WexfordLocal.com

Annual Liam Mellows Commemoration

By Dan Walsh

The annual Liam Mellows (1892-1922) Commemorations took place in Castletown graveyard today (Sunday) in atrocious weather conditions.

Minister for Social Protection, Rural Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD was guest speaker at the Fianna Fáil event where wreaths were laid.

Refreshments were provided afterwards in The Golden Anchor, Castletown.

The annual commemoration held by Sinn Féin took place later in the day and the annual procession and events were also downgraded by torrential rain and difficult weather conditions.

Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin was chair of the organising committee and the address was delivered by Professor Ruan O’Donnell. Cllr Craig Doyle was in charge of operations.

Difficult conditions at Ballycrystal

By Dan Walsh at Ballycrystal

Heavy rain made conditions difficult at the Ballinagore Harriers point-to-point at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, this afternoon, but the fixture went off safely with seven races completed.

Brian Lawless from Delgany, Co. Wicklow, is used to booting home winners, but he saddled his first successful runner Lola De Magny in the maiden race for four-year-old mares and celebrated a one and a half lengths victory in both rider and handler codes.

The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was divided – 11 runners in each division. Denis Murphy saddled newcomer Thinkitdontjinxit to an eight lengths success in division one ridden by Shane Cotter. Peter Flood sent newcomer Watery Borren from his Meath stables and scored by one length under Richie Sugrue.

**Local rider CORMAC BYRNE wins at Ballycrystal.** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

Cormac Doyle from Ballindaggin saddled Mint Approved in the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership colours with Donal O’Connor up and gained a three lengths victory in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus geldings.

Tipperary handler Sam Curling won the maiden race for five-year-old plus mares with Shake The Bag ridden by David Doyle. Verdict was 13 lengths.

Cormac Byrne from Ballindaggin won the Open Race confined to novice riders on Gale Force Jet in the colours of Gearoid Doyle and trained by Sean Doyle. The Ladies Cup at Punchestown is the long term plan for Gae Force Jet.

Rider Pa King and his family took the final race – Winner of Two – by seven lengths with Muskerry Rock. Only two of the seven runners completed the course which is an indication of the deterioration of ground conditions as the day progressed.

Soft going at Ballycrystal on Sunday

By Dan Walsh

The final point-to-point fixture of 2025 takes place tomorrow (Sunday) with the Ballinagore Harriers at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, where the track is in safe order but the going will be ‘yielding, soft in places’.

First race is at 12 noon.

4-5mms of rain fell on the track on Friday and another 4-5mms is expected on Saturday night- Sunday morning, but the six-race card will go ahead as planned.

There are 102 entries and the stage is set for a good day’s sporting action.

**BARRY STONE rode a winner in Cork today**. (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com)*

Saturday racing took place at Dromahane, Co. Cork. Newcomer Super Junior won division two of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings by five lengths ridden by Barry Stone for Jonathan Fogarty’s Cleariestown stables.

Richie Rath from Screen saddled Call of Freedom to win the first division of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Five and a half lengths the verdict, Jamie Scallan was on board for owners Tom Bennett and N.J. Heffernan.

Paul Martin Pierce from Blackhall Stables, Killurin, continued his winning ways with Sworn Duty coming home two lengths to the good under James Coffey in the maiden race for five-year-old mares.

Rider Jimmy O’Rourke from Newtown, Wexford, rode his 79^th career winner on Maiori for the Ryan family from County Clare by an impressive 18 lengths in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

Gorey author joins foster care association

**Author SADIE HARPUR has been elected to the board of the Irish Foster Care Association.** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

By Dan Walsh

Sadie Harpur, the Wexford-based author of the highly-praised book The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl, has been elected to the board of the Irish Foster Care Association.

Sadie herself has expressed her pleasure at receiving such an honour as it gives her the opportunity to use her experience as both a foster-child and a foster-parent for the benefit of others.

Harpur’s book, written with Jackie Hayden, the Hot Press music writer, traced her life as a Foster-Girl through turbulent periods of high anxiety. Suffering from learning difficulties from undiagnosed dyslexia, she was described as mentally below average, and suffered bouts of depression, suicidal thoughts and was repeatedly bullied. She endured self-harming, violent outbursts, zero self-esteem, and the suicide of her much-loved foster-brother Gary.

The publication of The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl generated coverage in the local and national media. Harpur featured on a Fostering panel as part of the Write By The Sea book festival and was a guest of honour at the Irish premier of Sound of Hope, a film dealing with the issue of Fostering in the USA. She was also invited by the Lord Mayor of Dublin as his guest speaker to a group of care-workers at the Mansion House and recorded several podcasts, including one for the Irish Foster Care Association.

The Irish Foster Care Association is the national organisation that supports foster families and the wider fostering community. Established in 1981, the organisation’s primary objective as an organisation is to promote excellence in foster care by promoting partnership between everyone involved in foster care to work for, and in the best interests of the child in care and advocating for excellence for all involved in foster care.

Sadie Harpur lives with her family in Gorey where she now works locally as an SNA. Her book was written with the assistance of best-selling author Jackie Hayden, also a resident of Co Wexford.

