”. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr Joe Sullivan says ‘it is very important that our communities have a say in how the landfill sites are shaped for future generations. These workshops are a fantastic way to share your opinions. I would encourage our local communities to come along and get involved.”

The consultations will take place at the following times and locations:

Carcur, Wexford is on tonight Thursday, October 9th at 7pm in Wexford Library.

Lucas Park, Enniscorthy on Thursday, October 16th at 7pm in Enniscorthy Library,

Ballykeerogue, Campile, on Friday, November 7th at 7pm in Campile Community Hall.

Gorteen, Gorey is on Saturday, November 8th at 4pm in St, Mogues Community Centre, Inch.

Please book your place for the library sessions through the library bookings page, or email elizabeth.howard@wexfordcoco.ie for the Ballykeerogue and Gorteen sessions.

Man detained in Oylegate drugs bust

By Dan Walsh

A man aged in his 20s was arrested after a  sophisticated growhouse operation was discovered within a premises at Oylegate where Gardaí seized 130 suspected cannabis plants with an estimated value of approximately €164,000 (pending analysis).

As part of ongoing investigations targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the area, Gardaí in Wexford conducted a search under warrant of a residential property in Oylegate on Tuesday afternoon.

A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene and is detained at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

In a follow-up search at a residence in Wexford town, Gardaí seized a number of items of evidential value, a quantity of cash and arrested a man aged in his 50s.

He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in the Eastern Region.

The seized drugs will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for further analysis.

Investigations are going.

Presidential campaign comes to Gorey

Campaigning for Presidential candidate CATHERINE CONNOLLY begins in Gorey and Arklow this week. (Pic; The Times)

By Dan Walsh

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly is the focus of attention in the Wicklow-Wexford constituency this week and all are welcome to attend two Catherine Connolly campaign meetings.

Meetings will be in the Loch Garman Arms Hotel, Main Street, Gorey, on Thursday, October 9th at 7.30pm and in the Bridge Hotel, Arklow, on Friday, October 10th at 7.30pm.

A barrister by profession, Catherine Connolly served as a deputy for Galway East in Dáil Éireann since 2016. She was Leas Cheann Comhairle in the 33rd Dáil 2020-2024.

The only other candidate in the Presidential Election is former Fine Gael Minister Heather Humphries although, as first reported here on WexfordLocal.com last Sunday night, the Fianna Fáil nominee Jim Gavin’s name will appear on the ballot paper and it is possible to vote for him, even though he withdrew from the race late last Sunday night!

It could only happen in Ireland and will probably make the Guinness Book of Records with possibly the largest number of ‘spoiled votes’ cast in any Irish election! Low voter turnout is also a concern.

It also encourages those dissatisfied with how candidates were chosen and with party whips banning elected council members (Wexford included) from adding more interested parties to the ticket may intentionally use the democratic system to show their rage with ‘a spoiled vote’.

Polling in the Presidential Election takes place nationwide on Friday, October 24th 2025, from 7am to 10pm.

Drinagh crash victim named locally

By Dan Walsh

The man in his 60s who was fatally injured in a road traffic collision on the N25 at Ballykelly, Drinagh, 4kms south of Wexford town on Sunday morning has been named locally as Michael (Miley) Cousins, Knockingall, Piercestown.

MICHAEL ‘MILEY’ COUSINS

Mr. Cousins was the driver of a courtesy bus at The Coal Bunker Bar, Drinagh, and was outside his workplace when a collision occurred involving a van and a jeep.

The collision occurred at approximately 1.10pm on Sunday morning. Mr Cousins was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Michael (Miley) Cousins,  Knockingall, Piercestown was loving husband of Brigid and loving brother of Eddie, John and James. Sadly missed by his wife, brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and wide circle of friends.

May his Gentle Soul Rest in Peace.

Reposing at JJ Kearney’s Funeral Home, Selskar Street Y35EK80 today (Tuesday) from 3pm to 8pm. Funeral arriving to St Martin’s Church, Piercestown on Wednesday morning for Requiem Mass at 12 noon followed by private cremation.