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BUMBER 44 PAGE ISSUE
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Issue 121 - Wednesday - 6 May 2020
Adamstown, Askamore, Ballaghkeen, Ballindaggin, Ballycarney, Ballyduff, Ballyedmond, Ballyhoge, Ballymurn, Blackwater, Boolavogue, Bree, Bunclody, Camolin, Castledockrell, Clohamon, Clonroche, Courtnacuddy, Curracloe, Enniscorthy, Ferns, Galbally, Glenbrien, Killanne, Kilmuckridge, Kilmyshall, Kiltealy, Marshalstown, Monageer, Monamolin, Oylegate, Oulart, Poulpeasty, Raheenduff, Rathnure, Screen, The Harrow.
BOOST FOR COLÁISTE BRÍDE 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.
Tel: 053-9255219 RATHNURE – ENNISCORTHY Help prevent coronavirus The virus spreads in sneeze and cough droplets, so regularly taking these measures helps reduce the chance of it spreading.
Significant accommodation works have been approved for Coláiste Bríde in Enniscorthy, as well as Good Counsel College in New Ross and Kilnamanagh Community National School near Oulart. Investment has been approved by the Department of Education under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2020. In Coláiste Bríde, work will include the construction of six general classrooms, five of which are pre-fab replacements. The school will also see the building of two science laboratories and shared preparation areas, a computer laboratory, a technological room, a home economics room, a special education classroom and a toilet for assisted users.
In Kilnamanagh Community National School near Oulart, a new mainstream classroom, special education teachers’ room and universal toilet have been approved for construction. At Good Counsel, New Ross, there are seven new general classrooms approved, five of which are replacements of pre-fabs. Two new science labs and a multi-media room are also part of the plans. Welcoming the news, local Minister Paul Kehoe TD said: “The recent period has been a stressful time for all of the students, parents and teachers who work or go to these schools. The staff are second to none and I know this highly significant announcement will be music to their ears.” n
We offer a support service ote rem so that we can fix many issues without having to call to your premises
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Cyril Wheelock, Wheelock Fruits, Enniscorthy, with the first Wexford strawberries of 2020 (see page 4) The
INFORMATION ON COVID-19 Wash your hands
Cover if touching Cover mouth if mouth Avoid coughing coughing or sneezingor sneezing your face
www.hse.ie/coronavirus www.gov.ie/health-covid-19 HSE Helpline: 1850 24 1850 (8am - 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 5pm on Saturday and Sunday)
Keep surfaces clean
Stop shaking Keep a safe Stop shaking and hugging distance hands andhands hugging
Wexford Co. Council Community Call Helpline 053 919 6000 (Lines open 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week)
Slaneynews: June issue will be out on Monday 8th June 2020
THE MARKET THE M ARKET HOUSE HOUSE MILLPARK ROAD, ENNISCORTHY (BETWEEN BANK OF IRELAND AND EUROGIANT)
FACEBOOK: ‘ENNISCORTHY THE MARKET HOUSE’
MOBILE: 085-1792518
DUE TO COVID-19 WE ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BUT YOU CAN STILL BUY MOST OF OUR STOCK THROUGH OUR FACEBOOK PAGE:
‘Enniscorthy The Market House’ OR ORDER DIRECTLY FROM CARMEL ON 085-1792518 AND PAY BY CARD Carmel and staff look forward to seeing all our many customers and lots of new ones when the Market House re-opens after the Covid-19 crisis. In the meantime please stay safe and well, and follow the physical distancing rules. DEPOSITS TAKEN ON ALL STOCK
Make sure to watch our Facebook page (Enniscorthy The Market House) over the coming weeks for great bargains and keep Liking and Sharing!
THE MARKET HOUSE – AN ALADDIN’S CAVE – EVERYTHING UNDER THE ONE ROOF – OVER 10,000 SQ.FT. OF FURNITURE, BEDS, RUGS, CURTAINS, BEDDING, HOMEWARES, FASHIONS AND SHOES. CALL CARMEL FOR FREE INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE – OVER 25 YEARS DESIGNING INTERIORS. 2 Slaney Ad
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6 May 2020
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Candy Tours, Bennekerry, Carlow. Tel: 087-263 2324. E: info@candytours.ie W: www.candytours.ie To all our friends and customers, we hope you are staying safe and well and hopefully this Covid-19 crisis will end soon. As to when Candy Tours will reopen, we do not know yet, but in the meantime we would like to wish you all the very best and stay safe. John and Bridie Candy, Candy Tours.
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Slaney News
6 May 2020
THE SLANEY NEWS IS NOW AVAILABLE IN 230 OUTLETS!
comment Once again, the Slaney News is unfortunately restricted to producing an online version only of this May issue. This issue, and most of our back issues, can be read online at www.issuu.com/slaneynews/docs. Being a digital-only version we feel we cannot charge for advertising so ALL the ads you see in this issue have been included FREE of charge, as a community service, to help those local essential businesses that are open and to help our public services (such as the HSE, Wexford County Council and Wexford Local Enterprise Office) to get their Covid-19-related messages ‘out there’ for FREE. In comparison with other counties, Wexford is doing well with the second lowest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Ireland per capita (after Waterford). But there is no room for complacency and the government’s recently-announced five-stage plan to ease restrictions indicates that we still have several months to go to reach any semblance of ‘normality’ and that’s assuming no slip-ups on the way. So let’s all keep washing our hands, cover our mouths if coughing or sneezing, avoid touching our faces, keep surfaces clean, and keeping at least 2m away from other people. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Unfortunately, Enniscorthy’s two biggest summer festivals have fallen victim to the virus. There will be no Strawberry Fair / Street Ryhthms / Strawberry Roots festival and no Rockin’ Food Festival either. As of now, however, Enniscorthy’s Wexford Literary Festival is still standing (albeit in an online way). The Enniscorthy Irish Folk and Ballad Festival is scheduled for the end of August and while no formal decision has been taken as yet, it’s likely to be cancelled. The Blackstairs Blues Fest in September might be cancelled or, if not, perhaps going ahead on a smaller scale with local acts only. Bunclody Country Fest at the beginning of July has been postponed. Wexford Spiegeltent Festival is still running for its 15 dates, Oct 9 - Oct 26, with another spectacular lineup of comedy, music, burlesque and more. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– We hope all our readers take care and stay safe at this difficult time for all of us. – Frank Corcoran
10,000 copies per issue of which 5,000 are distributed door-to-door in Enniscorthy town and 700 in Bunclody. The balance is distributed to over 230 drop-off points: ENNISCORTHY: Doyles Bar, The Duffry Gala Duffry Hope Centre The Wilds Copper Pan The Holy Grail Stamps Cotton Tree Cafe Crew Cuts Burke O’Leary Turkuts The Antique Tavern George’s Hair Salon Impresso Cafe IWA Charity Shop Millstream Fish Shop Butcher’s Cottage / Bakery Bridget’s Hair Salon Hair Salon Inspiration Rackards Little Spoon Coffee Shop Danny’s Barber Shop Karl Martin Cutting Edge Curls South East Animal Rescue Maura Flannery’s Shop My Café Coffee Shop Abbey Centre Bizzy Fingers City Fashions AJ Pets California Sun Tan Orchard Fruit & Veg Shop NCBI Mrs Quinn’s Charity Shop Sandro’s Wickham Bros Monica’s Hair Salon Storm Hair Design Burke-O’Leary –––––––––––––––––––––
Alba Restaurant Holohan’s Pub Shang Hai Golden City The Bailey Dunnes Lotus House T. Doyle’s Pub Enniscorthy Kebabish Mizzoni’s TJ Murphy’s FFC Carry Out Templeshannon The Local Bar Dawson’s Bar Bellefield GAA complex –––––––––––––––––––– Kavanagh’s Pharmacy Uptown Kuts Enniscorthy Cabs Hilltop Dry Cleaners Aideen Vonno Beauty Booth Pet Corner Presentation Centre Greenville Stores SuperValu Pettitts Gonzaga House –––––––––––––––––––– Quik Pick, Ross Road Grants Pharmacy Saucy Butcher Pet Depot CWCWE Enterprise Centre Enniscorthy Voc. College Co. Wexford Education Centre Centra-Drive Milehouse Road –––––––––––––––––––– C&R Print Bus Stop Shop Smiles Dental The Barber Shop Enniscorthy Chamber Screaming Canvas Treacys Hotel Waterfront Merrythought House TK Cabs Toss Kavanagh’s O’Callaghan’s Centra T’shannon Community Centre
George Kehoe & Co Chapel Lane Service Station D&G Hair Studio Castle Gardens Dept of Agricuture Offices Topaz Service Station Baker Tilly Hughes Blake Alcast Motor Factors Wheelocks
ONLY 230 MORE DELIVERIES TO DO !
Main Post Office IFA Centre Bank of Ireland AIB Wexford Local Development Enniscorthy Credit Union Enniscorthy Castle Ashmore Financial Services Frizelle O’Leary Solicitors Property Team M.A. O'Leary Burger Macs Hope Shop R&T Beauty –––––––––––––––––––– Sami’s Sherry FitzGerald O'Leary Monica’s Hair Salon Phoenix Estates Crystal Script Kennys for Bikes O’Learys Newsagents –––––––––––––––––––– Library Riverside Park Hotel Rejuvenate Treatment Rooms St John’s Hospital 1798 Centre –––––––––––––––––––– Mackin Travel GX3 Scissors Sisters
Put A Bow On It Finishing Touches Yellow Rose Sofia’s Galo Chargrill Town Council Offices River Restaurant ABC Takeaway Community Info. Service O’Leary Travel Eir –––––––––––––––––––– Delaneys Newsagents Toffee & Thyme O’Brien’s, Court Street Cut & Shave Serenity Place Court Street Dental Clinic Court Street Medical Centre Citizens Advice Centre Easons Grants Pharmacy Darcy Blinds & Interiors –––––––––––––––––––– Evolv James Browne TD Office Paul’s Shoe Repair Finnegan’s Findz The Athenaeum –––––––––––––––––––– Studio 5 Bega Barber Cafe Harmonia Beautique Paul Kehoe TD Office Via Veneto Mick’s Barber Shop Paula Treacy Auctioneer Gus Byrne’s Sewing Studio MUM –––––––––––––––––––– TOP shop/filling station Centra-Drive Quarrypark Cooney Furlong, Old Dublin Rd Moyne Veterinary Clinic Pump Palace Gym Kilcannon Garden Centre Superdine Lifestyle Fitness Rebecca’s Enniscorthy Car Wash Tile Store n More
Power Plant Hire Baked Potato Old Dublin Road Coal Yard ATB Tyres Before & After Furniture NCRS Enniscorthy Golf Club –––––––––––––––––––– ADAMSTOWN: Cullen’s Gala. BALLAGHKEEN: Sawdust Inn BALLYCARNEY: Jenny’s Diner BALLYEDMOND/WELLS: Downes Gala BALLYMURN: Peter Doyle’s Costcutter Ballymurn Credit Union. BLACKWATER: Londis Post Office Blackwater Lodge Hotel BOOLAVOGUE: Post Office Fr Murphy Centre. BUNCLODY: Adult Learning Centre SuperValu Anatolia Turkish Barber Betsy’s Hair Parlour Bearbóir Barber Mango Tree Tourism Office Rivers Edge Library Campus-Gala Sugar & Spice Daybreak, Ryland Road Eurospar Half Way House Credit Union Chevue Studio Dols Beauty Clinic DNG O'Connor & O'Connor Hers N Sirs ArtBank Hair Junction SignaCare Nursing Home CAMOLIN: C&K Takeaway Christy Byrne’s, Butcher
Post Office. CASTLEBRIDGE: Flanagan’s CLONROCHE: Kavanagh’s Gala Post Office House of Hair COURTNACUDDY: Kelly’s Shop. CURRACLOE: Cloney’s Shop Post Office. FERNS: Buí The Unique Escape Mace Applegreen Ferns Barber Bolgers Hardware Courtyard Eclipz Blush Ferns Community Centre Ferns Castle Saints Salon Daybreak Davitts Music Shop KILMUCKRIDGE: Centra Kates Coffee Shop & Deli Sean Ógs Hotel. KILTEALY/BALLINDAGGIN: Bowe’s Shop. MONAGEER Monageer Tavern / Shop. OULART: Corrigan’s Londis Post Office. OYLEGATE: Garrys Service Station. RATHNURE: Pat Murphy Oil Conran Interiors WEXFORD: Maldron Hotel O’Briens, Redmond Sq O’Briens, Main St Nosh & Dosh, Redmond Sq Yard Restaurant Wexford Arts Centre Wexford General Hospital Wexford Service Station
Strawberries now on sale at Wheelocks
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The Slaney News visited Wheelock Fruits on 29th April to see the first Wexford strawberries being picked by Cyril Wheelock and we were immediately struck by the size and taste of this year’s crop. The variety, Cyril explained to us, is ‘Centernary’ which gives a large size, sweet fruit with little or no small or odd-shape berries so there is minimum wastage. And don’t forget Wheelocks also grow raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries etc. Due to Covid-19 restrictions Wheelocks will not be selling on Enniscorthy’s roadsides for the moment so all sales will be through their farm shop at their impressive restaurant building at Finchogue, Enniscorthy, Eircode Y21 YY67. The possibility of a delivery service is also being explored at present. Contact Wheelocks at (053) 920 1900.
Meals-on-Wheels in Enniscorthy operates three routes a week, delivering 60 meals a day, 6 days a week, 52 weeks of the year. If you are interested in volunteering for one week in the year, an hour a day, please email Pat at pat.oshea@enniscorthycommunity.ie
ENNISCORTHY SNIPPETS… ENNISCORTHY SNIPPETS… KEEp up to DatE For positive, good news stories about Enniscorthy and Co. Wexford read Maria Nolan’s blog a t o u t a n d a b o u t w i t h m a r ianolan.wordpress.com thE athEnaEuM See “Enniscorthy Athenaeum Museum and Historic Theatre“ on Facebook. st sEnan’s parish bingo Bingo Nights are cancelled until further notice.
christian MEDia trust Check out www.christianmeddiatrust.ie for details of programmes and broadcast times on South East Radio. illEgal DuMping To report illegal dumping: Wexford County Council (WCC) Customer Service on 053-9196000 or email customerservice@coco.ie. If you see dumping, take a photo and if possible send it to WCC to help them assess how big or small the incident is and what level of
response is needed. Civil DEfEncE nEEDs you! Check out www.civildefence.ie. Enniscorthy flooD DEfEncE The main construction work is expected to start later this year lasting three years. See www.enniscorthyfds.ie i r i s h c o n v E r s at i o n EvEnings A chance to chat in Irish. The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy.
Slaney News: Local Writers Local Publisher Local News
Cancelled until further notice. More information: 087-1377068. EMD EMbracEs tElEconfErEncing The monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council took place on 27th April by teleconferencing. The Slaney News, instead of physically attending the meeting as we would normally do, was able to listen in remotely and it was great to hear members taking part so constructively at this difficult time. n
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Slaney Covid-19 News
View from the Hill
A local contributor looks at life today in Enniscorthy and beyond
THE COST OF COVID-19 The economic cost of Covid19 is going to be horrendous. At the time of writing, we have been informed of some limited lifting of the restrictions. The financial effects of the lockdown so far are not yet being felt. Hundreds of thousands of people have been and are still out of work and thousands of businesses are closed. Many of them may never open again. Certain sections of society are being protected financially, for the moment at least, by the payments being made by government such as paying full salaries to public servants who are currently not working and paying Covid allowances to private sector workers who have been laid off. This leaves many people well insulated for the moment. Why would you worry too much if you were getting your full salary to stay at home or a couple get-
6 May 2020 ting a net €700 a week Covid payment with no childcare costs and deferrals on rent, mortgage payments and bank loans in most cases. Not too bad for the moment. The small-business sector is in a different situation altogether. The backbone of the economy for years is now thrown to the wolves. The government tells that sector that they must stay closed for further periods with the indication being, that provided there is no increase in the spread of the virus, they may reopen in a number of weeks or months depending on their sector. The compensation package is non existent with rates merely being deferred and no interest or low interest loans available if and when the business reopens. Not good enough. Most of these businesses cannot afford the cost of reorganising their businesses structurally to cope with the new regulations which
Paschal Donohoe will be tapering off payments
will be mandatory before the door is opened, much less afford to pay back the extra burden of any loans which might be made available to them. These small businesses need cash grants not loans or rate deferrals. If the economy is to be got going again real help must be forthcoming. If it does not, a lot of the people mentioned in the earlier paragraph will find themselves in a difficult predicament when, to quote Minister Paschal
Donohoe, he begins to “ taper off the current payments”. (He means cut lads, cut you back to €203 per week at most and maybe down to €180). The tapering off won’t affect Ministers, TDs, Senators or important public servants. If you are a mere middle or below middle rank public servant, watch out because anything could happen. If you are in the private sector you’ve had it. The deferred rent, mortgage and bank loan repay-
ments will become due again in a couple of months also and then the fun will start. The usual suspects who benefitted from the last recession will come to the fore again and walk all over those who will then be in a weakened position with the government looking the other way. Whether we like it or not that’s the future. This talk of us all being in this together is just a catchphrase which suits the powers that be for the moment. When the inevitable hits the fan we’ll see who is in it with us. I’d be fairly sure that those singing that phrase will be nowhere to be seen. Let’s hope that I’m wrong but with the experience of the last recession clear in the minds of most people it’s difficult to be optimistic. Any observations or comments on this column feel free to email: viewcolumn@gmail.com
Covid-19 lockdown easing (and other updates)... from 18th May, there will be five phases of lockdown easing in ireland: phasE 1: May 18 Up to four people not of the same household will be able to meet outdoors while maintaining strict social distancing. Funerals won't change and will remain at 10 people max. Construction workers, allotment workers and gardeners can return to work sites but remote working will remain in place where possible. Garden centres, hardware stores, electrical outlets, opticians, bike repairs and phone repairs can reopen. Outdoor sporting and fitness facilities like tennis courts and golf courses can reopen but social distancing will apply with just four people per party allowed. Outdoor public amenities and tourism sites may open. Schools and college buildings will be opened to allow teachers to organise remote learning. phasE 2: JunE 8 Strict social distancing measures will remain in force, but small gatherings will be eased in at this stage. People will now be allowed to travel up to 20km from home for necessary journeys. Over 70s will be allowed to shop at specific hours. Visits to homes of over 70s will be allowed but only small groups and for a short period of time, while wearing basic PPE and maintaining strict 2m social distancing. Up to four people may visit another household for a short period of time while main-
taining strict social distancing. Slightly larger numbers of people can be in attendance at funerals but they will still be restricted to immediate family and close friends. There will be a “phased return” of other workers who can maintain a distance from others of two metres at all times. Remote working will still be in place wherever possible. Small retail outlets, with a small number of staff, and open marts could also reopen. Libraries can open with limited numbers. People can engage in outdoor sporting and fitness activities where there is a "small group team" but this does not include matches. phasE 3: JunE 29 Cafes and restaurants will reopen with social distancing rules in place. Creches will be reopened but only for the children of essential workers. Hospital and prison visits may resume but consideration will have to be given to the availability of PPE in each unit. Businesses where employees have a low level of daily interaction may return. There will be a phased reopening of non-essential retail outlets on the basis of restriction on the number of staff and customers per square metre so that social distancing can be maintained. Enclosed shopping centres will not reopen at this stage due to higher risk. Playgrounds will be reopened where social distancing and hygiene can be maintained.
Some “behind closed doors” sporting activities will be permitted. Public transport will remain restricted, particularly in major urban centres. Cafes and restaurants will be reopening but must be socially distanced. phasE 4: July 20 People can now travel outside their region. A slightly larger number of people may visit another household for a short period of time while maintaining social distancing. Small parties with family and close friends will be limited to a maximum number of attendees for a limited period of time where social distancing can be maintained. Creches for all other workers will reopen but only for one day a week to start with. Businesses will be asked to stagger work hours but Government will ask for remote working to continue. Hairdressers and barbers may reopen as well as museums, galleries, religious places of worship. Hotels and hostels will reopen on limited occupancy but hotel bars will remain closed. Caravan and holiday parks may reopen. Restrictions on the number of people allowed to travel into urban centres will be decreased on public transport. phasE 5: august 10 Pubs, bars, nightclubs and casinos will reopen but will be socially distanced and cleaning will be paramount.
Festivals and other cultural gatherings may be held but with restricted numbers. Large weddings will still be restricted due to risk, as will other large gatherings. Normal visiting will resume in hospitals. A phased return to normal work will start around this time. Shopping centres will reopen as well as theatres and cinemas that can maintain social distancing. Close physical contact sports like rugby, boxing and wrestling will be permitted. Gyms can reopen where there is regular and effective cleaning. Sports spectatorship which involves mass gatherings will be permitted, but only in accordance with both indoor and outdoor number restrictions. Indoor recreational venues like roller skating, bowling alleys and bingo halls may open where numbers can be limited. High-risk organisations which cannot maintain social distancing will be asked to implement plans for how they can eventually return to full complement. Sometime after this period, schools will reopen. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– Enniscorthy red cross volunteers are available to deliver medications to the elderly or sick who are isolating. If you or someone you know in the Enniscorthy area is in need of this service, get in touch. Tel: 087 062 6751. See Enniscorthy Red Cross Unit on Facebook. –––––––––––––––––––––––––
alonE, the organisation supporting older people living alone, is grateful for the practical support phonelines for older and medically vulnerable people introduced by local authorities nationwide. ALONE is working in collaboration with Local Authorities delivering these services, and ALONE’s own National Helpline (0818 222024) will continue to provide information, advice, emotional support, and provide telephone support to vulnerable older people. It is staffed by professionals who are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open 8am-8pm every day. Local call charges may apply. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– plans to re-hoist the patriots’ flag in abbey square, Enniscorthy, have been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis. The previous tricolour flag was removed from the spire earlier this year because it was getting very worn and tattered. The plan was to have a new flag in position for the Easter weekend but then the Covid-19 lockdown came and the company which manufactures the flags has gone into lockdown so re-hoisting the flag is unlikely to happen until the crisis is over. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– in response to the covid-19 crisis, driver licences and learner permits due to expire before 30th June 2020 will now be valid for a further four months. DOE certs due to expire before 30th June 2020 will remain valid for a further four months also.
new car registrations for april declined 96.1% nationwide when compared to april 2019. as a result of coviD-19 retailers’ showrooms have remained closed since Mid-March, impacting heavily on sales. registrations year to date are down 30.7% (50,626) on the same period last year (73,030). The commercial vehicle sector is also feeling the impact of closures, with Light Commercials vehicles (LCV) down 87.3% (229) compared to April last year (1,799) and year to date are down 25.3% (9,603). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are down 67.8% (98) in comparison to April 2019 (304). Year to date HGV's are down 9.9% (1,070). Nearly 50,000 people are employed in this sector nationwide. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– covid-19 statistics: As of midnight, 4 May, there were 21,908 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Republic of Ireland: 57% female and 43% male. Total number of deaths was 1,128. The median age of confirmed cases was 49 years. 2,878 (13%) have been hospitalised of which 373 have been admitted to ICU. 6,393 cases were associated with healthcare workers. At time of going to print (6th May) Co. Wexford has 184 confirmed cases. ––––––––––––––––––– for updates on covid-19: stay tuned to local and national radio, follow the Slaney News facebook page, see local press, check the Wcc website, follow Wcc on twitter, www.hse.ie/coronavirus www.gov.ie/health-covid-19
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Cllr.
