Slaney News, Issue 118, February 2020. by Frank Corcoran

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Issue 118 - Monday - 3 February 2020

Adamstown, Askamore, Ballaghkeen, Ballindaggin, Ballycarney, Ballyduff, Ballyedmond, Ballyhoge, Ballymurn, Blackwater, Boolavogue, Bree, Bunclody, Camolin, Castledockrell, Clohamon, Clonroche, Courtnacuddy, Curracloe, Enniscorthy, Ferns, Galbally, Glenbrien, Killanne, Kilmuckridge, Kilmyshall, Kiltealy, Marshalstown, Monageer, Monamolin, Oylegate, Oulart, Poulpeasty, Raheenduff, Rathnure, Screen, The Harrow.

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With 15 candidates in the field for the general election taking place this coming Saturday (8th February) voters are spoilt for choice, with a range of options right across the political spectrum. The full list of candidates is as follows: James Browne (Fianna Fáil) Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fáil) Ger Carthy (Independent) Jim Codd (Aontú) Michael D’Arcy (Fine Gael) Brendan Howlin (Labour) Paul Kehoe (Fine Gael) Lisa McDonald (Fianna Fáil) Bart Murphy (Independent) Verona Murphy (Independent)

Johnny Mythen (Sinn Féin) Seanie O’Shea (Independents 4 Change) Paula Roseingrave (Green Party) Michael Sheehan (Fianna Fáil) Deirdre Wadding (Solidarity–People Before Profit). The Slaney News encourages everyone to get out and vote. No point complaining afterwards about the result if you don’t exercise your right to influence that result in the first place! Remember also that it takes a lot of courage and expense to put one’s name forward for election, so the best of luck to all 15 who are brave enough to do so. n

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comment In this issue there is a lot of emphasis on the upcoming general election. With two experts on board – our ‘View from the Hill’ columnist, and also Keith Doyle, the former Chairman of Wexford County Council, I’ll leave it up to them to ‘call’ the election – see pages 6 and 10. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– There was genuine excitement over recent weeks as speculation grew that Lidl would be moving temporarily to Rafter St (old Dunnes building) while their own premises at Bellefield was being upgraded. Unfortunately, the Slaney News has received official confimation in recent days from the Rafter Street building’s owner that the move is NOT proceeding. Such a move would have been a great boost for the town centre as it would have dramatically increased footfall on Rafter Street thereby encouraging other possible retailers to consider that premises once Lidl moved out. Alas, it’s not to be. The owner is now actively seeking other possible tenants and hopefully with some success in the near future. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– On the good news front, The Garda Commissioner said recently that two new permanent ASUs (Armed Support Units) would be established in Enniscorthy and Cavan by the middle of next year. The numbers in these units would also be increased. The ASUs are the first respondents to armed incidents so having such a unit based in Enniscorthy is very welcome and reassuring. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– More good news has emerged in recent days as Rosslare Europort has announced that Brittany Ferries is to launch a new Rosslare Europort to Bilbao twice-weekly service from 28th February 2020. In addition, the French-owned shipping line will also operate a weekly Rosslare to Roscoff service during the peak season (March to October). The arrival of Brittany Ferries means that Rosslare Europort will now be offering up to seven weekly sailings in each direction between Ireland and mainland Europe, cementing the port’s status as Ireland’s gateway to Europe. – Frank Corcoran

10,000 copies per issue of which 5,000 are distributed door-to-door in Enniscorthy town and 700 in Bunclody. The balance is distributed to over 230 drop-off points: ENNISCORTHY: ENNISCORTHY: Doyles Bar, The Duffry Gala Duffry Hope Centre The Wilds Copper Pan The Holy Grail Stamps Cotton Tree Cafe Crew Cuts Burke O’Leary Turkuts The Antique Tavern George’s Hair Salon Impresso Cafe IWA Charity Shop Millstream Fish Shop Butcher’s Cottage / Bakery Bridget’s Hair Salon Hair Salon Inspiration Rackards Little Spoon Coffee Shop Danny’s Barber Shop Karl Martin Cutting Edge Curls South East Animal Rescue Maura Flannery’s Shop My Café Coffee Shop Abbey Centre Bizzy Fingers City Fashions AJ Pets California Sun Tan Orchard Fruit & Veg Shop NCBI Mrs Quinn’s Charity Shop Sandro’s Wickham Bros The Athenaeum Storm Hair Design ––––––––––––––––––––– Alba Restaurant

Holohan’s Pub Shang Hai Golden City The Bailey Dunnes Lotus House T. Doyle’s Pub Enniscorthy Kebabish Mizzoni’s TJ Murphy’s FFC Carry Out Templeshannon The Local Bar Dawson’s Bar Bellefield GAA complex –––––––––––––––––––– Kavanagh’s Pharmacy Uptown Kuts Enniscorthy Cabs Hilltop Dry Cleaners Aideen Vonno Beauty Booth Pet Corner Presentation Centre Greenville Stores SuperValu Pettitts Gonzaga House –––––––––––––––––––– Quik Pick, Ross Road Grants Pharmacy Saucy Butcher Pet Depot CWCWE Enterprise Centre Enniscorthy Voc. College Co. Wexford Education Centre Centra-Drive Milehouse Road –––––––––––––––––––– C&R Print Bus Stop Shop Smiles Dental The Barber Shop Enniscorthy Chamber Screaming Canvas Treacys Hotel Waterfront Merrythought House TK Cabs Toss Kavanagh’s O’Callaghan’s Centra T’shannon Community Centre George Kehoe & Co Chapel Lane Service Station

D&G Hair Studio Castle Gardens Dept of Agricuture Offices Topaz Service Station Baker Tilly Hughes Blake Alcast Motor Factors Wheelocks

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Main Post Office IFA Centre Bank of Ireland AIB Wexford Local Development Enniscorthy Credit Union Enniscorthy Castle Ashmore Financial Services Frizelle O’Leary Solicitors Property Team M.A. O'Leary Burger Macs Hope Shop R&T Beauty –––––––––––––––––––– Sami’s Sherry FitzGerald O'Leary Monica’s Hair Salon Phoenix Estates Crystal Script Kennys for Bikes O’Learys Newsagents –––––––––––––––––––– Library Riverside Park Hotel Rejuvenate Treatment Rooms St John’s Hospital 1798 Centre –––––––––––––––––––– Mackin Travel GX3 Scissors Sisters Put A Bow On It

Finishing Touches Yellow Rose Sofia’s Galo Chargrill Town Council Offices River Restaurant ABC Takeaway Community Info. Service O’Leary Travel Eir –––––––––––––––––––– Delaneys Newsagents Toffee & Thyme O’Brien’s, Court Street Cut & Shave Serenity Place Court Street Dental Clinic Court Street Medical Centre Citizens Advice Centre Easons Grants Pharmacy Darcy Blinds & Interiors –––––––––––––––––––– Evolv James Browne TD Office Paul’s Shoe Repair Finnegan’s Findz –––––––––––––––––––– Studio 5 Bega Barber Cafe Harmonia Beautique Paul Kehoe TD Office Via Veneto Mick’s Barber Shop Paula Treacy Auctioneer Gus Byrne’s Sewing Studio MUM –––––––––––––––––––– TOP shop/filling station Centra-Drive Quarrypark Cooney Furlong, Old Dublin Rd Moyne Veterinary Clinic Pump Palace Gym Kilcannon Garden Centre Superdine Lifestyle Fitness Rebecca’s Enniscorthy Car Wash ADAMSTOWN: Tile Store n More Power Plant Hire

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Baked Potato Old Dublin Road Coal Yard BALLYCARNEY: ATB Tyres Before & After Furniture BALLYEDMOND/WELLS: NCRS –––––––––––––––––––– BALLYMURN: Enniscorthy Golf Club –––––––––––––––––––– ADAMSTOWN: BLACKWATER: Cullen’s Gala. BALLAGHKEEN: Donohoes Foodstore BOOLAVOGUE: BALLYCARNEY: Jenny’s Diner BALLYEDMOND/WELLS: BUNCLODY: Downes Gala BALLYMURN: Peter Doyle’s Costcutter Ballymurn Credit Union. BLACKWATER: Londis Post Office Blackwater Lodge Hotel BOOLAVOGUE: Post Office Fr Murphy Centre. BUNCLODY: Adult Learning Centre SuperValu Anatolia Turkish Barber Betsy’s Hair Parlour Bearbóir Barber Mango Tree Tourism Office Rivers Edge Library Campus-Gala Sugar & Spice Daybreak, Ryland Road Eurospar Half Way House CAMOLIN: Credit Union Chevue Studio Dols Beauty Clinic DNG O'Connor & O'Connor CASTLEBRIDGE: Hers N Sirs ArtBank CLONROCHE: Hair Junction SignaCare Nursing Home CAMOLIN: C&K Takeaway COURTNACUDDY: Christy Byrne’s, Butcher

Post Office. CURRACLOE:

CASTLEBRIDGE: Flanagan’s CLONROCHE: FERNS: Kavanagh’s Gala Post Office House of Hair COURTNACUDDY: Kelly’s Shop. CURRACLOE: Cloney’s Shop Post Office. FERNS: Buí The Unique Escape Mace Applegreen Ferns Barber Bolgers Hardware Courtyard Eclipz Blush KILMUCKRIDGE: Ferns Community Centre Ferns Castle Saints Salon Daybreak Davitts Music Shop KILMUCKRIDGE: KILTEALY/BALLINDAGGIN: Centra Kates Coffee Shop & Deli MONAGEER Sean Ógs Hotel. KILTEALY/BALLINDAGGIN: OULART: Bowe’s Shop. MONAGEER Monageer Tavern / Shop. OULART: OYLEGATE: Corrigan’s Londis Post Office. RATHNURE: OYLEGATE: Garrys Service Station. RATHNURE: WEXFORD: Pat Murphy Oil Conran Interiors WEXFORD: Maldron Hotel O’Briens, Redmond Sq O’Briens, Main St Nosh & Dosh, Redmond Sq Yard Restaurant Wexford Arts Centre Wexford General Hospital Wexford Service Station

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SLANEY NEWS, CLONHASTON, ENNISCORTHY SLANEY NEWS, CLONHASTON, ENNISCORTHY Tel: 087-2403310 slaneynews@gmail.com

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Disclaimer: Slaney News Disclaimer: Slaney News reserves the right to accept or reject any advertisement submitted News forSlaney publication. Slaney News does not attempt to investigate or verify claims made in advertisements appearing in our publication. The appearance of an advertisement in this newspaper in no way implies endorsement or approvalSlaney by usNews of any advertising claims or of the advertiser, its product, or services. Slaney News disclaims any liability whatsoever in connection with advertising appearing in this publication. Slaney News Every effort has been made to ensure that all articles published in Slaney News are true and accurate but if any errors do occur please let us know and we will gladly rectify them in our next issue. Where details of future events are given in this newspaper, we recommend that you check these details directly with the organisers as event details may be subject to change. Slaney News Slaney News strongly recommends seeking independent professional advice before acting on any financial, medical or other information contained in this publication.

Keep up to dAte For positive, good news stories about Enniscorthy and Co. Wexford read Maria Nolan’s blog a t o u t a n d a b o u t w i t h m a r ianolan.wordpress.com the AthenAeum What’s on? See “Enniscorthy Athenaeum Museum and Historic Theatre“ on Facebook. st senAn’s pArish binGo Bingo Nights are back! Sunday nights (except bank holiday weekends) at 8pm in Templeshannon Community Centre. €1,100 Prize Fund. For more information contact: (053) 9261729 or 086-7913919.

ENNISCORTHY SNIPPETS…

Civil defence needs you! Check out www.civildefence.ie.

christiAn mediA trust Check out www.christianmeddiatrust.ie for details of programmes and broadcast times on South East Radio.

ing? Call the Al Anon confidential helpline 01 8732699, www.alanon-ireland.org. Local meetings held in St John’s Day Care Centre, Mondays, 8.30pm.

enniscorthy flood defence The main construction work is expected to start later this year lasting three years. See www.enniscorthyfds.ie

GroW Grow Mental Health Help & Discussion Group. Mondays at 2.00pm in The Presentation Centre. This meeting is free to attend. Contact Ellen at 086-8066959 or southeastregion@grow.ie.

illeGAl dumpinG To report illegal dumping: Wexford County Council (WCC) Customer Service on 053-9196000 or email customerservice@coco.ie. If you see dumping, take a photo and if possible send it to WCC to help them assess how big or small the incident is and what level of response is needed.

i r i s h c o n v e r s At i o n eveninGs A chance to chat in Irish whatever level you’re at. Next get-together is in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, on Weds 5th February at 8pm and every two weeks after that. All are welcome. Fáilte roimh gach duine. More information: I 087-1377068. n

Al-Anon Worried about someone’s drink-

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MINISTER PAUL KEHOE

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7 Wafer Street, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Tel: (053) 924 3558 Email: paul.kehoe@oireachtas.ie Facebook: @PaulKehoeTD/Twitter: @campaign4kehoe

Keep Kehoe Working for Enniscorthy Paul’s Priorities: ● Overseeing the completion of the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme ● New school building for Meanscoil Gharman ● Delivery of Primary Care Centre ● Progress Technological University for Wexford ● Enhanced investment in Rosslare Port ● Working with communities on local investment such as Sports Capital and Town and Village Renewal ● A fairer deal for Farmers ● Increased Investment in Health and Housing ● Climate Change Solutions that work for you

 Full-time office in Enniscorthy serving the public €400m Enniscorthy Bypass opened   €44m Enniscorthy Flood Defence – main construction work will commence this year €2.5m Enniscorthy Technology Park – construction underway   €300,000 just announced for second stage of Enniscorthy Sports Hub New Enniscorthy Ambulance Station 

 €16.5m invested in upgrading Enniscorthy Waste Water Treatment Plant  Massive investment in local schools: St Aidan’s, St Patrick’s, etc

Slaney News

View from the Hill

A local contributor looks at life today in Enniscorthy and beyond GENERAL ELECTION As the General Election looms most of us are considering our options. Political nerds out there

3 February 2020 will know almost every aspect of the policies of the parties and the Independents. The rest of the population tend to take a more personal view of candidates and parties and will vote accordingly. As the circulation of Slaney News is, in the main, in the general Enniscorthy area I will devote some space to discussing the options available in that part of the county. Currently two TDs, Minister of State Paul Kehoe and Deputy James Browne, are based in Enniscorthy. A third candidate, Johnny Mythen of Sinn Féin, is also vying for a seat and if the polls are to be believed will be a credible contender. In fairness to Sinn Féin they seem to be climbing back from the terrible low of the local elections when Johnny lost his seat. A few short months ago this column would have classed Johnny as an also-run but things have changed. In the shakeout he’ll be there or thereabouts. The prospects of the other two – Kehoe and Browne – probably can be summed up as follows. It would be a sensation if James Browne lost his seat. (But then remember that in the

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Open Night in Gaelscoil Inis Corthaidh have you a son or daughter starting primary school this september? Gaelscoil inis córthaidh is holding an open night on Wednesday 5th

february from 6.30pm 8.00pm and all are welcome on the night to take a tour of the school and meet some of the teachers and students. n

run up to the local elections this column said that it would be a political earthquake if Johnny Mythen lost his council seat, and look what happened). However, taking everything into consideration, it would have to be assumed that James has one of the two safe seats in the constituency, Brendan Howlin being the other. I know politicians hate that being said but realism has to prevail. The situation for Paul Kehoe is somewhat different. He is under severe pressure as an outgoing minister in a government which has become unpopular in recent times. His position last time out was pretty precarious with Johnny Mythen running him down to the wire. On this occasion, he again has Mythen to contend with but also has the problem of former Fine Gael bye-election candidate Verona Murphy, now running as an Independent, possibly taking votes that he would normally expect to get in the south of the county. In New Ross, where he has operated an office for the past number of years, he is confronted with Fianna Fáil’s Michael Sheehan who will sweep up the majority of votes

Minister Paul Kehoe TD: “under severe pressure”.

in that area. Bluntly, he is in trouble. He could potentially lose his seat, and if Johnny Mythen does not gain one, Enniscorthy for the first time in many years could end up with one TD. That would be a disaster for a town and surrounding area which really will need strong representation in the coming years as the effects of Brexit are felt and every voice possible is required at national level. Hopefully, regardless of personal political views, voters in this area will think of the consequences before they vote and try and ensure that they at least consider that the loss of

a TD would be serious indeed. Therefore, it is important to think before the pencil falls on the ballot paper and the consequences of the action which you are taking. Space does not allow an in-depth analysis of the rest of the constituency so therefore I will try and predict the outcome of the election based on what I am hearing at a given point of a few days before we go to the polls. Of the five seats available the first three, not necessarily in this order, should go to Howlin, Browne and D’Arcy. There is speculation that Malcolm Byrne will outvote D’Arcy in Gorey and maybe oust him. D’Arcy over the past number of years has done a significant amount of work on the ground in the Gorey District and it is difficult to imagine this not being repaid. Therefore, I’d leave D’Arcy in as being the victor here. The remaining two are difficult to call but should boil down, after a very long count and many eliminations, to being between Paul Kehoe (Fine Gael), Johnny Mythen (Sinn Féin), Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fáil), Michael Sheehan (Fianna Fáil) and Verona Murphy

(Independent). That is assuming that Murphy outpolls Lisa McDonald and Ger Carthy and that’s not a given. Either of them could also be in the final shakeout but my sense is that Murphy, because of the massive publicity attained over the last few months, will be ahead of that particular group. My prediction on this is that provided there is a strong turnout for all local candidates in Enniscorthy, that Kehoe should be far enough ahead of Murphy to see her eliminated. Transfers from that source should then make him safe, barely. The remaining seat then has to be a Fianna Fáil gain with Byrne and Sheehan getting enough votes between them to see Johnny Mythen pipped at the post. Because of the number of possible preferences available from the south of the county, Sheehan has to have an advantage over his colleague Byrne who won’t have that option in the north. The prediction then is Howlin, Browne, D’Arcy, Kehoe and Sheehan. Any observations or comments on this column feel free to email: viewcolumn@gmail.com

This election must be about a caring government that puts people first – Mythen sinn féin’s general election candidate for co. Wexford, enniscorthy man Johnny mythen, has been very active over recent weeks on the campaign trail. He says, “Fine Gael have had 9 years in consecutive power with the last 4 years being in a proxy coalition with Fianna Fáil. Almost a decade of power sharing resulting in the worst crises this country has even seen in housing and health for a generation. Sinn Féin want to change that... In government, Sinn Féin would deliver the biggest council housing building programme in the history of the State, bring about real change in the health service, and give families and workers a break.” He continued: "No family should have to pay a second mortgage in childcare fees or for providing their children with an education... Sinn Féin have the alternative and real solutions. We are the party that stands up for workers and families, that champions fairness, equality, and work every day in our communities to build a better environment to work and rear our children in.” Mr Mythen has criticised Fianna Fáil for executing a flipflop on its position in respect of a rent freeze which, he says, shows Fianna Fáil cannot be trusted on housing. He added, "The recent revelation that Co.Wexford has the 5th high-

est number in the state using a post office as their address (104 persons) starkly highlights the extent of the homeless crisis in Co. Wexford.” On mental health, Mr Mythen has been particularly vocal highlighting the lack of CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service) services in the county. "Sinn Féin's Mental Health Manifesto is comprehensive. It is a plan that meets the scale of the challenge we face today and we are committing to... • Full implementation of 'A Vision for Change' • Fully staffed CAMHS teams • Investment in mental health primary care • A school curriculum for Positive Mental Health. Mr Mythen promised: “We can provide decent care and better outcomes for those who suffer

from mental health conditions. Ireland can and should be a world leader in mental health provision. That is Sinn Féin's ambition and that is what we will deliver in government.” Addressing issues in Co. Wexford, he said: “I understand that there has been no contact between management and staff in Slaney House regarding a move to Arden House and a consultant Child Psychiatrist that was offered the job in Wexford took up a post in Waterford instead. Fine Gael are saying that it is down to recruitment. I know that this is incorrect as three consultant psychiatrists started in Waterford just before Christmas, so it is down to conditions in Slaney House – 3 years awaiting a psychologist, an occupational therapist and a speech and language therapist."

