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Issue 68 - Wednesday - 2 December 2015

Y ENNISCORTH

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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2 December 2015

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THE SLANEY NEWS IS NOW AVAILABLE IN 220 OUTLETS!

comment The Christmas season is now in full swing in enniscorthy. santa arrived on 28th November and has taken up residence in enniscorthy’s enchanted Castle. so all roads lead to the Castle over the next three weeks. but there’s lots more happening including local choirs every weekend and performances by enniscorthy Historic & re-enactment Group. and don’t forget there’s plenty of free parking opportunities in the run-up to Christmas (see page 4 for all the details). another exciting development this Christmas is the filling of some of the quaint shop units on slaney street with a variety of local craft businesses. We would urge all our readers to visit slaney street and spend a little of your Christmas budget there and hopefully all those businesses will be tempted to stay full-time on the street – wouldn’t it be both a great tourist attraction and a welcome addition to the commercial life of the town. Congratulations to John O’Connor from enniscorthy enterprise Centre, enniscorthy Municipal district Manager Padraig O’Gorman and all involved in this great project (see more info on pages 15 and 18).

Finally just a reminder to “support our own” this Christmas. Please consider buying Enniscorthy Gift Vouchers as presents – see pages 4 and 21 for more info. We all know people who work in the retail and service sectors in enniscorthy and these vouchers will help keep those jobs safe.

– Frank Corcoran

10,000 copies per issue of which 5,000 are distributed door-to-door in Enniscorthy town and 700 in Bunclody.

The balance is distributed to over 220 drop-off points: ENNISCORTHY: Doyles Bar, The Duffry Gala Duffry Hope Centre Copper Pan The Holy Grail Stamps Serenity Place Storm Hair Design Cotton Tree Cafe Crew Cuts Vapor Nation George’s Hair Salon Impresso Cafe Galo Chargrill IWA Charity Shop Bart’s Charity Shop Sue Ryder Charity Shop Millstream Fish Shop Butcher’s Cottage / Bakery Bridget’s Hair Salon Hair Salon Inspiration Rackards Little Spoon Coffee Shop Danny’s Barber Shop Ultimate Nutrition Cutting Edge Curls Flowercraft South East Animal Rescue Robbies Pub Mary Elizabeths My Café Coffee Shop Abbey Centre Bizzy Fingers California Sun Tan Orchard Fruit & Veg Shop Put A Bow On It Pet Supplies Mrs Quinn’s Charity Shop Annette’s Flowers Mariu’s Sublime Italian Foods Aideen Vonno

Hilltop Dry Cleaners –––––––––––––––––––– Wallace’s Alba Shang Hai Golden City The Hill Bar Riverside Park Hotel Via Veneto The Bailey TOP shop/filling station Vinnie’s Bar & Lounge Greenville Stores ABC Takeaway Holohan’s Pub Mizzoni’s Wilson’s Bar Carry Out Templeshannon –––––––––––––––––––– Kavanagh’s Pharmacy Dawson’s Bar Uptown Kuts Enniscorthy Cabs Stitch Dat Presentation Centre SuperValu Pettitts The Wilds –––––––––––––––––––– Quik Pick, Ross Road Doyles Checkout, The Duffry Bellefield GAA complex Mace/Maxol Bellefield CWCWE Enterprise Centre Enniscorthy Voc. College Co. Wexford Education Centre –––––––––––––––––––– C&R Print McGuinness Lambert Smiles Dental The Barber Shop Screaming Canvas Treacys Hotel Merrythought House Celestial Cake Creations Toss Kavanagh’s TK Cabs O’Callaghan’s Centra T’shannon Community Centre J Donohoe Hardware George Kehoe & Co

Chapel Lane Service Station D&G Hair Studio Butchers Express Dept of Agricuture Offices Topaz Service Station Drinagh Garden Centre Alcast Motor Factors

ONLY 220 MORE DELIVERIES TO DO !

–––––––––––––––––––– Main Post Office IFA Centre Bank of Ireland Wexford Local Development SuperValu Abbey Square Petopia Enniscorthy Credit Union Enniscorthy Castle Tadhg Darcy Blinds Cottage to Castle Curtains Ashmore Mortgage & Financial Services Frizelle O’Leary Solicitors Property Team M.A. O'Leary Burger Macs Hope Shop Sherry FitzGerald O'Leary Monica’s Hair Salon Phoenix Estates Kennys for Bikes O’Learys Newsagents –––––––––––––––––––– Library St John’s Hospital 1798 Centre

Mackin Travel Cash Encounters Scissors Sisters Finishing Touches Post Office at Cathedral Bruce Betting Town Council Offices River Restaurant Wickham Bros Community Info. Service Delaneys Newsagents Toffee & Thyme O’Brien’s, Court Street Court Street Dental Clinic Court Street Medical Centre Turkuts Citizens Advice Centre Byrnes Bookshop –––––––––––––––––––– Evolv John Browne TD Office Paul’s Shoe Repair Finnegan’s Findz –––––––––––––––––––– Studio 5 Bega Barber Paul Kehoe TD Office Mick’s Barber Shop Paula Treacy Auctioneer Karl Martin Enniscorthy Bike Centre –––––––––––––––––––– Gala Express, Old Dublin Rd Moyne Veterinary Clinic Pump Palace Gym Kilcannon Garden Centre Superdine Tile Store n More Old Dublin Road Coal Yard ATB Tyres Before & After Furniture Enniscorthy Auto Centre –––––––––––––––––––– Enniscorthy Golf Club –––––––––––––––––––– ADAMSTOWN: Cullen’s Gala.

BALLAGHKEEN: Donohoes Foodstore BALLYCARNEY:

Jenny’s Diner BALLYEDMOND/WELLS: Downes Gala Wells House.

BALLYMURN: Peter Doyle’s Costcutter Ballymurn Credit Union.

BLACKWATER: Londis Post Office BOOLAVOGUE: Post Office Fr Murphy Centre.

BUNCLODY: Adult Learning Centre SuperValu TLC Cafeteria Hair Lair Millrace Hotel Rivers Edge Library Post Office Sugar & Spice Daybreak, Ryland Road Eurospar Half Way House Credit Union Urban Barber Chevue Studio Dols Beauty Clinic DNG O'Connor & O'Connor Hers N Sirs Hair Junction CAIM: Rackards.

CAMOLIN: C&K Takeaway Christy Byrne’s, Butcher Post Office.

CLONROCHE: Kavanagh’s Gala Greene’s Shop Post Office Larkin’s Shop.

House of Hair COURTNACUDDY: Kelly’s Shop.

CURRACLOE: Cloney’s Shop Post Office.

FERNS: Beauty by Sarah Centra Applegreen Ferns Barber Post Office Bolgers Hardware Courtyard Rynhart Hair Design Ferns Community Centre Ferns Castle Launderette Cre’s Hair Salon Daybreak.

KILMUCKRIDGE: Londis Centra Kates Coffee Shop & Deli 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: Codd’s Shop Pat Murphy Oil WEXFORD: Maldron Hotel O’Briens, Redmond Sq O’Briens, Main St Nosh & Dosh, Redmond Sq Yard Restaurant Wexford Arts Centre Wexford General Hospital Wexford Service Station, Newtown Road.

If you would like the Slaney News to be delivered to an outlet not listed above please let us know (slaneynews@gmail.com) and we’ll gladly add that outlet to our waiting list.

SLANEY NEWS, CLONHASTON, ENNISCORTHY Tel: 087-2403310 slaneynews@gmail.com www.slaneynews.com Facebook: “Slaney News” Online: www.issuu.com/slaneynews/docs PUBLISHED in Enniscorthy by Corcoran Print & Design PRINTED in 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 ASKAMORE

BUNCLODY

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CAMOLIN

KILMYSHALL

FERNS

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ENNISCORTHY

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BALLYEDMOND

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BALLAGHKEEN

BALLYMURN

OYLEGATE BALLYHOGE

MONAMOLIN

BOOLAVOGUE

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.

Claudia Blaess Counselling & Psychotherapy Professional Counsellor and Psychotherapist offering counselling services in Enniscorthy ________________________________________ Evening and Saturday sessions available at reasonable rates ________________________________________ Providing person-centred therapy as well as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). ________________________________________ Please contact me at 086-0752561 or cblaess@gmx.net if you would like further information or to arrange an appointment. ________________________________________

www.enniscorthycounselling.eu ________________________________________ "By changing nothing, nothing changes."

– Tony Robbins

Cllr Ger Carthy – Mayor of Wexford Independent Member of Wexford Co. Council

Wishing everybody in Co. Wexford a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year

Enniscorthy town snippets…

B l a c k s ta i r s B l u e s Festival christmas Bash Saturday December 5th at 9pm in Rackards. Join the BBF and one of this year’s Festival highlights The Hardchargers for some seasonal festive cheer!

Complementary finger food on the night. wheelchair swing?

Cllr James Browne has stated

that Enniscorthy Municipal Council and its predecessor council, Enniscorthy Town Council, can rightly be praised for its work on providing playgrounds in the town, however he highlights the absence of a wheelchair accessible swing as being unfortunate.

Cllr Browne has stated, “Wheelchair accessible swings are quite common throughout the country and it is notable that Enniscorthy

town continues to be without one.

It is very important that people with disabilities be able to participate fully in normal social activities with other children in order to help young people with disabilities to build confidence and break down stigmas.” hope centre Hope Cancer Support Centre Winter Solstice Ceremony of Light

Slaneynews: Local Publisher Local Printer Local News

and Healing in the Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig, Wexford, on 21st December at 7.30pm. Please go along and be part of something special. civic reception Enniscorthy Municipal District held a Civic Reception on 1st December for high achievers from the locality. Full report in our next issue. n

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Enniscorthy – Alive with Festive Cheer!

all roads led to enniscorthy on saturday 28th november, with the launch of the enniscorthy christmas Festival. A huge crowd joined a host of Festive Characters to enjoy the christmas parade which started from The Presentation Centre at 4.00pm. This was followed by the turning on of the christmas lights at the Market Square at 5.00pm. South East Radio broadcasted live from the Market Square from 12 noon to 3.00pm.

It was a great family day out and the good news is that there’s lots more to enjoy in the weeks ahead…

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– looks like it is going to be a sell-out at santa’s enchanted castle in enniscorthy. have you got your tickets?

Since its launch in October, over 1,000 family tickets have been booked online for the widely anticipated Santa’s Enchanted Castle. With no charge for adults, this has added incredible value to this tour. Families are travelling from far and wide: Dublin, Waterford, Kildare, Carlow, Offaly, Kilkenny as well as every corner of Co. Wexford.

Early bookers are snapping up great value Sleep Over Packages with the Riverside Park Hotel and with Treacy’s Hotel & Slaney Suites. www.santasenchantedcastle.ie/sleepover

santa’s enchanted castle will be open from sunday 29th november to wednesday 23rd December 2015 and has two fantastic tours for you to choose from: santa’s enchanted castle tour: Explore the delights of Santa’s Castle with Mrs Claus, Santa’s Elves and your favourite Disney & Frozen characters including Queen Elsa and Olaf.

There will be plenty of singing and games with the elves to keep the girls and boys entertained. For the grand finale, each child will individually meet the jolly man himself, Santa Claus, and receive a gift.

Santa’s Enchanted Castle Tour will run on weekends and is priced at €12 per child with up to two adults free of charge. mrs claus castle tour: Mrs Claus will take the children on a wonderful journey through the Enchanted Castle, while telling Christmas stories and baking along the way. Get a glimpse of the merry elves who are busy get-ting all the toys ready for Christmas Eve. The tour finishes with a visit to Santa Claus, who will give a gift to the girls and boys who are on the “nice list”.

Mrs Claus Castle Tour will run Wednesday - Friday and on selected times over the weekends and Christmas Week. This tour is priced at €10 per child and is free of charge for up to two adults.

The duration of each tour is 50 minutes and tickets are available to book online on www.santasenchantedcastle.ie, or at Enniscorthy Castle or Wexford Arts Centre.

With many dates and times already sold out, early booking is advisable to avoid disappointment.

P.S. Mrs Claus’ tip is to book online for best value.

The Castle, with the help of Magic Dust has been transformed into a wonder of enchantment and is alive with festive cheer – read Santa’s weekly Blog www.santasenchantedcastle.ie/santasblog For up to the minute deals, great competitions etc, follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook: Santa’s Enchanted Castle Twitter: @HoHoHoWexford Tel: 053 9234699 www.santasenchantedcastle.ie –––––––––––––––––––––––––– While visiting the town why not make a start on your christmas shopping. Thinking about that Unique Gift for the person who has everything?

Why not buy them an enniscorthy gift voucher. This Voucher can be redeemed in over 70 retail and service outlets in Enniscorthy so it is an ideal gift and you will be supporting local businesses and local jobs.

Enniscorthy Gift Vouchers are available in denominations

of €10 and €20 and can be purchased online at www.enniscorthygiftvoucher.ie or from Enniscorthy Credit Union, Byrnes Bookstore, and FrizelleO’Leary & Co Solicitors.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– While doing your Christmas Shopping, why not stop for a while and listen to the local enniscorthy choirs sing beautiful renditions of all your favourite Christmas songs in the Market Square from 2.00pm – 3.30pm on the 5th, 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th of December.

Guaranteed to get you in the festive spirt.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– Enniscorthy Town Centre will be alive with Festive music this December from the state of the art outdoor sound system.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– Children will be wide-eyed and full of excitement when they see the magnificent carousel that will be based in Enniscorthy on selected dates during December.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– Go and visit the Christmas Shop in Smyths Arro Home & Garden Store where they have a large Festive crib on display, with all donations going to St Vincent de Paul. Children can get their photograph taken on the large santa sleigh that Smyths also have in the

Christmas shop, definitely worth a look !

The Annual christmas craft and gift Fair at the enniscorthy iFa centre will take place on Friday Dec 4th (opens 5-8pm with wine reception), Sat Dec 5th (10.30am5.30pm), Sunday Dec 6th (12 noon - 5.30pm).

Stalls available for Crafts and Confectionery only. Tel: Maura or Marie on 087-3550085, 086-0785181, 085-1609953.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– enniscorthy craft street.

As part of Enniscorthy’s participation in the Test Town Challenge young crafts people will be demonstrating their crafts as well as their business skills in a number of pop-up shops along Slaney Street. The craft street is due to start on the 3rd of December and will last until Christmas Eve. It is hoped that some of these crafts people will eventually set up permanent shops in some of the vacant premises in the town centre thereby boosting local trade.

The craft shops range from an ironmonger; to an interactive craft shop where children can make their very own dolls; two gift Christmas shops, a pottery shop and a range of different arts & crafts. These extra shops will make Slaney

Street a very interesting street to browse over Christmas.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– enniscorthy historic & reenactment group will be at Market Square on Saturday 5th, 12th and 19th of December at 3.30pm to commemorate the 1914 christmas Day truce when Allied and German forces emerged from the trenches of No Man’s Land to celebrate the birth of Christ and revisit their own humanity in that Christmas time over one hundred years ago. The Enniscorthy Group in both German and Allied uniforms will re-enact the famous handshakes and exchange of cigarettes and alcohol, along with playing a little bit of football, bringing to life this moment in history that should never be forgotten. It will add a different dimension to downtown Enniscorthy for the festive period with Niall Holohan singing the beautiful and emotive Christmas 1914. Enniscorthy re-enactors are both honoured and privileged to be associated with this poignant piece of living history.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– Remember - Free car parking available in all County Council Car Parks for Saturday 5th, 12th and 19th Dec from 11am and also from the 20th-24th December inclusive. n

Santa’s Enchanted Castle, Enniscorthy. Pic: Jennifer Coady.

Kilcannon’s Winter Wonderland

Princess Elsa in Kilcannon. Pic: Maria Nolan.

mulled wine, mince pies and christmas carols were the order of the evening as enniscorthy community workshop launched its wi n t e r wo n d e r l a n d a t kilcannon last month and the young and the not so young came to sample all the festive fayre.

St Senan’s Choir created the Yuletide ambience with a plethora of old favourites as the spiced wine aroma wafted on the night air intermixing with the fragrance of scented

candles as the young at heart marvelled at Santa’s Winter Wonderland or admired the many innovative and artistic wares on display in the Craft Hall.

