The Wexford Chronicle

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thechronicle September 24, 2019 t: 0539102441, www.thechronicle.ie

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thechronicle September 24, 2019

wexford

thechronicle September 24, 2019 t: 0539102441, www.thechronicle.ie

FREE

20,000 COPIES

FREE

New hope for 900 Coast facing home loss HUNDREDS of Wexford householders in unsustainable mortgage arrears and at risk of losing their homes are being given fresh hope of a solution to their problems. &HQWUDO %DQN ¿JXUHV IRU Wexford show over 900 family home loans in arrears for two years or more, while 47 Mortgage to Rent cases have either been completed or are being actively progressed, DFFRUGLQJ WR ¿JXUHV MXVW UHOHDVHG

by The Housing Agency.

The Government’s Mortgage to Rent scheme aims to keep homeowners with unsustainable debt in their current properties debt-free as long-term tenants of their local authority.

A recent rise in eligibility values in the county to €305,000, combined with an increased appetite from lenders to work with the scheme, could see Mortgage to Rent engagements dramatically increase in the coming months.

Lenders and funds are now showing a greater willingness to use the Mortgage to Rent

scheme as an alternative to repossessing family homes, according to a prominent mortgage expert.

“My experience since Home For Life began operating last year is that both lenders and IXQGV ZDQW WR ¿QG ZRUNDEOH solutions to mortgage arrears once and for all,” said Paul Cunningham, CEO of Home For Life, the only Governmentapproved private Mortgage to Rent operator.

“This means they want to do a deal with families in trouble in Wexford and move on.

“What we are witnessing here are changes which very much favour the Wexford householder.

The Government has shown it is interested in developing the scheme by widening the eligibility bands by €30,000 while banks and funds have made it clear they prefer to see a solution where the householder can stay in their home paying an income-based rent.

Yvonne Kavanagh and Aoibhinn Doyle at St Aidan’s School Enniscorthy for the first day at school

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thechronicle September 24, 2019

news in brief Big charity cycle 30 years on road The Peter McVerry Trust, which provides vital services and supports for homeless people, is getting ready for its 30th annual Wexford fundraising cycle.

The event is one of the longest running charity cycles in Ireland, weaving its way from UCD through scenic spots in Counties :LFNORZ DQG :H[IRUG ÂżQLVKLQJ with an evening of post-cycle celebrations in Wexford town.

The 30th anniversary cycle will see about 400 cyclists taking part. See https://pmvtrust.ie/getinvolved/events/wexford-cycle.

Forgotten landmark back at Bullring A landmark is to make a return to the Bullring in the coming weeks in the form of the historic ‘Bullring Fountain’, 60 years after it was removed for repair.

The fountain was put up in 1873.

It was removed in the 1950s for restoration and repair, and ended up in a forgotten corner of the Wexford Corporation yard.

UK duty-free?

Duty-free shopping will be reintroduced for travellers between Ireland and Britain in the event of a no-deal Brexit, under a reciprocal arrangement between the two governments.

Phil O’Mahoney, Alma Roche, Paul McGrath, Catriona Banks and Rita Parle at the Paul McGrath charity golf outing in aid of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland in Rathaspeck Manor Golf Course

Racing industry’s bloodline to the county’s economy A REPORT into the ‘Economic Impact of Irish Breeding and Racing in Wexford and Wicklow’, which was commissioned

by Horse Racing Ireland and carried out by Deloitte, has revealed that the racing industry in both counties supports more than 1,600 jobs.

The report, presented at the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council, also revealed that the direct stimulated

expenditure of the industry in these counties is an estimated â‚Ź84 million a year.

Also that there are some 750 registered breeders in the region, representing 12% of Ireland’s total, and a total breeding revenue of ₏29 million, and an estimated ₏24 million invested in capital projects in Wexford and Wicklow in the last decade.

Wexford is the only racecourse in the region hosting

MXPS Âż[WXUHV IURP 0DUFK to October and the course attracts in excess of 14,000 atWHQGHHV RYHU Âż[WXUHV ZLWK an estimated expenditure of over â‚Ź1 million attributable to on-course activities. The average attendance in 2018 was 1,421.

There are 53 trainers located across the two counties, represented about 9% of the trainers in Ireland, according to the report.

Hope in house arrears cases From previous page “Neither the lenders nor the funds want to go down the repossession route and see Mortgage to Rent as playing a VLJQLÂżFDQW UROH LQ DYRLGLQJ VXFK outcomes.â€?

Mr Cunningham estimates that a large percentage of Wexford families deemed to be in serious arrears of two years or more could use the Mortgage to Rent route to solve their unsatisfactory mortgage situation. “Our engagement with homedwellers in mortgage distress has doubled over the past yeat with growing success. “I can now see a situation arising where thousands of cases can be solved nationally, including many in Wexford. “For that to happen, politicians locally and nationally must make themselves more aware of the potential of the scheme.�

Mr Cunningham appealed to families to take this opportunity by engaging with their lender.

