Wexford stalwarts amongst hurling ‘all-time greats’

By Dan Walsh

An Irish writer/broadcaster Henry Wymbs writing in London published newspaper The Irish Post recently admits that while he played football “hurling was my first love” and he decided to select the best hurling team of the 1960s…and Wexford performs with pride.

Seven Wexford players get a favourable mention amongst the “all-time greats”; Pat Nolan, Tom Neville, Jim English, Billy Rackard, Jim Morrissey, Tony Doran and Oliver ‘Hopper McGrath.

His favourite goalkeepers were Ollie Walsh, Kilkenny and Pat Nolan, Wexford, about whom he wrote; “A tremendous keeper under pressure, and the essence of reliability, his lengthy clearances created many scoring opportunities for the Wexford forwards.”

WEXFORD’S LEGENDARY HURLING GOALKEEPERS. PAT NOLAN (Oylegate-Glenbrien) and the late ART FOLEY (St. Aidan’s, Enniscorthy).

His Defenders were Jimmy Brohan, Cork; Tom Neville, Wexford; “A tower of strength at corner back for Wexford, Tom was a tenacious tackler and gave sterling service to the ‘Yellow Bellies’; Austin Flynn, Waterford, Noel Drumgoole, Dublin, Kieran Carey, Tipperary, Lar Foley, Dublin, Tom McGarry, Limerick, Jim English, Wexford; “A terrific hurler, who was fiercely competitive with great ball control and composure. A class act in the early sixties”, Billy Rackard, Wexford; “Billy was a colossal hurler and a rock-solid defender. He perfected the art of catching the dropping ball as he held off his opponent with his shoulder protecting his hand with his hurl. A man with a splendid physique, unrivalled vision and incredible strength when lashing the ball up field”, Martin Og Morrissey, Waterford, Jimmy Duggan, Galway, and Ollie Fennell, Laois.

MIDFIELD; Theo English, Tipperary, and Jim Morrissey, Wexford; “This was an exemplary sportsman, and a wonderful striker of the ball both on the ground and in the air.”

FORWARDS; Jimmy Doyle, Tipperary, Christy O’Brien, Laois, Tony Doran, Wexford; “One of the stars of Wexford’s hurling triumph in 1968, donning the mantle of his hero Nickey Rackard. He was over six-foot-tall, forceful and hardworking.”, Donie Nealen, Tipperary, Eddie Keher, Kilkenny, Larry Guinan, Waterford, Achill Boothman, Dublin, Liam Devaney, Tipperary, Paddy Molloy, Offaly, Tom Walsh, Kilkenny, and Oliver (Hopper) McGrath, Wexford; “Hopper was the first Wexford player to come out of the town of Wexford in the late fifties. Though small in build, he made up for his size with his bewildering pace and unlimited hurling skills.”

That’s it folks, until we hit the 1970s. In the meantime, do look after yourselves and stay safe.

Henry Wymbs has always had a love of Gaelic football and hurling and played inter-county football for Sligo in 1967. He now presents ‘Irish Eye’, a weekly Irish music programme broadcast from Oxford across BBC Radio Oxford, BBC Radio Berkshire and online via BBC iPlayer. Email henry.wymbs@bbc.co.uk.

All aboard at Rosslare for Dunkirk

By Dan Walsh

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the first day of sailings on the new direct ferry service by Dutch shipping operator DFDS between Rosslare Europort and Dunkirk and the voyage is fully booked out, according to a company spokesperson.

DFDS is launching the new six-times weekly direct service from Rosslare Europort to Dunkirk in northern France as an alternative to the British land-bridge route and new EU-UK border checks put in place after Brexit came into effect at 11pm on New Year’s Eve (Thursday). The voyage time will be 24 hours.

Aidan Coffey, Route Director with DFDS, said the two ships leaving Rosslare on Saturday, at 2pm and 11pm, were fully booked, as is the 10pm sailing from Dunkirk on the same day.

Mr Coffey said there were about 120 freight units on each sailing with a mix of both driver-accompanied trucks and unaccompanied trailers including refrigerated and ambient units.

The DFDS ships are already in place, the MS Visby in Dunkirk and Kerry and Optima Seaways in Rosslare and have carried out berthing exercises in recent days.

The Stena Horizon sailing on Saturday will carry more than 50 driver-accompanied lorries along with between 40 and 50 unaccompanied trailers on the sailing from Rosslare to Cherbourg.

