Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Denis Brennan, in line with the existing protocol on reaching his 75th birthday, and the authorities in Rome have sanctioned the process of appointing a new Bishop of Ferns.
Recently, on Pentecost Sunday (May31st), Bishop Brennan celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priesthood at Sunday Mass in Rathnure Church. There was no congregation present due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Many tributes were paid to Bishop Brennan on that special personal occasion, including a special message from Pope Francis which was read by the parish priest, Fr. Brian Broaders. Son of Denis and Bridget Brennan, born in Springmount, in the parish of Rathnure, on June 20th 1945, he was ordained on May 31st 1970 at St Peter’s College, Wexford. He was appointed to the House of Missions in 1970 and was the last Superior before it closed in 1992, but remained in Enniscorthy and became Administrator of St Senan’s Parish from 1986 until his appointment as parish priest of Taghmon in 1997. Bishop Brennan was consecrated bishop on April 23rd 2006, becoming the first Wexford priest to become Bishop of Ferns in almost 70 years. That was Bishop Wiliam Codd, the son of a shipwright from Wexford’s South Main Street, who was appointed on December 7th, 1917 and served for 21 years until his death on March 12th, 1938. He is interred in the grounds of St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy.
Sanctuary Ambassadors embarking on a campaign to ensure better conditions for asylum seekers in Co. Wexford have recently finalised a manifesto and today won the unanimous support of members at the monthly meeting of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held under Covid-19 guidelines at Gorey Courthouse.
A six-member delegation from Courtown and Rosslare were given a warm Gorey welcome and each made a presentation outlining their own particular circumstances but the over-riding message was that asylum seekers, especially families, should not be in Direct Provision for more than one year, involvement in the decision making process and the right to employment.
It was stated that all emergency centres should be closed or changed to official Direct Provision Centres with agreed standards and provision as a matter of urgency and minimum standards of IT, study space, self-catering, children’s play areas and transport to local centres should be established immediately.
District Manager Michael Drea said there are over 200 asylum seekers in the county who wish to make their residency more stable. “They are welcome to come here today to communicate their stories and I feel Gorey should become a Sanctuary town.”
Rania, a computer science from Sudan, thanked the Gorey community for making us welcome. “We want to use our skills to benefit the community,” she added.
Patrick, whose background is in sales and marketing, was clear and articulate as he outlined his personal circumstances and his experiences of shortcomings in the present system. “I want to integrate into the Wexford community,” and he added: “I trust the Wexford community.”
Cllr Mary Farrell thanked the delegates for their contributions. “It is great to hear your stories and thanks for your stories.”
Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Sullivan said the Direct Provision system should be done away with it as it was “not fit for purpose.” He welcomed the ambassadors and promised to help them integrate and become part of the community.
The Wexford Sanctuary Ambassadors consists of about 30 asylum seekers representing more than 200 others from the county. Since November they have been meeting monthly to develop skills in public speaking, working with the media and Irish history and politics. Their objective is to make a meaningful contribution to their host community of Wexford and the State of Ireland.
Last February Wexford-based TD Brendan Howlin offered a practical introduction to the voting system, and since then the Wexford Sanctuary Manifesto has been compiled and circulated to all political figures in the county as well as key national leaders.
What is that headline all about? One could be immediately confused that it refers to public health, and it does in some regard to the Covid-19 pandemic, but in the modern language it is all about technology and its place in the world of our older citizens.
The way we used to be! Nowdays our lives are made easier by the use of technology for all our citizens.
Wexford County Council has partnered with Wexford Home Instead Senior Care and a generous local benefactor who has sponsored 50 GrandPad Tablets for cocooning older people in the county. Technology can play an important role in reducing loneliness and isolation, enabling older adults to stay connected with loved ones and their caregivers, allowing them to live independently at home while following guidelines for avoiding exposure to the virus.
With built-in 4G connectivity, the Grandpad tablet comes complete with apps designed for older adults. The large, clearly labelled icons mean that video and voice calls, photos, email, music, games, news, weather and search functionality are easily accessed from the screen. The system also has an “auto answer” feature that can be enabled to allow calls from approved family members to automatically ring through, making the system more user friendly to answer calls, texts or emails.
