New Ross Municipal District is celebrating the success of the first-ever Christmas Art Competition for local primary schools, with hundreds of colourful and imaginative entries bringing festive cheer to the town.
Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, Cllr John Dwyer, extended heartfelt thanks to every primary school that participated and to the pupils who poured their creativity into capturing ‘The Meaning of Christmas’, the theme for the Art Competition.
The competition was divided into four age-based categories (Junior & Senior Infants, 1st & 2nd Class, 3rd & 4th Class, and 5th & 6th Class), with one lucky overall winner having the honour of switching on the lights alongside Santa Claus at our Christmas Lights Switch-on Event, which took place recently.
Lucky winners of each category:
Victoriia Yanevska, winner of the Fifth & Sixth Class Category, in 5th Class in Clongeen National School.
Emmanuella Chinaka winner of the Third & Fourth Class Category, in 3rd Class in Raheen National School.
Matvii Milkovsky, winner of the First & Second Class Category, in 1st Class in Ramsgrange National School.
C.J. Young, our overall winner having won the Junior & Senior Infants Category, in Senior Infants in Scoil Mhuire, Horeswood.
While entry to the competition was completely free, schools were invited to make a voluntary donation towards charity partners, South East Palliative Care Centre (Oak Ward).
Judge Ciaran Brennan had the difficult task of selecting the winning entries from each category. All of the entries are currently on display at New Ross Public Library.
Members of Bree Macra celebrating All-Ireland Public Speaking success.
By Dan Walsh
Bree Macra has been crowned this year’s All-Ireland Public Speaking champions at the National Final in Macroom, Co. Cork, last Saturday.
The team of chairperson Mary Byrne, and speakers Sarah Byrne and Eddie Casey, saw off teams from Tullyallen Macra, from Louth, and Waterfall Macra, from Cork, to claim the title. The Bree trio spoke on the topic “Prison in Ireland is like a hotel experience” with Eddie examining whether our open prisons compared to a hotel stay, and Sarah discussing our medium- and high-security prisons and comparing the experiences of prison officers with those in the hospitality industry.
The presentation was skilfully chaired by Mary Byrne, who earned the title of Best Speaker on the night. Saturday’s win makes her the only person from Wexford to win Macra’s Team Public Speaking competition twice, having also been part of the 2023 All-Ireland winning team.
The Bree team were ably assisted by coaches James Byrne and PJ D’Arcy, two Bree Macra alumni that have each achieved great success in Speaking and Debating, both as competitors, and as coaches.
James was a member of the first Bree team to win an All-Ireland Debating title in 1986, while PJ was a member of the 1970 team that won the All-Ireland Team Public Speaking – the first ever All-Ireland Title for Bree Macra. The club has gone on to win the Public Speaking competition a total of five times; in 1970, 1980, 2001, 2023, and now 2025.
As National Public Speaking champions, the team each received a commemorative plaque, while Mary also received a trophy for her performance as Best Speaker. The three speakers have been awarded a place on the annual Macra Prizewinners Trip, which will take place next year. They were also presented with the Rory Murphy Perpetual Trophy – the very same trophy that the 1970 Bree Public Speaking team first won.
Pictured at Cnoc na Gréine, Enniscorthy, last Monday were; (left to right); Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive Wexford County Council, Anthony Neville, Neville Homes, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD and Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council. (Pic; Wexford County Council).
By Dan Walsh
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD has launched the new housing development – Cnoc na Greine at Greenville Lane, Enniscorthy – where 179 homes have been delivered including 48 social homes and 16 affordable purchase homes.
The attendance included Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council; Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and Cllrs Aidan Browne, Pat Kehoe, Patricia Byrne and John O’Rourke.
Akso present were Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive Wexford County Council, Anthony Neville, Neville Homes, Darragh O’Grady, Anthony Neville Homes, Carol Kavanagh Director of Planning & Legal Affairs Neville Homes, Anthony Neville, Neville Homes and Director of Services, Carolyne Godkin.
The development at Cnoc na Gréine, Greenville Lane, Enniscorthy, involves a multi-phase residential project. The initial phase, was approved in November 2023, includes the construction of 89 dwellings with various house types, a new link road, and associated infrastructure.
By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council monthly meeting
Gusserane Community Action Group protested outside County Hall, Wexford, yesterday (Monday) before the Wexford County Council December meeting and were met by some elected representatives, including Cathaoirleach Joe Sullivan.
