In September 2019, the owners announced that their South Main Street location in Wexford would close for renovations. Fifteen months later, in January 2021, the restaurant reopened as a traditional fish and chip shop called the Salt & Vinegar.

The diner in December 2014.

Unfortunately, the new chipper didn’t last very long. Activity on its Facebook page indicates that it shut down at some point in 2022.

Rita and Pio Veccio established the diner in 1995. However, they sold the business in February 2009 so that they could focus on a new venture in Clonard.

Before big names such as McDonald’s, KFC, Supermac’s, and Domino’s came to Wexford, diners relied on Uncle Sam’s and Burger Mac if they wanted American-style fast food. Otherwise, they had to settle for a bag of chips, a Chinese, or maybe a pizza from Robertino’s.

The diner was particularly popular among pubgoers in the southern end of the town, as it was one of the few places that stayed open late into the night. It also attracted teenagers, especially after they poured out of discos such as “Tracks” and “Twisters,” which were often hosted in the nearby Dun Mhuire.

By 2019, the fast food landscape had entirely changed. Similar restaurants had sprung up around town, and there was also increased competition from the larger brands. These factors may explain why the owners decided to pivot to a more traditional cuisine.

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The news caught most people by surprise, as it had been in business for 35 years, having first opened its doors in September 1988.

The front bar of the Centenary Stores in November 2014.

For many, it was the first place they thought of when someone mentioned Wexford’s nightlife. Over the years, it had proved its staying power by beating off competition from the likes of The Colony, The Music Factory, The Renaissance, and Mooneys.

It was opened by the late businessman Michael Tierney, who sadly passed away in December 2022 following a battle with motor neurone disease (MND). It started as a small bar on Charlotte Street before the rooms at the back were added. Later, it became a three-floor nightclub, with each floor playing different music.

The front of The Stores. The building was remodeled at some point in the early-to-mid 2000s.

It was so popular that it had to limit admissions to ticket holders on special occasions such as New Year’s Eve.

Summer nights would see the place packed, particularly when Wexford’s hurling team overperformed. During the financial exuberance of the Celtic Tiger era, it would even open on Tuesdays, allowing people who worked on the weekends to have a night out.

Queues were a common sight.

The Centenary Stores wasn’t just known for its nightclub. On Sunday afternoons, it hosted trad sessions on the street outside. It was also a very popular spot for lunch.

Why did it close?

Nightclubs across Ireland have been struggling to keep their doors open due to rising costs and dwindling customer numbers.

Business owners typically identify insurance costs as a key issue. For example, in 2023, it was estimated that the average nightclub paid approximately €92,000 per year in insurance premiums.

To make matters worse, the cost of living has significantly increased since 2020, and many young people are suffering due to the ongoing rental crisis. If they are struggling to pay rent and put food on the table, they’re unlikely to spend €100 on a night out.

In addition to this, young people are now drinking less than they did before. They go to the gym and visit coffee shops. Living a healthy lifestyle is no longer considered “boring.” Furthermore, the “party hard” culture of the previous generations appears to fallen out of favour. This shift may be due to the rise of fitness influencers on social media and increased awareness about the dangers of alcohol.

The ongoing taxi shortage is another issue that is impacting nightlife in Wexford and Ireland in general. During the 1990s and 2000s, it was common to see minibuses pulling up, packed with patrons from the countryside. These days, it is difficult to find a taxi. And if you do happen to find one, it’ll cost you a pretty penny.

Ten years ago, you could stumble out of The Stores, wait inside Wexford Cabs across the road, and get a taxi within 10-30 minutes. Sometimes, even sooner. These days, you have to worry about how long you’ll be standing outside Dunnes Stores in the rain and cold.

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Organisers anticipate that more than 500,000 people will visit Wexford town between the 4th and 11th of August.

Many of these visitors will congregate around the town centre and Wexford Quay.

Although the situation remains “fluid”, organisers are said to be concerned about the possibility of a crowd crush if it rains.

Crowd crushes can occur when too many people move into one area at the same time.

To avoid such an incident, the roof on Monck Street may be left permanently open during the festival.

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Imbolc is one of the lesser-known festivals of the ancient Celts, but it was one of the four most important festivals in the Celtic calendar and it is set to be revived and celebrated at the 800-year-old lighthouse on February 2nd, 3rd and 4th 2018.