Extra ships involved in berthing exercises at Rosslare Europort last week in preparation for new direct routes to Europe. (Pic; George Lawlor).

Death of former Kilmuckridge Parish Priest

By Dan Walsh

The death has occurred of retired Parish Priest of Kilmuckridge, where he served for ten years, and formerly of Coolerin, New Ross, Very Rev. Canon Noel Hartley (90) who died peacefully on New Year’s Day at Knockeen Nursing Home, Barntown.

A native of Campile, he was educated at Horeswood National School and St. Peter’s College, Wexford, and was ordained to the priesthood on April 17th 1955.

VERY REV. NOEL CANON HARTLEY

He served as curate at Boolavogue (1955-1969), Caim (1969) and Wexford town from 1971 until appointed Administrator in 1977. He served as parish priest in Adamstown from 1979 until his appointment as parish priest to Kilmuckridge (Litter) on September 29th 1990. He retired on September 23rd 2000.

Deepest sympathy is extended. Beloved son of the late Patrick and Bridget and brother of the late Tom, Paddy, Sr. Mary, Joan, Stasia and Teresa. Sadly, missed by his brothers Bill, John and Martin, sisters Bridie, Margaret and Cathy, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, Bishop Denis Brennan and fellow clergy of the Diocese of Ferns, his former parishioners and friends. R.I.P.

In accordance with the current Government guidelines, a strictly private family funeral will take place on Sunday, January 3rd at 11am. For those unable to attend the Funeral Mass will be available to view by logging onto https://www.facebook.com/litterparish.

Man dies in road collision at Davidstown

By Dan Walsh


A man in his late 30s has died in single vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 9.25am today (Thursday) at Ballyeden, Davidstown, on the Clonroche/Wexford road (R730) just off the N30 junction at Ballymackessey.

The only occupant of the car involved was pronounced dead at the scene. The body has since been removed for a post-mortem which will be carried out at a later date.

The road was closed for a period as Forensic Collision Investigators examined the scene but is now fully reopened.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward and for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area at the time to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on 053 9242580, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

REVIEW 2020; Crossing the longest bridge

By Dan Walsh

The New Ross bypass scheme was opened to traffic at 10.15am on Thursday, January 30th, 2020. It eased chronic traffic congestion in New Ross town offering time savings of up to 30 minutes and provided efficiencies on the strategic N25 route from Cork to Rosslare Europort while also supporting the future growth and sustainability of New Ross town and the South East region.

TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR unveiling the memorial stone at Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge. Also in picture are Minister Paul Kehoe, Cllr Michael Sheehan, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Rose Katherine Kennedy, Cllr Peter Cleere, Cathaoirleach Kilkenny County Council, and Cllr Joh Fleming, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar joined Rose Katherine Kennedy Townsend at the official opening ceremony of the N25 New Ross Bypass on Wednesday, January 29th 2020.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said; “This new bypass, which includes Ireland’s longest bridge, will transform New Ross, Wexford, Kilkenny and the South-East.”

Speaking at the event great-grandchild of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy; Rose Katherine Kennedy Townsend said, “This bridge is a wonderful tribute to my great grandmother, and a symbol of her enduring love and lesson that it does not matter who you are, where you come from, we are all God’s children. When some leaders threaten to drive us apart we need to honour those who build bridges that bring us together.”

An Taoiseach LEO VARADKAR and Rose Katherine Kennedy take a quiet stroll on the new N25 New Ross Bypass.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr Michael Sheehan said the new road network will enable the redevelopment of the region, unleash potential and rejuvenate New Ross. “I would like to congratulate all of the people involved in every aspect of today’s project on a job well done. Our time has come; a new chapter in our future is now ours to write. With a global marvel of engineering and a sophisticated road network at our door, County Wexford is now ripe for a new era of investment, industry and interest.”

Wexford County Council Chief Executive, Tom Enright said; “The N25 New Ross Bypass is another vital link in the overall connectivity and safer access to and from the South East Region; to and from County Wexford and the town of New Ross in particular. This major infrastructural development will help to attract investment into the Region. The resolution of the chronic traffic congestion in New Ross will result in environmental and quality of life improvements, which will make the historic town a destination of choice.”

