Courtown Riverchapel Town First Plan is adopted

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Civic Offices

The Courtown Riverchapel Town Centre First Plan was adopted by the Town Team at a meting on Monday and the final draft was presented at Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held in Gorey Civic Offices. Cathaoirleach Cllr Donal Kenny presided.

The report was presented by Mick McCormack, Town First Regeneration Officer who told the meeting; “We now look forward to starting the process of enabling the Plan which will require significant capital investment to bring these projects to fruition,” and he added: “Armed with a strategic urban renewal plan that has been endorsed by the community we are well placed to compete for the national funding streams that can make these ambitions a reality.”

Explaining the background to the Plan, Mr McCormick said; “We established a Town Team in Gorey/Riverchapel in June 2024 which reflected the broader community and business sector in Courtown/Riverchapel. We held 14 meetings in this time – 16 months – and engaged in extensive consultation with the community in delivering a Town First Plan that reflects the needs and ambitions for the area.”

Cathaoirleach Cllr Kenny led the support of the members and officials for the delivery of the Plan. Cllr Pip Breen said “I didn’t think this day would even happen. We were through tough times and there was a lot of negativity along the way” and he added that the marina was the key and the hotel deserved support.

Cllr Darragh McDonald expressed his full support for the Plan, but lamented that “the Plan doesn’t extend to the Burrow Road” and he claimed; “It’s a mistake that needs to be included, and parking is a huge concern!”

Cllr Anthony Donohoe was of the view that “the marina is the key to lifting Courtown back up.”

Consultant Dr Conor Norton told the meeting that “the marina is a project in its own right”, but admitted “there is broad support for the marina.”

However, the Plan states that “the Coastal Destination Courtown which refers to Courtown beach nourishment and the marina development project is a two-phase initiative led by Wexford County Council aimed at restoring the coastal environment and revitalising Courtown’s tourism and marine economy.”

Director of Services, Liz Hore, admitted that “the marina is the key”, but we should now prioritise the Plan. “It is a real achievement and a roadmap and a framework for the future,” she concluded.