Only Jordan Gainford from Caim shared in a local success at Bettyville Park today and it came in the opening race – the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle – as Barnaculla, (14/1) scored easily by seven lengths for Kells trainer Michael Mulvany.
JORDAN GAINFORD
Roger McGrath who trains at Aglish on the Waterford-Cork border had his first double with Shanacoole (12/1) ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe in the handicap hurdle and Sweet Street (11/8 fav.), ridden by champion jockey Paul Townend in the Wexford Mares Maiden Hurdle. “That’s my first double on the track. It’s not many days that we would have two running on the one day!”, said a delighted trainer afterwards.
Leading owner John P. McManus always manages to perform well over the Wexford turf and today he enjoyed a double with Buttons and Bows (11/2) trained by Pat Flynn in the handicap chase with Jody McGarvey in the saddle and the well-fancied Glenquinn Castle (7/4) trained by Martin Brassil and ridden by Mark Walsh in the longer handicap chase. Seven year old Glenquinn Castle added to previous victories at Roscommon and Kilbeggan to make it three-in-a-row in impressive style.
Druid’s Altar (10/11 fav) won the novice chase for Joseph O’Brien and Donagh Meyler and Amlad (13/2) was successful for Andrew McNamara and Brian Cooper in the handicap hurdle.
Tote aggregate was €46,843.94 compared with €75,901 last year.
The next races at Bettyville Park is the two-day October festival meeting on Sunday and Monday, October 24th and 25th.
Today’s (Friday) much publicised visit to Co. Wexford of Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who was welcomed by Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy has been acclaimed as productive and encouraging going forward.
First stop this morning on the Minister’s itinerary was St Waleran’s, a 70-acre site on the outskirts of Gorey, which has earned the reputation of ‘Wexford’s fastest growing town’. Recently acquired by Wexford County Council, the high profile lands offer significant potential in terms of social, affordable and private housing, public amenities and education facilities. During his visit the Minister had opportunity to view first-hand the recently completed site master plan, which sets out the Council’s ambitions for the phased development of the strategic site.
Minister Darragh O’Brien and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy display plans for St. Waleran’s, Gorey. Also in photo (left to right); Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, Wexford County Council, Tom Enright CEO, Cllrs Donal Kenny, Joe Sullivan and Andrew Bolger, Minister James Browne, Diarmuid Heuston, Senior Executive Planner, Wexford County Council, Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council and Senator Malcolm Byrne.
Minister O’Brien made his way to Trinity Wharf in Wexford town (see special report) before going on to St Michael’s Theatre, New Ross, where he was part of the Shared Island panel discussion at the annual Kennedy Summer School. Chaired by Bryan Dobson, the panel also included Dr Robert Mauro, the Executive Director of the Irish Institute and Global Leadership Institute at Boston College, Alliance Party Councillor, Sorcha Eastwood and Sarah Creighton, writer, lawyer and commentator from Belfast.
Later that evening, on his return trip to Dublin, Minister O’Brien stopped in Enniscorthy town where Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr Cathal Byrne accompanied the Minister on a tour of Forgelands, a newly completed 59 home development, delivered by Tuath Housing Association in partnership with Wexford County Council.
Here, Minister O’Brien took time to meet the families who recently received the keys to their new home, many of whom were only too delighted to proudly show off their beautiful new home to the Minister and his accompanying entourage. The Minister congratulated all the proud tenants and wished them health and happiness as they settled into their new homes.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, on a tour of Co. Wexford today, was taken on a brief tour of Wexford County Council’s flagship urban regeneration project at Trinity Wharf in Wexford town.
Mayor of Wexford Cllr Garry Laffan welcomed the Minister to Trinity Wharf, which recently was awarded more than €18.4 million in funding by the Minister under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).
The 10-acre development is central to Wexford County Council’s ambitious plans to attract foreign direct investment and high-quality employment opportunities to Co. Wexford, with overall project investment estimated at €120 million, including €24 million of public investment.
Speaking from Trinity Wharf, Minister O’Brien congratulated the members and executive of Wexford County Council in bringing their ambitions for the county through to reality.
““Standing here today on this magnificent site, I can clearly see the immense ambition and significance of this transformational project and it’s potential to drive forward the economic development of the entire county of Wexford over the next number of years” said Minister O’Brien, who added; “I am delighted that I and my colleagues in Government have had the opportunity to support you, the elected members and executive of Wexford County Council as you embark on the road to developing Trinity Wharf as a multi-use regeneration project of regional scale” he concluded.
