A few seats left at Gap Arts Festival

By Dan Walsh

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 information http://www.GapArtsFestival.com

Our Lady’s Island to experience virtual vision

By Dan Walsh

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    

Wexford Garda appeal for witnesses

One individual has been arrested and questioned in connection with incidents that occurred in the Spawell Road – Westgate area of Wexford town in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Gardai are seeking assistance from anyone who may have observed suspicious activity in or around this area late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning to please contact them at Wexford Garda Station by calling 053 9165200.

Large crowds at Wexford beaches today

By Dan Walsh

Reports from Council Beach Staff indicate that there have been significant crowds at main beaches such as Ballymoney, Courtown, Morriscastle, Rosslare Strand, Strand Courtown, Duncannon and over 5,000 at Curracloe.

BALLYCONNIGAR BEACH on quieter days


Wexford County Council appeals to Wexford residents and visitors to refrain from visiting the main beaches if possible. The number of COVID-19 cases nationally is increasing and the crowds on the beaches are making social distancing impossible.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Wexford County Council said; “We do not want to have a second all out lockdown in Co. Wexford, that prospect is something everyone wants to avoid. So, the message is enjoy the sunshine, stay safe, but stay away from the beaches today (Sunday) if possible.” Council staff will liaise with Gardai and may have to shut down access to the beaches if people do not take cognisance of the delicate situation that exists.

Duncannon basking in the sunshine

By Dan Walsh

Duncannon has traditionally been a popular holiday spot and with today’s temperatures in the low 20s and more to follow into early next week, at least, the sandy resort by the Barrow Estuary is making the best of the times that are in it!

DUNCANNON BEACH this afternoon.

Overflowing numbers forced the closure of the beach car parking area this afternoon, and while motorists were compliant, there was no controversial congestion. It was a straightforward case of following the Covid-19 guidelines.

Duncannon is a tight spot for traffic at any time and blocked off areas facilitating the replacement of a footpath at the village junction isn’t helping, but traffic was moving today, and those who ventured to the top of the village, parked safely, and exercised an adventurous up-hill down-hill walk to the beach, had no worries.

Modern Duncannon is for the holidays. The older Duncannon is steeped in history. After the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, James II, embarked for France from Duncannon Fort. During the 1798 Rebellion it afforded asylum to many.

New Ross is open and refreshed

By Dan Walsh

The trial run of four weeks of pedestrianisation in New Ross on each Friday, Saturday and Sunday of August has commenced with a pleasant degree of success so far. And, the weather is helping too!

A pleasant summer scene on South Street, New Ross, this afternoon

Many visitors were taking advantage of today’s brilliant sunshine and tasty varieties of food on South Street. There was also some music to sweeten the mood. The trial is to assist local traders deal with the effects of the Covid-19 restrictions on business and trade in the town.

New Ross Municipal District has provided funding for tables and chairs which will be put out for use by any traders and it will also link in with New Ross Summer Sessions which is currently each Saturday and Sunday.
Today’s photo taken in South Street is enriched by the fresh artwork from The Walls Project, and one of five murals to be installed in New Ross celebrating The Norman Way.

Deputy Mythen raises mental health issues

Just before the recent Dáil recess for the summer holidays Enniscorthy-based Deputy Johnny Mythen raised the matter of children being placed in adult mental health units, which is mentioned in the programme for Government and the Sharing the Vision policy. This issue has been highlighted in Wexford over the past few years and as recently as last week.

JOHNNY MYTHEN TD

“Will the Tánaiste commit to looking at the budget allocations regarding access to appropriate inpatient units and out-of-hours services? Has the Government considered the existing shortages in staff levels and the pending problem of retirements in the next five years, to end this bad practice of placing children in adult mental health units?

Replying to Deputy Mythen, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar stated; “Unfortunately, this problem has been going on for a long time and we have struggled to deal with it. In some cases, there might be 16 and 17 year olds in an adult unit, while in other cases a decision is made in consultation with the family to put a child in an adult unit nearer to home rather than a children’s unit far away. Still, it is not a satisfactory practice.

“As long ago as when I was Minister for Health and Kathleen Lynch was Minister of State with responsibility for this area, we worked very hard on this issue and were able to reduce the numbers, though not eliminate them. I am determined that this Government be the one to deal with this once and for all and I will be discussing it with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, in the weeks ahead. I thank Deputy Mythen for raising this issue.”

Edited by Dan Walsh

Councillors angry at Irish Water!

By Dan Walsh

Moderate contempt for Irish Water is frequently aired at district meetings, but claims that Irish Water is neglecting rural Wexford was alleged by a number of speakers at yesterday’s (Wednesday) Special Meeting of Wexford County Council held at White’s Hotel, Wexford, under strict Covid-19 pandemic guidelines.

