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Slaneynews Serving Enniscorthy, Bunclody, and surrounding areas

Issue 45 - Tuesday - 7 January 2014

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.

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Angela Mernagh, Marie Busher and Claire O’Neill enjoying the New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Riverside Park Hotel. January is a time to look back at the year just gone and to look forward to the new one just beginning. Thankfully all is not doom and gloom – there are signs that local people are taking action on a number of fronts to bring about positive changes in our community. The Enniscorthy Business Association is very active including organising a wonderful Christmas Parade in the town last month and planning is underway for more eye-catching events in 2014. A number of committed, local individuals have produced a report which outlines alternative flood

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relief options to the controversial OPW flood barrier scheme – we’ll be carrying more information on this in an upcoming issue. Finally, the long-awaited RIKON report is due out later this month which will set out a programme for major improvements in Enniscorthy in the years ahead. All these developments are the result of a small number of people commiting themselves to the betterment of Enniscorthy. We should all make it our New Year’s resolution to follow their good example and help make our town a better place for all of us to live in 2014. n

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Welcome to our first issue of 2014. Christmas has come and gone and Enniscorthy, thanks to the local Enniscorthy Business Association and the Town Council, did itself proud with our Christmas Lights among the best in Ireland, our giant Christmas Tree with almost 3,000 lights on it, Santa entertaining the kids in his grottos in both Enniscorthy Castle and Kilcannon Garden Centre, beautiful music each Saturday in the Market Square, Gala Christmas Raffle with 60 businesses taking part, and, of course, not forgetting the spectacular Bui Bolg Christmas Parade on Saturday 7th December which we hope will become an annual event. The Slaney News is already aware of a number of steps which have been taken to ensure an even better Christmas next year. We take this opportunity to thank all our contributors in 2013 and hope they will continue with us in 2014. We are also open to receiving original material and photos from all sources so if you are involved in a club or group please keep us posted with news and photos in 2014 and we’ll do our best to include as much as possible. You can keep up to date with developments during the month on our Slaney News Facebook page and on the new Enjoy Enniscorthy Facebook page. And don’t forget you can read our back issues online at: www.issuu.com/slaneynews/docs. – Frank Corcoran

SLANEY NEWS, CLONHASTON, ENNISCORTHY Tel: 087-2403310 slaneynews@gmail.com PUBLISHED in Enniscorthy by Corcoran Print & Design PRINTED in Enniscorthy by Datascope Ltd. 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).

Slaney News – coverage area

KILLANNE

RATHNURE

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POULPEASTY

CLONROCHE GALBALLY

ADAMSTOWN

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ENNISCORTHY

GLENBRIEN BREE

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OYLEGATE BALLYHOGE

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BLACKWATER SCREEN

CURRACLOE

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.

Sugar & Spice Daybreak, Ryland Road Eurospar Half Way House Credit Union Urban Barber Thirty Café Chevue Studio Totally Pampered Econ Fuels. CAIM: Rackards. CAMOLIN: C&K Takeaway Christy Byrne’s, Butcher Post Office. CLONROCHE: Kavanagh’s Gala Greene’s Shop Post Office Larkin’s Shop. COURTNACUDDY: Kelly’s Shop. CURRACLOE: Cloney’s Shop Post Office. FERNS: Beauty by Sarah Centra Applegreen Ferns Barber Post Office Bolgers Hardware Courtyard Forrest’s Café & Bookstore

Rynhart Hair Design Ferns Community Centre Ferns Castle Launderette Daybreak. KILMUCKRIDGE: Londis Centra Sean Ógs Hotel. KILTEALY/BALLINDAGGIN: Kiltealy Post Office. MARSHALSTOWN: Murphy’s. MONAGEER Monageer Tavern / Corner Shop. OULART: Corrigan’s Londis Post Office. OYLEGATE: Garrys Service Station. RATHNURE: Post Office WEXFORD: Maldron Hotel O’Briens, Redmond Sq O’Briens, Main St Nosh & Dosh, Redmond Sq Yard Restaurant Wexford Arts Centre Wexford Service Station, Newtown Road.

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Greenville Stores Presentation Centre SuperValu Pettitts Mace/Maxol Bellefield Enniscorthy Cabs Quik Pick, Ross Road Doyles Checkout, The Duffry Bellefield GAA complex CWCWE Enterprise Centre Enniscorthy Voc. College Golden City Castle Bar Burger Macs The Bailey Shang Hai Riverside Park Hotel TOP shop/filling station Wickham Bros –––––––––––––––––––– Ziggys Hair Salon Smiles Dental The Barber Shop C&R Print Treacys Hotel Toss Kavanagh’s TK Cabs O’Callaghan’s Centra J Donohoe Hardware Chapel Lane Service Station Wilson’s Bar –––––––––––––––––––– Main Post Office IFA Centre Wexford Local Development

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We print 10,000 copies per issue of which 5,000 are distributed door-todoor in Enniscorthy town and 700 in Bunclody. The balance is distributed to over 170 drop-off points: ENNISCORTHY: Doyles Bar, The Duffry Gala Duffry Hope Centre Copper Pan MAD Serenity Place Storm Hair Design Cotton Tree Cafe Dawson’s Bar Crew Cuts George’s Hair Salon Landis Nosh+Coffee Galo Chargrill Hope Charity Shop Irish Wheelchair Association Charity Shop Bart’s Charity Shop Sue Ryder Charity Shop Millstream Fish Shop Polish Butcher Irish Street Bridget’s Hair Salon Brand U Get IT Fixed Rackards Danny’s Barber Shop Ultimate Nutrition

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7 January 2014

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Happy Christmas! Members of Enniscorthy Choral Society receiving their cheque. Pic: Maria Nolan.

“A Merry christmas” – that was the message from the enniscorthy Town clerk david Minogue and c h a i r m a n o f t h e To w n council Johnny Mythen as they presented their last annual Amenity grants to 32 enniscorthy community groups at The Presentation centre on Monday 2nd december. Over €26,000 was distributed among the voluntary bodies of the town in the largest

C o u n c i l g i v e a w a y e v e r. Normally, the budget is capped around €15,000 but this year due to the imminent demise of our Town Council our public representatives took the seasonal decision to be a little more ho! ho! ho! with their allocations. So Christmas came early as the many organisations collected cheques from each of our town councillors. Enniscorthy and the surrounding areas have over 120

voluntary groups registered with the Enniscorthy Community Forum and it is indeed edifying to see them rewarded for the trojan work they are doing for the people in their locality. A nice gesture and a very pleasant evening as people chatted and exchanged visions and ideas. Such a pity that it may well be the last of its kind. But a lovely farewell from all our councillors. – Maria Nolan

7 January 2014

Media Control The chairman of enniscorthy Town council, Johnny Mythen, has spoken out against the constant barrage of attacks against sinn Fein, in the media in the lead up to the local elections in 2014. Cllr Mythen recently stated that: “Mainstream media in Ireland must be challenged. The recent political attacks on Sinn Fein are relentless and purposefully designed to discredit the party. They are working off political agendas and deliberately activating existing predispositions and attempting to make them electorally relevant... This selective exposure is dangerous and will undermine democracy and cause serious polarisation of the truth. A prime example of this is the "Weapons of Mass Destruction” lie, resulting in an invasion of Iraq, causing the deaths of thousands of innocent Iraqis. As we approach the local elections the media will intensify their efforts to project the Irish people away from voting for Sinn Fein. Anything they consider as undesirable ideas will be venomously opposed. The barrage of personal and unprecedented verbal assaults on Gerry Adams, his family and his party, are a prime example of selective exposure, selective perception and selective predisposition. This time we must not let the usual opinion leaders away with their political propaganda schooling. The people are wising up to the dirty tricks and the well silvered palms of the hand picked government agents and the tools they use to usurp the building of a prosperous republic, based on equality and justice for all.” n

Members of Rapps/Stars Social Steppers received a cheque. Pic: Maria Nolan.

Colum Coomey (Chairman) and Maria Nolan (PRO) Enniscorthy Drama Group.

L-R: Jackie Hayden, Joe Neal and Eleanor McEvoy at the poetry event in The Presentation Centre on 13th December (see page 27). Pic: Gavin Doyle Photography.

In-Tuition Certification

Make sure to visit the new Enniscorthy Business Association “Enjoy Enniscorthy” Facebook page, and also check out the “Slaney News” page.

Back row L-R: Elma White, Sarah Bates, Des Wheelock, Karen Walsh (all CWCW), Heather Stephens, Solas, Fran O’Hagan, Jacqui Murphy, Trevor Jacob (all CWCW), Marius Cassidy, Solas. Front row L-R: Kevin Murphy, Brian O’Neill, Leona Kenny, Claire Meagher and Darby Power.

The in-Tuition certification Presentation took place on Friday 6th december in the enniscorthy enterprise centre and students received FeTAc Level 3 certificates in communications and Horticulture. In-Tuition is based in the Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre

and provides practical work based training opportunities to those who are interested in Retail skills, Horticulture and Woodwork. Students learn the skills required on the job as well as gaining valuable and recognised FETAC Certification. Local employers provide ongoing work experience place-

ments. The course is supported by SOLAS and there are currently training places available for 2014. If you are over 18 years and have a disability or need support in training and employment please contact Elma White or Fran O’Hagan on 053-9233069 for further information. n

Town Councillors and Town Council staff members at the December meeting of Enniscorthy Town Council at which Chairman Johnny Mythen made a presentation to Cllr. Sean Doyle on the occasion of his 40 years of service to the Council.

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Slaney News

7 January 2014

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Tech Tip by Sam power

GeT iT Fixed enniScorThy

bring back start button in winDows 8 First of all i’d like to wish a Happy new Year to all our readers and customers, you’re what made 2013 so good and we look forward to seeing you all in 2014. Now I’m going to say something very controversial here and say I love Windows 8, it’s got some really cool features, and it runs pretty smooth. That being said, there is one major change that unites users the world over and that’s the Start button is completely gone. Lucky for Windows 8 users though, it’s very easily brought back with the installation of a very small program called Classic Shell.

There are a ton of alternatives to Classic Shell out there, including Start8 (costs $5) and StartMenu8 (free) which get great reviews. We’ve never tried any alternative ourselves because we tried Classic Shell first and it just worked! And worked very well, so why bother change it.

To download Classic Shell for free, just visit our website http://getitfixed.ie/classic-shell As ever if you have queries about this article or you’d like me to talk about a tech issue that interests or concerns you in a future article, then pop me an email to sam@getitfixed.ie, or you can phone the shop on 053 9238544. n

Classic Shell starts off by installing a Start button with a little shell in the bottom left hand corner. From that point on, you can click it and you get your Start menu which looks like a Windows 7/Vista style Start menu. Your programs and Windows 8 apps are on the left and your Documents, Pictures, Computer, Control Panel etc. on the right. If you prefer, you can easily change the menu to XP or Classic style by right clicking on Start button and clicking settings.

Hospital waiting lists soar Figures published by the national Treatment Purchase Fund have revealed a shocking 57% increase in the number of people on waiting lists at Wexford general Hospital. According to the figures seen by Deputy John Browne last month, there were 280 adults and children waiting for inpatient and day case appointments at the hospital at the end of September. That’s an increase of 102 in the year. D e p u t y B ro w n e h a s described the annual increase as a ‘disgrace’, particularly at a time when the Government is seeking further cuts to local health services this year. “In the last two years, the health services in Wexford and across the South East have received a hammering under the Health Minister James Reilly’s so called ‘reform’ agenda. Instead of improving services for patients as he promised, the reality has been the exact opposite,” said Deputy Browne. “Wexford General Hospital is under more pressure than ever before. On top of the recruitment embargo and the resulting gaps in frontline staffing levels, there have been direct cuts to resources and the hospital has taken the hit for cuts to other health facilities in the region. “The situation is out of con-

trol. Nationally, waiting lists for children who need hospital care have shot up by 50%. And things are set to get worse this year as we’re now facing €1 billion hole in the health budget. The budget overrun for last year is €351m while the Government is also seeking to slash another €666m from the health services this year. This is all as a result of Minister Reilly’s gross mismanagement of the health budget for a third year in a row. “The Government needs to address this mounting chaos in our local health services. Far from taking the action that is needed to support patients, improve efficiency and ensure better outcomes, Minister Reilly now wants to further undermine our health services with more cuts. The bottom line is that the health services in Wexford cannot take more cuts. Waiting lists in Wexford will jump again if Minister Reilly is allowed to continue.” n

Happy New Year to all our Slaney News readers

Cops and Croppers on Thursday 19th december newly appointed staff at the dept of Justice joined with former colleagues at dept of Agriculture for a wonderful christmas Party at the Thai Restaurant at Treacys Hotel. An emotive occasion marking the departure from the Dept

Pic: Maria Nolan.

of Agriculture to Garda Vetting for 23 admin staff leaving only two to man the Vinegar Hill office. Nicola Kennedy Cosgrave

made a presentation to the two remaining admin workers, Maria Nolan and Margaret Sinnott, on behalf of all their for-

Call the Slaneynews Hotline on 087-2403310

mer colleagues. Well done to Olwen Stafford and Patricia Quigley who organised the annual festive fiesta. n

Slaney News

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Tidy Town Awards 2013

EBA Christmas Raffle Draw

in our december issue seán doyle, secretary/Treasurer of enniscorthy Tidy Town Association reported on the annual tidy town awards which took place on Monday, 11th november, in The Presentation centre. Unfortunately we didn’t have sufficient space to carry the full list of prizewinners so here is the full list now: PUBLIC BUILDINGS: Enniscorthy Credit Union. SHOP FRONTS: Doyle's Pub, Duffry Gate. MOST IMPROVED PREMISES: McG's, Market Square. NEW DEVELOPMENT: Tus Nua. HOUSING ESTATES:

The eBA (enniscorthy Business Association) gala christmas Raffle draw took place on Monday 23rd december and the winners of vouchers for a range of enniscorthy retailers and service providers were… Joan Furlong: 1st Prize €1,000 in vouchers Betty Byrne: 2nd Prize €500 in vouchers Kay Murphy: 3rd Prize €250 in vouchers Additional prizes of €100 each in vouchers: Aine Hughes, Margaret Murphy, Sinead Bates, Mick O’Leary, Gerard Freeman, Jane Mitchell, Breda Kennedy, Maura Doyle, Mathew Hughes, Frank Wall, Sylvia Quirke. Congratulations to all the winners. n

Tuan

Bellefield Springs. COMMUNITY AREA: Slaney View Park. ENDEAVOUR AWARDS: Jimmy Brady, Oliver Fingleton, Pat Leacy, Pat O'Sullivan, Jack Chapman, Martin Kirwan & Mandy Kenny Maher. LARGE GARDENS: 1st Aidan & Debbie Hendrick, 12 Drumgoold Villas. Highly Commended: Judy Moorehouse, 14 Moran Park. MEDIUM GARDENS: 1st Neil Carty, 16 Drumgoold Villas. Highly Commended: Jim & May Wilson, 5 Urrin Valley. SMALL GARDENS: 1st Bernie Colgan, 29 Cherryorchard Heights.

