WexfordLocal.com

Sad passing of GAA stalwart Willie Carley

By Dan Walsh

The world of GAA is mourning one of its greatest stalwarts as a player, official and mentor, Willie Carley, a native of Wexford town who grew up and lived at Lambstown, Killurin, who sadly passed away on Monday.

Leading the tributes is Wexford GAA who recorded on social media its sympathy to the Carley family on the sad passing of Willie: “A Wexford All-Ireland Minor Hurling winner in 1963, a former St Mary’s Maudlintown player, former Wexford GAA Coaching Officer, member of Leinster GAA Council, a Wexford senior hurling selector, a county senior hurling title winner with his beloved Faythe Harriers and steering Glynn-Barntown as senior hurling manager to county finals and mentor on several county under-age teams, A good friend to everyone connected to Wexford GAA and a true Gael. R.I.P.

In the book, Gallant boys and girls of Glynn Barntown- 1885 to 2010 – marking the 125^th anniversary of the club, compiled by Jim McGovern and John Wickham, Willie said the GAA had been “a way of life for him.”

Willie played in the Wexford town street league’s and captained Wexford CBS to victory in the schools’ championship. His greatest memories were playing on the victorious 1963 All-Ireland minor team and later in his career to play with two of his greatest heroes – Ned Wheeler in the 1968 county senior hurling final and Billy Rackard in the 1967 Leinster Intermediate Hurling Final against Dublin.

His six sons all played GAA as did his grandsons and grand-daughter, achievements that made him so proud and had a huge effect on his life. He added; “my family because of their involvement in the GAA married into GAA families and the tradition goes on.”

Willie was a very kind and well-liked person whose passion for the GAA and his family were paramount and his contribution to making the world a better place will be forever recalled in Maudlintown and Glynn-Barntown.

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Willie Carley, formerly of Maudlintown, Wexford town and Lambstown, Killurin. Beloved husband of Catherine loving father of Angela, Shane, William, PJ, Mark, Paul, and Paschal and brother of Francis, Richard and the late Thomas, Theresa and Mary. Sadly missed by his loving wife, daughter, sons, sisters in law, brother in law, daughters in law, son in law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. R.I.P.

Due to government guidelines, a family funeral will take place on Wednesday for (max) 50 people, and you are welcome to view Willie’s Requiem Mass on www.wexfordparish.com at 12 noon at Bride Street Church, Wexford, walking to church on Wednesday morning at 11.30am. Burial will take place afterwards in Glynn Cemetery.

Funding for Wexford parents and toddlers

By Dan Walsh

A national total funding of €250,0000 was announced by Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman today (Tuesday) as part of the Government’s Summer of Play initiative which means new government grants will be available for Parent and Toddler Groups in Co. Wexford.

Deputy Paul Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com; “This funding will be allocated to all not-for profit Parent and Toddler groups throughout Wexford who actively involve the participation of parents in the local community. The grants available will range from €100 to €1,250.

**Children enjoying a reading in New Ross Library (File Picture)**

“Existing Parent and Toddler Groups can apply for a maximum of €800 while new start up groups may apply for maximum grant of up to €1,250. The funding can be used for expenses including toys, play equipment, books, and activities for the children.

“Training for parents can also be covered under the grants including for example, paediatric first aid, committee skills and parenting courses.

“Limited funding will also be available towards insurance, rent or minor refurbishment, up to a maximum of 30% of total funding for existing services. Further limited funding will be available towards insurance or rent, up to a maximum of 70% of total funding for new services.

Deputy Kehoe hopes all local groups will apply for these grants to assist them in bringing parents and children together to play and socialise again. “The groups should apply for a grant under this scheme through Wexford County Council who can also give them full details on the programme,” he concluded.

The Summer at Play grants has been welcomed by Senator Malcolm Byrne who told WexfordLocal.com that many parent and toddler groups in Co. Wexford had been inquiring of him about such supports. “Children deserve to enjoy the chance to play and these small grants, through the County Childcare Committee, will be helpful in providing opportunities in our communities,” said Senator Byrne.

Summer outdoor theatre in south Wexford

Good news for theatre enthusiasts as Ballycogley Players presents the Summer Outdoor Theatre Festival featuring four plays to three popular south Wexford venues – Tomhaggard, Our Lady’s Island and Piercestown – commencing in Tomhaggard Social Centre this Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm sharp.