75 beds, a second cath-lab planned UP to 75 new beds are to be provided at Wexford General Hospital under the HSE’s new capital plan. Minister Paul .HKRH FRQ¿UPHG WKDW IROlowing talks with Minister for Health Simon Harris, he was deOLJKWHG WR FRQ¿UP WKDW :H[IRUG General Hospital was to benH¿W XQGHU WKH QHZ SODQ ZKLFK also provides for the refurbishment of the Gorey Community Nursing Unit.

The plan also includes the provision of the long awaited second Cath Lab at University Hospital Waterford (UHW).

Last month it was reported that the cath lab in Waterford was to close for up to 12 weeks for scheduled maintenance.

This would see people from Wexford needing em ergency cardiac services having to travel to Cork or Dublin instead of making the shorter trip to Waterford.

However, the new plan aims to address this shortfall by providing a second cath lab and a new mortuary at UHW is also being planned.

Minister Kehoe said: “Our health service needs extra capacity. We are recognising that by investing in more hospital beds and I am so delighted Wexford ZLOO EHQHÂżW IURP WKLV ,Q WKH SDVW other parties in Government re-

duced bed capacity.

This was misguided and a mistake. We are reversing this and ensuring we have enough hospital beds in our county for our people.�

However, he said that it was important to acknowledge that the projects included in the plan ZHUH DW GLŕľľHUHQW VWDJHV RI GHvelopment and, in some cases, VLJQLÂżFDQW ZRUN ZDV VWLOO UHquired to bring the projects to tender stage.

Minister Harris and the Director General of the HSE, Paul Reid, will contact management at Wexford General to discuss how best to bring the new beds on stream. “I would imagine it will require some kind of extension,’ Minister Kehoe said. ‘I’d imagine that the hospital is pretty much up to capacity at the minute, but they’ll work with the HSE on this. Âł7KLV LV YHU\ PXFK WKH ÂżUVW stage, so decisions like that still have to be taken. 480 new beds are being provided across the country, so for Wexford to get 75 of them is a good chunk. “ It’s something that’s very much required as well, particularly with the ageing population and the amount of people choosing to retire in Wexford,â€? the Minister said.

Major tourism upgrades plan CARLOW Tourism is hoping to improve the visitor experience in eight towns and villages throughout the county similar to the Ireland Ancient East’s brand proposition developed by Fåilte Ireland.

This includes the research, scripting, planning, design, building and installation of storytelling panels in the following towns and villages: Ardattin, Ballinkillen/Lorum, Clonmore, Grange, Kildavin, Tinnahinch, Clonmelsh Cemetery and Tinryland.

There are also plans for a storytelling panel for St Columbanus connection (Myshall near Nine Stones where research, planning and design is only required).

The contract also involves heritage interpretative plaques and decorative directional signage as part of a heritage trail in Myshall Village.

Carlow Tourism is seeking written tenders from interested organisations/persons with experience and expertise in the above.

thechronicle September 24, 2019

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thechronicle September 24, 2019

Mental state of students ‘needs caring’ THE Government is failing third level students when it comes to mental health support, according to Enniscorthy TD James Browne.

He made his remarks following a study last week that VKRZHG D VLJQLÂżFDQW QXPEHU of third level students were reporting mental health issues.

The report, which was commissioned by the Union of Students of Ireland (USI) and ZDV WKH ¿UVW PHQWDO KHDOWK VWXG\ of third level students, found that 38� experienced extreme levels of anxiety.

Speaking of the report Deputy Browne said: “I welcome the publication of the report ZKLFK FRQÂżUPV ZKDW PDQ\ have suspected for some time;

our third level students are experiencing extreme mental health issues. “The psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland (PCHI) HDUOLHU WKLV VXPPHU FRQÂżUPHG that record numbers of third level students are seeking help, with a sharp rise in cases of selfharm and identity issues among students,â€? said Deputy Browne.

While students were experiencing “increasingly complex issues� the Government funding for supports was not meeting demand.

The Fianna FailTD said that, in addition to giving people support to address whatever LVVXHV DUH DŕľľHFWLQJ WKHP LW DOVR helps people remain in college.

The transition from school to college could be very daunting for young people, said Deputy Browne. “For many students the move to college can be marked with anxiety, depression and ORQHOLQHVV ϫKH VDLG Âł,WÂśV D PDMRU WUDQVLWLRQ >DQG@ students who are already attending their local mental KHDOWK VHUYLFHV FDQ ÂżQG LW almost impossible to access mental health services in or near their college,â€? he said.

Funding for students supports including mental health had remained stagnant since 2013 and Deputy Browne said the number of councillors a student was also “very low� when compared to international services.

BUYING? SELLING? 053 9102441

Grainne Taylor with Principal Laura Walsh at Piercestown School Junior Infants first day at school

Local priducers in finalists for the Irish Food Awards BLAS na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, has announced LWV ¿QDOLVWV IRU ZLWK D WRWDO RI IRRG SURGXFHUV VKRUW OLVWHG ZLWK D WRWDO RI products up for awards, an increase on last year’s 49.

