Improved water supply for over 11,000 customers

At Kilmallock Water Treatment Plant were (left to right); Noel Gibbons, Programme Manager, Uisce Éireann; Mayor of Wexford Cllr George Lawlor; Fionnuala Callery, Senior Engineer, Water Services, Wexford County Council; Minister of State for International Law, Law Reform & Youth Justice, James Browne T.D.; and Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council. (Pic :Naoise Culhane Photography)

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann has announced the completion of upgrade works at the Kilmallock Bridge Water Treatment Plant at Ballymurn. The upgrade will improve the security of the water supply for over 11,000 Uisce Éireann customers in Castlebridge, Curracloe, Ballymurn, Crossabeg, Glenbrien, Screen and Oylegate.

The project involved building two new treated water storage reservoirs, a new pump station, and related structures, such as an above-ground kiosk, underground pipework, cabling, landscaping, and other site development work. 

Noel Gibbons, Programme Manager with Uisce Éireann said; “Our primary focus during construction was to ensure the continuous provision of safe, clean drinking water to local homes and businesses and to support the necessary capacity for growth. I am delighted that we can now celebrate the completion of this important project, and I would like to thank the local community for their unwavering support and patience.” 

Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach, of Wexford County Council, said: “I am delighted to be here today to witness firsthand how this upgrade will benefit the local area. This improvement will play a crucial role in shaping the local area’s future.” 

Minister of State James Browne said; “The completion of this project has been crucial in ensuring the provision of a reliable supply of drinking water and supporting future growth and development. I want to commend everyone involved in bringing this project to completion and Uisce Éireann for advancing this essential project as part of its continuous investment in Wexford.” 

Coffey Construction Limited carried out the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann. 

This is just one of several significant projects Uisce Éireann is delivering in Wexford. An upgrade to the Creagh Water Treatment Plant in Gorey is expected to be completed before the end of 2024. This will ensure over 7,000 customers in the Gorey area have a clean, safe water supply. 
Elsewhere in the Model County, an upgrade is also underway at the Newtown Water Treatment Plant in Wexford town with an expected completion date in early 2025, the investment will ensure the continued provision of clean and reliable drinking water to over 26,000 people. 

Meanwhile, a €19 million upgrade is also underway to the Enniscorthy Regional Water Supply. The project will benefit over 11,000 customers, ensuring a dependable and sustainable water supply for Enniscorthy and the surrounding areas and supporting future growth and development in the area.

Enniscorthy community facilities officially opened

Cutting the ribbon at Bellefield Road Community Playground and Public Realm space this morning. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy

The official opening of the Bellefield Road Community Playground and Public Realm was performed this morning by the Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Cllr Aidan Browne.

The project comprises 25 new public car parking spaces, new footpath with bollards, fencing, public lighting and signage. A new pedestrian crossing on the Bellefield Road is also delivered, as well as a new pocket garden with seating and a playground for young children. Funding for this phase comes from the Rapparees Starlight’s Club in association with Wexford County Council.

Cllr Browne praised the project, and everyone associated, especially Shay Howell of Wexford County Council, Paul O’Brien Architects, Flood Contractors, Brian Kehoe and Pat Quigley, Ger McVeigh and Sam McCauley. Minister James Browne extended the appreciation shown to everyone involved in the project to date.

Sam McCauley said it was a great thrill to see the work done but pointed out that it is “only half completed” and he made a heartfelt plea to ministers and politicians to support further funding which he promised he and his wife Leslie and their Holding Company would match euro by euro.

AUDIO ADDITION; Sam McCauley speaking at the opening of the Bellefield Community Playground and Public Realm this morning.

Project Manager Pat Quigley also spoke about the project costing €1.5 million with the sod turning in February, the opening of phase one in September, phase two officially opened today and now the focus is on the completion of phase three. There was much praise for former Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Tom Enright who supported the project from the beginning.

The attendance included Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy, Jackser Owens, John O’Rourke and Pat Kehoe, Executive Engineer Neville Shaw, Eoin Greene, Assistant Staff Officer Community Section at Wexford County Council, Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services Wexford County Council, Ger McVeigh, Chair of Rapparees Starlights GAA Club, Brian Kehoe, Development Officer and contractor Garry Flood. District Manager Claire Lawless was master of ceremonies.

Enniscorthy launch of the new Urrin Loop

By Dan Walsh at the Riverside Trail

The official launch of the new extension – the Urrin Loop – on the Riverside Trail, described by Claire Lawless, Enniscorthy District Manager as “the most popular trail in County Wexford” took place this morning with Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District doing the honours.

Cllr Browne said he was delighted to be beside the River Slaney on the Riverside Trail, also known as ‘the Prom Walk’ which he said is “extremely popular with locals and visitors and is recognised for its beautiful scenery.”

CLLR AIDAN BROWNE Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council at the opening of the Urrin Loop. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

He pointed out that that resurfacing has taken place from the Riverside bridge towards Edermine and a new loop has been added from the old Davis Flour Mills site beside the River Urrin tributary back down to the trail. He also mentioned developments north of the town at Ned Kavanagh’s known locally as ‘the Banks’.

Cllr Browne promised that he would seek further funding to extend the trail to the Ringwood and Borodale.

He thanked Rory O’Mahony from Wexford County Council for their work in completing the project and thanked Wexford Walking Trails for developing and promoting Enniscorthy Riverside Trail in its brochures.

The attendance included Minister James Browne, who delivered a short address embracing the local scenery, the value of the outdoor amenities to the town and thanked retiring Minister Heather Humphreys for her co-operation and generosity in providing much appreciated community funding, Also Cllrs John O’Rourke, Jackser Owens, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathal Byrne and Pat Kehoe, County Chairman of Wexford Walking Trails Peter O’Connor,  Dervla Tierney and Alan Quirke from Enniscorthy Town Team Community Group.

