Forty-three customers are without power tonight in the Clonroche area and ESB Networks estimate it may be 10.45am tomorrow before service is fully restored. The fault was first reported at 10.40pm.
Earlier tonight 97 premises in the Mulgannon district of Wexford town were without power as crews from ESB Networks worked to repair two separate faults.
A fault reported at 6.43 pm is affecting 15 customers and it is hoped to have power restored at 11.30pm.
A second fault in the same area of Wexford town was notified to ESB at 9pm and the estimated time for return of power is 12.45 am. Crews are working on the outage which affects 82 customers.
Earlier today ESB Networks warned its customers of “possible disruption to the electricity supply” tonight and into tomorrow due to strong winds and heavy rain from Storm Ellen as it passes over the country.
Information on social media tonight is warning roadusers of fallen trees on the road from Killinick to Our Lady’s Island.
Ninety-seven premises in the Mulgannon district of Wexford town are without power tonight as crews from ESB Networks are currently working to repair two separate faults.
A fault reported at 6.43 pm is affecting 15 customers and it is hoped to have power restored at 11.30pm.
A second fault in the same area of Wexford town was notified to ESB at 9pm and the estimated time for return of power is 12.45 am. Crews are working on the outage which affects 82 customers.
Earlier today ESB Networks warned its customers of “possible disruption to the electricity supply” tonight and into tomorrow due to strong winds and heavy rain from Storm Ellen as it passes over the country.
Storm Ellen will produce severe impacts in places this evening and tonight. A cloudy day, with outbreaks of rain. Patches of mist will develop on hills and in coastal areas. The rain will gradually clear later this afternoon, with another band of heavy rain spreading from the south in the evening. Easterly winds will be moderate to fresh and gusty this afternoon but veering south-easterly and becoming very strong and gusty later in the evening as Storm Ellen approaches, with gales developing. Highest temperatures of 17 to 19 degrees.
Storm damage at Wilton Gardens last November. (File Pic)
TONIGHT; Very windy or stormy tonight as Storm Ellen moves northwards across the country. Some damaging gusts are possible, especially in coastal areas and caution is advised. There will be a spell of heavy rain overnight also, with a risk of flooding in places. The rain will clear to the north towards dawn. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees.
TOMORROW; Thursday will be a very windy day with sunny spells and some heavy, thundery showers developing. Fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds may reach gale force in Coastal areas. Highest temperatures of 17 to 19 degrees. (SOURCE ; MET ÉIREANN Regional Forecast – LEINSTER).
Storm Ellen will track over Ireland on Wednesday night and during Thursday bringing a period of severe and potentially damaging winds. It will also be associated with heavy rain bringing a risk of flooding.
Due to the combination of storm surge, spring tides and onshore winds there is a potential risk of coastal flooding.
Take extra care, check local weather and traffic conditions before setting out on a trip. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
Motorist should be aware that there may be a possibility of localised flooding – check your local forecast!
REMEMBER; People who are holidaying or camping near coastal areas are advised to keep safe and monitor local weather forecasts / conditions. Stay away from all coastal areas for the duration of the Met Éireann warnings.
Check and secure items which may be blown away, including garden furniture and street furniture.
Motorists should be aware of local flooding and exercise greater care on roads and should slow down and be aware of the dangers of fallen trees and debris, especially high sided vehicles.
Keep a sharp lookout for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Please keep safe and the best advice is to STAY AT HOME and only travel if it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY until the storm conditions have passed!
People of a certain vintage will recall the ‘good old days’ when they would sit on the doorstep and listen to the match on the wireless and afterwards, in the pubs, at the forge, dropping off the milk churns at the creamery or taking a break in large workforce places, such as Gorey’s beloved Leather Factory, would know more about the game than those privileged to experience every puck of the ball from the crowded sidelines.
CLLR JOE SULLIVAN is cheering for Naomh Eanna in Gorey
County hurling final 2020 takes place next Sunday in Chadwick’s Wexford Park, and while Gorey’s Naomh Éanna, first time champions two years ago, are in the spotlight (with Shelmaliers), the Covid-19 restrictions means that the devoted fans will have to stay at home on this occasion and rely upon the radio and television coverage.
It will be a strange final in Gorey, but for many it will be nostalgic and for others a new experience, however, one thing is certain, Gorey will be cheering on their heroes. And each will recall their own highlights from what promises to be a memorable sporting occasion.
Ever since the semi-final victory the green and white flags have sprung up like mushrooms on the town’s Main Street, a few colourful window displays may have popped up too, and the sight of people climbing ladders has been phenomenal!
