Christmas Lights on in Gorey

By Dan Walsh

Normally thousands of people would turn out to be part of the switch-on of the Christmas Lights in Gorey, but the Covid 19 restrictions caused a change to the plans and instead of a family celebration, the lights ‘just came on quietly’ in Gorey tonight.

They are stunning and bright and the benefit from the additional funds allocated to the Christmas budget where all the old lights were rewired and now are as new and LED efficient it makes for the brightest Gorey’s streets have ever been.

The Christmas Lights came on in Gorey’s Main Street tonight. No official ceremony this year.

There are 16 Lanterns at Esmonde Street, 16 Star Motifs, also on Esmonde Street, 11 New Street Crossings on the Main Street, a New Street crossing at the junction between Main Street and Arklow Road, and a New Street crossing at the junction between Main Street and Esmonde Street.

All lights for trees on Main Street are bright – dull sets have been replaced, Welcome to Gorey sign at AIB; Nollaig Shona O Guaire sign at entrance to Gorey Civic Offices, 12 trees on the way up to Gorey Civic Square are lit up along with three large trees on the Plaza.

There are reindeers and other lights too, and the Christmas trees. Christmas Tree at Tesco Roundabout and Christmas Tree outside The Market Square, while the Market House is decorated as in previous years but will benefit from some new features.

No Christmas Lights Switch-On event in Gorey this year due to Public Health guidelines, however, it is planned to bring some Christmas cheer to the local communities with a contribution towards Christmas lights in the villages.  

This scheme aims to support communities in the Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District to meet some of the costs of the provision of Christmas lighting. The scheme is a once-off, modest contribution to assist communities in these exceptional times.

AUDIO ADDITION; CLLR JOE SULLIVAN, Chairman Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council thanks the people of North Wexford for their “responsible actions during a difficult time for everyone.”

4,000 without water in Gorey

By Dan Walsh

A burst water main in Gorey is affecting 4,000 people as staff from Irish Water and Wexford County Council are working in partnership to carry out repairs.

The areas affected are: Raithin Cuilin, Hollyfort Road, Fort Road, Willow Park, Hunters Green, Allenwood Drive, Ashwood Grove, Cois Doire, Baile Eoghain, Woodlands Drive, Ramsfort Avenue, Creagh Demesne, Creagh, Garden City and Clonattin.

Supply is expected to be fully restored by 5pm this afternoon, however it may take a little longer for those on the extremities of the network to see supply fully restored as normal. There may be low pressure and discoloration too while the repair takes place.

Customer queries should be directed to the customer line on 1850278278 or @IWCare.

€63,000 worth of cannabis seized at Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh

Revenue officers seized over 3kgs of cannabis with an estimated value of almost €63,000 at Rosslare Europort during routine profiling last Friday.

The illegal drugs were discovered when a UK registered van that had arrived on a ferry from Fishguard, Wales was stopped and searched.

The search, which was carried out with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner and Detector Dog Flynn, led to the discovery of the drugs concealed in a side panel behind the driver’s seat.

A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene and was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Drugs Trafficking Act 1996 at Wexford Garda Station.

Investigations are ongoing.

These routine operations are part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295295.  

Special Needs base at new Wexford school

By Dan Walsh

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has confirmed to Minister James Browne that the new second level school in Wexford town will have a 4 classroom Special Education Needs base.

MINISTER JAMES BROWNE

Minister Browne commented; “I have been contacted by parents requesting inclusive facilities in the school for pupils with special needs. I am pleased to confirm the Department of Education has informed me there will be a four classroom Special Education Needs base in the new school.

“I know there were concerns such facilities may not have been provided in this new school. These concerns can categorically be ruled out.

“There is a real need for the new school build, not only for a state-of-the-art school campus but also to alleviate pressure on capacity issues for school places in the region.

“The project, which will accommodate 1,000 students, progresses under the guidance of Waterford Wexford ETB,” concluded Minister Browne.

Bunclody is better and brighter

By Dan Walsh

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

10 Wexford point-to-point winners today

By Dan Walsh

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.

Oulart Christmas Lights Switch On.

By Dan Walsh

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.

Wexford Book Fair goes ahead ‘virtually’

By Dan Walsh

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.

Man (20s) in New Ross road crash

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.

Moon brings extra brightness to Enniscorthy

By Dan Walsh

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”