Slaney News. Issue 144. May 2022.

Slaney News

ServiNg Co. wexford for the laSt 11 yearS

Issue 144 May 2022

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Promoting Enniscorthy Drama Group’s production of ‘A Skull in Connemara’ which runs in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, from 4th to 6th May, were L-R: Rónán P. Byrne, Jamie Murphy and Joan O’Rourke. Pic: Maria Nolan.

See pages 70-71 inside.

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Contents of this issue of Slaney News...

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

page 4 page 59 page 80 page 86 page 91 page 95 page 96 page 98 page 104 page 109

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

The 1st of May marked a new era as the South East Technological University (SETU) officially came into existence having evolved out of the institutes of technology at Waterford and Carlow. SETU brings together over 50 years of experience in higher education, research, innovation and stakeholder collaboration, and will play a pivotal role in regional development, attracting talent, inward investment and research opportunities to the south east. Minister Simon Harris has promised there will be “investment in infrastructure and new buildings, investment in education, investment in research.”

Today SETU has campuses across the south east in Waterford, Carlow, Wexford, Wicklow and Kilkenny. It serves over 18,000 students and employs over 1,500 staff with ambitions to grow student numbers to 25,000 with almost 2,000 staff in the next 10 years. The new Chairperson of the Governing Body is Prof Patrick Prendergast from Oulart, and Prof Veronica Campbell is SETU’s first President.

For the first time, the south east now has its own university, allowing students from the region to live at, or near to, home while pursuing an incredible breadth of courses right up to doctorate level.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Blackwater Parish Hall was officially opened on 1st May by Bishop Ger Nash. And on the same day the Barntown Community Centre and playground was officially opened also. Well done to both communities.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In this issue you’ll notice a huge increase in our Leisure / Lifestyle / Arts sections (30 pages) reflecting the large number of live shows, music, arts events etc taking place over the next few weeks. Many venues suffered enormously during the worst of the Covid crisis so now is our chance to support these venues to ensure their future survival.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 around 8,500 Likes.

And, of course, if you like our new online format please spread the word so we can grow our online readership. Thank you.

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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.

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Enniscorthy’s Rockin’ Fruit & Food Fest 29th July – 1st August 2022: Incorporating all the best elements of the Rockin' Food Festival and The Strawberry Fair. August Bank Holiday weekend 2022.

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Enniscorthy Flood Defence can now proceed in stages The Seamus Rafter Bridge which will be removed as part of the planned Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme.

Minister Jame Browne has received confirmation from Minister Michael McGrath of approval in principle for a revised approach to the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme.

The flood scheme can proceed on a phased basis. The new Enniscorthy town bridge can proceed as a preliminary phase subject to planning and environmental approval both of which should be less onorous than for the scheme as a whole, and we understand government support remains for the remainder of the Enniscorthy scheme. The new bridge is estimated at an approximate cost of €2225 million which is about 45% of the total cost of the flood relief scheme. The remainder of the scheme can be amended and resubmitted for assessment.

Last month, environmental consultants advised the refusal of the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme based on assessed breaches of environmental law as the scheme is currently designed.

“The Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme is a top priority for my government colleagues and I. Funding remains protected for this significant investment in Ennis-

corthy town. It is fantastic news that Minister Michael McGrath has approved the OPW proceeding with the new bridge as a separate and preliminary project. It reflects the commitment of the Minister and the government to the flood defence scheme. While the new bridge is being built the remainder of the scheme can be amended and resubmitted. The bridge was always going to have to be completed before the rest of the flood scheme could be progressed to any significant extent.”

Minister Browne explained how his “Government colleague Minister Michael McGrath has confirmed to Minister Patrick O’Donovan that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is satisfied with a separation of the initial devel-

Minister James Browne TD at the Seamus Rafter Bridge which will be removed as part of the planned Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme.

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opment plans into two separate projects.

Effectively, this decision serves as approval for the first phase of the flood relief scheme to proceed in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code as well as planning and environmental requirements. The new bridge location project can be treated as a separate project while challenges related to other parts of the scheme are being resolved. I want to particularly thank Tom Enright, CEO of Wexford County Council, for his positive and constructive approach to finding a solution to this project.”

“This is a very positive step and I will continue to work with my government colleagues to see the swift revision of development plans for the Flood Defence Scheme,” Minister Browne concluded. n

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NEW FUNDING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REFUGE IN WEXFORD The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD has announced funding approval of over €5 million for a new Domestic Violence Refuge in Wexford. The project is being advanced by the Wexford Women’s Refuge group who have secured a site with the assistance of Wexford County Council. They have now finalised their design and have secured funding approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to go to tender.

The development of additional Domestic Violence Refuge spaces is a priority for the government, particularly in the context of the imminent publication of the Third Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Strategy 20222026. In February, the government published a ‘Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence’ carried out by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. That review highlighted gaps in the geographical coverage of safe accommodation for victims of domestic violence. Work is actively underway across government to advance new projects to meet the needs identified in the Tusla review and

the early advancement of the new-build refuge in Wexford is an important action in helping to meet that need.

Noting this important funding development, Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne said: “Today is an important day for the people of Wexford. The additional spaces that will result from this funding announced by Minister O’Brien, and the work of the Wexford Women’s Refuge group and Wexford County Council, will mean that more women in

Wexford will be provided with a route of escape in a time of desperate need.

“We know that for women who are suffering domestic violence, leaving their home can be the most dangerous time.

Today’s announcement means that in the future, when it comes to making that difficult decision, those women can at least be assured that they will be offered a safe place to stay in a state of the art facility, designed with their needs in mind.” n

Good Counsel gets go-ahead for construction works Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne TD has welcomed the Dept of Education’s approval for construction works to get underway at Good Counsel College, New Ross.

An extension including seven general classrooms, two science labs, one preparation room, and one multimedia room will now enter the construction phase. Five of the general classrooms will replace pre-existing pre-fabricated classrooms.

“I will continue to raise the need for further additional accommodation projects for County Wexford schools,” said Minister Browne. n

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At the Civic Reception in Enniscorthy on 21st April were L-R: Ms Bernie Quigley, Acting Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager; Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council; and Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, Wexford County Council. See more on pages 14-15.

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3rd May 2022 - Page 13

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Doing Enniscort

On 21st April a Civic Reception was held for various g represented the Enniscorthy district so well on both natio years, and for others who have served the local commun

Left: Michael Bowler, Decathlon Silver Medal Winner at European combined events team c Enniscorthy Municipal District.

Right: Anne Gilshinan (centre) is a multi-medal winner at European championship level and h over-55 category and in 2019 was named both European and world women’s master middl and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Wexf Below left: The Hope & Dream 10 annual fundraiser event celebrated its tenth anniversary Enniscorthy Municipal District, Michael Jordan and Below centre: Caoimhe Kinsella, All-Ireland and European Boxing Champion 2019. L-R: Patrick Below right: Michelle O’Neill, Referee at Women’s World Cup 2019 and Tokyo Olympics 202 Bottom left: Alex O’Neill, Silver Medal Winner at European Kickboxing Championships 2019 Kickboxing Championships 2019, pictured with parents Raymond and Steph Bottom centre: Robyn Butler, World 60kg Kickboxing Champion 2020, with father Owen (le Bottom right: Slaney Search & Rescue, celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2019. L-R: Pat C

Unable to attend on the night were: Tom M Manager of the Irish Hockey team; FCJ Sist contribution to educati

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thy proud!

groups and individuals who have nal and international stages in recent ity with distinction over many years.

championships 2019, with Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach,

holds six world middle-distance records simultaneously in the e-distance athlete of the year, pictured with Keith Gilshinan ford County Council. in 2021. L-R: John Roche, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach, d Denise McDonald.

Kinsella, Cllr Aidan Browne, Caoimhe Kinsella, Lynda Kinsella.

20. L-R: Michelle O’Neill, Cllr Aidan Browne, Fiona Dempsey.

9 and brother Adam O’Neill, Gold Medal Winner at European hanie O’Neill and Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan. eft), Cllr Jackser Owens and Robyn’s boyfriend Luke McHale.

Casey, Cllr Jackser Owens, John Byrne and Margaret Casey.

Murphy, Boxing Gold Medalist; Lisa Jacob, ers, Bunclody, who were honoured for their on and the community.

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Ministerial visit to Enniscorthy’s new Primary Care Centre

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD visited the new Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre on 22nd April where he was greeted by HSE management and Dr Mairead Kelly who is the first occupant of the substantial new building at Quarrypark which is expected to house over 100 staff when it’s fully operational. The HSE considers the new centre to be a ‘flagship’ development with co-location of a huge range of services including GP, physio, occupational health, speech & language, chronic disease management, mental health services, TUSLA, etc with future plans for X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI, Dexa, CT Scans etc in phase 2.

Above: Jimmy Gahan, Enniscorthy Chamber, Minister James Browne TD, Minister Stephen Donnelly TD, Dr Mairead Kelly, Hazel Hendy, Janet Cahill, Eliza Gahan.

Left: Dr Mairead Kelly welcomes Minister Donnelly to the new Centre.

A full report will be carried in our June issue.

L-R: Ruairi Ryan, Chairman Ógra Fianna Fáil, Wexford; Damien Hurley, Axis (the centre’s management company); Maeve Cleary, General Manager Primary Care Waterford-Wexford; Stephen Donnelly TD, Minister for Health; Anna Marie Lanigan, Head of Service, Primary Care South East; James Browne TD, Minister of State at the Dept of Justice; Ed Fennell, HSE Estates Manager, South East.

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Thanks for making a difference In recent weeks there’s been a noticeable improvement to the fronts of many buildings in Enniscorthy town particularly on Slaney St and across the river in the Templeshannon area.

On Easter Monday morning, civic pride was on show also when the Tidy Towns and Sustainable Enniscorthy groups gathered together over 20 people to pick litter and tidy up around the town as part of a National Spring Clean Litter Pick.

It was great to hear participants express their interest in joining regular litter picks with Enniscorthy Tidy Towns. Feedback from participants included: “Glad to help, it was a great team effort” and “en-

joyed taking part”. Positive feedback was also received from the general public who thanked the litter pickers for their great work and praised their efforts and end results. Thanks to Wexford Co. Council for collecting all the bags of rubbish that were gathered.

A representative of Sustainable Enniscorthy told us: “Sustainable Enniscorthy would like to emphasise waste reduction – think of the reduce, reuse mantra, and avoid single-use plastics, drink bottles, cans, coffee cups etc by using keep cups and refill bottles etc... We need to change behaviour... Litter picks help by raising awareness of litter and

avoidable waste, increasing pride in our town and environment, and it's easier to keep an area litter free, when it starts off litter free.”

If you’d like to join future litter picks please contact Enniscorthy Tidy Towns https://www.facebook.com/EnniscorthyTidyTown/ Sustainable Enniscorthy contact details: enniscorthysustainabletown@gmail.com or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SustainableEnniscorthy/ Both these amazing groups are actively seeking new members, so please get in touch soon. n

Some of the Enniscorthy Tidy Towns and Sustainable Enniscorthy volunteers who picked litter and tidied up around the town for National Spring Clean.

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Wexford’s university campus – a step closer

Last month the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD announced that he had signed the order to establish the South East Technological University (SETU), a move described by Gorey Senator Malcolm Byrne as “a hugely exciting opportunity for Wexford, our region and the country to have a world class university on our doorstep". On 1st May that new university came into being.

Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) and Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow), the two organisations which have worked together to create SETU, have ensured the application process is smooth for students hoping to start in the new university.

“We have good news to share with our future students. All existing course codes, course entry criteria and admissions policies will remain the same for 2022 entry. Anybody who has already applied to WIT or IT Carlow doesn’t have to change anything on their CAO course list. If you have chosen courses with a WD code for Waterford or a CW code for Carlow or Wexford, those codes remain the same for 2022 entry,” said Michael Mullan, Student Recruitment and Admissions Manager at WIT. An important date is coming up for anybody who wants to study at SETU in September – 5th May when the CAO Change

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of Mind facility opens to existing applicants. For a full list of CAO courses: www.itcarlow.ie/courses or www.wit.ie/courses.

Students who choose either WIT or IT Carlow in this year’s CAO submission will make history by becoming the very first intake of first years to SETU and will join a student community of up to 20,000 across three main campuses in Waterford, Carlow and Wexford.

“We have a long-established reputation for postgraduate learning and research and, as a student of SETU, you will have access to all of that expertise. After graduation, you will have many opportunities to study on a range of taught or research postgraduate programmes attached to some of the country’s most impactful research institutes and centres,” added Mullan.

WIT and IT Carlow have emailed CAO applicants who have already applied to courses with them with this information. Anybody with questions can find the contact details in that email.

Those with general admission/CAO queries are welcome to contact schoolsliaison@wit.ie or caoadmissions@wit.ie for Waterford queries and admissions@itcarlow.ie for Carlow/Wexford course queries.

We understand that significant progress is being made on the acquisition of the proposed Wexford campus site at Killeens. n

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Easter Monday Commemoration

by Seán Doyle It was very kind of the Enniscorthy District Committee to issue me with an invitation to the Annual Mass in St. Aidan’s Cathedral and the Easter Monday Commemoration Ceremonies in the Market Square.

On the way into the Cathedral, I met Paddy Murphy, well known photographer and Noel Byrne who I hadn’t met for a long time. It was a beautiful sunny day and the Church looked stunning, the sun shining slantingly through coloured windows which lit up the building with a display of variegated hues.

The Memorial Mass was celebrated at 10.00am; the celebrant was Reverend Odhrán Furlong Adm., assisted by Deacon Dermot Davis. Father Furlong celebrated most of the Mass in Irish. It was also the Month’s Mind Mass for the late Theresa Butler, a former working colleague of mine in St. Senan’s Hospital. May she Rest in Peace.

Cathal Byrne, Chairman of the Enniscorthy Municipal District, read the Lesson. The Bread and Wine were brought to the Altar

by Bernie Quigley, Acting Enniscorthy District Administrator and Marie Butler, Staff Officer, Wexford County Council, and two young girls followed with a Dove and a Peace Lily. The Colour Party formed an Altar Guard during the Consecration.

Prayers were offered for the deceased members of Comoradh ’98 and the Enniscorthy 1916 Committee - Andy Doyle, Michael Sinnott, Seán Sheahan, Tommy Donnelly, Lizzie O’Connor, George Molloy, May O’Connor, Mary Keegan-Nolan, and Rory Nolan.

The beautiful music was supplied by Conor Kenny with his sublime rendering of Ag Criost an Siol and Slán le Máigh and the Hymns were sung by Niamh Crowhurst and Anita Mahon accompanied on the Piano by Anne Ringwood.

Prayers of the Faithful were read by Martin Whelan, Bridget O’Brien, Keith Doyle, Moira Ridding and Fiona Nolan.

Bridget O’Brien recited as a Reflection “I See His Blood Upon the Rose’ by Joseph Mary Plunkett.

Among the invited guests present were Cllr.

Barbara-Anne Murphy, Chairperson of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Cathal Byrne, Chair-

Marchers at the recent Easter Monday Commemoration Parade in Enniscorthy.

man of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Deputy James Browne, Minister of State, Deputy Johnny Mythen, Cllr. John O’Rourke, Cllr.

Jackser Owens, Cllr. Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cllr. Pip Breen, Cllr. Anthony Bolger, Cllr. John Fleming and Seán Doyle, President of the 1916 Centenary Commemoration Committee.

Deputy Paul Kehoe sent his apologies.

After Mass, a Parade formed up and led by a Colour Party and St. Colman’s Pipe Band, Ballindaggin, led by the indefatigable Jim Byrne, proceeded via Pig Market Hill and Wafer Street to the Market Square. The Members of the Thomas Wafer Branch of the National Ex-Servicemen looked resplendent in their uniforms and proudly wearing their medals marched with heads held high down Wafer Street. Just proves that Enniscorthy is teeming with history. A couple of re-enactor pikemen also paraded. The Colour Party consisted of Dick Martin, Flag Bearer, Joe O’Brien and Paul Murphy.

Bernie Quigley acted as M.C. for the ceremonies in the Market Square. Cathal Byrne in a short address thanked all who helped to organise the event and touched on incidents from 1798 and 1916 in Enniscorthy. A Minute’s Silence was observed. Judy Heffernan read the 1916 Proclamation. Cathal Byrne laid a Wreath at the 1798 Memorial. Anthony Nolan sounded the Last Post and the ceremonies concluded with the Ballindaggin Pipe Band playing the National Anthem.

Afterwards, refreshments for participants were served in the Holy Grail, Market Square.

During the cup of tea, I spoke to Dick Martin who looked very well in his immaculate uniform and he told me that they are now known as the Captain Thomas Wafer Branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen; Branch Number 36. It was their first day out. He invited me to a ceremony honouring Captain Wafer on the 26th April at

7.00pm at Armstrong’s Range and outside the Capt. Wafer Memorial Hall, Springvalley. They hope to make it an annual event.

At the dining table, I was joined by Carmel Crowhurst and her daughter, the lovely Niamh Crowhurst and Carmel’s sister Bridget O’Brien and her brother, Tony O’Brien. Niamh, who had been singing in the Cathedral, told me that she is now teaching in Austria. I just couldn’t believe it when she told me that she is now in her early twenties. Where do the years go? It was a very pleasant few minutes chatting and reminiscing.

I had a chat with Keith Doyle who told me that he is studying journalism and has done extremely well in his exams so far. I wished him well in his new adventure. I have read his column in the Slaney News and I believe he has flair for writing.

Members of the Ballindaggin Band called over to my table for a chat –Jim Cooper, Jim Byrne, Pat Armstrong, and Pat Lambert. I had already met Séamus Rafter, who told me that he had an accident recently and that he is well on the way to a full recovery. It is a remarkable Band to keep itself intact for some seventy years in a rural area, and with the number of young people playing and parading with the Band in Enniscorthy the future prospect for its continuity is assured.

The annual event was organised by the Enniscorthy 1916 Committee – Martin Whelan, Keith Doyle, Paddy Murphy, Bridget O’Brien, and P.J. O’Connor.

I was very impressed with the solemnity and the dignity with which the Commemoration was honoured from the Mass in the Cathedral to the playing of the National Anthem in the Market Square. I hope it will continue forever.

– Seán Doyle, 18th April 2022.

See photos on following two pages. n

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Commemorat Rising in E Some of the crowd who attended the ceremony in Market Square, Enniscorthy.

Keith Doyle, Chairman of the 1916 Commemoration Committee, with Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council, at the wreath laying at the Patriots’ Flag in Abbey Square.

Judy Heffernan reading the 1916 Proclamation surrounded by local politicians and Acting Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager Bernie Quigley (left).

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Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach, Enniscorthy Municipal District, addresses the audience.

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ting the 1916 nniscorthy Above: Ballindaggin Pipe Band.

Right: Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach, Enniscorthy Municipal District, laid a wreath at both the 1798 monument in Market Square and the Patriots’ Flag in Abbey Square.

Left: L-R: Cllr Andrew Bolger, Cllr Pip Breen, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council, Cllr John O’Rourke, Johnny Mythen TD, Cllr Jackser Owens, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach, Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Minister James Browne TD, Cllr John Fleming.

Some of the crowd who attended the ceremony in Market Square.

The Colour Party consisted of Dick Martin, Flag Bearer, Joe O’Brien and Paul Murphy.

Captain Thomas Wafer Branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen.

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Setting sail for sunny Spain BRITTANY FERRIES BOOSTS ROSSLARE-SPAIN ROUTE WITH NEW CRUISE-FERRY FROM NOVEMBER...

Brittany Ferries has confirmed the introduction of a tourism-oriented ship ‘Galicia’ on their Rosslare-Bilbao route from November of this year. The cruise-ferry is one of the newest additions to the Brittany Ferries fleet having been launched in December 2020.

Brittany Ferries has been central to the dramatic growth which has seen Rosslare Europort becoming Ireland’s leading port for direct European services over the past two years.

Representatives of Brittany Ferries, Wexford Coun and members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enac announcement of the new Brittany Ferries

Currently the Rosslare-Bilbao route is serviced by the ‘Connemara’ – a predominantly freight vessel with limited facilities for holidaymakers. This befitted the company strategy of establishing freight links from Ireland to Spain. Now that the route has proven a success, attention is turning to passenger traffic.

News of the new ship for Rosslare was announced on 7th April by Brittany Ferries President Jean-Marc Roué, who earlier this year became Honorary Irish Consul in Brittany and who, along with the company's Chief Executive Christophe Matthieu, was in Rosslare to meet with the port of Ross-

L-R: Jean Marc Roué, President of Brittany Ferries. Eamonn Hore, Director of Services Wexford Co. Council. Cllr Anthony Connick, Leas-Cathaoirleach, Wexford Co. Council.

lare executives and with local business leaders.

He said that the introduction of the ‘Galicia’ was a further indication of the company's longterm commitment to Ireland.

In 2019, Ireland welcomed 431,000 Spanish visitors to the island of Ireland. These visits delivered revenue of €218 million. The introduction of the ‘Galicia’ on the Bilbao to Rosslare route is good news – it will allow Tourism Ireland to highlight ease of access from the greater Bilbao region and to encourage holidaymakers there to come and discover Ireland by car.

