Slaney News, Issue 127, December 2020

SuperDine

GREAT OFFER

6 Cooked Turkey & Ham Stuffed Portions

Finest Foods at Factory Prices

Large selection of cakes and desserts Finger food and seasonal favourites at unbeatable prices

€19.99

Old Dublin Road Enniscorthy (beside the N.C.T. Centre with lots of FREE Parking) Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-5.30pm

ISLAND ROAD, ENNISCORTHY 053-9233601, 086-2457664

KAVANAGH’S GARAGE

Slaneynews Phone Jim on: 087-2576052

Auto Maintenance & Repairs – Diagnostics – Pre-NCT and DOE Tests – Clutches, Brakes, etc – Breakdown Assistance

Serving Enniscorthy, Bunclody, and surrounding area since 2010

Issue 127 - Monday - 30 November 2020

BUMPER 48-PAGE ISSUE!

Your local FREE community newspaper

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.

ALL SET FOR CHRISTMAS! PAT MURPHY Oil Ltd.

A family-owned Wexford company providing you with a reliable and quality service since 1988 Wishing all our Ask about c u stomers a our Easy Pay H a ppy and Budget Plan Peaceful All Major Christmas 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

Thumbs-up for Christmas in Enniscorthy and for ‘shopping local’ from Santa Claus and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District, at the switching on of the festive lighting in Enniscorthy on 27th November. n

COURT STREET DENTAL CENTRE ●

Open for routine treatment ● Free consults for braces and implants Court Street, Enniscorthy. Tel: 053 9237404. www.courtstreetdentalcentre.com Open: Mon-Thurs 8.30am–5pm, Fri 7.30am–1.30pm

Haven KAVANAGH’S ENNISCORTHY TEL: (053) 9234660

Wishing You a Peaceful, Healthy, and Happy Christmas From everyone at Kavanagh’s Pharmacy

Slaneynews: January issue will be out on Weds 6th January 2021

MILLPARK ROAD, ENNISCORTHY (BETWEEN BANK OF IRELAND AND EUROGIANT).

POSTAL CODE (GOOGLE MAPS): Y21 W6N7. TEL CARMEL 085-1792518 / 053-9235633.

FACEBOOK: ‘ENNISCORTHY THE MARKET HOUSE’.

CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS: MON–SAT 9AM TO 6PM, SUN 12.30PM TO 5PM

FOR WINTER WARMTH TREAT YOURSELF! WE HAVE A HUGE RANGE OF WINTER TEDDY DUVETS AND MATCHING SHEETS

Design your own bed and pick your quality mattress. Deposits taken.

SUPER AS CHRISTM R GIFTS FO YOUNG & OLD Get expert advice on beds and matresses in store, all our beds and matresses are made here in ireland

LOTS OF OTHER STYLES ALSO IN STORE

Having problems finding deep fitted sheets?

Well we stock all sizes – single, double, king and superking in 16”, in all colours!

ALL SIZES OF MATCHING SHEETS: SINGLE, DOUBLE, KING, SUPERKING

BEAUTIFUL ARMCHAIR & MATCHING STOOL Pool together as a family to make this a great Christmas present for a parent or grandparent Choice of colour

Day bed and tr

CARMEL OFFERS EXPERT ADVICE AND FREE INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE INSTORE (30 years experience)

undle in stock

DEPOSITSR TAKEN FO S C H R I STM A ON A LL STOCK

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. This ad has been deliberately placed upside down at the advertiser’s request

2 Slaney Ad

30 November 2020

THE MARKET THE M ARKET HOUSE HOUSE OP PORTUN IT Y TO W ISH ALL CA RM EL AND CR EW WOULD LIK E TO TA KE TH IS AND A PEAC EFUL NEW YEAR TH EIR CUSTOM ERS A VERY HA PPY CH RISTM AS

RUGS: HUGE NEW RANGE AT UNBEATABLE PRICES IN STORE

STAR BUYS! HOMEWARES DEPT ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

CURTAINS – 1,000s OF PAIRS, FULLY LINED 20% OFF NET CURTAINS – 20% OFF CURTAIN POLES 4FT–7FT WERE €20, NOW 2 FOR €35 GREAT RANGE OF OIL CLOTH TABLE CLOTH THROWS – GREAT RANGE, 2 SIZES, 20% OFF CHAIR PADS €5 BEDWARE & MATCHING CURTAINS 20% OFF GOOD RANGE OF LAMPSHADES & BATHSETS 20% OFF FANTASTIC RANGE OF CURTAINS, COUCH THROWS & CUSHION COVERS, TO BRIGHTEN EVERY HOME GREAT RANGE OF WINDOW NET CURTAINS & VOILE CURTAINS

GET MORE SLEEP! BLACKOUT CURTAINS (PLAIN OR PRINTED)

NEW ARRIVALS, FABULOUS DESIGNS, IN SIZES: 80CM X 150CM. 120CM X 170CM. 160CM X 230CM. 230CM HALL RUNNER. 160CM ROUND. 200CM ROUND.

ALL INTERIORS AVAILABLE IN STORE TO MATCH! 10 SIZES. 20 COLOURS. WASHABLE.

OUR BEST SELLER!

BEST PRODUCT ON THE MARKET

66” X 54”, 66” X 72”, 66” X 90”, 90” X 90” AVAILABLE IN: WHITE - CHARCOAL SILVER - BLACK - PLUSH - MUSTARD DUCK EGG - DARK TEAL - PURPLE CHOCOLATE - CREAM - BEIGE

ALL GOING FAST!

ALL RUGS, ALL SIZES, REDUCED TO CLEAR, SEE INSTORE

(WASH ME 100 TIMES AND I STILL COME BACK TO NEW!) MY FAVOURITE PRODUCT – SELLING IT FOR 20 YEARS! Completely machine washable and non-slip mats, 20 colours, 10 sizes.

Every colour you can think of in sizes: 40cm x 70cm, 60cm x 120cm, 80cm x 150cm, 100cm x 160cm, 133cm x 190cm (NEW!), Hall Runner 200cm, Round 80cm, Round 100cm, Round 130cm.

RUBBER MATS – IDEAL FOR WINTER WEATHER – ALL SIZES FULLY STOCKED

(ALSO BIG RANGE OF EVERYDAY OIL CLOTH)

THE MARKET HOUSE – PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND SANITISING GUIDELINES IN PLACE IN STORE.

GET YOUR CHRISTMAS OIL CLOTH TABLE CLOTH IN STORE

Make sure to keep watching our Facebook page (Enniscorthy The Market House) over the coming weeks for lots of great bargains and keep Liking and Sharing!

This ad has been deliberately placed upside down at the advertiser’s request

www.slaneynews.com

Slaney Ad

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comment

THE SLANEY NEWS IS NOW AVAILABLE IN 230 OUTLETS!

As we exit Level 5 restrictions, the news on the Covid-19 front is encouraging. The infection rate in Co. Wexford is one of the lowest in Ireland; and indeed Ireland as a whole, based on one recent study, has the lowest rate in Europe. With vaccines likely to become widely available in Ireland within the next few months, we all hope that the restricted nature of Christmas 2020 will never need to be repeated. But for this Christmas at least, we should all try and prevent a new surge by following the tried and trusted rules around wearing masks, social distancing and hand-washing.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Shopping in Enniscorthy received a huge boost with the opening of the new state-of-the-art Lidl supermarket on 26th November (see pics and story on pages 6 and 8). In addition there has been a huge campaign to encourage people to shop local this Christmas season. The ‘Shop Enniscorthy – Support Local – Online and on the Street’ campaign is making use of various digital media such as a new ‘Shop Enniscorthy’ website, Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube channel, in addition to traditional media such as the Slaney News, to promote the initiative which is being kindly sponsored by Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and supported by the Enniscorthy Business Association and Enniscorthy and District Chamber. We encourage all our readers to engage with the campaign, spread the word, and support local businesses as much as possible to help them survive the current difficult times we all find ourselves in.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– It’s hard to believe the Slaney News has been in existence now for ten years having started at a slim 16 pages, but due to the huge support we get from our readers and advertisers, is now usually 40 pages per issue and occasionally, like this issue, 48 pages.

We invite our readers to contact us with ideas on what changes and improvements you would like to see in our paper. You can email us on slaneynews@gmail.com or text us on 087-2403310. And you can contact us through our popular ‘Slaney News’ Facebook page.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Finally, we wish everybody a very Happy and Safe Christmas, and we look forward to publishing our next issue in 2021.

– Frank Corcoran

SLANEY NEWS, CLONHASTON, ENNISCORTHY Tel: 087-2403310 slaneynews@gmail.com www.slaneynews.com Facebook: “Slaney News” Online: www.issuu.com/slaneynews/docs PUBLISHED in Enniscorthy by Corcoran Print & Design PRINTED in Cork City by Webprint and READ in Enniscorthy, Bunclody and the surrounding areas by up to 20,000 people (based on estimated average readership of two people per copy).

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: Alba Restaurant Holohan’s Pub Shang Hai Golden City Lotus House T. Doyle’s Pub Enniscorthy Kebabish Mizzoni’s TJ Murphy’s FFC Carry Out Templeshannon Dawson’s Bar Bellefield GAA complex –––––––––––––––––––– Kavanagh’s Pharmacy Uptown Kuts Enniscorthy Cabs Hilltop Dry Cleaners Aideen Vonno Beauty Booth Pet Corner Enniscorthy Sporting Depot Presentation Centre Greenville Stores SuperValu Pettitts Gonzaga House Doyles Bar, The Duffry Gala Duffry Hope Centre The Wilds Copper Pan Enniscorthy Cabs –––––––––––––––––––– 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 Ashmore Financial Services 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 –––––––––––––––––––– Main Post Office IFA Centre Bank of Ireland AIB Wexford Local Development Enniscorthy Credit Union Enniscorthy Castle Frizelle O’Leary Solicitors Property Team M.A. O'Leary Burger Macs Hope Shop IWA Charity Shop Coffee Shop Abbey Centre Bizzy Fingers City Fashions AJ Pets –––––––––––––––––––– Sami’s South East Animal Rescue Sherry FitzGerald O'Leary Monica’s Hair Salon Phoenix Estates Crystal Script Kennys for Bikes Maura Flannery’s Shop The Antique Tavern Impresso Cafe Day Today

Cotton Tree Cafe –––––––––––––––––––– Library Riverside Park Hotel Rejuvenate Treatment Rooms St John’s Hospital 1798 Centre –––––––––––––––––––– Mackin Travel Orchard Fruit & Veg Shop GX3 Scissors Sisters Put A Bow On It Finishing Touches Crew Cuts Sofia’s Galo Chargrill George’s Hair Salon Town Council Offices River Restaurant Milano’s Community Info. Service O’Leary Travel Eir The Holy Grail Stamps Sandro’s Wickham Bros Delaneys Newsagents O’Brien’s, Court Street Court Street Barber Serenity Place Rackards Court Street Dental Clinic Court Street Medical Centre Citizens Advice Centre Easons Grants Pharmacy Cutting Edge Curls My Café Turkuts Bridget’s Hair Salon Darcy Blinds & Interiors Little Spoon Coffee Shop Hair Salon Inspiration –––––––––––––––––––– Millstream Fish Shop Butcher’s Cottage / Bakery Dunnes Stores The Bailey Evolv

Bell Heather Interiors James Browne TD Office Paul’s Shoe Repair Dannys Barber Shop The Athenaeum NCBI Mrs Quinn’s Charity Shop

ONLY 230 MORE DELIVERIES TO DO !

Studio 5 Bega Barber Cafe Harmonia Beautique Storm Hair Design Karl Martin Astor 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 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

DELANEY’S

NEWSAGENT – RAFTER STREET

Located just behind the new Enniscorthy Lidl

WINTER SALE... ★ 10% Off Annual Gym Memberships Includes: ★ Free Programming and Review ★ Free Access to Online Home Workouts ★ 6 Free PT Sessions ★ Free Standard Fitness Classes ★ 10% Off Pilates Classes

Lots of gift ideas in store!

CHRISTMAS CARDS – GREAT VALUE ______________________________ NEW RANGE OF NOVELTY MASKS ______________________________ NOVELTY CALENDARS AND OTHER GIFTS

Slaney News – coverage area NOVELTY MASKS: Batman, Joker, Friends, Slytherin, Taz, Sylvester, Rick & Morty and Scooby Doo. Top Quality packs of 2.

ASKAMORE

BUNCLODY BALLYDUFF

CLOHAMON

CAMOLIN KILMYSHALL FERNS CASTLEDOCKRELL BALLINDAGGIN KILTEALY

THE HARROW

BALLYCARNEY

MONAGEER KILLANNE

BALLYEDMOND

RAHEENDUFF

ENNISCORTHY

OULART

KILMUCKRIDGE

RATHNURE BALLAGHKEEN

COURTNACUDDY GLENBRIEN

BLACKWATER

POULPEASTY CLONROCHE

BREE

Pokemon t-shirts

MONAMOLIN

BOOLAVOGUE

MARSHALSTOWN

BALLYMURN

www.astroactive.ie Tel: 053 9236678 Mob: 087 7050357 Facebook: Astro M Active

SCREEN GALBALLY

OYLEGATE BALLYHOGE

Great value in books, Racing Post Annual and Irish Greyhound Review.

NOVELTY CALENDARS: Frozen, L.O.L., Pokemon, Star Wars, WWE Wrestling, DC Comics, Marvel, Spiderman.

Yu-Gi-Oh! t-shirts

CURRACLOE

ADAMSTOWN

Disclaimer: Slaney News reserves the right to accept or reject any advertisement submitted for publication.

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

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

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

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

ENNISCORTHY SNIPPETS… ENNISCORTHY SNIPPETS… 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: We x f o rd C o u n t y C o u n c i l 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 response is needed.

CIvIL DEfENCE NEEDS YOu! Check out www.civildefence.ie.

ENNISCORTHY fLOOD DEfENCE The main construction work is not expected to start until some time in 2021 and will take three years to complete. See www.enniscorthyfds.ie

BENEATH mY ANgELS wINgS The group is hosting a candlelit vigil as their memorial service this year on Friday 4th of December in the Angels Garden, St Mary's Cemetery, at 7pm. All covid regulations will be in place. All welcome.

SANTA IN ENNISCORTHY Enniscorthy’s Santa’s Enchanted Castle had to be cancelled this year but it is planned to host Santa in the Market Square during December.

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

Slaney News: Local Writers Local Publisher Local News

ENNISCORTHY LIBRARY The Library’s Facebook page will have details of its opening hours etc as the country emerges from Level 5 restrictions.

COuNTY DEvELOpmENT pLAN The public consultation process on the Draft Wexford County Development Plan 2021-2027 has commenced. Have your say! You can access the online consultation portal at: https://consult.wexfordcoco.ie/ The deadline is 4pm on Weds 9th December. n

Slaney Ads

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John Dargan (left) and wife Margaret-Anne Walsh (right) – the founders of SignaCare, with Director of Nursing Denise Steed-O’Doherty.

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30 November 2020

‘Shop Enniscorthy – Support Local – Online and on the Street’ while many shops have been fully open over recent weeks offering essential services, many others have been limited to selling online, operating Click & Collect, and taking phonecalls behind closed doors, etc. Now with the move away from Level 5, most shops and services are reopening at the start of December and looking forward to seeing their valued customers once again.

To encourage locals to shop local, a new ‘Shop Enniscorthy – Support Local – Online and on the Street’ campaign is making use of various digital

media such as a ‘Shop Enniscorthy’ website, Facebook p a g e , Tw i t t e r a c c o u n t , Instagram and YouTube channel, in addition to traditional media, such as the Slaney News, to promote the initiative which is being kindly sponsored by Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and supported by the E n n i s c o r t h y B u s i n e s s Association and Enniscorthy and District Chamber.

Keep an eye out for various competitions being run on social media with lots of Voucher prizes to be won. And remember to SHOP ENNISCORTHY!

www.shopenniscorthy.ie https://www.facebook.com/shopenniscorthy/ www.twitter.com/shopenniscorthy https://youtu.be/85Qi5WZbLA8 n €

Twenty Euro

20

Enniscorthy Gift Voucher

20

€ Sold by: ......................................

Above: Enniscorthy Business Association supporting the ‘Shop Enniscorthy – Support Local – Online and on the Street’ campaign.

L-R: Betty Kavanagh (Smyth’s Homevalue), Frank Corcoran (Slaney News), Dermot Kavanagh (Smyth’s Homevalue), Kari Ferguson (Grants Pharmacy).

Below: Enniscorthy & District Chamber supporting the campaign. L-R: Eric Barron, Jimmy Gahan, Maree Lyng (Chamber President) and Cllr BarbaraAnne Murphy in front.

Date:

Issued by: This voucher can be used to purchase goods

Date:

and services from participating businesses

ENNISCORTHY CREDIT UNION

in Enniscorthy. It cannot be cashed.

IN BUSINESS FOR BUSINESS

......................................

The Enniscorthy Gift Voucher is a joint initiative between Enniscorthy & District Chamber and Enniscorthy Business Association. The aim of the voucher programme is to encourage people to SHOP ENNISCORTHY! At Christmas the Enniscorthy Gift Vouchers are the perfect gift with a choice of over 100 shops and participating companies.

The Vouchers are sold at three outlets: 1. Enniscorthy & District Chamber Offices (and online on their website where you can also see a list of participating businesses).

2. Enniscorthy Credit Union. 3. Frizelle, O’Leary, McCarthy & Co, Solicitors.

There is no expiry date. Once purchased, Enniscorthy Gift Vouchers are valid until spent. They come in denominations of €10 and €20.

Each voucher is numbered and embossed for security purposes.

Under the Revenue Commissioners approved ‘Small Benefit Exemption’ scheme, a company can award staff up to €500 (e.g. in Enniscorthy Gift Vouchers) as a once-off payment that is tax free. The scheme is very tax efficient for employers for amounts up to €500. n

Lidl Ireland is delighted to have opened its newly rebuilt Enniscorthy store on 26th November. The new state-ofthe-art store creates eight additional jobs for the locality bringing the total number of people employed in the store to 29.

The Lidl Enniscorthy team were joined by Wexford LGFA star, Clara Donnelly, to officially open the store, saying; “It’s an absolute pleasure to be here this morning to officially open the new and impressively improved Lidl Enniscorthy store. As a local myself, I have missed the store since it closed temporarily back in June so it’s great to see it back in business and just in time for Christmas. I am very much looking forward to getting in and picking up some bargains myself in the lead up to Christmas. After all, Lidl offers great value with a growing range of quality products for the best prices in the country.”

Echoing the excitement of

A ‘Lidl’ boost for Enniscorthy shopping

Above left: The queue outside the new Enniscorthy Lidl store as it prepared to open at 8am on 26th November. Above right: Kathleen Mahon of Milehouse, Enniscorthy, was the first person in the queue and told the Slaney News she was delighted to see Lidl open again.

the opening morning, Store Manager Fran Butler welcomed the loyal Lidl customers of Enniscorthy to the new store; “Lidl Enniscorthy was one of our first Irish stores to open all the way back in June 2005, which meant building the new store on the same site felt like a nice tribute. This rebuild has been worked on since 2018, so it’s great to see it coming to

completion just in time for Christmas. We’ve really gotten to know the local community over the years and missed many familiar faces during our temporary closure. I think I can speak for the entire team here when I say we are looking forward to welcoming our loyal customers to our new store with even more space and range on offer.”

Serving the Enniscorthy community since it first opened back in 2005, the former store has been knocked and rebuilt with a modern finish to create an enhanced shopping experience for customers including a convenient large 117 space cark park which includes 2 electric vehicle charging spaces.

However, the sustainable features don’t stop in the carpark

as the store is fully equipped with an ISO 50001 certified Energy Management System including the installation of a solar photovoltaic system.

Lidl have also constructed a roadway for nearby neighbours, Wexford Community Workshop, to give them safer access to their facility as well as a pedestrian link between the workshop and the new

Lidl store. Likewise, the retailer has built a fence adjacent to the Moyne Rangers Football Club to provide them with greater security.

In celebration of the opening, Lidl Enniscorthy welcomed a representative from the Hope Cancer Support Centre to accept a donation of €1,000 to support the ongoing work that the Hope Centre does in the Enniscorthy community, providing emotional support and information to people whose lives have been changed by a cancer diagnosis.

The store will be open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 9pm on Sundays. Shoppers can check quiet times to shop at lidl.ie/quiet.

Starting from 17th and running until 24th December, Lidl will open from 7am to facilitate earlier shopping.

For further information on Lidl Ireland, products, opening hours, careers etc visit www.lidl.ie n

Slaney Ads

www.slaneynews.com

A chairde, Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise daoibh, agus bígí sábhailte!

Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year and keep safe and well.

– Johnny Mythen

JOHNNY MYTHEN TD I continue to be available and contactable by phone, e-mail or Facebook

Phone: 087 114 2100. Leinster House, Dublin: 01 618 3911.

Email: johnny.mythen@oir.ie Office: Slaney Place, Enniscorthy Facebook: Johnny Mythen T.D. Wexford

OLD DUBLIN ROAD COALYARD 086-7825052 SMOKELESS COAL from €16 TURF €4 ★ SOFT WOOD €4 HARD WOOD €5 ★ NETS 7 for €20 KINDLING €2 each or 3 for €5 TON BAGS OF: SOFT WOOD €50 HARD WOOD €65, TURF €50 LOCATED AT WEXFORD FARMERS CO-OP ON OLD DUBLIN ROAD, ENNISCORTHY (situated in Mart Yard, on right, 100 metres from entrance) Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-4pm

FREE DELIVERY

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30 November 2020

Enniscorthy’s changing face There have been many changes in the commercial life of Enniscorthy over recent months particularly in the retail trade.

