By Dan Walsh at special meeting at Civic Offices, Gorey
Members of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held a special meeting in the Civic Offices, Gorey, today (Tuesday) where they unanimously gave consent to Wexford County Council to proceed to commence the Part 8 process that will restore the Market House to its original condition “with vision and ambition that will provide a transformative extension of high-quality design.”
The project is estimated to cost €8.1 million and funding will be sought through THRIVE (the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme) that aims to transform publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings within town centres through renovation, renewal and adaptive reuse.
Gorey Market House was chosen as Wexford County Council’s proposed project, plans were presented at today’s special meeting, and it is proposed to commence the Part 8 process tomorrow, May 1st and a decision should be known in June.
The meeting heard that public consultation events were held recently in Gorey Library and the Market House building and a mix of workshops for directly invited community groups also took place. Groups working with the Council on the proposed projects include Gorey Community Development Group and North Wexford Historical Society.
Director of Services Liz Hore introduced the project saying that the restoration of Gorey Market House has been identified as a priority for the district as it is designated a heritage building, the Part 8 proposal will be in Wednesday’s newspaper and the application will be submitted on Friday.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen thanked everybody who assisted with the project, and he expressed his delight. “I want to thank those associated with getting it to where it is today.”
Cllr Anthony Donohoe said it was an ambitious plan – he liked the umbrellas like they have in Wexford town! – and added that he is fully in favour of the project.
Cllr Joe Sullivan complemented the design team and felt “it has something for everybody “and he said to proceed to Part 8. “It’s as good as anything seen in the last 10 years. Let’s hope we get the finance,” he added.
Cllr Andrew Bolger had some questions about the cost and making up the shortfall if there was a difference. His queries were addressed.
Cllr Donal Kenny expressed credit to Sean Meylar and his team and added that “everyone in Gorey is passionate about the Market House” and he fully supported the proposal. “It links the Market Square and the Main Street and ticks all the boxes,” he added.
Cllr Diarmuid Devereux described the plan as “absolutely fabulous”. He felt it was “the heart and centre of the town space and will be there for everybody. “It is joining the original architecture of the town with the Main Stret,” he added.
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin added his support but said “there was no place to display the heritage of the past over the past 12 years – military uniforms, memorabilia, photographs and other historical items that are locked in attics and felt they could be displayed in the exhibition corridor.”
However, Ms. Hore said the space would be for multi-purpose use – it is not going to be a museum – and she patiently pointed out that historic exhibits need proper ventilation and storage to prevent deterioration and the newly renovated Market House would not facilitate these conditions.
HISTORY OF GOREY MARKET HOUSE; The Market House has had a turbulent history, and some would argue that the chapter remains to be completed, but it has served Gorey well and dates back to 1709 when it was rebuilt on the site of the former Tholsol. The cost came from the salaries of George and Andrew Ram, members of Gorey Corporation and members of Parliament for Gorey.
Gorey Town Commissioners were established in 1859, became Gorey Town Council in 1987 and when the town council was abolished in 2014 to make way for Gorey Municipal District Council, the final meeting took place in the Market House. History source; Historic Gorey by Michael Fitzpatrick, pub. 1987).
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