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Highly Commended: Pat & Maria Nolan, 4 Hospital Lane. CONTAINER GARDEN: 1st Marie Carroll, 24 Slaney View Park. Highly Commended: John Carroll, 11 Droim Catha. H. BASKETS / W. BOXES: 1st Rosie & Paddy O'Sullivan, 2 St. Aidan's Villas. Highly Commended: Jane Coughlan, 5 St. John St. COMMERCIAL PREMISES H. BASKETS / W. BOXES: 1st Reid's Off Licence, 11 Main Street. Highly Commended: Jewellery Centre, Market Square. Congrats to all the winners.

Enniscorthy is edging closer to a coveted bronze medal in the national Tidy Towns competition. Let’s all make a renewed effort in 2014 to keep Enniscorthy litter-free.

Tuan

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Tuan Health Sanctuary Ballintore, Ferns.

Ballintore, Ferns.

Breda Morrison (087) 6683 078 Michael Morrison (087) 245 9402

monday morningS 10am

Breda Morrison Breda Morrison (087) (087) 6683 6683 078 078 Michael Morrison (087) 245 9402 Michael Morrison (087) 245 9402

Well done to Dan and the team at The Bailey, Enniscorthy, for installing a new

CommuniTy noTiCEBoarD in the main Bar. one can visit the board at any time and all are invited to display their small notes on same.

LiBRARY neWs…

see: www.wexford.ie/wex/departments/Library/ Whatson/ for details of what’s on in your local library. You can also check out your local library on Facebook. enniscoRTHY LiBRARY: Thursday, January 16th, 7.00pm – Mindfulness Workshop entitled Journey into Awareness with Mary Rice. Thursday, January 30th, 7.00pm – The Convictions of John Delahunt, a reading by Andrew Hughes.

Learn Learn tto o d drive r iv e w with it h I Isaac saac Wheelock Wheelock ADI ADI F34469 F34469 Lessons L essons E Enniscorthy, nniscorthy, Wexford W ex ford & G Gorey. orey. nd p arking lessons. le s s o n s . EDT Refresher courses and parking E DT lessons. le s s o n s . R efresher c our ses a te st. Intensive courses. Car I n t e n siv e c our ses. C ar available available for for test. Gift Vouchers G if t V ouchers for for all all occasions. o cca sio n s. I Insurance n su r an ce d discounts available. v a i la b le . isco u n t s a

Fidelma and Claire draw the raffle winners in MAD Bar & Restaurant.

Slaney News

www.slaneynews.com

7 January 2014

Join the Delightful Dollies in 2014

The Delightful Dollies choir performed in the Market Square, Enniscorthy, before Christmas and raised €1,126 for Slaney Search & Rescue.

There’s still time for the women of enniscorthy and beyond to make a constructive new year’s resolution to join enniscorthy’s vibrant and creative w o m e n ’s g r o u p – t h e delightful dollies. The group meets between 11am and 1pm on Wednesday mornings in Bellefield GAA complex and is open to women of all ages. Typically the attendance numbers between 50 and 70. When the Slaney News visited the group before Christmas the venue was a hive of activity. The success of the group has led to funding from a number of sources including Wexford Local Development, Wexford County Council, Co. Wexford Community Forum, Age & Opportunity and Enniscorthy Town Council. The group would also like to thank Paul Nolan in

relation to their involvement with the Dragon Sportive last summer. Regular group activities include line-dancing, singing (the Dollies choir performed in the Market Square before Christmas raising €1,126 for Slaney Search & Rescue and also sang carols in St John’s), outings (the most recent being to a Daniel O’Donnell concert in Wexford Opera House), craft fairs, Halloween and other themed parties, etc. Some novel events planned for 2014 include an intergenerational project with Meanscoil Enniscorthy and a major sewing project. The Delightful Dollies would love to see even more people joining in the fun so make it your new year’s resolution to go along any Wednesday morning to Bellefield between 11am and 1pm. n

Above: Delightful Dollies at the presentation of cheque to Slaney Search & Rescue. Below: The Dollies having fun in 2013.

Slaney News

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Donohoes harDware the Home & Hardware Experts

Advice & hints from your locAl hArdwAre teAm ToolBox TIPS: ouR ToP 10 HEATIng TIPS  Boiler Service and Safety Checks You should have your boiler and heating system serviced every year to keep it running properly. It should be carried out by a qualified engineer.

 Carbon Monoxide Make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in your home. They're not expensive and could save your life. Test the alarm once a week to ensure it’s working properly.

 Boiler Flame Colour If you can see the flame in the boiler it should be a clear, strong, blue flame. A yellow, candle-like flame indicates a problem which should be checked out. Whether this is being caused by an obstruction in the flue or some other fault, get it checked without delay by a qualified engineer.

boiler. Combi boilers have a filling loop which can be used to top up the system if the pressure drops. If the pressure needs topping up frequently, it indicates a problem and you should get an engineer in to identify and resolve it.

 Timers and Programmers Make sure that your boiler is controlled by a timer – or better still a programmer. Set your programmer so that the heating comes on half an hour before you want. Similarly, set it to turn the heating off half an hour before you go to bed. This will reduce waste and reduce your bills. Turning your thermostat down by just one degree could make a welcome reduction in your bills too.  Hot Water Temperature

 Run the System Regularly Run your heating system once a month even during the summer just for a short while. This will help keep the heating system in working order and reduce the chance of the pump seizing up.

Check the temperature set on your cylinder thermostat – around 55° / 60° is the normal setting. 60° is about the highest temperature of water you could possibly need. Having it set higher will mean that you have to mix with cold to cool it back down. As with room thermostats, turning it up higher does not mean it will heat up quicker, a common misconception.

 Pressure Check the pressure gauge on a pressurised system regularly. This will normally be around 1-1.5 bar but look up the recommended setting for your particular

 Thermostatic Radiator Valves Thermostatic radiator valves are great. Be aware that you must have either an automatic bypass or at least one radiator without a TRV. The reason is simple –

lower Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford T: 053 924 2432 or 924 2433 F: 053 924 2435 E: hardware@jdonohoe.com

Anne Hayes if all the valves should close when they're up to temperature, the pump will be working against a closed circuit resulting in damage.

 Balancing the System If you're having problems with some radiators heating up and others not, the system may need balancing. Radiators close to the pump may be getting more than their fair share resulting in insufficient water reaching radiators further away.  Insulation and Draught Proofing Check your attic space to make sure that you have the recommended level of insulation. The amount of heat that escapes through an un-insulated / poorly insulated loft is surprising and it's simply throwing money away. Draught proof windows and doors – simple things like a draught flowing past a badly fitted door or window can really make a difference. Visit the Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) website for more detailed advice. For more hints & toolbox tips… facebook.com / jdonohoeproviders

free parking … free Delivery … free professional aDvice open 8am to 5.30pm monday to Friday & through lunch every weekday and 8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays

Christmassed at St. Aidan’s st. Aidan’s cathedral excelled itself for the second year running with its festive christmas concert extravaganza on sunday 15th december as a plethora of superb local musical talent came together to delight and enchant the cathedral congregation. MC for the occasion the exuberant Maestro himself – Michael Dunbar – put it succinctly with ‘Sit back and prepare to be Christmassed’. And

indeed the new verb aptly described the magical experience as we were treated to an evening of Enniscorthy melodic excellence. Beginning with a Christmas medley of Adeste Fideles, Angels We Have Heard On High and the quintessential Silent Night from the Enniscorthy Choral Society, The Gospel Choir and the St. Aidans Childrens Choir. We were then privileged to hear Paul O`Reilly sing Lodgings –

a Christmas ballad composed and sung by his late father MJ many years ago in St. Aidans. Paul accompanied by Colm O’Tierney finished with Shule Aruin demonstrating that a little bit of the Irish fits in just about anywhere. The Gospel Choir who are no stranger to St. Aidans gave us Let It Be by the Beatles, a gospel song called The Virgin Mary Had A Son and a Garth Brooks number When You Come Back To Me –

all beautifully delivered under the expert guidance of Therese Canavan who then performed a most lovely, poignant version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas accompanied by husband Pat Bolger on guitar. Lorna Mahon who has been immersed in the music of St. Aidans since she was a small child sang The Voice Of An Angel with the voice of an angel and completely enthralled the audience. Silhouetted against the

Enniscorthy Gospel Choir at St. Aidan’s festive Christmas Concert on 15th December. Pic: Maria Nolan.

John Dempsey and Lorna Mahon. Pic: Maria Nolan.

majestic Christmas tree with her long blond locks and delicate features Lorna looked very much like the angel for the top of it. The Choral Society gave us Walking In The Air and that fabulous festive favourite Handels Messiah before paying a special Enniscorthy tribute to the South African icon Nelson Mandela on the day of his burial with a passionate rendition of Africa. Nothing quiet fills the magnitude of a Cathedral like organ music and Eanna McKenna’s rousing version of Deck The Halls demonstrated the range and power of this devine instrument. We heard the voices of the future as the Children of St. Aidan’s treated us to Hark The Herald Angels Sing and of course Away In A Manager under the tutelage of Maria Clifford with her daughter Carrie on flute and son Darragh on guitar – very much a family Christmas gathering. I am confident that all things musical are safe at St. Aidan’s listening

to the wonderful young and enthusiastic voices of the Children’s Choir. John Dempsey from Oulart captivated us with his melodious deep tones performing She Is Far From The Land and We Three Kings Of Orient Are. Lorna and John combined in delightful duo to give us All I Ask Of You from Phantom of the Opera and then the blissfully spiritual O Holy Night and Christmas at St. Aidan’s just wouldn’t be Christmas without our own Enniscorthy Christmas Carol to complete a truly nostalgic, cherished and mystic occasion and well done once again to the organising committee and to all our own very local and very talented artistes. The congregation reluctantly filtered out into the Enniscorthy night air with smiles of appreciation, remembrance and joy, a testament once again to the marvellous occasion that has become our annual Christmas at St. Aidan’s. – Maria Nolan

Slaney Entertainment

7 January 2014

www.slaneynews.com

The Presentation Centre – Happy New Year

Adult Art Classes Youth Arts Programme

Adult Art Classes with Julie Moorhouse

Tues

A six week course commencing Wed 08 January – two class options 11-1pm & 7.30-9.30pm.

St Aidan’s Parent & Toddler Group

9.15-11am. For enquiries please tel: 053 92 33000.

Tues

Wexford Artists Community Theatre

The mission of WACT is to allow young people in County Wexford the opportunity to explore and engage with the arts in the local community providing a youth theatre that is fresh, modern and relevant to the age of members, aged 5-18yrs. 5-6 pm 6-7 pm 7-9 pm

5-8 year olds 9-12 year olds 13+ age group

Contact Jacqui: 086-288 5942 or wactyouththeatre@gmail.com www.facebook.com/wactyouththeatre

Weds

Creative Kidz Dance Project with Myriad Dance

Myriad is a playful and innovative contemporary dance company, which cultivates and inspires dance to happen through a diverse programme of performance initiatives. This project aims to stimulate the imagination, energy and artistry of children in the area. The project will mould the children's ideas for dance and create a new dance piece over a series of weeks. Classes are for boys and girls together aged 8-11 years old. Creative Kidz – only formed in 2012 – have performed in the Sonraigh National Youth Dance Festival as well as events in Enniscorthy, Wexford and Arklow. Classes commence Weds 22nd January. To register or for enquiries, please contact: Lisa Cahill, Artistic Director. Tel: 086 408 5877. email: artisticdirector@myriaddance.com

Thurs

Red Moon Theatre

Classes are open to children and young people of all levels of experience or none. Apart from the pure fun of it all and the skills learning, it really makes a difference to each participant in terms of social, communication and life skills, personal development and self-awareness, self-belief and self-confidence (the ‘abc’ of drama ©).

Julie Moorhouse is an award winning artist from Enniscorthy with over 20 years experience teaching adult art classes. Julie’s approach is to treat each participant as an individual and divides the term by sharing her vast knowledge of painting techniques in a range of materials and then encouraging the student to create paintings with their new-found skills.

The K Club is a new knitting club starting Thursday 09 January, running weekly 10-12 noon

Please contact the centre to register on 053 92 33000.

A new community project, in association with County Wexford Community Workshop, to dress the benches, trees and toadstools in The Presentation Centre walled garden ready for children’s events during this year’s summer festivals. Anyone interested in getting involved should contact the centre on 053 92 33000. Donations of wool also kindly accepted.

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Learn to Draw with Desmond McCarthy

Saturday 15 February – ‘A Date with Doris’ in association with Wexford Arts Centre

New students always welcome, all levels catered for. Cost €90 (concessions €75).

A six week course will commence Saturday 11 January and run every other Saturday to 22 March, 10am-1pm, €180 for course of six. Learn the wonderful skills of drawing in pencil, graphite and charcoal; tackle simple and what may seem difficult subjects. Suitable for beginners and experienced artists, your new skills will be of immense value for your compositions and paintings. Desmond McCarthy is a graduate of NCAD and is a member of the Water Colour Society of Ireland. www.desmondmccarthy.com Contact 053 92 33000 to reserve your place.

