The Arts Council receive over €140 million in state funding but some comedians, showbands, drama societies, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Fleadh groups are not eligible to apply for funding, said a Fine Gael TD.
Deputy Brian Brennan, TD for Wicklow-Wexford, has voiced his strong opposition to the current exclusion of certain artists and is calling for a widening of guidelines on who can receive funding.
Speaking at the Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Deputy Brennan asked why this current exclusion policy exists: “There is good work currently being done providing funding for some sectors and I encourage continued support for artists at a grassroots level.
BRIAN BRENNAN TD
“The Arts Council funding aims to generate high quality experiences for the public to engage, develop talent and a programme to provide services that support the work of artists.
“With this in mind, we need to know how organisations such as the Fleadh Ceoil and talented people such as comedians are not included?
“To me, a comedian getting up on a stage is a really difficult profession and a wonderful art form. They should have the same opportunity to access funding.
“My colleague, Minister Patrick O’Donovan emphasised that the Government had provided direct financial support for the Fleadh Cheoil, but he did clarify that this was not coming from the Arts Council. The Minister also said that he believes that the Arts Council should be as inclusive as possible in terms of its support for all Art forms.
“The Arts Council must ensure that all artists are treated with the respect they deserve by broadening its interpretation of art and ensuring more artists receive funding opportunities and resources”, concluded Deputy Brennan.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, representatives of community organisations and members of the community at the launch of The Shannon Way at Armstrong’s Range, Enniscorthy, this evening. (Pic;WexfordLocal.com).
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, accepted an invitation from Enniscorthy Community Alliance and performed the official launch of TheShannon Way Project at the green on Armstrong’s Range, Enniscorthy, this evening.
TheShannon Way Project is a dynamic community-led effort to rejuvenate Enniscorthy East through environmental and public space improvements.
The initiative will create a vibrant “clean and greener mile” from Railway Square to Drumgoold, encouraging residents to reclaim and enjoy public walkways, laneways, and green areas.
The theme of TheShannon Way Project is ‘clean streets are safer streets’.
Cllr Murphy complimented the community initiative and the groups involved and wished them well with the project.
Other speakers included Billy Murphy, Chair of Enniscorthy Community Alliance, John Jude Murphy, Enniscorthy Community Alliance and Seamus Whitney, Chair Enniscorthy EastCommunity Development Group. Cllr John O’Rourke and District Manager, Claire Lawless, represented Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
A tree was planted on the green at Armstrong’s Range which is an area where the community can come together to relax and converse.
The Shannon Way initiative has been made possible through generous funding from the Department of Justice’s Community Safety Initiative Fund. The project is being led by Enniscorthy Community Alliance, with strong support from partners including Enniscorthy Municipal District, Wexford County Council, Enniscorthy East Community Development Group and Enniscorthy Tidy Towns volunteers.
A number of plans are in the pipeline including the development of a Shannon Heritage Trail and the group has taken charge of the Captain Wafer Community Hall.
Enniscorthy Community Alliance will also engage with the schools to participate in the project during the next school term.
ANITA McLOUGHLIN and PHILIP KNIGHT exchange greetings as Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District gets a new District Manager. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge District Council meeting
Philip Knight, Gorey Kilmuckridge District Manager for over four years, delivered his final report at Tuesday’s monthly meeting held in the Civic Centre, Gorey, where members offered high praise and paid glowing tributes.
Mr Knight’s replacement, Anita McLoughlin, who started her local authority career in New Ross in 1999, also attended the meeting and was accorded a warm reception by all the members.
Cllr Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach, presided, and led the tributes to Philip Knight and thanked him for his good work in Gorey and wished him the best of luck going forward as he heads back to Wexford County Council headquarters.
Cllr Mary Farrell thanked Philip Knight for the last four years. “I enjoyed working with you and I welcome the new District Manager. I wish both of you the best of luck.”
