WexfordLocal.com

Council support for Turret Rocks plan

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting

Enniscorthy Municipal District Council members expressed unanimous support for the Turret Rocks masterplan presented by Senior Executive Architect and Special Projects at Wexford County Council, Shay Howell at the monthly meeting held in the Council Chamber at the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, this morning.

The 8.24 hectares site at Killagoley on the eastern side of the River Slaney will feature 50 housing units – 15 affordable two-storey houses and 35 two-storey social units (houses and apartments) – and 14 metres of two-way roadway, paths and cycles lanes.

The site will feature a biodiversity area, wildlife corridors, community centre, skatepark, parking, and a pavilion style tea house designed to honour the heritage of the former ‘Coffee House’ at Turret Rocks. There will also be an outdoor auditorium like the Ballykeeffe amphitheatre in Co. Kilkenny!

The site will share two grass pitches, an Astroturf field, and a tennis court under the auspices of the Wexford Football League.

The project received the full support of the councillors. “Great news for the town, especially the eastern side. It is very ambitious, I welcome the houses and the safe route to the town,” said Cllr Aidan Browne, who questioned; “Where is the funds coming from?”

Cllr Jackser Owens welcomed the project. “It is fantastic for the far side of town. 50 houses is a massive number and the soccer is positive. I support it 100%. It is a great venture.”

Cllr Pat Kehoe said it was a great boost for the eastern side of the town. He would have liked more houses built on the site, but he promised his support.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was anxiously to push quickly for the Part X1 and suggested to avail of all grants possible.

Surveys will be finished in 8-10 weeks, after which a Part X1 application is planned to start phase one. There were no mention of cost and securing funding remains a key challenge.

Gone forever is a previous proposal to operate a cable car from the Turret Rocks to Enniscorthy Castle!!!

Man (60s) dies in New Ross crash

By Dan Walsh

A man in his 60s has died following a single-vehicle road crash on the L4007 at Maudlin’s Cross, near New Ross at 1.10pm this afternoon.

The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other injuries were reported.

Any road users, who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the L4007 near New Ross, Co Wexford, between 12.30pm and 1.30pm today are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

While anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on (051) 426030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

New housing development opens in Gorey

At the opening of Radharc Na Beannóige;(left to right). Brian Brennan TD, Cllr. Craig Doyle, Fionntán Ó Súlleabháin TD, Cllr Oliver Walsh, Malcolm Byrne TD, Cllr Nicky Boland, Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services Housing, James Browne, Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Mark Devereux, Wexford County Council Housing Construction, Cllr. Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, Liz Hore, District Director Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive Wexford County Council, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Cllr. Joe Sullivan Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Leonard Daly and Maurice Mythen, Mythen Construction Ltd.

By Dan Walsh

Cathaoirleach of Wexford Council Cllr. Joe Sullivan welcomed An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin and Minister for Housing, James Browne TD to Gorey on Friday to officially open the new homes at Radharc Na Beannóige, Ramsfort, Gorey.

The event marked a significant milestone in the delivery of affordable housing in County Wexford with the opening of the county’s first affordable housing scheme.

Radharc Na Beannóige’ is a scheme of 20 A-Rated, energy efficient homes, represents the culmination of years of planning and collaboration and delivers a new community of high-quality homes for families taking their first steps to home ownership.

The pilot project, led by Wexford County Council, has paved the way to affordable housing delivery in the county. Additional schemes are also in the pipeline, reinforcing the council’s long-term commitment to increasing housing supply and affordability across County Wexford.

Speaking at the launch, the Taoiseach said; “Radharc Na Beannóige represents what can be achieved when the Government, local authorities, and the private construction sector come together to meet our housing challenge.

“Housing developments such as this one are not just about bricks and mortar – they are about security, dignity and building long-term, thriving communities for generations to come.

“This government is committed to delivering more affordable housing developments like Radharc Na Beannóige right across the country and I am very pleased that on the basis of this successful pilot, Wexford is working to secure additional sites and bring forward more schemes,” concluded An Taoiseach.

Minister Browne said;“Wexford County Council stands out as a local authority showing real vision and leadership in delivering affordable purchase housing schemes. Radharc Na Beannóige is a shining example of this and has made homeownership a reality for many families.

“This momentum is key to achieving our targets of delivering 300,000 new homes, across all tenures, affordable purchase, cost-rental, social and private by 2030,” stated Minister Browne.

Cllr. Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach of Wexford Council, stated; “This development is a great example of what can be achieved when a local authority takes a proactive role in delivering affordable housing. Radharc na Beannóige reflects Wexford County Council’s vision: to provide quality, well-designed, and affordable homes for individuals and families.

