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Alarm over danger outside schools There is growing alarm across the county over the dangerous scenes which are being witnessed outside many primary schools less than a month after they reopened. And there are fears that a young pupil could be seriously injured or killed in an accident outside one of the schools unless urgent action is taken to tackle the speeding madness which confronts many young school goers as they make their way to rural schools every morning to begin their l day.
Local councillors across the county have been inundated with complaints from concerned parents who are demanding action to make roads outside schools safer for their children. The problems have been caused by a range of issues from over development of houses close to primary schools to road improvements which have had the effect of speeding up traffic. Now public representatives have united in their calls to Co. Council officials to urgently
study the situation to see what emergency measures can be put in place before a young life is lost. Speed ramps are to be considered for a number of areas, but other speed control measures and road improvements including the provision of new footbaths are also being demanded. One leading councillor has even suggested that part of the problem has been caused by an increase in the number of roads resurfaced. Cllr. Barbara Ann Murphy said pot holes
had acted as a traffic calming measure in several villages in the past. Now she is demanding action to slow down traffic in several schools in the Enniscorthy district. Parents in Caim are increasingly concerned about the speed of traffic past the local national school, according to Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan, while James Browne has highlighted the danger posed by the lack of a footpath to the national school in Oylegate. (Continued on page 7)
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News
Cancellation of Gorey Credit Union Fun Run
Luke’s Lines
L
Luke Kennedy
What’s Wrong With Us? What is it about Irish culture that lends itself to Suicide? There is not a strict consensus on the statistics in the fields of mental health and coroners reports on suicide, with some saying it is near 550 while others saying it could be up to 700 a year, but what is clear is that it is a problem. What causes this problem in society? This may come across as blunt or provocative, but I think it’s simple as this: no one cares about mental illness or those who are suffering. No matter how much they may pretend otherwise or how much fake empathy they display in public or social media. That may seem like a bleeding heart, holier than thou, statement, and I’m certainly no saint in this matter, but I’ve seen time and time again with my own eyes that by the time, people admit something may have been wrong or amiss, it’s too little, too late, with the admitting of wrongdoing so feeble it almost would have been better if they didn’t apologize at all. I remember seeing so many people bullied for physical or mental disabilities or illnesses, or being gay or transgender, growing up. Many people who I grew up with in the same time and place would claim this wasn’t going on, but on this matter, they’re either being liars or wilfully ignorant. I knew a guy, who will remain unnamed here, who was bullied or insulted for at least a year, if not longer, by a large group of people. Eventually they realised he had genuine problems in his life, and they stopped, and it was good they did, but it was
hypocritical. One moment they were teasing, and the next they’re acting like they’re worried what’s going to happen to him. You’re going to deliberately make someone’s life worse, then turn around and pretend you care about them? Pure nonsense.. Another thing I noticed at the time was that the victims of bullying were criticized by the bullies for fighting back or , as though there was something wrong with responding to someone who is deliberately provoking you is wrong, as if the bullies had some god given right to make someone’s life worse. One rationalisation I heard to justify bullying was “but he’s a psycho”. I see, so you think someone’s a psycho, more prone to violence, and
you’re deliberately antagonizing them? It’s like if you poked and prodded an alligator, and then asked for sympathy when it bit your hand off. Not only would I not feel sorry for you, I’d be disappointed the alligator didn’t bite off your other hand as well. There is a tendency among Irish people to ignore or downplay mental illness, people just say that someone’s a “weirdo” or “Quare fella” rather than admit that there’s a problem. Irish people love talking, but alas, it seems we don’t enjoy saying anything of substance.
Another thing about suicide statistics is that roughly 83 percent of the people who commit suicide in Ireland are male. This may partly to do with the Irish culture of fake machismo, where if you’ve got any psychological or emotional problems , you better keep it to yourself , so that people don’t think you’re “soft” or “gay”. Fake toughness is the order of the day with Irish males, and sadly it doesn’t seem like they’re going to let up with that nonsense any time soon. Another factor, I think, however, is that society genuinely views males as more disposable or expendable. We are the ones that die in wars, we are the ones that shoot each other dead in the street, be it police or gangland related, and generally men dying from violence every day is just treated as something that happens, a fact of life, rather than a problem. If a woman goes missing or is killed, it is always treated with more concern in the media, than if the victim was male. If noone else views our lives as being of as much worth as female ones, then perhaps it is not surprising when we are likely to take our own or end others. Whereas our society’s relationship to suicide may not be as problematic as a country like Japan, where suicide is seen as a honourable response to failure in life, it is clear that there is still much we can do and much we have to change, and so much of it is tied up with the bullying, ignored mental illness, and conformist attitudes that run rampant in our society.
It was with great regret that the Committee had to cancel the Fun Run on Sun 24th August this year. The reason was that less than 30 people had actually registered and it was not feasible to go ahead with such a small number.
Entrants were refunded their money and where people wished their fee to go to the Charity along with other donations received a total of €230 has been forwarded to St Aidan’s Day Care Centre. It is envisaged that next year the FUN RUN will take place the middle of
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June 2015 and any local Charity wishing to benefit from the proceeds and willing to assist with the organising of the FUN RUN can submit a letter of application to be considered for selection. Noeleen Cullen, Gorey Credit Union.
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NWSPCA Report
Molly needs a new home After a few very hectic weeks, things slowed down a bit in the North Wexford SPCA. Last week Dog Blacky found himself a new home as did cats and kittens Gina, Heidi and Fay. Let’s introduce Molly to you, a gentle 9 to 10month-old Terrier cross
Ruby and Layla
dog. She is a bouncy girl and really good with everyone. Molly is a small dog, her tail is always wagging and she is always up for a bit of fun. Spayed, vaccinated and microchipped she’s ready to be spotted by her new forever human. Meet kitten sisters Ruby and Layla. They are approx. 12 weeks old and looking for a home together. Molly Ruby and Layla are full is always on the lookout of fun and for new volunteers. We devilment. especially need walkers They have been to join our kennel crew wormed, litter and help us walk the trained and also dogs in our care. If you started their can spare even 1 hour vaccinations. per week, please make Can you offer contact with us on 087those gorgeous 6392531, send an email siblings a home to together? nwspca@hotmail.com The North or join our Facebook Wexford SPCA page.
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Chronicle September 24, 2014
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Anger grows over lack of plan for St. Senan’s The HSE has been accused of ‘stonewalling’ in respect of the future use of the former St. Senan’s Hospital in Enniscorthy. The accusation comes from Councillor James Browne and follows a meeting of the HSE’s Southern Forum in Cork on Thursday last. At that meeting the HSE had been expected to outline plans for the future use of the imposing structure on the outskirts of Enniscorthy but when the issue was raised, Forum members were told only that the HSE had the situation ‘under review’ and that a further update would be forthcoming at the October meeting of the Forum.
This prompted Councillor James Browne to launch a broadside against the HSE members present culminating in his ‘stonewalling’ accusation during what was, at times, a very heated debate. Councillor Browne said the response of the HSE in respect of the former Psychiatric Hospital was ‘ totally inadequate’ and showed a complete lack of positive thinking on the part of the Service Councillor Browne was further incensed when no member of the HSE present was able to elaborate on the original statement of the situation being ‘under review’. He wanted to know when the review
commenced, what its terms of reference were and when the review was likely to be completed but despite repeatedly asking HSE officials for a response, the Enniscorthy based public representative was made none-the-wiser by those supposedly in the know. Pointing out that the HSE adopted similar ‘review’ tactics in respect of the old general hospital in Wexford, which is now a blight on the landscape of the town, Councillor Browne said he was determined that St. Senan’s Hospital will not be allowed go the way of the former Wexford Hospital. He warned the HSE he would continue to raise the issue at every
available opportunity before declaring “I will not accept an ‘under review’ update in respect of St Senan’s at the October meeting of the Forum”. He said the HSE was’bereft’ of ideas for the 157 year old structure, considered one of the finest buildings in County Wexford, before adding “If you have no long term plans for this facility, you should give it over to others who have”. He said it would make an ideal Third Level College or, alternatively, a superb location for community related activities. To ignore its existence, as he accused the HSE of doing, was not acceptable, added Councillor Browne, and he was determined the HSE would either ‘use it or lose it’.
