By Dan Walsh
Public support for Gorey Market House, and in particular “keeping it in public ownership” received a strong mandate at the weekend when over 700 people signed a petition calling for urgent action from Wexford County Council to restore activity and safeguard the building for future generations with immediate urgency.
The petition was available for signing outside the Market House on Gorey’s Main Street last Saturday organised and supervised by members of North Wexford Historical Society.
There has been concerns for some time around the future of the Market House, which is vacant, needs repairs to the roof, is a listed building, and the recent closure of the Tourist Information Office and exhibition spaces used to showpiece the talent of local artists.
Cllr Joe Sullivan, who signed the petition, told WexfordLocal.com that “public ownership would mean it’s not sold or the Council entering a long-term lease agreement.”
Cllr Sullivan has also raised concerns about funding from 2019 when €429,000 was allocated under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). “It is unclear where this money has gone?”, said Cllr Sullivan, who has been seeking answers from Wexford County Council.
Market House is a listed building, dating from 1709, was home to Gorey Town Commissioners for decades and hosted the final meeting of Gorey Town Council when it was abolished in 2014.
The signatures on the petition will be brought to a future meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council where fresh pressure will be brought to bear on Wexford County Council to secure the future of the Market House.
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