20 Affordable Homes for sale in Gorey

Promoting the Affordable Homes Wexford project in Gorey district were Cllr Nicky Boland, Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Cllr Oliver Walsh, Cathaoirleach Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Council and Cllr Donal Kenny.

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council has launched its first affordable housing purchase scheme for private buyers at ‘Radharc na Beannoige’, Ramsfort, Gorey.

A total of 20 homes consisting of three bed units are being made available for sale by Wexford County Council through the affordable purchase arrangements, under the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and associated regulations.

The development of new A rated homes, in partnership with Mythen Construction, will provide first-time buyers and eligible homebuyers the opportunity to buy a newly constructed home.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Pip Breen said; “Wexford County Council is delighted to reach this important milestone, the portal launch for this pilot scheme offers eligible buyers a great opportunity to secure their own home at an affordable price’

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Eddie Taaffe said; “We are absolutely committed to delivering high quality, affordable homes across county Wexford, today’s launch is welcome news to buyers in the Gorey area. I would encourage anyone who might be interested to visit the council’s website and to familiarise themselves with the scheme and eligibility requirements.”

Applications must be made through Wexford County Councils Affordable Housing Portal. The online application portal will open at 10am on Wednesday, February 12th and close at 5pm Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.

Further information on the scheme, including the application process and supporting documentation required is available at Affordable Housing/Wexford County Council at www.radharcnabeannoige.ie

All queries in relation to this exciting new home ownership opportunity, please contact Wexford County Council at affordablehousing@wexfordcoco.ie

December Dips delight at Kilmore Quay

Celebration time on Monday at the 20 Dips in December cheque presentation at Kilmore Quay RNLI station. (Pic; RNLI/Elaine Walsh).

By Dan Walsh

Kilmore Quay RNLI Volunteers were delighted this week to meet those who took part in 20 Dips in December raising a record €7535.25 this year for their local lifeboat station.

Now in its fourth year and organised by local ladies Gráinne O’Brien, Melinda Kehoe and Simmi Duffin, the fundraising event challenges participants to take 20 dips in the sea during the month of December culminating in a community swim in Kilmore Quay on New Year’s Eve.

Forty-five people of all ages completed the full challenge at various locations throughout the month of December as conditions allowed. Safety always to the fore, this year the final swim was postponed a day due to inclement weather on December 31st.

However, that did not deter the swimmers who instead showed up in numbers the next day and completed their ‘20 Dips’ on a sunny winter’s afternoon on January 1st.

Gráinne O’Brien, 20 Dips in December Organiser, said ‘We have had phenomenal support for this event from so many people, whether it was help organising swims, donating raffle prizes, donations of refreshments, whatever we needed, somebody stepped up to help.

“We particularly want to thank our sponsors Sofrimar who sponsored our swim caps this year. We are extremely grateful to all who donated to the event or sponsored us and especially to those who took part throughout the month. We are thrilled to be able to handover this fantastic amount to such a great cause. Makes all those cold dips worthwhile!” concluded Ms. O’Brien.

John Grace, Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager who welcomed the participants to the station on Monday, said; “We are delighted to welcome you all here today especially so many young people. This is a fantastic community event and now a regular fixture on the annual calendar. “Fundraising is so important to what we do and without people like yourselves, our lifeboat service could not continue as we do. On behalf of all the volunteers at Kilmore Quay Lifeboat station, thank you all for your fantastic efforts on our behalf,” added Mr Grace.

Courtown swimmer raised €940 for RNLI

Mark Chambers Courtown RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Rose Murphy Courtown RNLI Shop Manager and Imelda Willoughby Courtown RNLI Fundraising Committee were delighted to meet Brendan at the boathouse and accept his donation. (Pic; RNLI/Nicky Deacon).

By Dan Walsh

Brendan (Tack) Murphy raised €940 through donations and sponsorship when he completed the Christmas Day swim in Courtown Harbour.
Courtown RNLI is Brendan’s favourite charity and he is a regular swimmer in Courtown during the summer months and uses the pool during the winter.
He took to the sea on Christmas Day and raised a massive €940 which he donated to Courtown RNLI
The RNLI is funded by donations and the station were delighted to receive such a generous donation from Brendan and his sponsors.
All proceeds will go to Courtown RNLI lifeboat station. The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.