Well done to all involved in the design of this magical space that is sure to delight many little hearts between now and 24th December and well done on an excellent free evening of presentation and viewing complete with the beautiful Princess Elsa.

– Maria Nolan

St Senan’s Parish Christmas Cards st senan’s parish, enniscorthy, has produced its own range of christmas cards. they cost €5 for a pack of 7 cards and are available now from the parish office 053 9237611.

Collecting the cards, our photo shows L-R: Linda O'Rourke, Parish Secretary, Mike Roche of C&R Print, Fr Paddy Banville and Liz Wildes, photographer. n

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Tech Tip XboX one and the PS4

FERNS COMPUTER SERVICES

Which to buy this Christmas

by DaviD pohluDek Ferns compuTer services

There has been a lot of talk over which console is better, the Xbox One or PS4. While both consoles perform more or less the same graphically, it’s their online services, game exclusives, and price that decide which console is worth buying. online services. A downside on both consoles is that you have to purchase online membership each year to play any game's online multiplayer mode, €50 for the PS4’s “PlayStation Plus”, and €60 for the Xbox’s “Gold Membership”. But on a positive note, they offer free games every month for you to download. game exclusives. Both consoles boast a huge collection of exclusive game titles to choose from.

Game franchises exclusively on PS4 include Uncharted, God of War, and Infamous, while Xbox has Halo, Gears of War, and Forza. Xbox One has the better game line-up for the rest of the year with newly released exclusives like Halo 5 and Rise of the Tomb Raider. price. When both consoles released in November 2013, the Xbox One lagged behind costing €500 at launch, while the PS4 cost €400. But after various price-cuts both consoles stand at €350, which means the best time to buy is now. Both consoles offer a wide variety of bundles to choose from costing anywhere from €350 to €400. Games for both consoles vary in price from €60-€75. verdict. In my opinion, the console to buy this Christmas is the Xbox One. Xbox One has now backwards compatibility with games from the Xbox 360, expanding its game library. Xbox One is the superior entertainment machine. One of the system's key distinguishing features is its ability to transmit your cable box's TV signal, allowing you to quickly switch between playing a game and watching a show. n Ferns Computer Services has been in business in Ferns since May 2007.

Established by David Pohludek, it has a huge clientele base all over Co. Wexford and beyond.

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Wexford prepares for 1916 Commemorations remember, reflect and re-imagine that was the message from county council chairman tony Dempsey as he formally launched the 1916 centenary programme of events at the county council offices on monday 9th november.

Dignitaries – President of the 1916 Committee Sean Og Doyle, County Council Chairman Tony Dempsey, Enniscorthy District Chairman Paddy Kavanagh, Chairman of Enniscorthy Tourism Colm Neville, National 1916 Chairman Michael O`Reilly, Aileen Lambert and Michael Fortune, were introduced by MC Padraig O’Gorman and flanked by members of Enniscorthy re-enactment group beautifully attired in both military and civilian 1916 costume.

The large crowd including members of the families of the Wexford 1916 Volunteers gathered in the impressive Reception Hall as Paddy Kavanagh made a presentation to Sean Og Doyle for his tremendous work and his wonderful contribution to this project. Sean addressed the audience with his usual vigour and passion giving both an outline of the 2016 events and detailed historical background to the

Enniscorthy Rising stating that the ‘Rising in County Wexford was the most significant event outside Dublin in terms of longevity, the numbers involved and extent of territorial control exercised.’ Sean went on to say that the Irish Volunteer forces assumed control of Enniscorthy on the Thursday morning of 27th April and before the weekend extended their influence to the entire northern half of the county. The control continued until the following Monday, 1st May, when Enniscorthy was the last area in the country to surrender. Sean was vocal and steadfast in his desire to see a National Day to commemorate 1916 saying ‘the French celebrate Bastille Day and the American’s have the 4th July, I see no reason why we shouldn’t have a National Day’.

On that fateful Thursday morning 150 Volunteers assembled outside the arms depot at Keegan’s house in Irish Street a n d , f o r m e d u n d e r Vi c e Commandant Peter Paul Galligan, marched up Irish Street, through the Market Square and took possession of the Athenaeum, setting up headquarters there. The Proclamation of the Irish Republic was read and posted on the Pic: Maria Nolan

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh makes a presentation to President of the 1916 Committee Sean Og Doyle.

Enniscorthy Historic & Re-enactment Society with local politicians and Colm Galligan, son of Peter Paul Galligan.

Market House by the Brigade Adjutant, Seamus Doyle. The Tricolour was hoisted over the Athenaeum by three members of Cumann na mBan and was saluted by a firing party under the command of Galligan. It was the only tricolour flag which appears to have been flown outside Dublin thus making Enniscorthy the first free town in Ireland.

On Saturday 29th April word came through to the Enniscorthy leaders that the Rising in Dublin was over as Pearse and the other leaders had surrendered. The Headquarters Staff in Enniscorthy would only give up their positions on the direct orders of Pearse so on Sunday 30th April Seamus Doyle and Sean Etchingham were taken to Dublin under British military escort to meet with Pearse in his prison cell where he wrote

out the Order of Surrender. They arrived back that evening from Dublin and the Order to Surrender was promulgated at midnight. At noon, on Monday 1st May, 2,000 Crown forces entered Enniscorthy.

Colm Galligan, son of Peter Paul Galligan, was present at Monday evening’s Launch.

Michael O’Reilly, Chairman of the National 1916 Committee, complimented the Wexford Committee on their marvellous Programme of Events saying that he had no doubt that Wexford would be prepared and organised given its history and its part in the Rising. It was little wonder that the Spirit of 1798, nurtured by folk memories and oral tradition and kept alive by the Young Irelanders and the Fenians, should be reawakened at the foot of Vinegar Hill. The Rising in County

Wexford and in Enniscorthy in particular during Easter Week 1916 was the most important contribution to the Rising outside Dublin.

Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert outlined details of the 1916 Song Project and ‘Backroads to the Rising’ a walking/cycling community project following in the footsteps of the Volunteers as they made their way to join their comrades in the Athenaeum.

County Chairman, Tony Dempsey, praised the work of the Committee and complimented the Centenary Programme which includes a range of ceremonial events, historical lectures, conferences and literary publications on various aspects of 1916 along with a County Wexford Schools Pack, County Wexford 1916 Exhibition, a range of con-

certs, film recordings, 1916 themed song and poetry compilation, the dedication of a Memorial Garden, restoration of the Athenaeum and, of course, our annual Easter Monday Celebration in Enniscorthy which in 2016 will form part of a select national wreath-laying ceremony followed by Ireland’s largest 1916-based battle re-enactment.

Tony concluded by saying the ‘County Wexford 1916 Centenary Commemorative Programme aims to be respectful of the past and inspiring for the future.’

So let us proudly embrace the commemoration of the birth of our nation with inclusiveness, compassion, understanding, and a complete absence of misgivings.

– Maria Nolan

The County Wexford 1916 Centenary Programme of Events can be accessed at www.enniscorthy1916.ie

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Slaney News

2 December 2015

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john browne TD and the local Fianna Fáil team wish the people of enniscorthy and Co. wexford a very happy Christmas and peaceful new Year

Paul Kehoe TD Wishing everybody a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year Constituency Office Enniscorthy: 053-9243558 Constituency Office New ross: 051-425900

CLLR. JOHN O’ROURKE Season’s Greetings to all my family, friends, and constituents and thank you for your help and support in 2015.

s Inn f Éin better off with

Níos fearr le sinn Féin

A Happy Christmas to all, especially to our loved ones abroad agus Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh (Happy New Year)

Cllr. Johnny Mythen

Enniscorthy Flood Defence update last month wexford county council appointed design consultants to proceed with the detailed design of the enniscorthy Flood Defence scheme. extreme floods have occurred in enniscorthy in 1924, 1947, 1965, 2000 and more recently in 2014.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) in conjunction with Wexford County Council undertook a study of the flooding problem, following which a preliminary design for the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme was exhibited for public consultation in 2009. This was further improved and went on public display again in 2012.

The Flood Defence Scheme combines a number of measures to prevent flooding in the town.

These include river channel widening, river deepening, bridge relocation, and the construction of extensive glass panelled flood walls through the town.

The proposed construction works will cover a 3.5km stretch of the River Slaney, extending

Local TDs, Councillors, Wexford County Council and OPW officials, Enniscorthy business representatives, and design consultants at the official appointment of the design consultants to proceed with the detailed design of the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme.

f ro m 1 . 5 k m u p s t re a m o f Enniscorthy Bridge to 2km downstream. The main elements of the project include: · Construction of flood defence walls on both banks, upstream of Enniscorthy Bridge, through the town, finishing just south of the Riverside Park Hotel. · River channel widening and deepening. · Construction of a flood diversion channel within the flood plain to the south. · Deepening of the riverbed beneath the existing Railway Bridge & the Old Enniscorthy Bridge. · Construction of a new road bridge over the River Slaney and Railway Line, located approx. 100m south of the Riverside Park Hotel. · Removal of the existing Seamus Rafter Bridge. · Construction of a new pedestrian bridge in the town centre.

Scheme costs are estimated at between €30m and €40m. Design consultants with proven specialist expertise have been engaged to carry out the detailed design of the scheme. Mott Mac Donald is the main consultant for the Flood Defence Scheme while Roughan & O’Donovan are the bridge consultants.

The detailed design stage has now commenced and is expected to be completed mid 2016. The scheme will go on public display during this stage. Subject to ministerial confirmation, it is planned to start construction at the end of 2016, with an anticipated construction period of 3 years. The detailed design process will examine and consider comments and suggestions received, while the construction programme will be dependent on receipt of the relevant permits, licences and approvals. n

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Slaney Picture Parade

www.slaneynews.com Pic: dwane doran

2 December 2015

Enniscorthy Credit Union Scholarships Enniscorthy Credit union awarded €9,000 in total to eight lucky winners at their annual Scholarship draw on 17th November in the Riverside Park Hotel (see photos on left). in the Third Level draw the winners were: 1st eimear redmond, 2nd brendan dempsey, 3rd dylan Murphy, 4th roisin Murphy, 5th amy banville, 6th sean Hall. in the PLC draw the winners were: 1st ryan Coughlan Nolan, 2nd diarmuid Heffernan.

Congratulations to all the winners and well done to Enniscorthy Credit union for investing in the further education of its members.

Pic: dwane doran

Enjoying the “Frozen” theme at Kilcannon Garden Centre: Brooklyn Kennedy, Sinead Doyle (Elsa) and Lexie Kennedy.

The launch of the Wexford 1916 Centenary Programme of Events, L-R: David Minogue (Wexford County Council) with Eamonn and Sean Doyle. Pic: Maria Nolan.

Members of the Irish Army, on 19th November, presented the National Flag and the Proclamation to St Aidan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy, as part of the 1916 Centenary Programme. Also in photo are Very Rev. Odhran Furlong, Adm. St Aidan’s Parish, Padraig O’Gorman (Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager), Paul Kehoe TD and Minister of State, Peter Creedon (St Aidan’s Principal), and some pupils representing the school.

A contingent of teachers from St. Aidan’s Primary School enjoying Enniscorthy Drama Group’s recent production of two one-act plays in The Presentation Centre. Pic: Maria Nolan.

Maria Sinnott accepting her Competent Communicator Award from Dympna Skelton (president Enniscorthy Toastmasters) on 2nd November.

Local TDs, Councillors, and Wexford County Council officials at the official appointment on 23rd November of the design consultants for the detailed design of the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme.

Slaney News

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11

Duo – Dickson & Dwane traditional and classical Sunday the 8th November music, adding that the saw the Riverside Park only thing she really doesHotel in Enniscorthy host n’t know anything about an evening with Barbara is the current state of the Dickson. Barbara started charts because she’s not her career in the 60’s in interested in it at all. folk music and has gone We closed the interon to have huge hits like view speaking about her ‘Caravan Song’, ‘January tour in Ireland. Barbara February’ and ‘Another seemed very upbeat Suitcase in Another Hall’ about her tour to date as well as starring in three telling me it’s her first very successful musicals. time touring Ireland and As I headed backstage with the help of her proBarbara was standing there Barbara Dickson with Dwane Doran moter, David Hull, she tuning her guitar, perfectwas really enjoying visiting all the ing it before beginning her show. dren and how it’s not easy to different towns. Barbara went She took a moment before turnchoose a favourite one but told on to tell me that she wanted to ing and greeting me openly and me how she also wrote some of build up an audience here so in a very friendly manner. her own songs and that she was that she can continue to come Knowing she had received an very fond of a new one she had to Ireland for shows adding that OBE from the Queen in 2002 I written, ‘The Same Sky’. Barbara she knows Ireland very well. couldn’t help but ask, having performed the song during her Since she was 17 she would come never met someone who has show after explaining how she over from Glasgow on the boat met the Queen, what it was like? had one of her father's old shirtand hitch-hike across Ireland to I think I caught her a little off boxes full of pieces of paper with the Fleadh in Co. Clare and has guard and after an initial slight ideas she’s come up with over the spent a lot of time in Mayo in the stumble she proceeded to tell years and how she kept them, last ten years. me the story of how she was and from time to time would Following the interview firstly asked unofficially if she was go back to them and choose a Barbara performed a fantastic going to accept it, then once she piece to complete and then pershow with the man she jokingly had confirmed, her official inviform. The song, ‘The Same Sky’, called her band – Nick Holland. tation to Buckingham Palace is about an astronaut who has With a powerful voice, and a was sent to her. Barbara told me returned to earth but found he full range, she pulled the crowd she brought her three sons with had nothing to return to, and it in and there were smiles and her to the Palace and they got to made for some delightful readtapping feet throughout. Ending witness the investiture from the ing. to a standing ovation the venue Queen and described it as a wonWhen I asked Barbara if she was alive and buzzing, the crowd derful experience. had a favourite all-time song called for more which they got We moved on to music and from all artists, she could not plus a fantastic duet with her I asked Barbara what her own narrow it down to one single support act Anthony Toner. favourite song was. She comsong or artist but explained how – Dwane Doran pared her music to having chilshe likes the Beatles, James Taylor,

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Slaney Entertainment

2 December 2015

www.slaneynews.com

Do you come here often?

Ireland’s Showband era remembered with original artistes Dickie Rock

The biggest and best celebration of the Showband era, now in its 19th season, featuring the original stars from the dancehall days.

Ireland in the 60’s rocked, hucklebucked and jived to the sounds of the showbands. The ballrooms and the showbands were at the very heart of Ireland’s social life. Relive the excitement, the euphoria and the innocence of those wonderful days.

Hosting and compering the show will be the ever popular George Jones along with the fabulous Galaxy Showband.

Dickie Rock

Paddy Cole

Susan McCann

Mary Duff

Gregory Donaghey Hugo Duncan

Robin Averill

Sunday 3rd January 2016 Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy

Gene Stuart

In association with South East Radio

Show: 8:00pm Tickets: Hotel Reception Tel: 053 9237 800 www.riversideparkhotel.com

www www.davidhullpromotions.com .davidhullpromotions.com

Do You Come Here Often? makes its first visit to the South East at the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, on Sunday 3rd January 2016.

Do You Come Here Often, Ireland’s Showband Show, is now in its nineteenth year. Each year the show features the original stars from the most celebrated showbands of the era and this year is no exception.

In the 1960’s Ireland’s ballrooms and dancehalls were the heart of Irish social life. The young people of the time met and fell in love to songs such as Dickie Rock’s hits The Candy Store On The Corner and There’s Always Me; they rocked, hucklebucked and jived to the music of iconic bands such as the Miami Showband, The Capital and The Cadets.

In 2015/6 these songs are as iconic and as memorable as they were in the 1960’s and this year Do You Come Here Often will feature some of the greatest performers, singers and showbands to have graced the stages of Ireland’s legendary ballrooms.

Do You Come Here Often is not only a celebration of the

bands and performers but of the era, a time of excitement, euphoria and the innocence of those wonderful dancehall days.