4-5pm: Children's Drama (ages 5-11) 5-6pm: Young Artists Studio (ages 5-13) 6-7.30pm Enniscorthy Youth Theatre Ensemble (ages 12 & over)

Celebrate the songs of Doris Day with Aileen Donohoe including “Que Sera, Sera”, “On Moonlight Bay”, “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” and songs from the hit musicals “Calamity Jane” and “The Pyjama Game”. Let Aileen’s beautiful voice take you back to the golden age of Hollywood. Her West End credits include Wicked, Mamma Mia, Beauty and the Beast and The Phantom of the Opera. Musically directed by Robert Scott and written & directed by Brendan Cull “It’s Magic!” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Thursday 20 February – An Evening of Traditional Wexford Song

Enrolments are welcome at any time during the year with discounts for more than one in a family and regular competitions for free places.

A Presentation on the Wexford Song Project and sharing of songs.

Contact Michael: 086 086 1449 / 053 91 35014 Email: redmoontheatre@gmail.com

Learn to Draw with Desmond McCarthy

For FurTHer iNFormaTioN:

email: thepresentationcentre@gmail.com to subscribe to e-newsletter. Tel: 053 92 33000. See ‘The Presentation Centre’ on Facebook and don’t forget to ‘Like’ us!

The Wexford Song Project was established in September last year to research traditional songs of Wexford, develop the repertoire and confidence amongst singers and a resource of Wexford songs for others to share and sing. Admission Free, all are welcome.

Slaney Entertainment

www.slaneynews.com

2013 ends with great local entertainment

✂

Your “cut out and keep”

JANUARY ENTERTAINMENT All venues are in Enniscorthy unless otherwise stated.

Gorilla Radio. Pic: © Joseph Doyle.

Gorilla Radio and the Kilkennys brought 2013 to a close at Benedicts in Enniscorthy. Two great nights over Christmas with two very different bands. First up were local band Gorilla Radio, who are one of the best bands in Co. Wexford, and they played Benedicts on Sunday night 29th of December. This band of 30 somethings already have a record under their belts and are one of the best cover bands out there at the moment. Led by local lad Noel Kenny this group can play any song with great expertise and to say their set list is impressive is no lie with the Lumineers hit Ho Hey followed by Wagon Wheel, etc these guys rock and are,

excuse the French, shit hot. Great bunch of lads – one of the best I have seen but they would be even better if they included some of their own songs in their set. So lads keep those tunes coming, well worth a listen. The Kilkennys were the last band to grace Benedicts in 2013 and they brought the house down with their tunes. This Kilkenny/Laois based band are one of the best ballad/folk/trad bands in Ireland and one of the best I have seen in a long time. Their stage presence is second to none, their range of songs varies and they all sing in rotation – a bit like the Clancy brothers. Their formation is three in the front and a drummer in the back. No, they’re

The Kilkennys.

not really like the Clancy brothers, more a cross between the Dubliners, the Wolfe Tones and Horslips. They can sing a wide range of songs and are excellent musicians. One of the band, Tommy Macken, plays the bass guitar and the mandolin like it’s going out of fashion, the lead singer is a great banjo and mandolin player and he sings Boolavogue great for a Kilkenny man! Only four people can sing Boolavogue properly in my book, tenor Anthony Kearns, Jim McCann, Luke Kelly and the lead singer from the Kilkennys. He even plays the tin whistle in between verses. Among their set list are the Streets of New York, Dirty Old Town, Galway Girl, etc. They

also sing some modern songs. Apart from Boolavogue being sung to a hushed crowd, he sang the Belfast Mill a folk song I have never heard of. The Kilkennys are great for the day after your wedding or in fact your wedding itself if that's what you’re into. A great band but I think they should also work on some of their own songs to add to the set list. If you would like to have a listen then check them out on Youtube or Facebook. I am sure they’ll be back in Enniscorthy real soon in 2014. The Davitts brought the old year to a close on New Years Eve in Joe Doyles with plenty of music and dancing to The Heartbeats. – Joseph Doyle

Fri 10 Fri 10 Fri 10 Sat 11 Sat 11 Sun 12 Sun 12 Fri 17 Fri 17 Fri 17 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sat 18 Sat 18 Sat 18 Sun 19 Sun 19 Sun 19 22,23 23,24,25 Fri 24 Fri 24 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sat 25 Sat 25 Sun 26 Sun 26 Fri 31 Fri 31 Fri 31

The Pied PiPer. Wexford Pantomime Society, Dun Mhuire Theatre, Wexford. €15/12 (€10/8 child). Tel 053 9123061. No hassle. Temple Bar, Treacys. KaraoKe with Julie. Castle Bar. FlocK oF Budgies. DBar. souNd FX. Temple Bar, Treacys. roho NighTcluB, Bunclody. All drinks €2. MicK cloKe. Temple Bar, Treacys. TraNsMiTTer. Benedicts. ToM sawyer. Temple Bar, Treacys. aFTer hours. DBar. KaraoKe with Julie. Castle Bar. Neil delaMere: sMarTBoMB. Whites Hotel, Wexford. Bees KNees. Temple Bar, Treacys. schuBerT The waNderer. Drama. Wexford Arts Centre. sTeal away, The Music oF The aMericaN Negro slaVes. Wexford Opera House. roho NighTcluB, Bunclody. All drinks €2. sTePheN MurPhy. Temple Bar, Treacys. Blue Moose. Benedicts. sTricTly coMe daNciNg. Local GAA Clubs. Riverside Park Hotel. ToM creaN - aNTarTic eXPlorer. Drama. Wexford Arts Centre. riches To rags – a Musical PaNToMiMe. Ferns Community Centre. 8pm. Bookings: 086 3823585 or 053 9366354. Touch oF class. Temple Bar, Treacys. saPPhires. DBar. KaraoKe with Julie. Castle Bar. The iNMaTe. Temple Bar, Treacys. a sKull iN coNNeMara. Drama. A Special Event for the Wexford Hurling Team. Wexford Opera House. roho NighTcluB, Bunclody. All drinks €2. liVe BaNd. Temple Bar, Treacys. adaMs locKer. Benedicts. The reTroFreTs. DBar. led ZePPaloT. Music. Wexford Arts Centre. KaraoKe with Julie. Castle Bar.

✂

7-12

roho Nightclub Bunclody: www.facebook.com/rohobunclody.

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It would be prudent to check all events locally with the organisers and/or venues. Check www.wexlive.com for updated listings. Thanks to Joseph Doyle for his help with our comprehensive events guide. Please email your event details to slaneynews@gmail.com.

Donal Cullen listens to Valerra’s new album Valerra are a fine four-piece lineup. Rock, pop, it’s all going on with these boys. Their self-titled debut album Valerra is full of big gems, like Wounded Man, Living in Stereo and a fabulous Gone Too Far. All songs are written by Valerra except track 2 which is written by Noll Rimes Creswell and track 8 written by Gilbert, Hague, Hook, Morris, Summer. The album is produced and by mixed by Chris O’Brien and Graham Murphy. It was recorded at the Golden Egg Studios and The Production Suite, Dublin. Valerra is made up of Noel Kenny (originally from Irish Street, Enniscorthy) on vocals and guitar, Joey Kennedy on guitar, Paul Newell on bass and Sean Walsh on drums. The tracks on the Valerra album are: 1. Wounded Man 2. Living in Stereo 3. Gone Too Far 4. Viva La Rockstar 5. Pieces 6. Gets Me Off 7. All for You 8. True Faith 9. Sober 10. Plead 11. Suicidal Dreams 12. Separate Ways Twelve fine tracks to fulfil any rocker’s dreams. I’ve known the lads for a good long time and you know you’re in good company. They look like a rock outfit, talk like they’re rock gods, and sing like legends. Watch out for Valerra at a venue near you. www.valerra.com – Donal Cullen

As we produce this issue of the Slaney News with a winter storm blowing outside, it’s nice to remember the great summer of 2013. Sarah Dobbs and her son, Earl, on Enniscorthy’s Rafter Street. Pic: Donal Cullen.

Slaney Entertainment

7 January 2014

ENNISCORTHY’S WINTER WONDERLAND Enniscorthy got Christmased on Saturday 7th December when the Winter Wonderland Parade came to town. A kaleidoscope of colour, a cacophony of sound, just about describes what cascaded through our December streets. It was the best Enniscorthy parade that I have ever witnessed – as wonder and magic filtered into the early evening air heralded by favourite carols from the Delightful Dollies and Enniscorthy Choral Society who began their melodious ensemble with an emotive rendition of Africa as a tribute

to the late Nelson Mandela – a beautiful accolade. As darkness fell the atmosphere was charged and expectant as kids from one to ninety-two waited patiently for the first glimpse of the ‘big fat man with the long white beard’ and then as the massive red sleigh appeared through the parade there were squeals of delight and joy and that was just from the mammies and daddies! Santa resplendent and regal waved to all from his lofty chariot preceded by life-size dancing santa hats and dainty fairies twirling illuminated umbrel-

las and followed by fabulously friendly polar bears and majestic golden angels on stilts! And of course every parade worth its salt has a b a d d i e a n d o u r Wi n t e r Wonderland bad guy was the ‘cool, green hero – Jack Frost’ who totally stole the show – this guy was so so wicked and definitely on the ‘Naughty List’. It was fab! The stuff little people’s dreams are made of! MC for the event Stephen Murphy welcomed Santa and Jack Frost on to the main stage at Market Square and called

for a vote as to which one should turn on the Christmas lights… no prizes for guessing which – Jack Frost was promptly requested to vacate the stage as Santa and Tadgh Breen hit the big red switch together and lit up the Enniscorthy night sky. Totally charming, alluring and magical and top marks to Bui Bolg, Enniscorthy Business Association, Enniscorthy Town Council and the organisers Lantern.ie (Brian Byrne and Barry Ennis) for bringing the enchantment of Christmas to all of us here in Enniscorthy. n

Enniscorthy Choral Society performing in the Market Square at the Winter Wonderland Parade.

Aileen Donohoe at the Wexford Arts Centre on 8th December. Pic: Patrick Hogan.

Pic: Maria Nolan.

Aileen lights up Christmas West End soloist Aileen Donohoe, who has stong connections with Enniscorthy, performed a thoroughly enjoyable Christmas concert filled with Yule-tide favourites and songs from her album Christmas by Candlelight in Wexford Arts Centre on 8th December. Aileen was accompanied throughout the evening, on piano (and occasionally vocals!), by West End Musical Director Robert Scott who composed special arrangements for the concert. She was also joined near the end of the concert by her talented husband on guitar and vocals. The large and enthusiastic audience enjoyed every minute of the show which was the ideal way to get in the festive mood. The next time we are likely to hear the talented Aileen perform will be in her new show A Date with Doris based on the life of Doris Day. Aileen has revealed that the show will be taking to various stages around Ireland early this year. Readers can learn more about the show and hear some of the numbers on Aileen’s website: www.aileendonohoe.com and watch this space for more updates. n

FERNS DRAMATIC SOCIETY

Riches to Rags A Musical Pantomime Ferns Community Centre 23rd, 24th, 25th January at 8pm Bookings: 086 3823585 or 053 9366354

Slaney Entertainment

www.slaneynews.com JAMIE’S GOOD NEWS Happy new year dear readers! Apologies for the lack of column last month. Then again, some of you probably didn't care either way but for those that did miss it, I apologise. Before we head into this month's column, I would like to wish all you readers a happy and peaceful new year and I hope you all have a creative, peaceful, loving and above all joyous new year. Now where was I, oh yes. Good news. The lack of column last month was due to my time being wrapped up in stage managing a new theatre group's production of Aladdin, and that group is Yellow Beak Theatre Group from New Ross. Much like Enniscorthy, they are a fresh group but again much like our very own group, it is full of driven, creative and ridicolously energetic members. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for future productions!! The Word Great Is Overused A Lot. Films do many things. They enthrall, enlighten, excite, anger, bring joy and above all divide opinions. To be fair, opinions are a bit like bums, everyone has one. And this column is my (opinion not bum) on four films that through no fault of their own are for one reason or many, over-rated. INCEPTION Christopher Nolan has done numerous great, awe-inspiring movies. His The Dark Knight Trilogy being top dog among them. Those films took comicbook adaptations to dizzying new heights and set the bar high for any future projects. They are full of genuine human emotion, anger, pent-up frustration and human stories all played out

View From The Nosebleeds with heroes and villians that were as flawed as each other. Oh yes, and they're an absolute joy to watch. Then he went and got all "complex" on our asses. Complex. A word I found that people use when they don't quite know what to say when asked that age old question, "Well, what was the film about?" If you have to think about that answer for more than 3-5 seconds then the film-maker, in my opinion, has disregarded that simple facet of film-making, telling a story using moving pictures. Having watched the film three times, each time being more stupifed than the last I gave up and watched Troll hunter (relax the brain and all like). To me the biggest problem with the film is the over use of the word "complex" people use when describing it and Nolan's ham-fisted over-plotting. The whole "limbo" thing for instance. I mean, pardon my ignorance but is being in that state such a problem when you could simply kill yourself to wake up? Look, Christopher, I am a mere mortal and you are a master story-teller, but don't try and convince me a film is deep by simply throwing loads of information at me, hoping I will not only compound it but retain it when asked what it was about. I won't say it's hackish, but it screams, "Ah, look throw loads of stuff in there and string it together somehow with over-

plotting". Not hackish, simply lazy. FIGhT CLuB Woah the pony now. I have my reasons, don't all start hating. You have all these guys who are angry. They get together to beat the living piss out of each other and when they tire of that, they blow up some buildings but not just any old bricks and mortar jobs, they blow up corporate buildings. Sticking it to the man right? Wrong. The lead character is a white collared, everyday normal guy who has a pretty good job, which means he has money and all the trappings that come with that. Did you see his apartment? This joe ain't no chump. But poor him, he hates his white collar job and we're expected to feel sorry for him? Well boo-hoo my friend, boo f***ing hoo. He suffers from first world problems. Problems I can't get behind. The film spends its running time trying to get at us and explain why we shouldn't care but it ends up making you not care about the film instead. And Meat Loaf turns in one of his worst acting jobs ever. Despite it being also vastly over-rated, he was far better and also more believable in The Rocky horror Picture Show. LINCOLN This film has a running time of 150 minutes. That's not the big

problem. My biggest problem is that 90 of those 150 minutes are spent focusing on The 13th Amendment. A truly momentous occasion in not only American, but world history surely. But come on, an hour and a half in a film that is called Lincoln. Possibly the most misleading title of all time. If you went into this film hoping to learn about a truly great man like I did, you were left bitterly disappointed and more exhausted than a weekend with Hunter S. Thompson. I nearly fell asleep four times. I don't know whether it was the central heating in the cinema or the scripting. The first problem in this area occurs at the beginning of the movie. Lincoln is talking to three soldiers, two of whom are black. They recite one of Lincoln's most famous speeches back to him almost word for word. Come on, are we really expected to believe this was the relationship between blacks and whites at this time. If it was, surely there would have been no need to abolish slavery? The subsequent meetings between Lincoln and his government are overlong and bloated and despite solid performances all around, especially Day-Lewis, they fall flat and in some instances bored me to tears. And while I'm here, the ending? Yea, you know where he gets his head blown off in The

