The Right Reverend Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel, Ferns, Ossory & Leighin, Waterford and Lismore has offered the congratulations and prayers of the Church of Ireland community in Ferns to Fr Ger Nash, today announced Bishop-elect to the Diocese of Ferns in succession to Bishop Denis Brennan, who is retiring.
BISHOP MICHAEL BURROWS
Bishop Burrows had this to say: “I have just spoken to Bishop Brennan and Bishop – designate Nash on the phone. I thanked the former for his friendship and warm courtesy over the last fifteen years, and assured the latter of the congratulations and prayers of Church of Ireland people in Ferns.
“Ferns has always been a beacon of ecumenical co-operation and shared vision and I look forward to working with Bishop Nash to ensure that this fine tradition continues,” concluded Bishop Burrows.
His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Fr Ger Nash, a priest of the Diocese of Killaloe in Co Clare, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns.
The news of this Episcopal appointment was made public today and following the announcement of Bishop Denis Brennan’s successor, Mass was celebrated at St Aidan’s Cathedral Enniscorthy at 12 noon to celebrate the announcement.
Bishop-Elect Fr GER NASH (Pic; IrishCatholic.com)
Bishop Brennan has welcomed the appointment; “I warmly welcome the appointment of Father Ger Nash of the Diocese of Killaloe as my successor as Bishop of Ferns. I know that the people of Ferns, priests, religious, and lay faithful will welcome him too, and make him feel at home in their midst. I heartily congratulate him on his appointment and trust that he will be happy in his new surroundings in the south-east.
Gerard Nash was born in 1959 at Glandree in the parish of Tulla, Co Clare. After choosing to study for the Diocese of Killaloe in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, he was ordained in 1991 in Drumcharley Church, Tulla by Bishop Michael Harty.
Wexford IFA Chairman Jer O’Mahony was “absolutely delighted” at today’s rally turnout and added “it’s great for Wexford farming to see so many people supporting us.”
The scene at Wexford Farmer’s Mart, Enniscorthy, before today’s IFA organised rally.
Enniscorthy was the central venue for the IFA Day of Action in Co. Wexford as farmers in each of the 29 County Executives took part in a countrywide series of rallies to highlight the importance of the farming and agri-food sector to the rural economy.
A convoy of tractors, machinery and other vehicles assembled at County Wexford Livestock Marts at Blackstoops on the outskirts of Enniscorthy and paraded along the Old Dublin Road to Scarawalsh Roundabout returning to the starting point via the hard shoulder of the N11.
Combine harvesters lead the way at today’s IFA Day of Action at the Blackstoops Roundabout, Enniscorthy.
Amongst those supporting the rally were Deputy Verona Murphy, Senator Malcolm Byrne, and Cllrs George Lawlor, Maura Bell, Pip Breen, Donal Kenny and Barbara-Anne Murphy.
National IFA President Tim Cullinan met An Taoiseach Micheál Martin last week, where he told him that the current direction of the CAP and the Government’s Climate Action Bill could shut down commercial farming in Ireland. “We will be making a strong statement across the country on Friday that policies must support our largest indigenous industry,” he said.
AUDIO ADDITION – IFA Wexford Chairman Jer O’Mahony talks to Dan Walsh at today’s Day of Action at Enniscorthy.
One of the major visitor attractions in the south-east is the National 1798 Rebellion Centre at Enniscorthy and having emerged from the Covid-19 lockdown the doors to history are open again and visitors are welcome.
The Centre had been threatened with sale of the property to a local businessman, thankfully the sale collapsed in July 2020 and the iconic building on Mill Park Road returned to the business of history and heritage.
The audio-visual presentation places the story of 1798 in an international context and was admired as a fascinating journey to modern democracy. Indeed, entrance is across a small pond called the Bridge of Democracy.
NATIONAL 1798 REBELLION CENTRE AT ENNISCORTHY has reopened following the Covid-19 lockdown and visitors are welcome.