He added that, "Wexford South CAMHS area with a population of 80,000 has No consultant, No senior psychologist, No child care leader and No clinical nurse manager.” He went on, “Why are Wexford children being sent to adult psychiatric units when it contravenes the UN Convention on Children's Rights? 84 children were put into adult units in 2018.” “My party leader Mary Lou McDonald has a particular interest in trying to solve our Mental Health crisis... she visited Co. Wexford and held a public consultation in the Riverside Hotel, Enniscorthy, with representatives from various mental health groups. If elected as TD for Co.Wexford this will continue to be one of the top items on my and Sinn Féin’s agenda.” n

Johnny Mythen and some of his supporters in Enniscorthy.

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SPRING & SUMMER TOURS 2019 (Prices include coach travel, meals as mentioned, entry fees to museums, etc)

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PARTY NIGHT WITH CANDY TOURS Friday 28th Feb 2020. Enjoy Dinner, Music, Singing and Dancing in The Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow. Dinner at 7.30pm and Dancing afterwards with Theresa and The Stars. Free spot prizes throughout the night. Free Coach Pickups: Enniscorthy 5.30pm, Bunclody 6pm, Ballon 6.20pm, to arrive at Hotel at 6.45pm. Tickets €40 from Hotel or John Candy 087-2632324. _______________________________________________________

SEAN KEANE CARRAGH COTTAGE TOUR Tuesday 3rd & Wednesday 4th March. Cost €240pps. Single supplement €30. Tour to the rural heartland of North Galway, to Carragh Cottage – the thatched home of the famous musical Keane family. Relive the famous broadcasts by Ciaran MacMathuna from Carragh Cottage on RTE Radio. We arrive in Carragh at 2pm, have lunch with the Keane family, and afterwards a session with the legendary Sean Keane who has sung on stages all over the world. Later that evening we travel to Flannery’s Hotel in Galway for dinner and our own session in the hotel. After breakfast on Wednesday we travel back to our original pickup points. Pickup Points: Enniscorthy 9am. Bunclody 9.30am. Ballon 9.50am. Askea 10.10am. _______________________________________________________

BELFAST TITANIC Sat 14th & Sun 15th March 2020. Cost €170pps. Single supplement €30. On this 2-day trip we will be staying at the 4-star Ballymascanlon House Hotel with shopping in Newry on the first afternoon and dinner in the hotel that evening. After breakfast we head to the largest Titanic exhibition in the world before returning to our original pickup points on Sunday evening. Pickup Points: Enniscorthy 9am. Bunclody 9.30am. Ballon 9.50am. Askea 10.15am.

Candy tours... 087-263 2324 - www.candytours.ie

tours with a Difference!

WICKLOW - THE GARDEN OF IRELAND

PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE

Saturday 18th April 2020. Cost €80pp. Our first stop will be the Arboretum Garden Centre in Kilquade with its Rachel’s Garden Cafe, and with time to browse in the Centre. Then we travel to Wicklow’s famous Gaol which is now a museum and enjoy an exciting tour offering us a glimpse of life in an old Irish prison. We return to Carlow and dinner in the Talbot Hotel before returning to our original pickup points. Pickups: Askea 8.45am. Ballon 9.10am. Bunclody 9.30am. Enniscorthy 10am.

Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th May 2020. Cost €140pps. Single supplement €30. Knock is a major centre of pilgrimage drawing over one million people annually. We will be staying in Breaffy Woods Hotel in Castlebar with dinner in the hotel restaurant. On Sunday after breakfast we travel to Knock and spend the day exploring the Marian Shrine and Knock village. We leave at 5pm sharp with a comfort stop at the Creggan Court Hotel Athlone, and return to our pickup points. Pickup Points: Enniscorthy 9am. Bunclody 9.30am. Ballon 9.50am. Askea car-park 10.15am.

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SLIGO & THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY Sunday 26th to Wednesday 29th April. Cost €385pps. Single supplement €90. On this 4-day tour we will enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery on the Wild Atlantic Way. We will be staying in the lovely 4-star Sligo Park Hotel (a Candy Tours favourite) with all breakfasts and dinners included. Highlights will include Glencar Waterfall, a visit to the grave of Fr Joseph Foy (the healing priest), Mullaghmore with its breathtaking views, and a boat trip on Lough Gill to view the Isle of Innisfree made famous by WB Yeats. Pickups: Enniscorthy 9.30am. Bunclody: 10am. Ballon:10.20am. Askea: 10.45am.

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MOUNT MELLERAY ABBEY & GROTTO Saturday 13th June 2020. Cost €90pp. After breakfast in the Arboretum Garden Centre in Leighlinbridge, this day tour takes us to Mount Melleray Cistercian Abbey in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, at the foot of the Knockmealdown Mountains – a place of prayer and meditation, and boasting some of the finest stained glass windows in Ireland. Our visit includes breakfast in the Arboretum, tea/coffee and scones in Mount Melleray and dinner in The Woodford Dolmen Hotel in Carlow. Pickups: Enniscorthy 8am. Bunclody 8.30am. Ballon 8.50am. Askea 9.10am.

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS OF OUR AUTUMN & WINTER TOURS: Lisdoonvarna Festival 7th to 10th September. Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine 19th to 20th September. Storytellers Tour to Killarney 26th to 29th October. Newry Shopping Trip 7th November. Music, Song & Story Weekend in Nenagh 20th to 22nd November. Candy Tours Party Night 27th November.

Candy Tours, Bennekerry, Carlow. Tel: 087-263 2324. E: info@candytours.ie. W: www.candytours.ie

BEAUTIFUL CONNEMARA Monday 13th to Thursday 16th July. Cost €385pps. Single supplement €90. On this 4-day tour we will be based in the beautifully refurbished Peacockes Hotel at Maam Cross in the heart of Connemara where we have booked the entire rooms there. You can enjoy the view from the hotel’s viewing tower, visit the replica ‘White O Morn’ cottage as a reminder of The Quiet Man film and enjoy the hotel’s turf fire. We will of course visit Cong and the Quiet Man Museum, and Clifden, as well as a full tour of the Dan O’Hara Cottage, and the lovely Spiddal Craft and Design Village. All breakfasts and dinners included. Pickups: Enniscorthy 9.30am, Bunclody: 10am. Ballon:10.30am. Askea: 11am. _______________________________________________________

OLD BOG ROAD & LEDWIDGE MUSEUM Saturday 8th August 2020. Cost €80pp. We will visit ‘The Old Bog Road’ in North Kildare made famous by Teresa Brayton in her famous ballad, and will also visit her grave in Cloncurry Cemetery. We then visit the Francis Ledwidge Museum in Slane and learn about this famous poet and soldier and of his ill-fated love affair with Ellie Vaughey who was laid to rest on the top of the Hill of Slane which we will also visit. Dinner that evening is in the Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow. Pickup Points: Enniscorthy 9am. Bunclody 9.30am. Ballon 9.50am. Askea 10.15am. _______________________________________________________

ROSE OF TRALEE FESTIVAL Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th August 2020. Cost €330pps. Single supplement €60. On this 3-day tour we will be staying in the Killarney Oaks Hotel enjoying the wonderful atmosphere surrounding this internationally acclaimed festival. Two full Irish breakfasts and dinners included and ticket to the final night of the Festival. A completed booking must be with our office by 1st March 2020 as otherwise we cannot guarantee a booking such is the demand for tickets and hotel rooms during the Festival. Pickup Points: Enniscorthy 8.30am. Bunclody 9am. Ballon 9.20am. Askea 9.45am.

WORKING HARD FOR CO. WEXFORD JOHNNY MYTHEN IS A HARD WORKING AND PROUD CO. WEXFORD MAN. IN 2016 JOHNNY CAME WITHIN 31 VOTES OF BEING ELECTED TO REPRESENT OUR AREA. THIS TIME AROUND HE'S REALLY DEPENDING ON YOU TO TURN OUT, USE YOUR VOTE AND VOTE FOR CHANGE ON SATURDAY FEB 8TH. YOUR VOTE MATTERS! EVERY SINGLE VOTE COUNTS! CO. WEXFORD BADLY NEEDS CHANGE.

VOTE FOR CHANGE – VOTE SINN FÉIN

Slaney News

3 February 2020

Restoring Antonio’s independence Market House refurbishment Antonio iannetta is 34 years old and has lived in enniscorthy all his life. he developed multiple sclerosis in 2017. the hse gave him a mobility scooter in 2018 which became his only form of independence. unfortunately, in June 2019, this scooter stopped working due to wear and tear, and the hse have told Antonio that there are no funds available for a new one. so his neighbour Kevin ring has set up a fundraising campaign in the hope of restoring Antonio’s independence by allowing him to buy his own mobility scooter. Antonio does not have the upper body strength to push a wheelchair and he lives alone with his elderly mother who also suffers from ill health and can not push

Antonio Iannetta

him. He currently struggles to go anywhere using the walking frame he has been given. Kevin, who is Antonio’s neighbour, says: “As someone who has only known Antonio since I moved in next door 18 months ago, it has been difficult to observe him struggle around town on a walker for the past 6 months.

I have known him as a friendly and outgoing neighbour who refuses to let his disease hold him back. He used to have independence to go as he pleased around the town but now a 5-minute walk to the shops can take him up to an hour as his body is just not strong enough to move about with any sort of ease. I hope we can come together to raise enough money for Antonio to buy his own mobility scooter and regain his lost independence.” if you would like to know more or to help out: https://www.gofundme. com/f/antinos039-mobilityscooter-fund youtube video: https://youtu.be/ 8yrmr42Qeci n

Hope Centre receives €5,000

the hope centre in enniscorthy was thrilled to receive a cheque for €5,000 last month from the proceeds of the st. iberius four day christmas fast for charity. A massive total of €54,510 was raised and split between St.

Vincent de Paul, Wexford, Ozanam House Men's Hostel, Wexford Women's Refuge, Wexford Hospice Homecare, The Collective Sensory Group (Children with Autism), It's Good to Talk and the Hope Centre.

Well done to Fr Aodhán Marken and Canon Arthur Minion and all involved in organising this annual fast. One of the Hope Centre’s wonderful volunteers, Marjorie Mulligan, is pictured above receiving the €5,000 cheque. n

refurbishment of the historic market house building in market square, enniscorthy, which has served as the municipal district offices for enniscorthy since 1973, commenced in January and is expected to take about six months to complete. Originally, the work was due to commence in December but following major objections from businesses in the town represented by the Enniscorthy Business Association, the work was postponed until January. While work is underway in the Market Square, Council officials are now based in the

old Courthouse on Court Street which itself was recently renovated. According to Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager, Ger Mackey, “The Market Square building has not undergone any significant investment for quite some time and, as a result, it lacks the modern facilities and services expected in a public services building today. Wexford County Council is investing approximately one million euro in a major refurbishment programme to modernise the building. The public will be able to enjoy much improved public facilities, including measures to improve

privacy for those visiting the building, disabled access to floors above ground level, works to weather-proof the building and a significant upgrade of the telecommunications system. “These much-needed refurbishment works will help ensure this iconic building reaches its full potential, not only in terms of improved public access to Council services in the Enniscorthy District for many years to come, but also in contributing to a rejuvenation of Enniscorthy’s Market Square and surrounding areas”, said Mr. Mackey. n

A Murphy Floods Hotel Staff Reunion will take place on Sunday 16th February at 3pm in The Bailey, Enniscorthy.

TRANSFORMING ENNISCORTHY! On 30th December an event was held in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, organised by Invest Wexford (Wexford County Council’s economic development unit) and Enniscorthy & District Chamber. It was attended by over 50 local business people, politicians, Wexford County Council officials, IDA and Enterprise Ireland staff, etc to seek ways to transform Enniscorthy economically over the next ten years. We carried brief details in last month’s Slaney News. The following is a more detailed account. Enniscorthy has the potential to become one of the most prosperous towns in Ireland if the local community and business people adopt an attitude of positivity over the next five years. That’s the message from those gathered for the recent ‘Invest Wexford’ seminar held in the Riverside Park Hotel. Enniscorthy has a median gross household income of €31,049 compared to Wexford town at €35,000. The national average is €45,000, so Enniscorthy

is presently way behind the national average. However, things are changing and a number of Ireland’s leading businesses are now beginning to locate in Enniscorthy in preference to Dublin and elsewhere. They include homegrown Datapac and Taoglas, and multinational companies like BD, Reynaers, Indos, and the recently established Opus Fund Services (Bermuda) and they all have ambitious plans for expansion. The new Enniscorthy Technology Park at Killagoley offers more opportunities with the start of construction of the first large office development due to commence this Spring. It will be the first passive energy commercial building in Ireland and will consist of some 50,000 square feet of commercial space. Ed Murphy, Wexford County Council’s Senior Economic Advisor, told the seminar that Invest Wexford’s goal is to create 500 jobs a year in County Wexford over the next 5 years and that many of them will,

h o p e f u l l y, b e l o c a t e d i n Enniscorthy. “Today’s goal is asking you for input, ideas, energy, support and connections on how we can transform Enniscorthy into a vibrant and economically successful town and create between 500 and 1,000 jobs here over the next 5 years.” He urged his audience to override negative thinking – ‘a waste of time and effort’ – and to crowd it out with positivity. Mr. Murphy declared: “Hitting our job creation goals will not be done by the government, our politicians, the IDA, Enterprise Ireland or Wexford County Council, but it can and will be done by people contributing to, and co-operating with, these bodies to help make it happen. It must happen from the ground up,” he added. “Funding will come from a range of sources including central government, private investment and from Wexford County Council. This year the Council received over €15 million from the Urban and Rural

Regeneration Fund towards projects in the county,” he said. Mr. Murphy proposed the setting up of a Team Enniscorthy initiative to promote new developments for the town and said ‘Invest Wexford’ was running an event in Dublin on February 20th to which Dublin-based companies will be invited to consider setting up a second office or site in Co. Wexford where the cost of doing business is significantly less and where there is a far better availability of talent. He explained: “Wexford Councillors recently supported an economic and community investment plan by approving a modest increase in Local Property Tax and Commercial Rates. This allowed the Council to ring-fence an investment fund of some €50 million. This investment will generate more in government and private investment and so allow the Council to deliver and invest in the future of the county and take its destiny into our own hands.” Jimmy Gahan, CEO of

L-R: Ed Murphy (Invest Wexford), Jimmy Gahan (Enniscorthy & District Chamber), Liz McGonigle (Pivotal, Gorey), Ger Mackey (Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager).

Enniscorthy and District Chamber of Commerce, Ger Mackey, Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager, and Ed Murphy of ‘Invest Wexford’ organised the seminar, the first of its type ever held in County Wexford. Alan Corcoran of South East Radio facilitated the event and interviewed a panel of speakers including Christian Pollard of OPUS, Gerard Reynolds of BD, Patrick McGee of IDA Ireland who has responsibility for IDA Ireland’s relationship with leading engineering and industrial

technologies companies on the US East Coast, and Dr. Edwina Dunne of Grandpad in Gorey. The attendance at the seminar included some of the country’s leading executives, experts and influencers with Dr. Patrick Prendergast, Provost, Trinity College, Dublin; Barbara Jones, Irish Ambassador to Mexico; Dave Sheehan, Assistant Garda Commissioner; Minister Paul K e h o e ; G i l l i a n B a k e r, Development Advisor, Enterprise Ireland, and Tom Foley, Director, AIB Plc, prominent among the audience. n

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KEITH DOYLE

3 February 2020

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THE ‘HAVE AND HAVE NOTS’ AND THAT’S WITHIN THE CANDIDATES! Two questions I am constantly asked in the last few weeks are: "Who is going to get elected" and "Why are certain people running in the elections". I propose to try and answer both questions as best I can. Being elected to the DÁIL is a little like being picked for the IRELAND rugby team. It’s hard to get there and even harder to get dropped. Let me explain. Once elected it is very easy to coast along and hide behind the flurry and chaos that is national politics. One could be like an ‘Absentee Landlord’ by appointing the right peo-

ple to run a good office, create a dependency culture so that the office runs more like a community drop-in centre with people popping in between shopping and the doctor. One can reply to issues on social media appearing that you are there on the ground dealing with it but actually doing it from any coffee shop in any city. Throw out a few press statements and a few radio comments and a few pics and, hey presto, you are on your way on being re-elected. Reasons why one would put one’s name forward would include protecting the follow-

ing: A party, a dynasty, a name, a way of life, a culture, a legacy; to put a wrong to right; or perhaps the allure of a €100 grand well-paid job, a second job in some cases. Some are admirable reasons, some not so much. The reason why I called this piece ‘the have and the have nots’ is because, once elected, one has a handsome salary and expenses. Why should elected TDs pick up the phone when an election is called and ring wealthy developers and business men for a contribution or have a breakfast function to offset the costs? Why

feel under a compliment to them for all your career? Pay for your own posters, you are well paid! Most candidates all they have is a passion for their convictions and really want to be there to enact change for the better. PREDICTION... First three I can call with great ease: James Browne (FF) will have buckets of surplus votes to bring in one of his running mates – Malcolm Byrne (FF). Brendan Howlin (Labour) will again garnish massive support in Wexford town and surrounding area to

keep his seat. The final two are most tricky to call this time as Verona Murphy (Ind) will poll well, at the expense of Fine Gael, initially heading Paul Kehoe (FG) and Michael D’Arcy (FG). It is the latter stages that the battle will play out with transfers. Johnny Mythen (Sinn Féin) will do better than his bye-election outing and will benefit from some of the left-wing earlyexiting candidates to have him fighting again for the last seat. Three called, the remaining two too close to call but it will come out of Murphy, Kehoe and Mythen. n

Focusing on living Still no mental health centre for children more well in older age than 2 years after govt announcement – Browne

signacare is a new, familyowned, luxury, 62-bed nursing home in the heart of bunclody, situated in the former millrace hotel premises. signacare was a recent national award winner in the nursing homes ireland awards, with the excellence in dining & nutrition award going to signacare’s caroline murphy-doran. Services on offer from the caring and expertly trained staff in SignaCare Bunclody

include: long-term residential care, convalescence and respite care, specialist dementia care, individualised health and social care, personalised physiotherapy plans. Fair Deal is also accepted. Email: info@signacare.ie, tel: 053 93 76222. All are welcome at the open Afternoon being held in the bunclody nursing home on saturday 15th february 2020 from 2.30pm with music, refreshments and fun, and the best of showband tunes. n

fianna fáil spokesperson on mental health and td for Wexford, James browne, says fine Gael has utterly failed children with mental health issues and is pledging to provide better services for vulnerable children if fianna fáil is in government after the upcoming election. He was commenting after it emerged that €225,000 has been spent on rent for a promised mental health facility, which is still not open, despite being announced more than two years ago. Deputy Browne said, “Fine Gael has failed to act to tackle the escalating mental health crisis facing this country. Waiting lists for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are shockingly high in some areas, which stems from the fact that the service has barely over half the staff it needs. “There are also issues with the admission of children and