Minister Darragh O’Brien speaking at Trinity Wharf today flanked by Tom Enright, CEO Wexford County Council and Mayor of Wexford Cllr Garry Laffan.
In a further vote of confidence in the Trinity Wharf development, Minister O’Brien took today’s opportunity to publicly announce that the headquarters of MARA, the new national maritime area regulatory authority, are to be located at Trinity Wharf, bringing dozens of high-quality public-sector jobs.
Also attending today’s event at Trinity Wharf was Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Mr. Tom Enright, who described Trinity Wharf as one of the most exciting and ambitious economic developments projects ever proposed in the county.
“Regeneration projects such as Trinity Wharf are about taking a diverse set of needs, including economic, social and recreational and integrating these into a progressive, modern, fit-for-purpose multi-use development project that we believe will transform the economic and social landscape of the entire county”said Mr. Enright.
Mr Enright also praised the elected members of the Council who he said had been “unflinching” in their support of the Trinity Wharf project since its inception in 2016, adding that the development of Trinity Wharf would prove a welcome stimulus for investment as the economy emerges from the current Covid-19 crisis.
Mr. Enright also welcomed the Minister’s announcement that the new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) is to locate its headquarters at Trinity Wharf, describing the announcement as a timely and visible example of the Government’s strong support of the Trinity Wharf development.
Cllr Andrew Bolger is demanding that a representative of Irish Water attend the September meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Council meeting to explain issues around the water quality in the town after it is alleged that several people have become very ill, and in some cases, were referred to hospital.
Cllr Bolger told WexfordLocal.com that he received complaints from people in Gorey Town questioning the quality of the water. “I followed up on these complaints and I was told that it was manganese in the water, the advice here is to let the tap run it through. I then started to receive reports that people in the town were becoming ill. A number were in hospital.”
CLLR ANDREW BOLGER
Cllr Bolger followed up on these worries on several occasions. “I knew that there had to be something out there causing people to become very ill. I thought maybe there is a stomach bug out there, but I wondered how it spread like wildfire if people are more conscious of handwashing and mask wearing?
Cllr Bolger was informed that bacteriological tests had come back clear and chlorine results in the network were good. “I was told in no in certain terms that the water could not have caused this issue. Yesterday (Thursday) Irish Water stated that there were in fact treatment issues in the Creagh Plant. There were spells of low chlorine after a power outage a week and a half ago.
Cllr Bolger says there will be an EPA investigation and he is calling for action at the District meeting where he will be requesting that there be ‘more frequent checks on the alarm system’, and the safety of the people need solutions to ensure this never happens again.
Just one day after the Government published its new housing plan, Housing for All, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for Ireland, Darragh O’Brien, is on a whistle stop tour of four towns of Co. Wexford today (Friday).
The Minister will first call to the St. Waleran’s site in Gorey, which could be the base for hundreds of new homes in the next few years.
ST. WALERAN’S. modernised 1868, destroyed by fire 2018, 75 acres purchased by Wexford County Council in 2019 with the potential for 400 units. (File Pic).
The Minister then will travel to Trinity Wharf in Wexford, the Kennedy Centre in New Ross and visit a building site at Forgelands, a few kilometres from Enniscorthy.
Commenting following the publication of the plan Senator Byrne said; “Everyone in Ireland is impacted, or knows someone who is impacted, by Ireland’s current housing difficulties: those who have lost their home; the young couple or single person who is unable to buy; those facing high rents; or the homeless on our streets or in emergency accommodation.
“We all know fixing the current housing crisis is complex, there is no silver bullet, but what the Government have announced sets us on a path to achieving the supply we need to cater for all our people. I know that individuals and families across Co. Wexford have been eagerly awaiting this plan and they will not be disappointed – there really is something in this plan for everyone.”
“I would really encourage the people of Wexford to read Housing for All, and to see for themselves that the Government have a plan to address the crisis. It won’t happen over night, but, we are on the right path and we will do everything we can,” he concluded.
Fr Ger Nash becomes the 81st Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns at a celebration of Mass for the Episcopal Ordination taking place in St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, at 3pm next Sunday and details of the ceremony have been announced.
ST. AIDAN’S CATHEDRAL, ENNISCORTHY.
The Chief Ordaining Prelate will be Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin, who will be assisted by Bishop Denis Brennan, Bishop of Ferns and by Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe. His Excellency Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, will attend.
