McCabes Pharmacy 40 years in business 

Television personality and mum-to-be Síle Seoige was on hand to meet the newest addition to McCabes, as the family-owned pharmacy unveiled its Digital Prescription Service, Easy Script. The “new arrival” is the first web based digital prescription service in Ireland, and it comes as McCabes Pharmacy celebrates 40 years in business this year.

At the launch in McCabes Pharmacy, Gorey, Síle Seoige was joined by store pharmacist Colin Ryan for a demo of the new service. With Easy Script, customers can order their prescription instantly and collect from their nearest pharmacy in three simple steps:

Mum-to-be Síle Seoige launching the newest addition to McCabes, a Digital Prescription Service called Easy Script, at McCabes in Gorey as the family-owned pharmacy celebrates 40 years in business this year. Photography by Conor McCabe/Conor McCabe Photography, 085 7057255.

McCabes Managing Director, Sharen McCabe, explains: “McCabes Easy Script gives customers a new way to manage their medication needs from home. We know from talking to busy parents and time-pressed family carers, that they want certainty about when their prescription will be ready to collect. We see so many customers who have limited time in their day to run errands while juggling other commitments at home. With no need to wait in store, we hope that Easy Script will meet a real need in a very innovative way.”

Síle Seoige said; “Easy Script from McCabes will be such a time saver for young families, mine included, and with another baby on the way life is about to get a whole lot busier! Just knowing I’ll get a text when a prescription is ready to collect really helps to work around my commitments in the day, and that makes family life a lot easier. It’s great to see Irish brands like McCabes making it easy for customers to continue supporting local when online.”

McCabes has led the way on innovation since the family-run business first opened its doors in 1981. For the past four decades, the brand has continued to adapt as customer needs evolved. Easy Script is the latest in a growing list of market firsts for the innovative Irish family brand. In the past year, McCabes has also been first to introduce the Morning After Pill using a pay online, click and collect-in store service.

To mark the 40th anniversary, customers can avail of promotions throughout July across all 27 McCabes Pharmacy stores nationwide and online, including giveaways on social media and for a limited time (July 1st-4th) a discount on premium brands with 15% off Lancôme, Clarins, and designer fragrances. For more details see: www.mccabespharmacy.com

Body found on Gorey’s Fort Road

Gardai are carrying out an investigation following the discovery of a man’s body on the side of the road at 3.45am today after Gardai in Gorey were called to the Fort Road area in the town.

GOREY GARDA STATION

The man in his mid-20s was pronounced dead at the scene, however a cause of death has not yet been established. It is understood that the deceased is a non-Irish national.

The scene has been cordoned off and the body remains on the Fort Road, pending a full technical examination, with a file prepared for the Coroner’s Court

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on 053 9430690 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

Conservation plan for Fethard Castle

By Dan Walsh

Great excitement in Fethard after Wexford County Council have secured funding under the Community Monuments Fund of €70,000 for Fethard Castle.

The core objective of the Community Monuments Fund is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites.

Chairman of Fethard Community Development Association, Richard Finn told WexfordLocal.com about recent developments in the village and outlined that a 5-Year Plan has been agreed and the main proposed improvements include works on Fethard Castle and extending the Walking Trails. Development on the old burned-out RIC Barracks in the village is also a high priority.

“This is really significant news for Fethard-on-Sea,” said Mr Finn, who added; “Many thanks to all at Wexford County Council especially Diarmuid Houston, Catherine McLoughlin and the outgoing Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, New Ross District Cllr Michael Whelan.”

Some of the team at Fethard Community Development Association in the grounds of Fethard Castle – Sinead Kidd (Secretary), Richard Finn (Chairman) and Anne Wall (Committee).

Fethard is dependant on tourism and the good news is that despite some limited activity because of Covid-19 the village and district is faring well with staycationers enjoying the facilities. The weather is particularly helpful with temperatures reached 24 degrees Celsius yesterday (Tuesday) and warm weather forecast for the rest of the week. “The motor homes vacation is really strong this summer and we are delighted to welcome all visitors to the area,” concluded Mr. Finn.

Richard King (Chairman), Sinead Kidd (Secretary) and Anne Wall (committee) from Fethard Community Development Association are guests with Dan Walsh on Mid-Week Voices on South East Radio this evening (Wednesday) at 8pm.   

