Slaney News, Issue 141, February 2022.

Slaney News

ServiNg Co. wexford for the laSt 11 yearS

Issue 141 - February 2022

Matt Mernagh outside his newly painted shopfront at the top of Enniscorthy’s Slaney Street. A major facelift of that street is nearing completion with funding under the Historic Towns Initiative.

See pages 14-15 inside.

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Page 2 - 4th February 2022

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Our office is open and welcoming constituents for face to face advice and support.

By appointment only and Covid-19 public health advice compliance.

Tel: 087 1142100. Email: Johnny.Mythen@oireachtas.ie Constituency Office: Slaney Place Enniscorthy Co. Wexford Y21 T8K7

Contents of this issue of Slaney News...

News Food & Drink Business & Finance Pets Motoring Leisure & Lifestyle Sport Arts History & Heritage Environment

page 4 page 49 page 57 page 65 page 66 page 69 page 87 page 93 page 96 page 98

We would be delighted to receive stories and photos from our readers around the county. If you have anything you’d like us to share, please email slaneynews@gmail.com and we will do our best to include as many photos and stories as possible.

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TEL: 053-9255219 - RATHNURE - ENNISCORTHY 4th February 2022 - Page 3

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comment Welcome to the February issue of the online-only Slaney News.

A Special Meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District dealing solely with the delay in having the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme signed off by government, took place online on 13th January 2022 with Minister Patrick O’Donovan present – the Minister responsible for the Office of Public Works. Regarding the timescale for the final approval of this project, we are really none the wiser after this meeting. The project is with the Dept of Public Expenditure whose officials are checking and reviewing the project including making sure it is legally sound so as to minimise the possibility of any lengthy and costly court battles later. The Minister informed the meeting that there is NO time limit for this decision. The process will take as long as it takes!

The Minister emphasised that the money for the project (on which €5m has already been spent on design and preliminary engineering works) will be "north of €50m" and likely to rise even further due to construction cost inflation, but is fully secure – "our commitment is solid" he said, and that Enniscorthy is "top of the league" when it comes to flood relief priority. So while the commitment to the project seems secure, the wait for the final approval goes on.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Some good news for Enniscorthy is that a recent meeting of the Enniscorthy St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee decided that after a hiatus of two years, the Parade will go ahead this year on Thursday, 17th March 2022, at 3pm. See page 19 for further details.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Before Christmas 2021, a good turnout of around 100 people attended a constructive ‘Regenerating Enniscorthy’ meeting in the Riverside Park Hotel. A follow up meeting will be held online at 7pm on Thursday 17th February and it is hoped that those 100 people will be joined by many more with an interest in the future development of our town. Register online at consult.wexfordcoco.ie. The main aim is to develop a regeneration plan that will be a driver for change into the future.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– If you have any news or photos you’d like us to share in the Slaney News, please email them to slaneynews@gmail.com and we will do our best to include as much as possible. Also, please let us know what you think about our new format. Telephone: 087-2403310, slaneynews@gmail.com or message us through our Facebook page, ‘Slaney News’, which now has over 8,000 Likes. And, of course, if you like our new online format please spread the word so we can grow our online readership. Thank you.

– Frank Corcoran

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To advertise in the Slaney News please contact: 087-2403310 SLANEY NEWS, CLONHASTON, ENNISCORTHY Tel: 087-2403310 Email: slaneynews@gmail.com www.slaneynews.com Facebook: Slaney News Online: www.issuu.com/slaneynews/docs PUBLISHED in Enniscorthy by Corcoran Print & Design Disclaimer: Slaney News reserves the right to accept or reject any advertisement submitted for publication.

Slaney News does not attempt to investigate or verify claims made in advertisements appearing in our publication. The appearance of an advertisement in this publication in no way implies endorsement or approval by us of any advertising claims or of the advertiser, its product, or services. Slaney News disclaims any liability whatsoever in connection with advertising appearing in this publication.

Every effort has been made to ensure that all articles published in Slaney News are true and accurate but if any errors do occur please let us know and we will gladly rectify them in our next issue.

Where details of future events are given in this publication, we recommend that you check these details directly with the organisers as event details may be subject to change.

Slaney News strongly recommends seeking independent professional advice before acting on any financial, medical or other information contained in this publication.

SLANEY NEWS

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Enniscorthy Women Walking Together A new ‘Enniscorthy Women Walking Together’ meet-up group has been set up so that no woman who likes to walk has to walk alone, and to help all women to be healthier, happier and fitter. All women are very welcome to join in.

Walking alone is not usually much fun so it helps to be among friends who are encouraging and supportive. Walking times, days and duration will be decided by the walkers in the group.

A spokesperson for the group says: “So why not give it a try. Come join us and make new friends, have fun and a chat and get healthier at the same time.”

A Facebook page has been created to help bring women of all ages together to enjoy walking in the company of other like-minded women.

Check out the new Facebook page: ‘Enniscorthy Women Walking Together’ n

Page 6 - 4th February 2022

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Delightful Dollies stepping out

Enniscorthy’s Delightful Dollies group have been meeting and exercising at the Enniscorthy Sports Hub while their regular indoor meet-ups at Bellefield GAA complex remain postponed due to the pandemic.

Top left: Anne Collins, Elisabeth O’Brien, Mary Dobbs and Monica Moorehouse.

Top right: Gertie Bolger, Kit Kenny and Eileen Coady.

Above left: Gertie Bolger, Winnie O’Connor and Kit Kenny.

Above right: Catherine Rossiter, Marion Morrissey.

Left: Mary Vardy, Marion Morrisey, Joan Peare and Mary Leacy.

Below: Mary Dobbs, Monica Moorehouse, Kathleen Hennessey, Eileen Coady, Anne Collins and Elisabeth O’Brien.

Page 8 - 4th February 2022

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Black is the colour at Wheelocks

Cyril Wheelock admiring the new tarmac at The Village at Wheelocks installed by Liam Cooper & Sons, Monageer.

Cyril Wheelock is delighted with the new car-parking arrangements at the Village at Wheelocks.

Page 10 - 4th February 2022

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4th February 2022 - Page 11

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Wexford’s County Councillors give overwhelming backing to their CEO IN THE RECENT DISPUTE BETWEEN THE CEO OF WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL, TOM ENRIGHT, AND SOUTH EAST RADIO, WEXFORD’S COUNTY COUNCILLORS HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY BACKED THEIR CEO.

“I am very passionate for the work that Council staff and Councillors do to make County Wexford a better place and some of that passion overflowed into these two e-mails.

“I cannot thank people enough for their support during this time. I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the large outpouring of support. Hundreds of messages of support, many from people I don’t even know and have never met.

The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) found that Mr Enright put “unwarranted” pressure on South East Radio when he threatened in emails sent to South East Radio on August 29th and 30th, 2019, to withdraw Council advertising over the station’s coverage of the Council which he believed to be biased against the Council.

A statement was issued by Tom Enright on Friday 14th January, 2022, following a decision by Wexford County Council to take no further action in relation to SIPO Report.

"I welcome that the Elected Members of Wexford County Council have today [Friday 14th January] decided that no action will be taken in relation to the findings in the SIPO report published last week.

“I wish to state again that I regret the tone of the two e-mails sent to South

“The Council should have a good and constructive working relationship with our local radio station and we intend to look to put a Service Level Agreement in place with South East Radio to facilitate an improved relationship into the future.

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Tom Enright

East Radio. However, I was standing up to the radio station who were shown to have breached the Broadcasting Act and who I was informed were acting in a deliberately biased manner against the Council.

“I am pleased that I can now draw a line under this matter and concentrate fully on leading the important work and priorities of the Council including the delivery of essential public services, social and affordable housing, supporting communities in the fight against Covid-19 and the continued roll-out of our ambitious community and economic development programme."

THE 'SLANEY NEWS' IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH MR ENRIGHT'S COMMITMENT AND PASSION IN DRIVING THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COUNTY AND WE WELCOME THE FACT THAT HE WILL BE CONTINUING IN HIS CRUCIAL LEADERSHIP ROLE. n

Additional role for Cllr Browne Enniscorthy’s Cllr Aidan Browne was appointed as a Peace Commissioner last month. Peace Commissioners are honorary appointments and there is no payment of fees or expenses for their services.

Peace Commissioners are responsible for taking statutory declarations, witnessing signatures on documents required by various authorities, and signing certificates and orders under various Acts.

Peace Commissioners also have the authority to issue summons and warrants, though these powers are are not exercised very often.

Cllr Browne says, “It’s an honour for me to be appointed a Peace Commissioner for County Wexford and adjoining counties by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee. If anybody needs the services of a Peace Commissioner please contact me: 087-7753097, aidan.browne@wexfordmcc.ie” n

Page 12 - 4th February 2022

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Tel: 087-968 2756 4th February 2022 - Page 13

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Some of the freshly painted buildings on Enniscorthy’s Slaney Street. Turner and Whelan have been employed to paint 20 premises on the street.

Facelift for Enn historic Slan

With €174,000 in government funding under the Historic Tow corthy, are nearing completion with Michael Tierney, Conserv works element, New Ross based company, National Gates, w placement of over sixty timber sash windows for eleven sepa buildings, and Turner and Whelan painting 20 premises on th place including replacement of public lights, bollards, railings up electrical cables on the street elevation. n

Windows temporarily boarded up pending refurbishment / replacement.

January 2022 Page 14 - 7th 4th February 2022

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niscorthy’s ney Street

Public Realm works are also taking place including replacement of public lights, bollards, railings, litter bins, gutters, downpipes, and tidying up electrical cables on the street elevation.

Matt Mernagh outside his newly painted shopfront at the top of Slaney Street.

wns Initiative, works on Slaney Street, Ennisvation Architect, supervising the conservation working under contract on the repair and rearate either vacant buildings or protected he street. Public Realm works are also taking s, litter bins, gutters, downpipes, and tidying

4th February 2022 - Page 15

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Call for additional Mico at the helm funding for Co. Wexford home care Deputy Johnny Mythen is calling for additional funding for home care in Co. Wexford. Last month he questioned the Taoiseach on resourcing for home care packages in County Wexford.

“The waiting list of home support services in Co. Wexford stands at present at an astonishing 644 families, with another 227 families waiting for increased supports.

“Home support is one of the most important life-changing services the H.S.E. provides to families and their loved ones. It lifts people out of a world of anxiety and worry.

“A review was completed for home care services for Wexford in November 2021, with plans to implement the recommendations across 2022.

“Today I asked the Taoiseach if there is resourcing for these recommendations. He is to revert back to me on this.

“Reviews and recommendations are only as good as the resourcing behind them. Families in Wexford cannot suffer any more because of the simple lack of proper governance and service provision, and I will be following up with the Minister for Health on this.” n

Enniscorthy Castle will be reopening from this Saturday, 5th February 2022, at 12 noon, under new Manager, Mico Hassett (pictured).

Local politicians united in grief

Local politicians pay their respects at the Vigil for the late Ashling Murphy held in the Market Square, Enniscorthy, on Sunday night, 16th January 2022. L-R: Cllr John O’Rourke, Paul Kehoe TD, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy (Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council), Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cllr Pip Breen (Cathaoirleach, Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District), Cllr Jackser Owens, Cllr Cathal Byrne (Cathaoirleach, Enniscorthy Municipal District).

Page 16 - 4th February 2022

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4th February 2022 - Page 17

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Teen fitness at Astro Active

Teen Fitness sessions at the Astro Active Centre, Bellefield Road, Enniscorthy, are now taking place outdoors utilising the centre’s new outdoor gym equipment. Instructors there can create an outdoor circuit to get teens back on track with their fitness.

Astro Active Centre offers fully supervised, after-school gym fitness sessions tailored for the specific needs of teenagers.

Regular exercise is proven to improve not only physical health but also mental health and can help deal with the challenges that students face in everyday life. These sessions are an ideal way for teenagers not involved in team sports to increase physical activity. Equally, they can supplement team training by focusing on strength and body conditioning.

Page 18 - 4th February 2022

Sessions are tailored for each individual and a programme devised using a combination of cardio-vascular workouts and resistance training using body weight and free weight exercises.

These sessions are available at €4 per session, or €30 for 12 sessions, to teenagers aged 13 to 16 years from 4pm to 6pm from Tuesdays to Thursdays, with a 45-minute duration. The last session is at 5.15pm. Book online via link below. No vaccination cert is required for these outdoor sessions.

For more info or to book: https://cwcwe.ie/astro-activecentre/astro-kids/ or phone 053 9236678.

Discounted student gym membership rates are also available for students aged 17 and over. n

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Enniscorthy parade proceeding

ENNISCORTHY'S ST PATRICK'S DAY PARADE WILL BE GOING AHEAD THIS MARCH 17TH...

ANOTHER SIGN OF THINGS GETTING BACK TOWARDS NORMAL At a recent meeting, members of the Enniscorthy St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee decided that after a hiatus of two years, the Parade will go ahead this year on Thursday, 17th March 2022, at 3pm.

passed. Led by the Army Reserve Colour Party, the marching groups will set off from St. Senan’s Parish Church at 3.00pm.

The floats and vehicles taking part in the Parade will again assemble on The Promenade.”

The committee says, "It will be great to get out and about after our period of hibernating, in which most of us abided by rules to stem the tide of the pandemic.

Our condolences to all the families who lost loved ones to Covid-19.

This year, new Laws and Regulations have obliged the Committee to send out a Consent Form about Data Protection and a Form that the Health and Safety Section of Wexford County Council has drawn up regarding insurance for participating groups demonstrating activities during the Parade, along with the usual Entry Form.

“The Parade route will be the same as other years except that the marchers will go up Hospital Lane which means that Rafter Street and Wafer Street will be by-

Due to Health and Safety regulations, insurance implications and advice from An

Garda Siochána, horses/animals will not be allowed to take part in the Parade this year.

The Committee paid tribute to the late Tara Manning, who with Margaret Casey and others, rescued the Parade from almost disappearing at one stage to what it has become in later years. May she Rest in Peace.

Over one hundred clubs, organisations and cultural groups are now being circulated with relevant forms for the Parade and if any organisation/club hasn’t received one please contact Seán Doyle, 2 Esmonde Road, Enniscorthy.

Tel: 053 92 35119 seanogodubhghaill@gmail.com n

4th February 2022 - Page 19

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ENNISCORTHY IN MOU

Some of the large gathering at the Enniscorthy Vigil for Ashling Murphy in the Market Square, 16th January 2022.

Pausing for thought at the Vigil for Ashling Murphy.

Adding candles to the hundreds of others.

Three members of the Delightful Dollies showing their support at the Vigil for Ashling Murphy in the Market Square.

Page 20 - 4th February 2022

Alwer Courtney at the Vigil in Market Square.

Le A

Queuing up to place their candles at the monum

Martina Leacy and her dog Susie at the for Ashling Murphy.

SlaNey SNaPS

URNING FOR ASHLING

eft: Sending a prayer were Poppy, David and Charlie Shore.

Above: Candles light up the monument at Market Square.

Playing a lament at the Vigil for Ashling Murphy in the Market Square, 16th January 2021.

Among the crowd at the Vigil for Ashling Murphy was Johnny Mythen TD.

ment.

At the Vigil for Ashling Murphy in the Market Square, Enniscorthy.

Two young ladies deep in thought: Tara O’Brien and Laoise Doran.

Vigil

Trish Redmond and Lorraine Blackburn at the Vigil for Ashling Murphy in Enniscorthy.

Candles in hand at the Vigil for Ashling Murphy in the Market Square, 16th January, 2021.

4th February 2022 - Page 21

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Page 22 - 4th February 2022

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Local clergy raise €34,500 for charity

All smiles at conferring

The annual Christmas fast by local clergymen outside St Iberius Church in Wexford town raised €34,500 for local charities at its most recent happening – Christmas 2021. Over the past 30 years the event has raised almost €800,000 in total for local charities.

At Christmas 2021, Rev Arthur Minion and Fr Billy Swan fasted for four days behind a perspex screen (due to Covid-19 concerns), and the €34,500 they raised was shared as follows: €16,500 for the Wexford branch of St. Vincent de Paul and €3,000 each for Wexford Hospice Homecare, Wexford Rape Crisis Centre, Wexford Meals on Wheels, Wexford Women’s Refuge, Ozanam House men’s hostel, and the Hope Cancer Support Centre in Enniscorthy.

Rev Minion will be moving soon to the Birr Group of Parishes in the Diocese of Killaloe and so the Wexford fast – his tenth in total – looks like being his last. On the other hand it was Fr Swan’s first time participating having been appointed as Wexford Parish Administrator early last year.

Concerns over Covid and its Omicron variant, coupled with heavy rain, particularly on Christmas Eve, contributed to the amount collected being understandably a little down on previous years, but needless to say the recipient charities were delighted with the financial contribution they received from the most recent fast and all sincerely thanked the two clergymen for their commitment and dedication, and the people of Wexford and beyond for their generosity. n

Institute of Technology Carlow conferring, 4th January 2022.

Emma Fitzhenry, Wexford, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sport & Exercise Sciences, pictured with her dad Fran.

The conferring was one of 20 such ceremonies which took place in January for over 2,500 graduates conferred with degrees, higher degrees and doctorates across the Institute of Technology Carlow campuses and locations in Carlow, Wexford and Wicklow.

Pic: Mary Browne.

Astro Active Fr Billy Swan and Rev Arthur Minion.

The outdoor exercise areas and walkway are open 7 days a week at the Astro Active Centre, Bellefield Road, Enniscorthy, with floodlights on from 5pm-9pm Monday-Friday.

Dogs must be kept on a leash and please bin your rubbish.

4th February 2022 - Page 23

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Wexford Campus Carlow IT Gr

Wexford Campus Institute of Technology Carlow Graduation Ceremony in National O Two Graduates – Jack Devereux and Robert O’Connor.

Above left: Ciara Byrne from Curracloe with her mum Teresa and gran Margaret Manahan. Ciara got a Bachel Master of Science in Digital Media with Business Analytics degree, with his m Above right: Elaine Sunderland, Enniscorthy, graduated with a Busi

Above left: William Hurley with his degree in Business with his family Saishwin Jaya Kumat, Celine Williams and Teresa Hurley. Above right: Degree recipient Valerie Moore.

Anne, Robyn and Thomas Redmond. Robyn received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Page 24 - 4th February 2022

James, Mary and Bridget Hartigan, Wexford. Mary got a degree in

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lor of Arts degree. Above centre: T.J. Ferguson with his mum Pamela Ferguson. iness degree.

Bernadette Donovan with her Bachelor of Business degree with her family Trish White, Thomas and Grainne White.

Above left: The Brady Bunch – dad Vincent Brady, Kirk Brady with his degree in Business, and mum Marie Brady.

Above right: Degree Sisters with their family. L-R: Eamonn, Darragh, Kim, Kate, Catherine, Juliette and Danny Dempsey.

Business and Marketing.

Charlene Atsu and Andraass Atsu.

Marie, Ciara and Martin Nolan, Ferns. Ciara received a degree in Business.

4th February 2022 - Page 25

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4th February 2022 - Page 27

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Mythen calls for better mental health services Sinn Féin TD Johnny Mythen is urging the government to provide out of hours mental health services for children and young people in Co. Wexford

that they are fit for purpose. It has been clear for some time now that mental health services in this country are scandalously over-stretched.

Deputy Mythen has supported a motion his party has brought forward in the Dáil this week to protect children’s mental health services.

“Sinn Féin’s motion would end this scandal by protecting mental health services for children and young people.

The Private Member’s Bill was debated in the Dáil on Tuesday 1st February and urges the government to address the growing crisis in mental health services for children and young people.

Deputy Mythen also called for out of hours Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to be provided in the county.

Deputy Mythen said, “Sinn Féin have brought forward a motion in the Dáil to protect children’s mental health services. For far too long, mental health services for children and young people have been at crisis point and patients simply aren’t getting the crucial, high-quality care that they deserve.

“Mental health services must receive adequate funding and resourcing to ensure

“Our motion calls on the government to tackle extreme waiting lists and clinical oversight deficiencies in child and adolescent health services. It demands that the government put in place a proactive strategy for the recruitment and retention of psychologists across CAMHS. “It also calls for legislation to end the bad practice of placing children into adult psychiatric facilities.

“I also used this opportunity to urge the Minister to address the serious issue of a lack of out of hours CAMHS services in Co. Wexford.

“So many of the cases of mental distress in young people that I deal with happen in the evenings, after dark or on the weekends.

They need to have somewhere to go that

Johnny Mythen TD

isn’t the emergency department.

“The last time I asked about plans for this, the HSE said there are no immediate plans for a 7day service.

“This cannot continue. Urgent plans must be put in place now to expand the service.

“Parents and young people have done enough of intimately telling their private stories in the media to try and create change. The time for the state to act is now.” n

School Transport Scheme news...

Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the announcement of a review of the School Transport Scheme, which he described as “much needed and long overdue.”

He said, “One of the issues for which I have fought for a number of years is a review of the school transport scheme.

Every year in County Wexford, we have problems with school transport and often children not having places on the bus.”

“I’m delighted that Minister Norma Foley has now commenced the review. Students and parents (and others!) who use the scheme are now invited to put forward their views / suggestions.”

Those who wish to take part in the consultation on the School Transport Scheme should do so now on the link below: https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/81 e6e-school-transport-reviews/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/schooltransportreview/

Bus Éireann is accepting new applications for primary and/or post-primary school transport for the academic school year 2022/2023. Online applications opened on Monday 24 January 2022.

This means that children starting school in 2022/23, or moving school including from primary to secondary school, or who are moving address, will need to register online before Friday 29 April 2022. No fees are payable at this point.

Senator Malcolm Byrne

School transport is a significant scheme operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. Under the school transport scheme, Bus Éireann has been committed to providing vital school transport services for children nationwide since 1967. The scheme is the largest of its kind in Europe with more than 122,000 children availing of school transport services daily. The Scheme is open to primary students living at least 3.2km from their nearest school, and to post-primary students living more than 4.8km from the nearest school.

