WexfordLocal.com

No Blue Flags for Ballymoney and Courtown

By Dan Walsh

Ballymoney and Courtown will be without Blue Flag status this summer according to Cliona Connolly of the Environment Department at Wexford County Council who addressed members at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District held under Microsoft Teams under Covid-19 protocols. Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach, presided.

Courtown is being monitored but there are no signs of recovery of the beach as the draft beach bye-laws have gone on display and will be available to public consultation on the website and submissions are welcome until June 8^th.

Many aspects of seaside resort life for the months ahead are being looked at, including parking, some potential measures at Cahore and Morriscastle, the anticipated arrival of motor homes and planning issues.

Funding has been applied for restoration purposes at Morriscastle under the National Biodiversity Action Plan for chestnut fencing to protect the dunes and planting when restrictions are lifted.

Details about access to Ballinamona beaches are expected to come before the May meeting.

The booms are still in place on the Owenavarra River following the recent oil spillage and since there has been no significant rainfall since the incident, booms will remain in place and monitoring is ongoing.

A new anti-dog fouling campaign that focuses responsibility on the dog owner will also be strongly enforced along the coastal areas.

Cllr Pip Breen mentioned “facilities for camper vans” as the summer season draws near. Cllr Mary Farrell wondered how the problems of “beach parking” can ever be solved at Cahore and she was conscious of the motor homes. “There was about 10 of them parked at Cahore last weekend on any of the given nights. We can’t continue to encourage tourists to the area if there is no place for them and motor homes seem to be the preferred way of tourism and we need to address the situation,” she concluded.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin was of the opinion that this “is the year of the motor homes” and it is crucial that planning issues are set aside and he knew of a motor home enthusiast who was heading for Cork because he believed Wexford doesn’t have the necessary facilities.

Cllr Andrew Bolger drew attention to the wooden walk at Courtown Harbour leading down to the beach. He felt it could do “with a bit of cleaning” up and he recalled that the glass had been smashed on the notice board some months ago.

Ms Connolly replied that hazards would be removed from the wooden walkway although the beach is closed and will not be opened and is closed off. She added that the glass in the display cabinet – notice board – was to do with the Blue Flag – which will not apply this year and it housed the information around the Blue Flag such as the water quality results.

**The wooden walkway at Courtown is to be closed off!**

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux asked how many Blue Flags will be in the Gorey-Kilmuckridge District this summer? Ms Connolly confirmed that Ballymoney and Courtown will not be applying because there are water quality issues at Ballymoney and Courtown has no beach!

Two in Court after North Wexford drugs raid

Two people will appear before a Special Sitting of the District Court charged in connection with the seizure of drugs to the value of €215,000 in the North Wexford area on Wednesday.

The seizure was made after Gardaí from Gorey Detective Unit, Uniform Unit with the Wexford Divisional Drug Unit conducted several searches in the North Wexford area.

As a result of these searches drugs to the value of approximately €215,000 were seized. Three people were detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Drug Trafficking Act 1996.

Tributes to Paddy the poet and novelist

By Dan Walsh

Tributes have been paid to Paddy Cummins, poet, novelist, musician, loyal friend and native of Kilmannock, Campile, who was laid to rest yesterday (Wednesday).

Forced to drop out of school at the age of 15, Paddy got a job as a motor mechanic to contribute to the family finances of his parents and five siblings. He worked in the garage for ten years.

In ‘swinging sixties’ Paddy, gave his named to the seven-piece Paddy Cummins Showband from Campile that lasted for five years and were exceedingly popular in dance halls across the country until disbanded in 1965.

In 2000 Paddy took to writing a dozen books. His novels included In Love With Malta, Green Lodge, The Crying Sea and Dream Valley. I remember having him as a guest on Mid Week Voices (South East Radio) on a few occasions when he returned from Malta and he was also a keen follower of horse racing with a successful involvement on occasions.

