Maritime news in the headlines this week is disappointing in the South East as Stena Line has announced that from October 27th, 2024, it will be withdrawing Stena Vision from its Rosslare-Cherbourg shipping route.
In a statement the company states; “There will no job losses in the ports of Rosslare and Cherbourg. Every effort is being made to absorb our Stena Vision crew into the business and find other roles for them on other vessels.
“Stena Vision is not a suitable to ship to operate on the Rosslare – Cherbourg route all year round so an operational adjustment has been made.
“A three-day week service for freight and travel customers between Rosslare-Cherbourg will be provided by Stena Horizon offering a choice of up to six crossings per week.
“Stena Line will selectively deploy additional support vessels to the route during periods of peak demand from its freight and travel customers.
“This decision has been taken in line with the company’s business model of deploying vessels where they will deliver the most efficient use of company resources.
Stena Line is currently advising affected customers of its decision and of alternative arrangements.
On the Ramsfort Park building site yesterday were (left to right); Senator Malcolm Byrne, Executive Engineer Shay Howell, Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive Wexford County Council, Cllr Oliver Walsh, Cathaoirleach Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, Billy Mythen, Managing Director Mythen Construction, Liz Hore, Director of Services and Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Ramsfort Park, Gorey
Wexford County Council has signed contracts with Mythen Construction Ltd for the delivery of 20 Affordable Homes Scheme at Ramsfort Park, (Radharc na Beannóige), Gorey, a pilot project via the Affordable Housing Fund under the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ programme and members and officials of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District paid an official visit to the site yesterday (Thursday).
Chief Executive, Eddie Taaffe stated; “We look forward to working with the Mythen Construction team to deliver this project. Wexford County Council is dedicated to working with delivery partners to enhance housing availability through innovative projects. Ramsfort Park underscores our commitment to delivering affordable solutions that meet the needs of today’s families.”
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Pip Breen welcomed the scheme and said; “I am very pleased to see this project moving forward, this development will see 20 much-needed affordable homes provided in Gorey for first time buyers and fresh start applicants”. His sentiments were echoed by Cllr Oliver Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council.
Construction has commenced and it was a busy day on the site with the delivery of materials and the sound of machinery coming from the site. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Following the success of its inaugural event last year, the vibrant North Wexford community of Kilanerin is calling on lovers of food, heritage, and vintage machinery to visit the village once again for their second Kilanerin Food and Heritage Festival taking place this weekend – Saturday and Sunday, September 14th-15th – which attracted more than 1,500 visitors to Kilanerin from Wexford, Wicklow and beyond last year.
Organised by, and in aid of Kilanerin Tidy Towns and Kilanerin Ballyfad Community Development Association (KBCDA), the two-day event is suitable for all ages and will feature live music, talks and demonstrations and plenty of kids’ activities including competitions, facepainting, pot planting and will once again feature everything from old-style bread making to modern-day cookery demonstrations, and from archive photos and videos to steam engines and vintage tools.
Following hot on the heels of Ballymaloe’s Rachel Allen last year, the star attraction of the weekend is Wexford’s own celebrity chef, Kevin Dundon, who is making the trip from the award-winning Dunbrody House Hotel for a special cookery demonstration on Saturday evening at Kilanerin Community Centre.
National President of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, Mary Darcy from Kilanerin, will continue where she left-off last year by making traditional and delicious brown bread on an open fire.
Apart from the Kevin Dundon event, the organisers are planning cookery and food demonstrations by local chefs and producers; an artisan food market with the best of local producers; food trucks offering tasty hot food; and a series of talks on everything from beekeeping to fermentation.
Other exhibitions and demonstrations over the two days will include woodturning, blacksmithing, flour grinding, and a demonstration of old tools and how they were used. There will be steam engines and other machinery on display throughout the weekend.
This year’s festival is part funded through Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Wexford County Council – Festival Grant Scheme 2024.
Entrance to the Kilanerin Food and Heritage Festival (which will run from 11am to 4pm on both days) is €10, with kids going free and complimentary car parking.
The Kevin Dundon evening is a special ticketed event and includes a glass of bubbles on arrival and a chance to win some special prizes. Doors open from 6.30pm, with the demonstration starting at 7pm. Tickets costing €25 (plus booking fee) can be purchased in advance on www.gr8events.ie or by calling Kilanerin Community Centre on 0402 44555. People are also asked to follow @kilanerin_tidy_towns and Kilanerin CommunityCentre on Facebook or Instagram for festival updates and demonstration timetables.
Pictured at the official opening of the Wexford Women’s Refuge in Wexford town today.