Again, the closing date for new applications is Friday 29 April 2022. Any application received after this date is deemed late and may mean no seat will be available.

For further information on the school transport scheme: www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport

Page 28 - 4th February 2022

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THE GREAT RUSSIAN BEAR OR THE ONE TRICK PONY? VLADIMIR PUTIN has form and lots of it. Like groundhog day, it seems to be the same cards he is

TOWN TALK

world politics. Then it stopped. One wonders why. Why did he retreat back behind the IRON CURTAIN out of sight of the world? He was not

dealing with every single time.

forced to by the KGB. PUTIN was

In fact the crisis in UKRAINE is not a

MISTER KGB. It was not because of

new one. It has been more than just

political pressure from opponents as

simmering for almost twenty years.

he has a reputation of removing

It is worth mentioning at this point

them from the scene. One can only

that the prime minister of UKRAINE

speculate on the workings of his

was poisoned when speaking out

mind, so that is what I intend to do.

against RUSSIAN aggression almost

VLADIMIR is a proud man. A proud

two decades ago. Again, there was

RUSSIAN man and quite a vain man

a very high profile case of a soviet

at that. We have all seen the photo

double-agent being poisoned. We

ops of him wrestling bears, fishing

all remember the photos of him

shirtless on the banks of a river,

dying in a BRITISH hospital bed.

More recently again, a former RUSSIAN MILITARY OFFICER and his daughter were found dying of poison sitting on a park bench in Salisbury, ENGLAND, in 2018. Other examples of RUSSIAN AGRESSION tend to be focused on either former or bordering USSR states, CHECHNYA and GEORGIA and CRIMEA being the latest. THE BLACK SEA is

WITH KEITH DOYLE

horse riding without a saddle, and playing ice hockey, the list goes on.

CAMP DAVID, G8 SUMMITS and

A man like that grew tired of the

the like. Many foreign trips to meet

world calling him to task for his ac-

with various heads of states. PUTIN

tions at home and abroad and left

became a key mover and shaker in

the world political stage. Since then he has embarked on a crusade to

Putin: ‘A proud RUSSIAN man and quite a vain man at that.’

bring back the empire that once was. Ot at least create a buffer zone with EUROPE and crucially NATO.

very important to PUTIN. So what is

Even though there is no return to

really going on and where will it all

the GLORY DAYS of the SOVIET

end up?

UNION, there is a game to be played in securing his borders. I

In the 1980s and before then, it was

can’t say for certain that there won’t

generally felt that one could not get

be some form of conflict, but the

a handle on dealing with the SO-

heightened tension creates the av-

VIET UNION. One never knew who

enue to real dialogue. A face-saving

really spoke on their behalf. There

deal that both sides will call a win.

was always the fear that hardliners

And what is more important, the

in the old guard of their cabinet and

agreements and promises that will

even the K.G.B. were pulling the

be made in private. Until then, bluff

strings, then came the break up of

and brinkmanship is the order of the

the SOVIET UNION. Then VLADIMIR

day. Remember both sides have one

PUTIN became the supreme leader

eye on a gas pipeline to be built

of RUSSIA. PUTIN began to engage

after this crisis is diverted, politics is

with the WEST and he liked it,

a funny game after all. n

4th February 2022 - Page 29

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WLD Community Development Team at your service

Wexford Local Development’s Community Development Team for north Wexford, L-R: Julie Grant, John Kelly and Laura Myles.

Wexford Local Development’s Community Development Team for north Wexford consists of Julie Grant (Enniscorthy District), John Kelly (Gorey District) and Laura Myles (Traveller Community Health) and their priority areas include Bunclody and Enniscorthy towns, Ferns, Gorey town, Ballycanew and Courtown/Riverchapel.

areas to develop community projects and activities; to build their capacity with the promotion of equality of opportunity and social inclusion at the heart of all their work.

Laura, John and Julie are helping community groups in these

Find out more at www.wld.ie n

To contact any member of the Community Development Team phone the Enniscorthy office on 053 91 55 864 or the Gorey office on 053 91 55 852.

Further house price rises loom The price of the average three-bed semi in Co. Wexford is expected to rise by 5% this year, 2022, according to a survey by Real Estate Alliance.

Three-bed semi-detached homes in the county now cost an average of €227,500, up 14% on the December 2020 average of €200,000 and a 3.4% increase in the last quarter of 2021, the REA Average House Price Index shows.

The survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland's typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an up-to-date picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide.

Landlords exiting the market have ac-

Page 30 - 4th February 2022

counted for almost one in four home sales over the past three months, the data shows.

supply side that would normally be expected in this period did not materialise.

Across the county in Q4 2021, prices in Wexford town rose by 5% to €210,000 and in Gorey, the REA Average House Price Index shows that prices increased by 2.1% to €245,000.

“This is particularly true for traditional starter homes and properties located within urban areas.

The average time taken to sell in these areas was three weeks.

“In terms of supply, the last quarter of 2021 has seen the least amount of properties for sale,” said Winston Halnon of REA Halnon McKenna.

“The traditional autumn selling season was strong from the point of view of sales prices and results, however the

“There had been a noticeable number of landlords selling up due to new rental legislation being introduced and with more regulation due early this year. This will, unfortunately, be a continuing trend into 2022.”

The price of a three-bedroomed semidetached house across the country rose by €5,900 over the last three months of 2021 to €269,963 – representing an annual increase of 13%. n

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Wexford General Hospital plaudits Glenbrien’s Eamonn Sheridan has had his fair share of experience as a patient in Wexford General Hospital and he never fails to be impressed by the medical attention he receives there.

Here Eamonn outlines his recent contact with the hospital...

In June of 2021, I was taken to a ward following Triage due to very low blood pressure and dizzyness. The consultant, Mister Quigley, came to talk to me. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "We're going to find out what the problem is this time” (it was my third visit in as many years). “So, we're going to do an Ultrasound followed by a CT Scan, bloods, and everything else 'til we find out what the problem is.”

After the tests he came to talk to me again. I loved the way he put both hands on the arms of the chair I was sitting in, put his nose almost up to mine and said "Eamonn, the problem is... your heart is too old for your body and it's failing."

"Right", says I, "Well if you happen to come across a younger one that nobody wants, I'll have it." He was referring to the fact that I look fit and is aware that I've kept fit over the 83 years I've been

As you may know, I wrote a couple of articles in the past praising the efficiency and the wonderful patience of the staff at Wexford General Hospital, not to mention their smiles and good humour under the extremely difficult conditions they are working with. blessed with. You can't escape your DNA however and so I've inherited a heart condition.

Just last week I received a letter from the Audiologist inviting me for a hearing test.

I don't remember ever complaining about my hearing and thought, it must be an age thing. Anyway, I attended and was informed that I had mentioned that I suffered from Tinitis in my right ear which was the result of a car accident. After the check, I was informed that I needed an MRI scan. Within two days I received a phone call from my GP's office asking me to attend the next day. Having read the report from the audiologist the GP arranged for the MRI. I went away thinking it'll be months if not years before that happens. To my amazement I got a phone call from Wexford General Hospital that very afternoon and an appointment was arranged for two days later.

Nothing has changed where the working conditions are concerned – if anything they've gotten worse due to Covid. But as regards the attitude of the staff, right from the time I arrived I was greeted with smiles and a compassion that certainly justifies the title of "Angels and Saints".

In one of my past articles I challenged the Minister for Health to come and work one shift and then tell the staff they are not entitled to a substantial increase in salary. I do so again and remind the Minister that he and his colleagues in government have no problem in awarding themselves ridiculous increases in their salaries and expenses.

My profound thanks to all the staff, doctors, nurses, kitchen staff, porters, and cleaners. Not forgetting my GP at Slaney Medical Centre. You're all worth your weight in gold. n

Pam Kehoe from New Ross, who was recently conferred as a Member of Accounting Technicians Ireland, as well as receiving her Diploma for Accounting Technicians.

School-leavers, those changing career or looking to get back to work can avail of Accounting Technicians Ireland’s recognised and respected qualifications, which open the door to a rewarding career in accounting.

See accountingtechniciansireland.ie for details.

4th February 2022 - Page 31

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AGM News...

Bunclody Swimming Pool will hold their AGM on February 10th 2022. Venue TBC. New members most welcome. Keep an eye on ‘Bunclody Pool’ Facebook page for updates.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Edermine Ferry Rowing Club AGM 2021 is scheduled for Thursday February 24th 2022 at 8pm. All members are asked to attend. The meeting will be via Microsoft Teams or in person in Bree Hall if Covid restrictions permit.

See ‘Edermine Ferry’ Facebook page for updates. n

Help change someone’s world in 2022!

Aware is urgently recruiting volunteers.

The national charity, which supports people impacted by depression and bipolar disorder, is seeking to recruit an additional 50 volunteers for 2022, increasing its volunteer base from 450 to 500, in a bid to bolster supports on offer.

Aware has seen a significant spike in the number of people reaching out for support and information over the past number of years, particularly since the Covid pandemic started.

Aware has put out an urgent call for people in Wexford and around the country who have empathy, compassion, and three hours a week to assist with three key services: the Support Line, which operates 365 days a year; virtual or in-person Support & Self Care Groups, and the Life Skills online education programme. The organisation is seeking volunteers to work on services remotely from their own home, as well as in locations around the country.

The Bygone Days Storytelling House in Oulart runs a weekly market on Sundays, 10am to 2pm.

For more information email: bygonedayshouseofstories@gmail.com or contact Eileen Dempsey on 087 9116695.

See also Facebook page ‘Bygone Days Storytelling House’. n

The services are free to anyone aged 18 years and over who needs support, advice and information about issues relating to their own mood or the mood of a friend or family member, or who experience depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or related mood conditions. People can speak openly about their experience and exchange techniques in a safe, judgement free environment via zoom or on the phone, and in-person group meetings are also beginning to reopen.

Mary O’Connor from New Ross says, “As a volunteer for the last few years, I've learned that we human beings can be fragile and, during those fragile times, it’s important to get support so that you can get more from your life. I enjoy talking to the people who avail of Aware’s services and also enjoy the camaraderie of the other volunteers. As a volunteer, we get excellent professional training so that we’re prepared for our roles.”

To apply to be a volunteer, you must be over 25 years of age and be available for three hours once a week for at least 18 months. Full training will be provided remotely via Zoom, and you can volunteer from anywhere once you have a reliable internet connection and a quiet place to work from. No prior experience is necessary.

Playground for Oylegate

Funding secured October for a newdisorder, neighbourhood If you arewas impacted byindepression, bipolar or other mood related conditions,including you can contact Aware’s playground in Oylegate, disability accessfree to supsome port line 7 days a week from to 10pm on will 1800 48 48. of the play equipment.

The 10am new playground be80located beside the Centre. is expected ForCommunity more on Aware and Work volunteering, see to commence shortly. n aware.ie/get-involved/volunteering/ or #WeAreAware. n

Page 32 - 4th February 2022

SlaNey NewS Your Bank Doesn’t Want You That’s a peculiar statement but it’s partially true at least. We’ve all witnessed over the last decade or so the withdrawal of personal banking services from most branches. And indeed the closure of many branches nationwide. People replaced by machines, the reduction in the number of tellers in every bank and in general the impossibility of meeting face to face with a human being to discuss your business. The banks are now actively considering a huge reduction in the number of ATM machines throughout the country making it even more difficult for us to do any business.

The latest restriction on customers, and that’s what it is, is the termination of the draft service for foreign currencies. This is happening in AIB. Therefore, if you want to send a sterling draft to a relative in Britain you won’t be able to do so. You either have to do a bank transfer to the account of the recipient or find some other way. Gone is the day when you could surprise a family member by shoving a draft for a few pounds into a card or letter and send it off.

There are a number of aspects surrounding all this. The first one is that the banks must be the only business in the country who can treat their customers with such utter contempt.

They can do this because most of us have no alternative and our governments allow them do it. The second, maybe conspiracy theory, is that government is happy with this because it, like big brother, can track every movement in which we engage. Our financial transactions will be available to some official somewhere to press a button and see all details of our business. And don’t say that this can’t or won’t happen. Just remember the Department of Social Welfare a few years ago when the details of thousands of people were accessed by rogue officials and passed on to debt collection agencies, no doubt for a consideration. Even the gardai have had internal difficulties in relation to unauthorised access to people’s private details.

View from the Centre

A local contributor, based in the centre of the county, looks at life today in Co. Wexford and beyond Folks, this is all going the wrong way and unfortunately there is little anyone in authority wants to do about it.

Scandalous Salaries The forerunner to this column “View from the Hill” often highlighted the obscene salaries available to particular head honchos in the public service.

The mind boggles today when we look at the salaries being paid to people like Paul Reid of the HSE and Robert Watt of the Department of Health. Reid is on €6,884 per week

of Robert Watt of the Department k! wee per 615 Health – salary of €5,

and Watt is collecting €5,615 every week. Considering that the average gross weekly wage in Ireland is €812 per week the above salaries are absolutely stunning.

These two guys are in charge of the Health Service, not on the front-line mind you, but ensconced in comfy offices surrounded by support staff.

Reid had an army driver for a period and enjoyed the use of a car sponsored by BMW. Why would BMW sponsor a car for the head of the Health Service? That I can’t figure out.

Yet their salaries dwarf those of the people such as nurses who really keep the health service operating. The average nurse’s salary ranges from €673 to €769 gross per week. To reach those salaries, nurses have to study for years to qualify and then put in further years at the coalface before gradually moving up the pay scale. On the other hand people like Mr. Reid and Mr. Watt move from one government department to the other without any particular qualifications in the relevant area that they are administering and draw the top salaries. It’s a funny old world.

Return to Normal As we gradually return to some kind of normality it is obviously important that we continue to exercise reasonable precautions and act sensibly. No doubt most of us will. It is equally important that the government immediately remove from the statute books the emergency legislation adopted at the beginning of the covid pandemic. It is arguable as to whether or not this legislation was impartially applied. Many businesses and livelihoods were lost as a result of forced closedowns and other restrictions which obviously leaves a very bitter taste in the mouths of those impacted. This emergency legislation is absolutely draconian and is clearly not acceptable in any democracy. The time has now come to remove it completely and hopefully if ever again any government attempts to reintroduce anything similar that at least they will be questioned by the media and those we elect to do the questioning. That would make a welcome change. n

4th February 2022 - Page 33

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Min Rya Left: Having a fun day out at the playground in Min Park Park, Wexford, were best friends Lottie Codd, Ell and Ruby Keane, Chloe Rowe and Niamh Gordon.

Below left: Enjoying the Min Ryan playground were Robyn and Penny Codd.

Below centre: Having a swinging time was Darragh Tobin.

Below right: Amy Rowe is a high flyer.

Bottom left: Amy’s sister Chloe Rowe is a high flyer too.

Bottom right: Having a fun day out in Min Ryan Park playground were Ollie and Harry Pettitt.

Page 34 - 4th February 2022

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an Park playground pics...

Having a fun day out in Min Ryan Park playground, Wexford. L-R: Charlotte Pettitt. Enjoying the slide was Nancy Murray.

Having a swinging time was Arthur Murray. Posing for the camera was Nancy Murray.

Tree planting at Min Ryan Park On 8th January 2022 at Min Ryan Park, Wexford, the Mayor of Wexford Cllr Garry Laffan planted a tree with the assistance of Dr David Mulcahy of Bugs Bees and Native Trees and friends – the tree was one of twenty-six trees planted.

4th February 2022 - Page 35

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Emma Baldwin, Carlow, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sport & Exercise Sciences and Vincent Carroll, Wexford, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sports Rehabilitation & Athletic Therapy.

Photo: Mary Browne.

Michelle Smyth from Wexford graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care) from the Faculty of Lifelong Learning at Institute of Technology Carlow. Michelle is pictured with her boyfriend James Doyle. Photo: Mary Browne.

L-R: Emma Hill, Cork; Jade with a Bachelor of Sci

Moth Instit Bern Cl

Recently engaged Wexford County hurler Cathal Dunbar who graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Marketing pictured with his fiancé Rebecca Canavan from Gorey. Rebecca graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Human Resource Management. Photo; Mary Browne

Kate Frayne, Murrintown, Wexford, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Social Care Practice, pictured with her parents Pat and Joan Frayne. Photo: Mary Browne.

Page 36 - 4th February 2022

Damien Doran, Wexford, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development, pictured with his partner Lisa and their daughter Hayley. Photo: Mary Browne.

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Graduation Day at Carlow IT 5th January 2022

L-R: Brandon Murphy, Askeaton, Limerick, Ciaran Cafferkey, Renmore, Galway, Conor Woods, Dublin and Micheal O’Rourke, Barntown, Wexford, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Management Practice. Photo: Mary Browne.

e Grehan, Roscommon and Emma Fitzhenry, Wexford, who all graduated ence (Honours) in Sport & Exercise Sciences. Photo: Mary Browne.

Emma Hill, Wexford, with her parents Dermot & Martina. Emma graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sport & Exercise Sciences. Photo: Mary Browne.

her and daughter graduate together at tute of Technology Carlow conferring. adette (left) and Kim (right) Sheil from lonegal graduated with a Master of Arts in Child, Youth and Family Studies.

Above left: Justin House, Carnew, Wicklow, who graduated with a Bachelor (Honours) in Supply Chain Management, pictured with his girlfriend Layla Doran, Carnew, Wicklow. Above right: Institute of Technology Student of the Year Awardee at Level 9, Sarah Roche from Wexford, pictured with Dr Patricia Mulcahy, President of Institute of Technology Carlow, after graduating with a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs. Photos: Mary Browne.

4th February 2022 - Page 37

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New management for Wexford’s SVP Homeless Service On January 10th 2022, Depaul and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) reached an agreement for Depaul to take over the management of the SVP homeless service in Wexford and nationwide with an event taking place that day at Deerpark House, Cork, attended by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Under the agreement for Depaul to take over the management of the SVP homeless service in Wexford, Depaul's Ozanam House will have a capacity of 31 and includes a transfer of 16 staff for this service.

SVP announced in September 2020 that it was planning to transfer the management of its homeless services to other charities with specialist expertise in the sector.

Depaul is a leading provider of services for people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Established in 2002, Depaul now manages over 30 specialised accommodation and outreach services and has been at the forefront of providing additional homeless services throughout the ongoing pandemic.

Depaul provides over 600-bed spaces per night and in 2020 supported over 3,500 people.

The landscape of running homeless accommodation in Ireland has changed over the last number of years. This includes changes to government policy. SVP is transferring the management of seven hostels to Depaul due to its high level of specialisation in service delivery specifically in relation to the changes in government policy to a focus on housing-led solutions, and the broader landscape. Crucially, the move is designed to benefit those who use the services.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "This transfer demonstrates the responsibility, foresight and vision of two organisations coming together to have a positive impact on people facing homelessness.

“Our Housing for All plan seeks to support our most vulnerable by significantly increasing the number of tenancies for those

experiencing homelessness and who have more complex needs.

“Yet the pathway to eradicating homelessness is bound up with the constructive contributions of organisations like Depaul and SVP, working together in a progressive and transformational manner to meet the ever-changing needs of people facing homelessness.

“I would like to commend and thank the staff and volunteers of the Society of St Vincent de Paul who have tirelessly worked over the years to support those affected by homelessness and housing insecurity.

“I know this work will continue through their social housing projects, and through the 1,200 local Conferences working across the island of Ireland. I look forward to seeing the invaluable work Depaul will do into the future for this community and others."

Depaul CEO, David Carroll, said, “Depaul and SVP are valuesdriven organisations who always put the service user at the core of everything we do. Over the last 19 years, Depaul has grown in line both with the complex and changing demands of the homeless population, and the solutions outlined in government policy. The paramount consideration between both organisations is ensuring service continuity and the advancement of housing-led responses to homelessness in these regions.”

SVP National President Rose McGowan said, “The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is proud of the services we have provided at Deerpark since it opened nineteen years ago. We know that Depaul will continue what we started and we wish them, the service team and service users the very best of luck in this next chapter.”

Society of St Vincent de Paul shop in Selskar, Wexford.

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For further information about Depaul and its services, visit https://ie.depaulcharity.org/ n

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Major boost in Garda numbers On 14th January 2022, 122 new Gardaí were attested as sworn members.

They will be joined shortly by 26 colleagues whose attestation was deferred to comply with Covid-19 guidelines. These 148 (73% male, 27% female, with 21 of these born outside the state) newly sworn members of An Garda Síochána will bring the total number of sworn Gardaí to 14,411. In addition, there are 429 Garda Reserves (74% male, 26% female) and 3,388 Garda staff (28% male, 72% female).

These members of An Garda Síochána commenced their Garda training in May 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic and have undertaken a blend of on-line learning, on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training Garda stations. These 148 Garda trainees will now take on operational responsibilities. The new Gardaí are being allocated as follows: Dublin 67, East 39, South 26, Northwest 16.

Commissioner Drew Harris said, "These new Gardaí were willing to come forward to pursue a career in An Garda Síochána at a critical time during a global pandemic, and very quickly adjusted to a model of hybrid learning. So from the very outset they have shown their ability and commitment to protecting the public.

"Our new Gardaí will help implement community policing initiatives, crime detection and prevention, and supporting the vulnerable, particularly during the on-going pandemic.

"It is very welcome that 27% of the Gardaí attested are female. We are already above the European average for our level of female Gardaí and we want to increase this further in the coming years.”

Along with the new Gardaí today, we have 235 currently in training. We will also shortly launch our recruitment campaign with 800 recruit Gardaí to commence training this year. In addition, we are continuing to reassign Gardaí from administrative duties to operational duties.

"I wish to congratulate each Garda, and their families on their attestation today.

It is a very proud day for you all, and you are most welcome to An Garda Síochána. I look forward to us working together to keep people safe,” concluded Commissioner Harris.

