Elected Wexford women seeking gender parity

At the launch of Wexford Women Together (left to right); Cllrs Lisa McDonald, Vicky Barron, Aoife Rose O’Brien, Barbara Anne Murphy (Chairperson of Wexford Women Together), Bridín Murphy, Patricia Byrne, Catherine Walsh, and Mary Farrell. 

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Women Together, previously known as the Women’s Coalition, has been launched to acknowledge the notable milestone of eight female councillors currently serving on Wexford County Council.

Wexford Women Together has formulated a new strategy and action plan setting out their core goals and objectives to inspire and empower women in Wexford to take part in everyday community life- whether that is through local activism, civic engagement or putting a name on a ballot paper.

The primary aim is to boost women’s participation in politics, beginning with roles in local government.

Their mission is to empower women of all ages and ethnicities to participate at every level of community activity; inspire more women to become involved in politics and increase female representation in Wexford County Council while promoting the contribution of a dynamic female group in the Council. 

Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy, Chairperson, stated; “The reality is that we need more women to get involved – to put themselves forward; if that is not you, perhaps you know someone who should be preparing to run in the local elections in 2029. I can tell you, it is very flattering to be asked to run, and your suggestion may take root and come to fruition in 2029.

“Wexford Women Together is about supporting each other – a group of elected women with diverse perspectives who can disagree, without fear of retaliation, and in the knowledge that we will support each other when the going gets tough.  We will seek further funding for training for prospective female candidates.

“I feel that if we work together, we can increase the number of females elected to Wexford County Council. In 1928 there was one, in 1978 there were two, in 2004 there were four and now in 2025 there are eight women serving on Wexford County Council.

“If we can double that, we are 16 – just one short of half. That is where we need to get to – gender parity, and I challenge all that have an interest in this to work hard so we do achieve gender parity by the 2034 Local Elections.”

Talk Nights in Askamore

By Dan Walsh

The popular four-week series of Talk Nights get underway in Askamore Community Centre on Tuesday night (January 6th) starting at 7.30pm.

DEPUTY FIONNTÁN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN

On the opening night North Wexford/ South Wicklow Deputies Brian Brennan, Malcolm Byrne and Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin make up the panel to share some insights into the toll of political life, what motivates them? and how they cope with the pressures involved.

Editor of The Farmer’s Journal, Pat O’Toole will chair the discussion. A native of Tombrack with more than 20 years media experience, Pat also holds a number of Macra National Titles in debating and public speaking.  

In the second part of the evening Dr Susan Brannick, Clinical Director of Aware will give a presentation on Positive Mental Health and Healthy Living for the New Year.

Admission is €10 or €25 for all four nights with a cup of tea for all in attendance at half time.  All are welcome. 

Tributes to Ballyhogue’s football legend

By Dan Walsh

The death has occurred of Nick Doyle, Raheenahoone, Ballyhogue, who was one of Ballyhogue GAA Club’s “greatest players” and led the team to success in the captain’s role on many occasions.

NICK DOYLE

A native of Carrig, near Bree, Nick, who was affectionately known as ‘Mogue’ began his football career in the 1950s and played until 1967.

He won two county junior football titles with Ballyhogue in 1955 and in 1961 when he captained the winning team.

Nick was captain when Ballyhogue won the first of three county senior championship titles in 1962, ’63 and ’64.

His inter-county career was also noteworthy when he played several games with the Wexford senior football team in National League and championship games.

Nick was widely respected for his exceptional ability in aerial contests – commanding the high ball – and his consistent delivery of high-quality performances throughout his playing days.

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Nick Doyle, Raheenahoone, Ballyhogue on January 1st 2026 peacefully, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Beloved husband of Joey, dearly loved and loving father of Patricia, Maria, Nicholas, Also, PJ, Fintan, Martina, Suzanne and the late Pauline and much-loved brother of Eileen and Peg.

Sadly missed by his loving wife, sons, daughters, sisters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, his 23 grandchildren, sister-in-law Marie, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. May he Rest in Peace.

Reposing in Browne’s Funeral Home, Enniscorthy (Y21 H3K5) today (Friday) from 3 o’clock concluding at 7 o’ clock.

Funeral arriving to Church of St. John The Baptist, Galbally on Saturday morning for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Cancelled; Point-to-point races at Tinahely

Over the fences at Fairwood Park, Tinahely. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

There will be no point-to-point action at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, tomorrow (Sunday).


The popular Tinahely track was found to be unfit for racing on this (Saturday) afternoon, and with an unfavourable weather forecast for Saturday night and Sunday morning, with a status yellow Low Temperature / Ice warning from Met Éireann, the decision was made to cancel the fixture.

Meanwhile the final fixture of 2025 took place at Dromahane, Co. Cork last Tuesday and two Wexford trained winners emerged.