The two-way video functionality has proven invaluable for users during Covid 19. They just love their Grandpads and many regards them as life-changing devices.
The Wexford Community Call helpline has been a successful initiative during the public health emergency. The service is available seven days per week between the hours of 9am and 5pm, with County Council volunteers working alongside local voluntary groups to provide a vital link between older citizens and the services they need including deliveries of grocery shopping and pharmacy items, or maybe just a friendly ear for the person living in isolation.
The Community Resilience Forum group meets regularly to ensure no-one is left out of the current strategies to help Wexford and its’ citizens recover from the impact of COVID 19.
Wexford County Council supports our older citizens during these difficult times, on the phone, online and out in the community. The Community Call phone number and our Customer Service Desk can be reached by dialling is 053 9196000.
A cable car connection from a new car and coach park located on the Turret Rocks, high above the River Slaney, to Enniscorthy Castle and the town centre is included in a €30 million proposal to transform Enniscorthy into a thriving economic hub and landmark tourist destination.
Members were supportive of the forward-thinking plans following a presentation by Wexford County Council’s Head of Special Projects, Brian Galvin, at today’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held under Covid-19 guidelines at Kilcannon Garden Centre on the Old Dublin Road.
Mr Galvin described Enniscorthy Castle as being “in good condition” and “a very important asset” and is central to the Council’s plans for a redevelopment and enhancement programme that would include an adjoining visitor centre with retail and café facilities together with an audio-visual experience to re-imagine the historic beginnings of Enniscorthy.
Mr Galvin said the cable car idea is sustainable and Austrian experts believe it can work for Enniscorthy and it would be the only experience of its kind in this country. The members were given vision of the future when Santa Claus could arrive by cable car!
Developing Enniscorthy would be based on four ‘squares’ – Abbey Square, Market Square, St. Mary’s Church and Enniscorthy Castle. It was suggested that a fifth ‘square’ be added, but it was outlined that this suggestion was addressed under the Templeshannon Regeneration scheme.
Phase one, which is urged to get under way as soon the way is clear, focussing on the castle at an estimated cost of €8 million; Phase 2 is the European style Black Box or audio-visual experience with a café and associated tours and attractions, at an estimated cost of €9 million. And to complete the project the cable car experience would accomplish the transformation for another €13 million.
The presentation lasted an hour and members were unanimous in their support to the project. Deputy John Browne, who was an invited guest at the meeting, said Enniscorthy has the potential to be an international tourist centre.
Cllr John O’Rourke felt that the cable car idea had been discussed before. “The cable car will make Enniscorthy stand out and the next generation will be so high tech it is a step forward. It is a fantastic idea and should have been done long and ever ago.”
Cllr Aidan Browne described the project as “very interesting, very ambitious”. Cllr Cathal Byrne suggested that attracting 140,000 visitors a year “it needs to be ambitious” and while he agreed with ideas around the castle he felt strongly about the republican and rebel tradition such as 1798 and other rebellions. “The castle is not unique, but it has to be connected to the overall package,” he concluded.
Cllr Jackser Owens complained about the lack of facilities for visitors coming to Vinegar Hill. “No toilet facilities and no access for coaches.” Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan also felt the project was very ambitious but would be good for the town.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy chaired the meeting in her role as newly elected Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
ONE of Ireland’s largest garden centre networks is calling on enthusiasts of all ages and all skill levels to take the Operation PolliNation pledge and be in with a chance to win a €2,000 pollinator-friendly garden renovation.
Take the Pledge! CountryLife wants the Irish public to take the Operation PolliNation pledge, help gardeners make their plots pollinator-friendly environments and show a little love for our native Irish bees. Pictured at the campaign launch were Naoise Coogan, her 12 year-old daughter, Siofra Coogan, and her mother, Therese O’Donovan. Picture: Patrick Browne
CountryLife is teaming up with the Irish public to help gardeners make their plots pollinator-friendly environments and show a little love for our native Irish bees – a third of which are threatened with extinction.
CountryLife Retail Marketing Manager, Grace O’Dwyer, says gardens countrywide have been a hive of activity during lockdown and many people are keen to make small changes to support our all-important pollinator friends and wildlife in general.
