WexfordLocal.com

Enniscorthy welcomes hairdressing jobs

By Dan Walsh

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris T.D., has announced that Enniscorthy VEC has been selected as the location for an expanded National Hairdressing Apprenticeship.

The news is warmly welcomed by Cllr Cathal Byrne who confirmed that this announcement means that Enniscorthy will be one of twelve designed sites across the country which offer a three year nationally recognised Level 6 Qualification in Hairdressing.”

Recent figures from the Department of Higher Education show that there is a skills shortage in hairdressing and many salons are struggling to find suitably qualified hairdressers to sustain and grow their business.

Cllr Byrne commented; “As the centre of County Wexford, Enniscorthy VEC is ideally located to help address this issue in the South East and provide an opportunity for apprentice hairdressers to be paid while they learn their trade.

“I would encourage anyone interested in applying to check out the designated website www.hairdressingapprenticeship.ie” concluded Cllr Byrne.

Two each for Sean and Denis; 50 for Luke!

By Dan Walsh

Doubles for handlers Sean Doyle and Denis Murphy and rider Luke Murphy who brought his career total of winners to 50 were the highlights on another good day for Wexford participants at today’s (Sunday) point-to- point at Dromahane, Co. Cork.

**LUKE MURPHY… career winner number 50 today.**

The combination of Denis Murphy and Luke Murphy (no relation) got into the swing of finding the post first with newcomer Happy D’Ex by a comfortable 15 lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old mares.

Another newcomer, Sharp Shadow, sporting the same colours as Happy D’Ex made it a Murphy double with a three-quarter length victory in the maiden race for older mares. 50^th career winner for 24 years old Luke Murphy from Inch, near Gorey.

Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, who had a double at Lisronagh yesterday (Saturday) repeated the performance with another double today. Watch House Cross took the maiden race for four-year-old geldings by five lengths with champion rider Barry O’Neill up.

Doyle is on the 99-winner career mark after completing a double with Mortlach, ridden by 20 years old Robbie Jackson from Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow, in the maiden race for older geldings. The winning verdict was three lengths and both winners were sporting the Monbeg Partnership colours.

Donnchadh Doyle shared a double with his brother (Sean) at Lisronagh yesterday, but he was happy with a single victory today when newcomer Old Painless, ridden by James Walsh, Shillelagh, on his 10^th winner of the current season, came home six lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

WWII tower demolished at Rosslare

BEFORE ;**The Greenore Point Tower as the ferry sails out of harbour this morning**

By Dan Walsh

There is serious local anger amongst historians and conservationists surrounding the malicious demolition of a prominent World War II landmark overlooking Rosslare Harbour at Greenore Point or Bing which took place today.

Eyewitnesses on social media say the tower was standing at 9 am this morning. It is now destroyed! There is photographic evidence of tyre marks on the land leading to the tower which is close to the cliff edge.

Speculation as to what exactly happened to the landmark appears to indicate that it was a deliberate act given the amount of force required.

It is understood that a land right-of-way dispute may be creating tension in the neighbourhood.

AFTER; **Greenore Point tower tonight.**

Cllr Ger Carthy has condemned what he described as “a sheer act of vandalism inflicted on my local area” and has been in touch with senior officials responsible for conservation at Wexford County Council and via social media he assures “my local community that this historic watchout tower will be put back to its original state.”

Rosslare in History (pub. 2005, edited by Gerry Breen) carries a brief history of the tower. The Marine and Coast Watching Service, set up ‘coast watching towers’ essentially looking out for drifting mines and shipping activity during World War II, and manned by volunteers, at Rosslare Point, Greenore Point and Carnsore Point.

Great day for the Doyles and Rogan

By Dan Walsh

Ballindaggin handler Donnchadh Doyle and his young rider from Caim, Pearse Rogan, and his brother Sean Doyle all achieved double success on today’s (Saturday) point-to-point card at Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary.

Phantom Getaway got the Doyle/Rogan success under way in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings by four lengths. Er Dancer scored by two and a half lengths in the Novice Riders race to complete the brace. Both were victorious in the popular Monbeg Syndicate colours.