Furthermore, as of the 30th November 2021, a total of 839 sworn Garda members had been reassigned to operational duties as a result of increase in Garda staff recruitment. Garda staff recruitment is ongoing and a new recruitment campaign will commence in the coming weeks which will result in 800 new recruits commencing the Garda Training Programme in 2022. n

In addition to the 148 new Gardaí, a further 235 Garda recruits are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

Commissioner Harris added, "An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation.

4th February 2022 - Page 39

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Above left: Bernie O’Leary and Fiona Stewart call for a minute’s silence. Above right: Some of the attendees.

Vigil for violence victims Cuan Aingeal Garden of Remembrance, Ferrybank, Wexford, Sunday 16th January, to remember the late Ashling Murphy and all female victims of violence.

Above left: Placing her candle at the Vigil for Ashling Murphy was Geraldine French (left). Above right: A family with their candles at the Vigil

Above: Family at the Vigil at the Cuan Aingeal Garden of Remembrance.

Right: Mollie, Lareima and Pippa O’Loughlin with Bernie O’Leary.

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Wexford’s Savannah connections This week I was delighted to renew my acquaintance with Prof. Howard Keeley of Georgia Southern University, who was here on a long overdue trip, delayed of course by Covid.

Howard, originally from Dublin, directs the Centre for Irish Research and Teaching at the 27,000-strong, student doctoral research university in Savannah and has spearheaded the Wex/Sav Axis since its inception way back in 2013, and finally all his hard work, perseverance, and diligence is coming to fruition, as he recently led a delegation of Savannah professors to Wexford to view all that the county has to offer, along with visiting and appraising the old town hall in Wexford, which is being remodelled as the new Georgia Southern University Campus for students. How cool is that.

those stories with yours truly, so watch this space over the coming months for further details.

I was also delighted to speak with Howard about developing a literary link between Savannah and the Wexford Literary Festival held in Enniscorthy each July. Last year, due to Covid restrictions, our Festival was a Zoom event enabling us through the auspices of the Wex/Sav Axis to link with Savannah poet Laura

Valeri who can be seen reading from her work on our website, and Howard is most anxious to expand and grow the literary connection going forward.

This is truly a win, win project, and could I express our grateful appreciation to Howard Keeley for all his wonderful work and innovation as we look forward to welcoming him and his students here this summer.

– Maria Nolan

Enniscorthy’s own Cathy Keane was on hand to transport the Savannah delegation around the county and, as usual, along with our local councillors, did her utmost to showcase and promote all that is good and wonderful about our town of Enniscorthy, taking the visitors to Vinegar Hill, the 1798 Centre, the new Technology Park, the nZEB building, and the Gaelscoil, as Howard is also a founding member of the Wexford-Savannah TradeBridge team, which seeks to create economic opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Wex/Sav Axis is a joint research project involving the John F. Kennedy Trust, Waterford Institute of Technology, Wexford County Council, Georgia Southern University, and Georgia Historical Society, and Howard tells me that we could see the first of the Savannah students arriving here in Wexford as early as May/June of this year.

‘The project has to date uncovered a treasure trove of information about the many Wexford people who left these shores for Savannah in the mid 1800s, many becoming very prominent in the business, cultural and political life of the city, including the Kehoe family of Mount Howard and the Nunn family of Castlebridge.’

I have asked Howard to share some of

The team from Savannah: Dan Calhoun, Kip Sorgen, Alex Reyes, Catherine S Howerter, Amanda Wall, Betsy Barron, Howard Keeley and, in the red jacket, Martina Furlong of Wexford County Council.

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Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club

Write by the Sea Festival, Kilmore Quay

Leading the way...

Over €1.5m in LEADER Grants awarded to Wexford Businesses and Communities in 2021 During 2021, Wexford Local Community Development Committee in partnership with Wexford Local Development awarded LEADER grant aid of more than €1m to twenty-two businesses in the county to help them to grow and diversify.

In addition to this, a further €500,000 was awarded to fourteen community and voluntary groups to refurbish community buildings, develop outdoor spaces, deliver training locally and implement biodiversity projects.

The diverse range of successful businesses supported includes niche food producers, tourism enterprises, creative industries and specialised engineering services from across the county. In summary, this grant aid is supporting the creation of 90 new jobs in the county as well as sustaining 217 existing jobs in these businesses. This has a significant impact on the economy of

County Wexford and highlights the success of LEADER in strengthening the rural economy and improving the quality of life in rural areas.

LEADER funding continues to enable communities to realise local priorities, identified by the local community. WLD was proud to support fourteen groups to access funding in 2021 with a range of impressive projects including:  A newly formed group in Enniscorthy which will oversee the development of the town’s first community allotments in 2022, providing 60 plots and associated facilities.  Grant aid for skills training and the purchase of equipment to support the renowned Write by the Sea Festival and further enhance the quality of events held in Kilmore Quay each year.

Some beneficiaries of LEADER funding in 2021: Left: Brian Byrne, Lantern Events Ltd. Below: Robert O’Connor, The Woodturning Studio.

Right: Anne and Michael Wildes, Tara Hill Honey Ltd.

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SlaNey NewS  A training programme in climate action awareness was delivered in 2021 and attended by 30 community representatives. The programme provided an introduction to key ways that communities could positively contribute to climate action.

Communities make their own contribution to the costs associated with their project and oversee its implementation and future management.

Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in partnership with Wexford Local Development has responsibility for the delivery of LEADER funding in the county under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development. The current Transitional LEADER programme with a remaining budget of €1.3m concludes at the end of this year.

Through LEADER, Wexford LCDC focuses on supporting community led local development, including diversification of the rural economy, the creation of employment opportunities, increased social inclusion and poverty reduction in the county.

WLD LEADER staff, Tom Bermingham and Helena Dempsey, work closely with the business sector in the county, while Mary Dunphy and Eileen Dake have responsibility for the community sector across the county. n

Mary O’Hanlon of Tasty Parlour Ltd.

LEADER grant aid was awarded to the following businesses in 2021: Business

Over €1.5m in LEADER Grants awarded to Wexford Businesses and Communities in 2021: LEADER grant aid was awarded to the following Wexford community groups in 2021: Group

Grant amount €

Purpose

Grant amount €

Purpose

Coatek Ltd, Gorey

29,096.25

Purchase of specialised printing equipment

Lantern Events Ltd, Wexford

38,719.32

Purchase of sound and lighting equipment

Purple & Gold Ltd T/A Leisuremax, Wexford

13,500.00

Purchase of an inflatable obstacle course

Natural Ice Cream Wholesale Ltd T/A Scup, Wexford

99,978.00

Purchase of specialised production equipment for this award winning gelato producer.

Robert O Connor T/A The Woodturning Studio, Gorey

10,724.06

Purchase of laser machine to facilitate expansion of training workshops

Carragh Concrete & Paving Ltd, Wexford

99,994.60

Purchase of equipment for new manufacturing division based in Clonard, Wexford.

Ceadogain Rugs Ltd, Wellingtonbridge

24,130.97

Purchase of tufting and woodworking equipment for this long established handmade rug maker.

Ian & Marie Mernagh T/A Killiane Castle Honey, Wexford

60,892.36

Purchase of specialised equipment and construction costs for a new Wexford honey production facility

Trudies Catering Kitchen Ltd T/A Trudies Kitchen, New Ross

33,855.00

Purchase of specialised production equipment

Regan Organic Produce Ltd, Caim, Enniscorthy

66,037.50

Purchase of an aerobic digester

Fresh Today Catering Wexford Ltd, Enniscorthy

55,291.98

Purchase of refrigeration equipment

23,459.10

Purchase of specialised production equipment for this award winning Irish honey producer

95,581.27

Fit out of new production facility for this award winning cordial producer

134,408.81

Purchase of specialised chocolate production equipment

25,344.59

Purchase of equipment

15,972.42

Purchase of specialised equipment for art classes

O Regan Ironworks, Enniscorthy

84,487.50

Purchase of a laser machine

1,961.34

Purchase of a pottery kiln

Ferns Community Centre

38,799.97

refurbishment works to the community centre building

Marshalstown Community Centre

48,333.85

refurbishment works to the community centre building

Caim Community Development Group

41,130.69

the development of a new community playground

Terrerath Council

Community

39,929.82

the development of an outdoor gym & purchase of a sound system

Enniscorthy Allotments

Community

37,200.00

the development of community allotments

Tara Hill Honey Ltd, Gorey

Curracloe United Trust Co. Ltd

37,131.52

the installation of a rainwater harvesting and irrigation system

Naturally Cordial Ltd, Enniscorthy

Forth Celtic AFC

33,990.41

the construction of a new walking track

Rosslare Boxing Club

4,721.94

the purchase of equipment for the club

Southend Community Development Group

32,335.59

the development of The Rocks Heritage Trail

Bean & Goose Ltd, Gorey Kiltra School of Music Ltd, Wellingtonbridge Cow House Studios, Rathnure

Write By The Sea Literary Festival, Kilmore Quay Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club

36,387.81

the purchase of equipment

32,681.16

the installation of accessible lift and mobile accessible hoist at the clubhouse

Wexford Model Railway Club CLG Taghmon Camross GAA Club

34,545.42

extension works to the clubhouse

Dawn Morley T/A Craft Central, New Ross Brian Deely, New Ross

8,763.75

Feasibility study

22,416.75

Feasibility study to examine the redevelopment of the current community/sports centre

Shane Tubrid, Furniture

by Design, Fethard

15,240.31

Purchase of specialised equipment 3

Wexford Local Development Wexford Local Development Total

24,998.00

Community Climate Action Awareness Training

Tasty Parlour Ltd

42,219.72

Fit out of new production facility

33,600.00

Community Smart Villages Training

Wheelock Fruits Ltd

69,600.00

Costs of resurfacing access roadway to The Village at Wheelocks

€498,202.93

Total

€1,049,259.85

E d

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Enniscorthy Castle to host major fabric exhibition ‘The Fabric of Wexford: Industry and Innovation’ on show for Spring @EnniscorthyCastle...

Enniscorthy Castle reopens to visitors for the Spring season on Saturday 5th February 2022. Hosting a newly curated exhibition of textiles and designs across its second floor space, its first exhibition of the year entitled ‘The Fabric of Wexford: Industry and Innovation’ will officially launch at 5pm on Friday 11th February.

Manager of both Enniscorthy Castle and 1798 Centre sites Mico Hassett said, ‘We are aiming to connect the past to the present in this new space, exploring ideas generated by the Castle team and also inviting guest curators to present themes in their areas of expertise. Creating opportunities to engage with both the community and visitors to Enniscorthy on a recurring basis is a key objective of Enniscorthy Castle’s strategic business plan for the year.

Describing the forthcoming exhibition she said, ‘The first, larger room explores the history of the textile industry in Wex-

(L-R) Mico Hassett, Enniscorthy Castle Manager with tour guide Jake Quirke.

ford with key pieces loaned from the Wexford County Archives

fibre artist Gráinne Kenny along with showcasing the 2021

and Mount Carmel Lace sitting alongside contemporary

Junk Kouture winning piece designed by Coláiste Bride sec-

examples by local creative industries from Ros Tapestries, Cea-

ondary school student Alicia Rostermundt.

dogán Rugmakers to Emblem Weavers. The Wexford County Archives through Grainne Doran has generously loaned the Castle examples of needlepoint, lace and embroidery, as well as an early woollen Irish Tricolour flag and an embroidered Irish dancing dress.

Deputy Manager Eve Furlong commented, ‘Entry to the exhibit is included in the Castle’s general admission tour ticket which at €6 per adult (€5 student /seniors) or only €15 for up to a family of five, is super value. Running through to the 24th of April, we are open Mon-Fri 9.30-5pm (with last tour 4.30pm)

The exhibition’s smaller space features local contemporary

and on weekends Sat-Sun 12 to 5pm. Keep an eye on

makers in textiles, including embroiderer Tess Reynolds,

https://www.facebook.com/enniscorthycastle/ for more up-

weaver Terry Dunne, fibre artist Nicola Browne, multimedia

dates’. n

New building approved for St Aidan’s Care Services, Gorey Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the announcement that the Department of Housing will be giving approval in principle to Wexford County Council for the construction of a five-person community dwelling at Ard na Naoimh, Gorey Hill, Wexford. St Aidans Day Care Services, Gorey, is the Approved Housing Body who will be delivering the home for people with a disability.

The funding will be provided under the Capital Assistance Scheme designed for the provision of accommodation for those with special needs i.e. elderly, disabled, homeless etc or for specific housing requirements such as refugees etc.

Senator Malcolm Byrne

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According to Senator Byrne, “This is wonderful news. We need to provide as much accommodation as possible that allows those who have special needs to live independently. St. Aidan’s is a fantastic service to manage this.” n

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Mobile app – a huge success for Wexford’s credit unions Wellington IT, the tech partner to the credit union sector, has announced that it has provided digital access to nearly 8,000 Wexford credit union members across three Wexford-based credit unions (Wexford, Enniscorthy, New Ross) with its cuMobile app. The county has the third-highest number of app users in Ireland.

The mobile app allows members to manage their accounts entirely online and enables Wexford credit unions to compete against banks and fintechs as the demand for digital services continues to grow. Recent Wellington IT research found that nearly a third of Wexford respondents prefer to do all their banking online.

7,904 Wexford Credit Union members have downloaded the cuMobile app since its launch in August 2020. The tool gives members the ability to manage their accounts entirely online.

The cuMobile app allows more convenient and widespread access to digital services for Ireland’s 3.6 million Credit Union members, such as managing payees, applying for a loan and setting up direct debits.

Ian Glenn, Chief Technical Officer, Wellington IT: “We are delighted to see such a strong uptake on the cuMobile app among Wexford Credit Union members.

It offers members access to Credit Union services at their fingertips and allows institutions to save time, automate processes, and increase efficiency, while also providing a more interactive and comprehensive experience for customers.

“Our research shows that the demand for digital and mobile services from financial institutions continues to increase.

We have also seen the rise of online banking and digital payments, which has revolutionised how we manage our fi-

Ian Glenn, Chief Technical Officer at Wellington IT. It has provided digital access to nearly 8,000 Wexford credit union members across three Wexford-based credit unions with its cuMobile app.

nances day-to-day. Therefore, Credit Unions, particularly those outside major cities, must continue to embrace digital to remain competitive in the market.

Credit Unions provide a valuable service to their communities, and we are proud to support our Credit Union customers in Wexford on their digital transformation journeys.” n

Wexford pilot project receives backing The selection by Sláintecare for funding on an ongoing basis of a project piloted in its Wexford Mental Health Services has been widely welcomed.

Launched two years ago, The Exercise Effect was designed to help people improve mental health through physical activity and for those who use mental health services to explore physical activity as part of their journey to recovery.

As well as supporting people to “get started”, an Integrated Exercise Practitioner has been working with individuals across Co. Wexford to help them connect with and stay involved in communitybased physical activity as part of their individual self-management plan for mental and physical wellbeing.

The Exercise Effect programme stems from Sláintecare's ten-year plan to transform Ireland’s health and social care ser-

vices with an additional €20 million Sláintecare Integration Fund launched in March 2020. In addition to this funding and the co-ordination of the programme by SECH’s mental health services, Exercise Effect has also been supported by the HSE’s Health and Wellbeing Division.

The programme has created an additional line of referral-based therapeutic intervention for users of services in Co. Wexford.

The HSE are partnered on the project by Sports Active Wexford/Wexford County Council (which has put it into operation), by an expert team from Waterford Institute of Technology (who have carried out research and evaluation of the programme) and by Mental Health Ireland (provider of mental health promotion in the voluntary sector and employers of the Exercise Practitioners for the programme).

A webinar was held on 28th January to launch the evaluation of the Sláintecare In-

tegrated Fund Programme piloted in Wexford Mental Health Services and now selected to be sustained and continued. The webinar featured a contribution from the Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health Mary Butler TD. Speaking about the success of The Exercise Effect programme, the Chief Officer of HSE/South East Community Healthcare Kate Killeen White said: “Working in partnership with Sports Active Wexford, WIT and Mental Health Ireland, we are delighted with this community-based physical activity intervention for people with mental health difficulties in Co. Wexford. The ‘Exercise Effect’ has demonstrated innovative ways in which citizens can engage in their own health and incorporates best practice in the management of chronic diseases and caring for older people. True to the aims of Sláintecare, it encourages the shift of care to the community and the promotion of hospital avoidance.” n

4th February 2022 - Page 45

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Political unity helps save Rescue 117

TDs and Senators for Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary met in early January to agree a united front to seek guarantees from the Minister for Transport for the retention of the Waterford-based Search and Rescue Service.

The Oireachtas members present at the meeting expressed unanimous support and optimism for retaining the Rescue 117 service in Waterford saying it was vital that the contract specifies four bases and that the voice of the south east was properly heard.

The following attended the meeting to press their case: Johnny Mythen TD, James Browne TD, Sen. Malcolm Byrne, Brendan Howlin TD, Verona Murphy TD, David Cullinane TD, Mary Butler TD, Martin Browne TD, Mattie McGrath TD, John McGuinness TD, Malcolm Noonan TD, Matt Shanahan TD, Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD, Sen. Garret Ahearn, Jennifer MurnaneO’Connor TD, Sen. John Cummins, Michael Lowry TD. Since that meeting it has emerged that the Waterford-based Search and Rescue service will indeed continue after the government's decision to change the specifications for the next phase of the Search and Rescue tender to include retention of the existing four bases (including Waterford).

David Cullinane TD, Waterford, said that this reflected the strong representations from the south east when members across counties and parties came together to say that the existing bases were needed.

Teachta Cullinane said: "The decision by ministers to specify retention of all four Search and Rescue bases in the next tender phase is a very welcome clarification. It is essential that the Search and Rescue Service is maintained in Waterford.

"There were fears that one base could be scrapped but thank-

Page 46 - 4th February 2022

fully that has been avoided following strong representations from TDs and Senators across the south east.

"It is great news that all four bases will be retained with no threat to the Waterford-based Rescue 117 service. I look forward to seeing the tender documentation reflect this important decision."

Sinn Féin TD for Wexford Johnny Mythen TD has said that the recent announcement by the government to re-word the tender agreement for the Search and Rescue contract to expressly include Rescue 117 is most welcome and highlights the importance of cross-party working groups.

Deputy Mythen said: "I have been fortunate enough to speak in support of Rescue 117 in the Dáil a number of times and I was happy to participate in the recent cross party meeting, hosted by my colleague David Cullinane TD, looking for support on this issue. The meeting consisted of TDs and Senators from across the South East region, all of whom I believe shared the same concerns about the Waterford base.

"This is one of those issues that is too important for party politics, Rescue 117 is not a political football or sliotar that can be bounced around the playing field. We all watched the dramatic events in Bridgetown on Christmas Day which highlighted why R117 is so valuable to our county. The subsequent named inclusion of the four bases in Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford was a very welcome development and shows the power of our Oireachtas members finding common ground on these types of issues and speaking with one voice.

"Sinn Féin is the party of unity and we are always more than happy to work with others who have like-minded views and want to get the job done. In this case, each representative, from all parties and none, made it clear that the provision of Rescue services from the Waterford base was not up for negotiation." n

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Wexford schools to get summer works funding Local Minister James Browne TD has received confirmation from Minister for Education Norma Foley that under the Summer Works Scheme 11 primary and 5 post primary schools in Co. Wexford will share €2.2 million to enhance local school facilities.

He commented, “I am very pleased to see the Minister and her Department approve works to ensure Wexford schools will be able to carry out necessary works to ensure their schools have good facilities.

“The summer works scheme is being announced in January so that building works can have a good lead in time and be conducted over the summer months and I am confident they will be completed ahead of the new school year.

“In my meetings with Minister Foley, I have stressed the importance that schools in County Wexford are provided with funding for the necessary works to ensure students have access to safe and comfortable schools. These works include mechanical works, electrical works,

Taking to the streets

windows, roofs, and yards/play areas,” concluded Minister Browne.

Wexford Schools to Benefit under the Summer Works Scheme: MARSHALSTOWN N.S. Primary, Electrical Works.

ST JOSEPH’S N.S. Primary, Windows (Kilmuckridge).

ST MARY’S N.S. Primary, Windows (Ballygarrett).

KILRANE N.S. Primary, Mechanical Works.

S.N. CLOCHAR MHUIRE Primary, External Environment (Rosslare Strand).

S.N. CUL GREINE Primary, Mechanical Works (Coolgreany).

S.N. CAISLEAN DOCHRAILL Primary, Mechanical Works (Casteldockrel).

S.N. RAITHIN Primary, Mechanical Works (Raheen).

BALLYDUFF N.S. Primary, Windows.

CASTLEBRIDGE N.S. Primary, Mechanical Works.

SCOIL NAIS REALTA NA MARA Primary, Windows (Kilmore).

Minister James Browne TD

F.C.J. SECONDARY SCHOOL Post-Primary, Roof Works.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES SECONDARY SCHOOL Post-Primary, External Environment.

COLÁISTE AN ÁTHA Post-Primary, Roof Works (Kilmuckridge).

RAMSGRANGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Post-Primary, Mechanical Works.

GOREY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Post-Primary, Roof Works. n

Students of the Presentation Secondary School, Wexford, protest on Wexford’s Quays on 19th January seeking the continuance this year of the hybrid model of Leaving Certificate.

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Belated ‘70th’ birthday

Above: Well known retired Garda Davy Lynch in Billy Kelly’s Lounge, Wexford, on 29th January celebrating his 72nd birthday. Due to Covid his 70th birthday celebrations couldn’t take place so he’s making up for lost time!

L-R: Kelly Anne Kearns (daughter), Davy Lynch, and grandchildren Katie and Daniel Kearns.

Left: Kelly Anne Kearns (daughter), Davy Lynch, and Rebecca Kealing.

National 1798 Rebellion Centre has reopened The National 1798 Rebellion Centre has reopened for 2022. Opening hours are: Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.00pm, with last admission each day at 4.15pm.

For more information visit www.1798centre.ie n

Page 48 - 4th February 2022

Enniscorthy Castle reopens on 5th Feb Enniscorthy Castle will be reopening from this Saturday, 5th February 2022, at 12.00pm.