A major new retailer has come to town – Homesavers. A major existing retailer, Lidl, has just opened its major new store at Bellefield. The new state-of-theart, 1,420sq.m. store is bigger and brighter, and equipped with an I S O 5 0 0 0 1 c e r t i f i e d E n e rg y Management System including solar panels, sensor controlled exterior sun blinds, heat recovery and energy efficient LED lighting to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The opening of the new state-of-the-art store has created 8 extra jobs for the locality bringing the total number of people employed in the store to 29.

In celebration of the opening, Lidl Enniscorthy welcomed a representative from the Hope Cancer Support Centre and donated €1,000 to support their ongoing work.

Other new businesses which have opened recently in Enniscorthy include mac’s fish Shop next door to Dunnes Stores, Beauty by EmmaLouise on Castle Hill, and Coffeecupkiosk opposite the Cathedral.

Some existing businesses are

expanding – Ned Kavanagh’s longestablished garage on the Island Road has completed a major extension, and Tfm on the Old Dublin Road is currently developing a huge extension to its farm machinery business.

Some other investments are in the pipeline. Enniscorthy municipal District (EMD) Council has identified a vacant building in Enniscorthy which it is planning to develop into a centre “to facilitate safety-compliant remote co-working, training and 3rd level student supports”. An additional benefit will be increased footfall in the town centre and greater economic activity in the area. EMD has received €40,000 funding under the Town and Village Renewal scheme to facilitate this development.

EMD is also proceeding with the next phase at Enniscorthy Sports Hub which will include a building on site to house changing rooms etc. A design team is expected to be in place by February 2021 to design and manage the project.

Meanwhile work on the historic market House is almost complete.

Both the building and the Market Square itself are looking impressive following the extensive heritage and conservation works. n

Lidl Enniscorthy Store Manager, Fran Butler, and ladies football star, Clara Donnelly, cut the ribbon at the official opening of Enniscorthy’s new Lidl store on 26th November.

New Lidl store now Open

New Council Offices ready to open in a matter of weeks

Brief updates on major projects Enniscorthy flood Defence: The date for work to begin is most likely some time in 2021 but the exact date is still not known as t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b l i c Expenditure and Reform is currently seeking additional information from the OPW before giving the final go-ahead. Minister James Browne has been assured that the budget of €50.7m for the works is still guaranteed in the OPW's multi-annual Capital Budget. Local councillors have continuously expressed concern over the fact that the project is way behind schedule.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Templeshannon Regeneration: The regeneration will include: n Improving the public realm a n d s t re e t s c a p e i n t h e Templeshannon area; n Establishing a new link to the town centre by construction of new pedestrian bridge; n The management and progressive transformation of the Leisure Centre car park; n The creation of new urban blocks for infill development; n A Tempeshannon Food & Community Hub. A master plan will be developed which we understand will maintain the 2-way flow of traffic through the area. Wexford County Council has alreday begun exploratory work on the new foot-

bridge as part of the €8m overall plan.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Enniscorthy Technology park: Planning consent for the development of two modern office buildings (circa. 9,100m2) has been granted. One of these offices blocks is proposed to accommodate the United Nations NZEB Training Centre of excellence, to be developed initially by Wexford County Council in collaboration with the Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board, with designation f ro m t h e U N a n d t h e I r i s h Government and Climate Action funding expected to follow. It will most likely be early next year before blocks are laid for the first building on site.

The Phase 2 works, to open up the remaining sites at the Park for development, will take place when sufficient interest is secured in developing the remaining plots.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Enniscorthy Tourism project: We reported extensively in our August 2019 issue on this proposed €30m project centred around Enniscorthy Castle (and possibly including a cable-car sytem to ferry visitors from a major new car-park at Turret Rocks over the Slaney to the Castle). Preliminary design, planning and land acquisition is likely to commence early in 2021. n

Work on the historic Market House is almost complete and EMD staff are due to move back in there in a matter of weeks.

Enniscorthy Technology Park – first building to commence early next year

Enniscorthy Municipal District Chairperson Barbara-Anne Murphy pictured at the Enniscorthy Technology Park site some weeks ago.

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10

Slaney News

TOWN TALK

WITH

KEITH DOYLE

GOOD PEOPLE ALL, THIS CHRISTMAS TIME "THERE IS NOTHING CERTAIN EXCEPT DEATH AND TAXES" This is a well known saying which is usually churned out to make a point. It is recognised all over the world and in some cases embedded in our minds as somehow fact. I however would have added CHRISTMAS to that list. Just like the headline I have used from the Enniscorthy Carol which is known worldwide and made famous by W.H. Grattan Flood.

The lyrics are said to date back to the 12th century albeit in Irish...

My point is CHRISTMAS comes to us once a year, every year, without fail and is special to us all for many different reasons.

It goes without saying it is a

special time for all those who are religious. If you ask someone what it means to them it gives up so many answers including little family traditions. So many people relate to Christmas songs from Travelling Home for Christmas to Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and everything else in between.

Every household has its own traditions, and even just coming home for a pint in the local on Christmas Eve ranks high on people’s list.

So what is new in 2020 – Covid-19. It is a year since we heard of it but our first Christmas living with it. We are going to find it challenging this year. There will

Covid 19: “Keep taking precautions.”

be some things we can and cannot do which will be very frustrating. We may have to start new traditions or be creative as to how to celebrate this season but the one thing that will not happen is keeping loved ones apart. When I first heard about the recent lock-

Minister Browne’s justice budget following his first Budget as minister of State for Law Reform, wexford TD James Browne has welcomed the additional funding for the Department of Justice and Equality within the 2021 Budget. A record €3 billion allocation will fund important changes within the Justice sector for 2021. This amounts to an overall funding increase of 6%.

Minister Browne explained, “I’m glad to see that Budget 2021 increases our state’s investment in the justice sector. Up to 620 new Garda recruits will be recruited next year while 500 administrative staff will be recruited to facilitate the redeployment of trained Gardaí to frontline policing. An extra €7.5 million will fund the purchase of additional Garda vehic l e s a n d i n c re a s e d t e l e -

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communications and vehicle fit out costs. A new Forensic Science Ireland Laboratory will be constructed.

“Additional measures will fund an inquest into the Stardust tragedy as well as courts service modernisation and prison service compensation schemes. Importantly, the Budget allocation enables the implementation of protections for vulnerable witnesses in sexual offenders cases.

“Capital investment in the justice sector will benefit from an extra €50 million, up now to €258 million. This will lead to better ICT services within An Garda Síochána and the courts service. Over €27 million will go towards COVID-19 supports too”, Minister Browne added. n Right: Minister James Browne at the Dept of Justice in Dublin.

Davidstown First Holy Communion Class

down I could see a plan, get it over with to free up Christmas for the public to enjoy with some normality. The mood music now seems to be changing. The public has put up with many hardships over Covid and has complied. I fear that this decision is a crucial one.

If you lose the goodwill of the public on this one with non-compliance you may not recover it going forward.

Whatever Level we are at, I am quite certain that people will do all in their power to be with their loved ones and their family unit, good luck in trying to stop that.

Whatever we decide to do, be mindful that Covid is still very much around us. Keep taking precautions. Look out for each other. Look in on any people you know that have no family. Spare a thought and understanding for those who see Christmas as not such a happy time. Please God 2021 will be a better year for all and do stay safe. n

MYTHEN STANDING UP FOR RURAL POST OFFICES Deputy Johnny mythen spoke in the Dáil recently in support of rural post offices, highlighting their potential and their support for wexford communities.

Speaking after the Dáil debate, Deputy Mythen said: “Over the last 6 months of Covid-19, rural post offices through cards, parcels and letters, and by simply having a chat with staff and neighbours, have kept many otherwise isolated country people going.

“In many villages in Wexford, the local post office was the very first build in the parish after the church. Country life is a different way of life.

“A recent report showed that nationally, in 2006, there was 1,361 Post offices, compared with the current level of 944.

“There are 52 Post offices in Wexford, to service just under 150,000 people. 75% of this population are living in what are deemed ‘rural’ districts or areas.

“Besides being an antidote to loneliness the rural post office is also an antidote to digital isolation.

Johnny Mythen TD

“During the debate I urged the minister to ensure that citizens who are not online are given a guarantee that this government will fund rural post offices and expand services to include offline access such as motor tax and access to retrofitting grants and information.

“I also argued that the government must introduce a public service obligation to guarantee the current post office network.

“Now is the opportunity for this government to show its sincerity in backing rural Ireland, in backing communities and in backing An Post and rural post offices.” n

Supporting Wexford Rape €800 for the Rape Crisis Crisis Centre raised Centre, wexford, which is Enniscorthy Councillor John O’Rourke sincerely thanks all who supported his recent fundraising event which

Davidstown School Communion Class, 26th September 2020, at Davidstown Church with V Rev James Nolan PP.

building a new premises in we x f o r d t o w n t o o f f e r improved facilities to all who need their help. n

Enniscorthy Councillor John O’Rourke donates over €800 raised for the Wexford Rape Crisis Centre.

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It makes ‘cents’ to spend locally and support our own, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.

Please spread the word and connect with the ‘Shop Enniscorthy’ campaign using the social media links below and enjoy the various competitions and offers in the run-up to Christmas and beyond.

The ‘Shop Enniscorthy’ campaign is supported by Enniscorthy Municipal District, Enniscorthy and District Chamber, and the Enniscorthy Business Association

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Slaney News

Town and village funding minister of State for Law Reform and wexford TD James Browne has welcomed the allocation of €195,000 funding for COvID-19 adaptations in wexford towns and villages. The funding is being delivered under the Accelerated measure of the Town and village Renewal Scheme. wexford town will benefit from €40,000 for a shop local campaign, shopfront enhancement, street furniture, pedestrian zones and public realm improvement works.

Meanwhile, Enniscorthy town is receiving funding of €40,000 to adapt a vacant building that will facilitate remote working and training and services for students.

Rosslare municipal District will receive €40,000 for street improvement works, canopies, furniture and bike stands while Carrick-on-

Minister James Browne TD

Bannow and wellingtonbridge will receive €25,000 for village centre enhancements including public realm works.

Kilmuckridge will receive funding of €25,000 for a sheltered and landscaped outdoor space with seating and cycling facilities while Christmas festivals and craft fairs in Bunclody, Bree and ferns will benefit from €25,000 in funding.

This funding will enable towns and villages to implement immediate measures that will encourage people into towns and villages to shop and socialise, while adhering to public health guidelines. The funding is facilitated through the Government’s July Stimulus package.

Minister Browne commented, “The scheme is now more important than ever to assist businesses and communities to address the challenges that COVID-19 has brought to County Wexford towns and villages. The results of this funding are already being seen in towns and villages, together with local communities, who are rethinking the use of our public spaces. I look forward to seeing the impact of these projects,“ concluded Minister Browne. n

Enniscorthy Credit Union lending a helping hand Enniscorthy Credit union is part of a global Credit union Community, so as well as supporting its local community, Enniscorthy Credit union is helping credit unions develop

30 November 2020

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worldwide and in particular it has close ties with The gambia. Enniscorthy Credit union Director frances Cross visited there in 2019 to assist their development through the ILCu (Irish League of

Credit unions) foundation.

Enniscorthy Credit union recently donated €5,000 to the ILCu foundation on behalf of all its members to further help people in The gambia help themselves. n

A wonderful group of Wexford people

Founder and committee member Clair Malone.

wexford people Helping people (wpHp) is a nonprofit charity organisation which was founded by Clair malone in 2015. The idea at the time was to have a Christmas community dinner, free of charge, for the vulnerable and lonely of the community. from this it has steadily grown over the years.

The seven committee members: Clair Malone – Founder, Lorraine Foley, Carole Gray, Aoife Kells, Lorraine Whitmore, Danielle McDonald and Claudia Blaess, have recently been joined by Pops McMahon. He started Homeless Hands Co. Wexford five years ago and has been a community activist for years.

WPHP is delighted to have him on board.

This little group of people look after anyone in need in Co. Wexford, be it helping with food, fuel, clothing or other essential needs. They also provide tents, sleeping bags and blankets to rough sleepers in Wexford.

They can only do this great work because of the amazing people of Co. Wexford, who support them over and over again, through dona-

tions or otherwise.

Wexford People Helping People has Christmas Dinner plans well advanced with resident Chef Jimmy Barry. Due to Covid-19, dinner plans will be a lot different this year, but will be served, nonetheless. Last year the group served 198 dinners with any excess from the day donated to Oznam House, this year they expect to serve more due to the current financial strain on so many. Jimmy has made an allowance for 250-300 people.

The group will also continue its outreach for food support and will be assisting Santa with his toy drive for the boys and girls of Wexford and beyond.

Lynnsie O'Donohue at Enniscorthy-based Fresh Today has come on board recently to assist with the hampers and toy drive, and the group is very excited about this new connection!

Over the next few weeks, Wexford People Helping People will continue with its various fundraisers and its food drives in Wexford every Thursday and Friday 6-8pm at the Wexford Retail Park

(beside Costa and KFC). Check out its Facebook page ‘Wexford People Helping People’. If any local businesses would like to support the group, that would be greatly appreciated as well.

If any of our readers know anyone alone or in need of a little extra support especially around Christmas time, please let the group know through the 'Wexford People Helping People' Facebook page.

The group says: "Thank you all so much for your support always. Wexford is an amazing little community." n

Claudia Blaess, Enniscorthy-based committee member.

Additional higher education places

MYTHEN CALLS FOR ENHANCED ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY TO POLITICAL LOBBYING

wexford TD and minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed news of hundreds of additional free and subsidised higher education places under the Jobs Stimulus package to get people in the south-east back to work, upskill workers and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

IT Carlow will add 40 postgraduate and 445 module course places while Waterford IT will offer an extra 84 postgraduate and 233 modular course places.

"These courses will enable people across County Wexford to embark on new pathways, or refresh or reskill in their

Last month, the Dáil debated a Bill brought forward by Sinn Féin that seeks to bring enhanced accountability and transparency to political lobbying. The Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2020 implements thirteen recommendations of the S t a n d a r d s i n P u b l i c O ff i c e Commission (SIPO) to ‘enhance transparency and accountability’ by extending the cooling-off period for Ministers, Junior Ministers and Special Advisors who move from public office to a lobbying role from one year to two years. It will also give SIPO the powers to investigate, enforce and sanction breaches of this cooling-off period.

Speaking on the Bill, Wexford TD Deputy Mythen said: “I believe this bill improves the accountability of Government and protects the public interest... and will have a positive outcome for democracy and transparency.”

employment. The course places are available on courses in a wide range of skills areas, including Data Analytics, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Tourism and Hospitality, ICT & Health and welfare including Medical Technology.

“Modular courses are short and focused and will be offered in a flexible manner, allowing people to gain important skills without taking a considerable period away from the labour market”, Minister Browne explained.

Details of these courses are available on the HEA website, and anyone interested in applying should contact IT Carlow and Waterford IT for further details. n

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30 November 2020

www.slaneynews.com

View from the Hill

A local contributor looks at life today in Enniscorthy and beyond

GREYHOUND INDUSTRY Many of us living in County Wexford will be concerned at the sounds emanating from a section of the Oireachtas, notably the Social Democrats, in connection with the greyhound industry. A lot of the opposition to this business is no doubt generated as a result of the R.T.E. show last year which showed what can only be described as the worst possible reality of a section of that business. There is no excuse whatever for the ill treatment of any animal and the adverse reaction is fully understandable.

However, there is another side to this industry. The main side. And that is what we see in Co. Wexford where for generations Enniscorthy Greyhound Track has operated successfully and, as I wrote in this column a number of years ago, is not only a source of enjoyment for locals but is a tourist attraction and should be marketed as such.

The vast majority of greyhound owners and trainers value their dogs and treat them exceedingly well. They can be seen out exercising them regularly and one look at the dogs will show that they are well looked after. The issue which always arises in these

good Samaritan in future alerting oncoming drivers, because you are not doing anyone, and maybe even a member of your own family, any favours.

debates is the fate of the dog after its racing career ends. There is no doubt that in the past too many dogs were put down or exported to places like Spain and China to be run again and again. Most, and hopefully all, of these practices have ceased and nowadays dog owners exercise much more responsibility in the rehoming of the hounds when their racing days are over. Greyhounds make wonderful pets and are actually quite lazy when they take up residence with a family and are absolutely non- aggressive. Therefore, rather than condemn an industry out of hand, surely the proper thing to do is to ensure best practice and support it into the future.

The greyhound is the poor man’s racehorse and it is imperative that any move to close down

this industry, which gives employment to many and enjoyment to thousands, be strongly resisted.

SPEED LIMITS I was travelling on a road recently which has an 80km speed limit. This road is admittedly a good stretch with a good surface. From behind me and the other couple of cars travelling in my wake emerged what can only be described as a lunatic, who passed out four cars travelling at least 120km per hour.

This nut job was followed by another totally reckless idiot hot on his heels. It was a frightening sight to witness. The slightest error and two or three people could have died. I consoled myself with the thought that usually a speed van was located further along the road.

And it was. However, the downright

dangerous drivers were saved by the usual numpty coming in the opposite direction flashing her lights to forewarn oncoming traffic. When will people realise that this practice is downright stupid.

The driver who is obeying the law doesn’t need warning and the reckless driver doesn’t deserve warning.

I wondered did that woman who so generously let these two goons off the hook not realise that they, because of their total disregard for other road users, might possibly kill someone, maybe a member of her family, further up the road? The acquiring of penalty points and fines for speeding might, just might, make those individuals slow down and possibly save a life or horrific injury in the future. So please think before you do the

LOCKDOWN AND BUSINESS The consequences of the various lockdowns and closures on businesses has been horrific. Most of the major big businesses will survive but it is the small, family-run operation which will end up in difficulty. This is a pity, not only because of the economic effect on those who run them and those who work in them, but also the loss of long-standing shops, cafes etc in our towns and villages.

There is an onus on all of us as citizens to give as much support as we can to these establishments over the Christmas period so as to keep them alive for all our sakes.

Please support them if you can and particularly our advertisers here at Slaney News.

AND FINALLY Happy Christmas and New Year to all our readers. Let us hope that it will be an improvement on 2020 and that shouldn’t be too difficult. n

A HAPPY AND SAFE CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS DAVIDSTOWN FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Davidstown School Communion, 26th September, at Davidstown Church.

Clockwise from top left: Sandra and Kate Kearns.

Rachel, Brian Jr, Louise and Brian Kennedy Snr. Keith and Lily Faye Cooney and Tara Freeman.

Louis, Roiseen, Zoe, Barry, Rhys Murphy.

Jamie, David, Killian, Daragh, Orlagh and Jim Doyle.

Ryan, Pa, Harry, Denise and Luke Redmond.

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Slaney News

In support of Eileen Gray...

Dear Editor, I wish to reply to a statement from a contributor to the Joe Doyle Column in the October edition of Slaney News where he stated, “I won’t be supporting any possible naming of any public park at Turret Rocks after Eileen Gray – no way should she ever be honoured in this town as she did not care for this town at all, and she once said that she couldn’t wait to see the back of this town and start a new life in France, so why should she be considered for that honour.’’

As I first mooted the idea of the naming of a park situated at the Turret Rocks in honour of Eileen Gray who was born in Brownswood in 1878, I feel I should respond in an amicable manner. I have

Eileen Gray

read a number of different articles on the life and times of Eileen Gray and I never came across the statement that she couldn’t wait to see the back of Enniscorthy.

I did read where she was very upset regarding redevelopment work carried out to Brownswood House around 1895 and didn’t feel like coming back to it any more.

A recent review of an Eileen Gray biography written by Dr. Jennifer Goff stated, “The renowned and highly influential architect, furniture-maker, interior designer and photographer was born in Ireland and remained an Irishwoman at heart.”

She told the late Maeve Binchy near the end of her life that she returned to Brownswood and seeing her old home knocked and built again made her sad.

Both of her parents were now deceased, her father died in 1900 and her mother in 1918 and Brownswood House was sold in 1929 to the Wexford Health Board for £5,000, so I suppose there was nothing for her to come back to.

The Eileen Gray Exhibition posthumously

realised one of Gray’s ambitions to have her work brought back to Ireland. These items acquired from her Parisian apartment upon her death are on display in the National Museum, Collins Barracks. The Eileen Gray collection and archives at the National Museum of Ireland consist of 1,835 objects. Maybe, we should have them housed in Enniscorthy.

She is a world famous figure and an inspired genius and we should definitely honour her in some way without rancour or disagreement. I look forward to Enniscorthy suitably honouring her and her achievements.

Yours sincerely, Sean Doyle, 2 Esmonde Road, Enniscorthy.

Recognising recent achievements

Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan

30 November 2020

www.slaneynews.com

At the November meeting of Enniscorthy municipal District, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan took the opportunity to acknowledge some recent local and international achievements.

Starlights GAA Club team and mentors were congratulated on winning the Co. Wexford Senior Football title.

Lisa Jacob, formerly of Bree, was acknowledged for her recent appointment as Manager to the Irish International Women’s Hockey team. Cllr Codd-Nolan

informed the meeting that Lisa had played on the Irish Women’s Hockey Team for eight years amassing 139 caps and scoring 17 goals.

On the international front, Cllr Codd-Nolan congratulated Joe Biden, President Elect of the USA, particularly as he has distant relations here in Co. Wexford. She also mentioned Kamala Harris, Vice President Elect, as being the first woman to hold that position and the first woman of

colour to do so, smashing two glass ceilings.