Newcomer Golden Current had a 12 lengths victory in the hands of Barry Stone for Jonathan Fogarty, Gaynestown, Cleariestown, in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

Gorey rider Luke Murphy who won his first point-to-point in the saddle eight years ago, registered his 80th career success aboard Wilton Mills Trier for the Blackhall Stables of Paul Martin Pierce at Killurin in the five and six-year-old mares maiden race. It was Pierce’s 45th winner as a handler and newcomer Wilton Mills Trier now heads for the sales.

Arrows to the sea at Hook Lighthouse

By Dan Walsh

The Arrow Ceremony, a tradition since 1687, is held at Hook Lighthouse every New Year’s Day.

At 1 pm today, January 1st, the Dunbrody Archers, joined by Cllr John Dwyer, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, will be part of the ceremony when biodegradable arrows will be shot into the sea to symbolise the Port Authority’s jurisdiction over the local estuary.

The event, free and open to the public, offers a rare chance to witness this evocative tradition.

Larry Colgan, General Manager at Hook Lighthouse, highlighted the lighthouse’s important role in local heritage and its ongoing connection to maritime history.

Visitors can also enjoy a tour of the lighthouse, which includes a climb to the top for panoramic views and an immersive experience of its history.

For more details on the event and to plan your visit, please visit www.hookheritage.ie.

Rescue 117 in Castletown today

Helicopter R117 arriving at Castletown today. (Pic; Courtown/Arklow Coast Guard)

By Dan Walsh

Helicopter Rescue 117 from Waterford base was called to Castletown this afternoon after a young lady was injured in a fall from her horse. It is understood that her injuries are not life-threatening.

Courtown/Arklow Coast Guard were tasked to prepare a landing zone for Rescue 117 and assist with a casualty at Castletown and once on scene were able to assist in transferring the casualty on board the aircraft to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.

“It’s our second such incident in a week and shows how important our training with the helicopters is,” said a spokesperson for the Coast Guard.

On St. Stephen’s Day a man in his 30s injured while playing in an indoor soccer tournament in Craanford was taken to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin where his condition is described as “on the road to recovery.”

Remember if you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, dial 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Clogh bridge rail accident remembered

The scene at the Clogh Bridge rail accident. (Pic; Broken Rails)

By Brian Mac Aongusa from his book Broken Rails

Around 9.30am on New Year’s Eve 1975 – exactly 50 years ago today – an excavator on the back of a lorry struck Clogh Bridge, some five kilometres south of Gorey in Co. Wexford, dislodged its granite masonry and buckled the railway just minutes before the 8.05am Rosslare Harbour to Dublin was due.

In spite of frantic efforts to stop the train, it hit the bridge at an estimated 60mph causing a terrible accident in which five people were killed and thirty injured. It was the worst rail crash in CIE’s history until that time.

The casualty figures would have been considerably higher only that the first two carriages were closed and empty, as they were intended for use by passengers joining the train further along the line. These leading vehicles, as well as a luggage van were completely shattered when the train jumped the rails at the damaged bridge.

Most of the injured were in the third carriage, but five people were killed in the fourth carriage when it was penetrated by the coach behind it and came to rest spanning the gap in the line.

Driver Joseph O’Neill from Rosslare Harbour, who had been in the left-hand seat of engine No B132, had a miraculous escape. Deeply shocked and with a back injury, he managed to crawl out after his engine overturned and tumbled down an embankment into a field.

Christy Hill, a local man, was driving his car nearby when he was stopped by the lorry driver and told the bridge had been damaged. Almost simultaneously he heard a train siren in the distance. Describing how he ran through a field and up on to the railway embankment to a point about 50 metres from the buckled rails, Christy Hill continued; “I waved frantically at the driver to stop. But the driver blew for me to get out of the way, and I could then hear the brakes going on. I ran to my house, but the phone was not working. I managed to get a phone that did work and rang the gardaí in Gorey.”

Rescue work began at once in bad conditions of heavy rain. A fleet of ambulances, doctors and nurses, fire brigade personnel, gardaí and volunteer workers converged on the scene from Gorey, Enniscorthy and Wexford, but h had a very difficult task in disentangling the wreckage. The impact had been extremely severe; coach bodies being smashed and wheel-bogies and underframes badly twisted.

Rescuers had to spend about two hours trying to extricate the dead and the injured from the wreckage.

Volunteer helpers who earned high praise included Wexford County Council staff, mechanics from garages in the area and people from various businesses throughout North Wexford.

This account of the Clogh bridge rail accident by Brian Mac Aongusa comes from his book, Broken Rails; Crashes and Sabbotage on Irish Railways, first published by Currach Press, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, in 2005. Copies are still available in second hand bookshops.

