WexfordLocal.com

Rosslare to Dunkirk in 24 hours

By Dan Walsh

A new six day per week shipping route operated by DFDS from Rosslare Europort to Dunkirk in France is to commence on January 2^nd.

The new service will bring to 13 the number of direct sailings between Rosslare Europort and the European continent, each way, every week, during peak times of year.

“This is a hugely exciting development, not only for us in Rosslare Europort, but for Ireland as a whole, Irish industry, and the haulage sector”, Port General Manager Glenn Carr said this morning.

Voyage time for the Rosslare-Dunkirk will be 24 hours which is longer than the sailings to other French ports such as Cherbourg or Roscoff, but will bring hauliers and other users within three hours of Paris and 20 minutes from the Belgian border.

**ROSSLARE EUROPORT was busy on Thursday afternoon.**

Local Minister James Browne TD has described the establishment the new shipping route as “as a game changer for the South East.”

“Having a new direct route to mainland Europe will be vital for trade, particularly if the expected delays at British Ports materialises as is predicted from December 31^st.

“I have advocated for a new route with numerous stakeholders in Government and in the industry. Recently I met with Minister for Trade Promotion Robert Troy TD on this very issue.

Recently, on Minister Browne’s invitation Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne TD visited Rosslare Europort and met with General Manager of Rosslare Europort Glenn Carr, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Tom Enright, Gardaí Superintendent Jim Doyle, and Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr. Ger Carthy. At this meeting the future of the Port and new routes were discussed.

“Today’s announcement is massively important for the South East. It secures our county as a key trading location for decades to come and will be hugely beneficial to Wexford and the wider region,” concluded Minister Browne.

Other shipping operators already sailing from Rosslare to the continent are StenaLine, Irish Ferries and Brittany Ferries.

There are currently three return sailings between Rosslare and France each week as well as three between Dublin and Cherbourg and three between Dublin and Rotterdam.

This news comes after planning permission was granted for a €30m development at Rosslare, which includes a reconfiguration of the port along with new infrastructure and facilities, aimed at increasing the number of routes.

Other developments in the area include construction of a new N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Wexford County Council, as well as a new business park by Dutch company XELLZ and a new border inspection post, which includes facilities for Customs, health and agriculture checks, designed for the post-Brexit business environment.

Christmas bonus payment from early December

By Dan Walsh

Local Minister James Browne TD has received confirmation from his colleague, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphries TD, that the Christmas bonus on social welfare payments will be issued from week beginning December 7^th.

Minister Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “I welcome confirmation from the Minister that the Christmas bonus will be paid this year to those in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment. Up to 90% of people on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will also receive the Christmas bonus which is only right and fair.

“Over 1.6 million people will receive this payment, totalling €390 million. It will be a welcome payment ahead of Christmas in what has been a challenging year for all households.

“The Christmas and New Year period bring their own financial challenges. Like previous years this additional payment will help households manage during this time,” concluded Minister Browne.

Lidl Enniscorthy supporting local jobs

By Dan Walsh

Lidl Ireland has opened its rebuilt Enniscorthy store on the Kiltealy Road, in a new state-of-the-art store creating eight jobs for the locality bringing the total number of people employed through the store to 29.

Approximately 200 people were employed through the construction phase of the new Lidl Enniscorthy store.

**Lidl Enniscorthy Store Manager, Fran Butler and LGFA star, Clara Donnelly cut the ribbon at this morning’s official store opening**

The former store was demolished and rebuilt with a modern finish to create an enhanced shopping experience for customers including a convenient large 117 space cark park which includes two electric vehicle charging spaces. However, the sustainable features don’t stop in the carpark as the store is fully equipped with an ISO 50001 certified Energy Management System including the installation of a solar photovoltaic system.

The Lidl Enniscorthy team were joined this morning by Wexford LGFA star, Clara Donnelly to officially open the store. “It’s an absolute pleasure to officially open the new and impressively improved Lidl Enniscorthy store. As a local myself, I have missed the store since it closed temporarily back in June so it’s great to see it back in business and just in time for Christmas.”

