Luke Murphy recorded a double on the first day of the Meath & Tara point-to-point at Fairyhouse today (Saturday) to bring his career winning sequence to 45.
LUKE MURPHY had double today at Fairyhouse
Murphy won the opening four-year-old auction maiden race on first timer Corrigeen Rock, owned and trained at Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, by Denis Murphy (no relation). The partnership had four lengths to spare over the runner-up Money Heist for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill.
Murphy’s second winner came on Trickalight, running in the colours of his parents, John and Miriam Murphy, Corecannon House, Inch, in North Wexford in the five-year-old mares’ maiden race. The verdict was four lengths the mare will be sold.
Pearse Rogan from Caim, Enniscorthy, had his second career winner aboard Ash Tree Meadow by an easy twelve lengths for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle, Ballindaggin, in division two of the five-year-old geldings maiden race.
An Garda Siochana in association with Wexford County Council have launched the 5th Annual Wexford Garda Youth Awards for 2021 that acknowledge the brilliance of young people within local communities in County Wexford.
This year due to Covid-19 restrictions there has not been the same opportunity for young people to become involved with activities or projects in comparison with previous years, however, many young people were active on the ground throughout the Covid 19 crisis, volunteering and becoming involved in a variety of projects that supported both the vulnerable in the community, and the frontline services.
Pictured at launch of Wexford Garda Youth Awards 2021; left to right: Sgt Denis Murphy, Supt James Doyle, Cllr. Michael Whelan, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council), Chief Supt Denis Ferry and Sgt Colum Matthews.
The awards will be presented in four categories:
INDIVIDUAL AWARD – Making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.
GROUP AWARD – Group of two or more, making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition.
COMMUNITY SAFETY AWARD – Through a crime prevention or safety initiative/innovation, have made their community a safer place to live.
Anybody can nominate a young person between the age of 13 and 21 years for an award. This year, due to Covid 19, nominations will be completed through an online process, this is available at WexfordCoCo.ie and through all local schools.
closing date for nominations is Monday, May 10th. A Judging Panel will decide upon the Divisional Winners, the Judging Panel will also nominate an individual/ group to represent Wexford for consideration at the National Garda Youth Awards. It is anticipated that the awards will take place towards the end of June 2021 in adherence with all Government Covid 19 guidelines.
For further information please contact Inspector Graham Rowley at Wexford_ds@garda.ie , 053 9165280 or through your local Garda Station.
Upwards of €700,000 is to be invested in water-based activities at the Curracloe Water Sports Activity Centre at Whitegap, near Wexford, with phase one expected to be completed by the summer of 2022.
Public representatives in Wexford Municipal District are welcoming news that is part of an €19million investment announced today (Thursday) by the Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin T.D. The funding will be used to build world-class facility centres at 22 locations across the country where water-based activities are a key visitor attraction.
The significant increase in people enjoying outdoor water-based activities such as kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and open water swimming is expected to continue to grow year on year, and not just during the summer months. This means all-weather changing facilities, secure storage and bathrooms at beaches and inland water spots will be in huge demand.
Colm Neville of the Riverside Park Hotel and Chair of VisitWexford and Chairman of Wexford County Council Cllr Ger Carthy celebrate with ice cream on the beach at Curracloe. (File Pic. July 2020).
Each centre will provide hot showers, changing and toilet facilities, secure storage, induction spaces, equipment washdown and orientation points.
They will be fully wheelchair accessible and built using sustainability best practices such as solar heating panels to meet energy standards.
Minister Martin said; “Ireland is world-class when it comes to providing water-based activities which are enjoyed by local communities and visitors along our stunning coastline, rivers and lakes. We have seen a significant upward trend in people enjoying outdoor water activities over the last year and we know the appeal of the outdoors will continue to grow post-COVID19 so we must ensure the Irish experience meets and exceeds visitor expectations.
Paul Kelly, CEO Fáilte Ireland said; “Our temperate climate can offer year-round quality outdoor experiences. For Ireland to be recognised internationally as a best-in-class activity destination it is critical that we invest in building a sustainable activity infrastructure, compelling visitor experiences and developing the capacity of activity providers.”
Today’s announcement outlines Phase 1 of this scheme, which has an expected completion date of Summer 2022 and we will look at a potential second phase in 2023.”
The memoirs of Miles Byrne (1780-1862) from Monaseed in North Wexford are the inspiration for a new publication called UNITED IRISHMEN – Émigrés of Erinby Colum Ó Ruairc and Stephen McCracken just published.
“I read the memoirs of Miles Byrne and saw a lot of names of casualties recorded on memorials and monuments across Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow but never seen them in any book form or celebrated or commemorated in any way,” Colum Ó Ruairc told WexfordLocal.com, who added; “I looked at the casualties of the rebellion period, not just insurgents, but yeomen, loyalists, the French soldiers, the Crown soldiers and civilians with no politics attached.”
COLUM Ó RUAIRC with his new book UNITED IRISHMEN
Colum has accumulated about 3,500 casualties so far, through the various archives, and he is hopeful that this book will be the first of a trilogy and he expects the work will be of benefit for genealogists and researchers.
