Uisce Éireann restoring New Ross water supply

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann is currently addressing an electrical failure at the reservoir in New Ross’s Hewittsland area to restore normal water supply to residential and commercial properties.  

Expert water service crews were dispatched and are working with the ESB to minimise disruption and carry out the required repair works, with every effort being made to complete this work as quickly as possible. Works are scheduled to take place until 6pm this evening.         

Alternative water supplies are being made available at the Apex car park and the Community hospital car park.

Padraig Lyng, Water Operations Lead for Wexford thanked affected customers for their cooperation while the repair works are being carried out. 
“Uisce Éireann acknowledges the disruption that can be caused by an unplanned outage such as this operational issue at the Hewittsland Tower. We wish to thank customers in Hewittsland area of New Ross for their patience while these emergency repair works were underway,” stated Mr Lyng.

Following completion of works, it is recommended to allow 3-4 hours after the estimated restoration time for the supply to fully return.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours. 

Search for missing man continues

By Dan Walsh

(Pic; Courtown/Arklow Coast Guard)

Courtown/Arklow Coast Guard completed another day in search of a missing person, but unfortunately nothing to report.

Three search teams, a drone team, and RNLI lifeboats from Courtown and Arklow were involved in two searches at 10am and 3pm from Courtown to Arklow.

Searches have been ongoing for over a week now.

“We would ask that the public be vigilant if they are out and about on our coastline, but most importantly if you are assisting with a search that you remain safe and don’t take any unnecessary risks,” said a statement on social media.

If you see anything that should require further investigation, please dial 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard.

1916 remembered at wreath laying ceremony

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy

The traditional Easter Rising 1916 commemoration organised by Enniscorthy Municipal District Council was held this morning. Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne laid a wreath on the steps of the 1798 memorial in Market Square.

Cllr Browne said it was “an honour and a privilege to welcome all to the wreath laying ceremony, as we gather to commemorate the Easter Rising of 1916 and, in particular, to reflect on the role that Enniscorthy played in that defining moment in our nation’s history.”

Cllr Browne continued; “We are gathered not simply to mark a date on the calendar, but to honour the memory of men and women who, at great personal risk, stood against an empire and declared that the Irish people had the right to govern themselves in their own land.”
The attendance included Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, Deputy Johnny Mythen TD, Senator Cathal Byrne and Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Pat Kehoe, John O’Rourke and Jackser Owens and former TD John Browne.

The ceremony started with the traditional Easter Monday Mass at St. Aidan’s Cathedral celebrated by Very Rev. James Cullen. The Reserve Defence Forces’ Colour Party led the parade through Main Street, Pig Market Hill, Wafer Street, and into Market Square, where Martin Whelan was the master of ceremonies.

The event was attended by Ballindaggin Pipe Band, IUNVA Post No. 3 – Gorey and IUNVA Post No. 31 – Enniscorthy, members of Organisation of National Ex-Service personnel and members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society. Dr Howard Keeley and students from Georgia Southern University also participated.

Judy Heffernan read the 1916 Proclamation, Anthony Nolan played The Last Post on the bugle and the event concluded with the Ballindaggin Pipe Band playing Amhrán na bhFiann.

Courtown weekend vandalism reported

By Dan Walsh at Courtown

The Gardaí in Gorey are investigating a fire that resulted in the destruction of newly installed picnic seating and tables at Burrow Road in Courtown on Saturday night. The bench had been placed there only last Monday.

Scene of destruction at Burrow Road, Courtown.

The cost of replacement is €870.

The Gardaí reported that a considerable quantity of accelerant was used, suggesting it was an intentional act.

Poet, writer and author of ‘The Boy Who Kicked The Nun’, Mick O’Callaghan told WexfordLocal.com that they were being used by all age groups and by older people in particular who were able to walk from one bench to another, have a rest, a chat and walk back again.
“Today one of those lovely new benches lies burned out on the ground thanks to an act of wanton vandalism denying people of its use and costing the taxpayer money,” said Mick, who added; “It is difficult to comprehend how any individual could perpetrate such a heinous act on the lovely Burrow road.”
Mick conveys gratitude to all the wonderful Courtown/ Riverchapel Community Council who continue to work in keeping Courtown tidy and in enhancing and developing the area to make Courtown great again.