By Dan Walsh
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD was in Wexford town today where she officially cut the ribbon and opened the new €6.5 million state-of-the art domestic violence facility for Wexford’s Women’s Refuge consisting of 12 family units for those experiencing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Each unit in the new facility contains a bedroom, kitchen/living area, and bathroom, and can accommodate a family of one mother and her children. It replaces the existing four-unit facility in the town, which is no longer fit for purpose.
There is also space for children to play and teens will have designated areas to relax and continue with their school studies.
Minister McEntee said, “Today is an important day for Wexford and I am very grateful to all involved, especially Women’s Wexford Refuge, for their hard work in designing and planning this facility. The facility will also serve as a hub to facilitate community and outreach initiatives to support vulnerable families in the community.
Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne TD, said; “Wexford Women’s Refuge have been at the frontline of supporting women and their children who have been subjected to domestic violence for nearly 25 years.
“This new building represents so much more than just a safe place for vulnerable victims – a full suite of support services is also being provided, including counselling, therapeutic services, and court liaison, to help support these families at perhaps the most difficult time in their lives.
“I want to thank refuge chair Vicky Barron and the Board of Directors, the staff and volunteers at the refuge for their tireless work to change the lives of women and children across county Wexford,” concluded Minister Browne.
The new facility constructed by local company, Mythens on a site provided by Wexford County Council beside St Marys GAA Club in Maudlintown and covers the whole of County Wexford and an Outreach Service that endeavours to reach out to women who are unable to come into the Refuge for whatever reason.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and in need of support, you can reach out to Wexford Women’s refuge by phoning 053 9121876 or 1800 220 444.
Enniscorthy-based sitting TD Johnny Mythen has been selected at convention to contest the next General Election for Sinn Féin in the 4-seater Wexford Constituency.
JOHNNY MYTHEN TD is nominated by Sinn Fein to contest the next General Election.
One of the most experienced politicians in the county, Deputy Mythen’s first attempt at a seat in Dail Éireann in the 2016 General Election failed by just 31 votes behind Deputy Paul Kehoe (Fine Gael) after a few recounts. He was first elected to the 33rd Dáil almost five years ago with a record breaking 18,717 first preference votes.
First elected to Enniscorthy Town Council in 2009, Mythen was elected on Wexford County Council in 2014 and served as a member of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council (2014-2019) and was honoured as Sinn Fein’s first Cathaoirleach on the local authority in 2018-2019.
Speaking after a full house selection convention, Deputy Mythen thanked the Sinn Féin organisation across County Wexford for their support. “It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the people and constituency of Wexford as their TD since February 2020.
“Through our constituency office and our involvement in the community, our team of councillors and local activists have worked very hard to fight for our communities and for our county.
“I am very grateful for that support and delighted to be part of the Wexford Sinn Féin team. We will work hard to build on that progress in the upcoming General Election.
“While it may be a new layout for the Wexford constituency as a four-seater, the challenges remain the same – in housing, health, cost-of-living, and elsewhere.
“With an ever-growing population in Wexford the government have failed in their duty to ensure that growth is matched with essential public and community infrastructure and services.
“The people of Wexford deserve better than that. I hope to have the opportunity to continue to fight their corner after the next General Election, and to see our communities thrive and reach their full potential.
“In the meantime, we will continue to work hard. I am very grateful for the Sinn Féin nomination, and I look forward to the campaign ahead,” concluded Deputy Mythen.
The death has occurred of Rev. Fr. James (Jim Furlong), a native of Adamstown who spent much of his ministry in London and served as parish priest in Duncannon. Many tributes are being received. He was aged 81 years.
Born in the parish of Adamstown in 1943, he received his primary education in Adamstown, attended St. Peter’s College, Wexford (1958-1963), studied at St. Peter’s Seminary (1963-1969) and was ordained at St. Peter’s College on June 1st1969.
After ordination he went to the Diocese of Southwark, London, and served at Peckham Rye (1969-1975), Battersea (1976-1981), Sydenham (1982-1985), Rotherhithe (1985-1995). He returned to the Diocese of Ferns in September 1995, was appointed curate at Gusserane and became parish priest at Duncannon in August 1997.
FAMILY NOTICE; THE DEATH HAS OCCURRED OF REV. FR. JAMES (Jim) FURLONG, Tomgarrow, Adamstown. Fr. Jim passed away peacefully on Monday September 9th at Cherry Grove Nursing Home in Campile, Co. Wexford.
Pre-deceased by his sister Kathleen, brother-in-law Seamus and sister-in-law Mary. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving brother Ned, sister Peggy and her husband Martin, his nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, extended family, Bishop Ger Nash and fellow clergy and religious brothers and sisters, friends, neighbours and former parishioners of London, Belfast, Gusserane, Duncannon, Raheen and Newbawn. Grant Fr. Jim Eternal Rest and Peace
Fr. Jim will repose on Wednesday, from 3pm until 5pm; on Thursday, at his home in Tomgarrow, Adamstown, Co. Wexford (Y21WA27).
