By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council meeting
Cllr Cathal Byrne said he welcomed “the demolition of the old Murphy Flood’s Hotel site” in Enniscorthy town centre and Cllr Jackser Owens described the existent appearance of the site as “an eyesore” at Tuesday’s meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held in the Council Chamber at the Presentation Centre.
Cllr Byrne described the site as “a strategic location” and he is optimistic about “using the location as a large retail store site.” Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was enthusiastic about the rejuvenation of the town centre and making the right decision for traffic movements. However, it was pointed out that the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan and the proposals for the old Murphy-Flood’s site are separate plans and the funding is totally unrelated.
However, there could be a spanner in the works as Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services told the members at Tuesday’s meeting that “the Murphy Flood’s site is going to be costly” (€8m was the original estimate). She also indicated that the library service may not be interested in providing funding for the proposed library on the site, a different Part 8 may be required, and Ms Godkin also hinted at the challenges of getting investors and developers involved in future plans for the old Murphy-Flood’s site!
Murphy Floods Hotel was gutted by fire in 2005 and has remained ruinous ever since. In March 2023 the site and adjoining property on Irish St. and Barrack St. was acquired by Wexford County Council who announced an €8 million plan to develop a new library building, retail units, 18 apartments and underground parking. The next step is to demolish the existing buildings and commence the new development.
Last December, WexfordLocal.com reported that Enniscorthy Municipal District Council were informed that complete demolition is planned for the early part of 2024. The Council were reported as seeking to advance a proposal to redevelop this vacant plot, which has previously secured Part 8 consent in July 2022. O’Connor Sutton Cronin Consulting Engineers were appointed in May 2023 to undertake full stage design services for the demolition and site preparation elements of the scheme. There were also delays with legal issues and complaints by elected representatives.
A tender competition to appoint a works contractor for the demolition works on site has been completed and a works contract awarded to John Tinnelly & Sons. Phase 1 works will commence on site in August 2024, according to Council sources.
There are fears locally that following the demolition of the overgrown site, “a hole in the ground” may be the legacy for a long time to come?
WexfordLocal.com 