Eleven community projects in Co. Wexford will share funding of €798,291 following an announcement by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister for Communities, Joe O’Brien. In total, €16.5 million is delivered to 185 community projects across the country.
The Wexford projects being funded today include:
MINISTER HEATHER HUMPHREYS, Department of Rural and Community Development, speaking at New Ross, October 2022. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).
Enniscorthy Community and Childcare Centre Ltd Templeshannon Community Centre Upgrade 2025 €86,000.
Gorey Youth Needs (GYNG) Gorey Youth Needs Group (GYNG) Community Hub €55,000.
Kilmuckridge Memorial Hall Community Enterprise CLG Kilmuckridge Memorial Hall Renovation €92,500
Ramsgrange (Hookless Village) Senior Citizens Concern (Ramsgrange) Ramsgrange Day Care Centre Upgrade €70,000.
Fethard St. Mogues Community Group (Fethard) St. Mogue’s Church (Fethard) Development Project €54,000.
Cushinstown The Old School Community Group (Cushinstown) Cushinstown Old School Project €90,000.
Rosslare Harbour Rosslare Harbour Playground MUGA Redevelop Rosslare Harbour Community Playground MUGA €100,300.
Kilrane Kilrane Rosslare Harbour Community Centre Roof repairs of Kilrane Rosslare Harbour Community Centre: €50,000.
GOREY MARKET HOUSE receives funding for refurbishment and reopening programme. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Cllr Joe Sulivan has welcomed the allocation of €7 million funding from the EU Thrive programme towards the regeneration of Gorey’s historical Market House. There is already €1.7 million ring fenced at Wexford County Council be invested in this project bringing the total outlay in funding to be €8.7 million.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com Cllr Sullivan said; “Feedback from the general public since this announcement was made would suggest that Wexford County Council have got the proposal for the redevelopment right as it pays due respect to community, commercial and cultural needs of the area while preserving the historical significance of the building and its place in the history of the Gorey town and district.
CLLR JOE SULLIVAN (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
“While the present political and administrative incumbents will revel in the glory of delivering this exciting and transformative project for Gorey, the contribution of other officials and elected representatives is acknowledged as this facility to be delivered for the area has come about as a result of years of hard work and exchange of ideas amongst people who genuinely wanted what was best for the Market House and Gorey, continued Cllr Sullivan.
Cllr Sullivan added that “it is important to acknowledge the contribution by officials Annette O’Neill, Amanda Byrne, Michael Drea and Eddie Taaffe, along with former elected representatives Michael D’Arcy, Robert Ireton, John Hegarty, Willie Kavanagh, Diarmuid Devereux and Andrew Bolger who all played their part along the way.
Fethard RNLI Lifeboat and helicopter Rescue 117 were requested by the Coast Guard to launch at 4.25pm last Friday evening following a report that a woman was drifting on a paddle board in the direction of Bannow Bay.
FETHARD RNLI LIFEBOAT (Pic; RNLI/Mark Brennan)
Friends and family members raised the alarm from Baginbun Beach when they observed the person onboard the paddle board in difficulty. The lifeboat launched at Fethard Harbour and made its way towards Bannow. Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117 located the female and hovered over to pinpoint her location. The lifeboat crew quickly made their way to her location, brought her on board, and returned her to her family on Baginbun Beach.
There was a Force 4 offshore south-westerly wind and moderate sea conditions.
Speaking after the call out, Fethard RNLI Helm Mick Roche said; “The paddle boarder did everything right on the day. She worn a floatation device, stayed with her board when she got into difficulty and had told family and friends her plans. All of this led to a successful rescue.’
‘We would remind everyone visiting the coast in the fine weather that if you do get into difficulty or see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
JOHN DOYLE putting the final touches to his new song The Auld Wexford Rover at the John Street Studio’s Enniscorthy (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)
By Dan Walsh
Monageer singer/songwriter John Doyle is a veteran of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann who won an All Ireland under 14 title playing the tin whistle in Mullingar in 1963 and while he is looking forward to the world’s largest music festival in Wexford town you won’t find his name amongst the competitors.
John is celebrating Fleadh 2024 with a new song that he composed some years ago, but decided to freshen it up in the recording studio of Ivan Levingston and it can be heard and enjoyed… starting here on WexfordLocal.com.
With catchy lyrics and a nice sing along melody the title is ‘The Auld Wexford Rover’. John will be performing his latest composition on the Fleadh Gig Rig with the Blackstairs Crew in Bank Holiday Monday at 3.40pm. Don’t miss it!
