WexfordLocal.com

New Wexford publishing house launches first book

Dan Walsh

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.

Barry O’Neill scores a Saturday double

By Dan Walsh

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.

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.

Live Streaming of Masses

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.

WEXFORD: https://wexfordparish.com. Daily at 10am
NEW ROSS: 10am weekdays, Saturday Vigil Mass at 6pm and Sunday mornings at 10am. 104.7fm
St. Aidan’s Cathedral, ENNISCORTHY: 10am weekdays, Saturday Vigil Mass at 6pm and Sunday mornings at 10am. https://www.churchservices.tv/enniscorthycathedral
St. Senan’s Church, ENNISCORTHY: 10am weekdays, Saturday Vigil 7pm and Sunday morning at 11am. https://www.facebook.com/stsenansparish
St. Michael’s Church, GOREY: 10am weekdays, Sunday 10am. https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/saint-michaels
CLONARD: 10am weekdays, 9am and 11.30am on Sunday 92.9fm
St. Aidan’s Church, FERNS: 9.30am weekdays, Saturday and holy day vigil 6.30pm, Sunday and holy days 8.30am and 11am. Stations of the Cross and Rosary each evening 7pm.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqamu-WPobW58-cAyq6WKpQ
OUR LADY’S ISLAND: Sunday 11am. http://www.ourladysisland.ie
ROSSLARE: 10am weekdays, Saturday vigil Mass at 6pm and Sunday morning at 10am. 88fm
CUSHINSTOWN: Sunday 11am. https://www.facebook.com/cushinstownparishnews
KILMORE: Sunday 10am 103.9fm
BALLYMITTY: https://www.ballymittychurch.com/sunday
BALLINDAGGIN: http://www.churchmedia.ie/stcolmans Sunday 10am

HORESWOOD: http://www.horeswoodparish.ie and Facebook – horeswoodparish

€40,000 funding for heritage sites

By Dan Walsh

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.

Cllr McDonald supports local businesses

By Dan Walsh

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 based in Tintern Abbey

By Dan Walsh

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.

Craanford farmer is new Co-Op Chair

By Dan Walsh

**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 2^nd 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.”

Warm welcome in 352,000 households!

By Dan Walsh

The National Fuel Scheme, which is a means-assessed payment, will be paid for 28 weeks. It is paid at a weekly rate of €24.50 or by way of two lump sum payments of €343 each. One Fuel Allowance is paid per household.

The estimated expenditure for this non-statutory scheme is €261.35 million with over 352,000 households expected to benefit from the Fuel Allowance payment this season.

SHIVERING DAYS AT ARD LOIS, GOREY, WHEN SNOW FELL IN MARCH 2018 (File Pic; Joseph Dixon)

Wexford TD and Minister for Law Reform, James Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “The Fuel Allowance will be an added support for many County Wexford households as we approach our winter season. It is a financial aid for people living in low-income households to help towards the cost of heating oil, electricity, gas, or solid fuel.

“The Fuel Allowance scheme provides a support for householders on long-term social welfare payments to cover additional heating expenses over the winter months. Those who qualified for the Fuel Allowance payment last year will automatically receive the payment again this year if they continue to fulfil the eligibility requirements. They do not need to re-apply.

“County Wexford people who have not received the payment previously and who wish to apply for the Fuel Allowance can contact my office by emailing jamesbrownetd@oir.ie or phoning 053 9235046. My office will be glad to help people make an application”, Minister Browne concluded.

New €1.45m Fire Station for New Ross

By Dan Walsh

It may be the worst kept secret in New Ross, but plans for a new fire station at Hewittsland, opposite Tesco, has been given a lifeline with a €1.45 million tender which means the new building will proceed and it’s anticipated it will be operational next summer.

It will be a state of the art three-bay fire station with 14 parking spaces, a training yard, tower, lecture room and offices. The tender has been allocated to local construction company Kevin Thorpe Ltd, Adamstown.

The tender is included in the Capital Budget and was signed off by Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, yesterday (Wednesday).

Garda priority is keeping people safe ; Harris

By Dan Walsh

Following the Government’s decision to move the country to Level 3 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19, An Garda Síochána has recommenced Operation Fanacht, as a nationwide policing operation focused on supporting public compliance with public health measures.

In support of this announcement there will be high visibility patrolling by Garda members across the country with the focus of this activity continuing to be encouraging people to adhere to national public health measures.

It will involve 132 large-scale checkpoints a day on main arterial routes around the country in addition to thousands of mobile checkpoints on secondary routes in towns and villages a week.

Commissioner Drew Harris said: “An Garda Síochána’s priority is keeping people safe. This will be a major policing operation across the country with high visibility of Garda members to support public health measures.

“An Garda Síochána is encouraging people not to travel out of their county unless it is for essential purposes.

“Since the start of the pandemic, An Garda Síochána has adopted a graduated policing approach based on its tradition of consent. We have seen compliance by most of the public with this approach. Independent surveys have also found significant public support for it. We will continue to police in this way.