CLLR CATHAL BYRNE is Fine Gael nomination for Sinead Éireann (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
The South Wicklow North Wexford Constituency met in the Coach House, Gorey, last Thursday night to discuss the recent election of Deputy Brian Brennan TD to represent interests in Dáil Éireann and to decide on a Fine Gael nomination to Seanad Éireann.
Early in the meeting, a call was made for nominations to Seanad Éireann, Cllr Darragh McDonald was asked to accept the nomination of the constituency but declined due to his local work and family reasons. Cllr McDonald stated that he is committed to the development of Gorey and the time is not right for him to take on a national role, while so much still needs to be achieved at a local level.
Cllr McDonald in turn expressed his opinion that the Constituency should lend its support to the neighbouring constituency of Wexford, which for the first time in history of the State is without a Fine Gael TD and support the candidacy of Cllr Cathal Byrne (Enniscorthy).
“Cathal has been a strong member of Wexford County Council for over 5 years and his popularity in Wexford is evident from his performance in both the local and general election. Wexford and particularly the South Wexford constituency needs strong representation to ensure its voices are heard and Cathal is the right person to give this voice,” stated Cllr McDonald, who added; “Deputy Brennan and Cllr Byrne together would provide strong representation of both counties and constituency within the next Government. “
The call to support Cllr Byrne’s nomination was unanimously supported from the floor.
DEPUTY VERONA MURPHY has been given a mandate to contest election of Ceann Comhairle to 34th Dáil. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Deputy Verona Murphy convened a meeting of her campaigners and supporters together with the Wexford Independent Alliance councillors in a packed Slaney suite at Talbot Hotel, Wexford, to consult with them regarding her nomination by the Region Independent group to seek to position of Ceann Comhairle.
Deputy Murphy set out the circumstances surrounding her nomination and sought the views of her supporters in relation to it. Speaking at the meeting Deputy Murphy said; “My mandate as a TD is your mandate, I serve a TD at your discretion, on that basis it is necessary that you have your say in relation to this nomination, and if it is the view of the meeting that I should not pursue the nomination then I won’t”
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said; “It’s a massive gain for Wexford to have one of its own in the role of Ceann Comhairle because it’s a position that yields such influence and respect.” He went onto say as Ceann Comhairle you are the face and voice of Dáil Éireann; it has never been held by a woman nor indeed a Wexford person.
“Wexford would make history if you’re appointed,” said Cllr Kavanagh, who added; “Further, it is incumbent on all the Oireachtas members in Wexford to park all political sniping, put on the Wexford jersey and go to Dáil Éireann and support Deputy Murphy for the for the position of Ceann Comhairle.”
Cllr Pat Barden said; “The Ceann Comhairle is the chairperson of our national parliament, without question it is a one of the most influential positions in Irish politics, and if you are successful your appointment it will only strengthen your mandate to deliver for the people of Wexford. “
“You will have far much more influence in that position then you would as an opposition TD, it’s a no brainer as far as serving the people of Wexford is concerned,” concluded Cllr Barden.
The election of Ceann Comhairle takes place at the first sitting of the 34th Dáil in Leinster House on Wednesday, December 18th at 10.30am in which 174 newly elected TD’s vote in a secret ballot to select the Ceann Comhairle.
The annual Christmas message from Bishop Ger Nash, Diocese of Ferns, has been released and is reproduced in full here…
Dear Friends,
It is lovely, once again, to be able to share a message of greeting and gratitude as we approach the great celebration of Christmas. I hope the year has been kind to you and that you have been supported and encouraged by friends and family when things were difficult and that in turn, you were able to reach out to those who needed help on the journey of life.
As we prepare to celebrate a New Year in 2025, we are celebrating a Jubilee Year as we do each quarter of a Century. Pope Francis has designated 2025 to be a Jubilee of Hope and the invitation from him to each of us is to be “Pilgrims of Hope”
BISHOP GER NASH, DIOCESE OF FERNS
Hope is a word we are familiar with – we hope our team will win this year, we hope that loved ones will get well, that someone we care about will get a job, a house, a longed-for new baby.
These hopes are very special to us, they show how much we care about others and how we would like our world to be. But the power to make them happen lies outside us, in the gift of others. Christian Hope on the other hand invites us to look inward to ourselves and see ourselves as the source of Hope for the world, for our community, parish and families.
Christian Hope invites us to look at those who despite difficulties in life remain cheerful and faithful and who bring out the best in people through their courage and generosity of life.