Cathal Byrne Working for Enniscorthy Town and District
All monthly advice clinics are cancelled until further notice. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. If I can be of any assistance to you or your family in the coming weeks, please get in touch. (085) 146 1164
Proudly serving you during this Covid-19 crisis – normal opening hours – social distancing rules – the safety of our customers and staff is our top priority
cathal.byrne@wexfordmcc.ie
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Slaney Covid-19 News
6 May 2020
Young local man assisting frontliners fight the virus Cedric Aucher and his father, Christophe, at work making protective faceshields for frontline staff.
Margot Banville Hogan (right) with Dorothy Kinsella, St John’s.
cedric aucher at My Diy is a young Enniscorthy man who has, over recent weeks, been 3D printing ppE at home for frontline staff and volunteers around co. Wexford. With the shortage of PPE to fight the current Covid-19 pandemic, Cedric Aucher has been putting his recently acquired 3D printer to good use producing h u n d re d s o f p ro t e c t i v e faceshields over recent weeks for local organisations in need such as nursing homes, doctors’ surgeries, hospitals etc as well as the Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps Wexford Unit and Enniscorthy Red Cross. Cedric is being assisted by his father, Christophe, his mother, Andrea, and his sisters Anna and Emilie (a student nurse affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and a huge
inspiration to Cedric to start this project). In recent days Cedric has started to produce ‘Ear Savers’ to keep the elastic from facemasks away from the wearer’s ears to prevent friction burns. These will be donated to Frontline workers also. If you are a Frontline worker and would like to avail of Cedric’s products, contact him through Messenger or email: mydiy.ca@gmail.com. Tel: 0871307713. All this tremendous work is being financed through fundraising. Check out: https://www.gofundme.com/f /covid19-3d-printed-ppe which has raised over €4,000 of a recently revised upwards target of €5,000. Cedric told the Slaney News that he would like to “thank
MARGOT’S WELCOME DONATION TO ST JOHN’S The new ‘Ear Savers’ being produced by Cedric at My DIY.
local companies, my school CBS Enniscorthy, and Bikers Coming Through for their help and donations also... I want to emphasise how much I've been helped by the community and it is very much what we are achieving as a collective group and not just myself and family. I would be nowhere without the support I have received from the community.” For more information see: ‘My DIY’ on Facebook. n
Above: Cedric Aucher delivering 200 faceshields to Wexford General Hospital. Below: Cedric delivering PPE to Dr Bowe’s surgery in Enniscorthy.
Margot banville hogan, well known community Employment supervisor, st John's community hospital, Enniscorthy, enjoyed great success with her recent online appeal which resulted in a presentation to Dorothy Kinsella, clinical nurse Manager, st John's community hospital, of a number of tablets and phones for residents to stay in touch with family and friends.
Margot wishes to sincerely thank John Power, Galbally Computer Repairs, for his kind gesture of cleaning down all the devices for GDPR purposes and for sourcing same and combining parts to get devices working. She would also like to thank Gerry Page, Chairperson Galbally Sports & Leisure Club, for his assistance. Thanks also to David Pohludek, Ferns Computer Services, for all his
help and to Bank of New York Wexford for their kind donation of two mini iPads. Margot hopes through her appeal to also help Selskar House and Abbeygale House Wexford. Anyone who has any old tablets, laptops, phones that could be donated to the cause or can help out in any other w a y, p l e a s e e m a i l : m a rgothogan1@hotmail.com n
Lots on offer at local libraries Did you know that your local library is a great resource during this difficult pandemic? The eLibrary is always open allowing you to escape into a book, keep up-to-date with the news or learn a new skill. Co. Wexford’s librarians are sharing virtual workshops, storytimes and rhymetimes to keep children entertained. If you’re not already a member of your local library, joining couldn’t be easier. Simply fill out the online form https://lgma.iii.com/selfreg. You'll get a temporary library number and set up a library PIN. Straight away you can access eBooks, eAudiobooks, online magazines, newspapers and more for free, see the full r a n g e o f e R e s o u rc e s a t https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/lib raries/ebooks-and-eresources.
All libraries are currently closed due to Coronavirus but help is still at hand, so if you need assistance or further information on eServices, please contact Enniscorthy Library by emailing enniscorthylib@wexfordcoco.ie or call on 053-9196571. Do you know someone who is elderly or vulnerable and who is cocooning at home? They can now request a delivery of library books, audiobooks and DVDs from Wexford Libraries who will deliver directly to their door. How does it work? • A person who is cocooning p h o n e s t h e We x f o rd Community Call helpline on 053 919 6000 - Dial 1. • Library staff will contact the person who is cocooning and organise suitable library material to be delivered
Enniscorthy Librarian Jarlath Glynn. Pic: Maria Nolan.
•
directly to them. All items are on long loan, there are no overdue fines or fees and access to the service is always FREE. n
Covid-19: survival guide for parents not sure what to do with the kids during this covid-19 crisis? one great source of material to keep kids busy is the local library (see article above). but there are lots of other sources also. Check out the National Adult Literacy Agency’s website for parents called Help
My Kid Learn.ie (www.helpmykidlearn.ie). It includes hundreds of fun activities that can be done in the home or outside. And best of all, the activities will help children to learn without them even realising it. All you have to do is enter your child’s age into the website and you will find
lots of suitable fun activities to do with them. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Dublin Zoo website (dublinzoo.ie) has webcams situated around the site so one can look at the animals for free. A good time to check in is around 2-2.30pm when the animals are being fed. n
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9
NEW ONLINE PROGRAMME OPEN TO WEXFORD’S FOOD ENTREPRENEURS an innovative new online food programme, from the local Enterprise offices, which is open to entrepreneurs across county Wexford, is set to boost the number of irish food start-ups. the Digital school of food is the first of its kind in Europe and gives food entrepreneurs expert advice and guidance, from their home, office or kitchen. The new Digital School of Food was piloted in the Dublin region in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia. Following the successful pilot, it is now available to those with an idea for a food business in County Wexford, run by the Local Enterprise Offices. The online programme is an e-learning initiative that brings producers from idea right through to start-up and grow stages. The programme will give food entrepreneurs an education in planning a product journey and route to market, through thinking about finance and how to grow sales, right up to expanding the business. It includes support from experts in the field as each course has a real producer who contributes tips and advice throughout. The programme includes contributions from trade buyers in SuperValu, Musgraves and Spar along with the likes of Domini Kemp of ITSA Food Group and food producers
who have been through the system. Entrepreneurs who complete the Digital School of Food are then primed to move on to take part in the Food Starter programme offered by the Local Enterprise Offices and subsequently Food Academy, which gives producers the opportunity to get their product on retail shelves. Local Enterprise Office Wexford has supported several successful food businesses through training, mentoring, financial assistance, food starter a n d f o o d a c a d e m y p ro grammes. A number of food producers in the county have won national awards cementing the county’s reputation for quality produce. Some of the great food producers supported by LEO Wexford include O’Neill’s Foods, Wexford Home Preserves, Wild About Foods, Natural Icecream Foods, Reagan’s Organic Produce, Meylers Fish Merchants and Ballyhack Smokehouse.
Liz Hore, Head of Enterprise at LEO Wexford
heather humphreys tD, Minister for business, Enterprise and innovation, commenting on the new programme, said: “We have a proud heritage of producing world-class food in Ireland. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we support our food firms and particularly budding entrepreneurs with ambitions to start a new business. As needs have evolved, these programmes have evolved and the online Digital School of Food is a testament to that. Aspiring food producers can now begin their journey from their own home.
ENNISCORTHY ENGINEERING & FABRICATION
“The Local Enterprise Offices continue to innovate in the way that they are delivering programmes and this is extremely significant now. They are playing a key role in helping our small businesses in this challenging economic climate and they will be to the fore as small companies rise up in the coming weeks and months.” cllr. Michael sheehan, chairman of Wexford county council, welcomed the initiative saying, "Irish food is renowned the world over and we enjoy an enviable reputation for high quality food production especially here in Co. Wexford. It is important that we continue to cultivate new food entrepreneurs and start-ups, particularly during these challenging times. The Digital School of Food is an excellent first step for anyone with an idea to establish a food production business. This is particularly significant now, with many potential entrepreneurs at home, they can access this programme from anywhere.” liz hore, head of Enterprise, stated that, “Starting a food business can be straightforward but growing it can be challenging. The Local
Enterprise Offices are there to support those who take the programme. Following completion, participants can move on to more advanced programmes such as Food Starter and Food Academy, as well as further supports such as management development and assistance in raising funding for their small business. The Digital School of Food is a game-changer for food entrepreneurs and will enable aspiring entrepreneurs to learn best practice in setting up a food business here in Wexford where we have such a strong tradition for quality food producers.” The Digital School of Food is the latest support established for food entrepreneurs in Ireland by the Local Enterprise Offices, following on from Food Academy and Food Starter. For more information on the Digital School of Food check the website www.DigitalSchoolofFood.ie about thE local EntErprisE officEs: The 31 Local Enterprise Offices, which are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland, are located in local authorities nationwide. The Local Enterprise Offices
play a key role in fostering start-ups and business growth locally, offering a range of financial and mentoring supports to new businesses and existing small businesses that want to grow. In 2017, Local Enterprise Office client companies created over 3,600 new jobs across the country. They run several programmes throughout the year to encourage entrepreneurship including Local Enterprise Week, Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE), National Women’s Enterprise Day, the National Enterprise Awards and the Student Enterprise Programme (www.localenterprise.ie). local EntErprisE officEs & coviD-19 rEsponsE: The network of Local Enterprise Offices have a suite of supports to help small businesses during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Local Enterprise Offices are also providing free business planning and mentoring to all small businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. More information on all the supports can be found on www.localenterprise.ie/respon se and also see page 11 of this issue of Slaney News. n
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10
Slaney Covid-19 News
TOWN TALK
WITH
KEITH DOYLE
COVID-19: WHAT NOW? STAND FAST! As I write this column on Covid-19, we are at the end of April and we are down on many points but we always knew that. Ireland has adopted a strong defensive line – it is a good approach but the line is only as good as its weakest link. Holding out will always bring weariness and tiredness. We are told of some slow relaxing of the lockdown but it’s in our own hands how this will play out. I can clearly see a wide variety of personal choices ranging from responsible to downright reckless and everything in
between. This killer virus must get our full attention at all times. I observe lapses of social distancing every time I venture out, this is most common between people who know each other and their distance apart is usually far less than two metres. The best way of beating this virus is to always assume that the person you are conversing with has the virus. No matter who they are – Friend, Teammate or Relation. This focuses the mind. There is no room for stupidity right now. It affects us all. The big barbeques and house parties popping up are moronic
Hope & Dream 10 – new date hope and Dream 10, 2020, will be run to raise funds and awareness for the hope cancer support centre and county Wexford hospice homecare service, but it won’t happen in april as originally planned, but on a new date – sunday 4th october 2020 (subject to ongoing advice from the hsE). The goal is still to register 2,500 people this year, and have each participant raise as much money as possible for Hope and Hospice. All sponsorship money raised will go directly to the two charities (60% to Hope and 40% to Hospice) and race costs will be paid for by the event’s invaluable sponsors. Since 2012, an amazing €1,154,224 has been raised! This
money has made a huge difference to the quality of life for many people. However, new services are always in demand and, with your help, the two chosen charities can develop services further in 2020. Online registration is open n o w a t w w w. h o p e a n d dream10.com so sign up now to be part of this fantastic event on Sunday 4th October 2020. –––––––––––––––––––––––––– your questions answered: Question: I have already registered for the race. Do I need to register again for the race on October 4th? Answer: No, your registration is still valid for the race on October 4th. Question: I have already received my sponsorship card.
Is this still valid for the race on October 4th? Answer: Yes. Question: When can I return my sponsorship card and money and pick up my race pack? Answer: You can return your sponsorship card and money and pick up your race pack in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, on Friday October 2nd or Saturday October 3rd 2020 (open from 10am to 8pm both days). Please note that in order to comply with Auditor requirements, we cannot accept return of sponsorship money before these dates. The organisers thank you for your understanding and continued support of the wonderful Hope and Dream 10! n
Council counts the Covid cost it is being reported that Wexford co. council could be losing around €2m every month in local property tax, rates, rent and parking due to the covid-19 pandemic. other councils around the country
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face similar financial losses. Various capital projects across Co. Wexford, including Enniscorthy’s new Technology Park, have been stalled to help limit the spread of the Coronavirus.
Government support will inevitably be needed by Wexford Co. Council if its ambitious plan for the county, involving over €200m in spending over the coming decade, is to be realised. n
and should be treated as such – as socially unacceptable as drink driving. I know that many of the people engaging in this risky behaviour will not be reading this column, but wherever this irresponsible behaviour occurs please shun it. Show the culprits that it’s not acceptable in society during a crisis like this. Take the example of that brave nurse in the park in England. We have to keep reminding ourselves of the frontline staff who are risking their health so we can have ours. There are so many engaged in this daily battle and all they
ask of us to do in return is to not put yourself or others at risk. Not a lot to ask indeed. To all who are making the
Comhairle Contae
effort I thank you on their behalf. Keep your head when all those around you are losing theirs. STAY SAFE. n 053 919 6000 www.wexfordcoco.ie customerservice@wexfordcoco.ie
Loch Garman Carricklawn, Wexford Y35 WY93
Wexford County Council – Comhairle Contae Loch Garman
COVID-19
Community Call Helpline Assistance will be provided to vulnerable members of the public.
053 919 6000 Dial 1 c o v i d s u p p o r t @ wex fo rd c o c o . i e
Lines open: 8am - 8pm 7 days per week Please help us locate you by knowing your Eircode. You can Google “Eircode Finder” or use the direct link below:
h ps://finder.eircode.ie
Thank you to all Volunteering Groups who have pledged their support.
Browne secures Mental Health Taskforce fianna fáil spokesperson on Mental health James browne has secured backing from the Minister for health to establish a Mental health taskforce to address the serious mental health issues which have arisen and will emerge as a result of the coviD-19 pandemic. Deputy Browne says a range of services will be needed in the aftermath of this crisis; from mental health supports for healthcare staff, to bereavement counselling for those who have lost loved ones but
have not been able to grieve surrounded by their family and friends. “COVID-19 is our new reality for the foreseeable future. We rightly focus on the immediate infection curve and flattening it. But there is another curve that is rising and that is mental ill-health. This needs to be addressed. The fallout of this pandemic is having a major impact on people’s mental health, which will be felt in communities long after the virus has passed, and could emerge as a secondary crisis in
the months and years that follow unless urgent action is taken”, he explained. “I am pleased that Minister Harris has agreed to set up a Mental Health Taskforce. We need a coordinated approach to deal with the very real mental health issues which are already with us, and which are coming down the road. It is imperative that we have a strategy in place to deal with the wide variety of issues affecting people as a result of this unprecedented pandemic”, concluded Deputy Browne. n
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11
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LEO WEXFORD Business Supports Package: Businesses across Co. Wexford are currently in uncharted waters due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Many are facing critical challenges, including temporary ceasing of trading, cash flow and financial difficulties, critical staff continuity options and an uncertain future. Local Enterprise Office Wexford is available to support local businesses in addressing these challenges and help ensure they’re in the strongest possible position for the recovery phase. The first step for businesses experiencing cash flow difficulties should always be to open communication with your bank. All banks have announced they will offer flexibility to customers experiencing difficulties as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and may be able to provide loan payment holidays or emergency working capital facilities. Additional cash flow supports can be accessed through Local Enterprise Office Wexford: ➤ Changes have been made to the MicroFinance Ireland loans available through LEO Wexford. The maximum loan available through the programme has been doubled to €50,000 with a 1% discount on the new lowered interest rate of 4.5% for LEO clients as an immediate measure to deal with the impact on micro-enterprises. ➤ Businesses with up to 50 employees may also be eligible for a Covid 19 Business Continuity Voucher to a maximum of €2,500 through LEO Wexford. The initiative will provide advisory specialists in fields including finance and HR to help develop a lean, robust business strategy as enterprises face an extended period of uncertainty. Wexford LEO has received over 170 applications in the past few weeks and is turning around approvals within 6 to 9 days. ➤ LEO is also offering an expanded Trading Online Voucher which has seen support increase from 50% to 90% funding to a maximum of €2,500. The support is for eligible business with up to 10 employees and a maximum of €2 million turnover. As more and more SMEs look at new ways to get their products to their customers, ecommerce has seen a significant increase during Covid-19. In the past 2 weeks since the scheme was revised LEO has already received over 40 applications under this initiative. ➤ Over 160 people have received online training with a range of courses all free during Covid-19 in a range of enterprise areas. LEO Wexford can advise SMEs on additional supports from Enterprise Ireland and the Strategic Banking Initiatives for working capital and future growth loans and other agencies. ➤ Businesses are also being advised to be mindful of the supports available from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These include the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment and enhanced illness benefit.
Generally, a full range of supports are available through Local Enterprise Office Wexford, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland to help businesses develop robust plans for financial stability and efficient trading in the face of challenges presented by Covid-19. All our training and mentoring has moved online with a range of topics from working remotely to selling online, managing your well being and getting to grips with your finances. Every Thursday at 1pm the National LEO network host a lunch and learn series and on the 29th April Wexford’s Blaise Brosnan featured on the topic of managing cashflow. The Local Enterprise Office Team maintains its services to support businesses with any queries by email or phone during this difficult time. Check our newsletter updates and twitter feed. Log onto www.localenterprise.ie/wexford or email info@leo.wexfordcoco.ie Phone 053 9196020 LEO WEXFORD BUSINESS TEAM: Liz Hore – Head of Enterprise Breege Cosgrave – Senior Business Advisor Angela Lawless – Business Advisor Caroline McCrea – Finance & Trading Online Vouchers Angie Malone – Training & Information Micheal O Drisceoil – Social Media Bernie Flood – Customer Service
Local Enterprise Office, Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford. Tel: 053 919 6020 info@leo.wexfordcoco.ie www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Wexford/ Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
For details of the full range of supports available from the Wexford Local Enterprise Office, please check out the website: www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Wexford/ and click on “Covid-19 Business Supports” at the top of the homepage, or contact the office on 053 919 6020 or email info@leo.wexfordcoco.ie
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Slaney Covid-19 News
Wexford Co. Council Covid-19 Community Call Helpline handles 4,000 calls
A field opposite Centra on Milehouse Road. Pic: James Quirke.
Covid-19 Lockdown doesn’t deter disgraceful dumping it is clear to all that incidents of illegal dumping are on the increase in the Enniscorthy district and that Wexford county council, despite its best efforts, is finding it difficult to stay on top of the problem. the council’s rapid response team is inundated and struggling to keep up. In recent issues we have reported on Council successes in prosecuting offenders but the deterrent of fines doesn’t seem to be enough. More drastic action is needed. One possible solution put forward by local TD James Browne is for powers to be given to Gardaí to clamp down on illegal dumping in the county. Deputy Browne says there has been a surge in complaints to his office from people extremely angry that rubbish is being dumped in lay-bys, hedges and roadsides. “Illegal dumping and fly tipping has become a serious problem over the past couple of weeks and is something which needs to be tackled. Some people are shamefully taking advantage of the quiet roads during the COVID-19 crisis to illegally dump rubbish. While dumping is a major eyesore, it also
6 May 2020
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Cllr Aidan Browne
puts at risk the health of Wexford County Council environmental staff who have to clean up the rubbish”, he said. “Wexford County Council is already working at reduced capacity as staff are providing community support services to vulnerable people and people isolating during the COVID-19 crisis. “Waste collection and recycling services are continuing to operate as normal so I am at a loss to understand why the level of illegal dumping has increased so dramatically in recent weeks. It’s completely unacceptable, is ruining our
beautiful county and scenery and must be halted. “I am calling on the government to give additional powers to the Gardaí to clamp down on those who are dumping their rubbish illegally. All enforcement options must be explored to ensure that this practice can be stopped and that perpetrators can be punished.” a related matter is the worsening situation of dog fouling. With more people walking their dogs more often around Enniscorthy, the level of dog fouling has increased noticeably in recent weeks. In Wexford Town a similar problem is being experienced and new measures are being taken including: 1. Tr a f f i c Wa r d e n s / Community Wardens are now concentrating on areas where dog fouling is an issue. 2. The local Council is replenishing all dog-bag dispensers to make it as easy as possible for people to clean up after their dogs. 3. As a temporary measure the Council is carrying out a clean-up of the most popular walking route footpaths around Wexford town.
In Enniscorthy, Cllr Aidan Browne has been vocal (as have other Councillors) on the dog fouling issue since he was elected as a Councillor. “I think I speak for everyone when I say it is disgusting, unhygienic and an eyesore.” Cllr Browne also says, “As an avid walker with a buggy and a six-year-old, when walking we are constantly dodging dog foul. I know there are very few disposable-bag dispensers around the town but it is the responsibility as a dog owner to bring with you what’s necessary. It’s very unfair to expect others to clean up after your dog... This issue seems to be getting worse and I feel the only way it will stop will be by issuing fines...” So it was good to hear Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager, Ger Mackey, speak at the teleconferenced April meeting of the Enniscorthy Council about new measures to be introduced to combat dog fouling. It looks like more of a zero-tolerance policy is on the way to address what Mr Mackey referred to as a "public health menace". We'll include full details on these measures, as they come into operation, in our upcoming issues. n
Wexford county council’s community call helpline was set up to ensure that anyone who is elderly or vulnerable, or who needs help, can easily access that help and have the reassurance that they are not alone in this time of covid-19. The Helpline is available to take and make calls and then direct community assistance to where it is needed. Since the helpline was opened on the 30th March, 2020, between incoming and outgoing calls, the number is around 4,000. The following gives a flavour of the assistance that has been provided to people who may have no one else to help them at this difficult time. ● Collection and delivery of shopping and prescriptions. ● Transport to/from hospital/doctor appointments. ● E m e rg e n c y re p a i r s – fridge, cooker, blocked toilet, chimney, etc. ● Provision of hot meals – Meals on Wheels and additional meal services that have been set up to assist. ● Referrals to SVP. ● Dog walking, grass cutting, newspaper delivery, advice on how to livestream religious services, letters to be posted, library books, etc. ● Assistance with the collection of pensions. ● Fuel deliveries. ● Some phone issues. ● Recycling items. ● Assisting callers with shop-
ping queries, shop phone numbers, etc. ● Concerned callers reporting that social distancing and the 2km limit are not being adhered to. ● A number of people are phoning to volunteer their services. They are referred t o C a r l o w Vo l u n t e e r Centre which is looking after Co. Wexford volunteers. The GAA clubs across the county are fantastic and are helping out with the following type of requests received by the helpline: shopping collection, prescription collection, paper delivery, grass cutting, checking that people in the locality are ok. The Civil Defence has been providing transport to people who have no other way of getting to hospital or doctor appointments. Meals on Wheels and other food services across the county are looking after requests the helpline receives for hot meals. Library Services are issuing books to elderly or vulnerable people who request books through the helpline. The Community Gardaí help out in many ways, from checking out social distancing fears, to calling to ensure people are ok, etc. Wexford county council community support helpline 053 – 9196000 option 1 Email: covidsupport@ wexfordcoco.ie operating hours: 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. n
Old N11 speed limits to be adjusted post Covid-19 the new increased speed limits on the old n11 were due to be enacted on tuesday 14th april following a vote of councillors at the council meeting on Monday 13th april. however, due to covid19 the april meeting of Wexford county council was cancelled and the vote did not take place. Cllr Cathal Byrne has now
confirmed that the vote will take place at the next full meeting of the Council once the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted. The change to the speed limits is something that Cllr Byrne and others have been calling for since July when against all common sense the speed limits were changed following the opening of the
motorway, and Cllr Byrne has promised to follow this issue through to completion. The new rules would see the speed limit return to 100km/h as follows - R772 (Old N11) Clogh Roundabout to Camolin Village - R772 (Old N11) Camolin Village to Ferns - R772 (Old N11) Ferns to
Scarawalsh Roundabout R772 (Old N11) Enniscorthy to Scurlocksbush Roundabout (Oylegate). The Road from Scarawalsh Roundabout to Blackstoops Roundabout would remain at 80km/h to allow for economic development of that part of Enniscorthy given its close proximity and easy access to the motorway. n
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Maura Flannery on a walk around Enniscorthy, 5th May 2020.
