By Dan Walsh at Council Chamber, Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy
It was easy to sense the Local Elections coming up in a matter of weeks as members were animated, and many topics got an airing at today’s March meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held in the Council Chamber at the Presentation Centre. Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Rourke presided.
Promoting Enniscorthy was very much on the agenda and Cllr Cathal Byrne had questions about providing an Interpretive Centre on Vinegar Hill, re-locating the National 1798 Rebellion Centre up there, and regretted that the Athenaeum Hall is not open to the public.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was amused to hear a reference to Vinegar Hill. “We can’t even get the signs we ordered,” quipped the Bunclody-based member who was referring to an order for modern signage that is being held up because the vacancy for a Heritage Officer hasn’t been addressed. “We certainly won’t have them for the 21st of June,” she added. She didn’t state what year!
Earlier Cllr Jackser Owens noted that “you can’t get a drink of water on Vinegar Hill”, but he came back to the table to point out many of the features missing on Vinegar Hill and the lack of opportunities to get buses up there and provide hospitality and tour guides. “We should make better use of Vinegar Hill,” suggested Cllr Owens, who feels that if the place was properly marketed it would be “a goldmine.”
Director of Services Carolyne Godkin, recognised the value of Vinegar Hill and the passion for the place, especially in Enniscorthy, but she stated that there is no money to bring it into community use now. She also pointed out that most battlefields are in remote locations and getting to them can involve long distances!
Ms. Godkin noted the call for the Interpretive Centre but stated that more land would need to be purchased, better parking facilities could be secured, but the whole process would be “very expensive.” She suggested maybe looking at the issues raised again in 2025.
As for the Athenaeum Hall on Castle Street re-opening and Wexford County Council taking charge, this reporter understands that discussions are taking place, but no further information from today’s meeting, and no mention whatsoever that access to Enniscorthy Castle grounds are padlocked in recent days denying wheelchair access to Enniscorthy Castle and rumour that the old Castle Ballroom site is destined for the property market very soon.
WexfordLocal.com 