We understand that Castle staff have been working on some brilliant improvements to the town’s beautiful castle and they can't wait to reopen to show off these changes to locals and visitors alike.

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Enniscorthy’s fine fresh food

Above left: At the Farmers Market in Abbey Square, Enniscorthy, on 15th January were Issy and Tom Grannell.

Above right: Yola Bakery Wexford at the Farmers Market in Enniscorthy with their delicious bread and buns, Jamie Pettitt and wife Nadia.

At the Farmers Market in Enniscorthy on 15th January 2022 were above left: Paul Gorby. Above centre: Billy Mitten and Patricia Doyle.

Above right: Molly and Rosemary O’Loughlan. Below left: Anita and Raz Sheridan. Below right: Fortune’s Farm Fresh stand.

4th February 2022 - Page 49

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WITH THE ENNISCORTHY COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS DUE TO BE UP AND RUNNING IN LATE SPRING, THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO START GROWING!

‘Seeds to Success’ inspiration for community growing

Healthy Wexford ‘Seeds to Success’ Series Offers Inspiration for Community Growing...

Community growing provides a range of health benefits including physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social connection. The ‘Seeds to Success’ series is an online ‘seed share’ of knowledge and learned experience from six growing communities of various types and stages of development across County Wexford. The hope is sharing these growing experiences will inspire other Wexford communities to get digging, planting and producing in their own locality.

The ‘Seeds to Success’ series visits newly established gardens and ones that have been around awhile. It looks at the different types of community growing and gives a chance to meet some of the growers themselves and find out what they get out of the growing experience. Just as they seed-share

Page 50 - 4th February 2022

in the gardens, these growers share their knowledge and experience with us; giving tips for others who are interested in developing community growing.

Community Growing projects featured in the series are Castlebridge Community Garden, Askamore Community Garden, New Ross Allotments, Blackwater Tidy Towns, Grantstown Priory and ARC Family Resource Centre Community Gardens.

Speaking of the initiative, Cllr John Hegarty, Chair of the Healthy County Committee, said, ‘I would encourage communities everywhere to watch this series. It is inspirational to see not only the work and effort of communities but the obvious health benefits that community growing provides to participants. Wexford’s Healthy County Committee are de-

lighted to have been able to facilitate the development of this demonstrative series’.

Commenting on the rollout of the online videos over the coming season, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach, of Wexford County Council, added, ‘The variety in the series is amazing, showing how community growing can be of benefit for all ages. The mix of more established gardens and newer developments provides both aspiration and realism and I can see the series being of benefit to many communities.’

The series premiered online on Thursday 27th January via Healthy Wexford YouTube and on the Healthy Wexford Facebook page. Running for six weeks, one episode will be published per week, releasing at 8pm each Thursday evening. n

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New location for The Tin Roof

The Tin Roof coffee and food truck which was previously stationed at a site half way between Enniscorthy and Clonroche, now has a new home at the former Kate’s farm shop on the New Line Road just off the Whitford Hotel roundabout, Wexford town.

So make sure when nearby to call in for your coffee fix and to say hello. n

Via Veneto’s special takeaway offer Via Veneto in Enniscorthy has reintroduced its special takeaway offer – 2 starters, 2 main courses, 2 desserts and a bottle of house wine for only €55!

The Irish Heart Foundation’s ‘Stop Targeting Kids’ drive

This takeaway offer is available from Wednesday to Sunday by phoning 0539236929 and ordering between 7pm and 8.30pm.

To see the menu: https://www.facebook.com/viavenetoitalianrestaurant/photos/a.1493985917 518329/3072077689709136/ n

The Irish Heart Foundation is urging everyone to petition their local TDs and Senators, demanding action through a pre-written letter on its website, as part of its ‘Stop Targeting Kids’ drive in a response to an explosion in digital marketing of junk food which it sees as “more personalised, effective and therefore potentially even more damaging”.

“We encourage... people to join this campaign to show public demand for increased marketing restrictions... Together we can place the spotlight back on healthy eating and protect the future of children’s health.” https://irishheart.ie/campaigns/stop-targeting-kids/sign-the-petition/ n

4th February 2022 - Page 51

SlaNey ad

Your local Slimming World Consultants in Enniscorthy

Providing you with a huge choice of sessions throughout the week: Tuesdays @ 6.30pm The Salt n Pepper Pot, Community Workshop Call Tony on 087 1785384 Wednesdays @ 9.30am, 11.00am, 5.30pm and 7.00pm Enniscorthy Rugby Club Call Trish on 087 3607615 Saturdays @ 9.00am and 10.30am The Salt n Pepper Pot, Community Workshop Call Tony on 087 1785384

Page 52 - 4th February 2022

SlaNey food & driNk

Enniscorthy’s Country Market Enniscorthy’s Country Market is back up and running every Friday morning in the IFA Centre, Millpark Road, run by a dedicated group of local ladies.

The advice is to get there early (from 8.30am) for the best selection and freshest home baking, breads, scones, vegetables, flowers, eggs, etc.

Right: Some of the fine fare on offer at Enniscorthy Country Market. n

Alba’s reopens

Coffee time at Toffee & Thyme Enniscorthy’s popular Toffee & Thyme restaurant may no longer be visible on Enniscorthy’s Rafter Street, but it now has an impressive presence on the Old Dublin Road, next door to the NCT Centre, with loads of free parking, and open 6 days a week from 7.30am to 5pm. Enjoy a visit there soon! n

Owner-Chef Angelo

Alba Restaurant in Enniscorthy has reopened following the recent easing of Covid restrictions. Angelo, Katia and team look forward to welcoming their customers – old and new – back.

Toffee & Thyme on the Old Dublin Road.

Alba Restaurant in Enniscorthy can be contacted on 089-2649417 www.albarestaurant.ie n

4th February 2022 - Page 53

Apply now for Enniscorthy Community Allotments YOU CAN APPLY NOW FOR AN ALLOTMENT IN THE NEW ENNISCORTHY ALLOTMENTS FACILITY BEING CONSTRUCTED AT CHERRY ORCHARD, ENNISCORTHY, NEXT TO THE SPORTS HUB, AND WHICH WILL BE OPEN THIS SPRING. FILL IN AN APPLICATION FORM ONLINE ON THE ‘ENNISCORTHY COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS’ FACEBOOK PAGE OR ELSE PICK UP A PRINTED FORM FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: ENNISCORTHY CHAMBER OFFICES, KILCANNON GARDEN CENTRE, ENNISCORTHY LIBRARY, CENTRA SHOP OPPOSITE ST SENAN'S CHURCH, MR. SEAN MILLAR AT 29 SLANEY VIEW PARK AND WLD COMMUNITY OFFICER JULIE GRANT. Above: Enniscorthy Community Allotments committee L-R: Cllr. Aidan Browne, Eimear McCauley, Michael Devereux, Mark Cooke and Noreen Kehoe.

Missing from photograph are Michelle Doyle and Anna Davis.

Below: Frank Corcoran (Slaney News) on site with Michael Devereux – the main driving force behind this project.

An agreement has been reached between Enniscorthy Municipal District and the Enniscorthy Community Allotments Group to lease two plots of land to facilitate the development of a community-led garden and allotment project for the people of Enniscorthy.

One of the plots adjoins the Enniscorthy Sports Hub at Cherry Orchard, the other is across the road from the first plot – about one hectare in total. Individual plots will be on one side of the road, community (Hope Centre, Tidy Towns, schools, training area, etc) on the other side.

Applications for allotments are now open (see above). Work is expected to begin on site later this month undertaken by Kilcannon Garden Centre, and the allotments themselves should be ready this April in time for the growing season. Allotments are 5m x 5m each (16ft x 16ft), costing €50 per year and a refundable €10 for a key to access the plot. Raised beds costing €30 per year are available but are limited to people with mobility issues. The facility will also include a huge polytunnel measuring 24ft x 72ft which can be used for a €10 per year additional charge.

https://www.facebook.com/Enniscorthycommunityallotments This project is only possible through funding from the LEADER programme, Enniscorthy Municipal District, Enniscorthy Credit Union and the ECA group's own fundraising.

Page 54 - 4th February 2022

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Healthy Wexford proposes a weekly #OpenLunch

To make and maintain social connections, Healthy Wexford is calling on all to develop their outdoor lunchtime social engagement with a new initiative called #OpenLunch. An #OpenLunch is where you use your lunchtime, and the open spaces we have – parks, green areas, beaches etc to meet and connect with others in your area.

Whether it’s a meet-up with friends, remote workers connecting, or residents making new connections locally, this is an opportunity to use your lunchtime and the wonderful open spaces we have across the county. You could incorporate a ‘walk & talk’ or simply ‘meet to eat’; whatever you do it’s an opportunity to get out and connect with those in your area.

Speaking about the initiative, Healthy County Committee member Mary B O’Leary said, “We’ve all suffered reduced social connection over the recent past, whether it is through reduced activities, moving to working from home, or simply due to what we now know as the new normal. This initiative is about making the conscious effort to keep and build our social connections, while enjoying the great outdoor resources we have

in the county. We’ve been piloting this in my own area and the reaction has been great.”

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, added, “We know that connecting is one of the five ways to wellbeing and I see this initiative being a catalyst to help people to do that in their own areas for a short time during the day.”

Chair of Wexford’s Healthy County Committee Cllr John Hegarty encouraged people all around the county to organise an #OpenLunch in their own areas. “You don’t need anything special, and the concept can be flexible to suit you and your needs – make it an early or late lunchtime, walk and talk, just meet to eat, rotate the location – whatever works for you and your group.”

Healthy County Coordinator Annette Dupuy set out some tips for organising an #OpenLunch  If organising a community ‘walk and talk’, check out the Community Walking Resources from Get Ireland Walking. This resource offers hints, tips,

and resources for organising a community walking group https://www.getirelandwalking.ie/startgroup/. Let others know it’s happening via social media, local newsletters, or community connections. If you prefer to keep it just to friends that’s OK too.  When sharing on social media use the #OpenLunch hashtag with your location so others in your area can find out what’s happening locally e.g. #OpenLunch Kilmore. Tag @HealthyWexford too.  Workers may need to keep it within the hour so make sure you leave time to arrive and return. Perhaps initially meet from 1.15 to 1.45, then see how it goes for your group. However, those who are retired, or are stay-athome parents may have different schedules, so see what works for your group.  If it’s a ‘meet to eat’ perhaps you could link in with your local community café, if you have one, to offer takeaway lunch or simply bring your own from home. To check out healthy lunch ideas see the Safefood website https://www.safefood.net/healthylunch n

4th February 2022 - Page 55

SlaNey SlaNey food ad & driNk

Retail and Foodservice 2022 – Expert Views A Wexford Local Enterprise Office workshop titled Retail and Foodservice 2022 - Expert Views will be held online on 15th February, 2pm - 3.30pm. This free, 90-minute, online zoom workshop is aimed at owners and managers of retail and food service outlets.

This energised session is part of the 2022 Local Enterprise Office Retail and Foodservice focus. Two of Ireland's leading business owners will share their formulas and views for 2022.

Journalist, food writer and co-founder of the Itsa Café and Restaurant chain, Domini Kemp www.bitetv.ie will be joined by pioneering and multi-award winning retailer Rachel Doyle from Arboretum in Leighlinbridge, www.arboretum.ie Following a presentation from both of the guest speakers, they will join two business owners from County Wexford for a panel discussion on the future of the retail and food sector in Wexford. Retail and Foodservice expert James Burke will facilitate this session.

2021 has been a challenging year for many retailers and foodservice operators. If like many more, you are making that fresh start and are looking for inspiration, Domini Kemp and Rachel Doyle represent two of the most dynamic business owners in their sectors. This 90 minute session is guaranteed to provide stimulating ideas and a unique opportunity to hear from sector experts in a short, upbeat session.

Domini Kemp

n Rachel Doyle, Arboretum n Panel discussion with Domini, Rachel and two local business owners from County Wexford.

AGENDA: n Opening and Welcome

Theme - What is the winning formula for 2022.

n Global retail and foodservice insights, James Burke

FACILITATOR:

n Domini Kemp, Itsa Group

James Burke, James Burke & Associates. n

A perfect Valentine’s treat Love is in the air and what better way to celebrate than with some award-winning Co. Wexford artisan chocolates.

Leigh Kelly, Zaeire Artisan Chocolates, produces a range of handmade chocolates using sustainable sources, natural ingredients, and real cocoa butter.

The handcrafted range includes a Valentines Collection, made especially for Valentines Day on February 14th.

The range is available online, or visit the store in Bridgetown, Co. Wexford. n

Page 56 - 4th February 2022

Leigh Kelly of Zaeire Artisan Chocolates.

SlaNey buSiNeSS & fiNaNCe

Rosslare Europort secures top position Rosslare Europort ended 2021 as Ireland’s number one port for direct RoRo / Pax services to Europe, a year which also saw the highest ever activity through the County Wexford port.

Despite the challenges of both COVID-19 and Brexit, the history-making year saw over 184,891 RoRo freight units through the port in 2021.

With 30 direct services now operating weekly between Rosslare and Europe, there was an increase of 94,477 freight units (+371%) on European direct routes in 2021 with 119,927 units carried.

UK routes which have 56 services a week saw a decrease of -32,926 of freight units (-34%) and remain challenging as the implications, additional cost and time of Brexit are embedded into the supply chain.

Overall combined freight at the port grew by 50% representing the highest yearly growth in the port’s history and demonstrating the national importance of Rosslare Europort as a key connection for freight and passenger services to the UK and Europe.

Passenger volumes at the port, while suppressed over the past two years as a result of COVID-19, also grew significantly with 243,303 passengers (+68% increase) travelling through the port in 2021.

Commenting on the overall performance

New and existing shipping line customers saw direct services to and from Europe increase to 30 per week at Rosslare Europort in 2021, making it Ireland's leading port for direct European services.

at the port, Glenn Carr, General Manager, said, “It’s been a really tremendous performance by Rosslare Europort in 2021 and I am delighted that the plans we put in place over the last few years are yielding such positive results.

“It’s a great credit to all the colleagues who work at the port, our shipping partners, stakeholders and of course our customers who have helped in the positive transformation that we are now seeing.

“The substantial increase in volume at the port clearly demonstrates the shift in demand for services out of Rosslare from other hubs, we are the closest port to Eu-

Rosslare Europort Freight and Passenger Volumes 2021 v 2020

rope and easily accessible to all major cities and industrial sites throughout Ireland.

“As major ports such as Dublin grapple with future constraints and congestion, Rosslare Europort will be further developed to help alleviate these challenges and offer real viable, efficient and sustainable alternative services and connectivity for the greater good of the wider economy.

“Our plans have been strongly endorsed and supported by the Iarnród Éireann Board which has enabled significant investment in infrastructure, services and resources. This will ensure the development of Rosslare Europort as a key generator of economic activity for the region and country.

“I look forward to 2022 as we further grow services, including significant growth in passenger demand, aligned with trends in favour of more sustainable tourism.

“It will also see the next phase of our exciting plans, with the most significant investment ever in the port with the commencement of our masterplan build, the digitalisation of the port, new infrastructure for customs and border control and the commencement of a series of work packages to secure planning for the future Offshore Renewable Energy facility (Project REORE) at the port from 2025.” n

4th February 2022 - Page 57

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Comhairle Contae

053 919 6000 www.wexfordcoco.ie customerservice@wexfordcoco.ie

Loch Garman Carricklawn, Wexford Y35 WY93

Wexford County Council is looking for members of our community to join as Retained (part-time) Firefighters in Bunclody, Gorey, New Ross & Wexford Fire Stations Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and not more than 55 years of age on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms. Candidates must reside and work within a reasonable distance of the fire station to enable him/her to respond promptly to all calls. Positions are open to both male and female applicants. Panels may be formed from which future vacancies may be filled.

The employment is part-time. However, a firefighter is paid an Annual Retainer to be available for calls at all times. In addition a firefighter is paid an hourly rate for attendance at calls and weekly training.

Further information and application forms are available from, Customer Services, Block F, Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford. Phone: (053) 919 6000 or at www.wexfordcoco.ie Closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 5:00pm on Thursday 24th February 2022.

Public Convenience Caretaker (Ballymoney) Selection for all posts will be by means of interview and candidates may be shortlisted based on applications submitted. Panels may be formed from which future vacancies may be filled.

Qualifications, application forms and further particulars for this post are available from: Customer Service (Block F), Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford.

Phone 053 919 6000 or visit our website at www.wexfordcoco.ie Closing date for receipt of completed application forms is: 5.00pm on Thursday 24th February, 2022.

Wexford County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer

GIS Technician Selection for all posts will be by means of interview and candidates may be shortlisted based on applications submitted. Panels may be formed from which future vacancies may be filled.

Qualifications, application forms and further particulars for this post are available from our website at www.wexfordcoco.ie Please note all applications for the above post must be Typed and submitted by Email only to recruitment@wexfordcoco.ie Printed hard copies will NOT be accepted for the above post.

Closing date for receipt of completed application forms is: 5.00pm on Thursday 24th February, 2022.

Wexford County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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Information Nights

Tenders

Please come along to our information nights as follows: Gorey Fire Station: 18:30 – 20:00 Monday 21st February, 2022 New Ross Fire Station: 18:30 – 20:00 Monday 21st February, 2022 Wexford Fire Station: 18:30 – 20:00 Monday 21st February, 2022 Bunclody Fire Station: 19:30 – 21:00 Tuesday 22nd February, 2022 Fire Service staff will be available to answer any queries and explain the position of a retained firefighter in more detail.

The following tender competitions are currently active. If you wish to obtain further information and make a submission for any of the tenders please visit www.etenders.gov.ie

ID

Reference Tender Description

Closing Date

205051

54/SP/2021

Trinity Wharf Phase 0 – Entrance Road and associated works: re-tender December 2021

08/02/2022

205366

1/HS/2022

Multi Supplier Design Team framework for Wexford County Council for projects under 5,000,000.00

14/02/2022

205506

2/HS/2022

Marconi Park, Enniscorthy – Proposed construction of a single storey dwelling house at Marconi Park, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

14/02/2022

205729

3/COMM/ 2022

Provision of Services for The Ancient Connections Project’s “Finale Cross-Border Participatory Art Commission”

28/02/2022

206214

4/SP/2022

Curracloe – New facility centre for water-based activities – Curracloe, Co. Wexford

21/02/2022

206295

5/COMM/ 2022

RFT for a “Festival and Event 28/02/2022 Business Training, Marketing and Network Support Programme”, in Wexford and Pembrokeshire, as part of the Ancient Connections project 2021 – 2023

Wexford County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Recruitment Wexford County Council invites applicants for the following posts:

Senior General Services Supervisor (Craft) Harbour Constable Selection for all posts will be by means of interview and candidates may be shortlisted based on applications submitted. Panels may be formed from which future vacancies may be filled.

Qualifications, application forms and further particulars for these posts are available from: Customer Service (Block F), Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford.

Phone 053 919 6000 or visit our website at www.wexfordcoco.ie Closing date for receipt of completed application forms: Senior General Services Supervisor - 5.00pm on Thursday, 17th February, 2022.

Harbour Constable – 5.00pm on Thursday 3rd March, 2022.

Wexford County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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Housing Wexford County Council is currently seeking Expressions of Interest from persons, companies or organisations with suitable temporary accommodation in Enniscorthy Town and Wexford Town such as hotels, guesthouses and multi-unit complexes which are available for short term letting.

The accommodation is required to provide short term housing to both single people and families who are at risk of homelessness.

Any property must be able to accommodate multiple family units at any time, and be within 3km of a main town centre.

Social care support services will be provided by the local authority to work with the individuals or families to find long term solutions.

Interested parties should contact the Homeless Co-Ordinator, Housing Department, Wexford County Council, County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford on 053 919 6599.

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Amenity & Arts and Residents Association Grant Schemes 2022 1. Amenity & Arts Grant Scheme 2022 This funding scheme is aimed at providing small-scale support to community & voluntary based groups and is designed to assist with a wide variety of projects that promote social inclusion and building strong communities e.g.     

Small Scale Village Improvements, Community Development Initiatives, Promoting Local Heritage, Planting of trees, shrubs, landscaping, Promoting an interest in the Arts – e.g. Stage Productions, Arts & Crafts Exhibitions, Public Recitals, Performances & Arts Workshops, Participatory Arts Projects etc.

2. Residents Association Grant Scheme 2022 Projects will be considered within private housing estates only which are designed to improve community facilities or enhance the appearance of the area concerned (maximum grant payable is €600). Works that will qualify include, but are not limited to:    

Planting of trees, shrubs, landscaping, Community Development Initiatives, Promoting Social Inclusion, Promoting Local Heritage.

Application Forms and Full Particulars for both Grant Schemes are available from your local Municipal/Borough District Office, contact details below, or from our website at www.wexfordcoco.ie, where an online application for both Grant Schemes can also be made.

Enniscorthy: Phone 053-9233540 or E-mail enniscorthy@wexfordcoco.ie

St Patrick’s Day Gorey’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns this year and we want to make this a day for everyone to enjoy so please join in the event and make this the best parade for Gorey and North Wexford!

For any group/company/organisation that would like to join in the fun and enter the Parade, application forms are available in the Loch Garman Arms or in the Council Offices in Gorey or from gorey@wexfordcoco.ie ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Renewing Enniscorthy’s Town Centre Wexford County Council once again wants to hear from the people of Enniscorthy and listen to your views on the future of the wider town centre area. A second public meeting will take place at 7 pm on Thursday 17th February 2022. This meeting will be entirely online and you will need to register online to attend.

Please register online at: consult.wexfordcoco.ie In addition to the online and in person meetings the Council would also still like to invite written submissions on your views for the town.

These submissions can be as long or as short as you want. Our studies to date are looking at access, transport and the current economic performance of the town but our main aim is to develop a regeneration plan that will be a driver for change into the future. This plan will identify future works that will contribute into new projects and policies, so it is very important that we start this work with a sound foundation based on your views.