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Chronicle September 24, 2014
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An Eye On Gorey by Gavin MacDermott
Civic Reception to honour achievements A ‘Civic Celebration’ in honour of achievements by St. Michael’s (Gorey) Pipe Band and Kilmuckridge Drama Group was held on 16th September by Gorey
Municpal Council. Speaking about how the changes in the new council structure now encompass more communities, Chairman Hegarty said that it was
St Michael's,Pipe Band,Gorey... All Ireland Champions
very fitting that the new Municipal Council’s first event “should celebrate the achievements of a Gorey based group and a rural based group.” Kilmuckridge Drama Group saw considerable success this year. Notably, Michael Johnston, director of Kilmuckridge Dram Group’s production of ‘The Weir’ by Conor McPherson, scooped no less than five best director awards on the circuit this year as well as Best Director at the All-Ireland
Combined Final. Cast members Michael Murphy, Marie Butler, Sean Gahan and Richard Devreux all received best actor awards at various stages of the production’s tour, with Devreux taking Best Supporting Actor at the All-Ireland Combined Final. Gorey Pipe Band also had an incredibly successful year having won top prizes in their category at the All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships in New Ross during the summer. Long time piper and Chairman of the band John Cullen expressed his gratitude to the Municipal Council and commended his dedicated fellow pipers who had stayed together through “some very lean years” working toward their great victory earlier Pipers playing at their awards night to make their outthis year. standing achievements this year
Small business holds key to jobs recovery One of the burning questions regarding the Irish recovery is the generation of employment. The second progress report of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 initiative, which is working towards the employment of 2.1 million people by 2020, shows that there was an annual increase in employment of 2.3% or 42,700 in the year to the first quarter of 2014, bringing total employment to 1,888,200. Recent information from the 2011 census and Wexford Local Development inform us that Gorey and Wexford were in fact above the state average statistic for unemployment. The apparent turn around in the housing market will of course provide work for those in the construction trade and those seeking an entry into that industry. With many of the footpaths and roads needing refurbishment in the area contractors and tradesmen won’t just be busy with houses, but what other industries in the private sector might see increased local
employment with the changing fortunes of the Irish economy? One of the more promising growth sectors is the very-much-in-vogue IT start-up movement that has taken Dublin by storm. The model has travelled further south with such success stories as IT firm Innovate. Bríd Cosgrave of the recently established Local Enterprise Office explained that Gorey’s best strategy is to generate employment through small business, with IT companies and artisan food producers being particularly important. We’re all well aware of Gorey’s thriving retail sector and thankfully those travelling to the town from other counties to shop here do as well. At this month’s Gorey Municipal Council meeting, many of the sitting councillors agreed with Cllr. Malcolm Byrne’s assertion that the economic and social heart of Gorey was its Main Street and that future planning and zoning initiatives by the County
Council should indeed help preserve and support the shopping thoroughfare. Furthermore, Cllr. Byrne added that he was not supportive of ‘big out of town retail developments’ that might detract from the hub of the Main Street. From the planning side of things, Main Street Gorey retail will remain the focus for our representatives and
planners. As it stands, the town’s shopping centres, although some premises are unfinished, have not taken away from Main Street. In comparison with how Arklow’s Main Street has been subject to an increasing number of vacant premises, we should, in a sense, count our blessings in Gorey. There is no doubt
that agriculture accounts for the bulk of the Wexford economy, but it’s not the biggest employer and we probably will not see an increase in manufacturing jobs as they continue to be outsourced. Perhaps our hopes for local employment opportunities do lie with small business and a sustainable housing market for the foreseeable future.
The Cube Makes an Appearance at the Bunker Bar An ambitious and innovative fundraiser was held in the Bunker Bar last Saturday evening to raise funds for new changing room facilities at Tara Rocks GAA. Competitors tested their nerves and physical dexterity in a cellophane wrapped cube similar to the popular ITV game show ‘The Cube’. Lorraine Marshall, organiser of the event and one half of a dance partnership that will feature at the Strictly Come Dancing Event later this Autumn. Over €3000 was raised by an auction and ticket sales at the event. Overall winner of the Tara Rock ‘Cube’ night was Gary Owley. The Tara Rocks grounds will be open to the public and will also feature a running track.
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'CHESS' is Wexford show for 2015 Wexford Light Opera Society has announced its show for 2015 will be "CHESS". With music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (Abba) and lyrics by Tim Rice it will be performed by arrangement with Samuel French Limited. The Society last staged CHESS in 1997 when it was hugely popular with both cast and audiences alike. It promises to be a big, dramatic, spectacular and colourful production, with a pulsating score, great choruses and songs such as "Anthem", "I know him so well", One night in Bangkok", "Pity the Child" and "Someone Else' story". It will be staged in Wexford Opera House from Monday 27th April 2015 to
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Saturday 2nd May 2015. The production team is the same as for the Society's most recent successful productions of "The Witches of Eastwick" and "Sister Act" namely: Director - John Donnelly; Musical Director - Fintan Cleary; Choreographer - Nicole McDonald; Chorus Mistress Eithne Corrigan. Auditions and Information night will take place after the Festival and further details will
follow. New members are encouraged to attend as there is a large cast of principals and chorus required for this production. The show was formally announced at the Society's Culture Night Performance in the Wexford Opera House last Friday . For further information please contact Society PRO Pat Lawlor 0877808364
Street lamp fails to shed light on Blackwater bridge When they erected an expensive new street light on the bridge in Blackwater more than a decade ago locals thought they would be able to see to cross the bridge on dark nights. However, it has not exactly worked out like that as local councillor, Oliver Walsh told his colleagues at a meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal Council meeting. In the ten years since it
Gorey Credit Union Limited
was put in place it has hardly ever worked, he informed the meeting. Despite repeated complains and reporting faults to the ESB it was out of action more often than it has worked. And now, all those years later the ESB says there is a problem with the underground wiring to the light, which is likely to be expansive to fix. Cllr Walsh was critical of the service provided by
the ESB to the Council, particularly in relation to public lights. He was prompted to make the comments after it was revealed that the ESB is demanding €6,000 to move two poles in Castle Hill, Enniscorthy. But that will only be a drop in the ocean to what they will demand for undergrounding cables as part of a plan to improve the streetscape at Templeshannon.
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Kehoe turns first sod on €7.5m school extension Press Statement and photographs from Minister Paul Kehoe TD on Monday September 15th The Miniaster of State and Government Chief Whip, Paul Kehoe was on home soild last week to turn the first sod at St Aidan's NS in Enniscorthy. Minister Kehoe visited the site to turn the sod on Monday afternoon as work was about to get underwsayon the new €7.5 million extension to the school. Following his visit to the site Minister Kehoe said; "It was great to get on site to meet the school Principal Peter Creedon and Ganson
Construction on this huge project for Enniscorthy town. When it is completed it will accommodate 834 pupils. "It is great to see such a huge project underway in Enniscorthy where work will continue for two years and it will employ 150 people on site at its peak, I want to wish the principal, staff and pupils of St Aidans all the best as the work continues". The Enniscorthy school project is one of a new of school developments currently underway across the county.
Bid to get running facility back on track It was built as a state of the art running complex with the aim of attracting major athletics meetings to Enniscorthy and helping to boost bed nights in the area, but the impressive new facility has itself run into some early difficulties. There was a rumpus over
the official opening which was planned for August and was then postponed indefinitely, a management company due to oversee the overall operation of the complex still has not been set up six months after it was due to meet and there have been concerns about parking and
traffic problems in the area of the new facility when it hosts events. The old Enniscorthy Town Council. In conjunction with a number of State bodies provided cash to fund the development and one of its nominees as a member of the Board of Directors was
Councillor James Browne. However, because it has not met he was never actually appointed to the board. However, this has not stopped him being pressed by the public to take action on a range of concerns they have over the facility. At last week’s meeting of the Municipal District Council Cllr. Browne withdrew his nomination to the board. Now it appears that councillors will attempt to resolve the issues which have plagued the opening weeks of the new facility. Town Manager John Carley told a Council meeting that the mechanism agreed for the running of the facility originally needed to be got up and running. Councillors later discussed the way forward for the running track in private session and it is hoped to put the proper structures in place for its operation shortly and to organise an official opening.
Members of Slaney Olympic Athletic Club enjoying a trraining session at the new track. Pic Liz Wildes
Twenty nine bags of rubbish taken from house and burned in public Rubbish burning in a public place is a criminal offence and the local authority will pursue those responsible for such incidents. That’s the warning from John Carley, Co. Co. Council Director of Services and Town Manager for Enniscorthy, following revelations that twenty nine bags were taken from a house in a housing estate in the town and burned on a public fire.
Mr Carley said it was both illegal and dangerous to burn rubbish in a public place like this and he said those responsible would be pursued by the local authority. However, he warned that it was often difficult to locate the people involved because by the time the fire had come to attention they had departed. Landowners are responsible for fires on their property but
often they are set without their knowledge, he added. Cllr Paddy Kavanagh told a meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District Council that at Marconi Park a huge fire was started and twenty nine bags were taken from a single house and placed on it. He told the meeting that he received complaint s about the fire but asked where he could get action because
nothing seemed to be done about the problem. But John Carley insisted that all reports of illegal burning would be followed up but accepted it was difficult to apprehend people involved. However, he revealed that CCTV is to be installed at Marconi Park in an effort to tackle the problem.
