WexfordLocal.com

Tributes to popular Wexford priest

The death has occurred of Very Rev. Hugh O’Byrne, aged 78, of Moortown, Bridgetown, who was a popular priest for more than 50 years and ministered for 22 years as parish priest of Blackwater until his retirement due to personal health issues four years ago.

**VERY REV. HUGH O’BYRNE (Pic; Wexford Parish Facebook)**

Many tributes have been posted on social media since news of his passing were announced today. “A lovely man who loved people” read one comment, others remembered memories of their marriage, school days, and other special occasions with Fr. Hugh, while one comment from a sporting perspective recalled fondly; “Involved with the (Faythe) Harriers when he was in (Wexford) town.”

On the glorious personal occasion of his Silver Jubilee Mass and celebrations led by Bishop Denis Brennan, Fr Hugh reflected on his half century of religious devotion and was looking forward to retirement. “My health isn’t the best at the moment. If you don’t have your health what have you?” he wisely pondered.

Born in 1942 at Streamville, Ballycogley, he was educated at Ballindaggin National School and St. Peter’s Seminary, Wexford, where he was ordained in June 1966.

After ordination he served in Kilrush, Clongeen, studied catechetics at Mount Oliver, Dundalk, served time as chaplain to St John of God Nursing Home, Ely House, Wexford in 1970. He was a teacher of religion in Wexford Vocational School in 1980.

Fr Hugh was popular during his time in Wexford town. He served as curate in Bride Street from 1980 to 1988, when he was assigned to Rowe Street and was Administrator from 1989 until 1994.

He was appointed parish priest of Blackwater on March 12^th, 1994, celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priesthood in St. Brigid’s Church, Blackwater, in 2016, a few weeks before his retirement on health grounds.

Beloved brother of Anne, Peter and the late Pat; sadly missed by his loving family, sister-in-law Joan, nephews Peter, Martin, Hugh, Thomas and Patrick, niece Annette, cousins, relatives and friends, Bishop Denis Brennan and all the clergy of the Diocese of Ferns. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

Private funeral will take place on Friday. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to CROI. HSE guidelines regarding public gatherings will apply.

You are welcome to join in the celebration of Fr Hugh’s Funeral Mass via the parish webcam on the link www.ipcamlive.com/blackwaterchurch on Friday at 2 pm.

Smoky coal ban extended to Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

Enniscorthy is set to join Wexford in the ban on the burning, sale and marketing of smoky coal extended to all towns with population of over 10,000 from September 1^st after the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Eamon Ryan TD, signed off on regulations to give legal effect to the Bill.

The ban does not extend to other Wexford towns, Gorey and New Ross, yet!

Mr Ryan said he was ‘very pleased’ to sign the regulations which are enforced by local authorities. The programme for government committed to extending the ban to the new towns and to “move towards a full nationwide ban.”

The penalty for breaching the ban is a fine of between €250 and €1,000.

Restoration plans for Ballast Office

The historic Ballast Office at Cresecent Quay overlooking Wexford Harbour, which is a protected structure, has been submitted for part-8 planning to renovate the strategic building with potential use for an enterprise or economic activity.

**BALLAST OFFICE on Crescent Quay, Wexford, is facing a renovation programme.**

Speaking at today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, Director of Services, Tony Larkin said “the building is in poor condition, especially the roofs and floors, and urgent work is needed to restore it.”

He added that two-thirds restoration is required and the intention is to include a restaurant and café leased to a private concern.

The Ballast Office dates from 1835. It was from this building for many decades, that the Wexford Harbour Commissioners oversaw the smooth running of the busy port which traded with many parts of the world.

Phone plan to report illegal dumping

By Dan Walsh

Cllr Aidan Browne’s motion calling on Wexford County Council to roll-out a QR style code on every public bin in Co. Wexford, seconded by Cllr Garry Laffan, was unanimously carried at today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in the Hilton Edwards Suite in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy. Cllr Ger Carthy was in the chair.

Cllr Browne said this would allow people to report overflowing bins as well as illegal dumping in real time using their phone and thus ensure a quick and targeted response. “The issue has become much more prominent over the lockdown period with people spending a lot more time outdoors,” said the Enniscorthy district member, who added; “The summer months and periods of good weather further exacerbate the problem and despite the best efforts of the Council, overflowing bins are becoming a common feature near parks and playgrounds across the county.

Cllr Browne continued; “It takes less than a minute to report and means the Council can target problem areas rather than trying to cover everywhere all the time and it also acts as a deterrent to those illegally dumping household waste near public bins as they know the Council will be watching the areas where it is most important.”

If a bin is damaged or overflowing anyone with a smartphone can snap a picture of the QR code and report it to Wexford County Council. This generates a service request and the Council can then send someone around to attend the issue without delay.

18th century bridge stands up for itself!

By Dan Walsh

Ballycarney Bridge is in the news and needs some sort of signage or intervention to keep it safe and in working order according to local Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan.

**18th century Ballycarney Bridge is ‘not always wide enough for traffic’ as the damage shows**

Speaking at the July meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Codd-Nolan told members that there was confusion and ‘near misses’ on the bridge and she is asking the Council’s engineering section to investigate and see what can be done.