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Slimming down in lockdown Tony McCann
Members from the local slimming World groups in Enniscorthy have been slimming down in the lockdown by staying at home and attending the new virtual groups from the comfort of their own homes. In the first few weeks, members of the groups have received awards for their weight loss and for activity. Here is what some members have said about the new virtual service from their local Slimming World group led by Tony McCann.
“In these crazy times our SW virtual group keeps us feeling somewhat normal about our weight loss journey. I look forward to Saturday mornings and seeing everyone, we are a great support to each other especially Tony who is there whenever we need him.” – Liz (Saturday morning group). “It helps to keep me accountable and motivated through these strange times and it’s great to see other people’s faces.” – Rachael (Tuesday evening group). “Slimming World virtual group has really helped me and made me more determined to lose weight. If I didn’t do the virtual group the weight would have gone up rather than down. Everyone is so encouraging and very supportive.” – Gemma (Saturday morning group). “The virtual groups are my saviour! Without them I wouldn’t be able to stay on track, it’s great seeing everyone and we all keep each other motivated.” – Shauna (Saturday morning group). For more information on the new Slimming World virtual groups one can contact Tony McCann directly on 087-1785384. n
6 May 2020
Arden House - open at last! Arden House, Whitemill Industrial Estate, Wexford.
as of 5th May, the child and adolescent Mental health services (caMhs) in co. Wexford has a new, fit-forpurpose home – arden house in Wexford town. Campaigners like Raymond Shannon and the We x f o rd M e n t a l H e a l t h Warriors have campaigned vigorously over many years for such an outcome. Local TD and Fianna Fáil Mental Health spokesman James Browne expressed his
gratitude, “I want to say a huge congratulations to all the parents and the Mental Health Warriors who have fought so hard and for so long for this. You are a credit to your children, your families and your community.” However, Raymond adds a word of caution, “A building can’t treat children alone, that’s why the fight goes on to have it fully staffed and to stop our children being sent to adult psychiatric inpatient units.” n
Proudly standing alone!
Johnny Mythen TD – Heading Eastside! Ashmore Mortgages & Financial leading by example Services moves to Templeshannon their castle hill premises may be empty now but ashmore Mortgages & financial services is still going stronger than ever in its new modern offices on templeshannon Quay, with a beautiful view of the slaney. all clients – existing and potential – are invited to drop in and say ‘hello’ once the covid-19 ban is lifted. Meanwhile, the team there is open for business, and available at all times on the phone numbers below, and while they aren’t doing meetings face-to-face they can facilitate client meetings anytime on Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Kent and Martin wish that all their clients and the general public stay safe at this difficult time for all, and they look forward to seeing you again in person very soon. ashmore Mortgages & financial services 1st floor, 10 templeshannon Quay, Enniscorthy. telephone: 053 92 43390 fax: 053 92 43429 Kent: 087 600 1941 Martin: 086 416 3510 facebook: Ashmore Mortgage & Financial Services for regular updates.
Ashmore Mortgages & Financial Services, 1st Floor, 10 Templeshannon Quay, Enniscorthy.
There was no official Easter Monday Commemoration this year at the Market Square in Enniscorthy but one man and his daughter kept the Easter Rising spirit alive with a rousing rendition of ‘Boolavogue’. Well done Niall Wall and daughter Meadhbh. Pic: Maria Nolan.
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SignaCare Bunclody - working together in unprecedented times SignaCare is a new, familyowned, luxury, 62-bed nursing home situated in the former Millrace Hotel premises in the heart of Bunclody. SignaCare Bunclody held a very successful Open Afternoon on Saturday 15th Feb 2020 with music, refreshments and fun, and the best of showband tunes. Since that event, Covid-19 has struck the country, so we recently caught up with owner Margaret-Anne Walsh to see how the Bunclody nursing home is coping. “Our team have been wonderful, caring, supportive, providing excellent care and getting informed
through our education programmes, following best practice. Our Director of Nursing Denise Steed-O’Doherty is doing a wonderful job leading the team with dedication, care and compassion. “Covid-19 has caused a lot of worry and fear, but at SignaCare we are working hand in hand with our residents, their families and staff. “From early on we restricted visiting, all our staff have been trained, we have our stocks of PPE, we have a wonderful, supportive GP practice supporting residents’ care and we are working together with national
experts on a daily basis to ensure we are learning and adapting to all new information. “We are very mindful of our residents and their families and we have increased our daily exercise programmes for each resident. We are working to minimise the effects of social isolation, individual daily walks, music and recently we’ve had a great take-up of Southeast Radio’s daily bingo. We are also utilising the library service’s online book-borrowing facility which works wonderfully well for the audio resources. “Technology has been wonderful and everyone, includ-
ing our residents, their families and the staff, have embraced video calls and technology to keep connected. Families have been wonderful sending post and dropping off our residents’ favourite things. And homebaking is going down well, with our chefs trying old baking recipes and the residents enjoying giving their feedback. “We are working hard together during this difficult time for all, empowering our staff has been a vital factor, and they have all been fantastic.” Contact SignaCare Bunclody by email: info@signacare.ie, or tel: 053 93 76222. n
The SignaCare Chefs – home baking is their hallmark each day. There’s always something special in the oven for the residents, and the daily exercise plans help to work off the calories!
Staff group – some of Bunclody team (pre-Covid) at the open day on 15th February. All are doing a wonderful job caring for and protecting the residents and ensuring that quality is always maintained in these challenging times.
John Dargan (left) and wife Margaret-Anne Walsh (right) – the founders of SignaCare, with Director of Nursing Denise SteedO’Doherty, at the Open Afternoon in Bunclody in February.
ENNISCORTHY RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION Chairperson Valerie Morris, on behalf of the committee, says to members at this surreal time: “We are all aware of the steps we must take to be safe. It is to be hoped that this will pass sooner than later, but we must be vigilant while it lasts. Keep safe, phone your friends, try to maintain a daily routine to keep sane. I look forward to getting back to normal and seeing you all again soon.” n
Enniscorthy’ gets an Armed Support Unit An Armed Support Unit (ASU) has been set up in Enniscorthy well ahead of its original planned date of late 2020. It will cover Co. Wexford and neighbouring counties Carlow, Wicklow and Waterford, providing armed assistance to Gardaí throughout these four counties. This specialist firearms unit is now based in Enniscorthy Garda Station where the facilities are up to the standard required by an ASU. Initially the unit will be composed of two teams each with three members but that is likely to increase over the coming months. The availability of an armed response unit on our own doorstep is a welcome development for residents of Enniscorthy and Co.
Wexford generally.
IT Carlow Wexford Campus can answer your questions Want to know more about studying at the Wexford Campus of IT Carlow and the range of course choices on offer on the CAO? Whether you are a prospective student, a parent/ guardian, a guidance counsellor or interested in returning to education as a mature student, the Education Liaison Officer Sandra will answer your questions. Email your questions to sandra.walsh@itcarlow.ie n
PLC college Enniscorthy Red Cross – for Gorey keeping the town’s AEDs A PLC college assisted by in good working order t h e Wa t e r f o r d We x f o r d Education & Training Board (WWETB) will commence in Gorey this September with an increased availability of further education courses at Fetac level 5 and 6. The QQI level 6 in Business has an option of entry to the degree programme in IT Carlow, after completion. The Accounting Technician course will focus on key areas like Business Management, Financial Accounting, Taxation, Law & Ethics. Youthwork and Community Development is designed for those willing to pursue a career in the youth and community sector. Concentrating on topics such as substance misuse, youth unemployment, homelessness and the impact of social media. Sustainable Energy and Construction Technology – giving students access to new technology, such as thermographic imaging, insulation systems and NZeb (near zero energy building). Contact 087-3538457 or goreyplc@wwetb.ie n
During this Covid-19 period, Enniscorthy Red Cross Unit is still looking after the lifesaving AEDs around the Enniscorthy area ensuring all items in the kits are in date, the batteries are charged and the defibrillators themselves are in working order for when/if they are needed. In an emergency, access can be gained by phoning 999/112.
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Slaney Entertainment & Leisure
No Rockin’ Food this summer It has been officially decided to cancel this summer’s Rockin’ Food Festival in Enniscorthy. The organisers have issued the following statement: “We regret to inform you that sadly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent Government restrictions on events this summer, the Enniscorthy Rockin' Food Festival has been cancelled. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, however, the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers, vendors, artists and extended communities to which they belong, takes total precedence at this time. Of course, we look forward to welcoming you back so we make #RockinFood 2021 an incredible celebration of Food, Rock n Roll and Family Fun. #StayHome, #StaySafe, Stay Rockin 'n Stay Enjoying great #localfood Love from the Rockin’ Food Festival Team.” n
Enniscorthy Musical Society postpones ‘The Producers’ Unfortunately, like so many other events, due to the Covid19 pandemic, Enniscorthy Musical Society’s staging of their show The Producers has had to be postponed. It made the decision to postpone in early March in the hope that it would be in a position to stage the show in the summer, however, due to the ever changing position in these uncertain times, it cannot confirm new dates as of yet. The Society has a message for all its patrons: “Our only wish at present is that everyone keeps safe and well in these unprecedented times.
6 May 2020
www.slaneynews.com
My Pearshaped Life
Album of Week on RTE Radio 1
The safety and wellbeing of everyone is of paramount importance to us. We hope at some date, in the not too distant future, to be in a position to bring our show to the stage and make everyone laugh. There is light at the end of the tunnel and we will come through these strange times! As soon as we can confirm that it is safe to stage our show, we will do so. We would also like to express our appreciation to everyone who supports us and we will endeavour to put on a show that people will never forget!” n
Carmel Harrington
In last month’s issue we reviewed True Hand True Heart – the new album by The Remedy Club, a husband and wife duo of Kj McEvoy and Aileen Mythen, the latter being a native of Ferns. Since then the album featured as Album of the Week on RTE Radio One and shortly after the duo signed with new management in England – the wonderful Neil O'Brien Entertainment, London. Neil represents Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart, Robben Ford and many more fantas-
tic acts so The Remedy Club is absolutely thrilled to be on his books, and they look forward to live gigging again as soon as possible. You can check out their new songs on SPOTIFY or buy directly from the website https://theremedyclub.ie/store The Remedy Club thanks all who have been listening and requesting their music from local and national radio stations and thanks also those stations which have been playing tracks from their new album. n
Co. Wexford author Carmel Harrington’s eight novel (My Pear-Shaped Life, €14.99, Paperback) is a joyful, uplifting book to remind us how strong we are, no matter how pearshaped life gets! Praise for My Pear-Shaped Life has been fulsome: Original, funny, moving and brutally honest…perfect for fans of Ruth Jones (Sunday Times bestseller, Debbie Johnson). So many women will find this book speaks to them. It makes you laugh and cry but it is truly inspiring (Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde). Sweet, sad, insightful and joyful – this book pressed all the emotion buttons and I’m so glad it did (Sunday Times bestseller Milly Johnson). Uplifting and powerful… I LOVED it (Sunday Times bestseller Cathy Kelly). Warm, moving and lifeaffirming… Greta is a gorgeous character that you will fall in love with (Irish Times bestseller Sinead Moriarty). My motto for 2020 is to be more Greta (Woman’s Way). Carmel says: “When we chose this book title, we could never have predicted how apt it would be! Publishing a book while our country is in lockdown, in the midst of a worldwide pan-
demic no less, is surreal! It’s been crushing to cancel all planned book events and to see bookshops all closed. But my publisher and I have been working hard to reach readers virtually in a creative way. “Early reviews from readers say that My Pear-Shaped Life has given them a lift and a chance to escape from harsh realities. I think that’s why books are so important right now. Through the eyes of my characters, readers can travel from Ireland to America, and go on an epic road trip from Kansas City to Las Vegas! “I’m also happy to share that I’ve recently signed a new two-book contract with my publisher Harper Collins. “One advantage for authors is that we are all experts at working from home! So as I self-isolate and home-school the children, trying to keep sane and safe, I’m working away on my ninth novel.” Carmel is encouraging readers to shop local where possible! Most local bookshops are accepting orders online or on the phone, then posting books to readers while their shop doors are closed, so you can get your hands on My Pear-Shaped Life very easily, and enjoy. n
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rl e be slim fo with
Slimming World
ALL DANCE DATES CANCELLED!
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Slimming World is running virtual groups. Enrolling is easy over the phone by contacting the local group consultants:
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Telephone: Tony 087-1785384 Edel 085-8103336 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––
TO ENQUIRE ABOUT ADVERTISING IN THE ‘SLANEY NEWS’ CALL 087-2403310
slimmingworld.ie 01 656 9696
L I T N U D E L L E C CAN E C I T O N R E Sunday Nights H T FUR (e
Community Centre Templeshannon Enniscorthy at 8.00pm
€1,100 Prize Fund
St. Senan’s Parish Fundraiser For more information contact: (053) 9261729 or 086-7913919
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Slaney Entertainment & Leisure
6 May 2020
Cursed Murphy’s new single release Climb, the new (and fourth) single from Cursed Murphy Versus the Resistance, fronted by Enniscorthy writer and performer, Peter Murphy, has just been released on all digital platforms. The track was recorded, engineered, mixed and co-produced by Johnny Fox.
Ticket sales for all events in May are disabled. For updates: See Facebook. Email: boxoffice@wexfordartscentre.ie www.wexfordartscentre.ie
The music video was filmed recently on phones in self isolation, and was directed and edited by Dan Comerford. It features Cursed Murphy, Dan Comerford, Rebecca Gangnus, Tamara Gangnus, Jasmin Gangnus, Kevin Dillon, and special guest Marc Hillis, and can be viewed on the Cursed Murphy Facebook page and is definitely worth checking out, as is the cover art – an original piece by band member Tamara Gangnus. n
Following the disappointment of having to postpone until next year their production of the musical Titanic, WLOS is now planning its annual sell-out run of Hits from the Musicals, which will be held in Clayton Whites Hotel during the Wexford Opera Festival Season. The dates are Monday 26th October until Thursday 29th October 2020 at 8pm each
night. Tickets are not available at this time but will go on sale at a later date through the National Opera House. WLOS would like to thank each and every one who has been in touch, by phone, or sent messages of support in the wake of the Titanic postponement. It is very much appreciated by everyone involved in Wexford Light Opera Society. n
TO ADVERTISE ON THE SLANEY NEWS ENTERTAINMENT PAGES PLEASE CALL 087-2403310
Bree Country Fest Update
ENNISCORTHY LIBRARY EVENTS For information on all upcoming Enniscorthy Library events see “Enniscorthy Library” on Facebook or contact the library on 053-9236055. And check it out: Wexford Public Libraries is now on YouTube!
Mike Denver Concert Postponement Co. Wexford's newest Country Music Festival is scheduled to take place in Byrnes Grain Store, Bree Y21 EK46, on 4th September 2020 with an impressive line-up of Stuart Moyles, Cliona Hagan, Derek Ryan. At the end of April the organisers issued the following update: “We have received many queries regarding our event, mainly if it will go ahead due to the current climate. At present we are closely monitoring the changing Government guidelines. The health and safety of our attendees is paramount to us, therefore we will keep you posted with updates regarding our event. We hope that you all stay safe and well during these uncertain times.” Keep an eye on Facebook ‘Bree Country Fest’ to keep up to date with developments. n
Mike Denver’s May concert in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, is now postponed until the 21st October 2020. If this date does not suit, you can get a full refund for your ticket when the hotel reopens. All tickets are valid for the new date.
Enniscorthy singer-songwriter Wallis Bird’s ‘Tuath’ tour is back on! Wallis says: “I’m very happy to announce the rescheduled Ireland dates at the end of September. For those who have already got their tickets, they are still valid. This is a lovely beacon of light for me to look forward to – I’ll be so glad to see you! Until then I’ll be with you online and in spirit – stay safe and mind your lovely mind.” Fri 25th Sep - Coughlan's Live Fest, Cork City.
Sat 26th Sep - The Inkwell, Tracton, Cork. Sun 27th Sep - DeBarras, Clonakilty. Wed 30th Sep - Kenny's, Lahinch, Clare. Thurs 1st Oct - Abbey Tavern, Howth. Fri 2nd Oct - The Stables, Mullingar. Sat 3rd Oct - Lost Lane, Dublin. Sun 4th Oct - Sea Church, Ballycotton, Cork. Tickets: https://wallisbird.app. love-your-artist.com/en/ tickets n
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ADULT WORKSHOPS 16th May Celebrate National Drawing Day with David Begley Free Event (Adult Workshop) 2pm - 2.40pm Booking via www.wexfordartcentre.ie & www.presentationcentre.ie 22nd May Printmaking Demonstration & Talk with artist Deirdre Meehan-Buttimer As part of: Age & Opportunity, Bealtaine at Home 2020 Free Event (Adult Workshop) 1pm – 2.30pm Booking via www.wexfordartcentre.ie & www.presentationcentre.ie ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
KIDS WORKSHOPS Little Artists Club Little Artist Club with Deirdre Buttimer / Jeni Roddy (4-7 years) 10:30am - 11:10am Weekly from 25th May - 11th July Visual Art and storytelling with Laura Ní Fhlaibhín (8 years +) 11:30am - 12:10pm Weekly from 25th May - 13th June Drawing & illustration Techniques with Nadia Corrigan (8 years +) 11:30am - 12:10pm Weekly from 20th June - 11th July ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
All tickets for all children's workshops are €5. Tickets for all events will be available via our website and social media from May 11th. All workshops will be hosted via Zoom. For more information visit: www.presentationcentre.ie or email: presentationcentreenniscorthy@gmail.com
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Website: www.presentationcentre.ie Email: presentationcentreenniscorthy@gmail.com Always lots happening at The Presentation Centre.
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Very much planning ahead!!!
Yo u n g B a l l y m u r n m a n , Jonathan Hayes, was prominent in a recent project putting the vocals and guitar on a charity single released on 23rd April to raise money for frontline workers for PPE to be supplied by a small Irish company – Intosport.ie. He worked digitally with musicians from all over Ireland, many who haven’t met each other yet due to travel restrictions! The group calls itself The Antibodies. The single contains two songs – a cover version of the great Neil Young song, Rocking in the Free World. And in these challenging times... we must try to keep on rockin’! The seco n d s o n g i s L a b i S i ff re ’ s Something Inside So Strong. In this song of hope, he talks about the strength inside an oppressed people to rise up in defiance. And in these challenging times, we too may feel oppressed by an invisible oppressor. But we will rise up. We have hope... We will defeat it.
The single was produced, mixed and mastered by Roger McGuire. You can help fund much needed PPE equipment for frontline staff by paying €5 or more for this excellent pro-
duction. Listen and buy on: https://theantibodies2020.bandcamp.com See Facebook for more information: https://www.facebook.com/ TheAntibodies2020/ n Jonathan Hayes
LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS… Check with local venues about any upcoming events as many events planned for the coming weeks will be cancelled or postponed.
West End Performer Aileen Donohoe presents ‘Sing-A-Long-A-Musicals’
1 2 0 2 y a ned to M
Postpo
National Opera House, Wexford, Saturday, 22nd May 2021 at 7.30pm (special kids matinee at 3pm)
BARRY IS FUNDRAISING
Gorey teen sensation 14-year-old Gorey singer and musician Patricia Lalor has racked up over 100,000 listeners on Spotify and over 120,000 on Youtube with her captivating versions of some well known songs. Patricia, a student at Meanscoil Gharman in Enniscorthy, has been releasing cover versions on Youtube since she was 11 years of age and her cover of Hozier ’s Cherry Wine caught the atten-
tion of the man himself who praised it saying, “Hands down, one of the best covers I’ve seen.” Patricia has just released her second EP entitled Sleep Talk featuring four tracks of dreamy lo-fi pop, and was due to play in Paris at The French Getaway (festival of talents of tomorrow) later this month. Definitely one to watch for the future. n
Barry Cunnea is no stranger to fundraising for good causes, and now he is raising money to support Frontline Staff working in Wexford General Hospital, to thank them for all the hard work they are doing for all of us under tough circumstances. Barry will be singing songs and putting them up on Facebook. HIS GOFUNDME PAGE is: https://www.gofundme.com /f/cjm5h-frontline-staff
Check with local venues and organisers about cancellations or postponements
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Blackstairs Blues news... Enniscorthy’s Blackstairs Blues Festival (http://blackstairsblues.ie) is Ireland’s longest consecutively running blues festival and is scheduled to take place this y e a r f r o m 11 t h t o 1 3 t h September. At this stage the indications are that it may well be cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, but if it does manage to proceed it will most likely be on a smaller scale than usual, and probably with local acts only.
The ever-inventive team behind the Blackstairs Blues have turned to Facebook to keep the Blues alive and to keep people entertained. B ro a d c a s t i n g l i v e f ro m Enniscorthy, they are organising weekly blues music sessions for followers to tune in, bringing blues music (from the likes of Daniel de Vita) to homes across Wexford and further afield. Check out Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ BlackstairsBluesFestival n
SMOKIE FOR SPIEGELTENT FESTIVAL Wexford’s famous Spiegeltent Festival will return October 9-26th 2020 with another spectacular lineup of comedy, music, burlesque and more. The Festival is proud to announce the return of 80s legends Smokie to the 2020 lineup. Their classic hits include “Living Next Door to Alice,” “Changing All the Time,” “Lay Back in the Arms of Someone” and “Something’s Been Making Me Blue”. The band will be playing on Friday October 16th and this is bound to be another fast sell-out show, after three previous sell-out performances in 2017, 2018 and 2019! TICKETS ON SALE NOW from www.wexfordspiegeltent.com n
An internet play for the times we live in!
An Internet Play called The Inheritance was performed on ZOOM in mid-April during the Covid-19 lockdown, with
the following actors from B u n c l o d y, G a l w a y, a n d Wexford: Summer venn Keane, Maeve Ennis, Karen Franklin,
Elaine Jordan, Billy Murray, Marja van Kampen and Dick Donaghue. It was written and produced by the ever-inven-
tive Dick Donaghue. To view the play on YouTube: https://youtu.be /MtfSFaFKG74 n
S.O.L. AUDITION Do you or someone you know have a talent for singing, playing music, dancing, acrobatics, comedy, Irish dancing, juggling, magic or anything at all!? Would you or they like an opportunity to join the Sing Out Loud (S.O.L.) frontline on the National Opera House stage in November 2020? If so, then SOL is looking for you and is now calling for performers of all ages to submit digital auditions! It can be a
YouTube link or something you record on your phone! Please make sure in your email that you tell SOL your name, age, contact details and where in the country you are! Email address is: audition@singoutloud.ie Closing date for digital auditions is Friday 5th of June 2020. If you are under 18, please make sure that a parent or guardian makes the submission on your behalf. n
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Wexford Literary Festival beats Covid-19! Paula Campbell of Poolbeg Press.
