WexfordLocal.com

Every vote counts for new Gorey school

By Dan Walsh

Three weeks ago, Minister for Education and Skills, Norma Foley TD, announced that Gorey would be getting a long awaited and much needed new, state of the art secondary school next year.

The Department of Education has handed the decision as to who would run this school to parents; the parents in the area – and hinterland – who have children in 2^nd to 6^th class in local primary schools.

CEIST, Waterford and Wexford ETB, and Educate Together have put their names forward to seek patronage of the new school.

Last evening, in line of course with government health advice and restrictions, a virtual Open Evening for parents in Gorey was held by CEIST.

Clare Ryan CEO of one of the Educational Trust’s (CEIST) hoping to run the new school told WexfordLocal.com; “We were completely blown away by the level of interest in the kind of high quality, state of the art Catholic secondary school we are seeking to offer to the town. The support has come through the local primary schools obviously and we are grateful to the principals and teachers, parents and young people who are behind our efforts. The local clergy have also been marvellous. Parents want the kind of superb school our Trust are offering and they are taking their role as arbiters of this decision for the town extremely seriously. It was incredibly heartening to be part of it.”

CEIST is patron of 107 Catholic post primary schools and co-patron of 34 Community schools and Community Colleges.

Ferns Diocesan Secretary Fr John Carroll said: “What we want parents to do now is simply exercise their vote; every vote counts and every vote matters. From our perspective here in the Diocese the worst thing would be if parents said – after the fact – that they hadn’t heard about it, or didn’t realise they had the choice in this; that would be a terrible tragedy really and unworthy of the current Department of Education’s patronage process. So, I’d be encouraging every eligible parent to get out and vote; do your research, go to the various websites of the various patrons and see what resonates with you and your family. Think also what’s best for the town into the future.”

For more information of CEIST’s bid, go to www.ceist.ie where you’ll also find a link to vote. You’ll need your Eircode and your child’s PPS number.”

€5,000 for Wexford Communities Fund

By Dan Walsh

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed the allocation of €5,000 to Wexford Community Sponsorship Group through the 2020 Communities Integration Fund.

“The Communities Integration Fund provides communities with an opportunity to lead integration activities, which reflect and support their own diversity. Community Sponsorship Groups offer an alternative model of resettlement to the traditional state-centred model of resettlement.

Wexford Community Sponsorship Group is a local group that has come together to support arriving refugees. The local group provides supports around access to housing and to different state services”, Minister Browne explained.

The Communities Integration Fund was first established in 2017 to implement the commitment under Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy to support actions by local communities throughout Ireland to promote the integration of migrants and refugees.

Council support for Gorey jobs boost

by Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council is delighted to welcome CSC to Co. Wexford, following today’s announcement that the company, one of the world’s largest privately-held businesses providing financial, corporate administration and depositary services to global alternative asset managers and capital markets participants, is to set up its European Centre of Operational Excellence in the M11 Business Campus in Gorey.

The investment will create 75 jobs over four years and is supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland.

Speaking at the announcement, President of Global Financial Markets at CSC John Hebert described Gorey as the ideal location to establish the international company’s European Centre of Operational Excellence, citing the town’s close proximity to Dublin, excellent infrastructure, and access to a deep talent pool was a significant factor in the decision to locate there.”

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Ger Carthy said “it is great news for the county.” He added; It’s a tremendous vote of confidence in County Wexford and it clearly shows that Wexford can successfully compete as a strategic location for financial service companies.”

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright was also impressed. “This decision by CSC demonstrates the company’s confidence in Wexford where it can be assured of a deep pool of highly skilled and creative talent. It also shows that the Council’s policy of supporting Wexford’s talented workforce through the development of state-of-the-art offices and infrastructure can yield significant dividends in terms of national and international investment and high-quality jobs,” he told WexfordLocal.com

“I wish to congratulate Paul Whelan (who is a native of Enniscorthy) and his team in Gorey and I can assure them of the continued support of Wexford County Council as they set about establishing their European Centre of Excellence here. I also want to acknowledge the efforts and continuing support of the IDA in winning investment and bringing much needed jobs to Co. Wexford, despite the global challenges out there” concluded Mr Enright.

