Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today announced details of 39 successful organisations in receipt of grant aid from the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme 2021.
Three County Wexford groups are included; Tuaisceart Loch Garman CCE, Craanford, and Kilmuckridge Monamolin CCE (each receives €2,000) and Kiltra School of Music, Wellingtonbridge (€1,000).
Minister Foley said; “These organisations, groups and individuals provide access to a variety of music education experiences for young people and children in the community outside of school and curriculum provision.
“Music is an important way for people to express themselves and show their creativity. It is vital that we provide these opportunities to our children and young people. Bursaries available under this scheme will help organisations get resources they need to continue working with children and young people in community settings,” concluded Minister Foley.
The announcement has been welcomed by Senator Malcolm Byrne who pointed out that “these groups are brilliant supporting young and emerging talent” and that the grants “though small, will help enormously.”
An overwhelming majority of members voted in favour of an increase of 10% in the Local Property Tax 2022 thus retaining the local variation at the same level when the Local Property Tax Variation report came up for discussion at today’s July meeting of Wexford County Council held with Microsoft Teams in line with Covid-19 guidelines.
Head of Finance, Ms Annette O’Neill told members that the approval sought is 10% local variation factor and it is important to note that this is not an additional 10% it is to retain the charges in the county at the same level as they have been applied since 2018.
Ms O’Neill added that the 10% sought is linked and ring-fenced to the economic and community development programme and if that is not retained it will impact on the progression of that programme.
Cllr Michael Sheehan, who proposed the adoption of the 10% local variation stated that looking at the old plan that the Council adopted the total economic and community plan is €168 million and he stated the importance of local councillors getting as many leverage resources as possible for our communities and our towns.
“The bizarre thing about the Local Property Tax is that it always seems like a 10% increase when it isn’t – you have to go back to zero and start again and increase it by 10%. A 10% increase would generate approximately €1.2 million in the entire year which would equate to 1% of the County Council’s Budget,” said Cllr Sheehan, who said he had no problem supporting the proposal, and he added; “If you look at all the projects we are supporting, they are fantastic projects in terms of infrastructure and economic building blocks for the county and for the future but we also need to start investing in our people, our community facilities and recreational facilities across the county.”
CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY … in the Chair for her first Wexford County Council meeting today.
Cllr Ger Carthy said Wexford County Council has an extremely ambitious economic and community plan spanning a few years and is structured to the four corners of the county and he was happy to support Cllr Sheehan’s proposal.
Cllr Joe Sullivan was ‘seriously conflicted’ in relation to the !0%, and while appreciating that the executive were working hard on their economic plan he alleged that in Gorey where there had been promises and undertakings and work had commenced “very little has been actually delivered” – the Town Park is not finished, the Market House is in limbo, Esmonde Street there is an undertaking! St. Waleran’s has been bought and the St. Joseph’s site has cost €0.5 million to get to the point it is at!
Cllr Sullivan read a report that 38 projects had been completed countywide, Gorey-Kilmuckridge is a third of the size of the county and there are five projects in it. “I represent the people of North Wexford and I don’t think the people of North Wexford are getting a good ‘bang for their buck’ in relation to this,” he concluded.
CEO Tom Enright referred to Cllr Sullivan’s comments on Gorey and said that there were a number of other projects completed at significant expense; the Avenue cost €0.75 million, €800,000 was spent on the Gorey Relief Road (with a piece to finish), €2.5 million on Gorey Town Park (which has been delayed because of Covid-19 but is due to open to the public in the next few weeks) and the Hatch Lab project has created well over 300 jobs.
Cllr John O’Rourke agreed with Cllr Sullivan. He was asked on the doorsteps during the last election about the Local Property Tax “where is my money going in County Wexford” and he felt now is the time to let people know “where the money is being spent and what the money is being spent on.” Cllr Cathal Byrne also sought clarity on what projects the money would be spent on.
Cllrs Hynes, Forde, Owens and Ó Súilleabháin were all on the same hymn sheet and doubting ‘value for money’ and queried the 10% increase. Cllr Jim Codd felt that some of the money could be spent on Cocklestrand and make it a ‘pothole free zone’ and Cllr Owens was worried about spending on toilets in Enniscorthy.
