The HSE/South East Community Healthcare has set up a new Covid-19 Test Centre at St. Aidan’s GAA Grounds in Ferns. Attendance is by GP referral or arrangement with the HSE.
MAIN ST, FERNS
The HSE is concerned at a recent spike in confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the North Wexford area and is appealing for individuals, business, and community organisations to support its necessary contact tracing operations.
Referrals trends are reviewed daily for all the South East and this guides the operation of all centres. Testing also continues at community testing centres (by GP referral) in Wexford town, in addition to Carlow, Clonmel, Kilkenny and Waterford.
If your GP decides that you need to be tested, they will arrange a test for you. You will need to self-isolate while you wait for your test. You will get a text message with the time and location of your test.
Sunday was a brilliant autumnal day. The sun was shining brightly, pleasant at around 14 degrees with a perfect calmness, and with the Covid-19 restrictions at Level 3, I washed my hands, wore my face covering, and observed social distancing amongst the natural environment meandering the ancient walkways in the grounds of Johnstown Castle.
It was a relaxing experience. Everywhere looked magnificent, the trees and shrubs swapping to their autumn coating, the lakes were reflecting the sky, the ducks were swimmingly sublime, the birds were taking off and returning, obviously they had food on their mind, and the fish… well, I didn’t see any… they were foraging in the deep and keeping their heads under water!
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE… looking splendidly autumnal in this October scene.
And while the place was busy, generally the families and the kids, a notable absence of more mature citizens, there was an atmosphere that makes you think… perhaps, we don’t slow down enough and soak up the beauty that exists in our county on a day that the ‘sunny south east’ expression was true to its meaning.
As Liam Gaul wrote in his local history classic publication Johnstown Castle and I quote; “The grey architectural pile of the castle dominates the scene like a sleeping giant with so many tales to relate of conquest, eviction and patriot allegiance. The long occupancy from Norman knight and Cromwellian soldier to the demise of Lady Adelaide Fitzgerald resulted in the castle and estate being gifted to the Irish State in 1945.”
As I wandered through the grounds today, the thought that struck me was reflection on the generosity of Lady Fitzgerald in the first place, and secondly, that the Irish State had the wisdom to retain the property and transform it into a public space promoting relaxation, tourism and everything that is positive about strong mental health. The fresh air and the freedom.
On December 28th 1944, Dorothy Violet Jefferies of Carrigbyrne, Adamstown (The Settler) and Maurice Victor Lakin of Horetown, Foulksmills, and the Minister of Agriculture, signed an act of agreement “whereby the lands, tenements, hereditaments, and premises formerly part of the family estates were given to the nation.”
Seventy-five years has passed since the ink dried on that sacred covenant, the lakes have been iced over on many winter occasions, the castle has stood tall and is now open to visitors, and in recent times, a whole new visitor experience has been added for the pleasure and convenience of us all – a visit to Johnstown Castle is an experience that is never forgotten.
Two point-to-point fixtures across the country today, in Cork and Galway, where Barry O’Neill enjoyed three winners to follow up on his double yesterday, Colin Bowe trained another three winners, and riders Jimmy Kenny and Rob James had a double each to make it a great day for Wexford sport.
Barry O’Neill went to Dromahane, near Mallow, and got off to a good start to the day on the French-bred newcomer Starevich for Colin Bowe, winning by one length in the maiden race for four year old geldings. Running in the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd colours he is bound for the sales.
BARRY O’NEILL …brillant weekend… five winners!
There was only a head to spare in the second division of the maiden race for five year old geldings but O’Neill got Colin Bowe’s Gallow Ford cross the line to clock up winner number two for the Kiltealy handler/rider partnership.
And before heading home O’Neill made it three for the afternoon – and five in two days – aboard Robert Tyner’s Dangan Des Champs by three lengths in the mares maiden test for five year olds and upwards.
Meanwhile, at Loughrea in Galway, Colin Bowe had his third win of the day with Tommy’s Oscar by 16 lengths in the maiden race for five year old geldings and the first leg of a double for Craanford rider Jimmy Kenny.
Kenny was put up on A Rated by his father, Liam Kenny, in the Open Lightweight Race, and despite being absent from the track for about 760 days, gained a one and a half lengths victory and was a popular success for Paddy Redmond of the Ashdown Park and Amber Springs hotel group in Gorey. “He will stay pointing,” said the Craanford-based handler.
Rob James had a double up north in Down yesterday and he followed with another double at Loughrea today. He was aboard Glengouley for Tipperary trainer Pat Doyle in the maiden race for four year olds – six lengths to the good – and followed up with ‘a distance’ victory on Latino Fling for Castlemartyr handler Matt Collins in the mares’ maiden race.
Ballindaggin handler Donnchadh Doyle was in the winner’s enclosure too! He saddled Er Dancer to win the Winner of One Race by a short-head with Ross Foley from Bagenalstown in the saddle. Overall, brilliant form from the Wexford stables and riders on a beautiful autumnal day.
A new publishing house based in Wexford town launched its first book on Friday night. Dan Finn’s Every Second Second is the first publication from Red Books Press, based out of Red Books bookshop in St Peter’s Square.
Author DAN FINN at Red Books Press for the launch of his novel Every Second Second
“The book is a metaphysical thriller using the Mandela Effect as its plot device,” Mr Finn said. “It’s protagonist, Scott Murdoch, is drinking again and filled with a sense of unease until a work colleague introduces him to The Mandela Effect, leading him down a rabbit hole deeper than he could ever have imagined with far reaching consequences.”