Senator Malcolm Byrne, Jean Marc Roué, President of Brittany Ferries, Minister James Browne TD and Johnny Mythen TD.

Page 22 - 3rd May 2022

Brittany Ferries set up its Rosslare-Bilbao route in February 2020. It was set up primarily as a freight route at a time when Brexit was seen as having the potential to cause major disruptions for hauliers. The route has been a success in relation to freight and despite the

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ty Council, local politicians, tourism representatives, tment Society at Johnstown Castle for the official s cruise-ferry service from Rosslare to Spain.

limited facilities on board it began to attract holidaymakers who wished to take their car to Spain, as well as visitors from Northern Spain to Ireland.

Welcoming the new cruise-ferry service, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Councillor Anthony Connick commented, “... the resulting increased visitor traffic will contribute to and support the major investment that is currently taking place in Rosslare Europort. The additional passengers on these ferries are additional visitors to Co. Wexford. The challenge is to ensure that these visitors do not just pass through Co. Wexford, but instead stop and savour everything that our wonderful county has to offer.”

The Leas-Cathaoirleach concluded: “I am delighted to see that Visit Wexford has al-

ready taken a pro-active role in relation to this welcome development. In 2021, Visit Wexford commenced a digital marketing campaign aimed at these regions designed to encourage these visitors to make Co. Wexford their holiday destination of choice.”

Speaking of the decision to introduce the ‘Galicia’ to the route, Jean-Marc Roué said that this ship which can take up to 1,015 passengers is closer in style to cruise-ferries like the company's flagship the "Pont Aven" with far better facilities for holidaymakers.

“There is no doubt that the Rosslare-Bilbao route has been successful and we are pleased with the way Irish hauliers have embraced it. The ‘Galicia’ will continue to provide a strong freight offering. However, our

research has indicated that there is a demand there from Irish people wishing to holiday in Spain and the ‘Galicia’ will certainly make for a far more enjoyable experience for them. The job now is to work in partnership with tourism bodies in Ireland and Spain to ensure that holiday makers fill our ships and enrich destinations in both markets.”

Glenn Carr, General Manager Rosslare Europort, said, “Brittany Ferries are more than just customers of Rosslare Europort, they are our partners in strengthening our direct links between Ireland and Europe. The ‘Galicia’ will ensure that as well as freight customers, holidaymakers will benefit from this partnership, and provide a more sustainable travel choice for tourism to and from Ireland’s South East and beyond.”

Visit brittany-ferries.ie n

3rd May 2022 - Page 23

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Page 24 - 3rd May 2022

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Local support for Ukraine Enniscorthy Lions Club will host an all-star concert in St. Mary’s Church, Enniscorthy, on Saturday night, May 28th, in aid of the Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Fund. The cream of Wexford talent will be performing. Tickets at €20 each will go on sale this week. Lorna Mahon Wall (pictured) has been appointed Musical Director for the concert and as soloist at St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, Lorna needs no introduction to the general public.

Keep an eye on the Slaney News Facebook page for ticket details. n

An event organised last month by Senator Malcolm Byrne where the local Ukrainian community, local community support groups and host families met Larysa Gerasko the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland.

Supporting the Kyle Forge, Crossabeg, coffee morning in aid of Ukraine on 9th April were Paudie Foley, Bill Eviston, Aoife Rossiter and Andy Butler.

ENNISCORTHY ORGANISATIONS SEEKING HELP FOR UKRAINE Enniscorthy and District Chamber of Commerce and Enniscorthy Lions Club are doing their bit to help the people of Ukraine. The Chamber and Lions Club have opened an account in AIB Bank, Slaney Place, Enniscorthy, to accept donations which will be used to finance the sending of aid trucks to Ukraine with essential supplies of donated goods using voluntary drivers. You can help by making a donation directly to the Humanitarian Fund Appeal in the Slaney Place Branch of AIB Bank, Enniscorthy, by using the details below to make a donation. By doing so you will be contributing in a very meaningful way to providing support for the hundreds of thousands of refugees who have been forced to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. Enniscorthy town and district are known for their generosity in times of need and the organisers are confident of a great response on this occasion also.

PAYMENT DETAILS: AIB Bank, Slaney Place, Enniscorthy, A/c No: 03830705. IBAN: IE47 AIBK 9334 1403 830705. BIC: AIBK IE2D. SORT CODE: 93-34-14.

3rd May 2022 - Page 25

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Senator Malcolm Byrne

Senator Malcolm Byrne welcomes students from Gorey Community S c h o o l t o L e i n s t e r H o u s e 26th April 2022 3rd May 2022 - Page 27

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Remembering Cpt Thomas Wafer At the end of April there was a dignified turnout for the anniversary of the death of an Enniscorthy hero – Captain Thomas Wafer who died in action in Dublin in 1916. Well done to the local Cpt. Wafer Branch of the O.N.E. who were smartly turned out and who provided an excellent Colour Party, with Joe O’Brien trooping the colours.

Johnny Mythen TD at the recent ceremony for the anniversary of the death of Cpt. Thomas Wafer.

Diocescan news A synodality gathering in the Wexford Deanery of Ferns diocese was attended by over 250 people. The meeting was held in White’s Hotel in Wexford on Monday 4th April. L-R: Fr. John Carroll, Joe Bridges and Aidan Roche having a chat.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Bishop of Ferns, Ger Nash, has made the following appointments: Fr. Odhrán Furlong ADM, St. Aidan’s Cathedral, to be Chaplain, Wexford General Hospital and to retain his roles as Diocesan Communications Officer, Chairman of St. Peter’s College Board of Management and Chaplain to Wexford GAA County Board.

Fr. Tom Dalton, PP Riverchapel, to become ADM, St. Aidan’s Cathedral and to retain his roles as Diocesan Master of Ceremonies, Chaplain, Intellectual Disability Services, Centring Prayer Co-ordinator and Chaplain, Presentation Secondary School, Wexford. n

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NEW DOCUMENTRY TRACKS PUTIN’S ROAD TO WAR Popular current affairs TV programme Frontline outlined the circumstances and causes for the crises in Ukraine titled ‘Putin’s Road to War’.

Public Service Broadcasting in the U.S. launched this thought provoking documentary in April just weeks into the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. The programme was written

by Michael Kirk and Mike Wise and directed by Michael Kirk himself, with interviews by guests ranging from a former adviser to Putin and a former director of the C.I.A., contributions from a Russian opposition politician, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia, and a host of authors on the subject.

The documentary uses news footage from the archives.

The conflict has been branded as Putin’s War and the producers attempt to show the sequence of events and the thought process that moulded the Russian leader into the decision to invade Ukraine.

TOWN TALK

Vladimir Putin came to national attention after bombings in St Petersburg killed hundreds of people. Blaming terrorists from Chechnya, he invaded while also using it to curb democracy back home. Becoming President, Putin continued to tighten his stronghold on the Russian people.

WITH KEITH DOYLE to how to counter the threat to The Soviet Union, and all his action from then on is to re-establish the union.

Returning to Russia as an unemployed security agent, he approached the Mayor of St Petersburg, his former law lecturer, and he received a clerical post. He earned a reputation for being a pro-

Frontline suggests that Vladimir Putin from the outset embarked on a journey to recreate a strong Soviet empire. The theme is to After the fall of the portray that Putin Berlin Wall, Putin had the desire and became disillusioned the will to follow this with how the Soviet expansion policy and Union was being dismantled. would go to war if necessary to achieve his aims.

The building block to this story starts when Putin was stationed in Dresden, Germany, as a K.G.B. operative.

When the Berlin Wall was demolished, the disillusioned Putin received no instruction from the Kremlin as

tector and fixer. Putin became the boss of the F.S.B. (formerly K.G.B.) He became Vice Mayor a year later. Boris Yeltsin appointed him Vice President in 1999.

Putin became marginalised by the western world after invading Crimea and the Donbas region. At the next G8 summit, the seething Putin left early after being largely ignored. Since then, Putin’s rhetoric has been angry and focused on the breakup of the Soviet Union and the threat of NATO expansion on his borders. The last seven years of war in the Donbas region of Ukraine became the precursor to the tragedy that we see unfolding before our eyes.

The arguments by the writers and interviewees are well presented showing an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, strengthened by the content and style of similar programmes made by Frontline, most notably ‘Putin’s Way’.

The body of the story was framed to follow historical order. The story is a credible account of the build-up to the conflict. This programme will not only generate interest from the political and historical fraternity but also from the general public. n

3rd May 2022 - Page 29

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Enniscorthy Chamber Bla

Emma Fox, Sue Longmore, Antoinette Murphy, and Marie Lyng, all AIB staff.

L-R: Partrice Byrne, Trudy Ryan, Wayne O’Connor and Marguerite Murphy, all BOI staff.

L-R:

Enniscorthy and District Chamber Black T Enniscorthy, Saturday, 1 Above Left: Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach, Enniscorthy Municipal District and Sarah Ryan.

Above right: Clara Duncan and Thomas Hendrick.

Above Left: Lorna and Sean Wall.

Above right: Stephanie and Syl Hipwell.

L-R: Eric Barron, John O’Leary and Minister James Browne TD.

Page 30 - 3rd May 2022

Back row L-R: John O’Leary, Minister James Browne TD, Tom En (Enniscorthy Chamber). Front row L-R: Eric Barron, Cllr Barbara-An Dr Mairead Kelly (Chairperson, Enniscorthy Lions Club), Ivan Yates, Cllr

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ack Tie Ball

L-R: John and Paula Murphy and Cathy and Tom Byrne.

Derek and Joan Nally and Collette and Michael Bennett at the Enniscorthy and District Chamber Black Tie Ball.

Tie Ball in the Riverside Park Hotel, 16th April, 2022.

L-R: Elaine Walsh, Leona Grant, Minister James Browne TD, Mary O’Leary and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy.

Above Left: Hannah Dunne and Ashling Walker. Above right: David and Sinead Clerkin. Below: Fresh Today management and staff.

nright (CEO, Wexford County Council), Jimmy Gahan nne Murphy (Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council), Cathal Byrne (Cathaoirleach, Enniscorthy Municipal District).

3rd May 2022 - Page 31

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National Community Engagement Day Above: The Enniscorthy gathering for National Community Engagement Day 2022 took place on 27 April at the IFA Centre, Mill Park Road, with Minister of State James Browne TD, IFA County Chair Jer O’Mahony and senior Gardaí and community representatives present. National Community Engagement Day brings together local community Gardaí, IFA branch representatives and representatives from community groups who are involved in the National Rural Safety Forum to engage with the local community. It is an opportunity for the local community to get to know their local Gardaí and discuss matters of importance to them such as rural safety, crime prevention and security. n

Sisters Valerie and Fiona Hynes attended Wexford Light Opera Society’s production of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ which finished its run in the National Opera House on 30th April.

Starring roles: George Lawlor and Clare Kavanagh.

Wexford Light Opera Society’s production of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ Page 32 - 3rd May 2022

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Funding 200 community projects Minister James Browne confirmed last month funding of €300,129 for 194 local projects in Wexford under the Community Activities Fund 2021.

opment and administered by Local Community Development Committees, with support from the Local Authority, in each area.

The key theme of the fund is to support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.

“My government colleagues and I want to support locally-led, ground-up projects in local communities across the country. This funding is all about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs, which have continued to serve their community during Covid-19.

The Community Activities Fund is a once-off fund provided by the Department of Rural and Community Devel-

"I would like to thank Wexford County

Council and the Local Community Development Committee for their assistance in administering this fund. The Community Activities Fund provides a range of invaluable small grants to help the smaller community groups and facilities that support communities at a grassroots level. I know that this funding is an important tool in helping these groups. I want to congratulate the successful projects and to thank them for their vital community work.” n

3rd May 2022 - Page 33

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Cosmic Rebel Con

Riverside Par

Above far left: Elisabeth, Saoirse, Molly and Corm Above right: Sadhbh Tierney, Adden Kirnan, Jonathan Br Far left: Mikan Tsumiki and Technoblade.

Bottom left: Super Mario fans Sea Below: Star Wars fans Andrea Doyle and Thom Bottom right: Tresa Butler

Page 34 - 3rd May 2022

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rk Hotel, Enniscorthy, 24th April 2022

mac Nolan. Above left: Marein and Victor Skruch. reen and Dara Akinyemi. Above far right: Aoife Connors.

Far right: Adrian and Sophie O’Connor. an Óg, Sean and Lochlann Davitt. mas Mooney with the Star Wars Stormtroopers. r and Chloe Lambert Davy.

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Courtown funding €16,541 in funding has been granted to enhance and upgrade Courtown’s playground, according to Minister James Browne, who commended Wexford County Council’s Community Section for their work on the project.

Welcoming the news, Minister Browne explained how the funding scheme is designed to encourage “children’s playgrounds to serve as places of fun and activity for all children. The Courtown Playground is a very busy one located near the local leisure centre, seal rescue sanctuary and woods. My government colleagues and I are keen to allocate funding to ensure that every child can experience the joy and excitement that comes with playing outdoors.” n

Kilnamanagh school funding Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne T.D. has welcomed confirmation that Kilnamanagh Community National School can proceed to construction.

An extension including a classroom, en-suite, special educational teaching room and accessible toilet can now commence construction.

“I’m delighted that Kilnamanagh Community National School got the go-ahead to construct an extension to the school. This will greatly benefit the staff, pupils and school community in Kilnamanagh and the wider area. I continue to engage with Education Minister Norma Foley T.D. on the many applications for works related to County Wexford schools”, Minister Browne commented. n

Rosslare: Ireland’s sunniest town Last month the Irish Independent revealed that Rosslare is the sunniest town in Ireland. So it’s official – we’re not known as the ‘Sunny South East’ for nothing! n

FR. MURPHY CENTRE, BOOLAVOGUE, NOW OPEN The Fr. Murphy Centre, Boolavogue, reopened on March 16 – the first day open to the public for 2022.

The Centre is open 7 days a week, 10am to 5pm. n

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SlaNey NewS CARBON TAX By the time you read this, the carbon tax will be in place. Despite many calls for it to be postponed it appears at the time of writing that it will proceed.

The question is, “What will it achieve?” In my opinion the only achievement will be to increase the cost of living for people who rely on private or indeed public transport to get to work. It will also increase the cost of building projects which require machinery in construction and will increase the cost of living for all of us who need to eat to stay alive. Supermarkets and other shops need deliveries on a daily basis and these don’t come with the stork or by carrier pigeon. Literally everything around us will increase in price, on top of the already spiraling cost of living. And what will it achieve for the environment? Nothing, Nada, Nil.

View from the Centre

A local contributor, based in the centre of the county, looks at life today in Co. Wexford and beyond

People still have to eat so food has to cent times, doesn’t reflect a view of be delivered. People still have to go what the public might want. In fact, to work and about their business so recent governments haven’t reflected fuel, very expensive fuel, will still be any particular view other than get into used. People will still have to heat power. As Bertie Ahern once said in their homes so fossil fuels will conthe Dáil when someone was on a high tinue to be used there. Construction moral crusade, ”The only ethos in projects will have to continue so heavy here is to get in and stay in.” machinery will continue to be used.

So, no reductions in emissons then. So However, that wasn’t my main point. I again, what has it achieved? Here’s got distracted there. The main issue is what. It has given the Green Party a whether these people we elect acvictory. They can go to the electorate next time out and say, “We introduced the “Yes Minister” carbon tax.” And we’ll all remember them for that.

WHO IS MASTER? Who is running this country we may ask?

Every few years we are asked to go to the polls and elect a government. We do, but do we? What I mean is that the government which is formed after the election, particularly in re-

tually have any say whatsoever in who runs the country. It appears from recent events that a group of top civil servants are having a laugh at the socalled government and actually doing what they like. They decide policy, they decide who gets what job, they decide who to give our money to, and in fact reality is that they decide almost everything. They have unfettered control of the everyday lives of the Irish people who never elected them to anything.

Whose fault is this? Well, that’s easy to figure out. It is the fault of the elected representatives we elect to run the country. The TDs whom we send to the Dáil.

Ministers in particular have a responsibility to take control of their departments and inform the civil servants that that is just what they are, Servants of the State and not Masters of the people. Unfortunately, the trend with our politicians seems to be to allow the present situation to continue. It gives them more time to swan around posing for photographs in front of childrens’ playgrounds and such like proclaiming that they got x amount of money to put in a few swings or slides or something. Or doing the work of county councillors writing to the council about an overgrown tree somewhere.

While all this is going on, our top mandarins are busy doing their thing, which is to keep a tight control of the real job of government. They reckon that it would be dangerous to let those who are actually elected near the levers of power.

Those of a certain age will remember the TV show “Yes Minister”. Those who thought that it was an exaggeration never saw our lot. n

3rd May 2022 - Page 37

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Caim Vintage Club – Terry B

Above far left: Leaving Rackards of Caim on 24th April – Leo Tector’s inventions on the move, Jim Murphy, Elsie Barnes and Leo Tector. Above

Below far left: Elsie and Leo Barnes. Below left: Dan Nolan and Harry Warren. Below centre: Orla Cunnea, Claire Whelan and Sop

Bottom far left: A day out with my dad and tractors, what more could a young boy want – Mick and MJ Dempsey at the Tractor Run. Bottom left: T

Page 38 - 3rd May 2022

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Barnes Memorial Road Run

e left: Joe Fenlon with his Zetor. Above right: Tina Kelly, Ray, Jack and Ava Sharkey. Above far right: Sienna, Hailey, Nickey and Nickey Jr Carr.

phie Morrison. Below right: Sarah Neuman with Killian and Rohan. Below far right: Niamh Murphy, Alicia Barnes and Kate Browne.

Tractor mania as young Mark Barnes has a go. Bottom right: Some of the helpers – Maurice White, Ray Barnes, Michael Brennan and Paddy Buckley.

3rd May 2022 - Page 39

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Scoil Naomh Maodhóg Confirmation, S

Five photos above L-R: 1. Amy, Brian, Leah, Eileen and Sophie Plummer-Roche. 2. Rafal, Sophie, Dominika and Nadia Polaniecka.

Five photos above L-R: 1. Elisabeth, Charlie, Kieran and Niamh Kelly. 2. Lucas Levingstone and Holly Lucas. 3. Ann, Eimear and Michael Kehoe. 4. Sara

Four photos above L-R: 1. Michael, Ava and Louise Murphy. 2. Catherine and Allison Dunne and Terry W

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St Aidan’s Church Ferns, 1st April 2022

3. Derek, Evan, Grainne and Cian Thorpe. 4. Two Confirmation girls singing like angels. 5. Tony, Ben, TJ, Adam and Anne Cleere.

ah, Sadie, Molly, Martin and Bobby Redmond. 5. Padraig Dunbar, Siona Byrne-Dunbar, Nicloa Byrne and Garry Byrne-Dunbar.

White. 3. Charlie Kelly makes his Confirmation. 4. Helen Anderson, Leah, Michael and Peggy Sweeney.

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Scoil Naomh Maodhóg Confirmation St Aidan’s Church, Ferns, 1st April 2022

Above left: Melissa, Jamie, Jessica, Charlie and Kenneth Kavanagh. Above right: Darren, Lille, Lisa and Chloe Jardan-Griggin.

Below: Scoil Naomh Maodhóg class group photo of Confirmation in St Aidan’s Church, Ferns.

Page 42 - 3rd May 2022

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Young Wexford voices get heard WEXFORD ÓGRA FIANNA FÁIL ATTEND NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE 2022 The 2022 Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference took place Friday, 1st and Saturday, 2nd of April in the Waterfront Hotel, Dungloe, County Donegal.

Several Wexford Ógra Fianna Fáil members attended. The conference was officially opened by Pat the Cope Gallagher along with Minister Charlie McConalogue, this was then followed by a government Q and A session with Minister Jack Chambers and Minister McConalogue.

The following day, many workshops were held with organisational motions and policy motions, where members dis-

WEXFORD ÓGRA FIANNA FÁIL CHAIRPERSON RUAIRÍ RYAN WAS AWARDED BEST SPEAKER BY AN TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN AT THE CONFERENCE. cussed and debated many issues such as Leo Vardakar becoming Taoiseach once again. This was followed by discussions on disability inclusion in politics and preparing for the 2024 local elections. After this, members elected their new COB (Central Officer Board) to run the organisation for the next year.

This was then followed by a banquet dinner with an address from An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the newlyelected president of Ógra Fianna Fáil Niall Gaffeney. During the dinner, awards were given to individuals and different branches of Ógra. Ruairí Ryan, Wexford’s chairperson, won the award for best speaker at the conference. n Wexford Ógra Fianna Fáil members attended this year’s Ógra NYC (National Youth Conference) in the Waterfront Hotel, Dungloe, Co. Donegal.

L-R: Ian Murphy, Ruairí Ryan, Conor Brennan, Michael Roche.

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WEXFORD STUDENTS SET FOR NAT

Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Student Enterprise Programme Awards 2021/2022 in Wexford County Council on 22nd March. Intermediate Catego to Aoibhínn Doyle, Ben Cassidy, Louise Byrne, Ellie Byrne Donnelly and Matthew Haskins from Ramsgrange Community School with their com Presenting the awards were Niamh Hatchell (EPA), Cllr Michael Whelan and Angela Lawless (LEO). Pic: Ger Hore.

Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Wexford has announced that teenage entrepreneurs from Gorey Community School and Ramsgrange Community School will represent Wexford at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Finals on the 18th of May at The Helix in Dublin.

Over 1,100 students from 19 secondary schools across the county took part in the Wexford Student Enterprise Programme (Wexford SEP) over the last six months. The county winners were announced during an online show on 15th March.

Students were presented with the trophies at an Awards presentation which was held in Wexford County Council on March 22nd. The programme is delivered in association with the Wexford Enterprise Centre, with sponsorship from the Environ-

mental Protection Agency (EPA). Presenting the students with beautiful, glass trophies made by local glass artist, Bianca Divito were Cllr. Michael Whelan, Chair of the Economic Strategic Policy Committee in Wexford County Council, Niamh Hatchell, Media Engagement & Digital Communications Manager with the EPA and Angela Lawless, A/Senior Business Development Executive with Local Enterprise Office Wexford.

Wexford has a successful record in the national student enterprise competition. Last year, national awards were won by students from Bridgetown College and St Mary’s Secondary School in New Ross.

Speaking at the trophy presentation event, Breege Cosgrave, Acting Head of Enterprise & Economic Development, congratulated

Senior category Best Report Winner: Jenna Kirwan and Jessie Redmond, Precious Pebbles, Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, with Caroline McCrea, LEO Wexford (left) and Breege Cosgrave, LEO Wexford (right). Pic: Ger Hore.

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Social Impact Award winners: Feed The World, Loreto Wexford. Students Eve O’Donahoe and Ruby Donahue with Breege Cosgrave (LEO). Pic: Ger Hore.

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TIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP FINAL

ory Award winner was presented pany Little People Big Pasts. .

Junior Category Award winner was presented to Erin McNamara and Ellen Chapman from Ramsgrange Community School with their company Simply Recycled. L-R: Niamh Hatchell (EPA), Erin McNamara, Cllr Michael Whelan, Ellen Chapman and Angela Lawless (LEO). Pic: Ger Hore.

the students, saying, “We have a very successful student enterprise programme here in Wexford, with over 1,100 students from 19 local schools taking part this year. Our national finalists are excellent ambassadors for the programme, and we wish them the very best of luck on 18th May. In what has been a particularly challenging couple of years for students, the programme has offered them an outlet outside of the usual school demands. What our students are learning from the programme is that with the right supports and encouragement, they can take an idea from the classroom and develop it into a real-life business. The skills they learn along the way, such as business planning, market research, selling and team-work, will help them become more entrepreneurial throughout their future careers.”

Senior category, 3rd place: Mairead Mahon, Clear Mind, FCJ Bunclody.

Pic: Ger Hore.

ABOUT THE STUDENT ENTERPRISE PROGRAMME: The Student Enterprise Programme is co-ordinated by the Local Enterprise Offices and involves approximately 29,000 students from 500 secondary schools every year. It runs from September to May and the 2021/2022 National Final takes place on the 18th May. Further information around the Student Enterprise Programme is available from www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #wexfordsep and #studententerprise on social media.

Website: www.studententerprise.ie #studententerprise Twitter: @StudentEntProg / Facebook: /studententerpriseprogramme / Instagram: /studententerpriseprogramme

More overleaf ➤

Various prizewinners in the Wexford Student Enterprise Programme run by the Local Enterprise Office at Wexford County Council.

Pic: Ger Hore.

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Above left: Junior / Intermediate Best Interview was awarded to Chloe Weafer of Enniscorthy Community College (Chloe’s Soap). Above righ was awarded to Maggie Byrne of Ramsgrange Community School (Sunset Jewellery). Also pictured are Angela Lawless (LEO), Niamh Hatche

A Merit Award was presented to Geoffrey Barry of CBS Wexford with his company SLOGS Christmas Logs. Pic: Ger Hore.

A Merit Award were presented to Conor O'Neill of CBS New Ross with his company Conor's Candies. Pic: Ger Hore.

A Merit Award was presented to Jack Berry, Eoin Martin and Dean Goldsmith of St Peter's College Wexford with their company Wexford Golf Balls.

A Merit Award were presented to Ruby Redmond of Bridgetown College with her company Ruby's Resins. Pic: Ger Hore.

A Merit Award were presented to Conor McGuinness and Liam Talbot CBS Wexford with their company Hooks and Wicks. Pic: Ger Hore.

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A Merit Award were presented to Dara Cahill and Rhyan Whelan of Meanscoil Gharman with their company Siopa Milseáin & Snaiceanna MSG.

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t: Junior / Intermediate Best Poster ell (EPA) and Cllr Michael Whelan.

LCVP/LCA Award Winners: Selskar College Wexford with their company Play Plax. Students with Niamh Hatchell (EPA), Cllr Michael Whelan and Angela Lawless (LEO). Pic: Ger Hore.

FULL LIST OF PRIZEWINNERS: AWARD: Best Poster (Junior/Intermediate) Winner: Sunset Jewellery School: Ramsgrange Community School Teacher: Ms. Louise Walsh Student: Maggie Byrne AWARD: Best Interview (Junior/Intermediate) Winner: Chloe’s Organic Soap School: Enniscorthy Community College Student: Chloe Weafer Teacher: Ms. Sinead O’Donovan (and helped before Christmas by Ms. Evelyn Barry) AWARD: Best Interview (Senior) Winner: Modified Jewellery School: St Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross Student: Megan Pernagallo, Aleksandra Lukasik, Sahadat Alao Akinyomi Teacher: Ms. Emma Dwyer AWARD: Best Report (Senior) Winner: Precious Pebbles School: Coláiste Bríde Enniscorthy Student: Jenna Kirwan and Jessie Redmond Teacher: Ms. Margo Whelan AWARD: Social Impact Awards (x2) Winner: Wildlife Calendars School: FCJ Bunclody Student: Holly Rothwell and Sara Williamson Teacher: Mr. Dean Farrell Winner: Feed the World School: Loreto Wexford Student: Eve O’Donahoe and Ruby Donahue Teacher: Mr. Enda O’Sullivan and Ms. Cathleen Skelton AWARD: Environment Awards ( x 2) Winner: Bright Sparks School: Bunclody Vocational College Student: James Kenny Teacher: Ms. Sinéad Kinsella and Ms. Aoife Martin Winner: Cool Coasters School: Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge Student: Ryan O’ Toole Graham and Alex O’Connor Teacher: Ms. Cathy Reddy AWARD: Creativity Award Winner: The Tote Tree School: Presentation Wexford Student: Fiona O’Mahony, Amy Whelan and Melissa Quirke Teacher: Mr. Ciaran Walsh

AWARD: Commercial Potential Award Winner: KF Media School: Gorey Community School Student: Keenan Fitzpatrick Teacher: Ms. Lisa Nangle AWARD: Innovation Award Winner: Hold my Hurl School: St. Mary’s CBS Enniscorthy Student: Adam Cairney and Conor O'Brien Teacher: Ms. Martina Barry Student Enterprise National Video Competition, this year’s theme is ‘Health & Wellbeing Innovations’. Representing Wexford in this national competition this year will be…

Floric School: Creagh College Student: Jason Santos Teacher: Ms. Edel Peters AWARD: LCVP/LCA Award Winner: Play Plax School: Selskar College Students: Class reps: Aoife Mahon, Devin Pitman, Rebecca Furlong, Amie Healy, Ava O`Connor, Brandon McEneaney.

Rest of Class: Layla Bergin, Cody Chun on Ho, Lucy Farrell, Alisha Holden, Lilly Jones, David Kelly, Ashleigh Kemp, Dylan O’Dwyer Teacher: Ms. Mari Prendergast and Mr. Shane Murphy AWARD: Merit Awards (x6) Winner: SLOGS Christmas Logs School: CBS Wexford Students: Geoffrey Barry Teacher: Ms. Ann Barry Winner: Conor’s Candies School: CBS New Ross Students: Conor O’Neill Teacher: Ms. Patricia Doran Winner: Wexford Golf Balls School: St. Peter’s College Students: Jack Berry, Eoin Martin and Dean Goldsmith Teacher: Mr. Patrick Ryan Winner: Ruby’s Resins School: Bridgetown College Students: Ruby Redmond Teacher: Ms. Sinead Fortune Winner: Hooks & Wicks School: CBS Wexford Students: Conor McGuinness and Liam Talbot Teacher: Ms. Ann Barry Winner: Siopa Milseáin & Snaiceanna MSG

School: Meanscoil Gharman Students: Dara Cahill and Rhyan Whelan Teacher: Mr. Patrick Ó Dubháin The overall Junior, Intermediate and Senior category awards: AWARD: OVERALL JUNIOR CATEGORY (for 1st year students) Winner: Simply Recycled School: Ramsgrange Community School Students: Erin McNamara and Ellen Chapman Teacher: Ms. Louise Walsh AWARD: OVERALL INTERMEDIATE CATEGORY (for 2nd & 3rd year students) Winner: Little People, Big Pasts School: Ramsgrange Community School Students: Aoibhínn Doyle, Louise Byrne, Ben Cassidy, Mathew Haskins, Ellie Byrne Donnelly Teacher: Ms. Louise Walsh AWARD: SENIOR CATEGORY (for Transition Year students) Joint Third Place: Clear Mind School: FCJ Bunclody Students: Mairead Mahon Teacher: Mr. Paul Fitzgerald Joint Third Place: Zodaline School: Creagh College Students: Erinn Clare and Shauna D’Arcy Teacher: Mr. Daniel Condren Senior Category Award – Runner-Up 200 Year Handcrafted Slates & Bottles School: Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School, New Ross Students: Saramay Walsh Teacher: Ms. Niamh Lynam Senior Category Award – Winner Clonough Handmade Soap School: Gorey Community School Students: Niall O’Shaughnessy Teacher: Mr. Andrew Killane SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE AWARD The Good Choice Gardening Company From: The Irish Wheelchair Association centre in Ballycanew Team Members: Conor Cahill, Stephen Sinnott, Jack Culleton, Katie Murphy, Garry Murphy and John Sugrue. n

3rd May 2022 - Page 47

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A GATHERING ON VINEGAR HILL TO REMEMBER SEAMUS (MUSTY) KENNY A group of family and relatives gathered at the site of the Memorial Plaque to the memory of Seamus (Musty) Kenny on Vinegar Hill, on 23rd April, at the mast where Musty tragically died in 1961, at just 21 years of age.

Right: Cllr Jackser Owens, Bridget and Mary Kenny, and Pat O’Connor at the Seamus (Musty) Plaque on Vinegar Hill on 23rd April with the mast in the background.

Above: The group of family, relatives and friends who gathered at the Memorial Plaque to the memory of Seamus (Musty) Kenny on Vinegar Hill. n

Could this be the future?

It’s often said that Ireland would be a lovely little country if only we could put a roof over it! But a small street in Wexford town could soon be rain-free if Wexford County Council succeeds in finding a company to design and install a six-metre-high roof on Monck Street that can open or close depending on the weather to allow outdoor dining all year round! n

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That’s true, you know!

‘That’s true, you know’ is a new and exclusive exhibition running in Enniscorthy Castle from May 1st to the 29th of July as part of their 2022 summer programme. Curated by the renowned folklorist Michael Fortune of www.folklore.ie, it’s a first of its kind in the country as a sole showcase focusing on folkloric customs and beliefs from across Ireland.

Wexford features strongly throughout the exhibition with objects, stories, photos and videos collected from every corner of the county and beyond. Michael stated, “I’m delighted to be invited by Manager Mico Hassett and her team to curate ‘That’s true, you know’ for Enniscorthy Castle as the old museum was the first museum I visited as a child. It’s a great opportunity to display and share both the traditions and superstitions of local and national voices and have their stories and objects profiled in such historic surroundings.”

Michael spent the past two decades collecting ancient and contemporary folk beliefs and customs in every corner of the country. Describing his work, broadcaster and writer Manchán Magan said, “There have only been a few people – guardians, sacred recorders – who have collected and documented this material and Michael is one of them. Michael Fortune in years to come is going to be Ireland’s Alan Lomax.”

Mico Hassett commented, “The exhibition has a mixture of elements from a series of large and beautiful hanging dis-

L-R Folklorist and Curator Michael Fortune with Mico Hassett, Enniscorthy Castle Manager, outside Enniscorthy Castle where the ‘That’s True, You Know’ exhibition has just opened.

plays focusing on areas around Holy Wells and Sacred Spaces, to the supernatural world of Fairies and the Banshee.

To complement that you will also be walked through the calendar year with display boards for every month highlighting traditional dates of importance.”

Newly appointed Deputy Manager Eve Furlong said, “We have also curated a room focused on superstitions and beliefs aimed at children and teenagers which contains interactive aspects from walking under ladders, to stepping on cracks – a space sure to create some intrigue and wonder. To top it all off, Mi-

L-R Paul Byrne, Enniscorthy Castle, with the exhibition curator Michael Fortune, in Enniscorthy Castle. ‘That’s True, You Know’ runs in the Castle until 29th July.

chael has also brought together a host of objects which he has acquired and borrowed from people and communities from all over Ireland. These range from bottles of Holy Water from wells around the county to decorated May Bush altars and family relics. We hope it’s a new look at the past for our visitors to explore over the coming months.”

Over his career, Michael has amassed the country's largest collection of folklore recollections on film and he has devised a way to include this digital aspect across the Castle space too, giving patrons the additional opportunity to hear the human voice and the source of the stories. Michael added, “People’s voices and accents are vital to my area of work and without these real aural experiences something would be missing. The exhibition will feature monitors playing certain stories aloud and a series of QR codes bring you directly to the whole story on YouTube giving patrons the opportunity to delve into more folklore.”

Admission tickets for the castle exhibition are available at the castle reception seven days a week or by calling 053 9234699. With a family of five tickets (2 plus up to 3 kids) costing just €15, an affordable and interesting day out is assured. n

3rd May 2022 - Page 49

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Templeshannon Community Centre invites you to have a cup of tea and some light refreshments to help support The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, on Thursday May 5th.

All are welcome so bring a friend!!

TREE ON THE HILL HINDERING WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

The May Bush Festival

Decorating the May Bush at Enniscorthy Castle. See lots more at https://www.facebook.com/TheWexfordMayBushFestival

Cllr Jackser Owens highlighted at the April meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District the difficulty caused to wheelchair users by the growth of a particular tree on Vinegar Hill. Having been made aware of the problem, we expect the Council to resolve the matter asap. n

New site for Gorey Educate Together Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne TD has confirmed that the Gorey Educate Together Secondary School will be constructed at a site adjacent to its temporary location.

The new secondary school has benefitted from temporary modular construction since the school opened its doors in September 2021.

Welcoming the news, Minister Browne noted that he is confident the school will “be glad to develop its permanent home adjacent to the modular building on the Fort Road, Creagh, Gorey. Education Min-

Page 50 - 3rd May 2022

ister Norma Foley T.D. and I have been in regular contact as efforts to establish a permanent school location continued in recent months. This is a positive day for the school’s students, staff and parents. I commend principal Conor Berry who has been active in securing the school’s permanent home.

Minister Browne noted that any plans for the construction of the permanent school at its current site on the Fort Road must take local residents’ concerns into consideration.

“I have contacted the Department of Education to ensure that the school’s plans in-

clude full consideration of the need for adequate footpaths and cycleways in the area. With traffic volumes bound to increase in the area, the Department needs to be mindful of the health and safety of local residents and road users alike.

“As chairperson of the Wexford Educate Together N.S., I am acutely aware of the positive aspects of the Educate Together ethos. I’m sure that the Gorey Educate Together Secondary School will greatly benefit from the construction of its permanent home adjacent to its current modular site on the Fort Road in Gorey”, Minister Browne concluded. n

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€1.5m harbour & pier funding Funding of almost €1.5 million for piers and harbours across Co. Wexford is to be provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and by Wexford County Council.

LOCATION/PROJECT

DESCRIPTION

TOTAL COST FUNDING APPROVED

Minister James Browne commented, “I am very pleased to confirm this investment of almost €1.5 million in our piers and harbours up and down our coast here in Wexford. The history of the county is routed in our coastal shores and these harbours and piers have evolved over time to become pillars of coastal communities.

“Under this funding investment will be delivered to Kimore Quay, Duncannon, Fethard, Slade, Carne, Wexford Harbour, Cahore, and Courtown... I’m particularly pleased to see €350,000 for a new slipway and beach access at Fethard and €650,000 for Kilmore Quay for dredging and safety works.

“The funding will provide enhancements and upgrades which will have knock on benefits for the commercial and recreational activities surrounding these piers and harbours as well as making them safer.

It is very welcome news today for the county,” concluded Minister Browne.

Seanator Malcolm Byrne was keen to emphasise the benefits for Co. Wexford’s fishing communities, “Fishing communities in particular needed support post Brexit and after Ireland drew down EU funds to deal with the challenges of the new environment, I raised the issue regularly as a member of the Brexit Committee in Leinster House. This €1.5m for Wexford piers and harbours is a positive move and we need to continue to invest in these communities for the long term.” n

Letter to the editor...

The webinar will feature clinical trial ex-

Dear Editor

answer any questions that registrants

I am writing to advise readers of the Slaney News of a forthcoming free webinar on clinical trials being organised by Cancer Trials Ireland.

may have about trials.

Taking place on International Clinical Trials Day on Friday May 20 from 2-3pm, the webinar aims to promote public awareness and understanding of clinical trials.

venting, finding and treating cancer is

pert, Professor Seamus O’Reilly, on how trials work and how to access them, while previous trial participants will share their experiences of what to expect.

There will also be an opportunity to

With approximately 25,000 people diag-

Cancer Trials Ireland’s Just Ask campaign is all about encouraging patients to ask their medical team if there is a clinical trial that may be suitable for, or relevant, to them.

For a booklet on cancer clinical trials, to find out about the trials currently taking place in Ireland, or to register for this free webinar, email info@cancertrials.ie

nosed each year in Ireland with invasive

Yours sincerely,

cancer, the role of clinical trials in pre-

Eibhlín Mulroe Chief Executive Cancer Trials Ireland Ardilaun House 111 St. Stephen’s Green Dublin 2 n

crucial. Trials can provide early access to drugs not otherwise available. They can save lives and also help improve people’s quality of life.

3rd May 2022 - Page 51

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Wexford’s ambulance service seeks new recruits A careers information evening was held by the National Ambulance Service on 29th April at Wexford Co. Council headquarters in Carricklawn to encourage people in the south east to consider a rewarding career as an Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic/Advanced Paramedic. According to Ger Carthy, ambulance officer (and Wexford County Councillor), these are rewarding careers with lots of variety: “No two days are the same, no two hours are the same.” To find out more, check out the website: https://www.nationalambulanceservice.ie Above: The new ambulance based in Enniscorthy will be used for patient transfers – ambulance crew Oliver Martin and Tony Gaskin. Below: Harry Nolan, Enniscorthy, Rosie Somers, ambulance crew New Ross, and Esther Nolan, Enniscorthy. n Ger Carthy, Ambulance Officer, National Ambulance Service, speaking at the careers evening.

Page 52 - 3rd May 2022

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Major national award for Enniscorthy childcare centre The prestigious Síolta award has been received by Carraig Briste (Davidstown) and Killegney (Clonroche) – two early years outdoor learning centres, based near Enniscorthy, owned and run by the dynamic Orlagh and James Doyle.

Carraig Briste Early Years children with a Horse Chestnut Tree ready for presenting to Davidstown National School.

Carraig Briste and Killegney Early Years – two early years outdoor learning centres owned and managed by Orlagh and James Doyle, based near Enniscorthy, are among the top performing early childhood settings in the whole country having recently been awarded the QAP Síolta validation which is only attained by 2% of Early Childhood Settings and, not only that, they got full marks in each of

Carraig Briste and Killegney Early Years proprietor Orlagh Doyle with Austin and pet dog Harvey.

the 16 Quality Standards – an incredible achievement by the team and management. But like all success, the achievement was based on hard work, in this case over a three-year period.

The Síolta Quality Assurance Programme The Síolta Quality Assurance Programme, known as the Síolta QAP, is a formal stepby-step programme in which settings use the Síolta Framework to develop the quality of their services. It is a programme that settings can enter into voluntarily.

They are supported to carry out the programme by a Síolta Mentor (trained by the Early Years Education Policy Unit at the Department of Education and Skills in collaboration with the Department for Children and Youth Affairs) who guides them through it. Barnardos and other agencies such as Early Childhood Ireland and the National Childhood Network have a number of Síolta Mentors who support services through the Síolta Quality Assurance Programme. At the end of this programme – services then submit a completed Síolta Portfolio to the Early Years Education Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills for formal Validation. The Síolta Portfolio contains a detailed description of all areas of practice in a setting under each of the 16 quality Standards. This detailed description of practice provided by the ser-

vice has to be supported by evidence of the quality of their practice, which includes things like documents, certificates, photos and video clips.

Proprietor Orlagh Doyle is ‘delighted to get the QAP Siolta validation’ but is quick to highlight ‘the relentless work of the settings managers Chantel Johnson and Ciara Donohoe, and all our staff, we certainly wouldn’t have got there without their support.’ So it’s definitely a team effort that makes Carraig Briste and Killegney so successful and welcoming. n

Carraig Briste and Killegney Early Years children enjoying their annual day out to Wheelocks Chrismas Tree Farm.

