Bunclody is looking better and brighter this year following an upgrade to the Christmas lights as a consequence of investment from the Town and Villages Renewal Scheme. The illuminations are all LED and brings a much brighter appearance to the town from Ryland Road, along the town centre and towards Carrigduff.
BUNCLODY is a blaze of lights for the Christmas season.
Due to Covid 19 restrictions the switching-on ceremony was virtual this year and took place on Friday evening without the usual buzz of the Christmas spirit and the crowds.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, a native of Bunclody and Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council to WexfordLocal.com; “There has been an upgrade on the lights. They are all LED now and look more environmentally friendly and the town looks stunning.
She added; “Small towns and villages need to be supported. Businesses in Bunclody are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to do business over the next few weeks.”
AUDIO ADDITION; CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY welcomes the new Christmas Lights to Bunclody
Ten races at Borris House and seven races at Ballindenisk in Cork gave Wexford stables plenty of opportunity for success today and Ellen Doyle, who trains at Coolgarrow Lane, near Enniscorthy, notched up an across the card double. On a very productive day ten Wexford trained winners were recorded.
ELLEN DOYLE had wins in Cork and Carlow today
Doyle’s first victory came in the first division of the maiden race for four-year olds at the Cork track where Tango Star came home two lengths to the good under Bagenalstown rider John O’Neill.
Doyle’s double came at the end of the 10-race card at the Carlow track when Blackhall took the first division of the ‘older maiden’ race by half a length with Cleariestown rider Barry Stone in the saddle.
Champion rider Barry O’Neill went to Cork and got his name on the scoresheet aboard Colin Bowe’s Kilbeg King running in The Lads and Eoin Syndicate colours who enjoyed an eight lengths advantage at the finish of the maiden race for five and six year old geldings.
Division two of the four-year-old maiden race at Cork went to Michael Murphy’s Redbridge Stables at Duncormack. Local rider Sean Staples got the first timer Journey With Me home comfortably by twelve lengths.
At Borris House, the first division of the maiden race for four year old mares was the one and a half lengths winner She Is A Contender, running in the colours of Linda Butler and a second career winner for handler Wayne Kehoe who has two horses in training and uses the beach at Blackwater to get them fit. Simon Cavanagh was in the saddle.
Both divisions of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings were won by Wexford trained and both were first time out. Division one went to Ottoman Style, trained by Cormac Doyle at Ballindaggin, five lengths to the good with Jack Hendrick, Mayglass up. Division two went to Donnchadh Doyle’s Classic Getaway ridden by Rob James who scored by eight lenths.
BARRY WALSH on a winner at Borris House
And the Doyle family success rolled along when Sean Doyle prepared Onagatheringstorm for the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and with Gorey rider Barry Walsh in the saddle triumphed by eight lengths.
Division one of the five-year-old mares’ maiden race was won by Current Mood, in the colours of Liam Gahan, trained at Craanford by Liam Kenny, and ridden by Wicklow rider Brian Lawless, who had a double at Borris House today. The winning verdict was seven lengths.
The Open Race confined to novice riders was a fourth win in five runs for Jimmy Devereux’s home-bred Mr Mantilla. Trained by Jimmy’s son, Vincent Devereeux at Rostoonstown, Broadway, Mr Manilla was ridden by Kilmore Quay rider Conor Moore, who was enjoying his second winner since returning after being off nursing a broken leg.
Cllr Mary Farrell was present to assist Santa Claus turn on the Christmas Lights in Oulart with help from ‘the king of country music’ Tony Kehoe on Friday night. Security was extra tight. Santa was escorted by the local Gardai with sirens and flashing lights.
“Well done to the organising committee who did tremendous work to bring some welcome cheer and excitement to the village in these challenging times,” said Cllr Farrell.
“Santa and his reindeer have been given a COVID Exemption on Christmas Eve to make his journey around the world to visit all the boys and girls. So be good and go to bed early as social distancing will still be in place,” she added.
The annual Wexford Book Fair is taking place this weekend as a virtual online event. Due to Covid 19, over thirty Irish book fairs were cancelled this year with Wexford being the first and only fair taking to the internet.
Organisers say they have some incredibly rare books on offer including a first illustrated edition of Oscar Wilde, a battle-damaged propaganda leaflet printed by the republican leadership in the Four Courts prior to the start of the Irish Civil War and a rare volume of WB Yeats autobiographies.