Echoing the excitement of the opening, Store Manager, Fran Butler welcomed the loyal Lidl customers of Enniscorthy to the new store. “Lidl Enniscorthy was one of our first Irish stores to open all the way back in June 2005, which meant building the new store on the same site felt like a nice tribute. This rebuild has been worked on since 2018, so it is great to see it coming to completion just in time for Christmas. We have really gotten to know the local community over the years and missed many familiar faces during our temporary closure. I think I can speak for the entire team here when I say we are looking forward to welcoming our loyal customers to our new store with even more space and range on offer.”

A true entity among the Enniscorthy community, Lidl have also constructed a roadway for nearby neighbours, Wexford Community Workshop, to give them safer access to their facility as well as a pedestrian link between the workshop and the new Lidl store. Likewise, the retailer has built a fence adjacent to the Moyne Rangers Football Club to provide them with greater security.

In celebration of the opening, Lidl Enniscorthy welcomed representatives from the Hope Cancer Support Centre to accept a donation of €1,000 to support the ongoing work they do in the Enniscorthy community, providing emotional support and information to people whose lives have been changed by a cancer diagnosis.

Death of Enniscorthy businessman

By Dan Walsh

Tributes are paid following news of the death of John Power, Carrig, Bree, founder of Power Plant Hire Ltd the well-established hire and sales business on the Old Dublin Road, Blackstoops, Enniscorthy. He passed away peacefully in the loving care of his family.

John Power with his wife Joan and family returned from England in 1974 and set up a service to the construction industry involving hire and sales of tools, cement mixers and dumpers.

The business was a success and operated from Carrig, Bree. The expansion of the business prompted a move to a bigger premises and Mr Power purchased a premises and opened on the Old Dublin Road in March 1982 where the family business continues to trade successfully to this day.

Mr Power was highly respected as a successful businessman loyal to his staff and customers with an emphasis on quality and prompt service at all times.

Deepest sympathy is extended. Beloved husband of Joan, loving father of Johnny, Angela, Siobhán and Kieran and brother of the late Jim. Sadly missed by his loving family, son-in-law Bill (Lipinski), daughters-in-law Deirdre and Nicola, grandchildren Conor, Hannah, Laragh, Kevin, Allie, Pierce, Eva and Anna, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace.

John will be laid to rest on Thursday in the New Cemetery, Bree after a Private Funeral Mass in the Church of the Assumption, Bree. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Co. Wexford Hospice Homecare.

Normal use of Sow drinking water resumes

By Dan Walsh

The Boil Water Notice for the Sow Regional Public Water Supply in effect since November 12^th has been lifted with immediate effect. Affected were customers in Ballymurn, Oylegate, Crossabeg, Oulart, The Ballagh, Glenbrien, Curracloe, Screen, Castlebridge and surrounding rural areas.

All affected consumers on the Sow Regional Public Water Supply can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.

A statement issued this afternoon reads; “Irish Water and Wexford County Council wishes to notify consumers that following completion of remedial measures and the receipt of satisfactory monitoring results, the boil water notice in place is now lifted with immediate effect. This decision follows consultation undertaken with the Health Service Executive.”

Irish Water and the Wexford County Council – Health Service Executive Water Local Liaison Group will continue to meet and review ongoing process control, monitoring and testing of the drinking water supply.

Irish Water and Wexford County Council acknowledge the patience, co-operation and assistance of affected consumers during the period of the Boil Water notice and greatly regrets any inconvenience caused to householders and the business community.

Further information is available on website at www.water.ie.

Monageer farmer seeks votes for IFA chair

By Dan Walsh

James Kehoe, (41), a suckler to beef, sheep and tillage farmer from Monageer, near Enniscorthy, has served as Chairman of Wexford IFA (Irish Farmers Association) for almost four years, but he faces a fresh challenge as a lively enthusiastic contender for the important position of Chairman of South Leinster IFA when the election takes place early next month.

With his four-year term as Wexford County Chairman nearing an end, he is now currently standing for election as South Leinster Chairman. This post covers eight counties (Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Kilkenny, Carlow, Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford), and allows him to represent them on the Board of the IFA.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions this is the first time it will be a Postal Vote with approximately 750 delegates eligible to cast their vote across the region. Ballot papers will be distributed about December 6^th, they will need to be returned around December 17^th-18^th, and then the count will take place.

