Slaney News, Issue 164, January 2024

Slaney News

ServiNg Co. wexford for the laSt 13 yearS

Issue 164 – January 2024

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in the Crown Bar, Monck Street, Wexford, were Alicia Byrne, Libby McDonald and Jess Furlong.

r a e Y w e N y p p a H y r e V a rs

e d a e r r u o l l Wishing a Frizelle McCarthy Solicitors Annette McCarthy B.C.L. ____________________________________________________ Suzanne Carthy B.A. L.L.B. Jillian O’Shea L.L.B.

Reliable advice on all aspects of the law since 1929 Solicitors & Commissioners for Oaths Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy, Y21 W5T1

Tel: 053 92 33547  Email: info@fmclaw.ie

Haven

Kavanagh’s Pharmacy

Alflorex 30 Pack €28.95

DUFFRY HILL, ENNISCORTHY. T: (053) 9234660.

Tel: 053 9138992. Mobile: 087 2994988 Email: ken@kenscomputerclinic.com Computer & Laptop Sales & Repairs IT Services & Website Design

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FASHION SHOW IN AID OF

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Prosecco reception 7.30pm Music by Sharon Clancy Show starts 8.00pm Tickets €25 on sale from:  All boutiques  The Coal Bunker  Wexford Rape Crisis, The Rocks, Maudlintown, Wexford.

Page 2 - 7th January 2024

Join us for a great night of fashion from:  Empress  New Mood  The Clothesline Boutique  T-Squared  Lady Lane

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Contents of this issue of Slaney News...

News page 4 Leisure & Lifestyle page 62 Arts page 106 Food & Drink page 112 Business & Finance page 118 Pets page 126 Motoring page 128 Sport page 131 History & Heritage page 138 Environment page 143 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.

PAT MURPHY OIL LTD. A family-owned Wexford company providing you with a reliable and quality service since 1988 Ask about our Easy Pay Budget Plan All Major Credit & Laser Cards Accepted Delivering Kerosene, Diesel, Gas Oil, Agri Diesel to homes, farms and businesses all around Co. Wexford.

Wishing all our custome rs a Ver y Happy New Year

TEL: 053-9255219 - RATHNURE - ENNISCORTHY 7th January 2024 - Page 3

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comment

To advertise in the Slaney News please contact: 087-2403310

Welcome to the January issue of the Slaney News.

As we look forward to 2024 in Enniscorthy, there are some encouraging signs on the economic front. We report in this issue (pages 8-9) on a local company which is creating 250 jobs nationwide with up to 20 of those in its Enniscorthy head office on the Old Dublin Road. We also report (page 14) on a major extension being planned at Enniscorthy’s biggest employer – BD (Clearstream) with the possibility of up to 100 new jobs being created. Last month we reported that the IDA has chosen Enniscorthy’s new Technology Park as the site for a state-of-the-art building which will be used to encourage multinationals to locate here. In addition, there is the likelihood of multi-euro investment arising from the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan, so overall there is much to look forward to although the long lead-in times for such major investments can be very frustrating.

Meanwhile, on the arts front, a lot is happening also. Enniscorthy is the beneficiary of a major new 3-year arts programme called Creative Places (see pages 106-107), and the enterprising Alfie O’Sullivan is developing an arts hub in the centre of town called Creative Grounds (see pages 110-111). These developments combined with the strong presence in the town of the innovative Presentation Arts Centre means we are certainly punching far above our weight in the arts field.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– We include as always a huge number of photos taken around Enniscorthy, and beyond. If you would like to purchase any of our photos please get in touch by email at slaneynews@gmail.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

If you have any news or photos you’d like us to share in the Slaney News, please email them to slaneynews@gmail.com and we will do our best to include as much as possible. Also, please let us know what you think about our new format. Telephone: 087-2403310, slaneynews@gmail.com or message us through our Facebook page, ‘Slaney News’, which now has over 11,500 Followers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SLANEY NEWS

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

We wish all our readers, writers, photographers and advertisers a very happy and successful 2024.

James

Browne TD Minister of State at the Department of Justice TD for Wexford

This size ad can be yours for just €50+vat.

Telephone Frank at 087-2403310 for more details.

My team and I are ready to help you

Contact me Lower Church Street, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford 053 9235046 JamesBrowneTD@oir.ie @JamesBrowneTD

Of昀ce Open Weekdays:

10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm.

Page 4 - 7th January 2024

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COUNCILLOR

Barbara-Anne Murphy Wishing you all a Happy New Year Enniscorthy Technology Park

Tel: 053 9233593 www.vtnenniscorthy.ie Email: windmillautos@gmail.com

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Call today for a FREE quote 087 2338913 / 087 6343976 Ballygillistown, Davidstown, Enniscorthy Email: matt@enviropaktreatmentsystems.com www.enviropaktreatmentsystems.com

Phone: 087 2338913 / 087 6343976 7th January 2024 - Page 5

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Please note the following: To log a report regarding any dumping, street litter, road oil spills and potholes, ring Wexford Council on

4TH

(053) 919 6000 or email: customerservice@wexfordcoco.ie You will receive a log number to refer to if you need to call again.

You can also ask to register for group or individual cleanups of your environment.

Astro Active Centre, Bellefield Road, Enniscorthy.

Tel: 053 9236678 www.reachability.ie Facebook: @astroactivesport Page 6 - 7th January 2024

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7th January 2024 - Page 7

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New Enniscorthy company to NEW ENNISCORTHY COMPANY TO CREATE 250 JOBS NATIONWIDE BY END OF 2024...

Platinum Homecare is poised to redefine the landscape of domiciliary care in Ireland, with a key focus on streamlining and standardising home care services.

The goal is to provide a more personal, efficient, and technology-assisted care experience for aging adults and their families.

One of the pillars of this transformation is the creation of carer roles, with Platinum Homecare forecasting an additional 250 new carer and regional manager positions across Ireland within the next 12 months, contributing to the economy while addressing the critical need for enhanced home care services.

The company’s mission is to raise the standards of home care, enabling individuals to continue enjoying life from the comfort of their own homes.

Recognising the growing demand for comprehensive home care services in light of an aging population, Platinum has embarked on a journey to identify best practices that are client centric, business efficient and offer security to the client’s family. Offering this bespoke, client-centred approach, Platinum Homecare caters to a wide range of needs, from 24/7 care and dementia support to respite care.

Platinum Homecare's Michelle O'Hara (Operations Manager) and Traci Fortune (Recruitment Coordinator).

Page 8 - 7th January 2024

L-R: Ed Murphy (Platinum Homecare), Dermot Bolger (Platinum Homecare), Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD and Charlotte Reilly (Platinum Homecare).

The team behind the company have an impressive track record of client in-home care having introduced, managed and developed Home Instead in Ireland.

Founded in February 2023 by two entrepreneurs with a strong Co. Wexford background, Ed Murphy and Dermot Bolger, and supported by Charlotte Reilly, Platinum Homecare has put together a team of skilled care and business professionals nationwide, operating from a centralised headquarters at the Peare Campus, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy. At present the company has created six jobs in Enniscorthy and that number is expected to grow to around 20 by the end of 2024.

Making the jobs announcement in December in Enniscorthy, Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD stated, "Platinum Homecare's ambitious plan to create 250 new jobs in Ireland is a testament to their commitment to transforming home care services in our country.

This initiative will benefit our economy, the healthcare system, and, most importantly, the families who need these services. By enabling individuals to age gracefully in their own homes, Platinum Homecare is not only empowering our aging population but also reducing the strain on our healthcare facilities."

Ed Murphy, founder and Chair of Platinum Homecare, stated, "Our goal is to fundamentally change the home care model, making it more effective, personal, and technology-driven. We are proud to play a vital role in the evolution of home care services in Ireland."

In alignment with the HSE 2023 National Service Plan launched in March 2023, which is committed to delivering 23.9 million home support hours to 55,910 Older Persons, and the increased funding announced by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and the Minister for Mental Health and Older Persons, Mary Butler, in July 2023, Platinum Homecare is well-positioned to facilitate the delivery of higher service standards to clients and make caring for older persons an attractive career option. The funding for HSE Home Support has increased by €228m since Budget 2021, and HSE spending on Home Support in 2023 will be €723m.

A spokesperson for Platinum Homecare said, “We are proud to be a part of this transformative change in home care services, which not only benefits individuals and their families but also contributes to the welfare of our nation and its economy.” n

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o create 250 jobs nationwide

Platinum Homecare jobs announcement event held in GreenTechHQ in Senan House, Enniscorthy Technology Park, on 13th December 2023.

Top Left: Grainne Walsh (Resolve Partners), MJ Furlong (Allied Irish Bank), Tony O’Leary (Bank of Ireland), John Hackett (Bank of Ireland).

Top right: Jimmy Gahan of Enniscorthy & District Chamber with AIB representatives.

Above: Enniscorthy’s Ian Kehoe (The Currency), chairs a panel discussion with L-R: Liam Cronin (RDI Hub, Killorglin), David Power (Dogpatch Labs), Lisa Cliffe (Enterprise Ireland), Norman Crowley (Cool Planet), Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD. Above left: Dave Dempsey (Salesforce Ireland), David Walsh (Halo Care).

Left: Niall Griffin (Waterford Chamber), Grainne Walsh (Resolve Partners).

Below left and right: Representatives of Hippo Virtual Care and GrandPad.

7th January 2024 - Page 9

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Order online www.newlineoil.com

Enniscorthy: 053 92 37233 Wexford: 053 91 39177

Best wishes to Igors

Igors Skolnikovs, a Latvian man who has been living in Ireland for over 20 years, and with a successful food shop in Gorey, has chosen to invest in Enniscorthy by opening a new coffee shop ‘Coffee 2U’ on Irish Street, beside Dunnes Stores.

In addition to hot drinks of all types, the shop also sells sandwiches and paninis, pancakes, hot-dogs, snacks and treats of all kinds, and delicious gelato ice cream.

Page 10 - 7th January 2024

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HEAR THEM SING ALL THEIR HITS

NATIONAL TOUR INCLUDING: National Opera House, WEXFORD, Sunday 7th January 2024 Booking: 053 9122144 | https://www.nationaloperahouse.ie/whats-on/show/the-fureys2

Theatre Royal, WATERFORD, Thursday 25th January 2024 Booking: 051 874402 | https://theatreroyal.ie/event/the-fureys/

Arts Centre, CARLOW, Friday 9th February 2024 Booking: 059 9172400 | https://visualcarlow.ie/whats-on/the-fureys-live-in-concert-2024

7th January 2024 - Page 11

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NIGHT CLASSES Spring 2024

Information Week

Mon Jan 15th to Wed Jan 17th Call us on 053 9421167 or 087 9049178 E.Mail info@goreyadulted.ie

MONDAY EVENING

Spring 2024

Updated December 13

Sessions

Starts Jan 29

48 weeks 2 Nights / Week



€1780

€95

Care Support 5N0758 (QQI L 5) Care of the Older Person 5N2706 (QQI L 5) Safety and Health at Work 5N1794 (QQI L 5) Animal Care 5M2768 (QQI L5)

12 +2 Sats 12 +2 Sats May 2023



48 weeks 2 Nights / Week



€325 €325 €325 €1780

€95 €95 €95 €95

Biology 5N2746

12 + 2Sats



€325

€95

48 weeks 2 Nights / Week



€1780

€95

12 + 2 Sats 12+2 Sats 10 Nights



€325 €325 €295

3 Nights 1 Night



€90 €40

Class Healthcare Support 5M4339

Business Studies

(QQI L5)

(QQI L5) 5M2102

(QQI L5)

Spreadsheet Methods 5N1977 (QQI L5) Employment Law 5N3785 (QQI L5) First Aid Response and Defibrillator (PHECC Certified) MS Office Specialist (MOS) 3 Exams NEW MS Office Specialist (MOS) 1 Exam NEW

 

 



Fee

Reg Fee

Night 1

Time

4 terms €445 / term €230 €230 €230 4 terms €445 / term €230

7.00 – 10.00

7.00 – 10.00

€95 €95 €95

4 terms €445 / term €230 €230 €200

€90 €40

€0 €0

7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30

7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00

7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 9.30

Hobby and Leisure Classes Starts Jan 29

Class

Sessions

Calligraphy Guitar (Beginners) Stretch and Relax Yoga 1 Stretch and Relax Yoga 2 Art Beginners Art Improvers (Having Completed Art Beginners) Spanish (Beginners) Spanish (Level 2) French (Beginners) French (Level 2) Homeopathy for Health Cake Decorating for Easter (Ingredients incl.)

NEW Intro to Meditation, Mindfulness and Sound Therapy Pottery for beginners (Materials Included) Creative Carpentry Garden Furniture NEW Computers for Everyday Life NEW Soap Making Workshop with the Soap Scullery Soap Making Advanced (Exploring New Formulations) NEW

5 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 5



Reg Fee



€80 €140 €80 €80 €160 €160 €80 €80 €80 €80 €80 €100

€80 €40 €80 €80 €40 €40 €80 €80 €80 €80 €80 €40

5



€80

€80

8 10 5 3 3



€200 €200 €80 €75 €75

€40 €40 €80 €75 €75

www.goreyadulted.ie Page 12 - 7th January 2024

Fee

         

   

Night 1 €100

€120 €120

€60

Time 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 6.45 – 7.45 8.00 – 9.00 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 8.30 8.30– 10.00 7.00 – 8.30 8.30 – 10.00 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 8.30

€160 €160

7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30

www.goreyadulted.ie

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WEDNESDAY EVENING Class Special Needs Assisting 5N1786 (QQI L5) Healthcare Support 5M4339 (QQI L5) English as a Second Language 5N1632 (QQI L5) Infection Prevention and Control N22816 (QQI L5) Communications 5N0690 (QQI L5) Animal Care 5M2768 (QQI L5) Animal Grooming 5N0752 (QQI L5) Work Experience 5N1356 (QQI L5) Business Studies 5M2102 (QQI L5) Payroll Manual & Computerised 5N1546 (QQI L5) Entrepreneurship for Women BTEI QQI L5

Spring 2024

Sessions

Starts Jan 31

12 + 2Sats 48 weeks 2 Nights / Week 12 + 2 Sats 12+ 2 Sats



12 + 2 Sats 48 weeks 2 Nights / Week 6 + 5 Days May 2023 48 weeks 2 Nights / Week 12 + 2 Sats



12 + 2Sats

Fee

Reg Fee

Night 1 €250 4 terms €445 / term €230 €230

7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00

€230 4 terms €445 / term €350 €230 4 terms €445 / term €230

7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00

€345 €1780

€95 €95

€325 €325

€95 €95

€325 €1780

€95 €95



€445 €325 €1780

€95 €95 €95



€325

€95



Free for Qualifying Participants

  

  

Time

7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00

7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00 7.00 – 10.00

Hobby and Leisure Classes Class

Sessions

Art Workshop (A Creative Space for Painting ) Oil Painting with Sheila McNally NEW Advanced Water Colours with Kate Kos Flower Arranging Beginners Flower Arranging Easter Creative Writing (Taking your Words to the next level ) Bridge ( Level 2 ) NEW Tai Chi 1 Tai Chi 2 Ukulele (Beginners) Ukulele (Level 2) Digital Photography (Beginners) Digital Photography (Adv) Starts Mar 6 Stained Glass Work (Materials Included) NEW Engineering Skills (Welding and Metal Fabrication) Furniture Restoration Wood Carving

10 10 10 6 4 10 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 10

Starts Jan 31    

Mar 13       

Mar 6    

Fee

Reg Fee

Night 1

Time 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30

€160 €160 €200 €80 €60 €140

€40 €40 €40 €80 €60 €40

€120 €120 €160

€140 €80 €80 €80 €80 €80 €80 €120 €220

€40 €80 €80 €80 €80 €80 €80 €40 €40

€100

€80 €180

7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 8.00 8.15 – 9.15 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30

€180 €160

€40 €40

€140 €120

7.00 – 9.30 7.00 – 9.30

€100

New Classes this Term Stained Glass With Pauline Quigley

MS Office Exams

Bridge Level 2

Painting with Oils With Sheila McNally

3 Modules €90 Single Module €40 Exam dates 5 Nights, Wed. €120 Materials Included

How To Register Need Information

Monday March 11th 7 to 9.30 pm Monday April 15th 7 to 9.30 pm Monday May 27th 7 to 9.30 pm

10 Nights, Wed. €140 Kerry Anne O’Connor

Call 087 958 3168 for details

10 Nights, Wed. €160

Online using Easy Payments Plus, go to www.goreyadulted.ie Call us on 053 942 1167 or register online using a Credit Card Please call our information hotline 087 9049178 any school day or any evening during our information week Mon Jan 15th to Wed Jan 17th 7pm to 9pm

7th January 2024 - Page 13

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Enniscorthy’s largest employer plans huge extension Clearstream Technologies Limited (BD) has just been granted planning permission for the construction of a 4,115 sq.m. extension to their premises on the Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy. Minister James Browne TD said, “I am delighted BD has been granted planning permission for its €30 million investment into its Enniscorthy plant creating almost 100 new jobs. Coming on the back of the recent IDA announcement that the next IDA advanced factory will be located in Enniscorthy, it is a further vote of confidence in the town.”

The extension will be part two, part three-storey extension to the existing production building on the site to provide additional production, office, warehouse and ancillary floor space; 2 nitrogen storage units (2.05 sq.m.); 1 nitrogen generation unit (29.4 sq.m.); 2 external heat pumps; 2 waste storage units (22.4 sq.m.); 2 chemical waste storage units (5.4 sq.m.); 1 pal-

Page 14 - 7th January 2024

lette store (29.4 sq.m.); 1 compactor (8.3 sq.m.); 1 sprinkler pump house (36.75 sq.m.) and 1 10.8 metre high sprinkler water storage tank (29.2 sq.m.); 40 surface car parking spaces (including 2 disabled spaces) to the west of the proposed extension; and all other works required to facilitate the development including site and boundary landscape planting. n

Gerard Reynolds (Director of Operations, BD) with Frank Corcoran (Slaney News) in 2022 at the company’s 25th anniversary celebrations in Enniscorthy.

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A night in Enniscorthy with Ireland legend John Aldridge The Wexford Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporters Club (RISSC) has announced that the Irish football legend John Aldridge will be the guest of honour in TJ Murphy’s in Enniscorthy on 16th February to help celebrate the club’s 10th anniversary.

The night will also be a charity fundraiser for Slaney Search & Rescue who the club are delighted to support for all the trojan volunteer work they do.

More details will follow soon so keep an eye on the club’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wexrissc n

7th January 2024 - Page 15

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Alice’s election makes history Heartiest congratulations to Co. Wexford’s own Alice Doyle who has been elected Irish Farmers Association (IFA) Deputy President for a four-year term. Alice becomes the first woman ever to hold that important role and the first Co. Wexford member to be elected to the IFA senior executive in 68 years. Alice will take over as Deputy President of the IFA at the association's AGM this month.

Alice is a former primary school principal who has been farming a beef and tillage enterprise for over 30 years in partnership with her husband at Ballyoughter near Gorey. n

Page 16 - 7th January 2024

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7th January 2024 - Page 17

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For You, from WWETB – The Hub will continue to May ‘24 Digital Help Hub in Wexford, Enniscorthy and Bunclody, contact 089 9843815 Does technology confuse you?

Or do you know someone who struggles with so many services moving online.

At the Digital Help Hub you can find out how to fill in online forms, how to use your phone, your laptop and how to use egov.ie, mywelfare.ie, the National Childcare Scheme, Revenue, SUSI, Choice Based Letting for those on the housing list and much more.

If so, go along to the Digital Help Hub! This pop-up service continues in three Wexford libraries on selected Thursdays from November 2023 until May 2024.

The Digital Help Hub is free, confidential and one to one.

WWETB Tutors Anne Marie and Joan will be available at the Digital Help Hub to help you understand technology better. They can show you how to use your device (phone, tablet, laptop). They can help you to get online or use an app.

The Digital Help Hub is an initiative of the ALL Adult Literacy for Life national strategy. WWETB, WLD, and Wexford

Page 18 - 7th January 2024

When asked, Anne Marie and Joan said, “We are here to make your online life easier, do come and talk to us at one of the Pop-Up locations, we look forward to meeting you.”

County Council Library Service have worked together to bring this initiative to County Wexford. Everyone hopes that it will be useful for anyone struggling with technology!

The Digital Help Hub visits Wexford, Enniscorthy and Bunclody libraries on various Thursday mornings from 10.30am to 2.30pm, on the dates shown below.

For more information or to connect with the Help Hub or to book a time for a consultation, please telephone 089 984 3815. n

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Enniscorthy supporting the people of Gaza

As the apartheid state of Israel continued its invasion and pounding of the captive and besieged people of Gaza, killing over 20,000 men, women and children to date, all with the blessing of Western powers, the people of Enniscorthy joined a solidarity rally in the town in support of the Palestinian people, organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The rally took place on New Year's Eve with a crowd of around 200 lining both sides of the Seamus Rafter bridge.

7th January 2024 - Page 19

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A heavenly winner Congrats to Anastasija Liadova and Alberto Frongia of Heavenly Cafe, Enniscorthy, situated on Wafer Street, winner of the Enniscorthy Christmas Shop Window competition. All the beautiful decorations and craftwork in the winning window were handmade by Anastasija's mother Jolanta – a very talented lady.

The competition was run by Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD) Council and Enniscorthy & District Chamber who helpfully provided both a webinar and visual merchandiser to successfully raise the standard of this year’s entries.

With 27 top class entries (21 from Enniscorthy and 6 from Bunclody) the standard was exceptionally high and the judges – the esteemed Michael Dunbar and Annette Wall Dunbar – had a difficult task in choosing the most imaginative winner.

The Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Cllr John O’Rourke presented Anastasija Liadova with a trophy that was handmade by award-winning glass artist Biana Divito and €500 worth of Enniscorthy & District Chamber vouchers sponsored by EMD and said, ‘I am delighted to see so many businesses getting involved in the competition and I wish to congratulate the Heavenly Café on their magical Christmas window display.’

Three entries were also chosen to be Highly Commended – Bunclody’s Bernies Florist, and Enniscorthy’s Darcy Blinds & Interiors and Evolv Health & Wellbeing Store.

Congrats to all 27 entrants who helped enormously to brighten up Enniscorthy and Bunclody this Christmas season. n

Page 20 - 7th January 2024

Above L-R: Edel Nolan, Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD), Jimmy Gahan, Enniscorthy & District Chamber, Claire Lawless, District Manager, EMD, Cllr John O'Rourke, Cathaoirleach, EMD, and Anastasija Liadova and Alberto Frongia of Heavenly Café.

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Sustainable

Enniscorthy

A monthly column

The local Sustainable Enniscorthy group takes a look back on 2023 and looks forward to 2024.

Support Sustainable Enniscorthy by following us on Facebook or Instagram.

Website: www.sustainableenniscorthy.com Contact us to get involved!

This month we remember some of the local and national highlights of last year and look forward to a new year full of sustainable solutions.

Sustainable Enniscorthy kicked off 2023 with a well-attended Energy Expo packed with helpful stands at the Riverside Park Hotel. That was followed by two Climate Cafés, the first of which was held at The Wilds and the second was at Dusty Boy as part of the Enniscorthy Street Rhythms Festival. We were delighted to initiate three ChangeX projects that saw lots of engagement and activities. The funding provided by Accenture for these projects helped us organise Enniscorthy’s first two Repair Cafés, as well as undertake water testing, collect recyclables and re-wild some gardens. You can find out more about each of these at the Green Plan (https://www.changex.org/ie/thegreenplan/enniscorthy-co-wexford), Freshwater Slaney (https://www.changex.org/gl/freshwater-watch/enniscorthyco-wexford) and Repair Café (https://www.changex.org/gl/repaircafe/enniscorthy-co-wexford-1) ChangeX pages.

In August we were grateful to Éanna Ní Lamhna for leading a fascinating Biodiversity Walk along the Slaney and sharing some of her extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna. We had great fun in September as volunteers joined us for a Kayak Clean Up which collected piles of rubbish from the Slaney.

Check out the Wexford Volunteer Centre’s 2024 Community Calendar which features a photo of the crew in action. In November we were honoured to receive the award for ‘Best Community Project that Tackles and Reduces the Impact of Climate Change’ at the Keep Wexford Beautiful Awards held

by Wexford County Council.

The need for more action was also clear with Met Éireann reporting (https://www.gov.ie/ga/preasraitis/ea1f7-meteireann-data-shows-2023-is-the-warmest-year-on-record-and -a-year-of-firsts-for-ireland/) that 2023 was the warmest year on their 124-year record, while we also saw the wettest March and wettest July on record. The Climate Change Advisory Council, who are tasked with advising on progress to transition Ireland to a “climate-resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy”, commented that Ireland will not meet the first and second carbon budgets without urgent action (CCAC, 2023, https://www.climatecouncil.ie/councilpublications/annualreviewandreport/CCAC-AR-2023-Summary-final%20compressed%20we b.pdf). While the Citizen’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss

Credit: Oliver Jeffers

(https://citizensassembly.ie/report-of-the-citizens-assemblyon-biodiversity-loss-report-launches/) reported the urgent need to re-evaluate current practices across the whole of society to reverse trends in biodiversity loss and restore the natural environment to the benefit of everyone on the island of Ireland.

So the message is clear, we need to do more but we know it can feel quite daunting to take on such big challenges. These are the type of challenges best solved by working together, so if you are looking for a new year’s resolution that will make you feel better and make the world around you a little better too, try making small sustainable changes to your life (see Tara Shine's How to Save Your Planet One Object at a Time (https://www.tarashine.com/tara-book-released/) for some useful tips). Or better yet, get in touch with your neighbours here at Sustainable Enniscorthy (https://www.sustainableenniscorthy.com/) and see what we can achieve together in 2024. We have plans for more exciting projects including a Circular Economy Action Plan and Energy Master Plan for Enniscorthy and we are always looking for new ideas and volunteers.

Here’s to a happy, healthy and sustainable 2024 from everyone at Sustainable Enniscorthy! n

If you would like to get involved in Sustainable Enniscorthy or be kept informed of our initiatives, please follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Email: sustainableenniscorthy@gmail.com Website: www.sustainableenniscorthy.com Contact us to get involved!

7th January 2024 - Page 21

SlaNey SlaNeyNewS ad Now in its 16th year, the Pudding Run at Bellefield GAA on St. Stephen’s morning is as popular as ever, a testament to the memory of Michael and the dedication and commitment of the organising committee and Michael’s family, friends, and teammates.

Chief organisers Jim and Phil Kearney are delighted that the event has stood the test of time being as lucrative a fundraiser this year as when it was first introduced and believe that much of its success is due to the fact that it is an opportunity not only to remember Michael but an opportunity to bring his family, friends, and teammates together at a very special time of the year.