The concept of the Centre was initiated at a meeting of the Board of Directors on Comoradh ’98 in 1991, and the late Cllr Andy Doyle and Town Clerk, Donal Minnock, spearheaded the project and oversaw the purchase of the old Christian Brothers monastery. A framework document was developed by the local librarians and historians under the chairmanship of Nicholas Furlong, and Wexford native, Matthew O’Connor, Managing Director of the National Building Agency, prepared a design and layout for the building, which included the old monastery building, which came into the possession of the brothers’ in 1894. The Friends of ’98, headed by Rich Howlin, were charged with raising £1m needed to draw down £1.6m, which had been secured from the European Regional Development Fund. The Wexford Senate was used to raise the £1m, and the names of every senator was engraved on the walls of the new Visitor Centre (it has since been re-named the National 1798 Rebellion Centre). Tenders were advertised in March 1997; construction work commenced in May; the building programme was completed in December, and the interpretive design created by Event, a Dublin-based company, was completed over three months and first opened to mark the bicentenary of the 1798 rebellion in 1998.
AUDIO ADDITION – Moira O’Gorman, Acting Manager at National 1798 Rebellion Centre talks to Dan Walsh about the re-opening.
Kilmore United FC are Wexford County winners in the Texaco Support for Sport initiative, has been presented with a cheque for €5,000 to be used to carry out further development of its Abbie Troy Park grounds.
One of almost 400 clubs countrywide to make application under the scheme, Kilmore United has a 190-strong membership and fields two men’s teams, six under-18 teams and one women’s team.
In their winning submission, the Club revealed plans to complete the development of its Abbie Troy Park grounds, named in memory of a young female member who passed away suddenly in 2017 at the noticeably young age of 16 years, and to allocate funds to attract more young women and girls to participate in sport.
Kilmore United FC, Wexford County winners in the recent Texaco Support for Sport initiative, has been presented with a cheque for €5,000 to be used to carry out further development of its Abbie Troy Park grounds. The presentation to Club members, Ann Whelan (Trustee), Conor Roche (Men’s Team), Brian Furlong (Acting Chairman) and Millie Bates (U 15 Girls team), was made at a private event held at the Texaco Rosslare Service Station in Rosslare. Also in attendance was Texaco Dealer, Eamon Lawlor (third right) with Valero Area Sales Manager, Niall O’Rourke (second right).
The presentation was made to the Club by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited – the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand. Under its Texaco Support for Sport initiative, launched last September, a fund of €130,000 was set aside for allocation in equal amounts of €5,000 to successful applicants chosen on a county-by-county basis. Overseeing the adjudication process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish rugby international and broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan.
Cllr Andrew Bolger is calling on the Garda Commissioner to open the station in Courtown for the 10 weeks of the summer with additional officers and place a strong emphasis on community policing -‘on the beat’- in both Gorey and Courtown.
CLLR ANDREW BOLGER
In a statement on social media tonight (Wednesday) Cllr Bolger claims the people of North Wexford do not have the required number of Gardai to provide the security of a service that they are entitled to expect!
The allocation of Garda numbers falls to the Garda Commissioner and/or Chief Superintendent in the county. In 2013 Gorey lost its District status, despite a strong public campaign to retain its status and increase the number of Gardaí serving in the district and became a sub-station of Enniscorthy. Much has changed since 2013.
Gorey have 17% (51) of Garda numbers in the county. Courtown/Riverchapel has two Gardaí and is the fifth largest town in Co. Wexford.
“I have a huge respect for members of An Garda Síochána who go out every day and put their lives at risk in order to protect us. However, they do need adequate Garda numbers to carry out the job,” said Cllr Bolger who is calling on his constituents to get behind the campaign.
Many years ago I picked up a booklet called Through the Garden of Ireland for the 1915 season and it described itself as “the official handbook of the Dublin and South-Eastern Railway” and I came across an amazing description of miraculous events occurring at St. David’s Well at Ballinaslaney, Oylegate. Earlier today I visited St David’s Well which is still splendidly maintained although the pilgrims no longer arrive in huge numbers, but the few that believe in what was once described as The Lourdes of Ireland.
The link with the railway is interesting. Soon after the reopening of the Well in August 1908 daily excursions from different parts of Ireland were a regular occurrence. I assume they alighted at Edermine Station and walked the rest of the way. No mention of ending the excursion at Macmine Junction and taking them across the River Slaney by boat, but I could imagine the skilled boatmen from the local fishery would be enterprising in this regard!