While relatively young in IFA terms, James has a wealth of experience under his belt at this stage. This includes dealing with local farmer issues such as animal welfare, sheep attacks, vulture funds, fair deal and many infrastructure problems with local roads and services in Wexford.

James has considerable experience in community involvement and has been prominent in fundraising and assisting charities as well as being a member of many of local organisations including the County Show Committee, Co. Wexford Farmers’ Club, Initiation Team for Wexford Live Crib and the County Wexford Rural Ireland Crime Prevention Forum.

James Kehoe has been heavily involved in the IFA since he joined the organisation in 1996 and in that time, he has held the position of Chairman in his local branch of Monageer from 2005 to 2009. He represented Wexford on the National Sheep Committee where he was also a member of the Management Committee. He was Vice Chairman of Wexford from 2015 – 2016 and he then went on to be elected Chairman of Wexford IFA in 2017.

Some of his highlights include being one of the main drivers and negotiators for the IFA during the setting up a Sheep Welfare Scheme which was of huge benefit to Irish Sheep Farmers and the environment. All too often there are reports of major sheep kills and James was instrumental in getting a second Dog Warden employed in the county. This has helped elevate the untold tragedy of unlicensed dogs causing damage and distress, not alone to animals, but, to farm families dealing with the aftermath.

He dealt with many issues that arose during the construction of the Enniscorthy and New Ross bypasses. This required discussions with TII, BAM and the local county council. These negotiations took a lot of time and energy and achieved a favourable outcome for the landowners, but he and his team saw each issue through to completion.

AUDIO ADDITION – JAMES KEHOE talks to DAN WALSH about his quest for Chairman of South Leinster IFA

€2.6m for beef farmers and €0.5m for sheep farmers in county Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Payments of €2.6 million will be paid to 1,103 farmers in County Wexford under the new Beef Finisher Scheme (BFP). 508 Wexford sheep farm holdings will share in grants to the value of €506,000 under the Sheep Welfare Scheme. The payments are welcomed by Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne.

Minister Browne explained how the Beef Finisher Payment “provides valuable income support to County Wexford farmers. The economic impact for those farmers who finished cattle when prices were under particular pressure as a result of COVID-19 earlier this year will be lessened as a result of these grant payments. Beef farming is an important economic activity, with a significant multiplier effect in County Wexford’s rural communities. It’s vitally important that the Government sustains these communities as we work towards economic recovery.”

**Wexford farming. A view from Bree Hill**

The Beef Finisher Payment is the latest supportive measure for the beef and suckler sectors carried out by the Department of Agriculture in recent times. As well as the Beef Finisher Payment issuing today, €6m in funding has been secured for the marketing and branding of suckler-based brand while a further €85m has been secured as part of Budget 2021 to support sustainable beef farming – these measures include €40m for the rollover of the BDGP, a further €40m for BEEP and €5m for the calf weighing scheme. These come on top of the €76m BEAM scheme, which issued in 2019, and the first BDGP scheme which concluded recently.

508 Wexford sheep farm holdings will share in grants to the value of €506,000 in advance payments under year four of the Sheep Welfare Scheme.

Minister Browne stated; “I am pleased to see the commencement of payments to County Wexford sheep farmers. The scheme reflects the commitment of the Government to the sheep sector in Ireland and provides a significant financial boost to the individual farmers and the sheep sector in general.”

The Minister added; “In other positive news, my party colleague, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, has secured funding for an additional year of the Sheep Welfare Scheme as we enter the CAP transitional period. The additional year of the Scheme will be opening in the February 2021 and, as in previous years, there will be an opportunity for new entrants to the sector to join the scheme.”

€295,595 for Wexford Enterprise Centres

By Dan Walsh

Funding of €295,595 has been granted to three Enterprise Centres in Co. Wexford. €99,400 will be granted to the Enniscorthy Enterprise and Technology Centre, €52,800 to the Hatch Lab in Gorey and €144,395 to Wexford Enterprise Centre.