The Mich Pudding

26th Decem

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SlaNey NewS The monies raised from the Pudding Run go into a Bursary administered by Enniscorthy CBS, Michael’s Alma Mater, to assist two worthy students each year in their first year at third level, defraying some of the otherwise prohibitive costs of that initial year in college.

Leaving from Bellefield GAA at 11am on St. Stephen’s morning, the 5k trek can be run, walked or strolled and is a family affair with parents, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and even the family dog participating and is a wonderful way to dust off the Christmas Day cobwebs and shed some of the excess of the great Christmas dinner as well as being a great social occasion for a good cause.

– WORDS & PICS BY MARIA NOLAN

hael Foley Run 2023

mber 2023

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Above L-R: 1. Libby Thomas, Danni Smith and Amanda Byrne at the Crown B at the Crown Bar. 3. Sarah and Stacey O’Brien and Adam Phelan at the Crow New Year’s Eve Fiesta at Drinagh, Wexford. 5. Jamie and Deirdre Frankis in Coal Bunker New Year’s Eve Fiesta at Drinagh, Wexford, we

Celebrating New Year’s Eve Wexford Tow

31st December 2023 Above left: Ringing in the New Year in T. Morris, Monck Street, Wexford were Caoimhe Byrne, Clara O’Leary, Ciara Murphy, Sophie O’Leary, Derbhla Sinnott and Ciara Roche.

Far left: Abby Edwards and Hollie Sinnott in T. Morris.

Left: Jess Murphy and Emer O’Connor in T. Morris.

Below left: Celebrating at the Coal Bunker, Drinagh, Wexford. were Anne and Gordon Rochford.

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Bar, Monck Street, Wexford. 2. Adrian and Trish Martin wn Bar. 4. Lutz and Claudia Paechtel at the Coal Bunker the Crown Bar. 6. Celebrating New Year’s Eve at the ere Daniel Howell and Samanta Byrne.

g e in wn

Right: At the Coal Bunker’s New Year’s Eve Fiesta at Drinagh, Wexford, were Bobby and Pauline Kearns.

Below left: Ciarna Power, Clodagh Thorpe, Nicola Tubritt and Evelyn Barry in the Crown Bar. Below right: At the Coal Bunker New Year’s Eve Fiesta were Pat and Caroline Morris and Kathleen Carroll.

At the Coal Bunker were Liz and Joe Delaney, one of Wexford’s best known snooker players.

3

At the Coal Bunker were Mick Farrell and Barbara Ryan.

Left: A group of young people enjoying the celebrations on New Year’s Eve in T. Morris.

Right: Sarah Ryan, Amy Kelly, Nicola Faion and Orla Kavanagh in T. Morris.

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

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Riverside Park Hotel donates €10,000 to local St Vincent de Paul Every Christmas, the Riverside Park Hotel & Leisure Club expresses its appreciation for the support it receives from the local community by giving back to that community in the form of a sizeable donation to a local charity. Last month was no exception as the Riverside Park Hotel made a huge donation of €10,000 to St Vincent de Paul in Enniscorthy.

St Vincent de Paul consistently performs outstanding work in the local community all year round, and particularly at Christmas time it ensures that as many people as possible have a great Christmas experience.

The Riverside Park Hotel extends its gratitude to the local, dedicated volunteers of St Vincent de Paul and is happy in the knowledge that this donation significantly contribute to their efforts during the festive period. n

€10,000 is presented by Jim Maher and Colm Neville of the Riverside Park Hotel to Des Sheehan (centre) representing St Vincent de Paul in Enniscorthy.

Enniscorthy teacher receives top award Post-primary education graduate Deirdre Kearney had double cause for celebration after achieving ‘top of her class’ status at the annual Hibernia College conferring ceremony which was held at Dublin’s Convention Centre recently.

In addition to receiving her Masters qualification, Deirdre was honoured by the College with the award for ‘Outstanding Performance in School Experience and Professional Practice’.

A teacher at Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, Gorey native Deirdre was one of over 1,190 graduates from all 26 counties to qualify in Primary and PostPrimary teaching, Inclusive and Special Education and Data Analytics at the ceremony which saw the largest ever number of teachers graduate in Ireland.

Congratulating her and other graduates, Dr Mary Kelly, Academic Dean at Hibernia College, said all teachers in attendance “hold the key to transformative change in the world by shaping the minds and futures of the next generation, at a time when our country is so short of teachers”. n

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Local schools benefit from new funding Students of Adamstown National School.

Pic: Mary Browne.

SAFER FOR CHILDREN IN ADAMSTOWN...

A Safe Route to School scheme was officially opened by Wexford County Council at Adamstown Primary School on the 7th December 2023.

Cllr. Anthony Connick, Cathaoirleach, New Ross Municipal District, officially opened the scheme, which was attended by local representatives Cllr. John Fleming, Cllr. Bridin Murphy, Cllr. Pat Barden, Rev. Robert Nolan and representatives of the Safe Routes to School section of An Taisce.

School principal Mrs. Claire Kickham said, "It was an absolute pleasure to work collaboratively with representatives from An Taisce, the National Transport Authority and of course Wexford County Council.

From start to finish the whole process took about 18 months. We were guided through every step and consider ourselves very lucky and grateful to have buy-in from the local community. I would specifically like to thank the trustees of St. Abban's Hall for their support in the implementation of this initiative.”

The children also have a lot to say about the aesthetics of the new arrangement.

They love the giant pencil bollards. One child said, "I love how the top reflects the lights of the cars at night." Another child remarked, "The school looks so colourful and friendly now."

John Nolan, Principal of Coláiste Abbáin Secondary School, also offered his support for the scheme saying that the scheme is of huge benefit to the students of Coláiste Abbáin.

The Safe Routes to School Scheme is a national programme to improve safety at

school gates, increase walking and cycling and alleviate congestion in front of schools.

The Adamstown scheme includes distinctive street furniture and crossing points to emphasise school location, new footpaths and pedestrian crossings to facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians to school, shop, housing estates and church and safety enhancements, re-surfacing and drainage upgrades at the main village junction.

The job was designed and managed by the Active Travel Department in Wexford Co. Council and completed by contractor Paddy McGee (Wexford) Ltd. n

HOT SCHOOL MEALS FOR 42 COUNTY WEXFORD PRIMARY SCHOOLS Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has confirmed that 42 Co. Wexford primary schools will soon benefit from the government’s Hot School Meals Programme.

Welcoming the news, Minister Browne said, “Some of these 42 County Wexford schools benefit from the government’s recent decision to expand the Hot Schools Meal Programme to include an additional 900 primary schools nationwide from April 2024... The programme forms part of the government’s commitment to encouraging school attendance and educational achievement by sponsoring the provision of nutritious food to children as part of their schoolday.”

Patrick’s NS Courtnacuddy, St. Patrick’s NS Crossabeg, St. Joseph’s NS Bree, Shanbogh NS Rosbercon, Sacred Heart NS Caim, Scoil Mhuire Broadway, St Iberius NS Wexford, St. Joseph’s NS Kilmuckridge, St. Leonard’s NS Ballycullane, St. Mary’s NS Ballygarrett, St. Patrick’s NS Ballyroebuck, and Tombrack NS. n

From April 2024, school meals will be available in Ballindaggin NS, Ballyoughter NS, Bunscoil Loreto, Wexford CBS Primary School, Court NS, Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh, Gaelscoil Moshíológ Gorey, Glenbrien NS, Gorey Educate Together NS, Gusserane NS, Kilmyshall NS, Marshalstown NS, Monaseed NS, Newbawn NS, Oulart NS, Ramsgrange NS, Rathangan NS, Rathgarogue NS, Piercestown NS, Cushinstown NS, Murrintown NS, Ballymurn NS, St. Kevin’s NS Tara Hill, Mercy NS Wexford, Scoil Mhaodhóig Poulfur N.S., Monageer NS, Screen NS, St. Brigid’s NS Blackwater, St. Joseph’s NS Ballymitty, St.

7th January 2024 - Page 27

SlaNey SlaNeyNewS ad Members of Wexford County Council, at their statutory budget meeting held at County Hall on Monday 4th December 2023, adopted a €164.2m budget which represents an increase of €12.9m over 2023.

The budget provides funding across the full range of service areas provided by the Council from social housing and road maintenance through to street cleaning, fire services, libraries, burial grounds to parks. The 2024 budget continues to support the strategic, economic and community development programme which is delivering well received positive and progressive developments for citizens throughout the county with a number of projects completed and these are now contributing positively to community life. Other projects are also progressing towards completion.

Wexford Co. Cou development

SOME AREAS OF NOTE INCLUDE: An Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV) of 0.253 for the 2024 financial year which represents no increase over the 2023 ARV. The continuation of the tiered approach for the abatement of rates due by liable persons in respect of vacant properties on the same basis as the 2023 scheme.

This initiative by the Council has had a positive impact in terms of regularising the position of vacant properties and has seen a reduction in the number of properties vacant.

The continuation of the terms of the Small Business Support Grant Scheme on the same basis as the 2023 scheme. This scheme provides a grant of 10% of the annual rates bill of €30,000 or less, which results in an actual rates reduction for up to 96% of rate payers in the county if they avail of this support grant.

The 2024 Budget also includes additional funding at Municipal District level to provide for additional local developments based on specific priorities in each district.

In presenting the draft budget, Mr. Tom Enright, Chief Executive, Wexford County Council, extended his appreciation to the Cathaoirleach and members of the Council for their continued assistance and support saying: ’This has been hugely important, and I look forward to continuing to work in partnership as we progress through these unprecedented and challenging times and plan, with an air of optimism, for the future on the de-

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Turning the sod on the Enniscorthy

livery of high-quality public services for the people of County Wexford.’

He added that, ‘Despite the challenges of presenting a budget for 2024, we very much look to building further on the progress we have made and plans we have in place to develop County Wexford into the future. The Council must and will play a leading role for the development of the county and will work tirelessly to ensure the county will continue to recover from this period of instability and uncertainty and we are very much looking and planning for a brighter and better future for all.’

KEY PROJECTS UPDATES: Min Ryan Park, Wexford town. Open to public since August 2020 and was officially opened in 2021. In addition, the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) and skatepark have been added and officially opened, further increasing the use and popularity of this strategic amenity for the county.

Gorey District Park with the enhanced playground, adult gym equipment and

coffee shop fully opened to the public in 2023 and has become a much used and well received development in Gorey.

Kilmore Quay Link Road Project completed and opened during 2021 has been instrumental in allowing much needed infrastructural development progress in the area. Plans to develop a Marina Business Park at this location are progressing.

Forth Mountain Activity Park (Phase 1).

Trails and car park completed in 2022 have seen increased use of Forth Mountain as a key amenity and is now recognised by Failte Ireland as a notable visitor attraction. The addition of the equestrian trails in 2022 have added a unique aspect to this amenity, seeing the popularity of Forth Mountain go from strength to strength with plans progressing to build further on this for the county.

Forth Mountain Activity Park (Phase 2).

Activity Centre Building is in the planning and design phase and will further add to the attractiveness of this increasingly popular amenity in the county. De-

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uncil’s ambitious t programme

New Ross Fire Station. Completed and officially opened by Minister Darragh O’Brien on 25th November, 2022.

Wexford Arts Centre. Extension officially opened on 12th November 2022

by Minister Peter Burke.

Enniscorthy Astro Pitch. Due to be completed early in 2024.

St Walleran’s Site in Gorey. The masterplan for this strategic site has been completed and the planning process for 173 social, affordable and private housing is underway. The tender process for this project is underway and contracts are expected to be awarded in 2024.

Templeshannon Regeneration. The site investigation for the pedestrian bridge element of this project was completed in 2021 and preliminary design and bridge options have been identified and are currently being reviewed. Funding for this regeneration project is being explored.

Astro Pitch, Ross Road, June 2023. The facility is expected to open in spring 2024.

sign and tendering is also complete on the boat house and ancillary facilities.

High Hill Norman Park in New Ross.

Completed and officially opened by Minister Heather Humphreys is widely acknowledged as a hugely positive transformation of a derelict site and has delivered a strategic and unique urban amenity for New Ross.

New Ross Public Realm (Phase 1) – Removal of Bulk Fuel Storage Tanks.

The work to remove the oil tank structures on the Quay in New Ross was completed in 2021 and the development of public realm works have been completed. The Emigrant Park was officially opened by Minister Heather Humphreys recently.

Enniscorthy Technology Park (Phase 1).

With three serviced sites now in place and the construction of the first building in the park, this project is well placed to deliver economic benefit to the area in the short to medium term. The IDA has recently announced the development of an Advanced Factory on site at the park.

Trinity Wharf. 2021 saw the successful securing of major grant funding for this strategic development. In 2023, construction of Phase 1, the access road and new level crossing began and will be completed in early 2024. Design of the remaining site works, including sea wall, pedestrian bridge and internal site works/services etc commenced in late 2023 following the appointment of design consultants. There continues to be a growing interest in the value of this site as a strategic location for siting and developing businesses.

Monck Street Enhancement Scheme.

Phase 1 is now complete and the second phase involving the construction of the roof structure is approaching completion.

South East Greenway. Work is complete on Phase 1 (New Ross to Glenmore) and was officially opened on 25th July, 2023.

Works have also recently commenced on the 5.5km section from Ferrybank to Curraghmore. Detailed design work will then commence on the remaining sections including the Red Bridge and Tunnel north of New Ross.

Old Dublin Road Business Park, Enniscorthy. Phase 1 works including footpaths, pedestrian crossing, new signage and landscaping is almost complete.

Funding for the masterplan is being explored.

Murphy Flood’s site in Enniscorthy.

Planning approval has been granted for a new library and apartments on the site.

OTHER PROJECTS TO BE FURTHER PROGRESSED IN 2024 INCLUDE: Market House, Gorey.

John Street Building Regeneration Project (New Ross).

Acquisition and master planning of 50acre site for new South East Technological University.

Esmonde Street Gorey Project.

Wexfordia Projects at the Irish National Heritage Park, Hook Lighthouse and New Ross tourism.

Enniscorthy Town Centre & Tourism Project.

Delivery of Temporary Car Park in Courtown.

Oyster Lane Car Park, Wexford.

Wexford Town to Rosslare Greenway.

Enniscorthy Sports Hub. Curracloe Water Sports Activity Facility.

Rosslare Strand to Rosslare Harbour Greenway. n

7th January 2024 - Page 29

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PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

St Patrick’s Special School, Enniscorthy, held its Christmas Fair on 3rd December at the school in Drumgoold in support of the wonderful students who attend there.

It was a hugely successful free event with 66 crafters showcasing fabulous designs, hot food sponsored and prepared

by Btwenty7, Santa and Mrs Claus, carol singers, donut van, kids’ carousel, monster raffle and more.

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New special school for Gorey Gorey Senator Malcolm Byrne says, “It is absolutely excellent news that a new special school has been announced for Gorey. It will cater for young people with autism and complex learning needs up to 18 years of age, helping Wexford pupils with special educational needs and their families achieve the best possible outcomes.” The new school follows analysis by the National Council for Special Education (NSCE) and the Department of Education which found that the level of need in the Gorey area could not be catered for by expanding places in existing special schools.

Senator Byrne says, “I want to recognise the efforts of everybody in Wexford involved in supporting the continued establishment of special classes and special schools. Having an education system that works for all and ensures that every child has access to a welcoming and inclusive environment to learn and flourish is a top priority of Fianna Fáil in government.

“Details in relation to the precise location of the new special school, the admission process and the number of places to be offered for the 2024/25 school year will be confirmed very shortly by my party colleague, Minister for Education Norma Foley, and her Department.”

Planning for the establishment and opening of the new special school will begin immediately. This will include a determination of the size of the school required so that the necessary staff recruitment, school policy development and related arrangements can be put in train. This will also include ongoing communication with the families concerned.

Information on special schools and the list of mainstream schools with special classes, including new classes for the current 2023/24 school year, the coming 2024/25 school year, and the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie. The NCSE will continue to update the list as more classes are sanctioned ahead of the 2024/25 school year.

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has also welcomed the news that a new special school will open in Gorey next year.

Minister Browne explained that the “new special school will be provided in Gorey to help Wexford families get the support they need. I know how influential a special school can be on the life of a child with additional needs and their family. The announcement will have a major knock-on benefit for so many families. I am in regularly in contact with Department of Education Ministers Norma Foley TD and Josepha Madigan TD. Senator Malcolm The delivery Byrne. of a third special school in County Wexford proves the government’s commitment to helping families, including those families who have children with additional needs. This new school will complement St Patrick’s Special School in Enniscorthy and Our Lady of Fatima in Wexford Town.”

Deputy Paul Kehoe has also welcomed the news stating, “Throughout Ireland, the number of special education placements continues to grow year on year ensuring that children and young people have access to school places which are appropriate to their needs and this government is committed to ensuring that every child has a school place appropriate for their individual needs. Special schools play a vital role in this.

“It is only two years since the opening of the €14.5 million, state of the art new building for St Patrick’s Special School in Enniscorthy and it is my hope that this new school in Gorey will serve to complement and support the outstanding work that is being done there and provide our young people with further opportunity in their local area.

“Our school communities have demonstrated a real commitment to inclusion. I would like to commend those involved in supporting the continued establishment of special classes and special schools.”

Details in relation to the location of the new special school, the admission process and the number of places to be offered for 2024/25 school year will be confirmed very shortly.

The NCSE will work closely with the families of the children and young people concerned to assist them in accessing the new places which will become available for the 2024/25 school year.

Planning for the establishment and opening of the new special schools will begin immediately. This will include a determination of the size of the school required so that the necessary staff recruitment, school policy development and related arrangements can be put in train. This will also include ongoing communication with the families concerned. n

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Marshalstown children launch seven new books at Enniscorthy Library!

Above left and right: Multi-award-winning children’s author Caroline Busher and Enniscorthy Municipal District Chairman Cllr John O’Rourke were among those present at the launch to congratulate the Marshalstown children on their wonderful achievement.

A launch event was held recently in Enniscorthy Library for the children of Marshalstown school who published seven beautiful books as part of the CJ Fallon ‘Our Class Book’ Project.

The children in every class worked hard with their class teacher to create wonderful pieces of work. Topics included everything from

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poetry, animals, our world, Kenning poetry, celebrating 50 years in Marshalstown NS, to dream jobs!

Wexford County Library service is going to place a copy of each book in the local archives which is a great achievement for the children in the school. n

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Deposit Return Scheme commences 1st February 2024 1st February 2024 will see a significant milestone in Ireland’s battle to increase recycling rates for aluminium cans and plastic bottles. The new deposit return scheme will launch and it is hoped this will see a reduction in these products which currently blight our beautiful environment.

As per a spokesperson for Enniscorthy Tidy Towns, the group of volunteers eagerly awaits this scheme. The majority of litter that volunteers pick up on a weekly basis are aluminium cans and plastic bottles.

These items are fully recyclable – a cause of much frustration for the group.

How will the system work?

Those of a certain age will remember the good old days of the glass bottles deposit return scheme, where you could get a few pence back to spend on sweets or a packet of crisps! The new deposit return scheme will work in the same way with a more modern Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) system. You may have already spotted these reverse vending machines at supermarkets and other shops in your locality.

All Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) will have clear instructions on how drinks containers featuring the ‘Re-turn’ logo are to be inserted into the machine. When containers are inserted, the machine reads the containers, confirms they are part of the Deposit Return Scheme, and then issues a voucher for the number of containers returned. Returned items are worth 15c-25c each depending on size.

Consumers then present this voucher at the till for full refund or against store pur-

chase. There is a dedicated website with information on the scheme – see https://re-turn.ie/

Norway Deposit Return Scheme It is estimated that we consume over 1.7 billion single-use drinks containers in Ireland every year. Our recycling rates (6070%) for these cans and bottles are well below the European norms of 90% where similar deposit return schemes are in place.

Norway is the gold standard when it comes to deposit returns – their scheme has been in place for decades. In 2021, more than 1.55 billion containers were returned for recycling equating to 91.5% of all cans sold and approximately 13,000 tonnes of aluminium. For 2021, Norway recycled 611 million plastic containers equating to 92.8% of all plastic bottles sold through the deposit scheme. This equates to 23,000 tonnes of plastic recycled.

Sustainability, Circular Economy and Climate Change While the scheme will require a shift in how and where we recycle, overall the benefits of the scheme will hopefully outweigh the current recycling regime. Whilst the scheme will take time to bed in, countries where similar schemes are in place see higher recycling rates and lower litter levels which will ultimately benefit Ireland’s environment and economy in the longer term.

Above and below: Images of a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) in a local supermarket.

Enniscorthy Tidy Towns meets every week with the aim of making Enniscorthy a cleaner and greener town. If you would like to make a difference, contact the group on social media or email enniscorthytt@gmail.com n

Cans and bottles collected by Enniscorthy Tidy Towns

7th January 2024 - Page 33

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St Patrick’s School and Youthreach Enniscorthy battle it out Last month the school soccer coaches organised a game between Youthreach Enniscorthy and the cream of St Patrick’s School, Enniscorthy. Coaches Eamon Cashe, Ricky Walsh and Gary Kehoe of St Pat’s had a real challenge to hold onto their lead at the top of the table with a resilient and dogged defence from Youthreach under coach Ms Alex Foley who had her team really up for the game.

At half-time St Pat’s were ahead 2-1 and after stern words from both sets of coaches, Youthreach went ahead in the second half 3-2. Panic ensued and a controversial penalty decision for St Pat’s from referee John O’Rourke brought it to 3-3 with 10 minutes to go, before a flurry of attacking play from St Pat’s saw them emerge as eventual winners on a 4-3 scoreline.

It was a great contest by both teams and, low and behold at the hand-

St Patrick’s School, Enniscorthy.

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Youthreach Enniscorthy.

shakes at the end, Santa arrived to

Many thanks to Santa for his visit on the

great cheers with gifts for all sup-

day for this joyous occasion which all

ported by Petittt’s SuperValu, Ennis-

were glad to be involved with.

corthy.

– JOHN O’ROURKE

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A new monthly column by GreenTechHQ 31ST JANUARY 2024 LET’S CHAT ABOUT MARKETING, TRADITIONAL, DIGITAL AND AI The first of the Enniscorthy & District Chamber #wakeupwednesday informative morning sessions is on Wednesday, 31st January. Kicking off is our own Liz McGonigal who will chat about current marketing trends and the importance of getting the basics right, (and why DALL-E looks like it can't spell!).

If you would like to join – drop a line to liz.mcgonigal@greentechhq.com #enniscorthyanddistrictchamber #marketingforbusiness #importanceofthebasics #greentechhqsupportingbusinesses NDRC SUSTAINABILITY HACKATHON WITH GREENTECH HQ

At GreenTechHQ, Enniscorthy, on 13th December 2023, were L-R: Liam Cronin (CEO RDI Hub), Lisa Cliffe, Michael McGrath TD (Minister for Finance), David Power (Dogpatch Labs), Norman Crowley (CoolPlanet).

We are delighted at GreenTechHQ, to announce our partnership with the NDRC. Together we will be running Ireland’s first Sustainability Hackathon powered by the #2050Ecosystem. The collaboration signifies a remarkable milestone in Ireland’s journey towards fostering sustainability-focused start-ups and is set to unfold over the 8th and 9th of March in Enniscorthy at GreenTechHQ.

If you’d like to hear more, or request to attend, email liz.mcgonigal@greentechhq.com

SMEs across the south east to open up their books to tender and engage with larger corporates – get in touch with us and we’ll tell you how!

IT'S GOOD TO TALK, BETTER TO LISTEN AND TO LEARN IS AN ADDED BONUS

#southeastjobs #sustainableinnovation

“A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people." – Will Rogers.

ARE YOU BUSINESS READY?

We were thrilled to welcome the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD. The aim of the event is for participants to collaborate on projects that hold the potential to revolutionise various aspects of sustainability. Attendees are welcome to come armed with their own ideas or take on exciting challenges presented at the event.

In December we held two excellent information sessions in the form of a panel and fireside chat. With Wexford native Ian Kehoe as MC and the phenomenal panel line-up of serial entrepreneur Norman Crowley of CoolPlanet, David Power, Director of Innovation at Dogpatch Labs, Liam Cronin, CEO RDI Hub and Lisa Cliffe. All kindly gave their time, experience and expertise and were hugely inspiring. The panel topic was "Accelerating economic growth in regions with a Nationwide Innovation HUB Consortium", great discussion, it was superb to see the Minister join the panel and add his excellent insights.

Ed Murphy, CEO of GreenTechHQ: “The partnership with NDRC’s Sustainability Hackathon with GreenTechHQ marks a pivotal moment in our mission, it signifies our unwavering commitment to nurturing sustainability-focused start-ups in Ireland. This hackathon is not just an event; it’s a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and real change. We believe that by bringing together bright minds to tackle sustainability challenges headon, we are shaping a greener, more sustainable future for Ireland and beyond.”

Following was the fireside chat with Conor Carmody from The Innovation Exchange and Orlaith O'Brien of #OBH who spoke about "Helping Small businesses provide solutions to Corporates”.

Again it is an incredible opportunity for

We have partnered with AIB to provide a range of SME specific sustainability courses in person, at selected venues across the south east and online (specific dates TBC for online).

The courses are designed to demystify the sustainability topic, assist with identification of the challenges and opportunities posed by incoming regulation for your business, while also helping bring tangible sustainable practices to your operations.

It is important to retain business viability by ensuring you are ready, not just for CSRD reporting, (particularly if you are a supplier within scope 3) but, also, if you want to retain/win corporate business on a national or European scale. Business does business with compliant companies and as large corporates and multinationals have to track and report their scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions from January 2024 you will too! If you want to hear more, email liz@greentechhq.com n

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Delightful Dollies raise over €1,600 for local charity On 15th November 2023, the Delightful Dollies women’s group in Enniscorthy held their annual Christmas Fair at their base in Bellefield GAA complex with stalls offering crafts, homemade produce of all types, and refreshments.

The Delightful Dollies have been a wonderful social outlet for the women of Enniscorthy and surrounding district for the

last twelve years meeting up weekly on Wednesday mornings for a chat and a cuppa, organising regular local activities and major outings around the country, and listening to interesting talks from invited guests.

New members are always welcome so all women are invited to go along on Wednesday mornings to see what the group is all about and to join in.

The group’s recent Christmas Fair raised over €1,600 which they donated on 6th December to the local Enniscorthy charity Beneath My Angels Wings, founded

by Cllr John O’Rourke who is the current Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District.

Beneath My Angels Wings supports families who have lost children to stillbirth, miscarriage and neonatal death. n

The €1,603 proceeds of the Delightful Dollies Annual Christmas Fair being presented to Cllr John O’Rourke of the Enniscorthy charity ‘Beneath My Angels Wings’ at the Dollies HQ in Bellefield GAA complex on 6th December 2023.