At this time a local committee was formed, a piece of ground was fenced and a wash house was erected. A local man called O’Leary presented a statue of St. David that is keeping watch there today.
News of miracles at Oylegate began to spread. The records are there. The first noteworthy cure was a young girl suffering from “some sot of ingrowth in the head”. An operation was suggested, but the parents declined and took her to the Well instead! After several visits she recovered her health.
ST. DAVID’S WELL near Oylegate. A place of pilgrimage for generations and still revered by many today.
A man with rheumatism got well. A woman from the Wexford Union who could not walk for 30 years and had to be carried to the Well regained her composure and carried on in her stride.
A young Dublin woman with a deformed foot and compelled to wear a 4-inch surgical to make up the shortage of her limb visited the Well several times and was enabled to dispense with the boot altogether.
The scene around St. David’s Well was once surrounded by abandoned crutches and walking sticks, a token of cures, surgical steel boots etc.! Stories about the restoration of sight after the medical profession had given up are long associated with the Well.
Today, the scene is tranquil. The grass is neatly mown and seating is provided. It is a place of quiet reflection in the footsteps of generations of belief and prayer that brought so much comfort and no doubt there are many who quietly asked St. David to save us all from the battle with Covid-19.
Mayor of Wexford Cllr Leonard Kelly requested an update from the Wexford Municipal Council District Manager Angela Laffan to inform members of the public of changes occurring in Wexford town with a view to facilitate summer outdoor hospitality.
In reply, the District Manager said; “As Wexford town reopens for business after a period of lengthy closure, the following areas were identified as requiring a road closure and/or special arrangements to licence the hospitality sector to provide outdoor dining in a safe and welcoming environment in accordance with Covid Government guidelines.
MAYOR OF WEXFORD CLLR LEONARD KELLY
In addition to the issue of a Section 254 Licence for outdoor tables and chairs, the following arrangements have been put in place and will continue over the summer months until further notice:
Henrietta Street; Road closure in place from 11am to 11pm each day Monday to Sunday. Access for deliveries etc. up to 11am each morning Monday to Saturday,
Charlotte Street; Road closure in place from 11am to 11pm each day. Bollard installed at junction of Lower George Street and Selskar Street at 11am daily, Monday to Saturday. Bollard removed at 8.15am daily, Monday to Saturday, to facilitate refuse collection and deliveries. Bollard remains in the locked position from 11am on Saturday until 8.15am on Monday morning.
Disabled Bays: Access to the under-used Disabled Bays on Charlotte Street will not be available after 11am each day. The Post Office is encouraging less mobile customers to do their business before 11am, if at all possible. Note however, during the trial pedestrianisation of Monck Street in the past 12/18 months (which by default restricted access to Charlotte Street during business hours), additional disabled parking bays were installed at the request of the members on Common Quay Street, Lower George Street, Selskar Street and other areas to compensate. These additional bays have remained in place, so it is considered that there are adequate disabled parking bays close to this section of North Main Street.
Mallin Street; Road closure in place from 11am to 6pm each day, Monday to Saturday. Bollard installed at junction with John’s Gate Street / Cornmarket at 11am daily and lifted at 6pm. Road open to traffic on Sunday.
Lower Rowe Street; Road closure in place from 11am to 6pm each day, Monday to Sunday.Bollard installed at junction with Mallin Street / High Street at 11am daily. Monday to Saturday; Bollard at The Bullring/North Main Street also installed at 11am Monday to Saturday. Bollards removed at 6pm daily Monday to Friday. Bollards remain in the locked position from 11am on Saturday until 8.15am on Monday morning.
South Main Street; No road closure required. On-street parking removed on South Main Street (from junction with Cinema Lane to junction with Oyster Lane) and on sections along South Main Street (from junction with Lower Bride Street to junction with Lower King Street). Vehicular traffic will still have access to drive through this area to access other car parking facilities but will not be permitted to park on street. Three new loading bays have been installed outside R. Doyle Butchers, Wexford Auto Factors and the Emerald Gardens to facilitate deliveries into the area.
Cornmarket; A Section 254 Licence has been granted to the Thomas Moore Tavern to facilitate outdoor dining adjacent to their premises at Cornmarket.