No serious interest in Blackstoops site No formal planning initiative was ever made by McDonalds to open a facility at the Blackstoops Roundabout, the Enniscorthy Town Manage, John Carley, told a meeting of the Municipal District Council in Enniscorthy last week. Council officials are determined to secure proper development for the site at Blackstoops which is seen as a landmark site for the town. Cllr. Keith Doyle had suggested that some developments had gone ‘down the road’ to Wexford as a result of
not being entertained on the site. However, John Carley said they would discuss possibilities with any applicant but he said any proposal for the site would have to the right fit for such a prime location and also be sustainable. Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said that when the Enniscorthy by-pass is completed Blackstoops would not be the only prime site at the entrance to the town and he insisted that the entrances to the east of the town get priority when the by-pass comes on stream..
New Town Square planned for Enniscorthy A new square at the site of the old Abbey Square in Enniscorthy is to be created to become a focal point for events in the town when the new bridge is constructed across the river Slaney. The new bridge will be down river from the existing bridge which is to be demolished and this will enable the Council to recreate a Town Square in the area. The two sides of the two will be3 linked not only by two vehicular bridges but also by a pedestrian bridge which will cross the river at the point of the existing ‘second’ bridge. The new bridge is likely to cross from the N11 to Arnolds Cross. Final plans on the exact locations still have to be made but a number of local councillors are concerned that no final decisions are made without full consultation. Cllr.Paddy Kavanagh said the town would have to live with what is provided and he would like to see details of all proposals before a final decision is made. And Councillor James Browne said the
provision of the pedestrian bridge across the river must not be lost sight of in the plan. Town Manager John Carley told a meeting of the Municipal District Council that he believed the provision of a pedestrian bridge was essential due to the number of people who crossed the river on foot each day. He also addressed concerns from Cllr, Keith Doyle who had said he had heard that Irish Water might propose a reduction in the capacity of the town’s Drainage Scheme. Mr Carley said the scheme approved by Irish Water would not only take account of existing demand but would also provide capacity for development well into the future.
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Remembrance Book stolen from Ferns Cathedral The Book of Remembrance listing all those from the Diocese of Ferns who died on the Allied side in the Second World War (1939-1945) was stolen last Wednesday from its glass case in St Edan's Cathedral, Ferns. The illuminated hand written manuscript was compiled by Canon Bradley sometime after the Second World War and included names of people from all religious denominations from the Ferns Diocesan area in Wexford and parts of Wicklow.
Very minor damage was caused to the glass case which housed the book and nothing else was stolen nor was there any other damage to the Cathedral. This may indicate that this was a "professional job" and the book may have been stolen to order. The book which was a thin hard backed manuscript book had been written in a very neat italic style with coloured decorations. The book is an important historical document and has a deep significance for those who remember loved
ones named in the book. If this book appears on the market it is very important to know that it was stolen and to know from where it came and where it belongs. The Dean, the Very Revd Dr Paul Mooney, would appeal to anyone who has knowledge of the book's whereabouts to return it, it recounts the service and names of merchant mariners lost at sea as well as those who volunteered from this area to serve on the Allied side in the armies, navies and air forces of various nations.
Wexford speech therapy services in crisis Co. Wexford is facing a crisis when it comes to speech and language therapy for children, according to County Council Chairperson, Malcolm Byrne. He pointed out that while international best practice suggests that there should be one therapist for every 30 to 50 children, the figure for Wexford has now reached one therapist for every 388 children. This compares to one for every 93 children in neighbouring Co.
Wicklow. The figures are contained in a report published by Inclusion Ireland this week. "I don't like to use the word 'crisis' lightly, but this situation is appalling. Early intervention is crucial in assisting children with speech and language difficulties. There is a significant longer term cost and challenge if action is not taken. The HSE has spoken about additional recruitment in this area but this process
needs to be expedited. Co.Wexford, Councillor Byrne said in a statement. has one of the worst records in this area of support." Nationally, some 1,940 children have been waiting for assessments of their needs for more than 12 months. A further 3,000 have been waiting more than a year to access speech and language therapy which they have been assessed as needing.
Alarm over danger outside schools (Continued from page 1) In Killmuckridge planners are being blamed for the increasing danger faced by pupils as a housing estate near the school which was given the green light despite local objections is adding to the traffic problems according to Councillor Mary Farrell.
In Tidy Town wining village, Ballycanew, speed control rumble strips have been used to try to deal with the problem, but more action is being demanded. Meanwhile, the biggest problem of all may be in Riverchapel where scenes of absolute chaos are witnessed every morning according to Cllr. Robbie
Ireton. He said children were in real danger outside the school. Earlier this month Cllr Mick Roche raised concerns about the chaos outside the Vocational College in Bridgetown. Again over development in the area is being blamed for contributing to the problem.
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Seasonal Gardening Tips from Springmount The garden is like an extra room in the home and we are able to get the most of it this year ,thanks to this lovely September weather ! But what should or indeed could we be doing now? Well now is the time to plant spring flowering bulbs. So if you like tulips, daffy, bluebells,snowdrops etc. now is the time to pop them into ground, into containers ,window boxes or hanging baskets Next how you any
perennials that need to be divided ? If you have a large clump you could start the divide now - lift, divide and replant in nice fresh soil with a little compost and a general fertiliser. Now you have two plants instead of one - and for no cost ! Keep them watered until they are settled. Have you any camellias, rhododendron or magnolias ? They may need watering and a little liquid feed their buds are fattening up now for a wonderful show
next spring. Got any horrible bindweed? This is a good time to put a systemic weedkiller on it (e.g."Rambo") just before the leaves die back. The poison will be taken in through the leaves and go down to the roots. A little tip for inside Choose prepared hyacinths and plant them indoors for scent, color and beautiful indoor display for Christmas.
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Chronicle September 24, 2014
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GER WALSH Few crimes are as disgusting as robbing an individual at a cemetery There can few things more cruel than a person being robbed as they visit the grave of a loved one. Unfortunately that has been the experience of many people over the years. The cemetery at Crosstown in Wexford town has long been associated with threats to personal belongings and there have been many heartbreaking stories over the years of recently bereaved elderly people having their cars broken into and personal items stolen. However, until fairly recently the problem seemed to be more associated with the larger urban centres, but now appears to be spreading and the reality is that you are
probably no longer safe visiting any graveyard. The problem was brought into sharp focus by a series of incidents at Bunlody cemetery over recent months. According to local councillor Barbara Anne Murphy, who happens to be the current Chair of the Enniscorthy Municipal District, thefts from people attending the cemetery have reached epidemic proportions. It really is shocking to think that vulnerable individuals are targeted by such parasites, as that is the only word to describe those who prey on people attending the grave of their loved ones. In one case in Bunclody a very sizeable sum of money
was taken and I suppose the only lesson to be learned is that you should never, ever, leave anything valuable in a car outside a cemetery. As Barbara Ann said last week signs warning of thieves are all very well but a bit more is needed in Bunclody and I suppose outside any cemetery where this is a problem. She wants to see CCTV cameras installed to try and nab those responsible and I agree with her. And if they are caught you’d hope that they would be made an example of when they reach court, but the reality is they would be more likely than not to get a slap on the knuckles. That is one of the big
problems about Ireland today. We seem to focus a lot of attention on the problems of wrong doers, criminals in other words, and we sometimes pay scant attention to the scale of the hurt suffered by the victims of crime. Just last week we had the publication of another expensive report which focuses on the problems faced by prisoners. These after all are people who have committed crime, sometimes very serious crime, but we as a nation seem to be obsessed with trying to find excuses for their activity and attempting to find alternative easier punishments
for them. Isn’t it really about time we spent a bit more money on trying to help the victims of crime rather than seemingly
always being prepared to spend money on reports which come up with excuses for the perpetrators of crime.
Is this the real reason A funny thing How could they build apartments in for water flouridation happened on the historic cemetery? way to the Opera Sometimes you really do have to wonder about how we managed to make such a mess of so many things in this country and one of the main problems we seem to have created is over regulation. We have been first to enact almost every EU regulation there ever was, often to the detriment of small local businesses. But it’s not just EU regulations that appear to have us tied up in knots we also seem to have some crazy regulations all of our own making. Take the area of heritage and protected buildings, for example. There is a problem around Enniscorthy Castile with criminals making their way over the fencing and breaking into nearby business premises. The business owners are concerned that something should be done around the castle to prevent the problem, or at least to make it more difficult for the criminals to gain entry. Everybody it seems thinks it would be sensible to change the railings or do whatever is necessary to deal with the problem. However, before they even start to do anything they are resigned to
defeat. As a protected building doing anything with the Castle requires permission from all sorts of people and the plans would almost certainly fall at some hurdle. But as Paddy kavanagh has pointed out being a protected building didn’t stop them from putting PVC windows in the Castle when they were doing major restoration works. And then despite all the regulations, all the heritage bodies and everything we have an example of the sheer vandalism of our heritage in other places. Someone must have gone for a long nap a few years ago when an apartment complex was being built beside St. John’s cemetery in Wexford town which is the final resting place of John Redmond. The actual boundary wall of the cemetery was demolished to make way for the apartments and a satellite dish is now among the items which look onto the cemetery. One wonders where all those charged looking after our heritage were when this little episode took place.