“I want to thank everyone who helped to get us to here today – the commitment of the members of Gorey Kilmuckridge, the council’s housing and construction teams for their continued commitment throughout this project. Their work, alongside our partners in Mythen Construction, has delivered homesthat are modern, energy efficient and sustainable for the future.”

Wexford County Council Chief Executive, Eddie Taaffe acknowledged “the efforts of everyone involved in this outstanding project. This landmark development represents a major step forward for affordable housing in county Wexford and signals a strong pipeline of future schemes that will continue to support families and strengthen communities across the county.”

Funding for the project was provided through the Government’s ‘Affordable Housing Fund’, which aims to make homes available at a reduced price for buyers who are seeking to purchase a newly built home but need to bridge the gap between their mortgage and deposit to cover the full price of the home.

Call for income review for housing applicants

**Gorey Kilmuckridge Cllr Joe Sullivan is calling for “a review of social income housing thresholds in Co. Wexford.”** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*).

By Dan Walsh

A Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District councillor will appeal on behalf of families to the Department and Minister for Housing to review social housing income thresholds in County Wexford and across Ireland on behalf of several families.

Cllr Joe Sullivan, who is also current Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, explained the plan to WexfordLocal.com.

“I would call on the Department of Housing to consider doing one of two things. Raise income thresholds for social housing annually in accordance with inflation or create an appeals procedure whereby applicants whom are €2,000 or less over the threshold can appeal to an independent office outlining their circumstances.

“As I am familiar with the system and the thresholds in County Wexford, I will outline the current rates as the apply. All bands are net of tax deductions. I have checked the inflation figures since the last increase in January 2023 and find that it is running at approximately 9.2% over the period January 2023 to December 2025.

Cllr Sullivan continued; “While I do agree that the Department of Housing and the Government have to keep tight constraints on housing income thresholds and cannot allow a situation to develop where the system would be overwhelmed by housing applicants due to the higher income bands, I am satisfied that the current income bands are not fit for purpose, and the current guillotine style effect of enforcing them

“Perhaps an appeals system could be put in place or similar facility? I will now outline severe with officials not having any discretion owning to circumstances to allow people onto the housing list who are slightly let’s say up to €2,000 over the limit where they can justify it due to their circumstances. three case studies where I believe the system is not working for applicants;

Case Study 1. One adult with one child currently earning €1,800 pa over the income threshold. The adult is in full time employment 66kms from her home which requires her to travel 132kms round trip per day. There is no public transport available to her. She enjoys her work and no similar work is available to her in her immediate home area. The €1,800 she is over the threshold goes in diesel for her car along with the same again to get her to work every year. Her only way to get under the threshold is to cut her work hours, and that is counter productive in my opinion.

Case Study 2. One adult two children who was on the housing list. This person who works in the health care sector was at the time on the housing list. During the Covid pandemic she been young and healthy accrued some overtime hours which put her over the threshold and after five years on the housing list was removed. Having lost her time on the housing list she is now trying to get back on it and finds herself working less hours to remain under the income threshold, again counter productive in my opinion.

Case Study 3. Couple four children all under ten years of age mother at home raising children father working lowlow-income job. Living in rented accommodation receiving HAP payment finding it extremely difficult to live on existing income father willing and able to do extra hours working but cannot as the would put him over the income threshold, again caught in income trap.

Cllr Sullivan notes that, as demonstrated by the three cases above, each individual could improve their lifestyle and better support their families if the income thresholds and related criteria were slightly relaxed or adjusted.

In summary, Cllr Sullivan acknowledges the excellent efforts of Wexford County Council’s Housing Section and Minister for Housing James Browne TD. He stated that this press release is not a criticism but rather an appeal representing a group of people he interacts with daily, whose voices he believes deserve to be heard.

Ballycrystal treble for Donnchadh Doyle

**Got The Memo was winner of the gelding’s maiden race and poses in the Ballycrystal winners enclosure with the groom, rider Brian Lawless, handler Donnchadh Doyle and his children, Donie and Edie**. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Ballycrystal races

Local handler Donnchadh Doyle’s stables were the one to follow at the Ballinagore Harriers point-to-point today where he saddled three of the six winners. There were also doubles for riders Rob James and Brian Lawless.
The Monbeg Syndicate treble began with Cosmic Connection coming home three lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and L’Aurige was never headed in the maiden race for five-year-olds and upwards where only two of the five runners completed the course. Both winners were ridden by Rob James.
Donnchadh Doyle’s treble was completed when Got The Memo scored by two and a half lengths in the maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards geldings completing a double for Wicklow rider Brian Lawless.
Lawless, who is new to the training ranks, earlier won the maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards mares on Johnny’s Bell as a rider and trainer by five and a half lengths.
The maiden race for five-year-old mares was won by the champion Colin Bowe/Barry O’Neill team with Jukebox Bess taking the winners’ purse with four lengths to spare.
The remaining race on the card – the Winners of Two – was a close affair with last week’s Tinahely winner Lord Desart winning by a neck for the Tipperary team of Sam Curling and Daniel Hyde with Denis Murphy’s Empire Soldier (Shane Walsh Kehoe) coming second.
It was a fine day’s racing after the fog disappeared.
43 of the 67 entries turned up, which is a good percentage. The track was in great condition, and the crowd was one of the largest seen at a point-to-point for some time.