75 new Financial Services jobs for Gorey.

Global Business Services provider CSC will establish a new European Centre of Operational Excellence in Gorey, creating 75 jobs over four years.

The new roles are for experienced financial services professionals and qualified accountants. This project is supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland.

CSC is one of the world’s largest privately held businesses providing financial, corporate administration, and depositary services to global alternative asset managers and capital markets participants.

Founded in 1899 and headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, CSC has nearly 50 offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region and employs more than 2,600 people worldwide.

Gorey is the company’s second in Ireland—CSC’s Global Financial Markets (GFM) division first established a presence in Ireland in 2017 and has since created three entities in Dublin. These activities will be further supported in Gorey.

Water leaks under repair in Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council identified two large leaks today on Enniscorthy town’s water supply network, one of which has been repaired.

A second leak located in Bridge Meadows will be repaired tomorrow morning. The town’s water supply will be shut off tonight (Wednesday) from 10pm to 5am tomorrow morning (Thursday) to conserve the reservoir levels. This will ensure adequate supply in the town tomorrow.

A Water Outage will exist in the Milehouse and Cherryorchard area of Enniscorthy from 10pm this evening until 6am tomorrow morning to facilitate leak detection and reservoir replenishment.

The areas affected will include The Paddocks, Belefield Springs, Bridgemeadows, Shingaun, Cherryorchard Heights, The Orchard, Still Pond and surrounding areas. There may be discolouration and fluctuation of supply when the service is resumed.

**The old stone bridge over the River Slaney at Enniscorthy.**

Irish Water understands the inconvenience caused to customers and thank the residents of Enniscorthy for their patience while working to carry out repairs and restore normal supply to impacted customers.

Irish Water reminds customers to follow the HSE COVID-19 advice and ensure frequent handwashing.

The Irish Water customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1850 278 278 and customers can also contact Irish Water via Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates, please see the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website.

Man (64) missing from Enniscorthy area

Gardaí are seeking the public’s help in tracing the whereabouts of Sean Timmons, 64 years, who is missing from the Enniscorthy area since Tuesday (yesterday).

He is described as being 5’11”, with grey hair, of stocky build with blue eyes. When last seen Sean was wearing a dark grey jacket, blue jeans and a dark coloured hat. Sean has tattoos on his arms.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts are asked to contact Gardai in Enniscorthy on 053 923 3534 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Leak in Enniscorthy water supply

By Dan Walsh

Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council are calling on residents of Enniscorthy to be mindful of their water usage again today as work continues to identify the location of a significant leak in the town’s water supply network that is resulting in the reservoir levels depleting.

Leak detection staff are actively working on the network and once the location has been identified, crews will carry out works to repair the fault as quickly as possible.
Last night, residents were asked to conserve water for essential daytime use with the public water supply turned off from 10pm to 5am this morning in the town centre areas and also in Cherry Orchard Road, Carrickabruce and The Still Pond. This urgent measure was required due to this significant increase in water leakage in the town’s network.
The Town centre areas include Templeshannon, Templeshannon Quay, Abbey Quay, The Prom, Mill Park Road, Castle Hill, Church Street, Friary Hill, Slaney Street, Market Square, lower section of Main Street, Court Street, St John’s Street, St John’s Villas, Munster Hill, St John’s, Irish Street and Island Road.

Irish Water understands the inconvenience caused to customers and thank the residents of Enniscorthy for their patience while working to locate the leak, carry out the repair and restore normal supply to impacted customers.

Irish Water reminds customers to follow the HSE COVID-19 advice and ensure frequent handwashing.

Irish Water continues to work currently with its Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services.

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.