Only those with ‘strong and enduring connections' to Wexford will have plaques erected in their honour
Due to a 'high level of demand' the Wexford Borough District (WBD) has created a set of procedures and policies for those who wish to have plaques erected in public spaces. Noting that there is often an 'emotive nature' to requests where people are recently deceased, the WBD has stated that there is nonetheless a 'need to ensure that a proliferation of plaques does not detract from the wider amenity and enjoyment of public spaces'.
Asking that all proposals be officially submitted in writing, the WBD said a number of criteria need to be met before an application will be considered.
'The person must have been born or lived in the Wexford Borough District or have had strong and/or enduring connections with the Borough district,' it says in its Procedures and Policy Document. 'The person must have made a unique and outstanding contribution to the life or history of the Wexford Borough through outstanding achievement, distinctive service or significant community contributions.
'In the case of an event to be commemorated it must have occurred in the WBD and it will have to have occurred at least 50 years previously, unless it is of extraordinary and long-lasting consequence to the town.'
Under the new procedures and policies, applications to commemorate living persons 'will not be considered' and nominees will have to have died at least 20 years previously.
While all costs associated with the fabrication and maintenance of the plaques will be borne by the proposer, WBD will undertake to install any plaques.
At the May meeting of the WBD, Councillor Tom Forde requested a slight amendment to the document.
'The criteria that they must have been born or have a long-lasting connection to the district, how rigid is that going to be?' he asked. 'We had a campaign to have a plaque of Frederick Douglass erected at the Arts Centre because he visited Wexford during The Famine, there was great interest in it afterwards. Figures like that who weren't born here or have an enduring connection, but were great historical figures, should be honoured.'
In addition to that amendment, Cllr Leonard Kelly asked that QR codes become part of any new plaques in the district so that those viewing the plaques could learn more about the figure or event in question.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Only those with ‘strong and enduring connections' to Wexford will have plaques erected in their honour
Due to a 'high level of demand' the Wexford Borough District (WBD) has created a set of procedures and policies for those who wish to have plaques erected in public spaces. Noting that there is often an 'emotive nature' to requests where people are recently deceased, the WBD has stated that there is nonetheless a 'need to ensure that a proliferation of plaques does not detract from the wider amenity and enjoyment of public spaces'. Asking that all proposals be officially submitted in writing, the WBD said a number of criteria need to be met before an application will be considered. 'The person must have been born or lived in the Wexford Borough District or have had strong and/or enduring connections with the Borough district,' it says in its Procedures and Policy Document. 'The person must have made a unique and outstanding contribution to the life or history of the Wexford Borough through outstanding achievement, distinctive service or significant community contributions. 'In the case of an event to be commemorated it must have occurred in the WBD and it will have to have occurred at least 50 years previously, unless it is of extraordinary and long-lasting consequence to the town.' Under the new procedures and policies, applications to commemorate living persons 'will not be considered' and nominees will have to have died at least 20 years previously. While all costs associated with the fabrication and maintenance of the plaques will be borne by the proposer, WBD will undertake to install any plaques. At the May meeting of the WBD, Councillor Tom Forde requested a slight amendment to the document. 'The criteria that they must have been born or have a long-lasting connection to the district, how rigid is that going to be?' he asked. 'We had a campaign to have a plaque of Frederick Douglass erected at the Arts Centre because he visited Wexford during The Famine, there was great interest in it afterwards. Figures like that who weren't born here or have an enduring connection, but were great historical figures, should be honoured.' In addition to that amendment, Cllr Leonard Kelly asked that QR codes become part of any new plaques in the district so that those viewing the plaques could learn more about the figure or event in question.
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Wexford chief exec admits council needs to ‘get our hands on more land and up our housing delivery in villages'
There may be only three members of Sinn Féin among Wexford's 34 councillors, but they were determined to make their presence felt, and voices heard, at a special meeting held to discuss housing delivery in the county. Prior to the meeting, held in County Hall, Sinn Féin's Tom Forde, Aoife Rose O'Brien, and Craig Doyle, submitted a number of questions to chief executive of WCC Eddie Taaffe regarding ongoing housing issues in Wexford. The first of these focused on the target set by the government's Housing For All plan which requires WCC to deliver 1150 social houses in the county between 2022-26. With the council expected to surpass that target by 30 per cent, the Sinn Féin representatives asked Mr Taaffe if that target was too low.
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Wexford to create ‘sister city' relationship with Ukrainian region – ‘It's about enhancing inclusion, peace, and prosperity'
Wexford People Today at 23:00 Wexford town is to enter into a sister city partnership with Nizhyn in Ukraine in what has been described as a move to promote 'inclusion and peace' throughout the respective areas. Having visited Wexford, Mayor of Nizhyn, Oleksandr Kodola, wrote to the Wexford Borough District to request that an official relationship be established. "I would like to extend my sincere thanks for the warm welcome and kind hospitality shown to me during my recent visit to Wexford,' he said. 'I am truly grateful for Ireland's continued support for Ukraine during these difficult times. The solidarity of the Irish people – and particularly the people of Wexford – is deeply appreciated. I was especially moved by the opening of the Sunflower Ukrainian Hub, which stands as a powerful symbol of compassion and unity. 'In light of this, and the evident spirit of mutual respect between our communities, I would like to express my sincere interest in the possibility of establishing a twinning partnership between Nizhyn and Wexford. I believe such a partnership could lay the foundation for meaningful co-operation in areas such as cultural exchange, educational engagement, and long-term community connection. 'Nizhyn and Wexford share many common values – rich historical traditions, a strong sense of local identity, and a commitment to community life. I believe these shared qualities create a strong foundation for meaningful cooperation.' Mayor Kodola's invitation was discussed further at the April meeting of the Wexford Borough District with all councillors agreeing that accepting it would send a strong message out to the wider world. 'Rather than a twinning process this would see Nizhyn become our sister city,' said the Mayor of Wexford, Councillor Catherine Biddy Walsh. 'It's a movement that seeks to improve relations with cities around the world, with people around the world, it's about enhancing inclusion, peace, and prosperity. "It would be wonderful to establish a link with them and let them know we haven't forgotten them and Wexford is a welcoming place for their people.' A proposal to formally accept the invitation was made by Cllr Robbie Staples with Cllr Ray Shannon seconding it.