Author, Journalist, MC, After Dinner Speaker and Columnist with the Irish Independent Billy Keane, will open the Festival online.
With so many festivals falling in the wake of Covid-19, the Wexford Literary Festival Committee is delighted to announce that our 2020 Festival will take place as planned on the weekend of 4th/5th July. While Covid-19 has been a most difficult time for all of
us, it has forced us at Wexford Literary Festival to think outside the box and come up with a festival that is entertaining and interactive whilst observing social distancing and all Coronavirus restrictions. This year’s Festival will be online on Saturday 4th July with Writing and Poetry Workshops, Discussion Panels, Author Interviews and Spoken Word Events and on Sunday 5th July we will announce the winners of our Colm Toibin Short Story, Anthony Cronin Poetry and Billy Roche One Act Play Awards as we invite all of our Short Listed to gather with their families in a party atmosphere for the announcements online. We are currently A very special 4th July event – Peter i n t h e p ro c e s s o f Murphy In Conversation with author putting together a Colum McCann (pictured above).
most comprehensive and interesting lineup including one of Ireland’s most well known poets Louis de Paor confirmed for the Poetry Workshop, our own Colm Toibin confirmed to participate in our special Wexford Literary Festival Caca Milis, Crime Writers Panel Discussion, ‘What’s in a Name’ hosted by Michael Fortune, In Conversation with Wexford writers Carmel Harrington and Sheila Forsey discussing their latest novels, and a very special 4th July event – Peter Murphy in Conversation with Colum McCann from Dublin, but now living in New York, and author of seven novels and three collections of stories. Colum has been the recipient of many honours, including the National Book Award, the International Dublin Impac Prize, a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the French government, election to the Irish A r t s A c a d e m y, s e v e r a l European awards, an Oscar nomination and more. In 2017 he was elected to the American
Academy of Arts. His work has been published in over 40 languages. He is the co-founder of the non-profit global story exchange organisation, Narrative 4, and he teaches at the MFA program in Hunter College, New York. He lives in New York with his wife, Allison, and their family. His best-selling and awardwinning books include Transatlantic, Let the Great World Spin, Zoli and This Side of Brightness. His most recent bestselling and internationally acclaimed book Apeirogon, which has been referred to as a 'beautifully observed masterpiece' (The Guardian), is based on the true-life friendship of two men whose daughters were killed in the Middle East. A small sample of what to look forward to at this year’s Wexford Literary Festival 4th/5th July. For further updates go to www.wexfordliterary festival.com
As well as written competitions for short stories, plays and poems, there is a great opportunity to move your manuscript from a pile in your office or at home to a face-to-face interview with a publisher. ALSO: Spoken word artists... there's a competition for you. SEE ALL: https://www. wexfordliterary festival.com/ awards Entries close on 13th May 2020.
– Maria Nolan
Patrick Prendergast, President and Provost of Trinity College Dublin, will launch the Festival online. He is pictured with Elizabeth Whyte, Executive Director / CEO Wexford Arts Centre.
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6 May 2020
Coláiste Bríde dominates Junk Kouture National Final line-up
HANGING BY A THREAD Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy Team: Gabriela Dyrcz, Lucy Egan, Christine Keely Teacher: Frances Kervick
THE DARK HORSE Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy Team: Erin Cahill, Amelia Morycka Teacher: Frances Kervick
This Iris Van Harpen inspired design used over 10,000 metres of unwanted thread donated by local sewing groups, several grannies and teachers in school. 200 metres of wire collected from family members and some old coat hangers were shaped around hand-made, customised wooden templates to create varying sizes of triangles. Countless hours were spent individually wrapping blue and green threads around the 265 wire triangles to create a delicate ombré starting at the top of the headpiece and continuing to the end point of the skirt.
This 3D creation was inspired by designer Hu Sheguang. Discarded fencing wire, found on a friend’s farm, was manipulated to form the eye-catching arm-piece. Garden wire donated from family and friends was stripped of its green coating and twisted to add texture then criss-crossed through the fencing wire. Wooden edging from leftover kitchen worktops was used to create panels on an old painted top and skirt. Twisted wire was then woven across those panels. 3 colours of wooden edging and twisted garden wire was used to create a Mohawk-style headpiece which completes this warrior style outfit.
This page: 6 creations from Coláiste Bríde have qualified for the National Final. Opposite page: 6 creations from other Co. Wexford Schools are in the final also.
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy. Team: Aoife Moorehouse, Nadine Kehoe, Lexi Carty Teacher: Frances Kervick
SOLE MATES Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy. Team: Louise Kelly, Katelyn O'Dwyer, Shauna Buckley Teacher: Frances Kervick
“Butterflies are associated with hope, resurrection and remembrance and this fitted our idea to design a dress using respiratory tubes. The butterfly wings for the top and bottom of the dress were hand crafted from chicken wire we had. We cut, rolled and sewed corrugated respiratory tubing from a pharmaceutical company to slot into each individual section of the wire. Earrings, shoes and the head piece were made from respiratory tubing also. Finally, we painted the dress orange and black as many of the well known butterflies are orange and black such as the Painted Lady and Viceroy butterflies.”
“Over 300 feather-like shapes were cut from orthotic insole offcuts and hand sewn onto an old dress to create this eye-catching unique design. Old carpet inserts from a local carpet shop were cut into circles, sprayed silver, and sewn onto the dress using fishing tackle. We used old fencing wire to shape the skirt and attached more carpet roll circles to that. The headpiece is made from thin leftover insole scraps which were made into teardrop shapes. We finished the dress by placing lots of flowers inside some circles which we also made from offcuts and spray painted gold.”
VIRIDIAN QUEEN Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy Team: Cerys Greig, Molly Bolger, Ella Croke Teacher: Frances Kervick Inspired by Elizabethan fashion, ‘Viridian Queen’ is a modern take on the glamorous attire worn by royals of the court. Using a detailed macramé stich woven with pearls, and taking an endless amount of hours to construct, the dress and cape use over 1000m of jut twine, as well as garden fleece, both sourced from gardeners and garden centres, EPE foam collected from furniture stores, broken jewellery, an old corset and worn boots. With a skirt and sleeves designed from scratch, together the materials create an elaborate design reminiscent of monarchs of the past.
COAL KOHL Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy Team: Kerry Burt, Hannah Atkinson, Sadhbh Tierney Teacher: Kyra Bramble “We were inspired by the designs of Rinaldy Yunardi. We created a wire frame and covered it by sewing trampoline material onto it. We cut out and blanket stitched triangles from an exercise ball by hand to construct the pants. We drilled bolts through the soles of old shoes to create our unique footwear. We embroidered pockets on the trousers with trampoline netting and red wool. The black and red flame theme of our outfit raises awareness of the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, which has a severely negative effect on the environment.”
Slaney Entertainment & Leisure
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WHAT IS JUNK KOUTURE? Junk Kouture is a fashion competition using recycled materials, which challenges young people to design, create and model high end couture from everyday junk! It takes in elements of fashion, design, engineering and environmental sustainability and transforms them into a creative contest like no other! 2020 is the tenth year of this colourful competition with the final planned for the 3Arena, Dublin, this Autumn (exact date to be confirmed due to Covid-19 restrictions). Eighty teams will be taking part including six from Coláiste Bríde Enniscorthy, one from the CBS Enniscorthy, one from FCJ Bunclody, 1 from Kilmuckridge, 1 from Gorey and 2 from Wexford Town.
In January I attended the Coláiste Bríde Fashion event which takes pride of place on the school calendar each year and was blown away by the creativity, ingenuity, style, flair, imagination and magic on display. 11 7 Tr a n s i t i o n Ye a r Students, teachers, parents and guardians have been working on these creations since September 2019 and it was a huge blow to all when the final stages of the competition had to be rescheduled. The creations, I have to say are awesome – using everything from nuts and bolts, old shoes, old sweeping brush, curtains, black bags, shuttle cocks, plastic cups, bedsheets, chicken and binding wire, old blinds, old hurl butts, feathers,
straw, piano keys, curtain rings, garden fleece, coat hangers, spools of thread, cable ties, broken mirrors, bandanas, broken CDs, sawdust, control panels from mobile phones and ipads, horse hair, respiratory tubes, old hurling grips, cigar cases, beads, keyrings, cattle tags, bamboo sticks, hairnets to mention but a fraction. The breathtaking designs are eye-catching, stylish, creative, imaginative, innovative and inspiring and the dance routines on the night were vibrant, energetic, meticulously choreographed and fastidiously executed. Every person who takes part in this competition is a winner; it encourages sustainability, recycling, environmental awareness, talent, confidence, imagination and ability, and one of the essen-
tial components of the competition is teamwork – the challenging skill of working with others as part of a team, an excellent life lesson for each of these students going forward. Junk Kouture teaches our young people to think outside the box, something that we will all need to do to get our country up and running again in the aftermath of Coronavirus. The final stages have been rescheduled for the Autumn and I very much hope that we will have all come through Covid-19 unscathed at that time and the competition will go ahead and I would like to wish each and every person involved the very best of luck because they certainly deserve it. – Maria Nolan
SPIN ME RIGHT ROUND Coláiste An Átha, Kilmuckridge Team: Sophie Whelan, Kerry Ann Murphy, Maria Whelan. Teacher: Amanda Connoly
COGNITIVE CONFLICT St Peter’s College, Wexford Team: Cade Gardener, Daniel Brennan Abban Moran Teacher: Jeanette Seery
“Our dress is made of crochet wool sewn into individual circles. This technique allowed us to make an extravagant and funky design. We used bright wool to create a vibrant coloured dress. We got all of our wool from other people’s homes as we wanted to use only recycled wool to create our unique styled dress. We got inspiration to do the dress from our art teacher who we had seen crocheting in school. We then came up with the idea to make our dress using many different crochet techniques.”
“Our outfit was inspired by two real world designers, Rick Owens and Virgil Abloh. We also took inspiration from Moon Knight and the Mandalorian, comic book characters. Each part of the outfit was specifically related to one of our inspirations. We used a contrast of light and hard materials to create a clash of hard and soft, light and heavy, and how contrast is needed. This also served as our theme, as contrast is everywhere, especially in mental health, again Moon Knight served as inspiration for this. All this is what served as the design for our outfit.”
FURY RUNWAY St Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy Team: Alan White, Michael Bodnaruk Nicholas Howe Teacher: Rhian Foley “The idea for our outfit was to create a post-apocalyptic warrior and survivor’s outfit. This was something that we wanted to do to highlight the fact that our world is in trouble because of global warming due to the amount of waste that we are throwing away every day. Our outfit is entirely made of scrap and found material such as various types of metals, nuts and bolts. The ‘junk’ that we found in different scrapyards could easily be recycled but we found it just lying there. We feel that the rusted and aged look represents what parts of our dying planet are beginning to look like.”
I CAN DO IT Presentation Secondary School, Wexford Team: Molly Calder, Lily Stoutt, Lucy Walsh Teacher: Lydia Murphy A jumpsuit with flare bottoms, halter neck and open back, made out of the tabs off recycled cans. This is a sustainable outfit as glue has only been used in the headpiece. The entire jumpsuit has been sewn together using pieces of ribbon and thread. The purpose of the jumpsuit is to squash female stereotypes in the clothing industry. Any girl can do what she wants when she sets her mind to it.
An Tarbh Órga FCJ Secondary School, Bunclody Team: Michelle Kearns, Leah Kidd, Orlagh Kehoe Teacher: Suzanne Murray “Our farming theme was sparked during recent protests between farmers and factories. Our design was costumed to follow this theme hence the pants and boots. Throughout our design we incorporated many aspects of farming with use of silage wrap, maze, horns and many other items that one would find on the farm. As you can see from our design there are many cartridges used, this is to indicate that beef farming in Ireland is being taken over by the big SHOTS!!!”
KABLOOM Gorey Community School, Gorey. Team: Melissa Popovici, Holly Meehan, Siofra Byrne. Teacher: Gráinne Codd “Our dress called “Kabloom” is based on flowers/plant life in nature. Our bodice uses quills while the skirt features origami flowers. Both quills and flowers are paper-based derived from nature. The impact of the colours chosen reflect what flowers do in our world – brighten it!”
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Slaney News
6 May 2020
Coping with Covid Maria Nolan makes good use of her extra time What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows. No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass. No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night. No time to turn at Beauty's glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance. No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began. A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. This 1911 poem by Welsh poet W.H. Davies titled Leisure could resonate with a lot of us in these chronic times of Covid-19. Deadly and tragic as it is, Coronavirus has given the world the chance to slow down and revolve at a reduced rate and given us humans an increased awareness and heightened appreciation of the beauty and nature all around us and the space and time to review what is important and reflect on our lives and how we have been living them. This of course only applies to those of us who are lucky enough not to be stricken by the dreadful disease or have family members or close friends affected by it and those in our healthcare system who are dealing with the horrors of it every moment of every day, and those on the frontlines everywhere I offer you our heartfelt thanks and say, you are in our thoughts and our prayers constantly.
I consider myself to be one of the extremely lucky ones. I have my health and my job with Department of Agriculture classed essential as the food chain must remain open and operational. This has allowed me to keep structure and a degree of normality in my daily life during the Covid crisis. Being not of an age for cocooning and one of the volunteers with Rapparees/Starlights GAA Club working in conjunction with Wexford County Council Helpline, collecting and delivering food, fuel and pharmacy, has afforded me a good degree of flexibility for which I am most grateful. But as a very active community activist prior to Covid-19 or Covid BC as it is becoming known, I was concerned as to how I might fill the time or rather the crater or black hole left by lockdown. I pride myself on being both resilient and positive and decided to begin each day by writing down three things that I am thankful for. A simple exercise, but one that concentrates the mind, opens the heart and raises the spirit causing an immediate surge of contentment and gratification. Structure We humans need a certain amount of structure to our existence, so it is good to stick to as much as possible of your regular routine. Get up at
Maria Nolan: “I had time on my hands in the evenings so I began to devote that time to my normally neglected garden much in need of some TLC.”
the usual time, shower, dress, if you normally wear makeup then continue to apply it even if you are going nowhere, it will give you a boost and make you feel better especially when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. Looking after and checking in with those I love, I still found that I had time on my hands in the evenings so I began to devote that time to my normally neglected garden much in need of some TLC. Gardening I am not a natural gardener and my fingers are not any shade of green, but I can be creative so I began to put some of that creativity to use on what I had at my disposal and I have to say not only am I well pleased with the results, I am amazed at how much enjoyment I derived from it. Endless happy and productive hours painting, planning and planting resulting in my own private oasis
Some bird photos taken by Maria during Covid-19.
Above and right: Maria’s colourful back garden.
to enjoy for the rest of the summer and beyond. Birds Birds have fascinated me from early childhood when almost every house in Enniscorthy had a canary in a cage outside the front door. The small yellow canaries were beautiful singers and I remember watching as some of the townsmen used them to attract all varieties of magnificently coloured finches. My grandfather had an actual bird house with a variety of canaries, finches and budgies and I liked nothing better as a child than to help him feed the birds. Over the past couple of weeks I have strategically placed a couple of bird houses and feeders around the garden and love to sit and watch either early morning or late evening as they gather to feed. Photography is another hobby of mine so the camera is always at the ready to catch these beautiful creatures pecking, pirouetting and preening, and my Garden Birds of Ireland tome tells me exactly what I’m looking at. And we are so blessed here in Enniscorthy to have the beautiful river Slaney flowing through abounding with wildlife. Writing I have long promised myself to spend more time writing so during this time of imposed retreat I allocated at least one hour each day to this literary pursuit and I am happy to report that I have completed a short story that has wished to be penned for a considerable length of time. I will submit it for competition and of course would love to see it in print but that was neither the purpose nor
the aspiration. I am happy that it is finally out of my head and put to paper and I am even more pleasantly surprised by the novel that has begun to take shape in my head – so watch this space. I suppose you could say that Covid19 has been a rather productive time for me which is funny because I thought that I was being most productive all along but when the merry -go-round of life faltered, it allowed us to jump off and plant our feet firmly reconnecting with the earth, with life and with who we are and where we want to be. Post Covid-19 Who knows how many of us will go back to life as we knew it. Who knows if life itself will go back to what we knew. How many of us even want it to? There are definitely more questions than answers being posed by this episode of our history. I do believe that the aftermath may be as bad or even worse than the main event but I also believe fervently in us as a people. We have tremendous courage, kindness, ingenuity, togetherness, camaraderie and spirit as a nation. We have handled ourselves well to date, we have stood together and we have shown a wonderful resolve to emerge into the light as unscathed as possible from the Covid caves of darkness. We have risen like a Phoenix from the pestilence of oppression, famine and recession before to emerge greater, stronger and even more resilient. Here in Wexford we carry within us the pride, passion and sacrifice of those who went before us and we won’t let them down. I look forward to seeing Enniscorthy mobilise to meet the challenges ahead and I look forward to being part of that resurgence. – Maria Nolan
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Angels and Saints Vs. Local Girl Guides take part in nationwide ‘Camp At Home’ the Covid-19 Virus In the past I wrote about the “Angels and Saints” of Wexford General Hospital and the trying conditions under which they are working at rates of pay that are insulting to say the least. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that those Angels and Saints all over the country are now putting their lives on the line daily under conditions that leaves them totally exhausted and tearful at times. True to their calling, they do all that is in their power to see to it that their patients are cared for first and foremost and at what a cost. Some of those wonderful people have paid the ultimate price without complaint. Just think about this for a moment… not only are they risking their lives on a daily basis but they have to isolate themselves from their families so as not to risk infecting them. The RTE News recently showed one nurse sleeping in the family garage. What would have happened do you think if the nurses union had called a strike as soon as the pandemic reached our shores? How quickly would the virus have spread and how many deaths would the Government be dealing with right now? But those Angels and Saints through their dedication and decency would not leave their posts not for money and not
Glenbrien’s Eamonn Sheridan takes his own look at Covid-19. for fame not while peoples lives were at risk. So now I’m calling on the local TDs and Councillors to let this government, or whatever government will be in charge, know that the meagre salaries of the frontline personnel will no longer be tolerated. On a lighter note, have you experienced the wonderful concern that not just neighbours are showing for each other but total strangers – asking how you are and wishing you well? If all that this pandemic does is raise awareness of one’s love for one’s wife, husband, partner, boyfriend, girlfriend and people generally, then it will have done some good. As an octogenarian, I am amazed at the consideration family, neigh-
bours and yes even strangers have shown me. And in turn, it has prompted me to become more aware of those around me whether close family or total stranger. There will always be the scumbags that try to capitalise on situations such as we are experiencing. Thank the good Lord I am tech savvy and won’t be caught by the aforementioned scum. But God help those poor unfortunates who are intimidated at their home by some “Git” who pretends they represent the HSE or the Gardaí and lose the savings as a result. Ten years in gaol is not enough for gangsters like that. Now let me finish with complimenting good people like my friend Benny Meehan who records an hour-long programme of music for nursing homes and puts it up on Youtube for the enjoyment of residents and staff alike. Let me praise the staff, cleaners, nurses, doctors, delivery men and women and friends like artist Helen McClean in Wexford who conducts forty different classes online and has found time to promote a fundraising campaign for cancer awareness by having her students paint a heart so that a loved one can be remembered by family and friends. May the good Lord bless you all abundantly. – Eamonn
Members of Irish Girl Guides in the south east were among thousands of girls and young women who took part in a nationwide ‘Camp At Home’ on the weekend of 18-19 April 2020. The Irish Girl Guides (IGG) Camp At Home initiative saw girls from age five upwards camping with their families in tents in their gardens or in makeshift dens or shelters they made indoors. Many of the girls made campfires outdoors on which they cooked their dinners and made s’mores – toasted marshmallows eaten between two chocolate digestive biscuits – a favourite of Girl Guides throughout the world. Camping and overnight events are an integral part of the Guiding experience and, given that this year’s trips have had to be postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, IGG came up with the Camp At Home initiative. “We were thrilled with the response,” says Oonagh Trehin, regional development officer with IGG. “Our youth members loved taking part in the Camp At Home and their parents were delighted with the idea. They told us their girls loved taking part and that it was a great boost to everyone. “Children and young people are experiencing stress and anxiety at this time, just like adults are. They are miss-
Photo taken earlier this year before lockdown of Irish Girl Guides at Eastern Region Camp.
ing their friends and usual activities, so it’s important we come up with creative ideas and initiatives to boost their spirits. “IGG excels at encouraging girls and young women to develop confidence, resilience, independence, teamwork and leadership skills as well as a community spirit and it’s great the organisation is continuing to provide non-formal educational opportunities for girls and young women at this time.” Over the course of the weekend, IGG’s Senior Branch members were especially busy as they also participated in an online 24 Badges in 48 Hours Challenge, which saw girls and young women from age 14-30 complete 24 badges in 48 hours. The badges included STEM, Cultural
D i v e r s i t y, A c t i v e B o d y, Disability Awareness, Healthy Mind and Performing Arts. They were even joined on Zoom by Maria Walsh MEP while they were earning their Europe badge. Irish Girl Guides welcomes youth members from age fiveplus and adult volunteers from age 18+. No previous Guiding experience is necessary and ongoing training and support is provided. IGG have groups across the south east, in Wexford, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Clonmel. Ladybirds are IGG members aged five to seven, Brownies aged seven to ten, Guides aged 10-14 and Senior Branch members aged 14-30. For further information, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or tel: 01 6683898. n
LOCAL AG SHOWS CANCELLED
Birdlife on the Slaney at Enniscorthy Photo by Dick Donaghue
The 2020 agricultural show season has lost its top local events. All five will now wait until 2021 to resume. Cancelled shows in date order: Gorey Agricultural Show (June 20th), Carnew Show (June 27th), Adamstown Show (July 4th), Bannow & Rathangan Show (July 9th), Tinahely Show (August 3rd). A meeting of the National Executive Board of the Irish Shows Association took place by video conference on 14th April and it was the considered opinion of the board that the current, necessary restrictions around social distancing and mass gatherings will continue for some time. The board stated: “We have been closely monitoring the situation as it unfolded over the last weeks and have been liaising with the various government agencies for advice, which has been relayed to our members regularly. Up to now, 43 of our member shows had taken the decision to cancel for 2020 with our support. Given the updates from the govern-
ment and the health authorities, we feel that it is now time to issue further advice and offer some clarity in this time of great uncertainty for our members and our exhibitors. “...we are recommending to all our member shows not to run their shows or any public events until such time as the safety of their members and the general public can be ensured and restrictions on social distancing are lifted. The Irish Shows Association takes
public safety very seriously and will be bound by the recommendations and advice of the public health authorities and the relevant government departments. “We realise that the loss of the shows for the Summer will be tough for many, but it is the prudent step to take at this time... the most important thing is that we all come back from this and that means staying apart and following all government guidelines.” n
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Slaney Food & Drink
6 May 2020
Vitamin D & the Virus By Oonagh Trehin BSc MSc ANUTR
Little Birds Bake is a new baking school based at 'The Nest' in Davidstown, Enniscorthy. It was almost ready to open when Covid-19 struck, so the opening has now been delayed for a while. The proprietor and baker extraordinaire is Jenny Van Rensburg and her school will be aimed at 6-12 year olds with an interest in baking. Classes will be held on Saturdays with classes on other days also during mid-term and school holidays. Joyces of Wexford is working with Little Birds Bake and you can share your baking pics with ‘Joyces of Wexford’ on Facebook to be in with a chance to win a Kenwood Food Processor and a baking class with Little Birds Bake. Make sure to check out Instagram: ‘Little Birds Bake’, and a Facebook page will be in operation also very soon. We’ll carry more details once the school opens in the near future. n
Oonagh Trehin is a registered associate nutritionist (ANutr) from Co. Wexford. She studied nutrition for four years at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, and received a BSc Nutrition in 2016. In November 2017, she graduated from an MSc in Public Health at the University of Sunderland. Her passion for nutrition and science led her to set up Little O Nutrition which offers an evidence-based, judgementfree, friendly service. Oonagh contributes a regular column to the Slaney News.
