WexfordLocal.com

Sounds of Summer comes to Gorey

By Dan Walsh

Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District has announced a new 4-day festival offering several outdoor events as the Sounds of Summer comes to Gorey Civic Centre from Thursday to Sunday, August 19^th to 22^nd with a varied and entertaining line-up.

**PADDY CASEY will be performing in the *Sounds of Summer* entertainment in Gorey Civic Centre car park.**

This event takes place in the Gorey Civic Centre carpark and will be a great opportunity to see events begin again in Gorey. The event kickstarts with two local bands, The Wild Turkeys & The Remedy Club on Thursday 19th August, followed by a comedy evening hosted by Gorey Comedy Club on Friday, headlining on Saturday is Paddy Casey and on Sunday the marquee will host a series of sing-along films including Frozen, The Greatest Showman & Mamma Mia. On Friday and Saturday afternoon children will be entertained by local puppeteer, Lisa from Shine Bright Theatre.

It all happens with funding secured through Wexford County Council and The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’ under the ‘Local Live Performance Programming Scheme’ (LLPPS) 2021; Lantern Presents will bring Sounds of Summer to Gorey with the support of Wexford County Council’s Arts Office.

The main focus of the scheme is to support the commercial live entertainment industry which has been so badly affected by Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and tickets are available to book online at www.lantern.ie/events/list Full details of the events can be found on www.lovegorey.ie

‘Sounds of Summer’ in Orchard Peace Park

By Dan Walsh

The existent doldrums around the arts and entertainment sector during the Covid-19 pandemic is set to get renewed encouragement as Enniscorthy Municipal District plans a weekend series of outdoor entertainment gigs to wrap up summer from Thursday to Sunday, August 26^thto August 29^thin the Orchard Peace Park.

Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Cathal Byrne told WexfordLocal.com; “We are looking forward to hosting a great weekend of entertainment in town, our local retail and hospitality services are very much back in business indoor and out and it’s most welcome to see musicians and the events industry back in action too on a local stage”.

Acting District Manager, Bernie Quigley added; “Enniscorthy Municipal District are very excited to host this weekend of music and family entertainment in Orchard Peace Park, a venue Enniscorthy is very lucky to have! We have secured a great line up and I anticipate a great turn out for all performances. Be sure to book early.”

**Enniscorthy native CLIVE BARNES and the very talented LUAN PARLE will play in Enniscorthy’s Orchard Peace Park on Thursday, August 26th.**

The four-day event kicks off on Thursday 26th with well-known duo Clive Barnes, who will be facing his native Fr Cullen’s Terrace across the River Slaney from the Park, and Wicklow lass Luan Parle; followed by Cursed Murphy and guests on Friday 27^th. International star in the making and local boy made good Reuben Hester makes his first Irish appearance supporting Ten Ounce Mouse band and For the Company on Saturday 28^thto complete the live performances. Sunday 29^thwill see Orchard Peace Park transformed into an outdoor cinema featuring two big screen family movies.

Funded through Wexford County Council and The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’ under the ‘Local Live Performance Programming Scheme’ (LLPPS) 2021; Lantern Presents will bring ‘Sounds of Summer’ to Enniscorthy with the support of County Arts Officer, Liz Burns.

Programmed events are free of charge with limited patrons in line with current Covid guidelines. Please keep an eye on the @ShopEnniscorthy social media pages for further information updates. Tickets will be available to book online at http://www.lantern.ie/events/list over the coming days.

Wexford ladies earn date in Croke Park

By Dan Walsh

WEXFORD 2-11 LAOIS 2-9

Wexford have won a place in the final of the 2021 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Intermediate Football Championship and will face Westmeath in Croke Park on Sunday, September 5th.

Both counties made it through on Sunday, as Wexford got the better of Laois at UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny, while Westmeath defeated Kildare at Parnell Park, Dublin.

**CROKE PARK. Wexford Ladies Intermediate team face Westmeath at the home of GAA on September 5th. (Pic; Crokepark.ie)**

Goals from Caitriona Murray and Aisling Murphy proved crucial for Wexford as they picked up a 2-11 to 2-9 victory over Laois in Kilkenny.

Laois had gotten off to a bright start and pulled ahead following Eva Galvin’s goal, but despite a second Laois goal from Mo Nerney before the break, Wexford were good value for their 1-9 to 2-4 half-time lead.