Cllr Michael Whelan told the meeting that “to say this money is not being used is not true” and he expressed surprised at Cllr Ó Súilleabháin; “He fought hard and got a Heritage Officer. This must be paid for! We have a Development Officer on the Greenway, we hired an historian for the Decade of Commemorations,” he added.
Cllr George Lawlor announced he will be voting for the proposal because, and he says it every year “this is about ambition for our county. For years Wexford was left on the ‘hind tit’ in relation to investment and development. There may be areas where we can’t build a Trinity Wharf in every district and then we say if we do not have access to resources and money that allows us to leverage funding by this 10% increase… then it will be more than potholes we will be trying to fill.”
TOM ENRIGHT CEO Wexford County Council.
Cllr Jim Moore said a previous Council adopted this ambitious programme of investment in our county and he found it extraordinary that the members must come back every year to underwrite and underpin a well thought out development plan for our county and its people. “It is a 5-10 year plan for our county and that was the basis at the time. It looked into the future and I don’t believe cutting tax at this stage is the ambition we need in this county,” concluded Cllr Moore, who questioned ‘what would replace it?’
Chief Executive Officer, Tom Enright said it is about having an ambitious programme for Co. Wexford and helps solve some of the infrastructure deficits that has been holding back this county for far too long and it is about taking the initiative into our own hands and to have the resources available to get things done and to attract matching funds. “We have got grants of €20.5 million for Trinity Wharf that we wouldn’t have got if we didn’t put in the investment at the start to acquire that site, do the planning, and get it ready to attract that level of investment.”
A vote was taken and an overwhelming majority supported the 10% increase variation factor for 2022. Some issues with Broadband coverage led to difficulties during the meeting and therefore the final numbers are uncertain. In reply to a question from Cllr Davy Hynes about the legality of the vote, Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy assured the members that everything was above board. The motion was carried by a large majority.
On Saturday, 25 years to the exact day since Fethard RNLI lifeboat station was re-established (July 10th, 1966), following an absence of 82 years, a milestone was marked by a solemn ceremony at sea, where current lifeboat crew laid a wreath to remember all those involved with the station, who had passed away over the last 25 years.
The anniversary was originally to involve a large-scale exercise at sea, viewed by the public from Baginbun beach and involving Fethard RNLI, Kilmore Quay RNLI, Dunmore East RNLI and the Irish Coast Guard. Unfortunately, the display was postponed due to the ongoing restrictions for Covid, and it is now planned to take place on Sunday, September 12th.
Laying a wreath at sea remembering 25 years of Fethard RNLI Lifeboat on Saturday (Pic; RNLI/Fethard).
Commenting on the 25th anniversary, Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Walter Foley said; “All of us involved with Fethard RNLI would like to sincerely thank our wonderful community who have supported this lifeboat station for the past 25 years. There are so many people involved with our station and we appreciate every one of them and the work they do.
‘Having a lifeboat station re-established after suffering such a loss as we did in 1914 is an incredible achievement. In the intervening years, our community decided they wanted their lifeboat back and campaigned and raised the funds necessary to return one to the area. There is a special bond between Fethard RNLI, and its community and it is the reason why we are still going strong today.”
An official event to mark the 25th anniversary of the reopening of Fethard RNLI is due to take place on Baginbun beach on Sunday, September 12th. Further details will be available nearer the date.
Barry Lacey from Ballycarney, Enniscorthy, has been appointed by Wexford County Council as the first Historian-in-Residence with Wexford Library and Archive Service and is charged with the promotion and awareness of the Decade of Centenaries and the collections of Wexford County Library and Archive.
Mr Lacey aims to bring 1921 to life for people in Wexford using a variety of media and as part of his role, he would like people living in Wexford or with a Wexford connection to contact him regarding any memorabilia or documents they have belonging to their ancestors who played a part during the War of Independence or the Civil War.
BARRY LACEY… first Historian-in-Residence at Wexford County Public Library
Barry Lacey has a Higher Diploma in Archaeology and a Masters in Archaeological Excavation. He has a keen interest in the War of Independence in County Wexford and has already created a website dedicated to this research. Barry has worked on Decade of Centenary projects for Wexford County Council in the past, delivering a slideshow showcasing the various incidents that took place during the war of Independence in Wexford.