Wexford food producers ZLOO EH SURXGO\ À\LQJ WKH ÀDJ for their county as they head for the prestigious awards ceremony which takes place in Dingle on Saturday, October 5th.

Those through to the ÂżQDOV LQFOXGH )DQF\ )XQJL Gourmet Mushrooms, Irish

Country Meats, Kelly’s Bakery, Killowen Farm, Naturally Cordial, O’Neills Dry Cure Bacon Co., Regan Organic Farm, Scúp Gelato, Tara Hill Honey, Tasty Parlour, Wexford Home Preserves, Wild About, Zaeire Artisan Chocolates, Zanna &RRNKRXVH 6WD྾RUGV %DNHU\ and Sadies Cordial.

A spokesperson for Wexford Food Family said they wished to congratulate DOO RI WKHLU ÂżQDOLVWV DQG DOVR sought to encourage all residents and visitors to Wexford

to seek out produce from local producers.

The Blas na hÉireann awards is the biggest blindtasting of produce in the country and judges come from all backgrounds including chefs, academics, people in the trade, buyers and home cooks.

7KLV LV WKH WK \HDU RI the competition. Last year, Rooney Fish were crowned Supreme Champion for their Millbay Oysters and Refuge Hot Chocolate took home Best Artisan Product.

‘Ideal time to look at childcare rates cuts’

David Harte and Hayley Tyrrell at the CBS Collage Graduation Ball in the Riverbank House Hotel

Our men not so touchy on selfies WHILE women are twice as likely to touch up snaps before posting them online, according to a survey, Wexford men are not so fussy about touching up...

People from Westmeath, Laois and Kerry are most likely to touch up photos of themselves while those in Roscommon, Wexford and Tipperary resort to photo editing the least.

Pure Telecom, Ireland’s

high-speed broadband and telecoms provider, revealed the results of a survey which found that almost half of Irish adults sharing images online alter pictures of themselves before sharing them.

Pure Telecom’s research revealed that 79% of people share images online via social media, instant messaging apps and email on a weekly basis.

THE County Council should look into the possibility of reducing commercial rates for childcare providers in a bid to PDNH FKLOGFDUH PRUH DŕľľRUGDEOH for the parents of county Wexford, according to Fine Gael election candidate Verona Murphy.

Ms Murphy said the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 provided a real opportunity for the council to change matters for childcare providers, which could in turn lead to lower costs for parents. “The Act allows local authorities to target important national and local objectives in Rates Alleviation and Abatement Schemes, including business sectors that are LGHQWLÂżHG LQ D FRXQW\ÂśV /RFDO Development Plan,â€?

Ms Murphy said.

With work ongoing on the next Local Development Plan, there was an opportunity to ensure WKDW FKLOGFDUH ZDV LGHQWLÂżHG DV RQH VHFWRU ZKLFK FRXOG EHQHÂżW from reduced rates. “This ZRXOG VHH D VLJQLÂżFDQW VDYLQJ for childcare providers who I believe would then pass on that saving to parents,â€?

thechronicle September 24, 2019

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thechronicle September 24, 2019

FF leader rules out election for now THERE would be no general election this side of the calendar year so Brexit can be prioritised, the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said at the party’s annual think-in in Gorey at the weekend.

Mr Martin said that he was “putting the national interest ÂżUVW´ DQG LQGLFDWHG WKDW KH would not seek to collapse the Government.

Mr Martin said that the country will most likely go to the polls in the early spring next year. “The national interest comes ÂżUVW )LDQQD )DLO ZLOO QRW precipitate a general election,â€? the TD said.

While he conceded that a nodeal Brexit seemed closer to a reality, he said it was the hope of Fianna Fail that the domestic turmoil in which Boris Johnson and his stalled Tory Government ÂżQGV LWVHOI PD\ XOWLPDWHO\ OHDG to a deal being done at the last minute.

Mr Martin was speaking prior to British Premier Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met in Dublin to discuss the Brexit stalemate.

Bunclody set for dementia friendly town Sanra Jones and Cllr Lisa McDonald at the DressadoFashion Show in the Amber Springs Hotel in aid of Irish Cancer Society

A ‘pure genius’ : Ferdy Murphy dies at 70 THE 10-times Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Ferdy Murphy has died at the age of 70 following a long battle with cancer.

Mr Murphy was responsible for many talented, as well as popular, jumpers from the moment he took out a licence in 1990 and especially when based at Wynbury Stables in West Witton in North Yorkshire from 1996 to 2013.

The Wexford-born trainer then took the bold and surprising move of

relocating to a farm in Upper Normandy in France in search of better prize money and to be near his eldest daughter, Caroline.

Ferdy Murphy continued his breeding business there, as well as buying and selling young stock, and training on a smaller scale.