The people of the Enniscorthy district were thanked for following the health advice throughout the Covid pandemic. Nationally, Co. Wexford has managed to keep its numbers low. “It’s not easy and I really appreciate everyone’s effort to keep everyone safe, especially our healthcare and essential workers. Thank you one and all,” concluded Cllr Codd-Nolan. n

€25,000 for Christmas in Ferns, Bunclody and Bree Some good news for ferns, Bunclody and Bree – a total of €25,000 has been allocated to wexford County Council from the Department of Rural Affairs to support outdoor Christmas festivals and Craft markets in the aforementioned locations.

Local Councillor, Cathal Byrne, says: “It has never been more important to shop local and this funding is to be welcomed as it will give local people an opportunity to buy local in the run up to Christmas... I will continue to do all I can to support our local area and local businesses.” n

Cllr Cathal Byrne

A helping hand wexford TD and minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed the allocation of €5,000 to wexford Community Sponsorship group through the 2020 Communities Integration fund.

The Fund provides communities with an opportunity to lead integration activities, which reflect and support their own diversity.

We x f o rd C o m m u n i t y Sponsorship Group is a local

group that has come together to support arriving refugees.

The local group provides supports around access to housing and to different state services”, Minister Browne explained.

The Communities Integration Fund was first established in 2017 to implement the commitment under Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy to support actions by local communities throughout Ireland to promote integration of migrants and refugees. n

Left: Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan performs the official opening of Homesavers in Enniscorthy.

Below: Part of the queue which formed to enter the new shop.

Pics: Maria Nolan.

As a child growing up in Enniscorthy in the 60s, I remember Big Bolgers, as it was called by town folk, or more correctly Bolgers Hibernian House as the life and breath of Rafter Street.

I recall all the expectation of being taken there for my new winter coat, to be worn at Sunday mass only, and for my new shoes as my feet grew.

There was something of a ceremony about buying at Bolgers and it was always

A breath of life in these dark times an occasion made even more special for me as my dad was the furniture manager.

A trip to Bolgers was the nearest thing to a scene from Are You Being Served – the very popular British TV comedy of bygone days, and it was always cause for excitement.

When Dunnes Stores bought the premises in 1972 I was a fashion conscious

teenager and was so excited to see one of the big Dublin stores coming to the streets of Enniscorthy and looked forward every summer to spending my strawberrypicking money there.

Well, I have to say, albeit it on a much smaller scale, there was something akin to that remembered excitement recently as Homesavers opened the doors of 5-8 Rafter

Street after many years of closure.

Vice Chair of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Kathleen Codd-Nolan, performed the official opening, a tamer affair than would normally herald the opening of a new store in Enniscorthy due to Covid 19 Level 5 lockdown, as a masked crowd queued on the street and up the Tan

Ya rd L a n e i n t o t h e o l d Dunnes carpark.

Councillor Codd-Nolan welcomed the store, staff and management to the town and wished them every success and a long and prosperous future in Enniscorthy.

On the first morn of serious lockdown, it was a ray of hope that many were there to experience.

A s w e b ro w s e d t h e

bright, sanitised shop interior with its huge variety of affordable products, the mood of shoppers was upbeat and positive – two commodities that we desperately need in the town at the present time.

So welcome Homesavers, Enniscorthy never needed you more, may you bring assortment, diversity, and above all heavy footfall not just to your own store but to the whole town.

– Maria Nolan

Slaney Ads

www.slaneynews.com

7 17

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS! SENATOR

Malcolm Byrne Wishing everyone a Very Happy and Safe Christmas, and a Peaceful New Year Esmonde Street, Seanad Éireann, Leinster House, Gorey, Co. Wexford Kildare Street, Dublin 2 085 824 5142 01 618 3150 malcolm.byrne@oireachtas.ie @malcolmbyrne /malcolmbyrne

A chairde, Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise daoibh, agus bígí sábhailte!

Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year and keep safe and well.

– Johnny Mythen

JOHNNY MYTHEN TD I continue to be available and contactable by phone, e-mail or Facebook

Phone: 087 114 2100. Leinster House, Dublin: 01 618 3911.

Email: johnny.mythen@oir.ie Office: Slaney Place, Enniscorthy Facebook: Johnny Mythen T.D. Wexford

A very happy Christmas to our readers from everybody in the SLANEY NEWS – your local FREE community newspaper

Paul Kehoe TD

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy Wishing you a safe and Happy Christmas and every blessing for 2021 Please support local jobs and local businesses by shopping local in store or online.

087-6736966 BaMurphy@wexfordmcc.ie

Wishing everyone a very Happy and peaceful Christmas 2020. Thank you for your outstanding efforts during this ongoing pandemic.

With every good wish for a happy & healthy 2021.

Cllr. Kathleeen Codd-Nolan

Please support your Local Businesses this Christmas Email: kathleen.coddnolan@wexfordmcc.ie

James

Browne TD Minister of State for Law Reform

James Browne TD and the local Fianna Fáil team wish the people of Enniscorthy and Co. Wexford a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year Lower Church Street, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

W053 92 35046 james.browne@oireachtas.ie /JamesBrowneTD @JamesBrowneTD

To enquire about advertising in the CLLR. JOHN O’ROURKE Season’s Greetings to all my family, friends, and constituents and thank you for your help and support in 2020.

Slaney News please call 087-2403310

18

Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

In praise of ‘staycations’ In these rapidly changing, challenging and difficult times, I miss the freedom of travel.

Already this year I missed Amsterdam in April for the tulip season, Stratford-uponAv o n i n M a y f o r a Shakespearean experience and Tallinn in October, a visit to Estonia, a country I had

the Red Deer of Kerry and Donegal.

The Lake Hotel, as the name suggests, is nestled on the shores of Lough Lein, surrounded by dewy hills and lush woodlands with the 12th century McCarthy Mor Castle ruin jutting out over the silent waters adding to the ancient

19, the dawn light giving an almost ghostly hue opening a window to the time immemorial as the fabulous Tuan, regal and majestic, standing proud and strong, the Monarch of the Kingdom of Kerry.

It was all that I had imagined it to be and more and I was constantly looking to the hori-

Glorious days in the Kingdom.

Pic: Maria Nolan

never been to but thanks to local travel agents Mackin Travel I was reimbursed and decided to do my bit for the Irish economy and join the staycation cavalcade.

And I am glad to tell you I wasn’t disappointed.

I chose the Lake Hotel in Killarney because it boasted all Covid safety precautions, four star luxury, fine dining, the most exquisite views and in September/October the chance to come up close and personal with the rut of the Irish Red Deer. And I am happy to report as the ad says – the Lake Hotel did exactly what it said on the tin.

I have long been a fan and a follower of deer – these beautiful animals that share our wild spaces with us here in Ireland. I have visited the Fallow Deer in the Phoenix Park and have been delighted to catch glimpses of the Sika Deer in the wilds of Wicklow but there is nothing quite like our magnificent native deer,

ambience of this most wonderful and other worldly location, never mind seeing deer I wouldn’t have been at all surprised to see the Little People darting in and out of shadows after all Kerry is the place for them.

I had paid extra to have a room at the back of the hotel in full view of the lake and with the possibility of seeing and photographing Red Deer from my balcony and hearing their primeval, ethereal bellowing as great stags round up their harem of hinds and ward off all would-be challengers for the annual Rut. Each day on an early morning walk, I was treated to the sight of dappled sunshine skimming the lake and blue, rich mountains creating the perfect backdrop for Tuan, the resident great stag and his bevy of beauties grazing the waters edge. A truly mystical sight and one that I will recall many times in my mind’s eye during darker days of Covid

30 November 2020

www.slaneynews.com

zon half expecting to see a larger than life figure galloping over the hills calling to his great hound CuCulainn, it was that type of scene.

The Lake Hotel offers a truly unique experience coupled Coming up close and personal with the rut of the Irish Red Deer.

Pic: Maria Nolan

with friendly, helpful staff anxious to share all the attributes of Kerry with you, exquisite food both in the Lakeside Bistro and the Castlelough Restaurant, and rooms that are a successful blend of old worlde elegance and modern sophistication.

We spent three glorious days in the Kingdom driving through the infamous Gap of Dunloe and over the magnificent Connor Pass, visiting the e x p l o r e r To m C r e a n i n Kenmare, the Wild Colonial Boy in Castlemaine, the friendly dolphin Fungi in Dingle and the Master Wordsmith John B Keane in Listowel.

To say that I enjoyed my stay would be an understatement, if only one good thing emerges from the horror of Coronavirus it will be that Covid-19 gave the Irish the opportunity to truly appreciate Ireland and on that note I will finish with a Kerry quote: ‘There are only two Kingdoms, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Kerry, the first is not of this world and the second is out of this world.’

– Maria Nolan

RED BOOKS – A colourful presence in Wexford Town Local author, Dan Finn, in Red Books, Wexford, with his new novel ‘Every Second Second’.

The very popular Red Books shop situated at St Peter's Square, Slippery Green, Wexford (Y35 ER2F), is owned and run by the always helpful Wally O’Neill who recently started a new online Wexford Bookclub – a bookclub focusing solely on books either written, published or based in Wexford! It is hoped that this initiative can help highlight the amazing books being produced in County Wexford with the shop stocking at least 50 local authors at all times.

The first book was chosen in October – Dan Finn's Every Second Second and members got to discuss the book with the author on the 29th October.

T h e a n n u a l We x f o rd Bookfair was cancelled this year due to Covid-19 so in an effort to keep this decades-old tradition going, the Wexford Bookfair 2020 became Ireland's first Virtual Bookfair. On the 28th and 29th of November, www.theirishbookshop.com (the website of Red Books) hosted an online fair consisting of book dealers from across the country and featuring incredibly rare and sought-after publications and highly collectible titles.

Red Books is reopening on 1st December following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, from 10-5pm Monday to Thursday and 10-6pm Friday and Saturday.

Tel: 086 322 0546. n

Hoolie’s Lockdown Lock-In For the best in local musical tale n t , c h e c k o u t H o o l i e ’s Lockdown Lock-In which is broadcast live on Facebook on the ‘Holohans Pub’ page a couple of times a month.

New acts are always welcome, so if you'd like to get involved, please email: holohanslockdownlockin@gmail.com and check out ‘Holohans Pub’ on Facebook. n

Niall Holohan

‘Jersey Day’ at Enniscorthy Credit Union

L to R: Judith Webster, Liz Cullen, Orla Byrne, Ciara Howe, Alan Doyle, Sinead Browne, Janet Doyle and Orla Doyle, all from Enniscorthy Credit Union, donned Jerseys to support the Goal charity and raised nearly €300.

www.slaneynews.com

Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

19

Kenny Sportive & Touring club outside DONOHOE SKODA garage, Quarrypark, Enniscorthy, with their new club kit.

DONOHOE SKODA is one of the main sponsors. Pictured L-R: Dara Redmond, Fergal Redmond, Micheal O'Neill, Paul Nolan, Gabriel O’Neill, Brendan Whelan, Fintan Doyle, Joe Kelly, Micheal O’Flaherty and Tom Phillips.

Photo taken by Tom Cardas, ICARUS WEB DEVELOPMENT, before the latest Lockdown.

Kenny For Bikes SLANEY STREET ENNISCORTHY

TEL: 053 9233255 GRILL - PASTA - SEAFOOD www.albarestaurant.ie Reopening 4th December.

Taking bookings now for Christmas and New Year.

BIKE REPAIR AND BIKE 2 WORK AGENT We would like to thank all our customers who supported us this year in this difficult time.

AGENT FOR:

See www.albarestaurant.ie and our Facebook page for updates.

105 years servicing Enniscorthy, Wexford and the South East

Alba Italian Restaurant, Abbey Square, Enniscorthy T: 053 92 39 651 www.albarestaurant.ie Opening Hours: 5pm to late, Tuesday – Sunday

www.KennysForBikes.com Email: kennyforbikes@gmail.com or find us on Facebook

Test drive our Electric Bikes

20

Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

30 November 2020

Lots to enjoy this Christmas in Enniscorthy...

Glamour boutique owner, Mary Hudson, helping to launch the “Shop Enniscorthy” campaign.

The disappointment caused by the cancellation of Santa’s Enchanted Castle in Enniscorthy is now a thing of the past, and the town has much to look forward to this Christmas season.

The magic of Christmas is not being lost to Covid-19, and the town is looking its best illuminated by its impressive festive lighting and many of the town’s landmark structures individually illuminated as part of a recent scheme undertaken by Enniscorthy Municipal District.

With Level 5 lockdown now eased, virtually all businesses in Enniscorthy (with the

exception of its ‘wet’ pubs) will be fully trading this December. The innovative SHOP ENNISCORTHY promotion undertaken by E n n i s c o r t h y M u n i c i p a l District, and supported by Enniscorthy and District Chamber and the Enniscorthy Business Assocation, has added a great buzz to the commercial life of the town (see more details on page 6 and 11).

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Chair of Enniscorthy Municipal District, commented, “Christmas is more important this year than ever before and I am heartened to

Some well-known elves were on hand to help Santa switch on Enniscorthy’s festive lighting on Friday evening, 27th November.

see so many groups working together – the Council, Chamber and traders to have Enniscorthy light up for Christmas.” Cllr Murphy had the honour of helping Santa switch on the town’s festive lighting on Friday evening, 27th November, in a low-key affair to ensure compliance with Covid-19 restrictions.

The event can be viewed on the new ‘Shop Enniscorthy’ Facebook page, website and YouTube channel.

Festive wooden cabins have been installed in the Market Square to add to the Christmas atmosphere in the town centre. Kilcannon Garden

Santa with Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Chair of Enniscorthy Municipal District, and various friends at the switch-on of Enniscorthy’s festive lighting on 27th November.

Centre will be selling their seasonal wares, and refreshments will be served from one of the cabins. And the good news is that Santa will be there also in the Market Square every Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun starting from 4th December. Tickets to see the great man himself will be available in the Square.

A Santa Postbox has been erected in the Market Square for children to post their letters to Santa. Primary schools in the district are being asked to let their pupils know that they can post their letters in the Santa Box and to keep an eye on the @shopenniscorthy

Facebook page to see if they get a Merry Mention online and they could win a free visit with Santa at his cabin in the Square from the 4th December.

Btwenty7 coffee shop at the Bus Stop Shop on Templeshannon Quay is hosting a giant Snow Globe from December 4th. Enjoy a winter world of Christmas trees, falling snow, festive lights, hot chocolates and warm treats, finished off with a photo opportunity in the giant human Snow Globe. Book at www.btwenty7.ie or call 0871890125 with any queries.

The Vi l l a g e At Wheelock’s Drive-Thru

Christmas Experience is the first experience of its kind in Co. Wexford. Guests can enjoy this unique experience from the safety of their own car following a warm welcome from the Elves.

Commencing on the 4th December, the event runs up to Christmas. Adults €10, children aged 0-10yrs+ €15.

For more info or to book, see https://thevillageatwheelocks.ie Southeast Radio will be doing a live broadcast from Market Square on December 5th thanks to the Local Enterprise Office in Wexford County Council. n

Enniscorthy’s Tree of remembrance Persons wishing to remember loved ones who have passed away will be able to do so this Christmas by placing colourful labels on the Christmas tree in the Market Square, Enniscorthy. The tree will evoke thousands of memories for people availing of the opportunity to remember family and friends and, hopefully, when fully adorned, will help brighten the skies over Enniscorthy in the run up to Christmas.

Christmas is a special time of year – founded on togetherness, family, love, sharing with friends, so much of which we have been unable to do this year because of the

Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Remembering dearly departed loved ones and friends has always been a feature of the festive season and this year, more than ever before, the general public will have an opportunity of doing so by placing a colourful label on the tree in the Market Square. The labels will be available from the Kiosk in the Square from Saturday 5th December and can be placed on the tree immediately or retained by the Kiosk attendant for placing at a date closer to Christmas when an Ecumenical Prayer Service will be held at the tree to remember all who have gone before

us. The prayer service will be conducted by Rev. Odhran Furlong, Administrator, St. Aidan’s Cathedral, and Rev. Nicola Halford of the Church of Ireland.

The colourful labels cost €2.50 each and all funds collected will be presented to the local St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Support for this initiative is expected to be considerable and those who place labels are cordially invited to the planned Ecumenical Service, the date of which will be announced shortly. Keep an eye on the Slaney News and Shop Enniscorthy Facebook pages. n

Slaney Christmas

www.slaneynews.com

21

Bridget’s We are the distributor for Reflect Auto Care valeting and detailing cleaning products in the south for cars, trucks, buses and farm machinery.

Based in Enniscorthy, we cover Wexford, Waterford, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary.

We are now taking orders for Christmas Hampers which can be customised to each person’s budget and needs (see sample in photo) and will be delivered safely to your door.

Please see our Facebook page ‘Southeast Auto Supplies’ for great upcoming deals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ORDER TODAY: Call 089-6010935 or email: seamieobrien66@gmail.com

Ladies & Gents Hair Salon 30 Court St, Enniscorthy, 053-9235713

Wishing all our customers a very Happy Christmas, thanks for your custom in 2020 and we look forward to seeing you all as we reopen on 1st December.

Wishing all our customers and friends a Very Happy Christmas

 Gift Vouchers available  Christmas Hampers made to order Stockists of Paul Mitchell and Wella hair products

Rockfield, Milehouse, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Tel: 086 331 3850 - sales@karlcullen.ie - www.karlcullen.ie

O'Callaghan's•The Shannon

A big thank you to all our customers for your support during this difficult year and we wish you and your families a safe and happy Christmas. ns safe this Christmas

to keep our tow Wexford Local Enterprise Office - Working hard

Wexford Welcomes You Safely campaign run by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO). Above: The Wexford town launch of the campaign L-R: Angela Laffan (Wexford District Manager), Larry Lambert (Borough Technician), Cllr Ger Carthy (Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council), Tony Larkin (Director of Services Wexford County Council), Sean Kavanagh (Borough Engineer), Cllr Davy Hynes (Deputy Mayor of Wexford), James O'Connor (Green Acres), Angela Lawless (Business Advisor LEO) and Liz Hore (Head of Enterprise).

Wexford Welcomes You Safely campaign run by Wexford Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

In Bunclody L-R: Michael Kehoe (Riversedge), Liz Hore (Head of Enterprise, Wexford LEO), Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy (Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District), Imelda Larkin (Sugar & Spice), Helen Redmond (Elegance Boutique), Angela Lawless (LEO) and Ger Mackey (Enniscorthy District Manager).

Both pics: Ger Hore.

22

Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

Last Christmas...

Molli Meaghan-Tresson is a local teenager and 5th year student in Colaiste An Atha in Kilmuckridge. The last two Christmas holidays she has busked with her guitar and given all her money to various homeless charities. €2,000 in total!

This year, due to covid restrictions, she may not be able to busk so she has had to take a new approach. Molli has recorded her own Christmas song. It is written from the perspective of a homeless person watching everyone else rushing around and fussing over Christmas while they sit and hope they can just survive.

Again she will be giving any money made from it to homeless charities.

She wrote the lyrics and

music herself. Gavin Glass of Orphan Recording Studio has helped produce the song. Molli would like to make a music video and if anyone could help with that it would be brilliant.

Molli is an inspiring young lady with a huge heart and received a Garda Youth Award two years ago for her fundraising.

'Last Christmas' is being released around now on all major streaming platforms. All proceeds from this song go straight to helping the homeless.

PayPal/Tipjar: https://paypal.me/mollimtresson.

Facebook: https:// facebook.com/musicbymolli.

Twitter: https:// twitter. com/mollimtresson. Instagram: https://instagram.com/mollimtresson n

30 November 2020

Enjoying Wexford’s Quays

Left: Enjoying a coffee on Wexford’s Quays were Thaigo and Patricia Melo Vasconcelos. Below: Celine and Billy Wickham dining outdoors near one of the food kiosks.

Lots of fun at Halloween in Ballindaggin Ballindaggin Development Association Halloween Scarecrows competition winners: Aine and Billy O’Connor being presented with the trophy by Paul Pender.

Below: Ballindaggin at Halloween. Chairperson of Enniscorthy Municipal District Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy (left) lends her support to the Temple Street Hospital fundraiser.

Above and below: The Little Angels parent and toddler group, Ballindaggin, enjoying the fun in Ballindaggin playground at Halloween in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

www.slaneynews.com

23

New children’s book to raise money for North Wexford SPCA

A new children’s book has been launched to raise money for the North Wexford Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NWSPCA). Called While You Were Sleeping, the book is set in the NWSPCA animal welfare centre in Gorey, Co. Wexford, and aims to engage children with the work of the charity and spread a message of the value of being kind to animals.

The book has been written

by Caroline Kidd and illustrated by Petra Curtis. While You Were Sleeping is a charming tale of fun and friendship, featuring a familiar cast of cats and dogs, led by long-standing resident cat Tom ‘The Boss’, as they embark upon an unexpected adventure.

The story was inspired by author Caroline’s experience as an animal care volunteer with the charity. Caroline, who comes from Bunclody, is also a journalist, copywriter and the editor of the online motoring magazine Changing Lanes. While You Were Sleeping is her first book for children and combines her love of animals with a passion for storytelling.

Caroline teamed up with Petra Curtis, a graphic designer, illustrator and fellow animal lover, who runs The Design Nut graphic design studio in Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, to get the book ready for publishing.

Petra designed and illustrated the entire book, bringing the magical story alive through original, full colour, hand drawn illustrations.