Enniscorthy Camera Club – new members always welcome The long established and successful Enniscorthy Camera Club is back meeting every second Tuesday at 8pm in the Masonic Lodge, Friary Lane. Potential new members are always welcome to go along and find out more. n

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Congrats The winner of the Name the Elf competition, run by Enniscorthy Municipal District in the run-up to Christmas, was Sophie Murphy who won a super Christmas hamper and a voucher for Easons. See accompanying photo. n

School funding Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the announcement that two Co. Wexford schools are to receive support to extensively retrofit their buildings to ensure that they are more energy efficient.

The schools are St Kevin's National School at Tara Hill and Kennedy College, New Ross.

Malcolm welcomed the move pointing out that, "Schools often face significant bills for heating and energy use. Any way to make them more energy efficient is really positive.

These are two good schools in Wexford that will benefit but, ultimately, it is hoped all schools could be retrofitted." n

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The search to find the young artists who will excel in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition has begun. Last year two students from Co. Wexford won prizes in the competition, which is now in its 70th year and widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, 28th February.

Judging will take place in March with winners to be announced in April.

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Wexford Library

Mallin St, Ferrybank South, Wexford,

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Southend Family Resource Centre

Hantoon Rd, Maudlintown, Wexford

Y35 T28A

Enniscorthy Library

Lymington Rd, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

Y21 AD92

Bunclody Library

Milwood, Carrickduff, Bunclody, Co Wexford

Y21 E970

ARC Family Resource Centre (Formerly known as Raheen FRC)

Raheen, Clonroche, Co. Wexford

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New Ross Library

Barrack Ln, New Ross, Co. Wexford,

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South West Wexford Family Resource Centre

Ramsgrange, New Ross, Co. Wexford

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Gorey Library

The Avenue, Gorey, Co. Wexford

Y25 WK37

Gorey Family Resource Centre

4 Charlotte Row, Upper Main St, Gorey, Co Wexford

Y25 CV91

Taghmon Family Resource Centre

Joseph St, Poulmarl, Taghmon, Co. Wexford

Y35 WTP3

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Details are available at www.texacochildrensart.com or at Texaco service stations throughout the country. n

7th January 2024 - Page 37

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Santa’s Enniscorthy Garda visit

Santa Claus took time out from his busy Christmas schedule to spend the day at Enniscorthy Garda Station on 9th December chatting to all the boys and girls who came to visit him there, and he even handed out early Christmas presents!

And in further good news, all donations collected on the day are to be given to Slaney Search & Rescue.

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Templeshannon Community Centre

Keep an eye on: https://www.facebook.com/TempleshannonCo mmunityandChildcareCentre Enniscorthy Eastside Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/320813591 438762 Enniscorthy East Community Development: https://www.facebook.com/EEastCommunity

Page 40 - 7th January 2024

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As part of the Ireland Lights Up and Healthy Club Initiatives, we at Bellefield GAA are turning on our floodlights and opening our walking track so that club members and people in the Enniscorthy community can come together to walk and talk in a safe environment during the dark winter evenings.

Walks will take place on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm for January and February, beginning on Monday 8th January.

Under the GAA Healthy Clubs Project, it is our aspiration to help more people become more active in 2024.

This is the first of many initiatives we intend to undertake over the coming months.

In conjunction with this, we have also joined the Leinster GAA Step Challenge and the goal for our walkers is to complete 4,000km collectively as a club beginning on 8th January for five weeks.

If we pass this target, the club will be entered into a draw to win a piece of the prize fund.

Steps must be tracked using the IrishLifeMyLife app. This app can be synced to a device such as Fitbit, Garmin, etc.

You don’t have to attend the Ireland Lights Up walks at Bellefield to participate, any walking you do over the five weeks counts although we would love you to join us here.

Nor do you have to be a club member, all are welcome at Bellefield so please spread the word to family and friends and let us all walk together into Spring 2024.

– MARIA NOLAN

7th January 2024 - Page 41

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A TIME FOR TAKING STOCK AND NOT FOR STOCK PILING! TOWN TALK

Christmas has passed and as we enter the dawn of a new year it is appropriate to reflect on the year that has passed and ponder on what may lie ahead. It is also a reasonable act to focus on our future and our role in it going forward.

By any yardstick, 2023 was a very turbulent year. With wars and rumours of wars, this past year can be described as biblical. We have the Ukraine-Russian war along with the Israel-Hamas war dominating our news content, but they are only two of many conflicts playing out in the world at present.

Other serious flashpoints in 2023 involve Armenia and Azerbaijan, Iran, Yemen, Ethiopia, Congo, Haiti, Pakistan, Kosovo, Afghanistan and threats from China on Taiwan. This list of countries and others will have conflict with varying degrees of intensity throughout 2024. Peace in the world this year I fear is not a safe bet by anyone’s standards.

On the finance front, 2023 was a difficult year for all. Throughout the year we experienced a spiralling cost of living with an ever increasing level of inflation. In response, the FED and ECB increased interest rates constantly throughout the year. The intention was

the recession. The question is how quick and by how much the rates can fall in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. This will steer our landing to be a soft or hard landing. I feel that we have the chance for a soft one if we don’t allow prolonged high rates to force a deep recession. With all this going on we have local and national elections this year. We also have international elections – America and England and crucially the Europeans that can and will affect our journey through all this.

WITH KEITH DOYLE to dampen down spending to reduce inflation. The end result has been a slide into recession in Ireland, England and Europe in general. 2024 is a critical time in trying to balance the inflation issue with the interest rate dampener.

The indicators suggest that the ECB may drop the rate marginally in March or later. The longer the rates stay high, the longer and deeper we may enter

“Keep a watchful eye on family, friends and neighbours.”

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Taking a seasonal step back from the clouds above us, let’s channel our thoughts in the moment. We may be making New Year’s resolutions. Some ambitious, some modest. One relatively easy one is to keep a watchful eye on family, friends and neighbours at this time. As one can imagine, for many reasons this time of year may not be everyone’s favourite time of year. Some even suffer a difficult and stressful time after the festive season. Calm after the storm if you will. If one can be patient and understanding in this difficult time and in this difficult climate, one can make a big difference in people’s lives more so than you can imagine. And if one cannot bury all the hatchets, bury the small ones that you can. I do hope that 2024 will be a better year for all. n

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Bringing artistic vision to creative expression Best of luck to Enniscorthy’s Dorn Simon (Into d’Groove) with her new online gigs/events calendar and newsletter.

Dorn (pictured) is a talented writer/videographer who loves highlighting and reviewing gigs – rock, punk, alternative, metal, and more – and book launches, arts events, exhibition openings, spoken word/poetry evenings, theatre plays etc.

You can subscribe to Dorn’s news service

here: https://subscribepage.io/GroovyNews And keep up to date with upcoming gigs and events here: https://into-dgrooveflpjjl.mailerpage.io/gigs And if you’d like an event to be included in the newsletter gigs calendar, contact: newdorn@gmail.com And all are invited to send in their own reviews, listings, gig dates, flyers, photos, and all that groovy stuff! n

An inspirational tale Gorey resident Sadie Harpur is to publish her first book The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 7pm in Gorey Library. The book is dedicated to the memory of her much-missed foster-brother Gary and the official launch will include a short ceremony to honour his memory.

Sadie’s book will be officially launched on the night by Shane Dunphy, the acknowledged childcare expert, author of several books, including the number one bestseller Wednesday’s Child, and a child protection worker with fifteen years’ experience.

As Sadie says, “Writing The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl was hugely therapeutic for me. It helped me look deep into my past and unlock thoughts and experiences I had hidden away in a dark place. But with the help of my loving family and great friends and the author Jackie Hayden, my story is out there now

Sadie was assisted in writing her book by Jackie Hayden who topped the Irish book charts with two editions of My Boy, his book about the late rock star Philip Lynott. As Hayden says, “Sadie’s story is an inspirational tale of one woman facing all that life threw at her, and winning in the end through sheer guts, determination, honesty and love. It was a privilege for me that Sadie asked me to help her tell her story.”

The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl by Sadie Harpur is available from bookshops for €15. n

Sadie Harpur

For further information email Sadie Harhas a rare gift for purSadie atHarpur sadieharpurbook@gmail.com scrupulously honest self-reflection and coming to terms with who she really is, who she was and who she can become in the future.

As she explains in The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl, Sadie went through turbulent periods of high anxiety as a Foster-Child. Suffering from learning difficulties resulting from undiagnosed dyslexia, she was described as mentally below average, and suffered bouts of depression, suicidal thoughts and was repeatedly bullied. She endured serious teenage problems, including self-harming, violent outbursts, zero self-esteem, and the eventual suicide of her much-loved foster-brother.

All this, before she found true happiness with her husband, their young family, her new-found career as a Special Needs Assistant and becoming a Foster-Parent too.

The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl explores the life lived by a vulnerable modern Irish girl as she saw it and makes essential reading for all who care about our children and their future.

Sadie Harpur’s story is an inspirational tale of one woman facing all that life threw at her, and winning in the end through sheer guts, determination, honesty and love. If you want the inside track on Fostering, The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl is the book to read.

Jackie Hayden topped the Irish book charts with two editions of My Boy, his book about Philip Lynott based on interviews with the late rock star’s mother Philomena. He is also a regular contributor to Hot Press and other outlets.

Price €15

By Sadie Harpur The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl with Jackie Hayden

As she explains in The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl, Sadie went through turbulent periods of high anxiety as a foster-child.

Suffering from learning difficulties resulting from undiagnosed dyslexia, she was described as mentally below average, and suffered bouts of depression, suicidal thoughts and was repeatedly bullied. She endured serious teenage problems, including self-harming, violent outbursts, zero self-esteem, and the eventual suicide of her much-loved foster-brother Gary.

so I hope others might take comfort from the fact that I survived.”

The Hidden World of a

Foster-Girl By Sadie Harpur with Jackie Hayden

7th January 2024 - Page 43

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Enniscorthy Community College Great range of courses available at Enniscorthy Community College. Check them out at: https://www.enniscorthyccfe.ie/prospectus/mobile/index.html n

Information sharing Wexford County Council has developed a free online information sharing portal for not-for-profit community owned facilities to inform the public and promote usage.

You can submit facility details at: https://arcg.is/1nnjev n

ENNISCORTHY FÁILTE WELCOMING UKRAINIAN REFUGEES CONTACT DETAILS: https://www.facebook.com/enniscorthyfailte Email: enniscorthyfailte@gmail.com

Enniscorthy Library events For upcoming Enniscorthy Library events see: https://www.facebook.com/enniscorthylibrary n

Enniscorthy Christian Fellowship

Oulart storytelling house At Bygone Days Storytelling House in Oulart, a great welcome awaits all, with good music, songs, stories and plenty of craic, tea and refreshments served. Eircode: Y25 YP70.

For details of upcoming events keep an eye on: https://www.facebook.com/bygonedayshouseofstories n

The Children’s Discovery Club meets every Tuesday during term-time in the Gaelscoil in Enniscorthy from 4.30pm till 6pm. All children aged 5-12 years old are welcome for challenges, games, Bible story, songs and fun. There is no charge for this club.

For more information contact Lorna on 085 1367341 or check out our website www.enniscorthychristianfellowship.ie n

Enniscorthy Women Walking Together The group meets Monday - Thursday at Eurogiant Carpark at 7pm and also has a WhatsApp group. Check out their Facebook page: ‘Enniscorthy Women Walking Together’. n

ENNISCORTHY TIDY TOWNS NEEDS YOU!

Enniscorthy Toastmasters The group meeets fortnightly on Tuesdays in the IFA Centre, Enniscorthy, at 8pm. All welcome! https://www.facebook.com/Enniscorthy-Toastmasters129333810455771 for updates. n

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Enniscorthy Tidy Towns volunteers meet on Sunday mornings to collect litter and tidy up around the town.

Volunteers are always needed and welcomed!

So if you are sick of seeing rubbish on your road, street, estate or elsewhere in the community, please contact: 053 923 6518 or email enniscorthytt@gmail.com Keep up to date on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnniscorthyTidyTown Let's all help to make Enniscorthy cleaner and greener! n

‘‘ HI-VIZ JACKETS I’ve written about this before but I’m doing it again. The number of silly people running, walking and cycling on our roads without wearing hi-viz jackets is just crazy. A few years ago most people had copped on and at least 90% of those using the public road network, day or night, shoved on a hi-viz of some sort. My experience, this winter in particular, is that more than 50% of those I have encountered are simply not wearing them.

One evening alone this past week, and a dark, damp, miserable, wet night it was, within a couple of miles of Enniscorthy, I witnessed what can only be described as three idiots, one walking, one cycling and one running, within a period of 30 minutes, almost invisible on the road. If an unfortunate motorist struck one of these the entire emphasis would be on the driver’s culpability rather than the other way around. The driver’s car would be taken and forensically examined and probably held by the authorities for weeks. Whether there was anything wrong with the car or not, the driver would probably be charged with careless driving, just to be sure to be sure and to satisfy the anti-motorist lobby.

The court based on no eye witness testimony, other than the idiot who was struck and the driver, for the sake of being seen to do something would probably find the driver guilty of not paying due attention, despite the fact that the walker was invisible, and convict. All of this would cost the driver money, even if found not guilty, and take up enormous amounts of time.

The car insurance would probably increase on the basis that the injured party would probably sue for damages and knowing our court system, which is a lottery or ATM for such claims, probably get thousands.

The time has come to stop this nonsense. When Eamon Ryan and his anti-car colleagues are introducing their new restrictions this year on everything mobile, other than bicycles, they should put in a section which makes it mandatory for all road

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View from the Centre

A local contributor, based in the centre of the county, looks at life today in Co. Wexford and beyond users, other than those in an enclosed vehicle, to wear a hi-viz vest day and night. Failure to do so should result in an on the spot fine of €1,000. What price a life and the peace of mind of the innocent driver who knocks one of them down.

It is worth noting that of the 184 road

deaths in 2023 – 44 were pedestrians, 8 were cyclists, 3 were e-scooter users (another menace in my opinion), 26 were motorcyclists, 34 were passengers and 69 were drivers. It’s important that these figures reduce further.

However, having looked at all of the above, it is important to note that road deaths have decreased significantly over the years despite the huge increase in vehicles using the road.

According to statistics from 1959 to 2020 here are the figures : 1959-306, 1960-302, 1961-332, 1962-339, 1963-335, 1964-341, 1965-356, 1966-382, 1967-416, 1968-447, 1969-462, 1970-540, 1971-576, 1972-640, 1973-592, 1974-594, 1975-586, 1977-583, 1978-628, 1979-614, 1980-564, 1981-572, 1982-533, 1983-535, 1984-465, 1985-410, 1986-387, 1987-462, 1988-463, 1989-460, 1990-478, 1991-445, 1992-415, 1993-431, 1994-404, 1995-437, 1996-453, 1997-472, 1998-458, 1999-413, 2000-415, 2001-411, 2002-376, 2003-335, 2004-374, 2005-396, 2006-365, 2007-338, 2008-279, 2009-238, 2010-212, 2011-186, 2012-163, 2013-188, 2014-192, 2015-162, 2016-182, 2017-155, 2018-137, 2019-140, 2020-147, 2021-136, 2022-155, 2023-184.

So, as stated earlier, the figures have fallen dramatically despite more vehicles. Better roads and more careful driving and road use has contributed significantly to this. The figures will never go down to nil because some deaths shown as road deaths are cases where a driver will experience a medical incident which will be the cause of death but due to the fact a vehicle will impact with another vehicle or obstruction it will be classified as a road death. We can still do better, particularly if the more vulnerable road users light up and be seen at night.

“It should be mandatory for all road users, other than those in an enclosed vehicle, to wear a hi-viz vest day and night.”

Happy New Year to all readers of this column and please support Slaney News advertisers in 2024 because without them we wouldn’t be here. n

7th January 2024 - Page 45

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Minister for Finance visits Enniscorthy’s GreenTechHQ The environment-themed art piece at the entrance to GreenTechHQ, Enniscorthy.

 Announcement of 250 Homecare jobs  Commitment to 500 Green jobs by 2030  Minister’s measures for business start-ups  “Impressive” Ed Murphy and GreenTechHQ Innovation Hub. Page 48 - 7th January 2024

SlaNey NewS The little girl with the glasses in the RTÉ Late Late Toy Show promo famously adopted a mother pose and wagging her finger told the show’s host, Patrick Kielty, about his big opportunity to impress. She said: ‘Don’t mess it up.’

It might also have been the parting shot from the Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD at the end of his visit to Senan House in the Enniscorthy Technology Park to deliver a Santa sack full of opportunities for people with creative ideas, for would-be entrepreneurs and for start-ups across the SouthEast. We would be foolish to mess up the opportunity. Those new jobs would reduce greenhouse gas emissions too. It’s all about sustainability you see.

The minister was there for another reason. It was to see the offices of the new enterprise, GreenTechHQ Innovation Hub, set up only a few months ago and headed by his host, the serial entrepreneur Ed Murphy.

Ed told the minister and about 50 movers and shakers there that GreenTechHQ, one of five innovation hubs in the country under the Government’s 2050 accelerator programme, was committed to creating Green jobs and that 500 of them would be created in County Wexford by 2030.

It was music to the minister’s ears. Government cabinet ministers are slow to praise, but the minister told everyone there he was very impressed.

As if to kick-start the whole process of job creation, Ed’s colleague Dermot Bolger, another of Wexford ancestry, had a big announcement to make. His company, Platinum Homecare, of which Ed is a director, is to roll out 250 homecare jobs across the country right now. And they are to be quality jobs paid at well above the minimum wage. Platinum has a base in Enniscorthy and is working now in partnership with the HSE, who Dermot said are second to none in the area of home care.

On left, Enniscorthy’s Ian Kehoe (The Currency) with, on right, Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD.

The Minister said that the government is doing all it can to help people create businesses and jobs and combat climate change, putting several packages together under the Finance Bill which the President of Ireland himself is going to sign into law shortly. These represent great opportunities for prosperity.

And in order to make things easier, the Minister said he’s intent on removing the red tape and the bureaucracy of the Revenue Commissioners that is inhibiting business start-ups.

Senan House, in Enniscorthy, has the hint of the United Nations HQ in New York with its tallness and its clean lines. Perhaps it’s why Ed Murphy’s connection with a guy he got to know in a section of the UN secretariat has helped in the UN deciding to set up shop right here in Senan House in the town of Enniscorthy.

These are jobs that are focused on reducing the impact of climate change using state-of-the-art, cutting-edge new technology. They are set up to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. This is a marriage of start-ups, seniors, science, new tech and mentorship. This is the new frontier.

Just imagine – the UN sets up an arm of its vast worldwide organisation right here in the once dismal town of Enniscorthy, where so many talked doom and despair even on a bright sunny day.

GreenTechHQ is one of five hubs which are situated in Cork, Galway, Kerry, Dublin and now Enniscorthy. All of them are friends, all are collaborating.

Outside the impressive office block, Senan House, with its hint of the UN, but better designed, three flags fluttered proudly in the Wexford wind blowing up from Rosslare Europort. They

The amazing view from Enniscorthy Technology Park with its three flags fluttering proudly in the wind.

Senan House, Enniscorthy Technology Park, which houses GreenTechHQ.

7th January 2024 - Page 49

SlaNey SlaNeyNewS ad Tom Foley, James Gahan, broadcaster and CEO of Enniscorthy & District Chamber of Commerce, Niall Griffin of Waterford Chamber and politicians Minister James Browne TD, his cousin Cllr. Aidan Browne, Paul Kehoe TD, John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford Co. Council, distinctive in his gold chains, and the beautiful Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy.

A striking thing about all of them was that unlike the stiff and stoic types we meet in business and finance circles in Dublin and London and elsewhere, they were so unassuming and so approachable. Maybe it was because they were from Wexford. They were all gathered in Senan House to talk about business start-ups and scale-ups that had a target of Zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD with GreenTechHQ CEO Ed Murphy.

were the national flag, the EU flag and a Wexford purple and gold flag.

We walked up the steps to the reception area of Senan House and there to greet us were three beautiful, warm and welcoming Wexford women, among them Bridget Purcell, the recruitment expert from Galbally, and Liz McGonigal, GreenTechHQ Marketing and Programme Manager. They handed out badges and ushered us inside with the efficiency of members of Cumann na mBan in the Athenaeum.

We wandered along by a wall laden with big slabs of beautiful green grass. Artificial of course. We imagined that there could eventually be a green lawn there in the corridors with a tree and shrubs and plants and a stream babbling along beside it.

Of course, this was an appropriate wall covering for GreenTechHQ, formed by Ed Murphy and his team earlier in 2023.

There was lots of green. Even the comfortable chairs were green and you could gaze out the windows to see the green landscape and town with its castle and churches of St Aidan’s Cathedral and St Mary’s. Shift a little to the right, you’ll find the yellow gorse amongst the green slopes of Vinegar Hill.

While we were mingling among them, we spotted a few guys and girls from the banks. It’s no wonder they were here. Whenever banks get the smell of money, they’ll be there. Two AIB Bank executives were talking with the enemy, two lads from the Bank of Ireland. Détente must have won over discord. Unlike most bankers who are dour and as po-faced and sulky as solicitors on a court day, this lot were smiling. They laughed out loud when I asked them if they were talking behind my back about my overdraft. No, assured the beautiful lady boss from AIB, winking at me as she hurried away – they were ‘talking professionally!’ And if you want to extend your overdraft, ‘you must show income’.

In a corner, was a man with a thing on his head. It made him look like a surgeon in an operating theatre. He was from Halo in Waterford wearing a VR games thing. He showed us how I could be lying sick in bed and a nurse wearing this piece of new tech could be talking with a team of doctors in Dublin or Washington DC and they would have real time view of my ailing body lying in the bed and I could talk directly to them via the nurse with the VR gadget on her head and they could see everything and diagnose and prognose. No need to leave home. Next thing they’ll have is the calming hand of a virtual doctor coming at me through the air and pressing my sore spots. But the team of doctors and nurses will be in some far-flung place like Bree or Boston or even Beijing.

The paintings of horses and other animals framed on the walls were awesome. They contrasted beautifully with the landscape paintings by Michelle O’Neill and her colleague fine artists also showing off the green and vibrant colours of Wexford grass. Did you know that Michelle is the same famous Michelle who is a FIFA referee?

We found ourselves inside a room full of big business people hanging on to cups of tea or coffee and tasty bits, and chatting. Or, maybe it was networking. Or just shoptalk. Probably networking. They looked big and they were big. There was nothing green about those fellows – they were smart beyond Einstein smart. Big? Those guys are huge.

Among them was a man whose friend told us he was from “Wexford Four“ and that he was president of some huge multimillion entity. Another looked more like a small farmer just in from the Mart. There was another who was a director of a bank and an international asset management company. And another who had a staff of more than 2,000. Most of those guys were international players. Some were on the global stage.

Among them was Liam Griffin, Michael Dempsey, Patsy Asple,

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Artists Nadia Corridan, Michelle O’Neill and Fiona Dempsey (Bedrock Galleries) with Ed Murphy (GreenTechHQ).

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Minister James Browne TD seated beside Lorraine Smyth (HSE) with Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy behind them.

Then there were the three Murphy women (three of them) from GrandPad, a California-based company who have an outreach in Gorey, showing off what looked like a tablet of the tekkie kind. A 100-year-old with an arthritic hand could tap this tablet and reveal a world of wonder. Just tap it there said one of the three Murphys and there it was – a host of features that could phone anywhere in the world, surf the Internet, call the doctor or a friend, read the newspaper or play whatever music they wanted in the world, or just to get help turning over in the bed. So easy.

We always follow the money trail and so we traipsed in after the big guys as they walked into the room with plush soft green chairs where Ed Murphy was flanked by the Minister and a panel of speakers moderated by the unflappable Ian Kehoe of The Currency website who thought he was a replacement for Ivan Yates. Ivan Yates could not hold a candle to him for his chairmanship of the panel and the Minister.

The speakers on the panel were proven experts and they were awesomely inspirational. Mind you, most of them had modest beginnings. One left school at 14. He had no silver spoon.

Most of them were straightened out on the anvil of experience and had suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune on the way to survival and success. Formal education can be a burden on many entrepreneurs. Poverty can be a driver for many more.

The panel was indeed ‘stellar’ as Ian Kehoe put it. There they were – Lisa Cliffe, senior executive, Enterprise Ireland, Dave Power from the oddly named Dogpatch Labs in Dublin, Norman Crowley founder of CoolPlanet and Crowley Carbon, and Liam Cronin from RDI, Killorglin, Co. Kerry.

Sitting amongst them was Minister Michael McGrath, who as the man in charge of money, is probably the most powerful minister of them all. We could see the minister was impressed.

The theme of the panel discussion was “Accelerating economic growth in the regions”. It was followed by a fireside chat with the theme “Helping small businesses provide solutions to

corporates”. The facilitators were Orlaith O’Brien, founder of OBH Partners, and Conor Carmody from the Innovation Exchange.

In the foyer or reception area of Senan House is a big black globe or maybe it’s a re-used Wexford football. It was draped with bits of green woollen jerseys or ganseys as they call them in Wexford. Attached to one green jersey was a label on which was a profound statement made by the explorer of the North Pole and the South Pole - Robert Swan. It reads: ‘The greatest threat to the planet is the belief that someone else will save it.’

Ed Murphy said that we must innovate out of this climate crisis and that the raison d’étre of the GreenTechHQ Innovation Hub is innovation and sustainability. He was encouraging entrepreneurs and people, young and old, with mad ideas to get in touch with him.

As we left the Minister and Ian Kehoe and Ed Murphy and the other major influencers and decision-makers, we thought of the opportunities that are in clear line of sight.

We thought too that the entire three-hour visit by the Minister and the panel discussion talks would benefit everybody by being live-streamed in to every home, school, college and office.

We mused that it’s not the politicians or the government or county councils or the IDA or Enterprise Ireland or the lack of money that are the barriers to our opportunities. It’s deeply personal. It’s right here. It’s us. We’ve been asleep, missing opportunities that have passed us by like buses.

We’ve been in a coma of learned helplessness and dependency.

The little girl with the glasses in the promo for the Late Late Toy Show, might now say wagging her finger, “Now that they offer you easy rules, money and mentors and supports, don’t mess it up!”

– Micheál Mac An tSaoir

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Carraig Briste Early Years visit to

Carraig Briste Early Years school visit to Wheelock’s Tree Farm, Moneyhore, Enniscorthy, 29th November 2023.

Above left: In the hay were Ned and Luka. Above centre: Group from Carraig Briste with proprietor Orlagh Doyle. Above right: Ellie and Kate.

Above left: Holding hands.

Above centre: ‘Anyone for cookies with your hot chocolate?’

Above right: Amy, Ria, Zoe and Ruby.

Left: Amy and Orlagh with a group of children among the trees.

Below left: One of the groups from Carraig Briste.

Below centre: Orlagh and group walking through the trees.

Below right: A group with giant Santa in the background.

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PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

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Wheelock’s Christmas Tree Farm

Above left: Ruby. Above centre: Orlagh meets up with Mary’s group. Above right: A group from Carraig Briste Early Years on their Christmas visit to Wheelock’s Tree Farm, Enniscorthy.

