The Department of Education has approved a multi-million euro budget for the construction of a new four-storey building on the grounds of Bunclody Vocational College on Irish Street.
CLLR KATHLEEN CODD-NOLAN and PAUL KEHOE TD
Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Chairperson of Bunclody Vocational College said; It is positive news for the School and for the young people of Bunclody area and thanks everyone who has worked so hard to get the project to this stage.
“The building will quadruple the space of the present building and give capacity to grow the student population up to 550 students. The new building will also include a Special Education Needs Unit,” she told WexfordLocal.com
William Coade Architect for the project said the next stage in the project is the lodgement of the Planning Application which is hoped to be lodged towards the end of this year.
MAYOR OF WEXFORD Cllr Leonard Kelly takes to the controls at the opening of the Skate Park at Min Ryan Park, Wexford
A Wexford company, Sole Sports and Leisure have begun construction of the access road for them to immediately begin the construction of the Skate Park and a 20m x 39m Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) supported by Cllrs Leonard Kelly and Davy Hynes at Min Ryan Park, comprising a soccer pitch length ways complimenting with two basketball courts and soccer pitches across ways.
The surface will be multi-purpose Astro. The MUGA will be located at the upper (southern) end of the Central Field, adjacent the existing grass kickabout area.
Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Leonard Kelly “believes that this offering will greatly benefit the young people of this town. The outreach work done by FDYS Wexford in the park since last year has helped to highlight this need.”
Thanks is expressed to Sean Meyler (Wexford County Council) and Peadar Murphy (Sole Sports and Leisure) for driving this forward and all the other council officials who are helping to make this a reality. The build time is expected to be approximately 16 weeks.
Today was an historic day for New Ross and district as the sod was turned on the new state-of-the-art fire station in New Ross that will be constructed at the cost of €1,458,205.
Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has expressed his delight at attending the sod-turning ceremony accompanied by Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr Ger Carthy, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Cllr Michael Whelan, Cllrs Michael Sheehan and John Fleming, Tom Enright, Chief Executive Wexford County Council, Ray Murphy, Wexford County Chief Fire Officer, and Daniel and Kevin Thorpe of Thorpe Construction, Adamstown, who were awarded the contract for construction of the single-storey building at Hewitsland.
Soft digging to turn the sod at Hewitsland, New Ross, for the new Fire Station today. Aimed with the shovels are Cllr Ger Carthy, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Minister James Browne TD, and Cllr Michael Whelan, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council.
Minister Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “I’m delighted to attend the sod-turning for a new fire station in New Ross. I made several representations to Minister for Housing and Local Government Darragh O’Brien TD seeking the approval of the tender for this much-needed investment and I am glad that these representations have culminated in the development of the new fire station.
“A modern fire service is critical for any community and our fire service personnel deserve the best facilities available.
“The current fire station on Michael Street has served its purpose very well for the residents of New Ross and environs for over 30 years. New Ross Fire Brigade now have three responding fire appliances and a 4×4 vehicle requiring this expanded facility. The new fire station will allow for the housing of response vehicles and allow for future expansion of not only the fire service in the region, but also training and development capabilities, which is important as the town grows.
“The new location will allow for a quick response to the new bypass and bridge and to assist other neighbouring brigades. It will be a new chapter in New Ross history and a welcome development for the crews of New Ross Fire Brigade. I look forward to see it’s development and official opening when this building project is complete,” concluded Minister Browne.
Important day for Rosslare Strand where the sod was turned this morning on Phase One of a €4 million investment in a 23 social housing project.
The small socially distance sod turning ceremony was jointly performed by two local public representatives Cllr Ger Carthy, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council and Cllr Frank Staples, Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District Council in the presence of Cllrs Jim Moore and Jim Codd, Tom Enright, Chief Executive Officer Wexford County Council and Billy and Maurice Mythen of Mythen Construction, contractors for the scheme.
Turning the sod for a new social housing project at Rosslare Strand this morning. (Left to Right); Maurice Mythen, Mythen Construction; Cllr Frank Staples, Cathaoirleach Rosslare Municipal District Council; Cllr Jim Codd; Cllr Ger Carthy, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council; Cllr Jim Moore; Tom Enright, CEO, Wexford County Council and Billy Mythen, Mythen Construction.