Vitamin D is vital for bone health, may help to prevent respiratory infections, plays a role in immune function, and may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Most of you will know vitamin D as the "sunshine vitamin", because our bodies obtain vitamin D via the action of sunlight on our skin. However, in Ireland, we can only get vitamin D from the sun between late March and early October. Additionally, those living in the north and west of the country are more likely to lack vitamin D, because of their geographical location
and less hours of sunlight. Other sources of vitamin D include supplements, oily fish (including tinned), egg yolk, liver, fortified foods (e.g. some cereals & milks). Some of us are higher risk for vitamin D deficiency due to: ✦ Age ✦ Gender (men are more likely to become deficient) ✦ Physical inactivity ✦ Smoking ✦ Chronic lung diseases ✦ Weight. Research suggests that low levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk
New baking school ready to open
of community-acquired pneumonia and acute respiratory infections. COVID-19 specifically affects the respiratory system, so for those with low vitamin D there is a potentially greater risk to health. Given the current restrictions, many of us are staying indoors, and as a result have limited exposure to sunlight and may have reduced or stopped our physical activity. A vitamin D supplement could be very beneficial. Adults are advised to take 10mcg/day during winter months, however if you are housebound due to COVID-19 it is advisable to
continue supplementing. Vitamin D won't stop you from getting COVID-19, but aiming to increase your vitamin D can only help. ✦ Get outside if it is safe for you to do so. ✦ Be active. ✦ Quit smoking if you can. ✦ Eat vitamin D-containing foods. ✦ Consider a vitamin D supplement. For more advice and information on nutrition: www.littleonutrition.com or Tel: Oonagh 083-3260216 littleonutrition@gmail.com n
To advertise on the Slaney News Food Page please contact: 087-2403310
‘Taste Wexford’ tasty hampers A new way to shop for produce by local farmers and artisan producers....
Clodagh Davis
For more info or to buy a hamper: www.tastewexford.ie
Urgent action needed Urgent action is needed to prevent the permanent closure of 90% of restaurants in the coming months, the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) has warned. The RAI, the lobby group for the restaurant and hospitality sector, has put forward
a nine-point recovery plan to help the industry recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. It said 120,000 jobs are at risk as 90% of restaurants remain c l o s e d i n I re l a n d a t t h e moment. Read the full plan on https://www.rai.ie n
Success for Sinnotts Wexford Home Preserves, an artisan food production business run by the Sinnott family in New Ross, recently won Gold at the World Marmalade Awards for its handmade
organic Ave Maria Seville Orange Marmalade. These prestigious annual Awards received 3,000 entries this year from 42 countries worldwide. n
Clodagh in the ‘Country’ The May/June 2020 issue of Irish Country Magazine features an article on Clodagh Davis, Davidstown, and how she produces her award-winning Naturally Cordial range. Clodagh makes a wide range of flavours and she also produces four delicious cordials for the Simply Better range in Dunnes Stores. She uses the whole fruit in her cordials and they are made to a traditional recipe, with reduced sugar content. All the citrus fruit is organic and all the strawberries, blackcurrants, rhubarb and raspberries are sourced from a 12 mile radius in Wexford. n
STEP ONE: BUY ONLINE Go online at www.neighbourfood.ie and click on the Enniscorthy Market option. Choose from a wide range of local produce including fruit & veg, breads, pastries, cheeses, meats, beers and many more. When you're happy with the items in your basket, complete your purchase online. STEP TWO: COLLECT YOUR ORDER Each week you collect your order at a local venue. In Enniscorthy this is at Brownswood (see details below). When Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, during your collection you will be able to meet the local farmers and food producers as well as your fellow shoppers! There will also be tasting nights at collections, where producers will give away free tasters; not to be missed! THE PRODUCTS All of the products listed in a
NeighbourFood market are grown or produced by local farmers or artisan producers. The sale of any large-scale commercially grown vegetables, non-organic imported fruit or vegetables, genetically modified products, intensively reared meat, imported fish or battery eggs are not permitted to be sold at a NeighbourFood market. Imported organic fruit and vegetables may not be sold when the same organic produce is in season in your area. Artisan foods from abroad, which are not freely available in your area, may be sold as these products are sourced from small importers with sustainable business practices. ENNISCORTHY LOCATION The NeighbourFood market in Enniscorthy is hosted by Alicia Harpur who brings together the best of local Wexford produce making it available for you via the weekly online market. The weekly collection is hosted at Castle Lane, Brownswood, Enniscorthy, Y21 HK49, on Thursdays from 5.30pm to 8pm. Free delivery
is available for older and vulnerable people if required. Given the Coronavirus pandemic all shopping is contactless. Producers drop off their orders one at a time and all orders will be delivered directly into the boot of your car. Alicia has lots of local producers on board such as Gorse Farm, Regans Organic Farm who are now supplying a full range of organic fruit and veg in addition to their existing range of Organic Chicken, Pork and Duck, Staffords Butchers, O'Neills Dry Cure Bacon, Bramble Cottage Kitchen, Macamore Buffalo, Carlow Farmhouse Cheeses, Fairfield Farm, Wild About, Ballyminane Mills, Slaney Farms, Wheelock Fruits, Bean & Goose, Naturally Cordial, etc as well as a couple of wine suppliers. More producers are being added all the time. See full list on website below. LOG ONTO WEBSITE NOW AND START SHOPPING! https://www.neighbourfood.ie/markets n
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053 919 6000 www.wexfordcoco.ie customerservice@wexfordcoco.ie
Loch Garman Carricklawn, Wexford Y35 WY93
Wexford County Council – Comhairle Contae Loch Garman
COVID-19
Community Call Helpline Assistance will be provided to vulnerable members of the public.
053 919 6000 Dial 1 c o v i d s u p p o r t @ wex fo rd c o c o . i e
Lines open: 8am - 8pm 7 days per week Please help us locate you by knowing your Eircode. You can Google “Eircode Finder” or use the direct link below:
h ps://finder.eircode.ie
Thank you to all Volunteering Groups who have pledged their support.
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Slaney Business & Finance
The government on 2nd May agreed a suite of measures to further support small, medium and larger businesses that are negatively impacted by COVID-19. It follows the publication the evening before of the government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out a fivestage plan to ease the Covid19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society. The measures being introduced are: ● A new €250 million Restart Fund to support small businesses in towns and villages to reopen their doors and get back on their feet with supports of up to €10,000 available. ● Three months commercial rates waiver beginning on 27 March for businesses that have been forced to close due to public health requirements.
Some relief for businesses ●
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A €2 billion Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund within the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), which will make capital available to medium and large enterprises. A €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme to support lending to SMEs for terms ranging from 3 months to 6 years, which will be below market interest rates. The ‘warehousing’ of tax liabilities for a period of twelve months after recommencement of trading during which time there will be no debt enforcement action taken by Revenue and no interest charge accruing in respect of the warehoused debt. A commitment to local authorities to make up the
rates shortfall, so that local authorities can continue provide full services to the public. Commercial Rates Payment Break/Reductions: The government prioritised support for those businesses most directly affected by COVID-19 with its decision in March to defer rate payments for a three month period for the hospitality, retail, leisure and childcare sectors. While a review of options to support enterprises and employment is being commenced, the government recognises that many businesses are facing immediate difficulties and uncertainty. To provide clarity, commercial rates are being waived for a three-month period beginning on 27 March for businesses that have been
WIT Enterprise Support initiative Free courses for people in Wexford and the South East generally have been announced as part of Waterford Institute of Technology’s Enterprise Support Initiative – the courses are in finance, marketing and managing stress and are aimed at supporting businesses across the South East during Covid-19. This initiative is open to individuals (employed and unemployed) currently working in enterprises across the South East or those seeking work in the region. This WIT Enterprise Support Initiative is a shortterm measure: a suite of short online programmes and support services to industry to address immediate needs. WIT Enterprise Support Initiative includes short online programmes in payroll manage-
Fiona Lewis, CEO of County Wexford Chamber
forced to close due to public health requirements. This measure will complement the tax, banking and SME measures also announced. The government will continue to actively engage with business owners and representative bodies. Local Authorities, who have longstanding experience in dealing with ratepayers and showing an understanding of their financial situations, are assessing the impact of COVID19 by engaging directly with individual ratepayers, recognising that there may be impacts on sectors outside of those initially identified as being most under threat. It is estimated that this waiver will reduce Local Authority income by €260 million and the Exchequer will meet these costs.
ENNISCORTHY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ALL BUSINESSES WELCOME TO JOIN! Contact: e.b.a.enniscorthy@gmail.com or Slaney News 087-2403310, slaneynews@gmail.com
Neil Quinlan and Dr Helen Murphy, both involved in Waterford Institute of Technology’s Lifelong Learning initiatives.
ment, finance and governance, digital marketing and managing stress and building resilience during these difficult times. The WIT Enterprise Support Initiative will run through until September 2020. Participation on these short programmes is free of charge and places will be offered on a first come first
served basis. Individuals can apply and eligibility will be checked by the WIT team. To book a place on any of the programmes please visit www.wit.ie/parttime. The deadline for applications is Thursday, 14 May 2020 with courses set to start the following week. n
Reviving Wexford While the COVID-19 pandemic is presenting immediate and severe financial challenges for many businesses and it is difficult to think
6 May 2020
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beyond the current situation, it is important to look forward and plan for the future. With that in mind, County Wexford Chamber launched an initiative, Reviving Wexford, to assess what supports the Co. Wexford business community needs in order to restart or sustain their businesses in the aftermath of Covid -19. Businesses were encouraged to log on to https://revivingwexford.ie/ and answer an online survey which closed on 4th May. The objective of Reviving Wexford is to support businesses in a post pandemic environment by identifying the needs of Wexford businesses and lobbying local government
and state agencies to introduce a range of new supports to compliment the existing financial assistance measures which have been made available during the Covid-19 pandemic. The www.countywexfordchamber.ie website provides very comprehensive information detailing the supports currently available which may be of benefit to local businesses. n
Food businesses reopening ALBA RESTAURANT Based on Abbey Quay in Enniscorthy, Alba will reopen at weeekends, for takeaways only, starting on Friday 8th May 6-9pm.
The Wexford Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is a great source of information and help for local businesses. See page 11 in this issue for information on LEO Wexford’s Business Supports Package and also visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Response
To advertise on the Slaney News Business Pages please call 087-2403310
ENNISCORTHY CHAMBER: See: www. enniscorthychamber.ie Enniscorthy & District Chamber of Commerce. Tel: 053-9232006. Portsmouth House, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy. Mon to Fri 9.00am – 5.30pm. admin@enniscorthychamber.ie www.enniscorthychamber.ie
Local business – national TV coverage
WHEELOCK’S FARM SHOP The Farm Shop at the Village at Wheelocks, Finchogue, Enniscorthy, re-opened at the end of April with strawberries for sale in addition to farm produce, home baking, etc. Takeaway coffee/tea/smoothies etc also available. IMPRESSO CAFé Impresso, at Slaney Place, reopened on Saturday 2nd May doing takeaway food and drinks only and with every Covid-19 precaution being taken. CASA D’GALO The well-known restaurant on Main Street will be reopening over the coming days for takeaway service. Keep an eye on the ‘Slaney News’ Facebook page for updates on premises in Enniscorthy as they reopen over the coming weeks.
John and Orla Stafford
The story of an Enniscorthy award-winning gin was told on RTE's Grow Cook Eat show on 22nd April. Reporter Karen O'Donohoe visited the Stafford family’s Slaney Farms Produce facility at Tomnalosset – home of Jackford Irish Gin – and
heard the story of the diversification from potato farmers to distilled spirit producers where misshapen potatoes that are deemed as waste by supermarkets are now being used to make creamy and smooth Jackford Irish Gin! A great local success story. n
Slaney Services
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VET DIARY FOR MAY
with the Moyne Veterinary Hospital This month, Joe Kavanagh has to say goodbye to ‘Lady’.
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I had written previously about my own dog, Lady, a greyhound bitch that had strayed into me about nine years ago. It was one of those Heaven sent moments. She became the guardian of the house, the ever present presence and the enthusiastic greeting party when you arrived home be it day or night.
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She developed a growth on her leg about two years ago and after lots of various treatments including surgery, changing to a raw food diet, the day eventually came recently when it was time to say goodbye.
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It was a very tough decision and although I knew it was inevitable the challenge is to know when is the right time to do this. You hope against hope that you'll come down some morning and she'll have passed over in her sleep, that you wouldn't have to make that decision to put her to sleep. Alas, that didn't happen, and although she was getting weaker she still came for her morning walks, grubbed up and was fighting tooth and nail as they say to keep going. I felt it was incumbent on me to keep going too as to respect her wishes so to speak. People who don't have dogs don't get it... how much they become part and parcel of the family and what a gap they leave behind when they go.
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It's the decision I see owners face time and again with their elderly dogs, trying to do the right thing by them, not let them suffer but give them a say as it were in the process. I believe, borne out from experience, that dogs and cats too have a real understanding of when it’s their time, and too... when it’s not their time. I euthanased animals that I felt were not ready to go and this is the hardest part of the job... when you’re instructed to put the animal down but the animal isn't ready. Call it a sixth sense, a gut feeling or intuition, but ye get a sense of it. For owners it can be such a fraught time for them, it’s difficult to make that call. They want to do the right thing by their pal but not let them suffer either. For different vets they'll have varying views on this decision, and I'm not saying this is the way, but I definitely like to take the animal's innate wisdom into consideration in such a momentous decision. This was the real challenge for me with Lady, respecting her will to live and not allowing her suffer unduly either. The day came when we both knew and although it was still a tough thing to do I knew it was the right thing. She had given every ounce and it was her time. We planted a tree in her memory in the garden and a new life unfolds. It certainly brings up your frailties and sense of inadequacies... that ye possibly could have done more, but as one vet said to me, 'They, like us, all have to die'... we just don't ever want to think about that time. I learned lots from Lady and I like to think it was a real synergistic relationship... she educated me and I fed her! We can learn something from everyone but these humble, graceful, sentient souls come here to teach us... maybe just like the whole Covid lockdown experience... are we living to work or working to live? Thanks for all the great support and patience over the last two months of the lockdown. We've continued on the practice, with the prevention measures in place, as best we can, and appreciate all the understanding for delays and difficulties it has brought. Hopefully, it also brings better life balance and a new way of viewing our world and animals. n
If you have a topic you’d like Joe Kavanagh to address please text SLANEY NEWS at 087-2403310 or email: slaneynews@gmail.com
Our Services include:
✓ Full blood analysis - haematology - biochemistry ✓ Gas anaesthetic ✓ Digital X-rays ✓ Ultrasound ✓ Dermatological testing ✓ Kinesiology ✓ Bioenergy ✓ Prescription diets ✓ Herbal remedies ✓ Homeopathy ✓ Allergy testing
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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.
30
Slaney Ads
6 May 2020
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Our June issue will be out on Monday 8th June 2020
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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.
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32
Slaney History
6 May 2020
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If a picture tells a thousand words… Ibar Carty chronicles the 20th century in Enniscorthy & beyond...
Right: A Mrs Donnelly milking her cow out in the field, 1930. Left: Loading a rick of hay onto a trailer, c.1940. Below right: Redmonds of the Harrow, 1955. All photos: © Ibar Carty Collection.
Ibar Carty has opened up his vast photo archives to the Slaney News. In this 102nd of a series, Ibar shares three agricultural photos taken in the 1930s/40s/50s. If you can supply the names of any of the people featured in the photos, Ibar and the Slaney News would be delighted to hear from you. For our convenience we would ask you to email the names to: slaneynews@gmail.com. Thank you. Ibar Carty can provide high quality prints of all photos in his series to date. Simply ring Ibar on 087-6729969 or email: ibar_carty@yahoo.ie or call into his premises on Castle St (beside Athenaeum) and if you mention the Slaney News he’ll give you 20% OFF the price! DON’T FORGET: IBAR SPECIALISES IN RECOPYING AND RESTORING OLD PHOTOS. CALL IN ANY TIME FOR MORE INFORMATION
Our Hidden History–Kate Webster In this occasional series we look at some of the darker moments in our local history. This first piece is about the infamous Catherine Lawler (Kate Webster), born in Killanne in 1849.
Kate Webster
Most of us are familiar with London’s most infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper, but the 19th century in England was actually brimming with debauchery and heinous criminal acts. Kate Webster was born Catherine Lawler in Killanne, near Enniscorthy, in 1849. Kate gained a reputation for theft from an early age, no doubt causing shame for her respectable yet poor parents. At age 15, Kate was imprisoned for larceny, and after her release she continued her petty crime habit until she raised enough money to afford a ticket to Liverpool. By the time she was 30, she’d served multiple sentences for theft. The details of her early life are unclear, as many of her later autobiographical statements proved unreliable, but she claimed to have been married to a sea captain called Webster by whom she had four children. According to her account, all of the children died, as did her husband, within a short time of each other. On 18 April 1874, she gave birth to a son whom she named John W. Webster, in Kingston
upon Thames. The identity of the father is unclear, as she named three different men at various times. In 1875, Kate spent 18months in Wandsworth prison in West London convicted of 36 charges of larceny. Her young son was cared for in her absence by Sarah Crease, a friend who worked as a charwoman. Shortly after her release, she was convicted of larceny again and jailed for a further year. During a rare moment of not being incarcerated, Kate Webster landed a job as a domestic servant to twice-widowed Julia Martha Thomas. But Thomas soon became critical of Webster’s work, and on February 28, 1879, after about a month of work, she gave notice to Webster about ending her employment agreement. When Kate Webster asked Thomas to extend her employment through March 2nd, Thomas begrudgingly agreed. It was a fatal mistake. On the day of March the 2nd, Thomas and Webster quarreled before Mrs. Thomas went to church. Upon her return, and according to Webster’s confession,
she threw Thomas down a flight of stairs before choking her. According to Webster: “I determined to do away with the body as best I could. I chopped the head from the body with the assistance of a razor which I used to cut through the flesh afterwards. I also used the meat saw and the carving knife to cut the body up with. I prepared the copper [boiler] with water to boil the body to prevent identity; and as soon as I had succeeded in cutting it up I placed it in the copper and boiled it. I opened the stomach with the carving knife, and burned up as much of the parts as I could.” After the carnage, Webster packed the body pieces – except for the head and one foot – into a box and bag before t h ro w i n g t h e m i n t o t h e Thames. The missing foot was soon discovered in Twickenham, but the head was a bit trickier to recover. For the next two weeks, Webster lived at Thomas’ home, and began dressing in her clothes, fully taking over the identity of the late Julia Thomas. The ruse ended on March 18, 1879, when delivery men
came to collect furniture that Webster (still identifying as Mrs. Thomas) had agreed to sell. A suspicious neighbour eventually figured out what was going on and alerted the police. Meanwhile, Webster panicked and fled back to Ireland. When Kate Webster was eventually apprehended, she became infamous, and stories were even spread that she’d kept her victim’s fat and tried to sell it as dripping. In a bizarre final twist to the tale, Julia Martha Thomas’ skull was discovered more than 130 years later on land owned by Sir David Attenborough! The murder of Julia Martha Thomas was dubbed the "Barnes Mystery" or the "Richmond Murder" by the press and was one of the most notorious crimes in late 19thcentury Britain. At the end of a six-day trial, she was convicted and sentenced to death after a jury of matrons rejected her last-minute attempt to avoid the death penalty by pleading pregnancy. She finally confessed to the murder the night before she was hanged, on 29 July at Wandsworth Prison. n
Slaney Around the Region
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BUNCLODY… aRtbanK ARTBAnK Bunclody is a notfor-profit organisation housing an inclusive gallery, events, and workshops on Main Street, Bunclody. It relies on volunteers, commissions from workshops and sales, and the generosity of donations. ARTBAnK was founded by John Renwick – its resident artist a n d M a i r e a d B u t l e r, Administrator. ARTBAnK has had to close its doors to comply with government
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FERNS...
safety guidelines. But it still has to cover its rent and other overheads without any income from workshops, or studio activities. So ARTBAnK is asking for your support now so it will still be there to continue its activities into the future once it is completely safe to do so. Please donate if you can at this difficult time using the GoFundMe page link: www.gofundme. com/f/artbank-bunclody. n
Creativity at the ARTBANK prior to its closure due to Covid-19 restrictions.
buncloDy libRaRy See Bunclody Library’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook. com/BunclodyLibrary/events where you can sign up for the monthly what’s on e-newsletter. Also see the website: http://www.wexford.ie/wex/Dep artments/Library/WhatsOn/ st Vincent De Paul Local Confidential helpline 0873696883. SVP request box is now located at back of shop. There is a newspaper recycling bin beside SuperValu in aid of S.V.P.
Covid-19, Half-Way-House/ Bunclody GAA, Ladies Football and Bunclody Camogie Clubs will do whatever they can to help those in the community who need assistance. Please contact James Doyle 087-9594639, Mark Sheehan 0871507808 or James Crean 087-7760992 for help with the collection of food, medication or any other necessities and they will try to organise
assistance for you. Follow on Facebook & Twitter @officialhwhbun for club news & updates. local business website www.bunclodybusiness.com – a new online hub promoting business in the Bunclody area. And a great way also to keep up to date with what’s happening in the town. On the site you can get a FREE listing to promote your business. n SignaCare Nursing Home Bunclody
siGnacaRe nuRsinG hoMe SignaCare Bunclody is a new, stateof-the-art, 62-bedded nursing home, in the heart of Bunclody. Visit SignaCare in Bunclody, email: info@signacare.ie, tel: 053 93 76222. assistance FRoM Gaa While keeping in line with the restrictions in place regarding
PORTS & AIRPORTS ... sinn Féin tD for wexford Johnny Mythen has called on the government to ensure enough steps are taken to reduce the risk of covid-19 transmission through irish ports and airports. Teachta Mythen voiced concerns about ongoing ambiguity and confusion over whether people travelling into the country are being appropriately assessed to ensure they have and are continuing to comply with public health guidance. He said: “We remain at a crucial point in the urgent fight to halt the
spread of Covid-19 and it is essential that people continue to stay at home and refrain from all but essential travel. Despite this, it is not clear if public health guidance is being properly extended to people travelling through ports and airports. It is vital that ports remain open as they are an essential gateway for bringing food and other supplies into the country. However, they cannot be misused by tourists making non-essential journeys, or other visitors not following public health guidance.”n
Johnny Mythen TD.
