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Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
A late Wexford publican, musical mentor, and gifted artist among those honoured at annual Rosslare Civic Awards
The first of these was the late Murt McGarry of Kilmore Quay. Although he passed away in 2006 at the age of 45, Murt's work as an artist is still remembered and celebrated across the county. His nascent talent first became apparent when he won the national Texaco Art competition while still a schoolboy and he was later commissioned by Wexford County Council to do the drawings at the National Heritage Park and create the artist's impression of the council's new waterfront development in New Ross. Murt was a keen tin whistle and bodhrán player and attended the Fleadh Cheoil every year. He spent six years researching and illustrating his book on Irish history, Strangers at Home, which his father Liam later published posthumously. Paying tribute to Murt, Councillor Jim Codd, the cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD), said, 'Murt was self-taught and had a natural talent, and he had a great love of history, heritage and nature and culture.' Another beloved member of the community who has since passed was honoured next. The late John Sammy Sinnott of Duncormick, who passed in 2022 at the age of 92, was described by Cllr Codd as more than just a publican, but 'a counsellor, someone who was always there if you needed help'. 'He valued us as a people, he knew our ancestors, our ways, everybody was welcomed and cared for under his thatched roof,' continued Cllr Codd. 'Sinnott's was an institution, a men's shed before the term became popular, it was there people went to get the news in older times. And Sammy was the keeper of our oral history; people came from all over to immerse themselves in the rich culture of south Wexford, and no less than the Rolling Stones manager, Chesney Milligan, once served behind the bar.' Mick Berry accepted the award on behalf of the Sinnott family. The late Dick Lambert, who passed away in 2008, was then honoured for his 'outstanding contribution to culture and heritage'. He was the author of three books chronicling the history of Rathangan, books which Wexford County Council is now preparing to have reprinted for a new audience. The tidy towns committee in Carrig-on-Bannow was next to receive a civic award for its work in 'developing its local community' and 'enhancing the environment' in south Wexford. Commending the group for the strides it has taken in promoting biodiversity and sustainability in the area, Cllr Codd noted how inclusive the tidy towns committee is and how it has 'rejuvenated' the village and 'fostered a culture of tidiness'. 'The group ensures the village always looks its best all year-round, and also it is blessed to have two wonderful employment scheme members who are dedicated and motivated in their work,' he added. Established in 1974, Corach Ramblers are now based in Duncormick and boast some of the finest facilities in the county. However, the club had some nomadic years before finally settling in its current home. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'They initially played their home matches in Wellingtonbridge, with local publican John Ryan providing a pitch, he also sponsored the team with a new football,' recounted Cllr Codd. That ball remains in the possession of the club and is joined by committee members who have been there since the outset, including Jimmy McWhitty and Willie Wallace. Those two men were heavily involved in the fundraiser in 1998 which led to the club purchasing five acres of land in Duncormick four years later where it established its new home. "There have been a lot very good people involved in the club over the years, but Willie Wallace, Breda Walsh, Toddy and Clodagh Barry, all of whom have given many years working with the club, should get a special mention,' said Cllr Codd. 'Corach Ramblers now has a huge membership with teams competing in underage and adult leagues; it's a hub of activity and a place where lifelong friendships are made.' The last recipient on the night was Áine Kennedy who was recognised for her outstanding contribution to arts and culture in the RMD. A familiar face to all those with even a passing interest in traditional Irish music, Áine became director of the Danescastle Music Group following the retirement of Ms Martha Torpey and now works with over 200 children as they take the first steps towards Fleadh Cheoils and Scór na nÓgs of the future. 'We are so lucky to have the most dedicated director in all of the land,' said Cllr Codd. 'Áine always gives 100 per cent to the children of Carrig on Bannow and surrounding areas that come to learn music in Danescastle. She prepares them for various competitions and events around the county and country and when the group is asked to play at different events, Áine is the person that sends the texts, organises who is going, and generally ends up bringing half the children in her own car." Áine is also chairperson of Wexford Scór and secretary of Leinster Scór Secretary, she is also a member of the Rackard League Committee and combines all these voluntary roles with her full-time job as principal of Danescastle National School "She is an extraordinary principal and gives so much of her time to the children of our parish,' said Cllr Codd. 'We are truly blessed to have Aine as a dedicated principal and musical director.'
