A stop-go system is in operation near Bellevue Heights leading to Ballyhogue village this week to facilitate the creation of a new footpath that will complement other improvements in the village including the installation of a defibrillator attached to the local school.
The work is being spearheaded by the Ballyhogue Residents’ Association, formed 18 months ago, with the co-operation of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council through local representative Cllr Cathal Byrne.
CLLR CATHAL BYRNE with members of the BALLYHOGUE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION – GERRY PAGE (Treasurer) and JOHN V CARR (Secretary) – paid a socially distant visit to the site of a new footpath extending the existing walkway.
Ballyhogue, famous for its champion football teams, was once served by Macmine Junction railway station and had its own forge in the village, they are long gone, but in recent times there is no business happening in the local shop and the post office has disappeared. However, in recent decades a growing number of housing estates and other houses have emerged and the village now has an approximate population of 300 and is staging a strong community comeback.
“We are making good progress,” said John V Carr, secretary of the residents’ association, who added; “We are getting the footpath, we need some traffic calming around the school, we hope to provide a play area for the children of Ballyhogue, the crossroads have been resurfaced, so we are doing well!”
Cllr Cathal Byrne said it was a privilege to represent his native townland and village on the council. He is also conscious that Ballyhogue remains one of the options on the M11 Oylegate to Rosslare route and locals have concerns about that.
AUDIO ADDITION; CLLR CATHAL BYRNE explaining some of the developments affecting the residents of Ballyhogue village.
Currently, there is a campaign to raise funds of €1,500 for a community Defibrillator and there is a call out for donations through a gofundme website. It is getting strong support, but a little push is needed to complete that aspect of improving life for the people of Ballyhogue.
Despite an application for the development of Esmonde St in Gorey under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) being unsuccessful Wexford County Council intends proceeding with a scaled-back project that would achieve the same aims costing upwards of €1.5 million.
The announcement was made by the CEO, Tom Enright, who addressed today’s monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District held with Microsoft Teams adhering to Covid-19 guidelines and protocol.
How Gorey’s Esmonde St was planned last October. A scaled down version will now take place. (Artist’s impression supplied by Wexford County Council).
Mr Enright said the project would proceed without central government funding in a scaled-back lesser expensive project that will achieve the same aims of creating a proper town centre public realm space in Esmonde St providing better footpaths, better pedestrian arrangements, better traffic arrangements, drainage and other general improvements.
“Esmonde Street is becoming a particularly important part of the local economy and as retail businesses open up in the coming weeks it will come back to life again. We have asked our consultants to bring forward the project at an early date and we will provide between €1m -€1.5m of our own funds towards putting the project in place,” Mr Enright promised.
The announcement was welcomed by the members. Cllr Diarmuid Devereux thanked the CEO and said Esmonde St was a pillar of the progress that was made with the business community and he welcomed scaling back the project as he felt the original project was basically refurbishment of the street. “Gorey has received a lot of good news this afternoon,” added Cllr Devereux.
Cllr Andrew Bolger was glad that some money is going into Esmonde St. “It needs a bit of a clean up and when the country is opened again we will see huge numbers flock there and it will be great that people who visit or the people that live here can take pride in the street because it does bring so much to North Wexford.”
Cllr Donal Kenny said he was encouraged that the Council can move on with a scaled back Esmonde St as there was disappointment that it did not get the go-ahead, but he was happy with a scaled back Esmonde St.
Cllr Pip Breen thanked Mr Enright for attending the meeting and bringing some good news. Cllrs Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, Anthony Donohoe and Mary Farrell also contributed to the discussion.
The April meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held with Microsoft Teams under Covid-19 guidelines yesterday (Monday) has unanimously agreed to adopt bye-laws for the draft framework for outdoor trading and is to seek expressions of interest.
Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, said there has been several enquiries in terms of casual trading licences in some areas of the town, details had been circulated to members, and if a proposer and seconder could be found, the Council would look at implementing the draft framework for the granting of licences within the Enniscorthy Municipal District.
Ms Godkin said they were following suit in how Wexford enhanced the scheme there with a number of units along the quayside and she emphasised that there is a formal review of casual licences across the county that will not be complete for another number of months, so this is “an interim provision.”