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Community Employment Scheme Wexford County Council has vacancies in the following areas of our Community Employment Scheme:

Job Description

Location

Environmental Workers – 4 positions

Enniscorthy

Environmental Workers – 2 positions

Gorey

Environmental Workers – 2 positions

Courtown

Library Support Workers – 2 positions

Library HQ/Archives Carricklawn

Duties to include:  Environmental Worker – General maintenance, cleaning and planting etc.  Library Support Worker – Support Work for Library/Archive Staff – Computer Skills required.

To apply for these positions and for further information please contact:

Gorey: Phone 053-9483800 or E-mail gorey@wexfordcoco.ie New Ross: Phone 051-421284 or E-mail newross@wexfordcoco.ie

Bernie Lennon, CE Scheme Supervisor, Wexford County Council at 087 6575743 during office hours 9am – 5pm or email: bernie.lennon@wexfordcoco.ie

Rosslare: Phone 053-9196913 or E-mail rosslaremunicipaldistrict@wexfordcoco.ie

The closing date for applications is 4.00pm Friday, 4th March 2022.

Wexford: Phone 053-9166900 or E-mail wexfordborough@wexfordcoco.ie

Please note that persons applying for these positions must satisfy the Department of Social Protection criteria to participate in the Community Employment Scheme.

The latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms is: 5:00pm Friday, 11th February 2022.

Street Lights Broken? Report on www.deadsureapp.com

Wexford County Council is an Equal Opportunities employer.

Outside office hours call: 053 919 6000 Register on www.mapalerter.com for free text and email alerts about service disruptions in your locality

Planning app. lists available at www.wexfordcoco.ie/planning

4th February 2022 - Page 59

SlaNey buSiNeSS SlaNey ad & fiNaNCe

LEO Wexford – best in Irelan An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD, recently announced the annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2021 which showed that Local Enterprise Office supported companies created 7,440 jobs nationwide last year. In 2021, LEO Wexford clients created 465 new jobs which was the highest figure recorded for LEOs nationally. The new figures show that LEO Wexford financially supported 231 small businesses in their

portfolio across the county employing 1,630 people.

Local Enterprise Offices also provide substantial funded supports to thousands of small businesses across the country through programmes such as the Trading Online Voucher, Lean for Micro and Green for Micro, along with training and mentoring, thereby helping these small businesses to pivot online or adapt their products and services through the LEOs’ large suite of supports.

Tom Enright, Chief Executive, Wexford County Council, paid tribute to the staff in LEO Wexford saying, "The resilience and adaptability of businesses is indeed reflected in the positive employment results announced today. Wexford has led the way nationally achieving top net job gains. This is in no small part a direct result of all stakeholders working together to ensure that businesses received timely and appropriate supports to ensure their survival and growth during the last two years. This

Wexford Local Enterprise Office Wexford County Council Carricklawn, Wexford, Y35 WY93 Phone: 053 919 6020 Email: info@leo.wexfordcoco.ie

Page 60 - 4th February 2022

SlaNey buSiNeSS & fiNaNCe

nd for job creation year will be no different and we continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland to ensure our small businesses get the best possible supports and there are certainly green shoots emerging across the county.”

Breege Cosgrave, Acting Head of Enterprise, LEO Wexford, highlighted: “The results announced today are a testament to Ireland’s small business community.

When faced with adversity, they have adapted, pivoted, upskilled and did whatever it took to sustain themselves.

The figures show that companies have

seen the opportunities in the challenging trading conditions they have faced. The Local Enterprise Offices have risen to the challenges presented and are optimistic for the future. We are seeing new opportunities for existing Irish businesses here and, as always with tough economic

Green for Micro

periods, we see new ideas and companies emerge and flourish.”

Local Wexford success stories that have contributed to the job creation numbers in 2021 include businesses such as Bodibro, Natural Ice Cream Company, Hoop Medical and Pure Oil Ltd. n

The objective of the Wexford Local Enterprise Office Green for Micro programme is to help prepare small businesses for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future. This is a FREE programme, available to companies with up to ten employees.

Developing a ‘greener’ policy can offer many benefits to your business, including: ● Increased cost savings ● Increased resilience to climate change impacts ● Increased access to customers ● Improved corporate image ● Opportunities for higher and additional value on products and services ● Reduced environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions ● Improved resource efficiency (for example: using less energy, water and materials) Click here to download the Green for Micro brochure: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Green/2 021-Feb-LEO-Green-For-Micro-Brochure-FINAL-pdf.pdf n

4th February 2022 - Page 61

SlaNey buSiNeSS SlaNey ad & fiNaNCe

dulann expands further into Europe

dulann has hired six full time employees in Spain L-R: Jose David Molina Flor, Diego Sanchez Leon, Carlos Castillo Ramos, Matthias Kausch, Jose Marie Lopez Martin, Carlos Rodriguez. Image provided by Carlos Fierro Hernandez. dulann is delighted to announce the

“Opening in Spain is a great opportun-

develop the very best software”, says

establishment of a new office in Ma-

ity for our growing company, as its cul-

Carlos Ramos, Head of IT and Associate

laga, Spain. The international expan-

tural proximity to Latin American

Director of the Spanish Office.

sion comes at a time when the

countries makes it an ideal stepping

Wexford based business is aligning

stone into South America. Our decision

itself to capitalise on the global trend

to invest in Malaga itself was an easy

of digitisation in a post covid world.

one, as we have established some fan-

dulann is a multi-award winning business

tastic relationships with the technical

that provides complete eLearning and

college in the region, which over the

Compliance Management Solutions via a

years have been able to supply us with a

seamless and cost effective cloud platform.

highly skilled workforce. This is a key

Services include Contractor Induction,

deliverable to our continued expan-

Safety Management, Compliance Training,

sion,” says Damian Donlon CEO.

Procurement Management, Procedure

So far, dulann has hired 6 full time em-

Simulation, LOTO, Employee Onboarding,

ployees in Spain and the company is ac-

Health & Safety Training, Learning Man-

tively recruiting for additional roles to

agement and eLearning Consultancy. Al-

double its local headcount in the

ready market leaders in providing

coming months. “dulann expects the

Environmental, Health, Safety & Quality

best from its people every single day, so

software in Ireland, the Spanish office will

this investment in Malaga continues to

serve as the company’s global strategic

demonstrate our focus on developing

For further information, please visit

hub for software development services.

the very best people, so they in turn can

https://www.dulann.com/ n

Page 62 - 4th February 2022

dulann established its business at Wexford Enterprise Centre during the post Celtic Tiger era recession. The company continues to maintain its headquarters in Ireland and provide local employment in a network of 8 Franchise offices throughout the country. dulann have some notable clients in their stable including some of the world’s most recognisable and successful brands such as Glanbia and Jones Engineering Group. dulann is the leading provider of Environmental, Health, Safety and Quality software / eLearning in Ireland and were overall winners in County Wexford at the National Enterprise Awards in 2021.

SlaNey buSiNeSS & fiNaNCe

Monart Destination Spa gets top marks There was plenty for Monart Destination Spa, Enniscorthy, to be proud of in the recently published Irish Independent's 2022 Reader Travel Awards.

The 5-star Enniscorthy resort was named as the Best Spa in Ireland, and took the runner-up spot in the Top 10 Hotels in Ireland category and was also named on the Best Hotel Breakfasts list.

According to the Irish Independent: “Two words for Monart? ‘Absolute zen,’ you said. Since our Reader Travel Awards first launched several years ago, the Enniscorthy Destination Spa has dominated this category, and the pandemic clearly hasn’t dimmed your regard for its pampering. ‘Arriving at the spa, you feel like a VIP,’ you told us. ‘The therapists are lovely, with a great range of treatments. You lose yourself in the thermal suite; it’s as if time stands still.’

“From the get-go, expect ‘five-star service’, ‘peace and tranquility’ and ‘idyllic bliss in a world gone mad’, you said. The adult-only spa is the ultimate in ‘switching off’, a cocoon of luxury where ‘the biggest decision is where to relax next’, and ‘you can wear your gown for the entire day... even in the restaurant. I mean, this is heaven.’

The judges noted that, despite its ongoing success, Monart continues to evolve. n

LEO congrats for dulann The Wexford Local Enterprise Office (LEO) has congratulated Dulann Ireland, who are opening a new office in Malaga, Spain. Already market leaders in providing Health, Safety and Quality software in Ireland, the Spanish office will serve as the company’s global hub for software development services. “It’s fantastic to see one of our former clients growing internationally, and we wish them all the best with their expansion!” n

Upcoming Online Course – Introduction to Google Analytics Wexford Local Enterprise Office – 2-day workshop which aims to teach marketers and business owners how to navigate the Google Analytics platform to measure the effectiveness of their Internet marketing techniques and overall website performance.

Date: 08/02/2022 & 09/02/2022, Time: 10:00 – 12:00, Cost: €20. For more info/booking: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/Introduction-to-Google-Analytics-08-02-2022.html

4th February 2022 - Page 63

SlaNey buSiNeSS SlaNey ad & fiNaNCe

Sustainability to the fore at Wexford’s Local Enterprise Office Women in Business Network Developing a sustainability mindset is the focus of February’s meeting of the LEO Wexford Women in Business Network on Thursday, 24 February.

The guest speaker, Marie Doyle-Henry from Astrum Consulting, is an expert consultant, specialising in sustainability, innovation, and environmental control (water, energy, waste, air, etc).

Marie will speak about how entrepreneurs can develop a sustainability mindset, a hugely significant topic given the need for climate consciousness and green credentials in business.

This topic ties in with the theme of the upcoming International Women’s Day on 8 March, which is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. According to UN Women, this theme recognises the contribution of women and girls around the world who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.

“The Women in Business Network is very much in line with one of Enterprise Ireland’s key objectives in its Action Plan for Women in Business – and we’re delighted with its success in supporting female entrepreneurship in Wexford,” said Breege Cosgrave, Acting Head of Enterprise and Economic Development at Wexford County Council.

In line with Covid-19 public health protocols, the network is running online for now, with free Zoom meetings monthly and a dedicated Facebook Group called LEO Wexford Women In Business Network.

Smyth’s Homevalue finalist in Irish Business Awards 2022 Smyth’s Homevalue in Enniscorrthy has been announced as a finalist in the inaugural Guaranteed Irish Business Awards 2022!

Best of luck to Dermot, Betty and all the team at Smyth’s Homevalue. n

Page 64 - 4th February 2022

Guest speaker: Marie Doyle-Henry from Astrum Consulting, an expert in sustainability, innovation, and environmental control (water, energy, waste, air, etc).

The free February Network meeting is on Zoom on Thursday, February 24, at 11.30am.

Bookings for the event can be made at: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/Women-inBusiness-Network-24-02-2022.html n

Regenerating Enniscorthy Wexford Co. Council wants to hear from the general public and businesses in Enniscorthy on the future of the wider town centre area. A first meeting was held successfully at the end of 2021 and now a second public meeting will take place at 7pm on Thursday 17th February 2022 online and you need to register here to attend: consult.wexfordcoco.ie Wexford County Council is looking at access, transport and the current economic performance of the town, but its main aim is to develop a regeneration plan that will be a driver for change into the future so the views of local people and businesses are crucial to this process. n

SlaNey PetS

MOYNE VETERINARY HOSPITAL Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy.

T: (053) 9233187, 9236674.

F: (053) 9236674.

E: moynevet@gmail.com

VET DIARY FOR FEBRUARY with the Moyne Veterinary Hospital Joe Kavanagh is looking forward to a busy Spring.

The beginning of February heralds the beginning of Spring in Ireland. St Bridget's day, the 1st of February, is a celebration by both the Christian and the ancient Celtic traditions.

On the farm it is the busy, busy season. For dairy farmers they will be at full tilt these next few weeks calving cows, getting calves up and going, starting milking heifers, training them to life in the miking parlour and all that goes with it. It is a hectic time on the farm but part and parcel of farming life. If things start going wrong such as difficult calvings, calf scour, mastitis outbreak... then we the local vets are called into action. It can be a time of long days, sleepless nights, and for some strange reason we come back year after year, back for more!!

Some people might consider it madness but there is great beauty in being in the 'trenches' mucking in, rolling up the sleeves, and getting the job at hand done.

It’s a little like a rugby match where you're getting stuck in and going through the hard yards to get the result. It builds camaraderie, friendship and loyalty and that is what makes the difference in the long run. The beauty of a newborn calf, lamb or foal being nurtured by her mother, getting up and sucking for the first time. People working together to get a result is all part of what keeps us doing the job.

A farm dog came in a few Sundays ago really very sick and weak. Blood tests revealed that her kidneys were failing so

she was set up on a drip straight away. Intravenous fluids are important, helping to flush the kidneys and remove toxicity from the system. After 24 hours, Holly hadn't picked up much and into the second day there wasn't significant pick up either so things were looking decidedly worse for Holly.

We were giving her all the meds but it just wasn't making the difference. We had to think outside the box and came up with an idea. She hadn't eaten anything in several days, was reluctant to walk, listless and weak. No amount of coaxing from us or her owners seemed to get her to take anything. So we began with oral solutions, syringing it into her and slowly but surely she began to perk up, then ate her food and the next morning she jumped out of the kennel raring for her walk!! It was a tonic to see. Her owner came in and there was a new level of excitement. We took her off the drip later that day, sent her home and got a Whatsapp video of her barking in the milking parlour bossing everything just like always.

We rechecked her a few days later and I'm happy to say she's still doing great.

It was a combination of vets, great nursing and the willingness of the owners to keep with her even when things looked ominous and bleak. To get her to come back was a tonic for all concerned and what makes this job we do all the more special.

With the stretch in the days comes the knowing that a mixed animal, small and large, practice vet can get stretched to the max too.... but there's comfort in the knowledge that you're not alone and that is what makes the difference. n

If you have a topic you’d like Joe Kavanagh to address please email Slaney News at: slaneynews@gmail.com OPENING HOURS (6 DAYS A WEEK): 9.00am–1.00pm and 2.00pm–6.00pm Small animal clinic (please tel. for appointment): Daily 9.30–10.30am, 2.30–3.30pm, 5.00–6.00pm.

24-hour, on-call, Emergency Service: (053) 9233187.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: Full blood analysis (haematology, biochemistry) Gas anaesthetic – Digital X-rays – Ultrasound – Bioenergy Dermatological testing – Kinesiology – Prescription diets Herbal remedies – Homeopathy – Allergy testing

4th February 2022 - Page 65

SlaNey SlaNey motoriNg ad

CAROLINE GETS MOTORING Bunclody native Caroline Kidd brings us reviews of the latest new cars to arrive in Ireland. Caroline is the founder and editor of the online automotive magazine Changing Lanes and a jury member for Irish Car of the Year.

Find out more about her editorial and commercial copywriting services at

www.changinglanes.ie

AUDI Q2 The Audi Q2 is the entry into Audi's Q range of SUVs. Launched for the very first time in 2016, the Audi Q2 ticks the box for desirability among the raft of compact crossovers that have hit the market over the last few years. In 2021, the Q2 received a facelift to keep it fresh and competitive in its segment.

The Q2 combines typical Audi design cues in a smart and compact package.

This car still looks good, with a tough, boxy design that has only been slightly updated in terms of some of the trim elements and the bumper design front and rear. The octagonal Singleframe grille is slightly lower than before, making the front section appear wider.

There are also five new colours for this model update, including Apple green, Manhattan grey, Navarra blue, Arrow grey, and Turbo blue.

mean for a premium vehicle, but that's the only part we can find fault with.

Multimedia is housed in an upright screen, familiar from previous generation Audis. While it's not their latest set-up, it still fits well in the cabin of the Q2 and is compatible with smartphones and has a 7" colour display. The virtual cockpit is available as an option for a full digital display for the driver.

S Line models command a more serious list price for the Q2, priced from €39,905.

There are sportier 18" alloy wheels, sports bumpers and the C-pillar blade comes in Selenite silver. Inside there are front sports seats, sports steering wheel, leather/fabric seat trim, LED interior lighting, and aluminium interior elements plus a black headliner for a sportier ambience. S Line models also add Audi Drive Select and a sports suspension.

The Audi Q2 is a compact vehicle. There is seating for five but two will be most comfortable in the rear. The luggage compartment holds 405 litres, so it’s a good size for this class of vehicle.

Audi offers a choice of petrol and diesel models for the Q2, ranging in capacity and power. But it's the 1.0-litre '30 TFSI' petrol Q2 with a 6-speed manual gearbox that is the subject of this review. It forms a

Priced from €34,740, there are two trim levels available for the 2022 Audi Q2 SE and S Line. Even SE line models look smart with 17" alloys and a C-pillar blade finished in metallic Manhattan grey, contrasting with the body work.

LED headlights come as standard, as does a rear spoiler.

Inside is a reminder why Audi is one of the best in the business for car interiors.

Though the Q2 is now one of the 'older' models in the Audi range, it is still a cabin you will want to stay in. They layout is clear and logical, with a superb driving position and beautiful finish to the controls and switches. The hard plastics in the door panels seem a bit

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Audi Q2

SlaNey motoriNg nice competitive entry into the range, though more powerful petrol models with 150 hp and an automatic gearbox are available (the '35 TFSI'). There's also the 30 TDI diesel with 116 hp.

The Audi Q2 has been designed as a sporty compact SUV. Progressive steering comes as standard, which becomes more and more direct the further the driver turns the steering wheel. The Q2 is simply glorious to drive, even in 1.0-litre, 6speed manual versions. The 110 hp engine provides zippy petrol performance and matches the car's character very well.

Over a week of driving my average fuel consumption was 6.0 litres per 100 km, which is on point for this type of vehicle.

The steering is well weighted and the car is agile and fun to drive. It's also very refined and comfortable on the standard SE suspension, whether on long motorway journeys or in town.

In a market where nearly every new car has some 'electrified' element, the updated Q2 seems almost old fashioned now with its 1.0-litre petrol engine and 6speed manual gearbox! But it was a sheer delight to drive, a reminder how at least in small cars and SUVs, this is a combination that still works.

Interior The Q2 is highly desirable for its design and badge among crossovers. It's also polished behind the wheel. It does not have a latest generation Audi interior but there was hardly much wrong with the last. The quality and functionality still make it an excellent buy.

The SE model may be 'entry level' but don't let that put you off. It's well equipped, looks smart, and is comfortable on the road. The 1.0-litre petrol en-

gine also works well here, providing adequate performance and economy.

Model tested: Audi Q2 SE 30 TFSI Price: €34,740 Engine: 1.0-litre turbo petrol Power: 110 hp Torque: 200 Nm 0-100km/h: 11.2 seconds Top speed: 225 km/h CO2 emissions: 131 - 146 g/km Motor tax: €210 per year n

AUTO TINTING TEL: 053 9430013 Arklow Road, Gorey

Lifetime Warranty Professional Accredited Installers Complete Range of Tints incl. NCT info@coatek.ie www.coatek.ie info@coatek.ie www.coatek.ie

AUTO REPAIR ENNISCORTHY

NCT Preparation – Repairs – Timing Belts Clutches – General Servicing – Etc No job too big or too small NCRS, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy (opposite Cooney Furlong / Gala) Tel: 086-8299431 – 053 9233033 – Email: ncrallying@yahoo.ie

L&M STARTER & ALTERNATOR REPAIR SERVICE CARS, VANS, 4X4, TRUCKS, TRACTORS, MARINE, QUADS, LAWNMOWERS AND GENERATORS. WE REPAIR ALL UNITS. ALL APPLICATIONS CATERED FOR.

Island Road, Enniscorthy. T: (053) 9235933.

4th February 2022 - Page 67

SlaNeymotoriNg SlaNey ad

The carnage on our roads...

Key Statistics from the Garda Road Safety Christmas Cam-

•

525 FCN’s issued for Learner Drivers Driving Unaccompanied

paign from 26th November 2021 until 4th January 2022.

•

A total of 35 Drink and Drug Driving arrests occurred on New Year’s Day – 12 of these occurred between 6am and 1pm.

•

914 Driving While Intoxicated arrests

•

13,950 Speeding detections

•

15,759 Breath Tests carried out

•

5,681 Checkpoints performed

•

1,269 FCN’s issued for use of Mobile Phones

•

310 FCN’s issued for non-wearing of seatbelts

There were sadly, 19 fatalities on our roads during the period between 26th November 2021 and 4th January 2022. This compares with 10 for the same dates in 2020.

In 2021 there were a total of 134 fatalities on Irish roads. This compares with 146 in 2020. n

Call for Wexford County Council to introduce new parking app Finding a vacant accessible parking space would only be a click away for disabled drivers and passengers in Co. Wexford if Wexford County Council introduced the DDAI Spacefinder app service, says Richard Ryder of the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI).

Richard says, “Driving means independence and equal opportunity for our members but finding a vacant accessible parking space is often time-consuming and stressful. In some cases, they could be forced to return home and try again later but with no guarantee of finding one even then.“

Richard Ryder of the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI).

Link to RTE TV News story on the DDAI SpaceFinder launch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X VcWwLLtPEU

Page 68 - 4th February 2022

Developed by Limerick company ParkMagic and supported by the Disabled Drivers Association, the DDAI SpaceFinder app gives real-time information on whether an accessible parking space is occupied or not, using sensors installed by the participating local authority.

Limerick City & County Council was the first local authority to begin using the DDAI Spacefinder App service. The Council’s traffic department installed small sensors at accessible parking bays in its city centre business district, delivering real-time updates to users of the app on Apple and Android. In addition, navigation to the nearest available accessible space is now on Apple CarPlay with Android Auto following shortly. n

SlaNey leiSure & lifeStyle

Dancing with Declan Keep up to date with the local dancing scene on:

Eoin has his eyes set on you!

https://www.facebook.com/ DancingwithDec https://www.facebook.com/ socialdancingdateswexford n

Wexford Arts Centre events For details and updates on all concerts, drama, exhibitions, films etc happening in Wexford Arts Centre, check out: https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com /shows n

Fishy tales The Songs and Tall Tales of Jerry Fish, in Enniscorthy’s Presentation Centre, has been rescheduled to 22nd April 2022.