This year stars such as Dickie Rock (Miami), Paddy Cole (Capital), Susan McCann ( S t o r y t e l l e r s ) , G re g o r y Donaghey (Cadets), Hugo Duncan (Tall Men), Robin Averill (College Boys), Frankie McBride (Polkadots), special guest Mary Duff and hosted and compered by George Jones, will transport audiences back to the magical dancehall days.

Riverside Park Hotel Enniscorthy Sunday 3rd January 2016 Show: 8pm Tickets: Hotel Reception 053 9237 800 www.riversideparkhotel.com

Paddy Cole

Hugo Duncan

Susan McCann

Together Again!

It's been over 20 years since Frances Black and Kieran Goss performed on stage together. In the intervening years both artists have enjoyed huge international success in their respective solo careers but it was the inspired pairing of these unique talents as a duo in the early 90's that first caught the imagination of the Irish public.

Now for the first time in Enniscorthy since then, The Riverside Park Hotel is proud to announce that Frances Black and Kieran Goss will be reuniting for a special show.

Kieran Goss and Frances Black Reunion Tour Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy Thursday 4th February 2016 Tickets: Hotel Reception 053 9237 800

Thursday 4th February 2016

Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy Show: 8:00pm Tickets: Hotel Reception Tel: 053 9237 800 www.riversideparkhotel.com

www.davidhullpromotions.com .davidhullpromotions.com

The Perfect Christmas Gift…

'IT’S A FUNNY OLD WORLD' with BRENDAN GRACE at Riverside Park Hotel

Riverside Park Hotel Saturday January 9th Tickets at Hotel Tel: 053-9237800 and Ticketmaster.ie.

The Perfect Christmas Gift.

NOV ENTERTAINMENT

All venues are in Enniscorthy unless otherwise stated.

December Santa’S EnchantEd caStlE. Enniscorthy.

See pages 4 and 14 for more details. clonrochE Panto – SlEEPing bEauty. Tel: 086-3474876.

1–6 3–4 a FacE in thE crowd. Drama. Discover/Recover Theatre Project. Wexford Arts Centre.

4-6 chriStmaS craFt and giFt Fair. IFA Centre.

See page 14 for more details.

Fri 4 traditional iriSh muSic. Stamps. 9.30pm.

Fri 4 karaokE with juliE. The Hill Bar. Focal – oPEn mic night. Presentation Centre. 8.30pm. €5.

Fri 4 Fri 4 holohanS roaring 20s Prohibition night. 9.30pm Fancy Dress, Cocktails, Live Music, Blues, Jazz, Swing. Free.

Sat 5 luan ParlE and clivE barnES. Courthouse Arts Centre.

Tinahely.

Sat 5 claSSic artiStS - only numbEr onES. The theme this time is number one hit singles. Wexford Arts Centre.

Sat 5 blackStairS bluES FEStival chriStmaS baSh. Rackards 9pm. Join one of this year’s Festival highlights The Hardchargers for some seasonal festive cheer!!!

Complementary finger food on the night.

Sat 5 john caSSidy cd launch Party. Toss Kavanaghs. 9pm.

Sun 6 Sunday SESSion at thE bailEy. From 5pm.

Sun 6 bazaar. Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh, Drumgoold, 12-4.30pm.

See page 14 for more details.

Mon 7 grEyhound racing. Enniscorthy Greyhound Track.

Doors open 7pm. First race 8pm.

10-21 rathnurE Panto - wiSh uPon a hEart: thE ForgottEn PrincESS. Please note no shows on 12th and 15th. See more info on pages 13 and 15.

Fri 11 traditional iriSh muSic. Stamps. 9.30pm.

Fri 11 karaokE with juliE. The Hill Bar. Fri 11 jma perform the claSSic SongS oF bob dylan and nEil young. Wexford Arts Centre.

Sun 13 Sunday SESSion at thE bailEy. From 5pm.

Mon 14 grEyhound racing. Enniscorthy Greyhound Track.

Doors open 7pm. First race 8pm.

14-15 a wiSh For Santa. By Shay Healy & Michael Scott 10.00am & 11.00am €6.50 (2 teachers free per class).

Booking essential. Wexford Arts Centre.

Fri 18 traditional iriSh muSic. Stamps. 9.30pm.

Fri 18 karaokE with juliE. The Hill Bar. Sat 19 it SoundS likE chriStmaS. Interactive Show.

For children 4-9 years of age, their parents and all who love Christmas. Wexford Arts Centre.

Sun 20 Sunday SESSion at thE bailEy. From 5pm.

Sun 20 goldilockS and thE thrEE bEarS. Presentation Centre.

Mon 21 grEyhound racing. Enniscorthy Greyhound Track.

Doors open 7pm. First race 8pm.

Sun 27 Sunday SESSion at thE bailEy. From 5pm.

NATIoNAL oPERA HouSE: For concerts and shows in December see www.nationaloperahouse.ie

RIVERSIDE PARK HOTEL, ENNISCORTHY Saturday, January 9th, 8pm Tickets €30 at Hotel. Tel. 053-9237800.

And from Ticketmaster.ie

Rathnure Panto – book now!

Something special is happening this Christmas as Rathnure Pantomime Society is celebrating its 20th Anniversary.

In 1995, it all began with Cinderella, and now, 20 years later, after 20 pantos, numerous Tops shows and 6 original musicals, the society is going as strong as ever. Hundreds of people from Rathnure and the surrounding areas have been involved down through the years, and it has always been a part of the community in a very positive way. Generations have grown up with the Panto in Rathnure, and now, coming to the shows have become a family tradition. To mark the occasion, a special “€6 for everyone” offer for opening night on December 10th, a 20th Anniversary Booklet and many

Your “cut out and keep”



It's a funny old world when seen through the eyes of Brendan Grace.

The sanctimonious priest who knows more than he's telling: ''Blessed is he who gets married in the nick of time.''

The father of the bride makes a speech at his daughter’s wedding: ''She could have married someone with money; she could have married someone who was working. She could have married someone who wasn't working... but was willing to work.''

Then there's the schoolboy with the unspeakable personal habits and a fine line in sympathy pleas.

Brendan Grace is all of these and more. Each cockeyed portrait he paints has a ring of truth that makes audiences laugh so hard it hurts.

Brendan's material owes more to the best of the traditional stand-up-comics than it does to modern, alternative humour and his show is very much a show for all the family.

There is a sincerity about his act that endears you to him, and his off-stage persona is very much a 'man of the people' as he makes himself available after each show for a photo and a 'meet and greet’.

13

Slaney Entertainment

www.slaneynews.com

Rehearsing for this year’s panto.

more events will be announced in the coming weeks.

However, amid all the activity of a birthday atmosphere, there is still the big job at hand of getting this year’s show on the road. This year’s panto is “Wish Upon A Heart: The Forgotten Princess”, once again written and produced by John Reilly and Liam Sharkey.

Santa’s North Pole Workshop is working at full speed to get all the toys out in

time for Christmas. But, disaster strikes, as Santa’s top elf, Sammy, falls sick and won’t get out of bed. Mrs. Claus decides to find out how sick Sammy really is, as he has a habit of feeling sorry for himself. So Mrs. Claus tells him the story of a young girl, Sofia, whose life is turned upside down when she needs a new heart to live.

Her devastated family feel all hope is lost, until one night, Jack and Jill appear from Sofia’s

Bedtime Storybook and want to help save her. By bringing some of her favourite toys to life, they must go on the adventure of a lifetime by going to Bedtime Storyland and finding a cure for Sofia. They must retrieve some blood from the Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk’s story!

However, danger lurks around every corner….Will they make it back in time to save Sofia??

This year’s Panto runs on Dec 10th, 11th, 13th (6pm), 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th (5.30pm), 20th (6pm) and 21st. All shows start at 7.45pm unless stated.

Tickets are selling very fast, so don’t miss your opportunity to see this year’s spectacular show. Call the Box Office now on 053-9255429 or 087-0687801.

Also you can follow on Facebook for more information. See page 15 for more details.

It would be prudent to check all events locally with organisers and/or venues.

Thanks to Joseph Doyle for his help with our comprehensive events guide.

Please email your event details to slaneynews@gmail.com.

FOR LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS…  Check the listing above  Check out our pages 11-17 See Joseph Doyle’s column page 28  Check www.wexlive.com for updated listings.  Facebook:“Slaney News” and “Enjoy Enniscorthy”

Have you got the

‘Wex’ Factor?

Organisers of the successful Wexford Has Talent have announced details of the second annual competition with online registration now open for competitors to enter on

www.wexfordhastalent.com

The competition is entirely free to enter and the winner will walk away with a cash prize of €2000. Applicants are invited to register their interest online at www.wexfordhastalent.com where they will then be invited along to audition dates on January 9th and 10th at Clayton Whites of Wexford.

A panel of at least three independent judges will judge the auditions.

From this audition process a shortlist of between 24 and 30 acts will go forward to take part in the live audience semi finals at Clayton Whites of Wexford on January 16th and January 23rd and 12 of these acts will make the finalist list to perform in front of a live audience at the Wexford Has Talent Grand Final on Saturday, January 30th at Clayton Whites of Wexford.

www.Wexfordhastalent.com Facebook.com/WexfordHasTalent Twitter - @WexHasTalent

Competition Winners: Barbara Dickson concert tickets won by Sinead Haze, Julie Forster, and Marie Murphy Hayes.

14

Slaney Entertainment

2 December 2015

Christmas in Enniscorthy The Annual

Christmas Craft and Gift Fair at the IFA Centre Enniscorthy will take place on

❄ Fri dec 4th

(opens 5-8pm with wine reception)

❄ Sat Dec 5th

(10.30am to 5.30pm)

❄ Sun Dec 6th

(12 noon to 5.30pm) Tel: Maura 087-3550085

from t rd dec a 3 2 o t v 29th No rthy Castle ennisco

Santa’s enchanted Castle from €10 per children and adults Go fRee

With so many dates Sold Out Book Online Now at www.santasenchantedcastle.ie Box Office Bookings available at enniscorthy Castle and Wexford arts Centre. Tel:(053) 9234699. facebook: Santa’s enchanted Castle Twitter: @hohohoWexford The Ideal GIfT:

enniscorthy Gift Vouchers can used at more than 70 Shops and Restaurants.

Now available to buy online www.enniscorthygiftvouchers.ie Complimentary Visit to Santa’s Grotto and a Gift from Santa with every child’s meal purchased (children’s lunch value minimum €8.95).

This offer runs on Sat 12th, Sun 13th, Sat 19th and Sun 20th December from 1-5pm.

Phone 053 92 30353, email info@thebailey.ie or call into The Bailey any time

GO GReyHOunD RaCinG tHiS CHRiStMaS! Three Mondays in December only (7th, 14th, 21st) at enniscorthy Greyhound track.

Tel: (053) 9233172.

Doors open 7pm.

First race 8pm.

BlaCkStaiRS BlueS FeStival CHRiStMaS BaSH Racing in December on following nights only: Monday 7th, Monday 14th, and Monday 21st First Race 8pm. Gates Open 7pm

Sat Dec 5th at 9pm in Rackards.

Join the BBF and one of this year’s Festival highlights the Hardchargers for some seasonal festive cheer!!! Complementary finger food on the night.

ChRistmas season paRty speCials

 all parties booked in Dec. get free decorations and great deals on music and food 

Contact Lindsey on 086-8929149 or find us on Facebook

vinnie’s IsLand Road EnnIsCoRthy Call in to us any time – Eircom wifihub hotspot

tel: 053-9236487

www.slaneynews.com

Slaney Entertainment

15

Christmas speCial

Enniscorthy Craft Street is inviting all the people of Enniscorthy and District to come and visit Slaney Street, where we are creating a special craft street for local Artisans and Craft people to sell their products.

passed?

The craft shops range from an Ironmonger; to an interactive craft shop where children can make emailed their very own dolls; two gift Christmas shops, a pottery shop and a range of different arts & crafts.

23/11 These extra shops will make Slaney Street a very interesting street to browse.

@ Toffee n Thyme ❄ Soup of the Day ❄ feStive StuffeD

turkey & ham wrap with freSh cranberry mayo ❄ homemaDe mince pie ❄ tea or coffee

ONlY €9.95!

16

Slaney Entertainment

2 December 2015

Laura Mullett is a top Irish Fashion Stylist and Journalist who styles Ireland’s hottest stars for TV and magazine spreads. The Enniscorthy native also works as a red carpet radio reporter for RTE, as a Personal Shopper and showcases all the latest beauty and fashion trends on her blog ‘Lipstick Gossip’. Laura will be giving her fashion tips monthly in the ‘Slaney News’.

Style Insider Laura Mullett gives us the lowdown on last minute Christmas shopping!

4. Control the variables Honestly one of the best things about bringing my own clients around Dundrum Town Centre is the fact that it is dry and warm. There are lockers so you aren’t lugging bags mid spree and forcibly braving the elements. Also for the dreaded flat phone battery – there are charging facilities dotted around the centre so the worldly disconnect is a temporary one. When I go shopping for my own bits I fuel www.facebook.com/lauramullettstyle myself with a festive latte are also fabulous to shop online this time of year (Starbucks Toffee Nut Crunch is my as there are slashes left, right and centre. I also vice) and preferably go in the late evening. Check extended merchant hours in your favourite haunts adore Missguided.com for stylish seasonal musthaves and reliable next day delivery. Their pieces to take this route. For me the busy period dies are very true to size and their lace-up boots are down by 7.45-ish so you can peacefully potter something myself and my styling clients are covaround. Two places I adore for stocking fillers are the homewares on the top floor in House of Fraser eting. Finally for me debenhams.ie is amazing for top of the range beauty buys and chic lingerie. and also Aldo for wooly beanies, statement necklaces and dainty pieces! Aldo frequently do a 2-for-1 offer on accessories so you can double up on gifts. You can save money, tick boxes and stay sane in one fell swoop!

1. Embrace the chaos solo Be a woman (or man) on a mission – no stragglers necessary! You can make a list and check it twice but you need to be efficient and decisive sans socialising. Don’t stress if you are only getting on the ball now in terms of your festive shopping. Be a realist and interactive in stores when you need a steer on products – that way you get the best value. An informed, focused shopper is a satisfied one.

2. Navigate the sales I know that this can be challenging in the hustle and bustle of the month of December but the post-Black Friday wake means that you can still snap up cute separates, accessories, sparkly heels or even the perfect LBD at a fraction of the price. More money for the festivities in question!

High street retailers such as Topshop, Penneys, River Island and New Look have your potential New Year’s outfit at a slice of the usual price.

3. Don’t bust your budget The basics of writing down who you need to shop for and your budget allocation per giftee is important. A clear plan keeps a cool head.

The trick to Christmas shopping is to stick to your list and budgetary constraints. Cyber Monday is straight after Black Friday but you can avail of bargains right up to Christmas on cybermonday.com. Wexford Mammies on Facebook is a great place to buy and sell! One person's trash is another's treasure.

5. Shop Online Consumerreports.org has reputable online reviews of almost everything so if you want to do your research before you buy cameras, smart phones, laptops, etc that’s a savvy port of call. I am a big fan of LittlewoodsIreland.ie as an all-rounder Christmas shopping experience. If you want to be productive in your PJ’s and hop off discounts they’re a strong contender. I’ve got fabulous style steals, perfumes, electrical gifts and more thus far. Online stores

Bridget’s

Ladies & Gents Hair Salon

30 Court St, Enniscorthy, 053-9235713 Stockists of Paul Mitchell hair products

Wishing all our customers a very Happy Christmas, thanks for your custom in 2015 and look forward to seeing you all in 2016.  Gift Vouchers available  Christmas Hampers made to order

Book now for Christmas!

Beauty by Grants specialises in:  Lycon precision waxing  Nails (LeChat nail care products – Perfect Match UV polish, gel/acrylic nails, Dare to Wear nail polishes, IBX treatments by Famous Nails)  Green angel facial treatments  Spray tanning system - White to Brown  Eyelash/eyebrow tinting with Refectocil products For more information call 083 1988774.

Follow us on Facebook for our special offers.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Wesołych Świąt i szczęśliwego Nowego Roku!

Grants Pharmacy, The Duffry, Enniscorthy.

