Monageer handler Michael Goff saddled a winning double in the first two races at Oldtown point-to-point this afternoon sharing with his Cork-born rider Shane Fitzgerald on both occasions and brought his career tally of wins to 50.
MICHAEL GOFF trained a double at Oldtown, Co. Meath today
The Goff-Fitzgerald partnership scored in the opening race for four year old maiden mares with Leac An Scail Lady by two lengths in the colours of The Chancers Syndicate. Half an hour later and they were in the winners’ enclosure again after American Legacy in the colours of Caitriona Goff came home three lengths to the good in the maiden race for four year old geldings.
Shane Fitzgerald has enjoyed a successful association since Goff provided him with his first winner at Bennettsbridge in 2015 aboard Clondaw Cian.
There was one other Wexford success at the Meath venue when first timer Fable ran out a 12 lengths winner of the five year old maiden race for mares for the Monbeg Syndicate and Ballindaggin handler Donnchadh Doyle. It was the second win in as many days for rider Rob James.
Enniscorthy town centre is set to become a magic Winter Wonderland in the weeks leading up to Christmas and the highlight will be a re-imagined Santa’s Enchanted Castle event returning to Enniscorthy Castle for Christmas 2020 despite the challenges of Covid-19.
CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY wants “to light up Enniscorthy for the winter season.”
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council told WexfordLocal.com; “Christmas is more important this year than ever before and I am heartened to see the Council, Enniscorthy Castle staff and many groups working together with the Chamber and traders to light up Enniscorthy for the winter season.”
“Come to Enniscorthy this Christmas for a Santa-stic time. We have re-imagined our seasonal experience for 2020 so although it will be different you are guaranteed the same Christmas cheer at the event and indeed a great atmosphere and offering all around the town” said Ger Mackey, Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager, who added; “Hotel pre-sale ‘sleep over’ packages are currently on offer and selling well, it is important we attract visitors to the banks of the Slaney to bolster the local economy and equally entertain our townspeople too. The magic of Christmas can’t be lost to Covid19”.
Visitors and locals alike can check-in for Christmas at Santa HQ on Castle Street to be entertained theatre style at the children’s live Character & Carol Show. Patrons will be entertained by members of Rathnure Pantomime Society from the stage in The Athenaeum before the Enniscorthy Elves escort each individual group pod of six down Castle Hill to Santa’s Enchanted Castle. There a socially distanced Santa and Mrs Claus will greet and gift each group from their ground floor winter garden wonderland.
The 45-minute tour priced very reasonably from €15 will finish with a leisurely trip on the Tinsel Town Train from its Church Street base around Enniscorthy’s premier streets in a square six-minute route. Small outdoor winter shopping huts and winter themed windows are planned for Market Square.
Running from November 21st, the popular children’s event will operate Thursdays to Sundays over twenty one days until December 23rd. General sale tickets will go live this Friday 25th September on www.santasenchantedcastle.ie.
Enniscorthy town centre is set to become a magic Winter Wonderland in the weeks leading up to Christmas and the highlight will be a re-imagined Santa’s Enchanted Castle event returning to Enniscorthy Castle for Christmas 2020 despite the challenges of Covid-19.
CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY wants “to light up Enniscorthy for the winter season.”
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council told WexfordLocal.com; “Christmas is more important this year than ever before and I am heartened to see the Council, Enniscorthy Castle staff and many groups working together with the Chamber and traders to light up Enniscorthy for the winter season.”
“Come to Enniscorthy this Christmas for a Santa-stic time. We have re-imagined our seasonal experience for 2020 so although it will be different you are guaranteed the same Christmas cheer at the event and indeed a great atmosphere and offering all around the town” said Ger Mackey, Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager, who added; “Hotel pre-sale ‘sleep over’ packages are currently on offer and selling well, it is important we attract visitors to the banks of the Slaney to bolster the local economy and equally entertain our townspeople too. The magic of Christmas can’t be lost to Covid19”.
Visitors and locals alike can check-in for Christmas at Santa HQ on Castle Street to be entertained theatre style at the children’s live Character & Carol Show. Patrons will be entertained by members of Rathnure Pantomime Society from the stage in The Athenaeum before the Enniscorthy Elves escort each individual group pod of six down Castle Hill to Santa’s Enchanted Castle. There a socially distanced Santa and Mrs Claus will greet and gift each group from their ground floor winter garden wonderland.
The 45-minute tour priced very reasonably from €15 will finish with a leisurely trip on the Tinsel Town Train from its Church Street base around Enniscorthy’s premier streets in a square six-minute route. Small outdoor winter shopping huts and winter themed windows are planned for Market Square.
Running from November 21st, the popular children’s event will operate Thursdays to Sundays over twenty one days until December 23rd. General sale tickets will go live this Friday 25th September on www.santasenchantedcastle.ie.
