WexfordLocal.com

Local journalist chairs EV summit

By Dan Walsh

Local journalist Caroline Kidd has been announced as the chair of this year’s Electric Vehicle Summit, an event, organised by iQuest & Business Post Live, and a high-level business forum to discuss the future of electric vehicles (EVs) in Ireland based on the dual themes of business engagement and thought leadership from the most senior, influential and informed people in the sector.

CAROLINE KIDD Editor/Founder *Changing Lanes*

Caroline who comes from Bunclody, is a motoring journalist, juror for Irish Car of the Year, and the editor of Changing Lanes. Caroline founded Changing Lanes in 2014 as a simple automotive blog where she could share her passion for cars. Changing Lanes has grown to become a leading online automotive magazine and trusted authority on new cars and the motor industry. Caroline has road tested hundreds of new cars and travelled around Europe to report from new car launches.

Speaking ahead of the event, Caroline said: “Electric vehicles will play a major role in reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions from transport. Sales are growing year on year, with huge investment from car manufacturers to bring new models to market. Yet EVs still account for less than 4% of the new car market in Ireland indicating that major change is required to accelerate our move to electric.

“As battery technology improves, range anxiety becomes less of an issue. But consumers will need to see a well-maintained, ubiquitous public charging network in place before a widescale adoption of EVs can take place. Despite grants and incentives, price and availability remain an obstacle for many consumers.

“Real leadership and a coordinated effort from Government and stakeholders is needed before Irish consumers will swap diesel and petrol cars for zero emission electric models in great numbers. But when the tipping point happens once issues of price, availability and infrastructure are resolved, I believe it will happen very quickly, and driving a combustion engine car will become very unfashionable very quickly. We have seen how Irish consumers have adapted quickly to trends such as SUVs and hybrids. I expect the same will happen with electric vehicles.”

This year’s Electric Vehicle Summit will address the impact of Coronavirus on the industry, deliver an update on new government policy, as well as cover a wide range of subjects pertinent to electric vehicles going forward.

Caroline will be joined by speakers including Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport, Christina Bu, Norwegian EV Association, Colin McKerracher, Head of Advanced Transport, Bloomberg, Joachim Brandt, Head of Electric and Autonomous Vehicles, Gemserv, and Anne Graham, Chief Executive, National Transport Authority. Caroline Kidd will also chair several panel discussions between motor industry executives and other stakeholders.

The Electric Vehicle Summit 2020 will take place on October 15^th.

Carrigfoyle Activity Centre is progressing

By Dan Walsh

Works on Phase One of the Carrigfoyle Activity Centre includes access road, car park, trails and services, and will be completed shortly, meanwhile draft design drawings for Phase Two of the €3 million development of an Activity Building on the site have been prepared by Wexford County Council’s Architect Department.

**The old quarry site at Carrigfoyle is being converted into an Activity Centre that will boost local tourism**

Chief Executive Officer Tom Enright gave details about the current position in regards the Carrigfoyle development in response to a query from Cllr Garry Laffan at the September meeting of Wexford County Council held under Covid-19 government restrictions in the Riverside Park Hotel, Ennsicorthy.

“The drawings are currently being reviewed by the Special Projects Office with a view to making a Part VIII application and the project is now entering Phase Two,” Mr Enright told the members. He added that the safety work has been carried out on the site.

Phase Two will include the construction of the actual building that will include climbing walls, indoor training facilities, and a coffee shop or restaurant.

Mr Enright said there is over 10kms of trails between the Three Rocks and Carrigfoyle on the side of Forth Mountain, just above the village of Barntown, and it can be used by visitors and the community.

Quad vandalism returns to Vinegar Hill

By Dan Walsh

Cllr John O’Rourke raised concerns about quad bike damage on Vinegar Hill where a special place of historical tourism is being ‘degraded by louts’ at the September meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held in the Riverside Park Hotel under Covid-19 government restrictions.

**VINEGAR HILL… a special place of historical tourism**

District Manager Ger Mackey told the members that the Council was aware of anti-social behaviour on Vinegar Hill and recent events are under investigation. Repairs to the damage is being done and there is a follow up with the parents of those responsible.