Cllr Darragh McDonald described Philip as “always very helpful”. Cllr Oliver Walsh described him as “a joy to work with and welcome to Gorey Kilmuckridge district Anita.” Cllr Anthony Donohoe said Philip was “a gentleman, always contactable and approachable” and he offered a welcome to Anita.
Cllr Pip Breen said Philip “blended in well and adapted well” and he thanked him for “all the good work he did.” He welcomed Anita as the new District Manager starting in September.
Cllr Joe Sullivan wished Philip all the best. “It was a very short four years”, Cllr Sullivan, observed, and to Anita, whom he worked with on the housing SPC, he said simply; “Welcome to Gorey.”
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh thanked Philip for his “courtesy and help” and wished him well in his new venture. He also welcomed Anita. “Thanks for everything,” was the response from Cllr Craig Doyle.
Director of Services, Liz Hore said; “Philip Knight is an absolute gentleman and the staff appreciated him.” She also wished Philip well and wished long serving staff administrator Liz Stanley all the best of luck. Ms. Stanley wasn’t present, but is taking retirement.
In reply, Philip Knight thanked all the members for their kind wishes and stated that he “made some good friends here” and he said that “the members were fantastic to work with.”
Anita McLoughlin stated she began her career in New Ross, has recently worked in housing, and described herself as hardworking. She expressed excitement about her new role in the Gorey Kilmuckridge district.
COURTOWN RNLI towing an inflatable on Monday evening. (Pic; RNLI/John Timmons)
By Dan Walsh
Monday was a busy day for Courtown RNLI. They rescued father and son paddleboarders in strong offshore winds and later the same day recovered an inflatable towable following 112 /999 calls to the Coast Guard.
A member of the public spotted two paddleboarders clinging to a buoy in strong offshore winds just off Ardamine beach and the crew of three volunteers launched at 1pm in gusty offshore conditions and were quickly on the scene.
They located the father and son paddleboarders clinging to a buoy and feeling cold and exhausted. They were taken ashore where anxious family members were waiting.
The paddleboarders were part of a family group visiting from Spain and thanked Courtown RNLI volunteers for responding so quickly.
Courtown Lifeboat helm Yvette Deacon said; “They were lucky to come across the buoy. The wind was blowing them out to sea very quickly. Before going on the water, always check the weather, make sure you have the correct equipment and always call 112/999 as soon as possible and ask for the Coast Guard if you think somebody is in trouble.’
Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat returned to station at 2pm and later the same day launched following another call to the Coast Guard after a member of the public spotted a large Inflatable Towable being blown out to sea very rapidly. It was unclear if there were any people on the inflatable.
Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Frank, launched at 6.30pm and was quickly on scene where it was established that there was nobody on board the inflatable. It appeared to have been blown off Ardamine beach and was quickly blown out to sea in the strong and gusty offshore wind. They took the inflatable under tow and returned to the harbour at 7pm.
Courtown Lifeboat helm Brian McEvoy said; “You have to be very careful with inflatables in offshore winds, you can be blown out to sea much more quickly than you think. The member of the public did the right thing, if in doubt call 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
A quiet Monday evening in The Ballagh (Ballaghkeen) village. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).
NEWS UPDATE. By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting (Tuesday).
The proposed Safe Route To Schools programme for Kiltealy was on the agenda at today’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting held in the Council Chamber at the Presentation Centre, but members voted 3-2 to hold the meeting ‘in committee’
Cllr Pat Kehoe (Fine Gael) proposed that the discussion be held ‘in committee’ and his call was seconded by Cllr Aidan Browne (Fianna Fáil). Independent Cllrs John O’Rourke and Cllr Jackser Owens were against the proposal and asked that the Press be allowed to stay present.
CathaoirleachCllr Barbara-Anne Murphy put the matter to a vote and it resulted – 3 in favour and 2 against – when Cllr Trish Byrne (Fine Gael) supported Cllrs Kehoe and Browne. Cllrs O’Rourke and Owens voted against holding the item ‘in committee’. The Press duly left the meeting.
By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council monthly meeting(Monday).
