Following the issuing of Status Yellow Wind and Rain and Status Orange Rain warning for Wexford by Met Éireann for today, Sunday, September 29th, Wexford County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) met yesterday at 5pm to assess the Weather Warnings for Wexford.
All necessary preparations have been made across all Departments. The forecast is being kept under review and further information will be shared with the public as necessary.
The public are advised to report any issues to Wexford County Council’s 24hr number 053 9196000.
Meanwhile, several activities and sporting events planned for today (Sunday) have been called off or are due to be rescheduled as a public safety measure.
As part of the 60th celebrations of Kilrush Drama Group they are publishing a second book continuing from their 50th Anniversary edition, Drama at Kilrush.
This edition is titled More Drama at Kilrush and features over 30 productions by the group in the last ten years inclusive of two All-Ireland victories in 2015 and 2024. In the same format as the first edition, it includes a fantastic record of the plays and events over these years, based on records kept by Mick Byrne (founder member of the group), accompanied by hundreds of photographs of the productions.
Listed also are the names of actors, stage crews and a list of all awards won over this period. The book also features the Pageants that the group were involved in Flight to Grosse Ile, The Coolattin Pageant and Seven Men, Seven Daysboth written by Davy Donohoe. Also included in the book are articles by a number of people who have been connected with the group telling their own stories.
Central to this publication are hundreds of colour photographs from Eamonn Doran’s collection and photographs from other members. Eamonn has also once again undertaken the mammoth task of collecting and putting together the articles, information and photographs for the book.
The newly published book, More Drama at Kilrush will be launched this Sunday, September 29th in St. Brigid’s Hall Carnew at 7.30 pm. All are welcome and books will be on sale for €20 each. Copies of the original Drama at Kilrush book will also be on sale.
At the launch of the Wexford Walking Festival and the 2024 Wexford Walking Trails brochure in Barntown Community Centre tonight were (left to right); Rory O’Mahoney, Georgina Gaul, Tom Bermingham, Eamonn Hore (who launched the brochure), Michael Brazzill, Annette Dupuy of Healthy Wexford, Mayor of Wexford Cllr George Lawlor (who launched the festival), Peter O’Connor, Chairperson Wexford Walking Trails, Cllr Garry Laffan and Jer O’Mahony, County Chairman IFA. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Barntown Community Centre
The 10th annual Wexford Walking Festival was officially launched by Mayor of Wexford, Cllr George Lawlor, at a pleasant function in Barntown Community Centre earlier this evening following a guided 6km walk to Carrigfoyle Lake on Forth Mountain.
Mayor Lawlor was in a most poetic mood and welcomed “walkers, nature lovers and adventure seekers to the Wexford Walking Festival in a celebration of the beauty, history and spirit of Wexford. He urged all to celebrate the nature of Wexford’s wonders and asked them to “enjoy this festival, embrace the journey and let Wexford’s beauty guide you every step of the way.”
The new Wexford Walking Trails brochure was launched by Eamonn Hore, Deputy Chief Executive Wexford County Council who spoke about “the bright future ahead of Wexford Walking Trails. He said that County Wexford has the second highest number of accredited trails in the country attracting about one million visits. “Over €4.3 million has been spent over the five districts,” he said, and added; “The second updated edition of the Walking Trails brochure covers the county from Croghan to Carnsore and is freely available.”
Local Cllr Garry Laffan also addressed the launch. The Glynn Barntown councillor welcomed everybody to Barntown Community Centre and kept his focus on the development of the Barntown Heritage Walking Trails and how the trails have evolved in the Forth Mountain area.
Chairperson of Wexford Walking Trails, Peter O’Connor said; “We look forward to welcoming everyone, enjoying a walk and to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Wexford Walking Festival over the weekend,”
The festival continues until Sunday and all walkers are invited to embrace the natural beauty and wonderment that awaits over the festival weekend.