Above left: Toby.

Above centre: Isla, Finn, Kryan and Max. Above right: Mary leads the way.

Left: Orlagh and children from Carraig Briste Early Years enjoying their visit to Wheelock’s Tree Farm.

Right: Max and Kyran.

Below left: Ned leading the way.

Below centre: Jane.

Below right: Children from Carraig Briste Early Years with some of the impressive farm machinery.

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Killegney Early Years visit to Wh

Killegney Early Years school visit to Wheelock’s Tree Farm, Moneyhore, Enniscorthy, 27th November 2023.

Above left: Looking through the peep hole. Above centre: This is fun – Ollie, Cian and Aaron. Above right: Group from Killegney arrives at Wheelock’s with pro Orlagh Doyle in the centre.

Above left: Mary Wheelock having fun with Fionn while Orlagh keeps an eye on the other children.

Above centre: Libby and Anne. Above right: Keeping an eye out.

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Orlagh and the children having fun in the hay barn.

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Below left: Orlagh and Mary Wheelock singing Christmas songs. Below centre: Ruban.

Below right: All set to do some farming – Ollie.

Above: Harry enjoying the spirit of Ch Below: Orlagh, Kate and Mary with the dog.

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heelock’s Christmas Tree Farm

oprietor

Above left: “I’m nearly as tall as a Christmas tree!”. Above centre: Mary Wheelock is always a bit hit with the children including Anne. Above right: Under the combine. Below left: Ellen and friends.

Below centre: Ellen, Kate and Killegney children. Below right: Orlagh with Ruben, Eimear and Fionn.

hristmas.

Eddie

Above left: Striding out – Luke, Mary and Faye. Above right: Taking a peek.

Below left: Eddie the dog eyeing up the biscuits. Below centre: Fionn.

Mary Wheelock was there to welcome the children of Killegney Early Years.

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Mayor of Wexford Cllr John Hegarty’s Christmas get together for former Mayors of Wexford in Green Acres Restaurant, 7th December 2023, L-R: Brendan Howlin TD, Eddie Taaffe (Director of Services Wexford Co. Council), Cllr Garry Laffan, Ted Howlin and Cllr. George Lawlor.

Former Wexford Mayors get together, 7th December 2023

Cllr. George Lawlor with ex-Mayor John Roche.

L-R: Joe Ryan, Helen Wildes and Cllr Davy Hynes.

Page 56 - 7th January 2024

Cllr Maura Bell, Caroline Crowe and Siobhan Kehoe.

L-R: Avril Doyle, Cllr John Hegarty (Mayor of Wexford), John Roche.

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Age friendly awards ceremony Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford Co. Council, extended a warm welcome to over 250 people from across Ireland to the Model County for this year’s National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards ceremony hosted by Wexford Co. Council on Thursday, 30th November, in Clayton Whites Hotel.

The awards recognise and reward groups and individuals who have put significant time and effort into ensuring projects become a reality to make a difference to the lives of the older generation.

Mr. Tom Enright, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, extended a particularly warm welcome to Minister Mary Butler, Minister for Mental Health and Older People. In addressing the attendees, he said, “Wexford County Council is delighted to be hosting these National Awards which recognise the contribution that is made across the country to enhance the lives of older people. I wish to congratulate these groups for their hard work, enthusiasm and determination and the immense contribution they have made to enriching the lives of older people in their counties. Regardless of the results tonight, you should all take great pride in what you have accomplished and the positive impact your work will have on the lives of older people.”

Above L-R: Caroline Horan (Access Officer Wexford County Council), Dymphna O'Connor (S.E.O. Community Section, WCC), Cllr Ger Carty (Chairman Our Lady’s Island Community Development Committee), Annette Dupuy (Healthy County Coordinator, WCC), Lorraine Burke (Our Lady’s Island Community Development Committee).

Below left: Cllr Garry Laffan (Chair of Sports Active Wexford) with Anna Flynn (Sports Active Inclusion Disability Officer).

Below right: Mary Butler, Minister for Mental Health and Older People.

Pics: Browne’s Photography.

This was the seventh annual awards ceremony for Age Friendly Ireland since 2014.

Wexford County Council has been an Age Friendly County since 2013 and has made significant progress in embedding an age friendly approach to their work.

conjunction with Wexford County Council’s “Age Friendly”, “Access”, “Healthy Wexford” and “Active Travel” sections to enhance the playfulness of the area across the generations to ensure age friendly and intergenerational opportunities through development of playful spaces that can be used simultaneously by all ages and abilities.

Wexford projects were nominated and shortlisted in two categories this year.

The first was in the “Age Friendly Environment Award” category. “Playful spaces for all” is a collaboration with the local community of Our Lady’s Island in

In the Age Friendly “Active and Healthy Ageing Award” category, Sports Active Wexford’s “Strong and Steady” project which is a structured evidence-based exercise programme for the older generation was also shortlisted. This programe

The event was presented by Age Friendly Ireland, a shared service function of local government in Meath County Council and was hosted by Wexford County Council.

is aimed at vulnerable older adults who have a fear of falling and as a result let this fear affect them in their day-to-day activities. It is a collaboration between the physiotherapist team in Wexford Integrated Care Team for Older People and Sports Active Wexford.

This year, eight categories of awards, aligning to the themes of the World Health Organisation’s global framework for Age Friendly Cities and Communities, were presented to age friendly projects in recognition for their innovative and creative approach to making Ireland a great place in which to grow old. n

7th January 2024 - Page 57

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Minister Browne welcomes approval for Rosslare-Waterford railway line Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed Cabinet approval that the RosslareWaterford railway line will be put forward for inclusion within the EU’s TEN-T rail network. Welcoming the news, Minister Browne explained how “the EU’s TEN-T serves as a network of the key transport routes within countries, which facilitate seamless transportation by air, rail, road and sea throughout Ireland and the European Union. This recommendation formed part of the All-Island Strategic Review, which was published last July.

“Including the Rosslare-Waterford railway line within future plans for development will have major benefits for County Wexford and other parts of the country. This railway line forms part of a vision to have a railway line running from Rosslare, all the way north to Ballina. Increasing such connectivity has the potential to increase rail transport among commuters, day-trippers, visitors and commercial parties. I will continue to work on the government’s delivery of investment in County Wexford’s rail services, especially while negotiations with the EU institutions regarding the Irish network map remain in progress.

County Councillor for the Rosslare Municipal District Cllr Lisa McDonald also welcomed the news: “It’s very positive that we now have a definitive plan for the railway line between Rosslare

Minister James Browne TD

and Waterford. Granting Rosslare Europort to Waterford Ten-T status will significantly increase connectivity for commercial traffic and passengers from across Ireland to continental Europe. This is a further critical step to establishing Rosslare Europort as a Tier 1 transport hub and Rosslare Harbour and District as an economic hub. Combined with the €200m investment in Rosslare Europort, the new access road to the port and advancement of the M.11 to the Europort, we are seeing record investment in Rosslare by this government.” n

Wexford student wins two national awards Wexford native James Cullen, a PhD student in the Eco-Innovation Research Centre (EIRC) at South East Technological University (SETU), was recently awarded £3,000 through the Society of Feed Technologists’ Edgar Pye Research Scholarship fund.

James, a graduate of the BSc in Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science and a final year PhD student, was one of only three awardees of this competitive fund.

The award was based on his proposal to investigate the impact of sanitisation of a liquid feeding system for pigs on the bacterial and fungal microbiota of liquid feed and of the liquid feeding system itself.

As part of the award, James, from Foulksmills, Co. Wexford, was invited to present his findings at the Society of Feed Technologists/Pig Veterinary Society joint pig conference, held in Birmingham in November.

Earlier this year, James was also awarded the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) Industry Prize Award, which was sponsored by Kepak. He presented his work on optimising the hygiene of liquid feeding systems for pigs at the 2023 BSAS conference.

Based on his submission, James was shortlisted to give an additional presentation to industry representatives to highlight the impact of his research and based on this, he was awarded the industry prize.

James Cullen, a final year PhD student in the Eco-Innovation Research Centre (EIRC) at South East Technological University (SETU) was awarded both the Edgar Pye Research Scholarship and the BSAS Industry Prize Award.

Page 58 - 7th January 2024

James’ PhD focuses on the microbial quality of liquid feed for pigs and how strategies to optimise feed microbial quality might impact the feed and pig gut microbiome.

James’ PhD is funded by an Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship, a SETU PhD Scholarship and a Higher Education Authority grant. n

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Staff and stakeholders get the Virtual Dementia Experience at County Hall, Wexford Co. Council.

18-unit social housing for Tagoat L-R: Kevin Thorpe ( KTL Construction), Lynda Lacey (Acting Head of Finance & ICT and Director of Service for Rosslare Municipal District), Shay Howell (Senior Architect , WCC), Eddie Taaffe (Director of Service, Capital Development ), Cllr. Lisa McDonald, Cllr. Ger Carthy, Cllr. Jim Moore (Cathaoirleach, Rosslare Municipal District), Cllr Frank Staples, Nóirín Cummins (Rosslare Municipal District Manager).

Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District Cllr. Jim

opment of 18 units is much welcomed by the Councillors

Moore officially turned the sod last month to commence

from the Municipal District of Rosslare and the people living

a new development of 18 social houses at Grahormack,

in our uniquely rural District. The continued delivery of So-

Tagoat, in the presence of his fellow elected members of

cial Housing units is of critical importance to the sustainabil-

Rosslare Municipal District, Wexford County Council offi-

ity of our rural communities.”

cials and representatives from the appointed contractors.

Eddie Taaffe, Director of Services for Capital Development, said, “This scheme in Tagoat represents the latest project in

The scheme which is funded by the Department of Housing,

Wexford County Council’s programme of social housing

Local Government and Heritage under ‘Housing for All’ –

construction. Together with our partners in the Approved

the national housing plan – will help to address the demand

Housing Bodies, over 400 new dwellings have been de-

for social housing in the area. It will comprise of modern

livered since the start of 2022 and a further 700 will be com-

and energy-efficient homes designed to meet the needs of

pleted by 2026. The housing construction team is working

individuals and families. The development consists of two 2-

hard to develop more projects and increase the amount of

bedroom single storey houses, six 2-bedroom duplex apart-

social housing construction delivered by the Council and we

ment units, two 1-bedroom duplex apartment units, one

hope to exceed our targets set under the government’s

2-storey 4-bedroom house and seven 2-storey 3-bedroom

Housing for All plan.”

houses.

Kevin Thorpe Ltd (KTL Construction), Newtown, Enniscorthy,

Speaking at the ceremony, Cllr. Moore said, “I am delighted

has been appointed by Wexford County Council for the

to be turning the sod on the Tobar Cormaic, Tagoat, hous-

construction works, with the development expected to be

ing development today. This new social housing devel-

completed and occupied by early 2025. n

7th January 2024 - Page 59

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Comhairle Contae

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

Loch Garman Carricklawn, Wexford Y35 WY93

Call for Expressions of Interest for the Supply of Social Housing and Development Land Wexford County Council has an ambitious 5 year capital programme under the Housing For All Action Plan. As part of a range of housing solutions, the housing authority is seeking expressions of interest from private developers, building contractors and landowners.

Wexford County Council is seeking expressions of interest from interested parties who are capable of delivering turnkey units within the County or the provision of development land.

Wexford County Council will consider land or units in areas which have an established need. An explanatory document will outline the areas of need across the County.

In particular, Wexford County Council is seeking: 

Turnkey developments. Acquisitions are on a turnkey basis; potential payment is a fixed price lump sum, on completion of a development, within an agreed timeframe.



Mixed development schemes where social residential components could be incorporated.



Development land, varying from small sites (circa 4-6 units) in rural areas with modest demand to larger sites in urban areas (circa 50-70).



Delivery of adapted dwellings to meet the requirements of those with specific needs.

All developments and associated works must be fully compliant with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government guidelines and standards.

A preliminary proposal via the official application form will need to be submitted along with required documentation.

Application forms must be received by 5pm on Friday 9th February 2024.

Application forms and accompanying explanatory documents should be requested by emailing housingcapital@wexfordcoco.ie or may be downloaded from www.wexfordcoco.ie Wexford County Council is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014.

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

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

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

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

Interested parties should contact the Homeless Co-Ordinator, Housing Department, Wexford County Council, County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford on 053 9196599.

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Section 75 of Roads Act 1993 Temporary Closing of Roads Notice is hereby given that Wexford County Council has decided to close the roads listed hereunder to vehicular traffic from Monday 22 January 2024 to Friday 8 March 2024 to facilitate the installation of underground ducts as part of the Greenlink Interconnector Project.

Road Closures:

L4050 at Grange, Kilhile and Coleman, Ballyhack from its junction with the R733 at Rathroe to its junction with the R733 at Grange.

Alternative Route: From Coleman to Arthurstown to Kilhile to Grange via the R733.

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

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Section 75 of Roads Act 1993 Temporary Closing of Roads Notice is hereby given that Wexford County Council intends to close the road listed hereunder to vehicular traffic on Monday 12 February to Friday 1 March 2024, to facilitate remedial works for Uisce Eireann at Mayglass, County Wexford.

Road Closure:

L3045-1 at Tanner Hill, from its junction with the R739 at Snailsbush Crossroads to its junction with the L7097 at Glebe.

Alternative Route: From Snailsbush Crossroads via the R739 to Ballycogley, L7094 to Cregg, L3046 to Middletown and L3045-3 to Glebe.

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

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 16 January, 2024 to the County Secretary, Wexford County Council, County Hall, Wexford.

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Section 75 of Roads Act 1993 Temporary Closing of Roads Notice is hereby given that Wexford County Council has decided to close the road listed hereunder to vehicular traffic from the amended dates of Monday 22 January to Monday 19 February 2024 to facilitate surface water works at New Ross Industrial Estate, Butlersland, New Ross.

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Comhairle Contae

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

Loch Garman Carricklawn, Wexford Y35 WY93

Road Closure:

L40206-1, from its junction with the R723-3 at Butlersland to its junction with the L40206-4 at Butlersland.

Alternative Route: From its junction with the Southwest Cul De Sac via the New Ross Industrial Estate Road to Butlersland via the L40206.

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

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

Notice of County Rate

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.

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

Tá folúntais ag Comhairle Contae Loch Garman sna réimsí seo a leanas dár Scéim Fostaíochta Pobail

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT under Section 3 (1) of the Local Government Rates (Financial Procedures) Regulations 2023 the County Rate has been duly made on the property rateable thereto in the County of Wexford.

Post

Suíomh

Oibrí Comhshaoil – 1 phost

Ros Mhic Thriúin

Oibrí Comhshaoil – 1 phost

Dún Canann

Oibrí Comhshaoil – 1 phost

Loch Garman

The Annual Rate on Valuation for the ordinary expenditure of Wexford County Council, County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford for the services of the financial year from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024 is zero point two five three (0.253).

Oibrí Comhshaoil – 1 phost

Ros Láir

Oibrí Comhshaoil – 1 phost

Baile Hóm Beag

Signed the 10th day of January 2024.

Dualgais a chur san áireamh:

Tom Enright, Chief Executive, Wexford County Council, County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford, Y35 WY93.



Oibrí Comhshaoil - Cothabháil ghinearálta, glanadh, plandáil agus ag baint lustain srl.

Chun iarratas a dhéanamh ar aon cheann de na poist thuas agus le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais déan teagmháil le do thoil le – Sean O’Neill, Maoirseoir CE, Comhairle Contae Loch Garman ar 086 9478001 le linn uaireanta oifige 9am – 5pm nó seol ríomhphost chuig sean.oneill@wexfordcoco.ie

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

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

Is é an dáta deiridh le haghaidh Gach Iarratas ná 4.00 in Dé hAoine 19 Eanáir 2024.

Tabhair faoi deara le do thoil nach mór do dhaoine a dhéanann iarratas ar na poist seo critéir na Roinne Coimirce Sóisialaí a shásamh chun páirt a ghlacadh sa Scéim Fostaíochta Pobail.

Is fostóir Comhdheiseanna í Comhairle Contae Loch Garman.

Job Description

Location

Environmental Worker – 1 position

New Ross

Environmental Worker – 1 position

Duncannon

Environmental Worker – 1 position

Wexford

Environmental Worker – 1 position

Rosslare

Environmental Worker – 1 position

Holmestown

Duties to include: 

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

To apply for any of the above positions and for further information please contact – Sean O’Neill, CE Supervisor, Wexford County Council on 086 9478001 during office hours 9am – 5pm or email sean.oneill@wexfordcoco.ie The closing date for All Applications is 4.00pm Friday 19th January 2024.

Street Lights Broken? Report on www.deadsureapp.com

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

Alt 75 d’Acht na mBóithre 1993 Dúnadh Sealadach na mBóithre Tugtar fógra leis seo go bhfuil cinneadh déanta ag Comhairle Contae Loch Garman na bóithre atá liostaithe thíos do thrácht feithicle a dhúnadh ó Dé Luain 22 Eanáir 2024 go dtí Dé hAoine 8 Márta 2024 chun suiteáil duchtanna faoi thalamh a éascú mar chuid de Thionscadal Idirnascaire Greenlink.

Dúnadh Bóithre:

L4050 ag An Ghráinseach, Cill Haighil agus Colmán, Baile Hac óna acomhal leis an R733 ag Ráth Chró go dtí a hacomhal leis an R733 ag an nGráinseach.

Bealach Malartach: Ó Colmán go Baile Artúir go Cill Haighil go dtí an Ghráinseach tríd an R733.

Cuirfear comharthaí ar bhealaí eile. Éascófar rochtain áitiúil.

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

7th January 2024 - Page 61

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Traditional Indian dancing, the New Ross Ukrainian Folk Singers, Elena – a traditional Ukrainian singer, and the Wexford Trad Hub Youth Band were among the performers at Wexford Volunteer Centre Community Calendar Awards, 9th December 2023.

All pics: Damien Smullen / Wexford Media

Wexford Centre C Calend

9th Dec

Pics by Damian

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d Volunteer Community dar Awards

cember 2023

n Smullen / Wexford Media

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Aladdin a whole new world of panto in Ferns Tickets for Aladdin – Ferns Dramatic Society’s Panto 2024, are now on sale at: http://www.gr8events.ie/fernsaladdin We expect tickets to fly out! So book soon. n

Talented and prolific Enniscorthy singer-songwriter Eoin Devereux recently released a great new song. called Balloon. Check it out on: https://open.spotify.com/track/5ThApFO8sYTEI2bx9Hc viY?si=dcee964a6d7d40b2

Wexford Volunteer Centre Community Calendar Awards – 9th December 2023 Pic by Damian Smullen / Wexford Media

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WEXFORD ARTS CENTRE WHAT’S ON – JANUARY 2024 So Say So – Therapy Sessions Wexford First Fortnight, Spoken Word, Open Mic 11 Jan 2024

‘Nettle Horse’ by Little John Nee Theatre 25 Jan 2024

It’s Good to Rock Fundraiser Music 12 Jan 2024

Our View Poetry & Music 26 Jan 2024

The Life and Songs of Leonard Cohen Music 18 Jan 2024

David McSavage – If That Makes Sense Comedy 27 Jan 2024

Trawled Drama 19 – 20 Jan 2024

For full details on the above events, check out: https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com/tic ketbooth/shows

FOR INFORMATION ON ALL UPCOMING EVENTS, CLASSES, EXHIBITIONS, ETC: WWW.WEXFORDARTSCENTRE.IE CONTACT THE BOX OFFICE ON 053-9123764

Enniscorthy film scoops another major international award

Maria Nolan with the trophy.

An Enniscorthy movie The Shadow of Freedom, based on a book by local author Maria Nolan, directed by Dick Donaghue and shot entirely on location in Enniscorthy, has scooped another major film award – a Special Award for Short Film at the European Art Festival.

The film’s story is based on a section of Maria’s book of the same name and covers events which happened in and around Enniscorthy between 1919 and 1921.

Congrats to all involved – Maria Nolan (writer), Dick Donaghue (director), Jer Ennis (producer), the talented cast and crew, and members of the Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society who were also involved in the filming. n

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Oylegate coffee morning Mernagh’s Lounge, Oylegate, 23rd November 2023

A Coffee M Oylegate, o cancer bus wh over the ye which has h

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE Top left: Lena Doyle and Miriam Bolger.

Top centre: Chrissy Redmond, Joan Murphy and Caroline Weston.

Top right: Claire Fogarty and Margaret Bolger.

Above left: Claire Ryan, Margaret Rowe, Margaret and Jim Parker.

Above centre: Teddy Manning.

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OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Above: Chrissy Alcock, Below left: Anne Atkinson, Mari Below centre: Tom Below right:

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Morning was held in Mernagh’s Lounge, on 23rd November in aid of the S.E.R.T. hich has carried so many people voluntarily ars; and the Hope Centre in Enniscorthy helped cancer patients in so many ways.

Derek and Evelyn Kinsella and Maudie Maher. ie Furlong, Mary Byrne, Kathleen Sheil and Lily Farrell. m Shiggins, Brian Doyle and Tom Rowe.

Bernice Bateman and Anne Doran.

Valentines jazz at Johnstown Valentine’s Jazz at Johnstown Castle, Saturday 17th February, 2024.

Having just sold out their Christmas concert, singer Sharon Clancy and the fabulous trio of Killian Browne (piano), Conor Murray (drums) and Dave Fleming (bass) return to Jazz at Johnstown for the eagerly awaited St. Valentine’s date.

An evening of intimate jazz by candlelight in the salubrious environs of Johnstown Castle is just what the doctor ordered for these wintery nights.

Because of the beauty of her flowing tone, Sharon can sing achingly romantic with the most beguiling clarity, sculpting the timeless expression of what it feels like to love and be loved.

Nothing in Irish jazz is quite as seductive as Sharon, Killian, Conor and Dave weaving silken phrases and shimmering chords by candlelight to make the heart sing and Cupid’s arrows fly, only at Jazz at Johnstown.

Tickets: https://johnstowncastle.ie/event/valentines-jazz-at-johnstown-castle/ n

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Danone staff Christmas party

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y Talbot Hotel, Wexford, 8th December 2023

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Above L-R: 1. Kathleen Hurley, Sheila Redmond, Paddy Radford and Brendan Hendricks. 2. Eddie and Pat McGuinn and Tommy Ryan. 3. Frank a

COAL BUNKER CHRISTMAS PART 6TH DECEMBER 2023

Above left: Chris Berney, Philomena Gould, Mary Sinnott and Jessie Keane I.C.A. Killinick. Above centre: Bridget Breen and Tim Kehoe. Above right: All firs Ronnie Doyle and June Ellard. Below L-R: 1. Roy Coleman, Packie Roche and Fr. Aodhán Marken. 2. Anne and Ger Codd. 3. Mary and Tommy Sinnott and Fr

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and Cepta O’Connell. 4. Santa with Eileen Ellard. 5. Maeve MacNeigh, Terry Murray and Ina McCormack.

Y FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

st cousins Eileen Ellard, Frances Madding, Lar Coleman, rank Leacy. 4. Catherine and John Price and Lar Murphy.

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006 Above left: Kay Murray, Emma Sane and Mary Crotty.

Above right: Santa with Bridget Breen.

Left: Donal and Liz O’Brien.

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Young Wexford bands release new singles by Dorn Simon Two Co. Wexford young bands released debut singles last month. Enniscorthy’s up-and-coming teen outfit Recoil released ‘Rip You Out’, with Adversary releasing ‘Alas, A Peaceful Death’.

Both bands write their own material and have flown to the scene with verve, enthusiasm and shocking talent, with live dates in December and January to whet the audience's appetite and hear the debut singles played live.

Recoil played their debut single live on December 16th 2023 at The Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, with support from Crimson, Absenth and DC Dolls.

While Adversary will play live support to headliners Pain in Vain, alongside Equinox and Sickened, in The Presentation Arts Centre on 13th January 2024.

Recoil comprises Jack (Lead Singer), AJ (Keyboard), Evan (Lead Guitarist), Conor (Bass) and Manson (Drums) – although he has another name!

Adversary is a trio, a family affair with brothers Seán Hynes (Vox/Bass) and Tomás Hynes (Guitar), accompanied by their uncle Shane Cahill (of Mael Mordha) on Drums.

Recoil’s single 'Rip You Out' is a worthy debut release, full of rhythm, roar, and fun, the keys are reminiscent of the 60s prominent keyboard style delivered by AJ, and it will certainly have the crowd bouncing around. Adversary’s 'Alas, A Peaceful Death' is, as one would have learned to expect from any band Tomás is a part of, a genuine masterpiece showcasing the depth of the musicians’ capabilities, and the style they are representing. It is over 7 minutes long but by no means monotonous, it shapes itself around a melancholy gloom, touched upon by gothic metal, and death rock of the past, the lyrics mature in their offering, telling a stark story behind every nation, touching every being, in all honesty.

Support Local Bands - Support Local Venues - Support Music. n

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Above: Recoil. Pic: Damien Smullen / Wexford Media.

Below: Adversary will play live support to headliners Pain in Vain, alongside Equinox and Sickened, in The Presentation Arts Centre on 13th January.

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“RIP YOU OUT” RECOIL HEADLINER & SINGLE RELEASE REVIEW Saturday 16th December 2023 brought the youthful, spirited, and fishnet-clad crowd back into Enniscorthy where Recoil, a local teen rock band played their first Headlining gig with their single release of ‘Rip You Out’ at The Presentation Arts Centre. The band had merchandise displayed in the lobby, consisting of t-shirts, hats/caps, and stickers.

Enniscorthy’s own Donna Marie Sludds, an established musician and vocalist in her own right, and her husband Michael Cloke, who is an actor and musician, were manning the merch stand and Donna was seen with the video-capturing gimbal to record the night's events, after all, young Jack Cloke, lead singer of Recoil, is one of their sons.

Local photographer and content creator Damien Smullen of Wexford Media was in attendance capturing those essential shots that catch moments of history in the making, providing memories and prints that will soon be available as posters for every fan's wall!

The night began with Absenth another local band, an all-girl outfit, who were the first all-girl band of the night.

Once again they delivered an energetic set, mixed with original material and their now almost-expected cover of Bring Me To Life by Evanescence. The band’s performance has tightened over the months since their debut at the same venue, and they have a loyal fan following.

Up next, a new band to the town, as they stem from Dublin city, the all-girl ensemble DC Dolls.

So much can be said for these young musicians, as they gel so well together, and play as if they have been playing for decades – yet that would be impossible lest they were handed instruments out of the womb!

They are very tight-knit, knowing how to bring out the best performance, working it together, and delivering outstandingly to an audience.

In correspondence with Into d’Groove, it was revealed why the band gels so well, quote, “I think our performance stems from being close friends and putting in tons of hard work.”