Irish Water appeal to conserve water at home, in the shop and on the farm in July and August

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water is predicting an increase in domestic and commercial demand for water over the coming months and customers are asked to take some simple measures to conserve water in their homes, their businesses and on their farms.

Irish Water appeal to conserve water at home, in the shop and on the farm in July and August

Tom Cuddy, Irish Water’s Head of Asset Operations, told WexfordLocal.com said: “We would like to wish the Irish public well as they enjoy some well-deserved staycations this summer. We are also asking the public to take note of their water usage and conserve where possible.

“Conserving water is something that we should be doing all year round, not just when supplies come under pressure due to drought conditions and seasonal increases in demand. As demand increase, we are appealing to the public to redouble their efforts in conserving water in the home, in the garden, at work and on the farm, especially during the busy months of July and August when staycations will be at a peak and demand is expected to soar.

“This applies particularly to tourist hotspots in popular coastal regions and tourist destinations throughout the country of which we are lucky to have so many and where large influxes of visitors are expected.

“As rivers, lakes and groundwater levels reduce through the summer and autumn period, there is less water available for supply, while at the same time the warmer weather gives rise to increased water demands for domestic, agricultural and leisure uses.

“There are lots of helpful tips for conserving water on water.ie but the key things are to leave the hose and the pressure washer in the shed; don’t use paddling pools; reuse household water for the garden; and take shorter showers. Safeguarding the supply of water is essential currently when handwashing and hygiene is of critical importance. We are calling on everyone to play their part.”

With the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the public are reminded to adhere to public health and HSE advice, and handwashing and hygiene remain critically important.

Small changes can have lasting results. For example:

– Take a shorter shower and save up to 10 litres of water per minute

– Fix dripping taps or leaking toilets in your home

– When brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the tap and save up to 6 litres of water per minute

– Save and reuse water collected from baths, showers, and hand basins in the garden

– Avoid using paddling pools

– In the garden use a rose head watering can instead of a hose and aim for the roots

– If you need to wash your car, use a bucket and sponge instead of a hose

– Report any leaks to Irish Water at 1800 278 278.

Further water conservation information is available on the Irish Water website www.water.ie/conservation

Cllr Barbara-Anne is “First Citizen of Co. Wexford”

By Dan Walsh

“It is an honour and a privilege for me to be elected Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council and what is truly remarkable I’m only the third woman to achieve this honour in 120 years,”; the opening words of Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy in her acceptance speech following her election as Cathaoirleach at today’s annual general meeting.

CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council 2021-2022

Bunclody-based Fianna Fáil member Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was nominated for the Chair by Cllr Lisa McDonald and seconded by Cllr Pip Breen. Cllr John Hegarty (Fine Gael) nominated Cllr Anthony Donohoe and Cllr Cathal Byrne seconded.

Cllr Murphy was elected with 21 votes; Cllr Donohoe 9; and three abstentions (Cllrs Tom Forde, Davy Hynes and Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin).

Cllr Murphy received congratulations from fellow members and CEO Tom Enright and outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Ger Carty, who also received warm compliments for his chairmanship “during the most difficult year when he became the first Cathaoirleach in the history of the Council never to chair a live meeting due to Covid-19” handed over the chains of power to the new incumbent and wished her well.

Cllr Murphy is outgoing Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District and she previously led Enniscorthy immediately after the town councils were abolished in the 2014-’15 term!

Barbara-Anne is the youngest daughter of Rory (and Nancy) Murphy who served on Wexford County Council since 1967 and on her father’s death, she was co-opted to his seat on Wexford County Council in 2004. She was unsuccessful in the 2009 Local Elections but was returned successfully in 2014 and 2019.

Contention for Leas-Cathaoirleach was between Cllr Anthony Connick (Independent), nominated by Cllr Ger Carthy and seconded by Cllr Mary Farrell, and Cllr Frank Staples, nominated by Cllr Bridín Murphy and seconded by Cllr Jim Moore.

Cllr Connick defeated Cllr Staples, 23 votes to 9, and the chains were handed over by outgoing Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Laffan, who earlier in the day had been elected Mayor of Wexford for the next year.