Slaney Entertainment

www.slaneynews.com

17

Brooklyn returns to Riverside To coincide with the nationwide release of ‘Brooklyn’, TV3’s Ireland AM show broadcast live from the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, on Friday 6th November from 8am to 10am – and the show was all about ‘Brooklyn’!

A selection of the town’s early risers gathered at 7am with presenter Sybil Mulcahy, j o l l y w e a t h e r m a n D e re k O`hArtagain, the crew of Ireland AM and Wexford band Corner Boy to once again sing Brooklyn’s praises as it went on general release.

Corner Boy opened the show as Sybil joined film critic Luke O`Faolain on the couch.

Luke was lavish in his praise of the movie saying that it was one that you could take your

granny to and she would love it but more amazingly you would not be at all bored. Mr. O`Faolain also made the point that a lot of the material circa that era in Ireland – like Angela’s Ashes, Song for a Raggy Boy, Falling For a Dancer, The Butcher Boy, Dancing at Lughnasa, etc., is dark and fairly depressing but Brooklyn, tear-jerker though it is, depicting an element of small town narrow mindedness along with the heartache of emigration, is still very much a nice film.

Perhaps Colm Toibin was looking back on the town of his youth with rose-tinted glasses but certainly 1950s Enniscorthy is portrayed as not a bad place to be.

Current enniscorthy Municipal District Manager, Padraig O’Gorman and former enniscorthy town Clerk David Minogue. Pic: Maria nolan.

Location Manager Gordon Wycherley outlined to Sybil in his interview the process of selection whereby Enniscorthy was chosen as the location for Brooklyn. Having viewed almost 50 towns in Ireland what swayed it for Enniscorthy he said were ‘a few good streets where nothing much had changed, along with the impressive Cathedral and the Athenaeum’. It also felt good, Gordon went on to say, to be shooting in the town where the story was actually written.

Enniscorthy ticked all the boxes and was so enthused by the prospect that everyone rowed in and made it a great town to film in.

Wexford actor Gary Lydon spoke highly of the lead performers, Saoirse Ronan and

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Donal Cullen, one of the prominent extras in the Brooklyn movie.

Pic: Maria Nolan.

Riverside Park Hotel proprietor Colm neville with actor Gary lydon.

Pic: Maria nolan.

tv3’s Sybil Mulcahy with actor Gary lyndon and ‘Brooklyn’ locations Manager Gordon Wycherley.

Pic: Maria nolan.

We are very excited! This is our sixth Christmas here at Finishing Touches and we are delighted to still provide you with a large range of Beauty Treatments!

Finishing Touches

Domhnall Gleeson, saying that you always up your game when playing opposite stars of their calibre. Particularly Saoirse, he said, that face alone would win an Oscar.

Let’s all hope he is right!

And you know standing on the deck of the Riverside Park Hotel on Friday last with friends and extras, the Slaney flowing gently at our backs and a feel-good factor in the air as Corner Boy played us out, I was happily thinking, rosetinted glasses or not, Enniscorthy is still not a bad place to be!

Thank you ‘Brooklyn’ and Colm Toibin for making us all stop and stare and realise what a wonderful town we live in.

– Maria Nolan

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18

Slaney Food & Drink & Crafts

2 December 2015

www.slaneynews.com

Phelim’s yummy yuletide

The art of cake decorating

Wexford Chef Phelim Byrne delighted all with his cornucopia of festive fare in his Christmas Cookery Demonstration at the Riverside Park Hotel on 26th November in aid of Enniscorthy Drama and Focal Wexford Literary Festival.

His clever time-saving tips and creative cuisine were a hit with the appreciative audience. Beginning with easy-to -prepare starters Asian Style Crab, Mango & Red Pepper Cups and Smoked Salmon & Dill Cheesecake with Lemon Caper Dressing, continuing with his much sought after Christmas Sausage, Sage & Onion stuffing and gratinated Brussels Sprouts with Crisp Bacon, Flaked Almonds and Buttery Crumbs to accompany his mouth-watering Crown of Turkey with Sage and Lemon Butter and finishing up with his delectable Christmas Baked Fruity Cheesecake with Brandy Soaked Fruit, Spiced Carrot and Coconut Cake with crystalised Ginger and Walnut Topping and Christmas Creme Brulee, all washed down with Phelim’s potent and aromatic Mulled Wine.

A feast fit for the big, fat man with the long, white beard himself.

Thursday 19th November saw Janette Kelly of Blossom Bakes demonstrating the art of cake decorating in Smyth's Arro shop on Rafter Street, Enniscorthy.

A three-piece cake was decorated to represent three candles which would make a perfect centrepiece on any table this Christmas. Smyth's Arro outdid themselves wel-

Phelim`s professionalism and easy manner is a trait of his Cookery Demos and makes it a pleasure for all who attend.

Enniscorthy Drama Chairman Liam Doyle and Anne Gilpin of Focal thanked him profusely for his time and his talent given so generously to both organisations and called on Enniscorthy Strawberry Queen Linda Barron to draw out the winner of the wonderful door prize – a fabulous Christmas Hamper won by Bridget Barron with spot prizes going to Peg Boland, Liz Mitchel and Trish Hyland.

Liam Doyle also thanked all who had sponsored the delicious menus – Roche Machinery, Riverside Park Hotel, Harry Ryan Plumbing & Heating, Thai Gold Food Company, Smyth’s Arro, Toss Kavanagh’s and Liam Doyle Boilers and reminded all that Enniscorthy Drama had qualified for the All-Ireland Drama Finals in Galway on 4th/5th/6th December and would be staging their winning play Come Along The Road Until You Stop Dead on Sunday night 29th November at The Presentation Centre and asked everyone to go along and support them.

Phelim’s beautiful creations were then raffled among the audience with all winners going home extremely happy.

– Maria Nolan

Betty Kavanagh of Smyth’s Arro, Enniscorthy, and Janette Kelly of Blossom Bakes with Janette’s three-piece cake at the recent cake decorating demonstration in Smyth's Arro shop.

Pic: Dwane Doran.

coming all with warm mulled wine and home-baked biscuits.

The audience listened intently as Janette delivered detailed instructions accompanied with hands-on instructions. The completed cake was beautiful and was donated to 'The Hope Foundation' for their Christmas auction.

– Dwane Doran

Christmas at

EVOLV

FOOD AND GIFT FAIR EVERY SATURDAY Janette Kelly of Blossom Bakes demonstrating the art of cake decorating at Smyth's Arro. Pic: Dwane Doran.

Phelim Byrne with Anne Gilpin and Strawberry Queen Linda Barron. Pic: Maria Nolan.

Liam Doyle, Chairman of Enniscorthy Drama, Anne Gilpin, Focal, Gretta Carley, Enniscorthy Drama Group, and Paul O’Reilly, Focal. Pic: Maria Nolan.

Enniscorthy’s Slaney Street is being changed for the month of December as young people of Wexford are going to sell homemade Art and Crafts in pop-up shops there.

Enniscorthy is one of ten UK and Irish towns that will take part in one of Britain and Ireland’s biggest regeneration challenges to help create a new wave of responsible young entrepreneurs, lower unemployment and simultaneously boost local regeneration.

TestTown 2015 will see 10 towns from every corner of the UK and Ireland host an enterprise challenge in their town centre, with each town challenge tailored to local economic needs.

Finalists from each town will then come together to compete in a national final with the winning business awarded the title o f ‘ U K & I re l a n d To w n s Entrepreneur of the Year’ and a £10,000 investment.

Mr. John Carley, the Director of Services of Wexford County Council, welcomed this innovative initiative and stated that the employment of young people in the town centre will be a great benefit to the local economy.

Enniscorthy’s TestTown activity is a training course designed

Taking on The TesT Town challenge for 18-30 year olds in a specific craft (alongside master crafts people) as well as in business skills. Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce is supporting the participants by securing property for the pop-up shops. The aim is to develop business skills, confidence and entrepreneurial skills in these young people so that they may start their own business or become employed in the area.

We would also hope that some of the master craft people might set up shop in some of the vacant premises in the town centre and boost local trading.

Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager, Mr. Padraig O’Gorman stated, “The TestTown 2015 Initiative is an ideal opportunity to examine the regeneration potential of Enniscorthy, this would have specific relevance to the completion of both the Dublin bypass and the flood relief scheme”.

TestTown’s Jim Metcalfe says,

“We are looking forward to monitoring the results of this year’s programme and wish Enniscorthy the very best of luck with their event. We hope that as well as helping local town centres think about innovative ways to boost local trading, we can also encourage our entrepreneurs of tomorrow to make that bold step towards becoming their own boss.”

Example of the shops and the participants include: Liam is a freelance artist who specialises in painting but dabbles in other mediums too. He likes to explore different methods of expression by using unusual and unique materials which give interesting textures to his work. For example he is currently experimenting with tea stains. This course and experience will help him concentrate on honing his skills and building his portfolio.

Gach Lá - a range of crafts for sale, such as Awesome Knitwear

and knitted items, Heavenly Natural Body Products, Boutique Candles, Lavender Products, Mad Pots, Fairy Doors, Handcrafted Jewellery, Patchwork, Wooden gifts, Pottery plus lots more.

Gach Lá is also holding workshops to encourage crafts such as Tee Shirt Painting, Salt Dough Decorations, Salt Dough Jewellery, Decorate your Fairy Door, Make Mr Snowman, Wool Dollies, Pine Cone Figures/Decorations, Christmas Angels and decorations agus a lán rudaí eile. The times and dates of these: www.facebook.com/GachLa. They also plan to hold a number of Therapies sessions such as Reflexology, Food Sensitivity Testing, Reiki/Seichem, Energy Healing, Indian Head Massage, Card Readings and Access Energetic Facelift.

Vouchers for any of the treatments are available in shop. All appointments can be booked on the Facebook page Gach Lá.

The other craft shops range from an ironmonger; to an interactive craft shop where children can make their very own dolls; two Christmas gift shops, a pottery shop and a range of different arts & crafts. n

Slaney Food & Drink & Crafts

www.slaneynews.com

Young Enniscorthy chef, Holly Murphy, will be contributing some of her recipes to the Slaney News over the coming months.

Holly is a culinary arts student in Waterford Institute of Technology and is a passionate chef who believes in honest, good food and wants to share that passion with as many people as possible.

For the past year she has been running her own food blog which in the first month alone received over one thousand views. Visit Holly’s blog at http://hollyskitchenxx.blogspot.ie.

ate p r e v i l n e k c i h c Christmas

ed: You will ne ned butter, softe of  300g l  Olive oi opped lots, finely ch y  Two shal ed and finel el pe , c cloves  Two garli chopped s, trimmed chicken liver  400g of fresh thyme of sprigs of  A couple of brandy l wineglass  One smal  Sea salt k pepper e ground blac dy and leav  Freshly lass of bran f the alcoe eg ac in m w l of al h tnc sm e bu cook of Add a  A pi put half of th of minutes to ers from the heat oven to 110, epan and allow for a couple n liv ke ic Preheat an ch uc e th sa f garlic enproo hol. Remove od processor with the ter into an ov until the butter has sepa fo e rest a th in d itz ad bl , ly . and until smooth , season at to melt slow take about 10 minutes itz bl , ts lo a al in ill ide to blitz and sh rated, this w r and set as ured and continue e. Transfer the arified butte of the butter mac ilky colo of m h nc Strain the cl ng pi ni a ai m d the re r. this step with mekins or clip jars. bowl, discar yellow butte ra tter. ly want the mixture into ly ht ur clarified bu for lig butter, you on pate with yo af olive oil and minle ur of yo ge on p sa to po a es ow N with Heat a tabl lots and garlic for five you can top dge for one al med At this point set in the fri sauté the sh pan. Next add the trim to e av Le h. g is in . rn fry ge ga a sa in d utes oppe night. s and the ch es, te with hour or over chicken liver for a couples of minut icken liver pa . s nk er pi rv liv se e this ch htly to ig e sl lik so I Cook the er i. em to be ev your pate will some crostin you want th ne! n the livers, ok ’t co on w er u ov tmas everyo yo u is If yo texture and Happy Chr in ny ai gr e becom ure. smooth text achieve the

Call 087-2403310 to enquire about advertising on our Food Pages

Delightful Dollies

‘Our Food Matters’ The ’Our Food Matters’ programme began on 9th November in Bunclody.

Food businesses participating in the programme will draw up a two-year business plan which will reflect moving their production to a Food Hub in Bunclody and hiring extra staff to assist with the growth process. They will have a deep understanding

of their business at the end of the 6 weeks, and their business plan will provide them with a roadmap for growth and job creation.

These 15 businesses are now known as the Blackstairs Food Group and are organising a Christmas Fair in Bunclody to invite locals to try, and hopefully buy, their delightful products. n

Call 087-2403310 to enquire about advertising on our Food Pages FOOD

FOCUS

Clonhaston, Enniscorthy Contact Billy at (087) 2749493 Fresh Chicken  Whole Chickens  Fillets  Kievs Maryland  Mexican Wraps  Turkey Breast _____________________________________________________ ParTy Food: Goujons, Wedges, Chips, Cocktail Sausages, Prawns in Filo Pastry, Chicken drumsticks, Mini Spring rolls _____________________________________________________ BarBECuE: SteakBurgers, Chicken Kebabs, Sausages _____________________________________________________

and many more items at wholesale prices ✔ Focus on Quality… ✔ Focus on Service… ✔ Focus on Value…

19

The Bailey Ranked No.1 Restaurant in Enniscorthy

The Bailey – new menus This month The Bailey has introduced two new, exciting and great value menus – a Daytime menu and an Evening one. And with The Bailey being the number one ranked restaurant in Enniscorthy on the prestigious Tripadvisor website there’s no doubting the quality of the food on offer.

For those looking to dine out in December and entertain their children at the same time – The Bailey has a novel offering – a “Complimentary Visit to Santa’s Grotto and a Gift from Santa with every child’s meal purchased” (children’s lunch value minimum €8.95). This offer runs on Sat 12th, Sun 13th, Sat 19th and Sun 20th December from 1-5pm.

Phone 053 92 30353, email info@thebailey.ie or call into The Bailey at any time where a warm welcome awaits you. n

Lions Club Annual Bazaar

Pic: Maria Nolan.

Enniscorthy’s Delightful Dollies Craft Day in Bellefield GAA complex on 18th November. Above: Bride Murphy, Tina Dunne, Maura Delaney and Jennifer Dunne.

Below: Aoife Dunne and Siobhan Fanning of Colaiste Bride.

The ballroom of the Riverside Park Hotel was transformed into an Aladdin’s Cave on Thursday 5th November as over 30 enterprising contributors displayed their amazing talents and their colourful wares at the Lions Club annual Craft Fair.

Always a well attended and most interesting event with participants coming up with new and wonderful ideas for those special little Christmas gifts and this year was no exception with fabulously quirky pots and containers made from recycled tea towels, wine-racks and coat-hangers fashioned from old horseshoes and beautifully scented candles in china cups and saucers to name but a few.

Beautiful pieces of jewellery, hats, scarves, floral centre-pieces, mats, rugs and craft beers completied the shopper’s paradise.

Compliments to the Lions Club for a most enjoyable event and for providing Enniscorthy with its own

mini Christmas Market, which perhaps they might look at expanding into the future and well done to all the hard working and creative entrepreneurs on display.

– Maria Nolan Right: Carmel Murphy and Anne Doyle. Below: Liz and Eoin Tyrrell.

Pic: Maria Nolan.

Pic: Maria Nolan.

20 10 12

Slaney Business & Finance

2 December 2015

Bank of Ireland “At Ours At Yours” An informal Coffee Morning took place at Bank of Ireland, E n n i s c o r t h y, o n 1 9 t h November. The gathering afforded an opportunity to local businesses to network together. The hope is that other businesses would run similar events over the course of the next few months hence the event name – “At Ours At Yours”.

The two senior Bank of Ireland (BOI) personnel present on the day were the local branch manager, Helena Kirwan, a Wexford town native and very much at home in this part of the world. Her colleague, Angela Leigh Doyle, who is Senior Change Manager with BOI, also has substantial local knowledge having been stationed in Enniscorthy for

several years before climbing the corporate ladder in BOI head office in Dublin.

