WexfordLocal.com

Wexford republican’s memoir published

By Dan Walsh

Máire Comerford, (1893-1982), was an Irish Republican from North Wexford and a first-hand account of her revolutionary period memoir goes on sale in bookshops nationally tomorrow under the title ON DANGEROUS GROUND ; A Memoir of the Irish Revolution, edited by documentary filmmaker and writer Hilary Dully.

The work is a timely release ahead of the 2022 centenary. This first-hand account is one of the last of its era, and includes Comerford’s original text, written mainly in the 1940s and ’50s, and new material unearthed from her extensive archive that also contains a wealth of photographs and memorabilia from the period.

Máire Comerford was described by the media as the ‘Jeanne d’Arc of the republican cause’. She positioned herself as an able keeper of her own history, and as champion for the many women who, like herself, found themselves excluded from the historical canon of the period. Her extensive archive is testament to a determination to leave her version of Irish history behind – giving voice to the experience of revolutionary women.

As a worker for Cumann na mBan, Sinn Féin, the Dáil and the White Cross, travelling throughout the country, moving arms, carrying dispatches, finding safe houses, researching atrocities, her lively intelligence and powers of description make her an invaluable witness. She experiences raids, prison vigils, funerals of her comrades, and dangers of all kinds, but nothing cuts as deep as the sense of utter betrayal following the signing of the Treaty in 1922.

Comerford’s memoir places the reader in the lived reality of the time, showing how ordinary lives crossed over with history. Editor Hilary Dully not only has access to original documents, photos and stories, but can also see the direct personal impact Comerford has on the lives of people around her. While Máire’s memoir ends in bleak times, her overarching vision suggests an unquenchable optimism – and that the fight will go on. An epilogue by Hilary chronicles the years between 1927 and her death.

Máire Comerford (1893-1982) was an Irish Republican from North Wexford who witnessed central events of the Irish Revolution 1916-23 and remained a committed historical researcher, republican activist and writer until her death in 1982. She worked as a journalist for The Irish Press for over thirty years, editing the Women’s Page, and was last arrested in 1974 for her republican activities, aged 81.

Editor Hilary Dully is a documentary filmmaker, film teacher and writer. Her film work has been shown on RTÉ, Channel Four, TG4 and at a number of international festivals. She lives with her family in East Clare. She has a family connection with Marie Comerford and has integrated archival photographs and letters to enhance the memoir.

ON DANGEROUS GROUND ; A Memoir of the Irish Revolution by Máire Comerford. Edited by Hilary Dully, paperback, 220pp, The Lilliput Press. Available at all good bookshops. ISBN: 9781843518198

Megan’s Wexford heritage is a winner

By Dan Walsh

Megan Walsh who represented England in goal at youth levels from 2010 to 2020 has changed her allegiances through her Wexford-born grandfather and has been added to the Republic of Ireland team for the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia.

MEGAN WALSH has been added to the Republic of Ireland squad. (Getty Pics).

“It is a real honour and privilege to be called up into the Ireland squad. I was with Rianna Jarrett, Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Connolly at Brighton last year when my Irish heritage came up and things went from there,” said Walsh.

“”My grandparents, on my dad’s side, were from Enniscorthy, where we still have family. I know they would be so proud of me being part of the Women’s National Team.”

Originally from Bromsgrove, Birmingham, Megan is daughter of Phil and Nina Walsh and her grandfather William “Billy” Walsh emigrated from Cooltigue, Bree, in the 1950s.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper, has also lined out for Everton, Notts County, Yeovil Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, where she has been a regular starter since 2019.

Death of historian Helen Skrine

By Dan Walsh

The death has occurred of well-known author and historian Helen Skrine, who fell asleep peacefully at her home, Butlerstown, Tomhaggard, surrounded by her four daughters. She was in her 95^th year.

