Point-to-point action at Fairwood Park. Tinahely (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
The Bray Harriers point-to-point at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, cancelled last Sunday as a mark of respect to Michael O’Sullivan, the young Cork jockey who died following a fall at Thurles racecourse, has been rescheduled for next Sunday, February 23rd.
This news was announced today (Monday) by the Irish Horse Racing Board (IHRB) and the original entries stand.
83 entries for the six-race programme. First race at 1pm.
WexfordLocal.comwill update ground conditions here on this page next Saturday evening.
The Office of Public Works is undertaking the construction of a new Border Control Post – known as Terminal 7 which will provide the necessary permanent infrastructure at Rosslare Europort to comply with Customs, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and official food controls because of Brexit.
Rosslare Europort will be undergoing significant infrastructure upgrades until September 2025. These works will ensure the Port continues to play a critical economic role for the area and region.
The upgrades will also support future growth planned at the Port. They will be the most significant in the Port’s history and will bring about much needed benefits for those that use and live within the vicinity of the Port as it continues to expand.
The works will consist of various phases of construction that will deliver new and improved facilities, entry and exit routes, and significant upgrading of the infrastructure across the Port in several areas.
Initial ground works took place in 2023 in preparation of the substantial works which are ongoing. These ground works have also ensured that the Port can continue to operate safely and efficiently for all users for the duration of the substantial works that are taking place.
The works at Rosslare Europort broadly entail the demolition of 25 buildings and structures including 11 lighting masts, below ground services and tanks, existing fences, gates, barriers and signage.
The new construction works will consist of a new Border Control Post (BCP) and Customs Control Facility made up of 28 new buildings with an overall floor area of 9360m² on a site with an area of 19.5 Hectares.
Construction is taking place on a phased basis. As areas of the site are completed and handed over, it may be necessary to change the way the public access the port by road and foot. These changes will be clearly signposted.
The construction works are being undertaken by John Paul Construction and the Office of Public Works (OPW) on behalf of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive and the Department of Justice/An Garda Síochána. The Project Team are also working closely with Irish Rail who operate Rosslare Europort.
The duration of the overall works will be approximately 28 months from commencement.
The OPW has informed WexfordLocal.com that it will continue to communicate regularly throughout project to keep the public updated as changes occur.
The IHRB have sadly confirmed that former under-21 champion point-to-point rider, and Grade 1-winning Cheltenham jockey Michael O’Sullivan has passed away on Sunday morning following injuries that he sustained in a fall at Thurles.
As a mark of respect to Michael, the fixture at Punchestown today (Sunday) and the point-to-point fixtures Avondu (F) Knockanard, North Tipperary (F) Nenagh and Bray (H) Tinahely have all been cancelled.
Senator Cathal Byrne stood tall for his maiden speech in Seanad Éireann this week. He was proudly joined by his parents, Peter and Theresa Byrne from Ballyhogue.
SENATOR CATHAL BYRNE (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
“It is a particularly honourable moment for me given the fact I started out in public life when I was elected at 27 to Wexford County Council. I contested three elections in the last year. When I started out on Wexford County Council, I never expected that I would end up as a Member of Seanad Éireann. It is a particular honour to be here, and I very much look forward to the time ahead.
“I am conscious that I am, and am proud to be, from Wexford. To the best of my knowledge, I am the only Member of the House from Wexford and that will be very important for me with regard to the issues I prioritise in the Chamber.
“We have challenges in County Wexford, and I am thinking in particular of the need for the Oylegate to Rosslare motorway to be developed and finished.
“I am thinking particularly of Wexford General Hospital and ensuring it is resourced with staff, that the long-promised 97-bed unit extension gets delivered and that we have all of the supports necessary for our accident and emergency department, which covers not only County Wexford but the south-east region.”
The first female Ceann Comhairle and Wexford Independent TD Verona Murphy is to issue an invite this week to the female county councillors to save the date – Thursday, March 6th.
VERONA MURPHY TD and Ceann Comhairle Dáil Éireann. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
“As Ceann Comhairle, I am delighted to invite the female councillors of County Wexford to Leinster House to join in a celebration to mark International Women’s Day,” said Deputy Murphy in correspondence read at last Monday’s February meeting of Wexford County Council.
Deputy Murphy also sent congratulations to Cllr Bridín Murphy from New Ross Municipal District on her appointment to the European Committee of the Regions.
Some male members in the chamber wondered why the letter had to be read out by County Secretary, Michael Drea, when there were copies in front of all councillors in attendance; but the gender gap was immediately forgotten when the lads quickly dreamed of a day on the golf course, the Cheltenham racing festival and the endless league and championship hurling and football games coming in the weeks ahead!
All set for the Bray Harriers point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, tomorrow (Sunday). 83 entries for the six-race programme. First race at 1pm.
JACK HENDRICK …double at Oldtown today. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Going is described as ‘yielding to soft.’
Denis Murphy and Jack Hendrick shared a double in the first two races at the Ward Union point-to-point at Oldtown, Co. Meath today (Saturday).
Jet of Stars got the Murphy/Hendrick team off to a perfect start with a four lengths success in the maiden race for four-year-olds and half an hour later and Apache Tribe made it a quick double with a similar verdict on the line for the maiden race for five-year-olds.
Barry O’Neill also rode a winner. He was aboard Hathaways Cottage who scored ‘a neck’ victory over Get Off Your Phone for the Darragh Berry/Josh Berry team in the Winners of Three race.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage, and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, has announced the list of over 650 projects to be awarded funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2025.
ST IBERIUSChurch on Wexford’s Main Street. (Pic; Gareth James)
Funding totalling €261,989 will benefit 12 Wexford projects.