Removal from his home on Thursday, at 6pm to St Abban’s Parish Church, Adamstown for liturgical reception followed by reposal in St Abban’s Church Oratory until 9pm. Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, September 13th, at 11am with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
Machinery on scene at the old Murphy Floods site in Enniscorthy where demolition works have begun. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy
The long running saga regards the Murphy Floods site at Enniscorthy took a positive turn this week when machinery arrived, hard hats and other safety information was posted at the entrance at Barrack Street and works have begun on site. However, traffic disruption is on the way; Under the Temporary Closing of Roads under Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993, Barrack Street will be closed from Monday, September 16th to Friday, September 27th. The alternative route advised is from Island Road to Irish Street and Bohreen Hill Junction.
Irish Street will be closed from Monday, September 23rd to Friday, October 4th. The alternative route advised from Main Street to Abbey Square, and Abbey Quay to Island Road. These alternative routes will be signposted, and local access will be facilitated.
The plan is to demolish the existing buildings and commence the new development consisting of retail and commercial space as well as housing.
This welcome development has been the talk of the town this week and its progress will be eagerly followed with huge interest.
A tender competition to appoint a works contractor for the demolition on site has been awarded to John Tinnelly & Sons based in Newry, Co. Down, and one of the leading demolition firms in Ireland and the UK, and one for the table quiz? – they were awarded the contract for the demolition of the Sugar Factory in Carlow some years ago.
Director of Services, Carolyne Godkin informed WexfordLocal.com that the Council will place the site on the market in the 4th Quarter of 2024 to determine development interest. “Proposals for the existing planning permission or alternative use, which would require a new planning process, will be considered.” It is expected that this process will take 6 to 12 months.
“Any interested party who proceeds with a proposal would be subject to a use it or lose it clause, where the site would revert to the Council if no development took place within a specified period of time,” stated Ms. Godkin, who added; “In the interim period the Council will prepare a Part VIII plan for a minimum of 20 spaces and with the intention of maximising the space available, as well as public realm works on the site. The draft drawings will be presented to the members of 2024.”
Murphy Floods Hotel was an internationally renowned family establishment facing onto Main Street since 1923 but was gutted by fire in 2005 and has remained derelict ever since. In March 2023 the site and adjoining property was acquired by Wexford County Council who announced an €8 million plan to develop a new library building, retail units, 18 apartments and underground parking.
WexfordLocal.com is reliably informed that the Library Service may have strong reservations about inclusion on the site as they prefer development on ‘stand-alone’ sites! The search for investors goes on!
At the unveiling of the Maureen O’Hara plaque in Dublin last Saturday included Melanie O’Reilly (left), Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan (second from left), Jim O’Callaghan TD, Ivana Bacik TD, Leader of The Labour Party and members of the O’Hara family.
By Dan Walsh
Wexford-based Melanie O’Reilly, jazz musician and Honorary Consul to France is having a busy week ahead of an Afternoon Jazz session in Wexford Arts Centre on Wednesday.
Last Saturday Melanie attended a very special event when a plaque dedicated to Irish Hollywood legend Maureen O’Hara (1920-2015) was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan, as locals and admirers of Ms O’Hara gathered to celebrate at 32 Beechwood Avenue in Dublin’s Ranelagh.
Melanie said her mother Bonnie and Ms. O’Hara were good friends. “They looked quite like sisters. They both had that dark, auburn, red hair, and lots of it. The two of them went on to be very good friends, and of course, the rest is history… Maureen went on to Hollywood where her most famous role was alongside John Wayne in the classic film ‘The Quiet Man’.
Melanie told WexfordLocal.com that the two met as young children training at the Rathmines Theatre Company, which Ms O’Hara attended from the age of 10 before moving to the Abbey Theatre at the age 14.
AUDIO ADDITION; MELANIE O’REILLY talks to DAN WALSH about the links with her mother Bonnie O’Reilly and the legendary actress Maureen O’Hara
Swing into Jazz in the Afternoon with Melanie O’Reilly Trio takes place on Wednesday, September 11th, 2-4pm featuring Melanie O’Reilly (Vocals), Carole Nelson (Piano), Adrian Jackson (Bass).
Join Melanie and her stellar Swing trio for an afternoon of uplifting celebration of the favourite songs of the Swing Era composed by Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Gershwin, Cole Porter, Fats Waller and made popular by the legendary jazz singers of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Anita O’Day, Nat King Cole, Nina Simone and more. An afternoon full of toe tappin’ swing rhythm – All welcome!