In the meantime, John has been telling WexfordLocal.com about his experiences of Fleadhanna, some history relating to the Ferns area of Co. Wexford, and, of course, it’s the place to hear ‘The Auld Wexford Rover’ for the first time!
The Royal British Legion (Wexford Branch) are holding a Memorial Service at Templetown next Sunday, August 4th at 3pm recalling the sinking of two Allied Armed Trawlers off the Wexford coast in 1917. All are welcome to attend.
On Friday 20th April 1917 His Majesty’s Armed Trawler Loch Eye was sunk by a mine from the German submarine UC-33, 1¾ miles southwest of Hook Point near Dunmore off the Irish coast. Seven crew were lost with two unidentified seamen found later on the Wexford coast and interred at Templetown.
An identified seaman was found and returned to his family for burial. The UC-33 sank 35 ships including one Allied warship. On 26th September 1917 she was rammed by patrol boat PC61 in St George’s Channel and sank with only one survivor from a crew of 26.
TEMPLETOWN PLAQUE Memorial Service takes place next Sunday at 3pm (Pic; Stephen Boland)
Also included are three Wexford men who perished in the Secord World War.
Walsh, Michael, 27 yrs. Gunner, 9th Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died in captivity as a Japanese POW, Changi, Singapore. 5th March 1943.
Guilfoyle, Maurice Francis. 22 yrs. Able Seaman RNR. HMS Adventure. Son of Charles and Mary Guilfoyle of Fethard, Co Wexford. Died with eight other crew members on 31st November 1939 when ship struck a mine near the Thames Estuary.
Guilfoyle, John Charles Seymour. 24 yrs. Leading Seaman RNR.HMS Zambesi. Son of Charles and Mary Guilfoyle of Fethard, Co Wexford. Lost overboard in a storm NE Faroe Islands on 16th January 1945.
Revenue officers at Rosslare Europort seized almost 9.9 million cigarettes with an estimated value of approximately €8.3 million, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €6.5 million.
The illicit cigarettes, branded ‘Superkings’ and ‘Winston’, were discovered on Tuesday night when Revenue officers stopped and examined an accompanied freight unit which had disembarked a ferry arriving from Dunkirk, France.
A man has been questioned in relation to these events and investigations are ongoing.
This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the sale and supply of illegal cigarettes and tobacco in the shadow economy. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.
Corra O’Donovan, Scott O’Reilly, Grace Murphy and John Roche pictured on the stage of the Wexford Opera House pictured at the launch of this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The event, organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and hosted by the Wexford Fleadh Executive Committee, is expected to draw over half a million visitors to the Sunny Southeast. Pic; Andres Poveda
By Dan Walsh
An Garda Siochána and Wexford County Council have announced comprehensive details of the traffic management plan in operation for Wexford town during the eight days of Fleadh Cheoil nah Éireann from August 4th-12th. Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, Eddie Taaffe, Chairperson of the Fleadh Cheoil Executive Committee, said today; “Wexford County Council extends a warm welcome to all visitors and hopes everyone enjoys the vibrant culture and community spirit of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. To ensure everyone’s safety, we kindly request that all visitors travel safely and follow traffic management plans.”
Also speaking to WexfordLocal.com, local Superintendent Jarlath Duffy said; “Throughout the Fleadh, Gardaí will be making sure that the extensive traffic plan, which will be in place from late Saturday night, will run smoothly and efficiently. We aim to keep disruption for locals to a minimum and appreciate people’s patience as we work to get the many thousands who will be visiting, in and out of the town safely.”
The proposed road closures contained within this Traffic Management Plan were the subject of a separate order under Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993 (Temporary Closing of Roads).
Yellow Route – Traffic travelling from Dublin/Northern Route (*N80)
Traffic travelling from Dublin/M50 will travel southbound to the M11, merging with the N11 at Junction 17, signposted Southbound/Wexford N11.
Traffic will continue on the M11 to Scurlocksbush Roundabout, signposted Wexford/Rosslare N11.
Traffic will enter the roundabout and take the first exit and continue towards Oilgate Village.
Traffic will continue on the N11 through Oilgate Village to Wexford.
(*Traffic travelling on the N80 will join the Yellow Route at Oilgate Village.)
Parking:
Patrons on the Yellow Route will follow the Yellow Route Signage directing them to the designated Yellow Park and Ride areas.
Blue Route – Local traffic travelling from Gorey
Traffic travelling from Gorey will travel on the R741 to Castlebridge.