Lions Club exhibition at Arts Centre

Pictured at the Wexford Lions Club Exhibition at Wexford Arts Centre were (left to right); Sheila Kissane, Award Winner; Emily O’Rourke, President Wexford Lions Club and Elizabeth Whyte, Executive Director Wexford Arts Centre. (Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Arts Centre

The annual Wexford Lions Club exhibition was officially opened by guest adjudicator and fine art painter Oonagh Latchford in Wexford Arts Centre this afternoon.

It was an occasion of celebration for local talent and offers a platform for artists who are at various stages of their careers as well as those with an interest in art who wish to see their work realised within a gallery context.

As a result of the tremendous success of last years and the remarkably high-quality work achieved received, the theme for the 2016 Lions Club exhibition has remained entirely open.

The open brief allows the participants the freedom to create exciting and original work, and to tell their own stories. These stories or experiences can be related through a varied range of subjects such as urban and rural narratives, abstraction and even pure imagination.

The annual Lions Club exhibition can be seen in the upper and lower galleries of Wexford Arts Centre until Thursday, February 5^th. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Gorey Gardaí seeking assistance

**GOREY GARDA STATION** (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Gardaí in Gorey are seeking the assistance of the public in identifying the driver of a 181-registered Mercedes involved in a collision with a pedestrian.

The incident occurred on Friday, 16 January 2026 at approximately 2.40pm, near St. Joseph’s Primary School, in the Creagh area of Gorey, Co. Wexford.

The pedestrian was crossing the road at the time and required medical treatment following the collision. The vehicle involved did not stop at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed this incident, has dashcam footage, or has any information that may assist Gardaí is asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on 053 943 0690 or Garda Confidential on 1800 666 111.

Ballycrystal races on Sunday

By Dan Walsh

The Ballinagore Harriers point-to-point takes place at Ballycrystal, near Kiltealy, on Sunday. The first race is at 12.30pm and 65 entries have been received for the six-race card.

The going for Sunday is described as “yielding to soft, soft in places.”

The weather forecast is for 7-8mm of rain from tonight (Friday) into Saturday. Dry on Saturday evening to raceday on Sunday.

The organisers are confident of a competitive afternoon’s action and would appreciate a good-sized crowd.

Wexford archive recordings freely available

By Dan Walsh

**WEXFORD LIBRARY** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

Wexford Library and Archive have uploaded four collections of oral recordings to Digital Repository of Ireland: County Wexford Oral History Project, Memories of 1916, Memories of World War 1 and Southend Maritime Heritage Oral History Project.

These recordings are freely available for all to listen to or download from home or any remote location.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan said; “I’m delighted that Wexford Library and Archive Service are making this resource available to the public. The recordings show how different life in Wexford was for our previous generations of ancestors. I’m confident they will be a rich asset to researchers and family members.”

At the beginning of 2025, Wexford Library and Archive Service became a member of the Digital Repository of Ireland. The Digital Repository of Ireland (DRI) is a certified trustworthy digital repository that provides long-term preservation and access to Ireland’s social and cultural digital data.

The organisation is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) via the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Wexford Library and Archive Service links in with a growing number of local authority archives who have become members of DRI.

Wexford Library and Archive Service Wexford Library Service continues to collect oral history recordings and will upload more recordings and other resources to DRI in the future.

RTÉ Sunday Mass broadcasts outsourced

By Dan Walsh

**ST. AIDAN’S CATHEDRAL, Enniscorthy.** (File Pic; *WexfordLocal.com*)

RTÉ will broadcast all Sunday Mass and worship transmissions directly from churches, marking a significant move away from studio-based broadcasting to parish church locations and worship settings.

The new broadcasts will be produced by independent production company, Scratch Films, led by documentary filmmaker Liam McGrath, who has been awarded the RTÉ contract for Sunday worship broadcasting for the next three years.

Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, who serves as chair of the Bishops’ Council for Communications, welcomed the development, stating, “We welcome RTÉ’s decision to transmit live worship from parishes across the island – this is something which we have been encouraging for a number of years.

While we are very grateful for past broadcasts of worship from the RTÉ studio, we believe that sharing the celebration of Mass directly from parishes and from our many beautiful and historic churches will provide a richer and more authentic experience for all concerned.”