Although the magnificent outdoor facilities at Killeens, Wexford, are being enjoyed and open to the public for more than a year now, the official opening of the €4 million Min Ryan Park was performed last weekend by Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Gary Laffan. It had been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the official opening of Min Ryan Park; Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Elisabet Berney, 100 years old daughter of Min Ryan, and Mayor of Wexford Cllr Garry Laffan.
Mayor Laffan announced future plans to develop the park even further, including a skate park, and he told the invited gathering “the park is a huge asset not just for the town but for but also the entire county and its people.”
Elisabet Berney, the 100 years old daughter of Min Ryan, was a special guest, and she spoke about her mother who was born in 1884 and grew up in Tomcoole, not too far from the park that commemorates her memory and serves as a reminder that she played an important role in the 1916 Rising.
Ms Berney unveiled the Min Ryan Park plaque and cut the ceremonial ribbon in the company of Richard Mulcahy, the Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, and other public representatives and invited guests.
CEO Wexford County Council, Tom Enright outlined the amount of work that went into developing the public park and stressed its importance for the town and county as a public amenity.
Wexford rider Bertram Allen, and his Team Ireland colleagues Darragh Kenny and Cian O’Connor put in fine performances but finished out of the medals in the individual jumping final at the Toyko Olympics this morning.
BERTRAM ALLEN
Bertram needed a fault-free round to keep his medal hopes alive. Aboard Pacino Amiro they started strongly and was travelling well over the first five fences before cutting a corner and knocked down the first of three combination fences.
He dropped another bar towards the end and finished with eight penalties in a time of 84.64, he was out of the medals and finished 15th overall in a field of 30.
Great Britain’s Ben Maher won gold after the jump-off with silver going to Sweden’s Peder Fredricson and Maikel van der Vleuten of the Netherlands taking the bronze. Cian O’Connor was best of the Irish and finished in seventh overall.
Over €900,000 worth of grants have been approved for 62 coastal community groups and micro enterprises, four in the South East and two in Co. Wexford.
HOOK HEAD
Bannow Historical Society received over €10,000 for training in Maritime Heritage Preservation and Celebration.
Hook Head received 60% towards the Hike to the Hook 2020 event, and social media development for the attraction, coming in at just over €2,500.
Funding is provided by the Fisheries Local Action Groups set up under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme.
South-East as a region received the lowest amount of funding, at just €38,236 – compared to the €306,000 that the north region received for 10 projects.
In the individual showjumping qualifier at the Tokyo Olympic Games Wexford rider Bertram Allen with his Ireland teammates Darragh Kenny and Cian O’Connor all jumped clear rounds today and all three are certain be among the 30 riders through to Wednesday’s Jumping Individual Final.
BERTRAM ALLEN and Pacino Amiro are into the Individual Final at the Toyko Olympics. (Pic; Kaitlyn Karssen)
The trio got around with zero penalties. O’Connor, a bronze medallist at London 2012, clocked a time of 88.66, while Allen finished in 85.18 with Kenny the fastest in a time of 82.01.
Bertram Allen, who partnered Pacino Amiro and Cian O’Connor on Kilkenny, spoke to RTE Sport about the importance of having no faults. “The main thing was to be clear, the time was only going to come into it if we weren’t clear. You have to jump a clear round now in qualifying with the new format.”
The top 30 from the 73 starters in today’s competition go forward to tomorrow’s (Wednesday) individual final which starts at 11am Irish time and will be broadcast live on RTE 2.
The RNLI will present three lifeboat crews in the South-East with gallantry awards for their role in a rescue last October that saved nine lives and prevented a 100-metre cargo vessel, carrying 4,000 tonnes of coal, from hitting rocks at Hook Head.
The Coxswains of Dunmore East RNLI, Kilmore Quay RNLI and Rosslare Harbour RNLI are to receive RNLI Bronze Medals for Gallantry – one of the highest awards presented by the lifesaving charity – while the volunteer lifeboat crews who responded to the callout will each receive Medal Certificates.
Following a meeting of the RNLI’s Board of Trustees, the RNLI has made the following recommendation. ‘For their fine display of seamanship and boat-handling skills in atrocious weather conditions, in securing a tow and determination to succeed resulting in the saving of nine lives. It is recommended that the Bronze Medal for Gallantry be awarded to:
Coxswain (Dunmore East) Roy Abrahamsson
Coxswain (Kilmore Quay) Eugene Kehoe
Coxswain (Rosslare Harbour) Eamon O’Rourke
HOOK HEAD
The lifeboat crews of Dunmore East RNLI, Kilmore Quay RNLI and Rosslare Harbour RNLI will all receive Medal Service Certificates’;
Dunmore East RNLI crew: Roy Abrahamsson (Coxswain), David Murray (Mechanic), Neville Murphy (Navigator) and crewmembers Peter Curran, Jon Walsh, Luka Sweeney and Kevin Dingley.