Disputes and arguments over the fluoridation of the Irish water supply have been going on for years. Some people hold very strong view on the matter and appear to be very knowledgeable about it while others simply don’t have a clue. I’d probably fall into the latter category myself and I think councillor Mary Farrell might be a bit the same. Now that she is a councillor (newly elected last May) she is obviously being asked questions about all sorts of things she never had to consider before, fluoridation of the water supply being one of them. That led her to raise the issue at a meeting of her local district council last
week, more to seek a bit of information than anything e4lse. I’d say she didn’t bargain on some of the info she received. Fionntan O’Sulleabhain, who is certainly against it himself, managed to bring Hitler, Stalin, the World War and almost everything else into his comments. Originally it was used as part of a process in Europe to make the general population docile he told his colleagues. Well if that was the reason it was being used in Ireland it certainly wasn’t working, the Chairman John Hegarty suggested. I’m not sure that Mary Farrell was much wiser at the end of it all.
With the Wexford Festival Opera just around the corner local taxi drivers will no doubt be interested to read about a recent court case in Hammersmith, London. It involved a seventy one year old retired doctor who assaulted a taxi driver by beating him over the head with his walking stick because he thought the driver was going to have him late for an opera concert. The good news for Wexford taxi drivers is that there is no chance of this particular doctor repeating his attack locally. Part of his
sentence involved a curfew which keeps him inside his home between the hours of 8pm and 6am daily, for a period of three months which just happens to take in the Wexford Festival.
Why too many ambulances can be fatal There are major questions being asked about the level of ambulance cover across the county, particularly at weekends. The suggestions from a lot of sources is that there simple are not enough emergency vehicles to properly cover the area at various times of the week and there have been a few high profile examples of major delays in responding to calls, The HSE provided details of the exact level of cover
across the area at all times throughout the week to Cllr. Joe Sullivan, a member of the Health Forum South, a couple of months ago. I am sure the people who drew up the document did it in good faith but it looked more like a mathematical puzzle than a clear outline of exactly what vehicles were available at a given time. As a lay person reading the document you would be forgiven for thinking that
there were two wheels of an ambulance stationed in one part of the county and the remaining two in a different place altogether but that obviously couldn’t be true. Anyway having loads of ambulances would be no bar to calamities occurring in the health service, it appears. I see where a woman in Wales died in an ambulance outside a hospital in Swansea after she was left waiting forty minutes for admission to
A&E. The unfortunate lady was in a queue of FIFTEEN ambulances outside the hospital when she died. Given the number of ambulances available at any one time around here that is not likely to be a problem anytime soon, but you do get the impression that we are sailing very close to the wind in terms of ambulance cover and that certainly heightens the risk of a major tragedy happening.
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The
Chronicle September 24, 2014
Lifestyle
Bree Community Centre Gorey C.U. enjoys “A Taste of the Opera”. backs singing competition A big crowd was in attendance at Bree Community Centre recently. This was a free event as part of Wexford Creamery’s sponsorship of this year’s Wexford Festival Opera. The ICA was delighted to be associated with the collaboration. Catherine Dunleavy, President of Bree ICA guild introduced the evening and welcomed Wexford Federation President, Breda Banville.. Breda profiled the work of the ICA with a slide show with Mary Fitzgerald, Wexford Federation Secretary responsible for the slide show. Breda introduced Neil Murphy, Sales and Marketing with Wexford Creamery and he reflected on the enormous change that Wexford Creamery is experiencing at the moment since it was founded 54 years ago. He spoke of the 63 year history that Wexford Festival Opera has and referred to all who participate to make the Festival
Opera a positive impact, inspired by talent and the drive. Eamonn Carroll, Development Manager with Wexford Festival Opera said the event occupied a world stage with WFO hosting the Gala Dinner in New York City the night before the Bree event. The festival involves 12 days with over 50 events, including 3 classical operas. He commented on the social, cultural and economic benefit of €8.5 million to the local economy. Rachel Croash, Soprano for the night sang a repertoire of opera pieces live. Rachel read the poem “The Mother”, written by Padraig Pearse for his Mother, the night before he and his brother went to fight in the 1916 rising. She then sang a beautiful rendition of the song. Rachel will sing in the chorus of two of the operas at Wexford Festival opera, Salome & Le Bucefalo . Rachel was accompanied by Gillian Daly. Gillian Daly and
Neil Murphy, Wexford Creamery, Gillian Daly, Accompanist, Rachel Croash, Soprano, Breda Banville, Wexford Federation President, Catherine Dunleavy, Bree Guild President, Eamonn Carroll, Wexford Festival Opera Rachel are both members of the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Gillian plans to compete her master next year. Both performers were friendly with the audience who were eager to chat with the girls after the show.
Amber Springs new Head of House In July of this year the Amber Springs Hotel proudly announced the appointment of new General Manager Eibhear Coyle. This is indeed positive news for the property as Mr Coyle arrives with a vast array of experience under his belt. His impressive CV includes a career spanning over two decades in the hospitality industry all over the world working his way from kitchen porter to top chef in prestigious hotels and restaurants across the globe including The Four Seasons, Melbourne Australia, the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, The Savoy London, and Paul Rankins Belfast fine dining eatery Belfast’ among others. Eibhear decided to join the team at The Amber Springs when he and his wife made the move back to Ireland for quality of life and to start a family. Eibhear was warm in his praise of Gorey and
the friendliness of the local people. He has a tangible vision for the property and hopes that to build a close relationship between the hotel and the local community making it a top choice for all the family in the coming months. Eibhear told The Chronicle that as a love of food is in his blood he has many new and exciting ideas for the hotel but stresses he firmly believes in planning change for the better through improvement and little touches rather than making something too unfamiliar. The Amber Springs are unique in the sense that all beef on the property is their own he told us and all vegetables are locally sourced. Eibhear is passionate about tasty simple food that has not been handled too much and is reasonably priced. In relation to other plans for the hotel for local customers
Eibhear has many ideas based around loyalty schemes to encourage repeat visits to the property such as discounted leisure prices, a percentage of all food and beverage and Cocoon products. The hotel is deeply committed to being family friendly with childcare facilities and the ever popular playzone. There are indeed exciting times ahead for Mr Coyle, The Amber Springs and the local community ..
‘The Challenge’ We are in week 2 of our challenge here at curves and em… enjoying every minute of it! Bootcamp’s are busy & sweaty and are being taken by storm by women of all ages, shapes & sizes endevouring to earn points for their teams. Whether they are losing lbs or gaining in strength & fitness at the moment everyone in our club is a winner by challenging themselves to step outside their comfort zone and reach for a fitter, stronger self. To set ourselves a challenge is important. What is YOUR challenge? Is it to get fit or fitter? Is it to loose weight?
Whatever it is, if you wan’t something you’ve never had you’ve got to do something you’ve never done. Do not do the same thing and expect a different result. If your challenge is to get fit then seek out those who are doing the same thing, we are all stronger together and more likely to succeed. If your challenge is to become a slimmer more svelt you then research shows that women who get weighed regularly are much more likely to maintain their weight. So get weighed and set yourself a goal, a realistic goal. Yes, you can drop 1 stone in a relatively short period of time with
a faddy diet that deprives your body of nutrition, wasting your muscles and not tackling your fatty bits as much as you'd like, but will it stay off? The chances are indeed (pardon the pun) slim. Aim to lose 1-2 lbs per week, this is a healthy, realistic goal. Remember every body functions differently. Are you eating enough? Women that skip meals tend to be heavier than those that don’t. Again if you seek out like minded individuals your chances of success will improve dramatically. Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits!! Roisin@Curves.
Gorey Credit Union Ltd CU Factor singing competition which is open to all individuals or groups aged between 12 to 19years will take place on Fri 26th Sept 2014 in Gorey Little Theatre at 8pm. Entry is Free to this competition and Entry Forms are available in Gorey Credit Union. This is a great opportunity for young singers to
showcase their talent on a Big Stage. 4 acts will be selected from the Gorey Heat to go forward to the Chapter 9 final in St Michael’s Theatre, New Ross on 11th October at 8pm. The winners of the Chapter 9 Final will go on to the All-Ireland Final which will be held in Drogheda on Sat 1st Nov 2014.