Helen Skrine grew up in Butlerstown, spent two years in London with the BBC, and later many years in Malaysia where she lived with her late husband John Skrine, a lawyer. She started writing the manuscript about her family and her Wexford roots about 30 years ago. During the 1980s she was secretary and later president of the Wexford Historical Society for some years

Maeve Davison of Bargy Castle, mother of singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh, HELEN SKRINE (second from the left) and Anna Skrine- Brunton, of *The Boxwells of Butlerstown Castle* book, and Francois Davison with Helen McInerney, presenter/ producer RTÉ *Nationwide* programme and Neilus Dennehy, cameraman, during filming Butlerstown Castle last February. (Pic; Michael Freeman).

She is the author of an acclaimed 200-page hardback memoir, The Boxwells of Butlerstown Castle, a lineage of the Boxwell, Harvey, Skrine, Stokes and St Leger families, that featured on RTE’s Nationwide earlier this year.

In the book, Helen tells in descriptive, colourful, and entertaining prose about her experiences, and the history of her famous family in the 1798 Rebellion, the Irish War of Independence, World War II, and the bleak 1950s living in a big house across the yard from the historic Butlerstown Castle on a 100-acre farm.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS; Reposing at her residence for family and close friends on Thursday from 2pm to 7pm. Funeral Service for Helen will take place in St. Enoch’s Church, Killinick, on Saturday at 12 noon, followed by burial afterwards in Ishartmon graveyard. “At Rest”

Hot meals for five Wexford schools

By Dan Walsh

Five Wexford schools benefitting an additional 1,624 primary school pupils has been added to the Hot Meals Programme.

The schools being invited to participate are currently availing of the cold lunch option under the School Meals Programme. They are Clonroche National School, St Senan’s National School, Enniscorthy, Scoil Náisiúnta Bhantiarna Lourdes, Convent of Mercy and Scoil Nais Realta Na Mara.

Welcoming the announcement Deputy Paul Kehoe stated: “Receiving a hot meal in the middle of the day is so important for nutrition but also for a child’s mental and physical wellbeing.

“It also leads to better educational outcomes and an improvement in the overall wellbeing of our children.

“I am continuing to work with my colleagues in Government to push for further progress in the coming months that will result in future expansions of this really important programme once again,” concluded Deputy Kehoe.

Power-full exhibition at Kilmore Quay

By Dan Walsh

Local Cllr Jim Moore, Cathaoirleach, Rosslare Municipal District performed the official launch of a maritime and village photographic exhibition entitled Kilmore Quay in the Rare ‘Ould Times by John Power in the Stella Maris Community Centre, Kilmore Quay, on Saturday.

Almost 4,000 images are in the John Power Collection and the exhibition is open to the public until next Thursday. There are many features including data on the coastguard since1825, the lifeboats from 1847, the arrival of the first motorised lifeboat in 1937, and images of the development of Kilmore Quay over centuries.

John Power was a commercial fisherman for more than 37 years and was secretary of the Kilmore Quay Fisherman’s Co-operative and chairman of the Irish Federation of Fisherman’s Co-operatives in the 1970’s. He also wrote three volumes entitled A Maritime History of County Wexford.

**JOHN POWER pictured with his photographic collection on exhibition at Stella Maris Community Centre, Kilmore Quay.**

Sharing the exhibition space are Jack O’Leary and marine artist Brian Cleare, co-authors of the book The Sailing Ships of County Wexford.

It is John Power’s tenth exhibition and continues over five days until Thursday, November 25^th with free admission each day. Opening hours 11am to 4.30pm.

Ink has dried on ancient city of Ferns

By Dan Walsh

Christopher Power has written a number of books on various fascinating aspects of local history across several regions of Ireland, however, his latest publication A History of Ferns is motivated by his residential proximity to historic Ferns, and he is daily inspired by his surroundings of history and heritage.

**Author CHRISTOPHER FERNS with his latest publication ‘A History of Ferns’ now on sale in local bookshops.**

“Only a scatter of beautiful ruins remains as a tangible proof of the city that once existed, briefly it is the most settlement in Ireland,” said Christopher, who added; “A peculiar feature of the ancient city and settlement is how little archaeological discoveries have been found in the town and this, considering the age and scale of the settlement, is still a puzzle. Ferns monastic sites have proved richer in this regard.”