Speaking about the launch of the new book, Caroline said: “I’m thrilled to be using my writing skills to tell the story of the animals at the NWSPCA animal welfare centre and raise money for a wonderful charity close to my heart that helps

Caroline Kidd with her new children's book While You Were Sleeping. Pic: Paula Malone Carty.

save hundreds of animals at risk every year through a team of hard working volunteers.

I’m hopeful that this book will inspire the next generation of animal carers and spread a message to young people that it is cool to be kind to animals in our community and in our care.”

For illustrator Petra, the project was a dream come true: “When Caroline first mentioned her plan for creating a children’s book for the NWSPCA, I immediately wanted to help in some way. Animals have played a big part in my life and it has always been a dream of mine to illustrate a children’s

book. All this combined with the fact that it was for such a wonderful cause - I couldn’t resist the project!”

She continued: “On first reading Caroline’s draft of the book, I was taken in by the wonderful personalities of the characters, the energy of the story and the morals hidden in many places throughout the story itself. Caroline has done a wonderful job of capturing the spirited nature of animals, and I think children will be fascinated by the story from the very beginning.”

Eimear McGrath, Chairperson, NWSPCA, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled with Caroline’s new book. The idea of our animal shelter being featured in a children’s book is something we didn’t imagine happening. To see the end result and read about our beloved Tom (The Boss), is a joy to behold. We are delighted that our story is being told in such a beautifully worded and illustrated book as this. Caroline has been a wonderful volunteer with us for quite a while and we can’t thank her enough for creating this book and allowing it to be a fundraiser for the NWSPCA.” The NWSPCA animal welfare charity was established in Gorey in 1947 and is managed by a team of volunteers who work all year round to rescue, rehabilitate and home as many animals as possible. All proceeds from the sale of the new children’s book will go to the NWSPCA to help save more animals at risk and the book has been created with no cost to the charity.

“I’m very grateful for the support I received from Petra who kindly illustrated this book and I wish to thank all of our stockists for helping us to sell our book. The response so far has been amazing,” said Caroline.

While You Were Sleeping is available to buy from: the NWSPCA Charity Shop, Rafter Street, Gorey; Kavanagh’s Newsagents, Wexford Road, Arklow; Deegan’s, South Street, New Ross; The Village at Wheelocks, Finchogue, Enniscorthy; and Art Bank, Bunclody. It’s also available to b u y o n l i n e t h ro u g h t h e NWSPCA Facebook page. www.facebook.com/ northwexfordspca www.changinglanes.ie www.thedesignnut.ie n

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MELANIE O’REILLY & TRIO: A JAZZY CHRISTMAS! Online, 5 Dec 2020, 8pm, €12 Join Melanie O'Reilly and her Trio for a jazzy evening of festive songs with a swingin' edge, celebrating the many Christmas favourites recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall, Anita O'Day, Peggy Lee, Michael Bublé and more. So, gather round with your glass of mulled wine and mince pies, sit back while relaxing in your own home, and enjoy a special evening of festive nostalgia and swing. With Melanie is her stellar trio: Kevin Lawlor - drums, Cian Boylan - piano, Adrian Jackson - bass.

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

THE BIG SOFA CHRISTMAS SING CONCERT Online, 12 Dec 2020, 4pm, Free Join Elizabeth Drwal Stuttard and this year's singing superstars for our annual festive treat, this time from the comfort of your sofa. Log on, sit back and enjoy – you can even sing along if the mood takes you! For the Big Sofa Christmas Sing concert we will include some live social distance recording from Wexford Arts Centre as well as online star performances.

Please note that this event is hosted on Zoom. Bookers will require a computer, tablet or phone with video and audio connections. Please visit https://zoom.us for more information.

Zoom details will be emailed to all participants prior to the event.

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

A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS WITH MUSICI IRELAND QUARTET Online, 13 Dec 2020, 3pm, Free, Donations in lieu.

A Christmas Gift to you – the opportunity to enjoy a classic Christmas concert from the comfort of own home featuring classical music by Musici Ireland quartet and classic Christmas readings and storytelling from Joe Brennan, Ruth Hegarty and Joe Neal.

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

CÁCA MILIS CHRISTMAS ONLINE CABARET Online, 18 Dec 2020, 8pm, €10 Celebrate Christmas with the crew at Wexford Arts Centre as Helena Mulkerns presents the annual Cáca Milis Christmas Cabaret, bringing you song, music, dance, short film and classic cabaret. Sit back with your mince pies and mulled wine after the Christmas shop and enjoy this evening of the arts, with a Christmas flavour. Please note that this event is hosted on Zoom. To participate you will require a computer, tablet or phone with video and audio connections. Please visit https://zoom.us for more information. Zoom details will be sent in the confirmation email at time of booking.

For updates and details on online art exhibitions, workshops etc: www.wexfordartscentre.ie and see Facebook.

Email: boxoffice@wexfordartscentre.ie

Switching on Wexford’s Christmas Lights

Mayor of Wexford Cllr Leonard Kelly turns on Wexford’s Christmas lights in the Bull Ring, 26th Nov, assisted by the man himself – Santa.

Grants in Rafter St, Enniscorthy, now stocking Clarins premium brand

Looking for the ideal gift for Christmas? The staff at the new Clarins counter in Grants Pharmacy, Rafter Steet, Enniscorthy, are ready to help.

24

Slaney News

30 November 2020

Local Literary Magic Lighting Up Lockdown Despite Covid-19 and the dreaded Coronavirus and lockdown restrictions, Wexford’s literary genius continues to rise above all as Wexford Literary Festival Committee are delighted to announce, following on from their very successful Virtual 2020 Festival, that prominent, well known Wexford author Eoin Colfer has very kindly agreed to lend his name to a new Award for the 2021 Festival.

The Eoin Colfer International Children’s Short Story Award will now join the Colm Toibin Int. Short Story Award, the Anthony Cronin Int. Poetry Award, the Billy Roche Int. Short Play Award, the Denis Collins Int Visual Story Award, the Cursed Murphy Int. Spoken Word Award and the Eileen Gray Window Display Award, making the Wexford Literary Festival one of the most inclusive and innovative literary festivals in the country, celebrating and highlighting some of Wexford’s greatest literary talents.

The Eoin Colfer International Children’s Short Story Award will be advertised shortly on our website and facebook page as we seek submissions for the 2021 Festival from adults writing short stories for children, and who knows we may even unearth another Eoin Colfer.

Hannah McNiven And speaking of which I am proud to welcome a new local author Hannah McNiven who has just published her debut novel The Loves of Mrs. McAllister. Hannah acknowledges the massive contribution the Wexford Literary Festival made to her success at the beginning of her book.

Hannah reserved her place two years ago to pitch her novel to Paula Campbell of Poolbeg Press at our hugely popular ‘Meet the Publisher’ section of our Festival and as they say ‘the rest is history’.

And well indeed it is, as Hannah’s novel set in post war Scotland tells the story of Mrs. Esther McAllister, a female land owner who takes on German prisoners of war in the aftermath of WWII to work the land and help feed the British people and get Britain back on its feet from 1945 to 1948. The Loves of Mrs. McAllister is a beautiful written account of how a local Scottish community, hostile, hating and suspicious at first, gradually come to accept, like and in some cases even fall in love with the half-starved, defeated, far-from-home sons of Germany, who despite their strange accents and broken English are not all that different from themselves.

Hannah does a remarkable job of highlighting the similarities between the two peoples – Scottish and German, adeptly showing how they come together in times of adversity to save crops and animals from the ravages of nature.

The book, which I loved, was inspired by a story Hannah h e a rd f ro m h e r p a re n t s , Hannah’s dad being from Scotland, and illustrates the futility of war while skilfully demonstrating that people are basically the same the world over, mixtures of good and bad, love and hate, envy and generosity, cruelty and kindness.

This is Hannah’s first novel but she had also written for the stage and had a short film produced with Wexford Film Fund and Bodecii Film, she is

a keen and accomplished actress and has been involved with amateur drama around the county including Enniscorthy Drama Group.

Hannah is currently working on her second book set in 1953 in the south east of Ireland, exploring family relationships, first loves, the ensuing marriages and later illicit trysts and will hopefully be out some time next year.

This is indeed an up and coming talent to watch for. The Loves of Mrs. McAllister is currently available in paperback at all bookstores and is in my opinion a very good read, an engaging, emotive story with strong believable characters and writing that flows, one to curl up with on these damp winter days.

Derek Meyler Another local author who has emerged from the Covid shad-

TO ADVERTISE IN THE ‘SLANEY NEWS’ CALL 087-2403310

Enjoying a visit to Wheelock’s Christmas Tree Farm

Children, proprietor Orlagh Doyle and staff of Killegney Early Years Learning Centre on their outing on 26th November to Wheelock’s Christmas Tree Farm near Davidstown, to find Christmas trees for their school. Also in photo is Mrs. Mary Wheelock of Wheelock’s Tree Farm.

ows so to speak is Wexfordman Derek Meyler who has just published his second novel The House on St. Bonaventure Road – a bizarre tale based on true events. Indeed, very closely based on true events, in fact according to Derek nothing has been altered apart from the names of the characters and the house address, all for very obvious reasons that become apparent when you read the book.

And I would definitely recommend you to read the book, which tells the most intriguing story of 5 young adults, 2 men and 3 women, who share a house together in Dublin in the 1980s. Dave, Michael, Harriet, Lorena and Sheila are all very different characters from a variety of Irish backgrounds who fall in love with the quaint Victorian style house on St. Bonaventure Road in Clontarf and decide to live there.

None of them knew each other before moving in together but what transpires in the house on St. Bonaventure Road will bind them together forever.

What happens at St. Bonaventure Road is what horror films are made of and will challenge and defy your strongest beliefs. It is simultaneously spellbinding and horrifying and there were times when I couldn’t stop turning the pages as much as I feared what I might read on the one over leaf.

So intrigued was I by the book that I was compelled to speak to the author Derek Meyler to further verify the validity of this amazing story and having done so I can report that he was either one of the characters who experienced the horrors of that house or he genuinely believes the accounts related to him by each of the characters, whom

he appears to have been in very close contact with when writing the book.

Derek Meyler felt compelled to write this book to tell this story of the horror foisted on a daily basis on five unsuspecting young adults who were still trying to find their way in life, ‘they, each of them, for the remainder of their lives, would never be the same. Such was the enormity of the situation, but they could hardly talk to anyone about it, just among themselves. Now, thirty years or so later, I wanted passionately to tell their story.’

Derek continued, ‘I also wanted to inform readers who deny such events, that such things do occur, albeit to very few.’

Derek, who lives in Wexford town where his family have ‘been entrenched for 850 years’, was raised in Dublin and later moved to the States where he remained for twentynine years before returning home. He has worked at the Athenaeum, the Castle and the 1798 Centre here in Enniscorthy and this is his second book. His first book The Irishman’s Journey to Montana is also a true story with nothing altered.

Well are you intrigued?

You certainly should be. St. Bonaventure Road will keep you on the edge of your seat or glancing continually over your shoulder, or listening intently for things that don’t just go bump in the dark, but go bang and bash and crash and smash and thud and thump.

I couldn’t class it as a cosy read for dark winter evenings, it is an amazing read that will keep you turning pages and challenging your perspectives – read it if you dare!

– Maria Nolan

Cameron releases second single An original song penned by Cameron Allan will be released shortly following up the success of his debut hit single Letter To You. 17-year-old Cameron Allan, son of music star Donna Marie Sludds, brings us his second single Lose My Mind – a rock/pop love song with an upbeat feel and a touch of classic rock blended and recorded to perfection.

Following his family traditions in music, Cameron is now embarking on a solo career bringing his original music to the surface, for all to enjoy.

Lose My Mind was produced, arranged and recorded by Cameron Allan and Brendan Carty at The Orchard Recording Studios in Enniscorthy, and will be available to download from all major internet platforms including iTunes and Spotify from 9th December.

Follow Cameron’s rise in the music industry on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and all social media platforms. n

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Wexford County Council’s plans for the regeneration and transformation of Esmonde Street took a significant step forward last month as a planning application was lodged for the scheme.

FOCUS ON GOREY

The vision for the proposed project is to improve the public realm along Esmonde Street and Lane, and further develop the area as an attractive place to live, work and do business.

Esmonde Street will see an enhanced streetscape, with improvements to footpaths, road pavement, tasteful hard and soft landscaping and undergrounding of overhead services.

Modifications to traffic management, through the proposed introduction of a one-way system, seek to reduce vehicle dominance on the street and make it a friendlier environment for pedestrians and cyclists. A fully segregated two-way cycle lane will be facilitated along the length of the street as part of the works.

REGENERATION OF ESMONDE STREET

New secondary school The Department of Education and Skills has announced that an additional secondary school for as many as 500 children will be constructed in Gorey.

A parental survey on a new Patron for the school recently took place to help inform the decision-making

Malcolm appointed

process in the Dept of Education. A decision on the patronage has still to be announced with Educate Together, WWETB (Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board) and CEIST (Catholic Education – An Irish Schools Trust) all still hopeful of getting the nod. n

Gorey District Councillor Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin has been highlighting the chronic shortage of funding for housing maintenance in Co. Wexford. He has also asked for an out-of-hours support service for our homeless, and requested the roll out of ‘choice based letting’. He has also asked that the Minister for housing come to Wexford Co. Council to address what he terms the housing crisis.

Senator Malcolm Byrne

Senator Malcolm Byrne has been appointed to the high profile Seanad Brexit Committee which on behalf of the Oireachtas shall look

at how Brexit is impacting on various parts of society and how legislators should respond.

The twelve-member committee will look at issues as diverse as trade, agriculture, education and transport all key issues to Co. Wexford.

Malcolm said he was honoured by the appointment. “I’ve been talking about the challenges of Brexit for several years, including organising a well attended ‘Brexit and Wexford’ conference. There will be profound changes in the relationships on these islands while our bonds with continental Europe will deepen further.” n

Pic: Ger Hore.

Wexford Welcomes You Safely campaign run by the Wexford Local Enterprise Office (LEO). In Gorey L-R: Liz Hore (Head of Enterprise), Paul Finnegan (Ashdown Park Hotel), Cllr Joe Sullivan (Cathaoirleach of Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District), Sinead O'Sullivan (5th Avenue & Coolkids), Michael Drea (Gorey-Kilmuckridge District Manager), Margaret Redmond (Country Clothing), Angela Lawless (LEO) and Amanda Byrne (Acting Director of Services Wexford County Council).

Gorey Town Park – a great place for a relaxing break.

Left: Young Ruby Harwieg on the slide in the Park.

Right: A great place for dog walking as Helen Redmond and Christine Kenny show.

Esmonde Lane, which runs parallel to Esmonde Street, is planned to be upgraded so that pupils and members of the public can walk and cycle safely between Gorey Community School, Bunscoil Loreto and the carpark at St Michael’s Church. n

Tara Hill success Tara Hill National School, Gorey, has won €50,000 in the Aldi Play Rugby Sticker competition!

1,093 entries were received from primary schools across the country with Tara Hill National School, Gorey, and Scoil Naomh Bríd, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow, announced as the winners of €50,000 each to help upgrade their school’s sports facilities.

10 runner-up primary schools have won €10,000 each to be spent on sports equipment or facilities for their schools.

All schools that sent back a completed poster will also receive an Aldi Play Rugby Kit Bag. To date, Aldi has awarded over €500,000 to participating schools as part of #AldiPlayRugby. n

Gorey’s Siobhan is ambassador for Marie Keating Foundation 1 in 10 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime with approximately 3,351 cases diagnosed in Ireland each year.

The Marie Keating Foundation is concerned that the Covid-19 pandemic has led to significant fall in attendance at cancer rapid access clinics, suspension of the BreastCheck screening service with worrying backlog, and reduced operating capacity in medical oncology and radiology.

One of the Marie Keating Foundation patient ambassadors is Wexford native Siobhan Freeney who was a busy mum of two boys before being diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2015. Her husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer a year before her own diagnosis.

Siobhan was told six months before her diagnosis that her BreastCheck was clear – but she had very dense breast tissue so the tumour was missed in the initial scans.

She says, “Dense breasts appear white on a mammogram, it’s described as trying to find a snowball in a snowstorm.”

Marie Keating Foundation patient ambassador Siobhan Freeney

She was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer after going to her GP with symptoms and then underwent treatment.

Siobhan is now an advocate for Lobular Breast Cancer in Ireland to help raise awareness for the disease. October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Siobhan was busy in her role as an Ambassador for the Marie Keating Foundation, including appearing in a video for the Marie Keating Foundation’s latest campaign sharing her story about breast cancer and the issue of breast density. n

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Funding for intervention team Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has warmly welcomed the allocation of funding for a Co. Wexford community intervention team.

Following years of repeated calls for the creation of a community intervention team, the HSE confirmed to Minister Browne that a County Wexford community intervention team will be developed in close consultation with Wexford General Hospital.

“Community Intervention Teams are specialist healthcare teams that provide a rapid and integrated response to patients who rely on acute healthcare services for a defined short period of time. These teams can operate in the home.

“For years, County Wexford patients have been forced to travel to Dublin hospitals for these short procedures. These

travel journeys have been a source of stress for patients battling cancer, for instance.

When this community intervention team has been establ i s h e d i n We x f o r d , t h e community intervention team will be able to carry out these procedures instead.

“I’m delighted that the HSE has followed up on my frequent representations on the need for a community intervention team in County Wexford. Many other counties already benefit from this service. Now that the funding has been allocated for a County Wexford community intervention team under the HSE’s Winter Plan, the HSE and Wexford General Hospital will work together to develop a community intervention team for County Wexford before the end of the year,” the Minister concluded. n

Wexford of the (safe) welcomes Mayor of Wexford Cllr Leonard Kelly is a strong supporter of the Wexford Welcomes You Safely campaign. “I’m happy to support this campaign designed by Wexford County Council and the Local Enterprise Office to support footfall to local shops and protect local shoppers by ensuring the highest possible levels of staff training and Covid-19 safety standards.”

Greenway funding Funding of €9m has been announced for the New Ross to Waterford Greenway.

Welcoming the funding announcement, Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne said: “The government funding is provided by the Department of Transport to the local authorities in We x f o rd , K i l k e n n y a n d Waterford. The capital investment will also provide jobs during construction.”

“It will support the refur-

bishment of the disused New Ross to Waterford Railway as part of the Greenway connecting New Ross to Waterford City which incorporates the Kilkenny Greenway. This cycleway will ultimately form part of an extensive cycling and walking network across the South East region and provide an environmentally friendly alternative for commuters into Waterford and New Ross,” concluded Minister Browne. n

W.I.T. named Institute of Technology of the Year Wa t e r f o r d I n s t i t u t e o f Technology (WIT) has been named The Sunday Times Institute of Technology of the Year for the third time in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. WIT won the award previously in 2009 and 2005, and was runner-up last year.

Alastair McCall, editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said “WIT has celebrated its 50th birthday this year by driving forward with plans that will eventually see its name disappear, emerging as a technological university that will have a big impact on the south-

east region and far beyond.

That can only be good news for the regional economy and for the students who are lucky enough to study here.”

WIT is already a big third level player and its future development as a TU is a another welcome move forward. n

Action needed as 1,365 waiting for driving test in Wexford – Deputy Mythen

Sinn Féin’s Deputy Johnny Mythen has called for Minister Eamon Ryan to take decisive action to tackle the massive driving test backlog.

Deputy Mythen’s comments come as the Road Safety Authority confirmed that in November there were 1,365 eligible learner drivers waiting for a test in Co. Wexford, and over 90,000 people waiting across the state – all forced to wait until well into 2021 for a test date.

“This issue has been deteriorating... Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has failed to take decisive action to tackle the growing backlog. In fact, the number of people waiting for a test has increased by 70% since June of this year.”

Class of 2020: Katherine O'Rourke of Belmont Stud in Barntown, Wexford, pictured at home with her son Jack. At her online conferring ceremony Katherine was awarded a Bachelor of Business (Honours) from the Institute of Technology Carlow Wexford Campus – one of 3,000 graduands conferred in November 2020. Pic: Mary Browne.

“It’s a huge issue for people in rural Ireland, where public transport simply isn’t an option, so it’s vitally important for the Department to get on top of this quickly.

Local man bids for leading I.F.A. role

“In addition, the driver theory test has been suspended until early December, causing further delays for those needing to learn to drive.

JAMES KEHOE FROM MONAGEER SEEKS LOCAL VOTES TO BECOME I.F.A. SOUTH LEINSTER CHAIRMAN James Kehoe is a Suckler to Beef, Sheep and Tillage farmer from Monageer. He has been working on his family farm since his mid-teens and at the young age of 41 his enthusiasm for farming is still strong.

James has been heavily involved in the Irish Farmers Association since he joined the organisation in 1996, and in that time he has held the position of Chairman in his local branch of Monageer from 2005 to 2009. He represented Wexford on the National Sheep Committee where he was also a member of the Management Committee. He was Vice Chairman of Wexford from 2015 – 2016 and he then went on to be elected Chairman of Wexford IFA in 2017.

With his four-year term as Wexford County Chairman nearing an end, he is now currently standing for election as South Leinster Chairman. This post covers eight counties and allows him to represent them on the Board of the IFA. While relatively young in IFA terms, James has a wealth of experience under his belt at this stage.

This includes dealing with local farmer issues such as animal welfare, sheep attacks, vulture funds, fair deal and many infrastructure problems with local roads and services in Wexford.