Tickets available from: www.wexfordartscentre.ie/events/ n

Cursed Murphy Tell It to a Tree is a collaborative 4-track EP featuring Enniscorthy’s Cursed Murphy along with Basciville (Wexford indie/folk brothers Cillian and Lorcan Byrne) and Stephen James Smith (Dublin born poet and spoken word exponent). It was released last month to critical acclaim and is available on a wide range of platforms. See link below for a full listing: https://found.ee/TellItToATree?fbclid=IwAR 3t27-byH8xxydgnXfD4QxsmbAMs67xTkPiphyRCNCFVQDMZHLwN7uEErQ n

Eoin Devereux

Eoin Devereux is a 19-year-old musician from Enniscorthy who writes and produces his own music. “Music is my place, it is where I belong. My intention is for people who have not found their place in the world to be able to express themselves in even some small way through my music.”

Eoin’s new song Set My Eyes On You is his fifth release. Some of his other songs, Going My Own Way and Jigsaw have been played on national radio.

The 19-year-old is due to release a video for the new single on February 4th.

‘This song is about how powerful the force of love is,’ Eoin says. ‘When we love someone or something, we can tend to glorify everything and put unfair standards on that person, forgetting they are human as well. So I think the message of it is just love yourself because if you don't it's very hard for someone else to,’ he adds.

Eoin says, “Music is my entire world; it has helped me through many tough times – my hope is to inspire other people my age to keep going with their passion.”

According to Hot Press magazine, which made the song its Track of the Day on 24th January, ‘Set My Eyes On You combines thick synths, a soft acoustic guitar and Devereux’s catchy hook to create a moody, atmospheric track.’

Eoin is proud of his new release and would like it to achieve a wide audience.

Check out Eoin’s Spotify profile here and hear his songs: shorturl.at/fhG34. n

ENNISCORTHY LIBRARY Lymington Road - Phone: 053 9236055 enniscorthylib@wexfordcoco.ie https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries https://www.facebook.com/enniscorthylibrary

4th February 2022 - Page 69

SlaNey leiSure SlaNey& ad lifeStyle

TEL: 053 9233000

THE PRESENTATION CENTRE, ENNISCORTHY. WWW.PRESENTATIONCENTRE.IE FOR BOOKING ON ALL EVENTS: WWW.WEXFORDARTSCENTRE.IE/EVENTS/ Page 70 - 4th February 2022

SlaNey leiSure & lifeStyle

Fintan Kelly – shrouded in success As a founding member of Enniscorthy Drama Group way back in 2013, I am both delighted and gratified by the success of one of its most prominent and talented members, Fintan Kelly.

In the few short years since Fintan joined EDG he has become a household name on the Enniscorthy drama scene having appeared and excelled in The Beauty Queen of Leeane, A Whistle in the Dark, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Playboy of the Western World, Glenngarry, Glenn Ross, Private Wars, A Night on the Hill, Come Along the Road Until You Stop Dead and Wild in the Country, and is fast making a name for himself nationally and even internationally with his outstanding performance in Keith Huff’s A Steady Rain, as Patrick in the 2017 film release directed by Gerard Walsh, and in his role in the hugely popular fantasy drama TV series, Game of Thrones, along with appearances in several Irish TV productions like Fair City and Red Rock, and prior to Covid touring the country with his very popular solo performance in Mark O’Rowe’s compelling piece of theatre, Howie the Rookie, and now Fintan is set to make his debut on the London stage, playing Father Jonathan in Bernard Field’s dramatic work, Shroud.

Fintan Kelly – a natural born actor.

‘I had always been interested in drama given the family tradition, my cousin Padraic Delaney played Teddy O’Donovan in The Wind that Shakes the Barley, but it wasn’t until my daughter Jennifer began showing an aptitude for it, that I actually did something about it and became a member of Enniscorthy Drama.’

Fintan is a natural born actor and is never happier than on stage in front of an audience, or on set in front of a camera, acting has be-

come more than his passion, it has become his full-time occupation and he is very excited about his latest challenge.

Shroud is a behind-the-scenes view of what goes on in the hearts and minds of the Catholic hierarchy as they seek to extricate themselves from the tragic disasters of their own making.

Imprisoned beneath the altar, the life of a young boy hangs in the balance while two priests and a bishop frantically search for ways to save themselves and protect the church they serve.

Sounds intriguing and Fintan says he is finding it completely different from anything he’s done before ‘but that’s what acting is all about, pushing out the boundaries and moving out of your comfort zones into the abyss’.

The multitalented Fintan has also written and directed a film Ignatius that premiered at The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, prior to Covid.

On my own behalf and on behalf of Enniscorthy Drama Group, Slaney News, and I am certain the whole of Enniscorthy, I want to wish Fintan every success with Shroud which takes to the stage of The Playground Theatre, London, from 21st February to 5th March, and if you have anyone living in the city or close by do please encourage them to book tickets to see Enniscorthy’s very own Fintan Kelly take London by storm.

– Maria Nolan https://www.facebook.com/shroud2022/videos/260655712839071

4th February 2022 - Page 71

SlaNey leiSure SlaNey& ad lifeStyle

Free Celtic Imbolc Festival at Hook Lighthouse Participants tie Spring wishes on the Imbolc tree sculpture

Hook Lighthouse is set to celebrate Ireland’s ‘Fire Goddess’ with an Imbolc traditional festival marking the beginning of Spring on February 5th and 6th 2022. Imbolc celebrates the feast of St. Bridget and in ancient Irish mythology, Bridget was a fire goddess. She is also the patron saint of boatmen, sailors, and mariners.

Celebrated annually by the ancient Celts, Imbolc was one of the four important festivals in the Celtic calendar. During the festival weekend, visitors to the lighthouse can enjoy art workshops and St Bridget Cross making with the Hook Lighthouse resident artist Rose (11am to 4pm daily), a walk through the maze to place wishes on the Imbolc Wishing Tree, and seedplanting for families (don't forget to bring some old egg cartons!) along with lots of free family fun and entertainment.

The Hook Lighthouse Eco Sheriff will host a talk on sustainability and recycling and share insights at the Hook Lighthouse Eco-Education Station.

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 12 to 3pm outdoor games and storytelling sessions will be on offer with the entertainment crew, and Cafe specials will include pancakes filled with seasonal berries and sweet sharing plates.

On Saturday evening, a special Imbolc Fish and Chip Supper will be on offer. Commencing at 4.45pm, a feast of delicious locally caught fish and fresh chips will be served with a glass of wine or beer following a bespoke guided tour of the ancient lighthouse itself. Following the main meal, a delicious homemade dessert will be served along with teas and coffees.

Tickets for this special occasion need to be pre-booked via phone on 051 397055, tickets are €45 per person which include the Lighthouse tour, supper and drinks.

All Imbolc Festival events at Hook Lighthouse are available to enjoy free of charge apart from the Fish and Chip Supper and Art Workshops with Rose. Supper tickets are €45pp and Art with Rose is €5.

For further details see www.hookheritage.ie or 051 397 055. n

Enniscorthy trails funding €200,000 funding has been secured from the Dept of Rural and Community Development for the resurfacing of the entire 3km riverside trail by the Slaney in Enniscorthy, and also to resurface a track around the Urrin River up to St. John’s Bridge – a 600m loop. It is ex-

7th February January 2022 Page 72 - 4th 2022

pected that the offer agreement will issue in early 2022. A planning application will be prepared in early 2022 and it hoped that construction on this major project which will benefit locals and tourists will start before the end of 2022 with the path in place by June, 2023. n

Enniscorthy Drama Group is back in action!!!

Enniscorthy Drama Group’s next production will be a Martin McDonagh classic – A Skull in Connemara – a dark and comic piece set in rural Galway and is the middle play of the well-known McDonagh trilogy.

Full details in next month’s issue. n

SlaNey leiSure & lifeStyle

The Wexford man showcasing Ireland to an audience of 155m The US TV travel show ‘Ireland with Michael’ is set to showcase Wexford as a holiday destination to audiences of 155 million people across the USA and Canada this month.

Michael Londra, the Emmy® nominated, Irish singer-producer from Wexford town, is now a resident of the US. Michael hosts the travel show which airs across the PBS network in the US and Canada. In each episode, he takes viewers on an intriguing journey to the popular and some of the lesser-known Irish destinations to learn about Irish history, meets local artisans, experience small-town pubs and food, and enjoy unique musical and cultural experiences.

He combines glorious video footage of Ireland’s storied landscapes, destinations, exciting cultural experiences, and performances from Irish stars.

The US TV travel show ‘Ireland with Michael’ is showcasing Wexford and Tipperary as holiday destinations to audiences of 155 million people across the USA and Canada.

The ‘Ireland with Michael’ series is aired across PBS stations and can also be viewed internationally online via www.irelandwithmichael.com

In summer 2021 the host and crew travelled to Wexford and Tipperary to film a full episode in the counties.

show. I'm so proud of the country and the people in it, it is a joy to be able to share that around the world.

Michael is proud to showcase the beauty of County Wexford to US audiences. He heads to Wexford town to The Ferrycarrig Hotel where he meets with his cousin Chef Tony Carty and gets a lesson in making Guinness bread at the Ferrycarrig Hotel. Tony is also well known of course for his own lyrical talent.

“Pre-pandemic North America has been the fastest-growing vacation market for Irish tourism, accounting for 33% of foreign earnings, I am very glad to be able to support the Irish arts, tourism and hospitality sectors and I very much hope that the show assists the international tourism recovery for Ireland post-pandemic.”

Michael then visits a rather unusual Tudor house in Carrick on Suir, County Tipperary. He finishes out this episode with a stop at Wells House to hear young sean nós performer Iona Ritchie, and to visit the faery forest located on its grounds and talk to Wexford storyteller Joe Brennan who regales him with ancient tales of the faery folk.

Aer Lingus, Tourism Ireland and CIE Tours sponsor the ‘Ireland with Michael’

series. Upcoming for 2023 is a new ‘Ireland with Michael’ series 3, which will be released in January 2023, and filming of these episodes will commence in March 2022. At present, the crew are scouting locations and ideas across the country, so if you think that you or your town should be featured in series 3, send your idea and contact details to INFO@IRELANDWITHMICHAEL.COM The ‘Ireland with Michael’ series is aired across PBS stations and can also be viewed internationally online via www.irelandwithmichael.com n

Speaking of the new series release, Michael says, “We are delighted to release season 2 of ‘Ireland with Michael’, the show has been such a huge hit in season 1 with a viewership of 75% of all U.S. households.

“It is an honour to highlight our greatest assets. Be they singers, dancers, poets, artisans or storytellers, our creators share their Ireland, in every episode of the

4th February 2022 - Page 73

SlaNey leiSure SlaNey& ad lifeStyle

A huge range of services av At the time of writing, all library branches in County Wexford are fully open to the public for browsing, study, computers, printing and Wi-Fi. Advance bookings are not required to visit the library, but it is recommended that PCs and study spaces should be reserved in advance. To book time on a PC in Enniscorthy Library please phone: 053 9236055.

When you arrive at the library for your study space booking please follow these steps:

•

Go to the confirmation email you received when you booked.

•

Make your way to the seat number you were allocated.

•

Before you begin, check in (follow the link in your email and enter your given code).

•

Before you leave, check out.

Please note: Your booking will be reallo-

Download the library app in advance of your visit. This app allows borrowers to easily manage their loans and reserves and even allows for “no touch” self-issuing of books which is perfect in this Covid environment. For more information on what the app can do for you go to https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries/wexford-libraries-app

cated if you don’t check in within 15 minutes of your appointment time.

Book a study seat here: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/r/new

ENNISCORTHY LIBRARY JUNIOR BOOK CLUB: New members are always welcome - suitable for ages 8-12.

For more information ring on 053 9236055.

SERVICES FOR BUSINESSES AND LEARNING & TRAINING: For services aimed at businesses, as well as research, training and learning resources, and job-seeking see https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries/more-library-services/work-matters PRINTING SERVICES: Printing can still be emailed from home and collected during opening hours. Contact the library for details on 053 9236055.

MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE: For further information please phone: Mobile Library North 087 4175810.

Mobile Library South 087 4176014.

In order to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit to the library please note the following:

• Page 74 - 4th February 2022

You should not visit the library if you, or a household member, has symptoms of COVID-19.

SlaNey leiSure & lifeStyle

vailable at your local library Enniscorthy Library: Working for the community.

Email: enniscorthylib@wexfordcoco.ie Phone: 053 9236055 Opening Hours: Monday 10.30am - 5.30pm (closed 1pm to 2pm) Tuesday 10.30am - 5.30pm Wednesday 10.30am - 5.30pm Thursday 10.30am - 8.30pm Friday 10.30am - 5.30pm Saturday 10.30am - 5.30pm (closed 1pm to 2pm) Not a library member? Great news, you can join the library online now! Sign up here: https://www.librariesireland.ie/join-your-library

Your library is open 24/7: • Use to access free eBooks and Borrowbox • Download free music with Freegal • Browse digital magazines with Libby • Access digital comics & graphic novels using Libby Comics • Read newspapers for free with Pressreader • You can also learn a new language with Transparent Language Online or take an online course with Universal Class.

To access, all you need is your library card number and PIN, and an email address.

The BorrowBox app makes it easy to browse, borrow and read or listen to your library's eBooks and eAudiobooks anywhere, everywhere. Simply login with your member details to access the library's collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks. https://wexford.borrowbox.com

Healthy Ireland is the national strategy to improve health and wellbeing, placing a focus on prevention, individual awareness and keeping people healthy for longer.

Download health-related magazines from: PressReader, a website and app that connects you with the world’s best newspapers and magazines for free, or from the new magazine app Libby available immediately with your library card!

Healthy Ireland At Your Library – Wexford Public Library Services broadcast a series of talks on health topics. The talks are available to watch on the Wexford Public Libraries' YouTube channel.

Wexford Public Libraries' YouTube Channel...

Make sure to check out Wexford Public Libraries' YouTube channel. Catch up with parenting and other events you may have missed or would like to watch again and handy guides

EDUROAM:

and tutorials for accessing Wexford Public Libraries' e-services.

Wexford Libraries have introduced eduroam Wi-Fi hotspot to support students. Eduroam stands for education roaming. It provides secure and easy-to-use Wi-Fi access in thousands of locations across more than 100 countries. Students whose college/university participates in eduroam can simply open their laptop or mobile device within an eduroam hotspot to have immediate internet connectivity.

Wexford County Council Public Library Service works in partnership with CYPSC (Children &Young People’s Services Committee) each year to deliver Parenting Today, an annual programme of free talks for parents and carers throughout Wexford County. You can catch up on these talks through Wexford Public Libraries' YouTube Channel. n

https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries/whats-on-in-my-library 4th February 2022 - Page 75

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The Riverside Park Hotel Spring Wedding Showcase The Riverside Park Hotel is hosting its Spring Wedding Showcase on Sunday 20th February 1 – 5pm by appointment only so please email: liz@riversideparkhotel.com or call 053 9237800 and speak to Andrea or Liz on the wedding team if you’d like to attend.

On the day, one can view the hotel’s award-winning ballroom, with its stunning view of the River Slaney, natural daylight, mood-lit ceiling, and fairy-lit backdrop. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see the ballroom set for how it would be presented on a wedding day, with Chiavari chairs. You can also view the classic chair covers and selection of sashes on offer.

Head Chef Dave will be on hand to talk attendees through wedding menus and offer samples of some fabulous dishes.

You can also wander around the Penthouse suite which boasts two floors overlooking the beautiful Slaney. n

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The Courthouse is back in session 

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Simply the best... dressed...

Excitement prevailed at Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, recently when both RTE and Junk Kouture paid a visit to present the prestigious Overall Winner Junk Kouture 2021 Award to German exchange student Inka Sthmiedint from Hanover, deputising for winning designer Alicia Rostermundt, who unfortunately could not be there to receive the magnificent trophy, along with cheques for €600 and €1,000 from Orla Morris Toolen, Production Co-ordinator with Junk Kouture.

This winning dress can be viewed as part of an upcoming textile exhibition in Enniscorthy Castle.

See page 44 for more details.

Watched by students and extremely proud teachers, Ms. Kervick, Art & Design, and Ms. Whelan, TY Co-ordinator, along with Principal Kiera O’Sullivan and Host Parent Alison Darcy, Alicia was ‘zoomed in’ for proceedings from her home in Germany and interviewed by Orla Morris Toolen.

Alicia said how nice it was to see everyone again and thanked the Coláiste Bríde teachers for all their help, support and encouragement, especially Art & Design mentor Ms. Kervick. She also thanked the wonderful Maurice Carty in Molloy Metals, Ballycarney, for carefully cutting out and providing all the old car seatbelts which formed the basis of Alicia’s creation.

Alicia said she had been fascinated by all the creativity of the competition and advised all TY students to ‘try it out, it is an amazing experience and a wonderful opportunity’. That it certainly seems to be considering that this year the competition will be going global with the Grand Final scheduled for Abu Dhabi.

Alicia’s beautiful creation, Iconoclastic Fantastic, which wouldn’t be out of place on the catwalks of London, Paris, New York or Milan, was inspired by Jean Paul Gaultier and made from an old tent and hundreds of old seatbelts gathered from scrapyards, and was a clear favourite with judges Roz Purcell, Michelle Visage and Louis Walsh and designed and executed using mathematical equations... impressive or what?

Coláiste Bríde also received a cheque for €2,000, which no doubt will be put to good use as they prepare for Junk Kouture 2022.

– Words and pics by Maria Nolan Left: National competition winner Alicia Rostermundt on a Zoom call from Germany. Above: German exchange student Inka Sthmiedint deputising for winning designer Alicia Rostermundt.

Below: Ms Kervick (Coláiste Bride art & design mentor), Inka Sthmiedint, Orla Morris Toolen (Production Coordinator, Junk Kouture)

4th February 2022 - Page 77

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A Glorious Obse

A fashion series by Maria Nolan

As we emerge from the doldrums of restrictions and the all-engulfing, terrifying fog of Covid, our attentions, naturally enough, turn with vigour, joy and enthusiasm to fashion and the all-consuming question, ‘What to wear’ now that we are out and about and socialising again. Well, the answer quite simply is whatever you wish.

Spring/Summer 2022 will be the Anything Goes Season, due in the main to the all-encompassing trends for the Spring/Summer period and to the fact that we have been locked up for almost two years, many of us with clothes in our wardrobes that have yet to see the light of day.

This year’s mood is one of real optimism, with vaccines and boosters, almost guaranteeing that we will be going more places in 2022 and we need to have the bold, brave, brights to take us there.

Colour reflects the ‘positivity all the way’ attitude of this season with Green the predominant bright, along with Orange, Pink, Yellow and Very Peri Blue, a blue purple hue described as warm and friendly, with a carefree confidence and a joyful attitude – exactly what we all need going forward.

The fashion scene is sprinkled with get-up-and-go outfits with movement, versatility,

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and ease, ing up to d

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SlaNey leiSure & lifeStyle

to take us places and take us there quickly – we have a lotta, lotta, catchdo.

either the ultra, ultra, mini, reminiscent of the 60s, with well over half the osed, beneath a brief slip of fabric in super statement shades and prints, hat while the item may be small, it packs a punch, or embrace the pleated to stay for summer 22, printed, plain, colourful, monochrome, paired with tops, and bralettes – as long as its pleated you’re bang on the money, oh ttes seem to be the new underwear/outerwear for the summer season.

with suits and pants is – Go big or go home.

is the key, leaving room to layer and room to impress in blazers that find er in sheer volume.

ar of the low-slung jeans, the wide leg pants, and the oversized coats and hich will be worn with tailored shorts and micro minis or wrapped and er pleated skirts.

alks of London, Paris, Milan and New York are flaunting the revealing, ultrato-here-and-slashed-to-there kind of fashion but I’m not sure how much of

Maria Nolan

that we will see on the streets of Enniscorthy, but you never know, if the sun shines I’m sure we`ll be seeing lots of skin perhaps in surprising places, hips, backs, midriffs, shoulders, and God knows where else – what’s not to look forward to – remember if it’s not turning heads or gathering Facebook likes then it’s clearly not enough!

Thankfully for the more mature and less flamboyant, fashion conscious lady, there is also a very chic antithesis, just beginning to appear in our local stores and which we will be featuring here throughout the year.

Nuptials have been on hold now for over twenty-four months and 2022 is rumoured to be the year of the wedding with feminine silhouettes adorning the aisles, exaggerated by volume, feathers, fringes and ruffles.

The early fashion forecast is for lots of variety, lots of choice, lots of straps, lots of skin, and lots of colour – so feel free to go as wild as you like, or as tame as you like, in the anything goes mood of 2022.

– Maria Nolan

4th February 2022 - Page 79

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Walking and cycling funding Commuters and nature enthusiasts alike will benefit from funding of €4.4m allocated last month to Wexford County Council for walking and cycling projects in the county, local Fine Gael TD, Paul Kehoe, has said. See accompanying table.

Deputy Kehoe said the funding from the National Transport Authority will deliver high quality upgrades to walking and cycling infrastructure, with sustainable transport modes vital as we emerge from the Covid pandemic.

Deputy Kehoe said: “I am pleased that Wexford County Council has been awarded funding which is part of an overall total of €289 million for approximately 1,200 Active Travel projects across the country.

“Ensuring we have a good and efficient transport system in Wexford is essential for the future as we aim to make our communities and town centres more vibrant, in addition to making commuting to work and school safer and easier.

“Over the past two years we have spent more time enjoying our outdoor amenities and investing in active travel will also help us to meet our climate change obligations.

“There has been substantial progress in this area over the last number of years. Expenditure on and delivery of Active Travel, as funded by the Department of Transport, has seen a significant increase, quadrupling from circa €45 million in 2019 to €184 million in 2021.