Because of ground level conditions, certain civil works are under way to facilitate the installation of a temporary decking structure to accommodate outdoor furniture and associated infrastructure.
The situation in each of the above areas will be monitered and kept under review over the summer months together with all other businesses to whom a Section 254 Licence has been issued to facilitate outdoor dining.
The death has occurred of former Cllr Tom Moorehouse, Moran Park, Enniscorthy, who was aFine Gael member of Enniscorthy Town Council from 1994 to 2014 and served as Chairman during the 2002-’03 term.
CLLR TOM MOOREHOUSE (Pic; Fine Gael)
Deputy Paul Kehoe is leading the tributes and said he is deeply saddened following the passing of Tom Moorehouse, a supporter and friend.
“Tom was a great Councillor who represented the people of Enniscorthy with the kindness many will have witnessed in person. He loved Enniscorthy and its people and everything he did was to help others. Tom was a family man and Teresa, Fran, Mary, Tina and all Tom’s extended family are in my thoughts at this sad time.”
Tom was a friendly face around St Aidan’s Parish School, where he worked as a caretaker, and was known and respected for his loyal involvement in many groups and charities, including Enniscorthy Tidy Towns’, Chernobyl Shop and he served on St. Aidan’s Cathedral Restoration Committee and the Athenaeum Restoration Committee. His goodness was far reaching and behind all his actions was his extraordinarily strong faith and devotion.
Tom was a family man and Teresa, Fran, Mary, Tina and all Tom’s extended family are in my thoughts at this sad time.
FAMILY NOTICE; TOM MOOREHOUSE, Moran Park, Enniscorthy; (ex-Councillor) Beloved husband of Teresa, loving father of Mary, Tina and Fran and brother of Joan, Margaret, Mary, Seamus, Willie and Fintan and the late Joe, John, Paddy and Philip. Sadly missed by his loving family, grandchildren Blake, Cerys, Corey, Jamie, Jesse, Tom, Ryan, Casey and Riely, son-in-law Martin, extended family, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
A Private Family Funeral will be held on Friday for Tom and may be followed from 10 o’clock at http://www.staidanscathedral.ie.
MHO SPACE, a company which specialises in developing remote-working centres, has partnered with Wexford County Council to develop a hub at the M11 Business Park in Gorey, the first of four similar remote-working centres planned for Wexford which MHO Space hopes to open in Enniscorthy, New Ross and Wexford town.
Gorey hub is already up and running and providing modern, state-of-the-art working facilities for up to 200 people.
Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Gorey- Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, warmly welcomes the proposal by MHO Space to bring significant jobs to Gorey and to build on the success of the Council’s Hatch Lab Innovation Centre which had 30 small companies operating there prior to the pandemic.
Cllr Sullivan paid tribute to the investment by local developers Tom and Paddy Redmond in the M11 Business Park and cited Gorey as one of the most vibrant and attractive towns in Leinster to work and live in.
GOREY M11 BUSINESS PARK
Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright, said that the Council was seeing a lot of interest in remote working in Wexford by Dublin-based companies as people start to return to the office place and new hybrid models of work arrangements are being considered. Mr Enright stressed that Wexford offers a real alternative with affordable high-quality office accommodation, affordable housing and an unrivalled quality of life, all within a short distance of Dublin.
The CEO of the Cork-based MHO SPACE, Dave Burke, said that the company’s offering fully aligns with the ambition of Wexford County Council to reinvigorate towns and villages across rural Ireland. “There is now a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring about a shift away from the ‘normal’ big office business model and allow workers and their families to re-locate to rural Irish towns, thereby enjoying lower living costs, less commuting and a better quality of life”, he said.
With the Covid pandemic forcing tens of thousands of workers to switch from their former offices in Ireland’s cities and larger towns, the consequent explosion in working from home has accelerated the business case for remote-working hubs, which provide high-speed and secure broadband and all the other facilities of modern offices. This has two outstanding benefits: giving thousands of workers, who have been working from their homes a local-based full-office alternative and avoiding a return to long-distance commuting when the lockdown eventually ends, and their former office abodes re-open.
MHO SPACE not only develops the physical facility, but also manages all marketing and fulfilment operations to attract companies and individual workers to base themselves in these hubs.
WexfordLocal.com 