By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle
“We do need a plan to secure investment for the town (Enniscorthy), but it is also about a vision and set of principles rather than a plan and we need to have a positive conversation regards the future of our town,” Minister James Browne TD said at the launch of the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan at Enniscorthy Castle last night (Thursday). Minister Browne was deputising for Minister Heather Humphreys who had another engagement.
Cllr John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, also praised the plan and urged the town to get behind the proposed developments and he welcomed the invited guests to the town and thanked them for their support.
Cllr Aidan Browne, who is chair of the team thanked Minister Browne, members of Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce, and members of the Enniscorthy Town First team for their support and he referred to ‘the three town centre projects’ that are highlighted in the report.
Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright, outlined a few plans for Enniscorthy, but he urged Enniscorthy to “be brave, be ambitious” and he described the plan as “a major milestone” for the town.
Conor Norton of Urban Design and Architecture, who addressed the public consultation event in the Riverside Park Hotel last August, and in fairness, views from that meeting are included in the final report, addressed the gathering, but he allowed the plan to talk for itself and hoped that good things will emerge for the future of Enniscorthy.
The vision statement is as follows; “Enniscorthy Town Centre will be a sustainable, thriving, beautiful and welcoming place of unique sense of pride and quality of life. Its regeneration will be for the benefit of the community, for all those working there, and for its many visitors and admirers.
“The Town Centre will be the social and cultural heart of Enniscorthy, where a rich diversity of businesses and activities will flourish and be sustained.
“Enniscorthy Town Centre will be a safe, accessible and attractive place for all, including children, older people and families. The Town Centre will be a model for sustainable energy, the circular economy and climate action at local level. The regeneration of the town centre will be pursued as a collaborative partnership.”
Town Regeneration Officer Mick McCormick also addressed the launch, welcomed the attendance and acted as master of ceremonies.
The Enniscorthy Town Centre First Team consists of Cllr Aidan Browne (chair), Niall Byrne (Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce), Nicky Murphy (Enniscorthy Traders Association), Colm Neville (Visit Wexford Tourism), Mico Hassett (Culture), Dervla Tierney (Enniscorthy Community Forum), Syl Hipwell (Enniscorthy Garda Division), Margaret Nolan (Industry), Kieran Donohoe (FDYS Youth), Clare Ryan (WLD), Maria Nolan (Sports), Mick McCormick (Town Regeneration Officer) and Claire Lawless (District Manager, Enniscorthy Municipal District).
The attendance at the meeting included Michael Dempsey, Chair of Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce, Jimmy Gahan, Communications Officer, Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce, and other invited guests.
OPINION; I haven’t been able to read the Plan in full, but perusing though its 60-pages, it looks like a very comprehensive plan and it is interesting that suggestions from last August’s public forum held in the Riverside Park Hotel, have been added to the draft report available back then. It is a vision and a lifeline to sustain the town going forward in changing times while the goodwill is there to preserve the character of the town and build on its history and heritage.
I don’t see it as just focusing on the town centre, although that is the brief, but it includes the whole town and its immediate environs. It is now part of the way forward, the hunt goes on for funding, and a changing Enniscorthy has been launched. Incidentally, copies of the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan is freely available to members of the public with an interest at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council from today (Friday).
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