Kilmore Quay RNLI were requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard at 11.30am on Monday when a casualty who had been on a small inflatable dinghy got into difficulty at sea, and at 11.55am was quickly located on the rocks at the north-west end of the Great Saltee.
It was raining at the time with a south-easterly force 4 wind and with sea conditions described as slight.
The casualty was found cold but well. The lifeboat was soon under way back to Kilmore Quay harbour, arriving at 1pm where the casualty was transferred into the care of the National Ambulance Service.
John Grace, Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said; “We would like to wish the casualty well and commend the person who raised the alarm when they knew this person was overdue – that is always the right thing to do, and we would encourage anyone with a concern for someone to never hesitate in making that call. If you do get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
Pictured at the County Wexford Leadership Summit held in Newbay House, Wexford and were contributors to the second Leadership in Action panel (l-r): Brendan Crowley, Managing Director, Wexford Bus; John Walsh, Commercial Director, ABP Food Group Ireland & Poland; David O’Connor, Director, Sheil Kinnear; Therese Kelly, Director, Neville Hotels; and Linda Earlie, Senior Executive, Enterprise Ireland.
The County Wexford Chamber Leadership Summit, held at Newbay House, Wexford, was a remarkable success, bringing together business leaders and innovators from across the region.
The event, hosted by MC and Executive Coach Orlaith Carmody, featured a keynote address by An Post CEO David McRedmond, who captivated the audience with his insights on business transformation and innovation.
The summit provided attendees with actionable strategies for business growth and leadership development. “We had the privilege of hearing from David McRedmond, who shared valuable insights into the transformation he led at An Post,” said Paula Roche, CEO of County Wexford Chamber. “Additionally, representatives from Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland outlined the supports available for businesses and discussed the importance of foreign direct investment in driving the continued economic growth of County Wexford.”
In addition to Mr. McRedmond, the summit featured contributions from notable speakers including Brian McGee, Regional Enterprise Development Manager at IDA; Gavin Walsh, Large Enterprise Account Director at LinkedIn; and Linda Earlie, Senior Executive at Enterprise Ireland.
“We were also inspired by the success stories from some of County Wexford’s most innovative and influential businesses,” added Ms. Roche. Entrepreneurs and business leaders such as Pauline Oakes, Vice President of Operations for EMEA/APAC at Integer; Pat Bevan, Managing Director of Reynaers Aluminium Ireland; Deirdre Hannon, Plant Manager at Danone; Rosie Keary, Managing Director of Kersia; Billy Hoey, Senior Project Manager – Design and Construction for Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority Rosslare Europort; Gerard Reynolds, Director of Operations at BD; Brendan Crowley, Managing Director of Wexford Bus; John Walsh, Commercial Director at ABP Food Group Ireland & Poland; David O’Connor, Managing Partner at Sheil Kinnear; and Therese Kelly, Director at Neville Hotels, shared their insights and experiences.
“This summit was a fantastic opportunity to connect and learn from local leaders who are shaping the future of our business community,” said Ms. Roche.
The interactive panel discussions, networking opportunities, and insights from County Wexford Chamber Skillnet and Rethink Ireland were designed to inspire and equip attendees with actionable strategies for business growth and leadership development.
The event was generously supported by Wexford Bus and County Wexford Chamber Skillnet, ensuring its success and impact on the local business community.
At the official launch of the Playful Places Project at Orchard Peace Park, Enniscorthy, this morning. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Orchard Peace Park
“These instruments have been installed to add to the character of the peace park where we have a public amenity in a central location within the town,” said Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Aidan Browne, as he performed the official launch of the Playful Places Project at the Orchard Peace Park, Enniscorthy, in rainy Monday morning conditions.
“The musical instruments will encourage old and young to the park and spark some activity and interaction with others,” said Cllr Browne, who said he was delighted to launch the project, and he continued; “As part of the project’s design to promote inclusion through playful ideas, there is also seating along the way to take a break if needed.
AUDIO ADDITION; Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne speaking at the opening of the Playful Spaces Project at Enniscorthy Peace Park today.
Claire Lawless, District Manager, guided proceedings and acted as master of ceremonies and welcomed Minister James Browne, Cllrs John O’Rourke and Barbara-Anne Murphy, Ms. Whelan and a class from St. Aidan’s Primary School and invited guests from a retirement home.
Ms. Lawless said funding for the project was secured from the Department of Health and the project is supported by Healthy Wexford the Healthy Ireland fund. Ann Marie Laffan, Wexford County Council’s Age Friendly Programme Manager was in attendance.
“I would like to thank Enniscorthy Municipal District Council staff Edel Nolan, Senior Staff Officer, for securing the funding for the project and Lisa Moore, Assistant Staff Officer who took the lead on the project and came up with the idea for musical instruments and brought the project to fruition and Neville Shaw, Senior Executive Engineer,” said Ms. Lawless who concluded; “This is a great amenity for Enniscorthy and it is our intention to secure further funding to develop the park in the future.”