It is against that background that Christopher explores ancient Ferns once more, from the life and times of St. Aidan, the magic of millennia that is St. Mogue’s Well, St. Mary’s Abbey, the churches of St. Peter and Mary, the sites at Clone, Ballyandrew, Boolnadrum, the later magnificence of Ferns Castle, Ferns Cathedral and the progression of Ferns life into modern times.

The book is broken into chapters, the language is plain and uncomplicated, it is an evolving story from the life of St. Aidan, founder of Ferns Diocese (550-632).

A History of Ferns by Christopher Power, well-illustrated with sketches and colour images, 144 pages, available from the author or in local bookshops.

AUDIO ADDITION – Christopher Power talks about his latest publication ‘A History of Ferns’.

Christopher Power talks to Dan Walsh about his latest work on Mid Week Voices (95.6 and 96.4FM) next Wednesday at 8pm.

Two more victories for Barry O’Neill

By Dan Walsh

Barry O’Neill’s long journey home to Kiltealy was pleasant this evening after the champion rider recorded a double at Kirkistown, in North Down, earlier in the afternoon bringing his seasonal tally to nineteen.

First success for O’Neill came on Campaign Town for the Colin Bowe stable in the maiden race for four-year-olds by three lengths beating Bare Meadows handled by Donnchadh Doyle and ridden by Rob James.

O’Neill was in the winners’ circle again following the Winner of One race and a five lengths victory for the Gordon Elliott trained The Creadan Rogue.

Following a brace of ‘seconds’ Rob James finally got his head in front to win the Open Race on Some Man for David Christie by a comfortable dozen lengths.

The 2021 Horse Racing Ireland Awards will be presented in early December. There are forty nominations in total, four are in the point-to-point category and two of them – Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill – are Wexfordians.

For the ninth time in his career, Colin Bowe, was crowned champion handler at the end of the 2020-‘21 season in late May.

Despite a curtailed campaign with the absence of point-to-pointing from January to the beginning of April, Bowe still enjoyed one of his best seasons to date as he sent out 44 winners and further 59 placed finishers from a total of 216 runners. That was just one winner shy of his previous best highlighting his dominance.

Barry O’Neill displayed brilliant consistency as a rider during the 2020/21 season, winning the champion rider’s title for a fifth year in succession courtesy of 54 winners, almost three times the number of any other rider.
Perhaps most notably, the Wexford native created history when he became the first rider to pick up all four of the regional titles in the same season, a feat which had not previously been achieved in the near 40 years since those titles were created.

Wexford Harbour search for missing man

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí in Wexford are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Joe Delaney, (52), who has been missing from the Wexford town area since Sunday, November 14^th.

Joe is approximately 5 foot 6 inches in height. He discharged himself from Wexford General Hospital. It is unknown what Joe was last seen wearing.

Gardaí became extremely concerned for the man’s welfare after his motorbike was discovered abandoned on the Burrow or Rosslare Point.

An intensive search involving Gardaí, the RNLI and the Coast Guard’s Rescue 117 helicopter was launched in Wexford Harbour on Thursday morning in a bid to find Joe. The Coast Guard helicopter carried out large sweeps of Wexford Harbour, stretching from Rosslare Point right out to Raven Point.

Anyone with information on Joe’s whereabouts are asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any other Garda Station.

365 days on Michael’s calendar journey

By Dan Walsh

Themed calendars have gained in popularity in recent times and well-known Wexford folklorist Michael Fortune has launched his latest publication – The Irish Dresser and Folklore Calendar 2022.

