Ballyhogue Famine Wall receives protection

By Dan Walsh

The famous Ballyhogue Famine Wall, in accordance with Section 55 of the Planning and Development Act (Amended), been formally added to the Record of Protected Structures following a public consultation. The decision was unanimously supported by members at today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held by Microsoft Teams due to the Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.

BALLYHOGUE FAMINE WALL (File Pic. Permission of the Crean family)

Senior planner, Diarmuid Heuston said; “In total the County Council received 61 submissions from the public and one from the statutory bodies (Failte Ireland). All of the submissions are in favour of protecting the wall although some questioned the details in the information report that the Council had prepared as part of the process to protect sections of the wall from demolition.”

The matter had been informed to the Office of the minister in charge of Heritage, but no response was forthcoming.

Local historian Eithne Scallan favoured the decision. She said; “There is no similar structure with such an important background of culture and history and highlights the importance of maintaining such a significant structure as the Ballyhogue Famine Wall.”

Public representatives who supported the venture included Senator Malcolm Byrne and Deputy Johnny Mythen, TD, who stated; “The Ballyhogue Famine Wall represents a special time in our history and is possibly one of the few walls of that era in existence and it should be placed on the list to preserve and maintain our history and heritage and act as a reminder that our ancestors built this structure during one of the toughest times in Wexford’s history.”

€100,000 for Clonroche Health Centre

By Dan Walsh

The HSE will make available a grant €100,000 to support the redevelopment works at the waiting rooms area at Clonroche Health Centre.

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed news. He told WexfordLocal.com; “Following several representations to the HSE, I’m delighted to learn that the HSE has approved a grant of €100,000 to support redevelopment works at Clonroche Health Centre. Works on the health centre’s waiting area are due to get underway shortly. These works will support the health centre’s ability to serve hundreds of patients in the Clonroche area.

CLONROCHE HEALTH CENTRE

“I wish to commend local GP Dr Nabi for his stellar service to the local community. The COVID-19 pandemic and the imminent winter season revealed the urgent need for redevelopment works in the centre. I hope that this funding will help with the day-to-day running of the health centre for patients and health professionals alike.

“Meanwhile, I will continue to make representations to the HSE regarding the progress of primary care centres and health centres across County Wexford”, Minister Browne concluded.

Death of top Gorey businessman

By Dan Walsh

Many tributes have been paid to leading Gorey businessman, Sean Stafford, senior, who passed away at his home, Ramsfort Park, aged 89 years.

Sean has been associated with the business, social and sporting activity links in the community and received many awards for his loyalty, commitment and contribution to the betterment of Gorey and its environs in many ways.

He retained close links with the community, freely socialised with the locals and was held in the highest esteem for his kindness to individuals and organisations within the community.

SEAN STAFFORD (1930-2020) – Pic JOE DIXON

Born on December 31st, 1930, Sean Stafford served his time in the confectionary trade in Cork before arriving in Gorey on a motorbike in 1955 from his native Wexford town and setting up a family bakery on the Main Street.

He traded successfully on Main Street and sold Supervalu to Pettits before embarking on an exceptional path of business acumen that has made Stafford’s the biggest employer in Gorey. Today, Stafford Bakeries is a state-of-the-art bakery at the IDA Industrial Estate in Clonattin, and also operates the Joanne’s Café outlets at South Main St, Wexford, Main St., Gorey, and Main St, Arklow.

Cathaoirleach of Gorey-Municipal District Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan, was a close friend of Mr Stafford whom he described as “a charitable man who made a huge contribution to the economic life of Gorey.”

Sean served as treasurer of Naomh Éanna GAA Club for its first 30 years (with Cllr Sullivan as secretary, 1992-1998) at a time of expansive development and spearheading fund-raising projects. He was a fervent supporter of the club and held a keen lifetime interest in Gaelic games.

AUDIO ADDITION – Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council pays tribute to businessman Sean Stafford

Dearly beloved husband of the late Lucy (née Doyle). Seán will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his son Seán, daughters Mary, Lou-Ann, Úna and his darling Joanne, sisters Frances and Olive, daughter in-law Michele, sons in-law Michael and Dan, brother in-law Barney (Murphy), sister in-law Christine (Doyle), his grandchildren Siún, Laura, Daniel, Cáit, Sarah, Tríona, Michael, Lucy, Seán Óg and Seána, nephews, nieces, extended family, large circle of friends and his valued staff.