Irish Independent
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Fears Christmas Day floods will be repeated as Wexford dunes disappear – ‘It'll be too late if the tide ever gets through'
Fears that the Christmas Day floods which decimated south Wexford may become a regular occurrence have been aired at the monthly meeting of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD). With the sun shining and all winter storms momentarily forgotten, Councillor Jim Codd sounded an alarm bell for those living in the Kilmore Quay area. 'We'll have to take a look at the Burrow in Kilmore because the locals are telling me there's large gaps developing in it,' he said. 'We had thousands of acres flooded down there in 2021. I know we're so tied up with red tape on issues like this, but it'll be too late to discuss it if the tide ever goes through the Burrow, and this is a very real danger according to those with knowledge of the area. "The Burrow has kept back the sea for a very long time and any holes in it are dangerous.' Last year environmental engineer Rory O'Mahony was among those who met with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to discuss a potential solution to the problems at the Burrow, and he said a more natural approach was required to combat the tides. 'The view the NPWS took back then was that natural rehabilitation would solve the problem,' he said. 'So, I've advised the local group to come up with a proposal to bring to the NPWS.' However, Cllr Codd was of the view that drastic measures were required and that time was of the essence. 'The farmers have agreed to use their own diggers down there to fill the gaps,' he said. 'The plan is not to use diggers," replied Mr O'Mahony. 'But instead use a low impact method to trap the sand and allow the marram grass to regenerate, that kind of approach might get a project across the line. If the group down there get an expert on dune restoration and put a decent proposal together for the NPWS it could work.'
Irish Independent
05-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Rare visitor causing traffic chaos in Wexford – ‘Cars abandoned in the middle of the road to see this white stork'
However, according to the cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) the bird's army of admirers are creating chaos wherever they go. 'There's been cars abandoned in the middle of the road down near Sigginstown Castle, all stopped to see this white stork,' said Councillor Jim Codd at the May of the RMD. 'He was in the Tacumshane area and now I believe he's moved to Mayglass, and where he goes, traffic havoc follows. Locals are telling me that they're coming across cars stopped stone dead in the road, drivers are jumping out to get pictures of this bird.' Addressing roads engineer Michael Brazzill, the Aontú councillor continued. "We're all lovers of wildlife and we don't want to get into a battle with birdwatchers but maybe you have a suggestion on how we handle this situation?' Momentarily stumped, Mr Brazzill replied, 'The guards are the next port of call if people are doing dangerous manoeuvres and parking illegally.' Speaking after the meeting, local birdwatcher Cian Cardiff explained the significance of the stork appearing in Wexford. 'White stork are a very rare vagrant to Ireland,' he said. 'It winters in Africa and returns to parts of Europe to breed each spring and summer. This is the first white stork to be seen by so many birders in Wexford for many years, from my understanding the last recorded sighting was in the late 1970s, also at Tacumshane Lake. 'So, it was of great significance to the birding and local communities.' Explaining what might have drawn the white stork to the south-east, Cian said there were a number of potential contributory factors. 'During early spring we experienced a series of wind flows from the south and south-east, this led to species overshooting their continental breeding grounds and hitting Ireland,' he said. 'Good numbers of vagrant birds, such as the Eurasian hoopoe, which is also a vagrant species not usually seen in Ireland, were also spotted.' While Cllr Codd spoke of traffic disruption and abandoned cars, Cian said the birdwatching community has been well-accommodated by local landowners in their quest to get a sighting of the stork. 'Groups of birders were watching the stork in the Coddstown Great area during its stay, especially during the first few days after it was pinned down to a general area of farmland. I must say a big thanks on behalf of birders and others to the local landowners and residents for allowing us to view this bird.' The last recording sighting of the white stork was in Kilcoole, Co Wicklow on May 29. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
04-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
IPAS speculation continues in Wexford as council says it can't assess wastewater capacity of potential sites
Wexford People With speculation continuing to mount that at least one new International Protection Accommodation Scheme (IPAS) centre is to be opened in the Wexford village of Killnick, the local council has said it can't assess the environmental impact of potentially 100 residents until they actually move in. Applications to turn both The Danby Lodge and The Moyglare Lodge into IPAS centres have already been submitted and there remains a degree of uncertainty regarding the purpose of ongoing works at Cooper's Inn. While the future use of Cooper's has yet to be confirmed, Councillor Frank Staples has asked that an environmental report be carried out at the premises to assess its wastewater capacity. However, at the May meeting of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) he was informed that such an assessment would be pointless until the building is back in use. 'Our inspector is going to have a look at it but because there's no actual incident (to investigate) I'm not sure if she's going to have very much to do,' said environmental engineer Rory O'Mahony. 'The inspector has said that because there isn't a failure issue there and because the premises isn't occupied, there's not an incident she can deal with.' Cllr Staples then confirmed that a planning application would be forthcoming from Cooper's Inn, to which Mr O'Mahony replied, 'It will have to go through the planning process first then.'
Irish Independent
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Wexford politician follows James McClean's lead by refusing to wear poppy – ‘Let's not use such powerful military symbolism'
While footballer James McClean has frequently incurred the wrath of match-going fans in the UK for his refusal to wear the remembrance poppy during games, a Wexford politician has been met with a more measured reaction for his refusal to do the same. As the cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) Aontú councillor Jim Codd was recently invited to meet with his peers in Fishguard, Wales, to discuss the ongoing partnership between the regions. However, with those across the channel marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2, Cllr Codd found himself in a somewhat difficult position upon his arrival at the Welsh port.
