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Irish Independent
01-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Community turns up in droves at historic building in Wexford for final time ahead of regeneration project
Gorey Guardian Today at 07:00 Wexford County Council hosted successful Open Days at the Gorey Market House recently, where members of the community and visitors to Gorey were given the chance to see the iconic building as it stands before the initial phase of the regeneration project begins. The Market House, located on Main Street, holds a significant place in the town's history. The affection the local community have for the building was evident in the interest and enthusiasm shown for the regeneration project during the open days. District Manager Philip Knight expressed his gratitude to the large public turnout, highlighting the strong community connection to the building. 'We are thrilled by the overwhelming interest and support shown during these Open Days. The Market House will soon be transformed into a vibrant social and community hub, inspired by the innovative European Bauhaus Principles that guide this regeneration project,' he said. During the open days on Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24, local historian, Willie Willoughby, conducted talks on the rich history of the Market House. Attendees were captivated by stories recently uncovered, including the early days of the Gorey Credit Union operating within the building and a story about how a friendship began when two ladies received keys to their new home many years ago in the chamber office. Throughout the Open Days, video interviews were conducted with local residents, business owners, and community groups to capture their memories and hopes for the future of the Market House. These interviews will form part of ongoing project updates to keep the public informed as the regeneration progresses. Catherine Connaughton, Project Officer from the EU Programmes Division of the Southern Regional Assembly, was also present for the open days. 'The incredible community response to the Gorey Market House Open Days reflects exactly what THRIVE is all about, putting people, place and pride in local heritage at the heart of local development. "By working with the community to reimagine this historic space, we're supporting a shared vision for a vibrant, inclusive town centre. It was a pleasure to hear memories from those connected to this building over the years,' said Catherine. The Gorey Market House project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027, and Wexford County Council.
Irish Times
05-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Ireland's mobile saunas in danger of being killed off by red tape and bureaucratic confusion
It's best to hold your breath if you happen to be jumping into an old whiskey barrel filled with ice-cold water after a session of serious sweating at one of Ireland's new mobile saunas, like the one at Redbarn Beach in Youghal, Co Cork. However, mobile sauna owners around the coast won't be holding theirs as they wait for local authorities to develop bylaws to facilitate, licence and regulate these operations. Bureaucratic confusion and acres of red tape are threatening the future of this burgeoning business. [ Mysterious sweathouses were used widely in Ireland until late 19th century. Now sauna culture is making a comeback Opens in new window ] For now, it seems the sunny southeast county of Wexford will remain sauna-free, after executives told county councillors at a recent municipal district meeting that it was imposing 'a blanket ban' on mobile saunas until further notice. 'Our environment section is very nervous about anything which involves fires around beaches – it also has misgivings about how environmentally friendly the saunas are,' said Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD) district manager Philip Knight. Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Sullivan pulled no punches when he challenged the decision to take such a 'sledgehammer approach', arguing that 'bylaws could be changed, if the will was there'. 'Five years ago we had the same discussion about horseboxes and coffee,' he said. 'And now there's more coffee in horseboxes than horses.' READ MORE Down the coast in Kerry, the official line is a bit more complex. Last September, Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris put forward a motion to allow mobile saunas to come under beach-trading bylaws. She cited the fact that since the Covid-19 pandemic, the rise in the popularity of sea-swimming had led to an increase in the numbers of such saunas around the coast. [ 'It's a hilariously wonderful idea': Coastal saunas a hot ticket amid icy Irish temperatures Opens in new window ] Lauding the reported benefits of these leisure activities for mental and physical health, she argued that saunas were benefiting local communities as well as offering a new niche tourism product. In response, Kerry County Council committed to carrying out a review of current casual trading bylaws to check if amendments could be made to them to facilitate the sauna businesses. A subsequent report by the council's chief executive confirmed that it would issue pilot licenses to two saunas, one at Banna beach and the second at Ballyheigue, while it went