The Enniscorthy branch of BOI is actually the top performing branch in the south east region indicating that the economic recovery that has taken hold nationally has now spread to the Enniscorthy area also.

It is hoped other local businesses will follow the exam-

ple of Enniscorthy BOI and host future coffee mornings where local business people can meet, network and help each other’s businesses.

BOI Enniscorthy will be taking part in the BOI National C u s t o m e r D a y o n 11 t h December with light refreshments on offer. Branch Manager Helena extends a warm invitation to everybody to call in.

New corporate logo Wexford County Council has adopted a new corporate logo to help improve public awareness of Council services and clearly identify those initiatives that are in receipt of the Council’s support.

It is not intended to replace the former Council crest which will remain firmly in place and will continue to be used in publicising Wexford-based projects and as a means of promoting Wexford generally. n

Top award for Enniscorthy solicitors

L-R: Tony Walsh (Business Advisor, Bank of Ireland, Enniscorthy), Cllr James Browne, Eugene Doyle, Angela Leigh Doyle (Senior Change Manager, Bank of Ireland), Barry Sutton, John Burke-O’Leary, Helena Kirwan (Branch Manager, Bank of Ireland, Enniscorthy).

Keeping all boats afloat “A united front – the solution to keeping all boats afloat” – Cllr. Johnny Mythen.

Speaking at an international conference in Waterford in October Cllr Mythen emphasised: "...the importance of unity and solidarity among the fishing villages and fishermen throughout Wexford county and the whole island.

"Fishermen work in a hostile weather-driven environment and deserve to be treated with respect. Local fishermen are in need of support from all of us. For every four jobs at sea there are ten directly or

indirectly on land.

The criminalisation of fishermen and the over zealous penalty point system needs to be overhauled.

"When a skipper and his boat are taken out of commission, the crew members are immediately out of work, and very often the skipper will have huge loans on his boat and possibly tied into his family home as well. This also has a huge effect on the local village, local fishmongers, local restaurants and local processing plants.

"Far more attention is

immediately required from Minister Simon Coveney to fight for fair quotas, and to start paying more heed to this valuable indigenous industry.

"Fish is one of the super foods and is in huge demand across the world. Yet 88% of fish caught in our exclusive economic zone is taken by foreign vessels.

"This is why Sinn Fein is asking fishermen to unite on common ground issues such as landing obligations, taxation, welfare, safety, sustainability, and the collection of scientific data." n

Sinnott & Co. Solicitors Awarded Q6000 for Exceptional Levels of Client Management.

Enniscorthy based law firm, John A. Sinnott & Co. Solicitors has recently been audited by The Institute of Legal Research and Standards and was successful in achieving a ‘gold’ Q6000 legal standards award. The Q6000 is an advanced practice, risk and quality management standard awarded to solicitors’

firms who have demonstrated exceptional levels of client, practice and risk management.

John A. Sinnott & Co. Solicitors excelled in all areas of the rigorous audit and achieved an exceptional overall rating of 99%.

For further information visit www.johnasinnottsolicitors.ie or contact 053 92 33111 or info@johnasinnottsolicitors.ie n

Local authorities to lose almost €22m Sinn Féin Cllr Johnny Mythen and Liadh Ní Riada MEP speaking at the fishing conference in Waterford in October.

Enniscorthy Business Association To continue to promote, support and represent the businesses of Enniscorthy, the EBA needs all local businesses to join up and express their views at the EBA’s regular meetings.

All businesses are welcome. You can get in touch by emailing the EBA at: e.b.a.enniscorthy@gmail.com or contacting the Slaney News 087-2403310,

slaneynews@gmail.com n

Wexford Fianna Fáil General Election candidate Cllr Malcolm Byrne has called upon the government to urgently reform the system for valuation of local commercial premises as it was revealed that a recent revaluation by the Valuation Office will cost local Councils almost €22m in lost revenue in 2016.

Cllr Byrne explained, “Recently, the Valuation Commissioners revalued the properties owned by public utilities, such as the ESB, An Post and Eir as well as telecom providers such as Vodafone and 3, for the purposes of paying commercial rates in each local authority. The revaluations were notified to local authorities in some cases where the authorities had already decided on their 2016 budgets.

“It beggars belief that the local rates for these major organisations will be substantially reduced on the basis of the

( %'

Cllr Malcolm Byrne

Commission’s decision to revalue their properties – while at the same time leaving a yawning €22 million deficit in the budgets of local authorities – while Property Rate Valuations for small and struggling commercial businesses continue to be based on inflated pre-crash property values.

Cllr Byrne pointed out that Wexford County Council will potentially lose about €600,000 as a result of this decision. n

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Slaney Business & Finance

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Enniscorthy Gift Vouchers

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ENNISCORTHY & DISTRICT CHAMBER CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAY COMPETITION

Twenty Euro

20

€

20

Enniscorthy Gift Voucher

€ Sold by:

Issued by:

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Date:

This voucher can be used to purchase goods and services from participating businesses in Enniscorthy. It cannot be cashed.

Date:

ENNISCORTHY CREDIT UNION

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IN BUSINESS FOR BUSINESS

E N N€I10S C O RT H Y G I F T and are on sale in four outlets: V O u C H E R S – t h e i d e a l Enniscorthy Credit Union, Christmas gift which also sup-Enniscorthy Byrne’s Bookshop, Waterfront € Gift Voucher ports employment in local Leisure Centre and FrizelleIssued by: Date: A list of parbusinesses.

O'Leary Solicitors.

This one voucher works in ticipating shops and businesses over 70 shops and businesses can be found on www.ennisin Enniscorthy. The vouchers are corthychamber.ie/services/enni in €10 and €20 denominations scorthy-gift-vouchers/ n

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Ten Euro

10

Sold by:

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This voucher can be used to purchase goods and services from participating businesses in Enniscorthy. It cannot be cashed.

Date:

ENNISCORTHY CREDIT UNION

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IN BUSINESS FOR BUSINESS

Extract from letter from Chamber President John O’Leary…

BuSINESS SpEEd daTINg 7th of December at the Riverside Park Hotel 7pm to 9pm.

Learn how to design an elevator pitch and meet businesses from all four Chambers in the county, Wexford, New Ross, Gorey and Enniscorthy. This is a great opportunity to grow your business. n

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Happy Christmas to all our clients, staff and friends

Cllr Browne accuses the Government and IDA of abandoning Co. Wexford “The IDA has carried out only one sponsored site visit in Wexford this year to date, the second lowest in the country, it can be revealed.” This information was contained in a reply to a Dáil question put to Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton.

“Following on from the revelation that there were no IDA sponsored site visits to County Wexford last year, this is continued proof that the IDA has no interest in County Wexford and is incriminating evidence of this government's lack of commitment to the people of Wexford. These figures can be compared with County Louth, for example, which has had 18 site visits in the last two years.”

“While the government is ever busy making announcements there is little evidence of anything happening on the ground. The Wexford Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) released this summer highlighted that County Wexford continues to suffer

Cllr James Browne

high levels of unemployment, high dependence on small business, low take-up of second and third level education and social deprivation. In short We x f o rd i s a n e c o n o m i c blackspot and the government continues to do little to help.”

Cllr Browne is calling on the Government to provide a specific economic support plan for County Wexford. Cllr Browne also believes that County Wexford is losing out by being part of the South East IDA region and would fare better if there was a re-alignment of the IDA to include Wexford as part of a greater Dublin IDA region. n

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2 December 2015

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It’s December and like every year it’s time to remind everyone of the plight of animals being given as gifts for Christmas. If you are thinking of giving a pet as a gift take into consideration the time, cost and effort that goes into training, veterinary fees, food, boarding, and grooming with a dog typically living for 10-15 years. When you’ve thought that through, if you are thinking about a dog, make sure you choose one that suits your home and your family. Please adopt a dog instead of buying, there are rescues all over the country with many different breeds, from cross-breeds to full-breed, big and small, young and old. If they don’t have what you want they will be more than happy to help you find one that suits you.

This year saw new microchipping laws introduced so keep in mind that any dog transferred from one person to another must be microchipped and the microchip number transferred to the new owner. This is a legal requirement and applies to all pups leaving their place of birth. This applies to everybody including rescues but more importantly breeders, not only are they breaking the law by not microchipping but you are breaking the law for not insisting on one and it is not enough to get one later.

This month some of the dogs available for adoption from ‘facebook.com/NetworkDogRescue’ are: Nibs – the four-month-old Pointer cross Jack – the Jack Russell who’s about 18 months old Tia – the 3-month-old Pom cross.

Contact Shelly on 087-6105480.

Thanks to Slaney News, 3 dogs were rehomed as a direct result of last month’s publication.

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Slaney News

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23

Cherish the Children

pET appRovEd

VET DIARY FOR DEC. with the Moyne Veterinary Clinic

This month, Joe Kavanagh looks at a very topical issue this time of year.

A DOG IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS - WE'VE HEARD

“Cherish the Children” is a New Year’s Day concert to commence this county’s 1916 commemorative programme with a newly composed piece of music.

As part of Wexford County Council’s contribution to the national centenary programme, its Arts Department commissioned composer Liam Bates to write a piece of music to commemorate 1916. After much research, Liam took his inspiration from the passage of the 1916 Proclamation “cherishing all children of the nation equally.” The result is a newly composed choral piece called “Child of Creation” which celebrates the spirit and wonder

of childhood in 2016. This new work will have its debut performance at a concert in St Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, on New Year’s Day, Friday 1st January, starting at 4pm.

The concert, entitled “Cherish the Children,” will be performed by children’s choirs from Co. Wexford and the renowned Musici Ireland orchestra, conducted by Liam Bates.

Tickets are on sale from Enniscorthy Municipal District Office in Market Square. Phone: 053 9233540. Tickets cost €10, with family options available for two adults and two children at €25 and for two adults and three children at €30. n

Ms Breda Cahill is to run as an Independent candidate for the Wexford Constituency in the forthcoming General Election.

The returned emigrant and Bree native, who spent 27 years in America, formally announced her candidature on Monday, November 9th.

It's that time of year again, Christmas is growing close. It's a magical time of the year and everyone is buzzed up on either what they are getting or what they are giving to their loved ones.

Mick against own pay rise

The old chestnut of giving a puppy for a present is a contentious one with lots of vets. The one thing that pups do is grow. Depending on what breed of pup they can grow and grow and grow. They can outgrow the back hall, the back garden and sometimes then they outgrow the budget to manage them.

Mick Wallace says he couldn’t in good conscience vote to give himself a pay rise while lower paid civil servants continue to struggle to pay their bills and 22% of the workforce in Co. Wexford remains unemployed.

The outspoken Independent TD said he voted against a Government Bill to lift the pay freeze off public sector workers last week. He said his conscience wouldn’t allow him vote to give himself, his fellow TDs and other civil ser-

A classic example is the husky pups. This breed of dog was bred to pull sledges in the Artic Circle in possibly minus 30-40 degrees. The sledges they are pulling are 150-200lbs and so they have a huge amount of energy that needs to be burned off… EVERY DAY!! Taking them for a long walk one or two days a week doesn't do it for them. They often end up with either digestive or behavioural problems from mind-numbing boredom.

If you're thinking of getting a dog for Christmas why not visit the local pound.

There are lots of beautiful dogs of all sizes that will be only too willing to fit into a new home. They're often adults so are house-trained and leading. It's so easy now to learn about these dogs between facebook, websites etc, or a visit to one of these centres.

Showing the Christmas spirit should be about giving people the benefit of the doubt.... We can extend that to the little furry friends too. The perfect pet is there awaiting you and all you have to do is click! In my experience these are the best pets, low maintenance and most appreciative of a new start. Start Christmas early.

I would also like to thank all our many clients for their valued custom during the year. I am grateful to the Slaney News team too for the opportunity to write our articles and to you the readers for your support and comments.

May you have have a Wonderful Christmas and Magical New Year from all at the Moyne Veterinary Clinic. 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

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

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

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

vants earning over €70,000 a year, a substantial pay increase while lower paid public service workers were left with a few measly crumbs. He said “make no mistake, the people who benefit most from this bill are higher paid public sector workers while junior public sector staff such as nurses, teachers and Gardai, especially new recruits, will see practically no difference in their take home pay.”

Wallace went on to say, “The Government implemented

these cuts and attacks on civil service workers in the first place and now they’re disproportionately reversing the cuts and this will benefit the better paid and better well-off in society.”

Wallace said he would have no problem supporting public sector pay increases if they targeted those on lower incomes, but the Government disguised this bill as a Public Sector pay increase when in actual fact they are feeding inequality, lining their own pockets and trying to buy votes on the cheap. n

St Aidan’s Parish news…

ST. AIDAN'S CATHEDRAL PARISH PILGRIMAGE 2015 30 pilgrims from the Parish of St. Aidan's, and from surrounding areas,travelled to Rome and Assisi on the Parish pilgrimage at the end of October. The group, accompanied by Spiritual Director Fr. Billy Swan, spent 3 days in the Eternal city of Rome and 2 days in beautiful Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis.

The ultra busyness of Rome combined with the relaxed, peaceful ambience of Assisi proved to be a perfect contrast for the pilgrimage. Among places visited i n R o m e w e re t h e Va t i c a n Museums, the Irish College, the tomb of Saint John Paul II, the Colosseum, and the basilicas of St Peter's, St. Mary Major, St. John Latern and St. Paul outside the walls.

The highlight of the trip was being in the presence of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square for the Papal Audience. The atmosphere was electric, as people from all over the world gathered together to share their faith and while there we met students and teachers from Colaiste Bride in Enniscorthy.

Having lived in Rome for ten years, Fr. Billy had amazing knowledge to share with the group about this beautiful city and

Dermot Davis and Frank O'Connor in St. Peter's Square, Rome.

it brought the whole visit there so much alive for everyone. His ability to speak Italian was of course a great benefit – especially at meal times!!!

Assisi is most definitely the city of Peace. Peace emanates from this beautiful place. We visited the tomb of St. Clare and we celebrated Mass at the tomb of St. Francis on the final day of the pilgrimage. This was indeed a special blessing. Family, friends and fellow parishoners were all remembered there in our thoughts and prayers. Many thanks to Liam O'Leary (O'Leary Travel) and staff for looking after all our travel arrangements and for the care and the efficiency with which they did that at all times.

To advertise in Slaneynews please call the Hotline 087-2403310

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES 24th Dec - 6pm vigil Mass 24th Dec- 9pm vigil Mass 25th Dec - 9.30am 25th Dec -11am.

PASTORAL COuNCIL Election of officers: Dervla Tierney was elected Chairperson. Mary Murphy will continue her role as Secretary for another term.

Aine Doyle took up position as Vice-Secretary after having served two terms as Chairperson. Patricia McNally was elected for the new Public Relations Officer role.

Many thanks go to Aine Doyle for the dedication and efficiency with which she carried out her role as Chairperson for the past two terms.

– Patricia McNally

24

Slaney History

2 December 2015

www.slaneynews.com

If a picture tells a thousand words…

Ibar Carty chronicles the 20th century in Enniscorthy & beyond Ibar carty has opened up his vast photo archives to the Slaney News.

In this 54th of a series, Ibar shares more photos taken in the 1920s/1930s.

If you can identify any of the people featured in these photos, the Slaney News and Ibar would be delighted to hear from you at slaneynews@gmail.com. thank you.

Volunteers AFC, 1924. Copyright © Ibar Carty.

P.A. Crane Collection.

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!

And don’t forget: IbAr specIAlIses In recopyIng And restorIng old photos. cAll In Any tIme for more InformAtIon. Left: Gaelic League 1931. Copyright © Ibar Carty.

P.A. Crane Collection.

A local contributor looks at life today in Enniscorthy and beyond Pic: ©Joseph Doyle

View from the Hill CHristmas already It’s hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us again. As we get older each year seems to be shorter. But then again seeing that since the 1st of November we have been inundated with Christmas advertisements on television and radio followed by retailers who are forced in the interests of commerce to follow, I suppose each year is now only 11 months rather than 12. Having said that it is important to remember that at this time of year we must do our best to support our local retailers. They are the lifeblood of our local economy who keep the town and district

alive through the employment they give and the spinoff effect of that.