Ford Theatre? It ain't in it. I know right? Now, I didn't need to see his head actually being blown off his shoulders, but I could've done with feeling a third of the sadness that undoutbtedly enveloped the American Nation upon his death. No, Spielberg denies us of that. After nearly two and so hours of boredom? F*** you Steven! ThE DEPARTED Personally, I abhor remakes. And this film is a remake of a Hong Kong film called Internal Affairs. A great film, full of intricate plotted action, memorable set pieces and explosive climaxes. Something sadly lacking in Scorcese's messy and forgettable The Departed. Saw this film in Aberystwyth and the best thing about it was the Ben and Jerry's vending machine in the lobby of the theatre. First off, the timing of the story is all over the place, the time frame is borderline ridiculous. Four months is all it takes to infiltrate Costello's (an unsurprisingly great Jack Nicholson) mafia and not only that but become his right hand man? I

detect a hefty dose of BS. And then the characters. Costello (Leonardo Di Caprio) is unbendable, unbreakable, a perfect cop. And his bad guy nemesis Costello is evil incarnate. They are so one-dimensional you would be unable to see them if they simply turned sideways. Matt Damon's character, Sullivan is unbelievable as a cop, never mind one that would rise to the top that quick. Again, we're on the thorny subject of endings. I'd like to think I'm not a complete idiot. Martin Scorcese seems to think I am, indeed so is anyone else watching this film. (SPOILER ALERT!!!!) Turns out the guy you thought was a rat, was indeed a rat!! Oh, look there's a rat scaling a fence..... In case you had a lobotomy before viewing this film and a verbal explanation will not suffice. Just insulting. And for everyone complaining Scorcese never got an Oscar? You were right, he should have gotten one for his body of work, not this piece of dirt. A crying shame..... – Jamie

Panto Time? Oh yes it is! SCHuberT THe WaNderer Drama - 18 Jan Schubert The Wanderer - A dramatic and musical portrait of Franz Schubert written and performed by Michael Lunts. This highly original one-man show on Franz Schubert ‘Schubert The Wanderer’ has actor and pianist Michael Lunts exploring the last days of Franz Schubert’s short life, with music and dramatic action. It is an evening in which to encounter Schubert, live, as both man and musician. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Tom CreaN aNTarTiC exPLorer Drama - 22 Jan, 23 Jan Experience Aidan Dooley’s award winning one-man play as it tells the heroic tale of Tom Crean (1877 – 1938), the intrepid, Irish Antarctic explorer and the only man to serve with Scott and Shackleton on three famous expeditions: – Discovery, (1901 – 1904); Terra Nova (1910 – 1913); and Endurance (1914 - 1916).

Wexford Pantomime Society presents The Pied Piper 7-11th January at 8pm and 12th January at 2.30pm in Dun Mhuire Theatre, Wexford. Tel: 053-9123061. Pic: Patrick Hogan.

Written and performed by Dooley, the story, a testament of human fortitude against all the elements of Antarctica, is brought to life in this dramatic solo performance. Crean’s thirty-six mile solitary trek to base camp during the Terra Nova expedition to rescue his comrades Teddy Evans and William Lashly has been described by Antarctic historians as “the finest feat of individual heroism from the entire age of exploration”. Crean was subsequently awarded the Albert Medal for his bravery. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Led ZePPaLoT Music - 31 Jan This is a Standing Event. One of Ireland’s premier Led Zeppelin Tribute acts, formed in 2012 and recreating an accurate representation of Led Zeppelin’s finest work. The band includes Adam Vickers as Jimmy Page, Darren Graham as Robert Plant, Dean Kearns as JPJ and Jonathan Merriman as John Bonham.

T: (053) 9123764 www.wexforDarTsCenTre.ie

Dancer Ewa Babiarczyk at Wexford Arts Centre. Pic: Patrick Hogan.

Slaney Entertainment

Christmas Parade Enniscorthy 7th December

7 January 2014

Slaney Picture Parade

www.slaneynews.com

Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, Christmas present donation to Enniscorthy St Vincent de Paul on 13th December, L-R: Rory McCauley and Orlaith Harrington (SVP), Jim Maher (Manager, Riverside Park Hotel) and Sharon Carroll (Sales & Marketing Manager, Riverside Park Hotel).

Conor Kenny, Cathal Murphy and John Kenny at the Riverside Park Hotel Leisure Club Christmas Party.

Doyle Family Gathering Marshalstown â&#x20AC;&#x201C; presentation of proceeds to HOPE in the Riverside Park Hotel last month, back row L-R: Margo Kehoe (HOPE), Maura Sinnott, Pauline Doyle, Marion Doyle and Ann Marsh (HOPE). Front L-R: Kevin Hughes (HOPE) and Trish Dagg.

Caitlyn Cleary, Anita Cleary and Tark Kenny at the Riverside Park Hotel Leisure Club Christmas Party.

Castle Gardens Nursing Home staff party at the Riverside Park Hotel Friday 13th December.

Mary Duggan, Jane Mooney, Breda Canny and Marie Hughes at the Enniscorthy Retirement Association Christmas dinner in the Riverside Park Hotel.

Kathleen Doyle and Joan Chapman at the Enniscorthy Retirement Association Christmas dinner in the Riverside Park Hotel.

Enniscorthy Retirement Association Christmas dinner in the Riverside Park Hotel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Trish Ormonde and Anna Martin.

At the function in The Bailey following the December meeting of Enniscorthy Town Council L-R: Morgan Dunne, Paddy Kavanagh, Julie Browne and Charlie Kavanagh.

Slaney Motoring

www.slaneynews.com

7 January 2014

Caroline gets motoring for 2014 this space could be yours for just €30+Vat

every month Bunclody native Caroline Kidd brings you the best motoring content, including features, car reviews, news and more. Caroline has been a car enthusiast since her teens. She now combines her love of cars and writing and contributes a weekly column to www.wheelsforwomen.ie. She has also published motoring content in The Sunday Independent and Irish Country Magazine.

reTurn of The yeTi a facelifted ŠKODa Yeti has just been launched. The popular crossover gets a new grille, new headlights and lower positioned front fog lamps. At the rear there are some new design touches and sharpened rear LED lights. Prices for the range start from €24,490. Models fitted with four wheel drive start at €28,520. There is one petrol engine available, a 1.2-litre TSI producing 105bhp. Diesel options include a 1.6 TDI 105bhp Greenline, 2.0-litre TDI

110bhp offered in both twoand four-wheel drive alternatives and for those requiring more power, there are 2.0-litre TDI 140bhp and 170bhp engines, both with four wheel drive. ŠKODA has also added a new trim level to the range for 2014. The ‘Outdoor’ model gets a full length panoramic sunroof and new exterior aluminium design features including skirts, mirror covers, roof bars and spoilers on the front and rear that give the Yeti a more off-road style. n

tel: 087-2403310

SKODA Yeti

Top Vans for 2014 The Toyota Auris Van has won Continental Irish Car Derived Van of the Year 2014. The Korando S s a n g Yo n g Commercial has taken the Continental Irish Commercial SUV of the Year award. These two vans were singled out by the Irish Motoring Writers Association van experts, taking into account such attributes as load capacity, reliability, overall versatility, cost of own-

ership and drive comfort. Brian Byrne, Chairman of the IMWA van jury, said, “In assessing candidates for the Continental Irish Van of the Year category awards, our jurors pay close attention to how the vehicles meet the particular requirements of the Irish market – that is why these recommendations are so useful to Irish van/commercial drivers and fleet managers”. n

The funky fiaT 500L

like a giant panettone, the Fiat 500l is a stylish and tastefully presented offering from the Italian carmaker. The Fiat 500L is classed as a small MPV, and it is injecting some serious style into this somewhat boring segment. You will be hard pressed to find a similarly funky MPV. The rounded headlamps and curved front and rear ends give the car a quirky look and with the option of choosing a separate roof colour to the body colour, you can make your 500L really stand out from the crowd. Bellissimo! It is big too. It has a compact body but it is tall so inside there is a real feeling of space. This is enhanced by the panoramic glass roof fitted to the Lounge model as standard, allowing daylight to come flooding in. There is lots of glass in the 500L and great visibility to be enjoyed by driver and passengers.

Though it might have all the richness and character of a sweet Italian bread, thankfully it doesn’t drive like one might. The Fiat 500L is surprisingly composed on the road. Body roll is kept in check and it handles well for a mini MPV. The test car was fitted with a 1.3 litre MultiJet diesel engine fitted with start/stop technology. It will trundle happily around town, and there is good pull in second gear, but once you get out on the open road you have to work the gearbox a little if you want to pick up speed at any great pace. The 0100km/h time is a leisurely 14.9 seconds but MPV buyers are usually not concerned with such matters. When pushed the engine was noisy and there were some soundproofing issues, especially on wet roads, but the Fiat 500L cruised effortlessly out on the open road and the revs were

low too. The 1.3 litre MultiJet diesel might not be the most powerful engine but it offers good economy and is expected to be the top seller here in Ireland. Other engine outputs are a 1.6 litre 105bhp diesel and the 0.9 litre 105bhp TwinAir petrol. MPV buyers tend to rate space and flexibility highly and the 500L performs very well on these accounts. The cabin is airy, modern and spacious with useful cubby holes throughout and large door pockets. The rear seats have a fold and tumble function that helps to increase cargo space, and the rear seats can also be slid backwards and forwards. The seats are quite flat so you get the impression that you sit on them rather than in them, but they are not uncomfortable. The boot itself is large and square with a wide opening that makes it easy to get things in and out. There is further flexibility in how you would like to use the space in the boot. You can change the level of the floor so that in effect you have two separate compartments for storing different kinds of items. It’s all very clever. The Fiat 500L comes in two trim levels – Pop Star and Lounge. Standard equipment is generous including air conditioning, alloy wheels, touchscreen with Bluetooth, six airbags, electric front windows and door mirrors, cruise control, remote central locking, and

steering wheel mounted audio controls. Lounge trim adds the full length fixed glass roof, rear armrest, fog lights, automatic lights with rain sensors, electric rear windows, rear parking sensors and dualzone climate control. So everything you could ever need really. The Fiat 500L is a good package for €23,750 for the model tested here (the range starts at €21,750 for the 0.9 litre TwinAir petrol in Pop Star trim). There is loads of space, a decent drive and frugal engines on offer. And with those quirky looks, it has bucket loads of character too. Thanks to Fiat Ireland for providing the car for review. Log on to www.fiat.ie for more details and offers on the Fiat 500L. Model tested: Fiat 500L Lounge 1.3 Price: €23,750 Engine: 1.3-litre MultiJet, four cylinder turbo diesel Power: 85bhp 0-100km/h: 14.9 seconds Manufacturer’s quoted combined fuel economy: 67.2mpg (4.2 litres/100km) CO2 emissions: 110g/km Tax band: A3 (€190 per year) n In other news,

O’SullIvan autO Centre

in Ballycanew, Gorey, has been announced as the main SsangYong dealer for County Wexford.

L&M Starter & aLternator repair Centre CARS, VANS, 4X4, TRUCKS, TRACTORS, MARINE, QUADS, LAWNMOWERS AND GENERATORS. WE REPAIR ALL UNITS STOCKED FOR ALL APPLICATIONS.

island road, enniscorthy. t: (053) 9235933.

ned Kavanagh’s garage

Island Road, EnnIscoRthy ✓ service & repairs on all makes of vehicles ✓ Full diagnostic service ✓ Pre- and Post-nCT ✓ recovery services ned Kavanagh’s is a long established family business offering a personal and friendly service (most of the time!!!)

Drop in or call us on 053-9233601

this space could be yours for just €70+Vat tel: 087-2403310

Slaney Food & Drink

www.slaneynews.com

Fabulous Food for your Family the Wexford Food Producers network began life at a meeting in the Brandon House Hotel back in October 2011. the group has worked hard since then to reach 24 members and to establish the Wexford Food Family as a strong local and national brand. The Wexford Food Family brings together the makers of some of the best food in Ireland from one-man bands baking lip-smacking scones and breads, craft butchers using skills handed down through the generations, cottage businesses blending the best for your cuppa, inventors of wonderful dishes with sensational seafood and long-established companies making great tastes out of the marvellous milk from much loved Wexford dairy herds. What the group share is a dedication to quality food, to supporting each other, using local ingredients whenever possible, working together, and sharing information and resources.

FOOD FOOD

The aim is to promote Wexford as a food brand locally, regionally, nationally and even internationally. One of the main focuses for the group is to continue to develop the Feast of Wexford event – an amazing showcase of the best food that county Wexford has to offer. We will carry details of the 2014 event in an upcoming issue of the Slaney News. To become a member of the Wexford Food Family log onto the group’s website (www.wexfordfoodfamily.com) and download a Membership Application Form. You will need to complete it and return to Paula Ronan, Wexford Food Producers Network, Ballinvegga, Ballywilliam, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, along with your membership fee. The cost of membership is €195, renewable annually for businesses with up to 3 employees, €295 for those employing between 3 and 50 people and €395 for those employing more than 50.

