WexfordLocal.com

Death of Cllr Pat Doran, Carnew

By Dan Walsh

The death has occurred of former Cllr Pat Doran, (in his 81^st year) first elected as a member for Wicklow County Council in 1985 who retired following the April meeting of 2019 – having given almost 35 years of dedicated public service to the Carnew district.

Born in Lismore, Co. Waterford, his parents were from Wexford and he attended Ballyellis National School. Cllr Doran spent eleven years in the UK and worked in the building trade for a long time before taking up farming at Tomacork, near Carnew.

He spent 30 years working as a cattle buyer for Slaney Meats, Clohamon, an occupation which led on neatly enough to politics through the constant meeting people involved.

Cllr Doran found political inspiration in the Fianna Fáil party first in 1970, and later followed his hero into local politics, the late Paudge Brennan (1922-1998), who was 25 years TD for Wicklow.

When elected to the county council for the first time in 1985, he scraped in by 20 votes, but from there, he survived seven elections. The only time that Cllr Doran lost out was when he was unsuccessful in his bid to take a seat in Leinster House.

FAMILY NOTICE; Pat Doran (Cllr), Tomacork, Carnew, peacefully at his daughter Colette’s home, surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Mary, and loving father of James, Patrick, Kevin, Colette and Brian. Deeply regretted by his loving family, brothers John, Peter and James, sisters Sr. Clement, Sr. Julie, Margaret and Essie, grandchildren Mark, Amy, Máire, Pádraig, Ciarán, Séamus, Dan, Rhianna, Toni, Ella, Sophie, Leah and Faye, great grandson Johnny Peter, daughters-in-law Eileen, Catherine, Nuala and Deirdre, son-in-law James, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and many friends. R.I.P.

Removal from his home on Tuesday at 1.30pm to Tomacork Church, arriving for Funeral Mass at 2pm, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Funeral Mass will be streamed (link to follow). Donations, if desired, to South Wicklow Hospice Homecare. Please adhere to Government and HSE advice always regarding Covid guidelines.

Busy weekend for Coast Guard Unit

By Dan Walsh

It was a busy weekend for Courtown/Arklow Coast Guard Unit who responded to a number of incidents, but fortunately, everybody involved have returned safe and well.

On Friday morning at 9.38am the Courtown/Arklow unit was tasked following a report of a fishing vessel taking on water two miles off Courtown. The water ingress was quickly brought under control and the vessel was towed to Arklow, all crew returned safely and no medical assistance required.

On Saturday at 3.02pm the Courtown/Arklow unit was tasked to assist NEOC following a report of a person who had entered the water at the South Quay in Arklow, the casualty was recovered and transferred to a waiting ambulance.
Remember if you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, dial 99/112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Sean Doyle trains his 100th winner

By Dan Walsh

Ballindaggin handler Sean Doyle made his own piece of point-to-point history today when he trained his 100^th career winner – The Forge Hill – in the Mares Open Race at Stradbally, Co. Laois. The six lengths winner in the Monbeg Partnership colours was ridden by Duncormick rider Sean Staples.

Doyle is having his most successful season ever – 14 winners to date – and has been turning out winners for 14 seasons having recorded his first during the 2007-’08 season. He has also saddled a number of winners on the track. A popular figure in the bloodstock industry at home and in the UK Sean Doyle becomes a worthy member of the ‘century club’.

Michael Bates, who trains in the Kilmore area, saddled Coningbeg to win division two of the maiden race for mares of five years old and over. The verdict was three-quarters of a length and the successful rider was Tiernan Power Roche from Tomhaggard.

Shane O’Rourke from Foulksmills was also amongst the winners at the Laois venue. He was aboard Jetango for former Kilkenny hurling star Kieran Purcell by two and a half lengths in the maiden race for five year old geldings.

There was also point-to-point action at Ballindenisk today where champion handler Colin Bowe recorded a double success. The Kiltealy handler saddled newcomer Pimlico Point, a three lengths winner for Barry O’Neill in the maiden race for four year olds.

He added division two of the maiden race for five year old geldings when Arizona Cardinal came home two lengths to the good with Harley Dunne up. Second victory in as many days for Blackwater-based Dunne.

Division one went to newcomer Dibble Decker, owned and handled by John C. Byrne from Kilmore, who has four horses in his care. Two lengths were the verdict and the winning rider was Conor Moore from Kilmore Quay.

