There was a vibrant feel of community spirit and a reawakening of the rural countryside as a Road Run comprising a long convoy of vintage cars and tractors participated in the Coolgreany Vintage Club event that covered more than 50 kilometres today.
Highways and byways were once again awakened to the sound of vehicles from the past after 18 months of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a sight to behold and a sign of normal life returning!
The older tractors at the Coolgreany Road Run. (Pic; Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin)
Weather conditions were tolerant as the convoy paraded down Coolgreany’s long Main Street, onwards to Inch, then to Woodenbridge and the historic Meeting of the Waters at Avoca, past Aughrim Holiday Village and Tinahely before sounding the horn at the Gap Pub and Ballyfad Post Office and back safely in Coolgreany.
Founded three years ago Coolgreany Vintage Club are delighted with the response to today’s Road Run. The annual barbecue in aid of Tidy Towns’ Coolgreany also took place and there was a brilliant afternoon music session with singing star from Ferns – Stacey Breen.
A Memorial Garden in memory of deceased and retired firefighters from Co. Wexford was officially opened today in the grounds of Gorey Fire Station.
CANON MARK HAYDEN in prayer at Memorial Garden (Pic; Joseph Dixon)
Edward Rossiter, Station Officer, and members of Gorey Fire Service formed a guard of honour.
Cllr Joe Sullivan planted a tree, Canon Mark Hayden recited prayers and the blessing was performed by Rev. Roger O’Neill, in a short, dignified ceremony attended by representatives of the firefighting families across Co. Wexford.
It was fitting that the Memorial Garden opened on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 remembering the hundreds of brave firefighters who died in the line of duty in the Twin Towers. The US Flag of Honour flew at half-mast.
A recent visit by Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to Wexford’s Trinity Wharf has been hailed as “an ambitious economic plan to support job creation and economic investment in the county” and members at last Monday’s special meeting to discuss the draft County Development Plan held in ‘the Street’ at Wexford County Council headquarters at Carricklawn were treated to a short promotional presentation.
Trinity Wharf is strategically located on a prominent 10-acre site overlooking Wexford Harbour with unrivalled panoramic views from its coastal location on the Wexford quay front. It is expected to maximise opportunities for growth and foster a dynamic ecosystem into a development that will transform Wexford and the South East Region.
The overall cost is €110 million. Wexford County Council has investment under the Government Project 2040, Urban Regeneration Development Fund with combined funding of €20 million.
An additional €7 million is ringfenced by the elected members of Wexford County Council for the landmark project, which will see a portfolio of public and private investment building on the reputation of Ireland as centre of excellence for FDI and European headquarters for multi-nationals.
Trinity Wharf will be completed in two phases and will accommodate several elements including headquarters of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), 200,000 sq. ft of commercial office space, hotel accommodation with an international partner, restaurants and retail units, conference facilities, and a 64-berth marina, a new boardwalk linking Trinity Wharf with Paul Quay and the Crescent, an urban greenway, and in phase two – residential apartments.
Visit of Minister Darragh O’ Brien to Trinity Wharf, Wexford. From left; Sen Malcolm Byrne, Cllr Garry Laffan Mayor of Wexford, Tom Enright CEO Wexford County council, Minister Darragh O’Brien, Barbara Anne Murphy Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council and Minister James Browne. Photo; Mary Browne
Aldi has unveiled its newly revamped and extended Newtown Road store, in Wexford town, following a €2.5 million overhaul. There are also 86 car park spaces available to Aldi shoppers, along with a bicycle rack stand.
The store overhaul and extension has created four new permanent jobs in the local area in addition to the current team of 26 staff and brings the total number of staff working in Aldi’s seven Co. Wexford stores to over 185.
Over the past month the store has undergone a complete refurbishment, including the building of a new extension, increasing the shop floor space by 30% and the store has been redesigned to be as environmentally friendly as possible, featuring free to use electric car charging points and being powered by 100% green electricity.