Some of his highlights include being one of the main

James Kehoe

drivers and negotiators for the IFA during the setting up a Sheep Welfare Scheme which was of huge benefit to Irish sheep farmers and the environment. All too often there are reports of major sheep kills and James was instrumental in getting a second dog warden employed in the county. This has helped elevate the untold tragedy of unlicensed dogs causing damage and distress, not alone to animals, but to farm families that have to deal with the aftermath.

James dealt with many issues that arose during the construction of the Enniscorthy and New Ross bypasses. This required discussions with TII, BAM and the local county council. These negotiations took a lot of time and energy in order to achieve a favourable outcome

for the landowners, but he and his team saw each issue through to completion.

A community highlight each year since James became Chairman in Wexford has been the Live Crib at the Farm Centre in Enniscorthy. Apart from raising nearly €10,000 over the last four years for the Hope Cancer Support Centre and the Irish Pilgrim Trust, the day has become a must-attend event for the people of Enniscorthy and surrounding areas.

James has close links with several volunteer organisations in the county, one of which is Awareness Head to Toe, which is a voluntary committee formed to promote mental health, general heath and farm safety awareness throughout the rural community.

James is deeply passionate about his commitment to helping to create a better life for ALL those involved in farming.

He firmly believes that the younger generation needs support and information to tackle the constant challenges of farming. He is determined to be a strong voice protecting farmers who produce the quality food that Ireland is known for.

Voting this year is by post, so delegates from each branch will receive a voting pack around the start of December and they will have until the middle of December to post these back to IFA headquarters.

James is always available to talk and can be contacted on 087 2791109. n

“There is a clear need for additional driving instructors and testers. Likewise, longer opening hours and weekend tests would go some way to address the lengthening backlog.

“The Minister needs to urgently consult with instructors, testers and their unions to find a way forward to accelerate the number of tests that can be carried out safely over the coming months.”

Central goverment comes to the rescue Wexford County Council is to receive €10.5 million in funding from central government to cover commercial rates rebate.

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed the government’s decision to issue a second tranche of commercial rates rebates to local authorities, including Wexford County Council.

The July Stimulus programme included a €600 million commercial rates waiver related to business impacted by Covid-19.

As this measure covered 100% of commercial rates from the end of March to the end of September, a further €300 million commercial rates waiver was announced in Budget 2021 to cover 100% of rates until the end of the year. In a normal year, the County Council would not collect 100% of rates, which means that the Council will receive a larger amount than initially budgeted.

Taking the opportunity, Minister Browne said, “I would like to commend Wexford County Council for their exceptional leadership embedded in their response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

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Wexford Welcomes You Safely campaign run by Wexford Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

In Enniscorthy L-R: Angela Lawless (LEO), Thomas Crofts (M&M Meats), Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy (Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District), Ger Mackey (Enniscorthy District Manager), Mary Hudson Ryan (Glamour Boutique), Dermot Kavanagh (Smyths Homevalue) and Liz Hore (Head of Enterprise, Wexford LEO). Pic: Ger Hore.

SUPPORTED BY

Wexford Welcomes You Safely is a campaign designed by Wexford County Council and the Local Enterprise Office to support footfall to local shops and protect local shoppers by ensuring the highest possible levels of staff training and Covid-19 safety standards.

Aimed at independent Wexford high street business owners, all are welcome to get involved from butchers, to clothing retailers, beauty salons and hairdressers in the towns and villages across Co.Wexford.

WHAT IS INVOLVED? Interested businesses watch a free recorded training webinar in Covid-19 Safety Recommendations, designed for customer and shopper environments as outlined on www.gov.ie. All businesses who watch this training video receive a “Wexford Welcomes You Safely” point of sale pack.

Each pack contains Wexford branded window posters, push pull stickers, till wobblers, tent cards and floor graphics, each reminding cus-

tomers and staff to keep their distance, wear a facemask and use hand gel.

HOW DO I ACCESS THE TRAINING? The course is online and can be viewed from your phone or laptop. Any number of staff can view from any one business and it is free to everyone.

To sign up, just visit www.wexfordwelcomes you.ie/training or email info@leo.wexfordcoco.ie

Cllr. Ger Carthy, Chairman of Wexford County Council, said, “More than ever Wexford shoppers want to support our local high street businesses, it’s been a very challenging year for local business and I am delighted that Wexford County Council is spearheading this initiative to help our retailers who put customer safety first.”

Liz Hore, Head of Enterprise, Wexford County Council, said, “LEO Wexford had provided a range of finan-

cial supports to support businesses impacted by Covid19. Initiatives included the trading online voucher, micro enterprise loans and grant supports. However, this campaign is directly aimed at supporting our local businesses in towns across the county over the Christmas period and into the New Year.

“I am delighted that the Local Enterprise Office at Wexford County Council is providing free online Covid19 safety training for every

ID1199 FFRREEEE CCOOVVID g in in g a r in T in y a t r e T f a y t S e f a S Weexxffoorrdd ffoorr W S n o l S a s n & o l s a r s e & il s a r t e e r il a t re We are making free Covid 19 Safety training available to every staff

FREE

member of every retail or salon business throughout County Wexford.

TRAINING

The training will happen online and it covers safety and hygiene practices as outlined on www.gov.ie.

When completed, you’ll receive a ‘Wexford Welcomes You Safely’ merchandising kit for your shop to flag up your commitment to

2m

providing a safe retail space. It’s about protecting people and livelihoods here in the model county so to get involved log on to www.wexfordwelcomesyou.ie

www.wexfordwelcomesyou.ie

windo posterws floor graphics till wobblers & more!

SUPPORTED BY

retail business whilst encouraging shoppers back to our high streets to support local businesses with peace of mind.”

Look out for Wexford branded ‘Wexford Welcomes You Safely’ message in stores, on street signage and radio advertising and don’t forget to spread the word, because we are #WexfordTogether

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30 November 2020

L.E.O. Student Enterprise Awards The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Wexford annually hosts the Student Enterprise Programme in second-level schools across the county. The enterprise education initiative, funded by Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw over 25,000 students from over 500 secondary schools across Ireland take part this year.

❶

Through the work of Wexford enterprise schools coordinator and with the dedication and support of the class teachers, the LEO educates and advises students as they set up and run their own mini companies for profit. The entrepreneurial skills which the students learn while completing the Student Enterprise Programme enhance their confidence, creativity, problem-solving and team-working abilities.

In Wexford 2019/2020 Student Enterprise Programme over 1,155 students participated, running approximately 480 mini companies. 52 teachers facilitated the programme with assistance from new Student Enterprise Coordinator in Wexford, Colum Kavanagh.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, LEO Wexford was unable to host the gala awards night.

The winner of the overall Senior Category in the county was ‘Sticker Your Club’, a customised sticker business run by St Mary’s CBS Enniscorthy student, Harry Nolan. Harry put huge effort into reaching out to different target groups and clubs with his sticker solutions and this really paid off for him. His comprehensive approach to the business, which he encapsulated very well in his business report, greatly impressed the judges.

❷

In the Intermediate Category, the winning mini company was ‘Snazzy’. Rachel Kelly from Ramsgrange Community School sold handmade soft toys called ‘snazzies’ made from socks; a brilliant example of adapting an existing item to recycle into something completely different.

The Junior category winners in county Wexford were ‘Decoration Sensation’ from Bunclody Vocational College. Leah Hayes and Katherine McGlynn Green made and sold Christmas decorations. Their handmade approach proved popular with customers.

Sticker Your Club, Snazzy and Decoration Sensation all went on to (virtually) represent County Wexford at the online National Student Enterprise Awards last May. The 2019/2020 Entrepreneurial Educator of the Year was Ms Nessa Murphy from Coláiste Abbáin in Adamstown.

❸ ❹

A huge thanks go to the County Judges involved in last year’s competition; Helena Dempsey, Enterprise Projects Officer for the LEADER programme in Wexford Local Development, and Breege Cosgrave, Senior Enterprise Development Officer with Local Enterprise Office Wexford. The judges interviewed over 70 mini companies at judging days held in the Hatch Lab in Gorey, the Enniscorthy Enterprise & Technology Centre, Wexford County Council buildings in Wexford Town and the Brandon House Hotel in New Ross. The beautiful wooden 2019/2020 trophies seen in the photographs were supplied by Aidan Murphy, ORBespoke.

Second level student entrepreneurs across Wexford have now begun their journey in this year’s Student Enterprise Programme. Commenting on this year’s programme, Head of Enterprise in Local Enterprise Office Wexford, Liz Hore said; “The situation with COVID19 made this year particularly challenging for student entrepreneurs but they illustrated how agile they are and adapted their learning to operate in a changing business environment. We encourage members of the public to support this year’s student mini companies in any way they can; whether that’s sharing a Facebook post to help spread the word about their business, offering some advice, buying a product, or even stocking some of their products in your own workplace or business. Let us show these entrepreneurs of the future that no matter what the challenges, if they innovate, are flexible and work hard, they can succeed.”

The Student Enterprise Programme has developed a new range of online resources available at www.StudentEnterprise.ie.

You can follow #WexfordSEP on social media to see the projects and products being worked on by Wexford’s young entrepreneurs this year. n

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❺

❻

❼ ❶ St. Mary’s CBS Enniscorthy: Student entrepreneur Harry

Nolan won the overall Senior category in Wexford’s Student Enterprise Programme 2019/2020. He is pictured here receiving his trophy from Ms. Breege Cosgrave from Local Enterprise Office Wexford with teacher Ms. Anne Cleere and school principal Mr. John Ryan. (Missing from the photo is teacher Mr. Fabian Flood.)

❷ Coláiste Bríde: Aisling Boylan, Lauryn Cooney, Emma-Louise

Doran and Cayleigh O’Brien Doyle won a Social Impact Award.

They are pictured here with Wexford Student Enterprise coordinator Colum Kavanagh and teacher Ms. Margo Whelan. (Missing from the photo are student Fiona Geißdörfer and teacher Ms. Linda Talbot.)

❸ Enniscorthy Vocational College: Caitlin Blackburn, Tara

Foley, Tara Hudson were the runner-up in the LCVP/LCA category.

They are pictured here with their teacher, Ms. Aileen Walsh.

(Missing from the photo is student Niamh Freeman.)

❹ Meánscoil Gharman: Students Aimee Ní Ruadhgáin Ní

❽

Cheallaigh and Alannah McCann with their Runner-up trophy in the Most Creative Business Idea category. Teacher Ms. Shannon De Faoite, vice principal Ms. Cécile O'Connor and the students' class teacher for the Student Enterprise Programme last year, Ms. Elaine Nic Réamoinn are also pictured here.

❺ St. Mary’s CBS Enniscorthy: Shane Cullen, Liam Doyle and

Darragh Kehoe won an Environmental Award and are pictured here with teachers Ms. Anne Cleere and Ms. Martina Barry, school principal Mr. John Ryan and Ms. Breege Cosgrave from Local Enterprise Office Wexford.

❻ Bunclody Vocational College: Junior Winner, Leah Hayes

with teacher Ms. Sinéad Kinsella and school principal Mr. James Murphy. (Missing from the photo is Leah’s business partner Katherine McGlynn Green.)

❼ FCJ Bunclody: Teacher Mr. Paul Fitzgerald is pictured here

with students Ben Goodwin, Ben Kavanagh, Niall Kehoe and Billy See (Senior Runner-up award), and Fionn O'Leary who won a Merit award for his business. (Missing from the photo is teacher Mr. Dean Farrell.)

❽ Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge: Maria Whelan and Sophie

Whelan won the trophy for Best Senior Interview. They are pictured here with school principal Ms. Elizabeth Martin and teacher Ms. Róisin Roche. (Missing from the photo is teacher Ms. Claire Carroll.)

❾ Coláiste Abbáin, Adamstown: Entrepreneurial Educator of

❾

the Year, Ms. Nessa Murphy is pictured with Ella Fitzpatrick (Best Junior/Intermediate Poster), Tara Murphy and Philippa Coleman (Best Junior/Intermediate Interview), Molly O’Reilly (Junior Runnerup) and school principal Mr. John Nolan. (Missing from the photo is teacher Ms. Rita Breen.) n

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30 November 2020

Cllr Byrne highlights good news for firsttime house buyers Cllr. Cathal Byrne is encouraging First Time Buyers to avail of the expanded Help to Buy Scheme, saying, “I welcome the news from Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD that the expanded Help to Buy Scheme will be extended until 31st December 2021.”

“The Help to Buy Scheme exists to help first time buyers who with the help of a mortgage are either purchasing a new build or building their first house themselves. Where applicants enter into a contract for the purchase of a newly built house or apartment, or make the first draw down of the mortgage in the case of a selfbuild property, during the period from 23 July 2020 to 31 December 2021, they will be eligible for increased relief under the Help to Buy Scheme.

The maximum Help to Buy Scheme relief you are entitled to will be based on the lesser of: • €30,000 (increased from €20,000), • 10 % (increased from 5%) of purchase price/value of your property, or,

Cllr Cathal Byrne: “I would encourage first time buyers in Co. Wexford to avail of the Help to Buy Scheme”

• The amount of Income Tax and DIRT paid for the four years prior to making the application.

“For first time buyers in County Wexford, this means that they can potentially claim up to €30,000 of income tax and DIRT tax that they have paid over the past four years back from the Revenue to put it towards the cost of purchasing their first house or building their own home.” n

Green Ribbon Launch in Enniscorthy Awareness Head to Toe is a Wexford-founded, national voluntary organisation that works on promoting farm safety and mental health awareness among farmers and rural dwellers.

At their "Green Ribbon Launch", at Enniscorthy Castle on 10th October to coincide with World Mental Health Day, back row L-R: Ger Mackey (Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager), Cllr Aidan Browne, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy (Enniscorthy Municipal District Chairperson), Minister James Browne TD, Senator Malcolm Byrne and Cllr Bridin Murphy. Front Row L-R: Cllr Jackser Owens, Patrick Hipwell (Wexford Green Ribbon Ambassador), George Graham (Awareness Head to Toe Chairman) and John Kelly (Awareness Head to Toe Treasurer).

Minister Browne welcomes recent healthcare news...

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has backed the move to extend medical cards for over 56,000 people over the age of 70.

Under the new measures the gross income limit for medical card eligibility for those aged 70 or over will be increased to €550 per week for a single person or €1,050 per week for a couple. This represents an increase of €50 and €150 respectively and will mean an extra 56,000 people over the age of 70 will be eligible for a medical card.

Prescription charges will be reduced by 50c and the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold will be reduced from €124 per month to €114 per month.

Commenting Minister Browne said, “These measures which came into effect on November 1st will undoubtedly help people all across

Wexford and is a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to fulfilling the obligations in the Programme for Government.”

Minister Browne’s office can provide assistance in completing medical card application forms.

––––––––––––––––––––––––– Minister Browne has also welcomed news that €1.6 million has been approved for a new cataract operating theatre in University Hospital Waterford.

Following the appointment of a design team, the tender to construct the state of the art cataract theatre will be launched. It’s intended that the theatre be operational in 2021.

“This is positive news for Wexford and the south-east.

A modern and state of the art cataract operating theatre will greatly benefit people awaiting ophthalmological surgery.

Many Wexford people have contacted me as they have found themselves waiting for months to get an appointment for cataract surgery.

“University Hospital Waterford will benefit of significant increased capacity for these procedures and this will mean that County Wexford people awaiting cataract surgery will enjoy a better quality of life as a result of shorter waiting times for these i m p o r t a n t p ro c e d u re s ” , Minister Browne concluded.

––––––––––––––––––––––––– The creation of a new dementia memory assessment and support service for County Wexford which will also facilitate an ambulatory, or walking, assessment service, has also been welcomed by Minister Browne.

“This is brilliant news for County Wexford” said Minister Browne, and “will ensure that people with dementia and their families will benefit from an excellent community-based diagnosis service... I know Saoirse Kelly and Alzheimer’s Society local office carers and staff in Enniscorthy are keen to help people with dementia and their families in dealing with the impact of dementia on people’s learning, memory and language. I’m delighted that the delivery of a memory assessment hub in County Wexford

will help their great work”, Minister Browne said.

––––––––––––––––––––––––– Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has confirmed that a tender process for a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford is well underway.

The two-stage tender process, which commenced at the end of September 2020, will take approximately four months, with works expected to get underway in the first quarter of 2021.

Minister Browne said, “It’s positive to see that the tender process is well underway. Many County Wexford people have contacted, expressing their desire to see the speedy expansion of cardiac services at UHW. The tender is a two-stage process for main and specialist contractors. It’s expected that the tender process will take roughly four months. Works on the new cath lab are due to commence in the first quarter of 2021 with the building expected to take twelve months.

“Wexford and the southeast relies on UHW’s diagnostic and cardiac intervention care service. I will be closely monitoring the provision of a second cath lab as its tender process is well underway”, Minister Browne concluded.

––––––––––––––––––––––––– €87,500 in additional fund-

ing for palliative care support in Wexford has been secured.

The funding is part of a wider announcement of €350,000 for pallative care in the South East.

“This funding is delivered for the Hospice sector to deal with the additional measures and demands arising from Covid-19. It will allow them to continue to provide medical and nursing care to the highest standards for patients with life limiting illnesses in their own homes,” said Minister Browne.

“Palliative care is a very special part of the healthcare service which aims to enable

patients with life limiting illnesses and their families to live the best quality of life for as long as they possibly can.”

“The staff of the Hospice group in Wexford always do amazing work, and they have gone above and beyond the call of duty during Covid-19.

Covid-19 has complicated endof-life care for patients and the ability of family members to spend time with loved ones during their final days. This has caused huge distress for the patients and their families.

This funding will help ensure end-of-life care is provided as safely and compassionately as possible in these difficult times,” said Minister Browne. n

Saoirse Kelly with Minister James Browne.

Slaney News

www.slaneynews.com As the light dims and heavy Covid curtains are drawn across the pestilent Spring/ Summer of 2020, I reflect on some newly learned coping mechanisms, as we, mankind, hurtle like many headless chickens into the winter abyss.

The challenges, difficulties and hardships of that most virulent plague, Coronavirus, have been of biblical proportions and magnitude and in another time one could be forgiven for thinking that man had once again called down the wrath of God upon himself and any time now the sun will disappear from the Heavens leaving the world in total blackness or submerged under great flood waters.

Thankfully, we live in more enlightened times, or do we?

For many of us, particularly those who live alone or great distances from their nearest and dearest the light of the world has certainly dimmed and there are moments when the flood waters of depression, isolation and loneliness threaten to submerge even the brightest lights among us.

A survival tool that has stood me well to date under the

The Epoch of our Discontent oppressive clouds of Covid 19 is having something to look forward to, an essential human condition.

It can be the very simplest of things that give the very greatest of pleasure.

Having something to look forward to keeps me going and keeps me ploughing through even the toughest and deepest of furrows.

In the midst of Winter 2020 with the daunting prospect of shorter, darker days and longer, lonelier nights seeking things to look forward can add a ray of sunshine to the grey days.

A splash of colour in the home, in the garden or on your person, a brightly patterned cushion, a multicoloured scarf or a vivid bloom can focus the eye and bring a little joie de vivre to even the dullest moments.

A bath bursting with fragrant bubbles and a glass of rich, red wine can warm the cockles of any heart and cast out the chill of winter evenings.

Looking forward to a favourite television programme with a

mug of frothy coffee and a dark, melt in the mouth chocolate can be moments to cherish, even if enjoying them alone.

A letter written with affection either online or on paper to a friend or family member and their response upon receipt of same can create a priceless memory.

An early morning walk can cause the spirit to soar especially when looking for-

Healthy Wexford goes live

Healthy Wexford: Cllr John Hegarty, Chair of Healthy County Committee, Frank Feighan TD, Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing & the National Drugs Strategy, Annette Dupuy, Healthy County Coordinator.

Minister Frank Feighan, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, attended the Irish National Heritage Park recently to formally launch Healthy Wexford. The launch was streamed via an open access link to an online audience meaning all could attend virtually, and included the launch of the Healthy Wexford County Plan 20202022, and celebration of Wexford joining the National Healthy Cities & Counties of Ireland Network.

The Vision for a Healthy Wexford is where everyone

can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential, where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of socie t y, a n d i s e v e r y o n e ’ s responsibility. In delivering this vision, Wexford replicates and localises the goals of Healthy Ireland, the national health and wellbeing framework. Speaking at the launch Minister Feighan highlighted that the Healthy Wexford County Plan 2020-2022 will support the implementation of Healthy Ireland, the national health and wellbeing framework, at a local level, to improve the health and well-

being of all in County Wexford.

Membership of the National Healthy Cities & Counties of Ireland Network will also further support this activity and provides a means by where local issues can influence national policy.

With 23 actions set around 6 strategic priorities, such as Physical Activity, Healthy Weight, Mental Health and Sexual Health, this plan is a roadmap to improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Co. Wexford.

To find out more about Healthy Wexford see www.wexfordcoco.ie/ community/healthy-wexford

ward to returning to that first morning cuppa and steaming bowl of porridge topped with rum-soaked raisins, cinnamon, banana and honey, a feast good enough to get out of bed for.

Let’s not be slow in these trying times to pamper ourselves and pander to our own individual wellbeing.

Looking forward to getting out there and engaging with those we meet, giving

and receiving smiles, even from strangers is an uplifting and rewarding experience.

‘What is life if full of care we have no time to stand and stare.’

Covid 19 with all its trials and tribulations affords us the time to stop and stare on all the beauty and wonder around us.

Focusing on all we can do and look forward to rather than allowing what we can’t do to consume and swamp us is a most worthwhile exercise.