Young Wexford jockeys in winning form

By Dan Walsh

The St. Brigid’s holiday weekend produced championship racing at the highest standard and a new generation of young jockeys from south Wexford were involved in the winning action; Conor Stone-Walsh from Cleariestown and Tiernan Power Roche from Tomhaggard.

18 years-old Stone-Walsh enjoyed his first major success in the saddle when he guided Backtonormal (11/4 fav.) to a three and a quarter lengths victory in the prestigious Leopardstown Chase extended handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. Third in the big race was Tiernan Power Roche on Monbeg Park for Ballindaggin trainer Sean Doyle.

CONOR STONE-WALSH (Pic; Racing TV).

Moving on to Punchestown today (Monday) and Conor Stone-Walsh continued his winning ways on Theonewedreamof (9/4 fav.) in a handicap chase for the in-form Gavin Cromwell Meath stables.

Two wins in two days has put Stone-Walsh on the big-time racing map and well deserved by the pony racing graduate with 90 winners to his credit. He started out riding for Joseph O’Brien on the flat and is now showing exceptional skill and progress on the National Hunt circuit.

Tiernan Power Roche scored a riding double at Punchestown today (Monday) on Drusilla (14/1) for Cian Collins in the maiden hurdle and Duffys Hodey (7/2) for Tinahely trainer Philip Rothwell in a novice handicap hurdle.

Power Roche started off with the Killinick Pony Club  rode 45 point-to-point winners his biggest successes to date were ‘over the banks’ at the Punchestown Festival; winning the La Touche Cup on Ballyboker Bridge for Peter Maher in 2022 and victory in the 2023 Ladies Cup on Three By Two for The Ballagh, Enniscorthy trainer, Denis Murphy.

Power Roche has struck up a very successful relationship with Philip Rothwell this season and the combination has been adding to the scoreboard frequently.    

Scallan and Tector share Ballinaboola doubles

By Dan Walsh at Ballinaboola races

Heavier than expected overnight rain left the Ballinaboola track with difficult conditions and parking in the field was a non-runner, however, the misty rain cleared to sunshine during the afternoon, a race was divided to make it a 7-race point-to-point card, the event was successfully concluded with the highlights including a double each for rider Jamie Scallan and Coolbawn, Rathnure, handler Robert Tector.

Racing kicked off with the first four-year-old maiden race of the year, nine went to post, this race has not been won outside the Wexford boundary since 2017, and the record was extended when Lion Rose Sivola took the honours for handler Mark Scallan, Cleriestown, racing in the colours of Laura Scallan and ridden by Declan Lavery.

MATTHEW GAHAN rode his first winner at Ballinaboola today.

The maiden race for five-year-olds went off in two divisions. Division one went to Tales of Bravery from Eamonn Doyle’s Balindaggin stables. Six lengths to spare and first leg of a double for rider Jamie Scallan.

Robert Tector initiated a double with Jury’s In scoring by four lengths under Jack Hendrick in division two. Tector’s second winner was The Ducks Walk in the maiden race for seven-year-olds and upwards, confined to novice riders, and a second career winner for Sean O’Rourke from Ballybeg, Ferns. Three weekend winners from Robert Tector’s stables as he saddled An Buachaill Rua to victory in Dungarvan on Saturday.

The race for five- and six-year-old mares concluded in a 15 lengths victory for Where’s Cato, owned by Tom Browne, Ferns, handled by John Martin Walsh, Duncormick, and ridden by Barry Stone. This was Walsh’s 30th career winner as a handler.

Only two finished the maiden race six-year-old geldings and a three lengths victory for Mick Goff’s The Coffey Boy and a first winner for 18-years-old Matthew Gahan from Boolavogue.

Jamie Scallan’s double was completed in the Winners Race Unlimited aboard Sean Doyle’s Between Waters who came home three lengths ahead of the Colin Bowe pair, Theatrical Getaway and Haggard.

It was a good afternoon’s racing with a good attendance and the Wexford Hunt can be proud of their efforts in completing the card safely and satisfactorily despite extremely challenging conditions caused by the overnight rain. 

Courtown coastline taken away by the sea!

