€20m energy savings in the South East

By Dan Walsh

The County Councils of Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny working closely with 3 Counties Energy Agency (3CEA), have all exceeded the 33% energy reduction target set in the National Climate Action Plan.

According to a report launched today (Thursday); “You could lap Wexford 43,000 times with the energy saved. Wexford saved 269 million cups of tea, or the amount of energy used by a typical family petrol car doing 43,000 laps of the Wexford County boundary, reducing CO2 emissions by 2,149 tonnes through avoided energy use, delivering a saving of 39.7%.” 

Saving energy at Kilmyshall. Part of history and heritage.

The spectrum of projects and initiatives implemented by the Wexford County Council to achieve energy efficiency include the public lighting energy efficiency project whereby 91% of public lights across the county were replaced with more energy efficient LED bulbs. This gave a 65% reduction in energy use and 60% savings in operation and maintenance costs.

Energy upgrades in Bunclody Fire Station, Gorey Library and the Council’s Machinery Yard all delivered substantial energy savings. The Council has also started transitioning their fleet to electric vehicles to further support the national policy and decarbonise local communities making them healthier and better places to live in.

Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, Wexford County Council said; “We are strongly committed to continuing our journey to improve energy performance across all of our services. ISO50001 certification of our energy management system will help us deliver the target of 50 % improvement in energy efficiency as set out in the National Climate Action Plan. The projects and initiatives implemented by the Council and our Energy Team to date has achieved energy efficiency of 39 %; above average for all public bodies who are 34% more energy efficient than in 2009.”

Maria Nolan published again in Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

Maria Nolan’s second novel The Shadow of Freedom was officially launched at a pleasant ceremony held in the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy tonight (Wednesday) in the presence of published writers, members of her family and loyal readers and supporters. Her latest work continues a theme and tells the story of the War of Independence and Civil War in Enniscorthy.

MARIA NOLAN signed copies of her latest novel in Enniscorthy tonight.

“It is great to see such a crowd and I am delighted and humbled to be here,” said Maria who went on to recall how her interest in writing evolved and in March 2021 her first novel, The Shadow of the Hill, was published without a public launch due to the pandemic lockdown.

Larry Dunne, who is five years working for the Presentation Arts Centre and Wexford Arts Centre, embraced Maria’s work and is responsible for designing the front cover of both of her books and the families were once next-door neighbours in Enniscorthy. “Even the pandemic could not stop creativity,” he stated.

Chairman of the Wexford Literary Festival, Richie Cotter, told the attendance “We are surrounded by storytellers”. He paid an outstanding tribute to Maria and having made favourable mention of both publications indicated that he saw “a trilogy on the cards?”

Mr Cotter spoke of Maria’s “energy, enthusiasm and enterprise” and claimed; “every town in Ireland should have a Maria Nolan” and he wished the Enniscorthy-born author, as Gaeilge, “Good luck with this lovely book.”

Awards Administrator with the Wexford Literary Festival Anne Gilpin, who edited the book, said “Maria Nolan loves Enniscorthy. Enniscorthy runs through her blood.”

Author Caroline Busher also struck with the “Maria Nolan loves her town” theme and said her work was “so whimsical and beautiful” and reflected that “the historical town and ancestral voice can be heard through the town,” and suggested that Maria’s book could succeed Brooklyn as the next Enniscorthy-based Hollywood film?

Kilmuckridge author Sheila Forsey read an apology from Carmel Harrington, who was unable to attend, but she sent her best wishes. Ms Forsey described the book as “haunting and beautiful”.

In conclusion, Maria Nolan thanked Ray Murphy and the Enniscorthy Re-enactors, Edel Kelly for her confectionary delights, her husband Jim, Lisa and Larry from the Presentation Centre staff, Minister James Browne, Johnny Mythen TD, Cllrs Aidan Browne and Kathleen Codd-Nolan, “who are always supportive of the arts” and all in attendance.   

Community spirit grows in Tombrack

DENIS MOYNIHAN with his sons, TIERNAN and BLAYNE, LILY RALPH and MARGARET KELLY at the water feature in Tombrack Community Garden.

By Dan Walsh

Tombrack Community Garden is one of the jewels in the crown when it comes to community spirit and environmental biodiversity and as the Spring brings higher temperatures and an acceleration of growth the place comes alive.

The garden has many features including twenty plots that are let to interested parties for a small annual fee and transformed into a haven for potatoes and other vegetables of their choice.

There is an excellent water feature and quiet clearly the garden is a work in progress but the enthusiasm and pride in the development is magic.

Denis Moynihan, Chairman, said the project is located at the rear of Tombrack National School on a productive piece of land, 1.3 acres in size, generously donated by local farmer and journalist Pat O’Toole, whose family have been farming at Tombrack for generations.

Mr Moynihan said the idea originated locally after some developments in the grounds of the school for the children and with the aid of some grant funding from Wexford Local Development the seeds were first sown in 2019.

The natural organic facility is available to all members of the community and on Fridays the children leave their uniforms at home and slip into the affectionately described ‘dirty clothes’ and spend much time playing their role in developing the garden and learning about nature in their own environment.