Commenting on the good news, Paul Kehoe TD said; “I am really pleased to see this funding coming to our Enterprise Centres at a time when the need for them is greater than ever. These funds will go towards modernising their facilities, protecting the health and safety of people who work there and helping to secure much needed jobs.

“These centres provide both rented accommodation space to enterprise and capability building supports and services through the delivery of structured programmes and have a track record of the delivery of a suite of development programmes to start-ups,” he concluded.

These centres provide both rented accommodation space to enterprise and capability building supports and services through the delivery of structured programmes and have a track record of the delivery of a suite of development programmes to start-ups.

Drama ‘over the banks’ at Lingstown

By Dan Walsh

There was a dramatic ending to the 8-runner Open Lightweight Nomination race over the Lingstown banks course this afternoon as Better B Quick came home first by eight lengths but was subsequently disqualified after a steward’s enquiry.

Better B Quick ridden by Sean Staples for Duncormack handler Michael Murphy put in a brilliant round of jumping, but sadly Better B Quick ‘went the wrong side of a doll entering the home straight’, a steward’s enquiry ensued, and the result was amended.

Victory was awarded to Vital Island, owned and trained by Richard O’Keeffe, Newtown, Taghmon, and ridden by Tiernan Power Roche, Tomhaggard. Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, Richard O’Keeffe said; “He has won twice over the banks (before today). He loves it here. I would love to bring him to Cheltenham in March.”

The field are closely bunched as they jump the Banks Course at Lingstown this afternoon

The Tattersalls Ireland maiden race for four year olds was run in two divisions and resulted in a double success for Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, Denis Murphy (handler) and Jamie Codd (rider) with Grangeclare West in division one and Viva Lavilla in the second division.

Grangeclare West had four lengths to spare in the colours of Edelle Logan. “He is very well-bred (by Presenting) and could end up very good,” Denis Murphy told WexfordLocal.com. Following Viva Lavilla’s success, Denis added; “They are two nice horses. I am not surprised they worked well together. They go to the sales now.”

The Cooney Furlong four-year-old auction maiden race was won by The King of Ryhope trained in Dubin by Cian Hughes.

The mares’ maiden race for five-year olds saw a two lengths success for Nancy Wyse, bred, owned and trained by Gerard Quirk in Kilkenny and a winner for Foulksmills rider Shane O’Rourke.

Rob James waited until the final race before getting his winner for the day – Cut Pretender by one and a half lengths for Tipperary handler David Nagle.

Also, point-to-point action at Boulta, West Waterford today and two Wexford trained winners. Cormac Doyle, Ballindaggin, saddled newcomer Connies Choice, the two and a half lengths winner of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings ridden by Jack Hendrick from Mayglass.

There was a fine victory for the Deacon family, Belmont House, Clonroche, with Call It Time, bred by Tom Deacon, running in the colours of Willie Deacon and trained by his son, Daryl, who had a two and a half lengths victory in the Winner of One Race. The winning rider was Moira McElligott.

No Wexford trained winners at Kirkistown in Co. Down on Saturday, but champion Barry O’Neill made the journey worthwhile with a five lengths success on David Christie’s On The Road, winning his fifth race on the trot, in the Open Race.

And the winner is… Kilmuckridge

By Dan Walsh

Kilmuckridge are the winners of the Co-Operation Ireland IPB Insurance Pride of Place award for Islands and Coastal Communities.

The great news was announced by Marty Morrissey at the Award Ceremony held online this evening.

Cllr Mary Farrell said; “A wonderful achievement for our community, the District and the County. Thank you to the amazing team who put so much work into the presentation and the support of Wexford County Council. It showcases everything good about Kilmuckridge and Morriscastle.”

Kilmuckridge village and Glenbeg Point Estate (Ardamine) were among the 82 groups nominated nationwide.

Local authorities from across the island nominate groups in their communities who they feel have made a significant contribution to improving their neighbourhood, working collectively.

Pride of Place Chairperson Tom Dowling said, “The purpose of these awards has never changed. They are about recognising and celebrating the extraordinary, inspirational, and tireless work being done by communities all over the Island of Ireland as they strive to make their place a better place in which to live.”