The scene outside Marshalstown Community Centre today as Marshalstown celebrates 100 years as a parish. (Pic; Minister James Browne)
By Dan Walsh
The local community in Marshalstown were celebrating 100 years of the parish over the weekend. In December 1924 Bunclody and Marshalstown were separated to become individual parishes.
Originally part of the vast parish of Templeshambo the division of Templeshambo parish into smaller units in the Roman Catholic administration commenced in the 1700s.
Marshalstown was a curacy of Bunclody (then known as Newtownbarry) when St. Joseph’s Church was built in 1873.
Originally education was imparted through the ‘hedge school’ system but the first school in Marshalstown opened on October 12th, 1885. Teachers and students first entered the present primary school on October 1st, 1973. It has been extended and developed greatly up to modern times and recently Wexford County Council provided a modern pedestrian crossing as part of a national safety programme.
Marshalstown Community Centre was built on a site provided by Jim Bolger, it was built by Anco (later known as Fás) and Bishop Brendan Comiskey performed the official opening on Sunday, November 12th, 1988.
History Source; Marshalstown and Castledockrell Parish Journal 2003 edited by Pat Redmond.
By Dan Walshat Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy
Local actor Fintan Kelly has launched the latest work; The Shadow of the Pike; by renowned local author Maria Nolan at a well-attended morning ceremony at The Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, today (Saturday). Coffee and scones were amongst the refreshment delights.
Mr Kelly said; “I am honoured to be invited here this morning to launch the fourth in the series of novels by this fiercely proud Enniscorthy woman and fellow dramatist Maria Nolan
FINTAN KELLY, who performed the launch, and MARIA NOLAN celebrate the launch of ‘The Shadow of the Pike‘ in Presentation Arts Centre today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
“I have known Maria all my entire life. Maria is not only a champion for the arts in Enniscorthy, but she is a champion of Enniscorthy. When it comes to promoting her town, the list really does go on and on.
“But I do feel that her involvement in the arts and historical societies in our community has brought us to this point here today.
“Maria’s knowledge of events make for compelling reading and comparisons of the battles of Vinegar Hill and the Alamo are both breathtaking and heartbreaking.
“To directly quote the back cover says; “this is an intriguing tale of friendship, love, loss and loyalty, passion, courage, strength and resilience on the never-ending quest for freedom.
“I would wish Maria the very best with this book and in all her future endeavours, concluded Mr Kelly.
Maria Nolan welcomed everyone to the launch including best selling novelists Caroline Busher and Carmel Harrington, there was a video message of congratulations from former RTE newsreader Anne Doyle, Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe and Cllr John O’Rourke gave their support and there was a warm welcome for Claire Lawless, Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager, members of Maria’s family, and in particular, her mother, friends and well-wishers.
Maria spoke about the book and also praised Anne Gilpin, back in Enniscorthy for the launch from Santiago, who edited the 440-page publication. All covers for the ‘Shadow’ series are the work of local artist Larry Dunne, who was also acknowledged at the launch.
“The pike, a symbol of the struggle against oppression and injustice, casts a long shadow from the battlefields of the 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion in Wexford all the way to the grasslands of Texas and the ill-fated, isolated garrison of The Alamo,” said Maria.
The launch coincides as part of Enniscorthy’s inaugural Arts and Culture Festival, which sees a wide variety of creative events taking place across town today and tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.
Pictured at the opening of the first Enniscorthy Arts and Culture Festival in Enniscorthy Castle last night were (left to right); Minister James Browne, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Karen Franklin, Kristyna Simko, Alfie O’Sullivan, Maria Nolan, Richie Cotter, Dick Donaghue and Brendan Robinson. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle
Sharing the Culture Night platform at Enniscorthy Castle last night, ‘Forbidden Bonds’, a new film by the Wexford Film Workshop and Enniscorthy Re-Enactors was screened and marked the opening of the first Enniscorthy Arts and Culture Festival formed out of the demise of Enniscorthy Drama Group and, hopefully, it can become an annual event.
Directed by Dick Donaghue and the third in an historical series it tells the story of the young and headstrong Lady Maud de Prendergast in Enniscorthy Castle in 1240 AD, and her love for the peasant son of a blacksmith. The cast consists of local thespians and hence the immense interest in the work which is based on the writings of Maria Nolan.