The publication is full of mini biographies with plenty of photographs, monochrome and colour, and is an invaluable addition to anybody with an interest in the 1798 Rbellion
Colum Ó Ruairc grew up immersed in the story of the 1798 story in south Co. Wicklow and in July 2017, he established the 1798 Rebellion Casualty Database, with the aim of collecting the names of casualties from the 1798-1803 period.
These casualties include those from the Insurgency, Crown Forces, loyalist civilians and Yeomanry, French soldiers and apolitical. He is also in the process of compiling a database of those who were ordered to be transported to New South Wales 1799-1805 and those impressed into the Crown Forces.
After moving to Antrim 10 years ago historian Stephen McCracken knew he would have to research the United Irishmen. Titles already published by Stephen include The Presbyterians of Magilligan Ancestry Guide 1600-1900 and The Plantation of Ulster Haberdashers/Aghanloo Ancestry Records and The Battle of Antrim The Story of 1798.
AUDIO ADDITION; COLUM Ó RUAIRC talks about his new book, UNITED IRISHMEN
UNITED IRISHMEN Émigrés of Erin by McCracken and Ó Ruairc, illustrated, 270 pages, Springfarm Publishing. ISBN 978-1-9162576-9-6
The Rosslare Port Fest takes place from Tuesday to Thursday, April 20-22 which is part of the Ports, Past and Present programme and seeks to investigate the heritage of Rosslare, Dublin, Pembroke Dock, Fishguard and Holyhead Ports and the Irish Sea crossings, to create common understanding between these communities.
Rosslare Port Fest will comprise the following events;
Tuesday 20th April 7pm; Story Sharing with Ports Past and Present – Three of the project creative practitioners share their stories and project work so far, and we hope that an audience will share their stories of Rosslare.
Wednesday 21st April 4pm; Marine Dimensions – Eco Workshop – Family Friendly event for all ages of nature lover. Learn to identify some creatures found on the beach.
Wednesday 21st April 7pm; The Future of Rosslare – An interesting and exciting sharing of plans, hope and ideas for the future of Rosslare Village and the Port. With contributions from the port representatives and the village improvement group.
Thursday 22nd April 4pm; Make Your Own Rosslare Zine – An online how-to in making zines, the theme of this one will be the Ecology and Heritage of Rosslare, but you will be able to make a zine on any subject you want after this workshop. For older teenagers and adults.
Thursday 22nd April 7pm; Heritage Across the Irish Sea – Roundtable, with representatives from all five ports, discussing their work in preserving port heritage, challenges they face, and history we share across the Irish Sea.
There is frustration at Wexford General Hospital where it has emerged that €250,000 publicly raised for a state-of-the-art MRI machine two and a half years ago has been ignored by the HSE and is left in the Friends of Wexford General Hospital bank account.
Speaking on local radio earlier this week, Director General of the Health Service Executive (HSE) Paul Reid was aware that a private operator, Alliance Medicine, had installed an MRI machine at the hospital providing scans for private and public patients and outpatients.
Cllr George Lawlor is annoyed at this arrangement. “I’m sure the people of Wexford would be shocked to hear that the MRI machine operating here is not the one that was fundraised for!
“The community of Wexford went out in force to fundraise for this, and it seems that the HSE is happier to line the pockets of a private company than proof the hospital and provide what was promised to the people of this county,” said Cllr Lawlor, who added; “It is an absolute scandal and a slap in the face to the people of Wexford who gave so generously.”
18 years old Festy Ebosele who played his football with Moyne Rangers made his first league debut with Derby County in their 1-0 defeat by table toppers Norwich City last Saturday.
FESTY EBOSELE in the Republic of Ireland strip (Pic; Derby Telegraph)
The young Enniscorthy-born right back arrived off the bench in the 84th minute.
Last January Festy made his first-team debut for Derby County, coming on in the 64th minute, in the FA Cup 3rd round game against non-league side Chorley, who won 2-0, in freezing conditions at Victory Park.
The talented teenager played his early games with Moyne Rangers, played under-17 for the Republic of Ireland and transferred from Bray Wanderers to Derby County which is managed by the great Wayne Rooney.
His former club members and sporting friends in Enniscorthy are following his progress with interest and wishing him well in his professional football career.
Revenue Officers seized approximately 29,600 cigarettes concealed within a mattress at Rosslare Europort yesterday (Monday).
The cigarettes seized were of various brands and have a combined retail value of €49,000, representing a loss to the Exchequer of over €38,500.
The illegal cigarettes were discovered when Revenue Officers stopped and searched a Czech registered van that had disembarked a ferry from Cherbourg, France. The search, which was carried out with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, led to the discovery of the cigarettes concealed within a mattress in the load.
A Czech national in his 40s was questioned.
Investigations into both seizures are ongoing.
These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the supply of illegal tobacco products. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling they can contact Revenue in confidence on the confidential free phone number 1800 295 295.
The Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council and a majority of members are opposed to the Draft Wexford County Development Plan 2021-2027 in its present form and are seeking a number of changes before the plan is adopted and called for a six-month extension to consider the document and its future impact on rural Ireland.