Make sure to check out ‘Historic Ferns’ on Facebook for great aerial shots of the village and its heritage sites such as St. Mary’s Abbey, St. Edan’s Cathedral including the ruins of a Chapter House located to the east of the cathedral, St. Mogue’s cottage and Ferns Castle. ‘Historic Ferns’ thanks Thomas Roche for sharing his wonderful collection of images.
ROSSLARE... in early april the Government decided to set aside a €15m emergency package in order to ensure the continued operation of ferry routes from Rosslare. Five sailing routes nationally have been identified as “public service obligation routes”, four of these operate from Rosslare europort. The decision was taken following a request for assistance from a number of ferry companies in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The four Rosslare routes that will be kept viable are: Rosslare-Cherbourg, RosslareBilbao, Rosslare-Pembroke, Rosslare-Fishguard. The funds will cover a minimum three month period in order to ensure the continuity of these services. According to local Minister Paul Kehoe: “This emergency measure is extremely welcome given the huge collapse in tourism that is affecting the entire industry. It is also hugely important to protect supply chains and protect haulage firms. I will work with Transport Minister Shane Ross and the port company to ensure all is done to protect Rosslare.” Local TD Johnny Mythen has also welcomed the sup-
port for Rosslare’s strategic maritime routes. "I want to welcome the announcement today by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport that five strategic maritime routes into and out of Ireland have been designated as Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes for a period of up to three months. This includes the Rosslare/Fishguard, Rosslare/Pembroke, Rosslare/Cherbourg and
Rosslare/Bilbao services. "The impact of Covid-19 has obviously had a massive impact on passenger numbers on these routes and this has made these routes economically unviable as a result. "The PSO designation will assist in the payment of specified costs of route operators to ensure that the vital freight operations on these routes can still be shipped into Ireland in the coming period." n
34
Slaney Motoring
Caroline gets motoring
Renault Clio REVIEW BY CAROLINE KIDD
in the 30 years since the first Renault clio went on sale, the iconic supermini has sold 55,000 models in ireland with the previous generation clio being the most successful – 12,000 units sold to date. Late last year, Renault launched an all-new Clio here and this small car just keeps getting better. Priced from €17,195, the headline features for new Clio are refreshed looks, a new cabin, new petrol engine, new technology and a new trim line. The Clio has a new look but it’s a gentle evolution of a very successful design. The previous generation Clio that debuted in 2012 was a dramatic departure on what had come before. It was top designer Laurens van den Acker’s first masterpiece for Renault and was the start of
6 May 2020
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a cascade of stylish new Renaults with clearly defined road presence and distinct lighting signature. now the 2020 Renault Clio matures with some stretching and refining of surfaces. The bonnet features sculpted ribs, while the grille is now bigger and the front bumper more pronounced. The side profile is one of the best in the segment – sleek and stylish – with hidden window-mounted rear door handles giving the sporty look of a three-door model. Full LED headlamps are flanked by Renault’s striking C-shaped daytime running lights. The colour palette features the eye-catching Valencia Orange – specially treated for a radiant shine – and the classic ‘looks good everywhere in every weather’ Iron Blue.
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This space can be yours for just €25+VAT Tel: 087-2403310
However it’s inside where we see some really welcome changes. There’s a new interior design that has matured but is still textured enough to not be boring. Material quality has improved and the new driver instrument panel looks much better, along with a new infotainment system with either 7-inch or 9.3-inch touchscreen. You’ll still probably skip Renault’s interface and head straight to Apple Car Play or Android Auto connectivity for ease of use. Renault Ireland is offering new Clio in four trim lines: Expression, Dynamique, Iconic and a new sportylooking R.S. Line. Full LED lights come as standard as do air con and cruise control with speed limiter, ADAS safety systems, electric windows and mirrors. Dynamique features the 7″
touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Iconic’s EasyLink with built-in navigation includes intuitive Google address search. The R.S. Line has full exterior R.S. look, with 17” alloy wheels, special interior trim and the 9.3” EasyLink screen as standard. My test car was a Clio 1.0 litre 100 hp in Iconic trim line with good specification and priced from €20,395. There’s also now more space than ever in the new Clio, despite being 12 mm shorter and 8 mm lower than its predecessor. The new front seat design gives more comfort and support but the design also frees up more legroom in the rear. Elsewhere, boot capacity has increased to 391 litres, and there’s a further 26 litres of storage dotted around the cabin.
L&M STARTER & ALTERNATOR REPAIR SERVICE CARS, VANS, 4X4, TRUCKS, TRACTORS, MARINE, QUADS, LAWNMOWERS AND GENERATORS. WE REPAIR ALL UNITS. ALL APPLICATIONS CATERED FOR.
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bunclody native caroline Kidd brings us reviews of the latest new cars to arrive in ireland. caroline is the editor of changing lanes (www.changinglanes.ie), one of ireland’s leading motoring blogs, and a jury member for irish car of the year. she also provides freelance writing services to businesses in wexford under the name of star content (www.starcontent.ie).
There’s currently a lineup of small efficient petrol and diesel engines, though a 1.6-litre ‘E-TECH’ petrolelectric hybrid is on the way later in 2020. There’s an entry level three-cylinder naturally aspirated SCe 75 with 72 hp, but the pick of the range is the new 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit with 100 hp (‘TCe 100’). I absolutely adored this engine. It feels nippy and refined and is truly efficient. Over a week of driving my average fuel consumption was just 5.0l/100km! This engine is available on Dynamique trim and above from €19,095. It’s fitted as standard with a five-speed manual gearbox, but the engine is also available with a seven-speed CVT automatic gearbox. There’s also a ‘TCe 130’ turbo petrol engine with more power again and available exclusively with the seven-speed EDC dual-clutch transmission. The ‘Blue dCi 85’ diesel is a 1.5-litre unit and has a sixspeed manual gearbox. Official WLTP fuel economy figure for this model is just 4.2 l/100 km.
The 2020 Renault Clio sits on a new Renault CMFB platform, which delivers improvements in space, safety, technology and weight saving. This car is light and athletic on the road. Refinement is also excellent and the Clio is as comfortable on motorway runs as it is in town or country road driving. The TCe 100 positively hums and is very efficient. You quickly blend into the groove with the new Clio. There’s good value to be had in the Clio range and it’s a great all rounder. The cabin might not be the last word in l u x u r y, b u t i t ’ s a m u c h improved interior that’s fun and cheerful to spend time in. The new 1.0-litre petrol engine is highly desirable and makes the car more versatile. Model tested: Renault Clio TCe 100 Iconic Price: €20,395 Engine: 1.0-litre turbo petrol Power: 100 hp Torque: 160 nm 0-100km/h: 11.8 seconds Top speed: 187 km/h Economy: 5.2/100km CO2 emissions: 118g/km Motor tax: €180 per year n
Slaney News
www.slaneynews.com this month as part of our slaneyside success stories it gives me the greatest of pleasure to feature my very good friend and one of the most successful literary talents to emerge from the town and county in recent years, author carmel harrington, or happy Mrs. h as she refers to herself on social Media. carmel has just released book no. 8 – My Pear-Shaped Life, and almost before it hits our shelves she has already begun number nine. Typical of this extremely hard-working author who puts so much into her work, not just into her writing, but into the enormously demanding field of promoting and marketing through social media. I first met Carmel in 2012 when she had just self-published her very first novel Beyond Grace’s Rainbow, since then she has secured book deals with the prestigious publishing house Harper Collins, been shortlisted twice for the Irish Book Awards, won Romantic Book of the Year and Kindle Book of the Year, been translated into eight languages and sold in eleven countries, made the Irish Times Bestseller List with A Thousand Roads Home, co-founded the Inspiration Project and Focal (later to become the Wexford Literary Festival) which she chaired from 2015-2018. Recently, I caught up with this super mom of two to chat about her life, her writing and her success. tell me a little about your current position and what you do. I’m an author. I’m published internationally in eleven territories and eight languages to date, although I’ll be adding a few more to my list after my eight novel, My Pear-Shaped Life, was published in April 2020. I write popular fiction. My books are uplifting reads, character driven, with a social issue at their heart. I also am a regular panelist on Virgin Media TV’s E l a i n e S h o w, p re v i o u s l y Midday, for almost five years now. Once a fortnight, I get to leave my desk and go to the studios, have my hair and makeup done, drink coffee and chat about the problems of the day! In fact, I’m just back from filming today’s show. We talked about everything from first loves to sperm donors. I never know what subjects we’ll have to dissect live on air, until just before I go into studio. what path led you to your current position. I’m a reader first and foremost. Books have always played a huge part in my life. When I was a kid, I used to imagine different endings to the books I read. That led to my dream to be a writer myself too. Life took me down several other roads eventually leading me to a career
SLANEYSIDE SUCCESS STORIES A series by Maria Nolan
in Sales and Marketing. I wrote, but in private, never sharing my desire to be a published author. Then ten years ago I made a life-changing decision to be brave. So I quit my job, became a stay-at-home mother and began the crazy task of juggling babies and books! After quite a few no’s – remember you only need one yes! – I got both an agent and a book deal with Harper Collins. Fast forward ten years and I can’t imagine a life where I don’t write, every day.
The Slaney News is running a series featuring Slaneyside natives and those who live and work here. Each month, Maria Nolan will be talking to a person who is excelling in their chosen field be it Sport, Literature, Business, Entertainment, the Arts, Fashion, Beauty and who is either Slaney born and bred or has a connection to here. The focus of this new endeavour is to shine a light on those from our town who are doing well in their respective careers and life paths, emphasising their influences and motivations with a view to inspiring and encouraging other Enniscorthians to emulate their success.
who and what motivated and influenced you along the way. Every book I’ve ever read has influenced me in some way, as have the strong men and women in my family and close friends. My friends, fellow authors Hazel Gaynor and Catherine Ryan Howard, have become a huge source of encouragement and support for me. We talk most days and it really helps to have a small, tight-knit group of friends who understand the industry we work in. has it been a difficult or enjoyable journey. Both! A natural talent is not enough, you need perseverance and dedication too! With a little bit of stubbornness if you can throw it into the mix! I have made sacrifices over the years, writing often into the early hours to meet a deadline. But when I get to ‘The End’ of a new manuscript, then eventually see that book on a bookshelf or in the hands of a reader, it makes everything worthwhile! I wouldn’t change a thing, even the knock backs. Because they have made the success all the sweeter and they are teachers too. as a child what did you want to be when you grew up. An author. It was always books for me. I had a pony when I was a kid and as I went for long rambles on Mr Bojangles, I’d create stories. That pony was my first fan!!! who were your childhood heroes. Book heroes included Roald Dahl, Louisa May Alcott, JR Tolkein, Enid Blyton … how would you describe yourself. I’m a home bird and am happiest when I’m with my family and close friends. But I do love meeting people and am quite social and chatty. I have quite an introvert side too which is good, because in the main, I work in silence on my own. I’m known for wearing my heart on my
Happy Mrs H Carmel Harrington (left) with Maria Nolan. sleeve - not just in my books, but in real life too. I laugh and cry most days! I love to sing and dance and ham it up with the kids all the time. Friends would say I have a good sense of humour too and I love to make people laugh. how do you motivate and influence people. I love to encourage people to follow their dreams, whatever they might be, because I understand how life-changing it is when you find the courage to do so. So I listen and then offer my support any way I can. I’ve mentored quite a few new writers and I’ve given talks too, where I’ve shared my own story - the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly - which I think always helps, doesn’t it? And in 2018, I co-founded The Inspiration Project with authors Catherine Ryan Howard and Hazel Gaynor. We host coaching retreats and share monthly diaries. If you want to find out more, www.theinspirationproject.ie what are you most proud of. I’m most proud of the life my H’s and I have built together. We
have a lovely home, which I don’t take for granted. Far too many people don’t have a safe place to fall and a front door to close every day. When Roger, Amelia, nate and George Bailey (our rescue dog) are together, in our kitchen, chatting, laughing, reading, eating, teasing, sometimes singing and dancing, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. There’s a lot of love in our house. And isn’t that what life should be all about? what do you dislike most about yourself. You know what? I’m trying hard not to dislike anything about myself right now. I’ve spent years putting myself down. I have had a very active naysayer living in my head for decades, telling me that I’m not enough. Well, to hell with that. I’m perfectly imperfect. Just as I am. what do you dislike about others. The older I get, the more things bug me! Here’s three that top my list! Meanness. Begrudgery. Falseness.
if you could live in another time, when would it be. I like everything about the 1920s! Or, if not then, the 1950s! how would you like to be remembered. I’m lucky that when I’m gone my books will always be here. It’s a nice thought that one day, many years from now, a great, great, great grandchild of mine can pick up one of my books and read it. But aside from being remembered as an author, which is all kinds of cool, I won’t lie, I hope that people will remember that I always chose kindness. The world needs as much kindness as we can muster up, more than it’s ever done before. what’s the one thing about you few people know. I’m an open book! I’m happy to share who I am. You get what you see with me. I would be useless at poker, as I wear my emotions on my face! But people might not know, that I’m quite shy too. Yes, I’m social and love meeting people, yes I do a lot of speaking events, but there’s a part of me, a part I’ve had to work on a lot over the years, that dies a death just thinking about being in the public eye. I bet lots of readers now are rolling their eyes. Because it seems incredible that outwardly extroverts can be shy too. But its true, I promise you! if you could change one thing in your past what would it be. Such a tricky question to answer, because I think my past has made me the person I am today. If I did change anything, would that change my destiny and where I am now? Because if that’s the case, I don’t think I would! But Roger and I have worked out that on several occasions before we met, going back decades, we were at the same events, but of course we didn’t know each other. I’d arrange it that we bumped into each other earlier. what do you think is the best thing about enniscorthy/ wexford/ireland. I love our county! I feel very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world. not only do we have the beauty of our landscape, in particular our beaches, but we have a vibrant arts and culture scene here. Wexford should be very proud of the many international writers, playwrights, poets, singers and artists that represent our beloved county so well on an international platform. And I’m very proud to be part of that too.
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Whenever I’m interviewed I always shout loudly and proudly, that I’m a Wexford lady. what do you think is the worst thing about enniscorthy/ wexford/ireland. Our health service right now. I’ve just been in tears reading about the 8th cancelled operation for a young Wexford boy, Tommy Kinsella. How can this still be happening in Ireland? I know Simon Harris inherited the problem, but he needs to step up and make changes now. It’s disgraceful and disgusting. what do you like most about your job/career. I get to live in my imagination all the time. It’s a wondrous place to be, where anything is possible. Through my books, I can travel to any part of the world. I can be anyone that I choose to be, live different lives through the eyes of my characters. I truly believe that I have the best job in the world. what was the best day of your life. So many good days, it’s hard to pick one. I had a great time in my twenties and thirties, with so many fun moments. But for me, my life only really began to make sense, personally and professionally, when I met Roger. So I choose that day when we first met and the seeds of our life together, first took bud. Because of that day, I have had so many incredible best days of my life - our wedding, the birth of my beautiful children, becoming a step-mother, buying our house and making a home together, and also it must be said, the many highlights of my writing career. I might not be writing books if it were not for the support and encouragement of my husband. if you could be or do anything else what would it be. Ooh… I’m very creative and now that I’ve unleashed that side of me, I can never take it back. So it would have to be something that allowed that to flourish. Maybe a photographer or an interior designer. Or if my voice were a little stronger, I’d work hard to be a Broadway actress. I love to sing. Sadly talent does not always match ambition mind you! What a truly remarkable and charming lady and a marvellous talent to emerge and prosper among us here in Enniscorthy and indeed how fortunate we are to have people of her ilk keeping us current and vibrant on both the national and international literary calendars. Wishing you every success going forward Mrs. H and I would strongly recommend My Pear-Shaped Life to all our readers our there as your 2020 summer read. n
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Slaney News
enniscoRthy eye
DiAry DATES
a column by Joseph Doyle
hAPPy BirThDAy... Congratulations to Jason Murphy and Anthony Pepper who celebrate their birthdays this May. Also with birthdays around this time are: April Breen, Mary Doyle, Breda Pepper, Ciaran
TowN NEwS...
Breen, Fiacre Ryan, Shauna Martha, niamh Kennedy, Mossy Ryan, Margo Whelan O’Brien, Joan Maguire, Gretta Carley, Michelle O’neill Kehoe, John Joseph Hoare.
Paris2nice Cycle on 17th September. Table Quiz in Doyle’s Pub, Enniscorthy, for Wexford Branch, date to be confirmed. International Walk - Bulgaria on 25th September. KBC Dublin Marathon on 25th October. TCS new York City Marathon on Sunday 1st november. Christmas Jumper Day on December 11th. Some or most of the above are likely to be cancelled due to the pandemic so please check about any cancellations or postponements on: www.cfireland.ie
Normal People
Yours truly with reigning Strawberry Queen, Joy Quigley.
Orchard Peace Park Pic: Joseph Doyle
at RTE’s new 6-part relationship drama Normal People which commenced on RTE One on the 28th of April. So you’ll be getting lots of TV tips from the past and present in next month’s issue. – Joseph Doyle
me our u s re l il w e w ll e w All going June issue. Diary Dates in our
c.F. NEwS & FuNDrAiSErS
Tv uPDATE...
Season 3 of Cobra Kai has been confirmed but no release date has been scheduled. Likewise for Season 3 of Derry Girls and season 3 of Young Offenders. I’ll be bringing you a review on Cobra Kai season 3 in our next issue and we’ll also look
6 May 2020
www.slaneynews.com
DRy suMMeR aheaD! With the Coronavirus, we are in the middle of a terrible global pandemic and Ireland like many other countries is still in lockdown, but the Taoiseach Leo Varadker has at least announced a plan for lifting the lockdown in phases over the coming months. GAA matches, with limitations placed on the numbers of spectators, are likely to return from July 20. Soccer training in small groups will be allowed from June 8th while matches with limitations placed on the numbers of spectators could resume from July 20. Rugby will be one of the last sports to come back with August 10th the projected date for games returning. Liverpool get to hold on to the Champions League for another year! All major summer festivals and concerts have been cancelled nationwide. Casualties in our own town include the Street Rhythms Dance Festival,
ALL iS quiET iN ENNiScorThy DuriNg LockDowN...
Strawberry Fair, Strawberry Roots, and Rockin’ Food Fest. The Enniscorthy Folk and Ballad Festival is likely to be cancelled also. The Wexford Literary Festival in July is going ahead but in a digital capacity only. The autumn Blackstairs Blues Fest is still scheduled for 14th and 15th September but if it does go ahead it will most likely be a scaled-down version with local bands only. Watch this space for updates. So what does all this mean – a dry summer, dear reader, with the pubs most likely being boarded up and the taps turned off until 10th August so there’ll be no beer and no bands and little in the line of festivals. And i t m e a n s t h a t re i g n i n g Strawberry Queen, Joy Quigley, will get to keep her crown for another year, as does the reigning Rose of Tralee, so Daithí you don’t need your monkey suit cleaned for another year! So until our June issue, keep safe and wash your hands. – Joseph Doyle
Pic: Joseph Doyle
If you would like Joseph to mention an upcoming event or would like to send in pics of any occasion (weddings, birthdays, etc) for inclusion then email both doyleduffry@gmail.com and slaneynews@ gmail.com. The closing date for receiving material for this column is always the Wednesday before our publication date which is usually the first Monday of every month.
FAkE NEwS... a fake letter doing the rounds on social media has recently angered both the government and the Vintners Federation of ireland. Some gobshite has half the country believing that the pubs won’t reopen until 1st of Sept next. The letter appears to be on government-headed paper from the Taoiseach’s office but both the government and the VFI have said this letter is a fake. A genuine letter would contain the address of the Taoiseach’s office in the top corner. The country’s Chief Medical Officer, Tony Holohan, has stated that the date for the pubs to reopen is 10th August, all going well. Pubs and restaurants are among the last businesses scheduled to reopen. The main reason for that is the difficulty of enforcing social distancing in pubs so, when
they do reopen, you might see big changes like hand sanitisers at the doors on entry like in the hospitals, and maybe partitions on the counters, a basket for you to put your money in and get change, etc – I’m obviously only speculating at this stage but these kinds of measures which have been adopted in pharmacists in Enniscorthy and nationwide, would make sense in a pub setting also. – Joseph Doyle Pic: Joseph Doyle
Pic: Joseph Doyle
Pic: © Joseph Doyle
Just a reminder folks that when this covid-19 crisis is over, to shop local and keep money in our town. keep safe and keep washing your hands!
Slaney Sport
www.slaneynews.com
Local GAA playing their part Rapparees/starlights Gaa club have been playing their part in the fight against coronavirus over the past six weeks as a team of volunteers in association with wexford county council covid Response Programme have been taking to the streets of the town and its environs delivering food, fuel and medicines to those most vulnerable in the enniscorthy community. We are delighted to report that the volunteers have been managing the daily requests
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Astroturf on the cards for Gorey with ease, efficiency and enthusiasm, not to mention enjoyment as everyone has been extremely pleasant and grateful. It is indicative of the town we live in that we have been more than capable of handling the number of calls coming to u s t h ro u g h t h e C o u n c i l Helpline as everyone in Enniscorthy is ready and willing to help their neighbours and anyone else in need. I would like to publicly acknowledge the generosity and kindness of our volun-
€4,200
teers and thank them for their efforts during this time of crisis on behalf of the Club and the community. not that they want gratitude, far from it, but in years to come it will be gratifying for them to say that when they were needed in the fight against Coronavirus they were not found wanting. On behalf of the Rapparees/Starlights GAA can I say you have our heartfelt thanks. – Maria Nolan Pro/ healthy club officer n
Amazing response to Moyne Rangers fundraiser cllr aidan browne and Moyne Rangers aFc are amazed by the response to their recent 2020 Runathon in aid of isPcc childline, having raised over €4,200 so far!!! they are keeping the fundraiser page open for a few days more hoping to reach €5,000, so please continue to donate at: https:// tinyurl.com/ycoxxgmm n
trinity homes, in partnership with Gorey youth needs Group and Gorey Rangers schoolboys & schoolgirls, is lodging a planning application with wexford county council that envisages the provision of a state of the art all-weather sports pitch and clubhouse at its site on the carnew Road in Gorey. The new facility will be built by Trinity Homes and ultimately be managed by Gorey Youth needs Group and Gorey Rangers Schoolboys & Schoolgirls. It will be open to the entire community, but with a focus on young people. Trinity Homes is also planning to further develop the neighbouring site where it is
building so that there will be a total of 83 high-end homes located in the development. Alongside the astroturf pitch, there will be a drop-off area for cars that will also benefit local schools during the day. There will still be fundraising required to complete the works but Trinity Homes are making the site available for free. Senator Malcolm Byrne, who helped facilitate the project, added, “This will be another transformative piece in Gorey’s community infrastructure and really welcome good news at this difficult time. The proximity to Creagh College and three primary schools will also
be of enormous benefit to their students.“ The Astroturf will be over 90 metres in length and close to 60 metres wide, with the flexibility to be divided into three smaller pitches for 5-a-side use. It will be fully lit and netted with clubhouse facilities for home and away changing, canteen and cafe with outdoor seating area. The clubhouse will be modern design and eco friendly. Due to the Covid-19 crisis, there are currently delays in the processing of planning applications, but it is hoped that once restrictions are lifted that Wexford County Council will be in a position to consider the application. n
Enniscorthy Rugby Club keeps busy
Enniscorthy Hockey club memory...