Taking note! Election 2020 candidate James Browne TD, canvassing in Enniscorthy, meets Michael Murphy, Enniscorthy.

teenagers to adult units; in 2018 there were 84 children and adolescents admitted to adult units across the country. This is an appalling indictment of this government’s

attitude towards our mental health services. “Arden House was meant to relieve the pressure on this overburdened system and provide a safe environment for

vulnerable children and teens. This project was announced back in the summer of 2017 but two and a half years on and the facility is still not open. “What is also worrying is the fact that the taxpayer is picking up a tab of €225,000, which the HSE has paid out in rent since the announcement was made. “The existing facilities at Slaney House are clearly not fit for purpose and are, I believe, a serious obstacle in attracting a child psychiatrist to work in Wexford. “Children and teenagers deserve better than a government which believes that announcements alone are enough and lose interest in the delivery of services once the cameras have stopped rolling. This facility needs to be opened as a matter of urgency and Fianna Fáil is the only party which will deliver the mental health services this country needs”. n

More success in fight F.F. to tackle dysfunctional against illegal dumping insurance market – Browne

Another successful day in court for Wexford County Council’s Environment Rapid Response Crew. The person who dumped this bag of rubbish in New Ross was fined €1,000 with a further €200 of court costs! It would have cost €9 to dispose of it properly at the Civic Amenity Site at Hewittsland.

fianna fáil td for Wexford James browne says his party is the only one which has concrete measures which will effectively tackle insurance costs. Deputy Browne said, “There isn’t a town or village across Wexford that hasn’t been impacted by the insurance crisis. Drivers have been hit with exorbitant insurance costs, activity centres are facing closure and business are to the pin of their collar trying to afford the bills being charged by insurance companies. “Even schools are being affected... while creche owners have had to apply for emergency funding to help them pay their premiums. “The premiums have been driven up by fraud, large com-

pensation awards and a lack of competition – the government has known this for a long time and has done nothing about it. “We will tackle insurance costs for individuals and for businesses. We will get tough on insurance fraud and tackle anticompetitive behaviour. We are committed to establish the Judicial Council to provide guidance on personal injury claims. “We will also set up a publicly funded Garda Fraud Unit, ensure that fraudulent claims are forwarded to the DPP for consideration, increase the penalties for fraudulent claims and publish insurance fraud data. “We will take immediate action to tackle the issues... and reduce costs for consumers”, concluded Deputy Browne. n

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Slaney News

3 February 2020

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Transition Years learn about career opportunities seven of the eight secondlevel schools in the enniscorthy area were represented at two transition year mornings in the riverside park hotel in late January. Organised by Enniscorthy and District Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Riverside Park Hotel, more than 500 students participated and heard of career opportunities in the hospitality industry, the Gardaí, the nursing profession and in banking. The students were also given an overview of the importance of positive mental health and heard from representatives from the career departments of Waterford IT and Carlow IT (Wexford Campus). The participating schools included Coláiste Abban, Adamstown, Enniscorthy CBS, FCJ Secondary School, Bunclody, Kilmuckridge Vocational College, Meanscoil, Gharman, Enniscorthy, Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy and Enniscorthy Vocational College. The Transition Year mornings, hosted by the Riverside Park Hotel, took place on January

20th and again on January 27th. Because of the number of students involved it was necessary to hold the information mornings over two days with over 200 students present for the first session and a further 300 for the second. The objective of the exercise was to focus attention on specific career paths and on opportunities available to students in various fields of endeavour. Kelly Sheahan, HR Manager of the Riverside Park Hotel, give a broad outline of the many opportunities within the hospitality industry concentrating on promotional prospects in the various sectors of the hotel trade. She interviewed a number of Heads of Departments within The Riverside Park Hotel, each with a different perspective on their respective roles but all agreeing on the high level of job satisfaction to be found from working in the industry. Maureen McCafferty, a Nursing Recruitment Specialist with the HSE (Retired), gave an outline of the many opportunities within the nursing

A government minister on our own doorstep

profession, while Emma Fox, M a n a g e r, A I B B a n k , Enniscorthy, detailed her career to date within the banking profession while outlining the many opportunities for further education, training and advancement within the profession. The need for maintaining positive mental health throughout one’s working career was emphasised by Linda Thorpe, Training Officer (Retired) Mental Health Ireland who said a positive approach to mental health issues was essential in order to achieve personal fulfilment in any job, while Garda John Gorman detailed his working life as a Garda and of the many opportunities for advancement within the Force. Enniscorthy and District Chamber President Maree Lyng welcomed the attendance on both mornings and said Enniscorthy and District Chamber was delighted to be in a position to organise such events as it helped students consider various career paths going forward. n

O'SHEA HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR 24 CATH LAB

Above: Niall O'Brien, Ann Grace (Waterford Institute of Technology), Alain Coulet and Filip Kuszniebeyicz from Enniscorthy CBS at the Transition Year morning in the Riverside Park Hotel. Below left: Ciara Tennant (left) and Meaghan Keenan (right) from Meanscoil Gharman, with Emma Fox, Manager AIB Bank, Enniscorthy, at the Transition Year morning in the Riverside Park Hotel. Below right Maureen McCafferty, Assistant Director of Nursing, HSE (retired) and Jasmine Parker from Kilmuckridge Vocational College at the Transition Year morning in the Riverside Park Hotel.

“Forget the Parties, and vote No. 1 Ger Carthy”!

Independent Wexford candidate Seánie O’Shea says there hasn't been enough people in Wexford making enough noise about the 24 hour cath lab at University Hospital Waterford and we need to change that straight away. "The south east has a huge issue with health inequality and Wexford is suffering more than most," said O'Shea. "Obviously it's not a competition, but the two counties need to join forces.

local td and Government minister, paul Kehoe, believes it has been an honour to serve the people of co. Wexford in dáil Éireann since 2002. He says, “During this time, I have put my energy into delivering on investment, infrastructure, agriculture and jobs. “I have helped ensure the ringfencing of €50m for the flood defence scheme in Enniscorthy, and plans are advancing for a new primary care centre in the town. “Construction is well underway on the new St Patrick’s Special School and significant renovations are taking place in schools across the county, to the betterment of pupils and staff.” Minister Kehoe is also happy to have been part of the cabinet which decided to introduce a smoky coal ban in Enniscorthy from next September, which he

believes is extremely important for the health and well-being of Enniscorthy families. “Whether it’s our schools, the farming community, sports clubs or community facilities – securing funding has been a key priority of mine. Just last month, €300,000 was secured for the Enniscorthy Sports Hub.” Minister Kehoe is also proud of the fact that housands of people have availed of the services provided by his full-time office – run by Claire Urquhart – which has been open on Wafer Street since 2002. He says, “Only with your support on February 8th, will I be able to keep the office open.” “Huge progress has been made, however I know more needs to be done in areas such as health and housing. These issues will remain my top priorities if I am re-elected as your TD for Wexford”, he concludes. n

“The lack of 24/7 cardiac care in Waterford (the only nationally designated cardiac centre that does not operate on a 24/7 basis) affects people throughout Wexford more than anyone, because obviously we’re geographically further away from Cork. So when the Waterford Cath Lab is closed on weekends people in South Wexford have 90 minutes to get to Cork. "In the three years up to May 2019 not one of the 37 emergency cardiac transfers from Wexford to Cork was completed within 90 minutes. Not one. Zero. It's not an exaggeration to say some Wexford people didn’t survive to tell their tale. So Waterford’s fight for a Cath Lab is Wexford’s fight too. Even more so. This health inequality in the south east is years in the making.” Mr O’Shea believes, “Voting Fianna Fáil instead of Fine Gael or Labour is like punching yourself in the head to cure a headache.” n

Election Candidate 2020 Cllr Ger Carthy (left), canvassing in Kilmore Village, meets local man Bobby Kinsella.

cllr Ger carthy is delighted to be running as an independent for election to dáil Éireann in the upcoming general election on 8th february 2020. Having topped the poll in the local elections in May 2019 and having been re-elected to Wexford County Council for a second consecutive term, he believes the time is now right

for him to serve the people of Co. Wexford with the strong representation they deserve at national level. As an independent candidate he is campaigning on the key issues that make a real difference to people in their everyday life such as Health, Education, Housing and Job Creation, as well as seeking to ensure a positive and pros-

perous future for the youth of today. As Chairperson of the Rosslare Municipal District, one of his main focus points has been the development of Rosslare Europort and its facilities. Having made good progress in this area, he intends to continue to push for the upgrade of this valuable asset that can help boost the economy of the whole of County Wexford. Cllr Carthy says: “I have worked as a health professional, operating on the front line for over 12 years and I know only too well the difficulties faced by patients and healthcare workers alike in the current unacceptable situation. My in-depth knowledge and understanding of patient and staff needs has me well placed to ensure the very best for our health service. “If you want your local voice to be heard at the national table without the shackles of party politics, then I strongly urge the people of Wexford to ‘Forget the Parties, and vote No. 1 Ger Carthy.’” n

St Aidan’s Primary School ASD Unit A project involving the conversion of the existing old hall in st. Aidan's primary school in enniscorthy into an Asd (autism spectrum disorder) unit is making some progress with the publication

on the national etenders site of project details and invitation to tender. In addition to the main conversion, the project also involves some external site works to the ASD Unit and

remedial works to the existing entrance/carpark. The total area of the converted building will be 365 sq.m. and the tender response deadline is 14th February 2020 at 12 noon. n

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Slaney News

3 February 2020

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Enniscorthy Greyhound Track – Enniscorthy fighting for survival couple feature in ALDI campaign A recent report commissioned by bord na gcon (irish Greyhound board) has recommended the withdrawal of funding to four greyhound tracks, including enniscorthy, which if implemented would inevitably mean the closure of the enniscorthy facility. In December, Enniscorthy TD James Browne called a special Dáil debate with the Minister of State for Agriculture, Andrew Doyle TD, concerning the proposed funding cut to Enniscorthy. In December also, more than three hundred people attended a public meeting at Enniscorthy Track to try and prevent its closure. At the monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District on 16th December, many of the councillors spoke in support of Enniscorthy Track. Cllr Jackser Owens pointed out that the track opened in 1933 and has been a wonderful facility for the town ever since. Cllr Cathal Byrne emphasised that the track is privately owned and profitable.

Cllr John O’Rourke spoke about how the track is a great source of fundraising for local charities, clubs and voluntary bodies t h ro u g h b e n e f i t n i g h t s . Chairperson Kathleeen CoddNolan mentioned how the track is a business in addition to a social outlet with many people employed directly at the track and also in breeding and training greyhounds. On 19th December, a delegation from Co. Wexford met with Minister Andrew Doyle. The delegation included two representatives from Enniscorthy Greyhound Track – Myles Roban and John Somers, and politicians – Minister Paul Kehoe, James Browne TD, Minister Michael D’Arcy, Cllr Kathleeen Codd-Nolan, Cllr Pip Breen (representing Wexford County Council Chairman Michael Sheehan), and Cllr Cathal Byrne. The delegation believe they got a fair hearing from Minister Doyle. A d e l e g a t i o n f ro m Enniscorthy Track (Paddy

Kavanagh, Myles Roban and John Somers) addressed the January meeting of Wexford County Council where members unanimously passed a resolution of support opposed to the closing or downgrading of the track. On January 15th, a public meeting was held in the Riverside Park Hotel attended by over 600 people all committed to keeping Enniscorthy Track open. Enniscorthy Track is now working on a professional submission which will be sent to Indecon, Bord na gCon and Minister Doyle, later this month, in support of its case for continued funding. So there’s lots happening both in the public eye as well as behind the scenes so it’s fair to say the track is not going down without a fight!!! Keep an eye on our ‘Slaney News’ Facebook page for ongoing updates on this story. Meanwhile racing at the track continues on Thursday nights only in February. n

the o’brien family from enniscorthy is one of seven families from around ireland to feature in Aldi’s latest swap and save Ad campaign! Married couple Louise (gym-owner) and Zena (videographer) currently feature in the campaign, which is now live on national TV, radio, press, digital and instore point of sale adverts. When asked what they would use their savings for, Louise and Zena said, “A holiday together.” The Swap and Save campaign tracks their shopping spend over eight weeks – four weeks shopping as usual, and four weeks shopping at Aldi. Their receipts are then analysed to see how much they saved. John Curtin, Group Buying Director at Aldi Ireland said:

Lesotho’s wife, Nongubonde Ntsoale, dropped by the Visit Wexford Stand to tell us that she had visited Wexford and loved it and asked if she could have a photo with us to send to her husband – the Ambassador of Lesotho which is situated within South Africa. The Colombian Stand was manned by embassy staff members who treated us to the most delicious Colombian coffee and chocolate-coated coffee beans and told us that the embassy is less than a year in Ireland and they have never visited Wexford but would really love to do so to taste our strawberries. We drank some Sake at the Japan Stand and the colourful ladies from Bolivia really loved being photographed with the ‘Normans’. We spoke with many who visit Wexford every year or have very fond memories of childhood holidays spent here and over the course of the day all we heard about Wexford was good – now how is that for an endorsement. Wexford has so much to offer and the Visit Wexford team and Tourism Officer Billy Byrne are using every opportunity to market it and the World Holiday Show presented us with an ideal forum to showcase our beautiful, historic and diverse county. – Maria Nolan

For more information see www.aldi.ie

St Patrick’s Day Parade committee The Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday, 10th February 2020, in The Presentation Centre, Convent Road, Enniscorthy, at 7.30 pm. Members and intending members welcome.

Holiday World Show – a meeting of peoples i was delighted to be part of the visit Wexford stand at the holiday World show at the rds last month giving me an opportunity to market my home county as a destination to a multiplicity of people. Dressed in Norman attire to commemorate and celebrate and share our Wexford Norman heritage, I was pleasantly surprised at the level of interest in the Normans from many, many Irish people who were eager to tell us that their names were Norman or indeed to find out if their surname had Norman origins. Many other nationalities stopped at the Visit Wexford stand or invited us to have photos taken at theirs enquiring what or who our costumes represented and why we were wearing them. Even Minister Shane Ross who opened the Holiday Show was eager to endorse Visit Wexford and I had the pleasure of meeting the Mexican Ambassador Miguel Malfavon Andrade who is excited about the new link being established between Wexford and Mexico called – wait for it – Wexico – now that’s catchy isn’t it. Ambassador Andrade was planning a visit to New Ross to discuss the proposed Wexico venture. The Ambassador of

“Our Swap and Save advertising campaign reminds shoppers about the savings that can be made by swapping their weekly shop to Aldi.” "This latest group of Irish families have taken the Aldi Swap & Save Challenge and made great savings on their weekly grocery bill. Our award-winning range of quality products ensures that families can do their full weekly shop in all of our 140 stores nationwide." n

Above: Maria with Tourism Minister Shane Ross. Below: Maria with Ricardo from the Colombian Embassy. Above right: Tom Boland with some colourful ladies from Bolivia. Right: Tom with Nongubonde Ntsoale, wife of the Ambassador of Lesotho. Below right: Maria and Tom with the Mexican Ambassador Miguel Malfavon Andrade. All Pics: Maria Nolan.

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7 15

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The perfect gift for your Valentine… A Bega Barber Gift Voucher en now Buy a Bega Barber Gift Voucher betwe and 14th February and receive a Free Handmade Valentine’s Card

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Bega Barber, 64 Wafer St, Enniscorthy. T: 087-060 9400. Open: Mon/Tues/Weds/Thurs/Sat 8.30am-6pm Fri 8.30am-7pm. Sun 10.30am-3.30pm.

Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

Local film fundraiser for housing charity Three new, short Wexford films are to be screened in aid of the housing charity, Focus Ireland, at The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, on February 7th at 7.30pm. The world premiere of a new short film BESTIES, featuring members of Enniscorthy Drama Group, will be shown, with a cast including Karen Franklin, Jennafer Boyd, Fintan Kelly, Maeve Ennis, Summer Keane and Jennifer Kelly. It is written and directed by Dick Donaghue and produced by Jer Ennis and was filmed in Enniscorthy. DARK WATERS starring Sharon Griffiths and David

Parsons, filmed in Bridgetown, will also receive its Irish premiere. WHAT NEXT MOTHER i s a c o m e d y, f i l m e d i n Bunclody, and stars Mary Gibson, Elaine Jordan, Niall Kennedy and Lauren Jordan. A l l p ro c e e d s w i l l b e donated to FOCUS Ireland, the aim of the night being to shine a light on the homelessness issue, raise much needed funds and also to show off the writing and acting talent in our locality. Tickets are €10 and can be booked at 053-9233000 or through the website: www.presentationcentre.ie.

3 February 2020

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Come Together for Wexford Hospice Holohans, Saturday, 14 March

Enjoy a night of The Beatles music with the Fab Fogertys and more guest singers than you can shake a stick at! It’s all taking place in Holohan’s Pub in Enniscorthy on 14th March. The Fab Fogertys consists of four of Enniscorthy’s finest musicians and singers – Richard King, Brendan Carty, Eddie Crean and Pat Murphy – the same quartet behind the recent highly successful trib-

ute to Creedence Clearwater Revival and as well as a celebration of the iconic Woodstock festival. Expect to hear the finest guest singers from Co. Wexford and beyond perform classics such as: ★ Please please me ★ 8 days a week ★ I feel fine ★ I wanna hold your hand ★ Can't buy me love ★ Twist and shout

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Back in the USSR Get back A hard days night Help Ticket to ride I've just seen a face If I fell You got to hide your love away Something In my life Norwegian wood Paperback writer Let it be

★ Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The band and guest singers all have sponsorship cards, and donations will also be accepted on the night of 14th March, with all money raised going to Wexford Hospice. So go along on the night to enjoy the wonderful music and songs of The Beatles and please make sure to give whatever you can to this great Co. Wexford charity. n

Blackstairs Blues news.... At a recent meeting to review the 2019 Blackstairs Blues Festival, the Chairman, John Murphy, stated that “it was one of the most successful Festivals for years and the fact that it was celebrating its 25th anniversary added to the significance of the event. It is now established as one of the premier Blues Festivals and it is the hope of the

committee to build on its continued success and to maintain and even improve on the standard of the bands and the quality of the music for future festivals. The committee appreciates the co-operation of all the participating venues and the support of our sponsors which added greatly to the Festival’s success.” n

‘WILD IN THE COUNTRY’ – A Preview Enniscorthy Drama Group is taking the plunge again staging a new production Wild In The Country at The Presentation Centre from 4th7th March nightly at 8pm. Wild In The Country brings two of Enniscorthy’s greats together – Paul O’Reilly who wrote the play and Fintan Kelly directing. Both men are well known to Enniscorthy audiences and beyond – Paul a singer, songwriter, poet, musician, writer and playwright and Fintan actor, presenter, compere and director. Both are making names for themselves on national and international stages. Paul, who lives with his wife Michelle and their two sons Fionn and Eanna, can boast numerous literary successes. His drama has been shortlisted at the Listowel Writers Week, his stories shortlisted for the Hennessy First Fiction Award, the Sean

O`Faolain Prize, the Bristol Prize and twice for the William Trevor/Elizabeth Bowen International Prize. His work has been published in the Irish Independent, the Irish Times, The Stinging Fly, The Scaldy Detail and The Journal.ie. Paul is no stranger to EDG having been commissioned by them to write a play for the Easter Commemorations of 1916. A Night on the Hill was performed at The Athenaeum in 2016 where, one hundred years before, the Enniscorthy Volunteers were the last to surrender in the Irish Rebellion. Fintan Kelly is another talented son of Enniscorthy who lives here with his wife Lorraine and two daughters Jennifer and Mary. Fintan has performed with Enniscorthy Drama as John Williamson in Glengarry Glen Ross, Gately in PVT Wars, Jack Clitheroe in The Plough and the Stars, James Joseph

in Come Along the Road Until You Stop Dead, Bull in A Night on the Hill, Christy Mahon in Playboy of the Western World, Babbybobby in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Harry Carney in A Whistle in the Dark, Pato Dooley in The Beauty Queen of Leenane. He also played Norman Petty in The Buddy Holly Story and Captain in The Child is the Father of the Man. Fintan recently completed a countrywide tour with Howie the Rookie and has appeared in feature films and TV series including Game of Thrones, Krypton and Darklands. He also played the role of Patrick in Release a film by Gerald Walsh which premiered at the 2017 Galway Film Fleadh and directed, acted and produced his own film Ignatius which was screened in Enniscorthy to great acclaim. These two talents are now coming together along with a

very gifted cast – Julie Fox, Fergal Kelly, Pat Murphy, Katie Breen, Alan Kinsella and Niall Holohan to give us a three-act play Wild in the Country premiering March 4th, 2020. The main character, Rose, gets the notion that her idol Elvis Presley is coming to Enniscorthy to perform in the local hall and she pulls out all the stops to be ready for this dream come true. But when her plans to meet and seduce her heartthrob are thwarted by her husband, a washing machine, a local election and time itself, she decides her only option is to take matters into her own hands if she is to fulfil her destiny. This razor-sharp tragiccomedy is set in August 1977 in Enniscorthy, written by an Enniscorthy man, directed by an Enniscorthy man and performed by a local cast, it is a must see – miss it and you’ll be sorry! – Maria Nolan

This year’s Blues Festival will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the 11th, 12th and 13th September 2020.