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com today, Cathaoirleach of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan, said that there is disappointment that people cannot attend the match, but they understand the circumstances why, and it in no way diminishes their support for the team and they will be cheering them all the way through TG4 and South East Radio.
AUDIO ADDITION ; CLLR JOE SULLIVAN, Cathaoirleach of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council tells DAN WALSH about the importance of Naomh Éanna’s appearance in next Sunday’s county hurling final and how the fans will cope when unable to attend the game due to Covid-19.
The Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Championship Final featuring Shelmaliers and Naomh Éanna, Gorey, takes place in Chadwick’s Wexford Park next Sunday at 2 pm and will be televised live by TG4 and broadcast live on South East Radio.
Found myself in the Carne area during the week. Featured on RTE’s popular ‘Reeling in the Years’ for the controversial protests against the proposal to construct a nuclear power station at Carnsore Point at the end of the 1970s.
It will be 42 years ago next Wednesday, (August 19th 1978), when over 5,000 people took part in an anti-nuclear rally and festival at Carnsore Point. The government of the day, subsequently, called off the project and to this day, Ireland is nuclear free!
When all of those ‘celebrities to be’ and environmental activists were in this area I wonder did any of them discover the past? Like I did when passing through Tacumshane on the way to Our Lady’s Island – that most curious of landmarks -Tacumshane Windmill.
TACUMSHANE WINDMILL receiving a course of restoration
As recent as 1891 there were thirteen wind-driven corn mills at work along the south coast of Co. Wexford. The number was down to five by 1911, one of these being Tacumshane Windmill, restored under the care of the Irish Board of Works.
Although built in the mid-19th century, (1846 is carved on the lintel over the eastern doorway on the interior), Tacumshane closely resembles the original 16th century type of a three-storey tower mill.
The end of milling and corn drying came in 1961 and the last miller was Michael ‘Mike’ Power from Sigginstown and Hilltown, born in 1902 and he also worked in other mills in the district in his young days.
Tacumshane is unique amongst surviving windmills and is regarded to have links more closely with windmills in Brittany, western France, Portugal and Spain rather than mainstream developments in the Netherlands and eastern England.
CREDITS; Tacumshin Windmill – its history and mode of operation, compiled by Austin O’Sullivan, based on a short article by Liam de Paor, first published anonymously in issue 12 of the Office of Public Works journal Oibre in 1976.
The weekend is here again, and with high temperatures staying with us for longer, large crowds are again expected at Wexford’s beaches and Gardaí will be on duty in and around Curracloe and Ballinesker beaches and car parks to assist with traffic congestion.
“Please ensure you park your vehicle in a safe and responsible manner. Access to beach car parks will have to be restricted if capacity is reached”; said a spokesperson for Wexford Garda Division, who added; “Signage and traffic control measures will be also in place to help alleviate any traffic issues.”
Meanwhile, Wexford County Council reported severe congestion at Curracloe and Duncannon in recent times and suggest that visitors take an alternative beach on the 275kms of Wexford coastline.
The list includes Ballymoney North, Cahore, Old Bawn, Morriscastle, Balllinesker, Culleton’s Gap, Rosslare Strand, St. Helen’s Bay, Carne, Ballyhealy, Cullenstown Strand and Booley Beach.
For those who get onto the beach and enjoy a swim, be extra careful because the warm water is enticing jellyfish, who can cause excruciating pain by sting, even when they are dead!
Cllr Jim Moore posted photos of a Lions Mane Jellyfish and a Compass Jellyfish, washed up between Ballygrangans and Nemestown, near Kilmore Quay, sent by a local lady as a warning to the public regards their presence. Please be careful and watch out for any jellyfish.
Also not forgetting the pets. Advice from the ISPCA; “It’s better to avoid walking your dog during intense heat, so early morning or evening walks is best when it’s cooler. If the pavement is too hot for your hand, then it is too hot for their paws. Always have fresh cool water available and access to shade from the sun. Never leave a dog alone inside in a car.”
The message for this weekend is simple. Please have patience and obey Garda directions, park safely and sensibly, respect the environment, take responsibility for personal care at all times, respect others, and have a memorable and safe family occasion.
Drama-lovers in North Wexford and beyond are being treated to a rare theatrical event this summer- a live outdoor theatre performance. At a time when live theatre is a rarity, this is certainly a quality show not to be missed!
Popping up in the garden and Hooked on their lines! Carl Nuzum, Niamh Fleming and Norah Finn from Coolgreany Drama. Pic; Thomas Clare
Coolgreany Drama has been presenting (in accordance with Covid-19 health and safety guidelines) the full-length comedy drama Hooked by Gillian Grattan in the unique outdoor surroundings of the beautiful Ram House Gardens in the north Wexford village.