The 15km Bypass Project includes the 887-metre long structure named the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, the longest bridge in Ireland, and its two main spans are the longest post-tensioned concrete spans of their type in the world. The bridge crosses the River Barrow between Wexford and Kilkenny and forms a major part of the €230 million investment in the South East region and was delivered within budget.

The delivery of the N25 New Ross Bypass is the culmination of over 20 years work by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly National Roads Authority), Wexford County Council and Kilkenny County Council as well as technical advisors for the scheme, Mott MacDonald Ireland. Construction works were undertaken by New Ross Joint Venture, consisting of BAM Civil and Dragados. On average, a workforce of 300 people was employed throughout construction and approximately 2.5 million work hours were completed on-site to bring the scheme to fruition.

The viewing stand at the opening of the N25 New Ross Bypass and the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge as An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addresses the invited attendance on January 29th 2020.

The 35th president of the United States, John F Kennedy’s ancestors hailed from Dunganstown and the Kennedy Homestead is less than one mile from the new bridge. President Kennedy proudly visited his family town of New Ross in the summer of 1963.

€2.7m investment in Wexford Fire Service

By Dan Walsh

County Wexford will get a new fire engine, there will be continued support for the new fire station in New Ross, refurbishment works for Gorey Fire Station and continued upgrades to communications and mobilisation systems.

Welcoming the announcement Minister James Browne said; “This is a very welcome announcement for Wexford. Works are already underway on a new fire station in New Ross which are expected to cost an estimated €1.7 million. Gorey, which is one of nine fire stations nationally to be allocated funding for refurbishment, is currently at design stage with €0.5 million allocated for the works and a new fire engine for the county comes at a cost of approximately €0.5 million meaning just under €3 million in funding for Wexford under this programme.

GOREY FIRE STATION has been allocated €0.5 million for upgrading and refurbishment works.

“This year of all years we are very aware of the vital work our emergency services do for us. We are all so grateful to them and thank them for continuing to keep us safe,” he concluded.

Welcoming today’s news, Senator Malcolm Byrne said; “We have a great team working at the fire station in Gorey and they deserve to be working in a modern environment with the latest equipment.”

Cllr Michael Sheehan welcomed news of the new New Ross Fire Station at Hewittsland, (opposite Tesco) on WexfordLocal.com last October.

It will be a state of the art three-bay fire station with 14 parking spaces, a training yard, tower, lecture room and offices. The tender has been allocated to local construction company Kevin Thorpe Ltd, Adamstown.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, today announced a new €61 million Fire Service Capital Programme 2021-2015. The programme will see six new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments and 35 new fire engines allocated. 

Liz Doyle wins at Leopardstown

By Dan Walsh

Wexford trainer Liz Doyle was in the winners’ enclosure  as her charge Burlesque Queen (8/1) prevailed in the the two and a half mile Irish Daily Mail Christmas Handicap Hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival today.

LIZ DOYLE saddled a winner at Leopardstown

The six-year-old mare, in the first-time hood, won by one and a half lengths for the Crossabeg stables and was a nice winner for conditional jockey James O’Sullivan, Ballydaniel, Camolin.

Commenting afterwards Liz Doyle said; “James gave her a beautiful ride, he does get on well with her. I tried ear plugs in her and it probably annoyed her. She had a first-time hood today but her improvement is purely due to settling and having a good gallop.”

Jonathan Moore from Tomgarrow, Adamstown, enjoyed his first Group 1 success at the Christmas Leopardstown Festival. Moore was riding for his Meath-based boss, Gavin Cromwell, on Flooring Porter (11/1) in the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle and after making the running for most of the race ran on well at the finish with six lengths to spare,

“All credit to Gavin and the owners. They had the courage to supplement him for this race and it’s paid off. What a horse!,・ said the delighted jockey afterwards, who added; I felt like I was always in my comfort zone out there.”

Paul Nolan saddled a winner at the Limerick Christmas Festival today. Itsnotinit (5/1 jt-fav.) was a ready winner of the D Pack Packaging Handicap Hurdle ridden by Philip Enright.

Stable representative James Nolan said; “He is a big chaser in the making and will stay over hurdles this season.”

There was a second Wexford trained winner at Limerick when Seamus Neville, Brideswell, Bridgetown, won the CUBE Handicap Hurdle at Limerick with Notice To Close (5/4 fav.) in the colours of his wife, Ina, for a festival victory.

