Midweek racing comes to Wexford

By Dan Walsh

Racing takes place at Bettyville Park, Wexford, on Wednesday evening. The first race is off at 4.55pm which is earlier starting time than originally advertised.

There has been a large entry so the original seven-race card has been extended and now eight races will be run – seven over hurdles and an INH Flat Race.

They were watering earlier in the week, but with rain on Tuesday and more expected before the tapes go up on Wednesday evening, the going is expected to be ‘Good…good to yielding in places’.

Stop the lights at Gorey Bridge

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council meeting

Plans to replace the temporary traffic lights on Arklow Road at the Ballytegan Road junction and before the railway bridge with a permanent set of traffic lights were discussed at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council.

Cllr Joe Sullivan raised the matter at the meeting and said he had received many complaints about the decision to locate traffic lights at this junction and told the meeting he “had a responsibility and an obligation to represent the views of the people who elected him.”

CLLR JOE SULLIVAN received a large number of calls from the public regarding the location of new traffic lights on the Arklow Road in Gorey.

Cllr Darragh McDonald noted that the temporary traffic lights were placed there ahead of the smart traffic lights.

Referring to Cllr Sullivan’s remarks about the lights slowing down people’s journeys and driving people to Arklow for shopping, Cllr Anthony Donohoe remarked “wouldn’t be worse if there were no traffic in town?”

Cllr Donal Kenny stated to “Give it a chance. Let it be done.”

Roads Engineer Joanne Kehoe explained to the members that “we don’t have space for a roundabout as the road is to narrow at this junction.”

Cllr Craig Doyle stated on social media; “I’ve raised the issue of sight lines with the roads engineer at the district council meeting on Tuesday so she is aware of the issue. I agree it’s only sheer luck that there hasn’t been a crash there during the roadworks.”

The works are finished, and only the lights need fitting and road markings completed for the new traffic layout to be operational.

Peter Haughton, proprietor of Haughton School of Motoring in a social media comment stated; “The traffic lights are positioned after the bridge on the Gorey side. As we have witnessed, the traffic builds up out as far as the Maxol garage. When this traffic builds up, it creates a serious blind spot for traffic turning right from Gorey side of the Arklow road towards Ashdown Park Hotel and Coach Road.

“The traffic coming from the Arklow side has right of way when turning left onto Coach Road, but people ignore this and plough on through!, added the statement.

Driver behaviour and patience during busy times can significantly impact traffic flow through the town.

Burst water main in Gorey 

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann crews are currently working to repair a burst water main which has constricted flow to the Creagh Water Treatment Plant in Gorey.

The burst is affecting water supply to Uisce Éireann customers in Gorey and the surrounding areas.

Crews are on site and are working to repair the burst. It is estimated that repairs will be complete and supply will return to normal levels this afternoon.

Uisce Éireann’s Padraig Lyng has assured affected customers that supply will be restored as quickly as possible.

“We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to customers by unplanned outages and we want to thank affected homes and businesses for their understanding while our crews work to repair the burst and restore normal supply,” said Mr. Lyng.

Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.  

Substantial losses at Enniscorthy Car Park

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District meeting

Car parking has always been a contentious issue in Enniscorthy town, however, figures released recently show that the car park at Mill Yard Lane, also known locally as the Clinic Car Park has been operating at a substantial loss to Wexford County Council.

The matter had been raised at a recent meeting of Wexford County Council, but a statement from Eamonn Hore, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Services at Wexford County Council was circulated at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.

“This car park has been in place for a number of years at a cost of €22,500 per annum rental. The total income for the year 2022 was €4,327 representing a loss of €18,173.

“The total income for the year 2023 was €2,499.40 representing a further loss of €20,000.60.

“The income for the year 2024 (January to May inclusive) was €968.30 representing a loss over these five months of €8,406.70.

“As can be seen from the figures presented, the losses based on income over rental cost are significant.

“The occupancy of this car park is extremely low. The actual numbers using the car park (8.30am to 6.30am) is approximately three cars over the busiest five-hour periods or fourteen or fifteen cars per day.

“The Mill Yard Car Park is currently in poor state of repair. If Wexford County Council was to continue use of the car park, then the current rough, uneven surface should be repaired and surface dressed. Public lighting should also be considered.

“In its current format, with the current rental cost and current low usage, it does not make sense to continue with this site,” concluded Mr. Hore.

Call for Burial Wall at Enniscorthy Cemetery

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting

At last Tuesday’s Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting, a request was made to build a wall in the cemetery for families to place ashes of cremated loved ones, known as a Columbarium Wall for cremated remains!

CLLR PAT KEHOE (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Cllr Pat Kehoe stated that several families had contacted him regarding the issue. He mentioned that many deceased individuals are now cremated, and families are seeking a small memorial to honour them.

The Council has promised to investigate what’s involved and report back at a future meeting.

Cllr Kehoe has succeeded in persuading Wexford County Council to provide a properly functioning public address system shared between St. Mary’s Cemetery and Enniscorthy Cemetery during the Patron ceremony in August.

Cllr Kehoe said; “People have been concerned about the need to have speakers available to allow them hear services and prayers when they are at the graves of their loved ones in the new cemetery.