FOCUS FOCUS

Clonhaston, Enniscorthy Contact Billy at (087) 2749493

FOOD

Stock up on chicken for your freezer:

FOCUS

Chicken Fillets  Chicken Goujons  Chicken Kiev Chicken Maryland  Whole Chickens And many more items at wholesale prices

Ask about our great deals and special offers ✔ Focus on Quality… ✔ Focus on Service… ✔ Focus on Value…

bar & restaurant

January Special (Tues-Sat) Kick start the new year at MAD bar & restaurant

Soup+Toasted Special+ Choice of Fruit Salad or Healthy Smoothie ONLY €10.00 MAD, Market Square, Enniscorthy Food Served 10.00am_6.00pm

All membership applications go before the board of the Network for approval by vote. To qualify for membership, you need to produce a food product, be based in Co. Wexford and contribute to the economy of Co. Wexford

through employment and/or the support of local suppliers. The Wexford Food Family would love to hear from local food businesses. You can check out www.wexfordfoodfamily.com or ring Paula Ronan on 086-1294859. n

Millview Residential Unit enjoying the food and Christmas party atmosphere at the Riverside Park Hotel on 13th December.

this space could be yours for just €30+Vat tel: 087-2403310

The Riverside Park Hotel would like to inform new and loyal customers of their Opening & Closing hours from Monday 6th January 2014 Monday 6th to Thursday 9th January – Closed. Friday 10th open from 10am to close of business Sunday 12th January. Monday 13th to Thursday 16th January – Closed.

Based in Enniscorthy, Limetree Catering focuses on impeccable service and delicious food delivered to your door. Our specialties include: Corporate Events, Communions, Cocktail Parties, Dinner Parties… In fact whatever the occasion, “We cater to your needs”. Contact: Joe on 087-1422767 or 053-9236621 Email: info@limetreecatering.ie Web: www.limetreecatering.ie

bar & restaurant

Two’s Company on Sundays at MAD

The Riverside Leisure Club will remain open during these short closures. We apologise for any inconvenience during our closures.

2 Main Courses and 2 Desserts ONLY €25

The Riverside Park Hotel & Leisure Club Enniscorthy, Co Wexford www.RiversideParkHotel.com Tel: 053 92 37800

MAD, Market Square, Enniscorthy Food Served 10.00am_6.00pm

Friday 17th open from 10am to close of business Sunday 19th January. Monday 20th to Thursday 23rd January – Closed. Reopen as normal from Friday 24th January.

10 18 12

Slaney Wexford Scene

7 January 2014

The Wexford scene Michelle Dooley Mahon has the attention span of a flea. This has manifested throughout her life in an abundance of appointments, abodes and amours. Born in Wexford in Aul God’s time (when people still stepped off paths for priests) – she has variously been employed as a gynaecological receptionist / breakfast chef / au pair / pub landlady / tourist information officer / hostel warden / café owner / ship’s stewardess / film production assistant and hotel manager. She appears to have forgotten the remainder. She is an introverted socialite and conducts her assault on humanity through her facebook posts (http://facebook.com/michelle.d.mahon) and a Blogger account (Shellakeypookey@blogspot.com), and is the admin on the Facebook page she created to document the progression of Alzheimers in her beloved mother, Siobhan (“Alzheimer Association of Ireland”).

Letter to the Corinthians part 1 Whaddya mean there's another sack of post? says the teenage me through gritted teeth while Little Thomasina makes us pose in our jumpers in the noonday sun. A Nun - who shall remain nameless - had put MY name in The Far East and I received a war chest of tissue thin pale blue letters from all over the world. Our letterbox was as expectant as a Corinthian’s. I behaved outrageously, lying and messing in each response, and in some instances composing, adding gifts, (coins sellotaped to the paper, locks of hair, ribbons from chocolate boxes made into Celtic knots, Brigid's Crosses, Irish lace doileys stolen off the kitchen table etc) and then addressing and sealing the decorated and coloured-in envelopes but never actually posting them. I was writing to (albeit sporadically mailing) children all over the world - as well as Waterford, Dublin, and Meath. What is palpable now from them is the innocence on display as we found out about and dripfed each other our daily lives. “My mother is a house wife” being the stock response from Carnesore to Korea, my Australian pal wrote endless reams on wafer thin paper about her pets and animals in Adelaide, my French pal about her life in Paris, her broken English delightful and hilarious by turns. I also had an admirer from Ballivor who entreated me in every letter for a photograph or a sketch of my hair. I had been describing myself in every mis-

sive as being small, with brown hair and green eyes. He wrote for years until a woman appeared on the scene, who not being much of a writer, read him the Riot Act instead whereupon Goodbye was all he wrote. My Korean pal sent dolls in national costume, and souvenirs and intricate ink sketches, my brother promptly responding to one of our more spectacular rows by bashing in the pale painted cheeks of the coiffured girl in national dress with the drum around her neck. You can nearly tell from the photo that he is as Ornery as his skin and blister. We had more fights about the bubble wrap which we took delight in popping, in tandem with our eyes as we had never seen the likes of it before. Ballivor, County Meath, 7th Jan. 1979 Dear Michelle, I saw your name in The Far East and I would like to know will you be my penpal? I am 4'11" in height and have brownish hair and blue eyes. I would like you to be my penpal as it is over two years ago since I had one. It was a girl from Tallaght and although I enjoyed writing to her at first, but then I got fed up because I was doing all the writing. I forgot to tell you that I am 13 and a half years old. My favourite actress is Farah Fawcett Majors and actor is Paul Newman. My favourite pop stars are Boney M, the Bee Gees, and Boomtown Rats. The music I like is Rock and Pop and

Country & Western. 2 of my 4 sisters are married, and I have 2 nieces and a nephew. I was supposed to go back to school last week but there are burst pipes so Thank God for that. Well, Michelle, I've told you all about myself and I would love if you would be my penpal so from me to you goodbye. Lots of LOVE (underlined) Paddy. Ps - I wish you and your family a very happy New Year. Ps - Here is my address again, ………………………………… Ps - Please write soon if you WILL be my penpal. And excuse the bad writing. St. Peter’s Square, Wexford. 10/01/79 Dear Paddy, Many thanks for your letter which I received today. I have about a hundred penpals to date as a Korean agency sent me a letter with my name listed in a magazine called Echo, which may explain the activity at the front door. I also have brownish coloured hair but green eyes. You CAN (underlined) be my penpal, as the more the merrier and also I have never had a girl in Tallaght. My favourite actor is Robert de Niro, and actress is Tatum O'Neal or Jodie Foster. My favourite bands are Thin Lizzy, 10 cc, Supertramp, Fleetwood Mac and Rory Gallagher. I am the oldest in our house so have no nieces or nephews .... yet.

St Gabriel’s Ward, WGH, Party Night

St Gabriel’s Ward, Wexford General Hospital, staff party in DBar, Enniscorthy, Friday 13th December.

I'd say you were delighted when the pipes burst as I hate school too. I am on a warning for trying to have a seance in the girls toilets and hiding in a wardrobe when Sr. Spit was teaching. The smell of the wet coats made me jump out and run to the last desk but she caught me as she had just done the role and the lads told her I was sick at lunch. She told the Principal I was unteachable and unmanageable when she brought me to the office. They have written to my parents. Lots of LOVE to you too Pad, write soon and send me another photo. Do you have a girlfriend? Goodbye for now, Michelle xxx Tomorrow night I will answer a letter 35 years late. I wonder can I find those people now… ––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Letter to the Corinthians part 2 Dear Mary Burke, how are you? I am as well as can be expected. Thank you for your letter. I am sorry that my reply is 34 years late. I found it in a bag of letters that I have carried around the planet since. Thankfully, your friend gave you that magazine with my name in it,when she was finished reading it, and that you share all your stuff like that. I remember "Young Citizen" only vaguely but I know they sent me a pound for a letter once - the letter was M. I apologise for being the world’s slowest pen pal but I was busy. You mentioned you were doing your Inter, and I also have done it since. And my leaving. And graduated. I did not have to cycle to school like you, as I lived around the corner, and spent most of the class gatching around and being sent to stand outside the Principal’s door to be given down the banks and an intervention and told to remove myself ‘til I could behave. I hope you got on well doing the housekeeping for the woman in the shop, and that your friend could manage the till alright.

I got a summer job in a chipper at a beach, with a jukebox and a pool table and eloped on the back of a motorbike with some hardchaw in a denim jacket, who gave me the Bambi's. We never got to Gretna Green though and only made it as far as New Ross. They were saying Mass in the school hall the day I got back and the Gardai were drinking tea in my kitchen. Daddy was livid. It is so cool that your hobbies are swimming, football and collecting posters of Elvis. My hobbies are completely self indulgent and self absorbing look how many times the sentence starts with "I" . I know. Co-incidentally, I DO know your neighbour’s son, Dick. He had a shop for years in town and is as well known as the Mayor. I did have a phone where you could have called me when you cycled into the payphone in Ballinasloe, but I suppose the point is moot now. When you wrote to me I was collecting badges and medals of honour. The badges, sourced in The Dandelion Market in Dublin said the following atomkraft, nein Danke "Legalise it" - with a cannibis leaf (despite the fact that I did not even smoke fags) "too Drunk to F***" I hid these under the lapel of the jacket on my father’s tuxedo which I stole to wear to the Tourist Office disco, under a Quadrophenia Parka while I had my hair in cornrows. I was Very confused. The badges of honour - I am still collecting. In the 34 years since you wrote to me I have learned a tiny bit about life. I have been going steady, doing a line, betrothed, engaged, seduced, the other woman, abandoned, abused, handfasted, seduced again and finally, hurtling towards half a century on the planet, am com-

ing to terms with the processes of attachment and awareness, in the messy business of living. It IS true that everyone wishes they knew what they know NOW, when they were younger. It is also true that we will never look this good again. A man from Leitrim stood up at his 102nd birthday party in the hotel, and began his thankyou speech with "If only I knew how young I was at 90". Carpe Diem, baby. I have had the world of jobs a pub landlady in London, a hostel warden, a gynaecologist’s assistant, a chef on a ship, the chambermaid who cleaned Madonna's room on her European tour, etc etc. I have made buckets of money and lashed it as fast as a horse could trot, or been penniless, turning over bags of reduced meat with yellow stickers to check the date. Same, same. You lie down with and wake up with, yourself. Now I write. I started with the writing as a child, and after all the exhausting years running around like a pinball in a machine, I will end with it. I hope life has been good to you, and that you have a partner who loves you, that you had the chance to make the apple tarts for your own children that you baked on Sundays with your mam. In your last line you said "I hope you will send me a letter, I will be so glad to hear from you." So here, 34 years later is my reply. I send you love and best wishes for a very Happy New Year from the time capsule of your letter, from the awkward teenager, through the wildchild/ enfant terrible, and into middle aged spinster, across the green fields, above the foaming waves, and under a frosty sky. Better late than never says she.

– M.D.M.

Email Michelle at: mchllmahon@yahoo.ie

Slaney Business & Finance

www.slaneynews.com

Visit Wexford success

Wexford tourism boost with new ferry from LD Lines services for Passengers with Reduced Mobil rosslare to West France and north Spain

Enniscorthy’s Strawberry Festival and the All-Ireland Farmers Market are just two of the many reasons people visit Enniscorthy every year. Pic: Patrick Browne.

2013 has been a year of highs for tourism in Wexford, for the first time in over 10 years Wexford leads the Southeast region with the highest number of overseas visitor numbers and overseas visitor spend. the visit Wexford group has announced that positive publicity achieved for Wexford in 2013 is valued at €6.3 million. The publicity campaign carried out for Visit Wexford of which the ambition is to achieve as many column inches and news minutes as possible for Wexford across Ireland and the globe on tourism events in Wexford during 2013 achieved €6.3 million in media coverage across Ireland and the globe. Some of the media highlights include coverage of the internationally recognised JFK50 event. The media campaign resulted in features on FOX News, ABC News, Sky News, and the front page of the Washington Post and PBS National television network in the U.S. Commenting on the year in

To u r i s m , P e t e r Wi l s o n , Chairperson of Visit Wexford said “We have had a year of milestones in Wexford this year. The numbers are impressive and is part of a long-term strategy to further build tourism i n We x f o r d . O v e r 2 0 0 Gatherings took place across the county during 2013 and the JFK50 was announced winner of the ‘The Gathering of the Year ’. The effort put in by everyone in Wexford involved in all of these gatherings is to be hugely commended.” “Currently we have a website which in 2013 alone reached an audience of 135,000; 92 festivals took place in Wexford in 2013 and all of these are showcased on the site which is updated weekly and we want to build on this.” One of the roles Visit Wexford has is the provision of communications on tourism in Wexford. In 2013 48 press releases and 25 photocalls on tourism events took place in Wexford and were distributed to national and international

media, resulting in 6 hours 33 minutes of national and international television coverage of events in Wexford. Over 200 print articles on tourism events in Wexford in national and international publications, over 100 online articles on tourism events in Wexford and over 10 hours of radio coverage. Visit Wexford has over 3000 Facebook fans, over 2500 twitter followers online with Wexford events and happenings communicated daily on these accounts. Visit Wexford is encouraging more and more people to get involved with the project. The Visit Wexford website offers people the opportunity to promote their festival and event for free on the site. Organisers of events can log on and fill in all of their information for a free listing. To create a free listing for your festival or event in Wexford see www.visitwexford.ie or get in touch via hello@visitwexford.ie n

4G for Co. Wexford towns Mobile Operator vodafone has switched on 4G for smartphone users in six cities and 31 towns across Ireland. 4G delivers data speeds of up to 10 times faster than 3G. at the same time, vodafone is bringing 3G coverage to anywhere in Ireland that currently has voice coverage. The six cities that can

access 4G services include Dublin, Cork, Limerick, G a l w a y, Wa t e r f o rd a n d Kilkenny and towns in the south-east including Enniscorthy, Bunclody, Carlow, Gorey, New Ross, Rosslare Strand and Wexford. Commenting on the expansion of the 4G network, Vodafone's Anne Sheehan

said: "This is great news for those customers who are really keen to experience 4G services on their smartphones as soon as possible. We believe that faster speeds will be a catalyst for innovation and provide a platform for businesses to create new services and applications on mobile that will benefit everyone". n

LD Ferries has confirmed a new weekly service from Rosslare Europort to western France and northern Spain. This new service will connect Rosslare with St Nazaire on the west coast of France, and with Gijón in northern Spain. Scheduled to commence from 7th January 2014, this will be the first ever ferry link between Ireland, Western France and Northern Spain. For the tourist market the link to Gijón makes destinations in Spain and Portugal easier than ever to drive to and for the freight market, by passing the UK landbridge, quicker access to and from the Continental mainland. Welcoming the new service, John Lynch, General Manager Rosslare Europort said: "This new service, the first Ro Ro connection between Ireland, France and the Iberian Peninsula, will open up new opportunities for trade between Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal, with the potential for inbound tourism to Ireland also benefiting significantly." n