Reposing at his home on Tuesday (November 10th) from 2-7pm (in accordance with strict Covid 19 measures). Removal on Wednesday at 11.15am to St Michael’s Church, Gorey (via North Parade and Main St) arriving for a private family Funeral Mass at 12 noon, followed by interment in St Michael’s Cemetery.

People are welcome to pay their respects to Seán as the funeral cortège makes its way to the church and cemetery.

Seán’s Funeral Mass can be viewed by logging onto https://www.stmichaelsgorey.ie/onlinemass.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam dílis’

Jamie Codd on the double at New Ross

By Dan Walsh

Overnight rain contributed to heavy conditions at Knockmullen House, New Ross, today, where the Wexford Foxhounds autumn point-to-point fixture took place.

Jamie Codd enjoyed a nice double. He teamed up with Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, to score an eight lengths’ victory with Eddie Logue’s Tattersalls winner a fortnight ago, Fanamix, in the Cooney Furlong Grain Winner of One Race. Career winner number 222 for handler Murphy.

Earlier Codd was aboard Gordon Elliott’s Prevaricate, the two lengths winner of the opening maiden race for four-year olds. Runner-up was Kalyptra, trained a few miles away at Loftus Hall by Pierce Power, with Ellen Doyle’s Champ Is Real taking the third prize.

Conor Moore from Kilmore Quay had his first winner since breaking his leg last year when taking the ‘older maiden’ race on the home-bred First Preference, owned by Jimmy Devereux, Rostoonstown Stud, Tomhaggard, and trained by his son, Vincent.

John Clifford did not have far to travel from Inistioge and over the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge to saddle Davitt Road Glory, the six lengths winner of the adjacent mares’ maiden race ridden by Dan Nevin.

Prime Pretender came from the Fermoy stables of Paul Cashman to savour an eight lengths victory in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings to give rider Stefan Tobin from Tallow his first point-to-point success.

Today’s other fixture was at Dromahane, near Mallow, but no Wexford winners.

Getting the runners away to a perfect start at Knockmullen House (File Pic)

Ellen’s a winner in Tipperary

By Dan Walsh

ELLEN DOYLE

Ellen Doyle, who trains at Coolgarrow Lane, near Enniscorthy, saddled her third winner of the season at Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary, today, when Talk Derby To Me was the seven lengths winner of the maiden race for five year old mares, ridden by Barry Stone, Cleariestown. Running in the colours of the Baltimore Stables Syndicate, first timer Talk Derby To Me will go to the sales.

Courtown handler Pat Doyle saddled Lady Mangan to win the Mares Open Race by five lengths with Liam Gilligan up.

Colin Motherway, who was for many years based in Blackwater and was a popular rider on the south-eastern circuit, now training in his native Cloyne, Co. Cork, saddled the winner of the first division of the maiden race for five year old geldings with Great Heart’jac by one and a half lengths. Another winner for Jamie Codd.

Gardai enforcing road safety

By Dan Walsh

It has been a busy Friday for Gardaí across Co. Wexford while enforcing road traffic legislation.

In Enniscorthy, an Avensis was seized as Gardaí using the mobility device discovered the driver was disqualified. He was arrested and charged to Court. The car was seized.

Quiet on the M11 during the Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions

In Gorey, the Divisional Roads Policing Unit detected a number of cars exceeding the speed limit on the M11, and prosecutions will follow.

Meanwhile in Clonroche, Gardaí from the Divisional Roads Policing Unit conducted a joint safety inspection with the Road Safety Authority, however, they were happy to report that in general all vehicles were in good condition and roadworthy.

Gardaí wish to reinforce the important message; PLEASE drive safely, reduce your speed, and respect ALL road users.

Every vote counts for new Gorey school

By Dan Walsh

Three weeks ago, Minister for Education and Skills, Norma Foley TD, announced that Gorey would be getting a long awaited and much needed new, state of the art secondary school next year.