Pearse Rogan doubled his score to four career winners, all achieved in the current season, having had his first ride for Jim Bolger at Leopardstown in the summer of 2018. Veteran Bolger, from Oylegate, who will be 80 next Christmas Day, also had a memorable day winning the first UK classic of the season – the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket with the home-bred Poetic Flare (16/1).

**DONNCHADH DOYLE double today at Lisronagh (Pic; Goffs UK)**

Donnchadh Doyle’s double landed him on the 20-winner mark for the season, ten behind Colin Bowe in the Irish Point-to-Point Handlers’ Championship.

Donnchadh’s brother, Sean Doyle was also in the number one spot twice. He saddled Rae Des Champs to win the maiden race for four-year-old mares by ten lengths for the Monbeg Partnership with Liam Gilligan in the saddle.

He followed up in division one of the mares’ maiden race with the Sean Howlett owned Set In The West by three and a half lengths ridden by Tomhaggard rider Tiernan Power Roche who was racing recently in the UK. Sean Doyle’s 11^th winner of the current season.

Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, enjoyed a winner too – Chase Outlaw by one and a half lengths in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings’ ridden by Luke Murphy, Inch, Gorey.

1,100 passports backlog in Wexford

By Dan Walsh

According to new information attained by Fianna Fáil New Ross District Cllr Michael Sheehan there is a backlog of 1,100 passport applications in Wexford comprising 900 for renewals alongside 200 first time applications.

Cllr. Sheehan told WexfordLocal.com; “The challenge of clearing this backlog will be significant and I hope it can be addressed soon. While obviously the fundamental reason for having a passport, that of international travel, is not of huge importance right now, nonetheless it is essential that we resume normal service as soon as possible.

“The target for vaccination is for 80% of adults to have at least had one jab by the end of June. Similar targets exist across Europe. If these are achieved, it is likely that more traditional patterns of international travel can resume accompanied with significant demand.

“The European Parliament approved Digital Green Certificates this week. These could be needed for international travel too, but they will not arise for many people if they do not have the most basic travel document, a valid passport.

“We are told that the backlog can be cleared in 6-8 weeks. Let us get moving on it now,” concluded Cllr Sheehan.

Stay safe on the coast and inland waters

By Dan Walsh

The RNLI and the Irish Coast Guard are expecting a busy May Bank Holiday weekend on the coasts and inland waters, with more people enjoying the warmer weather and the brighter evenings.

People are asked to plan for any water based or coastal activities by taking some simple steps. The call comes following an increase in the number and a broadening in the type of incidents requiring RNLI and Coast Guard intervention.

**KILMORE QUAY RNLI LIFEBOAT leaving harbour (File Pic; Dave Maloney)**

Key water safety tips to remember when beside or on the water are:

Check the weather and tide and familiarise yourself with local currents before you participate in any open water or coastal activity.
Always carry a reliable means of raising the alarm with you.
Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid on or near the water.
Never ever swim alone and always ensure that somebody ashore is monitoring your progress.

RNLI Lifesaving Manager Sean Dillion said: “Our volunteer lifeboat crews around the coast and on our inland waters are expecting a busy season as more people are out enjoying the water. We want people to be safe on the water and enjoy themselves. Whatever activity you are planning please take a few minutes to check the relevant safety advice and always dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard if you see someone in trouble on the water.”

Coast Guard, Head of Operations Gerard O’Flynn added: “Don’t assume that just because we have clear skies and warmer temperatures it is safe to engage in all coastal activities. Please familiarise yourself with weather and tidal information and take the time to observe prevailing conditions before you commence.”

If you get into trouble or see someone else if difficulty, call 999 or 112 or use Marine VHF Channel 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Walsh family on song again at Punchestown

By Dan Walsh

The Walsh family from Ballyday, Gorey, had another big success to remember at today’s (Thursday) third day of the Punchestown Festival when Singing Banjo, winner of the Ladies Cup on Tuesday, added the prestigious La Touche Chase double.

The La Touche is Ireland’s longest race at four miles and two furlongs run over 36 fences of the Punchestown ‘Banks’ circuit.

Singing Banjo (33/1) was ridden by Barry Walsh and was the third winner of the week trained at Fairwood, Tinahely, for Philip Rothwell.