3rd May 2022 - Page 53

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ENNISCORTHY STUDENT AMONG THOSE AWARDED W.I.T. PRESIDENT'S SCHOLARSHIPS WORTH UP TO €12,000

L-R: Ben Roche, Davidstown; Professor Willie Donnelly, President of Waterford Institute of Technology; Caleb Cullen, Ramsgrange, Co. Wexford; Clara Bell, Cornerstown, Co. Wexford. Pic: George Goulding, WIT.

Past pupils of three Co. Wexford

awarded scholarships with a total value

Ben Roche, Davidstown, Enniscorthy. A

schools were among those awarded

of up to €12,000. Each President’s

past pupil of St Mary's CBS, Ennis-

a Waterford Institute of Technology

Scholar receives a bursary of €2,000

corthy, Ben has gone on to study BA

President’s Scholarship at a cer-

per year of study along with €500 per

(Hons) Culinary Arts in Waterford in

emony held recently for 2020 and

semester.

2020.

2021 recipients.

The President’s Scholarship programme

Caleb Cullen, Ramsgrange, Co Wex-

Altogether nine students were

had sought applications from individ-

ford. A past pupil of Ramsgrange Com-

awarded scholarships.

uals with attributes such as being cre-

munity School, Co. Wexford, Caleb has

The scholarship scheme has been run-

ative, innovators, leaders, or people

gone on to study BSc (Hons) Science

ning since September 2016 and en-

who make significant contributions to

Common Entry in Waterford in 2020.

courages and rewards young people

community. The aim of the programme

who show a capacity to shape a better

was to highlight remarkable people

society.

who demonstrate the ability to make

Each year, since then, up to five excep-

Irish society a better place.

tional young students have been

Among the recipients are:

Page 54 - 3rd May 2022

Clara Bell, Cornerstown, Co. Wexford.

A past pupil of Presentation Secondary School Wexford, Clara started on the BA (Hons) Hospitality Management Level 8 in Waterford in 2021. n

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Ukraine fundraiser at Kyle Forge

Kyle Forge Coffee Morning in aid of Ukraine with all donations to the Red Cross.

Above left: Kevin McDermott, Dorothy O’Connor and Mary McDonald.

Above right: Giving their support in aid of Ukraine were Jim Byrne, Sinead Norris and Cillian Byrne.

Above left: Enjoying his cuppa at the coffee morning in aid of Ukraine was Tom Sullivan.

Above centre: Daithi Dunne. Above right: Frankie Kehoe with dad Liam.

Above left: Lilly Ryan, Mairead Dixon and Catherina Cullen. Above right: Kathleen Kinlough, Carmel Foley and Anne Marie Forde.

3rd May 2022 - Page 55

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Comhairle Contae

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

Loch Garman Carricklawn, Wexford Y35 WY93

Section 75 of Roads Act 1993 Temporary Closing of Roads

Tenders 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

211055

11/HS/2022

Wexford Women’s Refuge

23/05/2022

Notice is hereby given that Wexford County Council intends to close the road listed hereunder to vehicular traffic from 8am to 5pm (Monday to Friday only), from Monday 30 May 2022 to Friday 14 October 2022, to facilitate improvements to the water network at Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy.

Road Closure:

L2008-2 from the John Deere Sales Garage to the Clavass Roundabout.

211577

12/SP/2022

Essential Maintenance Works at Mechanics Institute, Main St., Wexford

06/05/2022

211732

13/ENN/2022

River Urrin Footbridge Refurbishment

13/05/2022

Alternative routes will be signposted. Local access will be facilitated.

212060

14/WXB/2022

Proposed Retractable Roof Canopy, Monck Street

09/05/2022

212365

15/COMM/2022

Photography Services for Celtic Routes

25/05/2022

Any person wishing to object to the closing of this road should lodge the objection in writing via the online portal https://consult.wexfordcoco.ie/ or in hard copy before 12.00 noon on Tuesday 10 May 2022 to the County Secretary, Wexford County Council, County Hall, Wexford.

Alternative Route: From John Deere Sales Garage to the Blackstoops Roundabout to the Clavass Roundabout via the L2008 and the R772.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– If you would like to book training in how to tender, please contact Angie Malone on 053 919 6022, or angie.malone@leo.wexfordcoco.ie ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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

Location

Environmental Worker – 1 position

Ferns

Environmental Worker – 1 position

Gorey

Environmental Workers – 2 positions

Courtown

Duties to include: •

Co. Wexford Public Participation Network (PPN) Invitation to Tender Strategic Implementation Plan Tender submissions are invited for the provision of a Strategic Implementation Plan for Wexford PPN. Enquiries should be directed to Monica Gaynor or Philip Hickey at 053 9196553 or emailed to ppn@wexfordppn.ie for further information.

Closing date for receipt of tenders is 5.00pm, Friday 6th May, 2022.

Street Lights Broken? Report on www.deadsureapp.com

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Environmental Worker - General maintenance, cleaning, planting and weeding.

To apply for these positions and for further information please contact: Bernie Lennon, CE Scheme Supervisor, Wexford County Council at 087 6575743 during office hours 9.00am – 5.00pm or email: bernie.lennon@wexfordcoco.ie The closing date for applications is 4.00pm Friday, 10th June 2022.

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

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

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Comhairle Contae

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

Loch Garman Carricklawn, Wexford Y35 WY93

Wexford County Council invites applicants for the following post: Business Advisor (Local Enterprise Office) 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 for this post is: 5.00pm on Thursday 12th May, 2022.

Wexford County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Street Lights Broken? Report on www.deadsureapp.com

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

3rd May 2022 - Page 57

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New buyer for Wells House & Gardens

On 26th April, Wells House and Gardens announced a new chapter in the future of this magnificent estate saying that the previous week the Sean Doyle Group had signed contracts to purchase the entire estate of Wells.

But for now, it is business as usual at this award-winning tourism attraction based near Gorey.

Current owner Sabine Rosler will continue in a management role for the next year and is looking forward to working with the new owners as they intend to build on the work that has been achieved in the past ten years since Wells opened to the public.

Ms Rosler has confirmed that all existing commitments will be honoured and she and her team are looking forward to the summer ahead with their fun-filled events and family days out.

Sabine and her husband Uli would like to extend a heartfelt word of thanks to the many friends and supporters of Wells House and Gardens that they have met and made over the last ten years. And would also like to thank their team members, and wish Sean the very best in the future at Wells. n

Page 58 - 3rd May 2022

Above: Wells House & Gardens recently welcomed Susan McQuaid, CEO of Make-A-Wish Ireland, to present her with the annual donations gathered from the Wishing Wells on the fairy walk at Wells. This year, €3,668 was raised for this worthy charity with Sabine Rosler of Wells saying, “We sincerely thank each and every one of our visitors who come to Wells and donate by making their own wish here.”

To date, Wells House & Gardens has donated over €30,000 in donations.

€30,000 grant for Wexford Mental Health Association Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne confirmed last month that his government colleague and Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler TD has approved a grant allocation of €30,000 for the Wexford Mental Health Association.

The funding will result in Wexford Mental Health Association rolling out the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). The programme seeks to “WRAP around our community” and build inner resilience.

Welcoming the funding announcement, Minister Browne expressed his delight “that Wexford Mental Health Association has been awarded funding to roll out a Wellness Recovery Action Plan. This is a very important project that will aid County Wexford people who are recovering from mental health issues.

“The grant was awarded from a once off funding allocation of €1 million euro by the Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler. The assessment and awarding process was independently carried out by Mental Health Ireland and other external partners,” Minister Browne concluded.

Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler TD

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Dancing with Declan Keep up to date with the local dancing scene on: https://www.facebook.com/DancingwithDec https://www.facebook.com/socialdancingdateswexford n

Wexford Arts Centre For details and updates on all happening in Wexford Arts Centre: https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com/shows n

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.

Members of Wexford Light Opera Society led by local parishioner Mag Gurhy, pictured with Fr John Carroll, at their cake sale in the grounds of Barntown church at Masses on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. Funds raised go towards the Society’s operatic endeavours.

Enniscorthy Library

A Facebook page (‘Enniscorthy Women Walking Together’) has been created to help bring women of all ages together to enjoy walking in the company of other like-minded women. n

Celebrating Billy Roche Ad Personam Cultural Events presents ‘By Billy Roche. Songs from Stage and Screen’ for one night only on Friday, May 20 2022, at 7:30pm in the Jerome Hynes Theatre, National Opera House, Wexford. This promises to be a unique evening celebrating the work of one of Wexford’s most celebrated writers – Billy Roche.

Billy will be joined by a host of singers and musicians and M.C. Alan Corcoran to celebrate his music from stage and screen.

Starring Tony Carty, Aileen Donohoe, James McDermott, Peter McCamley, Mike Odlum and Odi with musicians David Wray (piano), Terry Byrne (Keys) and Louise Malone (Reeds).

Award-winning broadcaster Alan Corcoran will MC the evening and will interview Billy Roche against a visual backdrop of movie stills, photographs, theatre memorabilia and images which will conjure snapshots of his life, as he tells stories of his work and enjoys his music as it is performed on stage.

Tickets are €22.50. To book visit www.nationaloperahouse.ie Or in person at the National Opera House box office, or by telephone 053 912 2144. n

Stay in touch Wexford Public Libraries Social Media: Wexford Public Libraries on Facebook.

Wexford Public Libraries on Instagram @wexfordlibraries.

Wexford Public Libraries on Twitter @wexlibraries.

YouTube: "Wexford Public Libraries" n

Baby & Toddler Time is back at Enniscorthy Library!

Every Tuesday at 10:30am Enniscorthy Library is delighted to welcome parents and guardians with their little ones for fun rhymes, stories and songs. Suitable for ages 0-4.

The relaxed and friendly environment of the library is the perfect setting to make friends and introduce books and reading from an early age.

Children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

Contact Enniscorthy Library to book a place: Lymington Road, Enniscorthy Phone: 053 9236055 enniscorthylib@wexfordcoco.ie

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

3rd May 2022 - Page 59

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TEL: 053 9233000

Drama Tn

THE PRESENTATION ARTS CENTRE ENNISCORTHY 27TH MAY 2022 8PM

THE PRESENTATION CENTRE, ENNISCORTHY. WWW.PRES

FOR BOOKING ON ALL EVENTS: WWW.WEXFORDARTSCEN Page 60 - 3rd May 2022

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THE PRESENTATION ARTS CENTRE ENNISCORTHY 25TH JUNE 2022 8.00PM

Fortune family weaves along the Wild Atlantic Way

Eppie, Nellie and Nan Fortune with their dog Chubby.

Have you been following the fortunes of the Fortune family from Curraghgraigue, Ballindaggin, Enniscorthy, as they weave their way along the Wild Atlantic Way? The Fortunes are the stars of Wild Atlantic Kids – a 10-part series that captures the fun and excitement of the Fortunes’ campervan holiday and the wild beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way. It commenced on Monday 18th April on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player at 10.30am. If you missed the first few episodes make sure to catch up on the RTE Player as the family – Nellie (11), Eppie (8), Nan (6), parents Aileen and Mick, and their dog Chubby, travel from the top to the bottom of Ireland on a fun-filled road trip.

As well as having lots of holiday fun on their trip, the family visit special places and try out new activities: seeing bears and wolves, visiting their first funfair, trying out Sean Nós dancing, net fishing, exploring rock pools, shearing sheep, fishing from a boat, horse riding and learning how to fly a hawk.

And then there’s all the fun holiday stuff – barbecues, ice cream and long hot days on the beach.

As well as having lots of holiday fun on their trip, the Fortunes clock up over 2,500 kilometers on their magical journey down the Wild Atlantic Way passing through nine counties – Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Kerry and Cork – and via some of Ireland’s most impressive scenery. n

THE PRESENTATION ARTS CENTRE ENNISCORTHY 8TH JULY 2022 8.30PM

SENTATIONCENTRE.IE TRE.IE/EVENTS/ 3rd May 2022 - Page 61

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ARE YOU DANCING?

We finally had our first day out with our mobile dance floor at the All Ireland Vintage Day in Rosbercon, New Ross, on Sunday 24th of April. There was a massive display of tractors and cars and also lots to do for all the family, especially the children. If you missed out on that one we are going to be in Oakpark, Carlow, next Sunday 8th of May from 12 - 4.30pm.

The first thing to come to mind this month is the 50th anniversary of Camross Hall on Friday the 6th of May and Michael Collins is playing so it's guaranteed to be a great night. Even if you don't dance, go and give them your support as not only will you thoroughly enjoy the music you'll also be helping to keep this fabulous nostalgic venue alive.

If you're too far north for Camross why not head to Askamore Hall where Stuart Moyles is playing the same night. It's proving to be the most popular parish dance in the southeast so be early if you want a seat. Not that you'd need one!

On Saturday the 7th of May, Cliona Hagan & Her Band are playing in Spellman Park, Kildavin, run by the Kildavin/Clonegal GAA clubs, so a great night for a great cause that needs lots of support to make it a success.

The following weekend is a real actionpacked one with the Ardattin Inn finally opening its doors after suffering from an extensive fire earlier this year. Friday the 13th might be a night to stay put for some but with Olivia Douglas and Stuart Moyles doing a double bill for the grand opening, I'm sure

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with Declan Flanagan even the more superstitious will be tempted not to miss out.

Then Saturday night, Derek Ryan is in the Rhu Glenn and I don't have to tell you about the importance of turning up early for that gig!

But it's Sunday that's really a night that we all should make an effort to attend because Des Willoughby has taken on the Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey as a regular weekly dance venue with a big band once a month and social bands in between.

I can't stress how important that is to the southeast as at the moment The Woodford Dolmen in Carlow and the Rhu Glenn on the Kilkenny/Waterford border are the only two venues capable of hosting big bands and the big following that comes with them.

It’s a challenge in itself for Des as Sunday nights can be very hit and miss due to the fact that most people have to think about work the next day and parents getting children ready for school, but on the plus side it has less chance of clashing dates and I personally think Des has made a very wise decision to start at the earlier time of 8pm.

My own dancing classes are flying it. I'm in Ballymurphy on Mondays, Oylgate Tuesdays (which is turning out to be a fabulous class), The Woodford Dolmen Hotel on Wednesdays, and The Old Courthouse on Thursdays.

I start at 7pm now to cater for beginners.

All in all, dancing seems to have made a great recovery from what was a very bleak outlook during the pandemic. There always seems to be some kind of turmoil going on at any given time somewhere in the world and at the moment it's the war in Ukraine.

There are lots of dances being held around the country to raise money for the various funds to help support the Ukrainian people displaced from their homes. Our hearts, minds, and prayers go out to them.

So that's all from me folks for this month. I'll be back in June with more dancing news.

Until then, get on the dancing shoes and head out for as many dances as your legs will allow.

Yours truly, Declan Flanagan.

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Enniscorthy based broadcaster – a finalist at New York Radio Awards Congrats to Enniscorthy-based broadcaster and journalist Karen Tomkins who has been shortlisted for the international 2022 New York Festivals Radio Awards.

Karen is a finalist in the ‘Best Children/ Young Adult Program’ category for her series of children’s audio stories – Big Breakfast Little Stories on WLRfm. The Radio Awards received entries from radio stations, networks, and independent producers from over 30 countries around the globe. Among the finalists are global broadcasters including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, RTÉ Ireland, BBC, ABC Radio National Australia, Sky News radio and Paramount.

Waterford native Karen wrote, presented and produced the series of audio stories which aired on local Waterford radio station WLR. A mother of three children herself, Karen Tomkins wanted to give kids a voice on radio, a segment that was just for them and a platform that they could engage with and call their own. The 12-part series offered children the chance to star in their own radio story, which aired on The Big Breakfast Blaa every week.

Listeners sent in details of their children and, with their permission, Karen contacted parents to get a sense of who their child, or children were, and went recording and producing a weekly personal story – written all about them.

Some of the themes include children dealing with a learning disability, being bullied at school, LGBTQ+ families and missing out on so much during Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Karen has already won two national IMRO Radio Awards with WLR for her first two series of Big Breakfast Little Stories in 2020 and 2021.

Karen lives in Enniscorthy with her husband Shea and their three children Jack (14), Harry (11) and Daisy (5) Tomkins. Jack is in second year in FCJ Bunclody while Harry and Daisy go to Marshalstown NS. Karen has since gone on to work on other children’s audio projects. In 2021 she wrote

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and produced the ‘Story Bud?’, Five Word Fun, World News Day bulletins and Once Upon a Pine series with RTÉjr Radio. She also produces Two Halves on RTÉjr Radio – a kids soccer show presented by kids (her own sons Jack and Harry Tomkins).

“I absolutely love the creative side of broadcasting for children. My background is in the newsroom as a journalist and as a broadcaster and I’m always conscious that it’s really important not to forget our younger generation of discerning listeners. There are ways of communicating and interacting with younger children in radio that will encourage them to be the listeners of the future.”

On making the final shortlist at the New York Festivals Radio Awards she says, “It’s fantastic that there is a category for children’s programmes. I am humbled and honoured to be among the finalists from all around the world

and it’s fantastic to see a local station and an independent producer like me represented alongside national broadcasting corporations.

“I couldn’t get to a studio during lockdown so this series was all done at home – begging our dog not to bark and waiting for the noisy washing machine to spin before recording into a small microphone with my head under a duvet to recreate studio sound,” she laughs.

Karen has just set up a new business The Treasure Vox, recording people’s life stories as a professional audio documentary for their families to have as a special legacy for generations to come.

To listen to Big Breakfast Little Stories: https://www.wlrfm.com/lifestyle/listenback-big-breakfast-little-stories-on-the-bigbreakfast-blaa-183185 n

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MANHUNTER

Movie Review with Kyle Walsh  In this month’s movie review I’m stepping back into the 80s to review one of the best films I’ve ever sat down to watch. Michael Mann’s psychological thriller Manhunter.

Retired Will Graham is dragged back into action to track down a serial killer who kills whole families on nights with full moons. William Peterson as Will Graham is absolutely amazing. He has to get into the mind of the killer and with doing that he has to visit Hannibal Lector who he put away in his past. Lector played here by the great Brian Cox is one scary monster. He would make your skin crawl. Graham is hunting down the Toothfairy played here by the terrifying Tom Noonan.

It’s a game of cat and mouse throughout, will Graham catch his killer before it’s too late?

This film is based on the novel (Red Dragon) written by Thomas Harris and it has an ensemble cast of William Peterson, Dennis Farina, Brian Cox, Tom Noonan, and Joan Allen.

There is always a trick question thrown in on film quizzes which is, how many Hannibal Lector films are there? Almost all the time people get the answer wrong as they always forget or don’t know of the existence of this masterpiece, the very first Hannibal Lector film ever made, and quite simply the greatest Hannibal Lector film ever made.

The Silence of the Lambs is a great film with amazing performances and it won oscars and was very successful, but with all its glory it wouldn’t hold a candle towards Manhunter. Manhunter is a much superior movie which was released in 1986 – it was a B- movie, and it was only with its release throughout the decades on vhs and blu-ray that it got a cult following. Many fans rate it

better than The Silence of the Lambs and for me it’s not even open to question. I’m highlighting this film in this edition with the hope that people who haven’t watched it yet can seek it out and do yourselves a favour and watch it.

The acting throughout this film is exceptional. I watched it again the other night on blu-ray and found myself simultaneously invigorated and unnerved by the magnificence of Manhunter. It’s such an important film in my opinion and should be studied in film schools. Michael Mann’s directing is outstanding, the cinematography exceptional, one of the greatest soundtracks I have ever heard in a film. I cannot fault this movie on any level. It’s one of my all time favourite movies and I want everyone to watch it. This film is a true masterpiece of epic proportions and you will thank me for watching it. 10/10. n

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Boogying in Buncl

Easter Bunny with Ryan Halpin.

Bunclody Community Park Group Eas at Bunclody AFC, Saturday 9th A

Committee members Donna Kehoe and Mary Theresa McKeown with Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy at the Disco.

Makeup Artist Berna Ivory gives her full attention to young Simone Wolfe at the Bunclody Kids Disco on 9th April.

Disco goers: Richard Fitzgerald and Charlie Kelly at the Bunclody Community Park Group Easter Kids Disco in Bunclody.

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Joey Roche enjoying the Disco.

lody

SlaNey leiSure & lifeStyle All made up were Quinn Murphy and Roseleen Farrell at the Bunclody Disco.

What’s all this carry on? Kyle Murphy with his mam at the Disco.

ster Kids Disco April 2022.

‘I’m here with my mam’ – Ella Rose Meyler at the Disco with mam Amy.

Facepainting as artist Claire Breen makes up young Harpur Rose Kehoe watched by auntie Barbara-Anne Murphy at the Bunclody Disco.

Enjoying the Easter Disco at Bunclody AFC was Harper Rose Kehoe.

Family affair at the Bunclody Easter Kids Disco – Mia, Diane and Sophie Kehoe.