The Department of Education has handed the decision as to who would run this school to parents; the parents in the area – and hinterland – who have children in 2nd to 6th class in local primary schools.

CEIST, Waterford and Wexford ETB, and Educate Together have put their names forward to seek patronage of the new school. 

MAIN STREET, GOREY

Last evening, in line of course with government health advice and restrictions, a virtual Open Evening for parents in Gorey was held by CEIST.

Clare Ryan CEO of one of the Educational Trust’s (CEIST) hoping to run the new school told WexfordLocal.com; “We were completely blown away by the level of interest in the kind of high quality, state of the art Catholic secondary school we are seeking to offer to the town. The support has come through the local primary schools obviously and we are grateful to the principals and teachers, parents and young people who are behind our efforts. The local clergy have also been marvellous. Parents want the kind of superb school our Trust are offering and they are taking their role as arbiters of this decision for the town extremely seriously. It was incredibly heartening to be part of it.”  

CEIST is patron of 107 Catholic post primary schools and co-patron of 34 Community schools and Community Colleges. 

Ferns Diocesan Secretary Fr John Carroll said: “What we want parents to do now is simply exercise their vote; every vote counts and every vote matters. From our perspective here in the Diocese the worst thing would be if parents said – after the fact – that they hadn’t heard about it, or didn’t realise they had the choice in this; that would be a terrible tragedy really and unworthy of the current Department of Education’s patronage process. So, I’d be encouraging every eligible parent to get out and vote; do your research, go to the various websites of the various patrons and see what resonates with you and your family. Think also what’s best for the town into the future.”

For more information of CEIST’s bid, go to www.ceist.ie where you’ll also find a link to vote. You’ll need your Eircode and your child’s PPS number.”

€5,000 for Wexford Communities Fund

By Dan Walsh

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed the allocation of €5,000 to Wexford Community Sponsorship Group through the 2020 Communities Integration Fund.

MINISTER JAMES BROWNE

“The Communities Integration Fund provides communities with an opportunity to lead integration activities, which reflect and support their own diversity. Community Sponsorship Groups offer an alternative model of resettlement to the traditional state-centred model of resettlement.

Wexford Community Sponsorship Group is a local group that has come together to support arriving refugees. The local group provides supports around access to housing and to different state services”, Minister Browne explained.

The Communities Integration Fund was first established in 2017 to implement the commitment under Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy to support actions by local communities throughout Ireland to promote the integration of migrants and refugees.

Council support for Gorey jobs boost

by Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council is delighted to welcome CSC to Co. Wexford, following today’s announcement that the company, one of the world’s largest privately-held businesses providing financial, corporate administration and depositary services to global alternative asset managers and capital markets participants, is to set up its European Centre of Operational Excellence in the M11 Business Campus in Gorey.

The investment will create 75 jobs over four years and is supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland.

M11 BUSINESS CAMPUS AT GOREY

Speaking at the announcement, President of Global Financial Markets at CSC John Hebert described Gorey as the ideal location to establish the international company’s European Centre of Operational Excellence, citing the town’s close  proximity to Dublin, excellent infrastructure, and access to a deep talent pool was a significant factor in the decision to locate there.”

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Ger Carthy said “it is great news for the county.” He added; It’s a tremendous vote of confidence in County Wexford and it clearly shows that Wexford can successfully compete as a strategic location for financial service companies.”

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright was also impressed. “This decision by CSC demonstrates the company’s confidence in Wexford where it can be assured of a deep pool of highly skilled and creative talent. It also shows that the Council’s policy of supporting Wexford’s talented workforce through the development of state-of-the-art offices and infrastructure can yield significant dividends in terms of national and international investment and high-quality jobs,” he told WexfordLocal.com

“I wish to congratulate Paul Whelan (who is a native of Enniscorthy) and his team in Gorey and I can assure them of the continued support of Wexford County Council as they set about establishing their European Centre of Excellence here. I also want to acknowledge the efforts and continuing support of the IDA in winning investment and bringing much needed jobs to Co. Wexford, despite the global challenges out there” concluded Mr Enright.