The Island Hunt point-to-point takes place tomorrow (Sunday) over a new track at Peppardscastle (Y25 HY96), between the coastal villages of Ballygarrett and Kilmuckridge, and fingers are crossed for a good attendance. The first of six races is off at 1pm.
It is a left-handed track over a mile with five fences per circuit. There is a total entry of 77 horses with 28 of those entered for the opening contest for four-year-old maidens.
While the weather forecast is for 2mm of rain overnight tomorrow is expected to be “windy and cloudy.” Going on the track is described as “good to soft”. Directions to the track are signposted.
ANDREW LATTA saddled Race To Base a winner at Loughanmore today.
Today’s point-to-point was held in Loughanmore in East Antrim where three Wexford stables were successful. Donnchadh Doyle’s Glory Be To Sea scored by three and a half lengths with Rob James in the saddle in division two of the maiden race for four year old mares.
Newcomer Race To Base will be heading for the sales following a short-head victory when ridden by Jack Hendrick for Ballycarney handler Anrew Latta in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. This was the 85th career winner for the talented Mayglass rider.
And Colin Bowe turned out another newcomer Spadestep in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden race and it was a triumph by three lengths with Barry O’Neill up. Spadestep will now head for the sales.
The scene on Wexford Quay as Mayor George Lawlor performs the official opening of the Wexford Festival 2024. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh on Wexford Quay
The 73rd Wexford Festival Opera opened this evening with the traditional fireworks display on Wexford Quays and while the weather favoured umbrellas and rain gear it failed to dampen the enthusiasm for the occasion as a large family orientated crowd turned out in force.
The 16-day festival with 70 events and numerous fringe events was officially declared open by Mayor of Wexford, Cllr George Lawlor. “As a son of Wexford, I am delighted to have been invited to open Wexford Festival Opera here on Wexford Quays while waiting for the renowned annual fireworks display. I am so proud and hugely honoured,” stated Mayor Lawlor who included his support for the performers, volunteers and the people from Wexford town and county, and beyond, it is estimated that 20% who support the festival annually are visitors to the town, that make the Wexford Festival Opera such an international success story.
Paul Cleary, Chairman of Wexford Festival Trust also addressed the large gathering. “Over the 40-plus years since my first Wexford Festival experience, much has changed. Wexford town has expanded considerably, its population now fantastically diverse,” stated Mr Cleary who added; “Of course, I have also changed, but my passion for opera and Wexford Festival is still burning strong. Over the years, my involvement with the festival has deepened. It is a great honour for me to be appointed as Chairman of Wexford Festival Trust, a role I am proud to undertake as a volunteer.”
The veteran Maurice McCarthy acted as master of ceremonies, some local acts provided the entertainment, and the fireworks legend KC Whelan set off the impressive fireworks display which is synonymous with the opening of the Wexford Festival Opera
For the next 16 days the action moves to the National Opera House, which is in the heart of Wexford, where there is a programme of daily events taking place both on and off the stage.
Wexford’s annual Festival Opera opens tonight (Friday) and is always accompanied by many fringe art and performance events. This year, a local bookshop is once again running a full schedule of literary events as part of its own fringe festival – “Theatre in the Bookshop”.
Red Books in Wexford’s St Peter’s Square will host sixteen events, comprising live music, spoken-word, book launches, history and family friendly events. Four new Wexford books will be launched as part of the festival.
“It’s always important to remember our rich literary heritage and highlight the current culture of writing in Wexford during the world-famous Opera Festival,” Red Books owner Wally O’ Neill said. “We are launching four new books; ‘Cathedral in the Fields’ by Paddy Walsh, ‘Mayglass Holy Tower’ by Bernard Browne, ‘My Recollections’ by Greg Ryan, and the sixth Wexford Bohemian, edited by Alanna Hammel and featuring the works of 29 writers and artists.”
“We will also have OUTSPOKEN spoken-word open-mics, live music with Martina Byrne and Friends and the Driftwood Sessions, local photography artist Deborah Doyle first solo exhibition, as well as an art exhibition.”