The
Chronicle September 24, 2014
10
News
‘Hands off Gorey’s Main Street’ planners told There is an absolute determination on the part of councillors in the Gorey Municipal District to maintain the Main Street and Esmonde Street as the principal commercial trading area of the town. They have made their views crystal clear to planners as a series of applications for developments at the ‘top’ of the town around the Tesco supermarket development come on stream. Cllr. Malcolm Byrne delivered his view in stark terms to planners at a meeting of the local Municipal District
Council. ‘Be very clear about this, we want to preserve the Main Street’, he declared. He said he would be very worried if major developments were allowed away from the Main Street. ‘I don’t want to see us losing the Main Street as the central commercial area of the town’ All councillors were agreed that Gorey was a vibrant town which had weathered the recession better than many urban areas. However, there is concern to avoid anything which would dilute the attractiveness of the main street as the commercial
centre of the town. He was backed by Cllr Fionntan O’Sulleabhain who accepted that the town was doing well but warmed about any complacency pointing out that it appeared to be taking longer to fill some commercial units than it did in the past. He pointed out that research in other places had shown that for every one hundred jobs created in an out of town retail development one hundred and twenty jobs were lost in the centre of the town. He said there was a need to keep to keep
Esmonde Street and the Main Street as the commercial focus of the town. Cllr. Robbie Ireton said he did not want to see any negative impression of Gorey coming out of the meeting. ‘Gorey has a great knack of repairing itself’, he told his colleagues. Council Chairman John Hegarty said no one was trying to send out a negative image of the town but as a group of councillors they were now the custodians of Gorey and they had a responsibility to ensure it continued to prosper.
Housing Aid Grants for elderly remain closed The Housing Aid grants for older people who is used to carry out essential improvements and repairs to the homes of older people remains closed to new applicants and no one can provide any date as to when it might reopen. That’s the bad news for older residents of the county who missed out on improvement works when the Council decided to stop taking new applicants several years ago as a result of the backlog which had
built up. The works funded under the scheme includes reroofing, re-wiring and the provision of central heating in houses where none exists. However, a combination of a massive increase in applications coupled with a cut in funding from the government forced the Council to stop taking new applicants for the scheme and they are still------several years later--------working their way through the existing list.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. If the Council gets any reasonable funding for the scheme for next year the backlog might be cleared and there is a possibility that new applicants may be able to apply again. People who expressed an interest in the scheme in the past but whose applications were not accepted will be contacted again if the scheme reopens. However, there have been a number of changes to the scheme in
recent years, including raising the eligibility from people over sixty to over sixty six. However, at a meeting of the Gorey Municipal District Council last week where the issue was discussed, councillors said this would not be an issue because people who had applied had all moved on in years since their original applications. Unfortunately some of them will also have passed away.
Homes heading into Winter without adeqaute heating Many families living in rented accommodation are looking forward to a winter of discomfort as they struggle to provide adequate heating in houses which were originally constructed as holiday homes. The problem is particularly acute in coastal areas and North Wexford in particular where hundreds of holiday homes were built in every resort during the boom years. Now as their owners struggle with negative equity and high mortgage payments many of them are leased out all the year round.
However, their original basic construction makes them very difficult to heat and the heating systems in many of them are inadequate for harsh winter conditions. But there is nothing in the regulations covering private rental properties to force landlords to provide improved heating systems in these homes. The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Gorey Municipal District Council when Cllr. Robbie Ireton said many of these houses were constructed with nine inch cavity blocks and were very difficult to heat. He
suggested that they really should not be let out on a year round basis at all. But it is not just newer holiday home type accommodation which is causing problem. Cllr Fionntan O’Sulleabhain said that many properties just a short distance away from modern shop fronts were actually very substandard. ‘There are a lot of older units around and they are very sub-standard’, he said. But Cllr. Joe Sullivan spoke up in defence of the landlords. He said many of them were facing a huge burden as a result of
regulations which forced them to put extractors in toilets and shower rooms. In many instances they were not even meeting the mortgage from the rental income, he said. He suggested that some of the things demanded of landlords were silly and questioned why such improvements were demanded in houses most of which were built during the past ten years. He said it had to be remembered that in recent years landlords had filled the gap at a time when there was no social housing being provided.
Irish Water to provide ice cleaning for Gorey pipes Engineers have waged a two year battle to deal with a water quality problem in two of North Wexford’s biggest residential areas, but to date their efforts have failed. Various cleaning efforts have been tried on the water supply to Oakwood and Ramsgate Village and while they have initially improved the quality of the water supply the problem reemerges often within a few weeks. Now Malcolm Byrne believes that the time for cleaning solutions must be nearing an end saying that spending two years without achieving proper water quality was not acceptable and he wondered how long the Council intended to continue trying cleaning solutions.
But a meeting of the local Municipal District Council was told that engineers are not to give up on the problem just yet and Irish Water have now provided a new ice based cleaning system for the pipes feeding the two areas and there is confidence that this might finally eliminate the problem with the water supply to the area.
Morriscastle water problem remains a mystery Mystery surrounds the reason behind a poor quality water reading which forced the closure of Morriscastle beach at the height of the holiday season, it has emerged. Hundreds of tourists were left frustrated at the time when ‘No Bathing’ notices were erected along the beach. There was no explanation as to why the beach was closed at the time and it has now emerged there is still no explanation for the problem. There were perfect water quality readings either side of the
read out which prompted the closure. Now Council Engineers believe that the reading which sparked the closure may actually have been as a result of some error in the process. Local Councillor Mary Farrell said people were very frustrated at the time over the closure because they had no information about why swimming was banned. She said that in future information notices explaining the situation should be erected, particularly when it happened at the height of the tourist season.
Funge remembered North Wexford may soon have a ‘Boulevard’ or a ‘Way’ to commemorate the memory of local artist Paul Funge. Members of the local Municipal District Council stopped short of selecting the name for the new link road at a meeting
last week, opting to leave the final decision to the Funge family. They now have a choice between ‘Boulevard Paul Funge’ or ‘Paul Funge Way’ The new name will be approved at the next meeting of councillors.
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Chronicle September 24, 2014
The
News
Get your kids cooking with Joyces Expert Wexford! Are your kids showing flair in the kitchen from a young age? Want to get your kids into the kitchen but never have the time? Introduce you kids to the Joyces Kids Baking Academy, our four week course is aimed at children aged between 7 and 12 years old, through demonstration and your children’s own work we will help teach them a skill for life. Our in-house teacher will show children how to cook a variety dishes including pasta bakes, bread, cakes, smoothies, biscuits and desserts. The classes start on Saturday, September 27th and will run for four
weeks until Saturday, October 18th. We have two classes, 10.30am – 12noon and 1.30pm to 3pm and the cost of the
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Joyces Expert Wexford chosen as a pilot project for Expert Europe At Joyces Expert Wexford, we’ve always offered great IT service, making sure you have the right laptop, helping to set up your email and contacts right in store, and being there for any questions that come up later. We’ve been selling tablets for a couple of years now and taken on new products as manufacturers released them, but now we’ve been able to listen to feedback, test products, read reviews and select a range of tablets that all meet a specific customer criteria. The latest generation of products are incredible, with faster processors than most laptops and more pixels than a HD TV. It can seem confusing, but we want to show our customers just how easy it is to enjoy all this performance. So what we’ve done is; refresh our tablet showroom, and divide the area into 4 categories based on the groups of customer we see most
often. We’ve created new signage to make it easier to compare features and specifications, and most important of all our staff have been receiving training from the brands themselves so they can show you all the tips-andtricks you need to get the most out of your new tablet. We are now The Tablet Experts. We’ve also got new complementary products in store, the Samsung Gear & Neo watches are amazing products for keeping organised and tracking your fitness. We have wireless printers, wireless speakers, and of course we can show you how to project your tablet onto you TV. We wanted to share what we’ve learnt, and celebrate another upgrade to our store, so we’re inviting everyone in this weekend to our tablet event! Experience the latest technology with the same friendly, knowledgeable service.
Meet the Tablet Experts in our New Tablet Showroom 24th – 28th September
Chronicle September 24, 2014 Lifestyle
12
The
AE &
Comment, Music, Gossip, Fashion, What’s Hot, What’s Not, Who’s Hot, Who’s Not, Adam
Introduction
Hi everybody! A&E have taken a bit of a break this week with work and other stuff. I think we deserved it... Adam’s back up in college and Eoin’s getting ready for more work later on in the week. You won’t be hearing from us for the next 2 weeks. :( We’ll make sure to have some serious gossip for you when we meet again and thanks for reading!
TUNE OF THE WEEK Calvin Harris – Blame Ft John Newman Here’s two artists who are massive at the moment absolutely smashing a collab! This is a monster of a tune, for anyone who hasn’t heard it yet. It’s climbed to number one in the charts. It’s one that will be played on dance floors across the world. It is a whopper!!
