No advertising on the streets?

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe warned at today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council that unauthorised advertising signs lack insurance cover and public liability would fall on business owners. Cllr Pip Breen was presiding at his final meeting as Cathaoirleach.

Mr Taaffe stated that he didn’t understand the need for advertising signs on medieval narrow streets in New Ross, Enniscorthy and Wexford. “They are a hazard on footpaths. We can’t have streets blocked by free advertising. They want sandwich boards right outside their shops! We don’t want unnecessary obstructions. We must have free movement for families with young children, people with mobility issues and the elderly,” said Mr Taaffe.

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council EDDIE TAAFFE.

Mr Taaffe referred to aesthetics and the need to have our towns clean and inviting for visitors.

Cllr Owens said that taking down the signs in Enniscorthy meant that “25% of the profit was taken away from business owners” and he claimed that “Enniscorthy is dying on it’s feet and something needs to be done.”

Cllr Pat Kehoe floated the notion of ‘wall mounted’ or ‘window mounted’ advertising and he wondered if it could be covered by a shop front grant? (Apparently, there is no national policy on sandwich boards).

Referring to New Ross, Cllr Pat Barden suggested “a bracket eight feet high that could be put up in the morning and taken down in the evening?”

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said that business was getting so tight that it was difficult for businesses to keep going, however, he also understood the dangers of trip hazards on the public road.

Cllr Tom Forde proposed a motion, seconded by Cllr Aoife Rose O’Brien, that “We ask that this Council create a permit system, and standardised designs, that would allow businesses to apply the use of signage on bollards/ sandwich boards throughout the county, as long as they are not creating an obstacle for any pedestrians or road users.” The amended version put to the floor included the words ‘risk assessment’ and ‘elevated’ and a majority supported it by a show of hands.    

Cllr Patricia Byrne takes Council seat

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting 

Cllr Patricia Byrne was welcomed as the new councillor at Wexford County Council’s meeting today, filling the Fine Gael seat vacated by Cllr Cathal Byrne’s election to Seanad Éireann last February.

Cllr Byrne was officially nominated by Cllr Pat Kehoe and seconded by Cllr Bridín Murphy. She was welcomed to her seat in the chamber by Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen, alongside officials, with support from Brian Brennan TD and Senator Cathal Byrne.   

Cllr Byrne, 32, is a member of Bree branch of Fine Gael. A native of Ballyhogue, she manages Hammel’s of Bree, previously known as Byrne’s of Bree, which includes a supermarket, post office, and bar in Bree village.

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy warmly welcomed Cllr Byrne and pointed out that this brings the female representation on the Council up to eight. She hoped that Cllr Byrne would join the Wexford Women’s Coalition group and “show what women councillors can do!” 

Mayor Cllr Biddy Walsh assured Cllr Byrne of “my support” and said it was an historic day having eight women members on the Council. “Great day for Wexford. Great day for Wexford County Council,” she stated.

Cllr Pat Barden recalled the interaction with the families of Barden, Byrne and Murphy at Galbally many years ago and assured his support.

Cllr Jackser Owens expressed his eagerness to working with Cllr Byrne for the next four years, aiming to serve Enniscorthy Municipal District and Wexford County Council effectively.

Cllr Michael Sheehan wished Cllr Byrne “the best of luck” and joked that “councillors get the blame for everything and get credit for nothing.”

There were also ‘good luck wishes’ from Cllrs Garry Laffan, Jim Codd and Paddy Kavanagh.

Cllr Byrne expressed gratitude to her proposer and seconder, acknowledged the kind wishes extended to her, and stated that she is eager to serve the Enniscorthy district and Wexford County to the best of her abilities.

Two other positions vacated by Senator Byrne were also filled today. Cllr Frank Staples (proposed by Cllr Oliver Walsh, seconded by Cllr Anthony Donohoe) is now Chair of the Economic SPC. Cllr Ger Carthy (proposed by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy and seconded by Cllr Oliver Walsh) becomes a member of the Regional Health Forum.

Wexford wins two Chamber Awards

Pictured accepting the Supporting Business Award at the Chambers Ireland Awards 2025 are (l-r): Margaret Considine, President of Chambers Ireland; Lorcan Kinsella, Director, County Wexford Chamber; Paula Roche, CEO, County Wexford Chamber; and Joe Creegan, Head of Corporate Life & Pensions, Zurich. Chambers Ireland Picture Conor McCabe Photography.

By Dan Walsh

County Wexford Chamber have taken home two prestigious awards at this year’s Chambers Ireland Awards ceremony held at the Killashee Hotel, Naas, Co Kildare, on Thursday.

The Chamber won the Supporting Business Award for the successful integration of Enniscorthy & District Chamber. And it also won the Digital Campaigns Award for the launch of the County Wexford Shop Local Gift Card.

These achievements reflect the power of collaboration and community spirit. The Chamber extends its appreciation to its Board members Lorcán Kinsella, Brendan Crowley, and Ed Murphy for their instrumental roles in the integration process.

And they also want to thank the wider business community and Chamber members who rallied behind this initiative in 2024 – this support made all the difference.