Well, that hard work was evident; adept for their young years in that the professional chord-cutting riffs seem to come with such ease to Guitarist Abi Rafter, who (along with them all) has a stage presence reminiscent of the Grunge Era and how she holds and plays the guitar is as though it is an extension of herself. Abi also performs supporting vocals and reminded me of so many female artists in rock bands from the ‘70s through the ‘90s, oozing the energy and enjoyment through their playing, such as Courtney Love of Hole, to which the DC Dolls did the cover of ‘Jennifer’s Body’, the only cover I noted throughout their performance.

They write stupendous original material, and on themes mature for their age, touching upon politics, advocacy, and psychology, albeit delivered with lyrics to cater to the angst-ridden youth of their predominant audience.

Engaging throughout with anecdotes of when, how and why the next song was written, which too many these days regretfully do not do anymore.

The Bassist Susan Antoszek equally proficient in her skill, brought me back to the late '80s and '90s as a goth myself, I could not help but see a Twiggy, or Marilyn Manson influence, oh there are so many others who could be mentioned far more reputable to portray that style of fashion, but this is what tweaked my memory banks!

The bass was the instrument meant for this musician, as she manoeuvred herself on the stage, at times joining the guitarist to jam, with the bass not missing a note.

Hole, L7 and Bikini Kill were, here’s hoping DC Dolls have a long career ahead of them and keep that mature and professional attitude locked.

Psychedelic rock outfit Crimson returned as Special Guests, always getting the audience moving and grooving to their setlist.

Cameron Allen is no stranger to the stage, as lead singer or guitarist, he can mould himself into his style yet perfectly able to take on roles such as Elvis in theatre performances.

Crimson’s songs are becoming familiar throughout the audience, so much so that lyrics come to mind with ease. A mixture of original material and at times covers, the band is capable of delivering an energetic set every time, with fans piling to the fore and the venue dancing to their tunes.

A single release from Crimson would be a welcome addition to Enniscorthy’s music scene.

Recoil, the headliners, were on point, having worked hard this year to get to this milestone, their single release ‘Rip You Out’ and their first Headline Gig. Watching these lads from seed growing into determined saplings, has been a pleasure, as their performances improve and energise each time. The backdrop logo was lit in red giving an urgency that matched their ambition, all members working their magic with their chosen tools or instruments. Lead singer Jack’s voice is maturing into a deeper octave, the teen voice whispering goodbye, yet it takes nothing away from their origin.

Tracy Luzemba on Drums adds a flavour of hard-hitting beats, full-swing energising the backdrop, another brilliant display of musicianship, keeping time to the exact, each member is fully in sync with the other.

The dreadlocks, swinging with each drumbeat as she rocked her beats, were animated to the rhythm.

Evan is adept on guitar and has a melodic classic rock voice for the odd song he sings.

Lead Singer Vivien Nesbitt has that raw energy, no frills, purest form of rock emanating from her pores, she doesn’t need to dress it up, she just IS a rock singer, the kind born such as Janis Joplin, that was what was felt whilst watching and listening to her.

Verve is the feel their performances give, and they take command of that stage, deliberating the audience and even catering to suit.

The diversity within this band that was made for each other was impressive, with each member owning their style and identity.

The next instalment will be from the forthcoming gig with Pain in Vain headlining, Adversary debuting, Equinox supporting and Sickened opening – January 13th 2024.

– DORN SIMON

Collaboratively, they are already on their way to success, as they are as good as

This band has its sound now, it is a unique modern punk with a rock edge, the more they develop, the less they sound like anyone but themselves.

They managed, with assertion, to play Rip You Out twice on the night and it is available on all music streaming services.

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Recoil at The Presentation Cen Enniscorthy – 16th December Recoil

Pics by Damian Smullen / Wexford

Recoil DC Dolls

Recoil

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DC Dolls

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Recoil

Crimson

Recoil

Crimson

Crimson

e ntre 2023

d Media Absenth

Absenth

DC Dolls

DC Dolls

Absenth

Absenth

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Clohamon Christmas Fair 9th December 2023

Top left: Erin, Cian, Jamie and Ella White. Top right: Isabelle Devereux and Chloe Wafer looking after Cllr BarbaraAnne Murphy at their stall.

Above: Kaden Phillips Redmond fancies a dicky bow.

Above right: In the Christmas mood are Grace Martin and Orla O’Rourke. Left: Kevin Byrne, Margaret Dunne and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy.

Right: Isabelle Devereux and Chloe Wafer who made all their own items for their stall.

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006 Erin and Ella White.

Left: Pauline Lalor and Catherine Doyle.

Above: Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy and Bridie Kavanagh. Right: Allie Byrne.

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Annis Kehoe coffee morning and Christmas cake sale, Crossabeg 9th December 2023

Top left: Nell Laffin and Geraldine Cullen. Top centre: Lucy Curran. Top right: Mary Lancaster, Patrick, Helen and Annis Kehoe.

Above left: Mary Mahony and Anne Dunne. Above centre: John Foley and Alice Devine. Above right: Ann Cowman, Lorraine and Ian Hawkins.

Below left: Sharon Ennis, Sarah Shovlin and David Jucius. Below right: Kathleen Higgins, Mick Kehoe and Patricia Ryan.

Bottom left: Tadhg Kinsella, Frances Morris and Cathal Kinsella. Bottom centre: Jimmy and Mairead Heeney.

Bottom right: Annis Kehoe, third from left, and some of her many helpers.

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

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Riverside Park Hotel – lots to look forward to The Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, upcoming events: 10th Jan 2024 - The Three Amigos, 1st Feb 2024 - Michael English, 8th Feb 2024 – Dan Mc Cabe, 22nd Feb 2024 – Mike Denver.

Tickets from hotel reception or online at www.riversideparkhotel.com/in-house-events Overnight packages also available including tickets and accommodation. n

Opinion You Didn't Ask For Podcast

Tune in to Jamie and Blayne’s podcasts and check out: https://www.facebook.com/OpinionYouDidntAskFor/

Dancing with Declan

What’s On Wexford

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

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

The Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy: 053-9233000 The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely: (0402) 38529

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Check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/WexfordEvents for the best listing of what’s happening all over Co. Wexford. n

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Enniscorthy Retirement Association Enniscorthy Retirement Association’s last meeting of 2023 took place on Tuesday 5th December at 2.30pm at the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, with guest speaker Turtle Bunbury, author, historian and television presenter, who spoke on ‘Vanishing Ireland’.

There is no meeting in January so the next monthly meeting will be on Tuesday 6th February. This will be the AGM and all members and new members are encouraged to attend.

To check out upcoming events and ongoing daily activities which take place every MonThurs, see the association’s newsletter: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=22 4298907353143&set=a.112129618570073 New members are welcome to attend the meetings. See ‘Enniscorthy Retirement Association’ Facebook Page or email enniscorthyretirementassociation@outlook.com A new website is now live at www.enniscorthyretirement.net n

5th December 2023 at the Enniscorthy Retirement Association’s last meeting of the year, members of the association, Peggy Kenny, Valerie Morris (Chair) and Annette Majekodunmi present a cheque for €2,500 to Nurse Mary Fox from the dedicated Dementia Unit, Ivy Ward, St John’s Community Hospital, Enniscorthy. The money was raised by the association at a coffee morning which took place on 23 November 2023.

Join a choir in Enniscorthy In Enniscorthy, there are at least three choirs open for new members: Enniscorthy Gospel Choir, the Silvertones and the new singing group called The Templars based at Templeshannon Community Centre.

CONTACT DETAILS: Enniscorthy Gospel Choir: Tel: 087 652 2198 Facebook: ‘Enniscorthy Gospel Choir’ Silvertones: Danny 087 2465250 or Mary: 089 414 2626 The Templars: 053 9237511 or email: tccctempleshannon@hotmail.com n

ENNISCORTHY LIBRARY Email: enniscorthylib@wexfordcoco.ie Phone: 053 9236055 OPENING HOURS: Monday 10.30am - 5.30pm (closed 1pm to 2pm). Tuesday 10.30am - 5.30pm.

Wednesday 10.30am - 5.30pm. Thursday 10.30am - 8.30pm.

Friday 10.30am - 5.30pm. Saturday 10.30am - 5.30pm (closed 1pm to 2pm).

Closed Saturday & Mondays of bank holiday weekends. n

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DELIGHTFUL DOLLIES ANNUAL DIN PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Top row L-R: 1. Anne Dodds and Maeve Doyle. 2. Maeve Whelan and Mary Kelly. 3. Helen Wildes, Patrica Wheeler and Liz O’Brien. 4. Theresa O’Connor, Edel Kenny, Winnie Connolly and Winnie O’Connor. Above: Maureen Moorehouse, Jenny O’Connor, Mary O’Brien, Helen Doran and Mary Millar.

Below left: Eileen Owens, Sally Murphy and Ceceline Furlong. Below right: Peggy Dillon and Evelyn Walsh.

Far left: Patricia Quigley and Mary Kearns.

Left: Caroline Stamp and Breda Kirwan.

Right: Gail Bolger, Kit Kenny and Eileen Coady.

Far right: Jean Hendricks, Ann McMahon and Mary Fardy.

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NNER RIVERSIDE PARK HOTEL, 2ND DECEMBER 2023

The Delightful Dollies annual dinner in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, 2nd December 2023.

Above left: Monica Delahunty, Stephanie Murphy,Theresa Ring and Liz Kavanagh. Above right: Margaret O’Brien, Mary Dobbs and Mary Sinnott.

Below left: Kitty O’Brien, Kathleen Hennessey and Liz Owens. Below right: Kit Kenny and Eileen Coady.

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GODZILLA MINUS ONE Movie Review with Kyle Walsh 

It feels like I had a huge love for films since day one of my life. My parents would tell you that they remember me as a 4-year-old asking them about actors, and what a director is? I wanted to know as much about the movies as possible even back all those years ago and that passion for films has never left me.

One of the first films I fell in love with was the original black and white King Kong. I suppose looking back now it would have been my introduction into monster movies. That film blew me away and left a huge impression on me as a wide-eyed kid. King Kong still remains one of my favourite monster movies. We have plenty of monster movies now throughout the years with some cracking movies such as Jurrasic Park, Jaws, even the likes of the classic Sinbad movies or Jason and the Argonaunts, or the great Lord of the Rings. We have had great monster movies and some horrible ones such as Congo.

There was one monster that I always loved and that was the classic Godzilla. My two favourite monsters were always King Kong and then Godzilla. Let’s face facts, the Godzilla films were never great movies and some of them were just plain awful. Then in recent times we have had the monster universe and with all the excitement of having Kong v Godzilla with the inclusion of the state-of-art technology Hollywood has at its disposal, the studios still delivered only so so movies much to my distaste. Missed opportunities with each entry. I always wanted a proper Godzilla movie to be made and have Godzilla a frightening foe for mankind. I gave up hope for Godzilla and I was left so frustrated that Godzilla didn’t get the love and attention he deserved from these big studio giants for years and years. Pity really.

Then, a couple of years ago, I got word that there was a new take on Godzilla and it was coming to fruition for the 70th anniversary of the 1954 movie titled Gojira, the first Godzilla movie. Imagine 70 years for this character, and a legend of a character, but yet never accomplished into a great movie. So my question when I first heard details of this new version of Godzilla was, are ye actually going to show a bit of respect to this fascinating material and give it a new lease of life or are ye going to do the same recycled stuff that we are fed up of now? I gave them the benefit of the doubt and waited patiently to see the finished movie. So, I finally got a chance to go to Wexford Omniplex Cinema the other evening to see Godzilla Minus One. I stayed away from the hype and decided to go into this not knowing anything about it, I even stayed away from the trailers. Sitting in my seat with anticipation all I wanted was a half decent take on the Godzilla lore. What I got was one of the best monster movies I have ever seen. A few days after seeing it I’m still thinking about it. A brilliant piece of film making. For me this is the greatest Godzilla movie ever made and right up there with the best monster movies of all time. I’m so happy to report!

The story for this glorious film is basically human beings pulling together to heal and defeat an inexplicable force of destruction set in the last days of World War 2. They were very bleak days for Japan then. We are introduced to our protagonist Shikishima, a pilot who is to fly a kamikaze mission, but pulls out of it and lands on Odo Island instead, telling mechanics that there is something wrong with the engine on his plane. Truth is he doesn’t want to die. He is ashamed and a failure for his actions. While he is in self pity, this is where he has his first encounter with the enormous Godzilla. This is an incredible scene and truly frightening and awesome to see this Godzilla is taking no crap. This Godzilla is no hero and he ain’t going to save the day either. Shikishima returns to Tokyo to discover his life will never be the same again after receiving some devastating news. Years go by and unfortunately for him he once again has to go head to head against his nemises Godzilla.

How is he going to defeat this monster of all monsters and save his people? It’s truly a great film and is ranked in my top 10 movies of 2023 – see list below. This film was made on a budget of 15 million dollars and I am astonished how they did it. When you look at the Hollywood movies on which the studios spend 150 million dollars plus and those movies would not hold a candle to this one. Once again another sign that Hollywood needs to wake up. Please people check this monster of a movie out, it’s great. 9/10. n

MY TOP TEN MOVIES OF 2023: 10. Guardians of the Galaxy 3 9. The Killer 8. Killer of the Flower Moon 7. The Convenant 6. Blackberry 5. Mission Impossible 7 4. Air 3. John Wick 4 2. Godzilla Minus One 1. Oppenheimer

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‘THE HOSTAGE’ PROMISES TO BE A CAPTIVATING EXPERIENCE Rehearsals are in full swing under talented director Chris Currid for what promises to be an amazing production

by Enniscorthy Drama Group of The Hostage by Brendan Behan.

The play will be staged between 31 January and 3 February 2024 at 8pm nightly in The Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy.

Celebrating the recent centenary of his birth, Enniscorthy Drama Group is excited to be staging 'The Hostage', by the great Irish author Brendan Behan. The Hostage, which is considered to be Behan's masterwork, is a tragi-comedy set in late 1950s Dublin in a lodging house-cum-house of ill repute. It is here a young English soldier is held hostage by The Irish Republican Army in a bid for the release of one of their own men who is facing execution in Belfast. His time here proves eventful as he encounters an array of peculiar, off beat and somewhat unorthodox characters who have made this odd house their home.

Not just a story of the tyranny of Irish history and warfare, this play explores religion, politics and social conditions.

Tragedy is offset with an abundance of comedy and quick wit, satire and parody, debate and, at times, borderline fantasy, all with a wonderful and extensive musical score to boot with songs penned by Brendan Behan and also impromptu dancing!

A play that has something for everyone!

The cast, production team and the committee are thoroughly enjoying the rehearsals and preparations and are all looking forward to showcasing their hard work to their loyal and supportive audience, friends, family and sponsors.

This production sees an array of people from different performing arts backgrounds come together like never before for the group. The wonderful cast includes some of Enniscorthy Drama Group’s finest stalwart actors and even some committee members treading the boards! So popular were the auditions for this play that a host of talented actors are also joining the group from Gorey and Wexford, as well as some very accomplished musicans, and new members from

Tickets €15 plus €1.50 booking fee. the world of drama, musical theatre, Wexford Film Workshop and even the local Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society, showing just how innovative and collaborative Enniscorthy Drama Group is in its approach to the performing and creative arts and the idea of local community groups supporting each other.

This play is expected to sell out for its run so get your tickets now at: https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873642168 or telephone 053-9233000. And keep up to date on Facebook: ‘Enniscorthy Drama Group’.

– Karen Franklin, PRO, Enniscorthy Drama Group.

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Crossabeg senior citizens annu Ferrycarraig Hotel, 10th December 2023

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ual Christmas party Top row L-R: 1. Children of Crossabeg National School choir add their voices to the day’s entertainment. 2. Crossabeg National School choir. 3. Michael and Pauline Buckley.

4. Kevin McDermott, Martin O’Connor, Alice Devina and Liz O’Connor.

Below left: Children of Crossabeg National School choir.

Below centre: Judith Robinson and Una Furlong.

Below right: Cutting the annual Christmas cake were Paddy Neville and Felice Ryan.

Bottom row, L-R: 1. Julie Butler and Anne O’Reilly. 2. Ann and John Maher.

3. Lorna Kinsella and Citriona Cullen. 4. Gillian Hearn and Paul Kinsella.

5. Bee McDonald, Phil Mythen and Rhonie Reck.

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

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Coal Bunker event raises money for Blood Bikes South East

The Coal Bunker pub and restaurant on the N25 in Drinagh outside Wexford town.

COAL BUNKER’S LITTLE STEAM ENGINES AND OLD TRACTORS EVENT RAISES MONEY FOR BLOOD BIKES SOUTH EAST A row of tiny model steam engines and a line of old and vintage tractors, worth small fortunes, gathered to raise funds for Blood Bikes South East in the carpark of the Coal Bunker pub and restaurant on the N25 in Drinagh outside Wexford town on a Wednesday at midday in the closing days of 2023.

The rain delayed the start up and the dozen or so tractors ticked over until it lifted and the sun began to break out.

They then took off at speed. Little grey Ferguson tractors from the 1950s raced with all their might to catch up with more powerful blue Fords, a green John Deere, a David Browne, a red Ursus and a red Zetor among machines of varied colours and horse-powers. Jake Devereux and David Devereux of Sheepwalk showed us what was considered the oldest tractor present, a Ferguson 35.

They sped off beside the N25 traffic to Wexford town, along the quays, past Dunnes and around by 1798 Street before heading back to the Coal Bunker. It was a round trip of about 20km. The

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Evan Devereux

drivers and owners were mainly from the Bargy Vintage Club and the Castle Vintage club, Taghmon.

Meanwhile, supporters and visitors stood enthralled in the Coal Bunker car park at the performances of the tiny, less than knee-high steam engines, exact replicas of their monster real-life relations that had threshed fields of corn to yield tons of grain back in the 40s, 50s and 60s in County Wexford.

As the twelve little steam engines there ‘thump, thump, thumped’ and puffed real coal-sourced smoke into the air, owners Pat Doyle of Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, with his Ruston Proctor steam engine and Alan McDonald of Gorey, also from the Steam Engine Club, explained how the little steam engines had come from America and the UK and how so many enthusiasts had sold them before they themselves bought them and restored them.

After the tractor run, Larry Coleman, proprietor of the Coal Bunker, who was promoter of the event, John Roe, organiser and Con Morris joined with the owners and drivers in the pub. Meanwhile Ronnie Evans and Abraham Allan, co-founders of Blood Bikes South East, joined in another part of the pub with fellow members

Conor Regan, Paul Brereton and Rebecca Keeling, chairperson of the group, and counted out more than €600 from a simple raffle on the day.

Ronnie Evans said they were ‘blown away’ with the support of people to provide their vital voluntary service of bringing blood, breast milk and essential medicines to and from hospitals and patients at speed across the south-east and to Dublin and back.

Founded in March 2020, less than four years ago, Blood Bikes South-East now have two cars, three motor bikes. They have 28 volunteers, all in a WhatsApp group, all doing it free gratis for the love of it, providing a less than two-minute response to calls from hospitals, nursing homes, mothers and babies and families.

They are funded from corporate sponsorship and public donations.

Their greatest rewards, said Ronnie Evans, are when people recover helped by their service. They cheered loudly when ‘the bell rang twice’ for children whom they knew at Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin, meaning the two children had recovered completely.

See: https://bloodbikessoutheast.ie – M.F.

Slaney leiSure & lifeStyle

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Top left: The Barthelemy family, Arnoul, Nicole, Stef and Alfie, Lily, Jimmy and Michael.

Top right: Jason Quirke waves goodbye as he makes his way to Wexford. Above left: Seamus Banville as he unloads his Model 4 inch Foster. Above centre: Getting his Model Ruston Proctor Steam Engine going was Pat Redmond of Enniscorthy. Above right: Frank Lacey, Ricky Breslin, Michael Wickham and Nicky Murphy. Right: Two old friends with two old tractors, Pat Doyle and Paddy Kenny. Below left: Michael Foley with his John Deere tractor. Below centre: Conor Regan, Ross Evans, Rebecca Keeley and Abraham Allen. Below right: Braving the elements on a cold, wet day. Bottom left: Jason Quirke. Bottom centre: Tom Roche. Bottom right: Paul Nolan.

7th January 2024 - Page 87

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“SPLASHERS” GALORE AT RO Lining up!

Inset: Lucia Donohoe, Eimear Roche, Aisling Roche and Aimee Winters.

You didn’t have to be a swimmer, all you needed to be was ‘a splasher’ to enter the sea at Rosslare Strand for the annual Christmas Day Swim to raise funds for St Mary’s Day Care Centre Tagoat.

Background sounds of Christmas music and the thunderous sound of the theme music from the Hawaii Five-O television series were interrupted by Ray Flynn, commentator, who counted down to 12 midday on the dot. And then like a shot out of a gun, the swimmers and ‘the splashers ran’, a fearsome mass of bare skin, into the mild Irish sea.

More than 250 swimmers and splashers and their supporters came from far-away places this year, including Sweden and Lithuania and Dublin.

Of those, more than 100 stripped off and went into the sea for the fun and exhilaration and camaraderie of it all in supporting the best of causes.

From a tent, volunteers for St Mary’s doled out cups of delicious soup and delicious mulled wine, all conditioners for the Christmas cheer and incentives to those present to give generously. More volunteers held out big white buckets to receive the donations most of which came in greenish whispers.

It was the 38th Annual Christmas Swim, said Ray Flynn, quoting a Fr John O'Reilly. Pat Skillen, a resident and retired from the newspaper industry in Fleet Street, London, said that it lapsed for a few years and it was revived by six other members of the community, including Paddy Ryan and Pat Skillen, the ‘High King of Ireland’, himself.

Thanks to them all and onwards to the 39th Christmas Day swim.

– M.F.

Page 88 - 7th January 2024

The race is on for t

Slaney leiSure & lifeStyle

OSSLARE CHRISTMAS SWIM

the Christmas swim at Rosslare Strand.

Above left: Claire Nolan, David Nolan and Corace Nolan. Above right: Seamus Power, Marie Dunne and Patrick Skillen. Below: Splashing about.

Far left: Garda John Hubbart, Alan Duggan, Jane Hudecova, Jonathan Parle, Jack O'Hagan and Andy O'Connor.

Left: Claire Browne collecting for Tagoat Day Care Centre.

Right: Brigid Freeman and Ray Flynn.

Below L-R: 1. Noel Doyle and Marion Breen.

2. Mary Dempsey and Gytis Navickas. 3. The Mac Aogain and Comiskey family from Killinick with Lola their boxer.

4. Watching from the lifeguard hut were Joan Fardy, Pat Skillen, Mila Vukcevic and Claire and Pat Rochford.

7th January 2024 - Page 89

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Wexford Light Opera Society carol singing in the Talbot Hotel, Wexford, 8th December 2023.

Wexford Light Opera Society in full voice

Left: Tom and Anne Kennedy. Above L-R: Bernie Barry and Pam Moore. Collette and John Rossiter.

Kilmore Active Retirement Christmas Lunch, Riverbank House Hotel, Wexford, 13th December 2023

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Margaret and James Byrne and Agnes Beehan.

Page 90 - 7th January 2024

Brendan Hamilton, John Rossiter and Seamus O’Keeffe.

Slaney leiSure & lifeStyle

Screen-Curracloe senior citizens Christmas party Hotel Curracloe, 10th December 2023

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Top left: Belinda Ryan and Trish Potter.

Top centre: Marie Crawford and Joseph Ferris.

Top right: Eileen Kinsella and Nuala Hearns.

Above left: Maureen Lambe, Mary Tobin and Eileen Bates.

Above right: Anne Donohoe and Anne Murphy.

Left: Tommy Gordon, Maura and Neill Hurley.

Right: Nuala and Sean O’Reilly.

Below left: Fintan and Maree Monaghan and Mary Rossiter.

Below right: Mary, Betty and Kay Roche.

7th January 2024 - Page 91

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Our Lady’s Island Christmas Fair and switching on of festive lighting

Cllr Ger Carthy with Santa.

Below: Delighted to meet Santa at Our Lady’s Island were Lia Underwood, and Katie Parle.

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Having a cuppa at the Fair were Noel and Anne Dempsey, Jamie Dempsey, Jennie Brennan and Zoe Dempsey.

Above L-R: 1. Caoimhe O’Donovan and Anne Kehoe. 2. Santa greeted by children on his arrival at Our Lady’s Island. 3. Raffle sellers Jane Carroll, Eliz Furlo Below L-R: 1. Amber and Tina with Santa. 2. June Ellard and Dave Moloney. 3. Cecelia Nolan and Theresa Hogan. 4. Santa and the Kinsell

Page 92 - 7th January 2024

Slaney leiSure & lifeStyle

Above left: Buying earrings were Carol Faughnan and Sandra Sinnott.

Above: Santa arrives at the Island.

Left: Santa was hijacked by three Enniscorthy children!

Right: Cllr Ger Carthy addresses the crowd before the lights are switched on.

ong and Mai Murphy. 4. Santa meeting children on his way to the community centre. 5. Looking for bargains with her gran, Anne O’Connor and Aibhe Lawlor.

a family, Evie, Alan, Charlie and Kelly Kinsella. 5. Anne and Ger Carthy with the Christmas lights on behind them. 6. Santa with Anne Kehoe.

7th January 2024 - Page 93

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A race night with a twist Enniscorthy Musical Society (EMS) and Enniscorthy Drama Group (EDG) are excited to announce their first social night of 2024! This year, a Race Night with a twist will be held as a joint fundraiser for the two groups for their 2024 productions.

Taking place at 8pm on Friday 12th January in the IFA Centre, Enniscorthy, this night is guaranteed to be filled with great fun, fabulous friends and howling laughter. EMS prides itself on trying to make the run-up to their annual musical as enjoyable as it can. A spokesperson says, “We know the hard work that goes into putting on musicals and want our members to have fun along the way. The Race Night is absolutely the way to do this. It’s a fantastic icebreaker and allows our cast and chorus to get to know each other outside of the rehearsal space and make friends.

And we promise, it's unlike any traditional sort of ‘race night’ you've ever been to.”

This night promises to be one of the highlights of the EMS and EDG social calendars so start your 2024 off on the right note and join EMS and EDG for a night that you won't forget in a hurry.

The first rehearsal for EMS’s production of Happy Days – A New Musical is being held on 8th January at 7.30pm in Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy. Full cast and chorus are required for this rehearsal. If you haven't previously registered to be a part of the chorus, don't worry – you can still go along on the 8th! And if this is your first musical or your first time with EMS and you're a bit nervous, then rest assured the group is a very friendly one! Many of the EMS committee will be there on 8th January to welcome you and quell any worries you may have.

The spokesperson says, “We are absolutely buzzing with excitement to see you all and get started! So, add the Race Night to your social calendar and we will see you there!” n

Page 94 - 7th January 2024

Get active on our local walking trails Go along to Enniscorthy Library at 6.30pm on the 25th January for an activator pole demonstration with Nicola Collins, the community sports development officer for Sports Active Wexford. Activator poles can be borrowed from Enniscorthy Library by library members.

