Wexford Young Fine Gael (YFG) have issued a call for new members between the ages of 15 and 35 to join the group founded over 40 years ago by then Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald TD to act as a voice for young people from all over Ireland.
Currently Wexford local Steven Murphy (24), a primary school teacher from Screen, sits on the YFG National Executive as the Leinster Regional Organiser.
STEVEN MURPHY sits on the YFG National Executive as the Leinster Regional Organiser. (Pic; Wexford Young Fine Gael Facebook).
Wexford YFG members will be travelling to attend the YFG Cosgrave Weekend taking place in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone on Friday, 11th March – Sunday 13th March. The YFG Cosgrave Weekend will be the first in-person national event in over two years since the COVID-19 measures came into place, and features policy debates, training workshops and opportunities to meet like-minded young people in a fun setting.
Steven Murphy said; “I have made several great friends over the years from all over the country through YFG and have some outstanding memories from conferences, elections and campaign wins.
“YFG is a welcoming place with varied special interest groups such as the YFG Coiste na Gaeilge, YFG Second-Level Network, YFG Agriculture and Rural Affairs group, and the YFG Women’s Network which focuses on mentoring young women, running leadership skills workshops and policy areas that particularly affect women in Ireland.”
Wexford YFG has a proud track record of working closely with all Fine Gael elected representatives including Paul Kehoe TD, Cllr Bridín Murphy, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, and Cllr Jim Moore, Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District. Recent campaigns saw Wexford YFG participate in reform of the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant Scheme, the extension of trading hours for nightclubs and bars and calling on Minister Stephen Donnelly to provide universal access to free contraception for all women.
Wexford YFG has been frequently meeting online during the pandemic. Their first in-person activity will be meeting with Deputy Paul Kehoe at his constituency office in Enniscorthy on Saturday, 26th February for a leaflet drop, chat and refreshments. For more information on joining check out the Wexford Young Fine Gael Facebook page, or email steven.murphy@yfg.ie.
Sea, sand, scenery and the natural environment on the Kiltennel-Courtown Walking Trail. (Pic; Courtown Community Council).
By Dan Walsh
Courtown Community Council are delighted to announce the Courtown/Kiltennel Walking Trail has received official accreditation from Sport Ireland following two years in development.
This unique coastal heritage trail is one of the countries only wooded dune systems in Ireland and is therefore a site of ecological importance. National Parks and Wildlife have designated this site a Natural Heritage Area. The Courtown Kiltennel Trail will form part of the Slí Charman Coastal Trail Rehabilitation Works which began back in the early 90s. The trail has now been added to the National Trails Register and will appear on the Sport Ireland website.
Courtown Community Council continues to work closely with Wexford County Council, Wexford Walking Trail and National Parks and Wildlife Service in the areas of maintenance, restoration and conservation.
Linda Sinnott of Courtown Community Council told WexfordLocal.com today; “In collaboration with The Irish Coast Guard and Wexford Walking Trail we are delighted to introduce a numbered emergency locator marker system along the trail to help trail users identify their location should an emergency arise.
“We are delighted to see so many people enjoying the trail already. Walking Trails have proved hugely popular since the beginning of the pandemic. There is no better way to immerse yourself in nature than to spend some time ambling throughout Courtowns extensive walking trail network,” she concluded.
Walkers are being encouraged to join Wexford Walking Trail on April 2nd and go that extra mile for a ‘Climb With Charlie’ walk along the scenic route – 16.4km return – from Kiltealy village to the summit of Knockroe Hill in the Blackstairs Mountains.
The challenge begins at 10am and the task is to walk with RTE legend Charlie Bird raising valuable funds for two deserving charities – the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.
The start and finish is at Kiltealy Community Centre and the route will take participants via Cullentra to Sculloge Gap, up Shannon’s Lane and on to the summit of Knockroe (4,964 ft) and the organisers advise that “a good level of fitness is required for the challenge and this walk is not suitable for buggies or families with children.”