And Wexford kicked on to the win, with Aisling Murphy’s goal with 15 minutes remaining sending them into a first TG4 Intermediate Final since 2007.

It completes a remarkable transformation for Wexford who were relegated from the Lidl National Football League Division 2 just a few months ago before installing manager Lizzie Kent as their new boss.

Scorers – Wexford: C Murray 1-3 (2f), A Wilson 0-3 (3f), A Murphy 1-0, S Hamilton 0-2, R Murphy 0-1, K Kearney 0-1, C Banville 0-1. Laois: M Nerney 1-3 (2f), E Galvin 1-0, E Fitzpatrick 0-3, A Healy 0-1, O Hennessy 0-1, E Healy 0-1

WEXFORD: S Merrigan; L Doyle, A Halligan, K Kearney, C Donnelly, S Murphy, S Harding-Kenny; C Banville, R Murphy; S Hamilton, C Murray, A Neville; S McCarthy, A Murphy, A Wilson.

LAOIS: E Barry; C Dunne, A Potts, A Kelly; R Williams, E Healy, L Nerney, J Dunne, E Fitzpatrick, A Healy; E Galvin, S A Fitzgerald, M Nerney Subs: O Hennessy for Williams (41), Leah Tarpey for Fitzgerald (50), Alanah Havill for Dunne (61).

Referee: John Devlin (Galway).

Duncannon and Morriscastle beaches are ‘excellent’

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council today (Saturday) confirmed that further sampling obtained at Duncannon and Morriscastle beaches have returned “excellent water quality results.” Do Not Swim and Swim Advisory notices are removed with immediate effect.

Last Thursday Wexford County Council erected ‘Do Not Swim’ notice at Duncannon after routine testing conducted as part of the Council’s bathing water sampling programme showed breaches of the mandatory levels for E.coli at the above beach. Following consultation with the HSE, the Council has decided to issue the warning notice at the affected beach in the interest of public health and in accordance with the Bathing Water Quality Regulations.

Simultaneously, a Swim Advisory notice was placed at Morriscastle due to elevated levels of E-coli but within mandatory limits.

It is now safe to swim in these places after technical staff from Wexford County Council carried out further tests and investigation and it is understood that the elevated levels of E. Coli may be partly attributable to recent spells of heavy rain.

More information on bathing water quality can be obtained at www.beaches.ie

Distressed swimmer rescued at Cahore

By Dan Walsh

Cahore Inshore Rescue Service were tasked by pager by The Coastguard at 11.26am, yesterday (Friday) to reports of a swimmer in difficulty south of Cahore Pier, just off Cahore Point where sea conditions were reported as ‘very choppy’.

Helmsman Donal McGrath launched at 11.34am with crew members Sean Doyle and Ron Wynne. They located the swimmer at 11.37am and took him aboard the lifeboat to safety. There was a strong tide which appeared to be hindering the swimmer.

Some concerned members of the public were monitoring the situation from above on the cliff and one person was signalling with a flag to assist the lifeboat in the casualty location.

A Mayday was issued and an ambulance and the rescue helicopter were tasked to assist on scene, however they were stood down once Cahore Inshore Rescue Service had the casualty on board.

We would like to thank the public for their vigilance, which led to a positive outcome on this occasion.

Remember to call 112 or 999 and ask for The Coastguard if you see someone in difficulty on the water.

Community rejuvenation for Clohamon

By Dan Walsh

Clohamon is gearing up for a fruitful rejuvenation for the whole community post-Covid 19 thanks to €100,000 funding from the Town & Village Renewal Scheme and a top up of €20,000 to the ‘matching funds requirement’ courtesy of Slaney Foods International who is a major employer in the area.

Barty O’Connor, Chairperson, told WexfordLocal.com that Clohamon Community Development Group was formed in 2017, but the pandemic had scuttled plans, however, it is time to get back on tracks and to complete development at the old two-room national school that closed three years ago.

Now extra funds are needed to cover annual playground insurance, playground maintenance and additional items not covered in the Town & Village Renewal Scheme grant such as benches and the sensory area for the playground, trailhead and waymarker walking trail signages.

