News and Sport and Events that matter across County Wexford.
At Wexford Circuit Court a male has received a sentence of eight years imprisonment for the unlawful possession of drugs.
This sentence was a result of a seizure by Gardai in Wexford town last September with a street value of €402,000.
By Dan Walsh
The Wexford Craft Trail is joined this year by the Makers House in the lower gallery at Wexford Arts Centre for the annual Christmas Craft Fair which opens today (Friday).
Christmas is that magical time of the year when we all look for something special for the ones we love… or simply for ourselves! The Christmas Craft Fair at Wexford Arts Centre is the place to find that unique present.
There will be a beautiful selection of handmade gifts including hand-thrown pots, fused glass mirrors and sun catchers, unique jewellery designs, lamps and lamp shades, sculpture, tapestries, wall hangings, hats and scarves – an exciting choice of so many things to treasure.
Crafts from Ceadogan Rugs, The Potter’s Yard, The Blue Egg Gallery, The Maker’s House, Martin Doyle Gilly Thomas Sculpture, Mairead Stafford, Rebecca Homfrey, Patricia Howard and the Wexford Craft Trail will be displaying their most unique artisan crafts and bring some festive cheer.
Make your own discovery of the authentic handcrafts whilst enjoying a visit to Wexford Arts Centre and D’Lush Café from today (Friday). Opening times are 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday; 10am to 4pm on Saturdays, and 11am to 3pm on Sundays.
Please note that Covid-19 protocols must be adhered to while visiting Wexford Arts Centre.
By Dan Walsh
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Ger Carthy has welcomed the recent announcement of a new six-day per week ferry service between Rosslare Europort and northern France by Danish shipping company DFDS.
Beginning on January 2nd next, the new ferry route will operate between Rosslare and Dunkirk with six weekly departures from each port, bringing to 13 the number of direct weekly sailings between Rosslare Europort and the European continent, each way, during peak times of year. The crossing time will be 24 hours and will bring hauliers and other users within three hours of Paris and 20 minutes from the Belgian border.
The new service will offer hauliers and the wider Irish industry sector a new option to replace the UK landbridge, post-Brexit, amid growing fears of delays on the landbridge once customs and other checks come into force in the New Year.
“This new service provides a hugely important freight route option for the many hauliers operating between Ireland and continental Europe and of course it will also be an attractive choice for inbound and outbound tourism once Covid travel restrictions ease” said Cllr Carthy, who added; “It is a very exciting development, not only for Rosslare Europort, but for Wexford and Ireland as a whole, and it has the potential to contribute significantly to the growth of the haulage and tourism sectors in Ireland over the next number of years.”
Cllr Carthy pointed out that facilities at Rosslare Europort are to undergo a major upgrade following the recent grant of planning permission to Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, for a multi-million overhaul of the site. “This investment, which I welcome, coupled with the development of the new N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road and a new Business Park will make Rosslare a highly desirable area for further investment and is sure to bring much needed job opportunities to County Wexford in the coming years,” concluded the Cathaoirleach.
By Dan Walsh
New Ross-based Cllr Michael Sheehan has called on the Government and the Registration Councils to waive the Nursing, Healthcare and Teaching Council fees for 2020 as a token appreciation of their work through the pandemic.
Cllr Sheehan told WexfordLocal.com that frontline workers deserve a break. “I have called for a tax credit for workers but given their unique role in fighting the Covid pandemic, nurses are getting their registration reminders now and the NMBI a charge €100 to become a registered nurse/ midwife with them. I think it’s unfair after all we have been through to ask them to pay this charge. Waive the charge, small money but big impact.
“Teachers face a similar charge from the Teaching Council and they too, should be given a waiver to show our thanks in overcoming the obstacles to keep teaching live,” added Cllr Sheehan.