Aldi staff, Adisa Rago, Declan Downes, Barry Doyle, Store Manager, Jess Dempsey and Joanna Tokarzwith at Aldi’s newly revamped and extended Newtown Road Wexford Town store, Picture: Patrick Browne
Speaking at the store reopening today (Thursday), Barry Doyle, Aldi Newtown Road Wexford Town Store Manager said; “Our new and improved store is fantastic news for local shoppers! The spacious design means it is easier for customers to pick up what they need, and our aim is to ensure the very best customer shopping experience. In addition, it’s great to see new jobs being created in the town.”
Aldi has made a capital investment of €23.5 million in Co. Wexford since 2004. Aldi claims to be the best paying supermarket in Ireland and currently employs over 185 full-time staff across the county. Aldi is seeking to recruit 34 new employees for its seven Wexford stores this year, including 24 permanent positions.
Laura McGuire, Hannah Larkin, Olivia Burke, Shane Burke and Adam Donaghue from Mercy School, St Johns Road, .Wexford with donated Aldi Play Rugby Kits, also pictured are Barry Doyle, Store Manager and Corey Carty, Community Rugby Officer at Aldi’s newly revamped and extended Newtown Road Wexford Town store. Picture: Patrick Browne
As part of the store reopening, Aldi has donated six full Aldi Play Rugby kits to Mercy School, St John’s Road, Wexford. Aldi’s stores across Co. Wexford are deeply involved in their local communities. To date, the stores have donated over 55,000 meals to local charities through FoodCloud, saving the charities more than €70,000. Each store is also part of Aldi’s Community Grants network, with Wexford Marine Watch and Pieta House Wexford some of the several charities that have availed of the €500 bursary grant.
In addition to supporting local charities, Aldi is the first retailer in Ireland to commit to planting one million native Irish woodland trees by 2025, working together with Green Belt.
Aldi partners with a variety of Irish food and drink producers across Co. Wexford and spent €9 million with its Co. Wexford suppliers in 2020. Aldi is committed to growing its Irish supply base and increasing the number of locally produced Irish products available at its stores. Aldi currently partners with 12 food and drink producers across Co. Wexford.
Not all of the 34 elected members were there, but there was a quorum overflow, and there was a sense of normality to business as members gathered in person in ‘the Street’ at Wexford County Council headquarters at Carricklawn, Wexford, last Monday to discuss the draft County Development Plan and progress it to the next stage.
CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, 2021-’22.
Fresh Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was in the chair for several deferred motions from the June meeting and some new motions submitted. The detail was very thorough with most queries directed at Diarmuid Heuston, Senior Executive Planner, who was most efficient in his replies to members queries.
The Council decided by a majortty of 17-8 to continue with the draft County Development process.
The meeting lasted three hours (with break to satisfy Covid-19 guidelines) with plenty of interaction and robust exchanges, at times, as 30 motions were dealt with.
Everything from rural housing, housing density to seaside residences, Cllr Jim Codd pointed out that the 3km radius was a disadvantage in coastal areas like Kilmore Quay, Cllr Jackser Owens wants people to live in their town, Cllrs John Fleming, John Hegarty, Michael Whelan were voiceorious about the needs of the communities they represent, but in fairness, it was a wide-ranging honest discussion without rancour and anger.
The draft County Development Plan will be available to make submissions in October. and there are still opportunities for public consultation, and it is important that the views of all are taken into consideration as the Plan will exist for seven years and, also, area plans for Enniscorthy, Wexford, Gorey and New Ross will be devised using the County Plan.
Traditional tales from the fireside are certain to be extinguished from next year after an announcement today from the Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan TD directing a nationwide ban on the sale of smoky coals. The days of the ‘real coal fire’ are over for good!
Long time Wexford campaigner Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the news of “better air quality.”