JAMIE SCALLAN and SEAN DOYLE celebrating a treble success at Tinahely point-to-point today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Fairwood, Tinahely
Ballindaggin handler Sean Doyle and Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan had a brilliant day at the Wicklow Foxhounds point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, today (Sunday) where they shared a well-deserved treble success.
Doyle and Scallan got off the mark with Gale Force Jet owned by Henry Chamney who scored by five lengths in the maiden race for five and six-year-old geldings. “He will go for a winners’ race at Punchestown if he is not sold,” said Doyle afterwards.
Willitgoahead for the Monbeg Partnsership brought success number two for Doyle and Scallan by an easy 13.5 lengths in the Open Race beating the red-hot favourite Lifetime Ambition. “He has loads of ability and will go to Limerick for a hunter’s chase at Christmas,” added handler Doyle.
It was a first treble for Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan, but Sean Doyle admitted to having one before as the partnership unsaddled Between Waters who took the Winners of One Mares Race by ‘a neck’ in the final race of the day.
Another Ballindaggin handler who sent out his second winner was Jim O’Neill, brother of champion rider Barry O’Neill, who saddled Icare Du Marais to a single length success in the maiden race for six-year-olds and over confined to novice riders and Alan Harney, from Kilmacow, Kilkenny, was in the saddle. “He is a grand horse. He will go for a ‘winners’ now and he will come on for that run,” said O’Neill afterwards.
Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, enjoyed a tight finish – half a length – success with Gaelic Pride ridden by Jack Hendrick in the maiden race for four-year-olds. “He likes being handy, He is for sale. He will win plenty of races,” said a delighted Murphy afterwards.
Barry O’Neill was in the winner’s enclosure following the one and a half lengths victory on Nanny Betty, running in the colours of Tom Power and Annette Lawlor and handled locally by John Patrick Walsh, Ballyday, Gorey, in the maiden race for mares aged five years or older.
There was also point-to-point action at Thurles, Co. Tipperary today (Sunday) and success for Wexford was on the cards. Ellen Doyle and the Baltimore Stables Syndicate at Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, took the maiden race for four-year-old mares by20 lengths with newcomer Porte Jaune ridden by Brian Dunleavy.
Cleariestown rider Barry Stone teamed up with Waterford handler Paul Power to win the maiden race for four-year-old geldings on newcomer Alzurs Thunder; and Eoin Staples, Duncormick, rode the John P McManus owned Priory Park to his third success this season in the Open Race confined to novice riders by five lengths and trained by legendary Tipperary trainer Edward O’Grady.
Next Sunday, point-to-point action comes to Lingstown, Tomhaggard and the autumn Killinick Harriers meet. First race at 12.30pm. Entries close on Tuesday at mid-day with p2p.ie.
A 34-years-old Wexford man, Steven ‘Wally’ Wallace from Cleariestown has been found dead at the Playa Chica beach in Lanzarote at around 7.30am on Tuesday, November 5th.
STEPHEN ‘Wally’ WALLACE
Local police are investigating, and it is understood that they are not treating his death as suspicious.
It is understood that Mr Wallace was coming to the end of his holiday with his partner, who is from north Wexford. It is reported that when he failed to return to their accommodation, she called his mobile phone which was answered by local police, who subsequently gave her the devastating news.
Rosslare District Cllr Aoife Rose O’Brien, who was a close friend of Mr Wallace said he was “a talented gentleman; his death at such a young age is an incredible tragedy.”
“Wally will be greatly missed, he touched many hearts in Wexford and beyond and we are all forever grateful for the memories of him that we will now cherish,” added Cllr O’Brien.
Mr Wallace’s family are currently working with authorities and the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust to bring Steven’s remains home. Funeral details have not yet been published.
A prayer of remembrance was read at Masses in Bree Church last weekend as the congregation learned of the sad passing of Molly Leacy at her home in Manchester last Wednesday. A native of Bree who never lost contact with her birthplace, she was in her 103rd year.
MOLLY LEACY (née Hogan) pictured here on her visit to Bree while celebrating her 100th birthday. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Born at Knockduff Lane, near Bree, on June 1st, 1922, she was christened Mary Ellen Hogan, but she was always affectionately called Molly Hogan (even after her marriage) and was the daughter of Ellen Hogan who worked at Doyle’s of Carrig. She never knew her father!
Molly’s grandparents delivered the post on foot in the Bree area and were paid nine shillings (less than 50 cent in today’s currency) per week to live on.
In 1928, Molly first attended the old two-room school on Bree Lane where Master and Mrs Breen were the teachers, and a stove kept the school warm! She could read and write when she left at the age of 14 in search of work.
