WexfordLocal.com

Death of Cllr Tom Moorehouse

By Dan Walsh

The death has occurred of former Cllr Tom Moorehouse, Moran Park, Enniscorthy, who was a Fine Gael member of Enniscorthy Town Council from 1994 to 2014 and served as Chairman during the 2002-’03 term.

**CLLR TOM MOOREHOUSE (Pic; Fine Gael)**

Deputy Paul Kehoe is leading the tributes and said he is deeply saddened following the passing of Tom Moorehouse, a supporter and friend.

“Tom was a great Councillor who represented the people of Enniscorthy with the kindness many will have witnessed in person. He loved Enniscorthy and its people and everything he did was to help others. Tom was a family man and Teresa, Fran, Mary, Tina and all Tom’s extended family are in my thoughts at this sad time.”

Tom was a friendly face around St Aidan’s Parish School, where he worked as a caretaker, and was known and respected for his loyal involvement in many groups and charities, including Enniscorthy Tidy Towns’, Chernobyl Shop and he served on St. Aidan’s Cathedral Restoration Committee and the Athenaeum Restoration Committee. His goodness was far reaching and behind all his actions was his extraordinarily strong faith and devotion.

Tom was a family man and Teresa, Fran, Mary, Tina and all Tom’s extended family are in my thoughts at this sad time.

FAMILY NOTICE; TOM MOOREHOUSE, Moran Park, Enniscorthy; (ex-Councillor) Beloved husband of Teresa, loving father of Mary, Tina and Fran and brother of Joan, Margaret, Mary, Seamus, Willie and Fintan and the late Joe, John, Paddy and Philip. Sadly missed by his loving family, grandchildren Blake, Cerys, Corey, Jamie, Jesse, Tom, Ryan, Casey and Riely, son-in-law Martin, extended family, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

A Private Family Funeral will be held on Friday for Tom and may be followed from 10 o’clock at http://www.staidanscathedral.ie.

Remote working centre hub for M11 Gorey

By Dan Walsh

MHO SPACE, a company which specialises in developing remote-working centres, has partnered with Wexford County Council to develop a hub at the M11 Business Park in Gorey, the first of four similar remote-working centres planned for Wexford which MHO Space hopes to open in Enniscorthy, New Ross and Wexford town.

Gorey hub is already up and running and providing modern, state-of-the-art working facilities for up to 200 people.

Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Gorey- Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, warmly welcomes the proposal by MHO Space to bring significant jobs to Gorey and to build on the success of the Council’s Hatch Lab Innovation Centre which had 30 small companies operating there prior to the pandemic.

Cllr Sullivan paid tribute to the investment by local developers Tom and Paddy Redmond in the M11 Business Park and cited Gorey as one of the most vibrant and attractive towns in Leinster to work and live in.

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright, said that the Council was seeing a lot of interest in remote working in Wexford by Dublin-based companies as people start to return to the office place and new hybrid models of work arrangements are being considered. Mr Enright stressed that Wexford offers a real alternative with affordable high-quality office accommodation, affordable housing and an unrivalled quality of life, all within a short distance of Dublin.

The CEO of the Cork-based MHO SPACE, Dave Burke, said that the company’s offering fully aligns with the ambition of Wexford County Council to reinvigorate towns and villages across rural Ireland. “There is now a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring about a shift away from the ‘normal’ big office business model and allow workers and their families to re-locate to rural Irish towns, thereby enjoying lower living costs, less commuting and a better quality of life”, he said.

With the Covid pandemic forcing tens of thousands of workers to switch from their former offices in Ireland’s cities and larger towns, the consequent explosion in working from home has accelerated the business case for remote-working hubs, which provide high-speed and secure broadband and all the other facilities of modern offices. This has two outstanding benefits: giving thousands of workers, who have been working from their homes a local-based full-office alternative and avoiding a return to long-distance commuting when the lockdown eventually ends, and their former office abodes re-open.

MHO SPACE not only develops the physical facility, but also manages all marketing and fulfilment operations to attract companies and individual workers to base themselves in these hubs.

Good Bank Holiday attitude in Co. Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Outdoor hospitality returned to towns and coastal areas across Co. Wexford today –alfresco style -the rain stayed away and there was an air of achievement and confidence in the future of the economy once again! Most importantly many people returned to work!

Special dining areas were erected outside of premises in the towns which must be a temporary measure or a change in the bye-laws will be necessary. However, until indoor hospitality returns this is the way forward…weather permitting!