Locals ‘off day’ at Wexford races

By Dan Walsh

No local winners at Bettyvile Park today with Strong Roots (8/1) runner-up behind Stealthy Tom for owner/trainer Richie Rath from Screen and ridden by JJ Slevin emerging as the only Wexford placed horse across the seven race card.

Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead saddled Bold Enough (1/2 fav.) in the novice chase and having last ran in a handicap hurdle at Aintree he added an eight lengths victory under jockey Mark Walsh.

Mallow jockey Darragh O’Keeffe enjoyed his trip to the showery south-east with a double. Ah Littleluck (11/1) scored by 19 lengths in the three-mile handicap chase for Trim trainer Tom Gibney and O’Keeffe rode Stealthy Tom (11/4 fav.) to a two lengths victory for trainer Enda Bolger in division two of the Neville Hotels handicap hurdle.

A most impressive winner was the Willie Mullins home-bred Ashroe Diamond (10/11 fav.) in the mares’ bumper. Ridden by Patrick Mullins the filly was just off the leaders after the final bend and ran away from the field in the closing stages to win by 14 lengths.

Afterwards Patrick Mullins said; “That was very impressive and that’s what she has been showing us at home. I couldn’t pull her up. Jackie bred her. It’s a fabulous pedigree.”

On a showery afternoon the going was ‘soft’ for the first five races and ground conditions changed after the fifth race to ‘soft, soft to heavy in places’ on chase course and ‘soft to heavy’ on bumper track.

The Tote aggregate was €177,311 compared with €75,737 for the corresponding meeting last year.

Growing public support for Courtown Woods

By Dan Walsh at Courtown Woods

The pungent aroma of wild garlic was palpable, green foliage fought off the effects of torrential showers acting as natures protector, and nothing could prevent the exuberance of well-being or dampen the unequivocal and overwhelming support for 40 acres of protected woodlands, known locally as Courtown Woods, to be vested in public ownership. Public support has spoken loudly in one voice.

They labelled it a Woodland Appreciation Day calling on people to arrive at whatever time suited them, be it morning or afternoon, and to ensure a safe social distance of two metres apart.

While strictly adhering to Covid-19 guidelines and protocols the slogan was “We can’t march together but we can march individually!” Despite torrential showers there was a steady flow of walkers through the woods all day.

**LORRAINE O’DWYER of Gallivanting Tours enjoyed the beauty of Courtown Woods on Woodland Appreciation Day.**

A spokesperson for the organisers, Protect Courtown Woods said they are delighted with the public turnout and large numbers signed a petition that will be presented to Wexford County Council and councillors and Dail Deputies, and members of Wexford County Council are called upon for their support. Stickers and leaflets were distributed.

“We are asking for your urgent support to halt this sale of the Woods, request that Wexford County Council confirm full protection of Courtown Woods from further development and ensure that ownership of the Woods remain within the community,” it stated.

It is alleged that Courtown Woods is in the final stages of being sold to a private developer.

The matter was briefly discussed at this month’s meeting of Wexford County Council, however, members agreed to defer the matter to the next meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council for further discussion and a vote is expected to take place. That meeting takes place on Tuesday.

O’Neill and Hendrick in winning form

By Dan Walsh

Two day’s point-to-point action at Necarne, Co. Fermanagh, (Friday and Saturday) with two Wexford riders providing the highlights – a treble for champion rider Barry O’Neill and a double for Jack Hendrick from Mayglass. And Cormac Doyle saddles a double.

Barry O’Neill won the five-year-old geldings maiden race on Git Maker for Warren Ewing with 10 lengths to spare on Friday and returned on Saturday for another brace of winners aboard Sholsang by ‘a distance’ in the Adjacent Hunts’ Race and Winged Leader in the Open Race, both trained by local handler David Christie.

Jack Hendrick won the opening race on both days for the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership and Ballindaggin handler Cormac Doyle. On Friday Call Her Now scored by three and a half lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old mares maiden and on Saturday newcomer Curtain Tim added a two lengths victory for the partnership in the four-year-old geldings maiden race.

Ninth winner of the season for Jack Hendrick and 15^th career total while Cormac Doyle was having his 10^th winner of the season and his 30^th training success.

Harley Dunne. Blackwater, enjoyed a two lengths success on Croagh Patrick for owner/handler Shane Donohoe in the maiden race for six-year-old geldings by two lengths on Saturday.