Get on course for business success with the Enterprise Board’s new Training Programme the courses, workshops and clinics on offer between now and June from Wexford County enterprise Board are suited to everybody from individuals with new business ideas to established companies. “These courses and clinics offer people the opportunity to learn new approaches in a few hours that they can easily apply to their businesses – without leaving the county,” says Tom Banville, CEO of Wexford County Enterprise Board. “Cost shouldn’t be an issue, the courses are heavily subsidised and range from €20” says Tom. Keeping with the times, Wexford County Enterprise Board has expanded its social media training courses for 2014. “There has been a huge growth in appetite for social media training, so this year we’re offering more tailored social media training. For example we’ve broken down Facebook into a beginners and advanced session.” Individual courses on offer include: Facebook for Business – Beginners and Advanced, Twitter for Business – Beginners and Advanced and LinkedIn for Business. New this Spring are one hour clinics on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN. You can even

learn how to YouTube Your Business with a half day workshop showing how to promote your business on YouTube. neW BuSIneSS IDeaS anD S ta rt I n G Y O u r O W n BuSIneSS The three-hour evening seminar Researching and Qualifying a Business Idea on Tuesday, 21st January is aimed at people who would like to start a business but are still looking for a good idea. This seminar will help them come up with new ideas and evaluate a new idea before launch. The following day-long Business Idea Clinic on Wednesday 22nd January is ideal for those that already have an idea for a business or product, but needs some help with the next steps. The Start Your Own Business course is back in Wexford, Gorey, New Ross and Enniscorthy. The 10-week course gives participants the basic essentials required for starting a business. Priced at €120 for 10 weeks, it is also available at €60 for the unemployed. GrOWInG YOur BuSIneSS A number of shorter workshops for growing businesses are in the Spring schedule including

Over €14m in funding for Co. Wexford road projects…

Offices for Rent ➤ Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre offers suitable and affordable office space with competitively priced reliable high speed broadband. ➤ Whether you are a one person or more operation, Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre has a suitable space for you to grow your business. ➤ The centre offers more than office space. Its support structures are specifically aimed at new businesses. One of the reasons why new businesses choose Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre is for networking opportunities. Meeting of like-minded entrepreneurs on an informal basis, sharing problems and discussing opportunities. ➤ The centre also advises potential start-ups e.g. Enniscorthy Enterprise and Technology Centre advice on funding and financing for their business.

For more information contact: Enniscorthy Enterprise & Technology Centre Milehouse Road, Enniscorthy Web: www.eetc.ie E-mail: info@eetc.ie Phone: 053-9237499

The Department of Transport has announced that there will be over €14 million in funding for NRA projects in County Wexford in 2014. €13,415,000 has been made available for improvement works for County Wexford's National Roads and €840,380 has been allocated for road maintenance. Some welcome news for Co. Wexford’s motorists! n

To advertise in Slaneynews please call the Hotline 087-2403310

Tom Banville, CEO of Wexford County Enterprise Board.

Time Management, Selling Effectively over the Phone, Lean Management for Small Business, Take Control of your finances in ten steps, Excel for Business and How to use PowerPoint Presentations. One-tO-One ClInICS Courses aren’t for everybody and sometimes an hour of advice is sufficient. One-hour clinics include: a Business Health Check – Is it time for a check-up, PR Techniques of Business, Taxation Advice Clinic, Book Keeping Clinic and a Marketing Clinic. For further information on any of these courses, workshop or clinics log onto www.wexfordceb.ie or call 053-9122965 to get a free copy of the printed brochure. n

Eishtec to create more jobs in Wexford… Eishtec have announced a further 250 jobs to be created in Waterford and Wexford by mid 2014. Eishtec started trading in May 2011 with nine employees and currently employs 700. The company has been awarded a contract to provide smart phone technical support in the UK, which will see a significant expansion from 700 to 950 people by the middle of 2014. n

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7 January 2014

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Slaney Pet News

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Some great local nature shots by Ballymurn photographer Ken Hayes

pet approved

VET DIARY FOR JANUARY with the Moyne Veterinary Clinic

In each Slaney News the Moyne Veterinary Clinic deals with various issues relating to pets. This month, Joe Kavanagh looks at how pets can improve human health and well-being. Do you consider you lead a healthy lifestyle? Would you like to live a longer life? Choosing healthy options definitely has become more of a priority in our lives. People take more responsibility for their own lives now and are much more proactive in their approach to their health and wellbeing. Animals play a huge and vital part in this approach too. The companionship they provide and the enthusiasm they greet us with each morning is enough to climb out of the bed for! Dogs are the perfect excuse for getting out for walks in the woods or on the beach, filling our lungs with fresh air and building up our fitness levels.

Check out Ken’s website: www.footloose.ie

Dogs are now seen in some doctors’ surgeries. The calming effect they bring adds a homely feel to what otherwise may seem a cold, sterile environment. Their presence in nursing homes has been well documented and how well the elderly patients respond to the unconditional love they give. These dogs have that gentle essence, that caring feel to them that is so often missing in these institutions. Touch is often what these patients miss most and our four legged friends love to cuddle, so are perfect. Often as these patients respond well to this attention their health issues can stabilise or improve too. Having a pet in an institution, surgery or hotel says volumes about the place for me. It brings a homely feel to the place and you know you're with people that care. So adopting the healthy approach this January, if you have a pet step out there and enjoy the long walks in nature. If you haven't got a dog well now's the perfect time to rehome one. The "pounds" are working overtime to find homes especially at this time of year. Surprise yourself or someone you love with a special gift of a dog or cat. We will be happy to advise you on a suitable choice and can help give them everything they need to ensure they're healthy and happy. Call in any time to us at the Moyne Veterinary Clinic. We're here to help and you never know it may lead to that healthy lifestyle and longer life!!!. n

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 CLINIC Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy. T: (053)9233187, 9236674. F: (053)9236674. E: moynevetclinicenniscorthy@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.

If you have a topic you’d like our vet to address please text us at SLANEY NEWS 087-2403310 or email: slaneynews@gmail.com

Enniscorthy Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals eSPCa had a number of emergency cases over the Christmas period, with several dogs found straying and a number of animals also surrendered by their owners. these animals are now in need of new homes where they will be well looked after. If you are interested in rehoming an animal please contact 0877723010 after 3pm. ESPCA would remind pet owners to microchip their animals as even if they are indoor pets or well secured, there is always a chance that they may escape or be stolen. Microchipping greatly increases the chance of your pet being identified and returned. ESPCA would also like to acknowledge and thank the Dept. of Agriculture for their annual grant. This grant will enable them to continue helping unwanted, abandoned, injured and neglected animals in the Emniscorthy area.

In need of new homes.

To advertise in Slaneynews please call the Hotline 087-2403310

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Slaney History

7 January 2014

www.slaneynews.com

If a picture tells a thousand words… Ibar Carty chronicles the 20th century in Enniscorthy & beyond

Above: Enniscorthy boys at a summer camp in Morriscastle on 20th July 1961. Right: Mercy Convent Communion 1962. Pics: © Ibar Carty.

Ibar Carty has opened up his vast photo archives to the Slaney News. In this 30th of a series, Ibar shares more photos taken in the Enniscorthy area about 50 years ago. If you can supply the names of any of the people featured in these photos, Ibar and the Slaney News would be delighted to hear from you. For our convenience we would ask you to email the names to: slaneynews@gmail.com. Thank you.

Ibar Carty can provide high quality prints of all photos in this series. Simply ring Ibar on 087-6729969 or email: ibar_carty@yahoo.ie or call into his premises on Castle Street (beside Athenaeum). And if you mention the Slaney News he’ll give you 20% OFF the price!

A local contributor looks at life today in Enniscorthy and beyond welcome to 2014 Well here we are just entering another year and hoping for an improvement on the last one. The so called experts (mostly those in high filutin university professorships who are themselves insulated from the recession) tell us that recovery is around the corner. Our government politicians echoing these “experts” repeat the mantra in the hope that someone somewhere will believe it. Of course the politicians themselves are equally insulated against the recession with high salaries, expenses and pensions after three years service so for them too this year can only look better. But for the rest of us I regret to say that there is no recovery in sight. This is borne out by the fall in retail sales over Christmas, a time when if there was ever to be an improvement, we should have seen it. No, folks, I am afraid that the reality is that 2014 will be probably a more difficult year than 2013 with spending down because of increased government charges such as property tax, the scandalous postponing of pension payments to those who were unlucky enough to be born in 1949 (this was brought in by Fianna Fail and implemented by the present crowd), the departure from our shores of countless more young people seeking work abroad, the ruthless pursuit of those in mortgage arrears

by banks (the same banks who without hesitation write off hundreds of millions of debt for the big corporate sector but only allow distressed mortgage payers €8 per day to live on) and the pursuit by local authorities of small businesses for every last penny due in rates and water charges for very little service provided by the same authorities while they pay their higher executives salaries in excess of that earned by the British Prime Minister. The Revenue Commissioners are not helping either with their draconian powers and are literally terrifying people who owe them a few euro while apparently it’s ok to be an official of the H.S.E. who was overpaid to the tune of over €160,000 and is told “ sure it’s only taxpayers money so you can keep it”. Yet if I am on the dole and am overpaid I have to pay back every cent and am told that I am a thief and scrounger. We live in a country which does not treat all its citizens equally and regrettably it looks as if that situation will continue for a long time yet. We have no political movement on the horizon which will clean out the corruption and greed at the top which has left the rest of us in the state that we are in. Furthermore we won’t see any change until we stop voting for the same political movements which have created and perpetuate the

View from the Hill unjust and unequal society in which we live. So there it is. No matter how hard we try to be optimistic the signs are not good. So let’s brace ourselves for another red alert year (as Met Eireann might say). Sorry if this is not what you want to hear at the start of a year but honestly it is as I see it here from the Hill. I sincerely hope that I am proven wrong. Yellow, Amber And red Alerts Isn’t Met Eireann causing consternation with its new system of weather alerts. Now in fairness to them they have explained to the population at large that this system was introduced to synchronise weather reporting throughout

Europe and beyond. Despite this people become ashen faced when told that a red alert has been issued for their area. Well let’s all calm down ( pun intended). The weather is no different now than it was before the new alert system. We wouldn’t have panicked when we heard Met Eireann warning of storm force 9 or 10 or even sometimes up to 11 or 12. We would have taken it in our stride. The same should apply now and if we act sensibly, be aware of what’s happening we will have no more problems than we ever had with regard to the weather. Act of Kindness Was at Christmas Eve Mass this year and met a friend of mine

who told me the following story. Earlier that afternoon he was driving towards Scarawalsh and suffered a puncture. While he was struggling to change the afflicted wheel a young man pulled up in a Volkswagen car with a CW registration and put himself to considerable difficulty to change the wheel for my friend and get him on his way. My friend didn’t get this young mans name but is eternally grateful to him and wishes to thank him sincerely. I hope the gentleman concerned reads this and accepts my friends thanks. endA KennY On March 9th 2011 Enda Kenny was elected Taoiseach. His acceptance speech included the following paragraph: “People are frightened of losing their homes. Parents are rendered speechless at the sight of their children boarding planes to countries where spring is autumn and our today is their tomorrow. Employers are traumatised by laying off staff and shutting down businesses. Workers pray for invisibility as they queue for the dole . Families worry that the neighbours might see the St Vincent de Paul calling to their door and dread the postman dropping bills like stealth bombs into the hall.” These were fine words from the Taoiseach almost three years

ago. My question is, has anything changed? comment of the YeAr? In the British House of Commons during a lively debate the veteran Labour M.P. Dennis Skinner stated that half the Tory M.P.s sitting on the government benches were crooks. The Speaker demanded that Mr. Skinner immediately withdraw the comment. Mr. Skinner rose, apologized, and stated that half the Tory M.P.s sitting opposite were not crooks. That has to be the comment of the year. in the doghouse The Missus is very good at sending out Christmas cards, presents and that sort of thing. I am hopeless. This year she insisted that I look after my own nieces and nephews and take a bit of responsibility. Being at a total loss as to what to buy any of them I decided to simply post a card with a cheque to each of them with the message “Buy your own present.” I got all this done in early December and to be honest was disgusted that not one of them even acknowledged my efforts. However the explanation for this emerged on St. Stephens Day when herself was doing a bit of tidying and discovered a bunch of cheques made out to my nieces and nephews under a book. I had forgotten to put them in with the cards. Ouch! n

Slaney Around the Region

www.slaneynews.com

BUNCLODY NOTES…

Liam Mellows Commemoration

Charity Calendar Launch on the 16th December in Bunclody VTOS. VTOS students presenting charity calendar proceeds of €552 to Jean Stretch of South East Animal Rescue in the company of WWETB AEO Mary Walsh. Pic: James Quirke.

BUNCLODY vTOS CHAriTY CALENDAr LAUNCH T h e W . W . E . T. B . A d u l t Learning Centre Bunclody vTOS students launched their charity calendar last month in aid of South East Animal rescue Centre, Enniscorthy. This calendar was created as part of their FETAC Level 4 Teamworking module, and was produced and designed by the students using their own photography. The students were aware of the wonderful work being done by the South East Animal Rescue Centre and were also aware of the difficulties the Rescue Centre

is facing at the moment. By Christmas the students had raised over €500 and would like to thank all who helped and supported this charity. A limited number of calendars are still available at the centre.

BUNCLODY CrEDiT UNiON Bunclody Credit Union’s new opening hours: Tu e s d a y, We d n e s d a y & Thursday: 9:15 – 16:15. Friday: 8:15 – 18:15. Saturday: 9:15 – 14:15.

WHiST Every Monday night in St. Aidan’s Hall.

SENiOr CiTiZENS’ CHriSTMAS PArTY Sunday 19th January at 4.00pm in the Millrace Hotel. Dinner, Music & Dance. Tickets €10 – available at the Post Office.