Traffic will continue through Castlebridge on the R741 and follow the signposts for Wexford.
Parking:
Patrons on the Blue Route will follow the Blue Route Signage directing them to the Blue Route Park and Ride Areas.
Please Note: Wexford Bridge is closed to vehicular traffic from 10am to 4am daily.
Brown Route – Traffic travelling from Passage East/Duncannon
(*Please Note: Park & Ride directions change for Sunday 4th and Monday 5th August 2024 as detailed below)
Traffic travelling from Passage East/Duncannon will travel on the R733 to Wellingtonbridge.
Traffic will continue through Wellingtonbridge on the R733, signposted Wexford.
Traffic will continue on the R733 to the Duncannon Road Roundabout.
Traffic will enter the roundabout and take the first exit, signposted Waterford/Dublin.
WEXFORD BRIDGE
Parking:
Patrons on the Brown Route will follow the Brown Route Signage directing them to the designated Brown Park and Ride areas.
*Please Note: Brown Route Park and Ride Facilities for Sunday 4th and Monday 5th August 2024 Only
Traffic travelling on the Brown Route will enter the Duncannon Road Roundabout and will take the third exit, signposted Rosslare.
Traffic will continue to the Rosslare Road Roundabout and take the first exit, signposted Wexford R730. This will take patrons to the Orange Route Park and Ride areas.
Parking:
Patrons on the Brown/Orange Route will follow the Orange Route Signage directing them to the designated Orange Park and Ride areas.
Orange Route – Traffic travelling from Rosslare
Traffic travelling from Rosslare will travel on the N25 signposted Wexford.
Traffic will continue on the N25 to the Rosslare Road Roundabout.
Traffic will enter the roundabout and take the second exit, signposted Wexford R730.
Parking:
Patrons on the Orange Route will follow the Orange Route Signage directing them to the designated Orange Park and Ride areas.
Purple Route – Traffic travelling from Limerick/Waterford/Cork
Traffic travelling from Limerick/Waterford will travel on the N25 following signposts for Wexford/Rosslare/New Ross.
Traffic will continue to the Glenmore Roundabout signposted Wexford/Rosslare N25.
Traffic will enter the roundabout and take the third exit onto the New Ross Bypass N25, signposted Wexford/Rosslare.
Traffic will continue across the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge and continue on the N25, signposted Wexford/Rosslare.
Traffic will continue to the Ballymacar Roundabout signposted Wexford/Rosslare N25.
Traffic will enter the roundabout and take the third exit onto the N25 signposted Wexford/Rosslare.
Traffic will continue on the N25 towards Barntown, Wexford.
(*Please Note: additional parking on designated dates as outlined below).
Parking:
Patrons on the Purple Route will follow the Purple Route Signage directing them to the designated Purple Park and Ride Areas.
Please Note: *Additional Park and Ride Facilities will be available at Wexford Racecourse and patrons on the Purple Route will be directed to this area on Sunday 4th, Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th and on additional occasions when capacity allows as follows:
Patrons will be directed to the New Ross Road Roundabout and will follow the Purple Route Signage directing them to the designated Purple Park and Ride Area.
Park and Ride Facilities
A regular shuttle bus service will operate from each park and ride car park transporting patrons directly to and from Redmond Square, Wexford Town from Sunday 4th of August to Sunday 11th of August. Patrons are encouraged to utilise the park and ride facilities as there will be no parking available in Wexford Town.
Electric Car Charging
There will not be electric car charging facilities in the park and ride car parks for the event.
Street Closures & Access
Road Closures within Wexford Town will be in place from Sunday 4th of August 2024 to Sunday 11th August 2024. Parking is limited to permit parking only.
Campsite
An official campsite has been established at Wexford Rugby Club and Park Charman GAA Grounds.
The campsite is situated on the R730.
The campsite is serviced by a regular shuttle bus service throughout the Fleadh Cheoil event and transport patrons directly to and from Redmond Square, Wexford Town. Patrons may also choose to walk from the campsite to Redmond Square, taking approximately 20 minutes.
Taxi Pick Up
There will be a designated Taxi pick-up point on Spawell Road, Wexford Town.
Additional Information
Public transport is available to transport patrons to and from the event. Please check relevant schedules in advance.
Note the colour of your park and ride facility in order to find it easily on your return.
Follow the directional signage for your specific route to the designated park and ride facility.
Please display your vehicle pass/permit clearly on your windscreen to avoid delays.