She added that the proposal now is to provide one unit at Urrin Bridge on the Promenade Country Walk; one at Vinegar Hill; one up around the Enniscorthy Sports Hub and one in Bunclody Market Square.
Cllr Aidan Browne said he was conscious that Ferns had been left out. “We need to remember that Ferns is part of this district and it may be ideal to have a unit in Ferns up around the castle as well.”
The old Dunnes Stores car park designed for casual trading is left off the current list?
Cllr Cathal Byrne was concerned that it does not include Bree either. “I know there would be interest at the walking trail at Bree Hill,” he added, before including the Kiltealy and Ballycrystal walking trails. Regards Enniscorthy town, Cllr Byrne said he does not see “the site at the top of the old Dunnes Stores car park included” and he knows that it is a site designated for casual trading and he wondered if it should be on the list?
Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan felt that areas included should include those where tourists visit on walking trails during the summer. She was thinking of the beautiful little village of Kiltealy where someone might like to start up something there.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy said that other areas can be included in a public call and Cllr Aidan Browne (proposer) and Cllr Kathleen Codd -Nolan (seconder), and all members agreed, to adopt bye-laws for the draft framework for outdoor trading and seek expressions of interest.
Enniscorthy-born author Colm Tóibín, probably best known for Brooklyn made into an award-winning film a few years ago, features in a documentary called On Memory’s Shore which will be shown on RTE One tonight (Monday) at 9.35pm.
COLM TÓIBÍN
Filmed in the summer of 2020, the documentary explores his life growing up in Enniscorthy, his writing life in Dublin, living in Barcelona and inspiration gained from the beach at Ballyconnigar, close to Blackwater village, where he researched several books, most memorably The Blackwater Lightship.
Tóibín is universally known for his novel Brooklyn which was adapted for film and picked up three Academy Awards nominations in 2016. Tóibín himself has been nominated three times for one of the English speaking world’s most famous literary trophy- The Booker Prize.
On Memory’s Shore, tonight’s documentary is directed by Brendan J. Byrne and produced by Belfast independent production company BelowTheRadar TV. Worthy of a large viewership and a tribute to one of the best writers to come out of contemporary Ireland – and still immensely proud of his native town and county.
The second day of the Meath and Tara point-to-point took place today (Sunday) at Fairyhouse where Jamie Codd enjoyed a double bringing him onto the 16-winner mark for the season and he moves into second place in the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship behind the reigning champion Barry O’Neill.
JAMIE CODD
Codd won on Present Storm trained at Cleariestown by Jonathan Fogarty for his mother, Mary Fogarty, the one and a half lengths winner of the maiden race for five-year-old mares. Codd was in the number one position again after the running of division one of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. He had six lengths to spare on Great Ocean trained by Denis Murphy. Division two went to Doran’s Bridge for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill by six lengths.
Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill scored with another newcomer Harry Des Ongrais by ten lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. A double for the Kiltealy partnership on the day.
Wexford stables got off to a great success with first timer Fancy Stuff in the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership colours for Ballindaggin handler Cormac Doyle and rider Liam Gilligan in the four-year-olds mares’ maiden race.
The evolution of Irish higher education where there is a very rapidly changing Irish education landscape and institutes of technology across the country are merging to form a new type of Irish university – the Technological University – and the South-East (TUSE) project is progressing very well and working towards designation by January 1st 2022 – just eight months away.
The opening remarks by Dr Patricia Mulcahy, President of Carlow IT, when she addressed the April meeting of Wexford County Council held with Microsoft Teams consistent with Covid-19 guidelines and protocol last Monday.
DR PATRICIA MULCAHY, President Carlow IT
“Wexford will be an important part of the University of the South-East. There is absolutely no doubt about that,” Dr Mulcahy stressed, who added that Carlow IT are over 25 years in Wexford and have overcome many challenges “but our commitment to Wexford has remained steadfast throughout these years.”
“We have been constrained by the physical facilities that are available in Wexford and we have been engaging with Wexford County Council for a number of years to find the solution. This year there are 991 students enrolled spanning the disciplines of agriculture, business, education, social care, tourism, digital marketing and analytics, art and science, creative computing and digital innovation.” outlined Dr Mulcahy.