Strong public opposition has emerged against the Safe Route To Schools programme in Ballaghkeen and Kiltealy, with Wexford County Council elected members mainly concerned about insufficient consultation. However, a Council official has denied the allegations.
The matter was confronted at Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council with new Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Sullivan directing proceedings at the Council Chamber in County Hall.
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh reported that at a ‘public’ meeting in The Ballagh last Friday, attendees voted to reject the project. He claimed there was no consultation, including with himself.
Cllr Kavanagh stated that he personally held no objection to the Safe Route To Schools programme and added that safety aspects in the village were long overdue and stated that there was a need to slow down the traffic through The Ballagh village.
Apparently consultation was made with the Principal and School Board of Management,the parish priest and some business interests, but progress updates appears to have been lost along the way.
It is reported that 65% at last Friday’s meeting voted against the project which is estimated to cost €200,000 and details were posted in the local church and other public areas, but detail maps were either miniature or not made available at all.
Cllr Oliver Walsh told the meeting that a meeting was held with the hauliers, but stated “it was not an official meeting”.
But Deputy Chief Executive Eamonn Hore disagreed and read out a list of meetings with various interests and declared that there were 11 meetings with hauliers and individuals and the matter was presented at the June meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge District Council where it was approved by members!
Mr Hore said he was “not too sure about lack of consultation”, but expressed confidence that the project will go ahead! He added that there is ample parking at the church, crèche area and outside the graveyard, but admitted that the sidelines of the school was a disaster.
Cllr Pip Breen said that it is essential that this project goes ahead. He had been in contact with the hauliers and claimed that the first meeting in The Ballagh were supplied with copies of the plan.
Cllr Vicky Barron referred to the SRTS projects outside schools in Adamstown and Caroreigh and described them as “a blessing.” Cllr Barron suggested that by way of compromise bring people from these areas to a meeting and hear their stories.
Cllr Jackser Owens added his full support for the SRTS but informed the meeting that 525 names had registered their opposition to the project in the village of Kiltealy. The argument about ‘not consulted’ were again uttered by Cllr Owens.
WexfordLocal.com is informed that the Kiltealy situation will be raised at today’s (Tuesday’s) meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and a political headache is facing some of the members! The Kiltealy Safe Route To Schools programme has not yet been financially costed as it is in the preliminary stages, but it is expected to be in excess of €200,000.
The Ballaghkeen project will be discussed today (Tuesday) by members at the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, but I can’t tell readers anything about that because it is held ‘in committee’ and the Press is not allowed in!
Uisce Éireann is appealing to everyone in Wexford to be mindful of their use of water.
Following an increase in water usage by households and businesses, customers are being asked to be mindful of their usage, allow supply to catch up with demand and enable reservoirs to replenish fully. Uisce Éireann is closely monitoring all water supplies across the county and is implementing measures such as tankering to reservoirs, nighttime restrictions, and pressure management.
Padraig Lyng, Uisce Éireann Water Operations Manager in Wexford, said; “Water demand has noticeably increased across Wexford in recent days. We’re asking customers across the county to conserve water and give supplies time to recover. Even small changes in how we use water can make a big difference, helping to improve the supply for everyone.
“We’re doing everything we can to protect and maintain water supplies throughout the summer, but we also need the public’s support. If everyone in Wexford takes a few simple steps to reduce water use at home, in the garden, and at work, we can make our water go further and help maintain a regular supply for all.”
For more simple ways to conserve water, check out the Uisce Éireann conservation calculator (www.water.ie/calculator), which can help people work out how much water they are currently using and how they can conserve even more.
Fethard RNLI is hosting an Open Day next Sunday, July 20th, 12pm-3pm and all are welcome to attend for a fun-filled day out for all the family.
All are welcome to attend this community celebration. There will be tours of the station and lifeboat, opportunities to meet the crew and ask questions.
There will be a Water Safety advice stand with workshops and demonstrations running throughout the afternoon. Visitors will be treated to live music, tasty refreshments and garden games.