“Further amendments are also expected to the Road Traffic and Roads Bill in the coming weeks, which will help our local authorities progress experimental traffic management schemes and other measures which will fast track active travel infrastructure.”

Announcing the funding last month, Minister Naughton said, “Today, over 1,200 projects across the length and breadth of the country are set to receive targeted funding towards making walking and cycling in our villages, towns and cities safe and sustainable.

“As we continue to meet our commitment of spending almost €1 million on walking and cycling projects each day, I am particularly happy to confirm that the schools participating in Phase 1 of our new Safe Routes to School Programme will also benefit. With 170 schools currently progressing plans customised to their specific needs and challenges, the Safe Routes to School Programme is delivering infrastructure on the route to and in front of our schools making it easier for children, parents and teachers to safely walk, cycle and scoot to school every day.” n

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Drama back with a bang The award-winning Wexford Drama Group returns to Wexford Arts Centre after a two-year hiatus to present its first foray into the plays of acclaimed American playwright and actor Sam Shepard – his 1985 masterpiece A Lie Of The Mind.

Winner of the 1986 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play, the play itself revolves around the broken marriage of young couple Jake Sam Shepard and Beth following a moment of violence that will shatter two families forever. Retreating to their respective families on opposite sides of America, the characters confront their pasts and their people in a series of tense, heartbreaking and often hilarious scenes until the moment when they're ready to meet again.

The play will run in Wexford Arts Centre from 23-27 Feb 2022 at 8pm. Book now https://bit.ly/3fQLBDw n COSMIC REBELS CON is back in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, on the 24th of April 2022 from 11am to 7pm, admission is free and all tables are free of charge too!

After a two-year gap, organiser Ed Doyle is delighted to be back, saying, ‘Let's celebrate together all things geeky.’

The Slaney News will carry more details in our upcoming issues but in the meantime make sure to check out the event page by clicking the link below. https://fb.me/e/1XBUYcoJB

January 2022 - Page 81 7thFebruary 4th

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BELFAST

Movie Review with Kyle Walsh  I finally got to see Kenneth Branagh’s ardent film Belfast.

Starring a great ensemble of actors such as Jamie Dornan, Judie Dench, Ciaran Hinds, Caitriona Balfe, and of course the little boy, the central character (Buddy) played here by Jude Hill, remember the name.

This is a intimate film about family, life, and first love set at the commencement of the Troubles in Belfast in 1969 depicted here graphically and viscerally.

The story is about a family living through the Troubles and having to deal with all of the conflicts and tragedies that occur.

The story is seen through the lens of the little boy Buddy (Hill).

This is Hill’s debut feature and he is phenomenal here and one of the very best child actors I have ever seen. His natural naivety and ease amongst a steller cast, aided by his comedic timing and his ease in front of the camera, is truly amazing.

The story shows his experiences living through these times and his family’s. A period of unsettled religious differences... and his innocent first love which is told beautifully here.

The cast are all in top form in this film with Dornan as Pa. He has to travel to England for work leaving his wife, played here brilliantly by Balfe, behind to rear their sons. Young Buddy idolises his Pop played here by Hinds who is just absolutely wonderful in this role. Then we have Granny played here by the great Dench, in a role that’s going to be one of her most memorable roles to date.

The cinematography is beautifully shot, the directing is top notch with every scene expertly thought out and shot. The pace is perfect with a run time of 1 hour 35 minutes. You get a sense of realism from it. The evocative Van Morrison soundtrack used throughout the fim is wonderful. The sound design is much better than I thought it was going to be. But it is the use of colour that stands out. When our little Buddy goes to the cinema to watch movies, or the theatre to watch plays, the images of these films or plays is splurged in colour – I thought that was cleverly done... and it bought me back personally to when I was a kid totally captivated by movies at the age of 5, and still to this day my love for films.

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Lads, I believe when it comes to awards time this little film has to be in the mix. I know it’s only January but for me it’s going to take some film to better this one this year its that good... folks please check it out, you won’t be disappointed. This film gets a 10/10 from me. n

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Shine bright like a diamond!

The search is on for Miss Wexford 2022 – Celebrating the 75th Diamond Jubilee of Miss Ireland Diamonds are forever for the Miss Ireland organisation as this year marks the 75th Jubilee of the competition with plans for the largest and most spectacular show this summer. The search has officially begun for Miss Wexford 2022 to follow in the footsteps of reigning Miss Wexford title holders Mindulee Senevirante and Sarah Weirs who represented the county last year at the Miss Ireland final.

Miss Wexford Mindulee Senevirante (19) from Wexford Town did Wexford proud last year on the national stage scooping the sash for the most talented in the competition with a stunning solo performance at the final of the famous Whitney Houston song One Moment in Time. The Biological and Biomedical Sciences student was joined by Miss Wexford Town Sarah Weirs who is 21 years old. She is an international showjumper competing at Grand Prix level against major showjumpers such as Cian O’Connor and Greg Broderick. She created her own business ‘Sarah Wiers Showjumping’ when she was 16 years old and has been riding horses since she was 5 years old. She is also a model in addition to being a singer-songwriter and musician who plays seven instruments.

The winner of Miss Ireland 2021, Pamela Uba (26), captured the hearts of the nation with her incredible story and has featured prominently in the Irish media with captivating interviews and also made waves internationally having appeared on TV shows in Los Angeles, London, Johannesburg and even featured in the New York Times. Pamela spent a month in Puerto Rico representing Ireland at Miss World and is all set to jet back out there in March for the overall final.

Miss Wexford 2021 Mindulee Senevirante.

Selections will run all over the country to find contestants from each county with beauty, poise and personality to take part in the Miss Ireland 2022 competition this summer. Full details on how to enter Miss Ireland 2022 are available on www.miss-ireland.ie or on the Miss Ireland App now available from Apple App Store or Google Play.

The finalists of Miss Ireland this year will be put through their paces in a challenging competitive process testing their skills in debating, public speaking, talent, sports, modelling, social media and each finalist will be tasked with raising much-needed awareness and funds for their chosen charities.

Established in 1947, Miss Ireland has been the launch pad for many eminent, successful, and inspiring women in Ireland. In recent years the Miss Ireland Franchise has raised over €300,000 for various charities including Laura Lynn, Temple Street, Alzheimer’s Ireland, Pieta House, The Cari Foundation and this year are proud to partner, once again, with Variety Ireland, an Irish charity helping sick, disadvantaged and children with special needs since 1951.

The winner of Miss Ireland 2022 will receive a lucrative agency contract and a host of prizes including jewellery, gowns, professional photo shoots, beauty and hair products and then jet off to represent her country at the Miss World Festival which is televised in over 100 countries around the world.

See www.miss-ireland.ie for more information. n

Winner of Miss Ireland 2021 Pamela Uba.

Miss Wexford Town 2021 Sarah Weirs.

4th February 2022 - Page 83

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Wexford Has Talent – new March date A new March date has been set for the 2022 Wexford Has Talent auditions.

The organisers of Wexford Has Talent have announced that auditions are set to take place on Sunday, March 13th at Clayton Whites Hotel. Competitors are now invited to book a free audition place for March 13th in Wexford from 12 noon to 6 pm.

Wexford Has Talent is kindly sponsored by The Wexford People newspaper group and has taken place in Wexford town annually since 2015, except for 2021 when Covid restrictions prevented the show from going ahead.

The event has grown to become recognised as ‘the' talent competition in the county launching and awarding talents like the band Fit for Kings, gymnast Tara Doyle Robinson, musical ensemble Seventh Registration for 2022 Wexford Has Talent auditions is now open, see www.wexfordhastalent.com Fret, singer/songwriters Pic: Patrick Browne.

Rachel Grace and Luke Spellacy Shaw and dancer and the semi-final winners will go on of between 24 and 30 acts will go forAlex Saunders who have all gone on to perform at the Wexford Has Talent ward to take part in the live audience to perform across the country, release Grand Final on Sunday, May 1st 2022. semi-finals and the semi-final winners albums and films and who have apwill go on to perform at the Wexford Chair of the organising committee peared on stage at some of the bigHas Talent Grand Final.

Enda Whelan says, "We are delighted gest music festivals in Ireland. to have a new date for the auditions Tickets to the Wexford Has Talent During the auditions, a panel of at for 2022 and one where it looks like Semi-Finals and Grand Final are now least three judges will help perwe will be able to host this event formers through the audition stages. on sale at Clayton Whites Hotel under what will certainly feel like ‘norThe competition is open to all ages priced at €10 for each Semi-Final of mal’ circumstances. We are encourand all manner of talents and is free Wexford Has Talent and €15 for the aging as many entrants as possible to to enter with the winner walking away Grand Final. All live shows commence pre-book their audition place in adwith a €2,000 prize. Two additional vance, however we will also accomat 8 pm sharp. prizes of €500 will also be awarded to modate walk-ins on the day." runners-up.

For further details and Wexford Has Audition appointments can be Talent news see www.wexfordhastaFrom the audition process, a shortlist booked in advance via lent.com or join the event on Faceof between 24 and 30 acts will go forwww.wexfordhastalent.com book.com/WexfordHasTalent and ward to take part in the live audience semi-finals on April 15th and 16th From this audition process, a shortlist Instagram - @WexfordHasTalent n

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Acko’s debut album appears Tallaght-born Acko has boomeranged between Wexford and Dublin over the past half-century. He releases his debut solo album St Dominic's Disappearance, ten years in the making, this February 25, on the Felaheen label. And a special launch event will be held the following night – Saturday 26 February at The Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy, with Free admission.

The 54-year-old singer-songwriter is the former fontman with Dublin-based pop-punk quartet Grasshopper, who released a slew of singles on the Liquid label back in the mid-90s.

A veteran of the Grafton Street busking mafia that also included members of the Frames, Kila, the Mary Janes and The Pale, Acko has also produced albums for Steven O'Brien (Decency Week) and co-wrote and produced two critically acclaimed albums with Peter Murphy (aka Cursed Murphy) as the Revelator Orchestra.

St Dominic's Disappearance comprises eleven songs featuring long-time friends and collaborators Miriam Ingram, ex-Mary Jane Simon Good, Shane Wearen (The Pale) and violinist Colm Mac Con lomaire.

"When I needed people for parts, it seemed obvious to call on my oId busking comrades, even Leslie Keye who did the mastering," Acko says.

The album, he adds, deals with themes of friendship, loss, the passing of time. “At least half of the songs on the album are about a long-lost friend of mine, someone I haven't seen for at least half the time I've known him. It's funny how some people have a massive effect on your life and then disappear, but you still carry them around with you. I like to tell people that it's a concept album, but only in the loosest sense. There's no storyline as such, just a common theme to a few of the songs.

“Time is a strange thing," he continues, "I feel as close to these songs as I did when I first recorded them 10 years ago. I started

the album with This Is Where People Love You, which offers some sort of solution to a relationship that may have gone off the rails. The key songs are what I call the Quiet Trilogy: Quiet and Me, Dear Quiet, and How Quietly You Leave. I end the album with We Should Be Singing: it took me a long time to learn the lesson of that song."

The album emerges from a period of some disillusion and indirection that ended in the Spring of 2019 when Acko went busking for the first time in years. It was a return to year zero moment, a rediscovery of roots. "I went out one day out of sheer boredom, and something amazing happened. I fell in love with singing all over again. I went out again the next day, and the day after that I bought a PA and started looking for gigs. I just wanted to sing."

St Dominic's Disappearance is released on CD and all digital platforms on Friday February 25th. For more information email: stdominic@outlook.ie The album can be purchased from the above email address or from https://acko.bandcamp.com/releases Check Acko out at: https://www.Facebook.com/Ackosmusicpage and https://www.instagram.com/ackoatkinson1/ n

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Join us for a night of Trad with The Craic Pots featuring Paul 'Spooner' Cullen, Roger “Mac” McGuire and Paul “Ruxpin” Doyle.

Wexford Arts Centre | Saturday 5th February | Little Artists Club | 10am Classes will be bursting with activities to inspire your little artist. We will keep young minds engaged and little hands busy as they work with glitter and glue, pom-poms and feathers, coloured papers and shapes.

Wexford Arts Centre | Saturday 5th February | The Saturday Art Club | 11:30am Students will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with a range of mediums and contemporary processes such as printmaking, sculpture, construction and installation with Jeni Roddy assisted by Brid Colloton.

Wexford Arts Centre | Tuesday 8th February | Picture House presents… Alice and the Mayor | 8:00pm The Picture House presents… Alice and the Mayor directed by Nicolas Pariser and starring Fabrice Luchini, Anais Demoustier and Nora Hamzawi. Admission €6.00.

Wexford Arts Centre | Friday 11th February | Craic Pots | 8:30pm

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Wexford Arts Centre | Saturday 12th February | Little Artists Club | 10am Classes will be bursting with activities to inspire your little artist.

We will keep young minds engaged and little hands busy as they work with glitter and glue, pom-poms and feathers, coloured papers and shapes.

Wexford Arts Centre | Saturday 12th February | The Saturday Art Club | 11:30am Students will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with a range of mediums and contemporary processes such as printmaking, sculpture, construction and installation with Jeni Roddy assisted by Brid Colloton.

Wexford Arts Centre | Saturday 12th February | The Island of Saints | 3pm The Island of Saints is a film starring Raymond Keane and Caitriona O’Leary, recounting the story of de Ledrede’s manic pursuit and persecution of Dame Alice Kyteler and her servant Petronilla de Meath. Music by Akanoros.

For details and updates on all concerts, drama, exhibitions, films etc happening in Wexford Arts Centre, check out: https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com/shows n

SlaNey SPort

Anne’s ‘rich’ vein of form continues Slaney Olympic A.C.’s Anne Gilshinan has started 2022 like she finished 2021, setting World Records!

At the National Indoor Arena (NIA) at Abbotstown last month, Anne set a new World Record in the W55 1500m with a time of 4:43.59 taking 2.51 seconds off the existing world record – a particularly tough record to break.

Anne says a huge thanks to her friend and coach Rich Burns for having her in such good shape. And thanks also to Anthony Geoghegan and Realta Clinic for the first class therapy. And not forgetting David Matthews and all the NIA crew for putting on such professional meets.

Anne followed up that great run winning another gold medal in the 800m (2:22.15) at the National Indoor Championships in Athlone on 30th January.

Anne is now looking forward to the European Masters Championships in Braga later this month and competing against the best in Europe while representing Ireland. n

Anne Gilshinan

4th February 2022 - Page 87

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Great year for Enniscorthy Golf Club

2021 was a great year for Sean Cooper (centre), winning the Irish U-14 Boys order of merit and playing on the winning Enniscorthy Senior Cup panel. Our photo shows Sean displaying his U-14 Ulster and Irish U-14 Championship trophies.

Enniscorthy Senior Cup panel displaying the Leinster Central Pendant.

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Bellefield Beat

As restrictions are eased and we emerge from the paralysing fog of Covid 19, we at Bellefield GAA look forward to the 2022 season with gusto and relish.

Senior Football Champions in 2020 and Senior Hurling Champions in 2021, with lots of titles at underage and our ladies section, the future looks bright for Rapparees/Starlights so what’s not to look forward to.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our players especially those who made the Glen Fuels Team of the Year – Liam Ryan, Jack Kelly, Ben Edwards, Kevin Foley, Alan Tobin, Nick Doyle, Lenny Connolly and Oisin Pepper, and Hurler of the Year 2021 Kevin Foley, and Young Hurler of the Year Oisin Pepper, you have all done your families, your club and your town proud in 2021 and we look forward to witnessing your talents and skill in the coming season.

The Bellefield Bingo returns to the Clubhouse at 7.30pm from Wednesday 16th February, our Teen Discos are back with a bang on Friday 18th February and our Bellefield Bar returns to normal opening hours, something for the old and young and everything in between at Bellefield.

Our new Chairman Ger McVeigh would like to extend a hearty welcome to all, you are welcome on our playing fields, on our sidelines, and at all our special occasions.

Speaking of which, put the date in your diary now for our Club Dinner Dance at the Riverside Park Hotel on Saturday 30th April, it promises to be a night to remember.

Watch this space for details of our Club Bellefield Bunny Run over the Easter weekend.

It’s all action on and off the field at Rapparees/Starlights as Bellefield GAA embraces our new normal and all that goes with it.

– Maria Nolan PRO

Outgoing Chairman Michael Doyle and incoming Chairman Ger McVeigh with senior hurling and football cups.

4th February 2022 - Page 89

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Annual Ferrycarrig 5 mile r The annual Ferrycarrig 5 mile road race, sponsored by Innovu Insurance, was successfully held on 3rd January 2022, starting and finishing at the home of Wexford FC, Newcastle, Crossabeg.

The results were as follows: MALE 1. Mick Clohisey Raheny Shamrocks 2. David Mahon Slaney Olympic 3. Niall Sheill St Killians 4. Myles Gibbons SBR FEMALE 1. Sheila O’Byrne Parnell AC 2. Fiona Kehoe Kilmore AC 3. Julie Kirwin 4. Jackie Carthy Kilmore AC

Above left: Caroline Diyle and Tara Jarvice. Above right: Martina O’Sullivan and Stephen McCaffery.

VETERAN Male OV 40 Niall Sheill St Killians OV 50 Padraig Moriarty St Killians OV 60 Eugene Doherty SBR OV 70 John Walshe Road Runners Club Female OV 40 Julie Kirwin OV 50 Jackie Carthy Kilmore AC OV 60 Helen Burrell JUNIOR Male - Adam O’Connor United Striders Female - Emma Hickey United Striders SEAMUS KEHOE PERPETUAL TROPHY Male - David McMahon Slaney Olympic Female - Fiona Kehoe Kilmore AC n Above: Dawn Thomas, Anne Keating, Anne Allen and Julie Dunne. Below left: Debbie Rossiter and Kay McCormick.

Below centre: Emma Hickey. Below right: Ethan and dad Mick Jarvice.

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Abov

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oad race

Above left: Bernie and Lorraine Cashin. Above centre: Shane and Catherine Howard. Above right: Carmel and Edward Furlong.

ve left: Helen Burrell and Catherine Berney. Above centre: Deirdre Murphy with her daughter Saoirde. Above right: Orla Guinon, Leah Guinon and Tom Doyle.

Below left: Ciara and Emer Kelly. Below centre: Andy Staff and John Chapman. Below right: Paul Duggan had the support of wife Jane on his run.

4th February 2022 - Page 91

SlaNey SlaNey SPort ad SlaNey artS

The annual Slaney Olympic Athletic Club Enniscorthy 10K will take place on Sunday 13th February 2022 at 12 noon.

This year’s event is kindly sponsored by Creane and Creane Insurance, Enniscorthy.

The new course is the fastest yet with the start and finish at a new location on the Old Dublin Road, in Enniscorthy.

Any profits from the race go to the Slaney Olympic AC Development Fund.

Race number and t-shirt pick up is at Lifestyle Gym, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy (Eircode Y21 FY68). There is no registration on the day.

The race will be signposted from all approaches to the town with ample parking facilities in the surrounding area.

This year, due to Covid 19 restrictions, there will be no prize giving or catering, prizes will be posted out after the event.

Prizes: * €200 1st Man & 1st Woman * €125 2nd Man & Woman * €75 3rd Man & Woman * 1st Under 20, Over 40, 50, 60, 70 * €160 1st Men’s & Women’s Teams of four * Course Record €200 The event is renowned for its festive and friendly atmosphere with music and race commentary and a start /finish area which is second to none.

Registration is open with limited numbers allowed: https://endurancecui.active.com/new/events/79551732/for ms?_p=6039545743300064 n

Moyne Rangers’ Future Stars Attention all young footballers! Could you be a star of the future just like Festy Abosele (currently starring for Derby County in the English Championship) or Aaron Dobbs (League of Ireland footballer with numerous clubs and currently with Wexford FC)? Both are products of Enniscorthy’s Moyne Rangers football club.

The club is resuming training for Future Stars (aged 5 to 7) on Monday 7th February from 6 to 7pm in the Astro Active. It looks forward to welcoming all players – current and new.

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TEXACO CHILDREN’S ART COMPETITION LAUNCHED The search to find the young artists who will excel in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition has begun. Last year three students from Co. Wexford won prizes in the Competition which is now in its 68th year and widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland.

The closing date for entries is Monday, 28th February. Judging will take place in April with winners to be announced in May. Details are available at www.texacochildrensart.com or at Texaco service stations throughout the country. n

Breaking the Bubble

The Presentation Centre is currently hosting a major art exhibition by Rory Dreaper showing his stunningly vibrant and intricate illustrations, all part of the annual mental health festival First Fortnight. Rory Draper is a visual artist based in Wexford, having graduated from Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dublin, in 2006 and later from the National College of Art and Design in 2010. Rory then moved to London where he lived and worked for a number of years.

Breaking the Bubble is a culmination of work by Rory Draper looking at the small things people may do to get out of the frustrating bubble that they can get themselves into. That insidious bubble of inactivity and isolation and deceptive comfort that can remove you from the people around you.

Coming back to Ireland from London after a breakdown/breakthrough three years ago, Rory took some time to build himself up again and adjust to a far quieter and slower environment. Part of Rory's recovery was being cognisant of what he could do and did do that helped him get through the day. Being aware of these small things and how useful they can be, became very useful for Rory during lockdown. It was during that time that Rory started to explore these events visually.

Rory Draper (right) at his ‘Breaking the Bubble’exhibition in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy.

Breaking the Bubble – by Rory Draper runs in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, until 26th February 2022. n

Colm is new Laureate for Irish Fiction Enniscorthy’s Colm Tóibín is the new Laureate for Irish Fiction for a three-year term, taking over from Sebastian Barry.

The role seeks to acknowledge the contribution of fiction writers to Irish artistic and cultural life by honouring an established Irish writer of fiction, encouraging a new generation of writers, promoting Irish literature nationally and internationally and encouraging the public to engage with Irish fiction.