The beauty of nature can be captured in our gardens as birds and other wildlife flock to winter foliage and bird tables, or we can take to the uplifting hills and coastlines to enjoy their stunning vistas and wildlife. Look forward to capturing all that magic on camera over the winter months and sharing with friends, family and acquaintances on social media.

Their comments will give great satisfaction and it will serve as your own personal

31

photographic record of a time different to any other.

Look forward to finishing the book you are reading and to choosing the next one and writing reviews to share with others so that they too can enjoy.

Look forward to your next staycation and to appreciating all that we have on our own doorsteps.

Look forward enthusiastically, immerse yourself in the moments and look back and treasure the memories created when the world was turned upside down.

Look forward to the kindness and gentleness of the majority of people in our new and challenging world, to the care and concern of those you meet who inquire after your health and wellbeing, and look forward to challenging yourself to find new things to do and new ways of appreciating them, and pray that at the end of all this hardship and strife we will look back on Covid 19 a bit like Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities and say... ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’

– Maria Nolan

Paul Kehoe TD welcomes Rosslare investment A major announcement in recent days about a new ferry sailing from Rosslare to Dunkirk, Normandy, has been widely welcomed. It will commence in January and will be operated

by DFDS/EuroSeaways and it will have its own dedicated terminal so no sharing with UK traffic and so no delays.

This new route will increase to up to thirteen the number of direct Rosslare Europort to Europe ro-ro sailings each way on a weekly basis across all routes in peak season..

As well as new business such as DFDS’ forthcoming service and the arrival of Brittany Ferries earlier this year, Iarnród Éireann – Port Authority for Rosslare Europort – has recently secured planning permission for a major transformation of Rosslare Europort, as part of its Port Masterplan.

Wexford TD, Paul Kehoe, explains, “The Masterplan, together with initiatives under the strategic plan for the port, will see over €30 million invested by Iarnród Éireann in Rosslare Europort over the next five years.

It will ensure that Rosslare will be equipped with the capacity, facilities and technology to facilitate major growth for the benefit of the region and the wider national economy.

“Major changes in the Europort will be: ➤ New configuration of the port aligned to maximise future growth of the port and support regional and national development ➤ Significant new facilities and infrastructure to develop Rosslare Europort to its full potential as Ireland's gateway port to the UK and Europe ➤ Design and develop a Sustainable, Seamless and Smart Port that will be best in class internationally.”

Deputy Kehoe continues, “The development under the Masterplan will be completed over a number of phases over a five year timeframe to enable the port continue to operate all services and activity during construction. Rosslare Europort is the closest port to the UK and mainland Europe and offers numerous

daily/weekly direct Services to the UK, France and Spain.

As well as the port masterplan, further substantial investment will also take place both at the port and the surrounding area with the following further developments being completed during the same timeframe. ➤ Construction of the New N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road by TII and Wexford Co Council ➤ Development of the Rosslare Europort Business Park by the Dutch company XELLZ targeting the future Offshore Wind Market ➤ Delivery of the existing, and construction of the future permanent extensive facilities to meet all customs and Brexit requirements for state agencies at the Port, making Rosslare the only port outside of Dublin with the required Border Inspection Post.

The combined developments will see the largest ever investment in the port and will position Rosslare Europort to become the leading gateway for the country to the UK and Europe. n

32

Slaney Food & Drink

30 November 2020

Local producers win big at Food Awards

Winter Nutrition

By Oonagh Trehin BSc MSc ANUTR 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 will be contributing a regular column to the Slaney News.

As the seasons change and winter sets in, there are bound to be changes to our eating habits. Here are some key areas of nutrition we should focus on during the winter months: Water: When it is cold, it is hard to want to drink water, but it is so important for our health!

Aim to have a glass of water before and after your main meals and add 1-2 glasses mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Remember that caffeinefree teas, squash and juice count towards your 8 glasses/day.

Caffeine: We tend to have more tea and coffee during winter. Especially if you are sitting at a desk working from home, a hot drink can warm you up. But be sure not to over-do it. Limit your cups of tea and coffee and try some decaf options.

Fruit: Fruit intake tends to reduce in the cold weather, but remember that fruit is a brilliant source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Aim to have 2 portions every day. To improve fruit intake try to: include a banana with break-

fast, either on cereal, porridge or toast, try stewed apple or pear on porridge or with custard for dessert, and include some dried fruit as a snack with yogurt or nuts.

Comfort foods: On dark, cold evenings, it is normal to crave a comforting dinner. Lean into the seasonal changes and make the most of the vegetables that are in season by making stews, soups, casseroles and curries. Remember that eating should nourish your soul as well as your body, and

enjoy cosy, comforting meals!

Vitamin D: From October until April, we should all take a 10microgram supplement of vitamin D. You can buy these in all pharmacies, and many supermarkets now.

Remember to take your supplement at the end of a main meal to get the best from it.

If you want more nutrition advice, go to www.littleonutrition.com, or contact Oonagh on 083-3260216 or littleonutrition@gmail.com n

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

Slimming World Groups Reopen

Congratulations to the Co. Wexford producers who were big winners at the 2020 Blas na hÉireann (Irish Food Awards) last month.

The largest competition of its kind, the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards blind taste over 2,500 Irish products entered across 100 different food and drinks categories.

The awards are recognised as an industry gold standard, which are blind tasted by a panel of expert chefs, restaurateurs, academics and journalists.

The Co. Wexford winners included O'Neills Bacon, Killowen Farm, Zanna Cookhouse "Lovely Food for Lovely People", Stafford's Bakeries, WILD About,

Wexford Home Preserves, Isle of Crackers, Artisan Bakery and Naturally Cordial all won awards in their respective categories! A special mention to Fancy Fungi Mushrooms on being named in the Chef's Larder Winners category and Scúp Gelato on winning the Best in County award for Wexford. Keep up the great work!

At this year’s annual ‘Free F r o m ’ F o o d Aw a r d s announced on 8th October, Irish Country Meats, Enniscorthy, won gold for its Irish Carvery Lamb Shoulder with Garlic & Rosemary, and Silver for its Specially Selected Lamb Rump Steak with Mushroom, Wild Garlic & Herb Crumb. n

Killowen and Fancy Fungi were successful at the Irish Food Awards.

Enniscorthy’s All Ireland Foods wins major national award

The Salt n Pepper Pot Community Workshop Enniscorthy Tuesdays and Saturdays New Members Welcome Booking is Essential Call Tony on 087 1785384

Two of All Ireland Food’s amazing hampers.

Enniscorthy-based All Ireland Foods has just won a Prestige Award in the best international food delivery service category.

Managing Director, Joe Murphy, is passionate about local Irish food, and his com-

pany facilitates Irish food producers to export their products online all over the world.

Check out their ad on page 48, and their website: https://allirelandfoods.ie

Gold for Slaney Farms Slaney Farms, situated just outside Enniscorthy, is delighted with its recent honour – achieving Origin Green Gold Membership. Origin Green is Ireland’s pioneering food and drink sustainability programme, operating on a national scale, uniting government, the private sector and the full supply chain from farmers to food producers and right through to the foodservice and retail sectors.

The Origin Green journey has helped Slaney Farms build sustainability measures which are helping the business now, and into the future.

Slaney Farms is grateful to Bord Bia (Irish Food Board) and to Origin Green and especially its own staff who work tirelessly to ensure they are doing all they possibly can to improve and be as sustainable as possible. n

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Comhairle Contae

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

Loch Garman Carricklawn, Wexford Y35 WY93

Wexford County Council Household Recycling Centres

Wexford County Council invites applicants for the following posts Administrative Officer Senior Staff Officer Staff Officer Assistant Staff Officer GIS Technician

Normal Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 8.15am – 4.00pm Saturday 8.15am – 3.00pm Closed for lunch 12.00noon – 1.00pm Sundays, Mondays & Bank Holidays Closed

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Note: Large volumes of traffic are expected during the above period and queuing/delays can be expected.

Please follow staff instruction, and do not exit your vehicle unless you are parked in the correct location on site.

We would advise customers where possible to dispose of their recyclable materials before or after this period.

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may arise.

Normal opening hours resume on Tuesday 5th January.

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

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

Closing date for receipt of completed application forms for all posts is: 5.00pm on Thursday 10th December, 2020.

Wexford County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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

Wexford Borough District - Wexford County Council Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2020 Accelerated Measures in response to Covid 19 Outdoor Street Furniture Grant Scheme Applications for funding under the above Scheme are invited from commercial business owners / operators in the hospitality sector in Wexford Borough District to assist with the provision of outdoor seating areas, accessories and items of equipment to assist with reopening in compliance with Covid 19 Government Guidelines.

Application forms are available online via Wexford County Council website www.wexfordcoco.ie or on request from the offices of Wexford Borough District.

Completed application forms must be submitted to: Wexford Borough District Office, 61 The Bullring, Wexford Y35 EA00 Closing date for receipt of completed Application Forms is Friday, 11th December, 2020.

For queries please telephone Wexford Borough District Office on 053 9166906 or email wexfordborough@wexfordcoco.ie Angela Laffan District Manager Wexford Borough District.

The Management and Staff of Wexford County Council Household Recycling Centres would like to wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year Street Lights Broken?

Report on www.deadsureapp.com

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Outside office hours call: 1890 666 777 Register on www.mapalerter.com for free text and email alerts about service disruptions in your locality

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

34

Slaney Business & Finance

30 November 2020

www.slaneynews.com The Hatch Lab in Gorey

Brexit Business Support Webinars A Wexford LEO business Support initiative

Funding for Co. Wexford’s Enterprise Centres €295,595 is to be invested in three Enterprise Centres in C o . We x f o r d t h r o u g h Enterprise Ireland’s Enterprise Centres Fund. Nationally, a total of €8.24m has been announced.

Enniscorthy Enterprise & Technology Centre, The Hatch Lab in Gorey and Wexford Enterprise Centre are the three recipients. These centres provide training and advice for local entrepreneurs as well as office space and have been integral in supporting local jobs. The 75 jobs announced in recent weeks for Gorey (see below) will be based in The Hatch Lab. Enniscorthy will receive

€98,400, Gorey €52,800 and Wexford €144,395 to be used to ensure they remain open for the benefit of their local communities and the protection and creation of local jobs.

John O’Connor, who manages both the Enniscorthy and Gorey centres, expressed his

delight with the funding. In the case of Enniscorthy the funding will be used to convert two training rooms to co-working spaces for people to use instead of commuting to Dublin, and could also be used by students who are studying off-campus in these Covid times. n

The Wexford Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is a great source of information and help for local businesses particularly in relation to Covid-19, and Brexit.

Visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie/ Response

Wexford LEO is continuing its series of free Brexit Business Support Webinars to support SMEs to prepare and be ready for Brexit in their business.

The webinars commenced on November 23rd and run up to and including January 14th, 2021. These webinars represent an opportunity for SME businesses to access credible information and knowledge from specialists in subject areas associated with Brexit.

L i z H o re , H e a d o f Enterprise, LEO Wexford, stated, “The one certainty regarding Brexit is that change is coming on the 1st of January 2021. LEO Wexford is here to assist businesses to adapt to the new requirements and to maximise opportunities that may arise for the new trading environment. The strategic location of Rosslare Europort puts County Wexford in a unique position as a Gateway to Europe.”

In the first webinars, participants heard from Ray Ryan, Brexit Unit, Customs Department, Revenue Commissioners, Brendan Byrne, Financial and Brexit Consultant, Deidre Parkinson, Head of Marketing & Channels at Micro Finance Ireland and Breege Cosgrave, Senior Business Advisor. In the next webinar on the 9th December, Simon McKeever, CEO of Irish Exporters Association, will speak on “Brexit

Liz Hore, Head of Enterprise, Wexford Local Enterprise Office

proofing and your supply chain: an exporter’s perspective”.

Other webinars to come will include talks from Mags Boland Murphy, Brexit Mentor Panel at Bofin Consultancy and John Boland of Premium Autos, Waterford.

The Brexit Business Support Webinars are structured for and will be of interest and benefit to any business which trades with the UK, Northern Ireland or via these two locations to other markets. They will be of interest and benefit to any business which exports through these channels or buys and has suppliers based in these locations.

It will be of interest to those who are paying or being paid i n s t e r l i n g t o o r f ro m a UK/Northern Irish entity.

The free webinars will focus on specific topics over a dedicated one-hour period and include an opportunity to ask

Celebrating Co. Wexford’s female entrepreneurs ‘Stronger Together’ was the theme for National Women’s Enterprise Day 2020, which took place online on 14th October.

An initiative driven by Local Enterprise Office Wexford, along with 30 other Local Enterprise Offices around the country, National Women’s Enterprise Day showcased stories, experiences and insights from Ireland’s female-led companies and drew attention to the enterprise supports that are available locally.

Guest contributors included Pestle & Mortar’s Sonia Deasy, Olympian and entrepreneur Derval O’ Rourke, Kinzen Cofounder Áine Kerr, and Sarah Colgan of the 20X20 movement. Events included interviews, panel discussions, specialist sessions, virtual networking, an online marketplace for promoting goods and services and access to experts from state support agencies.

An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar T.D., delivered the opening address at National Women’s Enterprise Day, which was supported by Enterprise Ireland and local authorities. An Tánaiste said: “The ‘Stronger

Pictured on National Women’s Enterprise Day is broadcaster and entrepreneur Áine Kerr, cofounder of Kinzen. A record number of over 2,600 owner managers and entrepreneurs around the country joined the events online on 14th October.

Together’ message for National Women’s Enterprise Day has never been more important.

The Government is determined to help more women pursue entrepreneurship as a career and I’m encouraged to see such a significant increase – 58%, taking up the training programmes that are available.

Training and mentorship can make a huge difference to any entrepreneur starting out, on

what can often be a lonely journey, and I encourage all women considering setting up their own business to contact their Local Enterprise Office to see how they can help you.”

Liz Hore, Head of Enterprise & Economic Development with Local Enterprise Office Wexford in Wexford County Council said: “Every year, National Women’s Enterprise Day is about harnessing ideas, inno-

vation, creativity and about learning from each other, and this year we successfully moved events online for female entrepreneurs and businesswomen all over the country.”

She added: “National Women’s Enterprise Day is also about flying the flag for all the enterprise supports that are available to businesses locally. For example, the Local Enterprise Office team here in

Wexford have been helping hundreds of local businesses respond to the pandemic and to prepare for the changes that Brexit will bring too.”

Organisers behind National Women’s Enterprise Day are also highlighting more than twenty ‘Leading Lights’ from around the country. Those are dynamic business owners that have been nominated by their Local Enterprise Office. Mary Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets Ltd, was nominated as the ‘Leading Light’ for county Wexford as she has shown outstanding leadership as a female entrepreneur and has led the way in her innovative approach to her business. Throughout the pandemic, Mary has shown courage and resilience in steering her company towards growth.

At this year’s events, there were teams on hand from Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, Credit Review Office, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Europe Network, the Health and Safety Authority and Skillnet Ireland to offer information and advice alongside the Local Enterprise Offices. n

questions that they may need to ask. It will allow businesses to assess the real risk to their business and to prepare and safeguard their business and their cashflow.

The webinars will include the following topics: • Brexit supports to address and action Brexit in your business.

• Knowing your Brexit business numbers – Brexit costs, currency and cashflow.

• The Brexit Supply Chain and Customs.

• Your new Brexit Market – The rest of the world.

• A case study: Meet a business which has prepared, and listen to their story.

There will be a Brexit panel discussion included. Reference documents and presentation synopsis will be provided after each webinar to each attendee.

Any business which may be interested in finding out more and which wants to be prepared for Brexit is invited to register for these free webinars.

SEE AD OPPOSITE ➤ Attendance is by registration only.

Book your place today at the following link https://www.localenterprise. ie/Wexford/TrainingEvents/Online-Bookings/ or call LEO Wexford 053 91916020. n

Gorey Jobs welcomed Wexford County Council is delighted to welcome CSC to Co. Wexford, following the announcement that the company, one of the world's largest privately-held businesses providing financial, corporate administration and depositary services, is to set up its European Centre of Operational Excellence in the thriving town of Gorey creating 75 jobs over four years.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Ger Carthy, described the announcement as great news for the county. “It’s a tremendous vote of confidence in County Wexford and it clearly shows that Wexford can successfully compete as a strategic location for financial service companies.”

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright, also welcomed the announcement. “This decision by CSC demonstrates the company’s confidence in Wexford where it can be assured of a deep pool of highly skilled and creative talent. It also shows that the Council’s policy of supporting Wexford’s talented workforce through the development of state-of-the-art offices and infrastructure can yield significant dividends in terms of national and international investment and high quality jobs,” said Mr. Enright.

Slaney Services

35

VET DIARY FOR DECEMBER

with the Moyne Veterinary Hospital Joe Kavanagh’s last column of 2020...

As 2020 is coming to a close, many might be glad to see the back of it after months of imposed lockdown but it’s been a big year in lots of ways. The lockdown has certainly refocused us as a society in different ways. For one, so many people now work from home and their daily commute is either vastly reduced or gone.

Children were asking to go back to school... when did that ever happen before??... and dog shelters were empty!! ... Unbelievable!! Not a dog to be had. If people did have pups or dogs to be rehomed they were snapped up in no time. The whole social isolation has crystallised the value of our four-legged pets.

The fun that a puppy brings to a house is amazing, the funny things they do, full of fun, divilment, enthusiasm and vim... The downside is the house takes a bit of a hammering... skirting boards, curtains, lino, carpets... all fair game but ye know what – it’s a small price to pay for that sheer joy, laughter and life they inject into the family. I know it’s not much fun cleaning up after them while house-training them or hoping they'll fast forward out of the chewing stage... A good tip to help when teething is freeze natural yogurt and give it to them to chew on... it amuses them and busies them while you get to clean up.

I often talk about the privilege of working as a vet and this year made that stand out. The lockdown didn't overly affect us in that we were still able to go to work. Yeah, for sure, we had to tailor how we worked but I have to say a huge thank you to all our clients for the loyalty, support and understanding through this year. So many clients drop in cards, goodies, flowers. Lovely touches of thanks and we don't always get to return the compliment, so for all of your generosity of spirit and deed we just want to acknowledge a heartfelt thanks to one and all. It is lovely to get those cards and notes and it lifts the spirits of the staff every time.

On a different note, I read several articles on studies done in the UK on the prevalence of Fipronil and Imidacloprid contaminating our rivers. These are the 'spot on' meds that are used to treat fleas, ticks etc in our dogs and cats. 98% of the freshwater samples were contaminated with Fipronil and 66% with Imidacloprid.

The study went on to say that these degrade into compounds that are more persistent and more toxic than the parent substances. They are extremely toxic to aquatic life and bees too. So moving away from blanket treatments with heavy duty meds to more natural products might sustain the environment and more than likely our own pets’ health too.

There are several alternative products such as diatomaceous earth, natural shampoos and oils... As they say if one door closes, two doors open!!!

Again, I just want to say a huge thank you to all our loyal customers throughout the year, for your support, kindness and understanding when we had to rearrange how we worked in the practice with the restrictions.

We hope you have a magical Christmas and we look forward to a new year with the enthusiasm of a puppy!!

Have a lovely holiday time from all the staff here at the Moyne Veterinary Hospital. 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

MOYNE VETERINARY HOSPITAL Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy.

T: (053)9233187, 9236674. F: (053)9236674.

E: moynevet@gmail.com

OPENING HOURS (6 DAYS A WEEK): 9.00am–1.00pm and 2.00pm–6.00pm Small animal clinic (please tel. for appointment): Daily 9.30–10.30am, 2.30–3.30pm, 5.00–6.00pm.

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

36

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30 November 2020

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Our January issue will be out on Wednesday 6th Jan 2021

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38

Slaney News

30 November 2020

www.slaneynews.com

illegney hotos from K Selection of p ing Centre, Halloween earn Early Years L tober, in aid of Temple lin.

Day, 20th Oc Hospital Dub â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s n re d il h C t Stree

Briste s from Carraig stown, to o h p f o n o ti Selec e, David earning Centr Early Years L y, 23rd October, in aid of Halloween Da ildrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Dublin. t Ch Temple Stree

Slaney News

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39

SCOIL NAOMH MAODHÓG, FERNS, CONFIRMATION

Ferns Confirmation in Ferns parish church on Saturday 3rd October 2020. Photos L-R: Ian Hanley. Mark, Andrea, Anthony, Aoibheann and Angela Mulhall. Edel, Anna and Liam Kavanagh and Gran Ann May Lawlor.

Photos L-R: Louise, Darragh and Oliver Gahan. The Kearns family. Aaron, Jessica, Amia, Owen and Ashton Sharlott.

Photos L-R: Lis Kirwan, Daniel and Donal Nolan. Teresa Fagan, Annette McGrath, Serena Fagan and Pat McGrath. Ian Hanley, Kevin Leonard, Liam Redmond and Bobby Murray.

Photos L-R: Bridget McGovern, Rachel and Danny Connor. Hayley Nolan, John, Rhys and Sinead Meegan. Angelina, Katie and David O’Sullivan.

40

Slaney History

30 November 2020

www.slaneynews.com

If a picture tells a thousand words… Ibar Carty chronicles the 20th century in Enniscorthy & beyond Ibar Carty has opened up his vast photo archives to the Slaney News. In this 107th of a series, Ibar shares two photos he took in 1995. If you can name any of the people in these photos, Ibar and the Slaney News would be delighted to hear from you. For our convenience we would ask you to email: slaneynews@gmail.com.

Thank you.

Right: Vintners on their way to Dublin to protest (not Covid!).

Below: Bree ICA group, December 1995. All pics: Copyright © Ibar Carty.