Mr O’Connor paid tribute to some people who have already contributed so much; Caroline Fortune for ticking all the boxes on the application forms, County Registrar Marie Garahy who assisted in restoring the polling booth to the school, and local public representatives Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy and Kathleen Codd-Nolan. “They were most helpful, and we are so grateful in return,” he concluded.

**Entrance to Clohamon village over the River Slaney**

HISTORY – Clohamon or Cloch Ámainn ‘Hamon’s castle’ is said to be named after a 12^th century Norman and the local lands were granted to an Englishman, Thomas Masterson, in the 16^th century. His son, Sir Richard Masterson sold the estate circa-1625 to Sir George Calvert, Lord Baltimore for £1,600.

Lord Baltimore also received grants of land in Longford but moved to Clohamon in preference. He was also granted lands in Newfoundland and became the only Catholic to be granted a fieldom in North America by an English king – the province of Maryland.

Clohamon village, located in the centre of the Calvert estate was one of the largest towns in North Wexford in the 1620s. The annual Clohamon Fair was an annual showpiece where the best faction fighting skills were in high demand!

In the 1830s the local population was chiefly employed in the flour and cotton mills of William Lewis. The mill operated until 1904 and stood derelict until purchased and used as a chicken rearing unit in 1960.

Clohamon bridge crosses the river Slaney and is a fine example of granite arches and beside it is Slaney Foods International, established as a family business by the Allen family in 1970, and now quality beef exports successfully trading internationally.

AUDIO ADDITION; Barty O’Connor, Chairperson Clohamon Community Development Group talking about future development for Clohamon.

Forge opens as Bunclody visitor centre

By Dan Walsh

The distinctive tapping on the anvil, the energy of the bellows and a special horse called Realt Na Mara (Star of the Sea) was publicly fitted with new shoes as the people of Bunclody turned out to celebrate with music, recitation and social exchange at Foundry Lane in brilliant weather conditions on Wednesday evening.

An old forge that was active daily from 1885 to 1992 has been given a new lease of life as a visitor centre. The forge, a popular meeting place in the town centre, was founded by Martin Nolan followed by Martin’s son Stephen, while Stephen’s son, Martin Nolan operated the business until 1992, and passed away later that year.

Local enthusiast Liam Kelly and some friends embarked on the project and saw it completed and the official opening was performed in traditional style by Nan (on her birthday) and Bill Kelly.

Canon Seamus S. de Val and Rev. Trevor Sargent praying at the opening of Nolan’s Forge in Bunclody on Wednesday evening.

Michael Kehoe of Bunclody Area Tourism complemented the Kelly family on the completion of the project and invited members of the public with an interest to visit Bunclody’s latest public attraction.

Cllr Barbara-Anne Byrne Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council was on duty as master of ceremonies and other notables there included Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Deputy Verona Murphy and Senator Malcolm Byrne.

Canon Seamus S. de Val and Rev. Trevor Sargent jointly presided at a short prayer service.

There was a carnival atmosphere around the opening ceremony and it was obvious that the people of Bunclody are proud of their heritage and are delighted to see its past being preserved for future generations.

AUDIO EXTRA ; MICHAEL KEHOE Bunclody Area Tourism speaking to WexfordLocal.com about the restoration of Nolan’s Forge in Bunclody

Four rescued from sinking yacht off Wexford coast

By Dan Walsh

Four people were rescued this morning (Thursday) after their 14m yacht got into difficulty and subsequently sank 50 miles off the Wexford coast.

The volunteer Kilmore Quay crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat Killarney, by the Irish Coast Guard at 2.44am and assess the situation where the vessel had sustained a damaged rudder 50 miles south of Kilmore Quay.

The lifeboat under Coxswain Eugene Kehoe and with four crew members onboard immediately launched and made its way to the scene. The yacht had been on passage from Dublin to Vigo in Spain and had left Kilmore Quay yesterday afternoon.

On their way to the scene, the lifeboat crew were updated that the yacht’s crew had made the decision to turn back and slowly make their way to Kilmore Quay.

Arriving at the location at 5.30am, the lifeboat crew checked that all onboard the yacht were safe and well before assessing the situation. A decision was made to establish a towline and return the vessel to the nearest port which was Kilmore Quay.

As the yacht began to take on water, the lifeboat crew proceeded to place a salvage pump on the vessel, but such was the speed at which the vessel was taking on water, it was not enough to deal with the situation.