3rd May 2022 - Page 67

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The Fureys to play Wexford’s National Opera House Following their recent successful show at the Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey, The Fureys return to County Wexford next month (3rd June) for a show at the National Opera House, Wexford, where one again they will treat their audience to one of popular music’s richest legacies.

They are one of Ireland’s all-time most acclaimed and influential folk, traditional and middle of the road bands. Fureys’ classics like I Will Love You, When You Were Sweet 16, Red Rose Café, Leaving Nancy, The Old Man, From Clare to Here and The Green Fields of France have become the soundtrack to the lives of fans all over the world.

The Fureys’ indelible musical footprint is rivalled only by their vast collection of personal stories of their musical experiences and friendships, gathered by Eddie and George Furey along an amazing 44-year journey which shows no signs of reaching a final destination.

The Furey brothers were still trying to make it as folk singers in the late nineteen sixties when Eddie Furey shared flats with then fellow folk stars-in-waiting, Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty.

Eddie recalls: ‘It was quite a group to be living under the same roof and we had great fun. I bet the neighbours never slept with all the singing and drinking.’ So impressed were they by the quality of Gerry Rafferty’s songwriting at that time that they recorded his song, Her Father Didn't Like Me Anyway – now a Fureys’ classic.

Eddie and George Furey are particularly proud of their UK chart success with songs like I Will Love You and When You Were Sweet Sixteen, which in turn helped bring Irish folk and traditional music to a completely new audience. The band made their Top of the Pops debut in 1981. They ran into a problem when the show’s producers insisted that their own backing tape be replaced by a tape recorded by in-house musicians. The Fureys weren’t prepared to have music that wasn’t their own played to TV’s watching millions. George had a solution: ‘When they weren't looking, I replaced their tape with ours. No one knew I had switched them.’

The Fureys will jump at any chance to play... not just on stage.

Stories of the band striking up spur of the moment music sessions with fellow music stars who happen to be around are legendary. Joe Dolan, Philomena Begley, Tom O'Connor, Chris Rea, the Chieftains, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Liam Clancy and Sean Maguire are just a few of those who have joined The Fureys for their spontaneous sessions, each one with a story begging to be told.

Coronation Street, Royle Family, Keeping Up Appearances and Heartbeat star, the late Geoffrey Hughes, had a keen interest in Irish music and would play the bodhran with the band. He once joined the guys for a legendary all-night session in the Europa Hotel, Belfast, after starring in the Christmas pantomime at the Grand Opera House next door. The Fureys also struck up an unlikely music session with Kool & The Gang, Midge Ure (Ultravox) and other music co-stars backstage during an episode of Top of the Pops. There was a BBC strike and all of the show’s artists found themselves at a loose end. Alas, there are no recordings of how this fusion of styles came across.

Eddie Furey recalls how ‘many musicians have told us we influenced them after hearing a record from their parents or grandparents' collection’. One such musician was Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics. Dave started out as a stage-hand working in a theatre in the north east and credits Eddie with teaching him his first chords on the guitar. Eddie would return the compliment by joining Dave on stage in Paris for a jam during the latter’s wedding to Bananarama’s Siobhan Fahey.

Tickets available for the National Opera Hotel on www.nationaloperahouse.ie or the box office 053 9122144.

The Fureys video trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NffjeAiL-8U n

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Love the arts at your local library As part of the National Opera House Education and Community Programme a series of FREE Evening Classes in Arts Appreciation will take place in libraries throughout County Wexford in May 2022.

Malachy Robinson

Thursday, 5 May 7pm, Malachy Robinson (double bass/ violone/ guitar/banjo) in Bunclody Library.

Malachy Robinson is a dedicated chamber musician, passionate about communication.

Admission: Free.

Booking essential.

Selected musicians from the Programme will talk about their background, training, and life as professional musicians – their influences that include not only music but other art-forms, and of course, how they are now coming back into live performance since the relaxation of Covid restrictions. Live performance demonstrations of their instruments will also be part of the talks, together with an opportunity for questions at the end of the evening.

These informal events are suitable for anyone aged 18 upwards – no prior knowledge of music necessary!

Booking is essential as places are limited. n Elizabeth Drwal

An evening with Elizabeth Drwal – singer, vocal specialist and pianist in Wexford Library, Thursday 19th May at 7pm. Admission: Free.

Elizabeth Drwal is a vocal coach, vocal health specialist and leader of choral and opera workshops both in Ireland and the UK. She studied Music and Dance at Leeds University, Film at Goldsmiths College, London, and Vocal Studies with Glenville Hargraves at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. She also holds a Post Graduate Teaching Certificate and a MA in Vocal Pedagogy (Dist) from the University of Wales and Level 1 & 2 Estil voice training.

Duration: 1 hour approx.

Booking essential as places are booked on a first come, first served basis.

To book: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3884628 Call Wexford Library on 053 9196760 or email: wexfordlib@wexfordcoco.ie n

Booking: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3884509

Susan Doyle Thursday, 12 May 7pm, Susan Doyle (flautist) in Enniscorthy Library. Admission: Free. Booking essential.

Susan Doyle is flautist and founder member of the cutting-edge contemporary music group Crash Ensemble.

Susan will talk about her background, training and life as professional musician – her influences that include not only music but other artforms too and, of course, how she is now coming back into live performance since the relaxation of Covid restrictions.

Susan will give a live performance. Demonstrating her instrument will also be part of the talk, together with an opportunity for questions at the end of the evening.

This informal event is in conjunction with National Opera House Community and Education Programme and Wexford Local Development and is for anyone aged 18 upwards. No prior knowledge of music necessary!

Booking at: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3884713 n

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A Skull in Connemara: Andy Drama Group’s lastest play:

Andy Doyle, Liam Spratt and Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District.

L-R: Niall Holohan, Fintan Kelly, Jamie Murphy and Brendan Robinson.

Left: Director Pat Murphy. Right: EDG Chairman Liam Doyle.

L-R: Maeve Ennis, Mary and Jennifer Kelly.

L-R: Rónán P. Byrne, Jamie Murphy and Joan O’Rourke.

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L-R: Andy Doyle and Rónán P. Byrne.

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Doyle launches Enniscorthy Book now! Starts 4th May. A Skull in Connemara has been described as the forgotten sister of Martin McDonagh’s Leenane Trilogy, being less staged and less favoured with directors than its two theatrical siblings The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Lonesome West.

But all that is about to change, as Enniscorthy Drama Group, under the directorship of well known actor and musician Pat Murphy, gets ready to perform the play at the Presentation Arts Centre on 4th/5th/6th May. Like all McDonagh classics, there is wit, humour and darkness in A Skull in Connemara as it chronicles the rather gruesome trade of gravedigger Mick Dowd, who is charged each autumn with the dismal task of disinterring bones from the local cemetery, to make room for new tenants.

‘Drama is part and parcel of who we are here in Enniscorthy, and I am delighted to see it survive and thrive here in the town under EDG,’ Andy continued, remembering several occasions when he and MC for the event, Liam Spratt, strutted their stuff on the boards together.

Liam Spratt said that he very much looked forward to seeing the production and complimented Pat Murphy in the role of director, a new departure for the actor and musician.

The launch attended by Chairman of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Ca-

thal Byrne, Chair of Wexford County Council Barbara-Anne Murphy, heralded the return of drama to the Enniscorthy stage after the two year lockdown, as Chairman of EDG Liam Doyle invited all to sample delicious plates of piping hot colcannon made especially for the occasion, a gesture as welcome and unique as McDonagh himself.

A Skull in Connemara is at the Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, on 4th/5th/6th May. Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment by ringing the venue on 053 9233000. n

Paints a rather sombre picture, doesn’t it? Well, it gets worse, when Mick has to dig up the grave of his dead wife Oona, unearthing more than her bones in the process.

Launching the play at Enniscorthy Castle recently, renowned actor and director Andy Doyle described McDonagh’s genius as a mixture of Beckett, Synge and Tarrantino, and one of the most brilliantly talented playwrights of our time.

Andy praised the star-studded cast – Julie Fox, Jamie Murphy, Fergal Kelly and Rónán P Byrne, making the job easy for director Pat Murphy, Andy quipped, and applauded Enniscorthy Drama for continuing to nurture and sustain the wonderful tradition of drama in the town of Enniscorthy.

‘I can remember the very first performance I saw as a young boy here in Enniscorthy, at the Athenaeum, with characters like Harry Ringwood and Matty Kinnaird leaving a lasting impression on me.’

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Enjoying the Menopause!

A brand new show How to Get the Menopause & Enjoy It, written and performed by former Nualas comdeienne, Anne Gildea, will be presented on May 21st at The Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy. It has already created a stir during its initial sold-out run in Dublin.

Anne Gildea is waxing her moustache, slathering on the Oestrogel and boiling with excitement about bringing her hilarious new show to Enniscorthy.

Join her on this fabulous, informative, excursion through one of life’s last great mysteries – The Menopause!

What is it? Why does it happen? How come some women sail through it and it

Independent.ie 16th April, 2022

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turns others into off-the-scale nutjobs? Is there anything you can do about it? Why is it named after men? And why oh why is so little known about this inevitable phase of lady-life?

Anne answers all these questions and more as she rips through every angle and embraces Menopause’s greatest gift: THE SUPERPOWER OF NOT GIVING A S%@TE!

“Seriously funny and hilariously clever.”

“My ribs are sore from laughing.”

“There twice. Brilliant show.”

“So canny, funny, smart, on-point and hilarious. GO SEE IT!” “I wet myself.”

Anne Gildea is a comedienne and writer, known for her unique brand of humour.

A founder and member of the popular

Join Anne for this unique and hilarious show, it’s a classic in the making!

comedy-musical trio The Nualas, this

Audience comments:

to date – two hours with intermission.

“I haven't laughed so much for so long.”

“Outrageously and wonderfully funny.

She gets a conversation going instead of all the shushing everyone goes on with.”

new show is her most ambitious project

www.annegildea.com Check out the show’s video: https://youtu.be/mymJxBHcs9Y n

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Fundraising concert for Ukraine Enniscorthy Lions Club will host an all-star concert in St. Mary’s Church, Enniscorthy, on Saturday night, May 28th, in aid of the Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Fund. The concert was given the go-ahead at the April meeting of the Lions Club and a sub-committee has been appointed to oversee the event.

raise a substantial sum for the humanitarian aid project when staged on May 28th.

Meanwhile, Enniscorthy Lions Club and Enniscorthy & District Chamber of Commerce are continuing their joint efforts of sending badly needed supplies to the war torn region. To date, two juggernaut trucks have made the hazardous journey carrying medical supplies, hygiene products, food items and clothing for refugees fleeing the conflict. More, however, is needed. At a recent meeting, Lions Club President Dr. Mairead Kelly issued an urgent appeal to the people of Enniscorthy town and district to continue contributing as the need far exceeds what has been sent to date.

The best of Wexford talent is being asked to perform at the concert and already a number of household names have agreed to participate. The full list of participants will be announced shortly and tickets at €20 each will go on sale within a matter of days. This is the first major fundraising event for the Humanitarian Aid Lorna Mahon Wall Fund to take place in Enniscorthy and as such it is Items required include long-life food products, nappies, hycertain to be well supported. The concert will consist of a giene products, medical supplies and quality clothing, includwide variety of musical talent from instrumentalists to classiing blankets and footwear. The reception centre for receipt of cal singers with performers from all four corners of the county goods is the Christ Alive Church, Abbey Centre, which is open participating. Lorna Mahon Wall has been appointed Musical every afternoon to receive goods.

Director for the concert and as soloist at St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, Lorna needs no introduction to the general Meanwhile, Enniscorthy Lions Club recently welcomed six new public. members. The increased membership will allow the club to St. Mary’s Church is being made available by kind permission of Rev. Canon Nicola Halford, a member of the Lions Club, and with a seating capacity of close to 600, the concert is likely to

Mike Denver at the Riverside Park Hotel Mike Denver (‘The Galway Boy’), one of Ireland’s top entertainers, was born and raised in the town of Portumna in Co. Galway where he began singing from an early age and started touring at just 16 years old. Since then he has continuously honed his craft and and is now one of Ireland’s leading entertainers.

undertake additional activities for the betterment of the local community and the concert on May 28th is but the first of a planned series of events scheduled for 2022. n

Concert Tour 2022

RIVERSIDE PARK HOTEL ENNISCORTHY Sunday May 22nd 8pm Tickets at Hotel 053-9237800 and Ticketmaster.ie

Mike truly loves what he does and that is apparent to all who attend his live shows. He appreciates all his fans and and he can't wait to perform live in front of them again in the Riverside Park Hotel in Ennicorthy on 22nd May. n

Enniscorthy’s new summer festival Looking ahead.... Enniscorthy will host a new and exciting summer festival based on a number of existing festivals amalgamating to form one super festival offering top class food, music, and children’s entertainment.

This new festival will be called the Rockin’ Fruit & Food Festival and is scheduled to take place from Friday 29th July to Monday 1st August.

More details in our future issues. n

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Get the most from your device at Enniscorthy Library Are you aged 55 years or older and would like help using your laptop, phone or tablet?

Enniscorthy Library will provide a free, one-to-one, 20 minute help session to offer hints and tips on getting the most from your device (see graphic below).

Sessions will be held on Friday the 6th and 13th of May. Booking is essential. Places will be limited.

To book your place contact 053 9236055. Times will be confirmed with you individually. n

Taking a trip?

Click & Collect, an easy way to order and collect foreign currency, is available in Enniscorthy Credit Union. You can order online at the link below and collect in the office or phone in your order to 053-9233835. This service has 0% commission for members – another benefit of being an Enniscorthy Credit Union member. https://www.enniscorthycu.ie/services/foreign-exchange/ n

Wexford Public Libraries' YouTube Channel...

Make sure to check out Wexford Public Libraries' YouTube channel. Catch up with all the events you may have missed or would like to watch again, as well as handy guides and tutorials for accessing Wexford Public Libraries' e-services.

You can catch up on these talks on Wexford Public Libraries' YouTube Channel. n

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Four Wexford groups reach All-Ireland Drama Finals The All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals were held in the Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, in April, with Camross Drama Group taking to the stage on the opening night with their superb production of Kings of the Kilburn High Road by Jimmy Murphy, directed by Michael Stafford. Kilmuckridge Drama Group followed on 26th April with their lauded production of Synge’s classic The Playboy of the Western World.

And the great news is that Kilmuckridge won the overall award making them All-Ireland Confined Drama champions for 2022.

Anthony O’Connor, who also won Best Director, accepted the much coveted award on behalf of the large cast and crew.

The Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone is the home of the RTE All Ireland Drama Festival Open Section commencing on Thursday 5th May and ending with the awards night on Saturday 14th May. Competing will be two Wexford groups.

Bunclody-Kilmyshall Drama Group will take to the stage on Saturday, 7th May, with The Good Father by Christian O’Reilly – a two-hander featuring Pádraig D’Arcy and Mairead Connaughton, directed by Kieran Tyrrell. On 11th May, Kilrush Drama Group will present the Edinburgh Fringe First awardwinning ‘Class’ by Iseult Golden and David Horan and directed

by Pat Whelan – an explosive triple confrontation which is both funny and heart-breaking.

It is a tribute to the high standard of amateur drama in Co. Wexford that four groups from the county qualified for the All-Ireland Finals this year. And with one All-Ireland win now secured, hopes are high that a second All-Ireland can be secured in the Open Section. n

Elvis is in the building!

ONE FOR THE DIARY

The local team that brought us the incredibly successful ‘Buddy – the Buddy Holly Story’ in 2018 will be back with a brand new show this August featuring Elvis and The Big Bopper in ‘Rock 'n' Roll to the Rescue’. It tells the story of a young Elvis and JP Richardson. Trapped in small town America can they use their Rock 'n' Roll to save themselves? With a host of lovable and crazy characters and music that will have you hopping off the walls, don't miss out on Rock 'n' Roll to the Rescue. Featuring songs like, Stuck on You, Hound Dog, Reet Petite, Chapel of Love and many, many more ....

But first, the team will be holding a fundraising coffee morning on 6th of May in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, from 10am to 12 noon.

Rock 'n' Roll to the Rescue will be performed in aid of Pieta House so your support at the coffee morning would be most welcome. n 3rd May 2022 - Page 75

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CELEBRATING A DELI Briget Major and Mary Kearns enjoying the ten-year anniversary dinner in The Bailey on 22nd April.

Catherine Quigley and Helen Wildes at the ten-year anniversary dinner in The Bailey.

Ita Kinnard, Mary Kells and Tracey Cowman in The Bailey.

Enniscorthy’s Delightful Dollies celebrated their 10th Anniversary in Bellefield GAA complex on 20th April.

Pictured above are some of the members at the cutting of 10th Anniversary cake with club Chairperson Winnie Connolly in the middle.

The group also held a celebratory dinner in The Bailey, Enniscorthy, on 22nd April.

10th Anniversary Dinner in the Bailey: Mary Murphy and Breda Redmond.

Enniscorthy’s Delightful Dollies 10th Annivers Kay Leacy, Liz O’Brien and Ma Eileen Owens and Catherine Quigley.

Kathleen Hennessey, Kitty and Margaret O Brien.

Enniscorthy’s Delightful Dollies 10th Anniversary Dinner: Kathleen Cahill, Anne O’Brien and Liz O’Brien.

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Helen Wildes and Patricia Wheel

SlaNey leiSure SlaNey& ad lifeStyle SlaNey adS

IGHTFUL TEN YEARS Joan Peare and Mary Vardy.

Caroline Stamp, Breda Kirwan and Sally Murphy.

A group of Dollies enjoying the Anniversary Dinner in The Bailey.

Stephanie Murphy, Antoinette Davis and Theresa Ring.

sary Dinner in The Bailey: ry Sinnott.

er.

Delightful Dollies 10th Anniversary Dinner: Mary Millar, Mary Dobbs and Kathleen Hennessy.

Gertie Bolger and Kit Kenny.

Celine Fortune and Phil O’Neill.

Delightful Dollies 10th Anniversary Dinner in The Bailey, Enniscorthy, 22nd April. The Committee: Theresa O’Connor, Edel Kenny, Winnie O’Connor, Marion Morrissey and Winnie Connolly, Chairperson.

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Maria launches her new book Maria Nolan (right) with Edel Kelly who provided the wonderful and colourful food for the book launch.

Maria Nolan’s new book The Shadow of Freedom, her second novel about the McDonald family and Enniscorthy, is now available on Amazon in both Kindle and Paperback versions and in Easons in Enniscorthy. It is set during the War of Independence and Civil War in Enniscorthy.

A huge crowd turned out for the official launch which took place on 20th April in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, in the company of Maria’s family, authors Sheila Forsey and Caroline Busher, friends Anne Gilpin, Richie Cotter, Frank Corcoran, cover designer Larry Dunne, local politicians, Enniscorthy Historical Re-ennactment Society, and with an amzing spread of food provided by Maria’s friend Edel Kelly. n

Maria Nolan with Johnny Mythen TD at Maria’s book launch on 20th April in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy.

L-R: Anne Gilpin, Sheila Forsey, Caroline Busher, Ri Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan at Maria Nolan’s bo Some of the crowd present at Maria’s book launch in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy.

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SlaNey leiSure & lifeStyle L-R: Richie Cotter and Ann Callanan at Maria Nolan’s book launch on 20th April in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy.

L-R: Mary Walsh, Terri Foley, Jacqui Murphy, Maria Nolan, Maeve Doyle, Paula O’Shaughnesssy.

Above: Maria Nolan with her first novel ‘The Shadow of the Hill’ and her new novel ‘The Shadow of Freedom’.

Below: Maria with her new novel which is now on sale in Easons, Enniscorthy.

ichie Cotter and ook launch.

Presentation Centre staff Lisa Byrne and Larry Dunne looking forward to reading Maria’s new book.

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A foretaste of Wexford Literary Festival 2022 Wexford Literary Festival is delighted to announce that things are beginning to hot up for this year’s Festival weekend from 1st – 3rd July.

The hard-working Festival Committee are busy putting together a comprehensive, all embracing, wide ranging, Programme of Events incorporating the many forms of literature – Poetry, Prose, Drama, Film, Visual Art, and Spoken Word.

This year the Festival will be a Room & Zoom event, allowing viewing and participation from right around the world.

The Battle of Enniscorthy, between the Free State garrison at Enniscorthy Castle and Anti Treaty snipers at St. Mary’s Church and the Courthouse, raged for four days on the streets of the town from 1st – 4th July, exactly coinciding with our 2022 Festival.

We are currently engaged with developing a programme telling Enniscorthy’s story and the part it played in the birth of the Nation, through literature, visual art, and drama.

So, watch this space for further details of this exciting concept.

The Festival Committee is also developing and expanding literary links begun in 2021 with writers and poets in Savannah, Newfoundland, and Wales, further enhancing our international status and appeal.

Our 2022 Programme will also include events at the Wexford Arts Centre and Red Books, Wexford, and our annual Children’s Bookmark Competition kindly sponsored by Eason of Enniscorthy.

This year’s Festival’s theme, a century from the formation of the State, is historical, and our innovative Committee plan to incorporate the historic events of one hundred years ago into our Festival weekend.

