News and Sport and Events that matter across County Wexford.
Gardaí and emergency services are at the scene of a serious road traffic accident on the R738 between Larkin’s Cross and Taghmon at Barntown, close to the former Stanville Lodge Hotel.
It’s thought that the accident occurred on a bad bend.
The road is closed.
Local diversions are in place for all traffic.
By Dan Walsh
Ballinagore Harriers point-to-point races takes place tomorrow (Sunday) at Ballycrystal, near Kiltealy, with an entry of 65 and the first race off at 12.30pm.
Ground conditions are expected to be ‘yielding’ and there is good news on the weather front. Expect a dry and cloudy day with possibly some light drizzle.
Just one fixture today (Saturday) at Turtulla, Clonmel, and just one Wexford winner.
Khafre, who was runner-up in his only previous outing at Lingstown in November ran out the winner of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings by one and a half lengths for champion handler Colin Bowe. It was 12-times champion handler Bowe’s 20th winner of the current season. Barry O’Neill was the successful rider, and the celebrating owners is Milestone Bloodstock Ltd, Kiltealy.
County Wexford Chamber will host a unique Political Leaders Summit with the county’s newly elected TDs and an Ireland South MEP on Monday, February 17th.
Set to take place at 6pm in the prestigious National Opera House, Wexford, this event will feature a panel discussion with Brian Brennan TD, Malcolm Byrne TD, George Lawlor TD, Johnny Mythen TD, Fionntáin Ó Súilleabháin TD, and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP.
With MC Ivan Yates at the helm, this event promises a dynamic panel discussion focused on the priorities shaping the future of County Wexford. Our political leaders will share their insights and perspectives, offering valuable updates on their work and vision for the region. Whether you are a business owner, community leader, or engaged citizen, this is a unique opportunity to hear directly from those who represent you.
The event will also include a moderated questions-and-answers session, allowing attendees to explore key topics with the panel.
Paula Roche, CEO of the County Wexford Chamber, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating; “The Political Leaders Summit is a vital platform for County Wexford Chamber to represent the business interests of our community, many of which were outlined in our General Election Manifesto at the end of last year. It’s an opportunity to engage directly with our elected representatives, address key issues, and collaborate on building a brighter future for County Wexford.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a significant conversation about the future of our region. Secure your spot today and join us for an evening of dialogue, insight, and community. Register on www.countywexfordchamber.ie
Event Details: Monday, February 17th, at 6pm in the Jerome Hynes Suite, National Opera House, Wexford Y35 FEP3. Fee: Chamber members €25, non-members €35 (includes light refreshments).
A man in his 20s remains in Garda custody this morning following a drug seizure at Rosslare Europort yesterday (Friday).
13.4 kilos of herbal cannabis with a value of €268,000 was discovered by Revenue officers when an accompanied freight unit that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France was stopped and searched.
A man in his 20s was arrested by An Garda Síochána and is currently detained, under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, at a Garda Station in County Wexford.
This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing investigations involving organised crime groups and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on phone number 1800 295 295.
Investigations are ongoing.
By Dan Walsh
The man who died in a road traffic collision on the R742 at Johnstown, Castlebridge, has been named locally.
48-year-old Jonathon (John) Kavanagh, Ballinablake, Curracloe, was travelling on his motorcycle when it was involved in a collision with a car at approximately 9.20am last Wednesday morning.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Jonathan Kavanagh is reposing at Mackens Funeral Home, Distillery Road, Wexford, Y35 HP29 on Sunday from 4 o’clock to 7 o’clock. Removal on Monday morning to St. Margaret’s Church, Curracloe for Funeral Mass at 12 noon followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
Gardaí are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area between 8.30am and 9.30am this morning, Wednesday 15th January 2025, to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on (053) 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Tá infheistíocht déanta ag an gClár Éire Ildánach i gComhairle Contae Loch Garman i sé thionscadal a chuireann úsáid agus grá na Gaeilge chun cinn ar fud contae Loch Garman trína tograí cruthaitheacha. Tógann na tograí chur chuige poballárnach chun caidreamh fiúntach a chruthú leis an teanga agus chun muinín a chothú ina úsáid ag gach leibhéal.
Roghnaíodh na sé thionscadal trí ghlao oscailte, ina measc feicimid; Ceardlanna agus taispeántais do ghrúpaí pobail ó thuaisceart an chontae, ó dheisceart an contae agus idir eatarthu; thionscadal a fhiosraíonn an Ghaeilge trí shealgaireacht, filíocht, agus amhránaíocht, tionscadal scéalaíochta a thugann cuireadh do dhaoine óga cur le scéala nua Gaeilge don raidió; Péire eagrán Gaeilge d’oíche labhartha Stephen James Smith, “So Say So”; agus clár uas-scileanna d’ealaíontóirí, chun an Ghaeilge a chomhtháthú ina gcuid oibre, a gcríochnaíonn le taispeántais ag Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025. Beidh na tograí seo ar fad ar siúl i rith 2025.
