Thousands of people squeezed into Enniscorthy town centre on the opening day of the annual Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival where a family friendly atmosphere prevailed in favourable weather conditions.
The focus was on diverse food stalls offering a range of delicious treats, ensuring everyone was satisfied. There was a chance to try unique or newly presented flavours.
The Food Marquee located within the grounds of Enniscorthy Castle hosts various celebrity chefs. This afternoon, an engaging discussion took place regarding the fascinating world of bees and honey production. It was a buzzing area with a hive of activity.
Market Square was the location for an afternoon of music and dancing rock ‘n’ roll. A large crowd of all ages enjoyed the rhythm and moves on the dance floor. Evening sessions were also planned in the town’s hostelries.
I am glad the Athenaeum Hall is now open to the public. This historic 1892 building will hopefully be restored as an arts, entertainment and exhibition centre.
The Volunteers’ headquarters in the 1916 Easter Rising is cherished by the people of Enniscorthy. Let’s all work together to secure its future.
During the festival included in the Athenaeum are arts and crafts displays in the auditorium and the Enniscorthy Camera Club exhibition downstairs. Both are worth visiting tomorrow (Sunday).
Abbey Square hosts a busy Ferris wheel attracting many young visitors testing their altitude challenges and enjoying spectacular views of greater Enniscorthy in the process. Bumpers and other fun fair activities are also available.
The Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival starts the summer with food, fruit, rock ‘n’ roll, exhibitions, and a funfair atmosphere. Join us again tomorrow (Sunday) for a warm welcome and enjoy Enniscorthy in festival mood.
At the launch of the 10th Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival at Enniscorthy Castle tonight were (left to right); Eric Barron, Festival Chairman, Deputy Johnny Mythen TD, Minister James Browne TD, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Verona Murphy TD, Ceann Comhairle, Richie Cotter, Rock and Roll Club, Claire Lawless, District Manager, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Pat Kehoe and Senator Cathal Byrne. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle
The 10th annual Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival was officially opened tonight in Enniscorthy Castle by James Browne, TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, followed by a spectacular Fireworks Display on The Promenade.
Minister Browne praised the Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival as “a celebration of what Enniscorthy does really well”, he complimented the organisers, thanked the sponsors and wished everybody a successful festival weekend.
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Aidan Browne, welcomed everybody to the town for the weekend, thanked the organisers and the sponsors, the food producers and the rock ‘n’ roll enthusiasts. “It is one of Ireland’s greatest family festivals and brings €2 million to the local economy every year.”
The attendance included the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD, Deputy Johnny Mythen TD, Senator Cathal Byrne, Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Pat Kehoe, Jackser Owens, The Reverend Canon Nicola Halford, Paul Kehoe, Chairperson, The Wexford Food Producers Network and Billy Byrne, Tourism Officer, Wexford County Council. Jimmy Gahan acted as master of ceremonies.
Thanks were expressed to Manager Mico Hassett and Deputy Manager Eve Furlong and the catering staff at Enniscorthy Castle.
Richie Cotter spoke on behalf of the rock ‘n’ roll group and was entertaining in his presentation. He said that the rock ‘n’ roll and the food combination was unique for a festival. But it worked perfectly in Enniscorthy and he encouraged support for the long list of rockin’ events during the festival.
Kevin Lawlor, secretary a member of the Board of Enniscorthy Credit Union described the festival as “a major highlight of the social year” and the Credit Union, as a sponsor, “are proud to be involved” and he concluded; “let’s rock this town!”
Festival Organiser Amanda Whitmore described the Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival as “a celebration of Wexford’s amazing food scene, our incredible local producers and the wonderful atmosphere that Enniscorthy creates each year.” She added; “Whether you are coming for the food, the music or the family fun, there’s something for everyone.”
Festival Chairman Eric Barron said; “We are so proud that the festival has become one of Ireland’s most loved festivals.” He added; “It’s a weekend that showcases the very best of Enniscorthy and Wexford, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to celebrate the 10th year with us.”
The Food Marquee will be in the grounds of Enniscorthy Castle with live chef demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday and featuring celebrity chefs including Kevin Dundon, Edward Hayden, Paul Hynes and Warren Gillen.
The festival is jam-packed with children’s entertainment and family activities including street entertainment, kid’s rock ‘n’ roll dance classes, art and craft workshops and a Lego Making and Pokémon trading at Eason’s Bookshop, Court Street.
The Fun Fair and Big Wheel will be turning on The Promenade during the weekend, also top class live rock ‘n’ roll across the weekend in Market Square with the best of Irish and international bands.
Many activities are free of charge, with some ticketed events available.
County Wexford’s first static speed camera will begin operating at midday tomorrow (Friday).
It will be situated on the Old Dublin Road in North Gorey on the R772 near Aske, which has a maximum speed limit of 80 km per hour.
Motorists detected speeding on this stretch of road from 12 noon will be subject to prosecution.
It is one of two new static speed cameras to begin operation in Ireland this week.
“It is the first in Co. Wexford. It is quite a busy road and a good quality road. It’s quite straight. People tend to speed there,” said Sinead Casey, Head of Roads & Transportation at Wexford County Council, who added; “There are more plans to roll out further cameras in Wexford in line with the Department of Transport and An Garda Síochána plans for the rest of the country as well.”