“We are very proud to have Dan Finn’s Every Second Second as the first title to be published by Red Books Press,” Red Books owner Wally O’ Neill said; “Dan Finn is one of the most exciting young authors emerging in Ireland today and he has created a uniquely engrossing adventure that will capture you from the first page.”
“Transgressive and straddling several literary genres, from the sci-fi of Philip K Dick to the detective fiction of Raymond Chandler, Every Second Second is an unforgettable and highly original thriller.”
AUDIO – Author DAN FINN tells DAN WALSH about the launch of his latest novel Every Second Second
Every Second Second is available to pre-order now. It costs €12 and nationwide delivery is available.
Champion rider Barry O’Neill is setting a scorching pace in a bid to retaining his championship title and a double at Maralin, Co. Down, today brings him to the 12-winner mark, eight ahead of his nearest rival James Walsh.
O’Neill’s first success of the day came in the maiden race for five year old geldings on newcomer He’s Rockin for Charlie and Yvonne Latta and trained by their son, Andrew, Ballinakill, Enniscorthy, who was having his first runner of the season. Six lengths were the winning verdict, and he is for the sales.
O’Neill joined forces with champion handler Colin Bowe to notch his second victory aboard Navy Girl, a winner on the first day of the season at Ballingarry last month, for owner Rebecca Surman who had five lengths to spare.
ROB JAMES
The maiden race for four-year olds finished with Wexford trained runners in the first two places. Rob James took Dreams of Home along in the lead throughout the trip and stayed on to fill the number one frame for the Monbeg Syndicate, and a fifth success of the season for Donnchadh Doyle, Ballindaggin. Runner-up was Bill Baxter from Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, partnered by Jamie Codd.
The Diocese of Ferns has published details of where Mass is available from the following parishes via their webcams/radio broadcasts as all public all Masses are cancelled due to the Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions.
Three south Wexford attractions of community historical and heritage are recognised in the latest round of funding under the Community Monument Fund and the rejoicing is palpable at Our Lady’s Island, protecting the double bell tower on the historic chapel gable, Barntown Castle, and St. Mary’s Church on Bannow Island.
Located on the Norman Way Heritage route, they will share €40,000 for conservation, maintenance, protection, and promotion.
The breakdown of the funding is as follows:
St. Mary’s Church in Bannow will receive €18,756.
Our Lady’s Island will receive €12,467.
Barntown Castle will receive €8,364.
The historic double-bell tower gable-ended church ruins at Our Lady’s Island.
Heading into the first weekend of Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions, Cllr Lisa McDonald is encouraging support for local businesses, in particular, “our hotels, cafes and restaurants many of whom are offering takeaway services and limited outdoor dining.”
Cllr McDonald from Rosslare Municipal District adds; “This is a challenging time but if everyone follows the restrictions for the next couple of weeks and acts responsibly, we can suppress Covid-19 again.”
ST. MARY’S CHURCH, BANNOW ISLAND, receives €18,500 funding to protect this historical structure
Good news for the Rosslare Municipal District. “I’m happy to see St Mary’s Church Bannow Island receive funding of €18,500 for the protection of this historic church. Thank you to District Manager Noirin Cummins and all the team,” said Cllr McDonald.
Woodlands for Health is an Eco-Therapy programme of forest-based activities prescribed by medical professionals, which involves social inclusion of people who experience severe mental health difficulties. Frank Feighan, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, visited the Sports Active Wexford Woodlands for Health Programme based in Tintern Abbey last Monday.
The County Wexford Intervention, held in Tintern Woods, was led by Pat Caulfield and Kate O’Brien, Wexford Walking Trails volunteer leaders, and has been funded over the past three years through Healthy Ireland and Get Ireland Walking.
Minister Frank Feighan chats with attendees at the Healthy Woodlands launch at Tintern Abbey.
The intervention aims to provide an opportunity for individuals with a mental health referral to walk in a nature-based environment, following the government’s Covid-19 protocols. While an outcome of the intervention is to improve participant well-being, this encompasses many factors including improved quality of life, improved sleep, enhanced physical fitness, social functioning, personal confidence, improved awareness. The programme aims to act as a complement to any clinical interventions or recommendations from an individual’s health care team.
Dr Denise Rogers, Senior Clinical Psychologist with HSE Waterford Wexford Mental Health Services said: “There has never been a more important time for everyone to get up, get dressed and get moving, especially for those with pre-existing psychological and/or physical health challenges. We are immensely proud of our relationship with Sport Active Wexford who work tirelessly with us to both maintain and find new and inclusive ways for people to be active, in adherence to COVID 19 guidance at all times.
“We were aware of the evidence-based Woodlands for Health programme and were delighted when Fran Ronan (Sports Coordinator) facilitated our engagement with the programme, which has proven immensely successful for our client group. The group looks forward to and enjoys the weekly walk in Tintern. We have noticed positive effects including improved mood and physical ability,” concluded Dr Rogers.
JOHN G MURPHY… new Chairman of Glanbia Co-Operative Society
The newly elected Chairman of Glanbia Co-Operative Society is a well-known Wexford farmer John G Murphy, Ballinacoola, Craanford, effective from today (Thursday).
Appointed to the Board in June 2010, Mr Murphy, served as Vice-Chairman since June 2nd 2017. He is also Vice-Chairman of the National Dairy Council Board.
“I am honoured to be appointed to serve as Chairman of Glanbia Co-Operative Society. I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of Co-Op members and build on the strong foundations that have been established over many decades,” Mr Murphy told WexfordLocal.com, and he added; “I would also like to thank the outgoing Chairman Martin Keane for his commitment and dedication to his role as Chairman for the last two years.”
WexfordLocal.com 