Cllr Anthony Connick, who was first elected to New Ross Town Council in 2009, said he was “honoured and privileged” to accept the post, he thanked his fellow councillors and promised to do his best during his term.

Cllr Garry Laffan is new Mayor of Wexford

By Dan Walsh

The newly elected Mayor of Wexford is Cllr Garry Laffan (Fianna Fail) who was “honoured and privileged” to be elevated to the historic position at the annual general meeting of Wexford Borough and Municipal District Council held this morning.

MAYOR GARRY LAFFAN

From Glynn, Mayor Laffan is an All-Ireland hurling medal holder with the victorious 1996 Wexford team and a former member of the Defence Forces who was first elected to Wexford County Council in 2019.

He served as Leas-Cathaoirleach on the outgoing Wexford County Council team led by Cllr Ger Carthy (Independent)

Mayor Laffan replaces Cllr Leonard Kelly, (Independent) who proposed Cllr Laffan and speaking at his departure reflected on his term as Mayor of Wexford. “It has been an honour to lead this wonderful town and district during the strangest of strange twelve months, for all of us,” and he added; “While my time as Mayor is at an end, I have three more years as County Councillor. A time in which I intend to be as relentless as I have in the last 12 months in ensuring our community is a great place for all of us.”

Cllr John Hegarty (Fine Gael) is Deputy Mayor.

Cllr Cathal Byrne is Enniscorthy Chair

By Dan Walsh

Ballyhogue solicitor Cllr Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael) is the new Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council defeating Cllr Jackser Owens (Independent), 4 votes to 2, at the annual general meeting held at Kilcannon Garden Centre this morning.

CLLR CATHAL BYRNE… Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council

Proposed by Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan and seconded by Cllr Aidan Browne, Cllr Byrne paid tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy whom he said; “led the district with distinction”.

Cllr Byrne said it was “a great honour to serve as Chairman” and he promised to treat all parties and none with respect. He was first elected to Wexford County Council in 2019.

Cllr Aidan Browne was chosen unopposed as Leas-Cathaoirleach. He appreciated the nomination and said it was “a great honour and privilege” and he would work for the betterment of Enniscorthy town and district.

GAA Weekend Round-up; Wexford wins in hurling and football

WEXFORD 2-11(17) WICKLOW 0-14

Good day for Wexford football with a 2-11 to 0-14 victory over Wicklow at Aughrim today (Sunday) earning a rare opportunity to play against the record breakers six-in-a-row All-Ireland champions Dublin in the Leinster Senior Football Championship quarter-final in Chadwicks Wexford Park next Sunday. It is Wexford’s first Leinster Championship success since 2014.

WEXFORD: Darragh Brooks; Martin O’Connor (1-00), Gavin Sheehan, Liam O’Connor; Paraic Hughes (0-01), Brian Malone, Michael Furlong; Daithi Waters, Liam Coleman; Tom Byrne, Sean Nolan, Kevin O’Grady; John Turbitt (0-02), Eoghan Nolan, Mark Rossiter (1-06, 1f). Subs: Ben Brosnan for Nolan (7), Donal Shanley (0-02, 2f) for Brosnan (19), Niall Hughes for Nolan (47), Eoghan Porter for L O’Connor (57), Alan Tobin for O’Grady (58).

WICKLOW: Mark Jackson (0-02, 2f); Arran Murphy (0-03), Eoin Murtagh, Oisin Manning; Darragh Fitzgerald, Niall Donnelly, David Deveraux; Padraig O’Toole (0-01), John Paul Hurley; Andy Maher, Mark Kenny (0-01), Conor Byrne (0-01); Chris O’Brien (0-02, 2f), Seanie Furlong, Patrick O’Connor (0-04). Subs: Paul Cunningham for Fitzgerald (40), Daniel Keane for O’Brien (55), John Sheeran for Hurley (62), Fintan O’Shea for Cunningham (68), Saoirse Kearon for D Devereaux (69), Pat Burke for Maher (69).

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).

Liam O’Connor, Anthony Masterson, Darragh Brooks, Paraic Hughes, Seán Nolan, Niall Hughes and Martin O’Connor celebrate Wexford’s football success over Wicklow. ©INPHO/Tommy Grealy.