Paddy (Patrick) Cummins (poet and novelist), Campile, New Ross; Loving father of the late Tommy and brother of the late Vinny, Simon and Brenda. Paddy passed away peacefully at the residence of his son Shane, at Duncormick, in the loving care of his family.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Mary Ann, sons Anthony, Kevin, Shane, daughters Celia, Joan, Helen, Carol, sons – in – law Jack, Franny, Georg and Ian, daughters – in – law Liz and Cathy, Anthony’s partner Michelle, grandchildren Dearbhla, Saoirse, Joanna, Clara, Rachel, Rebecca, Eva, Finn, Anna, great-grandchildren Ruadhan, Rossa, Jack, Daniel, Zanna, brothers Frances, Sonny, sisters – in – law, brothers – in – law, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends.

A private family funeral took place in accordance with current guidelines on Wednesday followed by private cremation. RIP.

Job losses in Gorey, Enniscorthy, Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Several job losses across three Wexford towns are amongst the 485 redundancies caused by the closure of Carphone Warehouse’s 80 stores in the Republic of Ireland.

**CLOSED; Enniscorthy branch of Carphone Warehouse on Irish St.**

Carphone Warehouse had outlets at Gorey Shopping Centre, Irish St, Enniscorthy and North Main St, Wexford where staff have been informed of the decision and the company said it was influenced by “changing consumer trends and decreased footfall.”

The UK parent company, Dixons Carphone, closed its standalone stores in the UK last year.

This is a worrying trend for Wexford towns who already this year have experienced closure of Bank of Ireland branches at Rosslare and Taghmon and the winding down of the Ulster Bank organisation.

Community in action at Ballyhogue

By Dan Walsh

A stop-go system is in operation near Bellevue Heights leading to Ballyhogue village this week to facilitate the creation of a new footpath that will complement other improvements in the village including the installation of a defibrillator attached to the local school.

The work is being spearheaded by the Ballyhogue Residents’ Association, formed 18 months ago, with the co-operation of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council through local representative Cllr Cathal Byrne.

CLLR CATHAL BYRNE with members of the BALLYHOGUE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION – GERRY PAGE (Treasurer) and JOHN V CARR (Secretary) – paid a socially distant visit to the site of a new footpath extending the existing walkway.

Ballyhogue, famous for its champion football teams, was once served by Macmine Junction railway station and had its own forge in the village, they are long gone, but in recent times there is no business happening in the local shop and the post office has disappeared. However, in recent decades a growing number of housing estates and other houses have emerged and the village now has an approximate population of 300 and is staging a strong community comeback.

“We are making good progress,” said John V Carr, secretary of the residents’ association, who added; “We are getting the footpath, we need some traffic calming around the school, we hope to provide a play area for the children of Ballyhogue, the crossroads have been resurfaced, so we are doing well!”

Cllr Cathal Byrne said it was a privilege to represent his native townland and village on the council. He is also conscious that Ballyhogue remains one of the options on the M11 Oylegate to Rosslare route and locals have concerns about that.

AUDIO ADDITION; CLLR CATHAL BYRNE explaining some of the developments affecting the residents of Ballyhogue village.

Currently, there is a campaign to raise funds of €1,500 for a community Defibrillator and there is a call out for donations through a gofundme website. It is getting strong support, but a little push is needed to complete that aspect of improving life for the people of Ballyhogue.

€1.5m facelift for Gorey’s Esmonde St

By Dan Walsh

Despite an application for the development of Esmonde St in Gorey under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) being unsuccessful Wexford County Council intends proceeding with a scaled-back project that would achieve the same aims costing upwards of €1.5 million.

The announcement was made by the CEO, Tom Enright, who addressed today’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District held with Microsoft Teams adhering to Covid-19 guidelines and protocol.

**How Gorey’s Esmonde St was planned last October. A scaled down version will now take place. (Artist’s impression supplied by Wexford County Council).**

Mr Enright said the project would proceed without central government funding in a scaled-back lesser expensive project that will achieve the same aims of creating a proper town centre public realm space in Esmonde St providing better footpaths, better pedestrian arrangements, better traffic arrangements, drainage and other general improvements.