“Great day for Rosslare Strand in the heartland of my constituency. Having sought the development of social housing in my area since my election to the County Council. I was very honoured today to turn the sod alongside my colleague Cllr Frank Staples,” Cllr Carthy told WexfordLocal.com
Mayor of Wexford Cllr Leonard Kelly honoured an invitation to attend Wexford CBS Primary School by Raymond Shannon of Wexford People Helping People to acknowledge the wonderful gesture of the Principal Vicky Barron and the Board of Management at the school for opening their doors on a permanent basis to their Soup Kitchen (food for which is kindly provided by the people and businesses of Wexford).
CAMERON SHANNON gets his chance to wear the Mayoral Chains and be acknowledged by Mayor Kelly.
Mayor Kelly told WexfordLocal.com; “But the main reason I was there was to acknowledge a fine young man, Cameron Shannon (Ray’s son). His passion for the work his dad and all the other volunteers is engaged with moved the school to make the wonderful gesture that they made to the group. I could see this little guy moving the box getting ready for his important work of the evening. As soon as the photos were taken it was back to work, helping. Cameron is a wonderful young man.”
Others in attendance included Cllrs Lisa McDonald and Jim Codd.
Four point-to-point winners shared between the champions Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe at Tralee today sending both well on their way to retaining their respective championship crowns, but the day was extra special for Colin Bowe – he saddled his 400th point-to-point career winner!
COLIN BOWE saddled his 400th point-to-point winner with a four-timer at Tralee today.
The dynamic duo got off the mark in the four-year-olds mares’ maiden race with Havenella in the colours of Milestone Bloodstock Ltd coming him by two lengths. Next up was the Walter Connors owned Givega, also by two lengths, in the contest for five-year-old geldings’ maiden race. Leo McArdle’s Branson Missouri gave the O’Neill-Bowe partnership success number three with a 10 lengths victory in the mares’ Winner of Three race – and the magic four for both the handler and the rider came in the final race – the maiden race for geldings’ – six years old or older -with Sullivan’s Brow sporting the colours of the No Negative Partnership by three lengths.
Earlier the Denis Murphy newcomer City Chief and Luke Murphy, Gorey, took the maiden race for four-year-old geldings’ in a tight finish -three quarters of a length- depriving another O’Neill-Bowe challenge with Knowsley Road.
There was also Sunday point-to-point action on the second day at Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary, where the four-year-old geldings’ maiden race was won by newcomer Andy’s Flame for Caitriona and Michael Goff, Mongeer, by a neck to give Liam Gilligan his seventh success of the season and puts him one ahead for the under 21 riders’ title.
Miss McGugan was a 12 lengths winner for the Walsh family of Preban, Tinahely, in the maiden race for six-year-old mares. Twelfth winner of the season for rider James Walsh, who is lying fifth in the riders’ championship, and fifth winner of the season for James Edward Walsh, matching his previous training best in the 2018-19 season.
A driver has been arrested and his car seized following a serious incident on the M11 near Gorey last night.
Gardaí from the Wexford Divisional Roads Policing Unit stopped a car travelling at 155 kilometres per hour. Gardaí searched the car and seized €2,800 worth of cocaine.
The driver gave a false name and address. Gardaí discovered he was disqualified from driving and had no insurance.
Today’s (Sunday) scheduled clash between Kilkenny and Wexford in the Allianz Hurling League at Nowlan Park has been postponed due to an additional positive Covid-19 result in the Wexford panel.
Two Wexford players tested positive early in the week, tests on the remainder of the panel revealed no more cases, however further testing of the panel on Friday, confirmed that one further member of the panel has tested positive.
In a statement, Wexford County Board said they decided to seek the postponement of the game; “Following receipt of these results at lunchtime today and further consultation with public health officials, it was agreed that there was a possibility of transmission with the squad and players will restrict movements until further testing next week,” it stated.
The CCCC will consider Wexford’s request for a re-fixture on Monday.
Clare have stood down two players of the hurling panel for today’s (Sunday) clash with Laois after they were identified as close contacts of the two Wexford players who tested positive for Covid-19 following last Sunday’s game in which Wexford defeated Clare, 2-19 to 1-21 in Cusack Park, Ennis.