Adam Ennis
Freedom!..Or Not
William Wallace, a Scottish freedom-fighter whose heroics were captured in the blockbuster film ‘Braveheart’,must be turning in his grave after his proud nation of Scotland gave up their fight for independence late last week. The Scots have voted against their exclusion from the, not so “Great” Britain and turned down the chance to be an independent nation once again, which they fought hard to get between 1296–1328, only for Britain to come back and fight them and win this time in a war from 1332–1357. So, why give up the chance of becoming an independent nation that their ancestors fought so hard to keep intact? Brutal tactics were used from the British government saying there would be no health care and the rest , just to scare potential voters away from voting yes. What happened here is a case of going with your head and not your heart, they were afraid to gain independence but in their hearts they clearly wanted independence because why wouldn’t you? Why would you want to be controlled by a group of dictators in London? While, financially, there’s obvious benefits, but surely they can’t be weighed up against the independent nation which would be achieved in the long term. Ireland came together as a country and fought to break away the British monarchy with heart not their heads, so I’m disappointed in Scotland as a country for bricking it. - Eoin
USELESS FACT OF THE WEEK
- Eoin
#Throwback Before cartons came along, you’d find your milk in one of these babies outside your front door. While, I wasn’t around, I realise we have readers who were. Thems were the days…. Apparently
In 1923, jockey Frank Hayes won a race at Belmont Park in New York despite being dead — he suffered a heart attack mid-race, but his body stayed on the saddle until his horse crossed the line for a 20– 1 outsider victory. -
Eoin
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The
Chronicle September 24, 2014
Lifestyle Where to Be Seen, Where To Avoid, Who’s Celebrating, Who’s Not
Eoin Healy
Culture Night in Wexford Eoin
Hot – Bandeadd Irish Youtube sensation Éadaoin
“Bandeadd” Fitzmaurice has been on the rise since she joined the social media platform 4 months. The Arklow-born 19-year-old has well and truly hit the jackpot after being recognised by fellow Youtube star Jenna Marbles. Marbles has allegedly been following the DCU student since early this summer and “loved her style and open-mindedness”. Bandeadd is expected to jet off before Christmas to collab with the Youtube star for all her 14,000,000 subscribers to see. - Adam
‘Loose Porter’ entertaining the crowd in Selskar square for Culture night 14. Pics by Pat Sheridan
Not – Kanye West The G.O.O.D Music boss found himself in a spot of bother last week after telling two disabled fans to stand up at his concert, refusing to continue to sing until they did. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the rapper got thousands of fans to boo the two, until he later found out they were disabled. He hit back against the media telling them to “Pick a new target.” Right, everyone knows Kanye as a self-absorbed, narcissistic attention seeker, but for once, can he not see that it’s not personally targeted at him? It would be the exact same situation if another celebrity did it. He just can’t take responsibility for any thing he does. No apology has been given. Grrrr!
Chamber choir Valda, performing in Selskar Abbey for Culture night 14
Snapchat of the Week This week’s Snapchat was sent in by our main man Jack Donoghue from all the way over in Scotland. We said we’d throw it in after Scotland’s ordeal over the last week. Keep sending your Snaps it to adam_ennis and ilovecider.
John and Mavis O’Connor Coolcotts, en- Eileen Campbell, Johnny Doyle, Betty Dinjoying the craic and the Irish music in neen and May Buttimer enjoying the Selsar square for Culture Night 14 sounds of Chamber Choir Valda in Selskar Abbey for Culture night 14
CONNECT WITH US! Snapchat: ilovecider & adam_ennis Facebook: /adamjayennis94 & eoinhealy.9 Twitter: I_Rant_A_Lot & EtekOfficial
Suzan and Frank Clancy taking in the atmosphere in Selskar Abbey at the Culture night 14
The
Chronicle September 24, 2014
SERVICES
14
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Y A W ROADool
Chronicle September 24, 2014
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Chronicle September 24, 2014 Lifestyle
16
The
Fashion extravaganza is sell out success
A sold out house for the spectacular fashion show in Co Hall in aid of ‘It’s good to talk’. Pics by Pat Sheridan The creme de la creme of Wexford fashion came together for a totally sold-out catwalk extravaganza on Saturday night (September 20th) ably hosted by RTE star Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh. Top Irish models Sarah Morrissey, Yomiko, Teo Sutra and more walked the catwalk with some of the county’s biggest GAA stars in fabulous outfits from 22 Wexford boutiques. Three talented Oulart and Wexford players proved particularly good sports, honouring their commitment to the charity event in spite of a shock defeat to Glynn Barntown just hours before in the senior hurling championship. Eoin Moore, Shaun Murphy, David Redmond and Keith Rossiter joined veteran of last year’s show Brian Malone, Ferns star
Paul Morris and Jack O’Connor of St Martins and were a smash hit with the capacity crowd of more than 450 people. Merrion-square based couturier Umit Kutlik’s extraordinary designs drew gasps from the crowd while Gorey girl Blaithin Ennis’s award-winning ornate jewellery designs will surely be scribbled down on Santa lists around the county now. Organised for the third year by the Wexford Chamber of Commerce, the organisation’s CEO Madeleine Quirke hailed the night as a resounding success. ‘The show was first established to boost our retail sector during difficult economic times and allow them to showcase their fabulous designs to as wide an audience as possible. It is now
an established night on the fashion and social calendar and is raising valuable funds for charity – this year counselling service It’s Good 2 Talk was our charity partner – while showing off what our wonderful boutiques and retailers have to offer. This was our first time here in this iconic County Hall building and we couldn’t have asked for a better venue or backdrop. ‘As always our wonderful producer Keith Jordan did an unbelievable job and we were delighted to have great sponsors on board in Wexford County Council, Alan Keville Hair, Gainfort Academy, Ken Boylan Make-up Play, the Talbot Hotel, Westgate Design and Keelings who all helped to make the night possible. We look forward to seeing you all back next year!’
Jackie, Ann and Linda Brennan enjoying the athmosphere at the fashion show in Co Hall
Anna, Emma, Clara and Maura Bell at the fashion show in aid of ‘It’s good to talk’
Bláthnaid Ni Chofaigh of RTE fame comperes the fashion show in Co Hall in aid of ‘It’s good to talk’
17
The
Chronicle September 24, 2014
News
Malcolm’s bulldozer swept all before it Malcolm Byrne was a man with a mission at the September meeting of the Co. Council last week. His mission-------to get the meeting finished sometime before Christmas Well not really, but at least to get out of the Chamber before midnight. And against all the odds he managed to get everyone out by teatime, but it did involve moving the agenda along at breakneck speed, particularly when it came to the motions. And it was with the motions that the real problem arose. When the new system of local government came in during the summer the officials and some others, including Malcolm, had great plans to decongest the Council meetings. In fact they were to be so decongested that some of them were to disappear altogether. Under the grand plan the Council would only meet every two months and motions would be discussed at District Committee level, Well so much for grand plans. The first thing to
fall was the idea that the Council would not meet every month. Davy Hynes was like a dog with a bone on this one. He had fought a long time to win a seat at Co. Council level and he is obviously determined to spend as much time in it as he can. His colleagues agreed but one suspects that the Chief Executive Tom Enright, champion of bimonthly meetings, who is of course happy to go along with whatever the elected members want may be right in the end. He is convinced that by the spring they won’t have much to talk about in the main Council Chamber, with at the business being conducted at district level. That will certainly please Kathleen Codd Nolan. She was horrified
there was more than €36m outstanding to the Council in development fees and if even 15% of that amount was collected it would fund a three year cut in the Property Tax. But Labour Councillor, George Lawlor, urged members to be a bit more responsible than to be proposing motions to cut revenue to the council without knowing the consequences of their actions.
Concern over the levels of rural crime in Co. Wexford is to be addressed by the new Joint Policing Committee of Wexford Co. Council. The move follows a motion which suggested that the Co. Council recognise that the county, particularly rural areas, are in the midst of a crime epidemic and that ‘the council must step up to the mark and play a proactive role in making communities safe again’ The issue was raised by
Sinn Fein councillor, Mick Roche who said the Council should set up a taskforce determine the true economic cost of closing down Garda Station and limiting Garda services across the county. However, his motion was deferred to a meeting of the Policing Committee when Cllr. Larry O’Brien said that was where the expertise on these matters resided and it was the proper place to discuss it.
Plea to Burton Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has been urged to increase rent supplement rates in Co. Wexford by at least 10% because the current rates payable are below the rental value of most properties. Cllr Joe Sullivan told a meeting of the Co. Council
to see twenty motions on the agenda for last week’s meeting. She told her colleagues they would have to get real if they wanted to conduct the business of the county.
But Kathleen hadn’t reckoned on Malcolm’s bulldozer which swept all nineteen motions before it in the space of less than half an hour. And everyone was home in time for tea.