The bridge has been strengthened and kept in good working order by Wexford County Council over many years, and that is still the case, but it appears that present day problems may arise from driver behaviour and could be easily solved by common courtesy and reduction of speed in the area.

Erected ca-1780, Ballycarney Bridge has seven arches flanked by smaller ‘flood’ arches and is described as “typical of the 18^th century Irish stone bridge.”

Linking the road to Ferns with Ballycarney crossroads, the ancient bridge is a noted landmark and is rare in that the pointed cutwaters are taken to parapet level and supports ‘pedestrian refuges’ that are v-shaped and quaint in appearance.

Seven arrested for drugs offences

Seven people have been arrested after Gardaí seized a quantity of suspected cocaine and cash during searches in North Wexford that began in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Gardaí intercepted a van and conducted a search of a vehicle at around 2 am. Suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of €17,500 was seized. A short distance away, a second package containing approximately €17,500 worth of cocaine was seized after Gardaí pursued a second vehicle.

Follow-up searches were conducted under warrant throughout the day in Enniscorthy and Gorey. During these searches, approximately €15,000 in cash was seized.

The seven people (five men and two women) arrested are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 in Garda Stations across Wexford and Wicklow.

Uniformed Gardaí attached to the Wexford Division were assisted by members from the Regional Support Unit, District Detective Unit and Cork Division Dog Unit during the operation. Investigations are ongoing.

Truck overturned at Ferrycarrig Bridge

A 34 year old man has been seriously injured when the cattle truck he was driving went out of control and overturned at Ferrycarrig Bridge this afternoon. A number of cattle died in the collision.

The scene of a crash at Ferrycarrig Bridge.

A parked car that was unoccupied at the time was also involved in the incident.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene.

Ferrycarrig Bridge remains closed. Traffic is quite heavy on approach in both directions, particularly southbound with a tailback of approximately 3km. As a result, traffic is also busy heading into Wexford town from the Ferrybank side.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was travelling on the road from 1.45pm to 2pm – or anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed the incident – to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Ferrycarrig Bridge is closed to traffic

Ferrycarrig Bridge outside Wexford town is currently closed while Gardaí deal with a serious collision.

WexfordLocal.com has been informed that a truck loaded with livestock is involved. Emergency services are at the scene.

Roadusers should avoid the area over the next few hours.

Traffic is quite heavy on approach in both directions.

Terrerath Castle adds to Norman trail

By Dan Walsh

Wexford’s history and heritage is enriched by ruins and vestiges from the Norman period and when Terrerath Castle showed signs of “collapse in the next decade” and a survey by Wexford County Council declared it “a dangerous structure” it was time for action.

**TERRERATH CASTLE is a restored addition to the Anglo-Norman trail in the New Ross district.**

There were two options; one was demolition and the other was stablisation! Fortunately, the latter was the preferred choice.

The castle site, which is on privately owned land, had to be fenced and secured after it became “in a dangerous state”, which meant a 3km detour for local users.

Funding of €112,000 was approved by the National Monument’s Service, with Wexford County Council contributing €30,000 which was a handsome contribution towards the conservation and enhancement of the building.

Terrerath Castle, also known as Tellarought Castle, is a fortified tower-house located about 10 kilometres from New Ross, dating from the Anglo-Norman period. It was held by Sutton in 1307, but it has been in disrepair by the Civil Survey in the mid-1650s.

The ruins have been repaired and cleaned up and it stands as an imposing landmark beside St. Brigid’s Well, which is believed by some people to have healing properties, and even in present times it is adorned by religious objects left by pilgrims.

Ivan Yates says goodbye to broadcasting

By Dan Walsh

It was implied that veteran broadcaster Vincent Browne could never be replaced, but Enniscorthy’s Ivan Yates sat comfortably in his seat for the past three years, TV3 became Virgin Media and The Tonight Show became the nation’s favourite for many late night viewers of current affairs.

Ivan presented his final ‘live’ show last night when his chief guest was An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, who didn’t let the occasion pass with offering some words of congratulations on his retirement. “I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your service to broadcasting and the public in terms of how you have carried out this show. We’ll miss you! I think you brought a degree of freshness and innovation to the job and also something unique.”

Co-presenter Matt Cooper also spoke well of Ivan and wished him well in his retirement. He was presented with a special commission by caricature artist Niall O’Loughlin, who recently immortalised Dr Tony Holohan in similar creative style.

**NIALL O’LOUGHLIN’S caricature of Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates was presented to Ivan marking his retirement from broadcasting**

Aged 60, Ivan Yates is son of Enniscorthy businessman, the late John F. Yates, and Mary Yates of Blackstoops, on the outskirts of the town. He joined the Fine Gael party and was elected to Enniscorthy Urban District Council on his first attempt in the June elections of 1979.

When elected to the 22^nd Dail in 1981 he was the youngest deputy in the House. He served as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry from 1994 until 1997 and he was elected on every occasion until his retirement from politics in 2002.

He was involved in business interests for a number of years until he entered broadcasting with Newstalk FM on the Breakfast Show and Virgin Media (was TV3) taking over The Tonight Show three years ago.

His autobiography FULL ON – A Memoir was published by Hatchette Books Ireland in 2014.

AUDIO ADDITION – Tributes to Ivan Yates on The Tonight Show.