By Dan Walsh
Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, visited Rosslare Strand and Kilpatrick Beaches to announce much needed funding for coastal protection at both beaches.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD said The Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed today the approval of €566,666 following an application by Wexford County Council’s for funding under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
“I have been meeting the Boxer on this to push for a resolution. Today with Boxer Moran we announced the funding approval, while the commencement and progression of any works will be announced directly by Wexford County Council.
“Our Council will use the funding to provide rock revetment coastal protection of around 200 metres in length skirting Kelly’s Hotel at an estimated cost of €750,000.
These essential works will be carried out over Winter 2026/2027 and to be completed by Spring 2027. Recent storms together with sea level rise and coastal erosion have seen much sand loss and damage inflicted upon the Blue Flag Beach at Rosslare Strand.
The immediate works will tie in with a longer-term Rosslare Strand Coastal Protection and Flood Relief Scheme which is expected to be completed by 2031. A Public Consultation Day was held by Wexford County Council and the Office of Public Works in Rosslare in August. The Scheme is expected to cost €15 million.
There was also a meeting with members of Rosslare Harbour/Kilrane Environmental Group,” said Minister Browne, who added; “This interim works funding is essential, but we will continue to press hard to get what’s needed done for Wexford.”
Wexford County Council is also to receive funding of around €1 million for the urgent Coastal Protection works at Kilpatrick Beach in North Wexford.
Welcoming the news local Independent Cllr Joe Sullivan said; “I have been campaigning particularly hard for the last three years with and on behalf of local residents at Kilpatrick for the provision of rock armour and an access road to five properties cut off for a number of years by coastal erosion.”
Cllr Sullivan thanked Minister Moran, Wexford County Council Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe, and Deputy Chief Executive Eamonn Hore for supporting the North Wexford funding application.
Local residents at Kilpatrick have long campaigned for a coastal protection scheme for the Beach which has been adversely affected by storm surges and coastal erosion in recent years. Access to some residents’ homes is across a tidal beach now making normal life very difficult for these residents.
The work will consist of about 80 metres of rock armour with a 4-metre-wide access track to a number of local properties.
Cllr Lisa Mc Donald, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council welcomed news of the Coastal Protection Funding for Rosslare Strand and Kilpatrick, “The soft sandy coastline of Co. Wexford is one of the most vulnerable in the country to the devastating effects of coastal erosion on local communities.
“These works will bring relief to the weary communities in Rosslare Strand and Kilpatrick that have endured significant coastal erosion close to their homes for many years, and it will help bring stability to these areas,” concluded Cllr McDonald.
Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Eddie Taaffe, expressed his gratitude to Minister Moran for the allocation of funding for very urgent coastal protection works at Kilpatrick and Rosslare Strand Beaches.
Cllr Ger Carthy said; “I was delighted to welcome my good friend and Independent Minister Boxer Moran to Ballyhealy this morning to discuss the very serious coastal erosion issues in the area.
“We had a very productive meeting with the Minister and senior officials from Wexford County Council. I was pleased to see the level of engagement and commitment to addressing the immediate concerns.
“I wish to personally thank Minister Moran for making the trip to Kilmore this morning, for his continued support. The work doesn’t stop here. We will continue to push for action and investment to protect Ballyhealy and its community,” concluded Cllr Carthy.
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