**PEACEFUL AND TRANQUIL; The River Slaney at Enniscorthy earlier today.**

Large numbers visited Co. Wexford over the weekend and there were long tailbacks on the Wexford side of Oylegate village this evening as many exited the county.

Coastal areas were busy. The weather was kind. New traffic management arrangements were installed at several popular seaside resorts and everything appears to have worked out well. Plans are underway to provide shuttle bus services at Morriscastle and Curracloe going forward into the summer.

Gardai have been very active over the weekend and they report that everything went smoothly and there is nothing of serious consequence to report. Wexford County Council will also be reviewing events over the June Bank Holiday.

Swimmer safe after Ardamine scare

By Dan Walsh

A swimmer who got into difficulties off Ardamine beach yesterday (Sunday) is safe and well.

Courtown/Arklow Coast Guard Unit, Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117 from Waterford and the Lifeboat responded to a 999 call for a swimmer in difficulty off Ardamine beach at 5.32pm, The swimmer was quickly located and was able to make their way back to shore where the decision was made to have her assessed by ambulance paramedics and the Gardaí.

Once assessed and everything was fine the Coast Guard crew were stood down.

Remember if you see someone in difficulty on or near the water dial 999/112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Death of Courtown hotel proprietor

By Dan Walsh

Bunches of flowers have been laid at the entrance to the Taravie Hotel, Courtown Harbour, today, paying tribute to proprietor Maureen Willoughby, (née Quinn) who sadly passed away on Saturday evening surrounded by her loving family.

Maureen spent 41 years in the family run Taravie Hotel where she was popular with locals and visitors alike and was always good for a friendly welcome or a homely chat.

The Taravie Hotel boasts a lovely beachside location in Courtown, offering a home from home experience, ten en-suite guest rooms and all modern facilities developed and nurtured by Maureen and members of her family where loyal staff were treated like family members. The character and kindness that was Maureen will be deeply missed and sympathy is extended to her extended family and friends. R.I.P.

FAMILY NOTICE; MAUREEN WILLOUGHBY (née Quinn), Taravie Hotel, Courtown. Beloved wife of the late Eric and loving mother of Audrey and Shane, sister of Arthur, Patty and Pauline. She will be very sadly missed by her son, daughter, brother, sisters, grandchildren Ross, Grace and Samuel, daughter-in-law Imelda, brothers-in-law Martin and Bernard, sister-in-law Betty, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours, loyal customers and many friends.

Reposing at her son Shane’s residence on Monday from 3 pm until 8 pm. Funeral arriving to Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Riverchapel, on Tuesday for Funeral Mass (50 people) at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, to the Courtown RNLI. Social distance rules will apply at residence, church and cemetery.

Arrest follows cash seizure at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

A man in his 20s, originally from Poland, was arrested by Gardaí in relation to the seizure of a sum of cash at Rosslare Europort on Saturday morning.

Revenue officers stopped and searched a Polish registered freight vehicle at the port. The vehicle was intending to board a ferry to Bilbao, Spain.

**Detector dog Gus and the cash haul seized at Rosslare Europort this weekend.** (Pics; Revenue Commissioners)

The search, carried out with the assistance of detector dog, Gus, and a mobile x-ray scanner, led to the discovery of €181,000.

Revenue officers were granted a three month cash detention order by Judge Kevin Staunton at a special sitting of Gorey District Court. Investigations are ongoing.

These routine operations are part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting drug smuggling. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

Parish priest is honoured in Ferns

By Dan Walsh

Bishop of Ferns Dr Denis Brennan and Dean of Ferns, the Reverend Paul Mooney, representing the Church of Ireland community, were amongst the attendance at Fr. Patrick (Paddy) Cushen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in St. Aidan’s Church, Ferns, on Friday night.

**FR PADDY CUSHEN plants a tree to mark his Golden Jubilee at Ferns.**

A native of Graiguenamanagh, Fr Cushen was ordained at St. Peter’s College Wexford on June 6^th, 1971, and served in Chiswick, Archdiocese of Westminister, London, before being recalled to the Diocese of Ferns to serve as curate at Murrintown, Administrator in Wexford town in 1994, became parish priest of Marshalstown in 1997 and parish priest of Ferns since 2005.

Good wishes were expressed to Fr Cushen, who planted a tree to mark the special occasion. “We would like to wish Fr Paddy every happiness and good health to carry on his ministry here in the parish (od Ferns) for many years to come,” stated a community notice on social media.

In conjunction with Fr Cushen’s special occasion Bishop Brennan bestowed Bene Merenti medals on Michael Andrews and Mary Skelton in recognition of “their outstanding work in the parish and for everything they do for the church and the parish.”

