Brilliant weekend for Jordan Gainford

By Dan Walsh at Bettyville Park

Local jockey Jordan Gainford who landed a victory on Definite Plan for Gordan Elliott in a Grade 2 handicap chase at Cheltenham on Saturday followed up with a double at Wexford this afternoon and recorded the 50th winner of his career.

The magic 50 came on the Paul Nolan trained Dympnas Well in thewww.horsehappyvets.com Handicap Hurdle. Afterwards Nolan said; She was a bit disappointing the last day in Listowel. Jordan gave her a great ride and he is just an exceptional talent. Today was the first day we claimed off her and that helped as well.”

JORDAN GAINFORD after success at Wexford today

Jordan Gainford rode his 51st winner before the day was out following a pulsating finish to the Jim and Kay Whitty Memorial Handicap Chase getting Cushinstown’s Finest, owned and bred by Liam Carty of New Ross, home first for Kiltealy trainer Colin Bowe.

Afterwards Gainford said; “She is a real stayer, but on that ground and with the stiff finish it suited her today. It’s great for her owner Liam Carty who is a big supporter of the yard. I’ve three winners left now on my 5lb claim.”

JJ Slevin and Jordan Gainford grew up a few fields away from each other and both were in the winner’s circle. JJ Slevin won the mares hurdle on Linar Display, the first in a double for Carrick-on-Suir trainer Joseph O’Brien. Shane Fitzgerald rode Fire Attack to victory in the beginners chase to give the O’Brien stable a double.

Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy were successful with Rodaniche in the maiden hurdle. Seamus Fahey from Monasterevin saddled Cullaghs Star (Simon Torens up) to win the Michael Moore Car Sales maiden hurdle. And Kicking Princess ridden by Gar Noonan for Eoin McCarthy, Limerick, took the spoils in the bumper.

Heavy overnight rain left the track on the soft side, but there were no complaints and the fixture was run off safely in front of a fine crowd with a strong family presence.

The Tote aggregate was €89,623.98 compared with €61,573.00 last year.

Bettyville Park first opened seventy years ago – October 15th 1951 – and the final meeting of 2021 takes place tomorrow – Bank Holiday Monday – with the first of seven races off at 1.10pm.

The feature race is the BetVictor MW Hickey Memorial Chase, worth €22,500 and the richest race run at Wexford, won last year for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore with Minella Indo who went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup last March. Weather indications is that it is going to be a pleasant dry day for October.

€300,000 of drugs seized in Bunclody area

Approximately €300,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine (subject to analysis) was seized in the greater Bunclody area yesterday.

Gardaí from the Detective and Drug Units from Gorey and Enniscorthy investigating the distribution and sale of controlled drugs in the county conducted a search of a house in the greater Bunclody area.

One person was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

Wexford stable share a double

By Dan Walsh

Rider Rob James, handler Donnchadh Doyle and owner, Monbeg Syndicate shared a double at Loughanmore point-to-point in East Antrim today (Saturday).

Success came in the opening maiden race for four-year- old mares by five lengths for first timer Smiling Getaway.

Victory flashed a second time with another first timer Galia Des Liteaux scoring by six lengths in the mare’s maiden race for five-year-olds and over.

  • ROB JAMES
  • DONNCHADH DOYLE

Bank Holiday Boil Water Notice for Wexford town

By Dan Walsh

The Boil Water Notice affecting 25,000 in Wexford Town will continue over the October Bank Holiday weekend and is unlikely to be lifted until a scheduled inspection takes place on Tuesday morning.

Heavy rain last Wednesday caused problems to arise at the Newtown Road treatment plant where an alarm system worked efficiently causing correct action of a filter shut down for a few hours.

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Irish Water and Wexford County Council a Boil Water Notice was issued with immediate effect to protect the health of consumers supplied by the Wexford town public water supply.

Initially about 21,000 consumers were affected on the Coolree raw water source including Wexford Town, Forth Mountain, Taghmon and Holmestown.

A short time later 4,000 residents in the Ferrybank and Ardcavan scheme on the River Sow source on the eastern side of Wexford Harbour were added to the Boil Water Notice.

A spokesperson for Irish Water told WexfordLocal.com that the situation will be reviewed over the weekend and a meeting between Wexford County Council and the HSE will be held on Tuesday.

BEAUTIFUL EDENVALE ON THE RIVER SOW… source of the water supply in the Ferrybank and Ardcavan areas of Wexford town. (File Pic)

Vulnerable customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled.

Water must be boiled for:

  • Drinking;
  • Drinks made with water;
  • Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating;
  • Brushing of teeth;
  • Making of ice – discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water.

If any customer is unsure on whether or not the Boil Water Notice applies to their area, please visit www.water.ie or alternatively, customers can contact the Irish Water customer care helpline on 1800 278 278.

Almost €200,000 for 7 Wexford projects

By Dan Walsh

Fine Gael TD, Paul Kehoe has today welcomed the announcement of €199,235 in funding to support seven outdoor projects across Wexford.