This year’s festival will offer walkers a choice of three fully accredited walking trails with spectacular views from the mountains to the coast. The festival is an ideal opportunity for family, friends and neighbours to enjoy a walk together and meet with other people walking. The walks are graded moderate and suitable for people of all ages.
On Saturday, at 11am, a choice of two walks along the stunning Three Rocks Trail awaits. The meeting point is Carrigfoyle Lake Car Park.
On Sunday, at 11am, to coincide with ‘National Walking Day’, a choice of two stunning coastal walks from Carne to Carnesore Point awaits. The meeting point is Carne Beach Caravan Park. Walkers can explore a beautifully natural path leading to Nethertown beach. Local guides will accompany the walk and point out historic landmarks and items of interest along the way.
Following the walk, to mark the 10th anniversary of Wexford Walking Festival, complimentary refreshments will be served at 1.30pm in Lighthouse Pub located at the entrance to the Caravan Park.
Sod turning of the Activity Garden at St. John’s Community Hospital Campus, Enniscorthy. (left to right); Kelly Swaine, Monageer Contract Ltd, Cllr Pat Kehoe, Neville Shaw, Executive Engineer Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Sinead Reynolds, Health Area Manager Wexford Waterford, Denise Rogers, Lead of the Development of a Creative Garden for St. John’s Campus, Minister James Browne, Paul Kehoe TD, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr John O’Rourke, Claire Lawless, Enniscorthy District Manager and Derval Howley, Head of Health and Wellbeing HSE and master of ceremonies. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).
By Dan Walsh at St. John’s Community Hospital Campus
At a special ceremony today, the sod was turned on the Activity Garden at St. John’s Community Hospital Campus, Enniscorthy. When completed the Garden will be a multi-functional space for gathering, health and social activities in the heart of the hospital.
Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council told the fine attendance that he was “absolutely delighted to turn the sod at the site that will become St. John’s Community Activity Garden. It will be a wonderful facility for the entire community across Enniscorthy town and its surrounding district.
“I want to commend everyone who played a part in preparing the plans especially District Manager Claire Lawless, Executive Engineer Neville Shaw and Executive Technician Pat Fitzpatrick.
“This development is possible thanks to the government’s Town & Village Renewal and €34,000 secured for this project back in 2022.
“When we see a picture of the plans we get a sense of the long-lasting impact of the facility. The Activity Garden will be a massive bonus for the patients of St. John’s Community Hospital. It will enable the patients, when the weather is fine to enjoy some fresh air and offers an exciting opportunity for open-air events here at St. John’s. Enniscorthy will have a high-quality open space available to everyone in the community. I wish everyone the best of luck with the delivery of the project, and I look forward to its opening in the very near future.”
Minister James Browne described the occasion as “a really important day” and expressed his delight at seeing Activity Garden and amphitheatre finally beginning in Enniscorthy. “It is absolutely wonderful”, he said.
Minister Browne went on to compliment Monageer Contract Ltd who will carry out the work, he showed appreciation to Wexford County Council for funding the project and thanked Minister Heather Humphreys whom he described as “a very good friend to County Wexford.”
There were also contributions from Sinead Reynolds, Health Area Manager Wexford Waterford, Denise Rogers, Lead of the Development of a Creative Garden for St. John’s Campus, and Derval Howley, Head of Health and Wellbeing HSE who made everybody feel welcome and was master of ceremonies.
The creative enhancement of Enniscorthy Activity Garden on the grounds of St. John’s Community Hospital is a placement incentive by Wexford County Council Culture and Creativity team and Age Friendly programme in partnership with the Health Service (HSE) and Creative Ireland and the Irish Architectural Foundation.
Ahead of next Tuesday’s Budget 2025, former hotelier and Fine Gael General Election candidate in the new South Wicklow-North Wexford constituency, Brian Brennan has proposed a scaled VAT rate for cafés and restaurants relating to turnover, with businesses with less than €1.5m turnover receiving a VAT rate of 6 per cent, and businesses with less than €2m turnover, receiving an 8 per cent VAT rate.
Mr. Brennan is calling for “a tiered VAT rate for cafes and restaurants to avoid a tsunami of restaurant closures this winter.”