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

The 34th edition of ‘The Past’ is being published around now and and available in local bookshops. At present it is not possible to have a public launch of the Journal, but it is hoped with the possibility of the lifting of restrictions attached to our behaviour due to Covid-19, to have a launch in early 2021.

Edition 34 is the Centenary issue. Number 1 issue of ‘The Past’ appeared in November 1920 and the first meeting of the Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society took place on 8th January 1920 in The Athenaeum, Enniscorthy.

The present edition contains numerous articles dealing with many aspects of

Wexford’s history and should be of interest to anyone even with a modicum of interest in the county’s storied past.

At €20 it would make an ideal present for a friend or family member, especially for members of the Wexford Diaspora.

To deal with all the articles in detail would take up too much space; so a brief mention will have to suffice.

In the beginning, Editor, Rev. Fr. James Hammel, pens an introductory note. Canon Séamas S. de Vál deals with the beginnings of the Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society and the first issue of ‘The Past’ and its contributors.

Bernard Browne has an article titled ‘A Clerical nom de plume uncovered’.

Airmount House

LATEST EDITION OF ‘THE PAST’ – THE JOURNAL OF THE UÍ CINSEALAIGH HISTORICAL SOCIETY Professor Daniel Gahan has an excellent article on ‘The Rebel Camps and Experiences of Rebellion in County Wexford in 1798’.

Next we have a piece dealing with a portrait of Father John Murphy of Boolavogue

written by Niall and Deborah Elliott.

‘The Valuation of County We x f o rd 1 8 4 1 - 1 8 5 4 ’ b y Frances McGee fresh from her success with the much acclaimed ‘The Archives of the Valuation of Ireland,

Council members of Ui Cinsealaigh Historical Society, pictured at St Aidan’s (The Manse), Enniscorthy, 16 June 1926.

Back: Rev Patrick Cummins, Rev Robert Fitzhenry, Rev Thomas O’Byrne Front: Rev Richard Browne, [ ? ], Rev John Dunne, Ms Kathleen Browne, Prof. R.A.S. Macalister, Dr.William H. Grattan Flood, [ ? ], Rev Mark O’Byrne.

1830-1865’, published in 2018.

Tony Heaney, its present occupant, in his ‘Notes on Airmount House, Enniscorthy’, details some of the history and ownership of the house over the years. Aidan Ryan has an article ‘Architecture for the Ages’ which covers Augustus Welby Pugin’s amazing contribution to the ecclesiastical a rc h i t e c t u re o f C o u n t y Wexford.

T h e l a t e Wi l l i a m Sweetman submitted an article headed ‘Ballybrennan 1798’ recording the tribulation of local families and the Ye o m a n r y. A a r o n Ó Maonaigh presents us with an account of ‘Wexford’s Civil War dead: a statistical survey’ which should be of

interest with the forthcoming centenary of the tragic event.

‘What’s in an Irish Placename? - Another World Perhaps!!’ is a piece by Brian Ó Clérigh, which is very interesting. Aidan Ryan has another contribution titled ‘Tempus Fugit – Random reflections on simple things’.

It concludes with an Index of all the articles contributed to thirty-three issues of ‘The Past’. It is a rich storehouse of many elements of our county’s past enshrined forever in the archives and our endless gratitude is due to the originators of the Society and all who contributed their expertise and professionalism to its creation.

– Sean Doyle n

Slaney Around the Region

www.slaneynews.com

BUNCLODY… PLANNINg PERMISSION FOR TOURIST ACCOMMODATION Planning permission is being sought for a two-storey, part three-storey, tourism and leisure accommodation building in Bunclody. Comprising of 30 en-suite bedrooms, reception area and lounge facility, the structure will be 1,342 sq. metres in size on a 0.75 hectare site. The development, by EEW Ltd based on the Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy, would be a huge boost to the local economy bringing visitors to the area all year round.

The impressive exterior of the SignaCare Nursing Home in 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.

SIgNACARE NURSINg HOME SignaCare Bunclody is a new, state-of-the-art, 62-bedded nursing home, in the heart of Bunclody. Contact SignaCare in Bunclody, email: info@signacare.ie, tel: 053 93 76222.

TOURISM BUNCLODY Make sure to visit the Tourism Bunclody Facebook page to view the great images which are posted there daily.

PLAYgROUND & TENNIS Please use your own sanitiser before entering these facilities and adhere to social distancing rules.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL Local Confidential helpline 087-3696883. SVP request box is now located at back of shop.

There is a newspaper recycling bin beside SuperValu in aid of S.V.P. St Vincent De Paul charity shop Bunclody is looking for

NEW ROSS BUNCLODY DAY CARE SERVICES Due to Covid-19, Bunclody Day Care remains closed and is not opening for Monday C l u b , o r Tu e s d a y a n d Thursday Day Care Services.

It will reopen as soon as possible.

BUNCLODY LIBRARY Under the plan for the easing of nationwide Level 5 lockdown restrictions and the reopening of the country over a number of phases from 1st December, expect Bunclody Library to reopen on 1st December as part of the first phase.

volunteers to help in store. If you’re interested please contact Zoe at 085 8705670 or email vincents.bunclody@ svp.ie for more information.

CALENDAR The new ‘Beautiful Bunclody 2021 Calendar’ with photos

by Mark Murphy has been launched and is available in shops around the town.

NEW LOCAL BUSINESS WEBSITE www.bunclodybusiness.com – a new online hub promoting business in the Bunclody

FCJ NEW SPORTS BUILDINg Planning permission has been granted for the construction of a new Sports Building (1,040m2/10m high) on existing all-weather pitch, consisting of 920sq.m. at ground floor level (including gymnasium, toilets, plant room and ancillary storage rooms) and 120sq.m. open plan fitness suite at first floor/mezzanine level, all together with associated site works. n

KILMUCKRIDGE… Kilmuckridge village was awarded a major prize at the All-Ireland Pride of Place awards held on 21st November.

The awards, hosted by Marty Morrissey, took place online due to the Covid pandemic with 6,000 people logging in from across Ireland to see community groups pick up awards.

Kilmuckridge took first place in the Islands and Coastal Communities category, and

was praised by judges who said; “This entry concerns many projects successfully undertaken and delivered by a very effective community group working for the good of the local population.“ The judges noted that the committee attributes much of the successful delivery of these projects to the buy-in from the local community, following on from an extensive public consultation process. The community is justifiably proud of

a 3km walkway to the coast – a flagship initiative.”

Elsewhere, Glenbeg Point Estate, Ardamine, was nominated but missed out on a prize.

Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 18 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development.

It has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.

President Michael D. Higgins, who is Joint Patron of Co-operation Ireland, said the awards play an important role in our community, “The Pride of Place awards are a most important initiative, reminding us that creating societies that are ethical and inclusive is a task for all of our citizens, of all ages and circumstances.” n

CLONROCHE…

Clonroche Health Centre

It has been announced that the HSE will grant €100,000 to support the redevelopment works at Clonroche Health Centre which caters for hundreds of patients in the Clonroche area. The funding will assist the development of its waiting area with works due to start shortly.

“I wish to commend local GP Dr Nabi for his stellar service to the local community.

The COVID-19 pandemic and

41

the imminent winter season revealed the urgent need for redevelopment works in the centre. I hope that this funding will help with the dayto-day running of the health centre for patients and health professionals alike. Meanwhile, I will continue to make representations to the HSE regarding the progress of primary care centres and health centres across County Wexford”, Minister Browne said. n

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed news that a tender to construct a new fire station in New Ross has been approved for €1,458,205 following Wexford County Council’s tender report which was submitted to the Department of Housing in May 2020.

“I’m delighted to learn that the tender for a new fire station in New Ross has been approved. I made several representations to the Housing Minister seeking the approval of the tender for this muchneeded investment and I’m glad that these representa-

tions have culminated in the minister’s approval of the tender process.

“A modern fire service is critical for any community and fire service personnel deserve the best facilities available. “ I know Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien was keen to see the progress of this newbuild to construction and now this latest step will see works get underway in the near future. I’m delighted that this new fire station will ensure that the New Ross fire service can base itself in a modern facility”, Minister Browne concluded. n

BREE Pedestrian Crossing funding has been secured for Bree National School. Wexford County Council will install the crossing which will help improve safety for schoolchildren crossing the road to Bree National School.

This project has been a priority of local Councillor, Cathal Byrne, for some time and he is delighted that funding for the project has now been secured. _________________________ Their annual tractor run may have been cancelled due to Covid-19 but the members of Bree Vintage Club are determined to maintain their fundraising tradition for another worthy cause this year.

The club are currently raising money for the Irish Kidney Association with a “Rev It Up” challenge on Facebook.

The challenge involves videoing yourself “revving up” a vehicle or machine, posting it online and donating on the club’s Go Fund Me page, while nominating three friends to do the same.

The Bree Vintage Club is

Cllr Cathal Byrne welcomes the new pedestrian crossing.

no stranger to fundraising, having raised significant funds for many charities and organisations in the past.

“We have a group of around 30 members who support many tractor runs for various causes during the year. Our club recently held a tractor run in support of a local fire tragedy, as well as our local Hope Cancer Support Centre and Relay for Life,” said Liam Leacy, Club PRO. See more on ‘Bree Vintage Club’ Facebook Page. n

COASTAL PROJECTS Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has welcomed the news that three Wexford organisations will benefit from EMFF Fisheries Local Action group funding through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Our Lady’s Island’s community development group will receive €64,000 towards the development of a tourist interpretive centre. St. Kearns Rowing Club benefits from €22,380 for an anti-vandal unit and rowing machines while Ramsgrange Men’s Shed will

receive €5,885 for a woodwork project enhancement.

“I’m delighted that three Wexford coastal projects will benefit from EMFF Fisheries Local Action Group funding through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. These grants are designed to support coastal communities. I know that Our Lady’s Island Community Development Group, St. Kearns Rowing Club and Ramsgrange Men’s Shed will enjoy terrific economic and social benefits as a result of these funding allocations”, Minister Browne commented. n

42

Slaney Motoring

30 November 2020

www.slaneynews.com

Caroline gets motoring REVIEW BY CAROLINE KI D D

Bunclody native Caroline Kidd brings us reviews of the latest new cars to arrive in Ireland.

Caroline is the founder and editor of the online automotive magazine Changing Lanes and a jury member for Irish Car of the Year. Find out more about her editorial and commercial copywriting services at www.changinglanes.ie.

Mercedes-Benz GLB The Mercedes-Benz gLB debuts in 2020 as a new compact SUV for the german brand. Mercedes-Benz’ compact line-up has expanded rapidly in recent years with spin-offs such as the CLA, A-Class Saloon, B-Class and the gLA designed to attract younger buyers to the brand.

But SUVs are a particularly lucrative venture. Did you know one in three MercedesBenz cars sold is now an SUV, and one in four a compact model? So the gLB combines all the success factors of the company’s highest-volume segments. The new compact SUV is already establishing itself as one of the most popular models in the range, eclipsing the gLA and B-Class for character and style.

In fact it offers buyers even more space and practicality but in a classic SUV shape that makes the GLB reminiscent of Mercedes’ legends like the G-Wagen and GLS. Short overhangs, boxy silhouette, upright front end and plastic body cladding all bestow the GLB with irresistible off-road character.

At launch the GLB goes on sale from €44,479 with a range of petrol and diesel engines available. In Ireland it is marketed in two trim lines – Progressive and AMG Line – with the latter adding 19” alloys, chrome studded diamond grille, aluminium roof rails and larger air intakes at the front.

The interior of the new GLB also brings the strengths of the current Mercedes-Benz

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compact-class generation.

Contemporary luxury at its best with lots of high quality soft touch materials and a design that balances style perfectly with functionality and the latest technology features. The driver faces a widescreen cockpit, with control and display via MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), which responds to commands of ‘Hey Mercedes’. AMG Line cars come kitted out with safety features like Active Brake Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist, as well as stainless steel sports pedals, AMG multifunction steering wheel in Nappa leather, cruise control, powered tailgate, heated front seats, reversing camera and automatic climate control.

The GLB has ten centimetres more wheelbase than, for example, the MercedesBenz B-Class MPV, so offers a slightly roomier cabin and the option of an additional two seats in the rear for an extra €1509 on the sticker price. These seats are only suitable for children, and when in use boot space is dramatically reduced. The rear bench can also slide forward and back. When it’s back, there’s plenty of legroom and over 500 litres available of boot space.

However when the the two extra seats in the third row are in use, some cabin space for passengers in row 2 will be compromised. When not in use the two extra seats fold neatly into the boot floor, with a separate space to store the parcel shelf too.

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Interior The GLB gets all the technical highlights of the current compact-class generation from Mercedes-Benz. The four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines were updated to relaunch the compact model series with more power, improved efficiency and lower emissions. All engines come with an automatic gearbox, 7 or 8-speed depending on engine. The GLB is front wheel drive as standard but four wheel drive is available, to live up to those rustic good looks.

The GLB 180 (136 hp) and GLB 200 use a 1.3-litre four cylinder turbo petrol engine with different power outputs. Despite the small capacity engine, the GLB 200 doesn’t feel under pressure with a healthy power output of 163 hp. Economy does suffer somewhat and over a week of driving my average fuel consumption was 7.1 litres per 100 km. while motor tax is €390 per year for this model in 2020. Though that looks set to drop as a result of changes made to taxation in Budget 2021. For the best economy, the most popular options will be the GLB 180d and GLB 200d, which use a 2.0-litre diesel engine.

On the road the GLB

brings classic Mercedes values of comfort and refinement to the compact SUV class. Despite the origins in the brand’s compact line up of cars, the GLB feels like a bigger machine on the road.

The GLB is not too far removed from the GLC with arguably more distinction and character.

Mercedes-Benz has done a fine job bringing the GLB to market. It takes one of the best interior concepts of the compact class and ‘roughs it up’ beautifully to bestow it upon the more rugged GLB. We love this car’s boxy looks and it’s a genuinely practical car. There is a familiar line-up of engines with the GLB 200 being a fun and robust partner, though it won’t be the most efficient.

We expect the GLB will be a huge success for MercedesBenz in Ireland and deservedly so.

Model tested: Mercedes-Benz GLB AMG Line Automatic.

Price: €45,425.

Engine: 1.3-litre turbo petrol.

Power: 163 hp.

Torque: 250 Nm. 0-100km/h: 9.1 seconds.

Top speed: 207 km/h.

CO2 emissions: 134-141 g/km n

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Slaney News

www.slaneynews.com This month it gives me the greatest of pleasure to feature one of our own who is making a name for himself in the extremely competitive and highly charged world of the pharmaceutical industry.

Enniscorthy man Ryan Quigley is the Chief Operating Officer of UDG Healthcare plc., a global leader in the healthcare advisory, communications, commercial, clinical and packaging services, employing 9,000 in 29 countries around the world.

I first came across the unassuming Ryan many, many years ago when, as a young athlete, he joined the Rapparees/ Starlights GAA Club.

Ryan was the precursor of the Lee Chin later model – always being super fit with a perfect sporting physique. He played both football and hurling at the highest level with the club but it was in the latter that he excelled featuring in the Senior Hurling Final in 1998 against Rathnure and 2001 against the Faythe Harriers and was a first choice player with the Wexford Senior Hurling County team in 1999.

Ryan was a natural hurler, possessing all the skills of the game.

He was dedicated, loyal, disciplined and committed, both a leader and a team player, attributes that have stood him well on and off the field and I am certain that he would have become a household hurling name if it hadn’t been for the fact that he was prone to injury causing him to retire sooner than he would have liked.

SLANEYSIDE SUCCESS STORIES A series by Maria Nolan

ney to date.

Tell me a little about your current position and what you do.

My current role is Chief Operating Officer (COO) of UDG Healthcare plc. UDG Healthcare is a global leader in healthcare advisory, communications, commercial, clinical and packaging services.

The Group is organised and managed across two divisions: Ashfield and Sharp and employs 9,000 people in 29 countries. In my role I manage the strategic and day to day operations of the teams.

What path led you to your current position.

Who and what motivated and influenced you along the way.

Ry a n i s a l s o a We x f o rd Ambassador and endeavours to promote and market his county and his town at all available opportunities and is currently working with the Enniscorthy group of INVEST Wexford under Chairman Michael Dempsey to develop and co-ordinate a vision and strategy for the town going forward.

Recently, I asked Ryan about his success and his remarkable jour-

Has it been a difficult or enjoyable journey.

ryan quigley – a major player It’s been a very enjoyable journey, having spent time working in Dublin, Madrid, Paris and Chicago I have had the opportunity to work with many different people and I have had the chance to travel the world with my work.

In summary every different country brings a new learning experience.

great team, beat Kilkenny in a semi final only to be pipped by Offaly in the final. There were great characters and hurlers in that team, from Tony Doran, Billy Byrne, George O’Connor to our own local club man Paudge Courtney.

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up.

I am someone who gets a lot of energy from being active and busy, I love a challenge and I really enjoy working with people to reach their potential.

I wanted to be a footballer or pilot.

Who were your childhood heroes.

I was a big Wexford GAA fan, and through my local club the Rapparees/Starlights we travelled to Croke Park a lot to see Wexford play. I have great memories of 1984 as the centenary year of the GAA. Wexford had a

‘Carols by Car-Light’ and some other Church of Ireland notes A special Christmas Carol Service will be held on Sunday 20th December at 6pm in Enniscorthy Mart on the Old Dublin Road.

It will be a drive-in carol service and people will stay in their cars for the entire service.

The readings and hymns will be broadcast through the car radios and everyone is encouraged to sing the much loved Christmas carols to their hearts’ content from the safety of their cars.

Rev Nicola Halford hopes that representatives from many of the different Christian traditions in Enniscorthy town will be

able to join in and help lead the service.

Attendees are being encourage to decorate their cars with some battery-operated Christmas lights to add to the festivity of the service.

In normal circumstances the much loved ‘Carols by Candlelight’ would take place on that evening in St. Mary’s Church, however this is not possible this year with current restrictions so the hope is that Carols by Car-light will be a fun alternative.

In other news, the Christmas service timetable will be available through the parish newslet-

actively involve them and help them to grow and develop new skills so they can deliver on their goals. Finally, it’s critical to give praise and say well done, celebrate the successes.

What are you most proud of.

I am very proud of how UDG Healthcare is helping its employees during Covid. We put a lot of emphasis on making sure that our teams have the tools and resources to work remotely. You really see the true level of leadership in your organisation at times like this.

What do you dislike most about yourself.

I have worked 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry in commercial leadership roles at country, regional and global level.

Before joining UDG Healthcare my most recent role was Regional Vice President Southern Europe and Immunology HCV lead for AbbVie Western Europe and Canada. I joined AbbVie following its spilt from Abbott in 2012.

I previously worked for Pfizer and BMS, having started my career as a sales rep in Zeneca.

I played a lot of sports and I learnt a lot on how team dynamics worked from my time playing GAA and rugby. When I worked in Galway I played rugby for Galwegians and the two coaches that I played for were Warren Gatland and Eddie O’Sullivan.

Although both were very different personalities it was hugely insightful to see how they managed people, raised the bar on performance and in summary delivered results. In my career I was also very fortunate with some of the managers who I worked for.

Working for someone who is willing to help you grow and develop is critical for success in any organisation.

But then hurling’s loss seems to have been the health industry’s gain as Ryan Quigley quickly came up through the ranks to emerge as one of the major players in the pharmaceutical world.

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.

ter and on the website www.enniscorthymonart.com in the coming week.

St. Mary’s Church would like to thank Wexford County Council for the up-lighting which has recently been installed. The church is looking particularly fine illuminated at night.

Finally, the Church of Ireland is celebrating the 30th Anniversary since the first women were ordained to the Priesthood. There is a special Sunday service on RTE on Sunday 13th December at 11am and Rev Nicola will be helping to lead the service with other female priests.

How would you describe yourself.

How do you motivate and influence people.

I think this is firstly about understanding what motivates them as an individual in and outside of work. It is also important to show people that you believe in them,

Sometimes I can get caught up in thinking ahead but I am lucky that I have family and friends who know exactly how to keep me in the here and now.

What do you dislike about others.

I dislike when people have a lack of respect for others, we all have a role to play and I think it is important to understand other people’s perspective.

If you could live in another time, when would it be.

I would like to see and experience the world 100 years from now.

How would you like to be remembered.

Kind, generous, respectful and passionate.

If you could change one thing in your past what would it be.

I am not sure I would change anything from my past, we all have good days and bad and I think its important to embrace them all, learn from the experience and keep looking forward.

What do you think is the best thing about Enniscorthy/ Wexford/Ireland.

Wexford is a great place to live and I think the future is very bright for the county. It is a county steeped in history and the character of

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its people is what makes it such a good place to live. I enjoy the outdoors and no matter where I travel, I am always happy to come home and there is nothing better than a walk at Hook Lighthouse, Curracloe, Bree Hill or Tintern Abbey to reground you into Wexford Life.

What do you think is the worst thing about Enniscorthy/ Wexford/Ireland.

I think Enniscorthy missed out on attracting a large FDI company over the last 20 years. The town would be a fantastic location for a large company, and I do believe that this would really give the town a major boost.

What do you like most about your job/career.

I really like the opportunity to work across multiple countries, it is really rewarding to meet people from very diverse backgrounds and to work with them to deliver healthcare solutions for our clients.

What was the best day of your life.

Every day that my family and friends are in good health is a day to be remembered.

If you could be or do anything else what would it be.