Over the coming weeks, we will have details of the myriad of events planned for WLF 2022 and in due course we will be announcing the winners of our various prestigious competitions:

Maria Nolan, Secretary, Wexford Literary Festival

n The Colm Tóibín Short Story Award, n The Anthony Cronin Poetry Award, n The Eoin Colfer Children’s Short Story Award, n The Billy Roche One Act Play Award n Meet The Publisher Event.

For updates, news, etc make sure to visit our website www.wexfordliteraryfestival.com – Maria Nolan

Odd women out!

A lecture entitled ‘Odd Women Out: Waterford Playwrights Teresa Deevy and Rosamond Jacob’ will be given by speakers Dr Úna Kealy and Mr Aaron Kent on 19th May at 7pm in Enniscorthy Library.

In this lecture Dr Úna Kealy and IRC Postgraduate Scholar Aaron Kent discuss and explore the dramatic work of playwrights, Teresa Deevy (1896-1963) and Rosamond Jacob (1888-1960, Waterford women who resisted and countered the cultural and political momentum of their time. Both Deevy and Jacob were Waterford women who asked important questions of Irish society throughout their lives and through their work.

Close contemporaries and friends, they addressed similar issues in their writing and activism, although they did so from different cultural backgrounds. Both women wrote across a variety of literary forms but it was their plays in particular that went against the grain of popular sexist, discriminatory and

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patriarchal attitudes in the mid-twentieth century: they remain dynamic and relevant to twenty-first century audiences.

A growing body of theatre makers, researchers and historians, much like Deevy and Jacob’s contemporary critics, are discovering that these writers offer valuable insights into Irish society and that their plays have much to say to contemporary audiences.

Booking is essential: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3885404 n

SlaNey artS Helen Woods, Gorey

Rhian Foley, Wexford town

Brendan Rossiter, Barntown

Jane Kent, Wexford town

Co. Wexford’s generous artists A total of 38 big-hearted Wexford artists generously donated their art for the recent Incognito 2022 sale in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation which took place on Thursday April 21st.

Among the Wexford artists taking part this year were Bernadette Doolan from Enniscorthy, Helen Woods from Gorey, Brendan Rossiter from Barntown, and Claire Hobbert, Rhian Foley and Jane Kent from Wexford town.

Incognito is Ireland’s biggest online art sale and this year celebrated its sixth year. What makes Incognito different to other art sales is that the buyer has no idea who the artist is until after the sale closes.

This year there were over 1,200 artists taking part from 18 different countries all over the world including Australia, Canada, Estonia, France, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, UK, and the USA to name just a few. n

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Last chance to catch major exhibition running at Wexford County Council HQ Making and Momentum: In Conversation with Eileen Gray, curated by Richard Malone, is running until 13th May at Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford, Y35 WY93.

Making and Momentum: In Conversation with Eileen Gray

Wexford’s award-winning designer Richard Malone's homage to Enniscorthy’s internationally renowned architect and designer Eileen Gray features in an exhibition Making and Momentum: In Conversation with Eileen Gray which is now running at Wexford County Council until 13th May 2022. n

Curated by Richard Malone Featuring work by Sara Flynn, Laura Gannon, Mainie Jellet, Nellie Malone, Richard Malone, Niamh O’Malley, Ceadogán Rugs and Mourne Textiles.

4th April – 13th May, 2022 Wexford County Council, Carricklawn Wexford, Y35 WY93 Opening Launch: Friday 1st April at 6pm All welcome to attend.

Wexford County Council is excited to present Making and Momentum: In Conversation with Eileen Gray, a touring exhibition curated by award winning Irish artist and designer, Richard Malone. The group exhibition, which celebrates the work of Eileen Gray and the influence of Irish art and design worldwide, launched at Roquebrune, France in June 2021 and travelled to the National Museum of Ireland last September. It will run at Wexford County Council from Monday, 4th April to Friday, 13th May, 2022.

The exhibition ambitiously places equal importance on the artist, artisan and maker - observing the creative spirit present in developing an independent visual language; removing the rigid definitions and categories of art making, much like Eileen Gray’s own practice. Gray, who was born in Brownswood, Enniscorthy in 1878, was a pioneer of the Modernist movement and one of the most celebrated and influential designers and architects of the last century.

As part of this exhibition, Wexford County Council in partnership with Richard Malone and supported by Creative Ireland, will host a programme of workshops, talk and events for the general public and various communities of interest to engage with contemporary craft in Wexford focusing on work that is inspired by Eileen Gray’s legacy. ………………………………………………………………………………………………

Artist and designer, Richard Malone, collaborated with Association Cap Moderne (the custodians of E-1027) to curate and exhibit some of Ireland's leading visual art makers. The exhibition is in celebration of Gray's phenomenal global influence across artistic disciplines - from weaving and rug making to metalwork and painting.

Each artist and artisan has been selected for their multidisciplinary and experimental approach to making. The group represents an award winning selection of some or Ireland's most prominent artists with numerous accolades amongst them, such as the Royal Hibernian Academy commission, the Loewe Craft Prize and the International Woolmark Prize.

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Above: Richard Malone with one of the pieces on exhibit. Below: Eileeen Gray.

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At Enniscorthy POETRY D AY w i t h Maria N Library... olan To celebrate Poetry Day, Thursday 28th April, the Wexford Book Centre invited lovers of verse to mark the occasion with well known poet Joe Neal.

The loquacious Welsh word-wizard delighted the Book Centre gathering with lyrical pieces, such as Changing of the Light, Music of the Night, Heron, Centurion, Ragtime Cowboy, The Books that Fell on Me, Disco Days, and many other gems from his diverse collections.

On the third Thursday of every month the Adult Book Club meets in Enniscorthy Library at 7pm.

New members welcome. If you are interested in going along please contact Enniscorthy library on 053 9236055. n

One of my particular favourites, Ruined Cabin, which won the Anthony Cronin Poetry Award at the Wexford Literary Festival, had me enthralled as Joe explained how he happened on a cabin in the woods on a trip to West Virginia.

A tree stump with the axe still standing upright, an old bango, and a homemade wheelchair, captured the poetic genius in Joe as he sat alone for two whole hours contemplating who might have lived there, and where they might have gone so suddenly.

As he mused the subject, a name came to him like a ghostly whisper on the autumn breeze and the character Bartle John was born.

What a beautiful tale and a lovely tribute to the person who once inhabited the old cabin, whatever his name was.

On the last Thursday of every month the Slaney Writers Group meets in Enniscorthy Library at 7pm.

Poetry readings give the audience a chance to delve into the magical tales behind the verse and into the artistic musings of the poet’s mind.

New members welcome. If you are interested in going along please contact Enniscorthy library on 053 9236055. n

Well done Joe and Wexford Book Centre for the opportunity to hear not just your melodious words but the stories that created them.

– Words & Pics Maria Nolan Joe Neal – the loquacious Welsh wordwizard.

‘The Cliffhangers’ Junior Book Club is back in the Enniscorthy branch for its monthly meetings – usually the last Thursday of the month. Currently the children are reading ‘Scavengers’ by Darren Simpson. It’s a great way to try new authors and genres and there is no pressure to read aloud.

New members are always welcome. If you would like your child to join, please contact 053 9236055 for more information. Suitable for ages 8–12. n

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Wexford soprano to star in prestigious opera festival The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF), Ireland’s unmissable summer opera, is returning on a high note for seven magical days from 31st of May to the 6th of June 2022.

The festival, which attracts more than 3,000 people to Waterford and the Blackwater Valley region each year, has embarked on an even bigger celebration of opera, classical music, and the arts than ever before.

Artistic Director Dieter Kaegi has developed a creative and imaginative programme for all to enjoy during its 13th season. BVOF will showcase emerging Irish talent alongside established international artists and rising stars, to bring opera to life in a variety of unique and stunning locations like Lismore Castle, Salterbridge House, St Carthage’s Cathedral, Villierstown Church and Tourin House along the beautiful Blackwater Valley.

Kelli-Ann Masterson – the accomplished soprano from Wexford – will be performing in the headline opera Orfeo ed Euri-

dice which runs from 1st to the 5th of June at Lismore Castle.

Kelli-Ann is an alumna of the ABL Irish National Opera Studio 2019/2021 and of Northern Ireland Opera Studio 2018/2019.

In 2019 Kelli-Ann was awarded the Wexford Festival Opera Healy Bursary and the WFO & PwC Emerging Artist Bursary.

Kelli-Ann made her Wexford Festival Opera debut in 2019 singing the role of La Fée in Viardot’s Cendrillon where she was praised for her ‘essentially sparkling performance’. In autumn that year, KelliAnn made her debut with the RTE Concert Orchestra.

Recent engagements include performances with Irish National Opera.

Kelli-Ann has completed a Bachelor of Music Education Degree at Trinity College, Dublin, followed by a Masters in Music Performance at The DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, now TU Dublin Conservatoire. n

140 exhibiting artists from all over Wexford and Ireland.

Exhibition runs until 17th May, 2022.

A brand new adult art class is coming to Enniscorthy, starting May 11th and running for 5 weeks. Perfect for beginners!

The Presentation Centre Convent Road, Enniscorthy Co. Wexford, Y21 X889 Phone: 053 92 33000

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http://kelliannmasterson.com www.blackwatervalleyoperafestival.com

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Caroline’s creative masterclass Enniscorthy Library welcomes author Caroline Busher for a Creative Writing Masterclass on Friday 20th May at 11am.

Whether you are already writing a novel or want to know where to begin, Irish Times Best Selling author Caroline Busher will give you her top tips for success. The workshop will consider the importance of setting, characterisation, plot, dialogue and how to build tension in writing. Participants will be given the opportunity to discuss their work and advice on getting their work published.

Booking is essential: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3882276 n

Ireland’s finest jazz & blues performer MARY COUGHLAN, Saturday, 21 May 2022, 8pm, Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely.

If your music of choice is blues or jazz, you can’t fail to be moved by the emotional depth, expression and power in Mary Coughlan’s voice, forged from an extraordinary life.

Mary has carved out a timeless musical career, with a legion of devoted fans worldwide. It has been said that, “To hear Mary sing is truly to be at the core of the human heart.” n

Wexford Public Libraries Social Media: Follow Wexford Public Libraries on Facebook Follow Wexford Public Libraries on Instagram @wexfordlibraries Follow Wexford Public Libraries on Twitter @wexlibraries Look for videos on YouTube "Wexford Public Libraries"n

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SlaNey SlaNey food ad & driNk

Sundays are made for Afternoon Tea at Ferrycarrig Hotel Sunday afternoons are for Afternoon Tea at Ferrycarrig Hotel in Wexford with the hotel having recently launched not one, but three brand new Sunday Afternoon Tea options: their amazing ’Sunday Afternoon Tea’, their ‘Vegetarian Afternoon Tea’ and their ‘Vegan Afternoon Tea’. Talk about choice!

Everything on each menu is created in-house or locally sourced from the region's top-quality artisanal producers.

Each Sunday afternoon, the beautifully appointed Reeds Restaurant at Ferrycarrig is transformed into a haven where guests can enjoy Afternoon Tea in a cosy atmosphere with majestic views of the River Slaney and live piano music.

The Ferrycarrig kitchen team, who have been decorated with two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence and also named the top hotel restaurant in Wexford and in the top five hotel restaurants in Leinster at the Restaurants Association of Ireland awards, has ensured that only the best superior local producers are used to create this delicious new menus.

Diners can enjoy a delicious range of sandwiches including Brioche Bun with Truffle Chicken Mayonnaise; Ballyhack Smoked Salmon with Pickled Cucumber on Ferrycarrig Guinness Brown Bread; Egg and Chive Mayonnaise on White; Irish Ham with Tomato Relish on Brown; and a Warm Irish Pork and Apple Sausage Roll.

Guests can also indulge in a selection of homemade cakes and pastries including individual Classic Battenberg Cake; Lemon Curd Tart, White Chocolate and Berry Mousse; Decadent Triple Chocolate and Hazelnut Brownie; Mirror Glazed Strawberry Cheesecake; and Praline Chocolate and Hazelnut Truffle.

Along with a selection of warm scones served with whipped cream and, of course, Wexford preserve.

The Vegan Afternoon Tea Menu offers guests a delicious array of tea sandwiches including Waldorf Salad Mayonnaise; Smashed Avocado and Mature Cheddar; Smoked Tofu and Rainbow Coleslaw; Tomato, Garlic & Chive ‘Vierge’ Crostini; and a Vegan Sausage Roll.

Warm Scones with Wexford Preserve and Coconut Cream are served along with treats like a Vegan Chocolate Brownie; Homemade Flapjacks; Praline Chocolate and Hazelnut Truffle; a Raspberry Frangipane Tart; and an Aqua Fabba Meringue with Fruit Compote.

The Vegetarian Afternoon Tea offers tea sandwiches including Waldorf Salad Mayonnaise with Brioche Bun; Smashed Avocado and Mature Cheddar; Egg & Chive Mayonnaise on White; Tomato, Garlic & Chive ‘Vierge’ with Guinness Bread; and a Vegetarian Sausage Roll.

Sweet treats include Classic Battenberg Cake; Lemon Curd Tart, White Chocolate and Berry Mousse; Decadent Triple Chocolate and Hazelnut Brownie; Mirror Glazed Strawberry Cheesecake; and Praline Chocolate and Hazelnut Truffle. And of course warm scones with Wexford Preserve and Whipped Cream.

All Sunday Afternoon Teas are served with a great selection of traditional and infused loose teas from Kingfisher Teas of Wexford including Darjeeling, Earl Grey Blue Flower, Irish Breakfast Tea, Japanese Sencha Green Tea and Rooibos Lemon (caffeine free).

The Sunday Afternoon Tea at Ferrycarrig Hotel is priced at €25 per person and is served from 2 pm to 4 pm. And for those who enjoy some ‘bubbles’ with their Afternoon Tea – there’s a range of options starting from €4.50.

For reservations call 053-9120999 or see www.ferrycarrighotel.ie Please note: If you wish to opt for the Vegan or Vegetarian options it is important to let the hotel know in advance. n

The ‘Slaney News’ can wholeheartedly recommend the Ferrycarrig Hotel’s new Sunday Afternoon Tea having thoroughly enjoyed our experience there on a recent Sunday. The food was wonderful, the portions copious, the staff and General Manager Derek Coyne so attentive, prize-winning Head Chef Tony Carty made sure to check in with all diners to see if everybody was happy, and of course the wonderful Fintan Cleary live on piano, all made it an afternoon to remember.

Our advice is to book early – telephone in advance on 053-9120999.

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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

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First strawberries at Wheelocks

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Above: Cyril Wheelock picking some of this year’s first strawberries at Wheelocks Fruit Farm, Enniscorthy.

Below: Some of the staff at Wheelocks proudly showing the new season’s impressive crop now on sale at the Village at Wheelocks.

SlaNey food & driNk

Jackford wins bronze at international event Congratulations to Enniscorthy’s Jackford Irish Potato Gin which recently was awarded a bronze medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2022.

This is Jackford’s fourth award in this competition and hopefully more to come.

The International Wine & Spirit Competition has been awarding medals to the world’s best wines and spirits for over 50 years. The aim is to reward excellence in wines and spirits worldwide, ensuring recognition for the very best wines and spirits.

Community food growing initiative This year the Energia and GIY 'Get Ireland Growing' initiative aims to sow the seed of community food growing by giving away 300 community growing starter kits across Ireland worth €42,500.

Due to Covid-19, people are re-evaluating how important local communities are for physical and mental wellbeing. As Ireland continues to reopen and normalise, Energia and GIY hope to encourage communities to regenerate green spaces in their local areas and further re-ignite community spirit and connection.

How to get involved:

Irish author and wellness advocate, Caroline Foran, has launched the Energia Get Ireland Growing campaign for its sixth year running, to help raise awareness around the benefits and joy of community growing. This year Energia is giving away 300 community growing starter kits across Ireland worth €42,500. Register now for your chance to win at GetIrelandGrowing.ie

If you are already part of a community group, for example a residents’ association, a Men’s Shed, a Tidy Town Association, a parents’ association, or an environmental community network, now is your chance to bring food growing into your group activities.

If you are not yet part of a community group, you can still take part. Bring the idea to a friend group – bring seeds along to the coffee morning or evening book club. Then, plan your activities.

You could plant in each other’s gardens or host a growing morning together to swap seedlings. You could go one step further and see if there is a local vegetable patch in your community or a local star grower that you can learn from. And connect with your county council.

To register with 'Get Ireland Growing' and be in for the chance of winning a Community Growing Kit that contains seeds to share with your group, please visit www.getirelandgrowing.ie n

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New Bord Bia CEO Bord Bia has announced that Michael Murphy will assume the role of Interim CEO in June. He will work alongside Tara McCarthy, who is stepping down in June, until her departure.

Bord Bia is the Government agency responsible for the promotion of the Irish food, drink and horticulture industries around the world.

Mr Murphy has worked in Bord Bia for over 20 years and has progressed from managing its London office to leading its European office network and was Markets Director for nine years.

Mr Murphy is also a former Wexford Food Family member. n

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Michael Murphy, Bord Bia.

SlaNey buSiNeSS & fiNaNCe

Wexford architect’s international award Wexford town based practice, Isabel Barros Architects, has won the Corporate LiveWire Global Award for Ireland’s Architecture & Design Firm of the Year.

Isabel Barros

The Corporate Livewire Awards recognise small and medium-sized businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past 12 months. This edition saw more than 30,000 nominations submitted from over 30 countries around the world.

The judging panel base their decisions upon areas such as service excellence, quality of the product/service provided, innovative practices, value, ethical or sustainable methods of working, as well as consistency in performance.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be the 2022 award winner for the Republic of Ireland”, said Isabel Barros, “this is a testament to the hard work, dedication and perseverance over the last 12 years.”

The judging panel was particularly impressed by the environmental focus that is prevalent in the company’s designs, and recognised their consistent work towards implementing netzero carbon emissions within their projects.

A graduate of Lusíada University in Lisbon, Portugal, Isabel is a Senior Architect with over 25 years experience. She is a registered member of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and she holds Accreditation in Conservation at Grade 3.

Isabel Barros Architects is a Registered Practice of The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI).

Isabel Barros: 053 91 689 42 / 087 91 92 550 www.isabelbarrosarchitects.ie More information available at https://isabelbarrosarchitects.ie/blog/architecture-designfirm-of-the-year/ n

Enniscorthy North Business District (Old Dublin Road) The final masterplan was completed in October 2021. A contract for the initial phase 1 works was advertised in January 2022, these works include new footpath, pedestrian crossings, new entry signage and landscaping.

The tender evaluation process is underway and it is expected that the Phase 1 works contract will be awarded within days, and that work can commence within weeks.

A grant application has also been forwarded to the NTA for Phase 2 works. n

Enniscorthy and District Chamber Black Tie Ball in the Riverside Park Hotel on 16th April, L-R: Dr. Mairead Kelly, Derek Nally and Helen Barron.

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Rosslare Europort – gateway to Europe & offshore renewable energy hub

o t l a i t n e Pot

! s b o j 0 0 0 , 2 e t a cre

Earlier in this issue (pages 22-23) we report on Brittany Ferries introduction of a tourism-oriented ship ‘Galicia’ on their Rosslare-Bilbao route from November of this year onwards. This follows a history-making 2021 which saw Rosslare Europort become Ireland’s number one port for direct RoRo/Pax services to Europe. But there’s lots more in the pipeline to drive the future economic development of the port and the region.

Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann (Port Authority for Rosslare Europort) and Rosslare Europort General Manager Glenn Carr welcomed an exciting group of movers and shakers to the port on 22nd April 2022 including Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne TD, Director of Ireland South East Development Office, Alan Quirke, Head of Policy from Wind Energy Ireland, Niall Goodwin, Head of Wexford Campus of Institute of Technology Carlow Dr Karen Hennessy, and Assistant Director New Works from Iarnród Éireann Ciaran Browne to the port to discuss Rosslare Europort’s role as Ireland’s Gateway to Europe and its vision to become Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub with the potential to create 2,000 jobs.

The Offshore Renewable Energy hub plan represents an investment estimated at €200 million, and will be aligned with existing developments such as: Rosslare Europort Masterplan, including port digitalisation: These works will reflect its status as Ireland’s Gateway to Europe and will include new freight and passenger facilities, storage, export and import facilities, berth extension. Matching the port’s physical transformation, a digitalisation of systems and operations is also planned which will deliver a better, more effective and more efficient Port.

Page 92 - 3rd May 2022

Office of Public Works Project T7, to develop a permanent Border Control Post within the port, to provide the facilities and systems for all aspects of Border Control.

New TII N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road will ensure a better experience for port users and enhance quality of life for those living and working in the area by taking trucks out of the village and improving access and connectivity to the port.

In total, these developments and the ORE Hub plan will see a total of €350 million invested in the port and its environs.

Rosslare Europort is already working to be Ireland’s ORE hub: Expert ORE consultants have been appointed to bring the project to planning.

Financial consultants appointed to develop the detailed business case and funding options.

Application submitted to the EU Connecting Europe Facility for 50% co-funding for the studies and designs for planning; an application supported by government, local authorities of the south east, business chambers, IBEC, Waterford Port and the offshore industry.