The festival continues today (Saturday). Some of the highlights include a book launch of The Shadow of the Pike in the Presentation Arts Centre at 11am and there is Afternoon Tea with authors Claire Keegan and Caroline Busher in Enniscorthy Castle, 2-4pm, this is a ticket event and WexfordLocal.com understands that all the tickets are gone… but if you want to give it a go…ask and they may be able to squeeze you in?
At Creative Grounds, Irish Street, today (Saturday) the Beyond Borders Art Exhibition – celebrating International Peace Day – runs from 10am to 5pm and there is an Open Mic Night from 7pm. And Dermot Byrne performs at Creative Grounds at 3pm on Sunday.
For further information visit the Enniscorthy Arts and Culture page on Facebook.
Flags from 15 different counties shows welcome at Enniscorthy Community Allotments to celebrate Culture Night. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Several events took in Enniscorthy today to mark Culture Night, the annual celebration of culture, creativity and the arts. Weather conditions were favourable and large crowds turned out at all venues.
Four brilliant events around the town were supported by Creative Places. Fifteen countries’ flags adorned the perimeter fence at Enniscorthy Community Allotments where a large crowd were treated to music and entertainment and loads of refreshments and tasty bits in the rich award-winning garden environment at Marconi Park.
Celebrations with the large Brazilian community took place at McCauley Park Bellefield GAA Bar and Lounge and Ukrainian songs and costumes shared the entertainment at Templeshannon Community Centre.
A ‘Draw and Paint’ session took place at the Hope Centre, Weafer Street and Enniscorthy Castle welcomed visitors free of charge during the afternoon and to boost the tourism and vibrancy of the occasion placed reenactors displaying “knights in shining armour” at the entrance and in the interior of the castle. Nice touch!
IRISH STREET STORES;Part of Enniscorthy’s 19th century streetscape is on death row! Only a few more days to survive. (Pic; National Built Heritage Service, ca-2006).
Exclusive by Dan Walsh
The demolition of the derelict old Murphy Flood’s site in Enniscorthy town centre affecting Main Street, Irish Street and Barrack Street is progressing well and many of the older townspeople are feeling nostalgic as they watch the changing streetscape.
Some locals have asked me to provide some history on this part of town so here goes – and if any readers wish to question further just respond to the story! Remember that the modern Dunnes Stores *** building was built on part of Irish Street buildings – most notably many of us remember Marty Wilson’s boots and shoe repair premises. The Bolger family also traded there!
The building shown in the accompanying photograph (courtesy of the National Built Heritage Service) was known as Irish Street Stores which I remember as a wholesale business owned for many years by J. Donohoe Ltd based in Templeshannon. The premises was used as a film set back in the early 1970s.
J. Donohoe Ltd owned Irish Street Stores, but it was previously held on a yearly tenancy by Patrick O’Neill, a Market Square-based businessman, auctioneer and politician. Patrick O’Neill served as Chairman of Enniscorthy Urban Council, 1911-1920. He built O’Neill’s Terrace on Mill Park Road in 1911 which preserves his memory.
Irish Street Stores was a wholesale and retail beer and spirits branch of J.Donohoe Ltd when the business was transferred to Templeshannon on March 2nd 1977.
So here goes with a description of the building that only has a few days to stay standing!
“A four-bay three-storey house, circa-1875, on an L-shaped plan on a corner site probably incorporating fabric of two two-bay three-storey houses, pre-1840, on site with shopfront to ground floor, and single-bay three-storey side (north) elevation continuing into two-bay three-storey return to east.
“Pitched slate roof on an L-shaped plan forming hip to corner with clay ridge tiles, no chimney stack(s), rendered coping, and iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves having paired iron ties. Rendered, ruled and lined walls with cast-iron tie plates to upper floors (most concealed), cast-iron plaque to first floor, and roughcast walls to rear (east) elevations. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills (now boarded-up).
“Shopfront to ground floor with panelled (hollow) pilasters, timber boarded shutters to display windows, timber panelled double doors on cut-granite thresholds having overlights, remains of iron hanging display bar, and fascia on stringcourse having moulded cornice. Round-headed door opening to side (north) elevation with flight of three steps having remains of iron railings, cut-granite step supporting cut-granite padstones, and timber panelled door having overlight. Street fronted on a corner site with concrete footpath to front.”