Dr Mulcahy said Carlow IT had been looking at several sites over the years and some had reached contract stage. She is pleased that with the help of Wexford County Council a site has been identified that is at an advanced stage of the approval process. It is understood that the proposal is currently with the relevant departments and the outcome is eagerly awaited.
Once the approval to purchase is forthcoming the institute will engage with the owner of the site and the matter is currently “at a sensitive stage pending the approval of agreements.” Capital investment requirements will also be a major factor going forward.
Cllr George Lawlor, who admitted his criticism of the progress, or lack of, made around this development over many years – 6 years since the discussion around the development of a site – asked when can ground be broken on the issue and what type of financial commitment would Carlow IT envisage investing in Wexford?
Cllr Leonard Kelly agreed with Cllr Lawlor’s questions and sentiments and wondered “when we might have a building in place?” He acknowledged support for Carlow IT’s commitment and the work that is already happening.
Cllr Tom Forde was happy that progress was being made and commended Carlow IT’s commitment and like Cllrs Lawlor and Kelly wanted to know when a building might appear?
In reply, Dr Mulcahy said in terms of investment “that is a huge question for every higher education project” and referred to various reports and meetings and regards the “capital investment and the partner consideration which is the borrowing framework” she added that “investment has to be secured before the Wexford Campus itself.”
Regards the timeline, should the investment be forthcoming under a devolved model or a PPP model, assuming that the acquisition site is finalised in 2021, there would be a design team procurement planning to detailed design at tender stage which could take about 18 months to do – then the construction phase – could takes ages! – but all depends on the investment funding.
Dr Mulcahy said the TUSE will be run by “a new organisation” and will command international standing. No contracts are yet signed! Bringing students into the county is critical! Some distance to go!
Cllrs Michael Sheehan Jackser Owens, John Hegarty, Davy Hynes, Jim Codd, Fionntán Ó Suilleabháin, John Fleming and Cathal Byrne also contributed to the debate which generally thanked Dr Mulcahy for her presentation.
Luke Murphy recorded a double on the first day of the Meath & Tara point-to-point at Fairyhouse today (Saturday) to bring his career winning sequence to 45.
LUKE MURPHY had double today at Fairyhouse
Murphy won the opening four-year-old auction maiden race on first timer Corrigeen Rock, owned and trained at Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, by Denis Murphy (no relation). The partnership had four lengths to spare over the runner-up Money Heist for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill.
Murphy’s second winner came on Trickalight, running in the colours of his parents, John and Miriam Murphy, Corecannon House, Inch, in North Wexford in the five-year-old mares’ maiden race. The verdict was four lengths the mare will be sold.
Pearse Rogan from Caim, Enniscorthy, had his second career winner aboard Ash Tree Meadow by an easy twelve lengths for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle, Ballindaggin, in division two of the five-year-old geldings maiden race.
An Garda Siochana in association with Wexford County Council have launched the 5th Annual Wexford Garda Youth Awards for 2021 that acknowledge the brilliance of young people within local communities in County Wexford.
This year due to Covid-19 restrictions there has not been the same opportunity for young people to become involved with activities or projects in comparison with previous years, however, many young people were active on the ground throughout the Covid 19 crisis, volunteering and becoming involved in a variety of projects that supported both the vulnerable in the community, and the frontline services.
Pictured at launch of Wexford Garda Youth Awards 2021; left to right: Sgt Denis Murphy, Supt James Doyle, Cllr. Michael Whelan, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council), Chief Supt Denis Ferry and Sgt Colum Matthews.
The awards will be presented in four categories:
INDIVIDUAL AWARD – Making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.
GROUP AWARD – Group of two or more, making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition.
COMMUNITY SAFETY AWARD – Through a crime prevention or safety initiative/innovation, have made their community a safer place to live.
Anybody can nominate a young person between the age of 13 and 21 years for an award. This year, due to Covid 19, nominations will be completed through an online process, this is available at WexfordCoCo.ie and through all local schools.
closing date for nominations is Monday, May 10th. A Judging Panel will decide upon the Divisional Winners, the Judging Panel will also nominate an individual/ group to represent Wexford for consideration at the National Garda Youth Awards. It is anticipated that the awards will take place towards the end of June 2021 in adherence with all Government Covid 19 guidelines.