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Holohan’s SLANEY PLACE, ENNISCORTHY. SATURDAY 15TH FEBRUARY TAKE FIVE (DAVITT FAMILY) SAT 29TH FEBRUARY: THE GENTLEMEN CALLERS EVERY WED: LOOSE ARRANGEMENT

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

EVERY THURS: FIRESIDE SESSION COMING EVENT: MARCH 14TH THE OLD FOGARTY’S ‘BEATLES’ TRIBUTE - CHARITY NIGHT

TOM KELLY PRESENTS IN CONCERT

ISLA GRANT

ISLA GRANT & BAND RIVERSIDE PARK HOTEL ENNISCORTHY THUR FEB 6th TEL 053-9237800. TICKETS €30 EACH AT

JOHNNY McEVOY

MIKE DENVER

RIVERBANK HOUSE HOTEL RIVERSIDE PARK HOTEL ENNISCORTHY THUR MAR 26th WEXFORD SAT FEB 29TH TEL 053-9237800. TEL 053-9123611. ALL HOTEL VENUES AND TICKETMASTER.IE

Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

3 February 2020

Putting Enniscorthy centrestage on the music scene Anyone interested in getting involved in an organisation, the purpose of which is to make Enniscorthy a serious national and international music hub, is asked to contact Enniscorthy’s Eamonn Doyle. Eamonn is widely known locally as a music promoter, festival organiser, band manager, DJ, etc. In fact, most good music events in Enniscorthy, particularly in the areas of rock ‘n’ roll and roots music, are quite likely to be run by Eamonn Doyle. Austin, Texas, has emerged in last quarter century as the top live music city in the USA and Eamonn has a long-term vision for something similar here in Enniscorthy! Obviously, it’s a huge challenge, but according to Eamonn, “I have seen what the music community achieves here when it works together and I think it’s a challenge we can meet! I am currently pitching the project to Council and Tourism chiefs and there seems to be an interest in looking at this seriously!” Anyone interested in exploring the possibilities at an initial discussion meeting should contact Eamonn directly or through his ‘Eamonn Doyle’ Facebook page or tel: 087-6456642. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– A second music-related initiative is being explored in Enniscorthy by Brendan Keane, well-known local journalist and singer/songwriter.

Luan Parle is releasing a new album 'Never Say Goodbye' on February 7th and has just announced her 2020 Irish Tour dates which kick off at the Wexford Arts Centre on February 8th. Meteor & Tatler Award winner Luan Parle has had numerous hits including her

FEB 2020 ENTERTAINMENT All venues are in Enniscorthy unless otherwise stated. Sat 1 Thur 6 Fri 7 Fri 7 Sat 8 Sat 8 13-15 Sat 15 Sat 15 Sun 16 Sun 16 20-22 Sat 29 Sat 29 Mar 26

PILGRIM ST. Wexford Arts Centre. ISLA GRANT. Riverside Park Hotel. THREE NEW, SHORT WEXFORD FILMS in aid of Focus Ireland, The Presentation Centre at 7.30pm. See page 16. TAKE OFF YOUR CORNFLAKES. Drama by Rose Henderson and Pat Nolan. Wexford Arts Centre. LUAN PARLE AND CLIVE BARNES. Wexford Arts Centre. ALINA BZHEZHINSKA QUARTET. Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely. Wexford Drama Group presents CLOSER by Patrick Marber. Wexford Arts Centre. JERRY FISH. Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely. TAKE FIVE (Davitt Family). Holohan’s. Magical Journeys with renowned storyteller JOE BRENNAN. Wexford Arts Centre, 2.30pm. RECORD HOP. The Bailey Cafe Bar. Junior Hop at midday. Adult Hop 2-6pm. Hosted by the South East Rock ‘n’ Roll Club. DJs Saints Roadshow and Lewis Boogie. Wexford Drama Group presents CLOSER by Patrick Marber. Wexford Arts Centre. THE GENTLEMEN CALLERS. Holohan’s. DAOIRÍ FARRELL. Wexford Arts Centre. MIKE DENVER. Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy.

BINGO: Sunday Nights (except bank holidays) in Community Centre, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, at 8.00pm. HOLOHAN’S: Every Weds Loose Arrangement. Every Thurs Fireside Session. THE LOCAL BAR: Live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. T. DOYLE’S PUB: Live music every Friday night. GREYHOUND RACING: Every Thurs in February. First Race 8pm. ST MICHAEL'S THEATRE, NEW ROSS: www.stmichaelsnewross.com NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE: www.nationaloperahouse.ie SOCIAL DANCING: Check out “Social Dancing in and around Wexford” on Facebook or text your name to 087 2723375 to receive the dates.

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

FOR LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS… B re n d a n i s l o o k i n g f o r “musos and anyone who enjoys original songs and tunes” to get involved in an occasional, original songwriter night in the Enniscorthy area. Brendan has been runn i n g a s i m i l a r, re g u l a r monthly night in New Ross for the last seven years called the Last Friday Sessions and is keane (!) to introduce the

idea in Enniscorthy. A particular venue has been identified and all going well full details will be revealed shortly. Brendan says he would like to hear from “anyone up for doing a few songs... no point writing them if you don't get out and play them”. Brendan can be contacted through his ‘Brendan Keane’ Facebook page. n

 Check the listing above  Check out our pages 15-23 See Joseph Doyle’s column page 36  Check www.wexlive.com for updated listings.  Facebook:“Slaney News” and “Enjoy Enniscorthy”

Brendan Keane

Luan coming to Wexford Wexford Has Talent reaches the final stage

Luan Parle

Your “cut out and keep”

top-10 hit single 'Ghost' which spent three months in the Irish charts and was the most played Irish single of that year. Parle signed her first record deal at just 12 years of age before later signing with Sony Music and Elton John's management company Twenty First Artists. Luan has written and recorded with some of the world’s most successful songwriters and producers including Grammy award winning Bill Bottrell and Billy Steinberg. Luan’s new album features 10 original tracks including two co-writes with Dire Straits guitarist Hal Lindes. This will be the fourth album release from the Wicklowborn songstress. She will be accompanied by renowned Enniscorthy guitarist Clive Barnes. Tickets are €10 and available online at wexfordartscentre.ie or by calling the box office on 053 912 3764. n

The 2020 Wexford Has Talent competition is up and running with auditions having taken place on January 19th in Clayton Whites, Wexford. The successful competitors then went through to the live semi-finals staged at Clayton Whites on February 1st and February 2nd. At the time of going to press we do not have the names of the semi-finalists to hand but will publish them shortly on our ‘Slaney News’ Facebook page. The Grand Final will take place on Saturday 29th of February with the acts performing to an audience of 600 people. There will now be 2 categories for the final: 1. Solo Singers and 2. Variety (all other genres including dance, gymnastics, rap, comedy or any other type of act). The total prize fund will be distributed in the following way: 2 prizes of €500 for each category

(2 solo singers and 2 variety acts will take home a minimum of €500 each). The overall winner will receive a massive prize of €2,000!!! The Wexford Has Talent competition is kindly sponsored by The Wexford People. Tickets for the Grand Final on Saturday 29th of February in Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford, are priced at €15. More details on www.wexfordhastalent.com n

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– TAKE OFF YOUR CORNFLAKES. Drama by Rose Henderson and Pat Nolan. 7 Feb 2020. Tom and Trish have just celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. But what happens when Tom wakes up with a strange woman beside him and she tells him she’s his wife? And what does Trish do when she realises the person she loves is losing his mind? Inspired by Rose’s Dad, Jack, who had Alzheimer’s but couldn’t remember he had cancer, Take Off Your Cornflakes is a tender, funny, heart-warming portrait of marriage with the best ‘Dad Jokes’ you’ve ever heard. “Very moving performances” – Irish Mail on Sunday. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LUAN PARLE and CLIVE BARNES. 8 Feb 2020. Two of Ireland's finest songwriters and performers Luan Parle and Clive Barnes have for many years been gaining an international reputation as solo performers but for the past number of years they have been performing together to sold out audiences across Ireland, US & Europe. Parle signed her first record deal at just 12 years of age and has written and recorded with some of the worlds most successful songwriters & producers including Grammy award winning Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crowe, Michael Jackson, Prince, Travelling Wilburys, Elton John) & Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Roy Orbison, Cyndi Lauper, The Pretenders, Whitney Houston, The Bangles, Celine Dion). Enniscorthy’s Clive Barnes is highly regarded as one of the finest performers on the roots circuit and has been gaining a worldwide reputation as one of the finest songwriters and guitarists on today's scene. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––_–– WEXFORD DRAMA GROUP presents CLOSER by Patrick Marber. 13 – 22 Feb 2020. "Closer" is the story of four very different people searching for love in 1990's London. Wickedly funny and full of beautiful, truthful writing this hugely successful play will be brought to life by the fabulous foursome of Danielle Reck as Alice, Stephen Byrne as Dan, Seona O'Connor as Anna and Alan Fitzhenry as Larry. The play is directed by Paul Walsh. The production will hit the Wexford Arts Centre for two weekends in February and tickets are on sale now! Please note: This play features nudity and strong adult language so it is STRICTLY over 18's. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MAGICAL JOURNEYS with renowned storyteller JOE BRENNAN. 16 Feb, 29 Mar, 26 April 2020, all at 2.30pm. Wexford storyteller Joe Brennan will dip into his collection of traditional stories to bring the audience on ‘Magical Journeys’. Each performance is unique as he invites his audience on a journey that will excite, surprise, inspire, challenge, cause the odd fright even and many laughs. Joe’s gift as a storyteller, from many years sharing stories across the globe, is to respond to his audience, to lead them gently on the journey and to ensure they come out the other end feeling all is right in the world.’ The stories will choose themselves on the day,’ says Joe. And each telling is a new experience and version for that audience, that place. His storytelling performances are unadorned wonders, just Joe, his voice and his hands. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DAOIRÍ FARRELL. 29 Feb 2020. The Dublin-born traditional singer and bouzouki player Daoirí (pronounced ‘Derry’) Farrell is being hailed as one of most important singers to come out of Ireland in recent years. Daoirí Farrell was the winner of two BBC Folk Awards in 2017: Horizon Award for best newcomer and Best Traditional Track, and RTÉ Folk Award 2019 Nominee in three categories. ‘Daoirí is one of the most important traditional singers to emerge in the last decade’ – Dónal Lunny. ‘Effortless, instinctive, natural…the real deal' – Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show. He is currently working on his next album, being produced by Dónal Lunny of the legendary Irish band Planxty. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Plus art exhibitions, workshops, classes, childen’s activities, etc. See www.wexfordartscentre.ie for details. Tel: 053-9123764.

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Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

Sunday Nights (except bank holidays)

Community Centre Templeshannon Enniscorthy at 8.00pm

€1,100 Prize Fund

St. Senan’s Parish Fundraiser For more information contact: (053) 9261729 or 086-7913919

ENNISCORTHY LIBRARY EVENTS For information on all Enniscorthy Library events in January, see “Enniscorthy Library” on Facebook or contact Library 053-9236055.

A story sharing evening The Rediscovering Ancient Connections project seeks to help to revive the ancient links between the people of Pembrokeshire in Wales and North Wexford in Ireland. Both communities have a deeply entwined, shared heritage and history that extends back millennia from prehistory to the modern day. If you would like to explore the connections between Wexford and Pembrokeshire and share your own stories, please go along to the Rediscovering Ancient Connections Story Sharing Evening on the 4th of February at the Templeshannon Community Centre, Enniscorthy. The organisers have been busy gathering history, archaeology, folklore and stories that

connect the two regions and they want to share these stories with you and they would also love to hear your own tales of connections between the two regions as they wish to uncover many more stories. At the event you can also learn about opportunities to get involved with different aspects of the project over the coming years and what training and support will be on offer to help you access archives and undertake research, as well as record oral histories from your community and how you can share your findings. This is a FREE event and all are welcome along for a cup of tea and to meet others interested in the project from 6.30pm. The event will begin properly at 7pm and conclude by 9pm. n

TO ADVERTISE ON OUR ENTERTAINMENT PAGES PLEASE CALL 087-2403310

BREE COUNTRY FEST Co. Wexford's newest Country Music Festival will take place in Byrnes Grain Store, Bree Y21 EK46, on 4th September 2020 with an impressive line-up: Stuart Moyles, Cliona Hagan, Derek Ryan. More details in next month’s issue.

The Local Bar CASTLE HILL, ENNISCORTHY

Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

3 February 2020

ARE YOU

DANCING?

DeClaN FlaNagaN is the South east’s leading dance teacher specialising in Irish Country Jiving & Ballroom, 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll, line Dancing, etc. He is also well known as a music broadcaster on elite Country Radio He contributes a regular music and dance column to the Slaney News. Welcome to the February edition of the Slaney News where you will get all the bits and bobs on the social dance scene in the southeast. This is my first article in 2020 so happy new year to you all! And it certainly looks like 2020 is shaping up to be another bumper year on the dancing scene. We will, of course, keep you informed here in the Slaney News of all the dances and events that will be happening around the southeast, and if you want any information on the rest of the country there are about 4 pages of the Sunday World dedicated to dancing just before the sports pages. I normally take a photo of them on my phone and throw the rest in the bin! Most of the familiar events are back, Killag, Gowran Park, Carnew, Cowboys & Heroes, G o r e y S h o w, B a n n o w / Rathangan Show, Rockin' Food Fest, Tullow Show, and the Tinahely Show. Bree parish are having their very first event in Byrnes Grain Store in early September with Derek Ryan headlining so make sure to give them your support if you're around that way. Not sure about the Carlow Fest as there are no tickets available for it yet, but they say it is going ahead. We will, of course, be giving you more details of all these closer to the time. My gig of the month for February is in the Ashdown Park Hotel Gorey on Valentine's night and features both Derek and Adrian Ryan. It's part of Des Willoughby promotions so you can be

22nd Ardattin Inn National Jiving Championships Heat (John Molloy / Stuart Moyles). 29th Ardattin Inn - Eddie Carey CD Launch.

sure it's going to be hoppin' and packed to the rafters. The parish dances are all holding their own with the exception of Oylgate. Not that it isn't going well mind you, quite the contrary as it has been a very well run and successful monthly Sunday night dance. It's just the man at the helm, Ray Quigley is retiring from all parish activities I believe, and they have decided to call it a day. Ray, along with his wife Gretta, have probably put more time into their parish than anyone I know so no one can blame them for taking time out for themselves. I think maybe March might be the last one but we'll let you know in the next issue. PARISH DANCES: Friday 7th, Camross CC, Askamore Hall & Annacurra CC; Sunday 9th, Oylegate CC & Rathanna Hall; Saturday 15th, Drumphea Hall & Ballyconnell Hall; Friday 21st, Marshalstown CC & Carrig-on-Bannow CC; Friday 28th, Kiltealy CC. Ardattin Inn, Tullow hold Sunday evening dances 6.00 - 8.30.

Dance Weekend Woodford Dolmen Hotel: 13th Liam Mannering & Maria; 14th Limelite; 15th Dermot McConnell. BIG BANDS: Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford - Paddy O'Brien Weekend: 14th Paddy O'Brien / Robert Mizzell; 15th Afternoon - Theresa & The Stars; Night - Paddy O'Brien / Declan Nerney; 16th Afternoon - John Hogan; Night - Paddy O'Brien / Michael English. The Rhu Glenn Hotel, Slieverue: 15th Dominic & Barry Kirwan; 22nd Patrick Feeney; 29th Gerry Guthrie. Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey: 14th Derek Ryan. NEW RELEASES; Michael English - "Songs I Remember". Great lively Quickstep/Jive song where Michael finds a country record in the boot of a Ford Escort in 1985 and hears lots of great songs of yesteryear. Olivia Douglas - "First Impressions". Another Quickstep Jive from Olivia taking sound advice from her mother that you don't get a second chance to make a first impression.