Mr Moynihan added that Sean Lacey was a major factor in the development process of garden and he commended Mrs Gahan, a teacher at Tombrack School since January, who is supportive to introducing children to biodiversity and the development of the garden.

A comprehensive report from Tombrack Community Garden featuring interviews with Denis Moynihan, Lily Ralp and Margaret Kelly can be heard on Mid Week Voices, 8pm on South East Radio on Wednesday.

AUDIO ADDITION; DENIS MOYNIHAN tells DAN WALSH about Tombrack Community Garden.

Four Wexford groups in All-Ireland drama finals

By Dan Walsh

Four Wexford drama groups – two in the open section and two in the confined section – will contest the All-Ireland drama finals in the coming weeks and the draw for the final line-up was completed by the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI) on Easter Sunday.

The Bostik All-Ireland Confined Finals will be held over nine nights in the Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, and Camross Drama Group takes to the stage on the opening night (Friday, April 22nd) with Kings of the Kilburn High Road by Jimmy Murphy and directed by Michael Stafford. Kilmuckridge Drama Group will present the J.M. Synge classic The Playboy of the Western World on Tuesday, April 26th.

Pádraig D’Arcy and Maireád Connaoughton in a scene from The Good Father by Bunclody-Kilmyshall Group heading for the All-Ireland finals.

The RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival takes place in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone for nine nights in early May and two Wexford groups have made it through to the finals.

Bunclody-Kilmyshall will take to the stage on Saturday, May 7th with The Good Father by Christian O’Reilly which features only two characters played by Pádraig D’Arcy and Maireád Connaughton and is directed by Kieran Tyrrell. It should also be noted that this play will give two pre-All-Ireland performances in Gorey Little Theatre on April 28-29th.

On Wednesday, May 11th it is the turn of Kilrush Drama Group and Class directed by Pat Whelan.

It is a fantastic tribute to the high standard of drama amongst Wexford groups that four are worthy of competing at the highest level and we wish all four finalists the best of luck on the All-Ireland stage.  

Barry O’Neill’s Easter Monday treble

By Dan Walsh

While today’s major action was the Irish Grand National meeting at Fairyhouse the point-to-point fraternity who had been at Loughanmore on Saturday returned to the East Antrim track for the traditional Easter Monday fixture where champion rider Barry O’Neill notched up three winners.

ANDREW LATTA was amongst today’s point-to-point winners.

O’Neill had a double success for Fermanagh handler David Christie – Alice O’Byrne in the Winner of One race and Some Man by eight lengths in the Open Race.

O’Neill’s third winner of the day was aboard Near Dark by 12 lengths in the maiden race for mares aged six-years-old or over trained at Ballinakill, Ballycarney by Andrew Latta and sporting the family colours. O’Neill is now on the 45-winner mark, 14 ahead of Rob James from Killanne.

At Cork racecourse today the point-to-point bumper was won impressively by Monbeg Park trained by Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, and ridden by Jack Hendrick. Three lengths was the verdict.

Easter Sunday winners from Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Three point-to-point fixtures yesterday (Easter Sunday) and Wexford winners across the board. Not surprising the best strike rate was in the neighbouring county of Waterford where Curraghmore held centre stage.

Matthew Flynn-O’Connor from Ballycrystal was the owner and handler of first timer The Gooner who won the maiden race for four-year-old geldings with 12 lengths to spare in the hands of Wicklow rider Brian Lawless.

Michael John Murphy who trains at Kilmore saddled Smart Lady (Micky O’Connor up) in the maiden race for mares of five years and over and ended up in the winners’ enclosure.

Michael Murphy from the Redbridge Stables, Duncormick, saddled Dream View in the maiden race for geldings, six years old and plus, and with Alex Harvey in the saddle came home two and a half lengths to the good.

JAMES KENNY… Easter Sunday winner at Oldcastle.

Gorey rider Luke Murphy won the confined maiden race on Master Campbell for Richard O’Hara who trains only a few fields away from the Waterford course. And another Wexford rider Shane O’Rourke won on Scamallach Liath for former Kilkenny star hurler turned owner/handler Kieran Purcell.

In-form Harley Dunne was amongst the winners at Quakerstown, Co. Clare. He was in front all the way on Noplacetobe for Paul Pierce, Blackhall Stables, Killurin and enjoyed a five lengths advantage on the line in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares.

Racing also at Oldcastle, Co. Meath. Fortunate Soldier was a winner for Gorey hotelier and businessman, Paddy Redmond, in the maiden race for four-year-olds. Ridden by James Kenny and trained by his father, Liam Kenny at Craanford, it was a six lengths success.

The Scallans down Cleariestown way also had a day to remember following Notkeepinyagoing’s incredible 45 lengths victory in the maiden race for five and six year old mares for Laura Scallan (owner), Mark Scallan (handler) and Jamie Scallan (rider).

Man (40s) arrested in Gorey

Gardaí attached to the Detective Unit, Gorey who were on patrol in the town on Friday arrested a man aged in his 40s who was wanted for interview in relation to criminal activity.