Wednesday’s plays are Lockdown in Little Grimley by David Tristram and Lovers Winners by Brian Friel. On Thursdays it’s Give A Little Love by Alan Stockdill and Where Is This Mailbar by Liam Howard.

Tickets are €10 and pre-booking is essential. Booking for Tomhaggard is 085 1506791; for Our Lady’s Island 087 6733575; Piercestown 085 1510236; or info.ballycogleyplayers@gmail.com

Irish Water infrastructure includes Wexford

By Dan Walsh

While warm weather and water conservation dominated the headlines, it was another big week for the public and customers of Irish Water for a different reason as three key pieces of infrastructure in the South, West and East of the county were being announced helping to safeguard water supplies and eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the environment.

The announcement of new infrastructure was welcome news locally for the residents, politicians and local business of Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Mayo and Wexford as Irish Water continued to deliver essential projects across the country. The projects mean a more secure water supply for customers in the East and improved water quality for swimming, angling and tourism in Mayo and Wexford.

MINISTER JAMES BROWNE, CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council and PAUL FALLON Irish Water turning the sod for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant for Arthurstown, Duncannon and Ballyhack.

It was sun, sea, sand and a sod turning in Wexford as Irish Water began works to end discharge of raw sewage with the sod turning for a new Wastewater Treatment Plant for Arthurstown, Duncannon and Ballyhack. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy said: “The commencement of this vital sewerage infrastructure development will lead to enhanced tourism opportunities for the beautiful villages of Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon. In Wexford we pride ourselves on our expansive well-maintained beaches and coastline with all the amenities they offer.

“The removal of untreated wastewater to this estuary has long been a goal of Wexford County Council, and we can now look forward to all the benefits of a cleaner environment, previously denied due to the lack of treatment in the area. These works will also hasten the return of our Blue Flag Beach status to Duncannon. I very much welcome the investment from Irish Water in conjunction with Wexford County Council.”

The Greater Dublin area, a water supply zone spanning five counties, saw the official sod turning in Saggart of a new 100 million litre covered treated storage reservoir that will help to safeguard the water supply to homes and businesses.

In Killala, Co. Mayo Minister Peter Burke and Managing Director of Irish Water Niall Gleeson officially opened Killala, Foxford and Charlestown Wastewater Treatment Plants following a €19m investment which has ended the discharge of raw sewage to Killala Bay and will bring environmental benefits to the River Moy.

Major inquiry into Gorey Town Park?

By Dan Walsh

A major inquiry is likely into the delay in completing works at Gorey Town Park, value for money and the escalating cost to the taxpayer and following a verbal attack on a public representative by the contractor the issue has been thrown into the public domain with renewed vigour.

Cllr Joe Sullivan has made a formal complaint for an official explanation into an unpleasant and unprovoked incident that occurred in Gorey Town Park during a viewing on site in the presence of fellow public representatives, Council officials and the approved contractor for the site, on a recent date.

The group walked the park and council officials gave an updated progress report, a photograph was taken for the local press, and Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council addressed all present and as he finished his address the contractor requested and was permitted to address the gathering.

Cllr Sullivan said; ‘Mr Contractor’, then proceeded to lambast me in relation to reports in the local press around questions I as a public representative had asked around the progress of the park going so far as to threaten legal action.”

“Surely as a public representative I am entitled to represent the people who elected me without public humiliation from people who hold county council contracts,” said Cllr Sullivan, who added; “I have huge concerns about contractors who can reprimand elected representatives who dare to question their work or timelines!”

Work on Gorey Town Park is long over the completion date, in the region of €1 million over budget and has been debated at numerous meetings of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council where the members have expressed disappointment over delays, although, it must be acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic has played a role in delaying completion.

Cllr Sullivan is pursuing the matter with vigour and is calling for public availability of all contracts awarded to the current contractor at Gorey Town Park since June 1^st 2014 and an analysis on how the money was spent and an investigation into value for money for the taxpayer.