If you have any information, please contact the Gorey Garda Station on 053 9430690, the Garda Confidential number at 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Oulart remembers 1916 volunteers

Gathering at the Mise Éire monument in Oulart for the annual Easter commemoration. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Oulart

This morning, the 4th annual Easter Commemoration at the Mise Éire monument in Oulart village honoured local volunteers from the 1916 Rising, with a good turnout and pleasant conditions.

Chris Furlong from Kilnamanagh, chairman of the Oulart Hill Walking Hub organising committee, acknowledged all attendees and participants.

Thirty-five names of the Oulart Company 3rd Battalion North Wexford Brigade were remembered with a roll call presented by Sean Dempsey.

This was followed by the reading of the 1916 Proclamation read by Peter O’Brien.

Barry Lacey, the Ballycarney-born archaeologist and historian delivered the annual address. This year’s title was ‘The Importance of the Past, in the Present.’

James Adams sang ‘Grace’ while Cllr Mary Farrell sang ‘Meet Me at the Pillar’ and Amhrán na bFiann to conclude a dignified ceremony.

The attendance included Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Mary Farrell, Willie French, Chairman of Wexford Historical Society, Rev. James Hammel, Úi Cinsealaigh Historical Society and historian Brian Ó Cléirigh.

Barry Lacey signed the distinguished Book of Oulart in the presence of Bridget O’Toole (curator) and Brian Ó Cléirigh at today’s Mise Éire ceremony held in Oulart. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Afterwards, Barry Lacey was invited to sign the distinguished Book of Oulart following in the footsteps of journalist Martina Devlin, Dr Ray Bassett and last year, renowned newspaper editor, writer and historian Tim Pat Coogan.

The Mise Éire Memorial, designed by Oulart historian Brian Cleary with inscriptions by Paudric Doyle, Bunclody, and stonework by Martin Codd, Rathnure, opened on October 1st, 2017.

Kilmore Lifeboat in search for missing man

By Dan Walsh

KILMORE QUAY RNLI LIFEBOAT (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Kilmore Quay Lifeboat crew joined with lifeboats from Dunmore East and Ballycotton, Coast Guard helicopters R117 and R116 and a UK fixed wing aircraft in a major search for a missing man.

The incident occurred 16 nautical miles south of Dunmore East, in the Irish Sea.

A 999 call was received last night at around 10.40 pm by the Coast Guard Coordination Centre in Dublin.

The call came from the yacht by another person who was still onboard, requesting urgent assistance.

The UK Coast Guard was also contacted after the man said he believed the vessel was off the coast of Swansea in Wales.

However, the Irish Coast Guard situated the vessel off the coast of Ceann Heilbhic in Co Waterford.

A man in his 50s was rescued from the vessel and taken to Waterford University Hospital for assessment.

It is believed the vessel was travelling from Brighton to Swansea via Falmouth and that the men are related to each other.

Easter success for Wexford stables

By Dan Walsh

Curraghmore track in the neighbouring county of Waterford survived an early morning inspection after a deluge of rain yesterday and Sunday’s fixture went ahead with two Wexford winners.

DENIS MURPHY saddled a winner in Waterford today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, saddled newcomer Lime On Gin in the maiden race for four-year-old mares and cheered her home to a three and a half lengths victory with Jack Hendrick in the saddle.

The in-form Colin Bowe/Barry O’Neill partnership stayed on a winning streak. Grangeclare Park on his debut sporting the Grangeclare Stud silks sprinted away to an eighteen lengths success in division one of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

Former champion Derek O’Connor rode an amazing six winners at his local track at Quakerstown, Co. Clare, this afternoon which didn’t leave much prizemoney for the Wexford stables, however, the team of Monbeg Syndicate, Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James, riding his 30th winner of the season saved the day!

Newcomer Goulmichette provided them with a twenty lengths success in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares.

Eddie represents Bree Macra at Mr Personality Festival

By Dan Walsh

EDDIE CASEY in search of Mr Personality title.

Bree Macra is preparing for a trip to Kilkenny to support Eddie Casey, who will represent Wexford in the Mr. Personality Festival next weekend, April 25th and 26th.

Eddie will compete against 23 other young men from across the country, each striving to earn the title of Mr. Personality 2025.

Eddie joined Bree Macra last year after moving to Wexford to pursue a PhD on soil fertility and nutrient use efficiency in Teagasc, Johnstown Castle.

A native of Cork, he farms with his parents Thomas and Bonnie Casey on weekends at their 100-cow dairy farm near Cork city.

Eddie himself has wasted no time in getting stuck into Macra in the Model County. He has previously represented Bree in national competitions, including impromptu public speaking, team public speaking, and the National Talent Competition.