WEXFORD 5-31 (46) LAOIS 1-23 (26)

Wexford got the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship off to a winning start with a 20-points victory over Laois at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, on Saturday evening and will face Kilkenny in the next round next Saturday in a game that may be fixed for Croke Park!

WEXFORD: Mark Fanning (0-01 free); Simon Donohoe, Liam Ryan, Shane Reck; Gavin Bailey (0-01), Matthew O’Hanlon, Shaun Murphy (0-01); Diarmuid O’Keeffe (0-02), Liam Óg McGovern (0-02); Rory O’Connor (1-07), Mikie Dwyer (0-02), Kevin Foley (0-03); Paul Morris (0-05, 1 free), Lee Chin (1-02, 0-01 free), Conor McDonald (2-04). Subs: Jack O’Connor for O’Keeffe (50); Connal Flood for Donohoe (54); David Dunne (1-00) for Dwyer (54); Conor Firman for Bailey (61); Cathal Dunbar (0-01) for Chin (67).

LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Donnacha Hartnett, Seán Downey, Jack Kelly (0-01); Stephen Maher, Ciarán McEvoy, Ryan Mullaney; Fiachra C. Fennell, James Ryan; Charles Dwyer (0-04), Paddy Purcell (0-03), Ciarán Collier (0-02), PJ Scully (0-08, 5 frees, 1 ‘65), Willie Dunphy, Ross King (0-02).

Subs: Eanna Lyons for Ryan (HT); Lee Cleere (0-01) for Hartnett (47); Aaron Dunphy for W. Dunphy (53); Ciarán Comerford (1-01) for Purcell (53); Matthew Whelan (0-01) for Downey (54).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).

Cllr Pat Barden is Cathaoirleach for New Ross

By Dan Walsh

Adamstown Cllr Pat Barden (Independent) was elected Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council at the annual general meeting held on Friday. He succeeds Cllr Michael Whelan (Fianna Fail).

CLLR PAT BARDEN, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council

Cllr Barden was congratulated by his colleagues and wished well for his coming year in the leadership role, while Cllr Whelan was praised for his work in the town and district during the past year.

Cllr Barden was well-known in GAA circles and played inter-county hurling and football with Wexford. He hails from a long-tailed family with roots in Adamstown and Fethard-on-Sea and was elected to Wexford County Council on his first attempt in the 2019 Local Authority elections.

Barrow bridge heritage needs debate?

By Dan Walsh

Speculation about the future of the Barrow Railway Bridge at Great Island, Campile, has been gaining media coverage, however, there appears to be extraordinarily little information emanating from official sources or debate from local public representatives. This amazing bridge in a remote location is an engineering feat and part of early-20th century history and heritage.

The Barrow Bridge, built between 1902 and 1906 has been closed to traffic since 2010, carries the Rosslare to Waterford railway line and has 15 spans, two of which are electronically operated to swing about a central pivot to allow shipping through.

WexfordLocal.com would love to hear from sources that may influence the future of the railway line and the bridge, but in the meantime, here is a brief, but exciting history.

The Barrow Bridge with an overall length of 650-metres was the longest bridge in Ireland 1906-1984.

Barrow Bridge is a major example of bridge engineering with an overall length of 650-metres and up to the opening of the Foyle Bridge in 1984 was the longest bridge in Ireland.

The bridge was erected by Sir William Arrol and Company (established 1873) of Glasgow to designs by Sir Benjamin Baker (1840-1907) of London and is identified as an important component of the built heritage of south County Wexford on account of the connections with the development of the Fishguard and Rosslare Railway (FRR) line opened (1906) by the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours (FRRH) Company: a Pratt-type lattice girder “swing span”, included to allay concerns from the New Ross Harbour Commissioners that the bridge would impact on navigation to the port and still operated to facilitate shipping following the closure of the bridge to passenger traffic in 2010 pinpoints the engineering or technical dexterity of the composition.

At the time of completion (1906) Barrow Bridge was the third longest bridge spanning entirely across water in Great Britain and Ireland, after Tay Bridge (1883-‘07) and the Sir Benjamin Baker-designed Forth Bridge (1882-90) and was until 1984 the longest bridge of any kind in Ireland.