Kilanerin is one of the areas to receive the latest funding

Today’s funding in Wexford will include:

  • €16,875 – Cahore Step Improvements – Improve trail accessibility by providing safe steps at Cahore Pier Carpark.
  • €8,242 – Ferns Heritage Trail Waymarking Project – Waymarking of the Ferns Village Heritage Trail.
  • €17,478 – Crab Tree Carpark Extension – Extend the trailhead carpark at Crab Tree, Tara Hill.
  • €20,000.00 – Cahore Point Trail – Improve trail accessibility including the laying of a better surface at Ryehill Lane, Cahore Point.
  • €16,640.00 – Kilanerin Trail Carpark and Ballyfad Trail Features – Extend the Kilanerin Trail carpark and install heritage features along the Ballyfad Wood Trail.
  • €20,000.00 – Raven Rock Trail Loop and Skeater Carpark Extension at Wexford –  Extend the trailhead carpark at Skeaterpark and develop a new looped walking trail around Raven Rock, Forth Mountain.

Welcoming the funding, Deputy Kehoe said; “Covid-19 has given us a newfound appreciation for our great outdoors. That’s why I’m delighted that we can support so many fantastic projects under this funding.”

The funding, is under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS),and the scheme is designed to support the enhancement of dozens of recreational amenities such as our mountain trails, forest walks, beaches, rivers and lakes.

21,000 affected by Boil Water Notice for Wexford town

By Dan Walsh

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Wexford County Council are issuing a Boil Water Notice with immediate effect to protect the health of consumers supplied by the Wexford Town Public Water Supply.

The Boil Water Notice has been put in place due to issues at the water treatment plant which has affected the disinfection process. The notice affects approximately 21,000 people supplied by the Wexford Town Public Water Supply.

Irish Water and Wexford County Council continue to work to rectify the issues at Wexford Town Water Treatment Plant with a view to lifting the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil their water before use until further notice.

Irish Water’s Pat Duggan commented to WexfordLocal.com said: “Public health is Irish Water’s number one priority and we appreciate the impact that this notice will have on the community and businesses of Wexford Town. However, the restriction has been put in place to protect our consumers. Irish Water and Wexford County Council are working tirelessly to resolve the issues affecting the plant and lift the boil water notice early as it safe to do so.”

A map of the affected area is attached. If any customer is unsure on whether or not the Boil Water Notice applies to their area, please visit www.water.ie or alternatively, customers can contact the Irish Water customer care helpline on 1800 278 278.

Taoiseach asked of MRI Scanner delay at Wexford Hospital

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Independent Deputy Verona Murphy quizzed An Taoiseach Micheál Martin during the Questions on Promised Legislation debate in Dáil Éireann on Wednesday regarding the delay in providing an MRI Scanner at Wexford General Hospital.

Deputy Murphy said; “In 2018, the people of Wexford raised over €250,000, in consultation with and at the request of the HSE, to provide an MRI scanner for Wexford General Hospital. At the moment we have a service-level agreement with a private provider but unfortunately, we have not yet received our MRI scanner.

DEPUTY VERONA MURPHY

“A charity is now paying interest on the €250,000 that was raised while it sits in the bank and we are paying for a service level agreement that does not give bang for our buck vis-à-vis patients in Wexford because those patients who need scans on certain parts of their body actually have to pay extra. When, in the context of capital spending by the HSE, will we receive the MRI scanner, bearing in mind that the HSE has an underspend?”

An Taoiseach replied; “Two streams of funding are needed for an MRI scanner. Capital funding is needed but, more critically, current funding is needed to provide staff and ongoing supports to make sure the MRI programme is effective. It is not just a question of the provision of a machine.

“Clearly, expertise in terms of the programme itself is key. We have engaged with the HSE on this and I know that Deputies from Wexford have also done so. I will seek a further response from the HSE,” concluded An Taoiseach.

Strands of history at Bannow Bay

By Dan Walsh

The Bannow Maritime Heritage Weekend brings history alive this week with a series of events that nobody with a passion for the past should miss, however, the highlight is bound to be the launch of the Journal of the Bannow Historical Society, No. 4 by Barry Lacey, Historian-in-Residence at Wexford Public Libraries Service and it takes place on Friday, October 22nd at 7pm in Grantstown Priory.

Denis Kenny, Chairperson of the Society said the previous three Bannow Historical Journals were excellent publications of great integrity. “This Journal continues this tradition,” he said, before adding: “Thank you to the authors for their excellent contributions and to Greg Walsh for his valued editorial input.”

The Journal is dedicated to the memory of Tom McDonald (1951-2017) and features a tribute by Nicholas Furlong who writes; “Tom had a phenomenal memory of his professors and lecturers of decades previously. For all who knew him and mourn him it must be observed that he did not gain the just reward of his towering history specialisation.”

Other contributors to this fine publication include Bernard Browne, Richard Cummins, Rich Howlin, Máirín Kenny, Dermot McCarthy, Ian Magahy, Séamus S. deVál and Greg Walsh, who is also editor of the 2021 issue.

Journal of the Bannow Historical Society, No. 4, Edited by Greg Walsh, 216 pages, illustrated, Limited Edition, ISSN 2009-101X.

