Enniscorthy becomes ‘a growing community’

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy

Community history was made in Enniscorthy this morning when Cllr Aidan Browne, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council congratulated the committee and cut the ribbon at the official opening of the Enniscorthy Community Allotments at Gort na Gréine.

The new development consists of 64 plots, 20 raised beds and 60 spaces in the polytunnel. Cllr Browne, who lives locally and is a member of the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) said it was a great honour to be privileged to perform the opening, he complimented everyone associated with the project and said it was a great community facility for Enniscorthy.

Noreen Kehoe, Committee Secretary, told WexfordLocal.com that it was grass field up to February when the sod was first turned, it first opened on April 11^th the purpose of the Open Day was to show “what has been achieved.

“Michael Devereux had an idea, he needed help, our first meeting was online because of Covid, we got a committee together, we applied for LEADER funding and the support of the community made it all come together,” explained Ms Kehoe.

Michael Devereux, Chairman of Enniscorthy Community Allotments Committee thanked everyone from his committee to Wexford County Council and Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) for part played in bring the site from a grass field to a growing community.

Other members of the Committee include Mark Cook, Vice-Chairman and master of ceremonies; Noreen Kehoe, Secretary; Anna Davis, Treasurer; Eimear McCauley, PRO, and Committee Members Cllr Aidan Browne and Shelly Doyle.

Chairperson of Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Cllr Lisa McDonald, who is also Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District said it was great to be at the opening of the Allotments this morning. “This is a fantastic addition to the town where the entire community can come together. Well done to all involved, the LCDC look forward to continuing to support you in the future,” she concluded.

Dr. Cara Daly, Lecturer and Head of Horticulture at South East Technological University (SETU) gave a lengthy account of the relationship between horticulture and the community and outlined the satisfaction of sowing in the soil, caring for it, harvesting it and enjoying the food. “You have a growing community here and I would like to see it rolled out in all communities, and you have only been growing since April!” she added.

Amongst the attendance at the launch were Cllr George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Minister James Browne, Deputies Paul Kehoe and Brendan Howlin, Cllrs Jackser Owens, John O’Rourke, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathal Byrne and Kathleen Codd-Nolan. Mr Ger Mackey, District Manager, Enniscorthy Municipal District Council was also present.