Mr Murphy’s son, Barry, told the PA news agency: “It’s a sad day, but he’s in a better place. “We had some amazing days. He’s a true great, in my opinion.

With the direct links between the mouth, oral health and overall health and wellbeing this is becoming the hot topic. That age-old fear factor of visiting the dentist is starting to subside and we are becoming more vigilant with our health. The mouth is of course the link to the entire body, so it makes perfect sense to have a look at the mouth when we consider total health. A company that is doing just that is Dental Tech Group. Their services are quite extraordinary. Yes, they provide dental and denture services just like every other dental practice, but they differ in one small thing, their service is a fully portable denture and dental service. Their teams take their portable kits and go to nursing homes to look after residents, they even provide this service in people’s homes and also go to businesses to look after employees’ teeth. They are transforming how people access these services.

Dental Tech Group are keen to offer advice for people around oral health and taking care of teeth and dentures and especially for the ageing population, who sometimes may not be in a position to access the dentist. This is why they have also been working on and designing their new online help tool called Oral Care for Older Adults, set to launch in 2020 to help people improve their oral daily care. This will be aimed at people who can provide their own daily care but also for those who need support with care so it is a training tool for carers and nurses too who need support and learn how to provide mouth care for their clients and patients. “It is amazing, but many people don’t know that the recommended life of a denture is 5 years�. Just one of the small tips they include on the training tool. “The reason for this is that after several years the material starts to deteriorate and becomes porous, not to the naked eye, but under a microscope, and bacteria can creep into those pores to a level that it is difficult to remove with regular cleaning, this bacteria can contribute to numerous health issues that we may not even think are related to dentures. So, replacing dentures after 5 years can be a key contributor to improving health� according to Bevin Mahon, Managing Director at the Dental Tech Group.

The key initiative of this training tool is to help people learn some simple tools to improve their overall health through improving their mouth health or oral health and also the reasons behind why it is important. We asked Bevin what is their focus over the coming months and in the run up to the launch, “ well actually we are concentrating on getting everyone their teeth for Christmas believe it or not, we have denture clinics in Wexford, Waterford and Dublin and it is a really busy time for us even though it is only September, everyone wants their new teeth for Christmas�

Certainly, one to watch!

Dental Tech Group, helping you EAT, CHEW AND SOCIALISE WITH CONFIDENCE THIS CHRISTMAS. Call now on 053 919 2 999 or go to http://www. dentaltech.ie/contact-us/ to book your Free Denture Consultation!

“He had some amazing horses over the years, even when they were running in *HRŕľľ +XEEDUGÂśV QDPH DQG before that with Bill Durkan - horses likes Anaglogs Daughter. “He was a pure genius and he was a master of getting one well handicapped for Cheltenham, which is very hard to do these days as if you’re too well handicapped, you won’t get in. He was brilliant at producing a horse for a big day.â€? said Fery Murphy’s son Barry/

BUNCLODY is set to become a ‘Dementia Friendly Community’, with the HSE/ South East Community Healthcare’s Public Health Nursing Department working closely with Wexford County Council’s Local Community Development Committee and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on a project that will see a range of initiatives in place to help improve awareness of those with dementia and their carers.

An Open Training Day for local businesses was held in the Bunclody Day Care Centre last Wednesday, September 11th. The training was funded by the HSE and free of charge for participants. The course was GHVLJQHG WR LPSURYH VWD྾œV XQderstanding and provide advice on how business can improve its communication to support people with dementia and their families in the locality.

Setting the context for the Open Day, South East Community Healthcare’s Head of Service for Health and Wellbeing Derval Howley said:

“Figures show that there are over 50,000 people living with Dementia in Ireland today and that number is expected to inFUHDVH VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ RYHU WKH next 20 years. “Indeed, medical research is telling us that up to 4,000 people a year in Ireland develop some form of dementia.

Dementia is progressive and there is currently no cure. “Dementia is not simply a health issue but a social issue that requires a community response. According to research, a majority of people with dementia (63%) live at home in the community.�

Public Health Nurse Ann Marie Hayes said: “More than 180,000 people in Ireland are currently or have been carers for a family member or partner with dementia with many more providing support and care in other ways. “South East Community Healthcare (SECH) looks forward to supporting Bunclody and this forthcoming Open Training Day will be a good start.�

‘Stop now or beef farmers our will go out of business’ LOCAL beef farmers claim they are “going out of business� as disputes over prices show no signs of a resolution. A picket outside of Slaney Foods in Bunclody last week highlighted the increasing disquiet among farmers who claim they aren’t receiving a fair price for their produce.

These protests come after the creation of the Beef Plan Movement (BPM), an organisation working on behalf of beef farmers throughout Ireland which is run and chaired by the farmers themselves and was created with the hope of securing better prices for individual farmers.

It claims that for every â‚Ź10 spent on beef in this country the farmer receives just â‚Ź2 with the rest shared between the retailers and the processors.