The demonstration will be followed by a talk at 7pm with the Wexford Walking Trails Network. Find out about the walking trails in the Enniscorthy area, and throughout County Wexford from representatives of the trails management team. n

Book now on: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/ event/4159377

Slaney leiSure & lifeStyle

IT’S GOOD TO ROCK!

It's Good to Rock – a fundraiser for It’s Good 2 Talk counselling support services in Co. Wexford – will take place on Friday 12th January, 8pm till late, in the Wexford Arts Centre, featuring the cream of local music talent – Crimson, The Frangelics, 12 Gauge Outrage, Forlorn and Absenthe.

Your attendance will help support the great work being done by It’s Good 2 Talk in the Wexford community.

Book now at: https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873641504 n

Pic: Damien Smullen / Wexford Media

Two of the participating bands: 12 Gauge Outrage (above) and Crimson (below).

Pic: Damien Smullen / Wexford Media

Keep up to date on: https://www.facebook.com/baileylaughscomedy Email: baileylaughscomedy@gmail.com

7th January 2024 - Page 95

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Coal Bunker Christmas Party Drinagh, Wexford, 15th December 2023 PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

To To leto A

Abo Rig

Bo

Above: Coal Bunker party night in full swing, 15th December 2023.

Left: Staff of Kennedy Park National School enjoying their Christmas staff night out at the Coal Bunker, Aoife Hayes, Laura McCann and Sarah Culleton.

Below left: Sean Ahearne, Colm Murphy, Nickey Doyle, Kathy Murphy, Sandra Ahearne and Tara Murphy, enjoying a family night out.

Below right: Staff of Kennedy Park National School enjoying their Christmas staff night out at the Coal Bunker, Martha McLoughlin, Patrica Tynan and Eilies Browne.

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op left: The Allen, Busher and Dunne families night out. op right: George Siachuma, Stephen Meyler, Dylon Culon and Stephen Kent from ARC Engineering, Foulksmills.

Above left: Francis and Edel Whelan and Karen Meyler of ARC Engineering, Foulkmills. ove right: Staff of PJ Firman & Company Ltd, Rathaspeck. ght: Paddy Browne Plant Hire Ltd, Tagoat, staff Christmas night out and celebrating 50 years in business.

Below left: Staff of Kennedy Park National School, Jyhme Wickham, Essie Doyle and Maria Dunne.

Bottom left: Staff of Kennedy Park National School, Karen Roche, Katie Banville and Lisa Thornill. ttom right: The staff of Cappuccino's Wexford enjoying the party night at the Coal Bunker.

7th January 2024 - Page 97

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BE PREPARED TO BE OUTRAGED IN 2024!

2024 will definitely be a bumper year of music thanks to Outrage Entertainment who say, “We're only getting started!” Follow ‘Outrage Entertainment’ on Facebook for updates.

ALL GIGS TAKE PLACE IN THE PRESENTATION ARTS CENTRE, ENNISCORTHY. Page 98 - 7th January 2024

Slaney leiSure & lifeStyle

Pain in Vain + Adversary + Cutthroat + Sickened The Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, January 13th 2024, tickets €10.

Doors 7pm.

7th January 2024 - Page 99

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Santa makes himself at ho

COAL BUNKER, DRINAGH, WEXFORD, 17TH DECEMBER 2023.

Above left: Visiting Santa at the Coal Bunker, Drinagh, Wexford, were Andrew, Ellie, Maudie, Lucey and Mary Walsh.

Above right: Lorraine, Rhys and Richard Breen meeting Santa. Below left: Ivan and James Browne.

Below right: Not everyone was happy to see Santa!!! Eva, Darie, Roy and Faith Coleman. Bottom left: Julie Caufield, Billy and Sorcha Keane.

Bottom right: Pauline Hayburn, Santa`s Little Helper, Conor Hayburn, Santa and Tom Hayburn.

Page 100 - 7th January 2024

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ome in the Coal Bunker!

Above: Jurate and Anabela Andruskiene with Santa.

Below: Jack McLoughlin met Santa in the Coal Bunker.

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Above: Maddi Somers had her mam and dad, Garry and Nicola, with her to meet Santa.

Below: Dean Downes is happy to meet Santa.

Bottom left: Pierce and Grace Redmond with Santa.

Bottom right: Cillian and Levena Millar with Santa at the Coal Bunker, Drinagh, Wexford, 17th December 2023.

7th January 2024 - Page 101

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Galbally Tractor Run

Above left: John Cullen.

Above: Ned Furlong, Paddy Murphy and Paddy Dunne.

in aid of Galbally Sports Club,19th November 2023 Left: Nina Kirwan, Amelia Mooney and Logan Masterson.

Right: Ann Marie Laffan and Cathriona George.

Below left: Rian loves tractors and toys, with his grandad Ned Whelan.

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Rian Whelan: “At last a tractor of my own!”

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Top left: Jimmy Furlong. Top right: John Cullen. Above left: Jimmy Furlong and Jem Murphy. Above right: Stephen, Alex and Zara Creein.

Below left: Holly Whelan with her dad Clive at the Tractor Run. Below right: Holly Whelan, Evan Power and Claire Whelan.

7th January 2024 - Page 103

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Our Lady’s Island – Tacumshane Senior Citizens Christmas Party

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Talbot Hotel, Wexford, 17th December 2023 Above left: Tony and Rita Murray. Above right: Sean and Aileen Mullins.

Below left: Betty Meyler, Ann Denpsey and Frances Thorne. Below right: Caroline Ellard and Ronnie Doyle. Bottom left: Mary Hegarty and Peg Ellard. Bottom right: Eileen Lavery, Mary Hughes and Anne Carthy.

Slaney leiSure & lifeStyle

Above left: Steve and Alex D`Arx. Above right: Bridget Pierce, Lila and Michael Vaughan and Angela Moran.

Left: Tina Maloney and Jannet Devereux.

Right: Molly Meyler, June Ellard and Eileen Parle.

Below left: Cathriona and Pat Glanville.

Bottom left: Pat and Brigid Pettit.

Bottom right: Dianne Corish, Bernie Burke and Patricia Rooney.

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

7th January 2024 - Page 105

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Enniscorthy – becoming a place for creative actions Deryn O’Callaghan is the new co-ordinator for Creative Places Enniscorthy, an Arts Council of Ireland initiative based in The Presentation Centre.

The three-year funded project is aimed at connecting the Deryn O’Callaghan community, people, artists etc with place and Deryn is busily at present engaging with all sections of the community in order to get as much feedback as possible so as to frame the development of what can be done by the project.

Deryn will engage with the local community to explore, discuss and plan a range of creative and participatory projects for local people to take part in and enjoy.

The approach is inclusive and diverse and rooted in socially engaged arts practice and community development principles. It builds on existing cultural strengths and is led by community participation and ideas and supported by artists.

A comprehensive survey has been prepared asking for opinions, suggestions, ideas etc which will be helpful to Deryn in her work. The survey can be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1LXS hplGNKkxqXjiQSuPwjAWhNyyObsRUuC2pa0_ZviQ/vie wform?edit_requested=true The objective of Creative Places Enniscorthy is to connect people in order to allow ideas develop into creative actions.

Creative Places seeks to address any issues and empower the people of Enniscorthy to make decisions about what kind of creative activity they want to experience.

The data collected by Deryn from the

Page 106 - 7th January 2024

Creative Places Enniscorthy... some explanatory slides...

Introduction

►

►

Creative Places, Enniscorthy - an Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon award is a new and innovative initiative from the Arts Council which hopes to embed creative arts practice into communities / place.

Framework and Priorities

Creative places will engage with communities and artists in Enniscorthy, over this 3-year award and hope to put down strong roots for the future for creativity in the lives of the people.

►

Rooted in Socially engaged arts practice

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Embrace Community Development principles

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Accessible / Diverse / Collaborative / EQUAL

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Emphasis on engaging new and disadvantaged communities in arts

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Building on Existing Cultural Strengths

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Sustainability through forging strong partnerships and collaborations

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To make arts experience more accessible. To address barriers and to establish strategies to actively involve community in the creative process

Engage disadvantaged and new communities in the arts on a regular basis

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Enhance sustainable creative engagement for the wellbeing of communities

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Consider how artistic interventions can contribute to a sense of place and community

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Create avenues for on-going dialogue ensuring Creative Places reflects diverse voices

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Root Creative Places into the fabric of place / build legacy

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Establish artist's residencies for long-term engagement

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Aims

Priorities

Governance structure

Timeline

Wexford County Council lead / WAC partner Steering group – Arts Officer / CEO WAC / Chair SETU / Wexford Local Development / Tidy Towns / Sustainable Enniscorthy/ Presentation Arts Centre / Artist

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Project oversight and governance

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Monitoring and evaluation

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Ensure best practice

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Financial overview and monitoring

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Advocating for the importance of arts in community development

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Stakeholder mapping / relationship building

Implementation and Community Engagement

Continued engagement - developing a plan for sustainability

Community Needs Analysis / Launching open call

Strengthening partnerships / monitoring and developing / expanding the project

Transitioning project to local leadership

Project Development Planning Outreach and engagement work / pilots

Midterm review – learnings and improvements

Where we are now Engagement Action/Relationship Building Over 80 meetings between Oct – present including ►

Temple Shannon Community groups (choir /art groups / youth)

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Temple Shannon Community Development group

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FDYS – youth group

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Delightful Dollies

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Ukrainians – Ireland of the welcomes / sunflower hub

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Many individual / group artists meetings

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Traveller groups – Woman / Drumgoold hub

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Survey - 140 responses so far

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Focus Groups

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Coffee morning / artists engagement (over 70 artists)

Short Term Ambitions / Goals ►

Website (soft launch before January 2024)

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Strategic planning (Jan / Feb)

► On-going Community Engagement ►

Funding Strands call outs in 2024

Deryn O’Callaghan Project Co-ordinator Tel: 087 9578984 cpenniscorthy@wexfordartscentre.ie www.creativeplacesenniscorthy.ie survey will be used to help form the overall programming and project development. In accordance with Creative Places Enniscorthy GDPR policy, information supplied by respondents will not be provided to any other parties and will be used solely for the purpose of developing an arts programme for Enniscorthy.

tion Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, attended

A successful introductory ‘COFFEE/ CREATIVITY/CONNECTIVITY’ event was held on 6th December 2023 in The Presenta-

For any queries, suggestions or ideas,

by a large number of artists and those with an interest in the arts.

Keep up to date with developments on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativePla cesEnniscorthy

you can contact Deryn at 087 9578984 or cpenniscorthy@wexfordartscentre.ie n

Slaney artS Pic: Larry Dunne

‘Artists Engagement’ Coffee Morning December 6th last had The Presentation Arts Centre bursting at the seams for the launch of Creative Places Enniscorthy, a new Arts Initiative for all creatives, including artists from all art forms, to build a collective network of artist collaboration.

The assembly of art-orientated folks was an uplifting experience, to see so many artists, and creatives from all brush strokes, and to be gathering to support this new creative endeavour for Enniscorthy.

Artists, Content Creators, Designers, Theatre Directors, Actors, Filmmakers, Videographers, Writers, and Sculptors – they were all there, in this hall, merging, interacting, excitedly sharing, querying, brainstorming and plotting.

Deryn O’Callaghan hosted a warm, friendly, interactive coffee morning, with a

Pic: Larry Dunne

clear goal in mind; To hear what everyone had to say, to get everybody’s feedback, and to introduce this initiative to the public and the art world of Enniscorthy. Deryn gave time to each guest or participant discussing the nature of Creative Places Enniscorthy, what the aims are, and what is hoped for by those attending the coffee morning. It was the first ‘artists engagement’ of many, one hopes.

Local artists, authors, and theatre directors attended, with an all-round feeling of community and unity.

Elizabeth Whyte, CEO of Wexford Arts Centre, was delighted to see such a turnout, meeting people and directing them to Deryn, and the post-it walls, which were intended for everyone to write ‘what they need’ in terms of the new initiative, or ‘what could they bring to the creative table’.

Creative Places Enniscorthy can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/CreativePla cesEnniscorthy

The notes collected will form a foundation of incentives within the creative places implementation.

The morning was perfectly timed as local man Alfie O’Sullivan, formerly of Funfetti on Irish St., Enniscorthy, has begun to develop the shop property into a new creative arts hub for Enniscorthy, he is calling it Creative Grounds (you can learn more about this on pages 110-111).

A website is under development here: http://creativeplacesenniscorthy.ie/ – DORN SIMON SEE VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/CreativePlacesEnniscorthy/videos/1407082986 572642

Pic: Larry Dunne

7th January 2024 - Page 107

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Justin’s photo exhibition captures the essence of Enniscorthy

Justin Codd’s photographic exhibition continues this month in Enniscorthy Castle.

The exhibition is called Our Town and it documents Enniscorthy as it is in 2023. The photos were all taken just after sunrise on 12 separate Sunday mornings between June and October this year and total over 50 in number.

The exhibition captures some of Enniscorthy’s landmark buildings but also the town's nooks, crannies, lanes and alleys.

One impressed attendee said, “Justin masterfully documents the town's inherent elegance, and... these photographs serve as a valuable checkpoint: immortalising Enniscorthy as it is now, teetering on the precipice of change and evolution – whether social, climatic or architectural.” n

Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely

For a complete listing of upcoming music, drama, comedy, film, art, etc, see: https://www.courthousearts.ie/whats-on n

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Local poet is international award winner John Cooney (pictured), a native of Courtnacuddy, Enniscorthy, is the winner of the 2023 Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Competition for his poem Cripple, about the loss of frienship, and follows fellow Wexford poet Anne Cousins’ success in 2022.

This award, supported by Creative Ireland, is aimed at poets and is designed to help support and nurture the rich poetry culture alive in Ireland today. Named in honour of the famous Irish poet and soldier Francis Ledwidge, known as the ‘Poet of the Blackbirds’, who was killed in action during World War I, the Francis Ledwidge Poetry Award seeks to support Irish poets both financially and creatively.

John, who only began writing seriously in 2020, describes himself as ‘a writer, poet and part time historian’. As a mature student, John is studying history at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. And indeed John’s own history with the Francis Ledwidge competition is a good one with his poem Letterfrack Graveyard being a commended work in the 2021 competition.

Living in Courtnacuddy in the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountains, John’s sense of place is a rich source of inspiration for this work. “I live in a rural part of county Wexford, Ireland, an area rich in beauty, history and people of indominatable character. I share this beautiful place with my wife Alice and my sons Michael and Oisín.

It is from there that the inspiration for my writing originates. The

John Cooney’s three poetry collections.

beautiful Irish landscape and more importantly the people who have surrounded me in life inspire me to write, to tell their story. The tales of love, life and loss. The often complexity of human emotion that can make a person stand out or stand alone, and in those times the peace that we all can find in the simpleness of the landscape, the rippling of a stream or the budding of new life in Spring. The resilience of the people, of the human being, to prevail in the face of all that life can place before them.”

John has published three collections of poetry, Three L’s in this Alphabet in 2021, The Well of Souls in 2022 and his current collection One More Bell to Ring which was published in August 2023. All are available for purchase on John’s own website https://johncooneypoetry.com n

The Slaney Writers group meets in Enniscorthy Library on the second Thursday of every month at 6.30pm. Next meeting 11th January 2024. New members are always welcome. If you are interested please contact Enniscorthy Library on 053 9236055.

Enniscorthy Library Adult Book Club meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7pm and is free to join. Next meeting 18th January at 7pm. Book clubs are a great way to meet others and discuss books.

If you would like more information or to join, contact Enniscorthy library on 053 9236055. All are welcome. n

7th January 2024 - Page 109

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Creative Grounds – Enniscorthy’s new arts hub Grand Opening 12th January 2024, 7-10pm Alfie O’Sullivan once housed his party supplies business, Funfetti, at 3-4 Irish Street, Enniscorthy, now he is making a bold and artistic move, by turning the property into ‘Creative Grounds’.

Alfie O’Sullivan

Creative Grounds proposes to be Enniscorthy’s Arts Hub – a space for artists to gather, work, create, chill and showcase their works in the inclusive gallery.

Alfie’s plans are progressive and will accommodate artists and art lovers alike, it will be the hub Enniscorthy has always needed, and it is finally in the making.

The absence of funding for an arts hub endeavour left Alfie believing if he or others in the arts community did not do something in Enniscorthy, then it may never happen.

Luckily for us, Alfie has vision and aptitude, and is perfectly capable of bringing this project to fruition, doing most of the hard graft himself.

Ironically, the separate, newly launched Creative Places Enniscorthy initiative (https://www.facebook.com/CreativePlacesEnniscorthy) has symbiotically appeared, which gives both initiatives a place to build from.

The plan for Alfie’s Creative Grounds requires a lot of work, yet it is already beginning to take shape, and it will have its Opening Launch on January 12th between 7-10pm.

However, the project will be an ongoing endeavour as it slowly but surely has its blueprint brought to life over the coming months.

The six rooms upstairs purport to be turned into affordable, rentable studio spaces, with the front of the building being made into a coffee shop and an artists’ lounge area.

An open, multiuse area resides further in, which can be used as an artists’ showcase area, wall space or a small stage to give youngsters their first gig.

Further back into the building will be a small tattoo studio which currently is open space, but will be a sheltered studio when everything is finished.

Up the ramp, the furthest room will house the gallery area or workshop space, this is where at the Opening the myriad art forms will be displayed.

Off to the right hand side will be a bathroom area that leads to the back entrance of the property. The yard is intended to be decked out with furniture for summer evenings’ acoustic music events, poetry readings, or even an outdoor cinema in the months or years to come.

Alfie has secured artists for the Opening, consisting of all mediums, wall art, pottery, fashion, photography and more.

There will be live acoustic entertainment on the night provided by local talent.

Alfie will be working flat out every day to bring us this new arts hub, so please give Alfie a round of applause by attending his Grand Opening.

It is a limited FREE ticketed event. For tickets email: events@artlover.com – DORN SIMON

Page 110 - 7th January 2024

Slaney artS EARLY DECEMBER 2023

EARLY DECEMBER 2023

EARLY DECEMBER 2023

EARLY DECEMBER 2023

Creative Grounds - A transformative arts project for Enniscorthy LATE DECEMBER 2023

LATE DECEMBER 2023

To see what this project looks like, go along to the Launch Event on Friday 12th January, 7-10pm. Tickets are free but numbers are limited so email asap: events@artlover.com

7th January 2024 - Page 111

Slaney Slaney food ad & drink

Enniscorthy Community Allotments ‘Little Buds’ Christmas Party

The younger generation of growers at Enniscorthy Community Allotments enjoyed a visit by Santa and Mrs Claus in the run-up to Christmas.

Enniscorthy drinks company’s new venture Stafford Irish Spirits, the Tomnalossett-based company behind the successful Jackford Irish Potato Gin brand, has a new venture described as ‘Rooted in Rebellion, inspired by the Seeds of Liberty’ in the pipeline. We hope to have full details shortly on our Facebook page and in our Feb issue. n

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Slaney food & drink

Liam is new executive chef at ‘Reeds’ in Ferrycarrig Hotel A brand new seasonal menu filled with award-winning Wexford produce has been unveiled by the new Executive Chef at the four-star Ferrycarrig Hotel, Liam Forde.

Renowned Wexford chef Liam Forde holds a wealth of experience and expertise from cooking for Bono and Tina Turner to running his own award-winning restaurant and holding Executive Chef positions across a range of award-winning dining venues; he is now settled back in his native county.

Liam’s ethos is to let quality local and seasonal ingredients “speak for themselves”. “My philosophy around great food is, if the quality is there in the ingredients, you don't spoil it. This menu for the winter months has been carefully considered, it features a variety of in-season local produce, there is some game, there is quite a lot of seafood and some delicious winter warming flavours.”

He also holds himself and his team to the highest of standards, “I love cooking seafood and I enjoy making everything from scratch, for example, if there is pasta on the menu, it is homemade fresh pasta, there are no shortcuts... I tell my team that you need to care about what you produce. I have always used the motto when under pressure in the kitchen that ‘each dish I am cooking at that moment is going to be served to either my own mother or my child’ and I always try to keep to this standard.”

Liam comments: “Our team are exceptionally focused on modern cooking techniques and keeping up with cooking trends that are tried and tested.”

Highlights of the new Reeds Restaurant winter menu include the following starters: Roulade of Meyler’s Local Smoked Salmon & Fresh Kilmore Crabmeat Wrapped in Nori with a Cucumber & Yoghurt Dressing; Marinated Local Pigeon Breast Served Medium Rare, Rosti Potato, Thyme Jus, Chestnut Purée and Blackberry Foam.

Mains range from Richie Doyle’s Locally Reared 10 oz Sirloin Steak served with Rustic Truffle Scented French Fries, Chef’s own Recipe and Cafe de Paris Butter; Slow Cooked Rump of Wexford Lamb with Braised Lentils, Vegetable Ratatouille and a Strawberry Vinaigrette Sauce; Trio of Mylers Monkfish, Prawns & Kilmore Scallops with Boulangere Potato, deglazed with a Roast Garlic White Wine Sauce; a Seared Fillet of Kilmore Cod with Miso Paste, Carrot Puree, Chickpea & Chorizo Croquette and Lime Vin Blanc.

The award-winning Reeds Restaurant at the four-star Ferrycarrig Hotel has been awarded two AA Rosettes for seven years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). Named Best Hotel Restaurant in Wexford for two years and listed in the top five restaurants in Leinster by the Restaurant Association of Ireland. Recommended by Georgina Cambell and Lucinda O’Sullivan.

The hotel has recently launched a new Dry Dock Bar Menu and a new and exciting Sunday Lunch experience in Reeds is launching this month also.

Reservations at Reeds are recommended via 053 9120999. For the full Reeds Menu and further details see www.ferrycarrighotel.ie n

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Slaney Slaney food ad & drink

ooted in

exford

Mark Cooke invites you to grow along with him.

The Slaney News is delighted to have Enniscorthy man, Mark Cooke, on board with his monthly column. Mark is a member at Enniscorthy Community Allotments, and has a huge passion for growing fruit and veg which he shares on his Instagram platform @rootedinwexford which has over 7,500 followers. Mark describes himself very much as a ‘hobby gardener’ who is not academically trained in horticulture. He started planting with very little knowledge a few years ago and that knowledge has now ‘mushroomed’! Mark loves sharing his passion for growing with readers of the Slaney News. the difference when it comes to sowing seeds in the upcoming weeks.

Mark sorting through some seeds.

Happy New Year to you all!

Can you believe it's January already?

While our gardens might look like they're taking a winter nap, there's actually a lot we can do to get them prepped for the months ahead. There is plenty that we can be doing in the garden for later in the year.

Let's start by giving our greenhouses some attention. As the days have become brighter, now is the perfect time to tidy it up. I am going to clear out any mess, give the glass a good scrub, or polycarbonate if you have a tunnel, to let the sunlight in, and make sure everything's squeaky clean. All you need to use is some soapy water. This will break down any algae that has settled on the surface over the last number of weeks. On the inside remove any debris and sterilise any surfaces to ward off any pests that might have moved in for some warmth and shelter. It might be chilly outside, but a few hours spent tidying your greenhouse can make all

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Speaking of sowing seeds, it’s time to get planning! Grab a pen and paper and start jotting down your ideas.

What veggies do you want to grow this year? I like to sketch out my beds and plan on what I will put in each one for the season ahead. Take note of what did well last season and what you’d like to change. It’s also the perfect time to take a look at some new varieties and try something different that you haven’t tried before. Make a list and check out the local garden centres for seeds. Getting organised now will make your gardening life way easier later on. I like to purchase my seeds on seedsireland.ie They have a lovely selection and if you would like a small discount, you can use the discount code: rootedinwexford If you have some rhubarb in your garden there is a cool little trick that you can do now. It is called forcing rhubarb. It means that you can speed up the rhubarb growing process. If you cover the crowns with a big pot or big black bin, within a few weeks you'll have some early sweet rhubarb

stalks ready for pies, treats and jams.

It gives a little feel-good feeling as it allows you to get something really early in the season.

January might seem quiet for gardening, but trust me, it's the perfect time to set the groundwork for a fantastic growing season. I like to take a look around the garden or growing space and imagining the season ahead and, let’s face it, after all the rain we had on 2023, 2024 surely will be better.

I also like to remind people that gardening isn't just about the final harvest or the end result. It's about the journey of watching things grow and thrive but also about learning from your failed harvests. So, grab your gear, enjoy these quieter moments, and get ready for the growing season ahead. I for one am looking forward to seeing my growing space come back to life again.

Remember you can always follow my growing journey on Instagram or other social media platforms using the handle @rootedinwexford Happy gardening. n

Slaney food & drink

Tried-Tested-Tasted by Caitriona Caitriona Barron from Drinagh, Wexford, grew up on her dad’s farm with plentiful homegrown veg and their own meat so “we really knew the value of good food. My mother started a seafood business after meeting my stepfather fisherman, my brother now runs the seafood business so I’m well used to fresh food.”

“I worked with the family business before leaving to be a stay-at-home mother but soon got bored (lol!) and started taking pics of my food, sharing my recipes on social media. When people started showing interest, I realised this could be a job so I bought myself a camera and threw myself in the deep of it. I love it and I get to work with amazing companies.

Seeing my pictures in magazines, in shops, and occasionally on TV is pretty amazing.

“I’m a mother of two boys and, yes, juggling it all can be very tough. But I keep it going as it’s my passion now and it’s very rewarding.” https://www.facebook.com/triedtestedtasted and Caitriona_barron on insta n

Caitriona Barron

GARLIC PRAWNS Ingredients 2 tbsp shines tuna chilli Olive Oil 5 Garlic Cloves 1 Red Chilli or a tablespoon of dried chilli flakes 12 Prawns ½ tbsp Smoked Paprika ¼ tsp Salt ¼ tsp Pepper 20g Fresh Parsley ¼ Lemon Instructions 1. Finely chop the garlic, the chilli and the parsley.

2. Heat up the tuna chilli olive oil and gently fry the garlic, stir it so it does not burn.

3. Add the chilli and stir.

4. Add the prawns and paprika and stir well.

5. Stir in the salt and pepper and cook until the prawns are pink throughout. This should take about 6-8 minutes depending on the size of your prawns.

6. Sprinkle with the parsley and squeeze the lemon juice over the prawns.

7. Enjoy hot with some crusty bread. n https://www.facebook.com/ triedtestedtasted

Pic: Caitriona Barron.

7th January 2024 - Page 115

Slaney Slaney food ad & drink

Monart and Whitford represented on Irish culinary olympics teams Every four years, the elite of the cheffing world gather to compete in the Culinary Olympics and two Irish teams (Senior and Junior) have qualified for this ultimate culinary challenge in February 2024. The venue is Stuttgart and, based on pre-Covid figures, over 100,000 people from the hospitality industry around the globe will attend. In no other cooking competition do so many professional chefs measure their skills against each other – 1,800 participants from 67 nations judged by a team of 60.