He is also involved in both the club and county committees, serving as Bree Macra’s Competitions Officer, and Wexford Macra’s Development Officer. He will also represent the county in this year’s National Talent Competition All-Ireland Final on May 4th competing in Solo Instrumental, Mastermind, and Ballad Group.

Eddie is greatly looking forward to representing Wexford in the Mr. Personality Festival, where he will take part in a variety of exciting activities, including onstage interviews on Friday night, and the Mr. Personality Festival Banquet on Saturday night. Tickets are still available on Eventbrite for both nights of the competition, which takes place in The Hub, Kilkenny.

Doubles for Scallan and O’Neill

By Dan Walsh

Easter Saturday point-to-point races took place at Loughanmore, Co. Antrim, where Wexford riders Jamie Scallan and Barry O’Neill celebrated with two winners each.

JAMIE SCALLAN and SEAN DOYLE were winners today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Scallan from Tomhaggard got off the mark in the second division of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings with newcomer Mister Pessimistic in the Monbeg Partnership colours handled by Sean Doyle. Four and a half lengths the verdict.

Half an hour later it was two in the bag for Scallan. He was aboard Mornington Beach in the colours of Sean Howlett, handled by Susan O’Gorman from Adamstown, and a seven lengths success in the maiden race for five-year-old mares.

Barry O’Neill’s brilliant run of success continued with a double, both for Fermanagh handler David Christie. He had a 24 lengths victory on the poetic Hathaways Cottage in the Mares Open Race and completed the double on My Life Be Like in the Winner of Two race. Four and a half lengths the margin.

Courtown invites community participation

By Dan Walsh

The Courtown Regeneration Partnership, along with Courtown Community Council, held a public meeting recently where Mick McCormick from Wexford County Council updated attendees on the Town Centre First initiative for Courtown and Riverchapel.

The government initiative, focused on long-term regeneration in the area, has included a series of meetings over the past year. A Town Centre First Team, chosen by Mr. McCormick and consisting of local business owners and community organisations, has convened nine times since its establishment last May.

A consultant has recently been appointed to develop a comprehensive regeneration plan. While Mr. McCormick could not provide specific details regarding the contents of the draft plan or its anticipated publication date, he emphasised that efforts would be undertaken to gather feedback from the broader community.

Linda Sinnott, facilitator of the Courtown Regeneration Partnership Steering Group said; “It’s vital now that the broader community gets involved. This is our chance to shape the future of Courtown and Riverchapel – everyone deserves a voice.”

Ms. Sinnott also stressed the importance of recognising the work already carried out by the local community: “We sincerely hope that the findings of the Smart Survey undertaken by Courtown Community Council and backed by Wexford Local Development, will be fully considered in the draft plan.”

Discussion at the meeting included the idea of a marina—an idea championed by a small number of local yacht owners. While it has some support, community members emphasised the importance of focusing first on immediate and widely expressed priorities.

“While a marina may be a welcome development in time, the community has spoken clearly about what matters most right now,” said Deirdre Robinson, of the Courtown Regeneration Partnership. “There is strong support for a beach renourishment scheme as a first step – Courtown needs its beach back – and concern about the loss of vital parking and public realm space if the proposed large-scale hotel development proceeds. These are the issues that residents are hoping will be addressed,” she stated.

The draft plan will first be reviewed by the Town Centre First Team, but there is a strong call from the community for greater transparency and meaningful public involvement.

At the meeting, Catherine Kinsella from the Courtown Heritage Group expressed disappointment that her group had been excluded from the Town Centre First Team, despite its long-standing contribution to preserving and promoting the design and heritage of the area—an essential foundation for any future regeneration.

“There’s a huge amount of passion and local knowledge out there,” stated Ms. Kinsella, who added; “We need to make sure that the voices of ordinary residents are not just heard, but central to the plan. Without that, we risk missing the mark.”

The attendance at the meeting included Deputies Malcolm Byrne, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin and Brian Brennan and Cllrs Donal Kenny, Joe Sullivan, Craig Doyle and Nicky Boland.

“This process only works if it reflects the will and ideas of the people who live here,” said Ms. Sinnott, who added; “We’re urging everyone—whether you’re a resident, business owner, or simply someone who loves the area—to come forward and contribute feedback when the draft plan is published.”

Anyone wishing to receive updates or view the draft plan when it becomes available is invited to forward their contact details to Linda Sinnott at: courtownregenerationp@gmail.com