Although not involved in the picketing at Bunclody, representatives from the Beef Plan

Movement have been in discussions with the Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Michael Creed, in the hope of introducing price controlling measures for their stock.

However, following those discussions, a statement released by the BPM said that Minister Creed had failed to deliver for the working farmer and that the issue remained unresolved.

Brian Byrne, Chairman of the Wexford Beef Plan Movement Committee, said: “The smaller farmers are going out of business. The factories might miss a few days because of the picketing but the farmers are going out of business. “There are farmers in Wexford who this is happening to. But as long as the factories are making money they’re happy. “The supermarkets are a problem too, the factories and the supermarkets are always going to make the money,� he said.

Since its formation less than a year ago, the Beef Plan Movement numbers have grown from 300 to more than 20,000 and it now has committees in 25 counties across the country. One of its primary aims is ensuring small farmers in this country receive the cost of production plus a margin for their livestock. “All the farmer wants at the end of the day is the cost of production and some margin, nothing out of the ordinary or above the norm. we know the price of meat is down but we still need our share. If you look at the price of meat on the shelf and then look at what the farmer LV JHWWLQJ WKHUHÂśV D KXJH GLŕľľHUence on what we’re getting,â€? said Mr Byrne. “Minister Creed needs to intervene in the beef dispute immediately, before it spirals out of control. He needs to intervene and broker a solution all sides can live with.â€?

thechronicle September 24, 2019

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thechronicle September 24, 2019

wexfordcountycouncilround-up Speed limits on the old N11 roads CLLR Malcolm Byrne’s motion that Wexford County Council introduce special by-laws that will return the speed limits on the former N11 roads from Clough Roundabout to Camolin to Ferns to Enniscorthy and to Oylegate to 100kph. Cllr Byrne suggested that the process for such laws commence immediately with the objective of having the necessary changes in place by the end of 2019. The motion was seconded by Cllr Jackser Owens and was unanimously carried.

Support for people with disabilities $ PRWLRQ EURXJKW IRUZDUG E\ &OOU 'DY\ +\QHV DQG seconded by Cllr Mary Farrell that Wexford County Council call on the Government to reverse the decision to cut â‚Ź31.80 training allowance for people with disabilities received the full support of members at the monthly meeting. “It is an attack on the most vulnerable in our society,â€? said Cllr Hynes, who added; “This has been a KXJH EHQHÂżW WR VXFK SHRSOH LQ VHHNLQJ WR IXUWKHU WKHLU educational prospects and to make themselves feel more independent and less dependent on society.â€? The aim of this weekly allowance of â‚Ź31.80 aims to support progression to further education or employment.

7UD৽F VXUYH\ IURP 5RVVODUH WR 2\OHJDWH Cllr Lisa McDonald is calling on the Government to LPPHGLDWHO\ SURYLGH IXQGLQJ WR FDUU\ RXW DQ XUJHQW WUDྜF survey on the N11 from Rosslare Europort to Oylegate with particular emphasis on alleviating the growing congestion at the roundabouts and slip roads on the route, and thereafter, immediately commit to provide the funding to deal with the XSJUDGLQJ UHTXLUHG WR HQVXUH WKDW DOO WUDྜF FDQ ÀRZ LQ OLJKW of the immediate threat of a no-deal Brexit. Cllr Ger Carthy, who seconded Cllr McDonald’s motion, pointed to continuous WUDྜF FKDRV DQG FRQJHVWLRQ DW WKH URXQGDERXWV DW 'ULQDJK :KLWIRUG +RXVH DQG WKH 0DOGURQ +RWHO DQG WKH QHZ WUDྜF arrangements at Kyle Cross, where an accident had occurred just an hour after the councillor addressed the meeting. The motion was carried without objections.

By Dan Walsh

Members stand 100% with local beef farmers

THE impasse between Wexford beef farmers with the meat processers and retailers was comprehensively aired at a special meeting of Wexford County Council where representatives of the farming community were invited to explain their struggle with poor prices and examine the future of rural Ireland, in general, and Wexford, in particular.

J.J. Kavanagh thanked the Council for the opportunity to air the circumstances in Wexford agriculture and stated that “beef production KDV EHFRPH XQSURÂżWDEOH ´ +H outlined that out of every â‚Ź10 - â‚Ź4 went to the processors, â‚Ź4 went to retail and less than â‚Ź2 when to the producer. Other speakers further emphasised the “unsustainable nature of beef SURGXFWLRQ´ IRU WKH EHQHÂżW RI the council members which was organised by Cllr Pip Breen and facilitated by Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Sheehan.

The delegation remarked on a meeting scheduled for

earlier that day. They expressed disappointment that “the MII (Meat Industry Ireland) walked away and the retailers didn’t ERWKHU WR WXUQ XS ´ 0DQ\ speakers worried about the future of rural Wexford.