“Esmonde Street is becoming a particularly important part of the local economy and as retail businesses open up in the coming weeks it will come back to life again. We have asked our consultants to bring forward the project at an early date and we will provide between €1m -€1.5m of our own funds towards putting the project in place,” Mr Enright promised.

The announcement was welcomed by the members. Cllr Diarmuid Devereux thanked the CEO and said Esmonde St was a pillar of the progress that was made with the business community and he welcomed scaling back the project as he felt the original project was basically refurbishment of the street. “Gorey has received a lot of good news this afternoon,” added Cllr Devereux.

Cllr Andrew Bolger was glad that some money is going into Esmonde St. “It needs a bit of a clean up and when the country is opened again we will see huge numbers flock there and it will be great that people who visit or the people that live here can take pride in the street because it does bring so much to North Wexford.”

Cllr Donal Kenny said he was encouraged that the Council can move on with a scaled back Esmonde St as there was disappointment that it did not get the go-ahead, but he was happy with a scaled back Esmonde St.

Cllr Pip Breen thanked Mr Enright for attending the meeting and bringing some good news. Cllrs Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Anthony Donohoe and Mary Farrell also contributed to the discussion.

Casual trading returns to Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

The April meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held with Microsoft Teams under Covid-19 guidelines yesterday (Monday) has unanimously agreed to adopt bye-laws for the draft framework for outdoor trading and is to seek expressions of interest.

Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, said there has been several enquiries in terms of casual trading licences in some areas of the town, details had been circulated to members, and if a proposer and seconder could be found, the Council would look at implementing the draft framework for the granting of licences within the Enniscorthy Municipal District.

Ms Godkin said they were following suit in how Wexford enhanced the scheme there with a number of units along the quayside and she emphasised that there is a formal review of casual licences across the county that will not be complete for another number of months, so this is “an interim provision.”

She added that the proposal now is to provide one unit at Urrin Bridge on the Promenade Country Walk; one at Vinegar Hill; one up around the Enniscorthy Sports Hub and one in Bunclody Market Square.

Cllr Aidan Browne said he was conscious that Ferns had been left out. “We need to remember that Ferns is part of this district and it may be ideal to have a unit in Ferns up around the castle as well.”

**The old Dunnes Stores car park designed for casual trading is left off the current list?**

Cllr Cathal Byrne was concerned that it does not include Bree either. “I know there would be interest at the walking trail at Bree Hill,” he added, before including the Kiltealy and Ballycrystal walking trails. Regards Enniscorthy town, Cllr Byrne said he does not see “the site at the top of the old Dunnes Stores car park included” and he knows that it is a site designated for casual trading and he wondered if it should be on the list?

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan felt that areas included should include those where tourists visit on walking trails during the summer. She was thinking of the beautiful little village of Kiltealy where someone might like to start up something there.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy said that other areas can be included in a public call and Cllr Aidan Browne (proposer) and Cllr Kathleen Codd -Nolan (seconder), and all members agreed, to adopt bye-laws for the draft framework for outdoor trading and seek expressions of interest.

RTE documentary features Colm Tóibín

By Dan Walsh

Enniscorthy-born author Colm Tóibín, probably best known for Brooklyn made into an award-winning film a few years ago, features in a documentary called On Memory’s Shore which will be shown on RTE One tonight (Monday) at 9.35pm.

Filmed in the summer of 2020, the documentary explores his life growing up in Enniscorthy, his writing life in Dublin, living in Barcelona and inspiration gained from the beach at Ballyconnigar, close to Blackwater village, where he researched several books, most memorably The Blackwater Lightship.

Tóibín is universally known for his novel Brooklyn which was adapted for film and picked up three Academy Awards nominations in 2016. Tóibín himself has been nominated three times for one of the English speaking world’s most famous literary trophy- The Booker Prize.

On Memory’s Shore, tonight’s documentary is directed by Brendan J. Byrne and produced by Belfast independent production company BelowTheRadar TV. Worthy of a large viewership and a tribute to one of the best writers to come out of contemporary Ireland – and still immensely proud of his native town and county.

