By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting
Cllr Jackser Owens has described as “an eyesore” the present streetscape at the derelict so-called Murphy-Flood’s site in Enniscorthy town centre and is calling for fresh hording to cover up the ‘eyesore’. He made the call at last month’s meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council and magnified his sentiments at last Monday’s meeting of Wexford County Council.
Cllr Owen’s renewed his call “now that we own it”, a general reference to the transfer of ownership to Wexford County Council, however, from my investigations today a few auctioneer notices are still in place, and some read simply “sale agreed”?
The hoarding shields the area once occupied by the iconic Murphy-Flood’s Hotel that was destroyed by fire on Sunday, September 25th, 2005, at 8.30pm, shortly after it was sold for €3.1 million, and nowadays is allegedly used for drug deal activities and anti-social behaviour. A chirpy and environmentally friendly colony of birds have found occupation in the old Irish Street Stores building.
Plans for Enniscorthy town centre would see the site redeveloped to accommodate a modern, mixed-use purpose built building to include a new modern library for Enniscorthy, commercial units, 18 residential apartments and basement parking in a major project with an estimated cost of approximately €8 million.
Wexford County Council Planning Section, in collaboration with Loci Urban Design Architecture and Planning has developed a strategic plan for Enniscorthy town centre, which was adopted at last December’s meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
This long-term strategic plan identifies the key infrastructural projects that have the potential to act as catalysts for social, economic and physical regeneration of the town centre. It includes Market Square, Main Street, Castle Hill, Templeshannon and the Castle Quarter (Castle Hill, Castle St, Slaney St.?) as initial projects to be advanced.
Moloney O’Bernie Architects have been appointed to prepare preliminary designs and Part VIII planning application for the Market Square and the Castle Quarter by July and September respectively to support the Call 4 application for Enniscorthy.
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