Two injured as car hits tree

By Dan Walsh

The N25 remains closed (at 11am) until further notice at Ballinaboola following a traffic collision last night. Diversions are in place.

Two occupants in their 20’s was injured when a car left the road and struck a tree on the N25 at Ballinaboola, near Ross, at 11pm.

They were treated at the scene by paramedics and removed to University Hospital Waterford where their condition is reported as ‘serious’ and ‘not life threatening’ for the driver and passenger, respectively.
Gardaí are appealing to witnesses of the collision to come forward. Anyone with any information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

National Biodiversity Action Week

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council has lots to announce for National Biodiversity Action Week 2021, which takes place from May 15^th-23^rd and will make lots of exiting announcements reflecting support for biodiversity activities within County Wexford.

**TOM ENRIGHT CEO Wexford County Council**

The Council is committed to fostering a culture which promotes biodiversity, from actions at Municipal District level in the maintenance of public spaces, to central policies of banning chemical cleaners and implementing commitments under the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025.

Chief Executive Officer Tom Enright told WexfordLocal.com; “There is an inherent value in promoting biodiversity in County Wexford. The projects we are undertaking will have a significant impact not just on our lives, but more importantly to help secure the environment around us for future generations. Our efforts today, across different areas of our public realm, will support Wexford County Council’s long term goals in implementing the aims of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan, of which we are a very proud partner.”

Mr Enright continued; “The Council’s own practices in our outdoor areas, from leaving the cutting of grass to six week intervals where practicable and planting pollinator plants and trees across the county are a simple step to help the bee population. Each one of us has the capacity to contribute to a greener, more biodiverse future for Wexford.”

Wexford is planting for the future

By Dan Walsh

Farm families across Wexford and around the country have planted over 80,000 hedgerow shrubs and native Irish trees across the country since December, almost meeting the two-year target for the first phase of Glanbia Ireland’s nation-wide Operation Biodiversity plan in just five months.

Over 81,000 whitethorn, green beech, blackthorn and oak trees have been planted on farms since mid-December under the Glanbia Ireland subsidised initiative. These will provide shelter for wildlife and create special environments for biodiversity on farms and in gardens.
Phase two is just underway and Glanbia Ireland is now focusing on boosting clover cover in grazed pastures to improve grass and milk yields and the environmental credentials of family farms.

**JOHN MURPHY… Chairman Glanbia Ireland**

Glanbia Ireland is also teaming up with its farmers, its loyal retail outlet, garden centre and online customers to lift the nation’s spirits as Operation Biodiversity II also promotes the use of pollinator-friendly seeds and colourful farm pollinator mixes. Glanbia Ireland Chairman and Wexford man, John Murphy, said farmers are eager to increase the biodiversity value of their farms and improve soil nutrition in a natural, sustainable way. “Operation Biodiversity II is all about maximising grass growth, incorporating clover and creating biodiversity spaces, including around farmyards, farm laneways, field margins, arable margins, watercourse margins, field corners and roadside verges. It’s a win-win for farmers as they can increase the biodiversity value of a farm, while maintaining productivity.”

€2.5m Arts Centre extension begins

By Dan Walsh

The scaffolding is rising, and work crews are on site as changes to the Covid-19 restrictions on the construction industry are lifted for the €2.5 million extension at Wexford Arts Centre.

The project has been financially supported with a €1 million grant from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, with Wexford County Council providing the balance of funding.

**Work has commenced on the extension to Wexford Arts Centre**

In addition to some upgrade works to the existing building, a new part two/part three storey extension will be installed at the side of the existing structure. The new building will include a new reception area, new gallery space, a lift, improved and accessible toilet facilities, improved welfare facilities for staff and visiting artists and outdoor seating and landscaping. It was central to the project to retain the original fabric of the iconic structure, while discreetly introducing a state-of-the-art extension to co-exist alongside it.

**An artists’ impression of the extension to Wexford Arts Centre.**

The original building, constructed in 1775, forms an integral part of the fabric of Wexford Town. Nestled alongside the original town walls in the heart of the town it has been home to Wexford Arts Centre since 1974.

“I believe that the extension and upgrading will come as a welcome addition to the cultural offering of Wexford Town. Arts venues and performers have been some of the hardest hit over the past 14 months and so I was delighted to be there today turning the sod on this state-of-the-art facility. It is welcome news to artists and audiences alike,” said Mayor of Wexford Cllr Leonard Kelly.

It is estimated that the works will take 13 months to complete.