Senator Byrne said; “The levels of air pollution measured in Wexford’s four main towns were frightening. In many cases, levels of pollution were recorded at over ten times what is regarded as safe by the World Health Organisation. Enniscorthy and New Ross were particularly bad at times, but even Wexford town, which did have a ban on the sale of smoky coals in the town, still saw higher levels than were safe.”
In 2015, then Cllr Byrne brought a motion to Wexford County Council to make Wexford a smoky coal free zone. Moves for this to happen were resisted by the Department as it wanted to develop a nationwide ban. He has regularly raised the issue in Leinster House.
“I am happy this is finally happening and that our air quality will improve. There are more sustainable fuel sources available that are better value for money, including smokeless coal, and we need to promote their use,” concluded Senator Byrne.
On July 13thWexfordLocal.com published a ‘Save Barntown Castle’ piece and spoke with some locals who were fortunate to get funding from the Historic Structures Fund 2021 and the good news is that Phase 1 of safeguarding the castle has been successfully completed.
Stabilisation works to the base of the tower house has been completed and the committee said goodbye to the excellent stonemasons, Martin Codd Architectural Stonemasons, Archaeologist Emmet Stafford and Conservation Engineer Dermot Nolan on this project.
Michael Brazzill, Chairman Barntown Heritage Group told WexfordLocal.com; “What a transformation in just over two and a half weeks. The stone repairs and pointing were brilliantly executed and blended in flawlessly, securing the most vulnerable part of this structure. In the weeks ahead, we will look forward to adding a new entrance door to the tower house.
BARNTOWN CASTLE – BEFORE
BARNTOWN CASTLE – AFTER
“This project was made possible by funds from the Historic Structures Fund 2021, Wexford County Council, the landowner and many donations made by the public. So, thank you so much, for helping us to save this historic structure and the many volunteers including Mayor of Wexford Cllr Garry Laffan and a massive thank you to Catherine McLoughlin, County Heritage Officer, for all her guidance with this project.”
Archaeologist Ronan O’Flaherty told WexfordLocal.com that Barntown Castle is one of the best surviving examples of a Wexford Castle – a bit later than the Norman castles dotted around the south-eastern counties.
Barntown is a late medieval, possibly 16th century tower house of four storeys, with the entrance protected by a machicolation. The lobby shows evidence of a murder hole and the battlements have been destroyed.
It was built by the Roches as a protection for the garrison that supplied Ferrycarrig Castle with provisions and was held by Walter Roche until his death in 1561 when it passed to his heir, William Wadding.
In the homily preached by Fr Billy Swan, Administrator in Wexford Town Parish, at Sunday’s Episcopal Ordination of Fr Ger Nash as Bishop of Ferns there was a pride in the longevity of the diocese, but the Diocese of Ferns is facing into changing times.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com Bishop Nash spoke of “a post-Covid changing world and a church that is changing hugely as we go on in time. He added; “Inevitably there will be changes because of the age structure of priests. In every diocese there are a lot more priests in the older age bracket and that is going to lead to change.”
CHANGING TIMES; BISHOP GER NASH and his predecessor BISHOP DENIS BRENNAN at Sunday’s Episcopal Ordination ceremony at St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy
Bishop Nash also wants “communities back together” and this will be achieved shortly. Parishes are beginning to set dates for Confirmation and he is adamant that “by the end of the month all of the children will be confirmed” as quickly as we can and as safely as we can within Government guidelines.
Fr Swan reminded the small congregation that in the 6th century, about 100 years after Christianity first came to Ireland, a young man arrived here in Enniscorthy from Scattery Island at the mouth of the River Shannon in Co Clare. There he founded a monastery and when he arrived in Wexford, he founded another settlement that became known as Teampeall Senáin or ‘the Church of Senan’ from which comes the name ‘Templeshannon’ that we have today. Saint Senan was a contemporary of Saint Aidan and they knew each other well.
