Two Wexford-based Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test Centres developed by the Department of Transport in response to new regulations from the French authorities for truck drivers heading to France have gone into operation this week.
Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test Centre at Gorey Circle K, Ballyellin, Gorey (Pic; RTE)
Centres have opened at the Gorey Circle K Service Station at Ballyellin, on the M11 near Gorey, and another at Holmestown Waste Management Facility, near Larkin’s Cross, on the N25, a few miles from Wexford town. Both facilities will benefit hauliers using the ferry services at Rosslare Europort.
New regulations in France require all commercial drivers to produce evidence of a negative Covid-19 test on arrival in that country came into this week.
Truck drivers are advised to pre-book their tests online to avoid build-up at the centres and drivers can have their test within 72 hours of their journey to satisfy the French regulations.
Salvage operations to recover a sunken fishing vessel in the Waterford Estuary south of Duncannon Pier is taking place today. An exclusion zone of 500m is in force around the crane barge Lara 1 for the duration of the operation and all vessels must keep well clear of the operation and the main shipping channel is closed to all traffic until midnight.
The vessel will be towed to Duncannon Pier
When the recovery operation has been safely completed, the vessel will be towed into Duncannon Harbour where contractors will remove any remaining fish and fuel on-board before it is towed to the boatyard in New Ross, where it is due to be lifted on to land.
Aztec, a fishing vessel from west Cork, sunk near Duncannon, on January 11th and all four fishermen on board were rescued by a Wexford registered fishing vessel that was operating nearby.
Two new volumes of the publication On Our Own Ground: County Wexford Parish by Parish were virtually launched today via Microsoft Teams by Dr. Patrick Prendergast, Provost, Trinity College Dublin. It follows on from volume one launched in 2013, with the launch of volumes two and three delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and abnormal activity interruptions.
ENNISCORTHY CASTLE
Dr Prendergast spoke about his family connections with Raheenaskeagh, Oulart, and growing up with the townlands. “It is wonderful to have this piece of Wexford here in my hand and to read about the county and the beautiful photographs and to be reminded of the history and topography.” He described the volumes as “impeccably researched to satisfy the scholars and academics, but also succinct and entertaining enough to appeal to the wider public.” He congratulated everybody associated with the publication series.
Dr Ned Culleton, who is a native of Piercestown said; “My aim has been to publish material on the archaeology of Wexford in a manner that ordinary people can understand and to direct them to the sites that they can look at. I also decided that getting this material across to the ordinary people of Wexford was through the parish and the townland. People love their own parish and everything in it.”
HISTORIC FERNS
CEO Wexford County Council Tom Enright said he has been in Wexford seven years and found volume one a fascinating insight to the history and tapestry in the form of the buildings and landscape of County Wexford and it highlights the fantastic history we have here in the county, and he is eagerly looking forward to enjoying volumes two and three with equal enthusiasm.
Cllr Garry Laffan, Leas-Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council, welcomed the attendance of more than 80 people to the virtual launch of a series that defines the heritage of County Wexford ‘parish by parish’ and a lasting record of the heritage of the county. Cllr Laffan complemented all associated with the publication.
County Librarian, Eileen Morrissey, co-ordinated the launch and introduced the speakers. She also thanked them for their contribution.
This comprehensive three volume series, written and compiled by Dr Ned Culleton, with contributing editor Celestine Murphy, is a standout publication that details the built and natural heritage of County Wexford through the centuries. It is beautifully illustrated with colour photography, drawings and maps to compliment the detailed text.
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
On Our Own Groundprovides researchers and local people with a record of the landscape, archaeological sites, industrial, commercial and domestic buildings, and other man-made objects that define the rich culture of the Wexford countryside. The books showcase the impact man has made on the landscape and his contribution to the heritage of our localities.
The parishes referenced inOn Our Own Ground, are the modern Catholic parishes and parts of parishes that lie within the County Wexford boundary. As Dr Culleton notes in the introduction, the use of the Catholic parish unit, as a vehicle for conveying information, is based on practical considerations of useful geographic size, local familiarity with the landscape, and on community and sporting allegiances within each area – parish by parish, On Our Own Groundgives brief descriptions on all significant man-made and natural places of interest in the county. Within the parish, the townland, the smallest administrative territorial unit in the county, provides the most intimate connection between the landscape and its people. The townlands system is of Gaelic origin, many pre-dates the Norman invasion, although their number, boundaries and names have been considerably altered over time.