Red Books will also feature prominently at the 53rd annual Wexford Book Fair, taking place in the Talbot Hotel from 11-5pm next Sunday, October 20th. This event will feature book and collectibles dealers from across Ireland. It will also feature the launch of an eagerly awaited local book from Red Books Press, “Mayglass Holy Tower” by Bernard Browne, which will be launched at 1pm outside the fair room.
Among the other events at Red Books Fringe will be a Halloween Cosplay competition, a spoken-word open-mic for teens and younger, a dinosaur show, a history talk on the theatre of trade in the town and a lecture on Satanic Serial Killers. All the events will be free, but donations will be accepted for the Sanctuary Mental Wellness initiative.
“We are expecting visitors from across Ireland and the world during the festival. It’s the duty of a bookshop to highlight our rich and diverse literary culture to these visitors. Local works will be placed prominently, among our 250,000 strong inventory of books,” concluded Wally O’Neill.
MAYOR OF WEXFORD CLLR GEORGE LAWLOR making a presentation to GER HORE at the Civic Reception in County Hall. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at County Hall, Wexford
The Mayor of Wexford Cllr George Lawlor and the members of Wexford District Council last night honoured retiring press photographer Ger Hore at a Civic Reception held in the Council Chamber at County Hall, Carricklawn.
Mayor Lawlor said; “As a local press photographer and private photographer you have played a critical role in documenting the life of our community capturing images that told the story of local Wexford events, people and issues that shaped Wexford town and county.
“Your work is essential to journalism offering a visual narrative that complemented the written stories and provided an immediate impactful way for the people of Wexford to engage with news…and you have done that over 40 years!
“A primary role of the local press photographer is capture and communicate stories through images. Photography has a unique power to evoke emotion and distil complex issues in into easily digestible formats. While written articles provide context, depth and analysis a single photograph can tell a story instantly.
“These images help to create a visual record of our local history and ensure that important moments were preserved. In many cases your photography made a significant difference into whether a story got noticed or not.
“Beyond our local weekly news and over time your work will become an invaluable resource for future generations of historians and researchers, indeed, it has already started to do so.
“You as a local press photographer are essential to the fabric of journalism and playing a vital role in storytelling, community engagement and important historical documentation. Your work ensures that local news is accessible and visually engaging, often making the difference between the story being seen or ignored!
“I as Mayor of Wexford and my colleagues are honoured in paying tribute to you Ger because the role you have played over 40 years is immense,” concluded Cllr Lawlor.
Tributes were also paid by Ger’s colleague, Padraig Byrne of The People Newspapers who claimed that “Ger is the most famous man in Wexford. His work will stand the test of time and people will be looking at those photographs and getting joy out of the photographs. Apart from being an excellent photographer and top professional Ger is a top guy and an excellent guy and a great friend and I wish you, and Jackie, well in your future endeavours.”
The attendance included Cllrs Robbie Staples, Garry Laffan, Catherine Biddy Walsh, Leonard Kelly and Raymond Shannon, Deputy Brendan Howlin, fellow photographers and members of Mr Hore’s family. Anthony Baily, Wexford District Manager, acted as master of ceremonies.
Mayor Lawlor made a presentation to Ger Hore and all were invited to sign the distinguished visitors book. Ger responded with some stories from his 40 years as a press photographer and thanked the Mayor and the Council for the honour bestowed on him and his family on a proud night in his life.
Ger Hore worked with The Echo Newspaper 1985-2002 and with The People Newspapers from 2000 until taking retirement earlier this year. While his career as a pressman is over he and his wife, Jackie, will continue to trade as Ger Hore Photography.
The headline story from yesterday’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District in the Civic Centre Chamber, that called for Local Propery Tax “discretionary funds be held against those who voted against it!” was raised in Dáil Éireann tonight by Wexford Independent Deputy Verona Murphy.
If the proposal was to be implemented, it would be a danger to the democratic process in local government and would severely impact on 11 elected members of the 34 on Wexford County Council.
In the Dáil tonight, Deputy Murphy stated; “A very serious incident is being reported in Wexford this morning by journalist Dan Walsh (who was in attendance at the meeting and reported on WexfordLocal.com) and South East Radio.
“On Monday, 23 of the councillors in Wexford County Council voted to increase the property tax and 11 voted against it so that the hard-strapped mortgage payers would not have an increase in their property tax.