L-R: Gavin Redmond, Andrew Redmond, Tony White, Jim White and Tom Ryan. Missing from the photo are Ivan Jacob and Alan Jacob.
1985 cup-winning Enniscorthy Ladies 1st Team, standing L-R: Marie Kelly, Bernadette Atkinson, Jacinta Kehoe, Susanne Hilliard, Aileen Plant, Eileen Kehoe. Front: Annette Morris, Mary Kehoe, Mary Codd (c), Marita O'Neill, Sandra Ovington, Kitty Murphy.
the club through the organisation of hughie o'neill and players are playing a stormer off the field in helping the general community with delivering meals on wheels and other essential items in locality.
shockwaved, sanded and sown down, with drainage work completed on the Showgrounds, so when rugby resumes the pitches will be in pristine condition. The club would like to acknowledge the Show Committee’s help.
Grounds In the absence of any on-pitch activity, the pitches have been
300 Draw The commencement of the 300 Draw has been postponed until
September to hopefully coincide with the start of 2020/21 season. All standing orders will be held until September before being activated on commencement of draw. annual Golf Fundraiser Enniscorthy Rugby Club Golf Classic is scheduled for Friday 3rd July at Enniscorthy Golf Club. n
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Slaney Arts & Heritage
6 May 2020
Participants announced for first ever Wexford Factory the twelve singers chosen to take part in the inaugural wexford Factory have been announced. a new initiative, established for the first time this year by wFo artistic Director, Rosetta cucchi, the wexford Factory is a two-week academy for young irish / irishbased singers, which will take place in early september, prior to the beginning of rehearsals for this year’s Festival. Speaking of her reasons for developing the Wexford Factory, Rosetta said, “The best memories of my life are associated with the academies I attended in my youth. That is where I learned the true meaning of professionalism and how I could continue to challenge myself as an artist. This is the reason I decided to establish the Wexford Factory. It is the duty of every highly regarded international festival such as Wexford to give a new generation of singers the opportunity to grow; giving them wings to fly in their careers.” The Wexford Factory is designed to mentor young singers through masterclasses led by internationally recognised artists and professionals.
Sarah Shine: One of the twelve singers chosen to take part in the inaugural Wexford Factory
Guest tutors will include worldrenowned tenor Juan DiegoFlórez, Irish soprano Celine Byrne, as well as Ernesto Palacio of the Rossini Opera Festival and Dmitry Vdovin, head of the Bolshoi’s Young Artist programme. Veteran Wexford Festival Opera director Roberto Recchia, Classical Music journalist Michael Dervan, movement specialist Sara Catellani and Rosetta Cucchi will also provide professional instruction.
Graduating students will perform in one of the Pocket Operas / Opera Beag Shakespeare for Fun, a reduced production of Verdi’s Falstaff which will be performed this October in the national Opera House. The Wexford Factory is in collaboration with TUD (Technological University Dublin), RIAM (Royal Irish Academy of Music) and CSM (Cork School of Music) and in keeping with the International
profile and reach of Wexford Festival Opera, a partnership with the Bolshoi Academy, Moscow, the Rossini Opera Festival, Pesaro, and Opera for Peace has also been established. In addition to the twelve Irish and Irish-based singers, two young singers, one from the Bolshoi Academy, Moscow and one from the Rossini Opera Festival, Pesaro will also join this new initiative. The twelve Irish or Irishbased singers have been announced as: Anna Brady, Ava Dodd, Rory Dunne, Andrew Gavin, Francesca Federico, David Howes, Kathleen norchi, Conall William O’neill, Jade Phoenix, Sarah Richmond, Sarah Shine, Vladimir-Mihai Sima. See the Wexford Factory video: www.wexfordopera.com Wexford Festival Opera runs from 20 Oct – 1 nov 2020. 1 Festival, 13 Days, 70 Events. Find out more at wexfordopera.com. Public booking now open. Wexford Festival Opera is supported by grants from the Arts Council, Wexford County Council and Fáilte Ireland/ Ireland’s Ancient East. n
The Presentation Centre improvises... the Presentation centre in enniscorthy strives to make art and art events accessible to all. the annual open call exhibition is a testament to that goal showcasing an astounding level of skill and talent from artists all over co.
wexford and further afield. This opportunity gives creative individuals a chance to explore their practice, extend their experiences and see their work realised within a gallery context. All art forms are represented including film, sculp-
ture, drawing and performance, and exhibitors include amateur artists, students, children and and professional artists. The fifth Annual Open Call exhibition was due to open to the public on 27th March at The Presentation Centre but unfor-
tunately it is not open due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the ever-inventive staff at the Centre have improvised and are showcasing the submissions on social media until the actual exhibition can go ahead. n
with Maria Nolan THE HEART OF SUMMER My good friend Felicity Hayes McCoy has just penned another little gem in her now widely read Finfarran series. The Heart of Summer, number six in the fictitious saga set on Finfarran Peninsula on the West Coast of Ireland, is a delicious read and perfect for cocooning and summer reading. Librarian Hannah Casey had taken the plunge and moved in with Brian Morton and they are now living the dream in the house that architect Brian designed himself in the historic and picturesque Hags Glen. Brian and Hannah are both struggling to cast away the shadows of their past and build a future together in this ancient land when out of the blue Brian`s adult son Mike arrives on the scene. Brian and Mike are not your typical father and son and their relationship has been non existent since Mike`s mother died shortly after he was born. Seizing an opportunity from a chance meeting with an old friend, Hannah decides to give Mike and Brian the space they need to get to know each other and heads to London to spend time with pals she shared a flat with there many moons before. Hannah is surprised at how easily she becomes accustomed to city life and how much she enjoys the beautiful bookstores, a night at the ballet and al fresco lunches on the banks of the Thames. As we ponder how things will change for Brian and Hannah, Felicity reacquaints us with some of our other friends on the Finfarran Penisula as we discover how newlyweds Connor and Aideen are getting on down on the farm with Connor’s parents Una and Paddy. We come across the wise Fury O’Shea and his almost human canine known to all as The Divil. We catch up with Hannah’s demanding mother Mary Casey and her lodger – Hannah’s mother-in-law Louisa, and we find out how Hannah’s daughter Jazz is managing her new and expanding business. The Heart of Summer comes very much from the heart of its author Felicity Hayes McCoy who spends her time between her beloved rural Kerry home and her equally beloved London city pad and this book gives us an insight into both parts of her life as she describes the beauty and attractions of each. Felicity has that real Irish feeling of place and this is evident in her writing and particularly in The Heart of Summer places seem to hold the memory of past generations. Everyone who ever lived or died there. Once you begin to read her Finfarran series you, the reader, will get that sense of place and people, and each time a new book emerges you will be looking forward to catching up with the lives of old friends again. Well does Hannah stay and live the sophisticated life in London or does she return to the rugged wildness of the Irish West Coast? Read The Heart of Summer now and find out.
– Maria Nolan
View exhibition online saFe-holD, an exhibition by christine Mackey, is one outcome of a public art commission under wexford county council’s Per cent for art – M11 Gorey to enniscorthy PPP scheme (2019), whereby a number of sites with pollinator-friendly plants were sown in Gorey. Mackey worked with local communities to actively engage in solutions for habitat loss and transform underutilised sites into aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable safeholds that serve as pollinating pastures for our bees to inhabit and for native wild-flowers to take hold. In response to the planting of the sites, Mackey developed a body of work drawing from a range of archival, research and material sources. To view this work: www.wexfordartscentre.ie/safe-hold-viewing-room
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTS CENTRE WHEN IT REOPENS Wexford Arts Centre: 053-9123764. The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy: 053-9233000.
LOCAL LIBRARY NEWS Mono-screenprint by Grainne Murphy: 'Venus At Vulcans Forge Pt.1'
Christy Harte: 'Now Help Me Up'
For updates check out: https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries/events for what’s coming up in your local library. Also, check your local library on Facebook.
Slaney Arts & Heritage
www.slaneynews.com €1,000 in cash Prizes is on offer this year for the Kilmore Quay write by the sea 2020 Festival writing competition with a top prize of €500 and two prizes of €250, with three categories for people to enter – short story (up to 3,000 words), memoir (3,000 words) and poetry (40 lines).
‘Write By The Sea’ Writing Competition While there is some doubt over the festival going ahead on the last weekend of September this year as planned, the organisers are definitely still continuing with the writing competition hop-
ing that it may give both established and emerging writers a focus and something to aim for in these difficult days. In keeping with Kilmore Quay’s maritime location and traditions, the theme for Write
CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST SCHOOLS & VISUAL ARTISTS, 2020-21 wexford county council arts Department in partnership with wexford arts centre are seeking applications from primary schools and visual artists to participate in the living arts Project commencing in late september 2020. The aim of the Living Arts Project is to provide children with an understanding and appreciation of contemporary visual art. Selected primary schools have the opportunity to host an artist in residence for fifteen weeks or eight during the school year. Four Wexford-based artists will be partnered with schools to create a body of work over the academic year. The residencies prioritise the development of the artists’ practice within the project and encourage engaging work from the pupils. The project offers teachers an opportunity to observe and learn creative processes for use in the classroom. In addition, we are again inviting artists and schools to apply for a new School Studio Residency. This residency is aimed specifically at schools that have additional space to
three winning pieces will be published on the Write By The Sea website. Each of the three winners will also receive a festival weekend pass (worth €110), granting free entry to almost all workshops, talks, interviews and other Write By The Sea events. They will be invited to read their winning entry at the Gala WBTS Festival Opening Reception which is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 25, 2020. Prizes will be awarded during the event. Launching the competition, Lucy Moore, Write By The Sea Chairperson, said: “We at Write By The Sea are
acutely aware of the importance of staying at home to minimise the spread of the Covid-19 virus, so we expect our increased prize-fund will encourage more writers to explore their creativity to the fullest.” The competition is open for submissions now. Get your entries in before the closing date which is Friday, July 10, 2020. For further details on how to enter, competition rules and conditions, see https://writebythesea.ie/writing-competitions/ If you would like more information on the Festival, you can visit the website: www.writebythesea.ie, or email: festival@writebythesea.ie n
Recruitment call! dedicate to an artist for their own personal practice. The artist will work and facilitate workshops in this space. The artist would engage with all class groups through the residency while availing of the space to develop with his/her own practice. All residencies culminate in an exhibition from participating schools at Wexford Arts Centre in April/May 2021. Pupils participating in the project have the benefit of detailed guidance from the artist over the period of the residency and the opportunity to see
their work exhibited in a gallery. We are now receiving applications from interested primary schools and visual artists for lead and assistant roles. Joint applications for artists seeking to fulfil lead and assistant roles are welcome. Deadline for expressions of interest is 4pm on Thursday 21 May, 2020. For further information on the Living Arts Project including a full brief and application form please log on to www.livingartsproject.ie, or email catherine@wexfordartscentre.ie n
Creative Hub: Wexford Playwrights Studio wexford arts centre in association with wexford county council arts office invites applications from playwrights based in wexford to take part in a new wexford Playwrights studio initiative to support and nurture playwriting in wexford as part of ongoing support to theatre practice development in the county. The Wexford Playwrights Studio will be limited to eight members to ensure adequate individual attention and exclusively dedicated to support, development and promotion of playwrights in the group. This programme is best suited to playwrights with prior experience who may have scripts currently in development. The studio group will meet monthly mainly on the last
By The Sea 2020 is “Waves”, and all entries must relate to any interpretation of that theme. The competition is open for submissions now, with three competition categories: 1. Fiction Short Story. 2. Memoir – a factual account of a memorable moment. 3. Poetry. An independent panel will select one winner in each category, two who will receive a cash prize of €250 each, and a third, who will be deemed the overall winner, will receive €500. All three winners will be presented with a specially- commissioned, hand-crafted Write By The Sea 2020 Writing Competition Trophy, and the
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Sunday of the month in the Creative Hub studio space 2pm-5pm starting Sunday 31st May or by digital media Zoom platform if COVID-19 restrictions still in place. The programme will run until December 2020. The group will be mentored by leading award-winning professional theatre practitioners to include lead facilitator and internationally renowned Wexford playwright Billy Roche and internationally acclaimed guest mentors, Deirdre Kinehan, playwright, Thomas Conway, playwright, B e n B a r n e s , d i r e c t o r. Additional mentors will be included during the programme according to requirements. Participants will be advised on script develop-
ment, dramaturgy, direction and production of work. Staged readings and play production/work in progress will also be considered for presentation along with additional production support in Wexford Arts Centre in 2021. The organisers invite applicants based in Wexford to include a short bio/CV on prior playwriting experience and also a proposal/synopsis on a play that may be currently in development or wish to develop further. Please submit application before 5pm on Friday 15th May 2020 by email to: boxoffice@wexfordartscentre.ie. note ‘Wexford Playwrights Studio’ in subject matter. Full details on mentors/facilitators on www.wexfordartscentre.ie n
Four Rivers is a new theatre initiative for the south east. headed up by Director ben barnes and Producer John o’connell, Four Rivers (in association with the theatre Royal waterford) is committed to professional theatre in and for the south east of the country.
As part of its remit, Four Rivers, on a project by project basis, will prioritise employing career professional actors, creative team and support personnel who are based in, or with family connections to, the region (Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Waterford). To this end, Four Rivers is inviting
applicants in the areas of: Acting, Stage Management, Touring Lighting, Production Management and Marketing to submit expressions of interest. Please include your CV and in the case of actors please also supply a headshot to John O’Connell at johncentralarts@gmail.com n
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Slaney Travel
6 May 2020
Listing in the land of Leonidas By Maria Nolan in these dark days of covid-19 holidays are probably the furthest thing from people’s minds but we all need to dream and we all need something to look forward to, so with that in mind i’m sharing a piece i wrote back in 2014 when i took a thompson cruise to the Greek islands. For those of you who have never been cruising, I am here to tell you that this is the only way to holiday. A completely hassle free way of seeing as much as possible in as little time as possible, conversing with as many people as possible from all parts of the globe whilst enjoying the most excellent food and the most varied entertainment. There is little or nothing that a cruise doesn’t offer. Your every need is met including some that you didn’t even know you had! We flew into the beautiful Greek Island of Corfu to be met by smiling members of the Thompson Majesty crew and immediately directed to our awaiting coach and taken to our ship where we checked in with the minimum of fuss and were guided to our cabins where our luggage was waiting for us. Everything from embarkation to disembarkation is streamlined and handled with precision and warmth – a winning combination. Being referred to as ‘Miss Maria’ along with having your every need met has the tendency to lull one into a marvellously indulgent, unreal world and before you know it you are being treated like aristocracy and even more worrying... quite liking it! There is nothing not to like about a cruise – the service is sterling, the food is splendid and the entertainment is stupendous. Each evening after deliciously dining in the Seven Seas Restaurant, receiving meticulous attention from our waiters Tarak and Jovie, we were blown away by the expertise and talent of the Thompson Show Team giving us Piano Men, Abba, Queen... and lots, lots
At Miletus on the road Alexander the Great took back to his ships after his defeat of the Persians.
more. A day at sea might sound claustrophobic or at least boring but with Yoga Class, Choir Class, Stretches on Deck, Trivial Pursuit, Bingo, Fashion Shows, Massage Seminars, Texas Hold `Ems, Cocktail Demonstrations, Wine Tastings, Table Tennis along with Diamond and Gemstone Seminar... trust me you just won’t feel it sailing by. I spent my day at sea in the Wellness Spa being pampered by the lovely and dainty Coleen Brown whose mother is Irish and father Indian. I indulged myself with the back, neck and shoulder massage, the aromatherapy facial and the ankle and foot massage and all for only £73 pounds or about €80... now how good is that! A n d a s f o r t h e S h o re Excursions well I would have to give top marks. They are so well organised, extremely informative and most enjoyable. Our trip was called Aegean Delights with ports of call – Corfu, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Pireaus, Monemvasia and Katalon. corfu Corfu town is a quaint pattern of little squares, streets and alleyways packed to capacity with shops totally bedecked with every kind of paraphernalia and souvenir of Greece. It is a windy but pleasant walk from the town to the port and will take approximately 25 minutes passing some really exquisite scenery along the way or for those who prefer to do it a little more leisurely you can get a taxi for 4 for €10. We had only a few hours in Corfu so the town was really all we had time to see and we tried to get a flavour of it strolling in and out of its narrow streets and
The Temple of Athena in Athens
sampling coffee in one of its coffee houses. syros There was disappointment on Day 3 when our Captain nikolas Chalaris (pronounced without the C as Halaris and sounding too much like hilarious to be funny!) decided that it was too dangerous to dock at Mykonos – a tender port so instead we diverted to the Island of Syros – a sun-blushed jewel of the Aegean sprinkled with whitewashed houses, archways and open spaces. We dock at the port and capital Hermopolis so called for the Greek God Hermes and do a trip of the island taking in the villages of Kini, Posideonia and Vari and culminating in a wonderful trek up the hillside to the stun-
ningly beautiful Ano Syros – a little bit of Heaven dropped from the sky. A scenic spot full of wonderful photo opportunities. Our walking tour of Hermopolis threw up an unexpected treasure in the form of an original El Greco just inside the door of the Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Seemingly, it had been in the Church unnoticed forever until discovered and authenticated in 1983. What a find and how lucky we were to be able to see it – how often does one get to photograph an original El Greco? Kusadasi and Miletus Day 4 we dock at Kusadasi beside the Thompson Celebrity which I have to say completely dwarfed and totally outclassed us. At 8.30am we head for our coach and leave immediately for the ancient city of Miletus approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away. Miletus – once a thriving Greek city on the shore of the Aegean sea – is a marvellous ancient site similar to Ephesus but not as well excavated due to lack of funding according to our tour guide. In the 6th century BC it was considered the greatest and wealthiest of Greek cities. It was the place of Thales – one of the Seven Sages – seven wise men of the 6th century – a philosopher and mathematician. In antiquity, the city possessed a harbour on the Aegean Sea where St. Paul the Apostle stopped for two days on his way to Jerusalem to meet the Ephesians and from where
Alexander The Great set sail following his defeat of the Persians. After viewing the wonderful theatre and roman baths of Miletus, I had the great pleasure of standing on the spot where Alexander the Great had stood centuries before! Half an hour after leaving Miletus we arrived at Didyma and the imposing Temple of Apollo. Didyma meaning twin – Apollo was the twin of Artemis – and the Temple of Artemis can be found in nearby Ephesus. The Temple of Apollo is still impressive and even more so when our guide informed us that this was where the Oracle sat telling the future in a trance like state to all who sought it. Shades of the Wizard of Oz spring to mind! Seemingly, the trance was due more to the effect of the pleutonic fumes wafting from the underground springs than any direct contact with the God. This site is still magnificent and well worth a visit. In the afternoon we were free to sample the shopping delights of Kusadasi itself before returning to the ship. There is leather, leather everywhere in the form of jackets, bags, coats, gloves, shoes and hats but for me it is pure torture to shop here. And from one who loves to shop that is saying a lot. I hate to haggle and if I say ‘no’ and walk away I do not want you running down the street after me with a completely unrecognisable price from the original one you gave me – I mean, come on, a genuine Gucci bag that goes from a price of €280
down to €50!!! no, shopping in Kusadasi is not for me I’m afraid, but you gotta try it – don’t ya? athens On day 5 of our Aegean Delights Cruise the Thompson Majesty docked at the Port of Pireaus the gateway to the ancient city of Athens and having been once before and viewed the magnificence of the Acropolis we decided just to take the bus from the cruise ship and see the city for ourselves. Well that was the plan but it didn’t quite turn out that way. Our coach which was a wee bit expensive at €25 each took us to Hadrian’s Arch and we were to meet it back there at 2pm giving us an adequate amount of time to see some of the sights that I had lined up as ‘must sees’. Beginning with the aforementioned Hadrian’s Arch we wander up from there to see the Temple of Zeus – a massive ruin right in the centre of Athens and from which the wonderful Acropolis can be viewed in all its majesty. Zeus the Father of all the Gods has to be on everyone’s Athens agenda so in we went and at only €2 per head wasn’t going to break the bank. It is another impressive site in the centre of Athens that succeeds in taking you back in time to an ancient and glorious world. Heading out, our next stop was going to be the changing of the Guard at the House of Parliament but as we rounded
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www.slaneynews.com the corner debating which way to go a very friendly taxi man approached us and asked if we were lost. Telling him what we want to see, he asked if we would be interested in a tour of the city with him taking in some of the highlights – lasting one hour and costing only €30 for the four of us. We accepted and hopped in. Michael Zambras turned out to be a terrific guide and an extremely knowledgeable and nice gentleman and we spent a most pleasant hour and a half in his company and saw the beautiful Kaisariani Monastery in the lovely, lush valley on the western slopes of Mt. Hymettus. The ruins of this 10th century Byzantine Monastery built on the foundations of a 5th/6th century basilica are picturesque and tranquil and made a very pleasing break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Athens. Michael also took us to see breathtaking views of the city on Mt Lycabettus which were spectacular with the 120 metre high Acropolis visible if slightly dwarfed at this height of 500 metres above sea level. A bit of a climb but soo worth it with a beautiful church and restaurant at the top – so go on have a coffee at the top of the world. Well that’s what it felt like anyway. From there we travelled to the Royal Palace for the changing of the Guard which happens here every hour on the half hour and happens at the House of Parliament every hour on the hour. A little bit of pomp and ceremony never does anyone
any harm and it was certainly nice to see these two Greek soldiers begin at different ends of the street with their unusual kick and shoe tassle waving steps eventually meeting in the middle and changing over. nice to see and very nice to be in the company of Michael who spoke very well and very proudly of his beloved Athens with all its warts and all its present economic difficulties – it is still an astonishing city and when you stop and reflect on all of the rich, famous and powerful people who have passed through it over the centuries it is certainly an amazing place to be. I can`t recommend Michael highly enough – he is pleasant, informative without being over powering and there is a genuine warmness about him that is most appealing – he would have stayed with us for the afternoon and taken us many other places and indeed was anxious to do so but we had to take the bus back to the ship at 2pm and we were happy that we had seen quite a chunk of Athens and thanks to Michael had gotten quite a feel for it too. Athens is a city that has to be on everyone’s ‘Bucket List’. It is one of those places where civilisation, democracy, liberty and fraternity began – it is part of who we all are as human beings. So go on get yourself to Athens and look up my new friend Michael Zambras who will be only too delighted to show you the highlights of his
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truly amazing city – mikezambras@hotmail.gr sparta and Mystras Day 6 and today’s trips are ones that I have been really looking forward to as we dock in the picturesque, tender port of Monemvasia to travel to the ancient city of Mystras and the modern city of Sparta. Sparta has long been on my ‘Bucket List’ as I have always had huge admiration for those marvellously valiant Spartans and their brave King Leonidas. But I may content myself to wait as our first stop is the mountain fortress of Mystras – a fantastic edifice that once housed approximately 45,000 people. Mystras was once the centre of the ancient world and an extremely important city. Our guide is excellent and provides us with chunks of information before taking us into the Church of Demetrius who was martyred for his Christian faith. The Church of Demetrius is at the foot of the mountain. Our next stop is a church dedicated to Our Lady and is a little higher up and then for the more vigorous and adventurous there is a further climb about two thirds of the way up to a nunnery – with the fortress or place at the very top and only recommended if you have a couple of hours to complete the trek. We head as far as the nunnery and are met by a little, elderly nun who beckons us into a little room with chairs laid out for us to sit and
At the statue of Leonidas in Sparta
At the the Grand Bazaar in Kusadasi