Fr Swan continued; “Almost fifteen centuries later, another Clare man has arrived here, not on his own initiative, but in response to a call to come and serve as our bishop – to follow in the footsteps of Saint Senan and become the successor of Saint Aidan.
“It is difficult to contrast the world that must have awaited Senan as he arrived here in the 6th century to the ecclesiastical and social landscape today. In the words of the Gospel, Senan arrived here without purse, bread or haversack and many of the things that would have made his mission easier, from a worldly perspective. But while he lacked material things, he possessed a strong faith in the power of the Gospel that had changed lives everywhere since it first erupted in Jerusalem a few centuries earlier and spread west here to Ireland.”
AUDIO ADDITION; BISHOP GER NASH spoke to DAN WALSH after his Episcopal Ordination in Enniscorthy on Sunday.
By Dan Walsh at St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy
Bishop Ger Nash has become the 81st Bishop of Ferns, successor to Bishop Denis Brennan, and ordained today in St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, by the Most Revd Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin, assisted by Most Rev. Denis Brennan, Bishop Emeritus of Ferns, and Most Revd Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe.
Concelebrants were His Excellency Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio, Most Revd. Kieran O’Reilly, SMA, Archbishop of Cashel and Emily, Most Revd Willie Walsh, Bishop Emeritus of Killaloe, and Most Revd. Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.
Ordaining bishops, concelebrants and diocesian clergy in procession at St. Aidan’s Cathedral for the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Ger Nash
In his initial address, Bishop Nash said this is a special day in the story of the Diocese of Ferns and on this special day for me, my family and friends, I greet the small number gathered here in the Cathedral of Saint Aidan in Enniscorthy, but I also welcome in spirit those who are present virtually by webcam, YouTube link and local radio.
“First amongst them are the people of Ferns in all their individual parish communities with whom I will work in the years ahead to discern what our God is calling us to. I greet especially the priests of Ferns Diocese who have welcomed me so generously and whom I will get to know and work with as the current restrictions are eased.”
BISHOP GER NASH
Bishop Nash said; “We are living in strange times as we continue to cope with Covid-19. I offer my sympathies to the relatives of those who have died including those who suffered with the Covid-19 coronavirus and in particular, the families of Ferns diocese who have lost loved ones. Leaba i measc na naomh doibh siud ata imithe uainn. Also, I would like to acknowledge the heroism of all the healthcare and frontline workers who continue to be involved in responding to the pandemic.
“I am privileged to have been asked by Pope Francis to lead the historic Diocese of Ferns and I feel very humbled. I would like to thank Bishop Denis (Brennan) for the welcome extended to me from the moment he heard the news and, on your behalf, to express gratitude for his leadership and care of the diocese over the past 15 years.”
Bishop Nash referred to “to the voice of the worldwide Church under the guidance of Pope Francis and his successors, there are other voices who will need an open ear on our part. And what is interesting about that is that Pope Francis has called us to be attentive to each one of them already.
“First, is the need for a Church which has a personal and committed relationship to Jesus Christ, His life and His teachings, and to the promise of the Resurrection and a Kingdom where all our weaknesses of mind and body will vanish.
“Secondly, the voice of the lived experience of people which has rarely been heard or acknowledged and which Pope Francis is now calling the whole Church to address through the process of synodality. Another word for synodality is conversations – the kind of conversations which will bring the reality of people’s lives into engagement with the healing, encouraging but very challenging Good News of the Gospel.
“Thirdly, the voice of our planet and our fragile human existence. In the past 18 months, that voice of our human frailty has spoken and said “Stop”. And we have stopped, rich and poor, developed and developing countries, Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere, celebrities and ourselves, the lesser known – all have heard the hidden yet powerful voice of Covid and found a common humanity at some level. But recent voices have also said that unless we take serious and immediate action, future generations will inherent a destroyed earth. As Pope Francis pointed out in 2015 encyclical letter on caring for our common home, called Laudato Si, we cannot be God’s people without looking after God’s earth.”