Cllr Fionntån Ó Súilleabhåin told the meeting that he had visited the group on the picket line outside Slaney Foods at Clohamon and he called on councillors to lobby their TD’s to back the Beef Transparency Bill. Cllr Davy Hynes said it was a very emotive presentation and described the situation as ³WRWDOO\ XQMXVW´ DQG DJDLQVW WKH ³VPDOO PDQ´ OLNH FOLPDWH FKDQJH and coastal erosion and now the beef industry is under attack.

Cllr Leonard Kelly referred to ÂłWKH IHDU DQG DQJHU´ KRZHYHU he received no answer from the assembled delegation when he enquired; “How many beef IDUPHUV DUH LQ :H[IRUG"´ Cllr Jacker Owens said he was married to a farmer’s daughter for 24 years, didn’t claim to be knowledgeable about farming,

but said he was a supporter and ZLVKHG WKHP ZHOO LQ WKHLU ÂżJKW for better prices.

Cllr Pat Barden said he had visited Clohamon and claimed that he found the situation ³VHULRXVO\ GLVRUJDQLVHG ´ Cllr Willie Kavanagh felt the processors dictate the price and there is only one beef processor who has control.

Cllr Jim Codd stated that it was remarkable that the beef industry had survived so long. “My father got better money WKDQ \H DUH JHWWLQJ QRZ ´ Cllr Frank Staples, who admitted he knows a thing or two about farming, said “it is nearly impossible to make PRQH\ IURP FDWWOH ´ &OOU 0DU\ Farrell thanked the farming presentation for being “so KRQHVW DQG RSHQ ´ Cllr Cathal Byrne said he was the youngest member of the Council and came from a farming background. He was WKH ÂżUVW RI HLJKW JHQHUDWLRQV QRW to farm the land. “It is just not YLDEOH ,W MXVW FDQQRW EH GRQH ´

Council votes for property tax increase THE members of Wexford County Council have voted to retain the 10% increase in the Local Property Tax (LPT) for 2020.

Proposed by Cllr Malcolm Byrne and seconded by Cllr Pip Breen, the motion was carried.

Cllrs Fionntån Ó Súilleabhain and Tom Forde voted against while Cllr Jim Codd abstained. )LQDQFH 2ྜFHU $QQHWWH O’Neill told the meeting that the increase of 10% applied locally by members to the LPT rate in 2019 cannot be held as a permanent annual increase going forward and members must consider annually the position from the 2014 baseline and must decide on the local adjustment factor.

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thechronicle September 24, 2019

CULTURE NIGHT 2019

Get wrapped up in Culture In Co. Wexford As Ireland’s Annual Nocturnal Cultural Extravaganza Returns Culture Night 2019: Friday 20th September On Friday September 20th hundreds of thousands of people across the country will lose themselves in their imagination and an explosion of creativity as the country comes alive for Culture Night, Ireland’s annual nocturnal cultural extravaganza. Co. Wexford is delighted to be hosting free events across the County as part of the national celebration . The programme of activities in the County are now available on www. culturenight.ie/wexford.

Each year Culture Night brings people together to create unique shared experiences and memories. All for FREE! Art, music, theatre, dance, and film are all on the programme for this year’s Wexford Culture Night with events taking place throughout the County. Highlights of events taking place in Co. Wexford include, the Norman Culture Night celebrations at Enniscorthy Castle which will include a singing workshop for families hosted by Aileen Lambert and a historical talk from artist/folklorist Michael Fortune, try a yoga taster session in the Market square graveyard in Gorey or watch local talent perform at the new Gorey Civic Square Pavilion, and in New Ross, Baya the Storyteller & friends will be closing events at the Green Door with an evening of spoken word, music, and storytelling.

This year we are delighted to have Laura Way (right), owner of Bodecii Film Production Company, on board as Co. Wexford’s Culture Night Ambassador. Laura is active in the local cultural community as the coordinator of the Wexford Screen Writers Professional Development Programme working with the Wexford County Council to create opportunities for local talent and fund short films developed through the programme. Laura says, “At four years old in 1982, my parents, Michael and Irene Way introduced me to the magic of theatre and arts in Wexford Town as two of the found ing members of the Wexford Theatre Workshop. Wexford has a thriving arts scene with talented artists, musicians, actors and writers but what I learned most from them is that Art and culture is inclusive not exclusive. It is for everyone. Culture Night is an opportunity to share, unite and celebrate all art forms, all artists and all cultures and I am honored to have been invited to be this years culture night ambassador of Wexford”.

As ever Culture Night will be online and the culturally curious are encouraged to explore the website this year to plan their Culture Night adventures and routes in advance.

HUMAN RESOURCES Wexford County Council invites applicants for the following post: TEMPORARY EXECUTIVE QUANTITY SURVEYOR (3 Year Contract) Selection for all posts will be by means of interview and candidates may be shortlisted based on applications submitted. Panels may be formed from which future vacancies may be filled.

Candidate Information Booklet and Application Forms are available from: Customer Service (Block F), Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford.