Late nights in the ‘Ballroom of Romance’

By Dan Walsh

Entertainment was the first casualty of the Covid-19 lockdown and probably will be the last to return which turns our tradition firmly on its head as our nation likes to bogey, waltz, jive and smooch whenever a musician creates a rhythm.

St. Stephen’s Night used to be one of the great occasions. Thousands would flock to Adamstown. For many it was the highlight of the Christmas holidays and many teenagers would be on temporary release from boarding school. The atmosphere on the floor would be electric and there might be extra entertainment outside as to the choice of partner! There were always a sideshow in the old days!

ADAMSTOWN BALLROOM today.

Promoter Danny Doyle reckons that “60% of the people in Wexford met their husband or wife in Adamstown Ballroom.” The ceilí dance in the parish hall or dancing at the crossroads were the only form of rural entertainment at the time and most were tied in with festive occasions like the patron or fraughan day so it is little surprise that the spacious ballroom and the growing popularity of the showbands would take the country by storm.

Adamstown Show Society was founded in 1947 and one of its aims was to build a hall, so a 12-person committee was put in place to fundraise and oversee the construction and on May 1st, 1955 Adamstown Ballroom opened its doors for the first to celebrate that year’s Show Dance. It was named St. Abban’s Hall after the local patron saint.

The heyday of Adamstown Ballroom was from the end of the 1960s into the 1980s and for couples of a certain generation this place was their ‘Ballroom of Romance’. A meeting place ideally located in the centre of rural Wexford.

Passing Adamstown Ballroom brings back a flood of memories of thousands of happy dancers enjoying themselves with the biggest showbands in the business setting the walls alive with the sound of music until 2 in the morning. You can almost still hear the band playing! A bag of chips from Booth’s little shop next door and off home to begin work a few hours later on Monday morning!

AUDIO ADDITION – JOHNNY CARROLL and his trumpet always captured the ballroom mood.

The past year in Kilmore

By Dan Walsh

The 49th annual Kilmore Parish Journal was ‘ghost launched’ this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and quickly found itself being swept off the shelves and into the homes of Kilmore people at home and abroad. Christmas would not be the same in Kilmore without the Journal which has a legion of readers.

The effects of the Covid-19 lockdown are captured in images while a survey on some of the Kilmore Diaspora makes interesting reading.

Ciaran Hayes from Grange works as a Water Treatment Engineer in Singapore. “One unusual restriction during the lockdown was that you had to be alone outside the home,” said Ciaran, who added; “So, despite sharing an apartment with my partner, we were not allowed even go for a walk together for about a month!”

KILMORE MEMORIAL

The parish has welcomed a new parish priest, Fr Pat Mernagh, who has left the Defence Forces having been Chaplain for the past 16 years at McKee Barracks, Dublin.

There was a warm send off for the departing parish priest Fr Denis Doyle who dedicated 18 years to the people of the community having arrived in 2002.

There was bad news in the parish too. “The year 2020 will be remembered by fishermen as one of our worst years. We started the year with very bad weather from November to January. Just as the weather picked up in February Covid-19 hit the markets in Europe and knocked fish prices flat and since then demand and prices have never recovered.”

In sport, Kilmore produced two county champions in 2020. Kilmore GAA Ladies Football Club won the County Intermediate Championship and Kilmore also won the County Junior A Hurling Championship – and both victorious groups were chosen to share the front page of this year’s Journal.

And for the historically minded readers there is a comprehensive article on Sigginstown Castle, which is a history of several hundred years and many families, penned by Liz and Gordon Jones, who purchased the castle in 2016.

AUDIO ADDITION – SEAMUS O’BRIEN, Editor, Kilmore Parish Journal.

Kilmore Parish Journal, No. 49 2020/21, Editor Seamus O’Brien, ISSN 1649 2846. Still a few copies left.

Arrested in Wexford for fraud offences

Gardaí attached to the Garda Extradition Unit and Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) have executed nine European Arrest Warrants including the arrest of a 52-year-old male in Wexford wanted for fraud offences in Poland.    

Detective Superintendent Michael J. Mullen of the Garda Extradition Unit remarked that, “the significant arrests, coordinated by detectives attached to Organised and Serious Crime, supported by local members across the country, represents our ongoing commitment to ensuring persons wanted on international arrest warrants are brought to justice.”   

All nine have appeared before the High Court and are currently remanded to reappear before the High Court on 8th January 2021.