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan had received complaints about the upkeep of the Peace Park and Mr Mackey admitted to maintenance issues during the summer.

Cllr Jackser Owens also mentioned the Peace Park and he heard reports of broken windows to houses on Irish Street. He also heard that people are seen climbing over the fence.

Mr Mackey responded to anti-social behaviour issues around the Peace Park and the Gardai have been given a key to carry out patrols during the hours when the park is locked up.

€577,892 for four Wexford housing estates

by Dan Walsh

Four Wexford housing estates are to share funding to the tune of €577,892 following allocations under the new multi-annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme.

Kyle Close in Oulart has been allocated €80,365; Gleann na gCaor in Monageer has been allocated €227,159; Mountain View in Ballindaggin has been allocated €156,012 and Cois Cuan in Arthurstown is to get €114,356.

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform at the Department of Justice and Equality, James Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “This first allocation under the multi-annual programme focuses on estates in towns and villages where the resolution is to connect their water services to the public networks. Co. Wexford has received one of the largest allocations, 17% of the total amount allocated nationally.

“This allocation is starting the process of helping the many families who are living in residential estates that are dependent on sub-standard developer provided wastewater or drinking water treatment plants for their water services. Many residents in these estates made a major financial commitment in buying their homes and have been at a disadvantage for too long.

“The fact that the programme needed to be introduced demonstrates the importance of ensuring that public elements of housing developments such as the roads, open spaces, car parks, and service connections in their estate are completed to the satisfactory standard and maintained thereafter by the appropriate authority” concluded Minister Browne.

The programme is focused on housing estates which are not taken-in-charge by local authorities and do not have their water services connected to the public water services network but rely instead on infrastructure, often temporary in nature, which was provided by developers. Much of this infrastructure, generally consisting of small standalone wastewater treatment “package” plants were put in place in the 1990’s and early 2000’s.

Location of new Wexford schools announced

By Dan Walsh

The new 1,000 pupil replacement school in Wexford town for Selskar College and a new eight-classroom school for Educate Together National School will be located on a 16-acre site at a location between Whitford House Hotel and the Clonard Road.

Chief Executive of Waterford and Wexford Education Training Board (WWETB), Kevin Lewis said that he was delighted that a new primary school will be adjacent to the post-primary school and that this will create a quality education campus for Wexford town. Further good news is that a four-classroom Special Education Needs unit will be provided for the post-primary school and a two-classroom Special Education Needs unit will be provided for the primary school.

**Ken Whyte, Director of FET; Eimear Ryan, Director of Schools; Karina Daly, Director of OSD and Kevin Lewis, Chief Executive, WWETB.**

Cllr Leonard Kelly, Mayor of Wexford, who is also a current member of the Board of Management of Selskar College, and former member of the Board of Management of Wexford Educate Together said; As a parent of school going children, resident of the town and someone who works with schools in various capacities I know that this announcement is an absolute game changer for Primary and Post Primary Education in Wexford town. Education is the key to reducing inequality in our society, and by creating this education campus in town we will help to strengthen our community by ensuring that our children are given the best opportunity to be educated in state of the art facilities in their own town.”

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Chairperson of WWETB Board said: “I am delighted that the site for our new second level school for Wexford town has been announced by the Minister for Education and Skills, Norma Foley T.D. I hope that the plans for our new school will get planning approval in a timely manner, and that we can proceed with this building project and provide this much needed education facility for the people of Wexford as soon as possible.”

Dr Emer Nowlan, CEO of Educate Together haswelcomed the announcement and said that “Wexford Educate Together National School has gone from strength to strength since its establishment in 2008. This new school building will provide the school with a permanent home and enable it to thrive and grow to meet the increasing demand for equality-based education in Wexford town.”

WWETB Director of Schools Eimear Ryan added that she was“delighted with the location of the proposed site and the plans for a campus arrangement with the Educate Together Primary School. WWETB will continue to progress the project as quickly as possible and I remain optimistic that some of the students currently enrolled in Selskar College will finish their post-primary education in this brand-new partnership school. After many years of discussion and work by so many people, it is great to see our vision become a reality.”