Ram House Gardens, lovingly tended by Lolo Stevens, is a delightful summer setting for this production. It is spread over two acres and features in many major gardens of Ireland guides.
Hooked is a three-handed comedy drama in which young Dubliner Lydia’s move to a small country village leads to an unexpected chain of events, exposing many local secrets and lies.
Directed by Sally Stevens and featuring Norah Finn, Carl Nuzum and Niamh Fleming, Hooked has proved a huge hit with audiences. It was performed regularly throughout July and after a short break has returned for August performances. Remaining dates are: Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm on August,15, 16, 22 and 23 and Thursday evening, August 20.
One of the few theatre performances taking place anywhere in the country.
To book tickets on Eventbrite for the remaining shows Google Hooked Coolgreany. Admission is €12 plus Eventbrite booking fee. For further queries about the show phone: 087 2411926.
The performance lasts for approximately 90 minutes with no interval. Due to Covid restrictions there are no toilet facilities.
The creative 10th annual Gap Arts Festival is taking place this weekend, and Festival Director, Garrett Keogh told WexfordLocal.com; “While we have had online activities, we have tried to keep live performance and the bringing of people together at the heart of what we do.”
The Gap Arts Festival highlights
Taking place at Ballythomas, close to the Wexford-Wicklow county border the Festival will feature outdoor events, films, a picnic with live music and entertainment, and a reading of a new play by well-known actor Garrett Keogh, with a cast of Wexford-living Fair City regulars, including Ruth Hegarty and Aisling O’Neill.
We are informed that this event is sold out for tomorrow night and there are only about nine seats left for Saturday night’s performance, so quick action is necessary to be part of the audience.
Two short films are commissioned by Gap Arts Festival. One, a DIY short film, made by people at home on mobile devices over the last few months, that will be edited into a document of the community’s experiences of the lockdown. And a bi-lingual short Ceol na gCrann, The Music of the Trees,an allegorical piece with music on renewal and hope in dark times.
Pre-booking can only be made through Eventbrite.ie. Audience capacity is very much reduced. All events observe government health and safety guidelines including social distancing and sanitisation. For more informationhttp://www.GapArtsFestival.com
Unlike many other prominent pilgrimage sites around the world, Our Lady’s Island has never experienced “a vision”; however, ‘a virtual vision’ in the non-transparent sense will ensure that this years’ pilgrimage events will be ‘live streamed’ on the Our Lady’s Island Facebook page or ourladysisland.ie
No crowds at Our Lady’s Island for the traditional pilgrimage this August. The events will be ‘live streamed’;
The annual pilgrimage which attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims annually is a victim of the Covid-19 guidelines so the disappointed pilgrims cannot seek the comfort of prayer in the traditional way through personal presence. Alternatively, they can avail of the Facebook page.
The opening Mass for the 2020 pilgrimage will be celebrated by Bishop Denis Brennan at 11am on Saturday, August 15th. Morning Masses will be at 10am and Evening Masses at 8pm.
Parish Priest, Fr Jim Cogley said; “The church is open each day and everyone who wishes to visit the island is welcome to come for their own individual pilgrimage at any time. Church numbers will be restricted during services. The gift and coffee shops will be open with social distancing.”
A BRIEF HISTORY; 1954 was the Marian Year. It was also the year that the celebrated Irish American rosary priest Fr Patrick Peyton visited Ireland and that included the 15th of August pilgrimage at Our Lady’s Island. 40,000 people attended.
It was an occasion that boosted the south Wexford village as a pilgrimage of importance. Next day The Irish Independent newspaper ran a full page of photographs and Fr. Peyton made the front pages. Later the picture of Fr Peyton at Our Lady’s Island would hang in many homes across Wexford flanked by President John F. Kennedy and Pope Paul VI.
Christian devotion at Our Lady’s Island goes back to the 6th century and it is on record that people travelled great distances and crawled around a circuit of the island on their bare knees! Those days were knocked out by the Great Famine of 1847, but twenty years later, in 1867, the Redemptorist priests gave a mission in the parish and revived the ancient pilgrimage. 2,000 turned up.
In modern times tens of thousands travel from all corners of the country and in 15 centuries only the Great Famine and Covid-19 has interrupted the mass devotion of ancient origins. This year get on to Facebook or get somebody to help with the technology which will be ‘live streamed’ on PCs, tablets, mobile phones etc. Look up ourladysisland.ie
WexfordLocal.com 