WexfordLocal.com

5 Wexford students win top Texaco prizes

by Dan Walsh

Five Wexford students have won top prizes in this year’s 66th Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

All were winners of Special Merit Awards for artworks that Final Adjudicator, Professor Declan McGonagle said: “were imaginative and displayed high levels of skill”.

They were Alannah Brennan (age 18), a pupil at Gorey Community School; Noah Bates (13) from Bridgetown College; Sara Kinsella (13) from St. Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross; Mila Hurley (8) from Wexford Educate Together National School, Clonard and Finley Anderson (6) from St. Iberius National School, Wexford Town.

No stranger to the Competition, Noah won first prize in the 6 years and under category in 2012.

With the onset of Covid-19, the Competition had to be extended over a longer period this year with delays to the final adjudication process and the announcement of winners.

Activities normally undertaken during April and May – traditionally, the introduction of winners to the media and the formal presentation of prizes – had to be set aside as a consequence of which prizes will be delivered by hand without the possibility of an awards ceremony.

As a result of Covid-19, there is no opportunity to host a prize-giving event or to supply photographs of the Award winners, however, images of their artworks are attached.

€45,148 between 45 Wexford sports clubs

By Dan Walsh

€45,148 is granted to Sports Active Wexford under Local Sports Partnership Grant Scheme and the funding is welcomed by Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne TD.

The grant will support Sports Active Wexford’s ability to operate a grant scheme for community groups and sports clubs that may not be affiliated to a national organisation but still provide a vital local service.

Minister Browne commented, “I’m delighted that 45 Wexford clubs will benefit from this allocation to Sports Active Wexford. The primary aim of this grants scheme is to cover the costs associated with implementing COVID-19 public health protocols. I am sure that these clubs will benefit from a financial boost to help their return to sporting activities as soon as it is safe to do so in line with public health guidance.

Atrocious weather for today’s races

By Dan Walsh

Two point-to-point meetings today at Kilkenny and Limerick run in atrocious weather conditions, but the highlight was the four lengths victory of High Stakes in the Winner of Two race at the Kilkenny track.

A winner at Ballingarry and Necarne in September, runner-up at Loughamore a week ago, High Stakes is owned and trained by John Edward Walsh, Tinahely, and was the fifth winner of the season for his son, James, who has partnered him in all his races.

Matthew Flynn O’Connor, Ballycrystal, saddled Up For Parol in the maiden race for four-year olds at Damma House who gave an impressive performance winning by 18 lengths under Brian Lawless. A bay gelding by Fleminsfirth, Up For Parol will go to the sales.

**BARRY WALSH rode his 5th point-to-point winner**

The strong team of Monbeg Syndicate, Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James continued their good run of success with Promising Milan, first time out, who came home six lengths to the good in the maiden race for five and six-year old geldings.

Barry Walsh, Ballyday, Gorey, won the Open Novice Riders race on Solomon Grundy, by three lengths, for Ballindaggin handler Sean Doyle. Fifth career winner for Barry Walsh.

The last race of the day was won by Quill Road, owned by Tom Power and Annette Lawlor, trained at Fairwood, Tinahely, by Philip Rothwell, and ridden by Daniel Nevin from Gowran, who was enjoying success in his native county.

At Rathcannon Barry O’Neill won the mares’ maiden race by three lengths on Imitation Game, trained for Henry Chamney, by Richie Rath, Screen. That was the sole Wexford winner at the Limerick track.

CEIST seeks patronage of new Gorey school

By Dan Walsh

Welcoming the recent announcement of a new secondary school for Gorey, the Bishop of Ferns, Dr. Denis Brennan has today written to the priests and school principals of parishes in the Gorey school catchment area.