There was no work for Molly in the first year after leaving school, she took a season’s work in Tramore, before returning to her native Bree to work at Warren’s of Clonmore House, beside St. John’s Church, for six years and then work with the Curtis family at Knockduff. According to Molly both chores were similar; “milking cows, making butter and cleaning from 7 o’clock in the morning till 7 o’clock in the evenings – seven days a week!”
Molly emigrated by ship through Dun Laoghaire in 1949, renewed her friendship with Tom Leacy of Kilgibbon and they married in St. John’s Church, Chelmsford, and they settled down and raised a family in Salford, Manchester.
Locally, she was always known as Molly Hogan. She paid almost yearly visits to her native parish over the years where she would catch up with family and friends to reminisce about the different times that they experienced growing up in rural Co. Wexford.
On June 1st, 2022, Molly celebrated her 100th birthday with her family and friends at her home in Manchester and in September of that year realised an ambition that fulfilled every dream she ever hoped for – a centenary visit to her birth townland at Knockduff that was topped off with a special celebration Mass in Bree Church, where she was baptised a century earlier, and invited to speak to the pupils in Bree National School.
Growing up in Knockduff the Hogan’s and Walsh’s were close neighbours and on Molly’s final visit home one of the family’s wishes was that I would record her life and times. This duty was fulfilled on September 30th, 2022 when we met in Bree Community Centre and with the family permission here are the edited highlights from that interview…
AUDIO ADDITION; MOLLY LEACY (née Hogan) speaking to DAN WALSH about her life and times at her 100th birthday celebrations on September 30th 2022 when they met in Bree Community Centre.
FAMILY NOTICE;MOLLY LEACY (née Hogan), Cadishead, in the city of Salford, Greater Manchester, who passed away on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024, peacefully at her home. Beloved wife of the late Thomas, mother of Tom, Sarah, Pat, Martin, Michael, Helen and the late John and Jimmy, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May She Rest in Peace.
At the launch of Community Calendar 2025 today; (left to right); Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, and Dymphna O’Connor, Head of Community Department Wexford County Council.
The Community Team at Wexford County Council launched its Community Calendar 2025 and presented the first calendar to Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council at County Hall, Wexford, today.
Cllr Breen said; “Following the success of the first calendar in 2024, I’m delighted to see the Community Team continue this initiative. It is an innovative and engaging way to highlight the work of the Community Team, while also providing valuable signposts to supports and opportunities both for individuals and communities.”
Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services with responsibility for Community said; “We are proud to share this, our second calendar, which showcases some of our work and celebrates our Wexford communities. The value of the Community Calendar has been recognised nationally, with the initiative being shortlisted for an Excellence in Local Government Communications Award, with the Awards being held later this month.”
Dymphna O’Connor, Head of Community said; “Whether you are interested in arts and culture, sports and recreation, education and training, or community development and support you will find something in the calendar that suits your needs and interests.”
The calendar includes local photos and includes key messages and dates each month which the team hope will act as a further support to communities and citizens across County Wexford.
Calendars will shortly be available for free across County Wexford at local Municipal District Offices, at County Hall and through Wexford Public Libraries.
The Community Team will also be distributing in the course of their work over the next few weeks and includes work under the brands of Wexford LCDC, Healthy Wexford, Sláintecare Healthy Communities, Wexford Age Friendly and Sports Active Wexford.
Funding of €4.9 million has been allocated under the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media for the first phase development of a new sports complex at the former St. Waleran’s Demesne site to the north of Gorey.
Wexford County Council is ‘match’ funding the project which will have a total budget of around €10 million.
CLLR OLIVER WALSH welcomes funding for new sports hub at St. Waleran’s, Gorey.
Cathaoirleach of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, Cllr Oliver Walsh said it is great to see the efforts of the partner clubs and officials rewarded in this way. “€10 million is a significant investment in sports and activities in the county and I am proud that Wexford County Council has undertaken to provide funding to the project. The initiative forms part of the St Waleran’s Masterplan which will provide a new neighbourhood in Gorey with housing, community, and sports facilities,” concluded Cllr Walsh.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr. Pip Breen said; “This is wonderful news, I was chair of the steering group and want to commend the clubs where I witnessed first-hand the hard work that was put into the planning, design, and funding application for this project. This will be a game changer not just for Gorey but the entire East Coast.”
The first phase of the new sports and activities hub will provide facilities for minority sports including hockey, cricket, and athletics, with new playing fields and looped walking tracks throughout. Phase 2 will include facilities to cater for cycling and basketball with a new indoor community sports building.
Full planning permission has been approved earlier this year for the entire project with architects Ailtiri. Wexford County Council established a steering group two years ago with membership comprising representatives from Gorey Hockey Club, Croghan Athletics Club, Gorey Cricket Club, Gorey Cycling Club, Gorey Basketball Club in addition to council officials and Dr. Yvonne Byrne.
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