No decision on property tax cut Members of Wexford Co. Council have kicked to touch on a bid by a Sinn Fein councillor to get their backing for a 15% cut in property tax bills for householders next year. At the September meeting Oisin O’Connell said a 15% cut was not good enough but it was the maximum allowed under the legislation. He said a recent Dail reply had revealed that
Policing Committee to discuss rural crime
Keith Doyle said the members would need to have all the facts before them on the finances before they could make any decision on cutting the property tax. Both Deirdre Wadding and Davy Hynes backed the motion saying the money to do it was in central funds. But James Browne said everyone would like to cut taxes but a reduction
in the Property Tax as proposed would only marginally benefit the less well off while bringing the greatest benefits to those living in the largest houses in the county. Members deferred any decision on the Property Tax until the full council considers the budget for 2014 at a meeting later this month.
High levels of road tax on HGVs could pose a threat to the future of Rosslare Euro Port, it has been claimed. High tax rates have resulted in hundreds of trucks being relocated from Co. Wexford to Northern Ireland over the last twelve
months and Cllr. Michael Whelan said there was a danger that if they were located in the north that they might start using a port other than Rosslare and this could have long term consequences for the Co. Wexford port.
that the supplement rates for the county had been reduced at the start of the financial crises when house prices collapsed and rents reduced. However, they were now going in the other direction and the amounts payable were not longer sufficient.
Big savings on annual report The Annual report of Wexford Co. Council for 2013 is to be published shortly and the authority has achieved dramatic savings on the cost of producing it. Two years ago the report cost more than €11,000 to produce but that has been slashed to just €5,500 for the latest production--------a saving of just over half the cost. The big saving was achieved through moving production of the report from outside publishers and printers to an in house
solution. Co. Secretary Pat Collins told councillors that the in house production of the report not only cut significant costs but also positively impacted on the staff involved. The Council is legally obliged to have the report translated to Irish but instead of getting commercial translators to do the job more money will be saved by getting a school in the county to do the translating, Chief Executive Tom Enright revealed.
Browne wants tourism ‘Way’ Cut HGV road for Wexford tax plea The creation of a an ‘Ancient Ireland Way’ through Co. Wexford and the South East would provide a huge tourism spin off for the county and the entire South East region, Cllr. James Browne told a meeting of the Co. Council. Cllr Browne wants a
tourist trail similar to the Wild Atlantic West Way which has received huge funding from the government. Cllr Browne said the ‘Way’ could start in Cork and go all the way along the coast to Dublin.
The
Chronicle September 24, 2014
18
News
Big welcome home for Shona Silver and Bronze medalist Shona Gregan returned from the 2014 Special Olympics European
Summer Games held in Antwerp with both bronze and silver medals around her neck. The final year
Silver Medalist, Shona Gregan with her Parents Margaret and Toss Gregan
Gorey Community School student was welcomed home last Sunday by a gathering of supporters from her home town as she paraded down the Main Street escorted by Gardaí and members of the Gorey Pipe Band. Having been a member of the Special Olympics Club Gorey Area for five years and a Leinster finalist in Badminton two years ago, Shona Gregan was selected to be part of the Irish team bound for the games this summer. Competing in both Badminton Singles and the Badminton Team Event, she received silver and bronze medals for her efforts. Joining the Irish team provided a new challenge in
itself as Shona had to train with an entirely new team of Special Olympics athletes and coaches. Speaking at a reception for her home coming later that evening the Badminton star said she really enjoyed the trip and that her greatest achievement was bringing home the medals. Credit must be given to Shona’s parents Margaret and Toss, who have supported and guided her over the last five years to her great achievement. The Chronicle commends the young athlete on her successful representation of both her home town and county. Shona Gregan arriving back in Gorey with her mother Margaret
Colleen's strikes gold at European Special Olympics Games Co Wexford can be very proud of its latest European Champion. Colleen Flood Power from Rosslare returned to Dublin airport on Sunday with great scenes of jubilation as the Team Ireland were welcomed home. Colleen having won a total of 5 medals at The Games in Belgium was one of Team Irelands most successful athletes. Team Irealnd won 58 medals in total and Colleen had the privelege of being the 1st athlete to win gold for Ireland. Colleen competed in Artistic Gymnastics participating in all 4 disciplines Floor, Beam, Vault and Uneven Bars. The European Special Olympics Games take place every
4 years and these Games were hosted by Belgium starting with a wonderful opening ceremony in Brussels last Sat 13th September. 58 countries participated in total from which 2,000 athletes competed over 8 days in 10 different sports. The Gymnastics event took place in the town of Mol near Antwerp. Colleen's competition took place over 5 days between training, prelimiaries and finals. Special olympics offers a chance for every athlete to reach their potential and after preliminaries athletes are grouped in competitions according to their age and standard therefore giving everyone a fair chance. Colleen
started her finals last Wed with Bars and Vault and was the first of Team Ireland to secure a gold medal for her Bars routine. She received silver for her Vault. Colleen continued her competition on Thursday earning gold for her Floor and silver for Beam. The awards ceremony took place on Friday and to cap Colleen's 4 medals she also won bronze for the overall competition at level 1. This brought Colleen to 2 gold 2 silver and 1 bronze. What an achievement! Colleen was supported in Belgium by her Family Eileen and Alan and her twin sister Marian. Her coach Sinéad also travelled out to support her. Thursday September
18th was a very special day in The Flood Power family as Colleen and twin sister Marian celebrated their 19th birthday together in Belgium. Marian herself already having achieved a gold at Ireland Games in Limerick earlier this year in June for Basketball. Colleen had many supporters from home with many family members and friends wishing her well over the phone and social media. Colleen is a member of Wexford Special Olympics Club who are very proud of her performances representing her country in Belgium. Colleen also trained throughout the summer with Wexford Gymnastics Club.
Redmond rememberd in Wexford 100 years after Home Rule day They remembered John Redmond at his final resting place in Wexford town last Thursday, one hundred years to the day of the Home Rule Bill which he negotiated and championed for years was given Royal Assent. Redmond is buried in a very impressive e mausoleum in St. John’s graveyard at John Street in Wexford town. Most local people have not even been inside the historic cemetery because it is closed to the public except on exceptional occasions. In recent years Wexford Rotary Club had adopted the graveyard as a project and have been involved in compiling details of all those buried there in addition to improving the appearance of
the graveyard itself. Mayor George Lawlor and five other members of the local Municipal District Council attended Thursday evening’s short ceremony of remembrance. There too were members of Rotary Wexford, the local Historical Society and some direct descendants of Redmond. Mayor Lawlor recalled the significant events in Redmond’s life including the negotiation of the Third Home Rule Bill with Liberal Prime Minister Asquith. Jarleth Glynn of the Historical Society spoke of the major milestones in Redmond’s life and suggested that he had not been given proper recognition for his
achievements. Redmond was heavily criticised for pledging Irish volunteers in the First World War but Glynn said he did so both in the belief that the war would not last long and that by supporting the War effort he would help Ireland’s case for Home Rule. There is an increasing belief that more should be made of the fact that Redmond represented Wexford as an MP and that he is buried in the town with consideration now to be given to carrying out improvement works at St. John Cemetery with a view to opening it tourists who have an interest in that part Mayor George Lawlor with councillors and representatives of various organisations a of Irish history.. the Redmond mausoleum in St. John’s graveyard on Thursday last. Pic by Patrick Hogan.
19
The
Sport
Rackard is another Kilkenny great
LARRY O’GORMAN A big shock as Oulart are dumped out Well what a shock that was at the weekend when Glynn Barntown sent Ourlart The Ballagh packing from this year’s senior hurling championship. At lot of people, myself included, thought that the Oulart boys were on course for yet another County Title but the Barntown men had other ideas and a gutsy performance from them was just about enough to cause the biggest surprise of the year so far on a scoreline of 1-17 to 0-19.. This result certainly throws the championship wide open because Oulart were of course hot favourites for the title. In fact it was a weekend when all the names once associated with being powerhouses of hurling in the county made their exit from the championship with Rapparees,
Chronicle September 24, 2014
Buffers Alley and Rathure all saying goodbye to this year’s championship. Shelmaliers 0-22 v Rapparees 1-17 : Shels had to work hard for their win with the Rapps giving it everything. But the Shels had that little more experience on the day. St Anne's 2-14 v Buffers Alley 0-14 : St Anne's won by six points but if they had taken their goal chances they could have won by a lot more. You also have to say the Alley showed why they are good enough to be in the senior ranks. Ferns St Aidan's 1-25 v Rathnure 2-17 : This was the best game of all the quarter final matches as Ferns had to dig deep to see off a Rathnure team that are young and up and coming . But overall Ferns now
look like favorites for this year’s crown. I know this may be the kiss of death for them but it's in their own hands now. I beleive . Relegation Final: Faythe Harriers 0-17 v Adamstown 011 :This was a game to be honest which could have gone either way. It was close all the way and midway through the second half Adamstown looked like they wanted it more but with the help of Lee Chin Nicky Lambert - Jim Berry and Rhys Clarke The Harriers pulled through in the end with a never say die attitude. It's a pity we couldn't have shown that commitment early in the championship and things would have been a lot different,but at the end of the day it's great to be still in the senior ranks.
