Young heroes, award-winning actors, and veteran sailor honoured at the annual Rosslare civic awards

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The heroism of three young Wexford men has seen them receive the highest accolade possible from the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD). At a special civic ceremony in Johnstown Castle, Tiernan Codd (13), Jakub Dmowski (13), and Sean Holden (12) were presented with the Outstanding Youth Award from cathaoirleach of the RMD, Councillor Ger Carthy, in recognition of their lifesaving efforts in Rosslare Harbour in July.

While fishing the three boys spotted swimmers drifting into a dangerous current. Recognising the risk and the potential threat to life, the boys immediately rang the emergency services for assistance. The Rosslare RNLI crew quickly came to the rescue and three of the four swimmers were subsequently taken to hospital for further treatment.

Regarding the rescue operation, Rosslare RNLI Operations Manager Jamie Ryan said “every second counted” as they came to the assistance of the distressed swimmers.

The three boys recently graduated from Kilrane National School and began secondary school in Bridgetown College this month.

“They are a credit to their families and community,” said Cllr Carthy. “And it is with great pride that the RMD recognises their courage, maturity and community spirit by presenting them with the Outstanding Youth Award. The future is bright with young people like this in Rosslare Harbour and Kilrane.”

Also honoured at the awards were local theatre group, The Ballycogley Players. Recognised for their Outstanding Contribution to The Arts, Culture, Heritage & Music, The Ballycogley Players are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and marked this milestone with the Best Supporting Actress award at the RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Awards in Athlone in May.

This group of amateur actors, cast and crew have received a number of awards and nominations in recent years and were crowned All Ireland Confined Drama Champions in 2018. In 2024 they placed third at the All-Ireland Drama Awards for their performance of Out of Order, they also took home the award for Best Supporting Actor, the Bride Rosney Award for Outstanding Newcomer and also received nominations for Best Director, Best Actor and Best Stage Management.

This year the group has performed Lend me a Tenor in the O’Reilly and Jerome Hynes theatres at the National Opera House, as well as Gorey Little Theatre, as it qualified for another All-Ireland appearance.

The group undertake charity performances for local organisations and communities every year and have made contributions to The Irish Kidney Association, Wexford Marinewatch, and Wexford’s Womens Refuge as well as many others.

Presenting the award, Cllr Carthy said it was a “very special year” for The Ballycogley Players and that he and the entirety of the RMD team were honoured to mark the 50th anniversary of the group.

Following his recent retirement as coxswain of the RNLI lifeboat, Eugene Kehoe received the Outstanding Contribution to Community Service award in Johnstown Castle.

“Today we recognise the extraordinary service of Eugene Kehoe who retired in May as coxswain of the RNLI lifeboat after an incredible 48 years of voluntary service,” said Cllr Carthy. “Following in the footsteps of his father, uncles, and grandfather, Eugene began assisting on shore as a boy and joined the crew at 18. His first call-out, on a winter’s night in 1977, was aboard the Lady Murphy and was the start of a career spanning eight lifeboats and countless rescues in all conditions.”

During his years of service, Eugene saved many lives and was presented witha Vellum of Merit in 1978, a letter of acknowledgement for the rescue of the tug Golden Cross in 1999, and the prestigious Bronze Medal for Gallantry in 2020 for leading the 12-hour rescue of nine men from the cargo ship Lily B in treacherous seas off Hook Head

“His impact on Kilmore Qua and the Wexford coastline is immeasurable,” said Cllr Carthy. “In recognition of his lifetime of courage, skill, and service, the RMD is proud to present Eugene with this award.”

After the presentations, Cllr Carthy thanked all those in the RMD offices for organising the event, the Johnstown Castle staff for hosting, the Red Door for providing the food, and the Danescastle U15 grupaí ceoil for the music on the night.