Phone 053 919 6000 or visit our website at www.wexfordcoco.ie Please note all applications for the above posts must be Typed and submitted by Email only to recruitment@wexfordcoco.ie Printed hard copies will be NOT be accepted for the above posts.

Closing date for receipt of completed application forms for all posts is: 5.00 pm on Thursday 10th October 2019 Wexford County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer

PLANNING WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (as amended) NOTICE OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT BY A LOCAL AUTHORITY (LAC1908) Marconi Park, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Pursuant to Part XI of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and in accordance with Part 8, Article 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), notice is hereby given that Wexford County Council proposes to carry out the development, the nature and extent of which is set out hereunder.

E 98=><?.> , -0/<997 -?82,69A A4>3 ,66 ,==9.4,>0/ =4>0 A9<5= 98 , .?<<08>6C @,.,8> =4>0 ,> Marconi Park, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford (Enniscorthy T.D., Enniscorthy Rural E.D.) Based on a preliminary examination of the nature, size and location of the development, there is no likelihood of significant effects on the environment and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) is not required.

Any person may, within 4 weeks from the date of the notice, apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.

Plans and particulars of the proposed development will be available for inspection, or purchase at a reasonable fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, during office hours from Tuesday, 24th September, 2019 to Tuesday 22nd October, 2019, at the following locations: D '.@/7:- 7=6<A 7=6,24 #4*66260 .8*:<5.6< *::2,34*?6 '.@/7:D 662;,7:<1A =62,28*4 2;<:2,< "G,. 662;,7:<1A 7 '.@/7:Submissions or observations with respect to the above proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated, may be made in writing before Tuesday 5th November, 2019 to: Wexford County Council, Planning Department, (Reference LAC1908), Carricklawn, Wexford.

ENVIRONMENT ‘TREES FOR WEXFORD’ CAMPAIGN 2019

The full programme of events and participating venues for Culture Night 2019 is now available on www.culturenight.ie.

Applications are now being sought for Wexford County Council’s ‘Trees for Wexford Campaign’. If you are a voluntary community group, residents association or school and interested in receiving free trees, an application form can be submitted by logging onto www.wexfordcoco.ie/trees

Join the conversation online at www.facebook.com/CultureNight, www.twitter.com/ CultureNight and www.instagram.com/CultureNight

Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday October 25th 2019.

#CultureNight #OícheChultúir

If you require further information regarding this scheme, please do not hesitate to contact the Environment Section at (053) 9196684.

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services

thechronicle September 24, 2019

thechronicle September 24, 2019

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14 | WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

Super September

thechronicle September 24, 2019

ninenottomiss BOOK of the week

TV SHOW of the week

FILM of the week

HOROSCOPES

Autumn migrationâ&#x20AC;¦..

Swallows getting ready to leave our shores (Photo Justin Ivory) SEPTEMBER spells back to school and the start of autumn with cool, damp mornings where evoking melancholic and bittersweet feelings for the brevity of summer and the prelude to shortening days, cooler temperatures and the dark, damp and decay of winter. It is a month where we can get every kind of weather from spectacularly hot and sunny days to gales and heavy showers (sure isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that every day in Ireland!).

September is also a time of great change and activity in the natural world and has to be one of my favourite months. Below is a small selection of highlights to look out for during this wonderfully varied month.

AN ANONYMOUS GIRL

by Greer Hendricks When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr Shields, she thinks all sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money and leave. But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive, and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr Shields may know what sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thinking . . . and what sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hiding. As Jessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what is real in her life, and what is one of Dr Shieldsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manipulative experiments.

PLAY of the week

THE MAN WITH ANOTHER MANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ARMS Virgin Media 2, Wed. September 18 @ 9pm

GOOD BOYS Released September 5, 2019

In 2010, US marine sergeant John Peck lost his arms and legs while serving in Afghanistan. Dissatisfied with his prosthetics and determined to regain his independence, he put himself forward for ground-breaking surgery. This documentary follows John as he undergoes a bilateral arm transplant in an extraordinary 10-hour operation with 20 surgical staff in attendance.

The creative minds behind Superbad, Pineapple Express and Sausage Party take on sixth grade hard in the outrageous comedy, Good Boys. After being invited to his first kissing party, 12-year-old Max (Roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jacob Tremblay) is panicking because he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how to kiss. Eager for some pointers, Max and his best friends Thor (Brady Noon, HBOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Boardwalk Empire) and Lucas (Keith L. Williams, Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Last Man On Earth) decide to use Maxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drone â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which Max is forbidden to touch â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to spy (they think) on a teenage couple making out next door.

SHOW of the week

GIG of the week

Mother Nature has her shelves full to brim with her harvest produce. Trees and shrubs are laden with fruits, nuts and berries including blackberries, beech mast and acorns to name but a few. t *U JT B HSFBU UJNF PG ZFBS UP TFF and get close to Red Squirrels as they search for fruits to eat immediately and nuts to store going to great lengths to hide them. So intent are they on this activity it is possible to get close and watch them for several minutes without their noticing you. t +VTU MJLF UIF TRVJSSFMT UIJT is the best month to see our shiest and most colourful member of the crow family â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Jay, as they collect and hide acorns to see them through the winter. t 5IF NJSBDMF PG NJHSBUJPO is in full flow this month as our summer visitors such as Swallows, Martins and Swifts gather and leave our shores to head south for the winter.