The highest is €32,988 for works at St. Iberius Church at North Main Street, Wexford town.
€24,000 to aid in repairs to the thatched roof of the 18th century St Mogue’s Cottage, at Ferns.
€30,000 for roofs and rainwater disposal at Cahore Castle, Ballygarrett.
€30,000 for Forge Cottage at Ballygow, Bannow, for roof works.
€22,866 for the roof work at The Old Rectory, Deerpark, Horetown, Foulksmills.
€21,481 for external walls, windows, doors and associated elements at Carigbyrne, Adamstown.
€20,000 for Lantern Cottage, Millroad, Kilmore Quay (roofs).
€20,000 for roofs, windows, doors and associated elements at St Awarie’s Cottage, Buncarrig, Carne.
€17,600 for roofs at the Mass House, Tomhaggard.
€17,181 for the Garden House, Ardcandrisk, Barntown, for works on external walls, windows and associated elements.
€13,936 for windows, doors and associated elements at Cooladine House, Enniscorthy.
€12,000 for Yoletown, Broadway, for windows, doors, associated elements, roofs and other works.
The scheme supports property owners to conserve and enhance our historic buildings and streetscapes, and at the same time preserve and develop traditional building skills.
This year’s grants will be used to repair, restore, and protect historic structures from modest traditional homes to landmark public buildings.
The former St Joseph’s Primary School, Michael Street, New Ross. (Pic; Browne’s Photography).
By Dan Walsh
The Sisters of Mercy and Wexford County Council, with the approval of the Department of Education, have agreed in principle a proposal to acquire the former St, Joseph’s Primary School on Michael Street, New Ross, for use as a shared community hub in conjunction with Cumas New Ross as the lead agency.
Independent Cllr Michael Sheehan said the building has been vacant for about eight years and the project will contribute to the overall development of New Ross.
“Cumas has been seeking a town centre accessible premises to cater for its current and future needs with a focus in integration,” said Liz Hore, Director of Services, who added; “St. Joseph’s former school is an ideal property within proximity to the town centre, suitable size, and accessibility of space to cater for the organisations current and future requirements.”
The proposal envisages improved social well-being, education and training and enterprise growth within the community of New Ross and surrounding district through innovation, partnership and community development.
Wexford town-based Cllr Raymond Shannon is calling for a psychiatric inpatient unit to be added to the new 97-bed unit being built in Wexford, to provide 24-hour care for people in crisis.
CLLR RAYMOND SHANNON
A well-known advocate for 24/7 mental health services and staff in Co. Wexford, Cllr Shannon was addressing the issue at last Monday’s meeting of Wexford County Council.
“It wouldn’t be a massive cost; we just need to have psychiatrists on call 24/7 to support the people who need it,” he stated.
Cllr Shannon said that while there is a letter from the Minister stating that 24-hour mental health services are available in Wexford, this is not the case.
He stated that the reality is that Wexford lacks the resources to provide adequate mental health care on a 24/7 basis. The waiting times for services, such as those at Summerhill, can stretch up to two to three months, which is unacceptable for someone in a mental health crisis.
Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, has formally addressed a letter regarding the allocation of Mental Health services in Wexford, on behalf of the members of Wexford County Council.
Minister Butler confirms that University Hospital Waterford’s 44-bed Acute Inpatient Mental Health Unit serves as the approved inpatient centre for Waterford and Wexford.
The Department of Psychiatry provides inpatient assessment, treatment, and care to individuals residing in the Wexford area.
MARY BUTLER TD Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People.
In Co. Wexford, health services are available 24 hours a day through CAREDOC, the GP out-of-hours service; the Emergency Department at Wexford General Hospital; or the local mental health service.
The Minister states that individuals from Wexford can go to the Emergency Department at Wexford General Hospital to be assessed by Mental Health Liaison staff. If inpatient admission is necessary, the staff at Wexford General Hospital will coordinate with the Department of Psychiatry in Waterford to arrange the transfer.
Enniscorthy has a 10-bed respite unit (An Tearman) and various staffed community residences for daily support. The community team operates from Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre at Blackstoops.
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh’s ‘controversial comments’ at last Monday’s Wexford County Council meeting, making the headlines in today’s Enniscorthy Guardian fails to raise deeper issues that need public awareness.
Journalist Padraig Byrne’s report from Monday’s meeting is accurate, but attacks on speakers during meetings are too common.
CLLR PADDY KAVANAGH
During the meeting, Cllr Kavanagh actively participated in the discussion regarding the Templeshannon regeneration. He publicly presented facts, figures, and comments related to the IPAS application. Additionally, he expressed his support for the residents of the Shannon area.
Then to the surprise of the members Cllr Aidan Browne, who is Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council reminded Cllr Kavanagh that “There are six councillors in Enniscorthy well capable of looking after Enniscorthy!”
Cllr Kavanagh, a long-serving member and former Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Town Council, Municipal District Council, and Wexford County Council, was surprised to have his freedom to speak on town issues questioned.
Cllr Kavanagh now serves on the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council, due to changes in electoral boundaries, despite living close to Enniscorthy where he has family and business interests.
Enniscorthy no longer has six members due to the vacancy created by Senator Cathal Byrne. Additionally, Cllrs Jackser Owens and John O’Rourke left the meeting an hour and a half before it ended.
Enniscorthy representation also includes Minister James Browne, Deputy Johnny Mythen, and Senator Cathal Byrne.
Cllr Kavanagh’s interruption may be associated with his political representation. Council meetings often tend to reject issues and motions put forward by opposition parties, which include Aontú, Sinn Féin, and the Independent Alliance.
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