Kilmore Quay RNLI crew: Eugene Kehoe (Coxswain), Philip Walsh (Mechanic), Aidan Bates (Navigator) and crewmembers Trevor Devereux and Sam Nunn.
Rosslare Harbour RNLI crew: Eamon O’Rourke (Coxswain), Mick Nicholas (Mechanic), Keith Miller (Navigator) crewmembers Padraig Quirke, Michael Sinnott, Eoghan Quirke and Paul McCormack.
The station Coxswains were informed of the awards by RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager Joe Moore who commented; ‘In recommending these awards, the RNLI Trustees recognise the difficulty of the service, the challenges that were faced by the lifeboat crews during their twelve hours at sea and the tragedy and environmental disaster that was averted off the Irish coast.’
In reviewing the service, the RNLI also recommended a Medal Service Certificate for the crew of Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 for their top cover and reassurance to all the crews below for the duration of the service. Signed letters of appreciation will also be presented to the staff of the National Maritime Operations Centre in Dublin and the Master and crew of the tug Tramontine.
RNLI Director of Lifesaving, John Payne said; “Those crew involved demonstrated that unique blend of courage, selflessness, dependability, and trustworthiness, at their best, in the most demanding of conditions. Without question their combined actions saved lives at sea. Conditions onboard the lifeboats were unpleasant in the rolling and pitching seas. The volunteer crews displayed fortitude, perseverance and courage to remain focused whilst under the most testing conditions, often up to their knees in water and heaving decks. The unity of purpose and sense of “One Crew” displayed by all contributed significantly to the successful outcome in a protracted 12-hour service.”
Rescue of the Lily B off Hook Head last October (Pic; RNLI/Roy Abrahamsson)
On October 20th 2020, Dunmore East RNLI, Kilmore Quay RNLI and Rosslare Harbour RNLI, along with Rescue 117, conducted a joint rescue operation off the Wexford coast. The Lily B, a 100-metre general cargo vessel with nine crew and carrying 4,000 tonnes of coal, had lost all power, just two nautical miles from Hook Head. Conditions on scene were force eight with severe force nine gusts and wave heights between eight and ten metres. The Lily B was drifting and in danger of striking rocks on Hook Head or capsizing in the heavy seas.
The 12-hour service in challenging conditions saw multiple attempts by the lifeboat crews involved to establish a tow between the casualty vessel and the lifeboats. With the crew of the Lily B unable to stay on deck for long in the poor conditions and with language difficulties, two of the lifeboats were eventually successful in passing a rope on deck by using a rocket line and pulling the cargo vessel clear of the rocks. The lifeboat tow was maintained for three hours with waves continually crashing over the decks until the tug vessel Tramontine from Waterford Port arrived on scene and took up the tow. The three lifeboats stayed with the Lily B until they reached the safety of the Waterford Estuary. The rescue operation was finally stood down after 12 hours at sea for the lifeboat crews.
Details of the arrangements for the presentation of Bronze Medals for Gallantry and the Medal Service Certificates are to be arranged in consultation with the awardees and will be released nearer the date.
The death has taken place of popular radio journalist Paul Rowley, (62), who was the voiceof South East Radio news and sport over many years. Many tributes are accumulating from his legion of friends and colleagues.
Sunday Sports Hour presenter Aidan Delaney and reporter Liam Spratt paid tribute to Paul Rowley on this evening’s programme. “Plenty of good memories being shared by people who knew Paul and he will be sadly missed,” said Aidan, who added; “Condolences to his brother Michael. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.”
PAUL ROWLEY
A graduate of St. Peter’s College, Wexford, Paul Rowley had worked with pirate radio stations in Wexford before local broadcasting was legalised and he joined South East Radio in the newsroom when the station first went on the air in October 1989.
He was Head of News at South East Radio from 1989 for 14 years, also worked as a newsroom journalist with Today FM, FM104 and 98FM, before spending many years behind the microphone on Saturdays and Sundays as the presenter of South East Radio’s Weekend Sport.
Paul was very thorough in his work and a tough disciplinarian, however, he was fair and recognised best efforts with dignity and appreciation. He trained many broadcasters (including this writer) in the rudimentary system in the days when technical issues were complex, editing was a slow process and communications was by phone or old-fashioned pen and paper. He strived for good radio listening at all times!
He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of sport and his enthusiasm and interest covered not only the popular sports, but the minority sports too! He got great satisfaction from explaining the scoring system of the cricket matches, a challenge that was beyond many who enjoyed watching the game.
Paul was a volunteer with Wexford Order of Malta and was a regular at the horse racing meets at Bettyville Park looking after the welfare of the jockeys who were not jumping with the fluency required and were having a bad day!
