€1m Emigrant Park opens at New Ross

By Dan Walsh at New Ross

The €1 million Emigrant Park located beside the boardwalk, with its eternal flame, and enhances the Dunbrody Visitor Centre on the quayside at New Ross was officially opened today by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.

The Park, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Rural Regeneration & Development Fund (RRDF) and Wexford County Council, is located on the site formerly used as a gasworks and later occupied by five large oil tanks, capable of storage for 4.61 million litres of fuel oil that were removed, and the site decontaminated in 2021.

Speaking at the opening, Minister Humphreys said; “New Ross is a town with a vibrant history and this project has regenerated a key site in the town, creating a compelling a high-quality amenity for visitors who come to New Ross. Delivered with funding of €814,000 from my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, this project has completely transformed the old oil tank site into an attractive waterfront promenade and open space.”

Cllr John Fleming said; “I am delighted as Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, to see the opening of this wonderful park, particularly during my tenure as Cathaoirleach and in my own District. Thank you to Minister Humphreys and the Department of Rural and Community Development for providing the significant funding for the park and to my fellow Wexford County Councillors for their funding allocation towards it also.”

Cllr Anthony Connick, Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District added; “I would like to welcome you all to New Ross’ Emigrant Park which will be a beautiful addition to the Quay front. Thank you to all involved in this project, especially Minister Humphreys’ Department who provided the funding, along with Wexford County Council. the Consultants, Contractors and the Executive and Special Projects team in Wexford County Council, for getting the project to where it is today. I especially want to commend our Director Eamonn Hore, who yet again has brought his ideas and creativity, to fruition. The park is a tribute to those generations who left the quay, hoping for a better life and will be a welcome place for current and future generations to rest and play and reflect on the Emigrant story.”

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright warmly welcomed the opening of The Emigrant Park and thanked all those involved in bringing this project from an idea to a magnificent public realm space, representing and commemorating the emigration story of New Ross. “We are very grateful to the Department of Rural & Community Development for supporting this project and to the Elected Members of Wexford County Council for providing the significant match funding which has transformed a site which for many years had rusting oil tanks to a superb public park.” 

Mr Enright continued; “I would like to thank all who worked on this project, including Director of Services Eamonn Hore and the New Ross Municipal District Team, Sean Meyler, David Whitty and all the Special Projects Team, Consultant Fehily Timoney with their partners Brady Shipman Martin, all of the many sub-contractors, and of course the main Contractors MJS Civil, for their excellent work on this project.”

There were contributions from the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Nancy Smyth and the Irish Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Eamonn McKee. Director of Services and Acting Chief Executive, Eamonn Hore, also addressed the fine attendance present.

The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, T.D., Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllrs Michael Sheehan, George Lawlor and Ger Carthy.

Alan Fitzharris, New Ross District Manager, acted as master of ceremonies. The new Emigrant Park was jointly blessed with prayers from Rev. Thomas Orr, C.C., New Ross, The Reverend Bruce Hayes, Dean of Waterford and Rector of Waterford Union of Parishes and Hafid Tribak, Muslim Imam. Music was provided by Marc Redmond.

The theme of The Emigrant Park reflects the maritime and emigration heritage and history of the port of New Ross and is finely laid out with seating facilities, a carved figure, and a play area, looking out towards the River Barrow and the former embarkation point for countless numbers of emigrants, the vast majority were never to see their homes and families again and set out to make a fresh life for themselves in the New World.