The Apostolic Mandate from His Holiness, Pope Francis, will be read by Monsignor Joseph McGrath, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Ferns. Fr. Billy Swan, former curate at St. Aidan’s Parish, now Administrator of Wexford Parish, will preach the homily.
Clergy concelebrating the Mass will include Archbishop Kieran O’ Reilly SMA, Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop Willie Walsh and Bishop Éamonn Walsh, priests of the Dioceses of Ferns and Killaloe.
The music for the ceremony will be led by Fr. Jim Fegan, Parish Priest of Ballindaggin and Fr. Tom Dalton, Parish Priest of Riverchapel will act as Master of Ceremonies.
Family and friends of Bishop-elect Nash, priests and laity of the Dioceses of Ferns and Killaloe will be amongst the attendance. Sadly, Covid-19 restrictions mean that numbers are very limited, and it is hoped that the improving situation will afford the newly elected Bishop the opportunity to meet with priests religious and laity of the diocese, public and civil representatives, leaders and members of other faith groups, apostolic societies and pastoral groups in the coming weeks and months.
For everyone who would be privileged to be in St. Aidan’s on this historic occasion, but cannot attend due to the Government restrictions, the ceremony can also be followed on the following websites:
Irish Water has confirmed to WexfordLocal.com that treatment issues at the Water Treatment Plant in Creagh supplying water to parts of Gorey town may have affected the water quality in the network. The issue has since been resolved.
“We have conducted monitoring in the network and Irish Water are satisfied that the water quality in the network is now satisfactory, said a spokesperson for Irish Water.
In the event that consumers may experience illness, they are advised to contact their GP.
Three people were rescued by Kilmore Quay RNLI last Saturday afternoonafter their 6.3m cruiser got into difficulty 50 miles off the Wexford coast while they were on an angling day trip.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard at 1.30pm to assess the situation where the vessel was reported to be taking on water 50 miles south of Kilmore Quay. Tenby RNLI in Wales was also launched.
KILMORE QUAY (File Pic)
The cruiser had launched earlier that day from Kilmore Quay for a day’s deep-sea fishing. Weather and sea conditions were good at the time. However, when the crew noticed their boat was taking on water, they turned to return to shore and called for assistance.
Both lifeboats arrived on scene within minutes of each other with the crews first checking that all onboard were safe and well. Having assessed the situation, a decision was made to allow the cruiser to continue to make its way back to port under its own power escorted by the Kilmore Quay RNLI while Tenby RNLI returned to their station.
All arrived safely back to Kilmore Quay at 7.05pm.
Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager John Grace, said: “We were happy to see that the boat’s crew was able to return safely to Kilmore Quay under the boat’ own power. The crew made the right decision to call for assistance when they did as they were in a precarious position taking on water in a busy shipping lane.
“We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to always wear a lifejacket and to always carry a means of calling for help. If you do get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
Mary Cotter’s latest publication, and her debut novel SPIKE is gaining traction on the local literary scene and is fast becoming one of the best reads of 2021.
Author MARY COTTER with her debut novel SPIKE.
Like so many authors who have been denied the launch and subsequent publicity due to the Covid-19 lockdown Mary Cotter is beginning to attract the readers and sales are growing, albeit mostly online.
Having retired from teaching in 2010 and settling at Tincurry, near Ballycarney, Mary has been focussed on writing and already had two books of poetry and two volumes of short stories to her credit. She has also participated in readings and involvement with the Wexford Literary Festival.
Mary has reached an ambition with the publication of her first novel which has a simple, but catchy title called SPIKE. It is a great read and includes passages referring to Tipperary, which is the author’s hometown.
SPIKE by Mary Cotter, paperback, 275 pages. ISBN; 978-0-9956031-2-77. Available at Easons, Enniscorthy, or search online.
A man is being questioned at Carlow Garda Station as part of the investigation into the murder of Conor O’Brien, (19), from Gorey, which occurred in Enfield Co. Meath last Thursday night.
CONOR O’BRIEN (Pic; Garda Press Office).
Shortly after 10pm on Tuesday, Gardaí responded to reports of an incident at a premises in Carlow town.
A man found to be in possession of a hand gun was arrested by Gardaí at the scene. He was taken to Carlow Garda Station where he is currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939. He can he detained for up to three days.
The firearm has been removed for ballistic examination. The investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time.
Private cremation of Conor O’Brien, Clonattin Estate, Gorey, took place today (Wednesday).
WexfordLocal.com 