Dr. Bairbre Ní Fhloinn will deliver this year’s Dr Tom Walsh Lecture in the Jerome Hynes Theatre at the National Opera House, Wexford.(Pic; Bryan O’Brien).
By Dan Walsh
We are only about eight weeks away from the opening of the 74th Wexford Opera Festival when world-class opera returns to Wexford town at the National Opera House.
The festival opens with the traditional fireworks on Wexford Quay on Friday, October 17th and conclude on Saturday, November 1st.
This year’s line-up features three exceptional main stage productions – Le Trouvére, Deidamia and The Magic Fountain offering bold reinterpretations and unforgettable experiences.
Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi explains how this year’s theme, Myths & Legends, informs the Festival and connects each of the main stage operas – ‘three masterpieces‘ in Rosetta’s words; “Discover fascinating insights from the directors, designers and conductors behind the main stage operas – it’s the perfect way to get inspired before October.”
One of the most popular fringe events during the festival is the annual Dr Tom Walsh Lecture in the Jerome Hynes Theatre. A popular and anticipated event on the Festival calendar, the Dr Tom Walsh lecture always provides an enriching and insightful experience. This year’s distinguished guest lecturer is Dr. Bairbre Ní Fhloinn, Associate Professor of Irish Folklore and Ethnology at UCD, who will explore the fascinating connections between Irish folklore and the Festival theme, Myths & Legends. A comprehensive programme of events for the 2024 Wexford Opera Festival is available on its website. Lots to choose from!
Booking is available by contacting the boxoffice@wexfordopera.com
CLLR JOHN DWYER, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council speaking at the unveiling of the SS, Portláirge dredger propeller at St. Kearns, Saltmills, on Sunday.
By Dan Walsh
A new maritime monument featuring the propeller of the SS Portláirge which is Ireland’s last operational steam-powered dredger, has been unveiled by Saltmills & St Kearns Community Group as a contribution to National Heritage Week.
The propeller, salvaged in 2023, was permanently installed and officially launched on the Shore Road, overlooking Bannow Bay where the vessel ran aground in 1987, at a public ceremony yesterday (Sunday).
Speaking at the event, Cllr John Dwyer, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council praised the efforts of the heritage group.
“It is due to your efforts in securing this crucial part of the of the steam powered dredger, that future generations will be reminded of the work that was carried out for close on 120 years to keep the Port of Waterford and the estuary clear from silt and mud,” stated Cllr Dwyer.
The famous steam dredger, the SS. Portláirge which had operated clearing Waterford Harbour since it was first commissioned in 1907 up until the mid 1980s and was sold to a private buyer after it was decommissioned but famously ran aground just off of Saltmills, while being transferred to England.
The SS. Portláirge served for 77 years in Waterford, New Ross, and Liverpool. It notably transported two Irish Provisional Government officers in 1921 and was regarded as Europe’s last working steam dredger at the time of its retirement.
Time has taken its toll on this famous old workhorse and the local Saltmills Heritage Association were anxious to ensure that a fitting monument would be erected close to the sea wall where she finally came to rest.
The Propeller, made from cast iron, was purchased by the heritage association and has now been tastefully mounted along with a wall plaque which sets out this old girls working life right up to her demise off Wexford’s coast.
The monument was made possible through support from Wexford County Council, the Heritage Council, local community fundraising, and land donated by Tommy and Jodie Hickey (Hook Head Oysters).
GARY COLLINS (Rosslare) claimed the Irish Mid-Amateur Men’s Open Championship at his home club on Sunday afternoon. (Pic; Inpho/Laszlo Geczo).
By Caomh Breen Allen
Gary Collins said the support of the home crowd was a huge factor in pushing him towards Irish Mid-Amateur Men’s Open Championship victory at his home course, Rosslare Golf Links, on Sunday afternoon.
The 33-year-old also claimed the Best Overall Gross prize, while another local Rosslare member, Mark Mullen, secured the Men’s Over-40s title.
In the Women’s Championship, Shannon Burke continued her remarkable season as the Ballinrobe golfer overturned a two-shot overnight deficit to claim her fourth championship of the year and be crowned Irish Mid-Amateur Women’s Open Champion.
By his own admission, Collins began his week slowly, carding an opening round 71. But he found his spark in round two, signing for a bogey-free 68 highlighted by a closing eagle on the par-five 18th.
“First round 71 could have been anything and I kept it together. I usually start off slow, just said keep it around level par and I’ll be in with a chance,” said Collins.