Rosslare Europort is actively engaging with all the potential developers that will be involved in OSW (Offshore Wind) and have undertaken comprehensive surveys and engagements with them to understand the industry requirements and gain support for the Rosslare project.

Discussions have also taken place regarding a potential start-up facility that could be available from late 2023 at Fisherman’s Quay in the port on a limited basis. This would offer the industry some port capacity while the transition to the main facility is completed. n

SlaNey buSiNeSS & fiNaNCe

Huge boost for Rosslare BRITTANY FERRIES BOOST FOR ROSSLARE WITH NEW CRUISE-FERRY TO SPAIN FROM NOVEMBER (see pages 22-23 for full story) Below: Cillian Rossi, Second Secretary (Economic and Commercial Affairs), Irish Embassy Paris; James Browne TD, Minister of State at the Dept Justice; Billy Byrne, Tourism Development Officer, Wexford County Council; Christophe Mathieu, CEO Brittany Ferries; Siobhan McManamy, Director of Markets, Tourism Ireland; Maria Nolan, Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society; Jean-Marc Roué, President Brittany Ferries; Marianne Barkan-Cowdy, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France in Ireland; Senator Malcolm Byrne; Rubén López Pulido, Director Tourism Office of Spain in Dublin, Embassy of Spain in Ireland.

Above: Billy Byrne, Tourism Development Officer, Wexford County Council; Christophe Mathieu, CEO Brittany Ferries; Monica MacLaverty, Manager Southern Europe, Tourism Ireland; Jean-Marc Roué, President Brittany Ferries; Aileen Dowling, Wexford Officer, Ireland’s Ancient East, Fáilte Ireland; James Browne TD, Minister of State at the Department of Justice.

3rd May 2022 - Page 93

SlaNeySlaNey buSiNeSS & fiNaNCe SlaNeyNewS ad

Wexford Local Enterprise Office (LEO) upcoming events Right: Breege Cosgrave, Acting Head of Enterprise and Economic Development, Local Enterprise Office, Wexford County Council.

Local Enterprise Office, Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford.

053 919 6020. info@leo.wexfordcoco.ie https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford/ n

To book: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford/

Green for Micro

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

Page 94 - 3rd May 2022

SlaNey petS

MOYNE VETERINARY HOSPITAL Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy.

T: (053) 9233187, 9236674.

F: (053) 9236674.

E: moynevet@gmail.com

VET DIARY FOR MAY NeW BegiNNiNgs! May is, to me, one of the most magical months of the year.... Everything is coming into leaf, the apple and fruit tree blossoms spread another dash of colour, and the bluebells in the forest just bring that magic touch to your eye... It’s a feast of colour that is everything good about life... the cycle of renewal, of rebirth, that brings hope and a new sense of optimism to our lives.

In the practice, we've also had changes and are delighted to welcome a new vet to the team. Tabitha is a Dublin graduate and has worked in Waterford in the very pretty town of Lismore, so I hope she enjoys working with the well established team we have already. She has worked in 'mixed practice' (which is a term for both farm animal and small animal) up to now and so will dovetail well into our setup as we have a wide and varied range of animals under our care from dairy cows, beef, sheep to race horses, show jumpers to the smaller creatures like dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.

Each brings its own challenges and its own magic and as mixed animal practitioners you need a wide and varied skillset to meet the many demands and factors to bring cases to a successful conclusion. There's a great book called 'The Four Agreements' and the four agreements are: 1. Always do your best; 2. Be impeccable with your word; 3. Don't assume any-

with Joe Kavanagh of the Moyne Veterinary Hospital thing and; 4. Don't take anything personal. I often think this is a great road map for young vets to aspire to. You can only do your best and then hand it over to the good Lord, as they say!

Every day brings challenges but if we look to these as opportunities to learn, expand our knowledge and our skillsets, then little by little we build a firm foundation to work from.

We have introduced the full range of Royal Canin dog and cat food to the shop. This includes special diets for digestive, kidney, liver, skin conditions and for obesity. This is an exciting time partnering up with Royal Canin and the team have been trained up to help with any queries about these new products.

Also, we are hoping to introduce an appointment system for consultations phasing it in over the next month or so. In time all consults will be done on an appointment basis but we will try bringing this in over a bit of time to make the transition a little smoother for you...

It’s another new chapter in the practice and, as we look to the future, it’s the young vets with the energy and enthusiasm that help make it a bright future. As Mother Nature now comes into full bloom we revel in the colour she brings and it brings a skip in our step as we begin another phase in the practice. 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

3rd May 2022 - Page 95

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

MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS Mercedes-Benz has returned with a new generation of the perennial C-Class.

This car is undoubtedly a pillar of the Mercedes-Benz brand, with a strong lineage that comes from a time when saloon was king. These days saloons are under pressure from SUVs – but the timeless quality of the C-Class means it's a car that still has plenty of relevance in today's market. In the last decade, the C-Class was the highestvolume Mercedes-Benz model, with over 11 million sold worldwide.

There are two themes the motor industry loves right now – digitisation and electrification. Naturally, the new C-Class touches both. It's electrified thanks to plug-in hybrid and mild hybrids to improve effi-

MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS

Page 96 - 3rd May 2022

ciency. Inside there is also a significant improvement to digitisation with a new display and operating concept adopted from the latest S-Class.

The new C-Class goes on sale in Ireland priced from €57,580 for a C 200 d (diesel), from €59,385 for a C 180 (petrol), and from €68,430 for the C 300 e (plug-in hybrid). It's available as a Saloon or Estate.

For this new generation, the C-Class has a new look inspired by the S-Class but with more sporty and dynamic proportions. For the first time the rear lamps have a twopiece design. The C-Class undoubtedly has kerb appeal, especially in AMG Line trim, with further sporty enhancements to the interior.

Inside, the C-Class manages to feel even more luxurious than before. Cool ambient lighting sets the tone, while the new aviation style air vents give a sporty feel to the interior. Leather upholstery comes as standard. The dashboard and central display are also now slightly tilted towards the driver.

Other highlights include latest generation MBUX infotainment and ‘Hey Mercedes’ multimedia systems with voice-activation and touch screen functions, alongside a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster. All models get a stunning portrait style, 11.9 inch media display in the centre of the dash.

Ventilation controls are now accessed through the screen, but it’s quite simple to use.

SlaNey motoriNg Driver comfort and safety features include distance assist, steering assist, lane keeping assist, improved surround sensors, emergency braking functions, and a feature that can detect and raise the body height in anticipation of a collision.

Slightly longer and wider than the car it replaces, the new C-Class has improved headroom, elbowroom and kneeroom for passengers. A large transmission tunnel in the rear means it’s a car most comfortable for two adults in the back. There’s 455 litres of boot space in the Saloon, rising to 490 litres in the C-Class Estate for even more practicality.

The engine range at launch includes four cylinder petrol and diesel models, which all come with mild hybrid technology and an excellent 9-speed automatic transmission.

The C 200 d for example uses a 2.0-litre diesel engine to produce 163 hp and 380 Nm. It offers healthy if not stunning performance in the new C-Class, but there’s also the more powerful C 220 d available.

Efficiency is good with my average fuel consumption over a week of driving working out at 5.5 litres per 100 km. The insulation of the car gives you a nice buffer from the sound of the diesel engine. The new plug-in hybrid can be charged and driven electric now for over 100 km.

Interior

On the road the Mercedes-Benz C-Class shows where your money goes with a beautiful ride comfort balanced with an athletic turn through corners and precise steering. The 3 Series would still have the edge on overall driver involvement. But the C-Class is a tidy performer with a lush cabin experience and smooth ride that makes you forgive it anything it might lack!

This latest C-Class is an elegant return for the popular compact Mercedes saloon.

Clever styling and packaging means that it many ways, it's a junior S-Class. It cer-

tainly has presence on the road with the technology on board to back it up. It stands out for comfort and refinement, keeping the market alive for premium compact saloons.

Model tested: Mercedes-Benz C 200 d Saloon AMG Line Price: €61,196 Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel Power: 163 hp Torque: 380 Nm 0-100km/h: 7.7 seconds Top speed: 230 km/h CO2 emissions: 120 g/km Motor tax: €190 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.

3rd May 2022 - Page 97

SlaNey SlaNey Sport ad

Enniscorthy track – running behind schedule!

The first phase of the Enniscorthy Sports Hub consisting of an international standard running track was constructed in 2015. Phase 2 of the project consisting of a sports equipment storage area, changing rooms, toilets, showers and a small office was granted funding of €300,000 from the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport in 2020 with construction work due to start in late 2021. That timeline is unfortunately well behind schedule.

We understand now that approval of tender documents has been received from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, so Wexford County Council can now proceed to tender later this month.

The Sports Hub facility is being well used by individuals and sports clubs around the county who appreciate the benefits of this international-standard facility here in Enniscorthy. n

Rapparees/Starlights Presentation

Jim O’Brien, from SPAR Blackwater, presenting John Murray from Wexford Swimming Club with a cheque for €1,000 as part of the SPAR Honour Your Mentor initiative, which was launched

by Kellie Harrington to stimulate community spirit and recognise local heroes like John in communities all around Ireland.

Shamrock Rovers Youths reach Final On 27th March, Enniscorthy’s Shamrock Rovers Youths travelled to Dundalk to take on Walshestown FC in the Leinster Youths Cup semi-final, securing a superb victory by 4-1. Unfortunately the club were beaten in the Leinster Final on that same scoreline by St Joseph’s AFC, Sallynoggin. A great achievement nonetheless by Shamrock Rovers Youths to reach that final. n

Above: Chairman Ger McVeigh, Senior hurling Manager Declan Ruth and Senior Football Manager Anthony Russell. Below: Chairman Ger McVeigh and Hurling Manager Declan Ruth present framed photo of Senior Hurling Champions 2021 to Club Sponsor Sam McCauley.

Pics: Maria Nolan. See more on pages 102-103.

Look out for the special tribute video to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nickey Rackard. It was published on all Wexford GAA social media channels on April 28th (Rackard's birthday). Great credit due to all involved in the making of it.

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SlaNey Sport

Croke Park is world’s first age-friendly stadium!

Croke Park was recently announced as the first Age Friendly stadium in the world.

Wexford was represented at the event

by Cathaoirleach Barbara-Anne Murphy, Mayor Garry Laffan, WCC Age Friendly Programme Manager Ann Marie Laffan, Wexford Older People’s Council Chairperson Kevin Molloy and Wexford Age Friendly Ambassador Tony Dempsey.

The stadium has improved its accessibility, including access routes, accessible seating and signage. In addition it has committed to delivering age-friendly training for staff as well as discounted tickets for older fans. Older people form a large part of the stadium’s workplace and volunteer workforce. Actions are also being implemented across the wider GAA community, including in Wexford, to ensure that older people continue to feel included as part of the GAA community. Initiatives such as the GAA’s Social Initiative, its Health and Wellbeing work and the GAA volunteer response to Covid, demonstrate the association’s commitment to being Age Friendly.

Tony Dempsey receiving the presentation of Age Friendly Ambassador status from Dr Thiago Herick De Sa from the World Health Organisation and Catherine McGuigan from Age Friendly Ireland.

An Age Friendly Ambassador for each county was also announced at the prestigious event, with Tony Dempsey taking up that particular role in Co. Wexford.

Tony will help to promote the work that Wexford County Council and partner organisations in the state and voluntary sectors are doing to make Co. Wexford a better place for older people to live. n

L-R: Wexford Older People’s Council Chairperson Kevin Molloy, Wexford Age Friendly Ambassador Tony Dempsey, Cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Mayor Garry Laffan and WCC Age Friendly Programme Manager Ann Marie Laffan.

3rd May 2022 - Page 99

SlaNey SlaNey Sport ad

Enniscorthy’s journey to success This article is largely based on a piece written by Enniscorthy Rugby Club Chairman Paul McCrea. We thank him for his kind permission to make use of his piece.

Enniscorthy Rugby's recent exciting journey commenced in 2018/19 season under the captaincy of Tom Ryan when the club won the Leinster League which gave them entry into the play-offs. Play-offs are always a nervous time and the club had been there before, ultimately losing out to Sligo in the bid for AIL (All Ireland League) status. However, on this occasion, under director of rugby John Spud Murphy, coaches Declan O'Brien and Kieran Hurrell, Enniscorthy made a clean sweep of matches defeating Instonians, Clonmel and finally clinching the coveted AIL spot by victory over Connemara All Blacks on the exposed Atlantic coast.

Senior status had now been attained by, without doubt, the most talented bunch of players who have ever represented Enniscorthy Rugby Club.

There was some ambivalence in the club about the logistics of managing the demands of senior status in a provincial club but officers and committee felt that coaches and players had done their bit in gaining senior status and it was now their job to deal with logistics.

The work began immediately with a new main sponsor for the grounds and jerseys in the form of Alcast and Hill Autos, thanks to Padraic Donohoe. Other sponsors included Pettitt’s Supermarket, Riverside Park Hotel, P.E. Kelly Insurance and John A. Sinnott.

Thanks to all that sponsorship, the transi-

tion to the AIL was smoothed.

The first match in the AIL on 5th October 2019 saw Enniscorthy Rugby Club take the field under the leadership of Tom Ryan and the buzz around Alcast Park was palpable.

To the delight of players, coaches Declan and Kieran, and all members of the club, the team opened its account with a home win. The next game away to Bruff brought everyone back to reality after a narrow loss in Limerick. However, subsequently they got back on the horse with a home win to Skerries and first away win in Derry. The Derry trip was a highlight for the club’s supporters as the hospitality of the Derry people left a huge impression on the travelling support. A feature of the Enniscorthy club is the amount of supporters who travel to away games, near or far, which is really appreciated by the team and coaches.

AIL Rugby did not return until September 2021 as a second lockdown hit after a couple of Leinster Cup matches in autumn 2020.

The AIL recommenced in October 2021 under new captain Tom Stamp with the team now being coached by Ben Manion and Declan O'Brien as Kieran Hurrell had moved to UCD.

Season 19/20 continued with Enniscorthy cementing their position as league contenders in their first season at this level, being in promotion contention when disaster struck on 12th March 2020 – due to the pandemic the IRFU called halt to all rugby. While disappointing to all involved it was the only decision that could be taken in the circumstances.

The coaches and players, in a seamless fashion, got down to business with Ben introducing a different aspect to a previous winning formula and putting his own stamp on proceedings. This put the club in prime position in the league, despite minor bumps away to Skerries and Sunday's Well, to finish a massive 15 points winners of the league section, which in a normal year would have guaranteed automatic promotion. However, the IRFU in its wisdom, or otherwise, decided as far back as December, in view of the Covid situation, that there would be play-offs for the top four teams in each division. The prize for finishing on top was a home semi-final and, after winning that, a home final.

Enniscorthy senior teams showed their character and community spirit by volunteering, as did many clubs of all codes as, under the leadership of Hughie O'Neill, players made

Tullamore proved to be extremely tough opponents in the semi-final on 23rd April before Enniscorthy emerged narrow winners on a 12-9 scoreline.

Enniscorthy celebrate promotion to AIL Division 2B, following victory over Skerries on 30th April, 2022.

Page 100 - 3rd May 2022

themselves available to deliver necessities to vulnerable members of community who were isolated in their homes.

SlaNey Sport The final took place on 30th April on home soil. Enniscorthy laid siege to the Skerries line early on before going wide for Dominik Morycki to touch down in the corner.

Skerries replied by landing a penalty in the 23rd minute to reduce the gap to just two points. And then went ahead in the 34th minute from a penalty for a high tackle by Nick Doyle which saw him go to the sin bin.

Ivan Poole landied a short range penalty shortly after to put Enniscorthy 8-6 up at the break.

Within five minutes of the restart Skerries landed a penalty to go ahead 9-8.

Just a couple of minutes later Enniscorthy registered their second try of the afternoon from a pick and go move, with prop Angelo Todisco touching down under the posts, and Poole adding the conversion to go six points ahead.

Daniel Pim then added a fine individual try, after 15 mins of the half, from a turnover, running the length of the field which was followed by Poole’s conversion putting them 22-9 in front.

But Enniscorthy then conceded a try to Skerries captain Kevin McGrath on the hour mark, the missed conversion leaving Enniscorthy ahead 22-14.

The game was still in the balance until a fourth try and monster Poole conversion for Enniscorthy arrived after 70 minutes to make it 29-14. That lead was made even more comfortable when Morycki crossed again in the corner and then, five minutes from the end, Tom Ryan put the icing on the cake with a fifth try of the afternoon, and a final scoreline of 41-14.

Enniscorthy are now promoted to Division 2B for next season in the company of Rainey Old Boys, Greystones, Belfast Harlequins, Galway Corinthians, Wanderers, Sligo, Dungannon, Malahide, and Galwegians.

All Ireland League Rugby has been a wonderful experience for the whole club, which has lifted standards and expectations throughout the club. The first team is the flagship but the club is about much more than one team, it incorporates all teams, members and supporters which collectively give the club its strength. This has been reflected in the club’s seconds, under Alan Jacob, winning the Metro League and contesting the semi-final of the plate losing out to a strong Tullow side, and the thirds in the Towns Cup Seconds semi-final only beaten by one score in controversial circumstances, and the women's seniors going down to a Wicklow side, containing many players with AIL experience, in the cup semi-final.

Great credit is due to all the players and mentors of these sides for their progression all season. The bedrock of all this success is the club’s minis and youths set-up and great credit has to go to all the coordinators, managers and coaches, and not forgetting the parents, who have effectively run these systems over the years and produced the finished players for our seniors while enjoying the buzz of underage rugby.

Club President Niall Wall has been a huge ambassador for the club up and down the country as has long-serving talisman, outhalf Ivan Poole, so it was fitting, according to Club Chairman Paul McCrea, for the club to gain promotion on their watch. n

Enniscorthy Rugby Club highlights...

Congrats to the club’s Aoife Wafer on making her senior international debut in April against Italy. Check the video at: https://twitter.com/i/status/151322836 0310272019 Aoife’s sister Orla Wafer was also recently involved internationally as part of Ireland’s U-18 squad.

Well done to James Doyle on being selected for the recent men’s U-19 Irish squad double header against France.

James Doyle

Congrats to Temi Lasisi on making his Leinster senior debut recently against Ulster. And of course Charlie Tector who starred for Ireland in this year’s grandslam-winning U-20s.

A date for your diary: Enniscorthy Rugby Club annual golf classic is on Friday 19th August 2022. Details in future issues. n

Enniscorthy CBS – Duff Cup winners

Well done to the St Mary’s CBS team on their 14-12 win in the Duff Cup final on 30th March against Wilson's Hospital, played at St Mary's College Rugby Club, Templeville Road, Dublin. And congrats also to coaches Ben Traynor, Mick Bolger and Deirdre Miller.

3rd May 2022 - Page 101

SlaNey SlaNey Sport ad L-R: Dual Captain Nicola Davitt presents bouquet of flowers to Aoife O’Connor.

L-R: Ciara Foley, Cillian Murphy, Michelle Foley, and Meadhbh Foley.

Senior football champions 2020.

A Night of Celebration

Senior hurling champions 2021.

Page 102 - 3rd May 2022

SlaNey Sport L-R: Kasey Mahon and Eimear Foley.

Tomas Mahon and Ryan Mahon.

It was a marvellous occasion for celebration as Rapparees/Starlights GAA Club held its Dinner Dance at the Riverside Park Hotel on Saturday 30th April.

Having been postponed due to Covid, the long awaited and much anticipated event was well worth the delay as the Club saluted Senior Football Champions 2020, Senior Hurling Champions 2021 and Junior Ladies Football Champions 2020 and Junior Camogie Champions 2021.

MC for the event Club, PRO Maria Nolan, began by applauding the players, ‘You have walked the walk, you have made your mark, you have achieved, you have made memories, you have made history and you will be remembered forever.’

Club Chairman Ger McVeigh welcomed the large attendance and special guests, County Chairman Miceal Martin, Minister James Browne, Club Sponsor Sam McCauley, CEO of McCauley Pharmacies Tony McEntee, Wexford Camogie Star Aoife O’Connor, Club President Larry Byrne and his wife Betty, and sponsors of commemoration sliothar and souvenir brochure Brian and Wendy Walsh.

County Chairman Miceal Martin said it was a privilege to attend such a prestigious function. ‘It is imperative for the County that hurling and football are thriving in our County towns’, he said, wishing all the Rapparees players taking the field with Wexford the following day the very best of luck.

Words and pics

by Maria Nolan.

Aoife O’Connor presented football and camogie medals to the ladies saying how important it was for them to keep striving for success, recognition, and equality on the fields of play.

CEO of McCauley Pharmacies, Tony McEntee, no stranger to GAA occasions being one of the footballing McEntees of County Meath, presented the county medals to the Starlights, winners of the 2020 county title, and told the audience that he was delighted to continue McCauley’s close association with the Rapparees/Starlights and in particular would like to enhance and develop its Health & Wellbeing Programme.

Introducing Club Sponsor, Sam McCauley, MC Maria Nolan said, ‘Sam McCauley typifies the famous John F Kennedy phrase, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”‘ ‘Sam McMcCauley never asked what Rapparees/Starlights could do for him, but rather what he could do for us, time and time again,’ Maria said.