SLiMMiNG WOrLD Join a warm and friendly group. Thursdays 5.30pm and 7.30pm in Millrace Hotel. Contact Maria 086-4141212 who’s looking forward to meeting new and rejoining members.

There was a large turnout for the annual Liam Mellows Commemoration which was held in Castletown last month. A colour party led the parade to the grave of the socialist republican leader who was executed by Free State forces. Senior Sinn Féin figure, Éamonn Nolan, gave the main oration in the absence of Gerry Kelly who unfortunately had to cancel at the last minute. Nolan in a hard hitting and passionate address drew sharp parallels between what he called the “conservative forces in this state who had to get rid of Mellows, seeing him as a threat to the status quo and those of today who are still fighting a war of words, demonising Sinn Féin at every opportunity as they know that we represent the greatest threat to the status quo, the failed politics of austerity and vested interest groups in this state. These ongoing attacks will intensify in advance of next May’s elections,” he warned. He also spoke of the passing of Nelson Mandela who he described along with the ANC as “great friends of Sinn Féin down the years”. Commemoration chairman, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, highlighted the relevance of Mellows writings to modern day Ireland. Music was later provided in the Golden Anchor pub by local ballad group The Rogues. n

NEW ROSS NOTES…

ALCOHOLiCS ANONYMOUS Meetings are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 8.30pm in Brennan’s, Market Square. n

Fine Gael have selected three candidates to run in the New ross District for Fine Gael for the local elections in 2014. The three candidates comprise of two sitting councillors, Cllr Denis Kennedy and Cllr Larry O'Brien as well as new candidate Mr Willie Fitzharris of Clonmine, Wellington Bridge. Several hundred members of

Fine Gael in the New Ross area attended a selection convention at the Brandon House Hotel last month and the three candidates were selected from a proposed group of five which also included Cllr Victor Furness and Mr Robert Belton. Pat Deering TD, Carlow, oversaw the selection of candidates on the night and the meeting was also addressed by

Minister Paul Kehoe, Government Chief Whip, Senator Michael D'Arcy and Fine Gael District Organiser Martin Lawlor. Both Minister Kehoe and Senator Michael D'Arcy also congratulated outgoing councillors, Cllr Pat Codd and Cllr Annette Larkin for their service to the people of Wexford during their time in office. n

Lottery money for Co. Wexford The Ferns diocesan (Trocaire) collection for The Philippines and Syria realised €131,837. Photographed are Fr. William Howell (VF Gorey), Diocesan Finance Officer Mr. Eugene Doyle, Bishop Brennan and Monsignor Denis Lennon (Vicar for Clergy and VF Wexford). The new diocesan website for Ferns Diocese can be found at www.ferns.ie.

FERNS NOTES … FErNS COMMUNiTY CENTrE For information call Danny on 087-9961335. Email: fernscommunity@gmail.com.

FErNS ST. AiDAN’S GAA Congratulations to the new appointees – Alan Murphy is

new club chairman, Colm Lambert is secretary and George Murphy remains as treasurer. DAviD O’CONNOr Congratulations to Ferns man David O’Connor on recording a successful Christmas single

with the legendary Finbarr Furey who has left his indelible mark on the evolution of Ireland's traditional music. David sounds as good as ever on the single. Check out https://itunes.apple. com/ie/album/ill-be-homefor-christmas/id777509662 n

Last month €88,400 was awarded to seven groups in Co. Wexford in the latest round of National Lo tter y f unding f r o m the Department of Health. The groups that will receive funding are FDYS, Raheen Community Development, Camphill, Ballymoney, Arthritis Ireland – Wexford, Piercestown/ Murrintown Active Retirement Association, Bannow/Ballymitty Active Retirement Association and Hear Our Voices. Speaking about the groups receiving funding, Minister Paul Kehoe said: “This is excellent

news for the organisations that are set to receive funding; these organisations provide so much to the community here in County Wexford. I am delighted that their good work has been rewarded. “I am pleased that these projects have been funded because a lot of hard work has been carried out behind the scenes to take them to this stage”. “National Lottery funding provides an excellent form of funding to local and community groups and it has served County Wexford very well over the years”.

Email slaneynews@gmail.com and let us know what’s happening in your area

Funding for schemes in County Wexford: Camphill Ballymoney €20,000 Raheen Community Development Group Ltd. €40,000 Arthritis Ireland - Wexford €3,000 Piercestown/Murrintown Active Retirement Association €3,000 Bannow/Ballymitty Active Retirement Ass. €1,200 Hear Our Voices €1,200 F.D.Y.S. Ltd. €20,000 Best of luck to all the recipients. n

Slaney Sport

7 January 2014

www.slaneynews.com

Michael Foley Bursary Pudding Run

in fabulous early morning sunshine the friends, team mates, colleagues and family of the late Michael Foley came together once again for the annual St. Stephen’s Day Pudding run at Bellefield GAA Complex. “This yearly gathering goes from strength to strength” according to one of the main organisers Phil Kearney who along with his brother Jim are the men responsible for the setting up of the Michael Foley Bursary Fund - proceeds of which go each year to assist a chosen CBS student to go on to third level. Phil welcomed the large gathering saying that

the event had become a fantastic festive get together where those who knew Michael continue to unite in his memory. He called for a moments silence for two friends who had participated in last year`s run but where sadly no longer with us - the late Brendan Tobin and Paddy Murphy. Maria Nolan Secretary of Rapparees/Starlights then gave the signal to the runners for the off and the 6th Pudding Run began. Afterwards the crowd returned to Bellefield GAA for refreshments and presentation to the winners as follows: 1st runner - Pat Kirwan

Askamore. 2nd runner - Declan Ivers and Maurice Donohoe. 1st Female runner - Maire Kirwan Askamore. 2nd Female runner - Joanne Creane. 1st Walker - Dickie Murphy. 2nd Walker - Jim Kearney. 1 s t F e m a l e Wa l k e r Annemarie Ivers and Olive Murphy. 2nd Female Walker - Ciara Foley. 1st Granny - Nuala Murphy and Helen Moorehouse. 1st Walker with Dog - Mary and Anna Jevens. 1st Buggy - Jim Bob Dempsey. 1st U/14 Boy - William Doyle

Left: Organisers Jim Kearney, Terri Foley and Phil Kearney. Right: Kevin Foley and Ben Edwards looking comfortable on the home straight. All pics: Maria Nolan.

and Dylan McVeigh. 1st Boy - Conal Kervick. 1st Girl - Meadhbh Foley, Eimear Byrne and Ellie Jevens. A special prize was presented to Michelle Foley for her

Kick start your New Year in Enniscorthy Pic: Donal Cullen

first time completing the course. The total amount raised in donations was €1,036.50 and for the day after Christmas that is no mean feat – and a

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tremendous testament to all those involved. Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you all again this time next year. – Maria Nolan

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Enniscorthy Kickboxing Dragons Martial Arts Academy was established in 2012 by Mr. Mark Enstone 3rd Degree black belt. The Academy has had great achievements since then, winning several medals in the "Best of the Best" open styles tournaments in Dublin this year. In September, Mark himself won the World Kickboxing Federation Intercontinental Title in the 78k weight cate-

gory. He defeated his opponent from the UK by a stoppage, early in the second round. The Academy, located at the top of Castle Hill in Enniscorthy, is going from strength to strength and hopes to improve in the coming year. Kickboxing is not the only fighting discipline taught at the Academy. Muay Thai and K1 fighting styles are also taught there. And for those who don't want to fight but do want to increase their health

and fitness and lose a few pounds there is a Boot Camp session. Ladies only classes are available on request. Monday: Juniors Kickboxing 5-6pm. Seniors Kickboxing 6-7.30pm. Bootcamp 8-9pm. Tuesday: Seniors Muay Thai/K1 7-9pm. Wednesday: Juniors Kickboxing 5.30-6.30pm Seniors Kickboxing 7-8.30pm

Thursday: Seniors Muay Thai/K1 7-9pm. The Academy would like to congratulate all students for passing their grading which took place on the 11th of December. They have worked hard to achieve their goals and the Academy is very proud of them. For more information you can contact Mark on email wkfmarkireland@hotmail.com or call 087-0540186. n

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To advertise in Slaneynews please call the Hotline 087-2403310

Slaney Leisure

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Bellefield Workers Party

Joan Peare, Cathleen Mythen, Joan Moorehouse and Ann Murphy. Pic: Maria Nolan.

On Friday 13th Dec rapparees/Starlights GAA said ‘Thank You’ to all those who work hard week in week out for the betterment of Bellefield doing Lotto, Bingo, or helping out with all our teams – underage and adult hurling, football, camogie and ladies football as managers and selectors. The large group of voluntary workers came together for complimentary finger food and drinks as an expression of gratitude for all their efforts in 2013. And if that wasn’t

enough Chairman of the Lotto Committee Michael Doyle ran free draws for 6 turkeys, 6 hams, 6 bottles of spirits, 6 boxes of biscuits and 6 boxes of chocolates - what about that for a party! This annual Workers’ Party is an opportunity for us at Bellefield to show all our volunteers that what they do on behalf of the club is both recognised and appreciated. Our sincere thanks to one and all. – Maria Nolan, Secretary

Daithi O’Brien, Tommy Foley, Aaron Sinnott and Maurice Donohoe. Pic: Maria Nolan.

Valentine Ball Glen Fuel/GAA Awards Wexford Gaels gathered at the Talbot Hotel on Friday 6th December for the Launch of the Glen Fuels/Wexford Supporters Club Player of the Year Awards. The 2013 Awards Night will be held at the Talbot Hotel on Friday 14th February 2014 and of course will have a Valentine theme. At the Launch on Friday night owner of Glen Fuels Alan Keyes announced that special guest and hurling legend DJ Carey had agreed to present U-21 Leinster Hurling medals, All Ireland Runners Up Ladies Football medals and All Ireland Handball medals at the Ball. In an interview with Liam Spratt, Alan Keyes said that he was delighted to be associated with Wexford GAA for the second year running and had no doubt that the 2014 Ball would surpass the inaugural one at the Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, earlier this year. Maria Nolan PRO for the Wexford Supporters Club thanked Alan Keyes on behalf of the GAA body for his most generous sponsorship adding that Alan’s professionalism and attention to detail made him a joy to work with. Maria went on to congratulate all those nominated saying that although not all could be chosen all were winners. She complimented them on their commitment and dedication to the games and said that they were all excellent ambassadors for Wexford GAA. Compere extraordinaire, Liam Spratt, then went on to interview senior hurler Eoin Moore, senior footballer Daithi Hayes and ace handballer

Ringing in the New Year Well done to the organisers of the New Years Eve Party at Bellefield GAA – Daithi O’Brien, Liz Whelan, Suzanne Donohoe, Lorna Hogan, Lenny Connolly and Sean Russell – a good crowd

Above and below: Wexford Gaels gathered at the Talbot Hotel on Friday 6th December for the Launch of the Glen Fuels/Wexford Supporters Club Player of the Year Awards.

Gavin Buggy before announcing the nominees in each category: Senior Hurling: Ciaran Kenny, Rory Jacob, Eoin Moore, Thomas Waters and Garett Sinnott. Senior Football: Daithi Hayes, Brian Malone, Michael Furlong,

D a i t h i Wa t e r s a n d J o h n Turbritt. U-21 Hurling: Lee Chin, Barry Carton, Ian Byrne, Conor MacDonald and Jack Guiney. U-21 Football: Lee Chin, Jack Kelly, Colm Kehoe, John Turbritt and Darren Foley. Camogie: Fiona Kavanagh,

Noeleen Lambert, Ursula Jacob, Kate Kelly and Josie Dwyer. Ladies Football: Ciara Donnelly, Sharon Kehoe, Catriona McCabe, Mary Rose Kelly and Ellen O’Brien. Handball: Molly Hynes, Galen Riordan, Tommy Hynes, Todd Hynes, Gavin Buggy. n

All pics: Maria Nolan.

and a good night and all in aid of Strictly Club Dancing with all proceeds going towards the maintenance of all our teams, underage and adult, for 2014. – Maria Nolan

Judy Browne and Lorna Hogan.

Lenny Connolly, Kelly Anne Walsh and Ann Murphy at the New Years Eve Ball at Bellefield GAA Complex.

Ladies in black at the New Years Eve Ball at Bellefield GAA Complex.

Ladies having fun at Bellefield – Antoinette Davis, Kathleen Mythen, Mary Collins and Bridgie Collins.

Organising Committee: Suzanne Donohoe, Liz Whelan, Sean Russell and Lorna Hogan present door prize to Katie O’Brien.

Slaney News

ENNiSCOrTHY EYE a column by Joseph Doyle

MarcoNi’S eNNiScorthy coNNectioN

Annie Jameson

Annie Jameson was the daughter of Andrew Jameson of Daphne Castle, Enniscorthy, and granddaughter of John Jameson, founder of whiskey distillers Jameson & Sons, and the mother of the founder of radio – Guglielmo Marconi.

7 January 2014

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Although the young Marconi would have spent some of his childhood in Enniscorthy he is not in fact from Enniscorthy but we’ll still claim him as one of our own! In 1895 inventor Guglielmo Marconi built the equipment and transmitted electrical signals through the air from one end of his house to the other and then from the house to the garden. These experiments were in effect the dawn of practical wireless telegraphy or radio. Following the successes of his experiments at home Marconi became obsessed with the idea of sending messages across the Atlantic. He built a transmitter 100 times more powerful than any previous station at Poldhu on the south west tip of England and in November 1901 installed a receiving station at St John’s in Newfoundland. On December 12th 1901 he received signals from across the ocean. Marconi was acclaimed

by outstanding scientists including Thomas Edison. Marconi’s radio was the first to demonstrate workable wireless signal radio communication. It would not be until Lee de Forest invented the audion vacuum tube for amplification in the early 1900s that audio was used in conjunction with radio. Marconi’s work consisted of slashes and dots like morse code and government navies used the new wireless radio. At first the earliest users included the Japanese navy scouting the Russian navy during the Russo-Japanese war in 1905. Radio was also on board the Titanic in 1912 to communicate with rescue ships in the north Atlantic. Marconi was born in Bologna in Italy on April 25th 1874. His father was Italian and his mother Scots Irish born in Enniscorthy. He was educated first in Bologna then in Florence. He went to technical school in Leghorn where he studied physics.