**MICHAEL FORTUNE and The Irish Dresser and Folklore Calendar 2022 recently launched and in the bookshops.**

Speaking from his den of creativity at Curragraigue, Michael told WexfordLocal.com; Following the success of last year’s publication, I have decided to produce this 2022 edition featuring new dressers, stories and folklore dates. It features forty-six dressers from counties Tipperary, Carlow, Wexford, Waterford, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Wicklow, Cork and Limerick, and there is a pull-out feature on dressers from County Cork and abandoned dressers from around the country.

Michael has been researching and documenting images and stories on dressers since 2015 and has become an expert on dresser folklore and this year took on a new collection of over fifty homes in Cork and interest in dresser folklore is on the increase.

“My work focuses on collecting and sharing folklore, I have included folkloric dates to promote particular festivals and customs that are relevant to us in Ireland. All these little things get us through the year and I’m glad you are coming on this calendar journey with me,” concluded Michael.

Calendars are already available in “all good bookshops” as the slogan goes or contact Michael Fortune/folklore.ie

Michael Fortune will be speaking with Dan Walsh about 2022 dresser and folklore calendar on Mid Week Voices (South East Radio, 95.6 and 96.4FM) on Wednesday at 8pm.

Enniscorthy achievers honoured last night

By Dan Walsh at Riverside Park, Enniscorthy

A number of clubs and individuals were honoured at a Civic Recognition Evening as guests of Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach, and members of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, last night.

Cllr Byrne said the aim of the occasion was “to honour people from the town and district who have done us proud” and he complimented and congratulated them as each one reached the podium to receive a framed certificate of recognition.

AND THE WINNERS ARE; Cllr Cathal Byrne presented to the Woodsmen Horsehoe Club (Brendan Earle, John Joe Byrne and Noel Redmond) on winning their 10^th All-Ireland Horseshoe Championship; Bree ICA was represented by recently elected County President, Breda Cahill, on celebrating the guild’s 60^th birthday; Johanna Wickham accepted the award for the Bree Macra Na Feirme FBD National Capers competition success in 2020; and Willie Wickham, Johanna Wickham and James Byrne represented Bree Macra Na Feirme branch on celebrating its 60^th anniversary in 2020.

Cllr Aidan Browne presented awards to Aidan O’Brien, Chairman, Enniscorthy Pitch & Putt on behalf of Dylan Hudson, Ruairi Fortune, Murt O’Neill, Dean Grannell, Dale Donohoe and Glenn Fortune.

**CLLR CATHAL BYRNE and BREDA CAHILL, BREE ICA Guild.**

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy made a presentation to Enniscorthy Rugby Club and present were Niall Wall (President), Aidan O’Brien (coach) and Tomás Stamp (captain) and the occasion was their achievement in reaching the AIL League in 2020. Cllr Murphy also presented local media Frank Corcoran of Slaney News on celebrating ten years in business.

Kathleen Codd-Nolan nominated Jason Rackard, winner of the Mullingar Scratch Cup (Golf) in 2020; the County Wexford Pool team (Tyler O’Connor, Barry Sinnott, Alan Maher and Benjamin Doyle), winners of the under-25 All-Ireland Pool Championships in 2021.

Cllr John O’Rourke nominated Enniscorthy-born UK-based flat race jockey Pat Dobbs. He presented to Louise Dobbs, winner of the under-11 All-Ireland Irish Dancing championships in 2019, and also nominated Jake Cox, winner at the All-Ireland Youth Boxing Championships in 2018.

The under 25 All-Ireland Pool Champions 2021 – Tyler O’Connor, Barry Sinnott, Alan Maher and Benjamin Doyle – receive their award from Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan at the Civic Recognition Evening organised by Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and held in the Riverside Park Hotel last night.

Cllr Byrne complimented the staff of the Municipal Council who organised the event including Bernie Quigley (Acting District Manager), Carolyne Godkin (Director of Services), and Mary Clince (Staff Officer).

The pleasant occasion was somewhat low key due to Covid-19 guidelines which resulted in a reduced attendance and there was a backlog in the number to be honoured, however, the Council is planning to catch up in the New Year and more Civic Recognition honours are planned.