Many people nowadays shop online and consider that this is a cool way to do things. All very fine until you order something which for whatever reason doesn’t suit your needs. I know that reputable online companies will change or refund in such cases but think of the hassle. Isn’t it far easier to walk into your local retailer and make a purchase in the knowledge that if it isn’t suitable all you need do is bring it back. That’s how I operate anyway and have never had a problem. Hopefully many others will do likewise.

insuranCe Claims It’s good to see the courts and insurance companies clamping down on insurance fraud. The idea that scams to get money from the insurance companies hurts nobody is a false one. The rest of us have to pay through the nose for our cover because of these scam merchants. All insurances have increased lately with particular savage increases in car insurance. While I fully accept that this is because of the many scams and indeed massive court awards in car accident insurance cases there is another aspect to this.

The insurance companies spend millions each year investigating claims to ensure that they are not fraudulent and rightly so. But I wonder how much investigation goes into the garage repair side of the business. Why is it that when you bring a damaged vehicle into a garage to be repaired the first question asked is, “Is this an insurance job”?

Why is this question asked?

Logically if it is going to cost a certain figure to repair the vehicle why at the point of seeking a quotation is the question put.

Certainly when the quotation is accepted by the customer it is only right and proper that the query should be made. Then if it

“Why is it that when you bring a damaged vehicle into a garage to be repaired the first question asked is, ‘Is this an insurance job?’”

is an “insurance job” the paperwork can be completed and work can begin. If it is a private transaction the garage may require a deposit or proof of funds from the customer.

Where the real issue arises is the different quotes which one receives, the insurance quote is sometimes multiples of the private transaction one. This is where investigations should also be directed with a mystery shopper sent around to these establishments with a damaged vehicle to see what happens. And lads don’t say that this doesn’t happen because it is, and has been, rife for decades. rates Harmonisation The real effect of the abolition of our town councils is now begin-

ning to emerge. At the time of the proposal to wipe out the town councils this column warned that one of the significant consequences would be an increase in commercial rates. “Oh of course not”, we were told. That won’t necessarily follow. But it has and what we have seen, which is an increase of 2% plus, is only the beginning. The bottom line is that town businesses which, as mentioned above, are the engines which drive local economies, have lost their representation.

This was borne out when Wexford County Council, which has 34 members, voted to introduce this harmonisation with only one dissenting voice. Typical, no sooner has the economy begun to ever so slightly improve and the boys and girls in our €42m County Hall decide to grab a share of it. I wonder what extra services the council will give to the towns for this increase. That’ll be a difficult one to figure.

WeatHer So far, as I write, at least the weather has been reasonably benign for the time of year. A couple of storms but no great frost or snow. Reading some of the newspapers it is annoying to note that year after year they churn out

the same old garbage about horrific snowstorms, ice, frost and floods. Most years it doesn’t materialise and we get a usual Irish mild and damp winter. I suspect that from now to the end of February nothing really unusual will happen other than maybe a few flurries of snow somewhere over a mountain in Donegal.

Then the self same newspapers can write again about the drought and heatwave which will engulf us all during summer 2016. On the other hand if Frank Corcoran is trying to have this paper distributed through a foot of snow in the first week of December I’ll feel a right gombeen.

Happy CHristmas I have deliberately not returned to the General Election in this December column so as to give readers a break from it. We will return to that subject in January next. In the meantime may I wish all readers of the column and Slaney News a Happy Christmas and Good New Year and I look forward to being with you again in 2016. n We are often asked: Who is the “View from the Hill” columnist? All we can say is that the author’s surname is NOT Doyle!

Slaney Around the Region

www.slaneynews.com

BUNCLODY… BunClody liBrary Thurs 10 Dec at 3.00pm: adult Christmas Craft Class. Would you like to get in to the spirit of Christmas? Book your place and spend the afternoon at our Christmas Craft session with Yvonne making a Christmas wreath with a difference!

Sat 12 Dec at 2.30pm: Book to screen film for adults - contact the Library for further details.

Tues 15 Dec at 11.00am: adult Christmas Craft Class. Would you enjoy a morning crafting with friends? Book your place at our Christmas Craft session with Yvonne making some Christmas Cards.

Sat 19 Dec from 2.30pm to 3.50pm: Book to screen film for Children – contact the Library for further details. regular adult events: Adult Reading Circle - Next meeting Fri 4 Dec at 11am.

“Drop of Ink” Creative Writing Group - Next meeting Thur 10 Dec at 7pm.

Computer Classes have resumed.

If you wish to be considered for future classes, please contact Bunclody Library. regular Children’s events: Toddler Story Time - Fridays at 12-12.30pm.

Junior Book Club - Next meeting Thurs 17 Dec at 4pm.

Children’s Craft classes with mandy continue weekly on Fridays: mornings from 11.15am12.00pm for ages 3-5 yrs and afternoons from 3.15pm -4.00pm for 6-9 yrs.

Booking essential for all events. tel: 053 9375466. For a full listing of events see Bunclody Library’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Bu nclodyLibrary/events where you can sign up for our monthly what’s on e-newsletter. Also see our website: http://www.wex-

ford.ie/wex/Departments/Libra ry/WhatsOn/ slaney Country market Open every Saturday from 10am to 1pm in St. Aidan’s Hall, Irish Street, Bunclody. Tea and coffee, local produce, baking and crafts. st VinCent de paul Local Confidential helpline 0873696883. There is a newspaper recycling bin beside SuperValu in aid of S.V.P. artBank BunClody Upcoming Art Workshops: Weds 2nd Dec 7:00pm–9:00pm working with Craig Dutton, fundamentals of photography.

Thurs 3rd Dec 7:00pm–9:00pm working with John Renwick Painter/Sculptor.

Cost of each workshop €10.

Main Gallery: Rounds Exhibition

by Wexford & Bunclody Artists.

Exhibition: Josephine Grant solo exhibition from Fri 27th Nov to F r i d a y 1 8 t h D e c f ro m 2:00pm–6:00pm. n

RURAL CRIME paul Williams attends WHite mountain Community alert the White mountain Community alert meeting was held on Friday 27th november in templeudigan hall. Joe Fallon headed the meeting with sergeant eddie Wilde from new ross Garda station and the well known crime reporter paul Williams.

The Templeudigan text alert system was set up in 2009, is one of the first in the country and is the blueprint for many other community text alert schemes.

Guest speakers from St Mullins and Killanne also gave speeches telling of how they modeled their own systems on the Templeudigan scheme.

Sergeant Wilde confirmed that starting in 2016 there will be regular meetings in the hall on Saturday mornings allowing

CAIM We at Caim Vintage Club appreciate the support you give us during the year and it is very much appreciated by all.

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Caim Vintage Club have had their annual get together and have given c h e q u e s t o We x f o r d Hospice Homecare €3,600 and Caim Senior Citizens Day Out €500.

We thank everyone who supported and volunteered for our days and special thanks to all the clubs who support us every year.

We want to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a joyful and prosperous New Year.

– Kieran Barnes Caim Vintage Club

Paul Williams (centre) with Joe Fallon and Sergeant Eddie Wilde.

Pic: Dwane Doran.

the local community a chance to meet with the Gardai in a more personal setting to voice their concerns or report crimes etc.

Paul Williams took the mic to express his concerns on the volume of crime occurring in rural areas in present times all o v e r I re l a n d . H e p r a i s e d Templeudigan for the work they have done saying the ‘policing paradigm’ is changing, and with the country's police, fire, and medical services stretched to breaking point it was imperative that communities come together to work with the Gardai and each other in the fight against crime.

The meeting highlighted the importance of community alert and how well it has been working to date.

– Dwane Doran BroWne WelComes neW F.F. Bill to taCkle Crime The Fianna Fáil Bill, introduced in the Dáil last month, would involve setting up CCTV cameras at all major road junctions in order to assist Gardai in iden-

tifying and apprehending criminal gangs using the motorway network. It will be debated in the Dáil in the coming months but requires Government support for it to come into law.

Fianna Fáil Dáil candidate for Wexford Cllr James Browne explained, “Communities across Wexford have been hit by a spike in crime over the past year. Many of these robberies are being carried out by organised gangs who tour the country and mark out areas to target.

These gangs are travelling from the bigger towns and cities, using the motorway network as an easy access route. We need to ensure that greater protection measures are put in place to guard against these targeted attacks and these proposals will go a long way to achieving that.

“The Wexford division has suffered a huge depletion in Garda numbers over the past four years…

Nationally there has been an 8% increase in crime levels, and the fear levels in communities across Wexford are rising as well. This Bill is one step on the road to addressing this.” n

RATHNURE… There May Be More Trouble Yet is the title of a new book launched on tuesday evening 17th november at enniscorthy library by Jeremy Hill.

The exciting publication is a ‘contemporaneous account

of events over a 10 day period during the 1916 Rising in Dublin and Enniscorthy’. The Journal account written by Goddard H. Orpen of Monksgrange is an important historical source according to County Archivist

Grainne Doran as it represents an ‘alternative’ viewpoint to other extant accounts of the Rising.

Written from the perspective of a member of the local gentry, it richly documents

Jeremy Hill with his grandchildren Islay and Henry Seebauch and members of the Blackburn family – Anne Butler, John Reilly, Nancy Reilly, Ellen Lennon, Jim Blackburn and Margaret Binnions. Pic: Maria Nolan.

how events both inside and outside the county during this turbulent period indirectly impacted on a family that found themselves isolated and vulnerable to the threat of attack.

The Journal forms part of the extensive estate and family paper archive now being structured and catalogued at Monksgrange Archives and Wexford County Council and Wexford County Archive are delighted to be associated with this wonderful collection Grainne enthused.

Jeremy Hill said that his great grandfather’s 1916 journal is ‘a personal account written for private purposes and distribution among family members, some of them living in England. It is not an historical essay in any scholarly sense yet it vividly illustrates how stoicism triumphed over anxiety for life and limb and how political and social differences were forsworn in the need for day to day survival’.

Jeremy and Rosemary Hill with Librarian Jarlath Glynn (left) and County Archivist Grainne Doran (right). Pic: Maria Nolan.

Jeremy went on to thank all for coming to the Library, particularly the descendents of Jamsie Blackburn who worked at Monksgrange in 1916 and is featured in the book. Jeremy said that a bond had been forged with Monksgrange and the Blackburn family over the generations with some of them still working there to this day.

Monksgrange and its occupants have survived the 1798 Rebellion, the Land Wars of the 19th Century, a small house fire in 1907, the 1916 Rising,

the War of Independence and the Civil War. The families of the eighth, ninth and tenth generation descendants of Goddard and Anne Richards, the first to live beneath its roof, still live there today as it approaches its 250th birthday.

This most interesting piece of local history by Goddard Orpen begins with a transcript on Tues 25th April and ends with the sentiment on Thurs 4th May – There may be more trouble yet. And how right he was!

– Maria Nolan

26

Slaney Sport & Leisure

2 December 2015

www.slaneynews.com

Wexford’s Scallan Motorsport – GpR National Champion Graham and tomas scallan have clinched the first ever irish Group r national title after a wonderful season in their mitsubishi evo X. Having enjoyed a superb season, dominating the class and often running well inside the top ten overall, the crew entered the season-ending Fastnet Rally hoping to add to their tally of 6 wins from 7 outings and also confident of claiming another top ten result overall. After an excellent recce on Saturday, the team were looking forward to Sunday. Sunday morning was

wet, but having gone well in wet conditions all year, this did nothing to curb their enthusiasm for the day ahead.

Unfortunately, fate was to strike a cruel blow to the Wexford duo, as the turbo failed just 6km into the first stage – ending the rally.

Immediate retirement was disappointing but the team had done enough to clinch the first ever National Group R Championship after a wonderful season.

Birr – 1st in Class Midlands – 1st in Class Monaghan – 1st in Class

Circuit Of Munster – 1st in Class Sligo Stages - 1st in Class.

According to Graham Scallan: “Winning a championship is not all to do with racing. Its tactical planning, struggling, effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up. Thank you to all our sponsors and everyone who helped, it has been a wonderful year and a special thanks to Killian Duffy "On The Limit Notes" for providing top quality notes all year.

Top job and highly recommended!” n

GAA Centre of Excellence - Ferns on 11th october the Halo tiles & Bathrooms Wexford Gaa Centre of excellence was opened in Ferns by the president of the Gaa aogán Ó Fearghail in the presence of Bishop denis Brennan and other dignitaries.

Bishop Denis Brennan and other guests at the offcial opening in October of the Halo Tiles & Bathrooms Wexford GAA Centre of Excellence.

Junior A hurling champions

L-R: Laura McMenamin (Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, Graham Scallan, Tomas Scallan, Richard Talbot (Irish Tarmac Rally Championship).

Enniscorthy ladies golf news…

Mixed fortunes can describe the weather conditions over the past weeks and the Tuesday golf competitions were a hit-andmiss affair as some had to be cancelled for the above reason. stableford competition, 20th october: First: Marie Duggan (17) 41 pts.

Second: Ciara Sharkey (5) 37pts (back 9)!

Third: Vera Garry (23) 37pts.

24th november: First: Teresa Bailey (15) 33 pts.

Second: Helene Daly (27) 32 pts.

Third: Vera Garry (23) 37 pts. ongoing nine Hole, 23.

First: Dorothy Kenny (21) 20 pts.

Second: Teresa Bailey (15) 18 pts.

Third: Kay Ryan (31) 17pts.

The Jill Leo match-play competition had a thrilling finale with Patricia Cullen and Helen D'Eathe going head to head, Patricia being eventual winner.

Equally exciting was the finale of the club Match-play competition which saw Dorothy Kenny and Mary O'Shea play a thrilling final hole with Mary scooping the final victory. Congratulations to all who took part and especially to the winners, Patricia Cullen and Mary O'Shea.

Two important dates for the diary are the Ladies' Christmas Dinner for members on 5th December. This is a night not to be missed with meal, entertainment and spot prizes. Don't forget to put your name on the list in the locker room. Festivities kick off at 7.30pm, tickets are €20 and include a glass of wine on the night. Ho! Ho! Ho! Following closely on its heels is the ladies' AGM on Weds 9th Dec. Lady members are strongly advised to attend to help shape the club for the coming year and to meet the members of the incoming committee. The list of nominations is still available in the locker room.

Our Junior Cup team was greatly honoured by an invitation from the Cathaoirleach and members of the Enniscorthy Municipal District, Wexford County Council, to a civic reception on 1st December where their marvellous All-Ireland win was celebrated. Others attending included Oulart Camogie team and C.B.S. Public Speaking team who also achieved great success in the course of the year. Many congratulations to all. n

Congrats to Oulart-The Ballagh Leinster Club Hurling Champions!

Congratulations to Davidstown-Courtnacuddy on winning the EEW Junior A Hurling title in October at Innovate Wexford Park.

The team is trained by local man, Tony Dempsey. Pic: Declan Roche.

This space can be yours for just €30+VAT Tel: 087-2403310

Slaney Motoring

www.slaneynews.com

Caroline gets motoring renaulT kadjar revIew

by Caroline Kidd

the kadjar is renault’s new large crossover and shares a platform with the popular nissan Qashqai. But rather than just producing a Qashqai clone, renault has tried to give kadjar its own individual identity. For a start, the kadjar blends a rugged suV look with the chunky curves we’ve seen already on renault’s smaller c r o s s o v e r, t h e C a p t u r (reviewed previously on these pages).

Inside the Kadjar, it’s all very pleasant and comfortable with seating for five and a large boot that’s easy to access and load. The quality of the cabin is very good with lots of soft touch plastics and a simple and uncluttered design.

Equipment levels are good and entry level Expression + models get a digital driver information display, Bluetooth, cruise control, four electric windows, electronic parking brake, air con and fog lights.

But you will need to step up to Dynamique Nav trim for alloy wheels and a very good touchscreen system for infotainment and navigation.

On the road, the Kadjar is really comfortable and feels like it’s just gliding along the

every month Bunclody native Caroline kidd brings you the best from the world of motoring, including car reviews, news and more. Caroline is a member of the irish motoring Writers’ association (imWa) and a jury member for irish Car of the year. you can follow her blog Changing lanes at www.changinglanes.ie.

congratulations caroline!

