Latest news with #WexfordBoroughDistrict
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
New Wexford housing development to be named in honour of the Knights of Saint John
A new housing development in Wexford town is to be named in honour of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem who settled in the area in the 12th century. Revealing details of the eight-unit development on Belvedere Road in Wexford town, county architect Shay Howell said it would consist of a duplex, three two-bed units, and four one-bed units. Mr Howell brought this information to the May meeting of the Wexford Borough District where he provided two suggestions for the naming of the new development. 'There was a bit of research done on this and two things came out of it,' he said. 'It's in St. John's Parish, which used to be known as the St. John's Knights in the twelfth century. Also the area is historically linked to the St. Iberius Ward. We looked at some Irish names for this and came up with Cluain Ridire, which means Knight's Meadow. The alternative is Bealach Iberius which means Iberius Way.'
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Politics
- 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
03-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Why some Wexford residents fear another ‘week of hell' with upcoming Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
While many business owners are eagerly awaiting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025, for some Wexford residents the prospect of more than 650,000 people descending upon the town is proving less than appealing. Describing the 2024 edition as 'a week of hell', a Wexford county councillor has said those living in Bride Street have asked that organisers of this year's event meet with them to discuss the impact it will have on them. Cllr Ray Shannon relayed their concerns at the April meeting of the Wexford Borough District (WBD). 'The people in Bride St had great difficulty accessing their own homes during the Fleadh last year, is there anyone who could meet with them to discuss this?' he asked. 'At the moment they are planning on putting an objection in. They're not anti-Fleadh, they're just anti having it outside their homes. They said they had a week of hell last year. It's very unfair on them.' Having witnessed first-hand how last year's event was organised, Cllr Shannon's colleagues also had some suggestions as to how the 2025 edition could be improved. 'With regards to parking, is there any way we can make it more accessible for those with disabilities?" asked Cllr Robbie Staples. 'Also, in terms of transport from rural areas like Crossabeg, Castlebridge, and Curracloe, is there a possibility buses could be extended out to those villages? It would keep more cars off the road and logistically it makes sense.' Transport was also on Cllr Tom Forde's mind with his concerns centring around the loss of earnings for local taxi drivers. 'A lot of the drivers were not happy with the move from Dunne's Stores to 1798 St, they said they were down significant earnings as a result. I know it's not a long distance away but the drivers said that a lot of people weren't aware of where to go. They have asked that the rank be left where it is.' Fielding their queries and vowing to look into these issues, council official Eimear Kennedy said that one of the primary concerns for festival organisers was finding accommodation for those making their way to Wexford in August. 'We're looking for accommodation providers, if any members of the public have a spare room they might consider making it available. The biggest requirement for accommodation will be from the Thursday – Sunday, from August 7-10, it will prove more difficult to find someone to stay for the other days.'
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wexford tour guide says council's on-street advertising ban will ‘kill my business stone dead'
However, the WexWalks owner now feels like the future of his business is hanging in the balance as a result of a new zero tolerance approach being taken by Wexford County Council in relation to sandwich boards and bollard sleeves advertising local businesses. At a meeting of the Wexford Borough District back in February, the local authority confirmed that they would be getting tough on signs placed around the Main Street which 'make it harder for people to get around'. "We will be sending our workers out and if they come across them, they'll just be picking them up and taking them away,' District Manager Anthony Bailey said. 'They'll go straight into waste and will be destroyed too, because we won't be paying to store them.' Last week, Paul Walsh of WexWalks received correspondence from the District Manager, advising him that 'advertising structures on or along public paths and roadways is not permitted' and asking him to 'reconsider use of the above.' The letter stated that from May 2, sandwich boards and bollard sleeves would be taken away and destroyed by Wexford County Council crews. For Paul, this is a huge issue. 'I totally get that there are some signs out there that are a nuisance,' he said. 'I'm a health and safety officer myself. I've carefully placed my sign in The Bullring so that it's no obstruction to wheelchairs, strollers or people walking. There's plenty of room.' Having carried out a survey among his customers, Paul says that 36% of his customers are people who came across his sign on the Main Street. "I don't have a shopfront," he said. 'This is my shopfront. I know they'll say there's always social media and things like that, but the average age of my customers is 55 to 70. Most of them don't do social media. I had three tours last weekend and every one of them found me through my board in The Bullring. "The council have been very good to me in the past,' he continued. 'They were always fair. But I need to talk to someone about this. If my board has to go, then I'm going to need some kind of alternative, be that a sign on a pole or something else.' Given Wexford County Council's apparent emphasis on growing the number of visitors into the town, Paul feels that making things difficult for small operators like him is counter-productive. "Things are hard enough out there as it is,' he said. 'Tourism is down 30% in Ireland at the moment and 80% of that is American tourists. That's my bread and butter. If I lose the 36% of my business that comes from my board, then I'm gone. "I also like to think I'm doing my bit when I'm out there. When I'm standing in The Bullring in my costume, with the physical tourist office now closed, people regularly come up to me and ask me questions. I couldn't tell you how many times I've pointed people in the direction of local restaurants, hotels, shops and attractions.' Paul says that he has approached Wexford County Council and the District Manager with a bid to find a solution, with the clock ticking, however, he has yet to hear back from anyone. "If I can't get some kind of solution here, this will kill my business stone dead,' he said. 'I'm not angry or bitter about it, I just want someone to talk to me to come up with a workable solution.' Citing Cream Café in Henrietta Street as another example of an impacted business, local councillor Raymond Shannon has accused the council of being 'heavy-handed' and making things difficult for local businesses. "These people are bringing business to the town and we should be supporting them," he said. 'We'll have Guinness and Heineken rolling into town in a couple of months for the Fleadh with all kinds of huge banners and posters and not a word about it. "We need to be supporting these businesses. Describing it as littering, I just don't understand. In terms of them being obstacles for people with disabilities or visual impairments, I understand the point. But are any of these signs any more of a hazard than the flower pots and chairs that are being put outside of pubs? "We need to find some kind of compromise here that works for the traders involved, especially at a time when businesses are closing on the Main Street and footfall is down.'
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Politics
- 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.