Three more restaurants in Co. Wexford have announced closures; Geek Restaurant in Courtown, Yeah Burger in Redmond Square, Wexford town and Mexican restaurant CDMX, Cornmarket, Wexford town have all announced their plans to close. With approximately 50 restaurant closures per month, Mr. Brennan told WexfordLocal.com that simply reducing the VAT rate to 9 per cent will not be enough to stop this trend continuing. “Long term we need to look at the overall cost structure in the food service industry,”, he said, “but we need immediate action on the VAT rate.”
BRIAN BRENNAN, Fine Gael General Election candidate in the new South Wicklow North Wexford constituency is calling for “a tiered VAT rate for cafes and restaurants to avoid a tsunami of restaurant closures this winter.”
He added that struggling restaurants and cafés should be on an additional reduced VAT rate compared to multinational and larger food operators. He also proposes that Food operators over 2 million should get a revised rate of 11% . He stated that this must be part of a structured programme to support the industry, as the current model is not sustainable, and that this worrying trend of multiple closures every week is only going to accelerate this winter. Along with a scaled VAT rates, Mr. Brennan is asking for a task force involving all the relevant stakeholders to be immediately set up. This should include representatives of the pub and Nite-club sectors and examine at their crippling costs such as insurance, cost of stock, energy costs, rates, and wages, to try find a pathway towards ensuring the closure trends throughout the hospitality industry can be reversed. “Restaurants, cafés, and pubs, as well as their owners and staff, play huge part in the social and economic fabric of our society and closures, and the sight of empty premises, are having a detrimental effect”, concluded Mr. Brennan.
The air is fresh and the views are spectacular at Drooping Rock on Forth Mountain. (Pic; Wexford Walking Trails).
By Dan Walsh
Wexford Walking Festival is taking place this weekend – Friday to Sunday inclusive – and all walkers are invited to embrace the natural beauty and wonderment that awaits over the festival weekend.
This year’s festival will offer walkers a choice of three fully accredited walking trails with spectacular views from the mountains to the coast. The festival is an ideal opportunity for family, friends and neighbours to enjoy a walk together and meet with other people walking. The walks are graded moderate and suitable for people of all ages.
Chairperson of Wexford Walking Trails, Peter O’Connor told WexfordLocal.com; said “Our walking trails are a valuable resource, creating healthy recreation opportunities by providing people of all ages and abilities with attractive, safe, and accessible locations, to walk, hike, run or jog. The network of trails in County Wexford, serves to help and encourage people to incorporate exercise into their daily routine, by connecting them with attractive and well-maintained places to exercise every day. The positive impact on public health and wellness cannot be overestimated. We look forward to welcoming everyone, enjoying a walk and to celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Wexford Walking Festival over the weekend.”
“We look forward to welcoming everyone, enjoying a walk and to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Wexford Walking Festival over the weekend,” concluded Mr. O’Connor.
The festival weekend will commence on Friday at 6pm with a guided 6km walk to Carrigfoyle Lake, Forth Mountain. The meeting point is Barntown Community Centre (Eircode Y35 X023).
CLLR GARRY LAFFAN
Following the walk, at 7.30pm, everyone is invited to Barntown Community Centre for a reception and the official launch of Wexford Walking Festival 2024, by Cllr Garry Laffan. The new Wexford Walking Trails brochure will be launched by Mr. Eamonn Hore, Director of Services Wexford County Council.
To celebrate a collaborative project between Wexford Walking Trails, Wexford County Council, Healthy Wexford, the Irish Farmers Association and Creative Ireland, a selection of beautiful ‘captures’ from Country Connects walks during the year, will be on display as part of the festival weekend, in Barntown Community Centre.
On Saturday, at 11am, a choice of two walks along the stunning Three Rocks Trail awaits. The meeting point is Carrigfoyle Lake Car Park. As you walk the Three Rocks Trail, breath-taking landscape, biodiversity in abundance and various sites of historical importance can be found. Local guides will accompany the walk and point out historic landmarks and items of interest along the way.