DEPUTY VERONA MURPHY
“What actually happened was that at yesterday’s Gorey district meeting, the chair of Wexford County Council, who is a Gorey councillor, Pip Breen, brought a proposal to stop the 11 councillors who democratically voted against an increase in property tax from having any share of that increase in their discretionary fund.
“It was actually seconded and proposed further by a Fine Gael councillor, Anthony Donohoe, that the €77,000 that would have been shared by the 11 councillors be disbursed to the other 23 councillors. I am aghast. It would appear this is something new that people are not aware of.
“The Galway tent is not only alive and well, but it is being pitched in Wexford. We have a scenario where we are robbing people of their money and giving it to councillors to buy votes. I would like to know what the Minister has to say and what he is going to do about it,” concluded Deputy Murphy.
MINISTER for EXPERNDITURE DEPUTY PASCHAL DONOHOE.
In reply, Minister for Expenditure, Deputy Paschal Donohoe said; “The Deputy uses language like “robbing”. She is condemning what is happening in Gorey – I was there recently – but, on the other hand, she is not making the situation any easier by using the word “robbing”.
“What is happening here is people who have been elected, like the Deputy and me but at a council level, have made the decision that they want to make a change in the local property tax and invest that back into the communities they represent.
“One thing in general that I am certain of is that those councillors who opposed the change to the local property tax will still be full of views regarding how that money should be spent. The change to the local property tax is in line with the powers our local authorities have and is the kind of decision that local politicians should be able to make,” concluded Deputy Donohoe.
Pictured with the new County Wexford Shop Local Gift Card is (l-r): Fiona Murphy, Pettitt’s SuperValu, St Aidans, Wexford; Paula Roche, CEO, County Wexford Chamber; and Nicky Byrne, Store Manager, Pettitt’s SuperValu, St Aidans, Wexford.
By Dan Walsh
County Wexford Chamber’s paper Shop Local Vouchers will be upgraded to a County Wexford Shop Local Gift Card ahead of the Christmas season, making it easier and more rewarding to support local businesses across the county.
First introduced in September 2020, over €2.2 million of County Wexford Shop Local Vouchers have been sold, with over €1.9 million redeemed in County Wexford businesses to date.
The Chamber, which represents the four districts of County Wexford – New Ross, Gorey, Wexford Town and Enniscorthy – says the new gift card will enhance convenience for consumers buying the card, businesses accepting the card, and organisations using the card for rewards and incentives.
Retailers who currently accept the Shop Local Vouchers, and new businesses, can register to accept the forthcoming County Wexford Shop Local Gift Card with a simple one-time registration process. Backed by Mastercard, the County Wexford Shop Local Gift Card works with merchants’ existing payment terminals.
Shops, restaurants, pubs, attractions and hotels, including national brands and independents, are all eligible to accept the County Wexford Shop Local Gift Card, which will be available as either a physical card or an e-card that can be uploaded to digital wallets.
Paula Roche, CEO at County Wexford Chamber, said the new gift card will enable even more money to be retained in Wexford: “The paper Shop Local Vouchers had lots of support and were a fantastic way for us to keep spend in the county, particularly from organisations buying the vouchers for their staff. The new Shop Local Gift Card is all about upping the convenience for all involved so when people are earning in County Wexford, we can make it even easier for them to spend that money locally.
“The feedback we had was that people want a digital gift card. For most people, their wallet is their phone, and being able to add the e-card version of the County Wexford Shop Local Gift Card into their digital wallet and pay with it will be a huge step forward for our county. Our mission is to present the best of the county in one gift card – from our amazing hotels and restaurants to our unique shops and pubs – so we can showcase County Wexford for locals and visitors alike.”
24-hours after a majority of members at Wexford County Council approved the Local Property Tax Local Adjustment Factor (LAF) at 15% over the next five years, (2025-2029) at Monday’s meeting at County Hall and some members at today’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District in the Civic Centre Chamber, Gorey, called for “discretionary funds be held against those who voted against it!” That would impact on 11 elected members of the 34 on Wexford County Council.
CLLR PIP BREEN, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
The matter was raised by the current Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Pip Breen, and he was supported by Cllr Anthony Donohoe who suggested that somebody who voted against the tax increase be excluded from the benefits in funding. “The funding should only be distributed by the 23 members who voted in favour,” stated Cllr Donohoe.