Deir Cathaoirleach Comhairle Contae Loch Garman, Cllr. Pip Breen; “Is bealach iontach iad na tionscadail seo do phobail i gContae Loch Garman an Ghaeilge a úsáid i suíomhanna suaimhneacha inathraithe. Ceiliúrann siad an pobal agus an chruthaitheacht, forbraíonn siad léirthuiscint áitiúil dár n-oidhreacht theangeolaíoch, agus is as sin a tagann léirthuiscint an Gaeilge, agus spéise nua é a úsáid.”
Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi aon cheann de na tionscadal thuas, is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh linn trí ríomhphoist a sheoladh chuig: elizabeth.howard@wexfordcoco.ie
By Dan Walsh
The Creative Ireland programme at Wexford County Council has invested in six projects that, through creativity, promote the love and use of the Irish language across the county.
Taking a community-centred approach, the projects will encourage meaningful interactions with the language and promote confidence of its use at all levels.
Selected through an open call, the six projects include: workshops and performances for community groups in the north and south of the county that explore the Irish language through foraging, poetry and song; a story telling project that invites young people to contribute to a new Irish language story for radio; two Irish language editions of Stephen James Smith’s spoken word night So Say So; and a programme that upskills artists from a variety of disciplines to integrate the Irish language into their work, concluding in performances and presentations for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The projects will take place throughout 2025.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford Cllr. Pip Breen said; “These projects are excellent ways for communities in county Wexford to use the Irish language in relaxed and relatable settings. They celebrate community and creativity and develop a shared appreciation for our linguistic heritage, resulting in a newfound appreciation and enthusiasm for its use.”
For more information about any of these projects please contact elizabeth.howard@wexfordcoco.ie
By Dan Walsh
Wexford County Council have exceeded €3 million in payments under the Croí Conaithe (translated to Living Heart) Grant Scheme and the Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council along with the Cathaoirligh of the five Municipal Districts and staff marked the occasion to highlight and promote the availability of the vacant homes’ refurbishment grant.
This grant allows people to renovate vacant and derelict properties and bring them back into use for rental or private use.
Wexford County Council have held roadshows to promote this grant and have received over 400 applications to date. This grant is very effective in addressing the blight that vacancy and dereliction can cause.
The “Regeneration Unit” have been very proactive in promoting it and working with applicants in making the process as seamless as possible.
The Grant is up to €50,000 for a vacant property and €70,000 for a derelict property so it is a significant contribution towards restoration. All details are on the Wexford County Council website.
If you own a property that may qualify for the grant, contact the regeneration team today to explore how you can be part of this positive change.
By Dan Walsh
Addressing yesterday’s (Wednesday) monthly meeting of Rosslare Municipal District, Cllr Ger Carthy said; “the time for talking is over” and he demanded a meeting be convened between the OPW, Department of Agriculture, the IFA and Wexford County Council to seriously tackle the worsening effects of coastal erosion.
“The County Council no longer has the resources or funding to deal with this coastline emergency across Rosslare Municipal District,” said Cllr Carthy.
At Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council coastal erosion was on the agenda and Cllr Carthy contributed to a brief debate and Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe promised a coastal survey overview of coastal issues and strategy to be brought to a future meeting.
“I welcome the commitment to produce a coastal strategy, but unfortunately it won’t keep out the Irish Sea,” Cllr Carthy told WexfordLocal.com, and he added; “It’s now funding and willpower we need.”
Cllr Carthy is encouraging communities to publicise coastal erosion in their areas to increase the profile of the worsening situation and bring it to the attention of the relevant authorities.
One of the badly affected areas is Seaview Coastal Protection and Beach Access at Kilmore, and according to the Chief Executive’s January Report, published at last Monday’s meeting, total funding of €1.6 million has been approved by the OPW, the contract has been awarded, and works are set to commence this month – January 2025.
By Dan Walsh
Gardaí seized 170 cannabis plants at various stages of growth, with an estimated street value of over €130,000 and a variety of cultivation equipment during a planned search of a residential property in Courtown yesterday (Tuesday).
One male, aged in his late 30s, was arrested at the scene and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region.
Gardaí attached to Wexford North Community Engagement supported by the local Crime unit conducted the search, which according to the Garda Press Office, “a sophisticated cannabis cultivation operation was discovered.“
This operation was conducted as part of Operation Tara, an ongoing Garda initiative targeting drug trafficking networks and related criminal activity.
All items seized will be sent for further analysis to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).
Investigations are ongoing.
WexfordLocal.com 