Cllr Sheehan has received several calls for support for nursing staff and has made representations to Taoiseach Mícheál Martin and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to make this happen. “It is a small gesture but a meaningful one that shows our appreciation and understanding of the pressures they face. It’s one small part of many things we can do to show our thanks to them, their families and their vocations to keep us safe.”
By Dan Walsh
There is another burst water main in Gorey town and this time it is near the R772 Dublin Road.
Local Cllr Andrew Bolger has confirmed that he has been in contact with the local water engineering department and the repairs are expected to be complete around 8pm.
The areas still affected include Clonattin Estate, Doire Fea, Fox Hill, Oakridge, and Twin Oaks.
Meanwhile, a burst water main was repaired this afternoon by the Irish Water and Wexford County Council partnership.
Normal service has resumed at Raithin Cuilin, Hollyfort Road, Fort Road, Willow Park, Hunters Green, Allenwood Drive, Ashwood Grove, Cois Doire, Baile Eoghain, Woodlands Drive, Ramsfort Avenue, Creagh Demesne, Creagh, Garden City and Clonattin.
Customer queries should be directed to the customer line on 1850278278 or @IWCare.
By Dan Walsh
For the second time this week the water supply in Gorey town area is disrupted by a burst main.
| The areas affected include Raithin Cuilin, Hollyfort Road, Fort Road, Willow Park, Hunters Green, Allenwood Drive, Ashwood Grove, Cois Doire, Baile Eoghain, Woodlands Drive, Ramsfort Avenue, Creagh Demesne, Creagh, Garden City and Clonattin. In a statement issued in the past hour Irish Water are working in partnership with Wexford County Council to repair a burst water main in the Gorey town area. Most areas will not see any supply interruptions, but the supply will be shut off from 1pm in order for works to be carried out and it is expected to be fully restored by 5pm this afternoon. However, it may take a little longer for those on the extremities of the network to see supply fully restored as normal. There may be low pressure and discoloration too while the repair takes place. Customer queries should be directed to the customer line on 1850278278 or @IWCare. |
By Dan Walsh
Option C has been identified as the Preferred Scheme Option for the N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road that can best deliver the project objectives following an appraisal of the three scheme options under the six criteria.
Scheme Option C is presented in the map and consists of a combination of existing road and new road corridor to provide a new access route to Rosslare Europort.
The option utilises the existing Ballygerry Link Road and proposes a new section of road looping to the north and crossing the Dublin to Rosslare Harbour railway line before continuing east to connect into Rosslare Europort.
The map shows how the preferred scheme option will integrate with the proposed new internal layout in Rosslare Europort via a new roundabout.
Option C will improve accessibility in Rosslare Harbour, particularly for residents and vulnerable groups, by removing port traffic from the village. This offers the potential for enhanced social inclusion and reduced inequality through improved access to essential services and amenities.
Option C offers the best connectivity with proposed infrastructure developments for the Rosslare Europort Masterplan, the Waterford to Rosslare Harbour Greenway project and the N11/N25 Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour road project. It will also provide a new, high quality and segregated facilities for pedestrians and cyclists that will be fully integrated with the proposed Waterford to Rosslare Harbour Greenway project. This will also create a continuous and fully integrated circuit for active travel that may stimulate increased levels of physical activity by encouraging people to cycle or walk.
By Dan Walsh
Wexford’s Ferns Diocesan Youth Service (FDYS) will receive €8,000 in funding towards a ‘Safe Space’ project thanks to the 2020 LGBTI+ Communities Integration Fund.
Welcoming the news, Wexford TD and Minister for Law Reform James Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “This project will promote inclusion, protect rights and improve quality of life and well-being for members of the LGBTI+ community, enabling them to participate fully in our county and country’s social, economic, cultural, and political life.”
“FDYS works with young people in County Wexford to support them in realising their full potential and the funding of this project reflects the youth work organisation’s key priorities. Services and initiatives that work to promote inclusion and visibility for the LGBTI+ community have an increased importance at a time when many LGBTI+ people may feel disconnected from their community.