We are delighted to be able to tell readers of the Slaney News that Caroline has been accepted as a new member of the irish motoring Writers’ association (imWa). the imWa consists of sixteen motoring writers who work across the online and print media in ireland, and members vote annually for irish Car of the year and irish Van of the year. Caroline is looking forward to being part of the jury for next year’s awards.

N

Renault Kadjar road. All the same, the handling and steering are sharp enough to give you quite a sporty drive when you get off the motorways. In town it feels relatively agile for its size and it’s easy to control it to get in and around those tight spots.

If you’re more of an urban driver, there’s a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine producing 130bhp. If it’s diesel you’re after, you could go for the 1.6 diesel with 130bhp, which feels really powerful and refined, and also gives you the

option of four wheel drive. But the most economical of the bunch is the 1.5 diesel with 110bhp, returning up to 74mpg.

Even more appealing is the price. The range starts at just shy of €25,000 for the petrol powered Kadjar in entry level Expression + trim.

Diesel models start at €26,790.

The Renault Kadjar has been one of the biggest surprise cars for me all year. It blends effortlessly the easy driving quality and refinement of a hatchback, the size,

practicality and comfort of a five seat MPV, and the coolness and desirability of an SUV. There really is very little to complain about. It’s the ultimate family car reloaded with a French twist.

Model Tested: Renault Kadjar dCi 130 Dynamique Nav Price: €29,490 Engine: 1.6-litre diesel Power: 130bhp 0-100km/h: 9.9 seconds Economy: 65.7mpg CO2 Emissions: 113g/km Motor Tax: €200 per year n

Irish Car Of The Year 2016

Learn Learn ttoo ddrive rive wwith ith IIsaac saac Wheelock Wheelock ADI ADI F34469 F34469 essons EEnniscorthy, n n isco r t h y, W exford & GGorey. or ey.

LLessons Wexford EDT EDT lessons. lessons. RRefresher efresher ccourses ourses aand nd pparking arking lessons. le s s o n s .

Intensive Intensive ccourses. ourses. Car Car available available for for test. te st.

Gift Gift VVouchers ouchers for for all all occasions. o cca s io n s .

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auto rEpair Enniscorthy

NCT Preparation – Repairs – Timing Belts Clutches – General Servicing – Etc No job too big or too small NCRS, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy (opposite Cooney Furlong / Gala) Tel: 086-8299431 – 053 9233033 – Email: ncrallying@yahoo.ie

by Caroline Kidd

on Friday 20th november, the irish motoring Writers’ association (imWa) and guests gathered in dublin to announce the winners of the Continental irish Car of t h e ye a r 2 0 1 6 a w a r d s . rosemary smith, ex-rally driver, announced our overall winner for irish Car of the year 2016…the Ford mondeo!

The category winners were as follows: Irish Small Car Of The Year – Opel Corsa.

Irish Compact Family Car Of The Year – Honda HR-V. Irish Medium Car Of The Year – Ford Mondeo.

Irish Large Car Of The Year – Kia Sorento.

Irish Executive Car Of The Year – Volvo XC90.

Irish Performance/Sport Car Of The Year – Audi TT. The Irish Motoring Writers’ Association judges awarded

27

this space can be yours for just €70+Vat

Ford Mondeo points on the basis of criteria ranging from design, comfort, safety, economy, handling and performance, as well as driver satisfaction, value for money and technical innovation. The awards are in their 39th year.

J o h n G a l v i n , I M WA Chairman said: “The Irish

motoring writers have selected an exciting model and no doubt the 2016 Irish Car of the Year accolade will provide a huge boost to the popularity of the Ford Mondeo in the Irish market, particularly in the context of the current competitive economic environment.”

The Ford Mondeo succeeds the Nissan Qashqai, which took the title last year.

I had the privilege to drive the Ford Mondeo earlier in the year in both estate and hatchback form and I think it’s a worthy winner of the prestigious title of Irish Car Of The Year 2016. n

tel: 087-2403310

28

Slaney News

DiArY DATeS

ennisCortHy eye a column by Joseph Doyle

CHriSTMAS SHOPPiNg if, like me, you’re a last minute person you will find yourself running around at 5 o’clock on Christmas eve getting last minute shopping. i’m the world’s worst for going Christmas shopping. i find myself wandering in and out of shops and not getting anything at all, but here are a few gift ideas for you to consider if you are a last minute person like me… the Gaiety panto: For all the family – a trip to Dublin to see one of Ireland’s longest-running pantomimes which has been running since 1979. This year’s offering of “he’s behind you” or “oh yes I can” is Little Red Riding Hood and the big bad wolf – Oh what big eyes you have , all the better to see you…

Booking online or from the Gaiety box office 0818-719388 running from now until 10 January 2016. the Cheerios panto: Takes place in the Tivoli Theatre and is written by Karl Broderick and stars Alan Hughes as Sammy Sausages, Rob Murphy as Buffy, Seamus Power (Dermot in ‘Fair City’) and Michele McGrath as Belle. This was a great night out last year. elf on the shelf: Great if the kids are misbehaving, these act

as Santa’s spies and have names like Frank, Tricky, Jingles and Buddy. You put them in a different place around the house and leave notes for Santa like he could be on top of the fridge and the note could say – did you do the dishes or your homework? a fairy door: This is the same idea but you hide the key and if it’s missing then there’s fairies in your house.

Brooklyn photo Book: This beautiful book by Cathy Keane which tracks the production in Enniscorthy of the Oscar-tipped movie would make a great Christmas present. local Calendars: A young student from the CBS in Enniscorthy, Seighin Murphy, as part of his mini-company project has come up with a 1916 themed calendar entitled “Enniscorthy a town to be proud of”. Priced at €6 or two for a tenner it makes a great Christmas gift. It’s on sale in Stamps Pub. Another local calendar is by Mrs Sinnott and is entitled “Wildlife from my Garden”. All proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s unit and is priced at €10.

Just a few gift ideas for you this Christmas.

– Joseph Doyle

WeDDiNg DreSS BAll!

Claire Merrigan enjoying the ball.

the amber springs hotel in Gorey is used to rolling out the red carpet for brides on their big day but not for as many as over 160 brides at once, plus their husbands and guests, as they assembled at the hotel for the inaugural Wedding dress Ball for Cystic Fibrosis ireland.

The event was a huge suc-

cess with over 200 white wedding gowns on display and the brides got to wear their wedding dress for another day. The event was the brainchild of Claire Merrigan the Wexford Branch Secretary and her friend.

The night started with a video of children who suffer from cystic fibrosis and the pictures were accompanied by a song by One Republic called I Lived. The video features an American man in his 30s who suffers from this disease.

The guests were treated to a sit-down, full wedding dinner and danced to a full wedding band.

The cost was €50 and there was a silent auction for a signed Leinster jersey, a rugby ball, plus a specially designed bridal gown plus some Conor McGregor gear up for grabs. The total amount raised was €6,000 so well done to all involved and roll on the next one!

– Joseph Doyle

Divas in Concert

Congratulations to local man of the arts, Donal Cullen, on hosting a successful evening of music last month in Enniscorthy Castle featuring Enniscorthy’s finest female singers, with all proceeds going to St Patrick’s Special School.

emerged from the church as man and wife to be greeted by Santa, his elves, Mrs Claus, and Mickey and Minnie plus twelve Disney princesses and Anna and Elsa and Cinderella! It’s not every bride can say she had Santa and his entourage at her big day.

– Joseph Doyle

Niamh Murphy (singer)

Ann Doyle and Don Conroy enjoying the show.

Pic n’ Mix the performing arts music plC students of enniscorthy Vocational College will be performing a live gig on the 4th december 2015. this is a major part of completing modules on the course. the gig will take place in the Bailey downstairs. doors will open at 7:30pm.

The students have been working hard on this to make it an event not to be missed, per-

forming a variety of genres and songs dating from the 50’s right to present day including covers by artists from Ed Sheeran, AC/DC, James Bay, etc. Check out their Facebook page for all the details: “Performing Arts Students of Enniscorthy Vocational College”. You can also view some small clips of rehearsals.

On the night there will be a late bar extension with a DJ set after the live gig. Limited tickets available so make sure you get yours early to avoid disappointment. Lines will also be sold for the opportunity to win the raffle prizes on the night.

If you require further information see Facebook page “Performing Arts Students of Enniscorthy Vocational College”.

Tickets available from the PLC office for €5 or from any of the Performing Arts Music Students.

All proceeds will be used to fund new equipment for the course. n

29th nov–23rd dec: Santa’s Enchanted Castle. Enniscorthy Castle. See details pages 4 and 14.

Weds 2nd dec: Enniscorthy Historic & Re-enactment Society AGM in Holohans.

4th–6th dec: Christmas Craft & Gift Fair. IFA Centre. See page 14 for details.

Fri 4th dec: Prohibition Party Night in Holohans. Fancy dress. Live music.

Fri 4th dec: Open Mic Night in The Presentation Centre. Presented by Focal. sat 5th dec: Blackstairs Blues Festival Christmas Party with the Hard Chargers in Rackards. Music from 9pm. Adm free. sat 5th dec: John Cassidy launches his CD in Toss Kavanaghs.

10th–21st dec: Rathnure Panto. See page 15 for dates, times, etc.

Weds 16th dec: Table Quiz for street children of Bucharest. Rackards. Table of 4 for €20. 8pm.

Fri 18th dec: IFA Centre. Christmas rock & roll party with Riley and the Moonrockers. sat 19th dec: Enniscorthy historical society will be doing the World War I Christmas truce re-enactment at 3pm in the Market Square. thur 31st dec: New Year’s Eve in Joe Doyle’s – the Enniscorthy crooners Max and Bull ring in the new year. 10pm. thur 31st dec: IFA Centre. Ring in the new year with rock & roll party, music

by Mystery Train and DJ Lew Boogie. reGular eVents: traditional irish music night every Friday at Stamps. live Band every Saturday night at Wilson’s Bar. Video 80s disco every Friday and Saturday at DBar. treacys Hotel – Live music every Fri, Sat and Sun nights in the main bar. sunday night sessions at Benedicts. toss kavanaghs: Live music at weekends. the Bailey: Sunday Sessions from 5pm. the Hill Bar: Music every weekend. Karaoke with Julie every Friday night. rock ‘n’ roll Jive Classes every Weds at The Bailey. Beginners at 7.30pm, Advanced at 8.45pm. Freestyle after with DJ Lew Boogie from 10pm. Adm €5.

Greyhound racing Monday 7th, 14th, 21st Dec Enniscorthy Greyhound Track. enniscorthy Historic & re-enactment society: Meets the first Wednesday of every month at the 1798 Centre at 7.30pm. New members welcome. yoga in The Presentation Centre every Monday and Thursday. And slimming World there every Saturday morning. Tel: 053-9233000.

Best of luck to enniscorthy Drama group in the All-ireland drama finals in galway from 4th–6th Dec – bring home the trophy lads, and best of luck with your new production of Playboy of the Western World in January.

– Joseph Doyle if you would like joseph to mention an upcoming event or would like to send in pics of any occasion (weddings, birthdays, etc) for inclusion on this page then please email both doyleduffry@gmail.com and slaneynews@gmail.com. the closing date for receiving material for this column is always the thursday before our publication date which is usually the first Wednesday of every month. our website (www.slaneynews.com) carries our publication dates for 2015.

WONDerful WeDDiNg Santa, Mickey and Minnie Mouse gatecrashed a wedding in St Aidan’s Cathedral on a recent Saturday. The local bride (Bernadette Buckley) and her husband will have a very special wedding album to look back on in years to come with photos of a few uninvited guests as they

2 December 2015

www.slaneynews.com

PHeliM’S fOOD DeMO Well known local and tV chef phelim Byrne cooked up some fantastic Christmas fare and mulled wine at the riverside park Hotel last month.

Turkey and ham was on the menu plus some very nice tasty desserts – a cheesecake with

fruit brandy and carrotcake, plus he showed how to make a mushroom pie with left-over turkey and ham. All proceeds of the night were for the Enniscorthy Drama Group and the Focal Festival.

– Joseph Doyle

L-R: Carmel Crowhurst, Niamh Crowhurst (singer), Donal Cullen, Brigid O’Brien.

Left: Liz Fitzgerald of Enniscorthy homemade jams and chutney.

Centre: Mag Byrne makes all types of cakes for all occasions.

Right: Keadeen Murphy from Burrow Crafts, Enniscorthy.

Pics © Joseph Doyle.

Yvonne Collier, musical director, and Therese Canavan Bolger (singer)

Joanne McCabe (singer)

All Pics © Joseph Doyle.

Slaney Wexford Scene

www.slaneynews.com

29

Dara Lynott, Liam Hore, David Martin, John Bolger, Frank Shelley at the Clonard Scouts Group Fashion Show.

a facE in thE croWd Drama - 3 Dec, 4 Dec Discover/recover theatre project production of “a face in the crowd”. SOLD OUT __________________________________

Pic: Patrick Hogan

Pics Around Town by Patrick Hogan Pic: Patrick Hogan

Pic: Patrick Hogan

cLassic artists onLy numbEr onEs Music - 5 Dec the latest in our series of classic artists nights, featuring a host of local singers and musicians. the theme this time is number one hit singles. __________________________________ Jma performing the classic songs of bob dyLan and nEiL young Music - 11 Dec jMa will present a magical evening dedicated to the music of bob Dylan and neil young in Wexford arts centre on December 11th. in a stunning show jMa will pay homage to bob Dylan and neil young’s greatest music

jMa take the songs of the masters and add their own unique edge to the mix. their sound is based around excellent vocals with tight harmonies coupled with superb guitar work and driving rhythms __________________________________ a Wish for santa Childrens - 14 Dec, 15 Dec a Wish for santa by shay healy & Michael scott 10.00am & 11.00am €6.50 (2 teachers free per class). booking essential. __________________________________ it sounds LikE christmas: intEractivE shoW Childrens - 19 Dec for children 4-9 years of age, their parents and all who love christmas __________________________________ Plus lots of workshops, classes, and childen’s activities – see www.wexfordartscentre.ie for details.

www.wexfordartscentre.ie Tel: (053) 9123764

Wexford’s new park Elizabeth Whyte with legendary Wexford entertainer Larry Kirwan in Wexford Arts Centre.

Annette O’Gorman, Joanne Powell, Marie Williams, David Williams, Billy Roche at the launch of Tom Williams’ book ‘A Voice from out the Crowd’.

Pic: Patrick Hogan

National Archivist Catriona Crowe presented a lecture entitled 'Social Conditions in Wexford before the 1916 Rising' with Brian Matthews President of Wexford Historical Society.

Pic: Patrick Hogan

Hilary Murphy, Paddy O’Reilly, Bernadette Murphy, Pat Silk at the launch of Tom Williams’ book ‘A Voice From Out The Crowd’ in Greenacres, Wexford.

Wexford Social Democrats Constituency Campaign Launch thursday, 3rd December at 7.45, talbot hotel, Wexford, (free parking is available to attendees). to register your interest in attending the launch please email: leonard.kelly@socialdemocrats.ie indicating the number of seats you would like to reserve.

LEONaRD KELLy

Social Democrat candidate for Wexford a father of four young children, leonard has been involved in his local community for a number of years. he is a founding member and chair of a mental health awareness and fundraising group (friends of it’s Good to talk), and has been a member of the board of management of Wexford educate together primary school for the last five years. he has also been a member of Wexford county childcare committee

Wexford County Council has announced plans for the development of a large new €2.5m neighbourhood park for Wexford town, with the public consultation documents now available to the public.

The 18 acre park, to be located at Killeens, Wexford, is designed to complement the quality of life for people choosing to live and work in the Wexford area by providing a high quality, attractive, public open space close to the town centre and accessible to all. It will boast an array of attractive features including picnic sites, outdoor gym equipment, walking

track, water features, playground, skate bowl, level play area, wildflower meadows and art/sculpture displays.

The Park will also include a series of rich, bio diverse ecosystems such as a wetland area, wild flower meadows and native woodland habitats.