Codd on double form at Fairyhouse

By Dan Walsh

The second day of the Meath and Tara point-to-point took place today (Sunday) at Fairyhouse where Jamie Codd enjoyed a double bringing him onto the 16-winner mark for the season and he moves into second place in the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship behind the reigning champion Barry O’Neill.

Codd won on Present Storm trained at Cleariestown by Jonathan Fogarty for his mother, Mary Fogarty, the one and a half lengths winner of the maiden race for five-year-old mares. Codd was in the number one position again after the running of division one of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. He had six lengths to spare on Great Ocean trained by Denis Murphy. Division two went to Doran’s Bridge for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill by six lengths.

Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill scored with another newcomer Harry Des Ongrais by ten lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. A double for the Kiltealy partnership on the day.

Wexford stables got off to a great success with first timer Fancy Stuff in the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership colours for Ballindaggin handler Cormac Doyle and rider Liam Gilligan in the four-year-olds mares’ maiden race.

Investment is critical to Wexford TUSE

By Dan Walsh

The evolution of Irish higher education where there is a very rapidly changing Irish education landscape and institutes of technology across the country are merging to form a new type of Irish university – the Technological University – and the South-East (TUSE) project is progressing very well and working towards designation by January 1^st 2022 – just eight months away.

The opening remarks by Dr Patricia Mulcahy, President of Carlow IT, when she addressed the April meeting of Wexford County Council held with Microsoft Teams consistent with Covid-19 guidelines and protocol last Monday.

**DR PATRICIA MULCAHY, President Carlow IT**

“Wexford will be an important part of the University of the South-East. There is absolutely no doubt about that,” Dr Mulcahy stressed, who added that Carlow IT are over 25 years in Wexford and have overcome many challenges “but our commitment to Wexford has remained steadfast throughout these years.”

“We have been constrained by the physical facilities that are available in Wexford and we have been engaging with Wexford County Council for a number of years to find the solution. This year there are 991 students enrolled spanning the disciplines of agriculture, business, education, social care, tourism, digital marketing and analytics, art and science, creative computing and digital innovation.” outlined Dr Mulcahy.

Dr Mulcahy said Carlow IT had been looking at several sites over the years and some had reached contract stage. She is pleased that with the help of Wexford County Council a site has been identified that is at an advanced stage of the approval process. It is understood that the proposal is currently with the relevant departments and the outcome is eagerly awaited.

Once the approval to purchase is forthcoming the institute will engage with the owner of the site and the matter is currently “at a sensitive stage pending the approval of agreements.” Capital investment requirements will also be a major factor going forward.

Cllr George Lawlor, who admitted his criticism of the progress, or lack of, made around this development over many years – 6 years since the discussion around the development of a site – asked when can ground be broken on the issue and what type of financial commitment would Carlow IT envisage investing in Wexford?

Cllr Leonard Kelly agreed with Cllr Lawlor’s questions and sentiments and wondered “when we might have a building in place?” He acknowledged support for Carlow IT’s commitment and the work that is already happening.

Cllr Tom Forde was happy that progress was being made and commended Carlow IT’s commitment and like Cllrs Lawlor and Kelly wanted to know when a building might appear?

In reply, Dr Mulcahy said in terms of investment “that is a huge question for every higher education project” and referred to various reports and meetings and regards the “capital investment and the partner consideration which is the borrowing framework” she added that “investment has to be secured before the Wexford Campus itself.”

Regards the timeline, should the investment be forthcoming under a devolved model or a PPP model, assuming that the acquisition site is finalised in 2021, there would be a design team procurement planning to detailed design at tender stage which could take about 18 months to do – then the construction phase – could takes ages! – but all depends on the investment funding.

Dr Mulcahy said the TUSE will be run by “a new organisation” and will command international standing. No contracts are yet signed! Bringing students into the county is critical! Some distance to go!

Cllrs Michael Sheehan Jackser Owens, John Hegarty, Davy Hynes, Jim Codd, Fionntán Ó Suilleabháin, John Fleming and Cathal Byrne also contributed to the debate which generally thanked Dr Mulcahy for her presentation.