On Sunday, at 11am, to coincide with ‘National Walking Day’, a choice of two stunning coastal walks from Carne to Carnesore Point awaits. The meeting point is Carne Beach Caravan Park. Walkers can explore a beautifully natural path leading to Nethertown beach. This coastal path shows off a vast granite rock formation, best seen at low tide. Black back gulls and terns can be seen perched on the rocks looking for their next meal. Great cormorants can also be seeing drying their wings on the massive granite boulders. Local guides will accompany the walk and point out historic landmarks and items of interest along the way.
Following the walk, to mark the 10th anniversary of Wexford Walking Festival, complimentary refreshments will be served at 1.30pm in Lighthouse Pub located at the entrance to the Caravan Park.
Walkers are requested to register online prior to the event at https://Wexford_Walking_Festival.eventbrite.ie. Further information can be found on Wexford Walking Trails website at https://wexfordwalkingtrail.ie/ and people can also visit social media channels for updates. Wexford Walking Trails wish to thank Wexford County Council for its assistance with organising this year’s festival.
Irish Rail have advised the public that there will be no trains running between Greystones and Dún Laoghaire next Saturday and Sunday, 28th-29th September.
Engineering works will once again cause disruption to railway travel this weekend, as there will be no trains running between Greystones and Dún Laoghaire. DART services will operate between Malahide/Howthand Dún Laoghaire stations only.
Rosslare services will operate to and from Greystones.Direct bus transfers will operate to/from Connolly/Greystones and Dún Laoghaire/Bray /Greystones to connect with Rosslare service at Greystones. Dublin Bus/Go-Ahead Ireland will also accept valid rail tickets on services between closed stations.
Water canons were used to minimise the dust as 67, Irish Street Stores is finally demolished. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy
The biggest sideshow in Enniscorthy today was the demolition of the former Irish Street Stores, a 19th century landmark purchased by Wexford County Council in 2023 and earmarked for development as part of the “old Murphy Flood’s site” which has been derelict since it was destroyed by fire in 2005.
The site had been locked up, vacant and derelict for some years now and in recent times made local newspaper headlines as public representatives referred to the site as “an eyesore.”
Today there was a constant stream of onlookers. Nostalgia was in the air! So many sorry to see the town’s history brought back to ground level, others relieved at the prospect of a future development may revive the town’s prosperity! The conundrum is the lack of a timeline! Mobile phones recorded the changes! There were a few tears too!
WexfordLocal.com has researched the history of number 67, Irish Street Stores, Enniscorthy using the most reliable sources and hoping for a forever place in the archive…
Famous Vinegar Hill watches as the Irish Street Stores comes tumbling down. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
HISTORY OF IRISH STREET STORES; The building located on the corner of Irish Street and Barrack Street traded as Irish Street Stores and is described in the architectural inventory as “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.”
This description gives us an extra insight into its history. In Griffith’s Valuation (1858-’65) there were 86 premises in Irish Street, some vacant, but this building was in the possession of S. & E. Lett – and checking with the Portsmouth Records for the town the brothers were Stephen and Edward Lett of Hollyfort, near Enniscorthy, and the same family that purchased the Mill Park Brewery in 1864!
So, the Letts owned the pre-1840 building, likely built the Irish Street Stores ca-1875. They also had other property in the town including the old Armstrong premises on Main Street.
J. Donohoe Ltd was owner of Irish Street Stores, but it was previously held on a yearly tenancy by Patrick O’Neill, a Market Square-based businessman, auctioneer and politician. This tenancy is backed up by the Portsmouth Estate Records. 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.
In Thom’s 1938 Commercial Directory of Enniscorthy J. Donohoe Ltd is registered as “corn and flour merchants” at Irish Street and Templeshanon.
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.
The premises was used as a film set for scenes in “Underground” (1970) – a Second World War movie starring the American actor Robert Goulet where several Irish actors had minor roles including James Bartley (best known today as BellaDoyle in the RTÉ drama series, Fair City).