Online registration is essential – go to Wexford Walking Trails – and all information about terrain, what to wear, what to bring etc. is all there.
CHARLIE BIRD
HISTORY; Knockoe is famous in World War II history. On New Year’s morning, 1941, three members of the Shannon family were killed in their beds when a German aircraft dropped bombs on their home.
The German bomber dropped eight bombs on the Mount Leinster-Blackstairs Mountain range, The third bomb scored a direct hit on Shannon’s house.
Wexford County Council has been informed of its 2022 allocation of €23,749,787 for regional and local road funding for Co. Wexford and included is €4 million under the category ‘severe weather’ which will cover some of the damage to roads and bridges in the Christmas Day flooding weather event.
Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, Eamon Ryan, today announced details of a €597 million investment programme for 2022 for regional and local roads. Overall funding will increase by over 4% this year. The funding package will allow approximately 3,100kms of roads to be maintained and 2,550kms to be strengthened.
Minister Ryan stated: “The main priority in 2022 continues to be the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network. Last year I introduced a climate change adaptation grant for works on roads at risk due to the impact of climate change and severe weather events. I am pleased to say that this funding will continue in 2022 with €15 million being allocated for 355 climate change adaptation projects.”
Minister Ryan added: “Specific provision of €4 million has been made to assist Wexford County Council with road repair works arising from the flooding event that occurred in Wexford on Christmas Day.”
“”I would also explain that these grants supplement local authorities’ own resources expenditure on regional and local road projects and do not represent the total investment in regional and local roads for this year,” concluded Minister Ryan.
KILTILLY BRIDGE was allocated €28,000 under Rehabilitation Works in Wexford County Council’s allocation, but since it was damaged in the Christmas Day floods more funding will be needed. This picture published by WexfordLocal.com on January 21st shows local resident Jimmy Lancaster and Cllr Donal Kenny surveying the damage.
Condolences are expressed to Wexford Independent Deputy Verona Murphy and family on the loss of their mother, Breda Murphy, Ramsgrange.
VERONA MURPHY TD
Mrs Murphy’s Funeral will arrive on Wednesday to St. James’ Church, Ramsgrange, for Funeral Mass at 11am followed by burial afterwards in Ramsgrange Cemetery.
Members of Wexford County Council at Monday’s meeting and Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District meeting on Tuesday expressed sympathy to Deputy Murphy.
Also, condolences were expressed to Cllr Joe Sullivan on the recent passing of his mother, Margaret Sullivan, Durrow, Co. Offaly, in her 102nd year and to Cllr Maura Bell, on the recent loss of her mother, Emma Bell, Coolcotts, Wexford town.
AUGHNAGLOWER BRIDGE on the R735 Adamstown-Clonroche road has reopened for traffic.
By Dan Walsh
The R735 regional road link between Adamstown and Clonroche has reopened to traffic having caused severe local access inconvenience since closure following the excessive rainfall that fell on Christmas Day.
Aughnaglower Bridge, known locally as Chapel Bridge, was washed away completely in the floods. Wexford County Council has acted swiftly in reopening the road with a new layout and temporary crossing and while care is necessary the roadway is open again.
Many bridges were damaged across Co. Wexford in the Christmas Day downpour and engineering inspections have been conducted with a view to repairs or replacement as quickly as possible.
Killanne rider Rob James was in brilliant form over the weekend winning six point-to-point races – three at Kirkistown in North Down on Saturday – and another treble at Comea, Co. Tipperary today.
James got off the mark in the maiden race for four-year-olds on first timer Willmount, trained at Kiltealy by Colin Bowe for Milestone Bloodstock Ltd, winning by two and a half lengths.
ROB JAMES wins six races in two days.
He followed up on Barnaleen for Patrick Ryan in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus confined. Just a length advantage at the finish.
James’ third winner on the day was Step Up Son by six lengths in the maiden race for six-year-old geldings and older for John ‘Shark’ Hanlon. Second success in two days for the Bagenalstown handler.