Reading about the Cistercians!

By Dan Walsh

Founded in 1210, Dunbrody Abbey is one of the finest examples of a Cistercian monastery in Ireland and today the abbey features a modern visitor centre and has plenty to offer visitors at Campile.

Dunbrody Abbey and Visitor Centre is built on the site of one of the most impressive of ruined Cistercians abbeys in Ireland. It was founded by Herve de Montmorency in 1170 on the instructions of his nephew Richard de Clare (also known as Strongbow), after the Norman invasion of Ireland.

Today Dunbrody Abbey retains much of its 13th century church as well as extensive remains of buildings around the cloister garth. The transepts and their chapels are well preserved and beside the aisles, the nave stands complete; the massive crossing tower was an addition of the 15th century.

**DUNBRODY ABBEY one of the finest examples of a ruined Cistercian monastery in the country located near Campile.**

The abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1536 and granted to the Etchingham family in 1545, at which point part of the church was converted into a residence. A massive collapse occurred on Christmas Eve in 1852, destroying the south wall of the church and some of the monastery.

Next to the abbey lies Dunbrody Castle and a visitor centre opened by the Earl of Belfast, only son of the 7th Marquess of Donegall. The castle gardens feature an intricate yew hedge maze called the Dunbrody Abbey Maze. Made up of 1,500 yew trees and gravel paths, it is one of the only two full size mazes in Ireland.

Dunbrody Abbey and Castle are open to visitors to explore, enjoy walks and have picnics on the grounds. Located in a beautiful stretch of south-west Wexford, the abbey remains a vital and vibrant tourist attraction and a valuable historical resource.

Well worth a visit over the June Bank Holiday weekend! Opening times May to September 11am to 5.30pm. There is ample car parking and disabled access.

Bumper weekend starts at Morriscastle

By Dan Walsh

Large numbers are flocking to Morriscastle for the June Bank Holiday weekend and to avoid car parking problems like those unexpectedly experienced recently a new green field free public carpark capable of safely holding 350/400 vehicles opens on Saturday morning on a 2.5-acre site generously provided by local landowner Chris Hammel close to the popular Blue Flag beach.

“It was of huge importance to get this car park open ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend and I’m delighted that Hammel family came on board, and I thank them, Wexford County Council, Gerry Forde, Joanne Kehoe and their staff and Willie Hayden was the contractor,” Cllr Pip Breen told WexfordLocal.com

**CLLR PIP BREEN introducing the new Free Public Carpark at Morriscastle which opens at 8am on Saturday morning till end of August**

“We have a real fine Bank Holiday weekend coming up and there is a lot a people around and it is essential that people get a good experience at Morriscastle and the business is essential to sustain the local economy,” added Cllr Breen.

Good crowds outdoors at Kilmuckridge village this evening and it is also a plus that a new footpath from the village to the beach is operational and being used as a recreational facility by locals and visitors alike.

The ‘temporary’ car park is opened from 8am to 8pm every day till the end of August and a warm welcome awaits visitors from the excited coastal community.

AUDIO ADDITION – Cllr Pip Breen welcomes the new ‘temporary’ car parking facility at Morriscastle.

Enniscorthy Castle reopens after Covid

By Dan Walsh

Enniscorthy Castle is an imposing Norman stronghold originally built in the 13th century, the castle has hosted Anglo Norman knights, Gaelic Irish Kings and Elizabethan adventurers, English armies, Irish rebels and local merchant families.

**ENNISCORTHY CASTLE with Vinegar Hill in the background has reopened its doors to the public following the Covid-19 lockdown**

So why not pay a visit to this stately keep that has been recently restored and updated, the castle is now home to a new visitor experience that showcases the history of the town and its imposing castle. This is living history through the ages.

The ancient Castle Museum concept has been replaced by a more modern approach. How the castle was saved from a roofless ruin by the Roche family, a trip into the creative mind of local genius Eileen Gray, one of Europe’s world’s most renowned designers, and from the creative mind of Colm Tóibín the story of Brooklyn through the book and the film.

Just a few of the highlights. Add in Enniscorthy’s industrial past, downwards to the dungeon or upwards to the roof with its spectacular views of Enniscorthy, the Slaney Valley and famed Vinegar Hill… what more could you wish for? Fully wheelchair accessible, the roof of Enniscorthy Castle is awesome!

Enniscorthy Castle has re-opened after the Covid-19 lockdown from 9.30am to 5pm on weekdays and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from 12pm to 5pm. Admission is Adults €6… Seniors €5… Children €3… Family €12.