Welcoming the appointment, the Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy said she is delighted to welcome Barry Lacey as Historian-in-Residence with Wexford Library Service. “These years, one hundred years ago, mark a critical time in the creation of the state. Many people played a part in the struggle for independence here in County Wexford and it is only right that their contribution is documented and the records of the time collected in their entirety so that we get to fully understand the history of the struggle for independence,” she added.
Barry Lacey made a brief address at the centenary of the Truce in the War of Independence ceremony at Orchard Peace Park, Enniscorthy, on Sunday.
The Murrintown commemoration and opening of the Garden of Remembrance and Reflection to mark the Truce of the War of Independence a century ago ceremony was held today in poor weather conditions where Cllr Lisa McDonald delivered the oration.
Cllr McDonald said; “We are here in Murrintown today to take ownership of remembrance and hoping for reflection. The images this week in our national media of the crowds that gathered back then at the Mansion House hoping and praying for peace to prevail were palpable. That was a good day in 1921 but the months that followed that brought the Anglo-Irish Treaty, partition, the creation of Northern Ireland and the saddest part of our history, The Civil War, the war of friends which we find so hard to discuss still today.
“We’re here today celebrating the lives and the memory of the patriots who sacrificed their own lives, so that we the descendants could be independent and practice democracy and the right to self-determination. It is a fragile concept and we see it being undermined worldwide today but we must ensure that the structures that underpin modern democracy are maintained and defended. “We need to make a special effort to recognise the role that every single person plays in our country, from our elderly to our artists, our public servants, our business people, our farmers to our fishermen and our professionals. To our children with special needs, and to those with disabilities, our unemployed and our homeless, everyone.
Liam Collins, Anthony Nolan, Lieut. Kirsty Moran and Cllr Lisa McDonald take shelter from the elements at the opening of the Murrintown Garden of Remembrance today. (Pic; courtesy of event organisers).
“Everyone deserves respect and the ideals of 1916 demand us to practice just that. The best way to honour this concept is to return to belief in the possible, what we can do and what we hope to achieve. We have spent the last eighteen months battling this horrific pandemic together. We have seen the self-sacrifice of our health care workers, we have seen what we can do when we work together and we have seen the futility of division.”
In conclusion, Cllr McDonald added; “A lot has changed since mid-day on the 11th of July 1921 but one thing remains constant, we continue to strive for the ideals of the Proclamation set down in 1916, which sought to cherish all the children of Ireland equally. This work will be ongoing and will demand that our leaders step up to the plate and solve the problems that confront each generation. Our work may never be done but we must look back and remind ourselves of the sacrifice made for us and we must never give up hope.”
The Commemoration opened with a short speech from Cllr Jim Moore, Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District Council, followed by prayers recited by Very Rev. Aodhán Marken, Parish Priest of Piercestown and Murrintown. Liam Collins was Master of Ceremonies.
The national flag was raised by Lieutenant Kirsty Moran and the national anthem sung by Murrintown teenager Eabha Keane. Trumpeter Anthony Nolan sounded the Last Post and Revielle.
The centenary of the Truce in the War of Independence was commemorated in a brief, butdignified ceremony held in the Orchard Peace Park at the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy today.
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Cathal Byrne said; “During the two and a half years of the War of Independence more than 2,000 people lost their lives. To day we remember them and the people who experienced hardship and sacrifice during that time. We reflect on these events and remember our relatives, the stories of their experiences and those who went before us.
“This day 100 years ago was a day of hope for people across Enniscorthy and County Wexford and we look forward – after a difficult period of 18 months – with renewed hope for the future,” concluded Cllr Byrne.
Inclement weather shortened the programme of events and there was a short historical narrative from Barry Lacey, the newly appointed Historian-in-Residence at the Wexford County Public Library Services.
CLLR CATHAL BYRNE, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council with members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-Enactment Group at the unveiing of the Truce of the War of Independence memorial bench at Orchard Peace Park, Enniscorthy.
Cllr Byrne unveiled a memorial bench commemorating the centenary of the Truce in the War of Independence (January 21st 1919 – July 11th 1921). Members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-Enactment Group provided a guard of honour.