The scene north of Courtown towards the Kiltennel Walking Trail. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).

By Dan Walsh in Courtown

Yesterday (Saturday) I paid a visit to Courtown and was directed towards the Courtown Kiltennel Walking Trail where I witnessed a trail of destruction in the wake of last week’s Storm Éowyn.

Trees were taken out, and in fairness to the National Parks and Wildlife Service efforts to clear the walkway have been successful, but the greatest challenge facing North Wexford coastline is the fact that the heavy seas are now breaking on to the sandy surface inside the protective rock armour that exists!

Speaking to locals walking their dogs and enjoying the leisure values of this amazing environmental treasure, the general reaction was that “nature is taking its course” and prevention is “at the mercy of the tides and waves and the massive force of the sea when it enters into storm mode.”

Over the past 50 years, Courtown has lost approximately 20 linear acres of coastline. Today, Courtown Community Council are the group responsible for monitoring the popular Courtown Kiltennel Walking Trail. It also conducts annual coastwatch surveys in association with coastwatch.org.

Speaking with WexfordLocal.com, Linda Sinnott from Courtown Community Council said; “Since we began doing our surveys 5 years ago, we’ve seen an ongoing loss of 1–2 meters per annum, with even larger sections disappearing during extreme weather events, like the one that hit last weekend.” Linda adds (see photo) that “In just one month, approximately 5,000 visitors were recorded using the Courtown Kiltenel Walking Trail since the installation of a trail counter in December 2024.  

Linda adds; “We understand that coastal erosion is a significant challenge, and tough decisions must be made about what can be saved. However, the data makes it clear: this designated proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA) is a major attraction for both residents and tourists. We must do everything we can to protect it. The key ingredient is political will.  

“We now have three sitting TDs, along with a Wexford minister and senator who can directly support our National Parks and Wildlife Service. We urge everyone to contact them, as well as your local representatives and Wexford County Council, to act now, before this valued yet vulnerable stretch of coastline is lost forever,” concluded Ms. Sinnott. 

Courtown lifeboat launched

By Dan Walsh at Courtown Harbour

Courtown RNLI volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 3.22pm last Friday by the Irish Coast Guard following reports of a person in difficulty.

Courtown RNLI’s inshore lifeboat. (Pic; RNLI/Courtown

Weather conditions were favourable at the time with a slight south easterly wind and calm seas.
Once the lifeboat was on scene, the crew conducted a search of the area. There were no initial sightings of a missing person. The lifeboat searched the coastline north and south of the reported sighting.

The lifeboat crew were in radio contact with the local Coast Guard who were also at the scene, and after 30 minutes Rosslare Coast Guard advised Courtown RNLI to stand down.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com Jim Murphy, Courtown RNLI Lifeboat Boathouse Manager said; “This was a false alarm with good intent and we would to commend the person who raised the alarm as that is always the right thing to do. We would much rather launch and find all is well than not launch at all. We would like to comment our volunteers for their quick response in leaving their places of work.

“Should you have any concerns for your own safety or that of someone else, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,” concluded Mr Murphy.

102 entries for Ballinboola on Sunday

By Dan Walsh

102 entries, including 19 for the first four-year-old maiden race of the year, completes the card for the Wexford Hunt point-to-point races taking place at Ballinaboola, New Ross, tomorrow (Sunday). First race at 1pm.

Reports from the track say that “it is in great order with a good covering of grass” and the ‘going is described as “Good to Yielding, Yielding in Places.”

The forecast is for overnight rain, but it should clear on Sunday morning and conditions for afternoon are expected to be dry with maximum temperatures coming in at around 9 degrees.

For the benefit of racegoers not familiar with getting to the Ballinaboola track, the Eircode is Y35 D968.

Last Sunday’s postponed point-to-point scheduled for Dungarvan took place today and a single success for Wexford raiders with An Buachaill Rua, owned and handled by Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, coming home comfortably by 15 lengths under Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

LISTED SUCCESS FOR PAUL NOLAN AT LEOPARDSTOWN

PAUL NOLAN… Listed Race win at Dublin Racing Festival today.

The prestigious annual Dublin Racing Festival opened at Leopardstown today and Enniscorthy trainer Paul Nolan enjoyed success in the Listed Ryanair Handicap Chase with An Peann Dearg (8/1).

