Page 12 - Simon Bourke News Today

Democracy, human rights, and the empowerment of women were up for discussion at the regional heat of the Soroptimist’s International Wexford public speaking competition which was held at the Riverbank Hotel earlier this month.

For decades the south east has lost its brightest, most creative people to the major cities, seen budding entrepreneurs, business owners, and start-ups leave its counties for universities in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and beyond. Brain drain has been a consistent problem for a part of Ireland which may have the best weather but has struggled to match the economic heft of rival regions.

Contact lenses, milk filter socks, and bits of wire were just some of the items utilised by the transition year students of Colaiste Bride as they hosted two Junk Kouture fashion shows at the school last week. Involving 120 students, the two shows, one during the day for the younger audiences and one in the evening for friends and family, saw more than 1500 people pack into the school to watch the girls’ creations come to life.

Following its successful Christmas Lights Night, which took place on December 9, the Rathangan Country Fair and Rathangan Vintage Society has presented a cheque for €2,782 towards the UNICEF Gaza Appeal. The money was raised during an event which was filled with family friendly events with music from an old fairground organ and carols from the local choir.

With the survival of native bee species of paramount importance to the environment, the South Wexford Beekeepers Association (SWBA) is running a beginner’s course for those interested in keeping bees. Beginning on Wednesday, February 28, this seven week course takes place at Johnstown Castle and costs €100 per person.

As war wages on in Palestine, the Wexford branch of Amnesty International Ireland has begun hosting a weekly vigil during which it invites the public to stand in solidarity with those who have lost their lives.

Works on two new pitches, a sensory garden, and a community walking track at Bellefield GAA are nearing completion with further works expected to be done by the summer. Expected to have a transformative effect on the community, this ambitious four-phase project will see investment in new facilities for the wider Enniscorthy area over the coming years.

The prize winners at the Enniscorthy Tidy Town Association (ETTA) awards have been described as “a credit to the town” by chairperson Jonathon Hughes. Held in the Riverside Park Hotel, the awards saw prizes presented across a number of categories, with winners recognised for their gardens, public buildings, industrial buildings, shop fronts, most improved premises, window boxes and hanging baskets,

Wexford authors Serena Molly and Eoin Colfer have been shortlisted for the 2024 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards. In Eoin’s case, he has received nominations for two of his works, Global and Three Tasks for a Dragon. Originally from Wexford, Published by Walker Books and illustrated by P.J. Lynch, Three Tasks for a Dragon follows unlikely hero Prince Lir and not-so-helpless maiden Cethlenn.

The newly-launched Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan will make it a “better place to live, to work, and to enjoy”, according to cathaoirleach of the local district, Councillor John O’Rourke. Unveiling the details of the long-awaited plan at Enniscorthy Castle, Cllr O’Rourke said the plan was “about working with what we have, and strengthening the opportunities in Enniscorthy” and had come about after a “long process of consultation and engagement and many meetings” with stakehol...