“This is political, divisive, electioneering and I never heard anything like it before,” said an outraged Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, while Cllr Nicky Boland pointed out that it is a democratic right to vote as a member sees fit. “I got 1,341 first preference votes in the Local Elections and I represent 350 households,” he claimed.
Cllr Joe Sullivan complimented the Local Property Tax increase that will bring €1.9m a year or €10m over the next five years into Local Authority spending. “That is a huge investment in the county,” enthused Cllr Sullivan.
Cllr O’Súilleabhain accused Cllr Sullivan of “electioneering for your boss – Malcolm!” and Cllr Donohoe said he was “sick of it and the €7,000 increase should be taken back!”
CLLR FIONNTÁIN Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN
Cllr Sullivan at this point said the proposal “may not be entirely legal”, while Cllr Mary Farrell declared that “there is a legal obligation to share” and suggested “the greater good is where we should be looking at!”
In conclusion, Cathaoirleach of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Cllr Oliver Walsh said it would be wise to take legal advice on the proposal and agreed with Cllr Donohoe that the matter be brought before the November meeting of Wexford County Council.
For the record. The outcome of Monday’s Local Property Tax vote was as follows; IN FAVOUR; (23) Cllrs Pip Breen, Aidan Browne, Cathal Byrne, Ger Carthy, Anthony Donohoe, Mary Farrell, John Fleming, Pat Kehoe, Leonard Kelly, Donal Kenny, Garry Laffan, George Lawlor, Darragh McDonald, Lisa McDonald, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Bridín Murphy, John O’Rourke, Michael Sheehan, Frank Staples, Robbie Staples, Joe Sullivan, Catherine Biddy Walsh and Oliver Walsh.
AGAINST; (11) Cllrs Pat Barden, Nicky Boland, Jim Codd, John Dwyer, Tom Forde, Paddy Kavanagh, Marty Murphy, Aoife Rose O’Brien, Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain, Jackser Owens and Raymond Shannon.
By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting at County Hall
At the September meeting of Wexford County Council Enniscorthy District Cllrs Aidan Browne and Cllr Jackser Owens joined forces and proposed that a school warden be hired for St Aidan’s Parish School at Nunnery Road, Enniscorthy, and the matter was raised again today at the October meeting of Wexford County Council held at County Hall, Wexford.
Cllr Browne told the meeting that while he welcomed the investment at the school he regretted “the traffic lights being taken out and getting rid of the manned crossing” as the traffic was being held up and he feared for the safety of the children.
Cllr Owens, who was a school warden for 10 years, agreed with the sentiments expressed by Cllr Browne and felt that removing the school warden was “a massive mistake by officials”. He continued; “Someone is going to be killed. It is not safe. It is catastrophic in the mornings! How much money can you put on a child’s life,” he asked.
Eamonn Hore, Director of Services said the improvements had taken place under the Safe Routes to School programme, it covered 350 metres at the school entrance, is controlled and has the support of the School Principal and An Taisce (Green Schools) programme, cost €310,000. “It is a safe place to cross,” added Mr Hore. He added that there is no necessity for an adult school warden outside St Aidan’s Parish School.
Cllr Owens disagreed. “It is a fantastic job. It is state-of-the art but it is putting children at risk. It is a massive mistake.”
Cllr Pat Kehoe described the current situation as “an accident waiting to happen.” Cllr Cathal Byrne lamented that it was not explained that traffic wardens would not be replaced when the scheme was in planning!
Mr Hore said that school wardens obey the rules. The warden has been replaced by a million-euro scheme. When asked “who is carrying the risk”, Mr Hore said the NTA (National Transport Authority), An Taisce and the Safe Routes to School is carrying the risk.
Mr Hore said that David Codd, Chief Technician and Roads Safety Officer with Wexford County Council and his team has reviewed the work at St Aidan’s Parish School.
Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe stated that “the risks are the drivers who don’t obey the signs” and he described them as “Irresponsible, reckless and engaged in unsafe driving.” He also pointed out that traffic wardens only help unaccompanied children to cross, however, he promised to review the situation without the traffic warden and to oversee that the design is working safely and that will be done in the near future.