Artist’s impression of proposed view of Market Square, Enniscorthy. (Illustration courtesy of Wexford County Council).
By Dan Walsh at September meeting of Wexford County Council
Following on from last weeks Special Meeting regarding the Part VIII Planning Application relating to the Market Square area of Enniscorthy, which received no support from any of the elected members on the day, came before today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held at the Council Chamber, Carricklawn, Wexford, passed without a vote and with very little discussion.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen introduced the application and Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe spoke briefly about changes to the retention of parking, said the demolition of the old Murphy-Flood’s site has begun (machinery moved in on the site on Monday morning) and will return about 20 parking spaces and seek retail offers, he stated that “there is a commitment for regeneration in the Templeshannon area, the Council has already taken charge of the Swimming Pool, he mentioned URDF funding and supported the Castle Quarter regeneration programme.
Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr Aidan Browne, spoke of “a very difficult position”, was content that the loss of 104 car parking spaces is now down to 43 and was relieved at the commitments to Templeshannon. “With a population of 12,500 Enniscorthy is the fastest growing town in Ireland,” he concluded.
Cllr Jackser Owens who used last weeks’ special meeting, local radio and print media to admonish the plan said he “agreed with everything that Cllr Browne had said.”
Cllr Cathal Byrne welcomed commitments secured from the Executive and while he believed that Templeshannon “was always forgotten” he welcomed efforts to attract retail and is pleased that Wexford County Council has taken ownership of Enniscorthy Swimming Pool located in Templeshannon.
The only other speaker on the matter was Cllr Paddy Kavanagh, who lives close to Enniscorthy town although he is elected to the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District and recalled that in 2017 €1 million was allocated to Templeshannon via “two abysmal applications.”
The application was proposed by Cllr Browne and seconded by Cllr Owens and the meeting moved on.
A detailed account can be found in the Chief Executive’s Report which informs us that planning site notices were displayed in October 2023 and remained in place for the full duration of the planning process. There were 73 submissions received in relation to the proposal.
The proposed development consists of revised street layouts and public realm improvements to Castle Hill, Castle Street, Church Street, Court Street, Weafer Street, Spout Lane, Cathedral Street, Main Street, Barrack Street and Island Road to incorporate revised on-street parking zones, increased pavement widths, hard and soft landscaping, and improved active travel measures.
Castle Hill and Castle Street to become one-way in a west bound direction. Barrack Street to become one-way in an east bound direction as far as the entrance to the existing underground car park. New signal-controlled junction at intersection of Barrack Street and Island Road to assist traffic flow.
Part pedestrianisation of Market Square on northern side, with removal of on-street parking and through traffic between intersection of Main Street and Irish Street, and Main Street and Castle Street. New and enhanced raised table pedestrian crossings at south-east and south-west corners of Market Square, junction of Castle Hill, Castle Street and Church Street, and on Cathedral Street. Undergrounding of existing overhead services and removal of existing poles. High quality surface materials and other miscellaneous works.
The Chief Executive’s Report states that “it is recommended that the development should proceed subject to the recommendations contained in the referral response from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the following amendments;
Amend design on Church Street to retain car parking and to widen access to the Church of Ireland. Omit changes to Court Street. Retain parking on Cathedral Street, including the herring bone parking to the boundary with St. Aidan’s Cathedral. Retain parking from 59 Weafer Street heading west (uphill). Retain the two-way entrance at Dunnes Stores from Island Road to Barrack Street. Provide traffic lights at the junction of Barrack Street and Island Road with priority given to traffic from Barrack Street following review of the traffic flow. Retain existing road layout to Irish Street as an alternative to traffic heading north to Market Square.
Rosslare Harbour responding to the call out (Pic; RNLI/Rosslare Harbour)
Rosslare Harbour RNLI and Carnsore/Rosslare Coast Guard came to the aid of a sailor on a 17ft pleasure craft which had developed mechanical problems on Saturday.
The all-weather lifeboat was launched at 12.20pm, following a call from The Irish Coast Guard.
The lone sailor aboard the vessel had called for assistance when it began to drift following mechanical problems. The lifeboat launched at 12.30pm and was on the nearby scene – The Lagoon adjacent to Rosslare Europort – by 12.40pm.
On arrival, the smaller inflatable Y boat was utilised, and the pleasure craft was escorted the short distance safely back to The Lagoon. The sailor was safe and well. There was a force 3/4 north-easterly wind. It was dry.
Speaking following the call out, Jamie Ryan, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said; “We would like to commend the sailor for having a phone with him which enabled contact with the Coast Guard. The sailor was also wearing appropriate safety gear. And our thanks to our colleagues in Carnsore/Roslare Coast Guard for being on standby during the operation. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
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