Mike Denver - "The Taker". I'd say more suited to a Quickstep this one originally from Waylon Jennings in 1971. Praising the give and take attitude of a good man towards his woman. Just like the rest of us! Ciaran Rosney - "Old Man From The Mountain". Great Quickstep/Jive from Ciaran. Originally a 1974 hit for the great Merle Haggard, it warns the old man from the mountain's woman to get rid of Joe the grinder as he's on his way home. John Molloy - "Don't Put Me In The Ex-Files". A fabulous upbeat song ideal for either a Jive or Quickstep. Originally a 2002 hit for The Bellamy Brothers, it tells of a man seeking forgiveness after being out with the boys "playing poker, drinking whiskey and smoking fat cigars". Well, that's all from me this month and I hope to see you all same time, same place, in the March edition of the Slaney News. n

MEN WANTED IN ENNISCORTHY!!! Enniscorthy Musical Society (EMS) will be presenting their 47th production – the uproariously funny musical comedy The Producers – this April in Coláiste Bríde. Mel Brook’s musical is a laugh-out-loud, outrageous, crowd-pleasing farce that has been a smash hit since its 2001 debut on Broadway. EMS is thrilled to have such an amazing production team on board consisting of Imelda McDonagh (Director), Kevin Kennedy (Musical Director) and Anne Marie

Cooney (Choreographer). Rehearsals are underway but there is still time for some more men to get involved in the chorus and in cameo roles. And a reminder also that the EMS Silver Circle draw is being held monthly until April. Please contact any committee member if you would like to be entered and all proceeds go towards the staging of The Producers. To contact EMS email: infoems.ie@gmail.com or on Facebook ‘Enniscorthy Musical Society’. n

with Declan Flanagan

Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

www.slaneynews.com Junk Kouture is celebrating its 10th birthday this year and Colaiste Bríde partied in style at its annual Junk Kouture Fashion Show with a fantastic collection of creativity, ingenuity, style, flair, imagination and magic. The yearly event takes pride of place on the school calendar and enormous credit is due to organising teachers – Ms. Margo Whelan, Ms. Brambley, Ms. Kervick and Ms. Quinn who have been working with students since last September helping them to design and create amazing, wearable works of art. Parents, guardians, relations and friends were also

Happy Birthday Junk Kouture! complimented by Vice Principal Mr. Moynihan in his address for all their help as chauffeurs and shoulders to cry on when things got complicated. Peter Cooney and Andrew Owens from Bank of Ireland were welcomed and thanked for their valued and continued sponsorship, even yours truly got a mention for highlighting the occasion with articles and photographs. Wexford Academy of Irish Dance and Scoil Rince gave outstanding displays of modern Irish dancing in Riverdance

vein and John O`Reilly expertly supplied the music for the Catwalk, but of course the girls themselves were the main attraction and they certainly didn’t disappoint. 117 Transition Year Students were involved in all and their creations were awesome – using everything from nuts and bolts, old shoes, old sweeping brushes, curtains, black bags, shuttle cocks, plastic cups, bedsheets, chicken and binding wire, old blinds, old hurl butts, feathers, straw, piano keys, curtain rings, gar-

den fleece, coat hangers, spools of thread, cable ties, broken mirrors, bandanas, broken CDs, sawdust, control panels from mobile phones and iPads, horse hair, respiratory tubes, old hurling grips, cigar cases, beads, keyrings, cattle tags, bamboo sticks, hairnets to mention but a fraction. The breathtaking designs were eye catching, stylish, creative, imaginative, innovative and inspiring and the dance routines were vibrant, energetic, meticulously choreographed and fastidiously

The Glass Asylum

disturbed with issues that could be sorted with a combination of therapy and treatment, ends up just like the other inmates facing a life sentence in institutions as doctor, played by Michael Dunbar, refuses to listen and nurse, played by John Donohoe, is more interested in what he has planned for the weekend and his outside life, leaving these poor unfortunates out of sight behind closed doors in a world that no-one really wanted to acknowledge existed. Tim Connaughton executes the gradual and tragic deterioration of Ray’s mental illness with expertise, empathy and emotion and we are all gutted to see him become exactly the same as the hopeless Kelly in the last scene. Exceptionally well written by Niall Ó Muirí and well directed by Tommy Murphy and brilliantly performed by the very talented cast of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama. A challenging and moving piece of drama that held the full house spellbound throughout, with all proceeds on the night going to Wexford Mental Health. – Maria Nolan

executed. These girls certainly know how to put on a show, and not just any show - one that could grace any catwalk anywhere, making the job of judges Caroline Oldrey, Kasia O`Leary and Kate Barry a most difficult one. All these girls are winners, they simply ooze talent, confidence and ability and one of the essential components of the competition is teamwork – the challenging skill of working with others as part of a team so awards were made

for teamwork in each of the 4 classes. Best Hair, Makeup & Headpiece Award went to SoleMates – Louise Kelly, Shauna Buckley and Katelyn O`Dwyer. Best Performance went to Viridian Queen – Cerys Greig, Ella Cloke and Molly Bolger. The Students Choice went to Bellator – Donna Delahunty, Aoibhinn Gahan and Aoife Walsh. And the Judges Choice was Bamboozled – Aoibheann Crean and Mia Kelly. A remarkable and most enjoyable event and my sincere congrats to all the girls and every best wish to those going forward to the next round of the competition. – Maria Nolan

Coláiste Bríde Junk Kouture Fashion Show participants and helpers. Pic: Maria Nolan.

The glass asylum, a play by local playwright Niall Ó Muirí dealing with one young man’s mental health illness and his efforts to understand and come to terms with it, staged recently at The Presentation Centre in conjunction with the First Fortnight Festival, was a stunning, thought-provoking piece of drama, compelling, forceful and captivating. Niall Ó Muirí, originally from Dublin, has been resident in Bunclody for over 20 years and has many years of professional and voluntary experience in the area of mental illness and this play is a dramatic and oft times comic look at Ireland’s mental institutions and medical attitudes to the illness in

the 1980s – to quote a line from the play’s main character, Ray, ‘There’s a pill for every ill.’ Ray, powerfully played by Tim Connaughton, hears voices in his head which come mainly from his hallucination as he calls her Rosie played by Rebecca Murphy. Tim portrays his character Ray Hickey as a very likeable young adult of 24 who certainly has mental health issues but ones you feel could be handled if not cured. He is adamant that he is not the same as the other residents, in particular Kelly, an older resident

Mai McClean, Paul and Michelle O’Reilly. Pic: Maria Nolan.

played with compassion, understanding and amazing body language by Fergal Kelly, how he keeps that shake and shuffle going for the full duration of the play is a testament to his acting ability. Tim, as Ray, gives a profound insight into the system that was our mental health structure a couple of decades ago, for every symptom mentioned there was medication prescribed but no-one was really listening to what was being said and what were the underlying issues contributing to the illness – in Ray’s case a drunken, abusive father and physical and mental abuse doled out by a cruel, vindictive Christian B ro t h e r p l a y e d b y C h r i s Atkinson. Although parts of this play are very funny and deliberately made so, this is an extremely sad and disturbing piece leaving the audience with the one collective hope that our mental health system has improved from the 1980s. Our young, likeable Ray, who appears to be only mildly

Pic: Maria Nolan

Above: The cast L-R Michael Dunbar, John Donohoe, Tim Connaughton, Fergal Kelly, Rebecca Murphy and Chris Atkinson. Below L-R: Aislinn O’Leary (Wexford Mental Health Association), Annette Dunbar and playwright Niall Ó Muirí.

Pic: Maria Nolan

Slaney Entertainment & Leisure

3 February 2020

€300,000 for Enniscorthy Sports Hub

Wexford County Council has w e l c o m e d l a s t m o n t h ’s announcement by the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport of a grant of €300,000 for the Enniscorthy Sports Hub. This funding will allow for Phase 2 of the Enniscorthy sports facility to proceed. Constructed in 2015, Phase 1 of Enniscorthy Sports Hub was developed at a cost of €1 million, following an investment of €850,000 by Wexford County Council and a supporting grant of €150,000. Phase 1 works consisted of an all-weather, 8-lane, world-

class running track and infield facility together with extensive floodlighting and carparking facilities. The busy complex is maintained and managed through the Enniscorthy Municipal District offices of Wexford County Council Stage 2, which can now proceed following the recent funding announcement, will see the construction of a muchneeded sports building on the site, incorporating a sportsequipment storage area, changing rooms, toilets, showers and a small staff office. This will enable Enniscorthy Sports Hub

to host many track and field athletics competitions and events of regional and national significance. The improved facilities will also support the on-going work of athletic clubs throughout the county who, on a daily basis, use Enniscorthy Sports Hub to train and coach their members. Welcoming the announcement, Minister Paul Kehoe TD stated that the funding of €300,000 has come at a highly opportune time for Enniscorthy and will further reinforce the town’s drive and commitment towards sport and lifestyle. Minister Kehoe went on to say

KILMORE QUAY SONGS WANTED! The Ballycogley-based singer-songwriter Ian Barry, who has impressed many with his Kilmore Quay song ‘The Remembering Garden’, is looking for more songs about the area. As he explains, “I’m familiar with songs by Liz Jefferies and Mike Flynn, but there must be more songs about Kilmore Quay and its environs, and I’d love to hear them as I may be able to use them in a new pro-

ject I’m working on. Who knows, I might even sing them or record them!” Ian would

welcome any information, such as titles, writers or composers, at ianbarry@eircom.net or ianjbarry@gmail.com Barry wrote ‘The Remembering Garden’ for inclusion in Jackie Hayden’s book Sea Fever about the fishing community in Kilmore Quay. He is currently working on his third CD album which he plans to release during the coming months. n

that there is a new- found confidence in Enniscorthy and the announcement heralds the dawn of a new and exciting decade for the town and district. Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, also welcomed the funding announcement describing it as a vote of confidence in Enniscorthy and its people. Cllr. Codd-Nolan went on to pay tribute to previous members and staff of Enniscorthy Town Council whose vision and foresight in advancing Enniscorthy Sports Hub, said Cllr. Codd Nolan, is yielding a significant social and economic dividend not only for Enniscorthy Town and District, but for the entire county of Wexford. Welcoming the funding news, local Government Minister Paul Kehoe said, “This funding will make a significant difference to the development of the hub providing an upgrade to the existing facility, including the provision of a sports amenity building and construction of a throwing cage for discus and hammer. The Sports Capital Grant has helped transform clubs and facilities right across the county and today’s news once again demonstrates how important the scheme is for Wexford.” n

Record Hop for young and old!

RECORD HOP Sunday, 16th February, 2020 from 12pm – 6pm Junior Hop at midday Adult Hop 2-6pm in The Bailey Cafe Bar Barrack Street, Enniscorthy. Hosted by the South East Rock ‘n’ Roll Club. DJs: The Saints Roadshow and Lewis Boogie.

REFRESH & RESET: Helping you find your healthy in 2020 Health and mindset day retreat. Collaboration between 3 local businesses: Liesl Keen Coaching, Little O Nutrition and Mulvarra House. Saturday 8th Feb, 10am-4pm at Mulvarra House, St Mullins. Three local businesses have come together to organise a day retreat aimed at helping

A ‘Desire for Closeness’ exhibition at The Presentation Centre Pic: Maria Nolan Pic: Maria Nolan

Above left: Lisa Byrne (The Presentation Centre), Edel Doran (First Fortnight Festival), Artist Nicola Anthony and Elizabeth Whyte (Wexford Arts Centre Manager). Above right: Jer Ennis, Dick Donaghue and Marja van Kampen at the ‘Desire for Closeness’ exhibition which ran at The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, during January. See full story on page 38.

you achieve your health goals in 2020. The Refresh & Reset workshop was created to help attendees define what their healthy lifestyle looks like and how they can actually achieve it this year. Oonagh Trehin (Little O Nutrition) and Liesl Keen (Liesl Keen Coaching) came together to develop the event after noticing that many clients have similar struggles maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Their combined experience led them to include an interesting range of topics in the workshop, including sessions on motivation, emotional eating, coping skills and meditation, as well as nutrition information and goal setting. Organisational psychologist and coach, Liesl, said, “Health and lifestyle goals should align with your values. The workshop will help people evaluate their whole life in order to create balance, rather than focusing on only eating, for instance, in isolation”. Many of us set goals and resolutions for the New Year, but often don’t stick to the change long-term. This is what Oonagh and Liesl are hoping to help their attendees overcome.

Oonagh, registered associate nutritionist, has seen many fad diets and intense health resolutions over the years, and she says there is another way. “A New Year doesn’t have to mean another crazy diet or exercise regime. It is great that people are interested in improving their health, but most of the New Year diets do not last. What Liesl and I are trying to do is to help people improve their health in a healthy, achievable and maintainable way, that won’t just last for 2020, but hopefully many more years in the future”. So, if you are ready to refresh and reset, and work on your health goals for 2020, this is an event for you! The event takes place in The Breathing Studio at Mulvarra House, St Mullins, on Saturday 8th February. Booking can be made at www.mulvarra.com/refreshfebruary2020/. For more information contact: Oonagh Trehin 083-3260216 littleonutrition@gmail.com or Liesl Keen 083-0525324 liesl@lieslkeen.com n

Slaney News

3 February 2020

Small decline in local house % INCREASES IN 3-BED SEMI prices PRICES COUNTY BY COUNTY The price of the average threebed semi in County Wexford fell by 1.2% over the last 12 months, with experts predicting the market to stay unchanged in 2020 according to a survey carried out by Real Estate Alliance. Prices in the county fell to €202,500 in 2019 – with no change between September and December. The REA Average House Price Survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland's typical stock home, the threebed semi, giving an up-to-date picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide. “The last quarter has been noticeably quieter than the previous three. This is due to concern over Brexit and stabilisation after many quarters o f g ro w t h , ” s a i d R o b e r t McCormack of REA McCormack Corish in Wexford Town, where prices fell by 5.4% (€10,000) in 2019 to €175,000. According to Winston Halnon, REA Halnon Gorey, where prices increased by 2.2% to €230,000, “Gorey Town and its surrounds are still performing well. Properties in and near the town are selling strongly, but supply of good quality properties remains an issue.”

Average House Price Index December 2019

(DECEMBER ‘19 VERSUS DECEMBER ‘18)

CARLOW > €171,000

0.0%

CAVAN > €127,500 CLARE > €180,000

4.1%

-5.3%

CORK COUNTY > €176,000

5.9%

CORK CITY > €320,000

0.8%

DONEGAL > €100,000

5.3%

NORTH CO DUBLIN > €315,000 SOUTH CO DUBLIN > €409,300 DUBLIN CITY > €425,833

-2.3% -5.1% -4.3%

GALWAY COUNTY > €165,000

3.1%

GALWAY CITY > €282,500

0.0%

KERRY > €225,000

1.1%

KILDARE > €282,000 KILKENNY > €207,500

3.1% -2.8%

LAOIS > €198,000

1.5%

LEITRIM > €124,000

7.8%

LIMERICK COUNTY > €165,000

3.1%

LIMERICK CITY > €205,000

2.5%

LONGFORD > €122,000 LOUTH > €200,000

16.2% -4.8%

MAYO > €160,000 MEATH > €237,000

0.0%

-3.7%

MONAGHAN > €178,000

0.0%

OFFALY > €180,000

0.0%

ROSCOMMON > €145,000

2.5%

SLIGO > €137,500

11.3%

TIPPERARY > €171,500

5.1%

WATERFORD COUNTY > €178,000

0.8%

WATERFORD CITY > €215,000

2.4%

WESTMEATH > €195,000

5.4%

WEXFORD > €202,500 WICKLOW > €284,200

NOW OPEN!!!

-1.2% -2.3%

Average house prices nationally fell annually for the first time since the economic recovery, the Q4 REA Average House Price Index found. The price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house across the country fell by -0.6% over the past year after a 4.6% annual rise in 2018. The average family home nationally now costs

€234,704, the survey found – a drop of -0.1% on the Q3 figure of €235,009. However, drops across the country are far lower than the preceding quarter (-0.4%), indicating that some confidence returned to the market in the final 13 weeks of the year, with the prospect of a resolution to Brexit uncertainty. n

The N25 New Ross Bypass / Bridge was officially opened on the afternoon of Wednesday the 29th of January 2020. Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Wexford County Council and Kilkenny County Council were delighted to have An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD perform the official opening ceremony. The 15km scheme represents an investment in the order of €230 million in the South East region, and will generate significant benefits to the region. The project incorporates the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge over the River Barrow, which at 887m is Ireland’s longest bridge. The extremely ambitious design of the bridge sets it apart, and it is set to become one of the most iconic structures in the country. The delivery of the N25 New Ross Bypass is the culmination of over 20 years work by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly National Roads Authority), Wexford County Council and Kilkenny County

Council as well as technical advisors for the scheme, Mott MacDonald Ireland. The project has been delive re d a s a P u b l i c P r i v a t e Partnership (PPP). Construction works were undertaken by New Ross Joint Venture, consisting of BAM Civil and Dragados. Arup and Carlos Fernandez Casado acted as designers for New Ross Joint Venture. On average, a workforce of 300 people was employed throughout construction and approximately 2.5 million work hours were completed on site to bring the scheme to fruition. The opening of the scheme means that chronic traffic congestion and tailbacks in New Ross will be a thing of the past, particularly during peak times, with travel time savings of up to 30 minutes. This will provide significant efficiencies on the strategic N25 route from Cork to Rosslare Europort while also supporting the future growth and sustainability of New Ross town and the South

Rose Katherine Kennedy Townsend, great-grandchild of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, helped to officially open the New Ross Bypass and the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge.

East region. The scheme also links the N25 route with the N30 New Ross to Enniscorthy route. The opening of the N25 New Ross Bypass, combined with the recent opening of the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy motorway in July 2019, represents the completion of another vital link in the overall connectivity and accessibility of Wexford, Kilkenny and the entire South East Region. n

A vision for Rosslare’s future Instead of being a 3-month holiday resort for summer, Rosslare, one of the biggest visitor and Blue Flag beach tourist attractions in Ireland, has the potential to attract significant increases in overseas and domestic visitor numbers all year round. The finding is given in a 120-page scientific study report by Dr Yvonne Byrne for Wexford Co. Council, facilitated by Rosslare Holiday Resort in collaboration with Rosslare Development Association (RDA) and Rosslare Community Development Association (RCDA). Dr Byrne, a rural development expert, states in the report that Rosslare has the capability to support innovative new enterprises to create new employment opportunities for the community. But, she reports, it is only possible if Rosslare is strategically developed. She carried out the report and conducted a household survey and a youth survey for the production of the Rosslare and Environs 5year Community Plan starting this year and continuing to 2024. The report was presented in draft form at a public inform a t i o n e v e n t a t R o s s l a re Community and Recreation Centre, last month. Politicians including James Browne TD, Cllr Lisa McDonald, Cllr Jim

Codd, and Cllr Ger Carthy attended as did many local community leaders. Display of a map by Fintan Ryan of Wexford Co. Council of a proposed two-way into oneway traffic system to eliminate congestion in the village at Tides and Centra, generated intense interest among local people. Coastal erosion, car parking, lack of opportunities for young people, litter and dog fouling were major issues expressed by people attending. The report says: “... this village is facing threats from coastal erosion and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, which have the potential to threaten its Blue Flag beach status and create significant damage to the village itself. In addition, this community has experienced substantial tourism growth over recent years which has positively impacted on local businesses but also adversely caused increased traffic congestion and parking issues. This growing pressure on the village infrastructure during the summer months needs careful planning to ensure this attractive locality is not adversely affected by its own popularity or threatened by climate change.” Eighteen main recommendations of the report are summarised below:

PILLAR 1: Coastal 1. Advance vital plans to extend coastal protection and beach enrichment works in Rosslare. 2. Road/footpath improvements, investigate one-way system, railway bridges, bus shelters. 3. Develop new access points to the beach with infrastructure such as parking. 4. Enhanced development of Rosslare village. PILLAR 2: Community 5. New community services, classes, events and training. 6. Investigate new modular affordable housing initiative for young families. 7. Extend and upgrade facilities including dressing rooms, gym and Men’s Shed. 8. Enhance youth facilities and activities. PILLAR 3: Tourism 9. Invest in new tourism infrastructure, facilities and tourism businesses. 10. Investigate the viability of a beach promenade, slipway and marine infrastructure. 11. Advance Greenway developments to Waterford/Rosslare Harbour and Wexford town. PILLAR 4: Economic 12. Prepare an enterprise plan to attract innovative businesses. Design and deliver training courses. 13. Improve broadband connectivity. PILLAR 5: Environment

Paul O’Connor (RCDA and RDA), Fintan Ryan (Wexford Co. Council), Cllr Lisa McDonald.