Experienced Horticulturalist with CountryLife, Malachy Doherty, said: “As much as one third of our bee species are threatened with extinction. We are asking the public to take the Operation PolliNation pledge and make small changes in their garden like sowing Irish-grown plants that bees prefer and you don’t need acres to play your part. You can plant pollinator-friendly containers, bulbs, trees or shrubs.”
The www.Countrylife.ie website and social media channels operated by the 14-branch, community-based garden centre network are swarming with tips, hints and ideas so that everyone can play their part in saving the bees. In Wexford, CountryLife has centres in Campile, New Ross and Bunclody.
The CountryLife team has a whole host of prizes on offer for those who sign up through https://blog.countrylife.ie/news-events/operation-pollination-take-the-pledge/ to ‘Take the Pledge’ and take part through their social media channels. Among them a €2,000 garden renovation, which also includes a garden consultation from an expert horticulturist.
The body of a woman recovered from the sea off Courtown Harbour this evening is identified locally as that of Deirdre Redmond, (50), who has been the missing for six days.
The search for missing Gorey woman Deirdre Redmond has been stood down this evening.
Courtown RNLI Lifeboat volunteers were launched at 4.50 pm following a call from the Irish Coastguard who made the discovery.
The body was taken ashore at the RNLI Station before removal to University Hospital Waterford where a post mortem will take place. The search for Deirdre has been stood down.
Deirdre Redmond left her home at Garden City, Gorey, last Saturday at 2 pm and did not return home. Gardai confirmed a last sighting of Deirdre on the Sea Road in Ballymoney later that day at 3.20 pm.
Hundreds of locals supported the family in a land search for Deirdre operating from Naomh Éanna GAA Club under the guidance of the local Gardai which extended from Gorey to the woodlands around Ballymoney and Courtown.
An intensive sea search has been taking place daily with Helicopter Rescue 117, the Irish Coastguard and the RNLI volunteers from Courtown and Cahore. As the week progressed the search extended from Curracloe to Kilpatrick with many volunteers using fishing boats and pleasure craft to assist.
The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions put an early end to the 2019-’20 point-to-point season where Wexford jockey and trainer, respectively, Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe retained their national championship titles, but there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel with the announcement of the Autumn Fixtures list and an earlier than usual start to the new season in September.
The following fixtures are planned locally;
September 27th; Bree Hunt Club at Monksgrange, Rathnure
October 18th; Shillelagh & District Hunt at Fairwood, Tinahely
October 24th; Island Hunt at Courtown
November 8th; Wexford Hunt at Knockmullen House, New Ross
November 15th; Wicklow Hunt at Fairwood, Tinahely
November 22nd; Killinick Harriers at Lingstown, Tomhaggard
November 29th; Carlow Farmers Hunt at Borris House
Point-to-point action at Ballycrystal last January
Dr. Jennifer Pugh, Senior Medical Officer, Irish Horse Racing Board said; “While there remains a degree of uncertainty surrounding the ongoing Corona virus pandemic worldwide, I am confident that we will be able to hold point-to-point fixtures as scheduled under our Government’s guidelines.
“Our sport lends itself to the principles of social distancing, being a non-contact sport, outdoors and with large sites available to use and we will endeavour to ensure Hunt Committees are supported to ensure a safe return of our sport,” she added.
Good news in the south-east this week with the welcome announcement that Florida-based MTech Mobility (MTech), the global leader in lifecycle and repair services for mobile and IT devices, has leased a 1400m² facility at Ardcavan Business Park Wexford, to serve as its European base of operations.
Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Tom Enright described the announcement of 25 new jobs as very encouraging news for the county. “This welcome investment by global leader MTech demonstrates that, despite the considerable challenges facing our county, Wexford’s ability to attract Foreign Direct Investment continues to be very strong. It proves that we have the skills and the talent required for companies like MTech to set up here.”
JERRY WHISTON, General Manager Europe
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Ger Carthy added “The Council is delighted to have had the opportunity to support IDA Ireland in successfully attracting MTech to County Wexford and I congratulate all at IDA Ireland on this success. I also want to wish Jerry Whiston and all the team in Wexford every success and I can assure them of the full support of Wexford County Council as MTech establishes itself here in Wexford in the months ahead.”