A second salvage pump was requested by the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117 from Waterford which was also tasked to the scene. However, it was decided at this stage to remove the four people from the yacht and transfer them safely onto Kilmore Quay RNLI’s lifeboat. The yacht subsequently sank.

The lifeboat brought the casualties safely back to Kilmore Quay where they arrived at approximately 11am.

**EUGENE KEHOE RNLI COXWAIN KILMORE QUAY**

Speaking following the call out, Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager John Grace, said: ‘It is always sad when a vessel is lost at sea but thankfully the crew onboard the yacht was safely rescued and are now back on shore. The casualties did the right thing in raising the alarm when they encountered problems in the early hours of this morning which helped to prevent the situation from becoming much worse. Despite the best efforts of everyone on scene, the vessel took on a lot of water. Our priority then was to ensure that the casualties were taken off the yacht and transferred safely onto the lifeboat.

‘We would like to wish the casualties well following their ordeal this morning and we would like to commend our volunteers who despite the early call and darkness of night, did not hesitate to respond.’ The Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat crew involved in the call out were Coxswain Eugene Kehoe, mechanic Philip Walsh and crew members Aidan Bates, Sean Furlong and Nigel Kehoe.

Swimming issues at Duncannon and Morriscastle

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council today (Thursday) erected ‘Do Not Swim’ notice at Duncannon after routine testing conducted as part of the Council’s bathing water sampling programme showed breaches of the mandatory levels for E.coli at the above beach. Following consultation with the HSE, the Council has decided to issue ‘Do Not Swim’ warning notice at the affected beach in the interest of public health and in accordance with the Bathing Water Quality Regulations.

In addition, an advisory notice in relation to swimming is in place at Morriscastle due to elevated levels of E-coli but within mandatory limits.

Technical staff from Wexford County Council are currently investigating the matter – while the exact source of contamination is not yet fully identified, the elevated levels of E. Coli may be partly attributable to recent spells of heavy rain.

Further water quality samples have been taken and results are expected on Saturday next, 14^th August, at which stage the prohibition notices will be reviewed.

In the meantime, beach lifeguards at Duncannon Beaches will fly a red flag indicating swimming is prohibited signage to this effect will also be placed at the Beach. Members of the public are requested to abide by these restrictions until further notice.

Wexford County Council wishes to assure the public that water quality results for 16 other beaches sampled along the Wexford coastline have been excellent with no issues encountered.

More information on bathing water quality can be obtained on www.beaches.ie

New footbridge through Courtown Woods?

By Dan Walsh

For many years now the members of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council have been strongly campaigning for the completion of a footpath between Gorey and Courtown which is being developed in stages and is roughly at the half-way point and is popularly used by the public.

WexfordLocal.com has seen draft plans by Wexford County Council that would see a spectacular new footbridge and it is proposed to purchase private lands from the new owners of Courtown Woods to complete the scheme.

The plans were previously discussed at the May 2018 meeting of the Gorey-Kilmuckridge Council when the course of the footpath was discussed in detail and faced a narrow passage over the historic Ballinatray Bridge over the Ounavarra River about a mile from Courtown Harbour.

**BALLINATRAY BRIDGE… one of the highest in Ireland.**

WexfordLocal.com believes that the future proposal may include a floodlit path and cycle path over a new metal footbridge with metal railings through Courtown Woods. A few ancient trees may be threatened with removal and the appearance of Ballinatray Bridge may also change!

It is understood that the cost may be carried by Wexford County Council with extra funding from Fáilte Ireland.

HISTORY; A work relief scheme organised by Lord Courtown in 1846 for the benefit of the starving poor consisted of drainage and the construction of a road southwards from Ballymoney crossroads to join Gorey and Courtown Harbour road.
In 1847, the present three-arch bridge at Ballinatray, once known as the Courtown Viaduct and at the time, was the highest stone bridge in the country.
Ballinatray Bridge is a 19th century civil engineering feat designed by James Barry Farrell, (1810-1893), who was the County Surveyor, and other similarly amazing works by him can be admired at Carrigmannon, (1844), near Killurin, and Corbally Bridge (1854) on the Enniscorthy to Oulart Road.
And for the record, Farrell was involved in the design of St Senan’s Hospital, near Enniscorthy, built in the 1860’s and now closed as a hospital and in private ownership.