Taghmon history recalled in new journal

By Dan Walsh

Wally O’Neill of Red Books and Eclectic Avenue launched The Journal of the Taghmon History Society Volume No 14, edited by Liz Wickham and published by the Taghmon History Society at Camross Hall.

**WALLY O’NEILL launched the Taghmon History Society book.**

There is a wonderful variety of stories here. Kay Doyle goes back to pre-Famine times to write about St Garvan’s Church, Caroreigh and the celebration of the 180th Anniversary of its founding. The current church replaced a smaller thatched Chapel of before 1845.

There is a fine tribute to great actor and director Des Waters written by his fellow actor Michael Stafford, The Benemerenti Medals by Kay Doyle and Marie O’Rourke, and the Cheltenham career of jockey Sean O’Keeffe all make up the column inches.

The recipients of the Benemerenti medals are named as Michael Waters of Chapel Street, Taghmon, honoured by Pope Benedict, Michael Walsh from Taghmon and Jack Stafford from Clonerane. Bishop Denis Brennan (now retired) presented the medals to them.

Progressively, the editors give Tom and Teresa Wickham space to stray outside the parish to put on the public record in the Journal, some of their collection of rare photographs of the development of the Killurin-Deeps bridge spanning Crossabeg and Glynn parishes across the River Slaney.

In another section, nineteen pages of black and white photographs give a wide-angle picture of the life and times of the entire community. The excellent photographs speak for themselves.

This is a heavy book in weight, in content and in substance. Within two years, the voluntary 20-member history society committee have presented in 200 pages a valuable feast of fascinating pieces from the past and the present of the area and beyond.

Adding to the previous thirteen volumes, conveniently listed in the book, the entire collection forms a library of rich content and achievements written by some of the best writers in the county.

Michael Doyle is committee chairman, President is Paddy O’Reilly, May Buttimer is vice-chairman, Kay Doyle is secretary and public relations officer, Catherine Seery and Tom Wickham are joint treasurers, Liz Wickham is editor, Philip Devereux is photographer and Paul Codd is Taghmon Town Council rep.

The Journal of the Taghmon History Society Volume No 14, edited by Liz Wickham and published by the Taghmon History Society. The book is available in good bookshops.

Gorey graduate receives top award

**Muireann O’Connor ‘top of the class’ at Hibernia College.**

Primary Education graduate, Muireann O’Connor, from Gorey, had double cause for celebration after achieving ‘top of her class’ status at the 25^th annual Hibernia College conferring ceremony, held at Dublin’s Convention Centre recently, and at which the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD was guest of honour.

In addition to receiving her Masters qualification, Muireann was honoured with the INTO Vere Foster Medal – awarded by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) for ‘Outstanding Performance in School Placement’.

A former pupil at Bunscoil Loreto Gorey, Muireann was one of what was a record number of over 1,000 graduates from all 26 counties to qualify with Masters in Primary and Post-Primary teaching, and, for the first time, a Masters or Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education, or a BSc in Nursing.

Congratulating the graduates and acknowledging the remarkable achievements of each and every one of them, Dr Mary Kelly, President of Hibernia College Group, emphasised that those gathered had demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience throughout their studies. She affirmed her confidence that “each graduate will go on to make a vital and valuable contribution to their chosen profession.”

Support Local as New Ross celebrates Christmas

**Cathaoirleach Cllr John Dwyer (seen here with Cllr John Fleming) helped Santa Claus turn on the Christmas lights in New Ross last weekend.** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

By Dan Walsh

New Ross Municipal District kicked into seasonal mode with the traditional Santa and Christmas Lights ‘Switch-On’ event last Saturday at 4pm.

‘Shop Local, Support Local’, the main theme of this Christmas period in New Ross.

The Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Dwyer, was joined by his fellow Cllrs of New Ross Municipal District, and Deputies Verona Murphy and George Lawlor on stage for the big moment.

The day kicked off with a Sensory Santa, specifically designed for neurodiverse children, in a space where they could enjoy a calm and welcoming environment before meeting Santa for a family photo and selection box.

The excitement really kicked in later in the evening when DJ Paul Kelly, the Rathnure Pantomime characters, and the mischievous Grinch entertained the crowds while they waited for the arrival of Santa on his sleigh.

The festivities around the Tholsel were truly magical with plenty for the gathering crowds to enjoy such as market huts run by enterprise students from some of the local district secondary schools, offering lots of seasonal gifts and treats, while the kids funfair ride and free facepainting kept the little ones entertained.

Santa arrived to the Tholsel in style, riding a sleigh pulled by New Ross Town FC and led by the talented New Ross Pipe Band. Santa’s first job was to award gift hampers filled with toys and books from local shops to the winners of the Christmas Art Competition, with the overall winner, C.J. Young, in Senior Infants in Horeswood National School, being lucky enough to join Santa in switching on the lights.