“We have some incredible books on offer from booksellers across Ireland,” Wally O’Neill, one of the organisers, told WexfordLocal.com; “People always expect to see fine Irish histories at the Wexford Book Fair so we have Hores, Musgraves and Kavanaghs. We also have beautiful old collectible sets like a ten-volume set of the works of Robert Browning and a set of the Arabian Nights.”
“The Book Fair is not all about rare and exquisite volumes though. There will be books for everyone, from all price ranges. We also hope the open nature of this year’s fair may bring new people in who are yet to experience the charm of an Irish Book Fair,” concluded Mr. O’Neill.
The Wexford Book Fair will be held online until midnight on Sunday. You’ll be able to find it at www.theirishbookshop.com.
A man in his 20’s sustained serious injuries when his motorcycle left the road and struck a ditch on the R733 at Ballinteskin, on the New Ross to Ballyhack road.
It happened shortly before midnight and only one vehicle was involved. Gardai and emergency services attended the scene.
He was treated at the scene and removed by ambulance to University Hospital Waterford. His condition is understood to be serious.
The road is currently closed, and local diversions are in place. Garda forensic collision investigators are visiting the crash site this morning.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or with camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station 051 426030 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
Enniscorthy’s Market Square was a dark place early this evening but was revived with a bright idea that activated a touch of magic – the virtual switching-on of the annual Christmas lights. Even the moon shone brightly above the rooftops and church spires as the illuminations were observed from the space station high above the clouds.
The moon shone brightly over Enniscorthy tonight for the virtual switching-on of the annual Christmas lights
The Covid-19 guidelines prompted a new approach to the big switch-on this year. It was time for ideas and since Christmas is a time when magical things happen it was decided that a virtual switch-on would send light into every street.
The mystery remains, who converted the vacant bulbs into bright lights. Jimmy Gahan from Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce was present and said a few brief words, Santa Claus was surrounded by a few elves and had a big plunger in front of him, so he may have had the magical touch, and there were a few well-chosen words from the Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr. Barbara-Anne Murphy.
Cllr Murphy told WexfordLocal.com; “It was an unusual switching-on of the lights, but it’s a beautiful evening, the lights are stunning, and everyone should take the opportunity of coming to Enniscorthy, get a look at the Christmas lights, feel the atmosphere and support local.”
So Enniscorthy is in festive mood. The popular roadside hoardings with the message ‘Shop Enniscorthy Support Local’ have been erected on all approach roads into town and at strategic locations within supported Enniscorthy so as to get the message across to shoppers of the need to spend locally this Christmas.
AUDIO ADDITION – CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council says “Feel the atmosphere and shop local”
The death has taken place of George Blackburn, (82), after a short illness, the legendary coach at Westbury Harriers in Bristol and Irish international cross-country runner who was a native of County Wexford.
GEORGE BLACKBURN (Pic; Westbury Harriers 2017 Awards Night
Son of the late Tom and Annie, George was born at Ballydawmore, Monageer, in 1938, he was an ourstanding hurler and footballer with Monageer-Boolavogue and won two county senior hurling championship medals with Enniscorthy St. Aidan’s GAA in 1958 and 1959, before emigrating to the UK in 1961.
As both an athlete and coach at Westbury Harriers in Bristol, George had many successes.
The following tribute by Chris Buckley appears today on the I Was, Or Am A Runner Facebook page:
“Sadly, today we lost our Mr Westbury Harriers, George Blackburn passed away, George had a stroke a month ago, but sadly didn’t recover.
He enjoyed life right up until the end, playing golf the day before his stroke. He was an inspiration and the life & soul of Westbury Harriers and à funny man with many a bad joke.”
He was the backbone of Westbury Harriers colts/boys/youths/ Juniors/ men’s section in the 70s/80s/90s and all success was down to him, his leadership, dedication, and competitiveness shone through, coached many to international success.
George Blackburn’s sporting prowess is recognised with pride across County Wexford, and in the Enniscorthy area in particular, and he always received a champion reception on his home visits and is mourned by family and friends on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Sympathy is extended to his partner Fran; brothers Tom and Aidan, sister Nancy and the late Phyllis. May he rest in Peace.
A new six day per week shipping route operated by DFDS from Rosslare Europort to Dunkirk in France is to commence on January 2nd.
The new service will bring to 13 the number of direct sailings between Rosslare Europort and the European continent, each way, every week, during peak times of year.
“This is a hugely exciting development, not only for us in Rosslare Europort, but for Ireland as a whole, Irish industry, and the haulage sector”, Port General Manager Glenn Carr said this morning.
Voyage time for the Rosslare-Dunkirk will be 24 hours which is longer than the sailings to other French ports such as Cherbourg or Roscoff, but will bring hauliers and other users within three hours of Paris and 20 minutes from the Belgian border.
ROSSLARE EUROPORT was busy on Thursday afternoon.
Local Minister James Browne TD has described the establishment the new shipping route as “as a game changer for the South East.”
“Having a new direct route to mainland Europe will be vital for trade, particularly if the expected delays at British Ports materialises as is predicted from December 31st.
“I have advocated for a new route with numerous stakeholders in Government and in the industry. Recently I met with Minister for Trade Promotion Robert Troy TD on this very issue.
Recently, on Minister Browne’s invitation Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne TD visited Rosslare Europort and met with General Manager of Rosslare Europort Glenn Carr, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Tom Enright, Gardaí Superintendent Jim Doyle, and Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr. Ger Carthy. At this meeting the future of the Port and new routes were discussed.
“Today’s announcement is massively important for the South East. It secures our county as a key trading location for decades to come and will be hugely beneficial to Wexford and the wider region,” concluded Minister Browne.
Other shipping operators already sailing from Rosslare to the continent are StenaLine, Irish Ferries and Brittany Ferries.
There are currently three return sailings between Rosslare and France each week as well as three between Dublin and Cherbourg and three between Dublin and Rotterdam.
This news comes after planning permission was granted for a €30m development at Rosslare, which includes a reconfiguration of the port along with new infrastructure and facilities, aimed at increasing the number of routes.
Other developments in the area include construction of a new N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Wexford County Council, as well as a new business park by Dutch company XELLZ and a new border inspection post, which includes facilities for Customs, health and agriculture checks, designed for the post-Brexit business environment.
Local Minister James Browne TD has received confirmation from his colleague, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphries TD, that the Christmas bonus on social welfare payments will be issued from week beginning December 7th.
MINISTER JAMES BROWNE TD
Minister Browne told WexfordLocal.com; “I welcome confirmation from the Minister that the Christmas bonus will be paid this year to those in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment. Up to 90% of people on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will also receive the Christmas bonus which is only right and fair.
“Over 1.6 million people will receive this payment, totalling €390 million. It will be a welcome payment ahead of Christmas in what has been a challenging year for all households.
“The Christmas and New Year period bring their own financial challenges. Like previous years this additional payment will help households manage during this time,” concluded Minister Browne.
Lidl Ireland has opened its rebuilt Enniscorthy store on the Kiltealy Road, in a new state-of-the-art store creating eight jobs for the locality bringing the total number of people employed through the store to 29.
Approximately 200 people were employed through the construction phase of the new Lidl Enniscorthy store.
Lidl Enniscorthy Store Manager, Fran Butler and LGFA star, Clara Donnelly cut the ribbon at this morning’s official store opening
The former store was demolished and rebuilt with a modern finish to create an enhanced shopping experience for customers including a convenient large 117 space cark park which includes two electric vehicle charging spaces. However, the sustainable features don’t stop in the carpark as the store is fully equipped with an ISO 50001 certified Energy Management System including the installation of a solar photovoltaic system.
The Lidl Enniscorthy team were joined this morning by Wexford LGFA star, Clara Donnelly to officially open the store. “It’s an absolute pleasure to officially open the new and impressively improved Lidl Enniscorthy store. As a local myself, I have missed the store since it closed temporarily back in June so it’s great to see it back in business and just in time for Christmas.”
Echoing the excitement of the opening, Store Manager, Fran Butler welcomed the loyal Lidl customers of Enniscorthy to the new store. “Lidl Enniscorthy was one of our first Irish stores to open all the way back in June 2005, which meant building the new store on the same site felt like a nice tribute. This rebuild has been worked on since 2018, so it is great to see it coming to completion just in time for Christmas. We have really gotten to know the local community over the years and missed many familiar faces during our temporary closure. I think I can speak for the entire team here when I say we are looking forward to welcoming our loyal customers to our new store with even more space and range on offer.”
A true entity among the Enniscorthy community, Lidl have also constructed a roadway for nearby neighbours, Wexford Community Workshop, to give them safer access to their facility as well as a pedestrian link between the workshop and the new Lidl store. Likewise, the retailer has built a fence adjacent to the Moyne Rangers Football Club to provide them with greater security.
In celebration of the opening, Lidl Enniscorthy welcomed representatives from the Hope Cancer Support Centre to accept a donation of €1,000 to support the ongoing work they do in the Enniscorthy community, providing emotional support and information to people whose lives have been changed by a cancer diagnosis.
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