Meanwhile Ducks, Geese and Waders that have spent the summer breeding in the Arctic and northern latitudes arrive in to spend the winter. Offshore there are huge numbers of seabirds including Petrels, Shearwaters and Skuas.

That is just the tip of the iceberg of what is happening during September. So, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hibernate just yet. Get out there and enjoy the show!

BETWEEN YOUR LOVE AND MINE A requiem by Leonard Cohen Friday September 27. Wexford Arts Centre

MY DADâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BLIND Thursday September 19 @ 8pm Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket. 053 912 3764

PETER BRUNTWELL Thursday September 26 @ 8pm. Tickets: â&#x201A;¬10 Crown Live, Monck Street, Wexford

Centring on a dysfunctional relationship between a blind father and his sighted daughter, My Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Blind uses audio recordings, irreverent comedy and real life memories to explore a father daughter relationship and all the awkward, embarrassing and ridiculous ways they struggle to navigate a sighted world with a guide dog thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just had a stroke. This performance is audio described.

To reserve your headset please contact the box-office. Facilitated by Arts & Disability Ireland with funding from the Arts Council, sponsored by Fighting Blindness.

Crown Live Presents Peter Bruntnell! We are delighted to welcome Peter Bruntnell plus guests for our inaugural Songwriters Series at Crown Live. King Of Madrid is Peter Bruntnellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tenth studio album, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one that focuses on his unique songwriting talents. It also sees him returning to his roots, featuring beautiful, sometimes sixties-flavoured songs with his signature hints of psychedelia.

Bruntnellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warm voice helps create a yearning atmosphere that gives the album a consistent and organic feel. Email: seamus@crownbar.ie |

During a conversation with Leonard Cohen, John MacKenna broached the possibility of a collaboration on a requiem for stage, in memory of young people who had died.

Leonard listened; MacKenna went away and worked on a draft of the project - a requiem Mass for theatre using only Leonardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words and music. Over the summer they collaborated on shaping the final work - BETWEEN YOUR LOVE AND MINE : a requiem by Leonard Cohen.

In October of 2016 Leonard gave his blessing to the completed script. Sadly, two weeks later he died.

EVENT of the week

Q&A of the week

FESTIVAL of the week

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Beech Mastâ&#x20AC;¦.a favourite of t squirrels (Photo Justin Ivory)

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$FFHSW QHZ UHVSRQVLELOLWLHV DV \RX SUHSDUH IRU D FKDOOHQJH 3URIHVVLRQDO RSSRUWXQLWLHV VKLQH 'HYHORS D SURMHFW IURP DQ LGHD WR UHDOLW\ CAPRICORN6WXG\ ZLWK D PDVWHU &RQVLGHU GL൵HUHQW YLHZV DQG SHUVSHFWLYHV 5HDFK RXW IRU D ORQJ GLVWDQFH FRQQHFWLRQ NEW ROSS PIANO FESTIVAL September 25-29. www.stmichaelsnewross.com St Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theatre New Ross

WRITE BY TEH SEA: STORYTELLING Saturday 28th September 2019 @ 7pm Stella Maris Centre, Kilmore Quay

LIVE WITH TONY MCCARROLL Presentation Centre Enniscorthy presentationcentreenniscorthy@gmail.com

Our 2019 piano festival features an exceptional lineup, with Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland, Maurizio Baglini, Clara Siegle, Sae Yoon Chon, Finghin Collins and many more. Plus, we are dedicating a full day to Clara Schumann to celebrate 200 years since her birth. All festival tickets are booked via St Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theatre in New Ross, book online, over the phone or in person at the box office. There may also be tickets available on the door, however tickets are for allocated seating only.

Write By The Sea and Wexford Library are delighted to present an hour of storytelling from some of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most beloved storytellers, EDDIE LENIHAN, JOE BRENNAN AND BAYA. These events are free and open to all. Places are limited. All three storytelling events run concurrently.

To book a place for Eddie Lenihan, Joe Brennan OR Baya, email writebytheseakq@ gmail.com. For more information, see www. writebythesea.ie

Tony McCarroll Oasis Founding Member + Original Oasis Drummer launches his Live Q & A Podcast tour with an exclusive Fan Signing Session telling all the tales about the making of Definitely Maybe. In this candid and hilarious live Q & A style podcast event, Tony tells one of the most in-depth rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roll stories of modern times. He reveals the truth about the early years before the band was even formed; he tells of the drinking and drug consumption. Plus, he talks of his muchpublicised rift with Noel Gallagher.

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thechronicle September 24, 2019

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thechronicle September 24, 2019