Once the lights were twinkling, the children that had gathered had the chance to meet Santa in his brand-new grotto in the newly refurbished Shambles, giving locals a sneak-peak into the area before it is officially opened to the public later this month. There was an audible gasp from the waiting crowd once the doors opened and the grotto was revealed for the first time.

€220m Rosslare Europort Hub to create 2,000 jobs for the region

By Dan Walsh

Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, has confirmed its intent to lodge a planning application for the development of the Rosslare Offshore Renewable Energy Hub (Rosslare ORE Hub), a landmark new facility designed to support Ireland’s growing offshore wind industry.

The plans, which will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála next week, are a blueprint for the State’s largest ever purpose-built port facility dedicated to offshore renewable energy (ORE).

The €220 million development will be important both locally and nationally, creating 2,000 long-term jobs for the region, while also supporting the country’s renewable energy targets. Located at Rosslare Europort, the project will transform Rosslare Harbour into Ireland’s primary base for the construction, operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms in the Irish and Celtic Seas.

Subject to planning being granted and funding allocated, Iarnród Éireann aims to commence construction in early 2027, with delivery targeted for early 2029.

Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Mary Considine, said; “The Rosslare ORE Hub marks a once in a generation investment in Ireland’s clean energy future, integrating national transport and maritime infrastructure to unlock offshore wind potential and deliver sustainable growth for coastal communities. It will also be a significant boost for the South East, creating jobs in an emerging and vital industry, and becoming a crucial asset in Ireland’s energy transition journey.”

Spanning 80 hectares, the Rosslare ORE Hub will include two new heavy‑lift berths specifically designed for offshore renewable energy components, extensive areas for storage, marshalling and assembly and a new 64-berth, small boat harbour. The project also includes new access roads, utilities, environmental enhancements and facilities for local marine users, including the Rosslare Sea Scouts.

The planned works comprise 50 hectares of dredging, 32 hectares of land reclamation, including the creation of 19.7 hectares of new port lands capable of handling the largest wind turbine components. These facilities will enable Rosslare to serve multiple offshore wind projects underway in the Irish and Celtic Seas and deliver long-term economic and employment benefits to County Wexford and the southeast.

Glenn Carr, Director Commercial Business Units with Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, said; “Lodging planning for Rosslare’s ORE Hub is a significant milestone in the development of this critical piece of infrastructure that will support the development, growth and long-term operation of the offshore wind industry in Ireland’s South East region. Delivering this nationally significant infrastructure will support the continued expansion Rosslare Europort, strengthen the local economy, support local employment and deliver on national and EU policy priorities.”

The project, which is owned by Iarnród Éireann, has also been co-funded to planning stage by the EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The 2,000 jobs created by Rosslare ORE Hub will span port construction, offshore wind construction activity and long-term operation and maintenance phases of offshore wind development.

Man (30’s) dies in Barntown road crash

By Dan Walsh

A motorcyclist in his 30s has died following a road crash this morning.

The single-vehicle incident happened on the R738 at Growtown Upper, Barntown, near Wexford town, at 6.20am.

The man was pronounced deceased at the scene and the coroner has been notified.

The road is closed for a technical examination and local diversions are in place.

Gardaí say no other injuries have been reported.

They are appealing for witnesses and ask anyone who was on the road between 6am and 6.30am, and who may have camera footage, to contact them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Success Sunday at the point-to-points

By Dan Walsh

The Carlow Farmers point-to-point went ahead today at Borris House with strong Wexford involvement and lots of success well spread round.

Kieran Roche from Adamstown saddled the winner of the maiden race for four-year-old mares with newcomer Norrismount Lady ridden by Donal Murphy beating the Colin Bowe trained Sorgean (Barry O’Neill up) by half a length.

The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was divided and both winners were from Wexford stables. Newcomer Quest for Answers from the Redbridge Stables of Michael Murphy, Duncormick, won division one by twenty lengths under Darren Higgins, while the O’Rourke family from Clonard, Wexford – owner Phyllis, handler Pat and rider Jimmy- enjoyed a family celebration when Gold Star Status won division two by four lengths.

Colin Bowe saddled Rou Du Roume to a half length success in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. This was a first winner for rider Ronan McParland who had his first ride for Sean Doyle at Tinahely last month.

Harley Dunne was also in the winners’ enclosure. He saddled Jolly D’Olivate in the mares’ maiden race for five-year-olds plus and the outcome was a three and a half lengths success under rider Frankie Murphy.

**JAMES WALSH rode a double today.** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

Racing today at Ballindenisk, Co. Cork and three local winners beginning with Michael Goff’s newcomer Dancing Soldier in the colours of Caitriona Goff who scored by ‘a head’ in division two of the four-year-old maiden race. Tenth career winner for their son Harry Goff.

Carnew handler Sean Osborne saddled a double and both were confidently ridden by James Walsh from Tinahely. Ya Will Ya in the colours of Claire Neville gained a single length victory in the maiden race for five-year-old plus geldings maiden race and Honey Come Quick owned by Seamus Osborne had a whopping 24 lengths to spare at the end of the Winner of Two race.

The last fixture of 2025 takes place next Sunday with the Ballinagore Harriers at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy.