Remembering award-winning Gorey actress Nancy Byrne

By Dan Walsh

Tributes are pouring in following news of the sad passing of Nancy Byrne, Tomsilla Lower, Gorey, who is described as “A lifelong member and President of Gorey Little Theatre and one of the finest actresses ever to grace a stage in Wexford and beyond.”

On social media Gorey Little Theatre were saddened by Nancy’s death and recalled how she played so many memorable roles over the years in Gorey’s summer plays, festival plays, pantomimes and other productions. She won numerous best actress awards, (including Best Actress in Athlone for All-Ireland Drama), and she embodied every role she played to perfection.

NANCY BYRNE seen here when she was honoured with the role of Grand Marshal at Gorey St. Patrick’s Day Parade some years ago. (File Pic; Joe Dixon/WexfordLocal.com)

In later years she continued to support and encourage younger actors and actresses in their endeavours. She was also known for her written reflections of Gorey Little Theatre events which were very wittily scribed! She will be deeply missed by her many dear friends in Gorey Little Theatre.  The curtain has closed but her wonderful legacy will live on in Gorey Little Theatre. “We are thinking of her daughters Michaela and Nicky and all her family at this sad time,” stated Gorey Little Theatre members and supporters.

Well-known and respected adjudicator Imelda McDonagh also paid a personal tribute. “I’m so sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. A beautiful person who gave from her heart- in life and on stage. I was privileged to share the stage with her on several occasions, most notably in The Barrett’s of Wilmpole Street where she was absolutely magnificent, winning her the Best Actress award in Athlone. Sincere condolences to all of Nancy’s family.”

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has occurred of Nancy Byrne (née Beeton) Fairy Lane, Tomsilla Lower, Gorey, Wexford / Arklow, Wicklow. Peacefully at her daughter Michaela’s home. Wife of the late Michael, adored mother of Michaela (Kennedy) and Nicky (Maher), dearest mother-in-law of Gerry and the late Paul, devoted grandmother of Michael and her late Little Princess Lauren and sister of the late Monica, Danny and Mena. She will be sadly missed by her sorrowing daughters, son-in-law, grandson, brothers-in-law John (Noblett) and Roy (Byrne), sister-in-law Barbara (Byrne), her nieces Tee and Deirdre and all her beloved nephews and nieces, her extended family, neighbours and many dear friends from The Gorey Little Theatre Group and beyond. May she rest in peace.

Reposing at Sweeney’s Funeral Home, Arklow from 11 o’clock on Wednesday morning with a service in celebration of Nancy’s life to follow at 12 noon. Funeral afterwards to Courtown Cemetery, Riverchapel, Co Wexford.

Yacht crew brought to safety at Rosslare

Rosslare Harbour RNLI comes to the aid of a yacht’s crew. (Pic; RNLI/Rosslare Harbour)

By Dan Walsh

A crew from Rosslare Harbour RNLI, the Irish Coast Guard helicopter crew of Rescue 117 based in Waterford and a fishing boat crew came to the aid of two people onboard a yacht which was taking on water in heavy seas 20 miles south east of Rosslare Europort.

The all-weather lifeboat was launched at 9.15am this morning (Tuesday) at the request of the Irish Coast Guard. The seas were heavy in a Force 6 south easterly wind at the time.

The volunteer crew once on scene assessed the situation and due to the yacht’s crew being unable to make safe onward progress, a decision was made to attach a towline.

The yacht was then brought back safely to Rosslare Europort, arriving at 1.15pm. Both crew members were safe and well.

Speaking following the call out, Alan Murphy, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Launch Authority, said; “We would like to commend the sailors for raising the alarm when they knew they were in difficulty, that is always the right thing to do, and we wish them well. We also want to thank our colleagues in Rescue 117 and the crew of the fishing boat. This is another example of excellent co-operation with emergency service colleagues and other vessels at sea in the area. And of course, thanks to our volunteer crew members for effecting a successful service in difficult conditions. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

Female (20s) dies in road traffic collision at Barntown

By Dan Walsh

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a fatal three-vehicle road traffic collision involving a truck, a van and a car, that occurred on the N25 at Barntown, near Wexford  town, this morning, at approximately 6.30am.

The female driver of the car (aged in her 20’s) was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her body has been conveyed to University Hospital Waterford for post mortem examination.

The male driver of the van (aged in his 40’s) was conveyed to Wexford General Hospital for treatment for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening at this time.

The scene is currently preserved for technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators.

The road is currently closed and local diversions are in place.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time of the incident, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

N25 road closure for several hours

Gardaí say that a section of the N25 Wexford-New Ross road is expected to remain closed for several hours following a road traffic collision this morning.

The two-car collision happened at Larkin’s Cross, Barntown at around 6.30 am.

Motorists are being advised to take alternative routes, as emergency services deal with the incident.

Diversions are in place.

“One of the great Fleadh’s of all time’ ends in Wexford town

By Dan Walsh in Wexford town

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford town has been described as “one of the great Fleadh’s of all time” and is universally acclaimed by visitors and locals alike as an outstanding success after more than 600,000 visitors filled the streets over the week-long celebration and injected €60 million into the local economy. The event attracted 7,000 competitive musicians, dancers and singers from all parts of Ireland and abroad.

Officially opened by Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D. Higgins on Sunday week, the festival culminated on Sunday night with Beartla Ó Flatharta Céilí Band Cill Dara solidifying their legacy by winning the Senior Céilí Band competition after an evening of fierce competition.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com today, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr Pip Breen said; “It has been a great honour to host this fantastic event in Wexford town for the first time. What a privilege to showcase our town in the heart of the sunny southeast to a global audience. I would like to thank everyone from the many volunteers to the visitors to the people of Wexford, and I sincerely hope that everybody had a wonderful, safe, and happy time in our town and county.

“It has been such a pleasure to host the Fleadh this year, and we certainly are looking forward to 2025. Memories have been made that will last a lifetime, and the legacy of the Fleadh is the increased interest in traditional Irish music, song, and dance that will last for generations to come,” concluded Cllr Breen.

Labhrás Ó Murchú, Ard-Stiúrthóir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, said; “Wexford has proved to be an ideal venue because it has its own order of tradition and history, and the co-operation of the County Council has helped it deliver one of the most comprehensive programmes ever. There were huge numbers in attendance from the 22 countries where Comhaltas is rooted, and we are happy that we have exceeded the number in attendance last year, which was 600,000. In terms of musicians and performers, the number has possibly reached 20,000 this year, so Wexford will go down as one of the great Fleadhs of all time.”

Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and hosted by the local Wexford Town Fleadh Executive Committee in association with Wexford County Council. The event was kindly supported by Wexford County Council, Wexford Credit Union, and Fáilte Ireland. RTÉ and TG4 once again acted as broadcast and live broadcasting partners, respectively.

Update; €7.2m cocaine seizure

The two men (aged in the 40s and 50s) that were arrested on Friday as part of the seizure of suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €7.2 million, at Rosslare Europort, have been released without charge.

Both men were released from custody without charge and a file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Investigations ongoing.

2 men arrested following cocaine find at Rosslare Europort

Revenue officers seized 104 kg of cocaine with an estimated value of €7.2 million as part of an intelligence-led operation at Rosslare Europort last Thursday.

Two men (aged in their 40s and 50s) were arrested on Friday by An Garda Síochána. They are currently being detained pursuant to Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at Garda stations in Wexford and Kerry.

The seizure was made because of a joint operation conducted by Revenue’s Customs Service and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).

Investigations are ongoing.

The seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.

Drugs worth over €16m seized at Rosslare Europort

Revenue officers, assisted by Gardaí have seized cannabis with an estimated value of more than €16 million at Rosslare Europort today.

Approximately 783kg of herbal cannabis and 70kg of cannabis resin was discovered in an unaccompanied freight unit that was stopped and searched after its arrival on a ferry from Bilbao in Spain.

JASPER the detector dog was involved in today’s operations at Rosslare Europort.

The operation was a result of risk profiling with the assistance of detector dog Jasper and an x-ray scanner,

The drugs will be analysed by Forensic Science Ireland.

No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.

The seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.

A ‘Berry’ good evening at Wexford races

CRUISIN SUSAN (John Padge Berry up) is led into the winner’s enclosure following local success at Wexford races this evening. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com).

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Races

Highlight of this evening’s Fleadh racing festival at Wexford was the six and a half lengths success of Cruisin Susan (5/1) in division two of the Pat Farrell Memorial Handicap Hurdle for the Berry family stables at Ballyroe, Blackwater.

Trained by John Berry and running in the colours of his wife, Anna, the seven-year-old bay mare had finished second to wide-margin winner Kilashee at Kilbeggan on her previous start, was ridden by their son, John Padge Berry.

Speaking afterwards, John Berry said; “The last day she was just beaten by a better handicapper. We were afraid that she mightn’t stay the trip today, but the better ground helped her. She’s won two now and maybe she’ll be lucky and win another one.There is a race over two-and-a-half for her at Tramore and she might go there next week.”

A second locally trained winner was That’s About Right (12/1) in the colours of the Namtab Syndicate from the Tinahely area and trained by Philip Rothwell by six and a half lengths in the Traynors of Wexford Handicap Hurdle. It was a sixth career winner for jockey Conor Owens from Carlow.

That’s About Right had won on his previous run at Downpatrick and held off Noble Hilltop ridden by Kieran Buckly for his father, Edward Buckley of Clonroche.

The seven-race card commenced with a riding double for Cian Quirke; Sunchart (11/10 fav/) for Andrew Slattery in the maiden hurdle and Inchiquin Star (8/1) for Dungarvan trainer Paul Kiely in the mares’ handicap hurdle.

Quirke was delighted with his double success as he was returning from injury. He said; “That’s my second double. I broke my left wrist in Limerick three months ago and I was only back after breaking my leg three months before that. Just before that I was back from breaking my other wrist, so it’s just been injury after injury.”

Racing returns to Bettyville Park on Friday, August 30th for an evening fixture.  

Over 5,500 musicians chase Fleadh trophies

Pictured at the Official Opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford Town are Agnes O’Donoghue (5), Edel Kavanagh (6) and Regina O’Donoghue (7). (Pic; Andres Paveda).

By Dan Walsh


Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann launches into a weekend jam-packed with music and competitions, celebrating a diverse array of performers. Over the next three days, an estimated 5,500 musicians across 250 competitions will compete for a much sought-after trophy.

On Sunday, the Senior Céilí Band Competition will take centre stage at the Credit Union Dome. This fantastic night of compelling music and ferocious competition will serve as a spectacular finale to the Fleadh, as bands battle it out for the ultimate prize in Irish traditional music. For over 70 years, some of the best-known names in traditional music have engaged in this prestigious contest, with reputations built and legacies born through the rhythm of the reels.

The live-streamed competitions, including the Senior Céilí Band Competition, can be viewed on Facebook and will attract thousands of viewers both at home and overseas. This is an amazing opportunity for Irish culture lovers to experience the magic of the Fleadh no matter where they are in the world. The full schedule of live-streamed competitions is:

Friday, August 9th

14:00 – Concertina (Ages 12-15)

16:00 – Accompaniment (Over 18)

Saturday, August 10th

10:00 – Melodeon (Over 18)

13:30 – Harp (Ages 15-18)

16:00 – Miscellaneous Instruments (Ages 15-18)

Sunday, August 11th

18:30 – Céilí Bands (Over 18)

Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and is hosted by the local Wexford Town Fleadh Executive Committee in association with Wexford County Council. The event is kindly supported by Wexford County Council, Wexford Credit Union and Fáilte Ireland. RTÉ and TG4 will once again act as broadcast and live broadcasting partners, respectively.

For a full rundown of all the exciting events happening this week in Wexford for Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, click here.