This hope is not a fancy or woolly aspiration, a daydream that brightens a dull day or a feeling that makes us look forward to tomorrow, next week or next year.
Christian Hope is rooted in faith and in love of God, seen at this time of the year in the story of Christmas. It is the fulfilling of the promise that God will always be with us, faithful to us even when we are unfaithful and that he will be found on the margins of life, among the poor just as he was two thousand and twenty-five years ago.
Hans Christian Andersen, the great writer of stories for children, began his stories with the words “Once upon a time” and he finished them with “And they all live happily ever after”. Our life stories are rarely that neat, but Andersen who was also a person of deep faith, did say once about real life that “Every person’s life is a Fairytale written by God’s fingers, and they all lived happily ever after”.
The promise of “living happily ever after” in the presence of God is the source of all our hope.
My wish for you and me and all our families and friends and communities of which we are a part, is that we will discover this Christmas and throughout the year ahead, a great deep well of hope within our hearts and communities and that we will bring it, like a deep drink of cool water to a world that is thirsting for Hope.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, I send special greetings to those who will work over Christmas, in hospitals and care homes, in the Garda Siochána and the emergency services and those members of our defence forces who will be keeping the peace in different troubled parts of the world.
May the work of all who bring peace and healing be blessed by the Prince of Peace and the Great Healer.
Bishop Ger
A video format for use on social media pages can be accessed here:
The ferry WB Yeats on its first arrival at Rosslare Europort on December 19th, 2018. (Pic; Brian Boyce Photography).
By Dan Walsh
Transport Ministers Eamon Ryan and James Lawless, as well as the Department of Transport, are actively engaging with stakeholders to address the challenges to freight and passenger travel to and from Holyhead Port, following damage caused during Storm Darragh last weekend.
This morning, both were fully briefed by Department Officials, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMD), Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort to explore all possible solutions so that trade supplies and passenger traffic can be accommodated through alternative ports as effectively as possible.
From this week, additional capacity is being provided from Rosslare. Irish Ferries is assigning the WB Yeats to replace the Isle of Innisfree this week. This represents approximately 100% extra capacity.
Stena Line Ferries has also introduced an additional sailing to Liverpool. While the Port of Cork currently has no direct UK sailings, it has indicated that it has the capacity to operate one sailing a day, possibly two, based on scheduling. The Ministers have also suggested that more Northern ports and routes could also be considered.
The Ministers will continue to engage with stakeholders over the weekend and intend to meet with Irish Ferries and Stena Line on Monday to ensure that there is optimal co-operation between companies so that freight, drivers and passengers can be accommodated ahead of the festive season.
COMMENT; I don’t normally comment on stories that we carry on WexfordLocal.com and this one is based on an official government press release issued today and we commend all the efforts being made to resolve the situation caused by Storm Darragh at Holyhead.
However, there is a lesson here for our public representatives and that is the essential necessity for upgrade and development at Rosslare Europort, not just based on the port’s everyday needs, but as a first-class operating port that can serve the country’s additional needs at times of emergencies or pressure points affecting other ports in our country.
Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 17-year-old Evan Dennehy, who is reported as missing from Rosslare Co. Wexford, since Thursday, December 12th 2024.
Evan is described as being approximately 6 foot 1 inch in height, with slim build, brown hair and brown eyes.
When last seen, Evan was wearing a navy parka jacket with fur on the hood, a navy tracksuit and red runners.
Anyone with information on Evan’s whereabouts is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on (053) 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Rosslare Europort is once again playing a strategic role for the country, working in conjunction with shipping partners and the logistics industry by providing additional capacity at the port to help alleviate the issues that are currently being experienced due to the closure of Holyhead port caused by storm damage.
Rosslare Europort is experiencing an increase of over 120% in freight volumes from the UK when compared to previous weeks.
Glenn Carr Director of Commercial Business Units and Port Authority for Rosslare Europort said: “We are working with all stakeholders and focusing on how Rosslare Europort can once again play its part in ensuring the continuous movement of freight and passengers from the UK while the Port of Holyhead is out of commission.
“This is an extremely busy and critical time for our freight and tourism sectors and we at Rosslare Europort will do all in power to provide additional capacity and support at the port that will help address the challenges and concerns being experienced.
“I want to thank all our colleagues at the port along with those in the shipping and freight sectors who are working tirelessly at this moment to ensure continuity for freight and passengers.
“I would ask that all customers keep up to date with information from the shipping lines and understand that in these exceptional times flexibility on all sides is required and only by us all working together will we best get through this current situation which will pass.