On Friday evening, February 2nd multi-platinum selling singer and songwriter Brian Kennedy will host a unique concert in the ancient lighthouse tower. The chart-topping singer is known for his ballads and toured with the legendary Van Morrisson and has shared the global stage with some of the all-time greats – Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles amongst much more and has toured the world performing his chart-topping songs.

Getting the weekend’s festivities off to a start on Saturday, February 3rd is a sunrise tour of the ancient lighthouse at 7.00 am. Guests will be treated to the dawning over the spectacular South East coast while enjoying a bespoke lighthouse tour and savouring bucks fizz, prosecco, fresh tea, and coffee along with a selection of breakfast canapés made from the finest local produce, including Ballyhack smokehouse smoked salmon on homemade brown bread. This adult only tour must be booked in advance by calling 051 397055.

In the afternoon storyteller Baya Salmon-Hawk who will offer free storytelling sessions for children telling ancient Celtic tales from 2 pm to 4 pm, she will also be assisted by Captain Hook.

On Saturday evening at 5 pm, ‘A Fire in the Head’ spoken word event will commence celebrating the turning of the Celtic year; poetry, stories, and song will be shared by candlelight, all under the theme of fire and water. The story of St. Bridget of Kildare will also be shared. A spoken word event will take place with an open invitation to storytellers, poets, rappers and all wordsmiths to join the occasion the ‘word’ competition around the theme of Imbolc, this spoken word event will be judged by none other than best selling author Cat Hogan and the winner will be awarded tickets to the Kieran Goss concert which is due to take place at the lighthouse in the summer.

On Sunday a Celtic Goddess Ceremony on the theme of ‘quickening’ is set to take place. The word Imbolc means literally “in the belly” in the old Irish Neolithic language, and is symbolic of the beginning of the season and signals the ‘quickening of the year’. At 12 noon on Sunday, Baya Salmon-Hawk will perform a Celtic Goddess Ceremony on the theme of ‘quickening within you’ commencing the ceremony at St Dubhan’s Well located at Dubhan’s church ruins and walking to lighthouse into garden cobbled maze, in the centre of maze participants can tie Spring wishes on the Imbolc tree sculpture surrounded by the fire-baskets lighting in maze garden.

On Sunday afternoon from 12 to 4 pm children’s entertainment fun and games will be on offer with Captain Hook and Cafe specials will include Pancakes filled with seasonal berries and sweet sharing plates. All weekend Art with Rose including specials Bridget’s cross Celtic goddess art will also be on offer.

All Imbolc Festival events at Hook Lighthouse are available to enjoy free of charge apart from the Brian Kennedy Concert (tickets €30pp), Sunrise Tour and Art Workshops with Rose. Sunrise tour tickets are €45pp and Art with Rose is from €5. For further details and ticket booking see www.hookheritage.ie or call 051 397 055.

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Pictured at the launch of the 2018 Wexford Has Talent competition is Danielle Reck from Lioness Aerial Fitness.

Over 70 acts have pre-registered for a free audition place over the weekend, however, organiser’s say that there are still some spaces for those wishing to arrive and register freely over the weekend between noon and 6 pm on Sunday.

A panel at least three judges from a total of 15 judges will help performers through the audition stages, the competition is open to all ages and all manner of talents. It is free to enter the competition process and the winner will walk away with a €2,000 prize fund and two additional prizes of €500 are added to the prize pot for two runners-up.

The judges and MC’s include well-known personalities from around the county along with Councillor George Lawlor as the guest MC. Organiser’s say there is still time to book an audition appointment in advance at www.wexfordhastalent.com or turn up on the day to queue for an audition time.

Pictured at the launch of the 2018 Wexford Has Talent competition is the Wexford Has Talent Competition MC Councillor George Lawlor, Brian Furlong, Marion Roice, Killian Duignan, Kevin Carty, Philly Cullen and Ciara and Rachel Furlong.

From this audition process, a shortlist of between 24 and 30 acts will go forward to take part in the live audience semi-finals at Clayton Whites of Wexford. Two semi-finals will take place; these will be on Saturday, January 20th and Saturday, January 27th, 2018 and the Grand Final will take place on Saturday, February 24th 2018. All shows will take place at Clayton Whites Hotel.

Tickets to the fourth annual Wexford Has Talent Semi-Finals and Grand Final are now on sale at Clayton Whites Hotel priced at €10 for each Semi-Final of Wexford Has Talent and €15 for the Grand Final. All live shows commence at 8 pm sharp.