Using the Census Returns for 1901 and 1911 there were 95 and 92 families, respectively, listed as occupants for Irish Street.
Pictured at Ard na Gaoithe housing estate, Wexford town (L-R), Mick Berry, Bawn Developments, Shay Howell, Acting Director of Service Special Projects, Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive Wexford County Council, Cllr. Pip Breen Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Minister James Browne, Deputy Johnny Mythen TD, Carolyne Godkin, Director of Service Housing, Aidan O’Reilly Department of Housing and Ciaran O’Brien Obfa Architects. (Pic; Wexford County Council).
By Dan Walsh
Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne, T.D. was in Wexford town to perform the official opening of the first phase of a new social housing project at Whiterock Hill named Ard na Gaoithe.
The Minister was accompanied by the Cllr. Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Mr. Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Deputy Johnny Mythen TD, local public representatives, senior housing officials from Wexford County Council and representatives of the contractor team, and he met with some of the new residents.
Welcoming Minister Browne to Wexford, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Pip Breen said; “I am delighted to welcome you here today at Ard na Gaoithe. Building communities, rather than just building housing estates, is what we want to achieve for County Wexford. Today’s launch of the first phase of Ard na Gaoithe housing scheme is a fantastic example of Wexford County Council’s housing delivery ambition.
“We want to thank the housing design and delivery team of Wexford County Council, and particularly our project delivery partner Bawn Developments for their excellent work on this unique project. I want to congratulate everyone involved in the delivery of the project to date and I look forward to the completion of this and many more housing schemes across county Wexford,” concluded Cllr Breen.
The Sensible Safety team from Enniscorthy who won the 2024 County Wexford Chamber Golf Classic, held in Enniscorthy Golf Club recently. Team members Paddy Fitzpatrick, Maurice Nolan, Tommy Morrissey, and Shane Dunphy are pictured with (far left) Martin Murphy, General Manager, Home Instead Wexford, and Paula Roche, CEO of County Wexford Chamber.
By Deirdre O’Flynn
The late-September sun and clear skies greeted golfers at County Wexford Chamber’s Annual Golf Classic, held on Friday last at Enniscorthy Golf Club.
Sponsored by J Donohoe BMW, the event attracted teams from across Co. Wexford, all competing for the chance to represent the Chamber at the prestigious Chambers Ireland All Ireland Chamber Champions.
The top prize—a spot in the national event at the renowned K Club in Co. Kildare on Thursday, October 17—went to the Sensible Safety team from Enniscorthy. Team members Paddy Fitzpatrick, Maurice Nolan, Tommy Morrissey, and Shane Dunphy will now represent County Wexford in this national competition, which pits the winning teams from local Chambers against one another.
The Kehoe & Associates team claimed second place, while J Donohoe BMW rounded out the top three in what was a tightly contested competition.
AIB’s Ger Smith earned individual honours with the men’s longest drive, while Catherine Lawless from Fresh Today took the women’s title for longest drive. John Conroy won the ‘nearest the pin’ competition. In a great achievement, Sean Nolan, from Reynaers Aluminium, secured a hole in one on the sixth green!
County Wexford Chamber CEO Paula Roche praised the event, saying, “Our Golf Classic provided a wonderful platform for businesses to connect, unwind, and enjoy a day of friendly competition. There was a great atmosphere, the course at Enniscorthy Golf Club was in superb condition, and the scoring reflected a very high level of skill from the golfers.”
The CEO also extended the Chamber’s gratitude to the event’s main sponsor, J Donohoe BMW, and acknowledged the support of numerous other sponsors, including Pettitt’s SuperValu, Home Instead Wexford, and Killowen Farm. The support of the local community was also reflected in the tee box and green sponsors, who were also recognised at the Golf Classic.
The County Wexford Chamber Golf Classic continues to be a highlight of the business community’s calendar, blending friendly competition with networking in an enjoyable atmosphere.
WexfordLocal.com 