He was a talented broadcaster, blessed with an articulate voice that that was warm and inviting to the listeners, and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him and were privileged to be in his company or those who simply knew Paul Rowley through his voice on the radio. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.
FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Paul Rowley, William Street, Wexford. Beloved son of the late Maureen and Owen. Brother of Michael. Former Presenter on South East Radio. Sadly missed by his brother, extended family, friends and former work colleagues. May he Rest in Peace.
Due to Government advice regarding public gatherings, a private family funeral shall take place on Wednesday, August 4th followed by private cremation.
Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council and Cllr Garry Laffan, Mayor of Wexford joined members of Wexford Tidy Towns to officially launch the gum litter education campaign on Wexford Quay today (Friday).
Cllr Murphy asked people to get behind the Gum Litter Taskforce campaign which is an environmental initiative set up to develop and implement an awareness campaign to reduce gum litter in the most sustainable way. “Supported and funded by the chewing gum industry, the GLT initiative has made very real and significant improvements in relation to gum litter awareness and disposal behaviour over the last 14 years since its inception in 2007. The 2019 campaign maintained an all-time high of 93% of people stating that they regard chewing gum as litter, up from 74% when the campaign first began in 2007, pointing to the attitudinal impact which the campaign has had.”
Mayor of Wexford Cllr Laffan hoped the campaign will continue to further build on those results. “Each year we see communities coming together with the common aim of reducing the level of littered gum in our county.”
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council andMayor of Wexford Cllr Gary Laffan and members of Wexford Tidy Towns’ at the Gum Litter Taskforce campaign launch on Wexford Quay
The campaign is looking to build on the positive momentum of previous years’ campaigns and is making a strong return for 2021 after being postponed last year due to COVID-19.
Research commissioned by the Gum Litter Taskforce and conducted by Kantar Millward Brown during the 2019 campaign highlighted the campaign’s continued positive effect on people’s behaviour towards gum disposal. In 2019, the results showed that 88% of people said that they always dispose of their gum correctly, which was up from 54% when the campaign first began. This shift in public behaviour has been evident throughout the 13 years that the campaign has been running, as the proportion of gum as a percentage of litter has decreased by 64%.
Paul Kelly, Chairman of the GLT added; “It is great to see the GLT campaign return and continue its success in changing the public’s behaviour towards gum litter.
Nicola Forde, Corporate Affairs Manager, Mars Wrigley Ireland said; “Mars Wrigley are pleased to support the return of this positive and vibrant awareness campaign in 2021. It is important that we maintain momentum on our journey to achieving a cleaner, greener Ireland through initiatives like the GLT and build on the success that the campaign has achieved since it commenced in 2007. “COVID-19 has brought more people outdoors to gather, socialise and enjoy the beauty of their local area. As a result, both younger and older generations are becoming more aware of the importance of maintaining the surrounding natural environment.”
One person was injured and taken to Wexford General Hospital with minor injuries following a two-vehicle road traffic collision on a straight stretch of road on the N11 at Brownswood, near Enniscorthy, today.
The collision occurred at around 4pm when a van turning into an entrance was in collision with a car travelling from behind. Road conditions were dry and good at the time.
The scene of a road traffic collision on the N11 at Brownswood this afternoon.
Emergency services were quickly on the scene. Two units of Enniscorthy Fire Service, the National Ambulance Service Wexford and Gardaí attended.
The road was closed to traffic for a time but has been cleared and is fully open again.
New infrastructure such as footpaths, cycleways, public transport, landscaping and signage are included in the Enniscorthy North Business District (Old Dublin Road) masterplan costing in the region of €2 million and covering zoned land extending from the roundabouts at Blackstoops and Scarawalsh.
Last March Wexford County Council announced that Malachy Walsh & Partners were appointed to provide design services for the masterplan which was presented to members of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council at the May meeting. A public consultation process recorded comments during the ongoing design process.
At the July meeting, Bernie Quigley, Acting District Manager informed members that “a contract for the initial Phase 1 works is expected to be awarded in October.”
The masterplan is divided into Zone A and Zone B.
Enniscorthy North Business District, commonly known as the Old Dublin Road, at Enniscorthy, is earmarked for a €2m masterplan.
Zone A is the developed business district area where improvements envisaged include enhancing the existing street and road infrastructure, the formation of an active travel route, welcome signage on the approaches, landscaping with trees and low hedging and the provision of meeting or rest areas at key locations.
Zone B will consider the underdeveloped business district area and the plan makes proposals for new infrastructure and services, (footpath, cycleways, public lighting), the expansion of an active travel route around Zone A into Zone B, and a continuation of the landscaping and signage strategy.
Wexford County Council plans to develop short, medium and longer terms programmes of works to support the implementation of the programme of the masterplan and to support funding applications for the works.
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