There were words of appreciation for David Byrne and David Cheevers from Irish Rail, the landowners Kevin Cooney and John Molloy and the contractor Mick Hughes of H&H Civil Engineering.

First opened as The Country Walk in 2011 and leading from the Riverside Park Hotel along the Promenade and over the River Urrin, the Enniscorthy Riverside Trail is six kilometres long, open to the public, takes about 75 minutes to complete and is described as “easy.

A new entrance has been created at the old Davis Mills entrance, an underpass takes it past the railway bridge so there is no need to use the footbridge, if that is a walker’s desire. The walk along the riverbank is admired for its flora and fauna and historic views of the old St. Senan’s Hospital building and Brownswood House, the former home of renowned furniture designer Eileen Gray.

Enniscorthy International Forum held in United States

By Dan Walsh

Enniscorthy International Forum’s Chief Executive Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy and Commissioner Darcie Houck, California Public Utilities Commission were amongst the attendees at the Enniscorthy International Forum Regional Summit held in Santa Monica, California in early October. The Regional Summit was organised in conjunction with California based The Energy Coalition.

The summit was conducted under the auspices of the UN-affiliated Buildings Action Coalition. The gathering generated a robust dialogue around policies and actions to address the climate challenge while securing quality of life aspirations. 

Craig Perkins, President and Executive Director of The Energy Coalition, noted that “a fundamental transformation of our energy system cannot be mandated, engineered, or imagined – it must be accepted as a significantly better outcome that is DESIRED, ACCESSIBLE, and URGENT.”

CLLR BARBARA-ANNE MURPHY is Chief Executive of the Enniscorthy International Forum. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy is Chief Executive Officer of the Enniscorthy International Forum, an Irish NGO that serves as the secretariat for the Buildings Action Coalition under the terms of a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Environment Programme. 

She observed that “getting buildings and the built environment right is the one thing that can deliver important, impactful results in a relevant timeframe. We don’t need to wait for new technology – we have the capital, and we have the know-how to make a real difference in the performance of buildings.”

Key takeaways from the summit included that:

1. Improving building performance is a critical facet of any realistic transformation path.

2. Delivering energy services efficiently will make supply decarbonisation easier.

3. Raising the performance of buildings requires deep retrofit of existing buildings and

construction of new buildings to the highest available standards.

4. There is scant evidence that the political will exists to drive the needed paradigm shift.

5. Success will require engagement at the level of individuals and communities/neighbourhoods.

6. Collaboration among communities can disseminate the change and accelerate its pace.

7. The arc of social progress is faltering. Raising building performance can create opportunities for workforce development and improved quality of life.

8. Higher education has not been reconceived at the depth and scale required.

For more information, please contact Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy at +353 87 673 6966 or Marc Costa at +1 949 732 1078.

Locals perform well at Peppardscastle races

SHANE BUTLER and DAVID O’BRIEN from Blackwater enjoyed success at Peppardscastle races today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Peppardscastle

Windy and soft underfoot conditions greeted the brave attendance at the first Peppardscastle track point-to-point races, held under the auspices of The Island Hunt this afternoon where local handlers and riders shared most of the limelight.

The Maestro of Monbeg, Sean Doyle saddled a double while his brother Cormac also got his name on the scoreboard. Sean saddled Island Bridge, who got home by a length in a tight finish to the maiden race for four-year-olds under rider Jamie Scallan from Tomhaggard.

Sean made it a double in the maiden race for six-year-olds plus with Mister Romantic who scored by four lengths and was a first winner for Cormac Byrne, (19), from Ballindaggin.

Cormac Doyle added to the Monbeg success story when Stretchemout got three quarters of a length verdict in the auction four-year-old maiden race. Ridden by Jack Hendrick, Cormac said afterwards; “He picked up well. He liked the ground.”

CORMAC BYRNE celebrates his first ever point-to-point winner at Peppardscastle today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

David O’Brien who trains a small string at Blackwater saddled the winner of the five- and six-year-olds mare’s maiden race with Tell Him Nuttin by three and a half lengths. This was the first point-to-point winner for 24-year-old Shane Butler from Blackwater who is a nephew of the handler.

Colin Bowe saddled Cheytac ridden by Oulart rider Bertie Finn to a one length victory in the maiden race for five-year old geldings.

Maxine O’Sullivan from Mallow, who is the leading lady rider on the point-to-point circuit for several years, took the honours on odds-on favourite Ramilles in the Open Ladies Race for Fermanagh handler David Christie.

Colin Bowe registered an across the card double today with a second winner at Umma House in Co. Westmeath when newcomer Skylight Hustle ridden by Barry O’Neill enjoyed a four and a half lengths victory in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

Rob James was twice successful at the Westmeath track. He was the handler and rider of Clody Diamond in the Brendan Murphy colours in the four-year-old mares’ maiden race who raced clear of the field for a nine lengths victory. Later James made it a double on Champagne Avenue for Clonmel owner and handled Roisín Hickey.

John Martin Walsh saddled Lynsey Larue, in the colours of Dympna Walsh, and with Barry Stone up, there was an eight lengths success in the maiden race for mares aged five years or older. This is the 40th career winner for the Cleariestown rider.

Duncormick rider Eoin Staples won the Open Race confined to novice riders on Priory Park in the famous JP McManus colours for veteran Tipperary trainer Edward O’Grady.

All set for first day at Peppardscastle races

By Dan Walsh

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. 

73rd Wexford Festival Opera is under way

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.

Visit Theatre in the Bookshop during the festival

By Dan Walsh

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.

Mayoral reception honours popular photographer Ger

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.  

Wexford LPT vote crisis raised in the Dáil

EXCLUSIVE REPORT by Dan Walsh

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.