“Finally, events like this further emphasises the need for continuous investment in Rosslare Europort and the vital role that this port plays for our country,” concluded Mr Carr.
CRAIG DOYLE (centre) flanked by Gary Ó Brien and Mylie O Brien following tonight’s meeting ratifying his approval as Sinn Féin councillor for Gorey. (Pic; Sinn Féin).
By Dan Walsh
In the Loch Garman Arms, Gorey, tonight Craig Doyle was chosen by Sinn Féin to fill the vacancy on Wexford County Council created by ex-cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain who was elected to Dáil Éireann in the newly created Wicklow-Wexford constituency in the recent General Election.
From Allenwood Drive in Gorey Mr Doyle (28) is well-known and well respected and comes from a long-standing Gorey town family.
Announcing the news on social media, Gary Ó Brien said; “A super proud night our new Sinn Féin councillor from my home street of Allenwood Drive, a solid republican. the future is bright. Thanks to all who came out and voted tonight for him. Gorey Sinn Féin Abú.”
Mr Doyle will be proposed and seconded at next Monday’s special meeting of Wexford County Council in the Council Chamber at Caricklawn, Wexford, and will be Cllr Craig Doyle when he is eligible to attend his first session at the December meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council in the Council Chamber at Gorey Civic Centre next Tuesday.
A call has gone out to schools in Wexford from one of Ireland’s best-known Olympians, sprinter David Gillick who has joined forces with Fyffes once again in a quest to find ‘Ireland’s Fittest School 2025’.
A call has gone out to schools across the country from Olympian sprinter David Gillick who has joined forces with Fyffes in a quest to find ‘Ireland’s Fittest School 2025’.
Aimed at promoting the importance of exercise, fitness and healthy eating amongst young people, a central feature of the programme will be a series of exercise routines – recorded by Gillick, alongside Irish fitness trainer, Sharon Flanagan – which competing schools can adopt as part of their PE curriculum and against which performance will be measured and tracked online.
Running for 10 weeks from January 20th, the upcoming competition will see a new element introduced in which the top four schools from each province will compete head-to-head across four live regional qualifier events in April.
The top school from Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster will then progress to May’s grand final at which the prize package will include €8,000 worth of sports equipment.
School registrations open January 6th, and further details can be found online at www.fyffesfittestschool.ie
Look out for JEAN MASKELL signing her book for local charities this week. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Wexford Library
Jean Maskell is a multi-disciplinary writer and artist, and her collection of poems and short stories was published in 2013 under the title The Space Between. The illustrations, which are plenty and colourful is also her own work.
Her writing has appeared in several publications in Ireland and the UK. Jean is an active member of Ceramics Ireland and Liverpool Irish Festival Cultural Connections Network, and to add to her enormous talent, her painting, ceramics and photography have appeared in over 20 exhibitions in Ireland and the UK. During the recent Wexford Festival Opera Jean shared an exhibition with Michelle O’Neill in Clayton Whites Hotel.
Jean is back in Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford, tomorrow. “I’ll be in the foyer of Clayton White’s Hotel supporting their Christmas charity campaign and signing copies of my short story and poetry book ‘The Space Between’ from 11.30am to 1.30pm on Thursday 12th December,” she told WexfordLocal.com when we met in Wexford Library on Tuesday night.
Jean’s book is “a not-for-profit publication and any funds raised by the sales will be donated to two registered charities – Wexford Marine Watch and Wexford Tidy Towns.”
Jean assures us that The Space Between makes a great present, she will be signing again in The Wexford Book Centre next Saturday, where it is on sale along with Red Books, St. Peter’s Square, Wexford.
Enniscorthy has an additional structure of modern street furniture at the Market Square entrance to Rafter Street which is attracting public curiosity in the form of a public payphone.
As agreed at the Enniscorthy Municipal District meeting in September 2023, Clear Channel Ireland have removed the payphone on Wafer Street and have installed a new upgraded payphone and a public information Interactive Touch Screen on Rafter Street.
The Clear Channel Public Phone Kiosks Removal/Upgrade Project has already been rolled out in several city and town locations across the country and originated in the ComReg-EU Universal Regulations 2011.
Described as “a design of modern functionality and aesthetically sympathetic” it is a fact that public payphones are still in situ due to public need and serves as an aid to people without access to mobile service.
The interactive touch screen will have links to QR codes and map apps and serves as a Bord Fáilte database including Visit Wexford.ie, Local Area Map and Wayfinding and Emergency Helplines. The public information screen will also promote local tourism and events.
The project was of no cost to Wexford County Council.
WexfordLocal.com 