GOREY GARDA STATION

He was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. The man was interviewed in relation to crimes of Aggravated Burglary, Assault, Burglary and Thefts which occurred in Gorey, Bunclody, Enniscorthy, Tullow, Rathvilly and Waterford.

Warrants issued for his arrest for failing to appear in Court previously were also executed.

The man was charged and held until he appeared in Court. He was remanded in Custody to appear before the Court at a later date.

Oulart men of 1916 remembered

MARTINA DEVLIN delivers the Mise Éire Easter Address in Oulart on Easter Sunday morning.

By Dan Walsh at Oulart

The annual Easter commemoration at the Mise Éire Memorial in Oulart, organised by the Oulart Hill Group, remembered the Oulart Company Volunteers with a roll-call and a short ceremony this morning. (Easter Sunday).

There was a welcome address by Chairman, John Dempsey, who introduced the special guest speaker Martina Devlin and outlined the programme for the event, which the organisers wish will become an annual event and grow in importance with each passing year.

The Mise Éire Easter address was delivered by Omagh native Martina Devlin is an author, journalist and playwright and writes a weekly current affairs column for The Irish Independent.

Ms Devlin said; “We are on the cusp of change and there are possibilities for Ireland” but favoured “evolution and not revolution” and she called for “reunion rather than unity.” She added; “Symbols matter and symbols are meant to be a unifying force and they have served us well, but we have to be open to change.”

Ms Devlin honoured the invitation from the Curator, Bridget O’Leary, to sign the distinguished visitor pages of Leabhar an Abhalloirt.

The roll-call of the Oulart Company Volunteers was read by Breda Jacob, the 1916 Proclamation was read by Bridget Mythen and the ceremony concluded with the National Anthem performed by the Oulart Folk Group.

AUDIO ADDITION; MARTINA DEVLIN talks to DAN WALSH about her Easter commemoration address in Oulart on Easter Sunday.

The Mise Éire Memorial was designed by local historian and Oulart native Brian Cleary, Paudric Doyle from Bunclody created the inscriptions and the stonework was finished by Martin Codd from Rathnure. It opened on October 1st 2017.

Annual Easter Commemorations in Wexford

By Dan Walsh at Riverchapel

Following on from the Easter Rising of 1916 in Co. Wexford, and Enniscorthy in particular, it has been a tradition to remember the occasion publicly and in a dignified manner. Sinn Féin Co. Wexford is remembering Ireland’s Patriot Dead at annual Easter Commemoration wreath laying ceremonies across the county.

Johnny Mythen TD became the first Wexford Sinn Féin member of Dáil Éireann to attend today’s remembrance at the grave of Sean Etchingham, one of the volunteer leaders during the 1916 Easter Rising, who served in Dáil Eireann, 1919-1922, and held the position of Minister for Fisheries, at Ardamine graveyard.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Leas-Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council gave a brief outline of Etchingham’s life and times and a wreath was placed on his grave while a Colour Party saluted his memory by lowering of the flags.

JOHNNY MYTHEN TD and CLLR FIONNTÁN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN laying a wreath at the final resting place of Sean Etchingham in Ardamine graveyard today.

Born at nearby Ballintray in 1870, Sean R (Redmond) Etchingham was the first Republican Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council and Cathaoirleach of Cumann Luthchleas Gael Loch Garman, 1902-1904, 1919-1922.

A journalist with The Gorey Echo, his home at Courtown Harbour was destroyed by the Black and Tans and he passed away at Courtown on April 23rd 1923. Sean Etchingham rests in Ardamine graveyard where a tall Celtic Cross stands, erected to his memory by his friends for his devotion to the cause of Irish Freedom.

Also, today (Saturday) Sinn Féin held a wreath laying ceremony at the grave of Máire Comerford at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Hollyfort, and later this evening at Ballymore, near Camolin. A wreath was laid at New Ross on Thursday.

Tomorrow (Sunday) ceremonies will be held at Wexford (12pm) and on Easter Monday at Murrintown (12pm) and Enniscorthy (2pm). For further information it is advised to contact the Sinn Féin area representative of cumann for further details.

A week of Wexford winners

By Dan Walsh

Two Wexford winners at today’s point-to-point races at Loughanmorein East Antrim and both came in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings which was run in two divisions.

COLIN BOWE

Division one was won by first timer Yeah Man for Cormac Doyle who had a length to spare with Jack Hendrick in the saddle. Division two was a victory for Sound And Fury for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill by four lengths. This brings champion handler Bowe onto the 30-winner mark for the current season.

Racing also took place at Killelagh last Wednesday and two Wexford winners recorded at the Cork track.

Rob James won the maiden race for four-year-old mares on Love At Sea by three lengths for Donnchadh Doyle and the Monbeg Syndicate.

Jack Hendrick maintained his good form winning on Killybegs Junior for George Murphy and Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, in the Winners of One. The distance was ‘a neck’ and Killybegs Junior will be turning out at Monksgrange next Sunday, April 24th, when the second fixture of the Spring takes place under the auspices of Bree Hunt.