**Plans for Gorey Town Park at the main entrance. (File Picture)**

The matter was raised at last Tuesday’s meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District, however, Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen was reluctant to allow Cllr Sullivan address the matter in any great detail. Cllr Breen said; “I have to stop you. This happened on a restricted site and if this can go on a legal route, as we are not in camera, I think this has to be referred back to a different forum than this.”

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux asked that it be placed on the record that “I was very embarrassed and upset as a councillor of how the meeting (in the Park) ended up that day. I felt I was ambushed as a public representative and in all my years in the public service I have never experienced a contractor speak like that to officials or a design team in that manner. I just found it very frustrating and very upsetting and unless I get a guarantee that that kind of thing won’t happen in future I will not be attending any more site visits.”

Sea, sand, sky and a fresh Rosslare wind

By Dan Walsh

A drop in the recent ‘heatwave’ conditions today brought pleasant relief to many people and was appreciated, however, it was very warm, especially, in areas sheltered from the moderate east to northeast winds, but fresher near the coast.

**Passenger ferries meet in the shipping lane into Rosslare Europort while a hang gliding enthusiast soars above the beach to get a better view!**

I visited Rosslare Harbour this evening where people were enjoying the walking trails and the ferries were busy with the StenaLine departing for Fishguard passing the Irish Ferries Blue Star 1 between Tuskar Rock and the harbour.

From the cliff on the walking trail some enthusiasts were launching their hang gliding craft and they informed me that the wind was 22 knots from the northeast. It was 19 degrees Celsius. The breeze posed a small bit of a challenge for the talented flyers and on one occasion safe landing was on the beautiful beach that was occupied by a small number, but it is all part of adventure and fun and appreciation of the summer beauty where the sea and the sky meet the land and nature merges for benefit of us all.

And the outlook for tomorrow! It’ll be a gorgeous day for the great outdoors, and we must all make the most of it.

New scanner was deployed at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

The Revenue Commissioners announced on Thursday it has formally commissioned a new, state of the art, mobile x-ray container scanner.

The new scanner cost €2.16 million and was part-funded by a grant of €1.73 million from the European Anti-Fraud Agency, OLAF, under its Hercule III Programme. Revenue Commissioner and Director General of Customs, Mr Gerry Harrahill, expressed the thanks of the Revenue Board to OLAF for their financial support in the acquisition of the new scanner.

The new scanner proved its worth when it was first deployed in Rosslare Europort earlier this year. It is a vital resource in Revenue’s strategy to target fiscal fraud, fuel fraud and the supply of illicit drugs and tobacco products, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the illicit products and prosecuting those responsible.

The Nuctech MT1213DE high energy mobile x-ray container scanner replaces an older scanner that had reached the end of its operational lifespan. It was selected following a competitive tendering process and is expected to operate until at least 2030.

Children inspire outdoor activity for all

By Dan Walsh

You can’t beat activity and fun in the fresh air! Min Ryan Park, Wexford, was a wonderful place to be this morning with children and families enjoying themselves in the hot summer sun in the play area, others taking in the walking trails, and the launch of a wellbeing map by children for children Wexford Great Places and Spaces by the Minister for Older People and Mental Health Mary Butler TD adding to the magic of the great outdoors.

Alice Doyle, Chairperson of Wexford Mental Health Association, acted as master of ceremonies at the socially distance outdoor ceremony, and said Wexford Great Places and Spaces is a wonderful publication and the brainchild of Paula Lowney. “It is the voice of children and the work of children for children by children, and Wexford Mental Health is proud of the project,” she added.

Minister Butler congratulated everyone associated with “a hugely original approach and it was driven on so well by Wexford Mental Health Association and their partners in Mental Health Ireland and I want to compliment the community and the volunteers because this could never happen without the volunteers and the endless hours that people put in.”

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council said she was delighted to support the project and she was armed with compliments! “The engagement in the project was outstanding. 22 schools and outreach programmes participated in the project resulting in a total of 889 creative responses from primary school aged from across Co. Wexford,” stated Cllr Murphy.

Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Garry Laffan praised “a child friendly, wonderful and colourful publication through the eyes of our children” and he complimented the Wexford Mental Health Association on a splendid product.

Paula Lowney spoke about the idea for the publication and how it developed and stated that the Project gave an opportunity from primary school aged children from all over Co. Wexford to share their Great Places and Spaces that has had a positive impact on their wellbeing.