Fethard RNLI (File Pic; RNLI/Nadia Blanchfield).
Make sure you don’t miss your chance to Soak the Crew. A pop-up RNLI shop will be on site, where you can stock up on lifeboat clothes and souvenirs.
Also on display will be the fantastic artwork of Scoil Mhaodhoig Poulfur’s ‘Superheroes of the Sea’ art competition, with winners announced on the day. There will be a raffle with lots of hamper prizes taking place. Tickets will be available to purchase on the day and outside Dillon’s Londis on Saturday, July 19th.
As a charity, Fethard RNLI relies on the generosity of the local community to power their lifesaving work. The volunteers in Fethard are grateful for the local support and in return, wish to invite the community to have a look behind the scenes of the lifeboat station.
Sarah Bates, Chair of Fethard RNLI Fundraising Branch, told WexfordLocal.com; “Our volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year. This is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We want to say thanks to our local community by inviting everyone to our Open Day and give them a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes.”
Rosslare Harbour RNLI lifeboat was launched at 5.30pm on Wednesday after four young swimmers were reported in difficulty near the Europort.
The swimmers were located near the shore, and the crew responded promptly upon receiving the call, arriving at the scene within minutes. The swimmers were safely brought onboard and subsequently transported to the lifeboat station.
They were taken by ambulance to Wexford General Hospital.
On a warm, sunny evening, the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat, along with Carnsore and Rosslare Coast Guard, attended the rescue.
“These four young people were incredibly lucky. Thanks to their location so near the lifeboat station and the fact that there were lifeboat crew already at the station, a rescue was underway immediately following the alarm,” said RNLI lifeboat operations manager Jamie Ryan.
ODHRAN SOMERS at the launch of his poetry book ‘Finally Finite‘ (Pic; Red Books)
Met this young talented man in Red Books a few weeks ago and he was excited about the publication of his first published book of poetry called ‘Finally Finite’ and I promised him a prominent mention on WexfordLocal.com.
Couldn’t attend because of commitments at the Bannow Rathangan Agricultural Show and the Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival, however, I sent my good wishes via the king of Red Books, Wally O’Neill, who acted as my representative.
“We were truly honoured to host the launch of Odhran Somers ‘Finally Finite’ in Red Books on Friday evening, said Wally, who added; “Unsurprisingly, it was a full house for an electric performance from Odhran, accompanied by Anne Ireton, Conor Lyons, Carol Booker and Steve Huenneke. Getting a crowd like that on such a beach-ready evening shows how well loved Odhran is and how popular his poetry is getting.”
Copies of ‘Finally Finite’ can be purchased now for €10 in Red Books or online at www.theirishbookshop.com
Uisce Éireann is appealing to customers in Gorey Town and the surrounding areas to conserve water with nighttime restrictions being introduced for some customers to help meet demand, both tonight, Friday, July 11th and tomorrow night Saturday, July 12th.
They will be in place from 11pm each night to 6am the following morning in an attempt to reduce usage and maintain a daytime supply.
This appeal comes as levels in many water sources are significantly lower than normal for this time of year following a drier than average autumn, winter and spring.
Speaking about the urgent need to conserve water in the Gorey area, Uisce Éireann’s Water Operations Manager, Padraig Lyng, reminded customers to be mindful of their water use and do what they can to conserve it. “We’re committed to ensuring a reliable water supply for the people of Gorey throughout these summer months, and the support of our customers is an important element to achieve this. “In the days and weeks ahead, we would appeal to customers to take the opportunity to really consider their water usage and reflect on the daily and easy actions they can take to play their part in ensuring our water resources are used wisely and in a way which benefits, not only your own household but also the wider community.”
This is also a good time for people to spot any underground leaks outside their home or business. Signs of such leaks may include persistent moisture in areas of the lawn or driveway during dry weather.
To report leaks on the public network, or for more information, the Uisce Éireann helpdesk is available 24/7 at 1800 278 278.
WexfordLocal.com 