Average safety cameras use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to record the time, date, and location of each vehicle that passes through an entry and exit point.
Drivers detected exceeding the speed limit i.e. travelling from point A to point B too quickly, are issued with a Fixed Charge Notice which, when processed, assigns three penalty points to the drivers’ licence and a fine of up to €160.
Enniscorthy is gearing up for the 10th annual Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival, scheduled to take place in the town this May Bank Holiday weekend from Friday to Sunday. The event is expected to attract 50,000 visitors and provide a significant boost to the local economy.
The official opening will be celebrated with a spectacular Fireworks Display at The Promenade on Friday, May 2nd at 9.15pm.
Since the early days with just six traders, the Rockin’ Food and Fruit Festival has grown into one of the leading food and family events in the country. It is estimated that 80 food and craft vendors will display their sumptuous goods on the town’s streets this weekend, and, of course, the major focus is on Wexford’s outstanding produce.
The Food Marquee will be in the grounds of Enniscorthy Castle with live chef demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday and featuring celebrity chefs including Kevin Dundon, Edward Hayden, Paul Hynes and Warren Gillen. There is also an event labelled ‘All About Nector’ which is described as “a live, family friendly observation hive talk about the incredible world of bees and honey production.”
The festival is jam-packed with children’s entertainment and family activities including street entertainment, kid’s rock ‘n’ roll dance classes, art and craft workshops and a Lego Making and Pokémon trading at Eason’s Bookshop, Court Street.
The funfair and Big Wheel will be turning on The Promenade during the weekend, also top class live rock ‘n’ roll across the weekend in Market Square with the best of Irish and international bands.
Wexford RNLI attended a fire on board a boat in Wexford Harbour today. (File Pic; Wexford RNLI/Lorraine Galvin).
By Dan Walsh
A fire on board destroyed a small pleasure boat in Wexford Harbour today.
The fire was first noticed around 4pm and huge thick black smoke billowed into the sky on the warmest day of the year so far.
It has been confirmed that no one was on board the boat. The Harbour Master, Coast Guard and RNLI and the owner of the vessel were informed.
The boat was about 100 metres out in the harbour and Wexford RNLI Inshore Lifeboat were able to assist from the water.
Three appliances of Wexford Fire Service rushed to the scene. A spokesperson for Wexford County Council confirmed that “Wexford Fire Service received a call at 4.07pm this afternoon, reporting a fire on a boat in Wexford Harbour.”
A man and a young woman are currently receiving medical treatment in hospital for severe injuries sustained in a three-vehicle collision near Clonroche.
The incident occurred on the N30 at Forestwood around 2.40pm yesterday (Tuesday).
A man in his 50s and a woman in her late teens were removed from the scene to University Hospital Waterford for treatment.
Their injuries are understood to be ‘serious but not life-threatening’.
No other injuries were reported to Gardaí.
The N30 New Ross – Enniscorthy road has since reopened, and investigations are ongoing.
St. Colman’s Pipe Band will lead the Ballindaggin May Bush Procession in the village this evening (Wednesday) at 7.30pm sharp and perform in their own village. It promises to be an entertaining occasion.
Folklorist Michael Fortune told WexfordLocal.com; “We are so lucky to have our own pipe band here in the small village of Ballindaggin in north west Wexford. They are huge asset for the county and are the most obliging people you’d ever meet.
“Aileen’s father is one of the pipers and they are made up of young and old and they turn out rain or shine for events. If you want to see them in action this evening, head to Ballindaggin village for 7.30pm sharp and hear them perform in their home village.
“And if you are coming, you might as well bring a few flowers, ribbons and egg shells for the May Bush!, concluded Michael.All are welcome.
Followingthe death of Brendan Comiskey, Bishop of Ferns, 1984 to 2002, a statement was issued by the Diocese of Ferns and it reads as follows; “The diocese takes this opportunity to express its sympathies to his extended family, to the members of his religious order and to all those who grieve his passing.
May he rest in peace.
“Bishop Comiskey stood down as Bishop of Ferns in 2002. In 2005, the diocese accepted fully the findings of the Inquiry headed by Justice Frank Murphy. The diocese remains mindful of and available to those affected by the egregious wrongdoings that necessitated the Inquiry.”
There is also another statement that reads; “On behalf of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, it is with deep sadness I announce the death of our Brother, Bishop Brendan Comiskey ss.cc., D.D., who died earlier this morning in the Louth County Hospital, Dundalk.
“Bishop Brendan was the last surviving member of nine other siblings. Please remember Bishop Brendan and his family in your prayers.”
Coláiste Éamonn Rís Wexford golfer Luke Furlong won the All-Ireland Schools Senior Boys title after 38 stableford points at Milltown.
LUKE FURLONG, Coláiste Éamonn Rís Wexford, who won the All-Ireland Schools Senior Boys’ title. (Pic; Morgan Treacy / Inpho)
Just two days after his 16th birthday the Wexford native bounced back from a T30 finish in the Flogas Irish Boys’ Amateur Open Championship, to seal this crown.
“I played well, hit it great tee to green and really capitalised on the chances I gave myself. Didn’t put myself in too much trouble,” said Furlong who hopes to qualify for the East of Ireland on the June Bank Holiday weekend.
“I just want to take it as it comes now and enjoy the year.”
WexfordLocal.com 