14. Public realm works, public toilets, clean-up patrol and pilot waste management project. 15. Actively embrace green technologies and biodiversity in all future developments. 16. Create a wildlife recreation sanctuary and protect the sand dune systems.

PILLAR 6: Heritage and Culture 17. Explore the viability of developing a historical museum and visitor centre. Create a heritage walking trail and celebrate the Marconi legacy. 18. Collaboration. Maintain dialogue with key stakeholders,

tourism operators, businesses, community groups and the public. The full report, including Household survey results and Youth survey results, is carried in the News section on the Rosslare website, www.rosslareholidayresort.ie n

L-R: Phil Callery (RCDA and RDA), James Browne TD, Paul O’Connor (RCDA and RDA), Ray Doyle (RCDA and RDA) and David Clancy (Cois Barry Community House).

Slaney News

www.slaneynews.com This month as part of our Slaneyside Success Stories I spoke with a very proud Kerry woman who is making a good life for herself Slaneyside whilst contributing significantly to the local economy and Wexford’s hospitality and tourism sector. Jean O Connell, designer and owner of O Connell Marketing based in Bunclody, comes with the highest credentials having worked as Director of Sales with the Carlton Hotel Group for over 10 years involved in new brand development, training and sales team management, added to which Jean has 9 years’ experience w i t h t h e R o s e o f Tr a l e e International Festival as Commercial Manager and Online Marketing Development, along with the distinction of being Event Manager for the wedding of celebrity presenter Dáithí Ó Sé and Rose of Tralee bride Rita Talty in 2010. Jean has a proven track record in Tourism, Festivals, Food Tourism, Business and Agri Food and has won many awards over her career to date for Sales Professional of the Year, Best Website, Best Marketing of a New Product and Best PR Campaign. Jean is a seasoned and experienced aales and marketing professional who has grown her company from its inception in 2014 to be a widely recognised entity within the industry offering professional services with exceptional results in marketing and communications. Recently, I caught up with this extremely busy and talented lady and put the following questions to her: Tell me a little about your current position and what you do. My company O Connell Marketing is a marketing and events agency which offers a results-based approach for integrated Marketing, Strategy, PR & Events Management solutions for large and small businesses. Straight talking and creative with a passion for travel, tourism, food, art and adventure. I love making fun things happen. www.oconnellmarketing.ie What path led you to your current position. Born in Kerry, I was always attracted to Travel/Tourism and had many interesting summer jobs growing up. I studied Business Studies and Hotel

SLANEYSIDE SUCCESS STORIES A new series by Maria Nolan

Management, travelling and working across Ireland and USA, and then moving into sales & marketing. About 20 years ago I moved to Wexford as Sales & Marketing Manager of the new Riverside Park Hotel, next move was progression to Director of Sales & Marketing with Carlton Hotels. I continued to study while working including Strategic Marketing/Leadership in Cornell University, I truly believe every day is a learning day. After 10 years with Carlton Hotels, I am thrilled to have made the brave leap of setting up my own company, employing people and working with fantastic clients and we are 6 years in business this year. Who and what motivated and influenced you along the way. I have been motivated by many people along the way, starting with parents who worked extremely hard to ensure that we (brother and sister) got a fantastic start with college education. My mother worked as a chef in Killarney, she is so driven, focused and a natural leader and I continue to learn so much from her. Mary Fitzgerald, owner of Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel, was a huge influence in my move from operations to sales/marketing, a natural entrepreneur full of ideas she was the first female president of IHF in 1999 and it was inspiring to work so closely with her. My husband, John Gerard Murphy, who has been self-employed all his life is a huge support and motivation giving me the confidence and encouragement to set up my own company. Has it been a difficult or enjoyable journey. Anyone who has set up a business will have challenges along the way, but it’s how you deal with them. For me, always a direct honest approach. Looking back I wouldn't change a thing, every challenge or knock makes you stronger. I get to do what I love. If you love what you do you will never work a day in your life. Lots of the projects we are involved in: Rockin’ Food Festival, Santa’s Enchanted Castle in Enniscorthy give a

The Slaney News is running a series featuring Slaneyside natives and those who live and work here. Each month, Maria Nolan will be talking to a person who is excelling in their chosen field be it Sport, Literature, Business, Entertainment, the Arts, Fashion, Beauty and who is either Slaney born and bred or has a connection to here. The focus of this new endeavour is to shine a light on those from our town who are doing well in their respective careers and life paths, emphasising their influences and motivations with a view to inspiring and encouraging other Enniscorthians to emulate their success.

Jean O Connell with her Business All Star Accreditation recently received from the AllIreland Business Foundation.

and proud that I did. Also incredibly proud of some of the people I have hired, trained and developed along the way, I love following their careers. It’s really important to be proud and support others. Very proud of my own family who provide me with fantastic support and come to Wexford each year to volunteer for Rockin’ Food Festival, so it’s a full house that weekend. What do you dislike most about yourself. I can be very impatient at times, generally at the pace of how things progress. I can clearly see what and when things need to be done and others might not prioritise them in the same way. I sometimes struggle to switch off, it’s certainly something I am working on and improving on. What do you dislike about others. I don't like dishonesty and a negative approach to life.

major economic benefit to the town which gives a fantastic feel-good factor. As a child what did you want to be when you grew up. I wanted to be so many different things, a jockey, sports manager, a chef, air hostess, a detective, the president….. it used to change weekly, the sky was the limit. Once I started part-time jobs in tourism, I loved dealing with people so hotel management was a natural step and I loved that I could travel with it. Who were your childhood heroes That’s a tough one. I do recall Mary Robinson’s presidential election very well, making posters for her in school as I really wanted her as the first female President in Ireland. I was hugely into Kerry GAA and rugby so Jack O’Shea, Maurice Fitzgerald were certainly heroes to me and our international rugby stars Moss

Keane and Mick Galway from my village, Currow, Co. Kerry. How would you describe yourself. Driven, focused, competitive and passionate about what I do with a very straight-talking approach to life and business. How do you motivate and influence people. Strong leadership with a clear plan and communication. Lead by example, I will do whatever needs to be done, it’s very much a team approach. Train, develop but empower people to come up with ideas. Collaboration is key for me. As well as our employees, we work with a select number of really great people and companies and it allows us to achieve more together. What are you most proud of. Setting up my own award-winning marketing and events company. I could have easily continued in the career I had but I took a chance and so glad

If you could live in another time, when would it be. 1920s – the Roaring Twenties, where there was huge change, both social and political, especially for women. How would like to be remembered Maria Nolan, I have 100% never ever thought about this, it’s a really tough question. I guess for any positive things that I will have achieved and my generous/kind nature. What’s the one thing about you few people know. I sneaked out of my First Communion party to steal a tractor with my cousin, joy riding a tractor in a Communion dress didn't go down well with my parents. God love them. If you could change one thing in your past what would it be. I just don't look back. Without a doubt I have made mistakes but I learned from them and they make me what I am. What do you think is the best thing about Enniscorthy/ Wexford/Ireland.

There is so much I love about Enniscorthy and Co. Wexford and Ireland as a whole, the passion, the people, the stunning beaches, the history, the great outdoors adventures, the incredible food producers I have met through Taste Wexford. What do you think is the worst thing about Enniscorthy/ Wexford/Ireland. Sometimes there are negative comments, some people just don't see the potential that Enniscorthy town has. Enniscorthy Castle, Vinegar Hill, Slaney River, the winding streets, I just love Slaney Street when we put up the umbrellas for Rockin’ Food Festival every year. A simple idea that lifts the whole town. I would love to see more of this, coming together in a positive way. What do you like most about your job/career. It allows me to be creative and develop new concepts/brands right through to delivery of the experience where you can see the positive impact it has had on people. It’s also very results based which I like. What was the best day of your life. There has been so many amazing days with travel, with family, awards, festivals, winning All-Irelands but if I am pushed to one day – our wedding in Kinsale was really a relaxed and special celebration with so many family and friends there. If you could be or do anything else what would it be. I absolutely love animals, so in another life or maybe when I retire in the future I would love to volunteer with animals. This straight talking lady with the ready smile and no-nonsense approach is innovative, creative and an inspiration to all. Since making her home in Bunclody she has been the driving force behind the very successful Rockin’ Food Festival, Santa’s Enchanted Castle, Taste We x f o rd , Vi s i t We x f o rd , Enniscorthy Tourism and in 2019 introduced yet another Festival for Enniscorthy – the Halloween Festival. Quite frankly, Kerry’s loss has most certainly been Enniscorthy’s gain and we hope that you will be with us for a very long time, Jean. – Maria Nolan

Funding for 16 Co. Wexford men’s sheds Success at Hook A total of 16 Men’s Sheds in Co. Wexford are among almost 400 nationwide to share in a new €500,000 funding package. Applications were overseen by Local Community Development Committees around the country. According to Minister Paul Kehoe, the sheds will receive grants of up to €2,000 each. The total allocation for

Wexford is just under €20,000. The money will allow the individual sheds to upgrade their facilities by purchasing equipment or carrying out minor improvement works. The Sheds selected for funding are: Wexford Working Men's Club, Shamrock Men's Shed, New Ross Men's Shed, Tomhaggard Women's Shed, Bridgetown Men 's Shed,

Ramsgrange Men's Shed, Enniscorthy Men's Shed, Gorey Men's Shed, Kilmuckridge Men's Shed, Corach Men's Shed, Taghmon Men's Shed, Our Lady's Island Men's Shed, Rosslare Strand Men's Shed, Caim Men's Shed, Kilanerin Men's Shed, Kilrane/Rosslare Harbour Men's Shed. Commenting on the funding announcement, Minister

Kehoe said: “Men’s Sheds play a vital role across County Wexford, promoting the health and wellbeing of members and assisting them in combating issues such as loneliness and isolation. “They are a great example of a positive community-based organisation that promotes good citizenship through good works.” n

Hook Lighthouse has recorded another increase in visitor numbers throughout 2019. In total some 277,044 visitors took a trip to the 800year-old lighthouse in the tip of the Hook Peninsula last year, increasing the visitor number by 5.5% since 2018 although UK visitor numbers are down by 1% on 2018.

73% of visitors to Hook Lighthouse are from across Ireland with 27 % arriving to tour the lighthouse from all across the globe. Hook Lighthouse is presently the most popular tourist attraction in Wexford and the third most popular in the South East region, coming in third after the Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny Castle. n

Slaney Food & Drink

3 February 2020

Am I addicted to sugar? By Oonagh Trehin BSc MSc ANUTR Oonagh Trehin is a registered associate nutritionist (ANutr) from Co. Wexford. She studied nutrition for four years at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, and received a BSc Nutrition in 2016. In November 2017, she graduated from an MSc in Public Health at the University of Sunderland. Her passion for nutrition and science led her to set up Little O Nutrition which offers an evidence-based, judgementfree, friendly service. Oonagh contributes a regular column to the Slaney News.

The above question is one I hear regularly; and my answer is always the same. You are not addicted to sugar, because sugar is not an addictive substance. Over the years there have been many headlines proclaiming the danger of sugar, but the truth of the matter is that sugar is a building block of carbohydrates, which are

WHAT FooDS ARE WASTED MoST? We are all creatures of habit and when it comes to food we often throw out the same types of food, for the same reasons, on a regular basis. To stop wasting food you first need to become aware of what and how much you throw out. Being aware of this is the first step to reducing the food, and money you waste. So when you’re shopping or eating, watch out for these foods especially and you will save twice: • by buying less food and • by having less to dispose of. The main foods that are regularly thrown out are shown in the graphic opposite. www.stopfoodwaste.ie n

an important source of energy in our diets. When we look behind the sensational stories about sugar addiction, we find a limited body of scientific evidence. This evidence doesn’t tell us that sugar is addictive, but rather that if we were starved we would choose sugar over water or drugs – and that makes perfect sense because

our bodies scream that we need food when we are hungry! We can sometimes feel out of control around certain foods, but this is not because we are addicted. It is usually because we have been restricting these foods or avoiding them. This creates a similar situation in our brains to starvation and makes us

constantly think about the food. When we eventually eat the food again, we feel out of control or unable to stop eating. This isn’t addiction, it is because we are worried the food will be taken away. It is important for our health that we have a varied diet, but this should contain a little of the sweet things we enjoy. Often when we cut foods out completely, we feel crazy for them but remember: food isn’t harmful or addictive, it is what keeps us alive. If you are struggling to find a healthy balance in your diet, come along to my workshop on Saturday 8th February at Mulvarra, St Mullins, with organisational psychologist Liesl Keen. Further details and tickets available at www.mulvarra.com/refreshfebruary2020/ or email littleonutrition@gmail.com n

To advertise on the Slaney News Food Page contact: 087-2403310

Did you know? Food waste is estimated to generate over 1 million tonnes of waste in Ireland with over one third of the average household’s waste consisting of food waste. Over 70% of food waste is preventable by small changes in shopping and meal planning practices. Cost savings to the average home could be up to €700.

Wexford Food Family’s continued success

Some Wexford Food Family members at their recent monthly group meeting, kindly held at Wexford County Council’s Local Enterprise Office.

Grow with Aldi Would you like mentoring from the Aldi Ireland Buying Department and Bord Bia? Do you want to partner with Aldi Ireland to be a supplier in all of its 141 stores nationwide? Grow with Aldi 2020 is kicking off and Aldi is hunting for keen Irish suppliers to develop their business. Grow with Aldi is a supplier development programme for small/medium Irish suppliers developed in partnership with Bord Bia. What does this programme involve? Once your application is received by email, candidates will be selected to attend an Immersion day to pitch to the Aldi Buying Team. Products will be tasted and discussed

p o s t I m m e r s i o n D a y. Following this, approximately 30/40 suppliers will be selected to sell their product in approximately 145 Aldi stores nationwide on the 31/05/2020 as a Specialsbuy (usually two weeks on sale). Based on success and sell-through of the products, five suppliers will be selected and granted the opportunity of a 12-month contract with Aldi to sell their products in all Aldi stores nationwide for 2021. How to enter? Simply email grow@aldi.ie and tell them about your company. Applications are open now but the closing date (Friday 7th February 2020) is approaching soon so apply now and who knows what you can achieve! n

ENNISCoRTHY FARMERS’ MARKET: Saturday mornings, Abbey Square. ENNISCoRTHY CoUNTRY MARKET: Friday mornings, IFA Centre, Millpark Road.

‘Big Grow’ Kits available now for primary schools Now in its 9th year, Innocent will once again partner with the growing experts at GIY and give primary school kids the chance to grow their own tasty food. The campaign has been developed closely with teachers and educational specialists to give aspiring junior gardeners the information and tools to create their own little vegetable patch in their garden, classroom or even on their windowsill. GIY founder Michael Kelly says, "Studies show that children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and show higher levels of knowledge about nutrition. The children not only learn the science of growing, they also experience the joy of growing and eating

their own food. GIY calls this ‘Food Empathy', which is a deeper connection with food, and is proven to lead to a healthier life long-term. We are delighted to work with Innocent on this once again and we hope these life lessons stay with our growers into adulthood.” The Innocent Big Grow is open for primary schools to apply for a free Grow Kit. Schools can join the growvolution by visiting innocentbiggrow.com. This year, for the first time, the school judged to have cultivated the most impressive grows will receive €1,000 towards their school garden, adding an extra incentive for the nation’s little growers to get involved and grow crazy! n

The Wexford Food Family has a strong membership of 43 Producers and has 34 official Supporters and aims to grow these numbers further in 2020. Anyone interested in becoming a member should visit the group’s website – www.wexfordfoodfamily.com for an application form. The website also provides a valuable resource for the group’s own members providing useful information, news, updates on events, etc. Check it now: www.wexfordfoodfamily.com This new and updated Wexford Food Family website is now live and showcases all the group’s Members and Official Supporters giving

potential customers valuable information on their products and services. Wexford Food Family is delighted to welcome its first new Official Supporter for 2020 – Hook Lighthouse cafe, where you can enjoy ‘food with a view’ from suppliers including Wexford Home Preserves, Trudies Catering Kitchen, Ballycross Apple Farm, Ballyhack Smokehouse, Killowen Farm, Meadowfield Farm, Wexford Creamery, Fancy Fungi Mushrooms, Clever Man Irish Craft Beer and Jimmy’s Kitchen. The next group meeting will be held in the Talbot Hotel, Wexford, on Thursday February 6th at 7pm. n

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Slaney Business & Finance

€1.6m grants available now for Wexford businesses LEADER Programme 2014 - 2020 Budget for Enterprise Development in 2020

€1,600,000 Tourism Budget Balance Remaining - €800,000 Enterprise Budget Balance Remaining - €800,000

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Progress to-date

€2,800,000 invested from mid 2016 to December 2019 • 50 new and existing businesses supported • 9 feasibility studies for potential start-ups • 160 full time equivalent new jobs to be created • 386 existing jobs sustained • €266,713 additional funding secured under the National Food Initiative

Enterprise Ireland Exporting Workshop Enterprise Ireland is delivering a series of half-day masterclasses for companies to: n Identify what is needed to export successfully. n Evaluate your products and/or services and their value to overseas customers. n Assess the opportunities and the costs, the risks and the rewards. At these events there will be opportunities to hear from companies that have achieved success in export markets and meet with Enterprise Ireland advisers. These masterclasses are open to clients of the Local Enterprise Offices and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Date: 13 February. Venue: Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford. Title: Essentials of Exporting (1/2 day). Cost: €70 per company and up to three people can attend. For further info email: exporterdevelopment@ enterprise-ireland.com

3 February 2020

www.slaneynews.com In excess of €1.6 million in LEADER grant aid is available to start-ups and expanding businesses throughout County Wexford in 2020. This presents a huge opportunity for businesses across a range of sectors to avail of substantial grant aid to enable them to expand or diversify their business, thereby creating additional jobs and sustaining existing jobs. Funding is available for expenditure such as equipment and building works as well as for marketing and feasibility studies. Since the commencement of the LEADER Programme in late 2016, almost €3 million in grant aid has been allocated to 54 Wexford businesses in the tourism, food, creative industry, specialised engineering and other sectors. This is expected to result in the creation of 160 new jobs as well as sustaining 386 existing jobs, thereby having a significant impact on the local economy. A sample of the diverse range of grant-aided businesses include EuroBlue and Fresh Today in Enniscorthy, Stone Solutions in Camolin, Kelly’s Bakery and Good Food Ireland in Wexford, Coatek and Wexford Lavender Farm in G o r e y, We x f o r d H o m e Preserves and The JFK Dunbrody in New Ross. Through LEADER, specialised engineering companies such as Slaney Precision Ltd, Ballycarney, DC Fabrication Ltd, Blackwater and ARC Engineering Ltd, Foulksmills have also been supported to expand their businesses. In this, the final year of the current LEADER Programme, grant aid of up

Helena Dempsey, Tom Bermingham & Brian Kehoe of LEADER WLD

to 50 per cent of eligible costs is now available to niche businesses that have up to one hundred employees. Grant aid of up to €200,000 per business is available, subject to specific criteria. The LEADER Programme is funded by the EU and the Irish exchequer and focuses on promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural a r e a s . We x f o r d L o c a l Community Development Committee (LCDC) in partnership with Wexford Local Development (WLD) has responsibility for the delivery of the funding in the county under the remit of the

Department of Rural and Community Development. Through LEADER, Wexford LCDC focuses on supporting local economic development, including diversification of the rural economy and the creation of employment opportunities in the county. Decisions on LEADER funding happen at a local level and are targeted at key areas in need of the greatest support thereby benefiting a wide range of businesses in the county. To discuss the eligibility of your business for LEADER f u n d i n g , t a l k t o To m Bermingham or Helena Dempsey at WLD or email: leader@wld.ie n

L-R: Tom Bermingham (WLD) with Dermot Kelly (MD Kelly's Bakery).