Colin Bowe and Milestone Bloodstock Ltd enjoyed a double success in the maiden race for four-year olds at Knockanard, Co. Cork where newcomer Captain Teague raced home by eight lengths with Barry O’Neill up. Both of Bowe’s Sunday winners are bound for the sales.
The state of play at the top of the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship shows Barry O’Neill just one winner ahead of Rob James, O’Neill on 27 (672 career total) and James 26 (261 career total).
State of Power was also a winner at the Cork track for owner/handler Harley Dunne, training at Rathfardon, Clonroche, in the five-year-old geldings maiden race. Tiernan Power Roche, Tomhaggard, took the mount as Harley Dunne was riding in the cross-country race at Punchestown.
Racing was also scheduled for Oldtown, Co. Meath, today, but heavy overnight rain caused the meeting to be abandoned and re-scheduled for next Saturday. The entries stand.
Barry O’Neill’s lead in the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship were narrowed down to three (26-23) today after Killanne rider Rob James rode a treble at Kirkistown in North Down.
James enjoyed an eighteen lengths victory on Beyondapproach for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle team in the mares Winner of Two race.
He also scored on Value Till Dawn trained by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon at Bagenalstown in the five and six year old maiden race by four lengths and added his third victory of the day for David Christie, Fermanagh, bringing home Some Man by twenty lengths in the Open Race.
An amazing record €5,812,989 has been made available for the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme in Co. Wexford and allocated to seventy-one clubs and organisations.
On social media, public representatives have been celebrating with their local successful applicants across the county and speaking to WexfordLocal.com Fine Gael TD, Paul Kehoe has welcomed the announcement and supplied a list of those benefitting from the funding.
“Sport plays an incredibly important part in our communities throughout the county and there will be widespread scope for improvement to the facilities available for everyone,” said Deputy Kehoe, who added; “The last couple of years have been tough for sports clubs but have also demonstrated the importance of sport in our lives. This funding will help to further develop access to sports and continue to make our towns and villages better places to live.”
“As well as grants to local clubs, there is also €887,000 awarded to three projects deemed to be of Regional significance, which will see the development of two full size artificial pitches in the County and a community gym/multisport facility.
“We have also seen a wide variety of sports funded today – as well as the major field sports, grants have been awarded for tennis, swimming, golf, boxing, handball and rowing clubs, as well as funding for community and multi-sport facilities.”
WexfordLocal.com haslearned that that any unsuccessful applicants will afforded the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision and information on the appeal process will issue to relevant organisations in the coming weeks. €6 million has been set aside to cover successful appeals under this process.
Enjoying the cycle in Gorey. (File Pic by Joe Dixon).
The grants for Co. Wexford are as follows;
GAELIC GAMES
St Abbans Adamstown GAA Club (floodlighting) €140,000.
Bannow-Ballymitty GAA Club (facility upgrade 2021) €124,910.
Buffers Alley GAA Club (gym and squash court) €70,207.
Castletown Liam Mellows GAA Club (gym update) €8,515.
Clongeen GAA Club (club development plan) €112,500.
Cloughbawn GAA Club (development and equipment 2021) €923,981.
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy GAA Club (pitch requirements) €103,535.
Faythe Harriers Hurling and Camogie Club (net repairs, new sports wall) €140,000.
Ferns St Aidan’s GAA Club (pitch development) €46,000.
Glynn Barntown GAA Club (dugouts and gym development) €27,400.
Kilanerin Ballyfad GAA Club (new changing room facilities) €150,000.
Kilmore GAA Community Complex (synthetic pitch and hurling wall) €148,973.
Kilrush Askamore GAA Club (pitch development) €120,480.
Monageer Boolavogue GAA Club (floodlight full size pitch) €146,605.
Our Ladys Island GAA Club (all weather training facility) €145,000.
Oylegate Glenbrien GAA Club (astro turf) €130,000.