The public consultation planning processwill be completed in February 2016. The Council expect tendering and contract negotiation to be complete by summer 2016 at which time construction is expected to commence. The Park will open to the public in summer/ autumn, 2017. n

Delighted to see that Wexford’s Declan roche, a regular contributor of superb photos to the Slaney News, has beaten over 8,000 other entries to claim top prize in the top oil national photographic competition. Well done Declan!

More success for Wexford Light Opera Wexford Light Opera Society’s presentation of “Hits from the Musicals” won the Dick Meaney Trophy for Best Overall Show at the Carrick on Suir Music Theatre Festival last month picking up 5 of

the 7 awards available winning Best Overall Show, Best Chorus (Chorus Mistress – Eithne Corrigan) Best Male – Tony Carty, Best Item – “Façade” and Best Technical/Lighting.

Thurles MS was second and

Carrick on Suir MS third.

Celebrations with visiting Societies carried on through the night. Adjudicator Mr. Tony Finnegan praised the Festival and hoped it would grow in future years now that

the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera is no longer in being. Wexford LOS now enter into auditions and rehearsals for its next production “Evita” at the National Opera House in April. n

Pic: Paula Malone Carty

Catherine Murphy TD, Leonard Kelly Wexford, Roisin Shortall TD, Stephen Donnelly TD

Speakers include: stephen Donnelly is a tD for Wicklow and east carlow. after five years in national politics, he is convinced that a new social democratic political force, that combines competent economics with a strong social vision, is critical in setting ireland up for the coming years.

Members of Wexford Light Opera Society display their awards won at the Carrick on Suir Music Theatre Festival.

30

Slaney Arts & Heritage

2 December 2015

Focal festival comes of age

ENNISCORTHY LIBRARY: What's on at a glance in December…

3rd Dec: Understanding Alzheimer's: A talk by Sheila Gallagher.

5th Dec: Here comes Christmas: Flower arranging demonstration

by Helen Battigan.

10th Dec: Hear The Colour: Launch of Joe Neal poetry collection.

17th Dec: A very Christmassy Storytime.

ETB computer classes ongoing throughout December, with more to be announced for Jaunuary 2016.

Maria Nolan, Paul O’Reilly, Mary McCauley, Carmel Harrington, Lisa Coen, Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, Caroline Busher, Cat Hogan.

From humble beginnings F o c a l We x f o r d l i t e r a r y Festival has firmly established itself on the literary calendar with the announcement o f t h e C o l m to i b i n international short story award at the recent, sensational Brooklyn premiere in the riverside park Hotel, followed by the official press launch at a beautiful event at ravenswood House, Bunclody, hosted by patron staci Holtzman.

As the cream of Enniscorthy and beyond gathered in style to witness all the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood type prem i e re , t h e C h a i r m a n o f Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Paddy Kavanagh made the announcement that Colm Toibin had pledged his name to the prestigious competition created and shaped by Focal Wexford Literary Festival and sponsored by Wexford County Council.

The Colm To i b i n International Short Story Award will be an annual short story competition open to writers f ro m a ro u n d t h e w o r l d .

Submissions will be accepted from 1st November 2015 to 31st May 2016. The winners will be announced October 2016.

The prize fund is: First prize €1,000; Second prize €500; Third prize €300. The Judging Panel consists of: Lisa Coen, founder of Tramp Press; Nuala O’Connor, esteemed writer and poet; Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, founder of The Inkwell Group and the online national writi n g re s o u rc e m a g a z i n e www.writing.ie. The panel will also be assisted by local Wexford writers and members of Focal, Carmel Harrington, Paul O`Reilly, Catherine Hogan and Caroline Busher.

The Brooklyn premiere proved to be the perfect platform for Focal and Enniscorthy to announce the wonderful com-

For tHe upCominG yule

by Jer ennis It’s the season The bearded fat man is busy Ceilings and walls Sparkle and glisten "The cooked beast" Roasts on the fire Smiles and bright eyes Laughter and friends For this one holy day We'll rest and partake Surrounded by warmth Take time to reflect Remember the old days Look towards the new May there be cheer May there be love Imbibe and enjoy To all that we are Have the happiest day

petition with coverage from all national and local papers and of course the man himself in attendance.

The Official Press Launch of the competition was held at the charming Ravenswood House, Bunclody, hosted by Texan and literary patron Staci Holtzman who had flown in from Texas especially for both events.

Ravenswood House once owned by singer/songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan, oozing with allure and elegance was a most appropriate setting for this special launch. Staci gave a gracious welcome to all and said that she was delighted to be associate with this most exciting project and looked forward to seeing where it might lead.

Focal made a small presentation to Staci and thanked Ger Mackey and Wexford County Council for the much needed funding for the event as well as paying tribute to Colm Toibin for ensuring that with his name

reFleCtion by Kay Doyle Where redcoats came to pierce and plunder And pikemen fought to save the town Now horses graze and stand in wonder At small dogs racing up and down The ancient steps that saw such slaughter The sacred ground where thousands fell A graveyard but without a headstone What horror tales these fields could tell.

a group show of artworks in The Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy running until 4th January. The artists are delighted that curator anya Von Gosseln has agreed to open the show on 4th December at 7.00pm.

COuRTHOuSE ARTS CENTRE TINAHELY

BETWIxT AND BETWEEN

New works from Kiera O'Toole Running unti Thursday 17 Dec. All welcome. The Courthouse Arts Centre is delighted to welcome Kiera O'Toole back to Tinahely. With Betwixt and Between O'Toole brings the perspective of a returning migrant to emblematic imagery found in graveyards and ancient burial sites. She asks if these publicly private places - markers of individuals, societies and cultures - act as thresholds to explore the authorship of spirituality in an age of apparent secularism in contemporary Ireland.

LuAN PARLE & CLIVE BARNES Meteor Award Winner Luan Parle will be accompanied by Enniscorthy’s finest guitarist – Clive Barnes for what promises to be a very special night of music.

Local Drama Group seeks All-Ireland glory

In August time we march in numbers In an effort to commemorate The gallant men of County Wexford Who fought and died in '98 With pike and pitchfork they were no match 'Gainst cannonfire and shot and shell When on a sunny day in June Our town became a living hell.

Their bodies lay in shallow graves And bones appeared amidst the grass These stony fields on Vinegar Hill Remind me of our frightening past.

unWelCome adVanCes by Donal Cullen Welcome the hate.

Ones soul is so clean and white a murmur of hello must be a blow, Well here's one for you what can you do with a twisted face when in the wrong place it is hurtful to hate, hard work to keep up. tender mercy welcome advances.

and blessing this award will be one of the most sought after prizes in the literary world.

Focal also complimented Town Manager Padraig O`Gorman and Enniscorthy District Council for their constant support and endorsement of the Focal Literary Festival saying that Enniscorthy seemed to have found its niche as the cultural hub of the South East.

Author and Focal Committee member Carmel Harrington encouraged everyone to make a submission and said that Focal was expecting to be inundated with contributions from around the world and she looked forward to seeing everyone back again at the same time next year when Focal would be announcing the first ever winner of The Colm Toibin International Short Story Award.

What an exciting time for our town.

– Maria Nolan

II When walking on a Brooklyn sidewalk you gave me some time to talk, you welcomed me with open eyes.

Now back on Irish soil a wedding, a funeral, Your welcome advances are so welcome the one I left behind. n

Enniscorthy Drama Group members seeking All-Ireland success, L-R: Director Jimmy Kavanagh, actors Fintan Kelly and Ronan P Byrne, with playwright Eoghan Rua Finn. Pic: Maria Nolan.

tremendous news for enniscorthy drama Group, and indeed the town, as their play Come Along The road until You Stop Dead swept the boards at the Goresbridge one act Festival last month winning Best play, Best actor and Best director and putting the group through to the all ireland Finals in Galway 4-6th december.

What an achievement for the group who are only in existence since 2013 and what accolades for brilliant artistic Director Jimmy Kavanagh and the fabulously talented actors

Ronan P. Byrne, Fintan Kelly and Hannah McNiven, and what a tribute for young playwright Eoghan Rua Finn.

‘It is celebrations all round as we look forward to competing and giving a very good account of ourselves in Galway’ said a delighted Chairman Liam Doyle, ‘the actors have given stellar performances in all of the festivals getting 2 wins and 3 seconds with Ronan P. Byrne receiving Best Actor Award in almost all of them. This is an excellent play and the lads and

our able director Jimmy Kavanagh and our backroom team have put in a trojan effort and are totally deserving of their success.’

‘We are delighted with their achievements to date and are excited about the prospect of competing at All Ireland level and I would appeal to the town to get behind the group as we move forward and progress.

Drama has always been strong in Enniscorthy and it is only right and fitting to see it back at centre stage.’

– Maria Nolan

Slaney Arts & Heritage

www.slaneynews.com

A voice from out the crowd!

A literary legacy a very large crowd, including members of enniscorthy reenactment group, attended at enniscorthy library on thursday evening 5th november to celebrate the launch of Bernard Browne’s new book – 1916 rising in County Wexford – the literary legacy.

This new publication, introduced by Librarian Jarlath Glynn and launched by Mr. Eddie Breen, features many of the key figures in the 1916 Rising in Wexford, 30 to be exact, who were also published writers and poets, many of them were based in or around Enniscorthy and no less than 13 of them would have written for local newspapers, providing an invaluable source of information on the Rising in the town to the researcher.

In his manuscript Bernard

Browne outlines the significance of literature and politics which ‘joined forces as these men and women sought to sweep aside the past and shape the social consciousness of the Irish people.’ These gifted writers and poets contributed to books, journals, newspapers, broadsheets, pamphlets and periodicals as an outlet for their indignation and a method of disseminating ideas and sentiments to a wider audience, in short giving Enniscorthy and Wexford a regular dose of republicanism.

The book is laid out by people’s names for ease of reference and it is intended to help the general public know and understand the many pivotal figures of the County Wexford Rising and their families, many of whom still live in the area today. Bernard said that he was A literary legacy – Cllr James Browne with re-enactors Alan and Pat Jones.

Pic: Maria Nolan.

31

Eddie Breen, Bernard Browne and Jarlath Glynn. Pic: Maria Nolan

deeply grateful to a great many people who helped him prepare this work particularly County Archivist Grainne Doran whose support and assistance was a tremendous asset to the publication.

Bernard is a former Chief Executive of Comoragh `98 and oversaw the development of the National 1798 Centre. He is the author of five books on aspects of the history of the

county and is a regular contributor to journals and periodicals.

The book is an interesting and easy read and highlights the many men and women who used the power of the pen to further the cause during this crucial period in our history.

The book costs €10 and would be a great stocking filler this Christmas.

– Maria Nolan

almost 300 people from all over Co. Wexford gathered in Greenacres, Wexford, on november 12th for the launch of a new book of 30 original songs and poems about Co. Wexford and its people.

‘A Voice From Out The Crowd’, which comprises compositions all written by the late Tom Williams, is being published posthumously by the Williams family, following the author’s death three years ago.

The former manager of Williams Bakery in Taghmon, at one stage the third-largest bakery in the country, Tom Williams was also a well-known historian, genealogist and author. He wrote the bestselling books ‘With Heart and Hand – the Inside Story of Wexford’s Hurling

Resurgence’, in 1996, and ‘Cúchulainn’s Son, the Story of Nickey Rackard’, in 2005.

The book was launched by Wexford author and playwright, Billy Roche, who said that throughout his life, Tom Williams gave more to Wexford than what he took and he has left Wexford a gift with the songs and poems in this book. n

A literary legacy – Mr & Mrs Padraig O’Gorman and Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy.

Pic: Maria Nolan.

Tony Perdue of Harper Collins, Maria Nolan, Focal Secretary, Carmel Harrington, author, and Hazel Gaynor, author, at Carmel’s book launch (see story below).

Scourged a review by Dominic Williams Every time a bell rings regular readers of the Slaney News will be familiar with the Wexford writer, michelle dooley mahon (mdm) – an occasional contributor to this publication. michelle has just released her new book “scourged” which is reviewed here by dominic Williams.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Michelle Dooley Mahon is a prolific and multi-talented writer well known for her vivacious live performances.

Scourged is a complex and experimental work.

Described as a memoir it is closer to an autobiography in two voices, the context however is not schizophrenia but Alzheimer’s dementia. It is a dual narrative: the story of the author’s life in both her own voice and that of her mother who died in 2015 after suffering for ten years. Mahon’s volume is full of humour, though at times harrowing, and is inevitably underscored with a heart-wrenching sense of tragic loss. It is a very personal story and like her live performances is written with an unforgiving openness that triggers an immediate and somewhat emotional response from the reader.

Although the content is set in the 50 years between the author’s birth and her mother’s death, in literary terms, the

Michelle Dooley Mahon with her new book, ‘Scourged’.

‘Scourged’: available to buy in all good, local bookshops

book is a story of ten years of growth, the growth of MDM. Dooley Mahon claims that her ambition was to give her mother Siobhan a voice but voice plays a much greater part in this work. MDM employs simple but effective and at times brave techniques in identifying the voices in Scourged. Initially the reader can differentiate very clearly between Mahon (the eponymous Scourge) and Siobhan because the latter’s voice is italicised. Once the reader recognises this platform, they are able to follow the change in voice as that of Siobhan becomes unrecognisable to Mahon herself, and finally falls into silence. The burgeoning awareness of the effects of Alzheimer’s were the catalyst for

Dooley Mahon to try to explore and document her mother’s life before it was too late, in this she was doomed to fail as the horror of the inescapable forfeiture became apparent. What she has found is her own place in the world as a woman and a writer.

In its literary ambition this volume has the substance to stand out as a major success, and it also contains all the elements needed to be a bestseller.

It deserves this achievement because it is hugely important – not only in raising the awareness of Alzheimer’s but as a resource for understanding the impact of the disease on individuals and society. It is flawed at times, but perhaps within that very fact, lies its greatness. n

a huge crowd gathered at riverbank Hotel, Wexford, on saturday evening 21st november to celebrate with local author Carmel Harrington on the launch of her third book every Time A Bell rings.

Based on that lovely old Hollywood Christmas fairytale - It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart, Every Time A Bell Rings is a heart warming story that will stay with you long after you’ve reached ‘The End’ or as Fair City actress and best selling author Claudia Carroll put it ‘Beautiful and uplifting… written with such heart it warms the soul.’

MC’d by yours truly this was no ordinary book launch – this was a beautiful event in a wonderful Christmas ambience with the large audience treated to readings, musical interludes and an exclusive interview with Carmel Harrington done by fellow author and New York Times and USA Today bestseller and winner of the RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2015 - Hazel Gaynor.

Hazel explored Carmel’s love of Christmas and all things associated with it

including her all-time favourite movie ‘Its a Wonderful Life’.

Carmel said that she was delighted when her publishing house Harper Collins suggested that she write a Christmas novel and even more delighted when they suggested that she should base it loosely on a film that she had watched about 50 times over the years. Carmel’s natural warmth, positivity and enthusiasm came across loud and clear in the interview along with her love of children and her fantastic gift and talent as a storyteller.

Hazel, who is now living in Ireland but originally from Yorkshire, also questioned Carmel on her love of Dublin particularly at Christmas time with Carmel admitting that she loved to wander on Grafton Street taking in all the Christmas sights especially Brown Thomas’ magical window display.

Musicians Alannah Simmonson, Sheryl O’Grady and Dave Hastie of Junkyard Geordies provided the entertainment with beautiful songs like O Holy Night and I’ll Be Home For Christmas and an original piece by Alannah Simmonson.

Carmel is a founding member of Focal Wexford Literary Festival and was presented with a Crystal Bell for her trojan work and tremendous input into the success of the Festivals over the past two years largely due to her expertise and literary contacts.

Tony Perdue from Harper Collins said that he had never witnessed a book launch like it – with the aroma of mulled wine wafting around a Christmas wonderland of candlelit tables with all present getting into an early Christmas spirit. ‘There’s nothing like this in Dublin you know’, Tony said, with many book launches in bookstores with standing room only.

Carmel thanked everyone for coming saying that she was both delighted and humbled with the crowd and the praise lavished on her by all of the speakers to the extent she said that she hardly recognised herself in their speeches.

The book is a lovely read and would make a most excellent stocking filler – so don’t forget buy it now – and support Carmel and local talent this Christmas.

– Maria Nolan

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