Allow additional time driving to the event due to the increase in traffic volumes.
Traffic updates will be available on Garda social media channels, @aaroadwatch, Fleadh Cheoil and Wexford County Council social media sites.
Phil Murphy, Anne Mercipill, George O’Connor, Betty Connors, John Roche, Grace Murphy, Scott O’Reilly and Corra O’Donovan pictured at the launch of this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is kindly supported by Wexford County Council, Fáilte Ireland, and Wexford Credit Union. RTÉ and TG4 will once again act as broadcast and live broadcasting partners, respectively. Pic; Andres Poveda
Be Aware
Please expect traffic delays if travelling by private vehicle or public transport.
Be Prepared
The Fleadh Cheoil is a wonderful family event and will be worth the wait. Make sure you have a full tank of fuel and electrical vehicles charged.
Supt. Jarlath Duffy concluded; “Gardaí will also be out and about on the streets and at each of the events being held over the course of the eight days. Be sure to stop any one of us if there is anything that you need or any assistance that we give to help. If anyone should find themselves in an emergency or immediate danger, we always advise to call 999/112. This is a wonderful occasion for our town and we’re looking forward to helping ensure that everyone, local residents and all those coming into the area, have a safe and enjoyable time.”
The Kilmuckridge Sunflower Field, a heartwarming community project aimed at raising funds for the Daffodil Nurses of Ireland through the Irish Cancer Society and other local community groups, is preparing for its much-anticipated launch at the beginning of August.
The official launch date will be announced soon, contingent on the blooming of the sunflowers, which are already showing promising signs of becoming a stunning display. The field is located at the back of The Crosses Pub in the village of Kilmuckridge, or use Eircode Y25 V0Y1
Once the sunflowers are in full bloom, the field will open to the public, inviting visitors to pick their own sunflowers. In exchange, visitors are encouraged to donate to support this worthy cause. To facilitate contributions, honesty boxes and donation buckets will be placed throughout the field, and there will also be an online option for those who prefer to donate digitally.
“The Kilmuckridge Sunflower Field is more than just a beautiful display of nature,” said Cllr Mary Farrell, Project Co-ordinator of the Kilmuckridge Sunflower Field project. “It symbolises the strength and resilience of our community, and it’s a beacon of light and hope for those who have been affected by cancer. We invite everyone to visit, enjoy the beauty of the sunflowers, and support the vital work of the Daffodil Nurses and the Irish Cancer Society.”
The community-driven project is expected to attract numerous visitors, each contributing to the cause and helping to make a difference in the lives of those battling cancer.
The extension of parent’s leave and benefit from seven weeks to nine weeks is a major step in support and welcome relief to families across Wexford, according to North Wexford-based Cllr Darragh McDonald.
“Fine Gael have again increased parent’s leave to acknowledge the difficulties faced by families with young children,” Cllr McDonald told WexfordLocal.com, and he added; “Under these new measures, you can now claim nine weeks’ parent’s leave if your child is under the age of two on August 1st, 2024, or if your adopted child has been placed with your family less than two years on 1st August 2024.”
CLLR DARRAGH McDONALD
“Fine Gael introduced this leave in 2019 and it is great to now see it expanded further. This is a major support for many families so they can better balance work with family commitments which can be so challenging in today’s working environment.
“This measure will be available to both mothers and fathers and will apply to all future parents. Evidence shows that children benefit from being cared for and spending time with their parents when they are very young. From a parent’s perspective it’s clear that having that bit more time with a young child is incredibly beneficial.”
“Parent’s leave also gives an opportunity for fathers to take this leave in addition to their 2-week paternity leave, to have a total of 11 weeks off to be involved in the earliest stages of their child’s development.”
“Fine Gael knows parents are working hard, and we will continue to work to make life easier for families,” concluded Cllr McDonald.
Kilmore Quay RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was launched on Sunday at 1.42pm to assist in a search for a kayaker that had become separated from a group kayaking to the small Saltee Island.
Weather and sea conditions were good at the time. The Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117 also joined the search and within minutes located the kayaker who had navigated to shore east of Kilmore Quay at Ballygrangans.
Speaking following the call out, Kilmore Quay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, John Grace said: “The kayaker is safe and well,” and he added; “We urge that all those going to sea at any time of year, to make sure to check weather and tides before going out. If you are not familiar with the area, talk to local people familiar with the tides, wear a life jacket or suitable flotation device, and always carry a means of communication. Should you get into difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
WexfordLocal.com 