The County Wexford Shop Local Gift Card was a true team effort, delivered just in time for Christmas 2024. Since its launch, it has generated an incredible €600,000 in sales, proving its value to our local economy.

A heartfelt thank you to the businesses and individuals who have used the scheme to gift employees and loved ones and to the nearly 200 outlets now accepting the card.

The Chamber also wish to recognise the ongoing support of Wexford County Council, and to thank Chambers Ireland for a fantastic awards ceremony, and acknowledge MC Ivan Yates for his insightful comments and generous remarks at the awards ceremony.

County Wexford Chamber remains committed to working for sustainable economic development and prosperity across County Wexford.

County Wexford Chamber was represented by Board member Lorcan Kinsella, CEO Paula Roche, and Development Officers Anne Dwyer and Deirdre O’Flynn.

K&K Windows wins top Business Award

Deputy Brian Brennan and the Kenny family celebrate success at the All-Ireland Business Summit held in Croke Park, being named AIBF All-Ireland Enterprise of the Year 2025.

By Dan Walsh

K&K Windows, Craanford, Gorey, have scooped the top prize at the All-Ireland Business Summit held in Croke Park, being named AIBF All-Ireland Enterprise of the Year 2025.

Speaking after the Summit in Croke Park, Fine Gael TD for Wicklow-Wexford, Deputy Brian Brennan had high praise for K&K Windows and the Kenny Family; “I have known Sorcha and Tomas for many years, and this award is so well deserved. This business is a great success story – family owned, locally grown, community based. 

An excellent employer operating out of their state-of-the-art premises in Craanford.

“Employing over 50 people in North Wexford, this company has gone from strength to strength over its 25 years in business and I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” concluded Deputy Brennan.

Former Enniscorthy cinema for sale

Slaney Plaza in Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, is for sale with an asking price of €400,000.

The former three-screen cinema was named after the local river and was originally opened in 1998 by Graham Spurling. 

The venue closed on March 6, 2011. 

Wexford estate agents Sherry FitzGerald O’Leary Kinsella describe the cinema located just a few minutes from Enniscorthy town centre as an “investment opportunity” with “oodles of possibilities”. 

The property includes a large lobby on entrance with a box office and shop, three large cinema screens bathrooms (including a disabled WC). 

My personal memory of the Slaney Plaza was attending the premiére of ‘Saving Private Ryan‘ which was filmed by Steven Spielberg with Curracloe used to dramatise Omaha Beach.

Youth show the way at Vinegar Hill

The talented Rhythm Riot band brought colour and joyful sound to Vinegar Hill this evening. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).

By Dan Walsh at Vinegar Hill

At dusk, a procession featuring art, music, and performance brightened up Vinegar Hill, driven by the creativity of Wexford’s youth. Dozens of dancers and performers contributed to the carnival atmosphere witnessed this evening.

The second annual The Night Belongs to Youth event was part of this year’s Cruinniú na nÓg, the National Day of Creativity for young people. It was considered a significant event in Wexford.

The event commemorated the historical site and celebrated midsummer, commencing at Father Cullen’s Terrace and concluding at the summit of the renowned hill with a formal procession.

In contrast to over two centuries ago, this time Vinegar Hill experienced no rebellious events; instead, it hosted an immersive spectacle featuring drumming, ceremonial dance, and song.

The event, which was organised by Creative Places Enniscorthy, offered young people the opportunity to collaborate with professional artists, prop makers, and musicians. It was colourful, entertaining and worthwhile and paid tribute to the talent and promise from our precious younger generation.

Deryn O’Callaghan, Director of Creative Places Enniscorthy, told WexfordLocal.com; “The entire event was led by the youth of Wexford. We are very mindful of the history of the area and the significance of the hill to the town, and we wanted to reflect that.”

The Night Belongs to Youth is a Creative Places Enniscorthy (CPE) project, funded by CPE and the Arts Council of Ireland, part of Cruinniú na nÓg, with additional funding from Wexford County Council through the Creative Ireland Programme.

Kilanerin history project starts on Sunday

By Dan Walsh

The Things Around Us’ is an innovative community collection project exploring the objects in the hands of ordinary people that reveal the social history of Kilanerin and district running for four weeks, and it kicks off this Sunday, June 8th 12-3pm.

The project has been devised by artist/folklorist Michael Fortune in conjunction with David Williams and Conor Murphy from Kilanerin Tidy Towns, and during the month of June they will be hosting a series of pop-up road-show styled sessions in Kilanerin Community Centre and inviting people to bring their object along to tell Michael and the team all about it.

The project will be centred around people and the objects they hold and cherish within their homes, their farms, their yards and their lives and invite them to bring forward objects to share their stories and spark memories and conversations across the ages.

These may range from old black diamonds; used from funeral customs, old farming implements or to more recent objects such as an old Bosco mug or to the first mobile phone ever owned.

Every single aspect of Irish social history will be explored through the fascinating objects brought to the roadshows and we hope to widen conversations around our lives and our history.

As the village has become home to many new residents recently, efforts will be focused on engaging new residents to support and strengthen the sense of community in the area.