By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting at County Hall
Members of Wexford County Council have approved the Local Property Tax Local Adjustment Factor (LAF) at 15% over the next five years, (2025-2029) at today’s monthly meeting held in County Hall, Carricklawn, which consists of an inward investment of €1,925,160.
COUNTY HALL… headquarters of Wexford County Council (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
In accordance with the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and Section 20 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, the Council is charged with deciding on Local Property Tax (LPT) variation +/-15%.
Cllrs Tom Forde (proposed) and Cllr Jackser Owens (seconded) called for a return to the baseline and retain the 15% increase applied since 2023, which received the support of 11 of the 34 councillors and the proposal was defeated.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy (proposed) and Cllr Oliver Walsh (seconded) put forward a counter motion supporting an increase of 15% over the next five years which won majority support, 23-11.
IN FAVOUR; (23) Cllrs Pip Breen, Aidan Browne, Cathal Byrne, Ger Carthy, Anthony Donohoe, Mary Farrell, John Fleming, Pat Kehoe, Leonard Kelly, Donal Kenny, Garry Laffan, George Lawlor, Darragh McDonald, Lisa McDonald, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Bridín Murphy, John O’Rourke, Michael Sheehan, Frank Staples, Robbie Staples, Joe Sullivan, Catherine Biddy Walsh and Oliver Walsh.
AGAINST; (11) Cllrs Pat Barden, Nicky Boland, Jim Codd, John Dwyer, Tom Forde, Paddy Kavanagh, Marty Murphy, Aoife Rose O’Brien, Fionntán Ó Súileabháin, Jackser Owens and Raymond Shannon.
Setting the local adjustment factor for the full term of the current Council will provide certainty to the property owners of the county for the next five years and will also secure necessary funding for Wexford County Council and its Municipal Districts to allow certainty to be brought to planning and developing projects during the full term of this Council.
Wexford County Council welcomed Le Cotentin delegation and the French Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Céline Place, to County Hall underscoreing the growing bonds of friendship and co-operation between Wexford and Le Cotentin in Normandy. (Pic; Brownes Photography).
By Dan Walsh
Wexford County Council welcomed Le Cotentin delegation and the newly appointed French Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Céline Place, in a visit that underscores the growing bonds of friendship and cooperation between Wexford and Le Cotentin in Normandy.
The Delegation and Ambassador met with a number of key stakeholders including elected members of Wexford County Council, Director of Services Elizabeth Hore, Wexford Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Paula Roche, Vice President of the Irish Hotels Federation Colm Neville and County Chairperson of Wexford GAA, Micheál Martin, and the county’s thriving maritime sector representatives in a series of discussions aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, educational, science and cultural ties between both regions.
An Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Pip Breen said; “We are delighted to welcome the delegation and H.E. Céline Place, and we look forward to exploring new avenues of collaboration that will bring mutual prosperity and cultural exchanges in the future”.
Director of Services, Elizabeth Hore gave a presentation on the tourism and economic landscape in Wexford and provided an overview of the many initiatives that Wexford County Council are engaged in to support and develop economic activity in the county. Le Cotentin delegation also gave a presentation on their region.
Ambassador Place expressed her admiration for the broad range of economic development initiatives, the business and tourism support which were on offer in County Wexford and emphasised the potential for trade and investment between France and Ireland.
The Ambassador met with French teachers working in several schools across County Wexford, during a gathering at the Presentation secondary school and attended a ceremony to officially appoint Melanie O’Reilly as the new Honorary Consul of France in Wexford, responsible for the counties of Wexford, Waterford, Laois, Wicklow, Carlow and Kilkenny.
The delegation and Ambassador Place attended Wexford Arts Centre in the evening for the Premiere screening of ‘Destination Francophonie’ aTV5Monde documentary, filmed in May 2024 in the South-East of Ireland and Cotentin in collaboration with the French Embassy, Tourism Ireland, Stena Line and Wexford Presentation students to learn about the Norman way, ahead of the Millennium des Normans in 2027.
The visit reinforces the relations between Cotentin and Wexford. Wexford County Council looks forward to continued engagement and co-operation with Cotentin, building on the foundations laid during the delegations visit.
WexfordLocal.com 