The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, and Cllrs Kathleen Codd, Jackser Owens and John O’Rourke. Apologies were read on behalf of Johnny Mythen TD and Cllr Aidan Browne.
Acting Director of Services Carolyne Godkin, Mary Clince and Bernie Quigley from Enniscorthy Municipal District Council staff and Moira O’Gorman, National 1798 Rebellion Centre and Enniscorthy Castle, were active in organising this important historical event.
AUDIO ADDITION; Cathaoirleach Cllr Cathal Byrne at the Truce of the War of Independence ceremony held in Enniscorthy today.
Racing enthusiasts will be relieved to learn that the 2021 Autumn Point-to-Point fixture list has been published by the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee with plenty of action happening in the south-east counties.
Point-to-point action at Lingstown
Sunday, September 26th; Bree Foxhounds will race at Monksgrange.
Sunday, October 17th; Shillelagh & District at Fairwood, Tinahely; and Sunday, October 31st; Island Hunt will race at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy.
Sunday, November 7th; Wicklow Hunt at Fairwood, Tinahely; Sunday, November 14th; Wexford Hunt at Knockmullen House, New Ross; Sunday, November 28th; Killinick Harriers at Lingstown, Tomhaggard.
Sunday, December12th; Carlow Farmers at Borris House.
A 38-year-old man was arrested after 3kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of more than €73,000, was found during a joint operation between Revenue’s Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau and the Wexford Divisional Drugs Unit at a premises in the Wexford area.
He is being held under Section 2 of The Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996 at Wexford Garda Station.
More than €2m worth of drugs have been seized in three separate incidents in Dublin and Wexford.
Investigations into these seizures are ongoing.
These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the smuggling of illegal drugs into the State. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on the confidential phone number 1800 295 295.
The Oireachtas has published a report (yesterday) on the impact of Brexit and makes 53 recommendations in a range of areas about how Ireland can be best placed to address the ongoing repercussions of the decision of the UK to leave the European Union.
SENATOR MALCOLM BYRNE
Senator Malcolm Byrne was one of the twelve members of the committee, and the sole member from Wexford, that spent the last eight months in detailed discussions with a range of stakeholders in this significant piece of work.
Senator Byrne told WexfordLocal.com; “We engaged with Rosslare Europort and haulage companies and the effects on our freight traffic. But we also considered the impact of Brexit on so many other aspects of our lives – education and training and recognition of qualifications; managing data held in different jurisdictions; the impact on importing and exporting of food and drink, and, of course, the ongoing political ramifications.
“One big issue that I highlighted before has been the impact of Brexit on the price of certain goods, including flour, which is incredibly significant for Co. Wexford, not just because of the bakeries located here but also planned development of a mill in the county.
“Brexit continues to have profound implications for Wexford. I am immensely proud that I was able to ensure a specific recommendation about Rosslare Europort as well as on digitising paperwork to speed up movement at the ports as well as looking for greater support for businesses negativey impacted by the Rules of Origin (including flour).
ROSSLARE EUROPORT
The Wexford related recommendations that may be of interest includes a Specific Recommendation on Page 43 that reads as follows;
“The Committee recommends the expansion of Rosslare Europort and the new direct routes from continental Europe and is of the view that, following the recent demand-led transformation of the port, the port continues to be developed and that further resources be allocated to facilitate further necessary routes/sailings. Further development of the port will alleviate pressure on Dublin Port and congestion on surrounding motorways such as the M50. To facilitate this expansion, the Committee recommends that the motorway and link road to Rosslare be completed without delay to improve connectivity with Rosslare port.”
Two men in their 60’s sustained serious injuries in a workplace incident at the rear of the Stella Maris Centre in Kilmore Quay this afternoon.
RESCUE 117
It is understood that the men were working together on some scaffolding when it collapsed, and they were thrown to the ground at around 3.30pm.
One of the injured men was transferred by Rescue 117 helicopter to Cork University Hospital while the second man was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Waterford.
The scene was attended by two units of the National Ambulance Service Wexford, an Ambulance Officer and the Coast Guard ground unit from Kilmore Quay assisted by Rescue 117 helicopter from Waterford.
WexfordLocal.com 