The 2020-’21 point-to-point season kicked off this afternoon at Ballingarry in North Tipperary ‘behind closed doors’ under Covid-19 government guidelines and there was an amazing start to proceedings with national champion rider Barry O’Neill bringing home a four-timer, three of them for champion handler Colin Bowe.
BARRY O’NEILL.. four wins today in North Tipperary
Neon Moon got the Kiltealy partnership into winning ways with a two length victory in the second division of the four year old geldings maiden and in the next race – the mares maiden race for five and six year olds – Bowe and O’Neill delivered again, this time by an easy eight lengths with Navy Girl in the colours of Rebecca Surman.
Coopers Cross in the colours of Milestone Bloodstock Ltd kept the winning combination going with a five lengths success in division one of the five year old geldings maiden event. He was chased home by another Wexford competitor, Figaro Des Bordes, for handler Donnchadh Doyle and rider Rob James.
Barry O’Neill has a long record of success for Fermanagh handler David Christie and the combination proved strongest in the Open Lightweight Race with Marinero who ran out the five lengths winner to give Barry O’Neill and a head start in the new championship race with his four triumph of the afternoon.
JAMES WALSH… a double today
There was a first and last race double for rider James Walsh from Tinahely. In the four year old maiden race Walsh was seen to good advantage on the Michael Kenny newcomer Saratoga Lass for Adamstown handler Kieran Roche. The verdict was one and a half lengths.
James Walsh teamed up with his father, John Walsh, to record a riding double on eighth and final race on the card – the ‘older maidens’ race – with High Stakes, first time out and a good seven lengths winner.
There was one other Wexford trained winner. First time out in the second division of the maiden geldings race for four year olds Sublime Heights from the Redbridge Stables of Michael Murphy, Duncormick, was a three lengths winner with Sean Staples, Scar, Duncormick, in the saddle.
Extra Garda patrols have been drafted into Gorey Town Park, which is in effect a building site, following reports of anti-social behaviour there, the members of Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Council were informed at the September meeting held under Covid-19 government guidelines at Gorey Courthouse.
Cllr Diarmuid Devereux described the ugly sight of individuals with ‘slabs of cans’ heading from the Main Street to the Town Park and people setting fire to the place. There were reports of anti-social behaviour and two fires recently occurred at the skatepark.
District Manager Michael Drea told the members he was concerned about negative news stories emanating from the Town Park although he admitted that “a small number of individuals were causing trouble.” The matter was discussed between the Council and the local Gardai and it was agreed that extra Garda patrols will take place at Gorey Town Park.
Cllr Anthony Donohoe expressed surprise that the Town Park is not finished! “It has been dragging on so long at this stage,” he claimed. Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Sullivan agreed and indicated that the “price and time has slipped” and the situation is “getting ridiculous.”
Work commenced on the site in May 2019, was impacted for a time by Covid-19, work recommenced in mid-May. It is anticipated that the building, landscaping and planting works be completed on December 12th next.
Parish pump politics raised its head in a practical and positive way when village matters were highlighted at the September meeting held under Covid-19 government guidelines at Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, last Monday, in circumstances that adopted a novel approach with a unified request to vent the feelings of Fianna Fáil members countywide on the relevant local issues.
The old parish pump is preserved as a reminder of village life long ago in the centre of Kilmyshall.
Speaking on behalf of all eleven members (Cllrs Aidan Browne, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Michael Sheehan, John Fleming, Michael Whelan, Andrew Bolger, Donal Kenny, Joe Sullivan, Garry Laffan, Pip Breen and Willie Kavanagh) of the Fianna Fáil Party, Cllr Lisa McDonald, by notice of motion, asked that Wexford County Council call on the Government to amend the remit of Irish Water to fund County Councils to allow them to deal with increased capacity and manage waste water systems in rural villages of under 3,000 population to protect the survival and growth of rural Ireland.
“There is a broad consensus that Irish Water is neglecting rural Ireland, in particular, in respect of Ballyhack, Duncannon and Kilmore Quay are reminders of their lack of interest, “ said Cllr McDonald who added; “The 2013 Act that established Irish Water did not remove Wexford County Council as a water utility so the legal structure is already there and we need to put back to the Councils the authority to run the smaller villages.”
Significant progress has been made in the delivery of a new primary and secondary school in the Clonard area of Wexford town, but the exact location is still to be disclosed.
The Department of Education and Skills has agreed a service level agreement with the Waterford and Wexford Education Training Board to deliver an additional primary school and secondary school in the town.
The agreement reached by both bodies marks a significant step of progress in the devolved delivery of a new primary school and secondary school in Wexford town. WWETB will deliver the construction of Selskar College and Wexford Educate Together National School.
MINISTER JAMES BROWNE
Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed today’s announcement, and he told WexfordLocal.com; “As the Chair of the Board of Management of Wexford Educate Together National School (WETNS), I’m delighted with the progress in the delivery of a new primary school and secondary school in Wexford town.