ENNISCORTHY
Within County Wexford there are forty-five parishes and seven parts of parishes from bordering counties, and almost 3,000 townlands. Volume two and three, complete the three-volume series.
VOLUME 2; Enniscorthy St. Aidan’s, Enniscorthy St. Senan’s, Ferns, Glynn, Gorey, Horeswood, Kilanerin, Kilaveney (part of), Kilmore, Kilmuckridge, Kilrane, Kilrush, Marshalstown, Monageer and Newbawn.
VOLUME 3; New Ross, Oulart, Our Lady’s Island, Oylegate, Piercestown, Ramsgrange, Rathangan, Rathnure, Riverchapel, St. Mullins (part of), Taghmon, Tagoat, Templetown and Wexford town.
On Our Own Ground: County Wexford Parish by Parish, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 can be ordered online from selected bookshops and will be available soon from bookshops in County Wexford, price €30 each.
During the current Covid-19 restrictions neighbour awareness is more important than ever and so the Wexford Keep Well ‘Community Check In’ initiative is doing just that in an innovative and non-contact way with ‘Check in’ cards.
The postcard size cards provide details of the Wexford County Council Community Call helpline on one side, and a friendly message on the reverse. Cards have been distributed to Wexford PPN Member groups who conduct the local check-in activity.
The concept of the cards is that it is not intrusive to the vulnerable or isolated person, and gives them an invitation to connect, should they wish to do so – either with the local person who dropped the card, or with the Wexford County Council Community Call Helpline. PPN Members will only conduct ‘check ins’ within their own 5km radius.
Annette Dupuy, Healthy County Co-ordinator said; “We are delighted to be collaborating with Wexford PPN on this initiative. As a network with over 400 member groups across the county they will ensure a broad reach.”
Wexford PPN volunteer and current Wexford PPN Committee Member John Carr said many member groups had answered the call back in March when the Community Call was looking for support across communities. “We are delighted to answer the call once again by getting involved in this initiative”, he added.
Head of the Community Section at Wexford County Council, Paul L’Estrange, said; “This is just one of a number of ‘Keep Well‘ initiatives where the Community Section and other Departments at Wexford County Council are linking in with communities to support our citizens.”
The Keep Well campaign comes with thanks to Healthy Ireland an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare fund, delivered by Pobal.
The signing off documents and the commencement of construction on the long awaited Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme has been further frustrated and delayed and members expressed ‘disappointment’ with the current timeline at the January meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held by Microsoft Teams.
Larry McHale, Executive Engineer, gave a comprehensive up-date on the Enniscorthy Flood Relief, but the members were uncomfortable with aspects of the report. The technical details were addressed in full and Mr McHale indicated that everything required of Wexford County Council was completed and the project is ready to commence when the green light is given.
Cllr Jackser Owens suggested writing to the Minister expressing the Council’s disappointment that the project has not been signed off. “I am very disappointed and the business people of Enniscorthy are disappointed.”
Cllr Cathal Byrne agreed with the sentiments expressed by Cllr Owens. He asked if the OPW and the Council produce the clarifications to the Department are there scope for the Department to come back again with further queries and clarifications or is this the last possible time they can raise queries?
“A year ago, we were told we might have approval by January, now we find that it is being pushed back to June, or maybe later, and I like everybody else would be concerned if it went into the autumn or maybe 2022?” stated Cllr Byrne.
Mr McHale explained that the supplementary documentation and clarifications are expected to be completed by June. There is a risk that the Department may seek further clarifications.
Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan acknowledged that so much work had already gone into the initial process and sent to the Department, but she wondered why there is a secondary process. She needed to know what the difference was. She also asked that if it is all done and dusted by June when will the construction process begin?
Mr McHale explained that the Department are following a very stringent standard and are future proofing the project against legislation which is likely to become law in the future and this approach is to protect their finance and interest in the project. “It is not just being applied to Enniscorthy, but to all OPW projects and flood schemes,” added Mr McHale.
Cllr Codd-Nolan said it is draft legislation. She wondered if it is Irish legislation. Mr McHale indicated that it is EU legislation that is being adopted into Irish legislation.
“It is so frustrating to hear all this because it will be the end of the year or early next year before work will start. It could be the end of 2022. I really can’t understand it, to be honest with you,” concluded Cllr Codd-Nolan.