Sam received a standing ovation as he presented medals to the Senior Hurling Champions 2021 saying that County Final day 2021 was one of the greatest days of his life. ‘Believe me, hurling and the GAA have given me far more than I ever gave them.’

Chairman Ger McVeigh closed the formalities thanking all players for their wonderful achievements, all those in attendance and the organising committee for their efficiency and the smooth running of the event and Riverside Park Hotel for the fantastic meal and the staff for their attention to detail and their patience and courtesy.

Festivities then got into full swing as the three-hundred-strong attendance danced the night away.

Thank you to everyone for making this an occasion to remember.

– Maria Nolan

3rd May 2022 - Page 103

SlaNey hiStory SlaNey ad & heritage

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society’s Maria Nolan (centre) at the launch in Johnstown Castle of Brittany Ferries new service on the Rosslare to Bilbao route.

Maria Nolan in Johnstown Castle with Johnny Mythen TD.

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society news...

April was a very busy month for Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society, kicking off with an invitation to that regal gem of the South East, Johnstown Castle, for the official announcement by Brittany Ferries of the introduction of their newest ship, the Galicia, on the Rosslare to Bilbao route.

As Johnstown Castle quickly emerges as

gion in the north west of Spain, where

Wexford’s very own version of Downton

culture and art abound. ‘This stunning

Abbey, Rosslare is rapidly evolving as

area was the inspiration for the ship’s

one of the major ports of the EU.

design, she was built to impress and to

Announcing the introduction of the new

be a taste of Spain.’

ship, the President of Brittany Ferries,

With beautifully finished interior spaces,

Jean Marc Roue, explained that the Gali-

cabins, and a host of options in which to

cia takes its name from that magical re-

dine, relax and enjoy the ride, the Gali-

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society in Clonmel.

Page 104 - 3rd May 2022

SlaNey adS adheritage SlaNey hiStory SlaNey & cia sounds like a mini cruise vessel, geared towards the tourist and ‘should contribute significantly to the tourism potential of County Wexford’ according to Minister James Browne, who was on hand to welcome the announcement.

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society (EHRS) in Kinsale.

MC for the event Eamonn Hore enchanted the Brittany Ferries delegation with details of France’s close historic connection to Wexford and in particular our shared Norman heritage, and complimented EHRS for their very fine display of Norman costumes and weaponry bringing that heritage to life for the occasion.

On Saturday 9th April, EHRS received an invitation from the Royal Irish and South Irish Horse Regiments to celebrate Regimental Association Day with them in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, and on Sunday 17th April, the group were doing what they enjoy and are good at, as they visited Dunamaggin, Co. Kilkenny, for the Easter Commemoration at the memorial of Captain Pat Walsh, a local hero, and then on Easter Monday the group visited Kinsale, Co. Cork, to re-enact, along with Lord Edwards Own, the handing over of the military barracks at the exquisitely ancient Charles Fort, from the Crown Forces to the Irish provisional government in 1922.

The event, attended by Minister of State at OPW, Patrick O’Donovan, and the Mayor

of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan, featured music and a re-enactment of the handover.

Mayor Coughlan described the event as ‘a very symbolic moment when the British military withdrew from the town after centuries. It is important that we recognise this significant step in the progression towards nationhood’, she said.

Wexford, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Cork –

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society making a national name for themselves and Enniscorthy as they bring history to life all over the South East and beyond with photographs of the events in local newspapers, the Irish Independent and the Irish Examiner.

Keeping up the excellent work.

– Words & Pics by Maria Nolan

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society in Kinsale.

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SlaNey hiStory SlaNey ad & heritage

The work of the Irish Heritage Trust

Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens The Irish Heritage Trust cares for and brings to life a variety of historic houses, gardens and parklands in Ireland, while developing innovative visitor experiences at these beautiful places: Fota House & Gardens (Cork); Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens (Wexford), Strokestown Park & The National Famine Museum (Roscommon).

The Trust is bringing benefit to local communities and businesses through tourism, employment and a successful volunteering programme. It aims to achieve financial sustainability so these properties survive and thrive for current and future generations and achieves its goals through partnerships with a number of stakeholders and communities. Environmental sustainability is a core objective, including the protection and enhancement of our natural heritage across all properties. The guiding motto is “People, Place, Participation” and the Trust engages with and connects citizens to these special places through participation.

The Irish Heritage Trust CLG is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and is governed by a voluntary board of directors. It recently announced the appointment of five directors to join its board including former Minister and MEP Avril Doyle from Wexford.

The Irish Heritage Trust receives funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, while continuing to develop and advance strategies towards long-term financial sustainability from multiple sources for each of the properties in its care. This includes donations, visitors and events, as well as Irish Heritage Trust membership which is presently at approximately 7,500 members. The thriving Irish Heritage Trust volunteering programme is a central part of the Trust’s approach of bringing places to life through community engagement and participation.

For further details on The Irish Heritage Trust see www.irishheritagetrust.ie Twitter: @IrHeritageTrust n

A new and very different Medieval Ferns Experience Want to try something new and very different? Well, Wexford's newest visitor attraction is now open in Ferns – located at Ferns Community Centre in a specially refurbished area.

The Experience tells the fascinating story of Ferns medieval history in an interactive and fun way. Using audiovisual sensory and virtual reality it

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really gives a great insight into power shifts in the Ancient Capital of Leinster. The Experience is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm.

For enquiries email: medievalfernsexperience@fernsvillage.ie or phone: 089-4946972. Entry fee is €6.

Seniors/Students €5. Children under 12 are free. n

SlaNey hiStory & heritage

New booklet on Wexford's history during the War of Independence and Civil War A booklet for schools on the War of Independence and the Civil War in County Wexford was launched recently by Wexford Libraries.

“County Wexford War of Independence and Civil War: an educational resource” charts the events and timeline of the War of Independence and the Civil War in County Wexford. It is a resource for young people from 4th class in primary school to 3rd year in secondary school. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy introduced the booklet to an enthusiastic audience. This was followed by a talk by Historian in Residence Barry Lacey to a class of 1st year students from CBS Wexford.

The booklet was researched and written by local historian Monica Crofton and edited by Executive Librarian Hazel Percival and Library Assistant Michael Dempsey. It was designed

by Nicola Bailey.

The booklet will be distributed to all schools in County Wexford in the coming weeks. It will also be available in all Wexford library branches with an electronic version on the library website. Schools can request a class visit from Barry Lacey, Historian in Residence, to discuss this important time in our history with the students.

L-R: Executive Librarian Hazel Percival, Cllr Pip Breen, Cllr John Hegarty.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Barbara-Anne Murphy says, “This booklet is a wonderful learning resource for our young people so that they can engage with the history of their area from a hundred years ago.” n

L-R: Monica Crofton, Cllr Pip Breen, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cllr John Hegarty, Cllr Garry Laffan, Cllr Donal Kenny, Hazel Percival, Barry Lacey.

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SlaNey hiStory SlaNey ad & heritage

Primary Over €230,000 in funding for Wexford monuments and historic sites

Minister James Browne TD

Evening time at Vinegar Hill.

Pic: Dee O’Leary.

Minister James Browne TD confirmed last month that government funding of more than €230,000 will be invested into community monument heritage sites across Co. Wexford.

The core objective of the Community Monuments Fund is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites. It contains a number of different measures aimed at enabling conservation works to be carried out on archaeological monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support, encouraging access to archaeological monuments and improving their presentation, and also building resilience in archaeological monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change.

Three County Wexford archaeological monuments will receive capital investment to support essential repairs and conservation works. Fethard Castle and Mountgarret Castle will both receive allocations of €85,000 while €26,664 will be invested into Ishartmon Church and Graveyard near Tomhaggard in south Wexford.

Four Co. Wexford archaeological monuments will benefit from What Tessa Did at School During the Irish Cultural Revival.

Speakers: Dr Kate McCarthy and Dr Úna Kealy.

Venue, Time & Date: Enniscorthy Library 26th May at 7pm.

Attending an all-girls Catholic secondary school in the early 1900s lent a particular political and cultural shade of green to the educational experience of young Irish women. In this lecture, theatre historians Dr Kate McCarthy and Dr Una Kealy consider how Waterford playwright Teresa Deevy’s school days in St Mary’s Secondary School, Ursuline Convent, may have impacted her expectations and aspirations as a young woman entering into the most volatile and interesting time in Irish history and are expressed in her ballet entitled ‘Possession or Cattle of the Gods’. Dr McCarthy and Dr Kealy consider how the educational environment of St Mary’s, combined with the changing attitudes around women’s role within Irish society, may have influenced Deevy and other young Irish women at the start of the twentieth century.

Booking essential: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3885405

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the development of conservation management plans to ensure the site’s conservation and improve public access. Barrystown Mine near Wellingtonbridge receives €7,014 while €6,461 is awarded to Templetown Church, which is located between Fethard and Hook Head. St. Senan’s Church and Graveyard in Enniscorthy and Toome Church near Camolin will both receive €4,983.

Vinegar Hill will receive €9,995 in funding to enhance the access infrastructure and interpretative amenities at the historic battlefield site.

Welcoming the funding, Minister Browne commented how the Government is “keen to protect Co. Wexford’s wonderful archaeological heritage. We want to make our heritage sites more accessible to the many who cherish it. Co. Wexford’s Norman Way and Ireland’s Ancient East will benefit from the additional investment into key historic sites including Vinegar Hill, Ishartmon Church and Fethard Castle. My government colleagues and I will continue to promote our county’s terrific archaeological heritage.” n Wexford War of Independence and Civil War Digitisation: Wexford Libraries and Archives invite you to take part in a “Wexford War of Independence and Civil War Digitisation Day” in Gorey Library, Gorey Civic Square, The Avenue, Gorey, on Friday, 13th May 2022 from 11am to 4pm.

Members of the public are invited to bring photographs, postcards, letters, diaries, medals or other memorabilia in relation to this turbulent time in our history. Staff from Wexford Libraries will record the story of whom they belonged to and why they are important. The objects will be scanned or photographed. Historians and experts will also be on hand to discuss the significance of these treasures.

Advance booking essential. Contact Gorey library branch at goreylib@wexfordcoco.ie or 053 948 3820.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Barbara-Anne Murphy says, “I’m delighted we are holding these digitisation days. It is a chance for us to engage with families whose ancestors were directly involved in events which led to the formation of our state and to the rich history of Co. Wexford.”

SlaNey eNviroNmeNt Wexford Subaqua underwater cleanup.

This summer let’s enjoy and protect our coast

Wexford Subaqua underwater cleanup.

Irish environmental charity Clean Coasts releases resources to help communities protect our coast The Irish coast offers breathtaking views, beautiful beaches, epic cliffs, and more, and its unique beauty and character have been attracting visitors from all over the world. Furthermore, it provides its visitors with numerous opportunities to have fun, by taking part in water sports and coastal activities.

The Clean Coasts programme works with over 1,800 communities and over 37,000 volunteers nationwide to help protect and care for Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life.

With the nice weather on the way, more people are expected to visit the beautiful coastal areas around the country, whether it is for sea swimming, water sports, or simply to enjoy the stunning landscape.

With its ‘Enjoy and Protect’ campaign, Clean Coasts is asking people to enjoy and celebrate Ireland’s stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, epic cliffs and all outdoor areas, but also to protect these natural treasures for future generations to enjoy too, by making more sustainable choices, taking part in beach cleans or even do something as quick and simple as a #2minutebeachclean.

This is an opportunity for beach users, outdoor enthusiasts and hundreds of other communities in Ireland to make a tangible difference for our marine environment and marine life while doing something they enjoy.

Clean Coasts has released three guides containing tips and guidance on how to enjoy our coast while doing your bit to protect it.

Two of these guides – Outdoor Living and A Day at the Beach – are available to download on its website and focus on activities such as camping, eating outdoors and spending a day discovering marine biodiversity.

A third guide, a Community Guide, is available exclusively to registered Clean Coasts groups and includes guidance on organising beach cleans, building a network, attracting new volunteers and promoting their work.

Another guide about outdoor photography will be launched at the end of the month, so Clean Coasts are inviting people to keep an eye on their social media channels and website.

To find out more, visit: www.cleancoasts.org n

Photo: ©ivandonoghue@gmail.com

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SlaNey SlaNey eNviroNmeNt ad

Wexford Co. Council achieves 40% energy reduction xford County ; Carolyne Godkin, We Energy Engineer, 3CEA r nio Se Board. n, lto the mi of Ha Alexandra EA Chairman ; and John Carley, 3C ces rvi Se of or ect Dir Council,

The County Councils of Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny working closely with 3 Counties Energy Agency (3CEA), have not only met but all exceeded the 33% energy reduction target set in the National Climate Action Plan.

3CEA is a not-for-profit energy agency – a partnership with the three County Councils, SMEs, communities, and citizens making their Energy Transition journey smoother.

“It is really making a difference. 3CEA technical support ensures that project opportunities are identified and acted upon promptly where practical. The 3 Counties Energy Agency worked with the Councils’ Energy Teams to deliver projects that will deliver ongoing, long-term sustained energy reduction in each case resulting in a cumulative saving of €19.97m,” says Paddy Phelan, CEO of 3CEA. Wexford’s performance: Wexford saved the equivalent of the

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energy needed to make 269 million cups of tea, or the amount of energy used by a typical family petrol car doing 43,000 laps of the Wexford county boundary, reducing CO2 emissions by 2,149 tonnes through avoided energy use, delivering a saving of 39.7%.

The spectrum of projects and initiatives implemented by Wexford County Council to achieve energy efficiency include the public lighting energy efficiency project whereby 91% of public lights across the county were replaced with more energy efficient LED bulbs. This gave a 65% reduction in energy use and 60% savings in operation and maintenance costs. Energy upgrades in Bunclody Fire Station, Gorey Library and the Council’s Machinery Yard all delivered substantial energy savings. The Council has also started transitioning their fleet to electric vehicles to further support the national policy and decarbonise local communities making them healthier and better places to live in.

Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services, Wexford County Council, said, ‘We are strongly committed to continuing our journey to improve energy performance across all of our services. ISO50001 certification of our energy management system will help us deliver the target of 50% improvement in energy efficiency as set out in the National Climate Action Plan.

The projects and initiatives implemented by the Council and our Energy Team to date has achieved energy efficiency of 39%; above average for all public bodies who are 34% more energy efficient than in 2009.’

Alex Hamilton, 3CEA Senior Engineer, said, “The Local Authorities are playing their part and have met their own 2020 targets, with projects planned to ensure they meet the more ambitious 2030 targets. We, that is society as a whole, need to change our behaviour and reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels. Everyone must play a part and 3CEA are here to offer independent advice to all who want to make a difference.” n

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Living in Enniscorthy?

You are entitled to a brown bin from your provider.

If you are living in Enniscorthy, new food waste regulations mean you are entitled to get a brown bin if you request it from your waste disposal company, and you are required to separate your food waste from your black bin waste.

If you don't have a brown bin, you can bring your food waste to Enniscorthy Recycling Centre.

Learn more at: https://www.mywaste.ie/whatto-do-with-my-food-waste/ n

Cllr Lisa McDonald admiring the great work done by Wexford Co. Council at Rathaspeck roundabout near Johnstown Castle.

Important and informative event Learn How to Reduce your Household Waste, Recycling and Waste Prevention with Cliona Connolly at Wexford Library, May 10th at 11:00am. Cliona is the Environmental Awareness Officer with Wexford County Council.

Booking is essential. https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3884883 Call 053 9196760 or email wexfordlib@wexfordcoco.ie 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 are available to borrow for a 4 week period, and come with instruction leaflets.

To reserve a monitor please contact Enniscorthy library on 053 9236055. n

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SlaNey SlaNey SNapS ad

Above: Tractor ladies Catherine Cullen and Sinead Hammel watching the Over The Water Tractor Run at Ballymurn.

Right: Waiting for the off – tractor men Patsy and Aaron Fitzgerald.

Over the Water Tracto Ballymurn 10th Ap

Over The Water Tractor Run officials: Margaret Scallan and Bridget Byrne.

Below: Hop on board – young Dean Murphy on his tractor.

Tractor men p Martin Kearan,

Left: A family day Ab Right: Always at th

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or Run pril

SlaNey SNapS

Above left: What’s all the fuss about as Paudie Grannell watches the tractor run.

Above right: Young tractor enthusiast Molly Foley watches the tractor run from the comfort of her car.

planning their next tractor run: Paddy Buckley, John Redmond and John Rowe.

Above left: Eddie Murphy has seen many a tractor run in his day.

Above right: Ruby O’Gorman and John Doyle at the run.

out at the Tractor Run – Paidi, Claire, Fia and Tony Murphy. bove: All set for the tractor run, Matt Doyle. he ready for the craic and the fun of the run is Paddy Kenny.

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SlaNey SlaNey eNviroNmeNt ad

Managing farm safety

Minister Martin Heydon officially launched last month the Farmers4Safety – Managing Risk Together EIP AGRI Project and project website. EIP AGRI stands for The European Innovation Partnership for Agriculture Productivity and Sustainability.

The Farm Safety EIP AGRI project adopts a ‘peer to peer’ mentoring approach that investigates farmer and farm familiy behaviours and attitudes towards farm safety, health and wellbeing and changes the norm around farm safety and emotional wellbeing so it becomes a normal and sustained part of farming culture in Ireland while making the sector safer for those who live, work and visit farms. By utilising a peer-to-peer mentoring approach it will effectively engage farmers on the ground and be the catalyst to change the social norms surrounding farm safety, health and wellbeing, and embed farm safety and emotional wellbeing within their daily routine on the farm.

Irish Rural Link (IRL, which includes En-

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niscorthy’s Billy Murphy as a board member) in partnership with the BRIDE (Biodiversity Regeneration in a Dairying Environment) project, the Duncannon Blue Flag Farming & Communities Scheme, the New Futures Farming Group, and the Health and Safety Authority are carrying out this piloted project in their catchment areas.

The majority of farm fatalities/injuries on farms are avoidable and this project will highlight the importance of farm safety, health and wellbeing on family farms.

This Farm Safety EIP AGRI project indicates the importance of farmers looking after their own health and wellbeing and ensuring they are not risking their safety in carrying out jobs on the farm.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Martin Heydon said: “Farmers and their families are the most powerful advocates we have for a

change in culture around farm safety, health and wellbeing. Too often, familiarity can lead to farmers becoming accustomed to risks on their farms, risks our families and peers might spot including signs of issues around health and wellbeing. I am delighted my Department has been able to fund this project as I believe there is huge capacity for farmers to learn from one another to make their farms safer places and to improve their health and wellbeing. This Farm Safety EIP Agri Project is one of the eight projects piloting innovative approaches to farm health, safety and wellbeing focused on encouraging a bottom up approach to behaviour change among farmers in relation to farm safety.”

Anyone wanting to find out more information about Farmers4Safety – Managing Risk Together EIP AGRI Project can check out their online social media – Twitter: https://twitter.com/Farmers4Safety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Farmers4Safety/ and the website at www.farmers4safety.ie n

SlaNey eNviroNmeNt

Rethink the Sink!

Wexford’s internationally renowned chef Kevin Dundon is encouraging the people of Wexford to ‘Rethink the Sink’.

Clean Coasts in partnership with Irish Water is partnering with Kevin Dundon to ask the people of Wexford to ‘Rethink the Sink’ and never pour fats, oils and greases (FOGs) down the sink. Instead, collect FOGs into a heat proof container (egg cartons, tins, jars etc), allow them to cool and empty into the bin.

Kevin Dundon along with other celebrity chefs and well known personalities from around Ireland are participating in this year’s ‘Think Before You Pour’ campaign including Gina Daly, Lilly Higgins, JP McMahon, Edward Hayden, Guy Sinnott and Mark Murphy as well as well-known food blogger, Niamh O’Sullivan.

‘Think Before You Pour’ is operated by Clean Coasts in partnership with Irish Water and appeals to the public not to pour FOGs down the kitchen sink, as a B&A survey reveals that approximately 4 out of 10 people admit to doing so.

FOGs may seem like liquid when

poured, but they cool and harden as they travel along the pipes and can cause blockages in our homes, businesses, the public sewer network and wastewater treatment plants and can even lead to overflows of sewage in our communities and pollution in rivers, on beaches and in the ocean. When FOGs combine with wipes and other sewage related litter such as hair and dental floss that shouldn’t be flushed down the

toilet, fatbergs can form. Irish Water clears hundreds of blockages including fatbergs from the wastewater network every week.

Irish celebrity chef, television personality and author Kevin Dundon says: “I am delighted to be working with Clean Coasts and Irish Water on a great campaign to remind you to Think Before You Pour fats down the sink. As you all know, I love using fat while cooking, such as butter to baste a steak or some duck fat on crispy roast potatoes. But, once served, pouring the residue left on the baking trays and pans down the sink will only end up creating blockages and giant fatbergs.”

Speaking about the campaign, Sinead McCoy, Coastal Communities Manager, Clean Coasts, said: “The prevention of blockages in our wastewater systems by fats, oils and greases is something everybody can engage in. Simply by being more conscious of our behaviour at the sink, and by making small changes, we can all have a positive impact on our natural environment. I would encourage and remind everyone to ‘Think Before You Pour.’” n

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