AUDIO ADDITION – On December 12th, 2005, Brian Mac Aongusa (1935-2023), who was Controller of Programmes, RTÉ Radio 1, travelled to the studios of South East Radio where he was interviewed by Dan Walsh on the popular Mid Week Voices programme. We have saved an edited version of that interview with references to the Wexford railway networks.

James and Gainford in winning form

ROB JAMES (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

It isn’t every day that an amateur jockey commands the racing headlines but Rob James from Killanne had a most enjoyable day at Limerick races today (Monday) where he recorded a double success.

James got off to a flying success aboard No Cure (5/1) for Kiltealy owner and trainer Gearoid O’Loughlin in the maiden hurdle before landing the Listed handicap hurdle race on Its Bilbo (9/2) for Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead.

Jordan Gainford had his fourth winner in as many days. He won at Down Royal on Friday, had a victory each day on Saturday and Sunday at Limerick, and today (Monday) he won for Gordon Elliott on Lynches Knock (6/1) in a hurdle race at Leopardstown.

Liz lands Limerick Listed Race prize

LIZ DOYLE (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Liz Doyle has been successfully training horses at Kitestown, Crossabeg for almost 25 years, but her biggest training achievement to date was celebrated at Limerick yesterday (Sunday) when she saddled her first Listed Race winner.

Liz’s challenger Ballybawn Belter (6/1) in the champion owner JP McManus colours floored the opposition by 11 lengths for an emphatic victory in the Campion Insurance Tim Duggan Memorial Chase (Listed) ridden by Simon Torrens.

There was a dramatic incident in the race when Conyers Hill (Paul Nolan/Jordan Gainford) crashed out at the second last fence while in contention leaving Ballybawn Belter to come home impressively in a competitive race that was shown live on RTÉ television.

There was compensation for the Nolan/Gainford team as they won the handicap hurdle with Joyau De Thaix (25/1)

This was the third success of the Christmas racing festival for Jordan Gainford. The Caim jockey won on Cumberland River (14/1) at Limerick on Saturday and on Slanagaibhgoleir at Down Royal on Friday. Both were trained by Gordon Elliott.

Sean Flanagan rode a double at Limerick on Friday – Starting Fifteen (7/4 fav) for Eric McNamara and Cousin Kate (9/4 fav.) for Denis Hogan in the handicap hurdle while Sean O’Keeffe, Taghmon, added to the Wexford tally with a victory on Betutea (7/4 fav.) for Willie Mullins.

Duncormick jockey Eoin Staples was also amongst the winners at Down Royal on Friday. He was aboard Boycetown (6/4 fav.) for Gavin Cromwell.

So a good weekend for Wexford racing connections, and more winners are possible as the Christmas racing festival continues today (Monday) at Leopardstown and Limerick.

Tributes to Gorey businessman Joe Funge

Tributes are being paid to popular Gorey businessman Joe Funge. (Pic; LoveGorey.ie)

By Dan Walsh

The death has taken place of well-known and highly respected Gorey businessman Joe Funge who served as a public representative and was dedicated to a lifetime of community service.

In 1960, Joe learned his trade in Arnott’s, Dublin, before joining the family business on Gorey’s Main Street. The family business was enlarged and embellished from 1973 when it transferred from a family business to a registered company under the title ‘Funges of Gorey’.

Joe was also a public representative and in 2004, Cllr Funge stepped down after 25 years of public service, which began on the retirement of his father Tomás, who served on Gorey Town Commissioners for 45 years.

Joe was first elected in 1979 as a representative of the Traders’ Association before he joined Fianna Fáil. He served on the Town Commissioners and the Town Council and held the chain of office on four occasions.

Deputy Brian Brennan called Joe Funge “a true gentleman” in his tribute. On a personal note, I had a long and successful relationship with Joe through the media, and he was particularly helpful and supportive when I worked as a journalist with The Gorey Echo.

Joe was deeply involved in his hometown and friendly with all. His lifelong contributions will be recognised, and his absence will be deeply felt within the community. May Joe Rest in Peace.

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of JOE FUNGE, Hollyfort Road, Gorey, (and formerly Funge’s, Main Street, Gorey). Joe died peacefully at home on December 26th.

Dearly loved husband of Anne and loving father of Kieran, Colm, Fergal and Eilish, brother of Michael and the late Paul. Will be very sadly missed by his wife, sons, daughter, grandchildren Clodagh, Ali, Cáelán, Darragh, Aaron, Anna, Tom, Eve, Lucy, Joseph and Michael, daughters-in-law Robin, Moira and Sonia, son-in-law Walter, sister-in-law Lynn, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Reposing at Murphy’s Funeral Home, The Avenue, Gorey on Sunday, December 28th from 4 pm until 7pm. Removal from Murphy’s Funeral Home on Monday at 11.30am to St. Michael’s Church Gorey for Funeral Mass at 12 noon followed by Burial in St. Michael’s Cemetery Gorey.