“Yesterday I actually played class and shot four under with ease, should have had a few more but that’s the way it goes.”
Collins began the final round at five under par, in a share of second place alongside Allan Kiernan (Forrest Little) and Gerard Dunne (County Louth), the trio sitting one shot behind overnight leader John Corbett (Thurles).
Buoyed by his finish the previous day, Collins got off to a solid start with birdies on six and seven before bogeys on eight, ten and eleven threatened to halt his momentum.
Birdies on 12 and 13 steadied the ship and saw him take a two-shot lead down the stretch, but a bogey on 17 cut the margin to one with just the 18th to play.
With a sizeable home crowd following, Collins struck his drive down the centre of the fairway, leaving a short iron into the green. He rolled his eagle putt to tap-in range and sealed a one-shot victory to the delight of the Rosslare faithful.
“I had a good yardage and Jamie (Doyle) was with me all week on the bag, he’s kept me positive and we both said nine iron straight away and we knew straight away that it was the perfect club and just make a good swing, get it on the green and give myself a chance and that’s what I did, which was good,” said Collins.
“I had everyone. I had my little lads, I had my granddad, they’re all out. Aunties, uncles, brothers the whole lot, it’s always good to have them around.”
Burke also began her final round with ground to make up as she teed off two shots behind defending champion Aideen Walsh (Lahinch).
That deficit quickly disappeared however when Walsh ran into trouble at the par-three third, carding a seven to hand Burke the advantage, which she duly capitalised on.
The Mayo native went on to reel off seven birdies across her round and, despite a determined fightback from Walsh, she held her nerve to hole the winning birdie putt on the 18th and secure her first Irish Mid-Amateur title.
“Absolutely thrilled, had a great battle out there with Aideen so happy to come out on the right side,” said Burke.
“I had actually said to myself if I could get to five under for the day, eight under total, I knew it would give me a decent chance so stuck to the game plan, hit it really well so happy enough.”
“Anytime you win something you haven’t won before it’s really satisfying”
A man in his 50s has been arrested following a seizure of drugs worth over €3 million by Revenue Officers at Rosslare Europort on Saturday.
Approximately 150.6kgs of suspected herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €3,012,000 was seized by Revenue Officers following the search of a truck which had disembarked from a ferry.
The man, aged in his 50s, who was arrested is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda Station in Co Wexford.
A man in his 40’s was arrested after Gardaí seized almost €1.9 million worth of cocaine and cannabis during a search operation of a premises in New Ross on Friday.
The search was carried out by members attached to the Wexford Crime Unit.
89kg of cannabis with an estimated value of €1.76 million was seized, along with 2kg of cocaine with an estimated value of €140,000.
A man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the seizures and is being held at Wexford Garda Station.
Wexford County Council has announced a temporary road closure in Courtown to accommodate the Courtown and Riverchapel Vintage Day which will take place in aid of RNLI and Courtown Tidy Towns at North Pier, Courtown.
The Vintage Day will take place tomorrow (Sunday, August 24,) with the road closure taking effect from 11am until 5pm.
The road closure will take place on the L50401-1 North Pier, Courtown.
Local access will be facilitated to residents in the affected area.
Motorists are advised to plan alternative routes and follow any signage or guidance provided on the day.
CATHY LEE invites everybody to the Castletown River and Nature Festival this weekend “Bring along a picnic and enjoy the surroundings.” (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
The Castletown River and Nature Festival takes place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, August 23rd-24th and an opportunity to celebrate National Heritage Week with The Ahare River and Biodiversity Group as they explore the natural beauty of the Ahare River and local wildlife.
The group will be hosting two amazing free events to celebrate National Heritage Week 2025. The first will be a drawing class on Saturday, ‘Drawn to the Wild’ with Don Conroy in Castletown National School, Gorey.
Don Conroy is an artist, environmentalist, a television personality famed for his appearances on ‘The Den’ on RTE and a writer of children’s literature. A native of Dublin, he has been living near Enniscorthy for some years now!
This event is currently fully booked but a cancellation list has been created. It promises to be an excellent day.
On Sunday there is a fantastic family funday on beautiful Clone Strand, Castletown, north of Gorey celebrating Water Heritage Day with lots of fun for all the family, young and old.
Cathy Lee of the Ahare River and Biodiversity Group advised readers of Wexford Local.com to “bring along a picnic and enjoy the surroundings. There will be a sand art competition, egg and spoon race, nature treasure hunt and much much more. These events are free but booking is essential.