rest after our heavy climb. She then proceeds to offer around a tray of Turkish Delight and smile at each of us. She doesn’t seem to have too much English and is very pleased when we make some contributions before continuing on our journey. As we begin our descent we very quickly realise that the going up wasn’t half bad compared to the coming down as we encounter slippery, cracked and broken steps – quite understandable after all these centuries. After a couple of laughs and several slips we finally make it to the bottom and pick up our coach for the drive to Sparta. Sparta – your original Camelot – Spartans were hugely proud of who they were and where they came from and they took an Oath to the God Zeus to defend Sparta to the death. They were all that was good and strong and brave – and they were extremely loyal to their King Leonidas – just like the Knights of the Round Table and King Arthur. Courage and valour were the virtues of the day and after battle the Spartan women checked the bodies of the dead to ascertain if the mortal arrow had pierced them in front or in the back. It being the latter the poor unfortunate would be labelled a coward and refused a hero’s burial. Today’s Sparta belongs to the modern world and is a bustling metropolis with cars parked every which way making it difficult for our coach driver to stop but eventually after much trial and tribulation we arrive at the arresting statue of Leonidas – King of the Spartans. This giant of a man towering above us was once a leader of brave men – the famous 300 and the only thing that distinguished him from his men in battle was his shield which bore the Greek L which looks like an upside down V. Leonidas eventually met his Waterloo at the hands of a much
larger Persian army under their King Cyrus who demanded that Leonidas yield up his lands and possessions to which Leonidas replied ‘Molon Labe’ or ‘Come and get them’. A war cry that has echoed through the centuries since. Ah yes my mission was accomplished, I had found Leonidas! I would have preferred to see his actual tomb which is a couple of miles outside Sparta but unfortunately our tour guide said that wasn’t on the agenda. Back in Monemvasia we marvel at this quaint little village and its wonderful fortress whilst awaiting our boat to take us back to the mother ship. Unfortunately, we do not have sufficient time to explore what appears to be a very beautiful place and as I promise myself to return. Our small boat becomes tossed around a bit on what has suddenly become a roughish sea. Passengers begin to get a bit queasy and a little scared which is perpetuated when we try to line up with the ship and board. Many of the female passengers find it difficult to make the jump on board with both boats swaying frantically at this stage and take to panic with squeaks and squeals amid the squall. I would have preferred a more gentle transfer and indeed there were moments when I felt a certain kind of dread but how could one show fear in this ‘Land of Leonidas’ where men lived and died bravely! Katalon Our last full day and we dock in the very tranquil Katalon – the gateway to ancient Olympia. Having seen it previously, we are staying put in the small port and plan a leisurely day of coffee, wine and conversation in the many beautiful little restaurants dotted along the quayside. Although Katalon is small with virtually only one street, there are quite a few shops to view and believe it or
not I purchased a fur stole and some nice Greek jewellery. I am in my Shirley Valentine mode and the others have gone back to the Majesty so I content myself with sitting in the cafes sipping coffee, people watching and eavesdropping and what fascinating occupations they are! I am told about another marvellous Thompson cruise that includes a two-day stop off in Israel taking in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Galilee – well that`s one for the famous Bucket List that seems to keep growing at one end as fast as it is sliced off at the other. I have a wonderful Greek salad for lunch (what else) having already had the most delicious Greek yogurt with honey and nuts earlier in the day and I take a stroll down the pier in beautiful afternoon sunshine. A pleasant change from the hustle and bustle of Athens and the ardours of Mystras. Sometimes, it is good to just stop and stare and I spend a splendid afternoon doing just that before heading back to ship. a break from Reality The following morning we dock once again in Corfu and have time for another little bit of sightseeing before heading to the airport and ending what has been a truly wonderful, informative, exciting and at the same time terrifically relaxing experience. now being a cruise veteran (ha!) having completed all of two cruises, I cannot recommend the practice highly enough. In this land of Gods we were treated like Gods and what can I say other than it is going to be extremely difficult to get back to reality. But isn’t that what holidays are - a break from reality – a chance to escape from all that is mundane and banal about ordinary life and become somebody else somewhere else for a glorious period of time! Happy Holidays! n
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Slaney News
covid restrictions are taking their toll on everyone and some may be coping better than others with lockdown. i asked some well known members of the enniscorthy community how they were dealing with their own personal covid crisis. _________________________
Kathleen codd-nolan, chair of enniscorthy Municipal District council and first citizen of the town, refers to covid-19 as: ‘our wwiii, the world has literally been turned upside down by this virus, people and communities are nervous and frightened, as a public representative i am doing my best to help people with queries and advice. i structure my day as normal, i get up at the same time, make an effort in how i dress and try to maintain some kind of normality and i participate in meetings using technology such as Zoom and teleconference. ‘Covid-19 has also given me time to de-clutter drawers, presses and wardrobes as well as catching up with some reading and experimenting with new recipes from well known chefs.’ Kathleen is also lucky enough to live in the country and is enjoying the beautiful weather walking through fields and marvelling at nature. Through the Covid Response Committee set up at County Hall, Kathleen says, ‘I see how we as Wexford people have risen to the challenge as we did down through our history, working together to ensure that no-one is left behind especially the vulnerable and the needy.’ _________________________ James browne tD says that while the country is in lockdown, ‘i have never worked harder assisting people to access the supports they need in this unprecedented crisis. in light of social distancing, all my work is being done behind closed doors giving
6 May 2020 me an increased appreciation of technologies such as email, Facebook, Zoom, teleconference and of course telephone. ‘My dad John’, James says, ‘being of a certain vintage is cocooning, not an easy practice for a man like him but he is a tremendous help to me in the background working from home.’ ‘One small positive from this terrible pandemic is that people are increasingly sourcing their food locally, using local butchers and buying local flour and vegetables and we are lucky here in Wexford to have so many excellent food producers on our doorstep.’ _________________________
ability to travel freely but fully appreciates that this won’t last forever and is having a real impact on stopping the spread of the virus. ‘My time is split between assisting and helping people in my role as a Councillor and completing online lectures for my final set of Solicitor exams in July. Every couple of days I help deliver meals on wheels under the County Council Covid Response Programme. In the evenings I go for a walk or a run to get some fresh air.’ ‘What I am most looking forward to at the end of all of this is the return of the GAA which plays a huge part in all our lives.’ _________________________
councillor barbara-anne Murphy says that one of the most difficult things for her living with covid is ‘not being able to attend the funerals of my neighbours and friends, we do funerals very well here in ireland and in the immediate aftermath of a death it is the silent presence of family, friends and neighbours that support us through the initial phase of grief.’ During the crisis, the Bunclody Councillor says she has found great fulfilment in helping people ‘whether it is just a phone call to say hello to someone who is cocooning, delivering meals to them with our local GAA club or helping people get on to the Special Covid-19 payment. I am more careful in the language I use when speaking to people and aware that many are finding this time extremely difficult, stressful and worrying.’ Barbara Anne is lucky enough to live in the foothills of the Blackstairs and is looking after her own mental health taking long walks, listening to birdsong and catching sight of foxes, pheasants, grouse and deer as they all crossed her path over the past few weeks. _________________________
Jimmy Gahan, Development officer with enniscorthy chamber of commerce, six weeks into isolation, is missing his pint in the ‘hostelry on the hill’, his morning coffee at the wilds and his daily routine at the chamber office, but most of all he laments the loss of the conversation and the company of John Mc, Paddy K, Jim b, David G, eric b, Martin K, the Reverend, Pat Fitz and the President of the chamber Maree lyng.’ Jimmy can’t wait for things to get back to normal. ‘A pint at any price now would be cheap,’ Jimmy quips , ‘I now spend my days painting, decorating, power hosing, gardening, mowing lawns etc, but it’s the evenings and nights that I find most difficult. I have my computer, and films to watch and books to read to help me pass the time and life is not bad, in fact it’s not bad at all but nothing can replace the lively banter and exchange in the company of good friends in excellent social settings. All that seems so long ago now but it only serves to remind me of how we can take so much for granted. Only a few short months ago Coronavirus was unheard of and now it is dominating every aspect of our lives.’ _________________________
councillor cathal byrne misses the company of friends and family and the
Fr. odhran Furlong, aDM
Enniscorthy in at st. aidan’s, is working his way through covid albeit n o t i n t h e n o r m a l w a y. ‘although the cathedral is closed for public masses, we continue to celebrate Mass every morning at 10am and each saturday at 6pm and all our masses are streamed live on www.churchservices.tv/enniscorthycathedral thanks to modern technology, God bless it.’ Fr. Odhran is also manning the Parish Office in the absence of staff and says ‘people can phone 053-9235777 and I will do my best to answer all queries. It is a very difficult and uncertain time for couple who were scheduled to have weddings in the next couple of months and try to do everything we can to accommodate them with their future plans.’ Fr. Odhran’s greatest concern is for those who are suffering bereavements during this time. ‘It’s very sad that we cannot have traditional funerals and honour people in the way that we have been accustomed to in this country for many, many years, but we are fortunate to have our webcam which can be especially comforting for people who would like to attend funerals.’ _________________________ Jean o’connell, owner of o connell Marketing, bunclody, and the main mover behind our very successful Rockin’ Food Festival says, ’we are not all in the same boat in this terrible crisis – we are in different boats in the same storm as covid affects each of us in a variety of ways.’ Jean misses not being able to see her family in Kerry but feels lucky that her business and her team can work from home using the latest Zoom and Skype technologies for meetings. ‘I am staying very structured workwise,’ Jean
says, ‘with each day’s tasks mapped out, video calls scheduled and we are also using the time to do courses and up-skill along with reading and listening to some great podcasts.’ ‘I am so proud to be Irish during this, I love where I live, the community support, the national leadership where everyone is pulling together for the people of Ireland and of course the frontline.’ Jean is very concerned about Tourism, one of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic and says, ‘Each business in the tourism sector will have to be supported to adapt, reopen and build as all indications are that the overseas business will not return to similar levels until 2022. This will have an adverse effect on every town, village and community across the country. But we can boost ourselves by looking forward to travelling again, connecting with people again and looking at what you can do to help the world and Ireland recover.’ ‘I really believe that this will change our outlook completely, bring a better work/life balance and many including me will appreciate the simple things more including a little trip to Kerry to see my family.’ _________________________ niamh Devereux, Deputy editor with ViP Magazine, is proud of the fact that two successful issues of the magazine have gone to print from dining tables and ‘will continue to do so, magazines like ours are a great way to switch off from the doom and gloom and help to inspire hope. i keep reminding myself that we are privileged to just be bored when so many are risking their lives on the frontline.’ ‘I’ve been keeping busy’,
niamh continues, ‘reading The Silent Patient from the bestsellers list, binging on netflix and hopping on the banana bread bandwagon and I have also begun my new blog at www.niamhdevereux.com’ ‘We are not stuck at home, we are safe at home and if we think positively about it there are so many ways to enjoy this slower paced life.’ _________________________ elizabeth whyte, Manager of the wexford arts centre and the Presentation centre here in enniscorthy, feels that, ‘covid 19 is a tough time for artists and creative personnel who depend in particular on a live audience for live performances and we have been creatively striving to keep connection through online social media and Zoom platforms.’ Elizabeth has been using the time to appreciate the many things in life that we take for granted ‘being thankful for good health, good weather and time just to sit and listen to the birds chirping instead of the din of traffic. This time is teaching just how fragile the human race is and nature is thriving without our interference. I hope when we return to a new normal that we remember that and respect nature more with decisions made around climate change and environment.’ _________________________ J o y Q u i g l e y, o u r 2 0 1 9 strawberry Queen, believes that, ‘there is a lesson to be learned in absolutely everything, both good and bad situations teach us something, you just have to be willing to learn. covid-19 has taught me a completely new understanding of self motivation, gratitude and freedom in our everyday lives and most importantly – my love of hugs.’ Peaceful Slaney and railway bridge. Pic: © Joseph Doyle.
Cherry blossom in Enniscorthy. Pic: © Joseph Doyle.
Moran Park neighbours, Tony Casey and Michael O’Connor, enjoy a sociallydistanced chat while Otto looks for a bit of attention.
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Lockdown ‘I am out of work’, Joy says, ‘like so many people across our country, but I have come up with a daily schedule for Monday to Friday so that there is a purpose to each day.’ Fresh air, exercise and staying active is all part of Joy’s daily routine and she feels that, ‘If we stay safe, keep active, find our lesson and remain as positive as we can – we can conquer Covid.’ Joy is offering her help to anyone who needs it and you can contact her at joyquigleysportsscientist@gma il.com _________________________ carmel harrington, best-selling author and tV3 panelist says, ‘there is no right or wrong way to get through the new world we find ourselves living in. while some will flourish and create all sorts of wonderful things that they share through social media, others will need to retreat and be still and it’s all ok.’ Carmel’s top tip for everyone is, ‘Be kind to yourselves.’ The very successful author is keeping herself busy during lockdown working on her ninth novel having just recently published number eight - My Pear-Shaped Life. Carmel misses regular contact with her family and friends but is having tremendous fun using modern technology to host weekly family quiz nights. ‘We take it in turn hosting and last week we had a Family Fortunes night and we asked everyone to dress up as their favourite famous family, it was great fun, we dressed up as the Ewings of Dallas.’ _________________________ Joe neal, welsh poet, author and broadcaster, now resid-
ing in castlebridge, like everyone else has the very greatest of praise for our ‘doctors, nurses, carers, health and postal workers, delivery drivers, local government staff and supermarket servers, struggling to care for the rest of us.’ ‘These people are the Few fighting for the Many and I feel humbled by their selfless efforts on our behalf.’ ‘All this quietness’, Joe says, ‘is having a remarkable effect on the natural life of beautiful Edenvale where I live, for the first time in many, many years a greater spotted woodpecker is breeding here, a yellow hammer regularly adds its song of a ‘little bit of bread and no cheese’ to the mid-day chorus and a dipper is back nesting under the bridge alongside a grey wagtail. My greatest joy was seeing a pair of ravens putting on a graceful kile like flight display with their offspring before departing for new places.’ Joe even penned a little ditty for us: Smile with your eyes when you see me, dont let your mask hide a frown; I`ll keep your face in my memory til bells toll the end of lockdown. _________________________ enniscorthy poet and author eamonn wall, living with his wife Drucilla in st. louis, usa, is concerned about all his loved ones here in enniscorthy. ‘Drucilla and I are both working from home’ says Eamonn who is a Professor of English Literature at the University of St. Louis. ‘We are teaching our classes online
By Maria Nolan
and by Zoom. I pick up our food kerbside at the supermarket. Except for petrol stations and supermarkets, most things are closed in St. Louis.’ ‘Stay safe and well in Enniscorthy.’ _________________________ John Kelly, award-winning poet, has been reminded of a time he spent in cuba during lockdown. ‘cuban life is tough’, John says, ‘but they have a special something, a joy in less, perhaps. they manage with what they have and that’s what we’ve been doing in lockdown.’ ‘I began with some great plans to revamp the garden but ran out of “stuff” , hardwares shut, garden centres shut, started to recyle pallets for raised beds, rubble for hardcore, old slabs for new jigsaw paths, etc, some of it looks cat, but some is a great surprise. We manage.’ _________________________ Richie cotter, chairman of the wexford literary Festival and member of the Rock n Roll committee, feels that, ‘c19 is, in many ways, the shakeup the world needs’ and so he says, ‘i am embracing it by deliberately enhancing contact with family members and friends worldwide.’ ‘What assets Skype and WhatsApp are.’ ‘Of course it goes without saying that C19 is a serious disease and our hearts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones. Our loss of social contact, outings, summer festivals etc, is small in comparison to those suffering.’ ‘There is a palpable mood of “lockdown fatigue” emerging therefore a gradual, struc-
Garda on mountain bike duty in Enniscorthy delivering prescription medication from Grants Pharmacy to those who are unable to leave their homes. If you are having difficulty getting essential items or know someone who is, please call Enniscorthy Garda station for help on (053) 924 2580.
tured unwinding of the lockdown will be vital over the coming weeks and indeed months. And we look forward to a new understanding of our fellow humans and planet Earth when we emerge in a hopeful, brave, new world.’ _________________________ laura Mullett, fashion stylist, blogger, correspondent, is feeling very grateful for what she has and thankful for time at home with family in enniscorthy. ‘it’s a great credit to the local community that are abiding with restrictions, the people working hard in the local stores and in healthcare make you realise how lucky we all are to have access to what we need.’ ‘My plan when this all calms down is to do my very best to shop local and support Irish design and brands where possible as they are facing very uncertain times.’ _________________________ caroline busher, children’s author and Reader in Residence with wexford library, is reading books and writing stories to relax and have fun during lockdown. ‘I am happiest when I am working on a book’, Caroline says, ‘and during isolation I am spending lot of time writing in my garden with my notebook and typewriter at the ready for the moment when inspiration strikes.’ Caroline’s next book is called The Legend of Valentine Sorrow and it’s a magical adventure story set in Ireland during the cholera epidemic of 1832. Caroline’s advice to everyone during Covid-19 is, ‘Take time to read a book and allow your imagination take you on a magnificent adventure.’ _________________________ nadia corridan, artist, says that since lockdown ‘my art work has shifted in response to covid-19. the way people communicate and inter-
act has rapidly changed in the course of a few weeks.’ ‘Within my practice, my paintings are central to themes of touch and memory, I am repeatedly drawn to the intimate nature that hands can reveal as a subject matter, observing human interactions both in public and private moments, an unspoken dialogue.’ ‘So it’s been very interesting for me to see how I can respond through art to the world`s current situation. I am exploring the restructing of communication and interaction.’ ‘I hope my work will evoke and conjure up faded memories intertwined with these new times of uncertainty.’ _________________________ artist Zane sutra says that she has ‘absolute admiration and sympathy for the people working on the frontlines and suffering with the disease or with bereavement, but as an artist, creative wise, this time has actually been good.’ ‘To be an artist often means to paint in silence and solitude, peace and quiet is a normal state, so mentally and spiritually I am quite well equipped for the current situation. As I paint alone and from home nothing much has changed in my working routine but my subject matter has changed utterly.’ ‘All the so-called important things in the world seem to have fallen away and we are left with the sense of real values like family, friendship, happiness and our spirituality.’ _________________________ Filmmaker Dick Donaghue and artist Marja van Kampen have actually been busy during lockdown making a short internet play The inheritance, performed and recorded by a group of actors on Zoom, starring summer venn Keane, Maeve ennis, elaine Jordan,
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Karen Franklin, billy Murray, Dick Donaghue and Marja van Kampen. ‘These group of actors from Enniscorthy, new Ross, Bunclody and Galway have embraced the new technology enthusiastically as granddad invites his far-flung family to a Zoom meeting to discuss his health and their inheritance.’ Definitely one to look out for and well done to all. _________________________ writer Mary cotter has been spending covid time keeping in touch with her children and grandchildren saying that she gets excited when it is her turn to go to aldi. ‘i feel free like a bird the day i go to aldi.’ Mary has been de-cluttering, reading, gardening and enjoying her new patio but missing her dance classes and bridge but says, ‘I play music on Youtube and dance around the kitchen.’ _________________________ As you can see, lots of different people with lots of different takes on how to beat Covid-19 and aren’t we all doing extremely well under the circumstances. If someone had told us in December 2019 that within 3 months all our schools would close, all our pubs would close, all our churches would close, all our shops would close, all our pitches would close, that we would be all working from home or not working at all, that grandparents wouldn’t be allowed to visit their grandchildren, that we wouldn’t be allowed to shake hands or hug or comfort each other, that we wouldn’t be allowed to bury our dead in our time honoured way, we would have said that it would be the end of the world. But it isn’t the end of the world and who knows it could even be the beginning of a better one. Stay safe and well. – Maria Nolan
Customers with proprietors Cyril and Margaret Wheelock at the farm shop at the Village at Wheelocks, Finchogue, Enniscorthy.
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Slaney News
6 May 2020
We’re ‘In This Together’ “in this together” – campaign offers advice and support for all The spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is a new and challenging event. Everyone's lives and daily routines are affected by the measures that have been introduced to disrupt the spread of the virus, and keep us all safe. It's normal to be worried or to feel stressed during this difficult time, but there are many things we can do to help us mind our mental health and wellbeing. The Department of Health with the HSE, in association with other government and key partners, including Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Department of Education and Skills, Department of Rural and Community Development, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and their agencies, have come together to share and promote advice and resources to help support and protect people’s wellbeing at this time.
When you visit https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/together/ you will find lots of advice and tips on how you can look after your mental wellbeing, stay active and stay connected. ‘In This Together’ draws together a huge range of activities that you can pursue in your home or your locality, by yourself or with family members, or with friends online. There are ideas and activities for people of all ages. The campaign provides tips and advice from crossgovernment and Healthy Ireland partners on topics such as physical activity, parenting, coping with daily routines, supporting the ‘cocooned’ and getting involved in the community solidarity efforts. This campaign is about uniting all of us, bringing us together in the name of wellbeing to support everybody. It emphasises the importance of collective support and staying connected to others, and while all of us are experiencing different concerns, it highlights: “no matter what you’re going through, let’s stay connected and make it through, together."
‘In This Together ’ is a one-stop shop site that is signposting people to links across all the government departments and relevant agencies who have an offering in this wellbeing space. This website gives people advice, information and support under 8 headings: · Your mental health · Coping at home · Eating well · Staying active · Cocooning · Helping in the community · Let's play Ireland · Local resources For further information : Head Office Phone: (01) 6354000 Email: info@health.gov.ie Website: www.gov.ie/health Address: Department of Health, Block 1, Miesian Plaza, 50–58 Lower Baggot Street, D02 XW14. contact the hselive team: Monday to Friday: 8am - 8pm Saturday and Sunday: 9am - 5pm Callsave: 1850 24 1850 Email: hselive@hse.ie You can also contact the HSELive team through social media channels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. n
Mary’s lockdown hits local independent county councillor Mary Farrell, Kilmuckridge, has been involved in music all her life so when a friend asked her to post a song on Facebook during the lockdown little did she think it would reach the level it has. On the 26th March the first song was posted and since then Mary has posted 160 songs up to 1st May and still rising. Friends, family and people from all over Ireland and the world have requested songs every night ranging from Irish ballads, country, rock, pop, hymns and personal favourites. The variety has been amazing. From The Killers, Snow Patrol, Mary Black, Kenny Rogers, Bon J o v i , J o h n n y M c E v o y, Dubliners, Wolfe Tonnes, in fact too many to mention! And all done from Mary’s spare room. Mary says that the outcome of all this is that, ‘People want to engage with others. When a request is played, friends see your name and tend to send you a message. Then you respond and a connection has now been made and chats begin.’ It’s all done through a love of music and special memories. In some cases, songs that
Kilmuckridge County Councillor Mary Farrell
Mary sang at weddings, funerals or just songs that reignite memories for people. It also keeps Mary fully engaged with her family and friends as she gets through lockdown and self-isolation. ‘It’s been wonderful to have people message, call and text with requests,’ Mary says. Four or five songs are posted every evening around 7pm so followers are waiting to see what is the next song
and who requested it. Then it takes off with comments, shares and views. Mary is now looking at setting up a GoFundMe page to raise money for a local charity. So if you have a song that you’d like to request, just tune in to Mary Farrell’s personal Facebook page and leave a comment or contact her with your request. And then tune in on Facebook around 7pm. n