For further details and Wexford Has Talent news see www.wexfordhastalent.com or join the event on Facebook.com/WexfordHasTalent and Twitter – @WexHasTalent

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Hook Lighthouse juts out to sea at the tip of the Hook Peninsula on the corner of Ireland’s Ancient East, there is there is no better place to take in the vast seascapes and glorious colours of Ireland’s Celtic Sea.

Visitors will be welcomed with a fresh bucks fizz and taken on a bespoke guided tour experience. Step back in time as you ascend the well-worn steps of the medieval tower, see it’s heritage come to life as visitors meet life-sized figures of the Monk who first established the beacon at the site in the 5th century followed by the Knight who built the tower; William Marshal some 800 years ago and hear of life as a light-keeper before stepping on to the top floor, take in the 360 degree sweeping panorama on the outdoor balcony and take in the views stretching across the Southeast of Ireland.

Tours culminate in the enclosed glass watch-room with spectacular panoramic views of the rolling seas stretching out while the sun rises and visitors savour bucks fizz, prosecco, fresh tea, and coffee along with a selection of breakfast canapés made from the finest local produce, including Ballyhack smokehouse smoked salmon on homemade brown bread.

The New Year Sunrise Tour Experience at Hook Lighthouse is now available for booking via Hook Lighthouse, call 00353 (0)51 397055, tickets are €45 per person. This is an adult only experience. For further details see www.hookheritage.ie

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According to the Council, a quantity of the substance has recently been found at the Raven, Curracloe. While the source of the material has not been confirmed, it is believed that the Palm Oil may have part of a consignment which came off a ship in the English Channel about 18 months ago. The congealed substance has been turning up recently on beaches and coasts in Ireland and the UK following the incident.

The Council believes the “fatbergs” were washed ashore in Wexford following recent storms.

“The material is a solid white substance which is known as a ‘Palm Oil Fatberg’” said Wexford County Council spokesperson David Minogue. “Individual deposits can range from the size of a golf ball to as big as a boulder and we are asking the public to be vigilant as this substance can be particularly harmful to dogs.”

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The incident took place yesterday at a property in Watson Road in the suburb of Padstow. Walsh, who was from Enniscorthy, was found with a stab wound to his neck.

Police had been called to the area after they received reports that a fight had broken out between a group of people. Despite the efforts of paramedics, father of three David (29) passed away at the scene.

A 25-year-old Irish woman and a 36-year-old local man were arrested at the scene. The woman, who was known to the victim, has been charged with his murder and is due to appear in Parramatta Local Court tomorrow. The man is still being questioned by New South Wales Police.

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The Ferrycarrig Hotel is the perfect place to kick back and relax this Mother’s Day.

A new Afternoon Tea Room at the hotel will ensure that all mums are seated in the lap of luxury on March 26th. A delightful space complete with plush sofas, a warming fireplace and piano plus a wonderful menu also filled with treats from an extensive range of local suppliers is the perfect treat for any busy mum.

Mum’s (and their hosts) can enjoy a delicious range of tea sandwiches including Meyler’s Smoked salmon on Ferrycarrig Guinness brown bread, Bella Hen free range egg and cucumber mayonnaise, Pat O’Neills baked ham and Wexford cheddar and Ferrycarrig chicken liver pate on sage and onion toast along with a selection of classic cakes and pastries including individual fresh fruit tarts with crème patisserie, Chocolate choux buns filled with sweetened Chantilly cream, a classic lemon meringue pie and delicious home-baked scones with Wexford raspberry preserve and clotted cream along with a selection of loose teas, Earl Grey and Moroccan Mint.

And the team at the Ferrycarrig has gone one step further with a new ‘Tea and Pamper’ package during which mums can enjoy a day out to relax over a Prosecco Afternoon Tea and enjoy a choice of one 25 minute treatment including a Riverwood Mini Facial, Pressure Point Scalp Massage or Back Massage at the serene Riverwood Wellness spa at the Ferrycarrig Hotel.

Afternoon tea at Ferrycarrig Hotel’s Afternoon Tea Room is priced at €17 pp and at €25.50 including prosecco or choose the great value ‘Tea and Pamper’ package for €49.50 per person

The Afternoon Tea Room is open seven days a week. For reservations call 053-9120999 or see ferrycarrighotel.ie

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