Leading the Irish team is Alan Fitzmaurice, head chef at the Glasshouse Hotel in Sligo, President of the Panel of Chefs of Ireland, and Senior Team Captain for the Culinary Olympics. Team members include Ahmad Afig Azam (Monart Destination Spa) on the senior team, and Azaharan Ostman (Monart Hotel & Spa) as team leader on the Junior Team alongside Jessica Beckley (Whitford House Hotel).

Speaking about the event, Alan said, “Having two teams at the Culinary Olympics is a significant achievement for Ire-

land. We have some really talented chefs involved and the training regime is in full flow – this consists of fortnightly training sessions which will become weekly as we get closer to February. I have really high hopes for both senior and junior teams though the competition will be exceptionally high – it really is the best in the world competing for the titles.”

Just like the more familiar Olympic Games, teams have to qualify and maintain standards to hold their place. The teams were chosen through a combination of assessment and competitive results in the Chef Ireland National Culinary Championships.

The senior team consists of ten members and the junior team is eight strong. In Stuttgart each must cook a full threecourse restaurant-style meal (the seniors for 110 people and the juniors for 75) and a chef’s table or table-on-fire style meal for 14 and 12 people respectively. It’s a replication of a live restaurant situation in a glass kitchen so every step is visible and nothing is hidden; standards are sky high and the pressure of this challenge is not for the faint hearted.

Authentic Palestinian food

Team members travel from all over Ireland for the regular training sessions – some doing a nine-hour round trip indicating their commitment and dedication. n

Junior team member Chris Leech plating up watched by team leader Azaharan Ostman (Monart Hotel & Spa). Pic: Brian Arthur.

Origin Green gold membership for Wexford companies Bord Bia has acknowledged the sustainability performance of 97 Irish food and drink companies that have attained Origin Green Gold Membership in 2023 including County Wexford’s Trudies Kitchen, Irish Country Meats, Killowen Farm and Wexford Home Preserves. Well done all. n

Killowen’s major award Killowen Farm has just won bronze at the World Cheese Awards, another huge achievement for this hugely progressive Courtnacuddy-based dairy business. n

Wexford wine producer seeks to expand Enniscorthy Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday morning in Abbey Square, Enniscorthy, has a food stall, Al Wadi Falafel, which serves up delicious, authentic Palestinian Falafel every Saturday. n

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Old Roots Ltd has been growing grapes in Co. Wexford since 2015 at what is described as “the largest vineyard in Ireland” at Ballymitty. It currently produces up to 20,000 bottles of wine p.a. and hopes to increase this to at least 80,000 if planning is successfully granted for a new wine processing facility it wishes to construct. n

Slaney food & drink

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 @ 8.00am, 9.30am, 11.00am, 5.30pm and 7.00pm Enniscorthy Rugby Club – Call Trish on 087 3607615 Thursdays @ 9.30am 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

7th January 2024 - Page 117

Slaney buSineSS Slaney ad & finance

GreenTechHQ in Enniscorthy to host first NDRC Sustainability Founder Weekend.

L-R: Ed Murphy (GreenTechHQ), Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD, Gemma Marshall (NDRC), David Power (Dogpatch Labs).

Enniscorthy’s GreenTechHQ to host major national sustainability event GreenTechHQ, the Southeast Sustainability Innovation Hub situated in Enniscorthy’s new Technology Park, is proud to announce its partnership with the NDRC (National Digital Research Centre) Sustainability Founder Weekend. This collaboration signifies a remarkable milestone in Ireland's journey towards fostering sustainability-focused start-ups. The NDRC Sustainability Founder Weekend, to be hosted at GreenTechHQ, is the first of its type in Ireland, and is set to unfold over a weekend in the first quarter of 2024, promising to bring together 50 to 80 participants, igniting collaboration and innovation to tackle a diverse range of sustainability challenges.

Over the course of the dynamic NDRC Sustainability Founder Weekend, participants will collaborate on projects that hold the potential to revolutionise various aspects of sustainability. Attendees are welcome to come armed with their own ideas or take on exciting challenges presented at the event.

Throughout this intensive weekend, teams will receive invaluable mentorship from accomplished entrepreneurs and

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sustainability visionaries hailing from across Ireland. With an increasing number of sustainability-focused funds emerging in the country and a burgeoning demand for talent, this edition of NDRC's Founder Weekend aims to empower and propel the growth of sustainability-focused startups.

Ed Murphy, CEO of GreenTechHQ, said at the launch on 13th December 2013, "Today's partnership with NDRC's Sustainability Founder Weekend, powered by the 2050 Ecosystem, marks a pivotal moment in our mission at GreenTechHQ. It signifies our unwavering commitment to nurturing sustainability-focused start-ups in Ireland. This hackathon is not just an event; it's a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and real change. We believe that by bringing together bright minds to tackle sustainability challenges head-on, we are shaping a greener, more sustainable future for Ireland and beyond. At GreenTechHQ, we are thrilled to be at the heart of this transformation, empowering entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into powerful solutions for a better tomorrow."

Both NDRC and the 2050 Ecosystem op-

erate under the umbrella of Dogpatch Labs, Ireland's largest start-up hub. GreenTechHQ proudly stands as a key partner within the 2050 Ecosystem. NDRC serves as Ireland's National Accelerator, offering unwavering support to start-ups in their early stages, while the 2050 Ecosystem, supported by the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications, is Ireland's National Sustainability Accelerator.

As the urgency of climate challenges continues to mount, novel solutions to achieve rapid decarbonisation are essential. Startups provide an ideal platform to address these critical issues, and investors have demonstrated their commitment, with over €20 billion in Venture Capital invested in sustainability start-ups within the EU in 2023, alongside the announcement of several upcoming sustainability funds in Ireland. The mission is clear: to harness the immense talent scattered throughout the nation and empower them to usher in the next generation of climate solutions.

The NDRC 2050 Founders Weekend serves as the beacon, offering participants the opportunity to birth new start-ups, while granting them access to expertise and the broader NDRC support network. n

Slaney buSineSS & finance

Datapac technology accelerates growth for Kefron in €370k deal Jonathan Purvis, IT Manager, Kefron, and Pamela Keane, Service Delivery Manager, Datapac.

n Kefron has developed its own invoice processing software which leverages machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) n The company has ambitious growth plans and aims to double the number of customers using its software n Datapac refreshed Kefron’s server and data storage ecosystem to meet evolving business requirements n The platform is enabling faster scanning and invoice processing for Kefron’s customers, as well as enhanced security and increased uptime n The solution has also increased productivity for Kefron’s 180 employees On 13th December 2023, Enniscorthy company Datapac, Ireland’s leading technology solutions and services provider, announced that it has delivered a reimagined server and data storage solution to Kefron in a deal worth €370,000 over three years.

Kefron is a leader in document and information management, and has now developed its own invoice processing software, Kefron AP, which leverages machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide e-invoicing, invoice automation, and analytics to customers. The software has grown exponentially and now serves the needs of organisations of all sizes across a multinational customer base.

As Kefron experienced rapid growth both in terms of its customer base and the innovative services offered, the company needed to upgrade its IT infrastructure to keep pace with this expansion. Following an extensive consultative process, Datapac upgraded Kefron’s existing storage ecosystem to a HPE Nimble Storage Area Network (SAN).

The elevated and highly secure platform is resulting in significant time savings for Kefron AP’s users with faster scanning and invoice processing times. Upgraded VMware virtual servers are vastly increasing server uptime, meaning no interruption to vital services for customers across different regions and time zones. Kefron’s security posture is improved through enhanced encryption of all data, while Sophos firewall protection adds an extra layer of network security.

The solution has increased productivity for Kefron’s 180 employees across the business. Day-to-day tasks have become quicker and more efficient with lightning-quick access to critical business applications.

The technology has significantly reduced costs for Kefron, minimising the need to maintain or upgrade aging hardware. In addition to the best-in-class technology suite, the ongoing infrastructure management and support provided

by Datapac continues to create capacity for internal IT teams to focus on more strategic, less routine activities which add a greater value to business objectives, with backups and other maintenance work conducted out-ofhours to ensure no disruption to daily operations.

Jonathan Purvis, IT Manager, Kefron: “As our software solution has grown, so too has the amount of data that needs to be stored and secured. Datapac has been a long-time trusted advisor to Kefron, and the team worked closely with us to provide strategic road mapping and deliver this infrastructure upgrade with little to no downtime or interruptions to our business. We can continue to grow Kefron AP at pace with the peace of mind that our IT infrastructure is fully scalable and enabling us to provide the highest levels of customer service. The Datapac solution has futureproofed our operations, maximising performance and ensuring the highest levels of security across the board.”

Pamela Keane, Service Delivery Manager, Datapac: “As long-term IT partner, Datapac are proud to play a continued role in Kefron’s ambitious evolution into the digital age. The innovative HPE Nimble platform, designed and delivered by Datapac, is helping Kefron to enhance the invoice processing services it provides to customers and is enabling the company to grow its user base.” www.datapac.com n

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Slaney buSineSS Slaney ad & finance

Thinking of starting your own business in 2024?

Thinking of starting your own business in 2024 but lacking the knowledge and tools to make it a reality? Then let the experts at the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) come to the rescue.

The Wexford Local Enterprise Office Start Your Own Business course will help you assess the viability of your business idea and provide the understanding you need to get your own business off the ground successfully. Topics covered include: n Self-Assessment & Entrepreneurship

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n n n n n n n

Legal Aspects Marketing & Market research Sales and Networking Administration & Book-keeping Finance Business Planning Technology in Modern Business

To find out more, or to book, you can visit the link below: https://bit.ly/3R70gNq n

Slaney buSineSS & finance

“The most important meeting in the history of Enniscorthy Chamber” On Wednesday 10th January what is being described by its Development Officer Jimmy Gahan as the most important meeting in the history of Enniscorthy & District Chamber will take place in the Chamber offices at 8pm, and Mr Gahan is appealing to all members to make every effort to attend.

Enniscorthy & District Chamber works for the interests of business and for the economic development of the town, district and county, with its membership comprising the full spectrum of business from large manufacturing to sole traders.

The meeting on 10th January will be the AGM of Enniscorthy & District Chamber

of Commerce, during which the proposed amalgamation with County Wexford Chamber will be discussed.

At the November meeting of the Enniscorthy & District Chamber Board a vote was passed to open discussions with the County Wexford Chamber with a view to joining the county organisation in 2024.

This proposal must be ratified at the AGM in order to allow amalgamation discussions to proceed and to appoint a negotiating team on behalf of Enniscorthy & District Chamber.

This meeting is crucial to the future of the Chamber and so Mr Gahan is appealling to all to attend and have a say. n

Enniscorthy & District Chamber Development Officer Jimmy Gahan.

Green for Business – a free programme open to all business sectors The Local Enterprise Office Green for Business programme is free, and is open to businesses across all sectors.

This programme gives you access to a green consultant, who will help you identify the small changes your business needs to make to make a big impact on the planet. Any potential investment into green technologies outlined in your Green for Business audit can also be offset by applying for an Energy Efficiency Grant. Visit the link below and make the first step to becoming Green! https://www.localenterprise.ie/green

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Slaney buSineSS Slaney ad & finance

Lorcan Kinsella is new President of County Wexford Chamber County Wexford Chamber proudly announces the appointment of Lorcan Kinsella as its new President, a position effective from 30 November, 2023.

Late last year, County Wexford Chamber proudly announced the appointment of Lorcan Kinsella as its new President, a position effective from its Annual General Meeting on 30 November. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the Chamber's history, symbolising a new era of leadership and innovation.

ABOUT LORCAN KINSELLA Lorcan Kinsella, founder and CEO of Brand Nova Digital, brings a rich tapestry of experience and achievement to the presidency. His company, an award-winning digital marketing agency based in New Ross, specialises in UI/UX eCommerce website design, search engine optimisation, and digital marketing data analytics software. Lorcan's leadership at Brand Nova Digital has been characterised by groundbreaking approaches and consistent success.

Lorcan's journey to the presidency began in 2017 when he was invited to join the board of the New Ross District Chamber.

His invaluable contributions there led to a

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seat on the committee responsible for the historic amalgamation of the County Wexford Chamber. This crucial role showcased his ability to navigate complex organisational challenges and his commitment to regional economic development.

Following the successful amalgamation, Lorcan was elected Vice President of County Wexford Chamber, a role in which he demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision. His tenure as Vice President set the stage for his ascent to the presidency, with a clear mandate to drive innovation and growth.

Over the past ten years, Lorcan has been a pivotal figure in the digital marketing world, consulting and training over 6,500 professionals. His expertise in lead generation sales funnel architecture has been instrumental in shaping the strategies of leading brands and agencies.

Lorcan's influence extends into academia and public speaking. He has lectured at institutions like the Digital Marketing Institute, Dublin Business School, and Griffith College. As a keynote speaker at

numerous conferences, he has shared his profound insights on digital marketing strategy.

Vision for County Wexford Chamber Under Lorcan's Leadership: Lorcan envisions a Chamber that is at the forefront of digital transformation, supporting local businesses in adapting to the ever-evolving digital landscape. His leadership is expected to usher in a new era of growth, collaboration, and sustainability for the Chamber and its members, with a focus on the Chamber's Strategic Vision, namely:      

Promoting sustainability in business and the wider community.

Representing and growing the Chamber's membership.

Advancing economic development in County Wexford.

Encouraging tourism, culture, and the nighttime economy.

Supporting workforce development and education initiatives.

Community engagement and future aspirations. n

Slaney buSineSS & finance

Register here: https://skillnet.countywexfordchamber.ie/courses/working-the-room-the-secrets-to-successfulnetworking-with-gavin-duffy/

County Wexford Chamber seeks new CEO County Wexford Chamber, one of Ireland's largest regional chambers, has announced the opening of the application process for the position of Chief Executive Officer. This pivotal role offers an unparalleled opportunity to lead and innovate within the vibrant business community of County Wexford.

The CEO will play a crucial role in driving the Chamber’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives, fostering business growth, and advocating for sustainability across the county. The position is based in Wexford Town with occasional travel to district offices, offering a competitive salary and benefits package, including a contributory pension scheme post-probation.

Ideal Candidate: The Chamber seeks a dynamic leader with a minimum of five years’ manage-

ment experience, preferably in corporate business, SME, or local development sectors. A third-level business-related qualification is highly desirable. The candidate should possess strong financial management skills, excellent networking abilities, and a professional work ethic.

Application Process: Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their CV and cover letter by 19th January 2024 to hr@countywexfordchamber.ie Please see: https://www.countywexfordchamber.ie /chief-executive-officer-vacancy/ for the full role description. n

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Slaney buSineSS Slaney ad & finance

Mistletoe & Magic in Enn Christmas 2023 came early for Wexford’s businesswomen as they gathered for their annual ‘Business @ Christmas’ celebration.

On Friday 1st December 2023, 30 female entrepreneurs, women in business and female-led businesses from all over County Wexford gathered in The Village at Wheelocks to experience a magical Christmas event, complete with mocktails, live music and Wheelock’s Winter Wonderland Experience.

Margaret Wheelock shared some fantastic insights into running the Wheelock’s business – a mix of tourism, hospitality, agriculture and food – with the group, explaining her love of business and how the best business training she ever got came from her mother. She explained how seasonality drove herself and husband Cyril to develop the two sides of their business – strawberries and Christmas; summer and winter.

Also telling the story of seasonal effects on business was Clodagh Davis of Naturally Cordial. Mainly associated with summer, Clodagh explained how she had to reinvent cordial as an ingredient for deliciously decadent winter drinks and cocktails in order to combat seasonality in her business. Demonstrating how to use her products to produce fruity and festive drinks for Christmas parties, it didn’t take much persuasion to get the ladies to sample some mocktails on the night!

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Paying tribute to female entrepreneurs and businesswomens’ flexibility and adaptability in their businesses, Annette Rowsome, Senior Enterprise Development Officer with the Local Enterprise Office Wexford, said that “women are intuitively innovative, adaptable and forward thinking – skills that are vital to secure strong businesses for the future. Businesses are facing growing energy costs, a shortage of labour and skills, climate change and increasingly uncertain global security, and women are well equipped to deal with these challenges.”

Carmel Moran, Business Advisor with the Local Enterprise Office Wexford, revealed that the ‘Business @ Christmas’ event gives women an opportunity to network, socialise and learn a bit more about business from each other – for many solo-preneurs it may be their only Christmas party and for others it is a festive opportunity to down tools and celebrate both Christmas and business with each other. It is an annual event now, and a thoroughly enjoyable one, with a lovely mix of business and pleasure.” n All pics: Mary Browne

Slaney buSineSS & finance

niscorthy

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Slaney SlaneypetS ad

Santa Paws at Santa’s Enchanted Christmas Manager Mico Hassett and her enterprising staff at the 1798 Centre in Enniscorthy, along with marketing guru Amanda Whitmore, didn’t want to leave anyone out this Christmas so when the opportunity arose they devised a novel idea labelled Santa Paws to include our four-legged friends in this year’s festivities at the very popular Santa Enchanted Christmas experience.

So, on December 17th and 21st, they put a pause (paws) on the kiddies and instead for €10 owners could bring their furry friends to meet Santa, have a photograph taken with him and receive a delicious

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goodie bag of treats at the Santa Paws event.

Now there’s innovation for ya, and I’ll bet a first for Enniscorthy with Ted, Teddy, Turner, Hooch, Darwin, Ginny, Oscar, Charlie, and many, many more proud and festively dressed pooches arriving to see the Big Fat Man with the long white beard.

Some of the canine models were more disposed to pose for the much sought after photograph than others but I think it would be safe to say that the event went down a treat and one I think to be repeated.

– WORDS & PICS BY MARIA NOLAN

Slaney petS

MOYNE VETERINARY HOSPITAL Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy.

T: (053) 9233187, 9236674.

F: (053) 9236674.

E: moynevet@gmail.com

VET DIARY FOR JAN It’s early January, some or all of the new year's resolutions are getting tested to the limit or are already thrown out alongside all the other years’ ones! All the madness of the festive season is paling into the background and the lull of everything getting back to normal is nearly appealing. One beauty of this stage of the winter is you can almost perceive a stretch in the evenings which gives that sense of optimism and a slight pep in the step of spring on the way.

2024 brings a share of optimism in its own right. Reading and listening to podcasts, it seems that it is shaping up to be a year of change.... change for the better. For us, in the practice, we'll be gearing up for a busy spring season: lambing, calving and all the complications that accompany it. On the farm, it will be full tilt starting in the next few weeks. With increase in herd sizes, it stretches the farmers, the labourers – which often on a family farm are the wife ‘n’ kids – to the elastic limit. They put in huge hours, sleep is at a minimum and hopefully we'll get an early spring to ease their burden.

That is the term used for a good dry and mild few weeks so that farmers can get the stock out on the fields early. The animals had to come in very early this winter as it was so wet they were tearing up the fields. To save these fields, farmers had to house the stock and feed the silage saved last May and June earlier than hoped so it might get tight for forage if the winter drags on and on.

It's a balancing act that farmers have to juggle with each year... the ever-changing weather patterns and trying to

with Joe Kavanagh of the Moyne Veterinary Hospital

work with this unpredictability on a constant basis. They do this stoically and very resourcefully. Slapped in on top of this, the Dept of Agriculture imposes restrictions on when they can spread slurry and when they can't during the winter months from the middle of October to middle of January.

This results in everyone probably looking to spread slurry on the 15th January and runs the risk of a deluge of slurry being applied all at once and the possibility of it reaching the river courses is certainly higher. Farmers by nature are practical people and often argue that 'it's very hard to farm by a calender' meaning you've got to go by the individual weather situations and conditions to spread the likes of slurry rather than by specific mandatory dates.

Commonsense should be allowed prevail but commonsense often isn't that common!!!

Antidotes to the toxic effects of slurry are now emerging and are are very viable options in that they are natural and affordable... Applying Humates to the slurry enhances the soil, specific probiotic added aids the whole process and innoculates the soil with excellent microbes and products such as Zeolite are now coming on the market with a multitude of benefits for the soil, and plants. A healthy plant results in a healthier animal and in turn a healthier product to the consumer... you and me!

Hopefully this year brings you success, health and wellbeing.

The tepid rays of sunshine shone brightly today heralding this new dawn. 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

7th January 2024 - Page 127

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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

TOYOTA C-HR The Toyota C-HR has been a big success for Toyota in Ireland since it first launched here at the end of 2016. The stylish coupé-crossover has been a consistent bestseller, with over 15,000 sold to date.

The new C-HR aims to build on the success of the first with a bold new design and even more efficient hybrid technology. It goes on sale from about €40,250 and is available to test drive in dealers now with first customer deliveries expected from January.

Toyota C-HR

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The C-HR was always the style icon of the Toyota range. The new one brings it to the next level with a striking new front end, more pronounced character lines and some very dramatic bi-tone colour options that extend into the rear of the car for the very first time. New slim LED headlights give C-HR the new family face of Toyota, like the latest Prius and bZ4X. At the back there are new horizontal lights that give a dramatic light bar effect with a special ‘Toyota C-HR’ illumination in the middle that lights up when you lock and unlock the vehicle.

There are a range of colours available, with Sport+ and Sol models coming with a very trendy black contrast roof. Go for the top of the range Premiere Edition or GR Sport Premiere Edition and the contrast black is extended into the rear of the car. Alloy wheel sizes vary from 18- to 20-inch. New flush door handles and a split roof spoiler add to the C-HR’s aerodynamic efficiency.

The cabin has matured very nicely. It feels like a bigger, more substantial car from behind the wheel. There’s a pleasant mix of digital features, good quality plastics and plush materials. Fabric sports seats come as

Slaney motoring standard but going up the trim levels adds more suede finish and vegan leather trim. There’s also a new digital instrument panel and new steering wheel.

An 8-inch touchscreen is standard on the entry level Sport model with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But all other versions get a very impressive 12-inch screen.

The new C-HR is built on an upgraded platform from Toyota with improvements to the suspension, steering and brakes.

The controls all work well together and the car has a solid, cohesive feel on the road.

It’s easy to control, with a wider track and lots of front end grip giving it a secure and planted feel through bends. There’s not too much road or wind noise either.

Interior

Other standard features include parking sensors, reversing camera, heated front seats, keyless entry and dual zone climate control. Sport+ adds wireless smartphone charging and a panoramic glass roof. The Toyota Safety Sense 3 suite of safety equipment comes as standard with features like blind spot monitoring, lane departure alert with steering control and safe exit assist.

The C-HR hasn’t changed much in size but it still offers adequate accommodation for a trendy crossover. The boot is a small bit bigger than before at 388 litres in the 1.8litre hybrid and 364 litres in the 2.0-litre hybrid. That’s about on par with the average hatchback. But it is well designed with a wide opening and the availability of a powered tailgate. The rear seats can also split fold 60:40.

Legroom and headroom is good enough in the back for a car of this size. Toyota has also removed the kink from the window line so it feels brighter and a bit more family-friendly than before.

After Corolla and Corolla Cross earlier this year, Toyota’s new fifth generation hybrid now makes its debut in the C-HR range.

There are 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol electric hybrids available. The 1.8-litre is expected to be the biggest seller. Power is up from 122hp to 140hp, with 0-100 km/h completed in a reasonable 9.9 seconds. Toyota quotes fuel consumption of about 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres for this model.

There’s also a more powerful 2.0-litre hybrid with 198hp and fuel consumption rated at 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres. A 2.0-litre C-HR plug-in hybrid is expected to arrive in the summer.

Like other Toyota hybrids, the C-HR uses an e-CVT automatic gearbox. It still can get quite noisy under hard acceleration but can be avoided with a gentler use of the accelerator. It’s a hybrid that is more geared towards efficiency and that’s where the C-HR really excels.

It is a super stylish crossover that really does stand out against rival crossovers and SUVs. For outright space, some rivals offer a little more but the C-HR still feels roomy enough inside to be practical.

It has gone up in price but then again the new C-HR is more than the car it started out as. It is exceptionally well-equipped and loaded with lots of standard safety features and digital tech.

Overall, Toyota has once again created a stand-out car in the C-HR that will please the style-conscious and be incredibly efficient to run too. n

Chapel Lane, Drumgoold, Enniscorthy, Y21 XH64

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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.

7th January 2024 - Page 129

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Enniscorthy motor group appointed main dealer for BYD all-electric cars

The ‘strikingly sporty’ BYD SEAL four-door sedan, one of three EV models to be sold

by Bolands under their appointment as BYD main dealers in Wexford.

Prominent motor dealer, Bolands of Wexford, has been appointed main dealer in the south-east of Ireland for BYD all-electric passenger cars, operating under the name BYD Wexford from their established Enniscorthy Motor Company outlet on the Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy.

BYD – an acronym for ‘Build Your Dreams’ – is popularly known as ‘the biggest car brand you’ve never heard of’.

Confirmed in an announcement issued

by Motor Distributors Limited (MDL), the appointment of Bolands is one that will create an even stronger presence for BYD in Wexford and across the southeast generally – a region in which the three highly-specified and competitivelypriced BYD models ATTO 3, DOLPHIN and SEAL are expected to have a strong customer appeal.

Commenting, a spokesman for BYD and MDL praised the decision by Bolands to join the BYD network and, by so doing, ‘to bring all of the values of BYD in terms of EV technology, its comprehensive range of all-inclusive standard specifica-

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tions, and its hugely-competitive pricing to motorists in the south-east region’.

Since arriving in Ireland last April, BYD has proven itself amongst a growing community of EV owners and against competition from other contenders in the EV market segment.

First to arrive was the acclaimed ATTO 3 SUV whose appeal in terms of ‘standard specifications-to-value’ was underlined by its success in the recent Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year Awards when ATTO 3 was voted winner of Ireland’s ‘Best Small Car’ Award by leading motoring writers in the Motoring Media Association of Ireland.

Since then, the BYD range in Ireland has trebled in number to include their new 4door C-segment hatchback, BYD DOLPHIN and the ‘strikingly sporty’ 4-door D-segment sedan, SEAL, which with DOLPHIN, incorporates BYD’s ‘Ocean’ design language.

Though all three models are distinctly different from each other, features common to all BYD models include a highly competitive price structure, e-Platform 3

base, cobalt-free Blade Battery electric power with WLTP-certified long range and fast charging technology, and a class-beating range of all-inclusive standard specifications, safety and driver-assistance elements.

In a comment, Diarmaid Boland, principal at the company’s Enniscorthy dealership, said: “We welcome our appointment and the opportunity it brings to offer customers in our Wexford dealership the chance to share in the value and enjoyment of EV motoring that BYD has brought to Ireland with their award-winning ATTO 3, in their all-new DOLPHIN, and in their stunning new SEAL, all of which will be available to view in our showrooms.”

BYD Wexford will be fully open this month with the BYD Seal, BYD Atto3 and BYD Dolphin available to test drive.