through the protracted process of drafting and adopting suitable bylaws. Interestingly, Banna and Ballyheigue beaches are only 9km apart, while the entire coastline of Co Kerry is 886km in length. There are about six other saunas along the Kerry coastline, and at least 40 along the coast in Cork. I happen to be familiar with all of this because my daughter operates a mobile sauna at one of the beaches in Co Kerry. She welcomes the county council's decision to implement a pilot study and looks forward to the regulation and licensing of her business. Indeed, she is a member of a group of 108 sauna operators, some of whom are in the process of creating an association to protect and regulate the industry. She first wrote to Kerry County Council in 2023 requesting a permit. The latest response, in early April, from its environment department states: 'To the best of our knowledge there are no plans that we are aware of in this section to extend [the pilot study on Banna and Ballyheigue beaches] this to other car parks or areas around the county.' [ Rise of the seaside sauna: 'Sitting semi-naked with people I didn't know was out of my comfort zone' Opens in new window ] Five years have passed since the pandemic led to a surge in interest in new ways to enjoy our coastline. Once again though, the world of officialdom is on the back-foot, smothered by regulations and red tape. The colourful and poetic names of these wood-burning barrel-shaped healing oases tell their own story: among them are Bosca Beatha, Wild Wellness, Sauna Suaimhneas, Sabhna, and my daughter's Samhradh's Sauna named after her much loved dog. Owners are more often than not passionate about the outdoors, alternative lifestyles and the lost magic of our heritage. From salt scrubs to drumming workshops, Celtic tales and al fresco feasts around the summer solstice, these saunas are adding another layer to our culture. Could it be that our conservative establishment is suspicious of some of these operators, since they often don't fit the stereotype of business owners? It is not as if they are a totally new phenomenon in Ireland. Studies confirm that there were over 300 known stone sweat-houses in Ireland, some of which dated back to Celtic times. As Rosanna Cooney – author of a new book, Sweathouse – puts it, 'they were very much part of the people's apothecary'. The contemporary sauna is no longer built like a cairn of stones or heated by turf, but the sense of wellbeing it offers remains much the same. The distinctive smell of wood-fired saunas adds to the sensual experience, particularly since many of them offer panoramic seascapes to be enjoyed while sweating in 90 degrees Celsius in the dry heat – no matter how wild the weather is outside. The reported health benefits of being immersed this immense heat followed by a plunge in cold water are said to include an increase in the rate of metabolism, and an improvement in blood pressure, along with cardiovascular benefits. Surely it is a no-brainer for our local authorities to fast-track proper provisions for this wonderful new industry? [ Rediscovering Ireland's sea sauna tradition: 'It's like a modern-day pub, except you leave feeling great' Opens in new window ] As Shirley Fitzpatrick, owner of Bosca Beatha, one of the first such saunas in the country, says: 'It would be great if our county councils came together, communicated with each other and pooled their resources on how to support these small businesses.'
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
New shed will allow Gorey Tidy Towns to ensure the town looks its best for all who ‘live, work and visit' there
Gorey Guardian On the grand scale of things the opening of a shed might not seem the biggest of events but for all those involved in Gorey Tidy Towns (GTT) it was a day of celebration as they gathered to officially unveil their new facility. Located in the Civic Square car park, the funding for the shed was provided under the Gorey Community Works Grant Scheme 2024 through Wexford County Council (WCC). Having outgrown its old shed, GTT required a larger space to store its tools and equipment and were able to purchase one thanks to the funding sourced through the scheme. The group oversees the activities of a team of volunteers as well as Tús and Community Employment Scheme (CES) workers who carry out maintenance in public areas around the town. These activities include mowing, weeding, planting, kerbing, trimming back vegetation and litter picking. Gorey Tidy Towns maintains around 15 flower beds and green spaces across the town. 'We are so thankful to Wexford County Council's Community Works Grant Scheme for supporting us in acquiring this new facility,' said John Woodbyrne, Chairperson of Gorey Tidy Towns. 'We want to especially recognise the help of Gorey/Kilmuckridge Municipal District Manager, Philip Knight, who organised the site works for the installation of the shed.' In keeping with the Gorey Tidy Towns policy of supporting local businesses where possible, the shed was supplied by Adman Sheds, Ballycanew Road, Gorey, while the base was installed by Ballinakill, Ferns. 'We are absolutely delighted with the shed,' said John. 't will stand us in good stead for the coming years as we are busier than ever ensuring Gorey continues to look its best for all who live, work and visit here.'