Principal of Selskar College, Denise Lennon Hennessy said this will offer the community of Wexford greater choice in an easily accessible location and provide a school community with the opportunity to create a centre of excellence in both academia and sport.

Enniscorthy Greyhound Track remains open

By Dan Walsh

The Irish Greyhound Board and Enniscorthy Greyhound Track have agreed a memorandum of understanding to keep the track open until the end of 2022, subject to a review in the final quarter of 2021. The news was welcomed today by Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne.

In a statement to WexfordLocal.com, Minister Browne said; “I’m delighted the Irish Greyhound Board has reversed its decision on Enniscorthy Greyhound Track. Enniscorthy’s track has a long tradition as a sporting hub of County Wexford. When I met the Irish Greyhound Board CEO Gerard Dollard, I left them in no uncertain terms about the importance of the track and how Enniscorthy Greyhound Track is engrained in the community’s heritage and culture. The campaign to keep the track open confirmed the strength of support behind Enniscorthy Greyhound Track.

“This is a terrific success story and I commend the Enniscorthy Greyhound Track company that preserved and stressed the need to keep Enniscorthy Greyhound Track open for racing”, Minister Browne concluded.

Speaking at today’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held under Covid-19 government guidelines, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan said Enniscorthy Greyhound Track is to remain open till 2022 which she declared “is great news for the town”. She complimented the committee and everybody who kept the campaign going to keep the track open.

Cllr Jackser Owens concurred with Cllr Codd-Nolan’s sentiments. “The fight was well fought, it was a hard slog, but it is great to keep the track open,” he stated.

Following an Indecon report, the Irish Greyhound Board announced its intention to withdraw funding for Enniscorthy greyhound track, a decision which would force the track’s closure. In January 2020, Minister Browne met Irish Greyhound Board CEO Gerard Dollard to fight for the retention of the Enniscorthy Greyhound Track. Significant engagement resulted in the Irish Greyhound Board conducting a review.

Cigarettes worth €69,000 seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers have seized over 102,000 cigarettes at Rosslare Europort. The smuggled cigarettes branded ‘Marlboro Red’ and ‘Compliment Violet’ have an estimated retail value of €69,000, representing a potential loss to the exchequer of €54,327.

The seizure occurred when a Hungarian registered vehicle was selected for examination having disembarked a ferry from France.

The subsequent search, with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, led to the discovery of the cigarettes, concealed within the floor of the vehicle. The vehicle was also seized. Two Romanian males in their 20s and 30s were questioned.

Investigations are ongoing.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295.

First woman President at Gorey Rugby Club

By Dan Walsh

Gorey Rugby Football Club has selected its President for the 2020-21 season, Trysh Sullivan, who has been a great servant to the club over many years, serving on various committees, including the Executive Committee, Fundraising, Hon. Secretary, as well as taking on the role of Senior Women’s Manager for many years.

**TRYSH SULLIVAN President of Gorey Rugby Club 2020-21**

“It is a huge honour and privilege to have been elected to the position of President of Gorey Rugby Club particularly to be the first woman President in what is traditionally seen as a male role,” said Trysh, who added; “As President, I would like to give a warm welcome for the return to rugby to all our members, supporters, any visiting teams and match day officials who make the journey to Clonattin this season, following strange and unprecedented times as we learn to live with Covid-19.”

Trysh is eagerly looking forward to the coming year and is extending good wishes to Club Captain Daragh O’Leary, Ladies Captain Ciara Tomkins, and their teams every success in the forthcoming season. “Equally I would like to wish all our players, guardians, volunteers, coaches, co ordinators and management of all our teams a successful and enjoyable season and to all volunteers, and of course, a special word of thanks to Gorey Rugby Club’s generous sponsors for their continued support, which is very much appreciated. It is important that all our members try to support them whenever and wherever possible. Without our sponsors we would be in an exceedingly difficult situation,” she concluded.

Double for Goff and Fitzgerald

By Dan Walsh

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.

New Christmas experience for Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

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.

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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 21^st, the popular children’s event will operate Thursdays to Sundays over twenty one days until December 23^rd. General sale tickets will go live this Friday 25^thSeptember on www.santasenchantedcastle.ie.