13-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Historic hall in Wexford to get new lease of life with €100,000 revamp
Located at the base of the 1798 Vinegar Hill battle site, the hall was named after Captain Thomas Wafer, a local leader of the 1916 Irish Rebellion.
Built over 70 years ago as a community hub by locals, it was home to many social events and official meetings of nearby groups and clubs.
However, it has been over 15 years since the building has been utilised as a prime community space, having been left vacant for the last two years
The hall was recently taken out on lease by the Enniscorthy Community Alliance in order to bring it back into community use. A group with an interest in sustainability and community development, the hope is that it will become a prime space for collaboration.
'The Hut' will offer a unique blend of services and resources, empowering members to foster energy independence, promote sustainability, and as a result, build a stronger and more resilient community for a greener future.
Billy Murphy, Chairperson of the Enniscorthy Community Alliance explained that there is a lack of community spaces currently in the town.
"The ECA wish to carry on the legacy of the hall by reimagining the space to meet the needs of a modern day community and by naming it The Hut after those dedicated people who originally saw the need for this space for the people of Enniscorthy. There is still a need today, with very little available community gathering spaces in the town,' they said.
The refurbishment of the hall is much closer after the committee was awarded €98,280 as part of the Community Recognition Funding. In total, €673,815 was shared across nine projects across the county.
"We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly grateful for this funding from the Community Recognition Fund, said Mr Murphy. "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."
Speaking on the allocation, Senator Cathal Byrne said: 'This is fantastic news for Enniscorthy, I want to congratulate the committee who applied for the application. I'm looking forward to seeing the project as it develops over the coming weeks and months.'
Enniscorthy Community Alliance, is a not for profit organisation, which has been operating in Enniscorthy for many years. It is working on a number of projects and programmes to support the enhancement of the Enniscorthy area.
This volunteer led organisation runs a community employment scheme and most recently has secured funding from the Department of Justice to deliver two projects, one focused on youth engagement in the community through sustainability and biodiversity and will shortly be launching the 'Shannon Way' project which is focusing on improvements in the Templeshannon area of the town.
The group looks forward to commencing the renovation work in the coming months and will keep the community updated on progress.
