An Opinion Piece by Dan Walsh
Courtown featured in an RTE News package during the week where the emphasis was on coastal erosion, climate change and the effectiveness, or not, of the rock armour development and a focus where the sea has gone beyond rock armour.
I am regularly in Courtown and support the locals who need to rejuvenate a seaside resort that has much to offer and to get the tourists back!
However, I took a walk from the village last Thursday and I was amazed by the number of ‘No No’ signs, some of which I have published here, which does not sit friendly with the tourism trade.
Wexford County Council Beach Bye-laws have taken the fun out of visiting the beaches – not just Courtown, it is a coastal issue. It is not tourist friendly and is damaging.
Add in the suggestion raising its head lately that the owners of holiday homes should be forced to have their property occupied in the off-season to satisfy the Council and the crazy season becomes a fireworks display!
I will let the various signs speak for themselves!
Many people in Courtown are lamenting the old days when the place was packed during the summer season, the great days of theatre in the hotels and the big bands playing in the ballroom. The picnic on the beach, The fun and the freedom… all gone.
I was there the day, not very long ago, when the District Manager announced a ban on the kiddie’s train. The matter went to the District Council… end of story! It was a health and safety matter they said.
Children and teenagers used to enjoy jumping into the basin. Looking out for each other and having the time of their lives! Banned!
We all know the value of health and safety – it is paramount, but it’s governed by signage and CCTV which has limited credibility and ceases to work properly when footage is sought by the authorities. Nobody physically controlling the regulations and pandering to the greedy insurance interests.
Modern Courtown is struggling. Low footfall, a notable absence of young and old people, the family units no way near what it used to be. It is time for action from the elected members both at Oireachtas and Council level… and urgent action is needed!
However, there is some good news this week. New Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan is happy that work has commenced on the reinstatement of the damaged and closed slipway at Courtown beach.
“This work should be complete within about four days and the people of Courtown and tourists can look forward to a long hot summer of enjoyment of the beach,” Cllr Sullivan told WexfordLocal.com and rightfully added; “Thank you to Director of Services for Environment Eamonn Hore and Environmental Area Officer for Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, Enda Brennan, for their input to this project and indeed the local people of Courtown whose lobbying have brought this about.”
WexfordLocal.com 