By Dan Walsh
The Enniscorthy Community Alliance received €98,280 from the Government’s Community Recognition Fund for renovating Captain Wafer Hall at Springvalley in the Templeshannon area of the town.
“We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly grateful for this funding from the Community Recognition Fund,” said Billy Murphy, Chairperson of the Enniscorthy Community Alliance.
“The Captain Wafer Hall has served as a cherished hub for generations of Enniscorthy residents, hosting countless events, meetings, and gatherings. This investment is a testament to its importance and will enable us to transform it into a modern, accessible, and vibrant space that can continue to serve our community for many years to come,” added Mr Murphy.
The Alliance has leased Captain Wafer Hall and is restoring it to its original state. Over the last year, the team has made minor renovations and applied for grants for major restorations.
This funding is an important milestone, but it will not fully cover the work that needs to be done so further fundraising will be taking place over the coming year.
The renovation project will restore community spaces and improve accessibility and energy efficiency.
These improvements will maintain the hall as an accommodating and practical venue for various community activities, including local meetings, classes, cultural events, and social gatherings.
Enniscorthy Community Alliance is a non-profit organisation that has supported Enniscorthy for many years through various enhancement projects and programmes.
THOMAS WAFER was born on January 11th, 1890 and was from the Shannon area of Enniscorthy.
He was apprenticed to cabinet makers, Kearney’s of Main Street, Enniscorthy, before moving to McDonagh’s in Galway. He set up his own business on the North Circular Road in Dublin, following his marriage.
He was captain of E Company, 2nd Battalion Irish Volunteers and was the officer-in-charge of the detachment that escorted the lorry of arms from Fairview Park to the GPO on Easter Monday.
Thomas Wafer died from a sniper’s bullet while holding the Hibernian Bank in Sackville Street on April 26th, 1916.
Wafer’s memory is preserved on a plaque on the house where he lived in the Shannon. Wafer Street running from Market Square (previously New Street) to Pig Market Hill is named after him. And the Captain Thomas Wafer Memorial Hall at Springvalley, at the foot of the famous ’21 Steps’.
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