The criticism comes in the perception that Irish Water is failing to provide adequate services in small towns and villages to sustain development such as once off construction or the revival of housing clusters that assist in keeping people resident in communities where they have family roots.

Cllr Oliver Walsh told the meeting something must be done to save rural Ireland and he had issues with Irish Water who recently requested €46,000 for the provision of a fire hydrant in his local GAA Club.

“I have no faith in Irish Water,” said Cllr Diarmuid Devereux. Cllr Michael Whelan wondered if a representative of Irish Water could be invited to the September meeting. Cllr Pat Barden felt “we are going around in circles with Irish Water” and he suggested it may be time for a vote of ‘no confidence’.

“We need to make some sort of serious statement,” he concluded.

A number of councillors added their voices to the debate, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, referred to the inability for development in some North Wexford villages due to Irish Water being unable to supply adequate capacity for water supply and wastewater services.

Director of Services, Tony Larkin, stated that 50 villages have facilities and there is no demand. It is not like the Celtic Tiger days and some people have great difficulty in selling houses. “People are living in small villages. It can be done. Development can take place.” He added that Irish Water claims there is spare capacity available.

Mr Larkin emphasised that Wexford County Council is not a water authority. It is not a statutory body. It has no powers and do not get any funding.

More Council support urged for rural villages

By Dan Walsh

Concern for rural villages and seeking ways of rejuvenating some villages that have seen better days was one of the topics that occupied members’ minds at today’s Special Meeting of Wexford County Council held under Government Covid-19 guidelines at White’s Hotel, Wexford. Cllr Ger Carthy, Cathaoirleach, and Cllr Garry Laffan, Leas-Cathaoirleach shared Chair duties.

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE…one of Wexford’s top visitor attractions.

Cllr Jim Codd called for more support for the coastal and marine sector drawing on inspiration from Rosslare to Bannow Island who were “a musical, cultured, linguistic people” and had great potential from a tourism viewpoint.

Cllr Michael Whelan felt that villages like Arthurstown, Ramsgrange, Duncannon and Ballyhack were near Waterford city and brought closer by the Ballyhack ferry service and were in need for more support and promotion.

Executive Engineer Diarmuid Houston referred to problems at the Ballyhack wastewater treatment system and he felt that was a Council priority. “Let’s put the facilities in first,” he said.

Some councillors were unhappy with the omission of some villages in the plan. Cllr Anthony Donohoe noted that Tara Hill, Ballymoney, Askamore and Kilrush were not mentioned; Cllr John Hegarty missed Screen, and Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan claimed that Caim was a busy village with a shop, a pub, a school and other services and deserved more support from the Council.

Cllr John Fleming referred to Killane, Rathnure and Ballywilliam and praised the Local Link bus service for assisting rural isolated people

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy expressed concerns that “we are not allowing people to live in the country and the rural way of life is disappearing.”

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux felt that rural villages were the most important item to discuss with fewer children starting school and GAA and other sports clubs struggling to get young members.

Cllr Pip Breen believed “rural villages are dying from the lack of school places.”

Cllr Lisa McDonald noted it is very clear that Ireland is changing. “Life is going to change. The retail strategy is going to change. What people need is good Broadband and be near the motorway with good connectivity to major centres.”

And Cllr Cathal Byrne wondered what happened to the letter ‘u’ in the Council spelling of his native Ballyhog’u’e?

Moore back in winning ways at Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Adamstown jockey Jonathan Moore was the happiest man in Bettyville Park today as it was his first day back in saddle since Tramore on July 25th and he scored a three and a half lengths victory on Peaches and Cream, (17/2) for Meath trainer Gavin Cromwell in the Slaney Beginners Chase.

Moore missed the Galway Festival due to a six- day whip ban, but he was happy to be part of a 113/1 double for Cromwell. The JP McManus owned Walk Me Home (11/1) under Jody McGarvey in the first division of the Bann Maiden Hurdle was the other Cromwell trained winner of the afternoon.

Philip Rothwell, Tinahely, saddled the shock 25/1 winner of the Barrow Handicap Chase when The Broom Square obliged for owners Eric Newnham and Carol Hogan. Adam Shortt was in the saddle.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins always likes a winner in the south east and it came in the Boro Maiden Hurdle when Hybery (13/8 fav) scored by 10 lengths under Paul Townend. The champion jockey made it a quick double in the second race on Twilight Girl, (7/1), a first training winner for Peter Fahey.

Bagenalstown-based John ‘Shark’ Hanlon had a double success when Woodbrook Boy, (3/1 fav.) ridden by Conor Orr, in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase and Ballinboola Steel, (12/1), the mount of Racheal Blackmore, in the second division of the Bann Handicap Hurdle both prevailed.

Racing was run ‘behind closed doors’ as required by the Government’s Covid-19 pandemic guidelines.

The jackpot pool was €141 (not won). Day’s aggregate €98,671. Last year €69,632.