BYD Wexford, Enniscorthy Motor Company, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Y21 R281 www.bydwexford.ie https://www.facebook.com/BYDWexford

Slaney Sport

Bree Billiards and Snooker Club AGM Bree Billiards and Snooker Club recently held its AGM on October 11th, 2023.

A successful 2022/23 season was reflected upon by Chairman John Bolger in his opening address. Over 40 members signed up, partaking in four tournaments.

Billiards saw the Jimmy O'Brien Trophy won by Damien O'Neill, whilst John Wilson won the inaugural John Bolger Snr. Memorial Cup. On the Snooker scene, Ray Cullen won the Dawson Shield. A novel 6-Red Tournament was won by Gary Martin, with Colm O'Brien winning the young players group section.

A significant refurbishment was undertaken by the committee, which has transformed the Clubroom. A new suspended ceiling with acoustic dampening was installed, in addition to new LED lighting overhead. The cloth was replaced on the table. A new club logo was created and a sign erected over the clubroom door.

Walls and wooden fixtures and fittings were re-painted in a two-tone colour scheme. A wall of fame was created on the end wall, including photos and a glass engraved plaque designed to showcase all tournament winners from 1976 to date. A Club Book was created from Bree Parish journal transcripts, outlining the history of the club for all members and visitors to read and enjoy.

The following were thanked for their contributions:

Mentors Jimmy O'Brien and Patrick Leacy, Adrian Morrissey for snooker Coaching, Abban Reddy for help in acquisition of a second table (for possible future use) and club members for organizing a van, trailer and collection at short notice, Pat Bolger for clubroom painting, John Wilson for organising the new cloth and lighting, John Bolger for the new club signage and creating the "Wall of Fame", in addition to overseeing the new ceiling installation.

Sponsors were also acknowledged as follows: Stephen Murphy for the tournament winners plaque, Joe Leacy for lamination of coaching skills cards (supplied by Adrian Morrissey), the Bolger family for the John Bolger Snr Memorial Cup, the Hall Committee for the cost of replacing the ceiling, and Cllr Cathal Byrne for acting on the club’s behalf to help secure a Wexford Co. Council grant towards club refurbishments.

Deceased club members were remembered with a minute’s silence for those who passed away during the year.

Following secretary John Wilson's report, the new committee for the 2023/2024 season was elected as follows: Chairman: John Bolger Secretary/Treasurer: John Wilson PRO: Pat Bolger Committee Members: David Minogue, Derek Hughes, Adrian Morrissey.

The club is affiliated with SNB (Snooker and Billiards) Ireland, the national governing body for these two sports, with subscription fees paid annually.

Club Membership Fee for 2023/24 is €50, which includes entry to 4 tournaments. New members over 18 are welcome.

– PAT BOLGER, PRO

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Ross Road astroturf due to be completed by end of next month Some delays have been experienced on the development of the new Wexford Co. Council astroturf facility at the Ross Road, Enniscorthy, due to drainage issues with Uisce Éireann (UE) so it will most likley be the end of this February before all works are complete.

The new facility will be available to all sports and an online booking system will be in place.

Above and below: Slides presented by Wexford Co. Council to the November monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District. n

New Astroturf Facility Update November 2023:

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Slaney Sport

Reminder: Sports clubs can apply now for Texaco funding

Former Irish rugby international Donncha O’Callaghan has issued a call to all sports clubs in Co. Wexford reminding them that the countdown is on to the 31st January 2023 which is the closing date by which applications for a €5,000 award under the Texaco Support for Sport initiative must be made.

Noting the benefit to be gained by the award, the popular broadcaster and adjudicator confirmed that “entry is open to all clubs irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal, or gender, including those whose application may have been unsuccessful previously.”

Now in its fourth year, the annual initiative has already seen funding of €385,000 distributed to clubs across the 26 counties, of which €15,000 has come to Co. Wexford with successful applicants Kilmore United FC (2021), Menapians Athletic Club (2022) and Aspire Gymnastics Academy, Kiltealy (2023) receiving €5,000 in each case.

Further information can be viewed at www.TexacoSupportforSport.com n Left: Leading the Texaco funding process is Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan.

Sports Active Sports Active Wexford is all about creating a healthier, safer, more active and inclusive society in Co. Wexford.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SportsActive n

Own a share of Wexford FC Wexford FC is owned 100% by the Wexford Supporters Trust (WST) and you can own a share in this League of Ireland club for just €20 per month!

Have your say, voting rights at AGMs, and Free digital match programme every week!

To join, follow the link: https://wexfordfc.ie/supporterstrust n

Enniscorthy rugby Keep up to date on: Website: http://www.enniscorthyrugby.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScorthyRugby n

Hurling milestone Minister of State at Dept of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Thomas Byrne (centre) at Enniscorthy Sports Hub on 9th December, with Minister James Bowne (left) and Cllr Jackser Owens (right).

Congrats to Lee Chin, Conor McDonald, Diarmuid O'Keeffe, Mark Fanning and Enniscorthy’s own Liam Ryan on recently passing the milestone of 100 competitive appearances for our county senior hurlers.

Well done to all five. n

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Minister visits Enniscorthy sports facilities 9th December 2023 Above and left: Minister of State Thomas Byrne at the Enniscorthy Sports Hub with local politicians among others.

Below: Minister of State at Dept of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Thomas Byrne (extreme right) at Bellefield GAA complex, Enniscorthy, with club members and local politicians.

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Slaney Sport

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Minister of State Thomas Byrne (third from right) at Bellefield GAA complex, Enniscorthy, with club members and local politicians.

New Captains drive-in at rain-sodden Rosslare Golf Club The new captains at Rosslare Golf Club smiled through the rain for their respective drive-ins on New Year’s Day afternoon marking the beginning of their one-year terms of office.

Captain Paul Boggan and Lady Captain Anne Roche-Redmond were not deterred by the downpour as they gripped their clubs for their first tee-offs as more than 100 supporters cheered them on.

Paul Boggan is a native of Davitt Road, Wexford town. He made his name as an auto engineer in New York and Wexford before he and his wife Valerie set up the Londis Boggan convenience store on Grange Road, Rosslare Strand.

Anne Roche-Redmond is from Duncormick and is a well-known nurse in the county.

Paul Boggan, Captain, Anne Roche-Redmond, Lady Captain and Jamie Doyle, Junior Captain of Rosslare Golf Club.

Vice-captains of the club, Boyd Scott and Karen Burke Kennedy, junior captains Jamie Doyle and Maia Deane and club president John Howard and lady president, Mrs Pat Byrne, were there for the drive-in.

Asked how he hoped to develop the club of 1,000 members with its need for a new €2 million irrigation system, Paul Boggan, with a smile and a wink, said: ‘Wait ‘til you see!’

– M.F.

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Rapparees/Starlights AGM On Sunday, 10th December 2023, members of the Rapparees/Starlights GAA Club gathered in numbers at the Bellefield Complex for the Annual General Meeting.

In his address, Chairman Ger McVeigh thanked all who had contributed in any way to the successful running of the club in 2023.

‘Whilst not as lucrative a year on the fields of play as we would have liked’, Ger said, ‘many of our underage teams performed well and are competing at all levels, both male and female, and I have every confidence that our senior hurlers and footballers are planning to put in a trojan effort in 2024 to get us back to our 2020/21 best. We have great players involved here and we know that we are in contention every year for both championships and we will continue to build on that.’

‘Our club finances are holding well’, he continued, ‘with our very popular weekly bingo back to full strength since Covid and our weekly lotto doing well.’

‘Our Building Bellefield Development is progressing according to plan with our

Some of the members elected at AGM.

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two new pitches showing great signs of being ready early in 2024. Our walking track is almost finished, and work is due to begin on our new car park in January, along with children’s playground, sensory garden and hurling wall.’

Ger went on to thank the Development Fundraising Committee for the trojan work they are carrying out raising funds to complete development, especially the lucrative Christmas Bonanza Draw and the very well subscribed Patron’s Wall, which is now available for all to view at the clubhouse entrance, bearing the names of members past and present into the future.

Podge Hall gave a very detailed account of the end-of-year financial report, followed by reports from the various sections within the club – Adult, Underage and Ladies, and Maria Nolan presented the PRO report prior to the election of officers.

The club is in the happy position that 23 people were willing to put their names forward to stand for the Executive Committee and the Chairman was happy to take all on board to be divided into subcommittees.

Michael Doyle, new club President

A minute’s silence was observed for all deceased club members especially remembering former Chairman Pat Hall and Club President Larry Byrne who both passed to their eternal rewards in 2023.

Michael Doyle was selected as new Club President with Michael Dempsey taking on the role of Club Secretary for 2024.

Several tributes were paid to Michael Doyle following his selection attesting to the fact that over his many years at Bellefield he has served the club in every capacity and almost every position and is most worthy of the office of Club President.

– MARIA NOLAN

Slaney Sport

A big ‘thank you’ to all who supported the Building Bellefield Christmas Bonanza Draw In the month of December, every street corner from Wexford to Gorey was manned by members of the Rapparees/ Starlights, the young and the not-so-young, selling lines at €5 each for the club’s annual and substantial Christmas draw.

With prizes of €1,000 cash, 800L of Heating Oil, Playstation 5, €500 Pettitt’s Shopping Voucher, Trailer of Timber, Thermal Spa Day for 2 at Monart including Lunch, Meat Hampers to the value of €250, Brian Walsh Vouchers €100, Eason’s Vouchers €100 and McCauley Vouchers €200, who could say no to this amazing giveaway for only €5.

A very big thank you to all who supported us, a huge bualadh bos for all those who sold tickets especially all our little people, our young players who were on the streets every weekend in all kinds of weather conditions making it impossible for people to pass them without putting their hands in their pockets.

Míle Buíochas.

– MARIA NOLAN

During December, every street corner from Wexford to Gorey was manned by members of the Rapparees/ Starlights, selling lines at €5 each for the club’s annual and substantial Christmas draw.

7th January 2024 - Page 137

Slaney hiStory Slaney ad & heritage

Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society Christmas Lunch

PAT’S PICTURE PARADE OUT AND ABOUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER PAT O’CONNOR 087-2870006

Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, 13th December 2023 Top left: Marie Byrne and Pat Brennan. Top right: Josie Murphy and Breda Kennedy. Above left: Willie French and Treasa Moran.

Above right: Marie and Antoinette Kearney. Right: Kathleen Doyle, Kitty O’Reilly and Fr James Hammel. Below: Mark Minihan and Ken Hemingway.

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Slaney hiStory & heritage

Top left: Masie Kennedy.

Top centre: Kitty O’Reilly and Madge Murphy.

Top right: Seamus Rafter.

Left: Kathleen Mahon and Breda Quinsey.

Right: Rosemary and Aidan Quirke Below left: Marie, Helen and Josie Kavanagh.

Below right: Michael and Briget Hayden.

Bottom left: Ann Butler and Frances Freeman.

Bottom right: Theresa Moran and Mary Doyle.

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Taking a look at ‘The Past’

L-R: Seán Doyle and Very Rev. James Hammel.

LATEST EDITION OF ‘THE PAST’, THE JOURNAL OF THE UÍ CINSEALAIGH HISTORICAL SOCIETY The 37th edition of The Past has been published and it was decided not to have a public launch of the Journal as part of the society’s effort to thwart the spread of the many viruses circulating at present.

It is available in all Eason’s bookshops in Enniscorthy, Gorey and Wexford, the Book Centre Main Street, Wexford, and the Selskar Bookshop, at €20 per copy.

It is essential to purchase your copy early as there is a limited print output. The present edition contains articles presenting many facets of Wexford’s past and should engage the interest of anyone

even with a limited knowledge of local history. It would make an ideal present for a friend or family member, especially for members of the Wexford diaspora.

It sets off with a glowing tribute to the late Very Rev. Séamas S. Canon de Vál who died on 15th September 2023. He was Chairman of the Society for 37 years and was Editor of The Past for 23 issues.

Bernard Browne has a most interesting article on the life and times of George W. Carr (1780-1849), who was involved in the Temperance Crusade.

The Carnegie United Kingdom Trust Grant to Wexford County Council 19221923 is a piece by John Garahy which is

very pertinent to the history of the county.

Next there is an article by Isabel Bennett, titled Archaeological Excavations in County Wexford – a review of the last twenty years.

The Threshing Era around south county Wexford is a fine piece of social history

by John Power.

The 37th edition closes with Dr. Daniel Gahan’s article on The Social Dimension of the 1798 Rebellion in County Wexford: Some Reflections at the 225th Anniversary’.

Very Rev. James Hammel is the Editor of the 37th edition of The Past.

– SEÁN DOYLE ‘Fascinating Wexford History Volume Five’ is the last in the series by Des Kiely.

All 5 volumes are available from these outlets: WEXFORD: Book Centre – Eason’s Heritage Park – Johnstown Castle Readers Paradise – Red Books Selskar Bookshop – Stable Diet ENNISCORTHY: Eason’s NEW ROSS: Hubb16 – Dunbrody Famine Ship GOREY: Eason’s – Red Books BUNCLODY: Steemers And from Amazon.

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Slaney hiStory & heritage

Cllr Ó Súilleabháin's revised book Red Books Press, run by the innovative Wally O’Neill, was delighted to launch the revised copy of Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin's book Towards the Mountains of Liberty: 1798 at the Northern tip of County Wexford in the Gap Pub in Ballythomas (the Wicklow Gap) on 16th December 2023.

"Towards the Mountains of Liberty: 1798 at the Northern tip of County Wexford"

This book tells the story of the 1798 Rising in North Wexford and brings our ancestors’ inspirational story to a new generation. We are taken into the battles of Ballyellis, Ballygullen, Tubberneering and Arklow and witness the heroic deeds of the Catholic Miles Byrne of Monaseed, the Protestant Anthony Perry of Inch, and numerous other unsung heroes.

The book makes an ideal present for history buffs and casual readers alike and is available at the Red Books shops in Wexford and Gorey and on the website www.theirishbookshop.com n

Michael Fortune at Red Books with copies of his bestselling folklore book.

Pic: Red Books.

The Folklore of Wexford The Folklore of Wexford takes a personal and contemporary look at the practices, customs and beliefs of County Wexford through the eyes and ears of Michael Fortune; a man who was born, reared and has lived in the county for most of his life.

This book comes from the ground up, and features the voices, stories and practices of his neighbours, family and friends and people he has encountered over the past two decades whilst recording and sharing living folklore around Ireland.

Michael offers an insight into the practices of this unique corner of Ireland, highlighting commonalities and differences with other counties, while exploring the links with wider European practices and across the Atlantic, in particular with Newfoundland, Canada.

By drawing on his wide and expert knowledge of the subject, coupled with his natural enthusiasm, he has created a publication that is a true and reflective source on the folklore of Wexford and will remain so for many years to come.

Such has been the success of Michael’s book that it is sold out on most online sources while only a handful remain in some local bookshops, so hurry before it’s too late. n

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Slaney SlaneyneWS ad

Willie French is new chairman of Irish Agriculture Museum

Willie French, a former national vice president of the IFA, who became nationally known for leadership attempts to rescue the sugar-beet industry in Ireland in 2000, is the new chairman of the Irish Agricultural Museum at Johnstown Castle. He succeeded Peter Millar, an engineer, in December.

Willie is a past pupil of the Presentation National School, Enniscorthy, CBS Enniscorthy and Multyfarnham Agricultural College. He was a member with Michael Foley and John Crean of the Bree branch of Macra na Feirme team that won the National Farm Tasks final in the 1970s.

He is well known as a member of the historical societies in Bannow, Gorey and Wexford and of the Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society, which was launched in the Athenaeum in Enniscorthy in 1920 and which encompasses Co. Wexford and three parishes in Co. Wicklow.

His dream, he said, is to help create a greater awareness among the public of the museum which is one of the premier agricultural museums in Europe.

The Irish Agricultural Museum was founded by Dr Austin O’Sullivan, a researcher for the Irish Government’s Agricultural Institute, later Teagasc, at Johnstown Castle, south east of Wexford town after the Johnstown estate was donated to the State in 1945. Johnstown is now managed by the Irish Heritage Trust.

Willie French at the Irish Agriculture Museum in Johnstown Castle, Wexford.

No excuses!

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Willie and his wife Essie, a nurse, are retired at their home farm at Loughgerald in the parish of Bree, a few miles from Enniscorthy town.

– M.F.

Slaney enVironment

Crying foul!

While many of us in good health can hopskotch around the heaps of dog poo that litter our local streets, some in our community are unable to do so and therefore suffer the consequences. One such group is the blind and vision-impaired, and this group is now desperately calling on dog owners to ‘Clear Our Paths’.

Data gathered by NCBI (National Council for the Blind in Ireland) as part of its Clear Our Paths campaign shows that just 82 dog fouling fines were handed out by local councils over the course of 2022.

Information provided by the local councils at the request of NCBI, showed that 18 councils from around the country handed out zero dog fouling fines over the course of last year. Kerry County Council had the highest number of fines with 27 and the council reported that there were two convictions related to those fines.

Dog fouling is a huge issue for people who are blind or vision impaired who use our footpaths daily. A recent NCBI survey showed that it was the third most frequent unexpected obstacle encountered by respondents. Not only can dog fouling cause a slip hazard, but it can also be distressing for white cane users whose canes are often dirtied by faeces.

Cars parked on footpaths emerged as the number one obstacle faced by respondents to the survey. NCBI recently learned that over 19,000 fines were handed out in 2022 for issues around street and inappropriate parking. Three councils reported that they had not handed out any fines, while Mayo County Council said there were no fines handed out in the Claremorris/Swinford area. Roscommon County Council said there are no traffic wardens in the county.

NCBI recognises local councils’ efforts and challenges to support clear paths in their communities and some councils provided information about positive steps they have taken to curb the dangers posed by dog fouling in particular.

Wexford County Council said it, among other things, had provided special bins, gloves, etc in towns, villages and at blue flag beaches.

Aaron Mullaniff, Chief Services Officer with NCBI said: “The dog fouling data shows that councils can’t be expected to police the issue alone. It’s impractical to think that wardens could observe every single dog owner who doesn’t clean up after their dog and then issue them with a fine. There needs to be significant effort from the public to clean up after their pets in the first instance. It’s imperative that we all work to make our footpaths usable for all members in our communities.”

As part of this campaign, NCBI has created a webpage aimed at supporting members of the public to have conversations with family members and friends about the importance of their own behaviour. We can all be active bystanders through our own actions and words and NCBI is asking people to start a positive conversation to encourage others to make sure our footpaths are clear and safe for everyone in our community.

For the record, Wexford Co. Council was one of the 18 Councils nationally which did not issue a single dog fouling fine in 2022. n

The Deposit Return Scheme collection point in Centra, Ferns.

Looking forward to the Deposit Return Scheme The local Tidy Towns groups around Co. Wexford are looking forward to the Deposit Return Scheme going live in February 2024. They believe it is a new and exciting circular initiative which will transform the way we think about empty drinks bottles and cans.

The refundable deposit will incentivise us to return these containers so producers can make new bottles out of old bottles and new cans out of old cans, saving materials, energy and reducing litter.

The Deposit Return Scheme works by charging anyone who buys a drink a small deposit for the plastic bottle or can that it comes in. Customers get this money back when they return the container to a retailer or other collection point to be recycled.

The scheme will help to tackle the estimated one billion plastic bottles and 1.6 million aluminium cans that are thought to currently end up in landfills/incinerators or littered in the environment. Pretty soon litterbugs will be effectively throwing money away if they don’t change their behaviour. n

7th January 2024 - Page 143

Slaney Slaney enVironment ad

Rewarding Christmas Creativity Wexford County Council (WCC), in conjunction with South East Radio, recently announced the winners of the 2023 Christmas Decoration Competition, with Cllr. John Fleming, An Cathaoirleach of WCC, presenting the awards at a special ceremony in County Hall on 21st of December 2023.

Cllr John Fleming said, “The Christmas decoration competition for schools has been an annual tradition in Wexford since 2004.

Each year the decorations get more innovative and creative and show how items that normally end up as waste can be given new life through reuse. Those who have participated in this competition have shown us all how to reduce waste by making unusual Christmas decorations from everyday household waste materials. The decorations displayed today show great imagination and are an inspiration to us all.”

Hundreds of children around the county participated in the Christmas Decoration Competition which was open to all primary and secondary school children.

Cliona Connolly, Environment Education Officer with Wexford County Counci, stated that, “The aim of the competition is to encourage children to make creative Christmas decorations with waste materials, fostering the ethos of reuse wherever possible... Among this years’ submissions were nutcrackers, Christmas owls, Christmas trees, penguins, snownmen, angels, Christmas village scenes, wreaths, Rudolf, and lots of tree decorations.”

Front Row L-R: Freddie Hammel, Screen National Screen; Adel Ahmad Muhammad, Mercy School, John’s Road, Wexford; Hannah Rae, Kilrane National School; Stephen Rea, Kilmyshal National School; Sarah Goddard, St Garvan’s National School, Caroreigh.

Back L-R: Cliona Connolly, Environment Section, WCC, and Cathaoirleach Cllr. John Fleming.

All 171 decorations received were displayed in County Hall and received great praise.

The People’s Choice award proved to be a great success again this year where members of the public voted for their favourite decoration on display. Annie McGuire, Kilymshall National School, secured this award with her decoration ‘Reindeer Head’.

A group category proved to be a huge success again this year as it encourages children to work together to make amazing decorations from as young as junior infants.

4th Class, Kilrane National School: ‘The Gingerbread House’ by Karina Tokarska, 5th class, Scoil Mhuire Rosslare; ‘Human Sized Nutcracker’ by Ethan O’ Byrne 6th class, Scoil Mhuire Barntown. ‘Santa’s Sleigh’ by Tommy O’ Leary & Martel Saluveer, St Peter’s College Wexford. Primary school group categories winners included ‘Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney’ by Millie Franks, Sophie Doyle, Tara Hegarty & Millie Franks, Mercy School, John’s Rd., Wexford; ‘Christmas Village’ by pupils of Our Lady of Fatima School Wexford. n

The overall primary school winner was created by Niamh O’Connor, St Fintan’s National School, Taghmon. Niamh made the winning decoration entitled ‘The White Angel’ by simply using a soap bottle, a foil tray, old ping pong ball and milk cartons.

The Overall Runner Up was an entry entitled ‘Christmas is Magic’ by Shona Larkin, 1st class, Mercy School, John’s Road, Wexford.

An Cathaoirleach Cllr. John Fleming and overall runner-up Shona Larkin, Mercy School, John’s Road, Wexford.

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Other winning decorations included ‘Mr. Cool Christmas’ by Luke Murphy, Junior Infants, Ballyduff National School; ‘Snownmen & Snowflakes’ by Ava Lewis, Senior Infants, St Mary’s National School, Enniscorthy; ‘Angel’ by Mia Wall, 1st Class, Scoil Naomh Bríde, Blackwater; ‘Snowflake’ by Orrin Murphy, 2nd Class, Danescastle National School; ‘Santa’s Sleigh 2023’ by Roxie Copeland, 3rd class, Gorey Central School; ‘Hannah’s Christmas Wish’ by Hannah Rea,

An Cathaoirleach Cllr. John Fleming and overall primary school winner Niamh O’Connor, St Fintan’s National School, Taghmon.

Slaney enVironment

Wexford Co. Council’s community climate action programme The Wexford Co. Council Community Climate Action Programme is now open for applications. The online application form is available here: https://wexfordcoco.submit.com. The closing date for receipt of applications is 6th March 2024.

The Programme aims to support and build low carbon communities across County Wexford by providing funding for initiatives that facilitate direct climate action within local communities.

The fund is open to not-for-profit community groups, clubs and voluntary organisations. Funding for 100% of the cost of a climate action project is available through this scheme, up to a maximum of €100,000 per organisation.

Project examples could be insulation of community buildings, solar panels, bicycle repair, rainwater harvesting, upcycling, community gardens / allotments,

etc. Full details on the Programme are available here: https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/environment/climate-changeand-energy-management/community-cl imate-action-programmeccap/community

ment criteria, etc. The link will be distributed closer to the date.

An information webinar will be hosted online on Wednesday 17th January at 7pm. This webinar will outline how to make an application, basic guide to emissions calculations, planning permission information, case studies, assess-

More details on the Programme are available here: https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/environment/climate-changeand-energy-management/community-cl imate-action-programmeccap/community n

Contact: Clinton Donovan, Community Climate Action Officer.

Email: clinton.donovan@wexfordcoco.ie

Sustainable Enniscorthy’s next Repair Cafe Save the date for the next Sustainable Enniscorthy Repair Cafe which will take place on Wednesday, 6th March 2024, 5:30pm – 8:30pm, at the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy. More details will follow soon.

In the meantime, consider joining the free online group on ChangeX to keep up to date at: https://www.changex.org/ie/repaircafe/enniscorthy-co-wexford1/events/sustainable-enniscorthy-repai r-cafe www.sustainableenniscorthy.com https://www.facebook.com/Sustainabl eEnniscorthy n

7th January 2024 - Page 145

Slaney Slaney enVironment ad

The Rocks is planted as part of the 100 Million Trees Project

On 15th December 2023, The Rocks, Maudlintown, Wexford, was planted with 1,325 native trees as part of ‘The 100 Million Trees Project’.

denser, are more biodiverse, and most importantly create a very rapid carbon sink and provide excellent areas of biodiversity.

The project, which was launched last year in Co. Wexford, is a national community-driven initiative developed by brothers, Richard and David Mulcahy.

The project’s aim is to plant 100 million native Irish trees throughout the next decade to reverse the environmental damage caused by the reduction of forests worldwide.

Councillor John Fleming, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Councillor John Hegarty Mayor of Wexford Borough District, Councillor George Lawlor and Councillor Garry Laffan were all in attendance. Also present and who carried out trojan work in planting the 1,325 trees were community volunteers from St Mary’s GAA, Maudlintown, The Rocks Walking Trails and Southend Family Resource Centre.

The project’s ambitious aim will be achieved through densely planting between 1,000 and 2,500 native Irish trees at a time across small areas of land using ‘the Miyawaki method’ named after Japanese Botanist, Professor Akira Miyawaki, who developed the technique in the 1970s. By planting excess trees together, they grow considerably faster,

Page 146 - 7th January 2024

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Councillor John Fleming welcomed all and said he was delighted to support this project and thanked most especially the volunteers who helped plant the trees but who also care and maintain this unique amenity ‘The Rocks’.

Mayor of Wexford, Councillor John Hegarty, stated that, ‘This project will provide so many benefits for biodiversity, but it also creates a positive legacy for future generations to enjoy.’

Richard Mulcahy said, “We were absolutely thrilled to meet our launch objective of planting 20,000 trees in year 1, but this year we have much greater ambitions and aim to deliver over ten times that amount in 2024. By next April, we aim to have 200,000 to 250,000 new young native tree varieties planted in the ground at over 75 different sites around the country.

For further information on the 100 Million Trees Project, check out the website: www.100milliontreesproject.ie Or email the project at: info@100milliontreesproject.ie n

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