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.
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:
WexfordLocal.com 