“My hope is that we can work together here in Ferns with the Spirit of God sustaining us to nurture the faith and continue to ensure a place of welcome and hospitality for all. In accord with Pope Francis’ model in “Let us Dream” I would wish to lead our diocese in Seeing, Reflecting and Acting so that we become a refuge of healing and encouragement with space for all who are searching for meaning, especially, as we emerge tentatively from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Bishop Egan concluded; “I look forward, with the help of God, to working with you in your parish communities throughout the Diocese of Ferns. Please pray for me.”
AUDIO ADDITION; Bishop Ger Nash speaking at his Episcopal Ordination in St. Aidan’s Cathedral today (Sunday, September 5th 2021)
During the ceremony Fr Billy Swan, Administrator, Wexford Town Parish read the homily and other participants included Rev. Joseph McGrath, Vicar General, Rev. Tom Dalton (Master of Ceremonies), Rev. Jim Doyle (Assistant Master of Ceremonies), Rev. Odhran Furlong and Rev. Mr Dermot Davis (Concelebrating Clergy), Eliza Chapman and Gabriel Hendrick (Sacristans), Roisin Dempsey and Fr. Jim Fegan (Cantors), Adrian Doyle, organ/piano; Colm Ó Tiernaigh, violin; Aileen Kennedy, Irish harp and Michelle Mason, cello (Musicians), First Reading Margaret Nash, Second Reading David French, Presentation of Ring and Pastoral Staff, Jim Willis and Ger Mulgannon, and Post Communion Reflection. Teresa Nash.
Today is an historic occasion for the Diocese of Ferns as Fr Ger Nash is honoured at the Episcopal Ordination ceremony at 3pm in St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, as he becomes the 81st Bishop of Ferns.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions the numbers allowed to attend is strictly controlled, however, coverage can be found on the following websites;
WexfordLocal.com will also be covering the ceremony and bringing you details from the Episcopal Ordination.
FR GER NASH becomes the 81st Bishop of Ferns at the Episcopal Ordination Ceremony in St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy today – September 5th 2021
MEET THE NEW BISHOP
Gerard Nash was born on 27 February 1959 at Glandree in the parish of Tulla, Co Clare. His parents Tommy and Mary are deceased, and he has two sisters, Teresa and Margaret. His sister Bernie died in 2008.
He went to the local primary school in Drumcharley and then to secondary school in Tulla. After the Leaving Certificate he studied business and then worked in the manufacturing industry for a number of years. After choosing to study for the Diocese of Killaloe in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, he was ordained on 15 June 1991 in Drumcharley Church, Tulla, by Bishop Michael Harty.
After ordination, he was appointed as chaplain/teacher in Roscrea Vocational School and as priest responsible for Roscrea Youth Centre. In 1996 he was appointed as General Manager of Clarecare, which provides a range of social services to the people of County Clare. From 1996 he was also assistant priest in Corofin. In 2003, he was appointed as resident priest in Corofin and part of the first grouping of parishes in the Diocese of Killaloe. The newly created area was called Imeall Boirne. In 2007 he moved to Crusheen, also within the Imeall Boirne Pastoral Area. Father Nash was appointed Diocesan Secretary in 2010, while continuing to minister in Imeall Boirne. In 2016 he was appointed Director of Pastoral Development for the Diocese of Killaloe. On the 11 June 2011 the Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Father Nash as the new Bishop of Ferns to succeed Bishop Denis Brennan. He will be the 81st Catholic Bishop of Ferns.
The foundation of the Diocese of Ferns (Fearna) is said to date from the year 598 AD when Brandubh, king of Uí Cinsealaigh, gave a grant of land to Maodhóg (Saint Aidan, patron saint of the diocese) who became first bishop in the area at that time. One of his successors, Saint Moling (697 AD) dedicated a holy well at Ferns to his memory, known as Maodhóg’s Well.
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