Launch of Wexford town heritage plan

By Dan Walsh

Her Worship the Mayor, Cllr Maura Bell, officially launched the Heritage-Led Regeneration Plan for Wexford Town in Wexford Arts Centre today (Friday) with funding from the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Historic Towns Initiative.

Cllr Bell said; “I am delighted to officially launch the heritage-led regeneration plan for Wexford. I have been closely associated with heritage in Wexford during my years as manager of the Irish National Heritage Park and the wider tourism community in Co. Wexford. This plan for Wexford builds on great work already done in our town, which is steeped in history from the Vikings to the present day.”

Deputy Chief Executive Eamonn Hore said he was delighted to attend the launch of this dedicated heritage plan for Wexford. “The Historic Towns Initiative relies on the strength of local communities and businesses to regenerate their historic town and supported by local and national government and other agencies committed to improving the quality of life for the area” stated Mr Hore.

CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan said the launch of this heritage-led regeneration plan for Wexford town is an enormous step forward for the safeguarding and protection of so many things that make Wexford unique. “It is a town that has always retained a strong sense of its historic character, from its medieval Anglo-Norman walls, churches and street layout, right through to its Georgian and Victorian terraces. This plan ensures these distinctive features will be cared for into the future. The plan is further evidence of the positive impact of our Historic Towns Initiative, run in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Heritage Council is proud to be associated with the project,” added Ms. Teehan.

The plan was undertaken by consultants Urban Scale Interventions with assistance from the Heritage Section of Wexford County Council. Extensive public consultation formed part of the plan process to ensure that as many views were captured as possible.

The Historic Towns Initiative promotes heritage-led regeneration and strives to improve the quality of historic towns and villages for residents and tourists.