The Maritime Weekend has several interesting events including a field trip to the old quay at St. Kearns, on the Saltmills side of the estuary by Liam Ryan. Bannow through the eye of a cartographer is a catchy presentation by Brian Coulter, but for many the highlight is Bannow Ships and Men with Jack O’Leary from Wexford town and maritime artist Brian Cleare.

DENIS KENNY welcomes you to the Bannow Maritime Heritage Weekend.

Listen to DENIS KENNY with DAN WALSH on Midweek Voices, (South East Radio, 95.6 and 96.4FM) this evening (Wednesday) at 8pm.

Gorey newspaper making headlines

By Dan Walsh

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux told today’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal that THE GUARDIAN offices in Gorey is closed and he wanted to say to local journalist Cathy Lee, who was present at the meeting, that it was a great pleasure for us all (fellow members and officials) to have worked with the Gorey office over many years.

“I’m not sure of the plans of the company that now owns The People Newspaper Group are, but in my humble opinion they are making a serious mistake withdrawing their district office from Gorey. It is something that the people of the town have an affinity with, and can I note my personal disappointment at the decision,” said Cllr Devereux, who added; “I hope that the welfare of the staff vacating the office in Gorey will be looked after.”

Cllr Devereux thanked Cathly Lee and the staff in Gorey for the presence they had in the town over many years. Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen agreed and added that this happened to Dan Walsh a few years ago when THE GOREY ECHO started down this road and then disappeared.

The district offices are not just closed in Gorey, but also in Arklow, New Ross and Enniscorthy. “It is a shame and a disconnect with the ordinary people who supported and would religiously buy the local newspapers and they are trying to send us down the digital way,” added Cllr Breen.

ENNISCORTHY GUARDIAN offices have closed

Cllr Mary Farell said “it is shameful that the office is closing” and stated “it has provided the connection between the people of the town with the environs and surrounding district.” She wished the staff well – “you have treated us all with fairness and professionalism and always reported in a very fair manner.”

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said it was a very sad day to see any newspaper offices closed. “I suppose it is the sign of the world of journalism and the threats posed by globalism and I would like to wish Cathy and the staff well, and some people like Ger Leacy who gave 40 years’ service, Sean Dwyer, Fintan Lambe and others.

“It is a very sad day for local politics and what is local in the country and what is good about this country is being so localised compared to a lot of other counties. It is a foreboding sign of things to come and the direction journalism has taken. It certainly is a sad time,” concluded Cllr Ó Súilleabháin.

Journalist Cathy Lee said she appreciated the understanding of the situation. “Obviously it came as a bit of a shock to all of us but the plan from Mediahuis is to have county hubs and the Wexford town office is where I will be based once a week. We proved ourselves over the pandemic we can operate this model and work away on our own bat. They think that the quality of the paper didn’t decrease over the pandemic, actually it was strengthened and we can continue with this model.

“Personally I am disappointed because I have welcomed you all into the office and I don’t plan on dropping any of those connections that we have build up over the last two and a half years. While I won’t have a base in Gorey I don’t plan on lessening any of my connections here and I think it is just a change in the digital offering now that we have e-papers and online news coming up regularly,” added Ms. Lee.         

What next for Enniscorthy’s derelict sites?

By Dan Walsh

It has been the elephant in the room for a considerable time and a regular topic at monthly meetings of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and the unsavoury sight of derelict buildings was under strict scrutiny from members at today’s October meeting held under Covid-19 guidelines at the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy.

Tom Banville, Senior Executive Officer at Wexford County Council’s Planning Department was present to update members on the current state of derelict buildings in the Enniscorthy district and to address members queries.

Mr Banville said there are eight properties on the Derelict Sites register. Kickham’s House (better known locally as the former Irish Street Stores) was acquired by Wexford County Council in July 2020. Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy described Kickham House as “a disaster waiting to happen” and she could envisage it “going on fire” if nothing is done!

The former Murphy-Flood’s site at Market Square in the town centre, according to a report, the Property Management Department is in negotiations and while a new hoarding has been erected and rubbish removed by the owner, the property remains derelict.

The old Irish Street Stores (or Kickham’s House as Wexford County Council calls the property, is a derelict site in Enniscorthy town centre.

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan raised issues on the eastern side of the River Slaney. Minor works have been carried out by the owner of Springvalley Nursing Home recently with the removal of some vegetation, a metal fence has been partially replaced and some green netting has been installed to restrict access. However, the property remains derelict.

The famous Rock Factory featuring the once internationally renowned Breen’s Carriage Factory is also under pressure. Property Management is under discussion in relation to the acquisition of the property. The owner is in Receivership.

The old Cogan’s Bar on Templeshannon Quay was recently sold and works have been carried out and consequently “the property is no longer considered derelict” and notice has been served to remove the property from the Derelict Site Register.

These are the “once prominent town properties”, but there are also a number of lesser known properties on the list including private houses. And as for the numbers that may be heading for the Derelict Site Register going forward… it doesn’t bear thinking about!