“I’ve been seeking a permanent school building for WETNS for several years.
“The shortage of Secondary School places in Wexford town has been a long running issue and a cause of frustration and stress for parents and children alike. I’ve attended several public meetings and talked to numerous parents over the years about this,” concluded Minister Browne.
It is expected that the schools will be ready to be occupied within three years and, hopefully, sooner. The location of the schools will be in Clonard, with the exact location still to be disclosed.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions that included a summer ban on overseas holiday travel there was a notable upsurge in camper van and motor-home related tourism, especially around the coastal areas of County Wexford, and consequently, the need for parking facilities was discussed at the September meeting of Wexford County Council held under Covid-19 government guidelines at Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy.
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin made reference to the huge growth witnessed this year in camper van and motor-home related tourism and he outlined the benefits this form of tourism could bring to an area and he pointed out that it was a central part of the tourism infrastructure in many counties as well as being a generator of revenue for local authorities.
Under a Notice of Motion, Cllr Ó Súilleabháin called on the Council to identify sites in County Wexford to develop motor-home/camper van parks. He felt it could attract many visitors from the UK and the continental market and it would tie in very nicely with Ireland’s Ancient East and he felt it could complement tourism trends in Wexford.
Cllr Jim Codd said Cllr Ó Súillleabháin’s idea was very good but it would make it very difficult for caravan parks that were already established if the Council comes along and establishes other ones.
TOM ENRIGHT, CEO, Wexford County Council
CEO Tom Enright felt it was not a market that the Council should be stepping into. “What we can do is if communities or local people want to develop these facilities we (the Council) should encourage them through the planning process and financially as well to provide the basic infrastructure that is needed to provide and identify sites.”
“A lot of mobile home parks and caravan parks in the county have facilities for people to come along to erect tents and park motor-homes overnight,” added Mr Enright who questioned the need for the local authority to compete with that market.
With a slight amendment, agreed by the proposer, the motion was seconded by Cllr Codd and was passed by the members. The same motion from Cllr Ó Súilleabháin was on the following day’s agenda for the Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council meeting, but because it had already been discussed at the County Council meeting, and a decision was agreed there, it was withdrawn.
Cahore Inshore Rescue Service were launched by Dublin Coastguard on Monday to assist a speedboat that had lost power off Glascarrig.
CAHORE LIFEBOAT (File Pic)
When located the stricken vessel was drifting towards the button rocks. However, everybody was safe, and the vessel was brought under tow to Cahore Pier.
The lifeboat members were helmsman Dave Kavanagh and crew Conor Burke and Sarah Horgan.
Remember, if you see something in the water please call 112 or 999.
By Dan Walsh at Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Council meeting
“There’s a green one and a pink one And a blue one and a yellow one And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky And they all look just the same”
A line from the song Little Boxes written and performed by Malvina Reynolds in 1962 and recorded by many well-known performers including Pete Seegar.
This line of bins at Courtown Car Park looked reasonably tidy and clean on Tuesday evening.
Any segment of light discourse during the battle with Covid-19 is welcome and the ticky-tacky words of Little Boxes sprang to mind during Tuesday’s three-hour meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held in Gorey Courthouse to comply with Covid 19 regulations during a discussion on litter and waste disposal.
Cllr Diarmuid Devereux told the meeting that he visited Courtown the weekend and he described “a place disgraced with rubbish.” He wondered if it had been cleaned on Saturday and Sunday?
Cllr Andrew Bolger also noted that the Courtown bins were “overflowing” and he made a ‘phantom’ query about ‘special bins that were wider at the top and easier to empty!”
Wexford County Council Environmental Officer Cliona Connolly was ‘present’ from County Hall, and she was performing admirably via video link up to this point and then she lost her understanding and worse was yet to come!
Cllr Donal Kenny referred to full bottle banks and their subsequent collection. He noted that when people come to the bottle bank and they have a bag of ‘clear’ bottles and the ‘clear’ bottle bank is full, they frequently leave their bottles on the ground, rather than putting them into the facility besides labelled ‘green’, ‘brown’ etc. This is frowned upon by the authorities and is regarded as littering – take your waste home with you is the slogan!
Then Cllr Kenny asked if all the colour codes at the bottle banks are collected in the same lorry?…and if that is the case…what is the problem with placing ‘clear’ bottles in the ‘green or brown’ banks if the ‘clear’ is full up and overflowing? Rather than leaving them on the ground?
Cllr Anthony Donohoe was of the opinion that the bottles were all transported in the same lorry and the different colours were separated at the recycling plant. Cllr Willie Kavanagh felt that the system in Oylegate meant that each colour was transported separately from the bottle bank location.
Meanwhile, heads are coming together at Wexford County Council and watch this space as colour coding for bottles could be returned to the Council agenda anytime soon!
WexfordLocal.com 