Funding for local exporters to USA Enterprise Ireland has announced funding of just under €250,000 for Tradebridge which aims to develop export market opportunities for enterprises located in the South East of Ireland and 16 counties in SE Georgia, America. The funding acknowledges the success of the initial pilot programme developed by Wexford Co. Council and Wexford Enterprise Centre which has now expanded its remit on a regional level to the South East. Cllr. Michael Sheehan, Chairman of Wexford Co. Council, stated he was “delighted that the Tradebridge project would build on the close connections that Wexford has developed with Savannah, Georgia... fostering close coo p e r a t i o n w i t h G e o rg i a Southern University who launched their new campus in Wexford last November. The investment provides a real opportunity for business to explore new markets and

Liz Hore, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Wexford.

opportunities beyond brexit.” In addition to the funding from Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices across the local authorities have provided additional funding of €72,000 providing a total investment of €320,000. Eamonn Murphy, Chairman of Wexford Enterprise Centre said, "The announcement that Enterprise Ireland has backed the Tradebridge initiative is true recognition that this region is helping itself and not waiting for others to do it

for us. I am confident that this moment is going to be seen as a turning point in the economic life of the Wexford region. Tradebridge which was developed by Wexford Enterprise Centre and Wexford Co. Council is an example of what true collaboration can achieve by people utilising their strengths. It is recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Wexford Enterprise Centre, our colleagues and partners in the Savannah Economic Development Authority and the economic development department of Wexford Co. Council. We very much look forward to the next exciting phase over the next three years." The funding is ringfenced through the Tradebridge company and will commence working to develop export sales in advanced manufacturing, financial services, technology and other sectors with high export potential creating jobs in the local economy. n

ENNISCORTHY CHAMBER EVENTS: www.enniscorthychamber.ie for upcoming events Enniscorthy & District Chamber of Commerce. Tel: 053-9232006. Portsmouth House, Templeshannon. Mon to Fri 9.00am – 5.30pm. admin@enniscorthychamber.ie www.enniscorthychamber.ie

To advertise on the Slaney News Business Pages please call 087-2403310

ENNISCORTHY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ALL BUSINESSES WELCOME TO JOIN! Contact: e.b.a.enniscorthy@gmail.com or Slaney News 087-2403310, slaneynews@gmail.com

Slaney Services

VET DIARY FOR FEBRUARY

with the Moyne Veterinary Hospital

This month, Joe Kavanagh discusses some big events in out pets’ lives. It’s the beginning of February, the start of Spring, days lengthening, snowdrops heralding the start of a new season of growth, birth and life... The miracle of Nature and the cycle of life. On farm, it’s just hitting peak time for calving in the milking herds. It's night, noon and morning for these farmers at the minute, all hands on deck, but unfortunately for a lot of them help is scarce or non-existent. In a mixed practice like ours (large animal and small animal) it moves up a few gears too. That’s both the challenge and the beauty of this line of work.... the perfect storm as they say. It can be a bit chaotic but enjoyable too when you get through the busy days and things work out. There's a huge satisfaction when you're in the trenches, everyone pulling together and getting the result you were looking for... whether that’s delivering a live calf, diagnosing a difficult case and getting it spot on, or just making it through a big day’s workload with the minimum of fuss. That’s where having a good team alongside you becomes so important. Every member of staff is a vital cog in the engine... it simply doesn't work unless everything is in sync and I feel really grateful to the team of vets, nurses and lay staff in our practice... It's a joy to come to work knowing everyone is looking out for one another and it fosters its own momentum. Our aim is that this translates into a better service to you our loyal clients and your animals be it a cat, dog, horse, cow, sheep or feathered friend, and all the others in between. When we take in small animals for what are considered routine ops... dog and cat spays and neuters... We use the most modern and up to date anaesthetic available, the most nonreactive suture materials and we also take into account that this may be the biggest and most traumatic event in this animal’s own life to date so we give them remedies to alleviate the emotional shock and trauma in addition to physical pain relief. Heretofore, in my opinion, as a profession we didn't seem to take enough cognisance of this impact it can have on these wonderful creatures’ lives, so as more understanding comes so does compassion. Because all the answers don't lie in conventional medication, we use natural remedies to ease this transition for these animals. Reducing stress and anxiety for them and you... every which way we can is a part of what our team aims to do. The old adage, 'ye get what ye pay for' is as true in veterinary as in most of life. WE don't claim to be the cheapest but we aim to give the animals in our care the best both initially and longterm; medically, surgically and holistically, that we can provide. So when people are deciding about big events in their pets’ lives such as spaying or neutering, there's more to decide on than price. We are happy to explain the way we can make it as easy for them and you as possible... Just give us a call or drop in. It’s a busy but wonderful time of year, full of new life and promise... some hardship, all part of the cycle of life, a vet’s life... but we enjoy it all. n

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

Our Services include:

✓ Full blood analysis - haematology - biochemistry ✓ Gas anaesthetic ✓ Digital X-rays ✓ Ultrasound ✓ Dermatological testing ✓ Kinesiology ✓ Bioenergy ✓ Prescription diets ✓ Herbal remedies ✓ Homeopathy ✓ Allergy testing

MOYNE VETERINARY HOSPITAL Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy. T: (053)9233187, 9236674. F: (053)9236674. E: moynevet@gmail.com

OPENING HOURS (6 DAYS A WEEK): 9.00am–1.00pm and 2.00pm–6.00pm Small animal clinic (please tel. for appointment): Daily 9.30–10.30am, 2.30–3.30pm, 5.00–6.00pm. 24-hour, on-call, Emergency Service: (053)9233187.

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3 February 2020

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Our March issue will be out on Monday 2nd March 2020

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Slaney History

3 February 2020

www.slaneynews.com

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

Ibar Carty has opened up his vast photo archives to the Slaney News. In this 99th of a series, Ibar shares two photos – one from 1951 and one from the 1980s. If you can supply the names of any of the people featured in the photo on the right, Ibar and the Slaney News would be delighted to hear from you. For our convenience we would ask you to email the names to: slaneynews@gmail.com. Thank you. Above: Larry Kelly, Nancy and Mike Wall pictured in the 1980s in the ballroom bar of Murphy-Floods Hotel. Photo: Ibar Carty Collection. Right: Fire brigade attending fire in Court Street in 1951. Photo: P.A.Crane. Alll pics: Copyright © Ibar Carty.

Ibar Carty can provide high quality prints of all photos in his series to date. Simply ring Ibar on 087-6729969 or email: ibar_carty@yahoo.ie or call into his premises on Castle St (beside Athenaeum) and if you mention the Slaney News he’ll give you 20% OFF the price! DON’T FORGET: IBAR SPECIALISES IN RECOPYING AND RESTORING OLD PHOTOS. CALL IN ANY TIME FOR MORE INFORMATION

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society AGM The Annual General Meeting of Enniscorthy Historical Reenactment Society (EHRS) was h e l d a t t h e I FA C e n t r e , Enniscorthy, on Friday 24th January. Looking back on 2019, Chairman Ray Murphy thanked all the members for attending over 52 events throughout the county and around the country travelling a great deal of the time at their own expense to be at commemorations in Kilkenny, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow and many other places in between. A huge effort was made by the group in 2019 to procure outfits and equipment for Norman 850 – the year-long commemoration of the 850th anniversary of the landing of the Normans in Ireland at Bannow, Co. Wexford, and EHRS PRO Maria Nolan presented the AGM with a photographic report of the many events, commemorations and re-enactments that took place around the county and beyond to celebrate our Norman heritage. In her report Maria thanked Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, and in particular former Enniscorthy District Manager Liz Hore, for their contribution towards the cost of attire and arms. ‘It was a

spectacular year for the county giving the group the wonderful opportunity to showcase themselves in a diverse range of period costumes.’ The following Officers were elected for 2020 – Chairman Ray Murphy, Vice Chair Paul Murphy, Secretary Bridget M u r p h y, A s s t . S e c re t a r y Margaret O`Neill, Treasurer Bridget Murphy, Asst. Treasurer Tim Corrigan, PRO Maria Nolan and Quarter Master Graham Cadogan. The meeting concluded with all members looking forward to many events to come in 2020 and beyond as we commemorate the War of Independence and the Civil War. – Maria Nolan

! !

NORMAN 850 !

Above standing: EHRS Vice Chair Paul Murphy, PRO Maria Nolan, Asst. Secretary Margaret O’Neill. Front: Chairman Ray Murphy and Secretary Bridget Murphy. Below: Group photo at EHRS AGM.

! !

COMMEMORATION BOOKLET ENNISCORTHY HISTORICAL

RE-ENACTMENT SOCIETY

PRO REPORT 2019

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society (EHRS) PRO, Maria Nolan, has produced an excellent 20-page booklet celebrating all that the EHRS did and achieved in 2019. The booklet covers a huge range of events but with a strong emphasis on commemorating the arrival of the Normans in Ireland. It’s been 850 years since they first set foot on these shores, in Co. Wexford, and changed the course of Irish History forever.

Slaney Around the Region

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BUNCLODY…

OYLEGATE... SignaCare Bunclody – the new, s tate-of-the-art, 62-bedded nursing home, in the heart of Bunclody.

BUNCLODY LIBRARY See Bunclody Library’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook. com/BunclodyLibrary/events where you can sign up for the monthly what’s on e-newsletter. Also see the website: http://www.wexford.ie/wex/Dep artments/Library/WhatsOn/ ART BANK BUNCLODY ARTBANK Bunclody is a not for profit organisation and comprises an inclusive gallery, events, and workshops on the main street of Bunclody. Gallery open every Tues to Sat 2pm to 5.30pm. Do drop in! Follow ART BANK on Facebook for all happenings.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL Local Confidential helpline 0873696883. SVP request box is now located at back of shop. There is a newspaper recycling bin beside SuperValu in aid of S.V.P. LOCAL MARKETS Local Markets on the Mall and Saint Aidan’s Hall on Saturdays selling beautiful local produce. wHIST Monday night 8:45pm in Day Care Centre. SIGNACARE NURSING HOME SignaCare Bunclody is a new, stateof-the-art, 62-bedded nursing home, in the heart of Bunclody. Visit

SignaCare in Bunclody, email: info@signacare.ie, tel: 053 93 76222. BUNCLODY MEN’S SHED Mon 10am–1pm ,Thurs 2pm–5pm. Location: Maureen Moorhead’s Shop, Irish Street. For more info contact: Peter 087-6631558, or Jonathan 089-4972664. New members welcome. LOCAL BUSINESS wEBSITE www.bunclodybusiness.com – a new online hub promoting business in the Bunclody area. And a great way also to keep up to date with what’s happening in the town. On the site you can get a FREE listing to promote your business. n

OYLEGATE 5K FAMILY FUN RACE OR WALK HOSTED BY OYLEGATE UTD, OYLEGATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, 12TH JANUARY. Top left: Oonagh Rowe, Roisín Roche and Niamh Gibbons. Top right: Cian, Davnet, Liam, Kevin and Lexi Murphy. Above left: Philip, Theresa and Emer Cullen. Above right: Jack Nolan, Cian Cullen and Kyle Curran.

GOREY...

OYLEGATE SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, SUNDAY 19TH JANUARY. Left: Kathleen Shiggins, Margaret Rowe and Angela Shiggins. Below left: Joe and Josie O’Connor. Below right: Mai, John and Tom Murphy.

Gorey Little Theatre Pantomime ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Above left: Mother and daughter at the show, Lila and Sara Bassett. Above right: Tina Sheil had the job of making up the ‘Beast’ – Dave Cox. Below left: Cast stars Catherine D’Arcy and Ann Marie Blake. Below right: Emily Hogan, Roisín Hogan, Mary Jane Morris and Riona Sheridan.

CLONROCHE... Clonroche National School has been chosen as part of a pilot scheme that provides free books to pupils. According to Minister Paul Kehoe TD, the school is one of

102 primary schools nationwide that will benefit from the €1m investment. The pilot programme will see the book grant increase to €85 per pupil in the participat-

ing schools, all of which are in the DEIS programme. Minister Kehoe said he hopes the scheme will be extended to other schools in Co. Wexford in the future. n

BALLINDAGGIN... Once apon a time there was a telephone box in every village and town. Ballindaggin Development Group is delighted to be able to bring a small piece of history back into the village which will be used for something which will benefit the whole community. The telephone box was installed on 26th January thanks to the work of John Murphy, Eugene O’Connor, Billy O’Connor, Tom Hipwell, Pat Breslin and Joe Walsh who were all out bright and early on that Sunday morning. This WILL be the home of the village defibrillator, but for now the defibrillator is still located at the Community Centre. Keep an eye on the excellent ‘Ballindaggin Development Group’ Facebook page for more details and updates on when the defibrillator will be moved to its new home. n

Slaney Motoring

3 February 2020

www.slaneynews.com

Caroline gets motoring

Audi e-tron

Bunclody native Caroline Kidd brings us reviews of the latest new cars to arrive in Ireland. Caroline is the editor of Changing Lanes (www.changinglanes.ie), one of Ireland’s leading motoring blogs, and a jury member for Irish Car of the Year. She also provides freelance writing services to businesses in wexford under the name of Star Content (www.starcontent.ie).

REVIEW BY CAROLINE KIDD The new Audi e-tron will spearhead an electric vehicle (EV) offensive for Audi that will see 12 production electric models by 2025. Audi’s new flagship electric SUV is a technological achievement, a perfect embodiment of the Vorsprung durch Technik the brand is built upon. Progress through technology, the concept of the new e-tron is undoubtedly big, impressive and optimistic. While Audi quotes a range of up to 436 km under WLTP, this reviewer can tell you that during my test over a cold spell in December, I travelled a reliable 300 km on a full battery. Powerful front and rear electric motors energised by a large high-voltage 95kWh battery give the e-tron 55 quattro a power output of 402 hp

and 664 Nm of torque and the 0 to 100 km/h sprint figure is just 5.7 seconds. When you are swapping stats and stories at the EV fast charger, this will be met with a short intake of breath – but performance is not really the story here. For sure the e-tron can move quickly. But what is more impressive and enjoyable about the e-tron is the silky refinement of the vehicle. The way the controls feel, how it covers the tarmac so smoothly, effortlessly...and silently. Audi says the drive components are installed low and central for the best dynamic ability, with the battery system located between the axles in the form of a flat, broad block beneath the passenger compartment. They say that

AUTO REPAIR ENNISCORTHY

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

This space can be yours for just €25+VAT Tel: 087-2403310

this configuration makes the Audi e-tron’s centre of gravity similar to that of a saloon car. Axle load distribution is perfectly balanced at almost 50:50. Audi drive select allows driver to toggle between seven profiles depending on the driving situation, road conditions or personal preferences. The system also influences the standard air suspension with adaptive dampers. The pneumatic springs adjust individually to the road conditions depending on the speed and the driver’s preferences, varying the ride height by as much as 76 millimetres. At higher, motorway speeds on longer journeys the e-tron can sit lower on the road to improve aerodynamics and range. I drove it in the efficiency mode most of the

time, with the most discernible difference being a less responsive throttle. And when it comes to charging the new e-tron, there’s up to 150 kw charging, which I can tell you feels like magic. High speed 150 kw IONITY chargers arrived in Ireland in the summer at select Circle K stations. Using IONITY, the e-tron went from 10% battery power to 100% in 40 minutes. At the time of my review, IONITY were charging €8 per use, however they have since introduced price per kilowatt charges. At home with a 22 kw wallbox a full charge can be got in approximately 4.3 hrs or 8.3 hours with 11 kW charging. Priced from €89,810 including grant reductions, the new Audi e-tron is an elite piece of

L&M STARTER & ALTERNATOR REPAIR SERVICE CARS, VANS, 4X4, TRUCKS, TRACTORS, MARINE, QUADS, LAWNMOWERS AND GENERATORS. WE REPAIR ALL UNITS. ALL APPLICATIONS CATERED FOR.

Island Road, Enniscorthy. T: (053) 9235933.

kit. Inside, the e-tron is wellfurnished and features the latest in Audi interior design with a stunning digital cockpit. Material quality is excellent throughout and the space inside the vehicle is also used well. An electric tailgate reveals a boot volume of 600 litres. The concept of the Audi e-tron is a true showstopper with the convenience of 150 kw charging and a genuine 300 km of real world range. While the stats from the high voltage battery are impressive, the packing of this EV technology means that there is no denying the car feels heavy on the road. Dynamically, the e-tron does little to excite. Where the e-tron does excel is in the execution of classic Audi qualities like comfort and refinement, while the cabin

experience is one of the best in the large SUV segment. There are more advances to be made in battery technology but for now the e-tron remains a flagship halo product for the electrification of the Audi brand. Audi Ireland has also just recently announced the arrival of the Audi e-tron 50 quattro, which uses a 71 kWh battery and starts from €64,990. Model tested: Audi e-tron 55 quattro Price: From €89,810 (including grants) Battery: 95 kWh Power: 402 bhp Torque: 664 Nm 0-100km/h: 5.7 seconds Top speed: 200 km/h CO2 emissions: 0 g/km Motor tax: €120 per year n

CREDIT UNIONS COME OUT ON TOP FOR CAR LOANS The credit union was named the most popular place to get a car loan, according to a new report by trading site, Done Deal. Almost one third of those surveyed said they would use a credit union loan to finance their next car compared to 18% who would use a bank and just 7% who would opt for PCP. The survey also revealed a huge surge in electric cars sales with just under 19,000 cars sold last year – a 68% increase from 2018. The most popular electric cars purchased were Nissan Leaf and then the Hyundai Kona. This year looks promising for the

electric market also, with 26% of people saying they would opt for an electric or hybrid as their next car purchase. As a community-based, non-profit organisation, Enniscorthy Credot Union cares about the finanicial wellbeing of its members, and so is glad to see a growing caution around PCP lending, as well as the growth in sustainably-conscious car buying. If you’re thinking of buying a car and need financial advice, or just want to have a chat, you can always contact Enniscorthy Credit Union in Abbey Square, Enniscorthy. Tel: (053) 923 3835. n

Slaney News

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James Browne TD (second from left) canvassing in Enniscorthy with L-R: John Browne, Martin Murphy Jr and Aisling Browne.

Sinn Féin candidate Johnny Mythen and his team canvassing in Enniscorthy.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN CO. WEXFORD

Election candidate Ger Carthy (Independent) with Dr Yvonne Byrne and Amanda Byrne (Wexford Co. Council) at the RCDA Open Day in Rosslare Community Sports Centre, 20th January.

Fianna Fáil Dáil candidate Cllr Lisa McDonald with party leader Micheál Martin at her side during a canvas of Wexford town.

Minister Paul Kehoe TD (centre, back) and his team canvassing in Enniscorthy.

Fianna Fáil Dáil candidate Cllr Lisa McDonald with party leader Micheál Martin – now that’s the way to advertise!

Minister Michael D’Arcy TD (fourth from left) at the Markie Doyle Memorial Vintage Road Run in aid of North Wexford Hospice, at Craanford, 26th January.

