Bank Holiday Monday point-to-pointing took place today at Dawstown, near Blarney in Co. Cork, just six races and the only Wexford success was a double in the opening two races for Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe.
Point-to-point action at Ballycrystal (File Photo)
Newcomer Harry Du Berlais gave a fine exhibition of jumping and scored by an easy ten lengths in the maiden race for four-year-olds. He is now for sale.
Craan Run completed the O’Neill/Bowe double with a three lengths victory in the maiden race for five-year-old mares and over. Both winners were in the colours of Milestone Bloodstock Ltd, Kiltealy.
Barry O’Neill is now on the 40 winner mark for the season and Colin Bowe is on the 32 mark to retain the rider and handlers’ national championship, respectively, when the season ends early next month.
Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the announcement by Agriculture and the Marine Minister, Charlie McConalogue of government investment amounting to €445,000 for harbours and piers across Co. Wexford. One quarter of the funding (€111,750) will be provided by Wexford County Council.
KILMORE QUAY
Most of the cost will be spent at Kilmore Quay with many projects including upgrade of power points, repair to quay walls, mooring bollards, access ladder on the west pier. Repair works to the marina and painting of the marina piles.
Other projects include public lighting at Fethard Pier, the construction of a safety barrier on the slipway at Cahore Pier and improving the power supply at Wexford Quay and remedial works to Ferrybank slipway. Duncannon is set to get an new waste oil tank, some improvements at Ballyhack, repairs to the marina at New Ross and the quay walls at Killurin are earmarked for repairs.
Senator Byrne told WexfordLocal.com; “For our coastal communities, ongoing investment in our harbours and piers is vital. Apart from repair work, this allocation of funding will also make many of the facilities safer and more useable by the public.”
Lots of interest in the May Bush Festival across Co. Wexford this weekend.
The tradition of decorating the May Bush was fostered publicly in the media by folklorist Michael Fortune with strong support from Wexford County Council.
Great response across the county with Michael Fortune and family probably hitting the high notes at Curragraigue, just a few fields from Ballindaggin village.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions big gatherings were outlawed, but people responded appropriately, and many small ‘festivals decorating the May Bush’ were practiced privately by families in their own gardens.
May Bush exhibit at the entrance to Fethard National School
However, on my travels over the weekend, I discovered a wonderful May Bush presentation by the side of the road at the entrance to Scoil Mhadhóig Fiod Ard (Fethard National School). Clearly, the pupils, teachers and parents put in a big effort and they deserve to be complimented. Well done to all!
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.
CLLR CATHAL BYRNE
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.
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. 50th 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 10th winner of the current season, came home six lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
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.
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 11th 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.
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.
CLLR MICHAEL SHEEHAN
“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.
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.
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.
WexfordLocal.com 