In his letter he has asked that they highlight to parents – of children in the 2nd to 6th classes in the parish schools – that the patronage of this new secondary school will ultimately be determined – by these parents themselves – through a voting process.
In the letter, Bishop Brennan has taken the opportunity to communicate his backing for CEIST, (a Catholic patron body that includes Mercy and Presentation schools) in its bid to secure a Catholic Post Primary School in the Gorey area.

“I think it’s important that we acknowledge the generosity of CEIST in this instance,” said Bishop Brennan. “Responding to requests received from within the Gorey area, they have undertaken to become involved – to make their gifts and experience available and to provide – if successful – an education to the highest of standards, in line with what can best be described, as a very life giving and well considered, Christian ethos.”
“CEIST approached me directly two weeks ago and I was delighted to support them in their application. Aware of the excellent work that is carried out by CEIST in the other main towns of our Diocese – St Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross, Presentation Secondary School, Wexford and Coláiste Bríde Enniscorthy – my response was very clear”said Bishop Brennan, who added; “it would be great to see Gorey now join and complete that list.”

Bishop Brennan told WexfordLocal.com; “My own thoughts on the matter of patronage are truly clear. Parents are the primary educators of their children. This process allows them to vote for what they believe is best. I believe CEIST is best and I extend to this patron body every good wish in its bid to provide a co-educational school for 600 pupils.

“The work of Ceist in 107 schools in Ireland makes them very deserving of a fair hearing in the north east of our diocese,” the Bishop concluded, “in their own words – they are ‘tried, tested and trusted’.”

Parents are invited to tune into a town hall meeting, hosted by CEIST in Gorey next Thursday, November 5^th at 8 pm. The meeting can be accessed via www.ceist.ie. At the meeting CEIST will make its case for patronage of the school and will outline to parents, how they can participate and have their say – in a very practical way – about their children’s future.
Parents from 2nd to 6th Class are eligible to vote and can do so on www.ceist.ie or directly on https://patronage.education.gov.ie

Barry O’Neill has another double

By Dan Walsh

Today’s point-to-point at Curraghmore, Co. Waterford, was relatively quiet for Wexford raiders by their own standards, however, the leading yards of Colin Bowe and Donnchadh Doyle continued winning form.

First timer Magic Daze is destined for the sales ring after a one and a half-length victory in the first division of the four-year-old mares’ maiden race for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill.

O’Neill went on to make it a riding double when he partnered Dunbar for Eoin Doyle, Mooncoin, to a two and a half lengths victory in the ‘older maidens’ race. This was O’Neill’s 25^th winner of the season.

Gentlemansgame with Rob James up had five lengths to spare in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. Another success for the Monbeg Syndicate and 10^th winner of the season for handler Donnchadh Doyle.

Rob James added a second winner for the afternoon on Some Man, by 10 lengths, for Fermanagh handler David Christie.

Storm Aiden is coming your way!

An Garda Síochána is advising that all unnecessary travel should be avoided following the Status Orange and Yellow warnings issued by Met Éireann which will come into effect from tomorrow at 5am, Saturday 31st October. For more info visit http://met.ie. #staysafe

Storm Aiden will impact heavily along the coastal areas of Munster, Connacht, and West Ulster, we are urging the public to follow the advice below:

Extraordinarily strong winds are predicted making driving conditions hazardous, especially for the more vulnerable road users, e.g., cyclists, pedestrian’s, motorcyclist, and high sided vehicles. Road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees, flying debris and flooded roads.

High seas and wave activity will make coastal areas hazardous; the public are advised to stay away from coastal areas/cliff walks during this period.

People are advised to remove or secure patio furniture, rubbish bins and any loose items from around buildings.

Local authorities will provide updated information on flooding and local conditions. People are advised to follow updated weather forecasts throughout the weekend.

Death of homeless man in Wexford town

By Dan Walsh

The Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Leonard Kelly has expressed sadness and described as “incredibly sad news” the lonely death of a homeless man who had been sleeping rough in the Newtown Road area of Wexford town.