**BARRY WALSH… another success at Punchestown Festival**

Speaking after the race Rothwell, whose Cousin Harry won the festival’s Tuesday opener, said: “It’s unbelievable but as I said before it’s a family success and it’s all about the Walsh family. Aaron, Barry’s brother, owns him and their father John trains him for all the point-to-points so this is just an honour for me.

“They have banks at home to school their horses and I’ve run them in the banks races for them for a number of years and we absolutely love it.’

The Ladies Cup success on Tuesday was over the shorter trip of three miles one furlong and Singing Banjo (14/1) was a first winner on the track for Barry who has seven career point-to-point winners to his credit.

Barry now has two winners on the track and what an historic pair it has turned out to be with Singing Banjo entering the racing history books in just three days.

Compensation for jockey Jonathan Moore

By Dan Walsh

Just one big Wexford story from day two (Wednesday) of the Punchestown Festival was the success of Foxy Jack in the Grade A Guinness Handicap Chase giving Adamstown jockey Jonathan (Jonny) Moore a well-deserved winner.

Moore took a fall a few days before Cheltenham and suffered an injury, declared himself unfit to ride at the festival, and missed out on two victories as horses he should have ridden for his Meath yard of Gavin Cromwell were winners!

JONATHAN MOORE … lost out at Cheltenham… winner at Punchestown.

Speaking afterwards Moore said; “In fairness to Mouse (Morris, winning trainer) he told me that with this fella and his light weight to go and make the running and that he wouldn’t be far away. He thought he would be in the shake up and credit to him and his team for getting him here right.

“It was great for the team (Gavin Cromwell — two winners) and everyone involved over at Cheltenham, the owners too deserved it, but it was probably the toughest month of my life when all that was going on (sidelined with injury and missed out).

“I’m just a lucky boy to be in the position I’m in — to ride those horses on their big days. I rode the winner of this race five years ago and it’s great to do it again.”

24-ft yacht brought to safety at Arklow

By Dan Walsh

A 24-foot sailing yacht with one person on board was brought to safety by the Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Ger Tigchlearr after running aground at Clogga Bay, just north of Kilmicheal Point on the Wexford/Wicklow border, on Tuesday afternoon.

**Sailing ship rescue at Clogga Bay by Arklow RNLI Lifeboat yesterday. (Pic; RNLI/Coast Guard Unit)**

The Irish Coast Guard requested the launch of Arklow RNLI at 4.26pm and the volunteer crew made their way to Clogga Bay, south of Arklow Harbour, where a sailing yacht with one person aboard was aground in shallow waters.

Once the towline was established the lifeboat gently pulled the sailing vessel to deeper water. Once it was established the boat was dry and not taking on water, the XP boat and crew came back aboard the lifeboat and proceeded back to Arklow with the casualty on tow. All hands were back ashore approximately 40 minutes later.

Arklow RNLI Coxswain Ned Dillon said; “Thanks to our crew, this was an excellent successful service, where we got to deploy and use very many of the safety critical tools and lifesaving equipment we carry aboard the lifeboat. In all my years I have never seen all these items being deployed at once and never so successfully, it’s a real testament to our crew and the excellent training we get from RNLI.”

University application lodged this week!

By Dan Walsh

The formal application for the Technological University for the South East (TUSE) will be lodged this Friday.

The Governing Body at Waterford Institute of Technology met on Tuesday and the Governing Body at IT Carlow meets on Thursday to formally ratify the bid. Minister Simon Harris and the IT Presidents will brief the Oireachtas Group on the University chaired by Wexford’s Senator Malcolm Byrne, on Friday afternoon.

Once the bid is submitted, an international panel will assess it against the requirements for university designation. This is likely to happen in June.

Assuming that the bid is successful, the University will come into being on January 1st. The TUSE (possibly with a new name) is likely to be the fifth or sixth largest in student numbers in the State. It is also likely that two other universities (Shannon and Connaught Ulster) will come into being in 2022.

The deal on the Wexford campus for the new university is currently being concluded.

Commenting to WexfordLocal.com Senator Byrne said; “This has been one of the most important projects on which I have worked since election to the Oireachtas and will make an enormous difference to County Wexford and to the region.”