“I am happy to say I met with the local senior engineer Neville Shaw, as well as Fr. Tom Dalton and the relevant contractors to work out a solution. A cable has now been brought across the road to the new cemetery which means speakers can be used as and when they are needed in the new cemetery.”

Treble for the Doyles

By Dan Walsh

A double success at Inchydoney in Cork for Sean Doyle and a single success at Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary, for Cormac Doyle made it a day to remember for the Monbeg brothers at today’s point-to-point fixtures.

SEAN DOYLE saddled two point-to-point winners today.

Sean’s double was for the Monbeg Partnership with Shinealight who finished alone in a field of three in the maiden race for four-year-old mares and Fiyero scored by two lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. Duncormick rider Sean Staples partnered both winners.

Cormac’s winner was I Walk The Line for the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings ridden by Darragh Higgins. Five and a half lengths the winning verdict. It was Cormac’s 11th winner of the season and a personal best.

Woman (20s) dies in road crash

ENNISCORTHY GARDA STATION (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

A female pedestrian in her 20s has died following a road traffic collision at Curragraigue, Ballindaggin,  yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.

Gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of the collision involving a car and pedestrian, which occurred on the R702 Kiltealy-Enniscorthy road at approximately 3pm. 

The pedestrian, aged in her late 20s was removed from the scene in a serious condition to Wexford General Hospital where she later passed away. 

The male driver of the car, who was also aged in his 20s received medical assessment at the scene.  

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward. 

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 2.30pm and 3.30pm Saturday 24th May 2025, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. 

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on (053) 9233534, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. 

Investigations are ongoing.

Woman (20s) injured near Ballindaggin

ENNISCORTHY GARDA STATION (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

A pedestrian, a woman, aged in her 20s, was seriously injured after being struck by a car on the R702 at Curragraigue, Ballindaggin, today. It occurred at approximately 3pm.

She was taken Wexford General Hospital for treatment.

The male driver of the car, aged in his 20s, received medical assessment at the scene.

No other injuries were reported,

The road is currently closed for technical examination by Garda forensic collision investigators, with local diversions in place.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 2.30pm and 3.30pm today are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station on (053) 9233534, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Investigations are ongoing.

O’Neill and Scallan share southern title

By Dan Walsh

Barry O’Neill and Jamie Scallan agreed to share the Southern Region Riders’ championship after they rode a winner each at the first day of the two-day fixture at Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary, today (Saturday).

Scallan scored first with a 40 lengths victory on Krystal Sky who made all the running for the Cormac Doyle stables in the maiden race for four-year-old hurdles.

But O’Neill struck back with a nine lengths success on Colin Bowe’s Belle Star Outlaw in the maiden race for five-year-old mares’ an hour later.

Both riders’ set out with 14 winners each – it was now 15 apiece – and they agreed to share the title.

BERTIE FINN enjoyed a winner at Ballingarry. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Scallan has achieved his first title in what has been a record-setting campaign. O’Neill has secured the southern title for the third time, following his successes in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, he has earned his second regional prize of the season by securing the northern title earlier this year.

There was also success for Jim O’Neill, Ballindaggin, owner/handler of Seaniecon who scored by 13 lengths in the four-year-old maiden auction race ridden by Sean Staples, Duncormick.

Bertie Finn from Oulart also got on the scoresheet. He partnered Dylan Oak for octogenarian owner/handler Frank Oakes from Kildare in the Open race.  

Mayor opens Y21 Studios at Enniscorthy

Mayor of Wexford Cllr Catherine ‘Biddy’ Walsh cutting the ribbon at the official opening of Y21 Studios at Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy. Also in the photo are Kristyna Simkova, her daughter Eimear, Alfie O’Sullivan, Elaine Chapman and Conor Gibson. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).

By Dan Walsh at Y21 Studios, Enniscorthy

Cllr Catherine ‘Biddy’ Walsh, the Mayor of Wexford, was the guest of honour in Enniscorthy today. She officially launched Y21 Studios; a new community hub situated at the Farm Centre premises on Mill Park Road.

Set up by Czech-born artist and photographer Kristyna Simkova, Y21 Studios is a privately managed space designed to inspire creativity, connection, and integration in the local community.

The studio offers a dedicated hire space for art classes, workshops, creative meet-ups, and children’s parties, and is open to artists, educators, and community groups of all backgrounds.
Joining Kristyna is Conor Gibson, a rising star of the Irish Street art scene, who brings a wealth of experience working with local groups, young people, and fellow creatives. His involvement marks an exciting chapter in Enniscorthy’s growing arts culture.
Y21 Studios also houses its own ‘Body & Soul’ Studios — a welcoming space for pilates, yoga, and meditation classes, promoting balance, well-being, and positive mental health.
In addition, the newly relocated Creative Grounds Café & Farm Shop will be based at Y21 Studios, serving up Wexford roasted coffee, handmade treats, and local produce, along with the live music and food events that have made the café a much-loved part of Enniscorthy’s cultural life.
Kristyna Simkova told WexfordLocal.com; “Y21 Studios is about more than just art -it’s about building community, encouraging creativity, and creating a welcoming space for everyone, no matter where they’re from. We believe integration happens naturally when people come together through shared experiences, and that’s what this space is all about.”
Y21 Studios will be open year-round for classes, private hires, events, and community-led programming. Enquiries: hello@y21studios.com / Kristyna 085 770 4420.