The body of the Polish man in his 60’s was discovered this morning. The scene was sealed off for some time and an investigation is under way.

“Without knowing the particulars of his life, I am not going to speculate but to see a fellow human dying in such conditions is not something we should tolerate as a society. My thoughts are with him, his family and all those who are living through similar circumstances,” he said.

Mayor Kelly added that increased unemployment among our younger people, rising rents locally as well as changing patterns in drug and alcohol use are creating a perfect storm where more individuals are presenting as being at risk of homelessness or actually becoming homeless. “This need to be acknowledged by our policy makers, and more funding needs to be made available locally to deal with what will be a growing crisis if not tackled.”

Mayor Kelly is requesting the people of Wexford to join with him tonight in lighting a candle to the deceased and to his memory. “Please join me in lighting a candle if you can,” he concluded.

Sunday Prayer and Remembrance Service

By Dan Walsh

Bishop Denis Brennan will lead a Service to dedicate the month of November as a month of Prayer and Remembrance for the Dead and for the Comfort of the Bereaved at 3pm in St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, on Sunday. November 1^st.

Many parishes in the diocese will also hold their own Service so check out your local parish church for details. The Cathedral Service can be viewed online at https://www.churchservices.tv/enniscorthycathedral

Bishop Brennan told WexfordLocal.com; “This year, the month of November, in which we traditionally remember the dead and pray for the bereaved, will be particularly poignant. We sense a huge yearning for consolation and hope in the heart of our people. We are especially mindful in 2020 of those grieving families, who, because of restrictions, have been unable to experience the customary spiritual and community supports which are so much part of our Irish tradition.

“On Sunday at 3pm the bishops and priests of Ireland will lead a short service of prayer to dedicate the month of November to ‘Remembrance of the Dead and Prayer for the Bereaved’. We invite the whole country to unite in this moment which will be followed by parish liturgies throughout the month of November, reaching out as much as possible to those who cannot be physically present, concluded Bishop Brennan.

Ringbouys removed at Courtown Harbour

By Dan Walsh

There is widespread public concern and disappointment at the news that three Ringbouys have gone missing from Courtown Harbour this morning. They are presumed maliciously removed from their moorings as the likelihood of all three removed at the same time prompts suspicion!

David Swinburne, Officer-in-Charge Courtown Coast Unit told WexfordLocal.com; “The removal of Ringbouys is both wreckless and dangerous, when someone is in difficulty in water seconds are vital and every second counts when you are talking about someone’s life”

“If anybody has information please let the relevant authorities know. Ringbouys are located at vital points along coasts for public safety and removing them is not only an offence but puts public safety at risk,” said a spokesperson for Courtown RNLI.

The slogan is A Stolen Ringbouy- A Stolen Life. They have been reported missing to Irish Water Safety on Ringbouys.ie

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

Positive news for school secretaries and caretakers

By Dan Walsh

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed the positive progress being made in relation to regularising pay and conditions for school secretaries and caretakers.

Minister Browne, who along with his Fianna Fáil Party colleagues, campaigned for an end to the two tier structure which saw some school secretaries at a disadvantage when it came to sick leave, certainty of hours or pay increases, said it was important that Education Minister, Norma Foley T.D., move quickly on the issue.

Minister Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “Everyone knows their school secretary and caretaker – they are integral to the running of a school and have been taking on more responsibilities than ever, from assisting principals with complex administration, to organising fundraising for school events.

CLLR LISA McDONALD… supporting school secretaries and caretakers

“They really are the backbone of most schools and often the first port of call for students and parents and it’s important that this is recognised. “In these difficult times where we are expecting a lot from our schools it’s important that they know that they are valued and appreciated,” Minister Browne concluded.

The news is also welcomed by Cllr Lisa McDonald of the Rosslare Municipal District Council who told WexfordLocal.com; “This was in Fianna Fáil’s General Election manifesto. Good news for our school secretaries and caretakers!”