I am a very average skier and probably more skilled at après-ski than on the real slopes, yet if I had the skill I would love to do an offpiste ski run where they helicopter you up to the top of the mountain and you get to ski slopes that are untouched.

What an amazing journey and it is far from over.

Ryan Quigley is an example to all and exemplifies what hard work, discipline and commitment can achieve coupled with strong belief, self respect and respect for others and might I add Ryan continues to remain the same modest, amicable, cordial, friendly and enthusiastic guy who walked into Bellefield with his hurl many, many moons ago with only one thing on his mind – to be the best he could be.

– maria nolan

Pulling together for the ‘SHOP ENNISCORTHY’ campaign

Enniscorthy’s three TDs coming together to support ‘SHOP ENNISCORTHY’.

L-R: James Browne, Johnny Mythen, Paul Kehoe.

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Slaney News

ENNISCORTHY EYE

Diary DaTeS

a column by joseph Doyle

happy TrailS FunDraiSer

congraTS & BeST wiSheS ☺ Congrats to Lisa Jacob, Bree, on her recent appointment as Manager to the Irish International Women’s Hockey team. Lisa played o n t h e I r i s h Wo m e n ’ s Hockey Team herself for eight years where she amassed 139 caps as well as scoring 17 goals. We wish Lisa well in her new role. ☺ The very popular beauty s a l o n i n E n n i s c o r t h y, Finishing Touches, situated on Main Street, is celebrating ten years in business.

Congrats to Therese and all the team there. ☺ B re e re s i d e n t , D a v i d Minogue, former town man-

Happy Trails is a Therapeutic Riding School in Davidstown, Enniscorthy, which welcomes children, teenagers, and adults to experience therapeutic riding sessions.

The motto at Happy Trails is that they cater for all abilities, disabilities and ensure no barrier prevents anyone from using their services. The centre encourages people’s ability to become independent, make new friends and experience therapeutic riding. The trust and bond that occurs between clients and their horse is utterly amazing.

Due to Ireland’s unpredictable weather, many of

30 November 2020

www.slaneynews.com

their sessions get cancelled which has a negative effect on children and adults who look forward to seeing their horses each week. So Olive Barret, Happy Trails proprietor and QQI Therapeutic Riding Coach, is fundraising to build a sensory indoor arena. The fundraising target is €20,000.

Inside the proposed new building there will be natural lighting from the roof, bright colours and natural sensory equipment.

For more information visit: https://ie.gofundme.com/f/r aise-the-roof-on-happy-trails – joseph Doyle

ager here in Enniscorthy, has just celebrated 30 years at Wexford County Council.

Well done David. ☺ Congrats to Joe Biden, President Elect of the United States of America, and a man with some distant relations here in our own county of Wexford. ☺ Well done to all involved in the ‘Shop Enniscorthy’ campaign which has been running in Enniscorthy for the last couple of weeks. We can all play our part by shopping local and keeping money circulating in our town.

– joseph Doyle

resume our l il w e w ll e w g in o All g 2021. in y rl a e s te a D ry ia D

BooKS launch...

All are invited to a virtual books launch on Tuesday 8th December on Zoom at 8pm.

Love Has a Source is published by St Paul’s and Faith and Mental Health is published by the Catholic Truth Society in London. Both were written by Fr Billy Swan from St Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy. The

books will be launched by Bishop Denis Brennan, Bishop of Ferns and by Breda O’Brien, columnist with the Irish Times and the Irish Catholic newspapers. To attend the launch, just email: thehookoffaith@ gmail.com to get the Zoom link.

– joseph Doyle

c.F. newS & FunDraiSerS There will be no more Cystic Fibrosis fundraisers until further notice. please check www.cfireland.ie for updates.

naTional 1798 cenTre...

The National 1798 Rebellion Centre now has an "Online Tour" option on its website (www.1798centre.ie). Check it out.

This is a fully guided tour of the award-winning exhibition. Available on all devices, this fascinating resource will not only help teachers to enhance the politics, conflict and society strand of the history syl-

labus, it will also bring these historic times to life. Guiding you through this historic time, from the age of revolution right up to the final days and aftermath of the 1798 rebellion, is experienced and knowledgeable tour guide Derek Meyler who also happens to be an accomplished author – see details on page 24.

– 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.

just a reminder folks to shop local and keep money circulating in our town. Keep safe and keep washing your hands!

ST JOSEPH’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, KILMUCKRIDGE, CONFIRMATION

St Joseph’s Primary School, Kilmuckridge, Confirmation on 25th September. L-R: Stephen, Brogan and Elisabeth Smith. Katelyn Murphy. Richard and Robert Cullinane, Sarah Dillon.

Slaney Sport

www.slaneynews.com

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Sports Hub – full steam ahead Major appointment for Lisa Enniscorthy Municipal District is proceeding with the next phase at the Enniscorthy Sports Hub, Cherry Orchard, which will include a building on site to house changing rooms, toilets, etc. A design team is expected to be in place by February 2021 to design and manage the project.

Constructed in 2015, Phase 1 of Enniscorthy Sports Hub was developed at a cost of €1 million, following an investment of €850,000 by Wexford County Council and a supporting grant of €150,000.

Phase 1 works consisted of an all-weather 8-lane worldclass running track and infield facility together with

extensive floodlighting and carparking facilities. The busy complex is maintained and managed through the Enniscorthy Municipal District Offices of Wexford County Council.

Phase 2, which is now proceeding, will see the construction of a much-needed

sports building on the site, incorporating a sports equipment storage area, changing rooms, toilets, showers and a small office. This will enable Enniscorthy Sports Hub to host many track and field athletics competitions and events of regional and national significance. The improved facilities will also support the ongoing work of athletic clubs throughout the county who, on a daily basis, use Enniscorthy Sports Hub to train and coach their members.

The Hub is a fantastic faciity which, after the next phase is completed, will undoubtedly be one of the top athletics facilities in the country. n

Enniscorthy athletics news...

Bree woman Lisa Jacob has been appointed Irish women’s hockey team manager just in time for the 2021 Olympics.

Lisa is a former international with 139 caps earned between 2006 and 2014 and a bronze medal at the 2012 Champions Challenge as a highlight. She also played with the Irish women’s rugby sevens team.

Lisa takes over from Arlene Boyles and will work with head coach Sean Dancer for the remainder of the 2021 Olympic campaign.

As a coach, Lisa has been heavily involved with the Irish Under-16 and 18 teams and also led Old Alex to promotion to the EY Hockey League a

DAVY FITZGERALD: STAYING ON FOR ONE MORE YEAR AS WEXFORD HURLING MANAGER

Some of the prizewinners at Enniscorthy Athletics Club’s awards night on the 1st October at the Enniscorthy Sports Hub.

Enniscorthy Athletics Club held its awards night on the 1st October at the Enniscorthy Sports Hub – an opportunity to reward its athletes for the 2019 season, many of whom had won numerous County, Leinster and National medals.

It was decided to also have a combines and fun night for all the athletes while adhering strictly to Covid restrictions and AAI guidelines.

It was all organised by the club’s Covid Officers with coaches and parents also assisting to ensure the night was a resounding success.

The groups were split into age groups covering 60/100m sprints, shot, cross country, weight for distance, and long jump. It gave all athletes the opportunity to try out events they may not have previously tried with points awarded for each placing, the stakes were high and competition was intense. It was a great learning curve for all, the results of which will be put to good use when planning training for next year.

The night finished with the fun element of an egg throw competition which surprisingly enough didn’t end as a mess as envisaged, medals were awarded to all athletes

for their enthusiasm, sportsmanship and participation in what has been an incredibly difficult year for athletics.

The deserving award winners on the night for 2019...

Coaches award presented to Roisin Quinsey and Dara Brennan who showed enthusiasm, dedication and commitment throughout the year, a very difficult decision for our coaches but very deserving recipients.

Juvenile Female Athlete 2019 went to Neasa Long who won numerous County medals across a variety of events.

Juvenile Male Athlete went to Tomas Brennan who also won several County medals in track and field and cross country and was on the winning u11 County team for Leinster relays.

Cross Country athlete of the year went to Sarah Phylan, this was no surprise as Sarah continues to go from strength to strength in the middle distances and favours the Cross Country taking gold at two age groups in County and represented Club and County in Leinster. Sarah also won a number of medals at County track and field.

Senior Female Athlete went to Saidhbhe Byrne who con-

tinues to show her diversity in all events winning numerous County, Leinster indoor and outdoor and National Medals.

Senior Male Athlete went to Peter O’Connor who amassed County, Leinster and National medals, another deserving award winner.

Achievement award went to Michael Bowler who had a phenomenal year in 2019 winning indoor and outdoor pole vault National titles and representing his Country in the decathlon where he secured an amazing silver individual medal and assisted his team to an equally fantastic silver medal. Michael is a great role model for all the club’s athletes offering encouragement and advice on all aspects of training.

The final award was for the Overall Athlete of the year which is based on a points system broken down from County, Leinster and National medals. This award went to Saidhbhe Byrne who amassed 7 Gold and 2 bronze in County; 4 Gold, a Silver and Bronze at Leinster; and 3 Silver at National. A deserving winner who shows commitment and dedication to all her events. n

Lisa Jacob

few years ago. Most recently, she was appointed as assistant coach to the Glenanne

men’s team.

Off the pitch, Lisa has been a member of the Hockey Ireland board while she also played a part in the 20x20 campaign, setting up a female coaching mentoring network.

On her new manager role, Lisa says she hopes to support the players and staff to prepare, perform and fulfil their ambitious goals.

Enniscorthy Hockey Club has an interview with Lisa Jacob on its own YouTube channel – well worth checking out.

The club extends a big Thank You to Lisa for taking the time to sit down and chat about her hockey career and her new role as Irish Women’s Hockey Team Manager. n

Enniscorthy Hockey news great efforts are being made by all members, parents, coaches and volunteers to keep the local hockey community safe.

A reminder for all attending underage training sessions regarding protocols for dropping and collecting to please wear masks and ensure social distancing. Please remain in your car until the session is over and follow specific pickup instructions of the co-ordinator for your group. The Astro have also asked that parents reverse into parking spaces – this is an Astro health and safety rule.

The club Ladies are slowly but surely creeping up the leadership board for the #HookedTogether Challenge, with online sessions keeping everyone going. Check out the club social media for updates! n

SPORTS CLUB FUNDING INITIATIVE Sports clubs of all kind within the county and beyond are the focus of a new club funding initiative just launched under the title Texaco Support for Sport for which a fund of €130,000 has been set aside for distribution on a twentysix, county-by-county basis, with successful clubs receiving an equal amount of €5,000 in each case.

Aimed at all clubs irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender, it is expected to attract all whose activities, goals and ambitions can, in the view of adjudicators, be materially advanced through the receipt and proper use of funding in each case.

Launched by Irish rugby international Donncha O’Callaghan, independent ambassador to the Texaco Support for Sport programme

and the one who will lead the winners will be announced adjudication process, the ini- early next year. tiative has been introduced Full details online at

by Valero Energy (Ireland), www.TexacoSupportfor the company that markets Sport.com n fuels in Ireland under the Texaco brand.

“Being launched at a time when many sports clubs may be experiencing financial strain, the initiative is one that Texaco hopes will be welcomed across the board, its purpose being to recognise the important contribution that sports clubs make within communities and throughout Irish society as a whole,” a company spokesperLegendary rugby international son said.

Donncha O’Callaghan will lead the Open for entries judging process until end-December,

46

Slaney Arts

30 November 2020

with Maria Nolan

ON CANAAN’S SIDE – BOOK REVIEW Sebastian Barry is one of Ireland`s most acclaimed and talented writers. With over ten novels under his belt not to mention poems and a plethora of plays, it is obvious that he is a most gifted Wordsmith but it is only when you read his work that you will truly appreciate his genius.

Recently, I came across one of his novels that I hadn’t previously read, On Canaan’s Side, written in 2011 and long listed for the Booker Prize, is a poetic gem by this lyrical storyteller with the golden pen.

On Canaan’s Side tells the story of Lilly Dunne, a young woman growing up in Dublin during the War of Independence with all ‘the heavy hearted tales’ of that part of our history. Lilly`s father is a policeman with the Dublin Metropolitan Police and her brother William joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and died in the trenches of the Great War. Lilly falls in love with a young man, Tadgh Bere, who, seeking gainful employment in the police force, joins one of the most hated divisions ever on Irish soil – the Black and Tans and that more or less seals their fate.

When Lilly’s father discovers that Tadgh and Lilly’s names are on an IRA death list he manages to get them quickly out of a divided Ireland and away to the Promised Land of America.

But Irish history has a way of finding its own wherever they go and when Tadgh is shot and killed in a Chicago art gallery, Lilly escapes and begins a fugitive and traumatic life of an exile in a strange land far from those she loves and her beloved homeland divided though it may be.

The tale is recounted by Lilly herself, now an eighty-nine-year -old woman, who feels somehow compelled to write down her story at her kitchen table as she approaches the end of her life.

On Canaan’s Side shines a light on yet another element of our chequered and often tragic history highlighting those who seemed to be on the wrong side of the new Ireland and vindicating their right to ‘devoutly love the old one’. As Lilly put it, ‘Perhaps in that moment as Ireland stirred like a great creature in the sea, and altered her position, we should all have been taken out and shot, as a sort of kindness, a neatness.’

This beautifully written novel also carries an anti-war message through Willie’s experience of WWI, Tadgh and Lilly’s experience of the Irish War of Independence, Ed – Lilly’s son’s experience of Vietnam and Bill – Lilly’s grandson’s experience of the Gulf War. Sebastian Barry recounts Lilly’s story against the backdrop of some of the most significant wars of world history and does it seamlessly and eloquently.

His writing is both poetic and picturesque and his phrases lyrical and memorable as he gives a real and genuine voice to those less acknowledged victims of war.

– Maria Nolan

Annual Wexford Lions Club Exhibition 2021: Call for Submissions Submissions for the Annual Wexford Arts Centre Open Submission Exhibition in association with Wexford Lions Club are now available to purchase online.

The Exhibition celebrates local talent and offers a platform for artists who are at various stages of their careers as well as those with an interest in art who wish to see their work within a gallery context. The Exhibition will be on view in the lower and upper galleries of Wexford Arts Centre in 2021.

The theme for the 2021 Lions Club exhibition has again been left entirely open which allows participants the freedom to create exciting and original artwork, and to tell their own stories.

Applications are limited to one per person and as the number of artists participating in the exhibition is limited, applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Exhibitors must complete a submission form which will be issued upon receipt of purchase and must be submitted with the artwork in 2021.

Exhibition entry fee is €10 per applicant. All artworks must be submitted unframed on the board/canvas provided by the arts centre. You must purchase your canvas or board online to secure your submission.

Download the submission form on the Wexford Arts Centre website. Details of when and where to collect the canvas will be in your confirmation email. n

Recently, I attended my first ever online Art Exhibition Launch, organised and facilitated by the wonderfully innovative and creative Lisa Byrne and Lar Ó Duinn of The Presentation Centre.

The exhibition Cur Amach Anaithnid – An Unknown Familiarity, is the work of local artist Sheena Furlong from Kilmuckridge and is a collection of aesthetic paintings of familiar places and objects on the Morriscastle Road.

Sheena, who opened her Studio – The Forde Studio in Kilmuckridge exactly one year ago, began painting as a hobby and became an art student at Carlow IT obtaining an Honours Degree four years ago. She works mainly in oils and this exhibition displays the beauty and mystic of the ordinary. Sheena explained to her online audience how she had walked the Morriscastle Road thousands of times without really appreciating it until she began to photograph objects

Virtually beautiful

like the Famine Wall at different times, in different light, from different angles and in different seasons and then transferring those photographs to drawings and paintings to exquisite effect.

Malcolm Byrne, who opened the exhibition, paid tribute to Lisa and Lar and The Presentation Centre for

finding innovative and exciting ways to promote art and artists in these most challenging times. He congratulated Sheena and other artists who are meeting the challenge of Covid with new and original ways of showing their work to the wider audience and he called on all to continue to support art and artists in the

community in every way possible.

This was a first for Sheena and a first for The Presentation Centre who are to be complimented on the way they adapted the exhibition for online viewing, possibly even giving the audience a greater insight into both artist and paintings, but for those who would prefer to see Sheena’s work up close and personal the Forde Studio remains open for people to call and view.

We l l d o n e t o a l l w h o proved that it is possible to adapt, improvise and overcome our current difficulties from someone who thoroughly enjoyed her first ever online Art Exhibition Launch. And indeed it could well become part of our future in normal times affording those who are unable to attend art launches for whatever reason the opportunity to view as if they were there.

As the saying goes, ‘through adversity comes opportunity’.

– maria nolan

‘Dunbrody, A Famine Odyssey’ New book tells the tale of how the Kennedy Family ancestry helped transform an Irish Town.

A newly published book tells the incredible story of how the community of New Ross fought its way out of the doldrums and put itself onto the global tourism map. From the formation of an organisation founded to capitalise on the JFK connection with New Ross; one man’s ambitious vision inspired by his boyhood hero; a town’s multimillion-euro gamble to lift it out of the deep recession of the late 1980s; a cast of characters including Senator Ted Kennedy, President Mary Robinson, Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, Albert Reynolds, Bill Clinton, Michael Flatley and Maureen O’Hara ‘Dunbrody, A Famine Odyssey’ is a fascinating read.

‘Dunbrody, A Famine Odyssey - How JFK’s roots helped to revive an Irish town’ is written by Seán Reidy, the man who managed to convince the JFK Trust and the people of New Ross – and the Kennedy family – that his idea to fund and build a life-size replica famine ship was more than an unattainable fantasy.

Seán was CEO of the JFK Trust from 1991 to 2014 when not only was the Dunbrody Famine Ship built but also its visitor centre, along with the Irish America Hall of Fame and the Irish Emigration History Centre. He was also a key figure in the development of the new Kennedy Homestead Visitor Centre at the Kennedy family’s ancestral home a few kilometres outside of New Ross town.

The 34-chapter hardback book tells the inspirational story of the building of the

Dunbrody Famine Ship and from the start when a 14-yearold Reidy was stirred by President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Ireland – including New Ross – in 1963. It explained why, almost 30 years later, he answered a newspaper advert for the job of project manager at the JFK Trust to develop a heritage centre and decided to apply despite having no project management or heritage experience. It was at the interview that Seán proposed the idea of building a full-size replica of the vessel that took JFK’s great grandfather to the US and moor it at New Ross to share the Famine story and that of the Kennedy family.

Seán shares his memories of working with Senator Ted Kennedy, Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith and President Mary Robinson, of meeting President Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, C h u c k F e e n e y, C a ro l i n e Kennedy and her family and many more who were all key at some point along the way.

He unveils the doubts and qualms, the sleepless nights and near-disasters, the community’s sheer determination, resolve and refusal to fail – the same resilience exemplified by the Famine Irish who sailed the original Dunbrody to a New World.

Launching the book, Seán says: “I am delighted to be sharing this incredible story; one of a town that came together and rallied to ensure it’s own future.”

Dunbrody, A Famine Odyssey is now available at all good bookshops, The Dunbrody Visitor Centre, Nugents, South S t re e t N e w R o s s a n d a t https://dunbrodyodyssey.ie/ priced at €20. n

Author Seán Reidy with his new book, ‘Dunbrody, A Famine Odyssey’, which tells the story of the creation of the famous Dunbrody Famine Ship.

Texaco Art awards for Wexford students Five Wexford students have won top prizes in this year’s 66th Texaco Art Competition.

All were winners of Special Merit Awards for artworks that final adjudicator, Professor Declan Mcgonagle said: “were imaginative and displayed high levels of skill”.

They were Alannah Brennan (age 18), a pupil at Gorey Community School; Noah Bates (13) from Bridgetown College; Sara Kinsella (13) from St. Mary's Secondary School, New Ross; Mila Hurley (8) from Wexford Educate Together National School, Clonard and Finley Anderson (6) from St. Iberius National School, Wexford Town.

No stranger to the Competition, Noah won first prize in the 6 years and under category in 2012.

With the onset of Covid19, the Competition had to be extended over a longer period this year with delays to the final adjudication process and the announcement of winners.

As a result, activities normally undertaken during April and May – traditionally, the introduction of winners to the media and the formal presentation of prizes – had to be set aside as a consequence of which prizes will be delivered by hand without the possibility of an awards ceremony. n

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Slaney News

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Tree planting in Wexford ABOVE: Annual Tree Planting at Ferrybank, Wexford, for Wexford Festival Opera on 11th October, 2020, L-R: David Maguire (Volunteer Wexford Festival Opera), Cllr Maura Bell, Dr. Mary Kelly (Chairperson Wexford Festival Opera), Cllr Garry Laffan, Cllr Leonard Kelly (Mayor of Wexford), Kevin Sheil (Town Sergeant), David McLoughlin (Chief Executive Wexford Festival Opera), Cllr George Lawlor.

RIGHT: Tree planting on 8th October in Redmond Park for Traveller Mental Health Week. Mary Berry planting tree on behalf of the Traveller community with Mayor of Wexford Cllr Leonard Kelly. Also in photo, on the right, is Michael Sweeney of Wexford County Council.

COURT PRIMARY SCHOOL, MONAMOLIN, CONFIRMATION LEFT: Most of 5th class of Court National School, Monamolin, celebrate their Confirmation at Kilmuckridge Church on 25th September 2020.

BELOW LEFT: Brian, Eoin and Mary Doyle.

BELOW CENTRE: Jim, Rory and Denise Hughes.

BELOW RIGHT: John, Jake, Sophie and Jessie Daly.

48

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