The location will be well-known locally having served as group support office of Sam McCauley Chemists is expected to create in excess of 25 jobs over the next three years, with job applications already invited via www.mtechmobility.com/mtech-europe.
A vibrant link with the history of 1798 and the bicentenary commemorations of 1998, inparticular, is severed and sadly been lost forever with the sad passing of William ‘Bill’ Murray, Templenacroha, Clonroche. Tributes have been pouring in for the family since the sad news occurred.
Many tributes have been paid. On social media Brian Ó Cléirigh said; “Every member of Oulart Hill Development Group and all surviving members of the Oulart Hill Pike Company would like to add their voices to so many others to mark the passing of Wexford Pike Leader Bill Murray and to express to his wife Maura and family our sincere sympathy at this sad time.”
The late BILL MURRAY
Bill Murray was the leader of the Carrigbyrne Pike Group established in 1997 with the aim of commemorating the dead of 1798 who became synonymous with ‘98 events at home and abroad. Membership grew to 500 and they proudly shouldered their pikes all over Ireland and made two trips abroad to New York and Newfoundland.
The volunteer group published two books Footsteps of ’98 and Footsteps of ’98 – the sequel. In 1999, they formed their own film production company and produced two historical documentaries March into the Midlands and Wexford’s First Rebellion.
But the classic that come from Bill Murray’s passion and inspiration was Epitaph of 1798, a book that took almost two years research to complete and used 1,000 photographs in a limited edition that includes 1798 memorials from the 32-counties of Ireland most of the 1798 memorials in other parts of the world.
Bill was admired for his tireless enthusiasm and passion and his name will be forever associated with chronicling the events surrounding the 1998 bicentenary commemorations and ensuring that exists an everlasting published memorial to the 30,000 who died in the summer of 1798.
Brian Ó Cléirigh added; “His contribution affected everything we did. He gave us our uniform with the black pants and white shirt; he gave us our standard of discipline. God grant you glory, William Murray and open Heaven to all your men and women, all in His good time.”
Beloved husband of Maura, father of Barbara, Siobhán, Mag and Bernie, brother of Catherine and the late John and Paddy. Sadly, missed by his loving wife, daughters, sister, grandchildren Clodagh, Shauna, Ciara, Conor, Caoimhe, Tara, Cathal and Katie, sons-in-law John, Liam, C.J. and Joe, extended family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Due to the current guidelines, Bill will be laid to rest in Raheen Cemetery on Friday (July 17th) following a private family funeral in The Church of St John Paul the Second, Raheen. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to current restrictions cannot, please leave a condolence message in the ‘condolence’ section on the family notice on RIP.ie. Family flowers only.
Please note the family home is private on Friday morning (July 17th), the family thank you for your kindness and consideration at this very difficult time. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later stage. Bill’s Funeral Mass can be viewed at 12 noon on Friday on the following link https://www.facebook.com/Raheen-Parish-Committee-470166029749761/
Creativity is the spice of life. The ability to lead and inspire original concepts and not only propel the community into new thinking and public expression but to bring them along as part of a package that makes the whole county proud of its existence while its character and goodness is stifled by the visiting Covid-19 pandemic.
ENNISCORTHY on a July evening
Earlier this year renowned Wexford folklorist Michael Fortune penned a lovely original poem entitled We Are Wexford, which is brightening up our lives and cheering on our spirits, in the splendour of a published three-minute film that is destined to achieve a new Wexford anthem status. “Finally, my poem has been brought to life by 60 people from throughout County Wexford,” a relieved but delighted Michael Fortune told WexfordLocal.com.
Filmed on people’s mobile phones between May and July, this film was commissioned by the Arts Council in May as part of their ‘COVID-19 Crisis Response Award’. Due to the lockdown, people worked remotely and picked a line of the poem and recorded it on their phones and sent it to Michael, who was overwhelmed by the amazing public response.
Of the 400 videos received, these were the videos chosen. So, if you have three minutes to spare, please sit down and watch this film…and as always, tag your friends and share far and wide. Up Wexford.
WexfordLocal.com 