Colm Tóibín said: “I am honoured to be appointed Laureate... I will do what I can to work with a community of readers so that fiction continues to enrich our lives, allows us to see the world more clearly, or with a deepened sense of mystery. I will also work with fellow writers and aspiring writers to enhance the role novels and stories play in Irish life.” n

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with Maria Nolan

Book Review: Flying Angels As most of you will already know, I have a weakness for historical fiction, which prompted me to pick up Danielle Steel’s most recent novel Flying Angels at our local Eason’s bookstore.

Flying Angels is a story about women who made a real difference as nurses in wartime. It is an historical novel from the fresh perspective, of nurses flying rescue missions for wounded soldiers on European battlefields in WWII. Audrey, Lizzie, Alex and Louise, are American nurses from very different backgrounds, two come from wealthy families, one is black from the prejudiced South, one is a dutiful daughter who becomes a nurse to care for her dying mother, one wants to be a doctor, against her families wishes, one has lost a brother and one a boyfriend in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.

In England, they meet up with Pru, the daughter of a titled family from Yorkshire and Emma from the slums of London’s East End. Together, the six young women face the challenges and dangers of war as bravely and as tirelessly as the men they rescue on the frontlines, for less pay and far fewer accolades.

Danielle Steel

Flying Angels is a stunning tribute to these incredibly courageous women, too often forgotten.

Danielle Steel is hailed as one of the world’s best-selling authors, with over a billion copies of her novels sold, and I have to say this is one of my favourites. The characters are compelling, and the reader becomes emotionally invested in their journey.

I loved the historical aspect and the attention to detail that drives this story along. It begins with a lot of backstory and information which the reader may find slow moving but is important to the development and understanding of the characters, and once the author has introduced each, the pace accelerates as you, the reader, race to the end.

This book is realistic and believable, a touching historical novel, with tragedy, heartbreak, dedication, courage, and valour, and a very good read.

– Maria Nolan

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTS CENTRES Wexford Arts Centre: 053-9123764.

The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy: 053-9233000.

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The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, 6th Annual Open Call Exhibition.

For more info on how to take part and to download submission forms, visit https://www.presentationcentre.ie/open-call-exhibition.html

County Hall to host Michael’s new book major exhibition available locally Local musician, actor and author Michael Joseph Cloke’s new book Reign Of Celts is available to buy in Eason’s in Enniscorthy (see pic below) and also in paperback and hardback from Amazon’s online stores in America, Germany, France, Canada, Australia etc. Because of Brexit it is not yet possible to buy it from the Amazon UK store. n

Wexford’s award-winning designer Richard Malone's homage to Enniscorthy’s internationally renowned architect and designer Eileen Gray featured last month on RTE’s Nationwide programme. An accompanying exhibition Making and Momentum will come to Wexford’s County Hall in April this year. Full details will be carried in an upcoming issue of Slaney News.

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Enniscorthy Remembers

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society came together at Market Square on Sunday 16th January to re-enact and commemorate the surrender of Dublin Castle to Michael Collins and the Provisional Government. Pic: Maria Nolan.

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society came together at Market Square on Sunday 16th January to reenact and commemorate the surrender of Dublin Castle to Michael Collins and the Provisional Government at 1.45pm on that date one hundred years before.

In a simple, dignified ceremony introduced by Graham Cadogan and narrated by Wexford County Council Historian-in-Residence, Barry Lacey, a Union Jack was lowered, folded, and presented to the last Viceroy of Ireland, Lord FitzAlan-Howard, as the Tricolour was hoisted to the strains of Amhrán na bhFiann, observing and celebrating the most significant date in our history for hundreds of years.

Michael Collins and a Dáil delegation arrived late to the Castle that day, a century ago, and made their way through

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the cheering crowds who had been gathering at the Castle gates since noon and now stretched in every direction along Dame Street, anxious to witness the historic occasion.

Arriving at the Castle, Collins was met by James McMahon, Under Secretary, who greeted him with, ‘We’re glad to see you Mr. Collins’, to which Collins is reputed to have replied in his best Cork accent, ‘Ye are like hell, boy.’

In the Council Chambers, Collins handed the Viceroy a copy of the London Treaty of 6th December 1921 and the Lord Lieutenant congratulated him and his colleagues and informed them that they were now duly installed as the Provisional Government. He went on to wish them every success, expressing the earnest hope that under their auspices the ideal of a happy, free, and prosperous Ireland would be attained.

At 2.25pm, the handover complete, Collins bounded out through the doorway, jumped into the lead car and was on his way, ending the War of Independence with the brief, historic formality that Ireland had waited over seven hundred years for.

– Maria Nolan

Barry Lacey

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The Rebels’ Priest The author, Nicholas Furlong.

The Rebels’ Priest tells the story of Fr John Murphy of Boolavogue in the ‘98 Rebellion.

It was an appalling human massacre on a world scale that in the space of three months, April, May and June 1798, ultimately cost the lives of thirty thousand people, most of them in County Wexford. Few people here or abroad still comprehend that such tragedy happened here.

The result of thirty or more battles in those three months became known across the world from the US to Australia as the 1798 Rebellion.

Thirty years ago, Nicky Furlong, FRSAI, author, journalist and historian of Drinagh Lodge, Wexford Town, wrote the story of Father John Murphy of Boolavogue, who led poorly armed native rebels in a defensive against the mightily armed English Crown forces. He spent ten years researching the priest’s life in Wexford and in Spain where Fr Murphy studied before coming home to Boolavogue.

Nicky’s book of then, and his new book of now, provide a window on the background of the cause and the events and the outcome of the 1798 Rebellion for the passive reader, and the amateur and the professional historian.

Two hundred and twenty three years after the 1798 Rebellion, Nicky Furlong, now aged 92, has updated, expanded his bestseller which sold out in 1991. He said the reason for the new updated book is so that we do not forget, so that we continue to honour those who died giving their lives for us and to inform and educate next generations and to avoid similar tragedy.

Three Sisters Press has now republished the book under the title The Rebels’ Priest and sub-title, The Battles of Fr John Murphy of Boolavogue 1753-1798.

The book in 280 pages has more than 100 photographs of battle sites, camp sites,

execution sites and maps of the theatre of conflict spanning England, France and Ireland and counties Carlow, Wicklow, Kilkenny and Wexford. The maps include a map of the home ground of Fr John Murphy – his home at Tincurry, near Scarawalsh, between Ballycarney and Ferns, and his final journey with his comrade James Gallagher of Tomahurra to their final resting place at the Mullawn cemetery in Carlow.

The photographs include those of King George of England, and General Lake and General Needham of the English Crown forces, and rebels’ leaders, Wolf Tone of Belfast, Edward Fitzgerald of Newpark, Miles Byrne of Monaseed and their commander in chief Bagenal Harvey of Bargy Castle.

Celestine Murphy, historian and genealogist, retired senior librarian, who was a consultant to Nicky Furlong in the production of the new book, gave a background to the 1798 Rebellion in Wexford. She wrote: “In April 1798, the English government placed the formerly tranquil and prosperous county of Wexford under martial law. Local Yeomanry units, aided by Militia from Cork and Wales, then wrought terror on the Catholic population of the county.

“They burned chapels and homes and looted property. Men were brutally tortured in front of their families. Anyone suspected of sympathising with the republican United Irishmen was summarily executed.

“In late May, news reached Fr John Murphy, aged 45 and then the Catholic curate at Boolavogue village, that the local Yeomanry intended to attack his parishioners and burn his chapel. He gathered some local men and in defiance of his bishop led them in a rout of the Yeomanry.”

The Battles of the Harrow, Oulart Hill, Enniscorthy town, Vinegar Hill, Bunclody, New Ross, Goffs Bridge, Foulksmills, Tubberneering, Ballyellis, Ballyminaun Hill, Gorey, Kilcumney, Kilthomas Hill, Camolin, Three Rocks, Arklow and Castlecomer are featured in the book. Sites of executions and massacres at Carnew, Kilcumney, Co. Carlow and at Wexford bridge, and venues of councils of strategy at Oulart village, Rudd’s Inn – now the Enniscorthy and District Chamber of Commerce, George Street Wexford – now Greenacres, and the then bishop of Ferns house at High Street Wexford, are given too.

Nicky Furlong gives a context for the story of Fr John Murphy and the rebellion: “King George of England, fearful that France or Spain would conquer the strategic island of Ireland, sent his English Crown Forces – aided

by Irish Yeomanry and Militias, the Welsh Ancient Britons fencible cavalry and Hessian mercenaries – on a campaign of persecution and oppression of the general Irish population.

“To England, France and Spain, Waterford Harbour was of strategic importance providing deep-water access to Waterford port and city and from there to the rest of Ireland. Duncannon Fort and Waterford Harbour were of tactical importance to England.”

The production team members with author Nicholas Furlong for The Rebels’ Priest, were Helen Ashdown – proofreader; Celestine Murphy – consultant on history; John Gibney – design consultant; Emma Gibney – text and formatting; David Mahon – special maps; Brendan Cahill-Flynn – index; Pat O’Connor – general photography in Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wicklow; Paddy Murphy and Bernard Browne – commemoration photographs, and Michael Freeman – editor. n

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Park 100’s green credentials

Congratulations to Wexford company Park 100 Fire & Security for achieving EcoMerit Certification in recognition of its action on the environment and taking a lead on climate action and sustainability in business.

Last week, Wexford Co. Councillor and EcoMerit Oversight Board Chair Leonard Kelly and EcoMerit Managing Director Phil Walker presented Park 100 with their EcoMerit Certificate (see pic above).

Park 100 are Security and Life Safety Specialists with 25 years of experience in security, detection, and monitoring services. They accessed the Green for Micro programme via LEO Wexford to kickstart their sustainability journey and receive two days worth of fully funded expert Green Mentoring from EcoMerit. Improvement opportunities identified included ways of reducing energy and water usage at headquarters as well as reducing the carbon footprint of their fleet of company vehicles. For more information contact the Wexford Local Enterprise Office. n

Reserve a radon monitor at your library Radon monitors are now available for all Wexford library members in the county to borrow.

The monitors can be borrowed for a four-week period, and come with instruction leaflets.

To reserve a monitor at Enniscorthy Library, ring 053 9236055. n

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Enniscorthy’s first filtered water refill station opens!

Eco-Kind – Enniscorthy’s eco-friendly shop at Duffry Hill, now has Enniscorthy's first free filtered water refill station, thanks to Refill Ireland and their commitment to providing plastic-free water options for communities.

So spread the word, and bring along and refill your reusable water bottles, and while there check out the huge range of eco-friendly products available in-store and cut down on all your packaging waste. n

Wexford student doing her bit for the Circular Economy A Wexford student is among a group enrolled in a unique training course set up to combat a major national shortage of white goods repair technicians.

Tanya Ryan from Wellingtonbridge and her fellow students received a Ministerial seal of approval on 25th January when Junior Minister Ossian Smyth visited the FIT (Fastrack to Information Technology) centre in Dunshaughlin to meet participants enrolled in the first Irish course of its kind in a decade.

Minister Smyth, who has responsibility for the Circular Economy, paid tribute to the various groups behind the ‘Circular Economy Skills Initiative’, which is training a new generation of repair engineers.

It aims to reverse a countrywide shortage of white goods repair technicians, producing enough qualified experts to extend the lives of fixable electrical appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and dryers.

“This is a great new initiative and will be instrumental in making the circular economy real for consumers and industry alike. Having qualified technicians available to undertake quality repairs gives confidence to users that repaired goods

Ossian Smyth TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement and eGovernment, with student Tanya Ryan from Wellingtonbridge, Co. Wexford. Pic: Andres Poveda Photography.

can be trusted and are great value. I wish this first cohort of trainees well in what promises to be a very rewarding career,” said Minister Smyth.

The course began in November thanks to an initiative between the White Goods Association (WGA), WEEE Ireland and technical training agency FIT, supported

by Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) and the CIRCULÉIRE Innovation Fund – Ireland’s first industry-

led innovation network dedicated to accelerating the circular economy.

Last month, Minister Smyth launched Ireland’s first Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy, which sets out a vision for Ireland’s transition to circularity; explaining the concept of the circular economy, describing what initiatives are already happening, what opportunities are available and how Government will drive the changes required. n

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Senator Byrne takes lead role in tackling illegal dumping Gorey’s Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne is bringing forward legislation to the Seanad that will underpin the use of CCTV,

Drone and Automated Number Plate Rec-

ognition technology by local authorities to combat the scourge of illegal dumping.

Until now, there have been limits on how technology has been deployed by local authorities in this way.

Last year, Senator Byrne contacted local authorities and discovered that nationally, they spent in total up to €100 million a year dealing with illegal dumping and littering.

Senator Byrne said, “This is a really crucial piece of legislation and urgently needed. Like most people I am frustrated and angry by the tiny minority who engage in illegal dumping. It is just awful to see bags of rubbish dumped indiscriminately. Our beauty spots are being destroyed and the waste poses a hazard to animals.

“This is as much an urban problem as a rural one.

"I know this annoyance is shared by councillors across the country. This bill is intended to empower local authorities to authorise the installation and operation of surveillance devices for the purposes of deterring, preventing, detecting and prosecuting certain offences.

“It will provide for the exchange of certain data from third party data controllers to local authorities for the purposes of the performance of their functions in relation to such offences and to make certain provision for the purposes of regulating the performance of functions under this Act and to provide for related matters.” n

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Breaking up this Valentine’s Day! This Valentine’s Day show your love for the ocean – Break Up With Plastic!

Valentine’s Day is a time to reflect and appreciate the relationships in our lives. However, it can also be a time to reflect on our relationship to things that may not be benefitting us or our environment. Such as single-use plastic.

This February, the Clean Coasts organisation is calling for people all over Ireland to end their relationship with single-use plastic items they thought they couldn’t live without by finding new, more sustainable items to love, and sharing what some of their favourite plastic-free alternatives are!

Why #BreakUpWithPlastic?

Recent statistics show that Ireland is the number one plastic waste producer in the European Union, with 54kg of plastic waste per person produced each year, as well as being the country with the fourth-lowest recycling rate.

Ireland has some of the most diverse and spectacular coastlines in the world. However, our excessive use of plastic is polluting our oceans and it is having impacts on our waterways and threatening our marine wildlife and people’s health.

According to Ocean Conservancy’s Coastal Clean-up Report 2021, the most common items found on the Irish Coast were plastic food wrappers, cigarette butts and plastic beverage bottles.

In 2021, the EU ban on certain single-use plastic items was transposed into their national law by member states, including Ireland, and certain items were banned from the Irish market, such as cotton bud sticks, plastic cutlery, plates, stirrers, straws,

and balloon sticks. However, there is still more we can do.

The #BreakUpWithPlastic initiative aims to raise awareness of the impact of plastic pollution on our planet and marine environment by asking people to stop opting for single-use plastic.

Clean Coasts and the Think Before You Flush campaign will be hosting a social media live session on 14th February to discuss the impact of plastic on the marine environment, how to reduce plastic within our communities and actions that can be taken to protect our ocean from home.

Check out how other people have already made the switch from plastic on social media @CleanCoasts. All positive actions make a difference!

Join the campaign on social media @CleanCoasts and at www.cleancoasts.org n

Contract signed for new Kilmore Quay sewerage scheme Irish Water, working in partnership with Wexford County Council, will commence works on a new sewerage scheme and wastewater treatment infrastructure for Kilmore Quay in the coming weeks. It has been announced that John Sisk and Sons Ltd. has signed the contract with Irish Water to carry out works on the utility’s behalf to end the discharge of raw sewage into the Eastern Celtic Sea with works on the project due for completion in 2024.

Once completed, the new sewer infrastructure will ensure compliance with wastewater discharge regulations. It will also improve the performance of the sewer network and water quality in the receiving waters and the Celtic Irish Sea. The new scheme will involve the design and construction of a new wastewater treatment plant, underground pumping stations, pipelines, as well as testing and commissioning works. All new infrastructure will be sized to serve existing and future populations and the

Kilmore Quay marina.

new wastewater infrastructure will enhance local amenities and provide a platform for social and economic development.

Director of Services with Wexford County Council Eamonn Hore stated that, “It has been a long road to get to this point, however the future is bright for Kilmore Quay following this fantastic news.

Together with the current sewerage scheme works in Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon this represents a major improvement in Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure in Co. Wexford.” n

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Wexford householders urged to avail of free e-waste recycling event Wexford householders are being urged to bring their electrical and electronic waste to a free collection day to help the county meet recycling targets which have increased since the first lockdown in 2020.

“With many old items still lying around, we want to offer the opportunity to recycle these for free.

The event, hosted by WEEE Ireland supported by Wexford County Council, takes place on Saturday February 19 at Wexford Race Course from 10am to 4pm in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.

A surge in lockdown spring-cleaning saw 1,879 tonnes of electrical waste collected in Wexford by the country’s largest recycling scheme in 2020, despite Covid-19 and travel restrictions.

All household items with a plug or a battery will be accepted free of charge, including old washing machines, TVs, toasters and kettles, electronic tools and toys, cables, IT equipment, mobile phones, remote controls, and even watches.

12.6kg of e-waste was recycled per person in Wexford last year – exceeding both the 2019 collection rate of 11.3kg, and the 2020 national average – 10.9kg per person.

“In Wexford, and across Ireland, we are buying more electrical goods than ever – with the annual tonnage on the market rising from 15kg a head in 2016 to 21kg a head last year,” said WEEE Ireland CEO Leo Donovan.

“Shopping stats during the pandemic showed a surge in spend on new electrical devices like mobile phones, computers, small kitchen appliances and white goods.

“People in Wexford have contributed greatly to e-waste recycling every year, and we want to encourage that trend.”

However, the county’s e-waste target for 2022 has increased to 14kg per person, to reflect yearly increases in electrical goods consumption, accelerated by Covid-19.

“84% of all material that we collect is recovered for use again in manufacturing through both indigenous operators and specialist processors in Europe,” said Mr. Donovan.

“Most end-of-life products contain metals and minerals in higher concentrations than primary resources.

About WEEE Ireland: WEEE Ireland (Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is a not-for-profit organisation, founded by producers of electrical and electronic appliances to help them comply with the legal obligations imposed by the EU Battery Directive 2006/66/EC and WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU. WEEE Ireland manages the collection of household e-waste, lighting and solar PV equipment and batteries from authorised collection points for recycling, on behalf of over 1,100 producer members.

WEEE Ireland’s objective is to provide cost effective quality compliance for producers to meet the requirements of the regulations whilst minimising the cost to the consumer.

WEEE Ireland supports indigenous recycling facilities with WEEELABEX (European quality recycling standards) certified recycling partnerships.

There are a number of recycling operators certified to the WEEELABEX standard on the Island of Ireland: KMK Metals Recycling Tullamore, Irish Lamp Recycling Athy, ENVA Toomebridge fridge recycling in Northern Ireland and Wistek in Cork. n

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“These stock of resources are the urban mines of the future, so our recycling efforts can have a significant impact on the environment.”

In 2020, the equivalent of 225,182 tonnes of CO2 emissions were avoided by recycling e-waste through the WEEE Ireland Scheme as opposed to landfilling. That is the equivalent of the annual carbon consumption of 4,504 hectares of trees.

WEEE Ireland accounts for over twothirds of all national waste electrical and electronics collection activity on behalf of 1,189 producer members.

“Recycling e-waste is incredibly beneficial for both the environment and the economy,” says Cliona Connolly, Environmental Awareness Officer at Wexford County Council.

“Together, we are diverting waste from landfill, recovering raw materials for reuse and ensuring hazardous materials are safely and responsibly disposed of.

“We look forward to working with WEEE Ireland and Wexford householders to hopefully recycle a recordbreaking amount of electronic waste in 2022.” n

Wexford householders are being urged to bring their electrical and electronic waste to a free collection day hosted by WEEE Ireland supported by Wexford County Council, which takes place on Saturday February 19 at Wexford Racecourse from 10am to 4pm in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.

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Curracloe named Best Beach in Ireland Curracloe Beach was named the Best Beach in Ireland in the Irish Independent's 2022 Reader Travel Awards announced last week. The Blue Flag Wexford beach was given the top spot on the Top 10 list in the country by the paper's readers, with mention of the beauty of the nearby Raven Nature Reserve as well.

Pól Ó Conghaile, well known travel writer and Irish Independent journalist, speaking of the award for Curracloe, said: “Of course, words like ‘beautiful’ and ‘clean’, and phrases like ‘miles and miles of sand’ cropped up time and again in your comments on Curracloe, Co. Wexford. But so did oodles of others, reflecting the diversity, scale and treasure trove of memories this strand provides. Curracloe feels ‘unspoilt’, you told us. ‘Once you go over the dunes, you could just pretend you’re a world away.’ It’s ‘just bliss’, ‘not commercialised’ and ‘like being in Portugal’, readers said – ‘the abroad feeling at home’”.

The Irish Independent noted that Curracloe Beach stretches over 10km, it’s close to Wexford, safe for swimming, has a Blue Flag, big car park and decent facilities (including the brilliant Surf Shack). “This Wexford wonder has been ‘amazing – hail, rain or shine’ for generations, you said. ‘Every time we’ve been, it has given us beautiful pics and memories.’” n

Paddleboarding at Curracloe at sunrise.

Pic: Visit Wexford.

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Tractor Run in Craanford Tractors filling up the car park at the MARKIE DOYLE MEMORIAL VINTAGE ROAD RUN in Craanford, Gorey, on 30th January in aid of North Wexford Hospice Homecare.

Let her rip! Ultan and Ana McGinty, new to the area, making themselves at home at the vintage road run.

‘I want this one’, says young Tiernan Greene at the Tractor and Vintage road run in Craanford in aid of North Wexford Hospice Homecare.

Above: Lisa Moore with a boot full of goodies as she prepares to go on the MARKIE DOYLE MEMORIAL VINTAGE ROAD RUN. Right: Looking over an old time tractor was Ian Porter.

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Raring to go were Terry Moore and Ned Duffy with their impressive vintage car.