Ridden by Taghmon jockey Sean O’Keeffe, An Peann Dearg, who also landed a handicap chase over course and distance in December, took the lead at the final fence to score decisively by seven lengths.

Afterwards Paul Nolan, who also won this race in 2019 (Quamino 14/1) and 2016 (The Mooch 16/1) said; “It’s great for Jim and Sonja (Buckley), they are very important people in the yard and it’s great to have them here and win a big pot.

“He travelled well, something similar to the last day, but he probably hit the line a little bit stronger, said Nolan, who added; “We could see it today, but the handicapper can see it as well!”

Cathal Byrne elected to Seanad Éireann

By Dan Walsh

Outgoing Cllr Cathal Byrne has been selected on the Cultural and Education panel and becomes a member of the 27th Seanad Éireann. He promises “to be a strong voice for Wexford.”

SENATOR CATHAL BYRNE in his role as Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, June 2021. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Senator Byrne lost out on the fourth seat at last November’s General Election and afterwards was chosen by the Fine Gael Party to contest the Seanad election and it was generally anticipated that he would be successful in his efforts and congratulations have been overflowing since the news was announced early this morning.

The 33-year-old from Ballyhogue has served as a member of Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Municipal District Council since 2019 and was re-elected at last June’s Local Elections, topping the poll with 2,275 first preference votes.

Cllr Byrne served as Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council from June, 2021.

Senator Byrne will now have to vacate his seat on Wexford County Council and there will be much speculation around who Fine Gael will select as his successor.

Educated at Kiltealy National School, Boolavogue National School and the FCJ Secondary School, Bunclody, he graduated from Trinity College Dublin with an Honours degree in Law and Business, and a Master’s in Law.

As a qualified Solicitor he runs his own practice based in Enniscorthy, having previously worked on the successful Congressional election campaign of Joe Kennedy III in Boston (grandnephew to the former United States President John F. Kennedy) and in the Office of the Irish Attorney General.

Co. Wexford Chamber honours Jimmy Gahan

Former and current board and chapter members of County Wexford Chamber gathered to celebrate the retirement of Jimmy Gahan. (Front l-r): Matt Ronan, Evolv Healthcare; Jimmy Gahan and his wife, Dr Mairead Kelly; and Helen Meade, Reynaers Aluminium. Back (l-r): Michael Bennett, Bennett Tarmacadam; Mary O’Leary; Connie Doyle; Niamh Hogan, Holos Skincare; Annette McCarthy, Frizelle, O’Leary & Co. Solicitors; Maree Lyng, President of Wexford Rotary Club; Paula Roche, County Wexford Chamber CEO; Ronan McGrath, McGrath Quantity Surveyors; Aislinn Cody, County Wexford Chamber; MJ Furlong, AIB; and Ed Murphy, GreenTech HQ. (Pic; County Wexford Chamber).

By Dan Walsh

Jimmy Gahan is one of Enniscorthy’s best known citizens and he has been honoured by County Wexford Chamber “for the many years of dedicated service he has provided to Enniscorthy.”

Jimmy joined the former Enniscorthy Chamber as a Development Officer in 2018 and helped guide the Enniscorthy District through its integration with County Wexford Chamber.

Family, friends, and colleagues joined the Chamber’s Enniscorthy Chapter meeting in GreenTech HQ recently to wish Jimmy well on his retirement.

Paula Roche, CEO of County Wexford Chamber, said; “Jimmy’s dedication to the town’s growth and his willingness to support any cause, big or small, never went unnoticed. His contributions have made a lasting impact on the community. To recognise his commitment, we were honoured to present him with a plaque, a small token of appreciation for the significant role he’s played in Enniscorthy’s development.”

Jimmy’s exceptional dedication to helping the businesses in and around Enniscorthy throughout the years was deeply admired and appreciated by everyone present.

On a personal note, I would like to wish Jimmy Gahan all the best on his retirement from chamber duties. Many moons ago, when a pen and paper were the luxuries in journalism, Jimmy was my editor for a time at the defunct Enniscorthy Echo newspaper at Mill Park Road premises and we have remained lifelong friends!