Guglielmo Marconi

Marconi received many honours including the Nobel Peace Prize for Physics in 1909. He was sent as a delegate to the peace conference in Paris in 1919 in which capacity he signed the peace treaties with Austria and Bulgaria. Guglielmo Marconi died in July 1937. – Joseph Doyle

rathNure PaNto – beSt ever SNOW WHiTE AND THE 7 WiTCHES – JACK FrOST BiTES BACK The story begins in fairyland – well it’s pantomime folks! Oh yes it is! The story kicks off at the fairytale Oscars where some very famous faces are winning awards in their various categories. When Santa and Snow White win the most popular awards two people ain’t happy at all – the Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland. Well yea and rightly so. Skip a few pages, back in the North Pole Santa is showing off his awards. Jack, one of Santa’s elves, makes his second mistake in the factory by mixing up the presents. Santa banishes him. Jack and Alice are turned nastily into the Wicked Witch and Jack Frost. With Christmas in trouble and Snow White in danger she goes to college to hide and the intricate story takes off from there. This pantomime was a great show with a wicked twist at the end – the villain turned out to be the Scarecrow. Well

you’d be a villain too if your brains were in a bucket. I must say Niamh Murphy was excellent as the narator Dorothy with her sexy southern accent why being from Kansas and all. She played the part very well. As some parts were played by alternative actors on different nights, I can’t speak for the cast I didn’t see but by all accounts I heard the other Dorothy was also excellent. On the night I was there Niamh was brilliant – her diction was first class and she kept her southern accent throughout the whole story. As for her onstage colleagues all were excellent including the Tin Man, the Lion and the Scarecrow. John Reilly was excellent as Barbie but, John, please next year be Widow Twankey, Barbie is too ott for me! Guys, it was the best pantomime you did in all the years out there in Rathnure. Fair play. Roll on the next show guys, well done. – Joseph Doyle

coNgratulatioNS… coNgratulatioNS… …  Birthday apologies to Aanisah Whelan who is 5.  Sinead Wall recently celeberated her 41st birthday with a party which was arranged for her by her family and friends. Sinead is the “baby” of the well known Wall family of Barrack Street. Among the family members to help Sinead celebrate her big night was her mother Nancy and her brothers Niall and David, sisters Eithne, Mary and Annette. Music was provided by Brian Robb. B ro t h e r s M i c h e a l a n d Eamonn sent their best wishes.  Matty Butler is the big 40 and celebrates his birthday with

a party in The Bailey later this month. Matty is a brosett so expect plenty of bros music and 80s tunes. Music on the night is by DJ Cameron who is Matty’s son.  Happy 3oth birthday to Emma Louise Kehoe who was 30 on the 6th of January.  Congrats to Jake O’Neal who had his birthday on 6th January.  Triple 21sts. Before Christmas three best friends combined their coming of age with a party in The Bailey. The three best friends for life celebrated with family and friends. The three key to the door recipients were Saoirse Kehoe, Alva Murphy and

Aoife Mackin. This was also a going away party for one of the trio – Saoirse Kehoe who is heading to America to study. Bon voyage.  Coursing king wins another trophy: Billy Kehoe added another trophy to his cabinet as Carraig Tobin Lady won the Wexford coursing finals in Codds of Woodlands on St Stephen’s Day. Billy Kehoe is the Alex Ferguson or the Brian Cody of the dog world. Well done.  Wedding bells for Colm O’Gorman and Sara Nolan who were married recently in St Aidan’s Cathedral and the reception was in the Riverside Park Hotel.

 Mark and Orla Doyle were married on New Year’s Eve with the wedding reception in the Riverside Park Hotel.  John Tyrell and Roseanne Sinnott were married in the Brandon House Hotel on New Year’s Eve. This was a blacktie wedding. John is well known on the hurling pitch as he lines out for the Rapps and is better known as “Muckers”. Congrats to all. Please note that if we make any mistakes in this newspaper we will gladly correct them in our following issue. If you have a birthday wish or wedding or would like a mention please email Joe at doyleduffry@gmail.com. – Joseph Doyle

Some of the young and talented Rathnure Panto cast

Jack froSt iS Not a Nice little fellow

This year’s version of the incredibly successful Hope and Dream 10 takes place on April 13th. In 2013, €114,470 was raised for the benefit of the Hope

Cancer Support Centre and the Share a Dream Foundation. This brings the event total to an amazing €242,732. Hope and Dream 10, 2014, will be run to raise funds for

Hope Cancer Support Centre and the Wexford Branch of Console, the National Suicide Charity. So if you’re feeling lazy after Christmas decide now

to do something positive and enter the Hope and Dream 10. Remember you can decide on the distance – 10 miles or 10km. E n t e r a t w w w. h o p e a n d dream10.com. n

OLD MAN WiNTEr AND M O T H E r N AT U r E i N CAHOOTS Rathnure Pantomime Society might have dreamed up Jack Frost as a mystical figure and he may well be a mischevious, coldhearted villain but he is real and he is at present terrorising America with his cold breath wreaking havoc by bringing the Canadian winter to America. He’s already been to Boston and

New York and Chicago is on lock down. And Old Man Winter is planning to bring Jack Frost back here to Europe – it’s coming folks so expect Old Man Winter and Jack Frost to come knocking soon. But after the recent spell of heavy rain and flood alerts, let’s hope Old Man Winter will be relatively kind to Enniscorthy and Co. Wexford over the coming months. – Joseph Doyle

Slaney Arts

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Precious Poetry at Pres Dust Motes danced in the sunbeams and whimsical words floated in the air at The Presentation Centre Enniscorthy on Friday 13th December as a gathering of poets came together to delight with readings from their varied works. All part of a new anthology of poetry by 15 of Wexford’s foremost writers and lyricists. Dust Motes Dancing in the Sunbeams is a collection of pieces from poets who live in or are from Wexford. Some of them have moved to Wexford, some left Wexford but remain closely connected to it and some have always lived here. The Presentation Centre gathering was the work of Echo Editor Tom Mooney who also contributed to the anthology and it was a rare opportunity to meet many of these poets under one roof including Denis Collins, Jackie Hayden, Sean Clarkin, Mary O`Brien, Fintan Murphy, Joe Neal and Paddy Kehoe with a very special treat added in the form of the remarkable singer, poet and musician Eleanor McEvoy who performed her well known - You`ll Hear Better Songs Than This. Eleanor is a lovely, smiling, friendly artiste and a pleasure to converse with – she is enjoying great popularity abroad having just returned from a 5 week tour of the UK and preparing for a 7 week tour of Australia this year – how she comes back to Tagoat after that I’ll never know! Joe Neal was his usual melodious and humorous self with pieces like You’re Never Alone with a Spider and Eclipse Over Edenvale. He also did a most emotive and delightful reading of Eleanor’s - You’ll Hear Better Songs Than This which greatly impressed the lady. Local Poet Paddy Kehoe gave us some wonderful pieces on his favourite Gold Leaf City - Barcelona and Mary O’Brien lightened the mood with Where

Poet Joe Neal and Singer Songwriter Eleanor McEvoy. Pic: Maria Nolan.

Fish Might Jump, The Chestnut Tree and Biddy The Knitter after the somewhat darker poem – Priests Wear Black by Jackie Hayden. Tom Mooney gave us a beautiful piece of work about fishing on the Slaney called The Leap and Fintan Murphy followed with The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Connemara Christmas and an amusing piece about his father, Jim English, and Wexford hurling called the Braces Scapleur. Sean Clarkin read After Mass At Curracloe and a very seasonal piece called what else but Santa and last but by no mean least Denis Collins shared some secrets about how to win an audience and followed with Woman at Railway Station, Party Piece and Pete. A most excellent evenings entertainment and a totally free event with poets mingling and chatting afterwards as they shared steaming glasses of festive mulled wine and scrumptiously delicious bite size mince pies compliments of The Presentation Centre. What could be better - nourishment for body and nourishment for the soul all in beautiful surroundings and perfect ambience. Well done all especially Mairead Linneen and Tom Mooney and I look forward with relish to more of the same in 2014. – Maria Nolan

Roche’s Cavalcade Billy roche is one of my all time favourite writers – he speaks to my Wexford soul in a familiar language, i feel that i know all his characters intimately or have met them at least once before on Wexford streets. So i was delighted recently to see Lantern advertise cavalcaders for the Opera House and doubly delighted to hear Billy read extracts from his latest novella the Diary of Maynard Perdu at Enniscorthy Library. There is nothing quite like Billy Roche doing Billy Roche – I had read passages from his new work but as he introduced us to the flamboyant Ringmaster of the illustrious Spiegeltent – the eloquent dandy, Maynard Perdu, came to life before our very eyes right there on the floor of Enniscorthy Library! Billy is a natural and most entertain-

ing performer – writing, reading, acting or singing he has the ability to captivate and delight. At Enniscorthy Library he whetted our appetites for what I have no doubt will be a full blown performance next year of the Diary of Maynard Perdu in the now familiar and eagerly anticipated quayside landmark at the Opera Festival – the Spiegeltent. I took the opportunity to speak with Lantern – namely Brian Byrne and Barry Ennis – the courageous duo who took the brave decision to bring the Spiegeltent operation to Wexford – a huge undertaking and a mammoth potential risk. But thankfully Wexford has taken the magical tent to its bosom just like the expressive Perdu - ‘Last night she glistened like a jewel, this morning she pouts like a paramour – my precious Spiegeltent!’

Michael Dunbar, Billy Roche and Andy Doyle at Enniscorthy Library. Pic: Maria Nolan.

The enterprising Lantern were also responsible for the e x c e l l e n t p ro d u c t i o n o f Cavalcaders which featured such well known actors as Garrett Keogh, Liam Heffernan and Dermot Murphy and staged for one night only at our beautiful Opera House with the who’s who of both Wexford and Enniscorthy in attendance.

I happened to be seated close to Billy at the Opera House and couldn’t resist making the comment to him ‘Wexford was a right old den of iniquity way back when - wasn’t it!’ to which he replied ‘Yeah you should have come down more often!’ A typical witty Wexford reply from a far from typical but extremely witty Wexfordian. – Maria Nolan

Andy Doyle (thespian), Jarlath Glynn (librarian), Brian Byrne (Lantern), Billy Roche, and Barry Ennis (Lantern). Pic: Maria Nolan.

Support the artS Wexford arts Centre 053-9123764. the presentation Centre enniscorthy 053-9233000.

FAir WExFOrD

YEA MA

by Martin Joseph byrne

by Donal cullen

i Enniscorthys pride a summers day Ferns and Bunclody forever so Reveries of men who fought and died Flow sweet Slaney flow

i Creeping and crawling on the floor Weeping from my little eyes Mamma says beddie bye byes But I’m crying Ma Don’t you care Go asleep, tomorrow I’ll care But Ma I don’t want to go to bed Too bad, I’m goin’ so are you. But No buts, beddie bye byes. ii The sun is up and me too Come down to your breakfast And come down now I’m not dressed yet Ma Get dressed and come down Sit down properly, drink your tea I’m going to town today To do the shopping so You’re minding the house, yea Ma Don’t Ma me, keep the fire on Yea Ma, and bring in the sticks Now have your breakfast, yea Ma. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Martin Joseph adds: “I would like to thank Lapwing Belfast, one of the most respected publishers in the UK, for publishing me and also forever respect to the Slaney News, read as locally as Greenwich, Connecticut”.

Hook lighthouse, a hearth from on sea The tidal winds ashore do blow A line cast to the foam Flow sweet Slaney flow Wexford harbour, tide o’r tide rolls o’r Gods angst be that rivers undertow It stole the lives of truthful souls Flow sweet Slaney flow ii The falcon rides the tall winds high, Rook and gull lea below The dog trained in the early morning Flow sweet Slaney flow Drinking strong ale in the height of day Time convene and evening bestow Old Taverns wash away tear and woe Flow sweet Slaney flow

A Poetic Gathering at The Presentation Centre – Joe Neal, Tom Mooney, Fintan Murphy, Jackie Hayden, Paddy Kehoe, Mairead Linneen, Denis Collins. Pic: Maria Nolan.

Walking the streets to take the air To every heart, providence swings low Welcome Astór, my own Storeen Bán Flow sweet Slaney flow

Please send your poetry, prose, pics, reviews etc to: slaneynews@gmail.com

Slaney News

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7 January 2014

VTOS Awards Ceremony

Above: Fiona Dee VTOS teacher, Dr. John Doran, Mary Walsh Waterford & Wexford ETB, Eithne Agar VTOS Coordinator and Tony Keynes teacher. Right: Students who received awards and certification. Pics: James Quirke.

The students and staff of vTOS Enniscorthy held their awards ceremony in the riverside Park Hotel on Wednesday 18th December. Certificates and awards, including a range of FETAC modules from First Aid to Business Admin and General Studies, were presented to the students in preparation for the world of work or further studies.

Speaking at the Awards Day, VTOS Co-ordinator Eithne Agar, stated that: "Beginning the learning journey is a challenge, having others walk with you is what keeps us going and today you have arrived at your destination, so well done." The VTOS Programme is a two-year course aimed at adults to upskill and hopefully progress to employment or further education.

The staff and students of VTOS were honoured to have in attendance Dr. John Doran, a former student, who acknowledged the importance of VTOS in starting him on his journey from zero to ten on the National Framework of Qualifications. If you are interested in further information about VTOS, please contact Eithne Agar on 053 9237224. n

OUT AND ABOUT IN ENNISCORTHY

Edel Mackin, one of 15 winners nationally, is congratulated by Margaret Frayne, Gala, Enniscorthy, on winning a return trip home to Enniscorthy from the USA in the recent Gala Gathering competition. Also pictured are Gala staff members Rebecca and Michaela.

John and Charlotte Webster, Enniscorthy, at the New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve celebrations in the Riverside Park Hotel.

Ui Ceinnsealaigh Historical Society Christmas dinner December 18th in the Riverside Park Hotel, L-R: Mary Duggan, Marie Hughes, EilishDevereux, Fr. James Hammell, Breda Canny, Joan Bennett and Jane Mooney.

The Delightful Dollies gather last month for the trip to Wexford Opera House to see Daniel Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell in concert.