I had the great pleasure of having a chat with a Kilkenny great the other day. No not one of the players, but a man who has been just as important to hurling in the county as any one of the many players who took to the field of play over the years, . Rackard Cody, he was a great admirer of Nicky Rackard which is where he got his name, has been involved with the Kilkenny setup for over 38 years now. He has seen some great hurlers in his time including the greats Kilkenny produced over the years Another great Rackard pictured with a hurllike Joe Hennessy - D J Carey - Frank ing great of the past and the DVD in aid of Cummins - Brian Cody -Tommy Walsh the Children’s Hospital Crumlin and of course King Henry himself. You could go on forever as he has seen them they call Rackard Cody has been involved all, not just Kilkenny greats but he came in everything going on in Kilkenny when across some of the finest hurlers from other games are on or when the Cups are on their counties as well such as Joe Canning - John rounds as is so often the case in Kilkenny. Mullane - Damian Fitzhenry - Brian Rackard himself would always be on Whelahan and Larry'O ( yes he did say me hand to make sure that the cups make it just in case you are wondering and it home safe and sound. He has just launched wasn’t just because I was sitting beside him a DVD in aid of the Children's Hospital at the time) Crumlin, a great cause indeed. It only costs . He is known as the kit man and has ten euro and is money very well spent. been involved with the Kilkenny set up There are some clubs in Wexford selling it since Brian Cody took over 15 years ago. at moment, he would like to thank all He has witnessed them winning 9 All involved for their great support. Irelands and many other titles. He told me Not surprisingly I asked him who will that Brian Cody is by far the best manager win the replay. There was no surprise either he has come across, a gentle man but also a when he went for Kilkenny. He believes ruthless man when action needs to be that they will hurl a lot better this time and taken. Tipp haven't got any more to throw at the Even though he is ruthless all the boys. He says confidently that they are players have great respect for him and going to bring ‘Liam’ home especially for would do anything for him if it meant King Henry so he can get his tenth All winning an All Ireland medal. The man Ireland medal.
Final group games in Senior football championship this weekend
Survey of Inter-County Minor players makes for worrying reading A recent survey carried out by the GAA Minor Review Work Group, and which is chaired by Wexford’s Micheal Martin has concluded that there are far too many demands being made on young players today, and this, in turn, is affecting both their physical and mental health. This report is going to be presented to Central Council and Congress and should set alarm bells ringing within the Association, and bring the issue of burnout right back onto the agenda. Among its findings are the following: ¬ 62% of under eighteen players (minors) took part in games despite the fact that they were injured. ¬ 42% complained of being tired all the time while they played. ¬ 24% stated that they were playing GAA every day of the week at particular times of the year. ¬ 27% said they were playing six days a week. The recovery process, a very important aspect of training, seems to be non-existent here, which is a very worrying development particularly when it comes to young players. This is backed up by another finding from the survey which states that 35% of players said they were
being asked to train too often. But in another finding from the report which should be of great interest to us here in Wexford since we are such a dual county, perhaps the most dual of all, it states that 81% of young players said they had been put under quite a bit of pressure from team managements and others to concentrate on either hurling or football when they derived a lot of enjoyment from both. And I have to say that I have heard, anecdotally, such stories here in Wexford too. Well I have to say that young people are under enough pressures nowadays without having to put up with that sort of carry- on. And there is no way the powers that be should tolerate it. This should not be about the manager’s ego or his personal desire for success alone, rather it should be about the holistic development of the young person. Any person in charge of a team should realise one thing and that is that players don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care. Sport can act as a great safety valve for young people from the pressures of life; it is meant to be enjoyed not endured, and people over teams should take careful note of that fact. The welfare of the player has to be paramount.
There has to be far more longterm planning involved as there is an over –emphasis on short-term results. As the report states “there is insufficient focus at underage level on the long-term playing career potential of a player and excessive focus on short-term results.” There has to be far more joined-up thinking among the various team managements at school, club and county level and the needs of the player has to be top of the agenda. But at least one county is doing something concrete to deal with the burnout issue among their most talented young players, and that county is Cork, another dual county like ourselves. In conjunction with sports scientists at University College Cork Rebel Og, the organisation formed as part of the Cork GAA Strategic vision and action plan 2010-2015 has been using a new computer program to develop a system that will prevent young players picking up injuries due to unreasonable training programmes. In an interview with the Cork Examiner in January of this year Rebel Og chairman Marc Sheehan stated the following: “One of the first things we noticed when we started Rebel Og was the ease at which a young player could pick up an injury from playing too much as good players usually play
football with their club, school and county. So we sat down with some of the sports staff in UCC and discussed it and they devised an app for us. Each player inputs data into the app on their phone at the end of each day detailing the physical activities they have undergone. The sports scientists analyse that and are able to feed it back to the coaches so they know which players need a rest and which ones could do with more training.” Every Cork development squad now has a Team Performance program from the under 15 grade right up to the county senior teams who used it in 2013. Sheehan would be hopeful that the data that they get from this program can be a real help to players in terms of their long-tem development: “As opposed to hearsay and speculation we’re relying on this for exact details. Each player has a secure log in which he can record injury information and other appropriate data. That information will be there for a player’s entire career and can help in the treatment of injuries and the structure of a training session. We’re embracing modern technology through this. It’s an aspect which we’ve been considering over the last year or two and we are looking at injury prevention and treatment methods”
The quarter-finalists in the senior football championship should be known after this weekend as the final group games take place. For me the county title rests between reigning county champions St Martin’s, Shelmaliers, St Anne’s, and Castletown, with Starlights being “dark horses” particularly after their hurlers exited the hurling championship last weekend. I thought the cathedral town side were very impressive in their last game when they beat St Martin’s and with their hurlers out they will be able to get a good run at the football now.
Kerry beat Donegal at their own game As predicted Kerry learned a lot from the semifinal between Dublin and Donegal and put it to good use in their defeat of the latter in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park last Sunday. There were very few gaps in the kingdom defence for Donegal to exploit and they had to rely on Michael Murphy frees to stay in touch in the first half, though it has to be said that Darrach O’Connor was very unlucky with a goal opportunity that touched the leg of the Kerry goalkeeper and a defender before going over the endline but was amazingly waved wide by the umpire. Such a thing should not happen in an All-Ireland final and had the “forty five” been correctly given then it was likely to have been scored as Michael Murphy had been excellent from frees up to that point. It would have also meant Donegal going in at half time a point up, having come back from a four point deficit, and would have provided them with a timely psychological boost for the second half. It was a pity that the game had to be decided on a “gift” goal and one would have to feel sorry for the Donegal goalkeeper who is one of the best in the game. However Kerry just about deserved their victory but they played a lot of football that a lot of the Kerry purists could not have enjoyed or even approved of. Kerry are likely to get better having made this breakthrough and they could become very formidable indeed next year when Colm “Gooch” Cooper returns from injury and, as is reported, Tommy Walsh comes back from Australian Rules.
20
The
Chronicle September 24, 2014
News
Extension to Johnstown Agricultural Museum There was a big turnout at Johnstown Castle on Friday last to mark what was another red letter day for one of Wexfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important tourist attractions. The occasion was the opening of a brand new
building at the Irish Agricultural Museum, Johnstown Castle. This extension to the rear of the existing courtyard buildings is called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Harvesting Machinery Hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as it will house the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection of large mechanical harvesting machines. Other large exhibits such as a rocket launching cart and a rare Ferguson Brown tractor will also find a home here. Many of these items have never been shown to the public before due to their size. Work began on the new building in September last year and involved a
Matt Wheeler, Curator and Minister Paul Kehoe at the official opening
host of Wexford construction companies including Fitzharris Construction, Ciaran Kelly Restoration and Paddy McGee (Wexford) Ltd. A grant from Wexford Local Development helped to finance the project. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Curator / Manager Matt Wheeler said he was delighted to finally open up the new building to the public and said he felt sure it would prove popular with museum visitors. Museum Chairman Peter Miller paid tribute to members of the Wexford-Wicklow Vintage Group and South East Stationary Engine Club who had provided many hours of voluntary assistance in order to prepare and restore some of the artefacts for the exhibition. He said this work was on-going so that other rare items can be displayed in the hall in the future. Seamus Doran, Project Officer for Wexford Local Development Ltd, then formally declared the new building open. The museum is open every day from 9am to 5pm weekdays and 11am to 5pm at weekends.
Some of the larger exhibits which are now on display in the Museum
William Furlong & Eamon Benson volunteer workers at the Museum
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