Latest news with #WicklowMunicipalDistrict
Irish Independent
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘Largest bike pump track in Ireland' prepares for October opening
The project is a collaboration between Wicklow County Council and the Wicklow Town Team, who secured funding of €225,000 for the long-awaited works for a purpose-built track from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme last year. Plans for the pump track date back to 2022 and upon its completion, it is believed this will be the largest BMX pump track in the country. The best-in-class asphalt covered pump track promises to provide many hours of activity and enjoyment for all ages and abilities. It also has the potential to host events and competitions, which may come as welcome news to Ireland's BMX racers. The cohort received a large dose of inspiration last month when Ireland's Carly Hayes from Dublin finished 13th overall in the Girls 16 category at the BMX World Championships in Denmark. It is hoped works on the new Wicklow pump track will be completed by the end of September in time for opening by the end of October. The Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Graham Richmond, said: 'I was down at the site yesterday and it looks great. It will be a wonderful addition to the offerings we have in Wicklow town, and should attract visitors from far and wide. "Hopefully it is the start of more recreational facilities in and around the town, because the town has been short of these sorts of facilities for too long. If you don't provide these types of recreational facilities then it can lead to anti-social behaviour. 'We have had a lot of building taking place in Wicklow town and surrounding areas in recent years, but we need to have the proper infrastructure in place to match this growth. This will be a state-of-the-art pump track, suitable for all levels and age groups. "It will be the largest bike pump track in Ireland and should also help provide Wicklow town with a boost in the numbers of visitors. It's all very positive and hopefully the works should be completed before the end of September, in time for an official opening in October.' Welcoming the development of the pump track, and the short timeline to its completion, Pascal Burke, chair of Wicklow Town Team, acknowledged the great support provided for this project by the Wicklow Municipal District staff and its councillors by saying that this is another great example of what can be achieved for the local community by all interested parties working constructively together. The first full BMX track in Ireland was opened in Ratoath, Co Meath in November 2011. Now there are tracks in Cork, Dublin, Lisburn, and down the road from Wicklow in Courtown. Most recently tracks were opened in Dungarvan, Co Waterford and in the Dodder Valley Park in Dublin. The latter has been described by developers Velosolutions as the "largest full asphalt pump track in Ireland," with a total area of 1,300 square metres. Bike Park Ireland in Tipperary also describes their pump track as the largest in Ireland, but unfortunately the facility has been closed since 2019 due to insurance costs.
Irish Independent
30-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Residents of mouldy, leaking, rat-infested Wicklow estate demand end to 19 years of issues
Council-owned homes have been described as 'glorified garages' that you wouldn't let a dog live in Wicklow People Residents of a Wicklow housing estate have shared details of the litany of issues they are continuously having to deal with, including damp, mould, leaks and rodent infestations, as they staged a protest on Monday afternoon calling for action. Hillview Estate in Wicklow town was the focus of an RTÉ Prime Time feature, aired last week, and the residents further highlighted their plight by holding a 20-strong protest outside Wicklow Town Hall, just before the monthly meeting of Wicklow Municipal District.
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wicklow Courthouse and extra parking need to be a priority to allow town flourish
Speaking during the June meeting of the Wicklow Municipal District, Cllr Paul O' Brien expressed the need to 'stamp out the negativity that has crept into the way they carry out their work in recent months'. In agreement Cllr John Snell said they were at a political disadvantage if only the chair and vice chair are elected to these teams, which allows them access to their meetings. Currently the team's steering committee comprises the seven chairs of their working groups, a representative from Wicklow Town and District Chamber of Commerce, two elected members of Wicklow Municipal District and officials of Wicklow County Council. In response Cllr Danny Alvey said the team will always welcome feedback and input from elected members in the district. 'Town teams are important entities that need more support. We are working closely with town regeneration officer Stephen Clarke to get a similar team set up in Rathdrum. Any other future teams will be set up subject to funding being made available.' he added. The Wicklow Town Team which advocates in the town's best interests recently held a meeting with the Tánaiste Simon Harris looking for support to advance several projects. Among the main issues raised was the long-vacant Wicklow Town Courthouse the lack of car parking spaces close to the town centre and the stalled progress of the East Coast Greenway.
Irish Independent
26-06-2025
- Irish Independent
TikTok video sparks concerns over security at old Wicklow courthouse
Footage has appeared online of prominent Northern Irish TikTok user Jamie Robinson gaining access and documenting the state of the building on Market Square for his thousands of followers. The old courthouse has been lying vacant since 2010 when the district court transferred their operations to Bray due to health and safety concerns at the courthouse. Circuit court sittings had already relocated from Wicklow town to Bray in 2008. During the June meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, Independent Cllr John Snell raised concern about how security measures were breached that allowed Mr Robinson gain access to the building. Cllr Snell believes it was a concerning development and called for better monitoring controls of the building. Cllr Graham Richmond indicated he is working with Tanainste Simon Harris to try and determine the future use of the site. In response district administrator Georgina Franey said local officials don't maintain the court and that it remains in the hands of the OPW although archivist Catherine Wright has asked for permission to access the building. Following a parliamentary question submitted by Wicklow TD John Brady in May, Justice Minister Jim O' Callaghan said a structural and internal review of the site is currently being compiled by the Courts Service.
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wicklow harbours and fishing facilities to get significant enhancements as latest funding drops
The funding through the Fishery Harbour Centres and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme will assist Wicklow County Council in the maintenance and development of fishery and aquaculture linked marine infrastructure in their ownership. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will administer the programme and will co-fund up to 75pc of the eligible project costs, up to a maximum reimbursement of €187,500, with the local authority co-funding the remaining costs. A grant of €187,500 has been allocated towards underwater concrete repair works at the east pier in Wicklow Harbour, with the full cost of the project estimated at €249,700. €45,000 has been allocated for main entrance works at Wicklow Port, with a total project estimate of €60,000. A grant of €26,250 has been provided for pedestrian and vehicle roller gate infrastructure at Arklow Harbour, at an estimated project cost of € €35,000. €187,275 has been reserved for the installation of CCTV and access control systems at Wicklow and Arklow Harbours, with the full cost of the project estimated at €249,700. In welcoming the funding, cathaoirleach of Wicklow Municipal District Cllr Gail Dunne said: 'The east pier has been undermined by the sea and it has been a long-term problem so any funding provided will prove really helpful. 'The works due to take place at the entrance to Wicklow Harbour will involve some dredging to keep the main entrance clear to help improve the depth of the harbour so bigger ships can come in. Some works have taken place previously and this should help to further improve the harbour. 'Most ports in the country already have CCTV and access control systems in place. It's important to have the proper security in place for the movement of timber and different things down at the harbour.' Tánaiste Simon Harris also welcomed the announcement and said this was a significant boost to marine infrastructure in Wicklow. ADVERTISEMENT 'This is a vital and welcome investment in Wicklow's marine infrastructure. The increased total value of individual projects across the country in this year's allocation gives local authorities the opportunity to continue the ongoing development and enhancement of harbour and fishing facilities, while also allowing for some marine leisure developments, benefitting different cohorts of users. 'These projects will ensure our harbours are safer, more secure, and better equipped to support local communities, businesses, and tourism. I am proud to have supported this funding and will continue to advocate for investment in our coastal infrastructure.'