“I am confident that these projects will be successful in ensuring members continue to feel supported into 2021 and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Government and local stakeholders in supporting other applications through future funding schemes,” concluded Minister Browne.
By Dan Walsh
A number of businesses in Enniscorthy reopened yesterday (Tuesday) after 40 days in the wilderness due to Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions and more will reopen between now and Friday. The town is illuminated by the Christmas lights that were switched on virtually from Market Square last Friday.
Despite a Wexford wide mobile network failure, Santa and the Enniscorthy Elves rose to the occasion and the recorded event has been viewed by thousands from near and far on the @ShopEnniscorthy social media pages since. Late night shoppers were surprised to see Olaf and some more seasonal characters flitter about as the countdown rung out.
Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, who officiated, commented; “As we light up our town, let us firstly thank all our frontline and retail/service staffs that have worked so hard this year and hold in our thoughts all those affected by the pandemic. We support and applaud you. But let us also be joyous and excited about the season to come for our children and community. We need to shop local, keep safe, make every contact count, and celebrate the season in a spirit of unity and common purpose. The magic of Christmas will prevail.”
Local children are reminded to post their Santa Letters in the big green box now in situ at Market Square and to keep an eye out for Santa on the Square from next Saturday. Viewing times and further details will be issued on the www.facebook.com/shopenniscorthy page from Friday.
Remembering dearly departed loved ones and friends has always been a feature of the festive season and this year, the general public will have an opportunity of doing so by placing an intention label on the Christmas tree in the Market Square. The labels will be on sale from the central kiosk in the Square from next weekend and can be placed on the tree immediately or retained by the attendant for placement.
An Ecumenical Prayer Service will be held at the tree closer to Christmas to remember all who have gone before us. Celebrants will be Rev. Odhran Furlong, Administrator, St. Aidan’s Cathedral, and Rev. Nicola Halford, St. Mary’s Church of Ireland. Memory Labels are €2.50 each or five for €10 and all proceeds will be presented to St. Vincent de Paul Society by The Lions Club committee overseeing the project locally.
By Dan Walsh
Wexford County Council’s Special Projects Team won the award in the Disability Services Provision Category, for the inclusive Communications Board in the Min Ryan Park in Wexford town, at the Chambers Ireland 2020 Local Government Awards.
The collaboration between Wexford County Council, Inclusion Ireland, the InterAcT initiative of Trinity College, The Speech and Language Therapy Unit of the Central Remedial Clinic, Dublin and the HSE resulted in a first of its’ kind board that has received numerous requests for replication across the country.
The communication board is based on a number of factors, including: Acknowledging the variations in people and how they may communicate, offering an alternative communications method and taking time to listen by sight using symbols, gestures and pictures.
The means to communicate is essential for people’s physical and mental well-being. For a child, the ability to communicate is vital for their development, health, safety, and wellbeing. The communication board supports this necessity, and it does so in a fun, inclusive and practical way.
Min Ryan Park, an amenity that embraces play, imagination, creativity, nature and a sense of community, is an ideal location to engage elements that are at the core of any child’s development.
Since the opening of the park, there has been a massive outpouring of interest in the boards from across the country and beyond.
Brian Galvin, Senior Engineer, Special Projects, Wexford County Council, said of the win;“Min Ryan Park was developed by Wexford County Council at Killeens and opened to the public in June. The idea for a communication board at the Park came locally from Maria Banville of Cottage Autism Network and Jennifer Whelan of the HSE. The design and development of the board was a collaboration between Jennifer Whelan of the HSE, Dr. Rhona Dempsey, of the InterAcT initiative, the Speech and Therapy Unit of the Central Remedial Clinic and Wexford County Council. The end result is a single product which we believe improves the opportunity to communicate for many people across a broad spectrum of abilities.”
The 17th annual Excellence in Local Government Awards ceremony was held online and was organised in association with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
WexfordLocal.com 