Rathgarogue Cushinstown GAA Club (multi-purpose area and astro turf including a ball wall) €40,455.
Sarsfields GAA Club (indoor sports area) €150,00.
Shelmaliers GAA Club (disability lift and solar power panels) €40,980.
St Mary’s Rosslare GAA CLUB (floodlighting) €81,001.
St. Martin’s GAA Club (walking track and tennis court lights) €57,575.
St. Mary’s Maudlintown (lighting and fencing and goalpost back stops) €113,000.
St. Patrick’s GAA Club Ballyoughter (floodlights for training pitch) €113,000.
Taghmon Camross GAA Club (Astro turf training area and ball stop fencing) €128.310.
Tara Rock Community Field Trust (gym equipment) €6,990.
SOCCER
Ajax AFC (Patrick Mernagh Park Development) €29,544.
All Blacks AFC (pitch drainage) €26,766.
Bree United Soccer Club (goal stops Astro training area) €14,715.
Bridge Rovers (sports equipment and machinery) €18,407.
Camolin Celtic (fencing and equipment) €2,674.
Corach Ramblers (all weather pitch) €125,050.
Courtown Hibernian AFC (application for sports equipment) €22,421.
Crossabeg AFC (pitch drainage) €30,000.
Curracloe United Trust Co. Ltd (development of natural playing surface) €93,330.
Forth Celtic AFC (artificial surface replacement and natural pitch drainage) €72,181.
Killenagh Wanderers (floodlighting) €25,240.
Moyne Rangers AFC (sports equipment) €27,580.
New Ross AFC (upgrade Astro turf pitches) €43,000.
North End United AFC (equipment only) €36,090.
St. Joseph’s FC (safety fence, mower, netting and goal posts) €34,735.
Shelbourne United AFC (equipment) €722.
St. Leonard’s FC (all weather fully lit Astro turf) €147,000.
St. Cormac’s AFC (new equipment) €22,815.
Tombrack United AFC (equipment grant) €9,600.
Wexford Albion Schoolboys FC (sports equipment) €16,820.
Wexford Celtic FC (pitch development and ride-on mower) €4,700).
GOLF
Courtown Golf Club (driving range practice area development) €96,310.
Enniscorthy Gold Club (green and bunker works, junior netting equipment) €104,134.
Rosslare Golf Club (changing rooms showers and toilets) €48,600.
RUGBY
Enniscorthy Rugby Football Club (compact tractor and ball stop netting) €51,500.
Gorey Rugby Football Club (showers, disabled toilet, heating upgrade) €51,030.
New Ross Rugby Football Club (LED floodlights on main pitch) €79,000.
Wexford Wanderers Rugby Football Club (Project 2024- Phase 1) €145,280.
BOXING
Enniscorthy Boxing Academy (portable heating system) €10,000.
SWIMMING
Enniscorthy Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre (fitness disability) €80,431.
HANDBALL
Ballymitty Handball Club (court development) €50,092.
MULTI-SPORT
Askamore Muintir na Tire Community Project (gym facility) €20,000.
Co. Wexford Community Workshop Enniscorthy (resurfacing artificial playing surface) €150,000.
FCJ Secondary School Bunclody (artificial playing surface) €150,000.
Fethard Community Development Association (lighting at Ashgrove Community Park) €14,750.
Rosslare Community Development Association (track lighting and sports equipment) €21,020.
The EDUCENA FOUNDATION (astroturf playing pitch) €150,000.
Wexford County Council (fitness studio) €41,820.
Wexford County Council (2021 Rosslare Bowling Green Replacement) €133,720.
Wexford County Council (upgrade sports facilities in Pearse Park) €21,700.
TENNIS
Hillbrook Lawn Tennis Club (surface replacement) €68,260.
Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club (upgrades to courts and boats pontoon section) €145,250.
ROWING
1st Wexford New Ross (improved access to River Barrow) €43,805.
WexfordLocal.com 