So if you have an old letter, an old tool or anything with a story, come along to Kilanerin and share it take photos and record its history. An exhibition of the findings will be presented as part of the Kilanerin Heritage Weekend in early September.

The dates are: Sunday, June 8th (12pm – 3pm). Thursday, June 12th (6.30pm to 9.30pm). Sunday, June 15th (12pm – 3pm) and Sunday, June 22nd June (12pm – 3pm).

The project is kindly supported by the Arts Department of Wexford County Council via their ‘Creative Communities Scheme’. For further information please contact Michael on 087 6470247 or David on 087 4197140.

€70,000 for Bunclody safer route

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council has been awarded €70,000 toward a walkway link from Hospital Hill to Church Road, Bunclody under the Community Recognition Fund.

CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy stated that “it is a long-held ambition of mine and the people of Bunclody to see both sides of Bunclody town linked without having to access the N80.

“The funding is very welcome as it will help to get this project underway. The walkway / cycleway will connect two sides of Bunclody town,” she added.

Saving the trip to walk Hospital Hill, Irish Street, Main Street (the N80 extremely busy national secondary road) Church Road to access the Health Centre the GAA and Soccer Club grounds as well as linking the communities.

A short cut will be safer than using main roads for walking / cycling and will also have health benefits encouraging people to walk rather than get into the car to get to and from their chosen destination!

Bunclody is a beautiful town situated on the slopes of the Backstairs mountains – but Bunclody is a hilly town – this Walkway will be of great benefit to people. 

This project is part of the plans drawn up by Pairc Na nGabhar Community Garden Committee in conjunction with Wexford County Council.

Annual Parish Féte Day at Showgrounds

By Dan Walsh

The annual Monart Union of Parishes Parish Féte Day takes place tomorrow, Saturday, June 7th at Enniscorthy Showgrounds with free admission for a day filled with fun events to suit all ages.

REVEREND CANON NICOLA HALFORD is inviting everybody to Saturday’s Monart Union of Parishes Parish Féte Day at Enniscorthy Showgrounds.

This event is a fundraiser for the Enniscorthy and Monart Union of Parishes which comprises of Clone, Clonmore (Bree), Monart, St. Mary’s, Enniscorthy and Templescobin.

“It is the only major fundraising initiative this year and it’s hoped there will be a large crowd in attendance, “ said Reverend Canon Nicola Halford, Rector, who added; “It is important to note that the family fun day is not confined to the Church of Ireland and we are encouraging people of all denominations to attend what promises to be a great family day out.”

The big highlight on the day is the Dog Show, taking place from 2pm to 5pm, and there are a number of additional categories such as “dog with the waggliest tail” and the “dog the that judges would most like to take home.”

Plenty of other activities too, like face painting, lucky dips, afternoon tea, a number of stalls, including BBQ burgers, toys and games. Great way to spend a summer Saturday afternoon!

There is free admission on the day with a generous number of free parking slots available.

Eamonn Wall’s hometown poetry is celebrated

EAMONN WALL reading from his latest book of poetry My Aunts at Twilight Poker at last night’s launch. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Eamonn Wall’s Enniscorthy launch

Celebrated Enniscorthy-born poet Eamonn Wall who nowadays lives in St Louis, Missouri, United States, proudly celebrated at The Bailey, Enniscorthy, last night (Thursday), in the company of family and friends at the launch of his latest book of poetry entitled My Aunts at Twilight Poetry.

Award-winning actor and friend Andy Doyle introduced the work as “place, identity and belonging”, complemented the poet and described him as “Enniscorthy’s brightest emigrant star.”

Eamonn Wall said it was his eighth publication with Salmon Poetry and told the fine attendance that “it is a great privilege to come here to launch this book.” He was loudly applauded throughout the night as he read many poems from the work which is described as “a family history with many poems set in Enniscorthy.”  

Eamonn was also celebrating his 70th birthday in The Bailey on Barrack Street, located one minute’s shuffle from the house where he grew up, recently demolished and incorporated into the so-called old Murphy-Flood’s territory now under conversion to a car park!

Friends and invited guests turned out in force for the pleasant launch ceremony of his latest poetry publication and there was a touch of nostalgia as Eamonn read a large selection of Enniscorthy poems he has written over the past four decades.

The award-winning and greatly published Enniscorthy poet has lived in St Louis since 2000, however, he has rarely missed an opportunity to visit his native town at least once every year, and sometimes more than once, to meet up with friends and stay in touch with his family members.

Eamonn has recently retired from his position as Smurfit-Stone Corporation Professor of Irish Studies, as well as a Professor of English Studies, at the University of Missouri-St Louis.

Eamonn celebrated a fulfilling poetic life in his hometown of Enniscorthy with lifelong friends and family, creating lasting memories for this talented writer and poet renowned for his poems, essays and reviews.

My Aunts at Twilight Poker by Eamonn Wall, published by Salmon Poetry, 84 pages, not illustrated, €10, ISBN 978-1-915022-37-0 was on sale at tonight’s launch but is also available at Easons, Enniscorthy, who also may stock other titles by Eamonn Wall.