As soon as the two players in question were deemed close contacts, they were withdrawn from consideration for today’s league game in Portlaoise.
Two point-to-point fixtures today (Saturday) at Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary and Punchestown, Co. Kildare and between them seven Wexford trained winners with champion handler Colin Bowe and Donnchadh Doyle enjoying success at both venues.
Newcomer A Fortune Out West got the Bowe camp into winning action with a four lengths success in the maiden race for four-year-olds at Punchestown ridden by Craanford rider James Kenny.
Bowe’s double came in the maiden race for five- year-old mares at Ballingarry when Lucky Light crossed the line three lengths to the good for champion rider Barry O’Neill, who won the Downpatrick Hunter’s Chase on Friday with On The Sod trained in Fermanagh by David Christie.
COLIN BOWE
Harley Dunne, Blackwater, is the owner and handler of Emma Blue who scored by three lengths in the four-year-old mares maiden race at Ballingarry. The winning rider was Tiernan Power Roche from Tomhaggard.
Half an hour later and another Wexford success at the Tipperary venue. James Walsh, Tinahely, brought newcomer Tahmuras home in front by a length in the four-year-old auction race for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle.
Liam Giligan (20) won both divisions of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings on Wexford trained mounts. Forward Plan won division one for owner Caitriona Goff and handler Michael Goff, Monageer, by four lengths and the verdict was similar in division two won by Iceburgh Bay for the Monbeg Partnership and Ballindaggin handler Sean Doyle.
And one other Wexford winner at Punchestown. Salsa Davis completing an across the card double for Donnchadh Doyle in the Monbeg Syndicate colours by three lengths in the mares’ maiden race. Fifth winner of the season for 19 years old Pearse Rogan from Caim, near Enniscorthy.
Barry O’Neill is well clear of the national point-to-point riders’ championship with 48 winners while in the race for handlers’ title Colin Bowe is on 37 and Donnchadh Doyle is in second position with 23 victories.
The first sod on the South East Greenway was turned today with Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr Ger Carthy, Cllr Andrew McGuinness, the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council and other local representatives, marking a significant milestone for the project.
Meanwhile, plans for another greenway from Rosslare to Waterford are in jeopardy due to moves to bring the rail link back into operation.
The U-turn for that route has happened due to a Strategic Review which is being undertaken on many old rail lines nationwide.
The impressive RED BRIDGE crossing the River Barrow north of New Ross. (Pic; visitnewross.ie)
Cllr Carthy told KCLR it is due to fortunate timing of the project that the Kilkenny Greenway was not similarly affected. “We turned the sod on the New Ross to Waterford line and we’re fortunate that we were so advanced before the strategic review was called upon that the line and development may have come to a shuddering stop the same as the Rosslare to Waterford one. We were extremely fortunate that we had the line cleared, the rail was taken up and indeed today we turned the sod at Rosbercon, New Ross.”
The South East Greenway will bea state-of-the-art 24km cycling and walking route linking New Ross with Ferrybank, Co. Waterford through south Kilkenny.
The South East Greenway is a joint initiative of Wexford County Council, Kilkenny County Council and Waterford City & County Council, supported by the local Partnership organisations. The three Councils have together committed funding of €5.3m towards the overall project costs of €13.3m, with a recently announced €8m grant from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport providing the balance.
The Greenway is to be constructed along the former railway line between Mountelliott and Waterford, crossing the River Barrow via the renowned Red Bridge and passing through the scenic countryside of south Kilkenny, before reaching Abbeylands and Ferrybank County Waterford.
The disused railway line has remained in the ownership of CIE / Irish Rail since the discontinuation of passenger services in 1963 and discontinuation of freight services in 1995.
Two of the most exciting aspects of the old railway line are located Barrowside -the atmospheric Mount Elliot Tunnel is the starting point in New Ross for the South East Greenway. The 680 metres long tunnel is a reminder of the rich railway heritage of the South East.
The impressive Victorian railway bridge north of New Ross – known as the Red Bridge – spans the River Barrow, with views of unspoiled countryside on both sides of the bridge.
WexfordLocal.com 