In association with and with support from Wexford County Council, LAWPRO and The Heritage Council, this promises to be a great weekend.
For more details please see The Ahare River and Biodiversity Group page on Eventbrite.
Ballymurn Heritage Group are hosting a Heritage evening on Friday at 7.30pm in Ballymurn Hall. Free refreshments and entry.
The evening will consist of a display of crafts, equipment and a spinning wheel demonstration. There will be a free booklet of some old cures, remedies, sayings, superstitions and recipes.
The Drinagh Mummers and local musicians will provide the entertainment. Some old wedding photos and wedding dresses will be on display, as well as fresh griddle bread and ‘Old Tonic’ to sample.
Aideen Walsh (Lahinch) will look to win a hat-trick of Irish Mid-Amateur Women’s titles at Rosslare Golf Links this weekend. (Photo: Inpho/Tom Maher).
By Caomh Breen Allen
Aideen Walsh will look to make history this weekend as the Lahinch golfer aims to secure her third consecutive Irish Mid-Amateur Women’s title when she tees up at Rosslare Golf Links tomorrow afternoon.
The Irish Mid-Amateur Men’s & Women’s Open Championship runs from Friday-Sunday, August 22nd-24th on the Wexford coast, where over 100 competitors will tackle the renowned southeast links in the 54-hole Stroke Play event.
This year’s championship carries added significance for the host venue, as Rosslare Golf Links celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.
Walsh arrives in Rosslare on the back of another standout season. The 27-year-old captured the Bridgestone Women’s Order of Merit for the first time after several near misses, while also playing a pivotal role in Ireland’s unbeaten Women’s Home Internationals campaign at Woodhall Spa.
“I think like every season it’s been a bit up and down. There are days that you’re proud of and days that you’re not so proud of, but I’m definitely delighted to win the Order of Merit,” said Walsh. “It’s just something that I wanted to tick off, so I’m glad to have done that now.”
Her year has also earned her a start at the Irish Challenge next week in Malahide and, for Walsh, Rosslare represents not only a chance at an historic hat-trick but also the perfect opportunity for some final preparation.
“I got invited, luckily enough, to the Irish Challenge next week, which is in Malahide so I’m kind of just going to use Rosslare to prepare for that,” said Walsh.
“There are a few things that I’ve been working on since Homes, just a small few things in my approach play. There’s nothing like a card in your hand to prepare for events, so I’m looking forward to it.”
For the Ennis native, the motivation remains the same, steady improvement and enjoyment of the game.
“I think what I always learned about golf is, no matter how good you can get, you can always get better,” said Walsh.
“You can really see your progress and that’s probably what has kept me in it. I’m probably playing at elite international level, nearly four or five years now, but it’s also obviously really enjoyable.”
Among those joining Walsh in the women’s field are Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe), the reigning Leinster, Connacht and Munster Women’s Amateur champion; Connacht Women’s winner Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas); and fellow European Mid-Amateur Team Championship bronze medallist Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion).
The men’s championship also boasts quality, with East of Ireland winner David Howard (Fota Island), Connacht runner-up David Reddan, and Castleknock’s Paul Coughlan all part of a strong field.
Local hopes will rest with Rosslare’s 11 representatives as JP Fitzgerald, Rhys Clarke, Gary Collins, Mark Shanahan, Ian Lynch, Geoff Coman, Michael O’Regan, Johnny Stewart, Mark Mullen, Tony O’Leary and Mark Whelan will all look to make home advantage count.
The Irish Mid-Amateur Men’s & Women’s Open Championship gets underway at 8am on Friday morning, with Keith Crowley (Fota Island), Brian Lane (Muskerry) and JP Fitzgerald leading off the Men’s championship. The Women’s championship begins at 12.15pm, with Walsh, Burke and Eleanor Brazill (Naas) in the opening group.
Wexford County Council has posted “Do Not Swim” notices at Ballymoney Beach, Gorey, Co. Wexford.
The latest sampling conducted as part of the Council’s normal monitoring of bathing water quality, showed elevated levels of bacteria at the Beach.
Following consultation with the HSE, it is necessary to issue “Do not swim” warning notices at the above beaches in accordance with the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008 and in the interest of public health.
Further samples are being taken and results are expected by Sunday 24th August, 2025 at which stage the bathing prohibition notices will be reviewed. In addition, the Council’s Environment Water Team are investigating the matter.
Wexford County Council advises members of the public visiting the above beach to please abide by the public notices advising against swimming.
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