The group protested a planning application and renewable energy project, describing it as “a very extensive and intrusive sized energy development”—specifically, solar farms in the district.
The group told WexfordLocal.com that the size of this development is not in any way sympathetic to the small tight knit rural community of Gusserane and neighbours in Cushinstown and Newbawn and this rural community was never designed for a high-impact industrial energy complex!
“Prime agricultural land is being taken to solar farm – this is not allowed in many countries -and land in the same area sold for agriculture at a record breaking prices last year, said the Group spokesperson, who added; “This implications of this will have a devastating effect on local farmers who lease land to produce crops and vegetables and rear livestock. Farmers and the associated agri-industries will be adversely affected by the imposition of this industrial energy compound.”
There are other worries too, like the high risk of pollution and habitat damage to the environment and the Terrerath and Owenduff rivers that flow towards Bannow and the destruction of hedgerows and biodiversity corridors used by pollinators, birds, and wildlife.
And while this issue is at the planning stages it is understood that “local knowledge informs us that other landowners in the district have signed option agreements for future phases of this development.”
CLLR MARTY MURPHY
When the matter came before the meeting, Cllr Marty Murphy, who farms 220 acres in the area outlined much personal information and explained how his 220 acres can sustain 115 people in the community and expressed his concerns for “an industrial sized solar farm at Gusserane” which he described as “the best production land in the country.”
Cllr John Fleming suggested “the area would be turned into a glasshouse,” and Cllr Michael Sheehan talked about “green washing the area.”
Cllr Pat Barden said it was a huge development in a rural area, and a lot of people are very unhappy! “It is the best agricultural land in the country, and no one will want to build if the place is covered in glass,” added Cllr Barden.
Cllr Vicky Barron suggested a need to reconsider the locations of solar farms. Cllr Lisa McDonald expressed concerns that the plan was too large for such a small rural community, and Cllr Pip Breen highlighted issues with the road infrastructure as well as a potential food crisis.
Cllr John Dwyer suggested removing “good quality farmland out of the system”, Cllr AoifeRose O’Brien added to the debate and Cllr Jim Codd alluded to food prices and suggested that “tillage farmers are being crippled.” Cllr Ger Carthy also commented.
Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe said it was a national issue and needs to be addressed nationally.
The overall feeling from the meeting was that the Gusserane Community Action Group was entitled to support from the elected representatives.
It emerged that the Cathaoirleach could seek legal advice on behalf of the Council. Cllr Sullivan said; “We will seek the necessary advice. The Executive has a job to do… so do we.”
Funding to the tune of €992,000 has been announced for GreenTechHQ at the New Technology Park at Enniscorthy under the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, designed to strengthen regional enterprise, drive innovation, and support sustainable economic growth.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD has welcomed the funding.
“It provides ongoing enterprise infrastructure, cluster development, and business animation services that benefit entrepreneurs and enterprise growth every single day,” said Minister Browne, who added; “This particular scheme will see facilities and training opportunities made available to businesses. Greentech has been awarded much deserved funding under Stream three of the scheme ‘SME Training and Development’ aimed at programmes to boost competitiveness through innovative solutions.”
Co-funded by the government of Ireland and the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Southern, Eastern & Midland and Northern & Western Regional Programmes 2021-2027, the Smart Regions scheme supports the different regions of the country in harnessing cutting-edge technologies and world-class expertise.
Aligned with the regional priorities set out in the National Smart Specialisation Strategy for Innovation and the nine Regional Enterprise Plans, Smart Regions drives high-impact projects in priority sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), agri-tech and food, sustainability, insurance technology, and advanced manufacturing.
Minister Dara Calleary delivering the keynote address at the annual Liam Mellows Commemoration in Castletown Cemetery today. (Pic; Fianna Fáil).
The annual Liam Mellows (1892-1922) Commemorations took place in Castletown graveyard today (Sunday) in atrocious weather conditions.
Minister for Social Protection, Rural Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD was guest speaker at the Fianna Fáil event where wreaths were laid.
Refreshments were provided afterwards in The Golden Anchor, Castletown.
The annual commemoration held by Sinn Féin took place later in the day and the annual procession and events were also downgraded by torrential rain and difficult weather conditions.
Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin was chair of the organising committee and the address was delivered by Professor Ruan O’Donnell. Cllr Craig Doyle was in charge of operations.
Heavy rain made conditions difficult at the Ballinagore Harriers point-to-point at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, this afternoon, but the fixture went off safely with seven races completed.
Brian Lawless from Delgany, Co. Wicklow, is used to booting home winners, but he saddled his first successful runner Lola De Magny in the maiden race for four-year-old mares and celebrated a one and a half lengths victory in both rider and handler codes.
The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was divided – 11 runners in each division. Denis Murphy saddled newcomer Thinkitdontjinxit to an eight lengths success in division one ridden by Shane Cotter. Peter Flood sent newcomer Watery Borren from his Meath stables and scored by one length under Richie Sugrue.
Local rider CORMAC BYRNE wins at Ballycrystal. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Cormac Doyle from Ballindaggin saddled Mint Approved in the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership colours with Donal O’Connor up and gained a three lengths victory in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus geldings.
Tipperary handler Sam Curling won the maiden race for five-year-old plus mares with Shake The Bag ridden by David Doyle. Verdict was 13 lengths.
Cormac Byrne from Ballindaggin won the Open Race confined to novice riders on Gale Force Jet in the colours of Gearoid Doyle and trained by Sean Doyle. The Ladies Cup at Punchestown is the long term plan for Gae Force Jet.
Rider Pa King and his family took the final race – Winner of Two – by seven lengths with Muskerry Rock. Only two of the seven runners completed the course which is an indication of the deterioration of ground conditions as the day progressed.
The final point-to-point fixture of 2025 takes place tomorrow (Sunday) with the Ballinagore Harriers at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, where the track is in safe order but the going will be ‘yielding, soft in places’.
First race is at 12 noon.
4-5mms of rain fell on the track on Friday and another 4-5mms is expected on Saturday night- Sunday morning, but the six-race card will go ahead as planned.
There are 102 entries and the stage is set for a good day’s sporting action.
BARRY STONE rode a winner in Cork today. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
Saturday racing took place at Dromahane, Co. Cork. Newcomer Super Junior won division two of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings by five lengths ridden by Barry Stone for Jonathan Fogarty’s Cleariestown stables.
Richie Rath from Screen saddled Call of Freedom to win the first division of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Five and a half lengths the verdict, Jamie Scallan was on board for owners Tom Bennett and N.J. Heffernan.
Paul Martin Pierce from Blackhall Stables, Killurin, continued his winning ways with Sworn Duty coming home two lengths to the good under James Coffey in the maiden race for five-year-old mares.
Rider Jimmy O’Rourke from Newtown, Wexford, rode his 79th career winner on Maiori for the Ryan family from County Clare by an impressive 18 lengths in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
Author SADIE HARPUR has been elected to the board of the Irish Foster Care Association. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Sadie Harpur, the Wexford-based author of the highly-praised book The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl, has been elected to the board of the Irish Foster Care Association.
Sadie herself has expressed her pleasure at receiving such an honour as it gives her the opportunity to use her experience as both a foster-child and a foster-parent for the benefit of others.
Harpur’s book, written with Jackie Hayden, the Hot Press music writer, traced her life as a Foster-Girl through turbulent periods of high anxiety. Suffering from learning difficulties from undiagnosed dyslexia, she was described as mentally below average, and suffered bouts of depression, suicidal thoughts and was repeatedly bullied. She endured self-harming, violent outbursts, zero self-esteem, and the suicide of her much-loved foster-brother Gary.
The publication of The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl generated coverage in the local and national media. Harpur featured on a Fostering panel as part of the Write By The Sea book festival and was a guest of honour at the Irish premier of Sound of Hope, a film dealing with the issue of Fostering in the USA. She was also invited by the Lord Mayor of Dublin as his guest speaker to a group of care-workers at the Mansion House and recorded several podcasts, including one for the Irish Foster Care Association.
The Irish Foster Care Association is the national organisation that supports foster families and the wider fostering community. Established in 1981, the organisation’s primary objective as an organisation is to promote excellence in foster care by promoting partnership between everyone involved in foster care to work for, and in the best interests of the child in care and advocating for excellence for all involved in foster care.
Sadie Harpur lives with her family in Gorey where she now works locally as an SNA. Her book was written with the assistance of best-selling author Jackie Hayden, also a resident of Co Wexford.
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