Seanie O’Shea (Independents 4 Change) with Annette Moran after announcing his election candidacy.

Fianna Fáil general election candidates Malcom Byrne TD (left) and Cllr Michael Sheehan (right) with 22-year-old Andrew Bolger from Gorey who became Wexford County Council’s newest and youngest elected member following his recent co-option.

Labour Leader Brendan Howlin TD on the campaign trail with Cllr George Lawlor.

Slaney News

Diary Dates

ENNISCORTHY EYE a column by Joseph Doyle

best wishes & coNgrats ☺ What a hectic few months it’s been for Enniscorthy Rugby Club now competing in Division 2C of the AllIreland League and sitting top of the table as we go to press. Congrats to all involved in the club’s success. ☺ Congrats also to our county’s Senior Hurlers who defeated Galway in the Walsh Cup Hurling Final on 18th Jan in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise. ☺ Enniscorthy CBS recorded another success, last week they won the U-15 Leinster Junior Football title. ☺ Best of luck to Gorey boxer Niall Kennedy as he takes to the ring in Boston on Paddy's night. Also on the bill is another Irish man – Joe Ward. ☺ Delighted to see Curracloe Beach voted the top beach in Ireland in a recent national competition. ☺ Congrats to Karl Cullen Fitted Furniture, Enniscorthy, winner of the Best High-end Kitchen Design & Installation Company Award at the recent Home Builder Awards. ☺ The point-to-point action in Downpatrick, Co. Down, on 25th Jan saw 18-year-old Jordan Gainford from Caim ride the first double of his career as a jockey. ☺ Happy birthday to Harry Ryan, Joe Carley and Tom Bosley and to Liz Tyrrell and Ann Byrne who both celebrated milestone birthdays. ☺ Best of luck to Ajax Athletic FC. They defeated Iveagh

3 February 2020

www.slaneynews.com

Niall Kennedy

☺ ☺ ☺

☺

Celtic 3-1 in the quarter-final of the Leinster Junior Shield. They now meet Ashbourne United in the semi-final. Happy 40th birthday to Pa Carty. Best of luck to all involved in the Enniscorthy 10K run on 16th Feb. See page 37. Best wishes to Stacey Breen with her new School of Singing in Ferns. Tel: 0877116917 or check out ‘Stacey Breen’ on Facebook. Congrats to trainer Paul Nolan and his team on winning a Grade 1 at Leopardstown with Latest Exhibition. – Joseph Doyle

t.v. Past, PreseNt, & Future Little House on the Prairie lasted 18 years and 18 seasons making it one of the longest running TV programmes of all time, along with The Waltons and Huckleberry Finn and his Friends. Little House on the Prairie was set in the frontier town of Walnut Grove and told the story of the author Laura Ingalls Wilder’s childhood. Wilder has since been removed from the The US Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Awards for her racist views and language. But aside from that, Wilder’s books and the TV series gave us an insight into her own childhood. At the start of the TV programme a little girl is running through a field of buttercups and falls over. This is Laura’s sister who is about five years old. The series tells the life story of the Ingalls’ family and

REGULAR EVENTS: Treacy’s Hotel – Live music every Fri, Sat and Sun nights in main bar. Sunday Night Sessions at Benedicts, plus disco. Benedicts Disco – Friday, Saturday, Sunday. DBar – Saturday night DJ – 70s & 80s night. Holohan’s Pub – Live music every Tues, Weds, Thurs. Toss Kavanaghs: Live music every weekend. T. Doyle’s: Live music every Friday. Alba Restaurant: Live music – see “Alba Restaurant” on Facebook. T.J. Murphy’s: Live music venue. Rock ‘n’ Roll Jive Classes every Weds at The Bailey. Beginners at 7.30pm, Advanced 8.45pm. Freestyle after with DJ Lew Boogie from 10pm. €5. The Presentation Centre – See their website. Enniscorthy Greyhound Track. Racing every Thursday night in February. Doors open 7pm. First race 8pm. Alan O’Brien (The Dance Man) – see his Facebook page for full details of dance classes and his local social dancing events. Doreen’s. Live music every weekend. Bingo: Sunday Nights (except bank holidays) in Community Centre, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, at 8.00pm. The Local Bar: Live Music every Friday, Saturday & Sunday Night.

is narrated by Laura. It made TV stars out of Michael Landon and Victor French who would later team up again as angels in Highway to Heaven. Little House on the Prairie ended in 1981 having given us some sad episodes and some great laughs every Sunday when it was on TV. It is available now on dvd and Sky Family. – Joseph Doyle

wilD iN the couNtry!

Jordan Gainford

c.F. News & FuNDraisers  C.F. Awareness Day is on 10th April 2020.  Joseph Doyle will be holding a Coffee Morning and Lecture (TBC) on 24th April, 10am–2pm in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy.  Malin2Mizen Cycle4CF on May 7th.  One in 1,000 - the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon. Sun 31st May.  Paris2Nice Cycle on 17th September.  Table Quiz in Doyle’s Pub, Enniscorthy, for Wexford Branch.  International Walk - Bulgaria on 25th September.  KBC Dublin Marathon on 25th October.  TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday 1st November.  Christmas Jumper Day on December 11th. For more on these and all cF events check out: www.cfireland.ie

Enniscorthy Drama Group (EDG) will present wild in the country, written by local man Paul O’Reilly, this March in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy. When it is suggested to Rose that her favourite superstar, Elvis Presley, is coming to town to perform in the local hall, she gives it her all to get ready for this great event. But when her plans to meet and seduce Elvis get interrupted by her Mozart-loving husband, a washing machine, a local election, and mother time herself, she decides she must take matters into her own hands if she is to fulfil her destiny. This is a play set in Enniscorthy, by an Enniscorthy author, with an Enniscorthy cast, for an Enniscorthy audience.

EDG proudly presents this three-act play, by Paul O’Reilly, starring Julie Fox, Kate Breen, Fergal Kelly, Pat Murphy, Niall Holohan, Alan Kinsella, and directed by Fintan Kelly. Preview tickets €10 on 4th March and €15 on 5th, 6th and 7th March. – Joseph Doyle

LOOKING AHEAD:

arateentertainment Kid.  See main listing page 18. It’sle Youtube  Isla Grant. 6 Febon 2020. RiversidestreamPark Hotel, Enniscorthy.  Threeing. new, short Wexford films in aid of Focus Ireland. Fri 7 Feb. – Joseph Doyle The Presentation Centre at 7.30pm. See page 16.  Record Hop. The Bailey Cafe Bar. Sun 16 Feb. Junior Hop at midday. Adult Hop 2-6pm. Hosted by the South East Rock ‘n’ Roll Club. DJs: The Saints Roadshow and Lewis Boogie.  Enniscorthy 10K run on 16 Feb. See page 37.  Songs and Tall Tales of Jerry Fish. Friday 13 March. The Presentation Centre.  Mike Denver. 26 March 2020. Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy. Please check all events locally with organisers and/or venues in case of any late changes. – Joseph Doyle

Best of luck to the new Southeast Animal Rescue Charity Shop on Court Street.

Congratulations to Enniscor thy CBS – U-15 Leinster Junior Football Winners

Slaney Sport

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Gymstars do Wexford proud at European Championships

SLANEY OLYMPIC The Enniscorthy 10K, sponsored by Creane & Creane Insurance, will take place on Sunday 16th February 2020 at 12 noon. Lifestyle Fitness, on the Old Dublin Road, is serving as the HQ for the race. The route this year promises to be fast as there is a minimal 94-metre rise over the entire 10K route. Book now as the race is limited to 400 entries. Every finisher gets a t-shirt. For more information, visit the Slaney Olympic Facebook Page at: www.facebook.com/slaneyolympic. MEMBERSHIP 2020: 2020 Membership for Slaney Olympic was due by 28 January

Eve Kinsella, Aoife Prunty and Alison Doyle.

2020. Members can pay online, or the club post-box in My Sport, Castle Hill, or give the fee to any Committee Member. If you are interested in joining Slaney Olympic, please visit www.slaneyolympic.com and complete a New Membership Form. All forms can be dropped into the club post-box in My Sport or given to any Slaney Olympic Committee Member.

UPCOMING EVENTS: 16 February – Creane & Creane Insurance Enniscorthy 10K at 12 noon, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy. 21 June – Strawberry 5/10 Mile Run & Walk at 10.00am, The Promenade, Enniscorthy. slaney olympic was founded in 1991 to support the running community around enniscorthy and wears the colours of wexford. n

The inaugural Enniscorthy District GAA Awards were held at the Riverside Park Hotel on 31st January. Pictured above are representatives of Shamrocks GAA Club, Enniscorthy. Congrats to HWH Bunclody on winning the Club of the Year Award.

Above: Isabella Gainford, Aoibhe Ormonde and Katie Nolan.

Right: Mair Williams and Abby Mulligan.

Rapparees/Starlights U-13s to the fore

Above: Mentors Johnny Hyland and Tomas McVeigh with Wexford Senior Hurlers Kevin Foley and Seamus Casey who presented medals to the successful Rapparees/Starlights U-13 team at Bellefield Clubhouse recently. Pic: Maria Nolan. Left: Mentors Tomas McVeigh, Johnny Hyland, Stephen Leacy and members of Rapparees/ Starlights U-13 team presenting cheque for €535 to Fr. Odhran Furlong and Patricia Byrne, Irish Pilgrimage Trust Group Enniscorthy, to help send a child to Lourdes in 2020. Funds were raised at the recent presentation of U-13 Medal Night at Bellefield Clubhouse. The club expresses its sincere thanks to all who contributed either by providing spot prizes or purchasing raffle tickets for this most worthwhile cause. Pic: Maria Nolan. n

At the end of October 2019, eight young gymnasts (including some from the Enniscorthy area) – all members of Gymstars Gymnastics Club in Barntown, Co. wexford, travelled as part of the Irish National Acrobatic Gymnastics squad to Israel to compete in the 10th European Age Group Championships. The gymnasts formed three partnerships: trio groups Isabella Gainford, Aoibhe Ormonde and Katie Nolan; Eve Kinsella, Aoife Prunty and Alison Doyle, and a pair comprising of Mair williams and Abby Mulligan. The girls and their coaches Joanne Mahoney and Aoife D’Alton have worked tirelessly over the past number of years to develop their skills and to reach a level where they can be competitive at international level. As part of the largest Irish team for many years to compete at this event, the three groups performed two routines each over four days of competition. All of their routines were performed cleanly and the gymnasts and coaches were thrilled with their results. In the 12-18 age group Mair and Abby ranked 17th in qualification. This pair already had the prestige of being the only pair to compete for Ireland at the World Championships in Belgium in 2018. Eve, Alison and Aoife ranked 19th overall in qualification.

In the 11-16 age group, Isabella, Aoibhe and Katie were ranked 13th overall at qualification stage. This was a great achievement for both trios considering it was their first major international competition. The Gymstars club, the gymnasts and their parents are very grateful to those who contributed in any way to the travel fund for the gymnasts as, without their help, it would be very difficult for the girls to travel to international events. A special thanks to Brian Hogan Pharmacy, Sing Out Loud, Sports Active Wexford and Lantern Events for being the main sponsors. The gymnasts, their teammates and coaches are now training fifteen hours a week in preparation for upcoming competitions. As a club, they will take part in the Spelthorne Acro Cup in the UK in February and the Turin Acro Cup in Italy, in July. Their main goal is to qualify for the World Age Group Acro Championships in Switzerland this May. Gymstars Gymnastics Club thanks everyone for their ongoing support! Video links routines at European Championships: Eve, Aoife and Alison: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZF5pz1OzPHg Isabella, Aoibhe and Katie: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=cGQjTAT7zEk Mair and Abby: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=lofAPnvkOCI n

Slaney Arts & Heritage

3 February 2020

AVAIL OF SINGING LESSONS WITH INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED SINGER

Birds of a feather! The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, was the venue recently for the first ever Irish solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed British artist Nicola Anthony. The petite and talented artist, originally from the UK, has exhibited around the world in Hong Kong, USA, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, and has been living in Ireland now for the past seven years. Her latest exhibition – A Desire for Closeness, which ran in Enniscorthy during January, was in conjunction with this year’s First Fortnight Festival, a wonderful nationwide initiative bringing thought-provoking and conversationinducing art across the country to challenge mental health prejudice and stigma. For this exhibition, Nicola collected over 800 stories from isolated communities in Enniscorthy and the wider county. On her journeys to Enniscorthy, Nicola observed the magical murmurations of starlings performing their mesmerising dance in the skies over the river Slaney. The phenomenon is known as Emergent Behaviour and despite looking perfectly choreographed, each individual bird is actually doing its own thing completely oblivious to the whole – yet to anyone watching it appears to be a magnificent display of togetherness and co-ordination. Nicola felt that this is how our Irish communities might

appear to people looking in from the outside contributing to their feelings of exclusion, isolation and loneliness. The exhibition’s central piece was an amazing sculpture titled Murmuration showing each starling composed of Irish words very kindly loaned to Nicola by poet Louis de Paor from his poem Failte Ui Dhonnachu, which tells the story of crowds of people walking past a homeless Romanian woman – a perfect collaboration of literature and art depicting the sad tale of loneliness and isolation. As they say, ‘Birds of a feather flock together’ but if you are not of the flock or perhaps a bird of a different feather you may well be excluded and isolated. How lucky we were here

Murmuration – central piece of Nicola Anthony’s Exhibition ‘A Desire for Closeness’ Pic: Maria Nolan.

in Enniscorthy to have the opportunity to view such innovation and talent on our doorstep and very well done to the artist Nicola Anthony, to First Fortnight Festival and

in particular to The Presentation Centre for affording us this wonderful opportunity to view this pioneering exhibition. – Maria Nolan

Pic: Maria Nolan.

Myles adopts a holistic approach to teaching, using the most effective teaching methods comprising the study of postural alignment (Alexander technique), Psychology of singing, breath control, the Szamosi method, the Accent breathing method, the Bel Canto method and the old Italian singing school method. The school provides students with a well-rounded music education and a solid vocal technique that will equip them to sing any style or genre of music! More importantly, it allows them to enjoy the art of singing fully and with confidence – whether they are singing professionally, amateur or just for the love of it. Myles is very proud of the many successes and achievements of the students over the last year! Over the years, Myles has amassed vast performance experience and vocal knowledge and has studied with world renowned teachers in Germany, Italy, England,Czech Republic and America. He has performed to critical acclaim in numerous concerts, recitals and opera all over Europe and beyond and will take to the stage again for performances in Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic later this year.

L-R: Artist Nicola Anthony with Cathy Keane, Edel Kelly, Lisa Byrne and Elizabeth Whyte.

Annual Open Call at Presentation Centre The Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy strives to make art and art events accessible to all. The Annual Open Call Exhibition is a testament to that goal with submissions growing each year showcasing an astounding level of skill and talent from artists all over Co. wexford and further afield. At the first Annual Open Call Exhibition curated and implemented by visual Arts Manager Lisa Byrne in 2015, The Presentation Centre received submissions from 34 artists. 2019 saw work from 110 artists displayed proudly from wall to wall including works from professional contemporary artists along with work from creative enthusiasts, textile artists, sculptors and children who have been given the opportunity to share the wall space with established painters bringing together artist and viewer, opening the forum for inquisitiveness, curiosity and response. This opportunity not only reiterates the ‘Arts for life, arts for all’ slogan but also gives creative individuals a chance to explore their practice, extend their experiences and see their work realised within a gallery

Enniscorthy’s Myles Doyle is an internationally renowned tenor and vocal coach. Last year he opened the 'Voce Liberata' Voice Studio – offering the very best in professional vocal coaching, singing and guitar lessons. The main aim of the school is to provide a supportive learning environment in which the singer can develop confidence in singing and performance.

context all the while dismantling ‘gallery’ ideals and exclusiveness, bringing artists from all walks of life together, recognising that creativity knows no bounds and truly is for all to enjoy and create. The fifth Annual Open Call at The Presentation Centre is now open for submissions. All art forms are welcome including film, sculpture, drawing and performance. This exhibition is open to amateur artists, students, children and any creative individual along with professional artists of any age. Drop-off week for submissions is Monday 9th - Friday 13th March. Only one piece may be submitted per artist. A €10 hanging fee applies to all submissions. All guidelines and submission forms can be found at www.presentatiocentre.ie. The Presentation Centre would like to thank its Visual Arts Marketing Associate Larry Dunne and technician John Byrne for their hard work to date. The Annual Open Call Exhibition will be on display at The Presentation Centre, 27th March to 15th May 2020. n

Anyone interested in taking singing or guitar lessons can contact Myles on 087-0519214 or email doyle.myles@gmail.com n

ENNISCORTHY ARTIST TO EXHIBIT IN ANKARA Enniscorthy based artist Marja van Kampen has been invited to participate in an exhibition, by Irish women artists, to celebrate St Brigid’s Day in the Contemporary Art Center in Ankara, Turkey. The exhibition is organised with the support of the Irish Embassy in Ankara and Consul Jenny Quinn. Six of Marja’s paintings and etchings have been selected by curator Attila Gullu of International Art Projects. The exhibition will take place from 30th January until 18th February. Marja is a full-time painter and printmaker. Her work is in many public collections, including the Arts Council of Ireland, Wexford County Council, Office of Public Works. Four of her paintings are in Áras an Úachtaráin, the residence of President Michael D. Higgins.

TEXACO CHILDREN’S ART COMPETITION

LOCAL LIBRARY NEWS Check out: www.wexford.ie/wex/ Departments/Library/whatsOn/ for details of what’s on in your local library. also, check your local library on Facebook.

This year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition has begun. Last year five students from Co. Wexford won prizes in the event which is now in its 66th year and widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland. The closing date for entries is Friday, 28th February 2020 with judging to take place in March. Winners will be announced in mid-April, with prizegiving to follow in May. Details are available through Texaco service stations and online at www.texacochildrensart.com n

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTS CENTRE Wexford Arts Centre: 053-9123764. The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy: 053-9233000. The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely: 0402-38529.

Slaney Wexford Town & Beyond

www.slaneynews.com

OUT AND ABOUT IN WEXFORD TOWN & BEYOND

THE WEXFORD LIONS CLUB ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION OPENING AT WEXFORD ARTS CENTRE, SATURDAY, 18TH JANUARY 2020. Above left: Artist Elisabeth Kirjuhina with her entry. Above centre: Winning artist Jessica Ruane. Above right: Exhibiter Hannah Redmond with her grandad Billy Roche, and her painting on the top left of photo.

Election 2020: Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin in Wexford with FF candidate Cllr Lisa McDonald greeting some of the locals.

Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin in Wexford with Cllr Lisa McDonald and Amanda Cooke, enlisting the help of ‘Nicky Rackard’ for Election 2020.

Enjoying New Year’s Eve in Wexford town. Above left: In the Sky and The Ground were Alice Bolger, Lisa O’Connor and Emma Lynch. Above centre: In the Whitford House Hotel were Matt and Beatrice Roche, Gay Roche and Sadie and Mick Quinn. Above right: New Year’s Eve in Maggie May’s, Naomi Griffin, Alex Bergin, Daria Karczewska and Eirin Duffin.

BOOLAVOGUE SENIOR CITIZENS PARTY IN BOOLAVOGUE COMMUNITY HALL, SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY, 2020.

Kathleen Donohue and Mary Owens.

Tony Wilson and Mary Gahan.

Mary Redmond and Christine Foran.

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