Minister for Older People and Mental Health Mary Butler TD, Mayor of Wexford Cllr Garry Laffan, and Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy pictured with other public representatives and friends and guests of Wexford Mental Health Association at the launch of Wexford Great Places and Spaces in Min Ryan Park, Wexford, this morning.

There were further praise and acknowledgement of success from Martin Rogan, CEO Mental Health Ireland and Dr Dervla Howley, Head of Health and Wellbeing in the South-East.

The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputies Verona Murphy and Johnny Mythen, Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllrs George Lawlor, Leonard Kelly, Tom Forde and Maura Bell, Tom Enright, CEO Wexford County Council and volunteers and friends of Wexford Mental Health Association.

Thanks was expressed to the Wexford Mental Health Project team of Paula Lowney, Niall Ó Muirí, Theresa Goff, Lorraine Cleere, Conor Ryan and the teachers and schools, and, especially the children, who participated in the Project and helped bring it to fruition.

The launch concluded with a poetry reading by Chloe Goff, composed by the children, and carried the message; “We hope that you find by using our map that Wexford has great places that can capture your heart.”

The booklet is a guide and a map for families and carers to support and encourage outdoor activities and play in the wonderful natural environments of Co. Wexford. Copies of the Wexford Great Places and Spaces Project – Wellbeing Map for children by children will be available to the public, free of charge, through the libraries and schools in the coming weeks and months.

AUDIO ADDITION ; Minister Mary Butler in full praise for the Wexford Great Places and Spaces Project which she launched in Wexford today.

Car failed to stop after bike crash

By Dan Walsh

**The scene at Ferrycarrig Bridge this morning. (Pic; An Garda Siochána).**

Gardai are investigating a serious incident in which a cyclist was knocked from his bicycle and the vehicle involved failed to remain at the scene. The incident happened shortly after 7am today at Ferrycarrig Bridge, on the outskirts of Wexford town.

The vehicle involved is described a white/silver Ford Fiesta or similar.

Gardai have confirmed that the cyclist suffered no serious injuries, however, this incident could have had much worse consequences.

Gardai are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have information to assist their investigation to make contact at Wexford Garda Station at 053 9165200.

€319,000 funding for Wexford remote working hubs

By Dan Walsh

Funding to the tune of €319,000 has been announced for several connected hubs across Wexford under the Connected Hubs Scheme to enable them to enhance and add capacity to their remote working infrastructure and to assist hubs to deal with COVID related challenges.

€64,789.00 goes to Kilanerin Community Centre to upgrade existing remote working capacity, develop privacy pods and own door office spaces. The centre currently operates a remote hub (KCC Workspace) with hi-speed fibre broadband at Kilanerin Community Centre. Currently the shared community workspace consists of 10 dedicated workstations, 1 Private office and 1 Breakout / Meeting Room.

€36,890.00 for 61 North, Wexford town, to improve the existing facility through a general upgrade and modernisation, including improving security and access, improving accessibility, enhancing the internal and external aesthetics of the building.

€217,350 granted to Wexford County Council to upgrade nine Broadband Connection Points across the county. Each hub will be upgraded to provide an underlying physical network infrastructure as well as fitted with necessary fixtures and fittings – Askamore Childcare Centre, Ballyroebuck Hall, Raheen Family Resource Centre, Hook Head Lighthouse, Marshalstown GAA Club, Ballyfad Community Centre, St Mary’s GAA Club, Stella Maris Community Centre, Kilmore Quay and Wexford Swimming Pool.

News of the funding is welcomed by Deputy Paul Kehoe who told WexfordLocal.com; “One of the positives to take out of the last year and a half is that there has been an increased shift to working from home and OurRuralFuture recognises hubs as ideal locations for people to work remotely, as well as acting as key economic assets for towns and villages.

“We have an opportunity now to design our rural towns and villages to support a better work life balance for many people and to provide greater job opportunities outside of the cities.

“The investment announced today will provide an increased number of families and individuals with the option to live and work in our rural communities. Remote working from hubs and Broadband Connection Points benefitting from this funding will also support local economies and assist in reducing our carbon emissions,” concluded Deputy Kehoe.