*** The 150th Dunnes Stores outlet was opened on December 5th 2006 by legendary broadcaster and THE LATE LATE SHOW host Gay Byrne.
ST. AIDAN’S CATHEDRAL at Enniscorthy (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Bishop Ger Nash has addressed people in the Diocese of Ferns regards “an occasion of great blessing in our diocese when we will have the honour of hosting the holy relics of St. Bernadette in St. Aidan’s Cathedral next Monday and Tuesday, September 23rd and 24th.
“Many of us have had the privilege of travelling on pilgrimage to the Shrine at Lourdes and it holds a very special place in our hearts. Others have never had this opportunity and many who once went there in pilgrimage are no longer able to do so. The theme of this visit is “Giving people a taste of Lourdes at home” and will be a faith-filled time for us to connect with that sacred place while remaining here in our own spiritual home, our diocese. I greatly welcome the fact that our celebrations will be enhanced by the presence and assistance of members of Ferns Hospitalité, of our diocesan pilgrimage youth section and of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.
“Venerating the holy relics of St. Bernadette will give us the opportunity to offer our praise to God for the wonderful things he achieved in her life by allowing her to witness the apparitions of Our Lady. It will also give us the opportunity to present our petitions, bringing our needs and intentions to God through her intercession and the intercession of Our Blessed Mother,” stated Bishop Nash, who added; “I welcome you all to share in this special time and invite you to participate in all or any of the liturgies in The Cathedral during the visit.”
All details of the various liturgies are available on parish newsletters, posters and parish and diocesan social media pages.
Four men have appeared before Gorey District Court today charged in connection with the discovery of €7 million worth of drugs in the southeast of the country.
The men, aged in their 30, 40s and 50s, were arrested on Monday following the seizure of 100kg of cocaine.
The operation was carried out by gardaí including members of the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
This afternoon Dean Chambers, aged 47, with an address in Whitepark, Arklow, Co Wicklow; 52-year-old Karl Dowling, from Ferrybank in Waterford; PJ Kinsella, aged 52, with an address in Ballyoughter, Gorey, Co Wexford; and 31-year-old Wojciech Kuzio from Main Street, Arklow, Co Wicklow, all appeared before a sitting of Gorey District Court.
All four have been charged with possession of a controlled drug, namely cocaine, and with possession of a controlled drug with intent to sell or supply.
Judge John Cheatle remanded Dean Chambers, Karl Dowling and PJ Kinsella in custody with consent to bail. Gardaí had objected to bail.
Wojciech Kuzio made no application for bail and was remanded to custody.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced that four Wexford schools are among the selected Phase One Schools which will be the first to offer the new Leaving Certificate subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development from the start of the 2025/26 school year.
Minister for Education NORMA FOLEY TD.
Among the schools participating in phase one, 57 post-primary schools have been selected to introduce Leaving Certificate Drama, Film and Theatre Studies from the start of the 2025/26 school year. These include Ramsgrange Community School and Gorey Community School.
In addition, 43 schools have been selected for Leaving Certificate Climate Action and Sustainable Development. These include Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy and Gorey Educate Together Secondary School.
Minister Foley told WexfordLocal.com; “It was fantastic to see a strong level of interest from schools of all types in Wexford and across the country in taking part in this first phase of delivering the new Leaving Certificate subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development. These subjects are being introduced to provide greater choice for students to better reflect their range of interests and support the development of a wider range of talents and skills.”
EU’s Environment Directorate to Ireland visiting Alan and Cheryl Poole’s farm near Gorey, Co. Wexford, showcasing the measures they have taken on farm to enhance water quality on the River Bann which flows through the family farm in the Slaney Catchment near Gorey. From left; Dr Lisa Koep Chief ESG Officer Tirlán, Gorka Barrio Montoya EU Commission, Cheryl Poole, John Murphy Tirlán Chairperson. Front; Humberto Delgado Rosa EU Commission and Alan Poole. (Pic; Mary Browne).