CLLR GER CARTHY
Cathaoirleach Cllr Ger Carty told Monday’s April meeting of Wexford County Council held with Microsoft Teams in line with Covid-19 protocols that it is extremely difficult for the Council to put the County Development Plan out to public consultation again in the absence of several changes coming from the departments around the National Plan Framework.
Cllr Carty said he asked Fianna Fail for an extension of six months to facilitate further discussion. “I can’t stand over it and I’m certainly not in a position to vote for it,” he added.
Cllr Michael Sheehan said everything ‘outside of Dublin is rural’ in the Plan and he believes there is much in the County Development Plan that will further destabilise rural Ireland.
Cllr Pat Barden described it as a particularly important Plan and must be considered very carefully.
CLLR JOE SULLIVAN
Cllr Joe Sullivan said the Plan has huge implications for rural areas and could not understand why the project could not be paused for six months to afford an opportunity to go through it in fine detail before putting it through and then finding “it is a complete mess.”
Cllr Sullivan warned that if a Fianna Fáil Minister pushes it through “Fianna Fáil will be without me” because he is “not standing by and letting rural Ireland be further decimated by a Fianna Fáil-led government!”
Cllr Sullivan showed that 35% of all 34 members of Wexford County Council are Fianna Fáil who cannot allow this to happen, and he called for a six-months pause to thoroughly examine the Plan.
CLLR LISA McDONALD
Cllr Jim Codd said the treatment of people in rural Ireland goes beyond belief. “We need to wake up in rural Ireland as we watch the demise of it,” added Cllr Codd who made refences to many shortcomings in services in rural Wexford. “Are we going to force everybody into the towns and leave people in towns and villages where there are no services?” he asked.
Cllr Jackser Owens said Enniscorthy was at the bottom of the list when it comes to the towns of Wexford and he was critical of the Fine Gael/Labour Coalition Government for the abolition of the town councils back in 2014.
Cllr John Fleming felt a need to increase rural density and lamented that rural areas are being told they cannot get planning! “I will not stand-by and let that happen,” he added.
Cllr Michael Whelan favoured direct contact with the Minister and noted that that the Plan was affecting all counties outside of Dublin and described it as “trying to fix a Dublin problem.” Cllr Whelan reaffirmed the need to stand together, and he called for a physical meeting to further discuss the Plan.
Cllr Mary Farrell agreed with the speakers and referred to a ‘crazy situation’ and claimed that villages are not like cities and towns, and she said “the hamlet effect is not for us.” She felt that in her area of Kilmuckridge that housing is a problem.
Others members who contributed included Cllrs Garry Laffan, Davy Hynes, George Lawlor, Pip Breen, Cathal Byrne, Frank Staples, Lisa McDonald, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin. Diarmuid Devereux, Barbara-Anne Murphy Kathleen Codd-Nolan and Willie Kavanagh. CEO Tom Enright, Tony Larkin and David Minogue also contributed.
Discussion on the Draft County Wexford Development Plan lasted over an hour but diverted away from rural problems and much time was spent exploring future tactics, including the possibility of seeking independent legal advice.
CLLR MARY FARRELL
The public consultation period for the Draft Plan ended on Wednesday, December 9th, 2020. One hundred and sixty-eight submissions were received during the consultation period.
17 submission were received from Prescribed Authorities.
10 submissions were received from stakeholders such as infrastructure providers. 29 Submissions related to Protected Structures.
25 Submissions related to transportation issues.
14 submissions related to Rosslare Harbour and Kilrane Settlement Plan.
9 submissions related to Bunclody Town Settlement Plan.
6 submissions were from environmental groups and NGOs.
8 related to rural housing.
5 related to renewable energy.
The submissions can be viewed online at https://consult.wexfordcoco.ie/.
Tipperary racecourse was the venue for today’s point-to-point action under the auspices of the famous Scarteen Foxhounds and a double for the respective champions, handler Colin Bowe and rider Barry O’Neill, were the highlight on another profitable day for Wexford involvement.
North of Nashville, a newcomer for owner Leo McArdle, got the Bowe/O’Neill partnership off to the perfect start with a three lengths victory in the maiden race for four-year-old mares.
Another newcomer, Chianti Classic in the colours of Benjamin Halsall, showed promising signs for the future with a two-and-a-half lengths advantage to complete the Kiltealy/Ballindaggin double.
COLIN BOWE
BARRY O’NEILL
The first division of the five-year-old mares’ maiden race resulted in a four lengths victory for newcomer Gaia Du Gouet for Andrew and Paul Pierce, Blackhall Stud, Killurin, and the successful rider was Sean Staples from Duncormick.
Division two of the five-year-old geldings maiden race was won by Revenue Judgement, trained at Lingstown by Johnny Berry for owner Liam Gahan, who had five lengths to spare in the hands of Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills.
Fresh from competing in yesterday’s Aintree Grand National Jamie Codd returned to the winners’ enclosure today with victory on Jim Dreaper’s Aazza in the mares’ five-year-old maiden contest. Codd made it a double later in the afternoon when Denis Murphy’s Coachman triumphed in division three of the five-year-old geldings’ race. The five lengths winner is for sale.
WexfordLocal.com 