The RIVER SLANEY is tranquil in this summer photograph showing the Seamus Rafter Bridge.
Gowran Park Racecourse Manager Eddie Scally becomes Wexford Racecourse Manager taking over the role from Michael Murphy, who has held the position for more than 30 years.Mr Scally will be in control of both racecourses in Kilkenny and Wexford.
WEXFORD RACECOURSE
Speaking to The Racing Post, Mr Scally, who has his busiest day of the year on Thursday with the 2021 running of the prestigious Goffs Thyestes Chase, said; “Unfortunately Michael Murphy, who has been there for a very long time, ran into some ill health last year. When he was working his way back to full fitness, he asked me to go down and help, which I was more than happy to do.
“Michael has since decided he wants to take a step back. He has been there for well over 30 years now, so we said we would make it more of an official role this year. Michael will remain very much involved and will continue to guide me, but I’ll be operating the two tracks.”
Mr Scally added; “I’ve been racing at Wexford for years and I’m a big fan. We’ll be looking at improving facilities and boosting attendances in the future.”
The first race meeting of the new season at Wexford is scheduled for St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17th.
A man has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into a series of burglaries and theft of property at caravans and holiday homes in the Courtown area of North Wexford.
Gardaí in Courtown assisted by Gardaí from Gorey conducted a search and arrested a man on suspicion of committing these crimes. He was later charged and brought before a Special Sitting of the District Court where he was remanded in custody.
GOREY GARDA STATION
Gardai would like to thank the public for their assistance in this case.
In a separate incident, Gorey Gardaí conducted a search in the area on Thursday and seized drugs and cash. One male was detained and later charged to appear before Wexford District Court.
THIS IS THE SCENE AT MILLPARK ROAD, ENNISCORTHY, AT 11pm tonight. A steady snowfall in progress. Roadusers need to be careful if undertaking necessary travel, but the best advice for health and safety is to stay at home.
Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Leonard Kelly, was on Wexford Quay today with his little friend to help relaunch and promote the Green Dog Walker Campaign in Wexford.
MAYOR OF WEXFORD Cllr Leonard Kelly and his friend are backing the Green Dog Walker Campaign
“The campaign is an initiative in the fight against dog litter. The programme is a positive, friendly way to change attitudes about dog fouling in County Wexford,” said Mayor Kelly, who added; “This initiative involves empowering local communities, groups and individuals to meet the challenges of dog fouling in a non-confrontational, friendly way.”Mayor Kelly stated that dog fouling is a serious health risk and young children are particularly at risk. “I hope that the dog owners of Wexford will give this initiative their full support, and I encourage them all to take the Green Dog Walkers’ pledge, always clean up after your dog and together we can reduce the incidence of dog-fouling in our community,” he concluded.
Speaking to members at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, Cliona Connolly from the Environment Department at Wexford County Council said that over 500 had signed up for the Green Dog Walker Campaign.
Due to the success of the campaign and the high volume of interest, the Council is out of stocks, however, the good news is that registrations will reopen once stocks are replenished.
“When you sign up to the scheme we will send you a complimentary Green Dog-Walkers high-vis vest, Green Dog-Walkers armband and a ‘doggie bone’ poop-bag dispenser with a roll of bags,” said Ms Connolly, who added; “By signing up you have ‘Taken the Pledge’ to always clean up after your dog, to carry extra doggie bags and to gladly give others a bag for their dog if they ask for one. By wearing the green armband, you are indicating that you are a responsible dog-owner participating in and supporting the scheme.”
Visiting the doctor’s surgery may be more revolutionary in the future! Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, stated this week that the HSE is to make available to GPs increased direct access to diagnostic services that would give GPs across the country the ability to access an additional 94,000 diagnostic procedures, such as X-Rays, CT scans, MRIs, and DEXA.
SENATOR MALCOLM BYRNE
Senator Malcolm Byrne told WexfordLocal.comthat he had raised this previously with the Minister and in the Seanad a few times last year. “It has been a big issue for Wexford GPs,” he stated.
“This new development will have a significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of patients. It will allow faster access to necessary diagnostic procedures, leading to more timely treatment and improved patient experience.”
Senator Byrne pointed out that the new supports will also assist in reducing pressures placed on hospitals and the shortening of waiting lists.
WexfordLocal.com 