For further information please contact Inspector Graham Rowley at Wexford_ds@garda.ie , 053 9165280 or through your local Garda Station.
Upwards of €700,000 is to be invested in water-based activities at the Curracloe Water Sports Activity Centre at Whitegap, near Wexford, with phase one expected to be completed by the summer of 2022.
Public representatives in Wexford Municipal District are welcoming news that is part of an €19million investment announced today (Thursday) by the Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin T.D. The funding will be used to build world-class facility centres at 22 locations across the country where water-based activities are a key visitor attraction.
The significant increase in people enjoying outdoor water-based activities such as kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and open water swimming is expected to continue to grow year on year, and not just during the summer months. This means all-weather changing facilities, secure storage and bathrooms at beaches and inland water spots will be in huge demand.
Colm Neville of the Riverside Park Hotel and Chair of VisitWexford and Chairman of Wexford County Council Cllr Ger Carthy celebrate with ice cream on the beach at Curracloe. (File Pic. July 2020).
Each centre will provide hot showers, changing and toilet facilities, secure storage, induction spaces, equipment washdown and orientation points.
They will be fully wheelchair accessible and built using sustainability best practices such as solar heating panels to meet energy standards.
Minister Martin said; “Ireland is world-class when it comes to providing water-based activities which are enjoyed by local communities and visitors along our stunning coastline, rivers and lakes. We have seen a significant upward trend in people enjoying outdoor water activities over the last year and we know the appeal of the outdoors will continue to grow post-COVID19 so we must ensure the Irish experience meets and exceeds visitor expectations.
Paul Kelly, CEO Fáilte Ireland said; “Our temperate climate can offer year-round quality outdoor experiences. For Ireland to be recognised internationally as a best-in-class activity destination it is critical that we invest in building a sustainable activity infrastructure, compelling visitor experiences and developing the capacity of activity providers.”
Today’s announcement outlines Phase 1 of this scheme, which has an expected completion date of Summer 2022 and we will look at a potential second phase in 2023.”
The memoirs of Miles Byrne (1780-1862) from Monaseed in North Wexford are the inspiration for a new publication called UNITED IRISHMEN – Émigrés of Erinby Colum Ó Ruairc and Stephen McCracken just published.
“I read the memoirs of Miles Byrne and saw a lot of names of casualties recorded on memorials and monuments across Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow but never seen them in any book form or celebrated or commemorated in any way,” Colum Ó Ruairc told WexfordLocal.com, who added; “I looked at the casualties of the rebellion period, not just insurgents, but yeomen, loyalists, the French soldiers, the Crown soldiers and civilians with no politics attached.”
COLUM Ó RUAIRC with his new book UNITED IRISHMEN
Colum has accumulated about 3,500 casualties so far, through the various archives, and he is hopeful that this book will be the first of a trilogy and he expects the work will be of benefit for genealogists and researchers.
The publication is full of mini biographies with plenty of photographs, monochrome and colour, and is an invaluable addition to anybody with an interest in the 1798 Rbellion
Colum Ó Ruairc grew up immersed in the story of the 1798 story in south Co. Wicklow and in July 2017, he established the 1798 Rebellion Casualty Database, with the aim of collecting the names of casualties from the 1798-1803 period.
These casualties include those from the Insurgency, Crown Forces, loyalist civilians and Yeomanry, French soldiers and apolitical. He is also in the process of compiling a database of those who were ordered to be transported to New South Wales 1799-1805 and those impressed into the Crown Forces.
After moving to Antrim 10 years ago historian Stephen McCracken knew he would have to research the United Irishmen. Titles already published by Stephen include The Presbyterians of Magilligan Ancestry Guide 1600-1900 and The Plantation of Ulster Haberdashers/Aghanloo Ancestry Records and The Battle of Antrim The Story of 1798.
AUDIO ADDITION; COLUM Ó RUAIRC talks about his new book, UNITED IRISHMEN
UNITED IRISHMEN Émigrés of Erin by McCracken and Ó Ruairc, illustrated, 270 pages, Springfarm Publishing. ISBN 978-1-9162576-9-6
WexfordLocal.com 