By Dan Walsh
At a visit on the family farm of Cheryl and Alan Poole, near Gorey, a practical focus on maintaining and enhancing water quality was highlighted as part of Tirlán’s Farming for Water: River Slaney Project aimed at improving the catchment running through Ireland’s south-east. The programme is part of Ireland’s overall Farming for Water EIP and aligned with the Teagasc ‘Better Farming for Water’ programme to deliver and support a science-based knowledge transfer and best practice approach.
Tirlán’s Chairperson John Murphy emphasised that the good work seen on the Poole’s family farm in County Wexford was reflective of work underway on farms right across the country.
“Tirlán and its farmers remain committed to improving water quality in river catchments as it is the right thing to do for our land and rivers, our families and our communities,” said Mr. Murphy, who added; “Tirlán has invested significant resources to deliver our water quality programmes based on best practice. We have always found our farmers to be highly adaptable and have shown they want to do their best for their lands and their communities.
“We’d like to thank the EU Commission team for their time and commitment to visiting to witness first-hand the large body of work underway on Irish farms,” concluded Mr. Murphy.
Tirlán joined organisations from across the Irish agri-food sector to highlight Ireland’s collaborative approach to enhancing water quality and supporting the retention of the Nitrates Derogation during the EU Commission’s visit to Ireland.
Tirlán joined key organisations including officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Dairy Industry Ireland (DII); Meat Industry Ireland (MII); Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and other processing Co-ops; Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA); Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA); Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO); An Taisce and other organisations at a roundtable discussion which highlighted Ireland’s commitment and whole-of-sector approach to protecting and improving water quality.
The Commission representatives included Humberto Delgado Rosa, Director General for Environment; Gorka Barrio Montoya, Policy Officer Nitrates Directive in the EU DG Environment, Land Use and Management and Jonathan Claridge, Deputy Head of European Commission Representation – Ireland.
The new safety features outside St Aidan’s Parish School at Nunnery Road, Enniscorthy, (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council monthly meeting
Following the retirement of a school warden recently comes the news that Wexford County Council will “not be replacing the school warden” at St. Aidan’s Primary School on Nunnery Road, Enniscorthy, which is claimed to be one of the largest schools of its kind in the country with almost 900 pupils on the rolls.
Addressing today’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council at the Council Chamber, Presentation Centre, David Codd, Chief Technician and Roads Safety Officer with Wexford County Council told the members that “we will not be replacing the school wardens as we have three controlled pedestrian crossings spread over 400 metres and €300,000 was spent on the front of the school.”
Cllr Cathal Byrne felt the decision was “a mistake” and stated that “children don’t understand controlled crossings!” However, Mr Codd was firm in his decision although did concede that “assessment” could not be ruled out somrtime in the future.
Changes to the Nunnery Road front of school safety measures has been controversial. When The Active Travel team completed the ‘Safe Routes to School’ design and plans at St. Aidan’s Parish School last February there were calls to summon the team before a meeting of Enniscorthy Council to address concerns around the pencil bollards! which have become a feature at the school entrance.
The then(February 2024), Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Rourke reminded the members that all six had agreed to the proposal at the November meeting, 2022, and said it was ‘a health and safety issue’. Back then the adoption of the plan was proposed by Cllr Owens and seconded by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy and was accepted and financed under the Green Schools scheme supported by An Taisce, the National Transport Authority and Wexford County Council.
Cllr Aidan Browne spoke about safety outside the school and agreed “we did all vote for it.” Cllr Murphy added it was a “safety issue” and stated the barrier was removed to prevent a crush injury.
At this point, Cllr Cathal Byrne proposed to “bring the Active Travel team before the next meeting to address concerns. “Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan (now retired) seconded.
The pencil shaped bollards were amongst the safety measures proposed for the school zone in the ‘Safe Routes to School at St. Aidan’s Parish School’ and it was claimed in the plan that “Pencil bollards on footpaths highlight the front of school and prevents parking on the footpaths.” It also proposed the replacement of guard rails at the front of school with narrow planters and pencil themed bollards.
The work has included the addition of speed ramps, raised pedestrian crossing, changes to the paving surface within the school zone, widening of footpaths, micro art on footpaths, the iconic pencil bollards, and a periodic speed limit of 30km/h on Nunnery Road.
Has the saga of the pencil bollards outside the school finally closed? Time will tell!
WexfordLocal.com 